The National tribune., 1897-06-24
THE SUnDAY-SCH0OL.
International Lesson Appointed
for July A, 1897.
By REV. J. 8. LEMON, PH.D.
Subject: The Macedonian Call. Acts, 16 IT.


given as Troy, Samothracia, Neapolis. Phiiipp' !
Troy was first built by Ambiguous. Lysi-
machus made additions. 1t was on the coast
of Mysia, in Asia Minor. The modern name Is
Eski-Stamb0u. 1t was about one mile square,
and walled. There is good harbor, called also
Troja and Iiium.
Macedonia. o. In Europe, north Of Greece.
First region Of Europe 10 receive the Gospel.
Ancentiy governed by Philip and Alexander.
Samothracia III is an island in the Egean
Sea. At first it was called Samos, bat thus IL
often became COMPOUNDED with the Samos
west of Lydia. Hence it came to be called
Samothracia. the Samos off or near Thrace 1t
is 90 miles in circumference.
Neapois III is name applied to several
cities The one referred TO in this lesson Was
near Philippi. in Macedonis. This Nespoiis
was the first place in Europe visited by Chris
tian missionaries; it has therefore great his
toric significance. The word Neapolis means
New City. 1t is on the Strymonie Gulf 81.
Paul did not remain there.
Phiippi u2) was famous. 1t was named
from Philip II, King of Maccdon; was the
scene of the great battle between Octavu5 and
Mark Antony on the one side and Brutus and
Cassius on the other; the latter being defeated
| and committing suicide. Sc. Paul wrote sn
epistle to the Philippians. It was there he
came into close contact with Grecian men and
philosophy. His knowledge of Greek served
him we'll.
The distance from Troy to Samothracia was
60 miles south to Neapolis 80 miles; north to
PhiIippi 12 miles. These distances are given
in straight lines.
PERSONNEL OF THE TRAVELLERS.
Time. We may date A. D. SO. about 90 years
after the Ascension of Christ. The lesson Is a
night scene. 9.
The travellers There were fonr: ]. st. Paul
(15:40); 2. Silas. or Silvanns Us: 40); 5. st.
Timothy DC: 1-3i; 4. St Luke. The author
of the Acts of the Apostles modestly forbears
to mention his own name, just as John omits
his in the fourth Gospel. In Acts, is: 8. and
in all the previous narrative, we read that
"tJey" did thus and So but in verse II it is
setting sail, therefore, from Troas, Eve" made
a straight course to Samothracia ETC., and from
this point il is I'VE" continually. This
warrants the inference that the writer OF the
Acts-and the testimony Is uncontradicted that
this was Luke, "the beloved physician -
joined Paul at Troas, and continued to be his
companion till the history breaks off with their
arrival at Rome. st. Luke was physician.
1t has been thought st. Paul was not very
strong and felt the need Of having doctor at
hand.
Here is suggestion as to the utility of hav-
| ing physicians 20 as missionaries. Through
cures of bodies they often reach minds. IL
| has been said that in no capacity can one IN
| this present day get such ready access to the
4 -
Palgrave, in his trip through Central Arabia,
constantly availed himself OF this disguise"
| Vision. 9. :" How the vision was recognized
| by St. Paul as that of man of Macedonia,
whether by dress or language or other ma
toDal marks, does not appear. but this -
| strongly suggestive that it was in dream,
| since in dreams we are conscious of facts and
| perfectly certain Of them, Notwithstanding
! their incongruity Whether the vision was
effectively or suhjsctively manifested makes
no matter, since ST. Paul was perfectly con-
| WINGED that it was u real and divine intimation
to him what his future course was to be-"
/ Endeavored. 10. They made the going a
| deyoir duty.
Assuredly gathering. 10. Firmly convinced.
| Loosing. II. Setting sail.
Colony. ~ Roman colony. julius Cesar
planted Il colony in that region. and Augustus
added to it. The people called themselves
Romans. 81. A coin has been discovered
stating that julius Cesar bestowed OIL Philipp
the dignity and privileges of Roman colony.
The Macedonian cry" Come over and help
us!"-has always been the inspiration for
missionary work. The Macedonians were OF
another continent, nationality, language, re-
ligion than those of st. Paul. Ordinarily
the prom pting to go abroad on missionary work
originates in the Church, but in this lesson
they whom we call heatheus became aware OF
need. heard Of Christianity, and earnestly ap-
pealed to the Church to come to them. The
religion Of Macedonia did not meet the wants
of the people, and they were anxious for that
religion as to which it is altogether probable
they had heard favorable reports.
CONVERSION OF LYDIA.
Data-Acts. Is: 1915.
Time-A. d. 50.
Pace-Philippi. We notice. however, that
Lydia's residence or Mt any rate her native city,
was Thyatira A. That was city of Lydia,
nna nf lntfa to a
seven churches found in the Book of Revela-
tions. was that to Tbyatira. Rev, 2:15. 1t
is likely the woman was called Lydia by name,
from the fact she caP1e from the province OF
that name She was worshiper Of God, a
Jewess or q proselyte. She attended the meet
ings of st. Paul at Philippi and was benefited.
The region, Lydia, was noted for its dyes:
]. Sabbath. Is. The Sabbath of the Jews
viz, Saturday.
9 Where prayer was wont to be made. 13
An oratory, a prosenchR. There was no syn.
agoy there, but there were some godly people
They had place, either building or perhaps
spot in the open air, where they met every
Sabbath day for dey otions. 1t was outside the
CITY gates and by the edge of river. Pau
learned of this meeting, and when the Sabbath
came he and his companions went out and
Joined them. There seems to have been only
a few women present. But the missionare;
sat down with them and began to teach them.
3. River ID. Strymon, or the Gangas. The
first seems too distant. and some scholars choose
the latter. which was near the city.
a. Sat- 13. The attitude for teaching. st
Matt. ST..
5. Women. Is. Only women, seemingly, wer,
at the meeting. We find this feature TOT
common even yet in our places of worship.
6. Purple. IA. very rich color gotten from
shell-6shes.
! Z. Opened Ia. Made impossible. causin!
! her to be inclined to attend the meetings ant
to be relgiously disposed. This was not
miracle nor exceptonable. The Holy Spiri
still operates on our hearts. Men resist thi
influence. Lydia harbored it and accepted it
leading
8. Things IA. The preaching of the Cos
pei See v. TO-
9. Which. VIA. Who. OF Paul. IA. B.
Paul.
TO- Household. 10. We infer she was mar
ried, and may suppose she was mother. w
: must conclude there were several members o
: the family. Whoever they were and whateve
J their ages, they were all baptized. They re
ceivea said ordinance either by reason of per
sonal adult alliance to the Church, or else il
consideration of Lydia. If we hold to the lat
ter view we may suppose there were youn!
3 children. This matter is an interesting stud
and divides large bodies of Christians. Tn
instruction here must be left to denomina
:. tional lines.
IL. Faithful to the Lord. Is. If you re
aard me as a true Christian woman-one who's
. | ho hlof IN mil N q