The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-06-20
Tho Mission of St. Paul.
Tho MisSiOn or St. INUI, IFrom "BibIioa Epochs," ,Dr. Burdctte
 IIart's New Book.4

ttrOm "BlblicAl EpOChs,' ,Dr. huruclte
 IIarts New Dooh.4
 In the wide field of the apostolic work tkere was ono portion which de- manded laborer of somewhat differ ent qualifications from tibose of the twelve apostles. For that service Providence had raised up oneN who, the son of Jewish parents, was also free born citizen of Rome and was educated in the best learning of his times Tar sus was mo mean city" Enriched by the products of the highest existing civilization, distinguished for it's schools and philosopheTsAa as we'll as for the general intelligence of its citizens, rich in classic and histories associations, the favorite of Roman emperors, it was the suitable home of the youth whose future mission, as preacher of the gospel, would lead him among the pol ished cities of Greece and even to plant the church of Christ within the walls of imperial Rome itself. There the early years of the great apostle to the Gen. tiles was spent, learning fromhis pa rents, who educated him according to the strict observance of the strictest sect of the Jews, and from the scholar 1y people with whom he daily mingled, until, himself a stern PhariSee, and ac- quainted with the works of Crecian pO- cts and philosophers, he was removed to Jerusalem and placed under the tui- tion of the celebrated Gameliel a teacher of the law and theology of the Hebrews.
 It was with no feelings of approba- tion that this ambitious and fiery stu dent beheld the growth of Christianity, IA three stranded cord of strength bound and held him to a fierce opposi-' tion. As a free born Roman citizen he was allied to that great heather impe- rialism which was holding the scepter of the world whose unconquered sol diers were asserting their dominance over barbaric and cultured people alike. As Grecian scholar he felt the pride of human beings and gloried in what the wisdom of the schools and the studies of philosophy could do for the enrichment of mankind. As Jewish bigot. rigidly taught in the tenets of that separate people, he looked with cherished aversion, with defiant and bitter scorn upon religion that seemed to threaten the polity of his fathers. There was no man then llVlng who had more in his birth and tralnlnS and the qualities of his mind and the peculiarities of his position to make him an uncompromising foe of Chris tianity. He was it's bitterest inqulsitor and persecutor.
 A day came in the progress Of the new faith which was critical ana cru cial. Would it stand the test ot cruel martyrdom? One of it's preachers, a man full of grace and power, at whose hands great wonders and signs were wrought. stood forth in such pre-eml- nence that it was determined to crush him, He was brought before preJu- diced council, in whose presence ms face was as it had been the face or an angel Unable to answer his historlcal plea. they hurried him out of the city and stoned him to death. A proud yo,1ng man, Roman by birth, Grectan hv studious taste, Jew by religion stood there consenting to that first Christian tragedy. And the witnesses lald down their garments at the feet or a young man named Saul" This is our introduction to Saul. From that tune the passion of persecution possessed him like a demon. He laid waste the church; he entered into every Christian house; he dragged men and women to prison. He breathed threats and slaughter against the disciples ot the Lord. He determined, by fierce ana fiery strokes, to exterminate the new faith.
 Tn the north of Syria stood the oldest city of the world It had been re- nowned from the days of the patr1- archs. It was called "The Eye of the Mast" It looked forth on the great waters of the merchant caravans. It was the rich center of trade and wide reaching commerce. The merchant princes of the Orient came up to its prolific marts. Loaded caravans tra- yersed it's streets The 'rivers of Da- mascus" were famed for their purity and coolness. Flowing from Lebanon 4hev carried fertility and beauty to the city whose white dwellings shone in the eastern sunshine amidst gardens ot roses of royal tints and flowers IT wealthy variety. It was a sight worth going far to see in that day, as It IS 1T fhis day
 Against that clly u lhdl Nelouf wealth and beauty where the gospe was gaining strong foothold, this ar dent persecutor leveled his onset With his fierce retainers, he spurrec along the hard Roman road for one hundred and thirty-sX miles. until, or a sunny morn. as his cavalcade gaine. an eminence, that splendid city burst on their view, an oasis of beauty, sci like gem in the gray and blazing des ert
 Suddenly light brighter than the fiery sun of the desert flashed upor him. Before it he and his company Tel to the ground and question of arres rang on his startled ear. Not for tha had he left Jerusalem. Yet, perhaps all the way the face of the transfiguret martyr had been haunting him and th' voices of the women and childrer whom he had cruelty wronged haC echoed in his soul. The last words tha he had heard from the martyr were words of trust in Jesus. The frs