Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-07-13

was Therma. and 1t
was called Thessalonica after sister OF
Alexander the Great-the Wife or cas-
sander king of Macedonian. In CONNER
cial Importance and population !, was
virtually the capital of Greece, Mace
donia. and IlIyricum. 1t was taken three
times i'm the Middle Ages: by the Sara
Gems, A. ID. 904: by the Normans, a. ID.
1lS5; and by the Turks. 1880. Under It's
modern name of Saionki it is the second
city in European Turkey. It's population
is seventy thousand. one-half of which
is composed of Jews. .. Berea. Another
large city in Macedonia. about sixty
miles from Thessalonica. Its modern
name is Verria. Ii contains twenty thou
sand inhabitants, and has remains or
Greek and Roman buildings.
AS in the case OF Phillip Luke's ac-
curacy is shown in his incidental refer
ences to Thessalonica. The Greek word
tpoiitarchs) by which he designates the
rulers of the town is entirely diff
feient title from that given to the mag
istrates of Phillip, but i'm perfect ac-
cordance with the different constitution
of the town. The title is found nowhere
in literature but in this chapter. Thes-
salonica was municipium. or free city.
which enjoyed the right OF self-govern-
ment and was free from the control of
the provincial governor. The Romans
conferred this privilege upon towns in
return for some signal service rendered
TO the state or on account of their celeb
rity. They left the form Of government
which they found existing. Hence the
mode of government in different free cit
les varied. Thessalonica had won this
distinction on account of having taken
the side of Augustus in the civil wars.
No Roman soldiers were stationed In il.
nor were there any outward signs OF
Roman domination. Luke tells US (verse
- that the mob sought TO bring out the
apostles, not TO governor or magls-
trate, but TO the people, the Greek word
siSnifying a supreme popular assembly.
A triumphal arch, which until lately
stood OH the main street. had an in
scription which told that the city was
governed by seven poitarchs. 1t is now
in the British Museum. The names OF
the seven are given. Three Of them are
identical with the names of three Mace
DOMAIN friends of Paul-Sopater. Gaius.
and Secundus. Athens Ephesus, and
Tarsus We're also free cities.
Connecting Links.-Having lighted the
first candle on the dark shores of Eu-
rope Paul departed from Phlippi. Luke.
it seems. was left in charge of the in
FAINT church there. while Paul. Silas, and
probably Timothy journeyed toward Ath-
ems, the eye of Greece Theh ~
was over a portion of the famt4a 8
NATHAN Way. which stretched fiveT nan
dred miles and was marked from end to-
end with milestoneS. As their plan was
10 plant the Gospel i'm the greater capt.
tails OF the world they rapidly passed
through the lesser towns of Amphipolis
and Apollonia. and after some three
days travel reached the imposing city
OF Thessalonica. Finding here many
jews and a synagogue. the missionaries
decided to halt and labor. Paul still bore
traces of the rppaiyaI at phil
iFpi IL Thes. 2 y, and was compelled pre-
Nious TO the arrival of the contributions
OF the Philippian church 10 follow his
trade OF tentmaking i'm order to supply
his temporal necessities q Thess s. 81.
For at least three Sabbaths he reasoned
with them out of the Scriptures The
usual results followed. Some Jews and
great multitude of Greeks believed In
these the higher social circles and edu-
Gated classes were well represented En-
Vious and angry Jews stirred up perse-
cution. To escape their rage the mis-
sionaries started for Berea by night It's
people were noted for unbiased minds.
receptive hearts. and daily reverent study
or the Scriptures. Many were convinced
and believed. and large and fourishing
church-the third in Europe-was form
ed.
Lesson Hymn
thy servants stand,
TO ask the knowledge of thy word. the
guidance of thy hand
Let thy eternal truths, We pray. dwell,
richly in each heart:
That from the safe and narrow way We
never may depart
Help us to see the Savior's love beamips
from every page:
And let the thoughts of lows above o,.
tnmost souls engage.
William H. Bathurst.
Hints to Teachers.
I. The Spirit of Thessalonica. 1 A
narrow. sectional spirit, looking at truth
from the Jewish standpoint and not will
ing TO investigate the Scriptures concern
ing IL. ,. A prejudiced, uncandid spirit.
pre-)udging the truth. not listening to 1t
with readiness 10 accept il. g. A peryert
ing spirit: not reporting the facts fairly.
but wilfully misrepresenting them color
ing them Tor purpose, and doing injus-
tee 10 the Christian teachers. 4 A base
and wicked spirit: using the lowest in
struments. land appealing to the lowest
motives. .. "A prosecuting spirit; trying
TO put down opposing opinions not by
fair argument. but by authority and vio-
renee. the spirit OF Thessalonica is the
spirit or persecution everywhere. Yet,
Notwithstanding these traits of the lew
ish hearers, Church of Christ arose in
that city. Note some OF its Characters
ties in l Thess. 1. $40.
III. The Spirit OF Berea /. A noble
spirit. Verse IL. These Bereans showed
breadth and catholicity in their sentI
ments by their reception of the truth .
A candid. teachable spirit; ready TO re-
ceive instruction and profit by IT, 3 An
inquiring spirit; not believing on the nm
questioned authority OF men. but search
ing TO md out the truth for themselves.
D. y Scripture-ioving spirit: turning To
the word of God as the final authority
and testing all opinions by it's standards.
.. believing spirit: accepting the truth
as attested by the Scripture, and obtain
ing a well-founded faith.