The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-17


was that a relentless Fate rules the
world. and that the highest good to be
sought is complete indifference to both
pleasure and pain.
The con cession to Paul of the rare
privilege of speaking before the Areopa
gus. or chief council of the city, at its
meeting place on Mars Hill, came about
in this way: Some of the reputed philos-
ophers who heard him in the Agora de-
clared him to be babbler, or empty
talker; but others, perceiving more of
his meaning, and hearing him repeat
the words Jesus and the Resurrection,
assumed that these we're two strange
gods he was setting forth. To set forth
strange gods in Athens was an offence
punishable with death. Was he guilty
of such treason? The Atheniane, never
theless, were self complacent, good-na
tured. news-loving people. The record
implies that they insisted upon Paul's
pleading his cause on Mars Hill, even
compelled him. 1t was done, we assume,
in sportful irony. as diversion for their
abundant leisure.
Yet the situation is dangerous for
Paul. IL he is proved to be an actual
setter-forth of strange gods. or denier
of the gods of Athens, he will come un-
der the fatal condemnation Of the law.
But Paul, having no fear, not counting
his life dear to him compared with the
ministry to which he had been called,
did not hesitate to meet the Areopagus
on Mars Hill.
There are still steps remaining in the
rock, leading up to the hilltop from the
| Agora or market below. Immediately
above the steps. on the level of the hill,
are benches of stone. forming three
sides of quadrangle, facing the south.
Here the Areopagites, composed of the
| most distinguished men of Athens, we're
| accustomed to sit as judges in the open
air. The philosophers who conducted
Paul to this famous place probably took
| their seats on the stone benches, while
the multitude stood upon the steps and
in the valley below.
Paul was. with formal courtesy, in
vited to speak in explanation of the sur
prising things which had come to his
| judges ears concerning him. Then
Paul began his famous speech. We have
| preserved to US an outline, probably
written by Paul himself.
Before he could announce Jesus to
those who had no knowledge of the He
brew scriptures, or of the Messiah, and
had no conception of the One God. it
was necessary for him to find common
starting point of agreement. His quick
sagacity. his remarkable adroitness, his
| persuasive courtesy, his breadth of Wis
| ion, held the favor of his audience, until
he had opened way to preach the Cos
| pei. That under such conditions he
could hold his audience so long. while
undermining the popular i6olatry, and
that he should gain some converts. may
we'll awaken our admiring wonder.
We render Paul's marvellous address
in the translation of Conybeare and
Howson, which corrects certain imper
fections of both Established and Revised
render rings.
1. The Unknown GOd,-vs. %,
%.
Ye men of Athens: All things which |
behold bear witness to your carefulness
| In sosa I
your CITY, and behold the objects of
| your worship. found amongst them an
altar with this inscription: To an Un-
known God. Whom therefore ye wor-
ship. though ye know him not, him de-
| clare l unto you.
2. The Unknown God Made
Known, VS.. "a %.
God, who made the world and all
things therein, seeing that he is Lord
of heaven and earth. dwelleth not in
temples made with hands. Neither is he
served by the hands of men, as though
he needeth anything; for it is he that
giveth all life, and breath, and all things.
And he hath made of one blood all the
nations of mankind, to dwell upon the
face of the whole earth; and ordained
to each the appointed seasons of their
existence, and the bounds of their habi-
tation; that they should seek God, il
haply they might feel after him and find
him. though he be not far from every
one of US; for in him we live and move
and have our being; as certain also of
your own poets have said;
For WE ALSO Hrs OFFSPRING"
Forasmucb, then, as we are the off
spring of God, We ought not to think
that the God-head is like unto gold, or
silver, or stone craven by the art and
device of man.
3. God to Judge the World
Through Christ,-ve. 30-34.
Howbeit. those past times of ignorance
God hath overlooked; but now he com
mandeth all men everywhere to repent,
because he hath appointed day where
in he will judge the world in righteous
ness by that Man whom he hath or.
dained; whereof he hath given assur-
ance unto all, in that he hath raised him
from the dead.
He was not suffered to proceed and
expound the Gospel, up to which he had