Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-22
international gessuns.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON |, FOURTH QUARTER, inter-
NATIONAL SERIES, OCT. 8.

| NATIONAL SERIES, OCT. 5.
Text of the Lesson, Acts XXI, 1-15-Mem-
ory Verses, 12-14-Golden Text, Acts Xxi,
13- Commentary by the Rev. d. NJ.
Stearns.
1-3. "And when it came to pass that we
we're parted from them we sailed unto
Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the
shin was to unlade her burden" This Is
q summary of these three verses, quoting
from the R. Y. He was hasting II 1t
were possible to be at Jerusalem by the
day of Pentecost (chapter Xxx, 16), bat as
they were dependent upon the possibility
of finding vessel about to soil In the di
rection in which they wished to journey,
and upon favorable winds, 1t would not
seem to us much like making haste.
4. "And finding disciples, we terried
there seven days, who said to Paul through
the Spirit that he should not 90 up to Je-
rusalem." The Gospel had reached and
Ebeen received by some in this city, and so
the travellers and the residents were at once
friends for there is no bond like the blood
of Christ His redeemed ones are all Cit
liens Of heaven, but pilgrims and stran-
gers here (Phil. iii, 90, R. "; Pct. II, l1).
But here is strange message to Paul
which makes us think of chapter XVI, g,
z, when the Spirit suffered him not to 90
into Asia or Bithynia. In that case he was
obedient. Let us see how no acts now.
| s. "And when we had accomplished
those days we departed and went our
way, = = and we knceled down on the
shore and prayed The Spirit had not
said to stop ut Tyre, nor to proceed no far
ther, so it was all right to move on. How
touching this parting scene! Men, women
and children accompany Paul and his
companions out Of the city, and all kneel
on the shore in prayer. So In chapter xx'
86, before leaving the elders of Ephesus he
knecled down and prayed with them all
g. "And when we had taken our leave
one of another we took ship, and they re-
turned home again." These believers ut
Tyre may have been part Of the result Of
the visit of our Lord (Math. XIV, 21-2s), or
perhaps through the preaching Of those
who were scattered at Stephens death
(Acts viii, a. There is just one thing for
disciples to be doing, whether Mt home or
abroad, and that is to walk worthy of our
calling and show ourselves approved unto
God Il Thess. ii, 10; II Tim. ii, 15).
z. "And when we had finished our voy-
age from Tyre we camc to Ptolalnais and
saluted the brethren and abode with them
one day." Brief but blessed visits of men
of God and foretastes of the eternal fellow
ship Of the future. There would be but
one topic of conversation, tho kingdom of
God and the things concerning the Lord
Jesus Christ (Acts xviii, 81, but one
book, the Scriptures, and doubtless much
prayer. The believers would be encouraged
to be stcadfast and to do all in their power
to give the gospel to others.
| 8. "We entered into the house OF Philip,
the evangelist, which was one Of the seven,
and abode with him." Leaving Ptolcmais,
they came to Cesarca, which Stems to be
Philips home Tho last VIC heard Of him
was preaching in the cities from Azotus to
Cesarea after he had led the treasurer Of
Queen Candace to Christ (Acts viii, 4o).
He is still known rs bearer Of glad It'd
| ings and was doubtless continually at 1t.
Why should not every believer be in some
largo sense an evangelist, an ambassador
for Christi
8. "And the saIne man had four daugh-
ters, virgins, which did prophecy" Daugh-
ters rs we'll as sons are included in the
promise of tho gift Of the Spirit (Joel II,
2s; Acts ii, ~. In the Old Testament
Miriam, Deborah and Huldah and in the
New the women whom He sent from the
sepulchcr and Priscilla and others are nota-
BILE examples of women whom He used as
His messengers.
10, II. "Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So
shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the lpan
that owneth this girdle and shall deliver
him into tho hands of the gentiles." Thus
testified a prophet named Agabus, who
came down from JudGa, and being with
these disciples took Paul's girdle and sig
niflcantly bound his own hands and feet
with the same. Thus for the second time
Paul is warned not to go up to Jerusalem.
and it is the Holy Spirit who tells him not
to 60.
| 10. "Apd when we heard these things
both we and they Of that place besought
him not to go up to Jerusalem. Now 1t
| Is possible for man to stand alone with
God and be all right, and it Is possible for
O man to think he Is standing with God
and be standing with himself.
1S. "Then Paul answered, What mean
70 to weep and to break mine heart? for
am ready not to be bound only, but also
to die at Jerusalem for the name Of the
Lord Jesus" This is certainly right
attitude of soul for q believer, and the
only right attitudc-to be ready for life or
death, prosperity or adversity, if only God
Is glorifled theroby-but my perplexity
here is to know what was the heartbreak-
ing part of this affair to Paul Was he 80
set upon getting to Jerusalem at this par
ticular time thnt his heart would break II
he did not accomplish it, or was he 80 set
upon doing the will of God that his heart
would break If he failed to do itP If the
latter, then why not accept the voice Of
the Spirit at Tyre and C;esarca and be sat-
is1ed to be subject to the Spirit in this
matterp Is not perfect submission to the
will Of God the highest mission on earthP
AS one has said:
Is not Hiswil tho wisest is not His way the
i bestP
| And in perfect acquiescence is there not per-
| feet rest?
II. "And when he would not be per-
suaded we ceased, saying, The will Of the
Lord bo done" Both Paul and Barnabas
could not be right in the matter Of John
| Aark ActS XIV, Sf-4l), auu UoGn pr1les
cannot be right in this case, but the treth-
rem yield to Paul and appeal to God. 1t is
good to say, "Thy will be done, )" but 1t is
better to do it without resistance. 1t Is
good to say, "It is the Lord; let Him do
what seemeth Him good" but it Is better
to be wholly in His hand that He may un-
hindcred do what scemcth Him good. The
after developments and the years of wait
ing as prisoner (Acts xiv, 27) all seem
to indicate that this going to Jerusalem at
this time was of Paul and not of God
Is. "And after those days we took up