The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-08-24
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

International Lesson for August ~, 1898
Paul Before Agrippa-Acts 26i10-32.
1 Especially Arranged from Peloubets Notes.
GOLDEN TExT-Christ the power Of God, and
the wisdom of God.--1 Cor, 1-24
| TNE-First Of August, A, d. 90 Two years
after the last lesson.
PLACE.-C@sarea, forty.seven miles north
| west OF Jerusalem; one of the residences Of the
| Roman governor Of Judea.
RULERs-Nero, emperor Of Rome (seventh
| year from October 49, Porcius Festus, gov
| ernor OF Judea first year,. Herod Agrippa IL,
| king Of Trachonitis and the country east Of the
sea OF Galilee and tine upper Jordan.
LESSON NOTES.
The New Governor.-For two years
Paul was a prisoner in Cmsarea. His
imprisonment was no dishonor, for he
had committed no crime, and he was
allowed all the comforts, liberty and
intercourse with his friends which were
compatible with security. During
these two years Felix was expecting
that PauFs friends would raise money
as bribe for his release. But the ex-
pectation was vain. The governor had
plenty of trouble with the Jews, and
in the summer of 50 committed an in
discriminate massacre. For this he
was accused by the Jews, and was re-
called in the spring of so; and Porcius
Festus was appointed in his place.
According to the Roman law he sailed
by April 15, and would naturally ar
rive at Cesarea the last of June.
Festus was a much better man than
Felix. Little is known of him, but, "a
cynic in philosophy and a sceptic in
religion, he was yet probably free from
those debasing vices which disgraced
his predecessor" AS Judge it was
evident that he desired to do right and
yet to conciliate the people. He put
down the rowing bands of robbers in
Palestine. He was governor less than
two years, dying in his province No.
vember, 81.
The Appeal to Casar.-As soon as
Festus reached Jerusalem the leading
Jews went to him about Paul, and de-
sired that he be sent to Jerusalem for
trial, intending to murder him on the
way. But the governor would make
no promises until he knew more about
the case. On his return to Cesarea he
summoned Paul to the courtroom,
where the Jews made many bitter ac-
cusations against him. Paul denied
them all. Then the governor. in order
to please the Jews, proposed that
as the complaints against him
pertained to the Jewish religion
he go up to Jerusalem to be tried. 'sBut
Paul was on his guard. He had in his
power certain means of averting the
danger of the governors compliance
the appeal to Crsar-which was the
ultimate safeguard of the Roman citi-
zen. We can but suppose that sud-
den inspiration opened his eyes to the
path by which he might be carried to
the long desired goal of his hopes at
Rome. He asserted his rights, and
Festus, after consulting with his as
SCISSORS, had only to declare: Thou
hast appealed unto Cesar Unto Cesar
shalt thou CO. While waiting for an
opportunity, Festus had to draw up an
account of the charge on which Paul
was sent for trial, and it was no easy
matter to place a mere question of
Jewish superstition before Nero in a
satisfactory form. He was in this diff
ficulty when Agrippa and his sister
Bernice arrived at Casarea to congrat-
ulate the new governor. Several days
were spent in ceremony and festivity
before Festus mentioned the case of
Paul to Agrippa, who, being informed
by the governor of all that had passed.
expressed desire to hear the man.
William Smith.
The Court of Appeal. place was
the government palace at Casarea.
The Prisoner. Paul, aged flfty-eight,
the worldwide known apostle of
Christianity to the Gentiles, now stand
ing chained to a Roman soldier.
The Judges. Porcius Festus, COVER
nor of Judea. Josephus gives him a
good character. Herod Agrippa H.,
king of the country east of the upper
Jordan and the sea of Galilee. He had
a palace at Jerusalem, and was pro-
fessedly jew, and versed in Jewish
customs. Roman satirists are busy
with the terrible scandals of his pri-
vate character. Bernice was the sister
of Drusilla, the wife of Felix, and also
the sister and wife of Agrippa.
Bernice was first married to her uncle,
Herod, king of Calchis. After his death
she lived under circumstances of great
suspicion with her own brother, this
king Agrippa. She was second time
married, to Ptolemon, king OF Cilicia;
but soon left him, and returned to her
brother. She afterwards lived in un-
holy union with Emperor Vespasian,
and with his son, Emperor Titus
Vaughn. All these were doubtless ar
rayed in royal robes or splendid official
uniforms.
The Question Stated. Festus arose
before this brilliant assembly, and
stated the object of their coming to-
gether. The prisoner had been vehe-
mently accused as one worthy of death.
He had appealed to Caesar, and must
be sent to Rome. But Festus, not be-
ing well acquainted with Jewish laws
and customs, could not make out any
definite charge against him that would
be a reasonable excuse for sending
him as a prisoner to Rome ssNow,"