The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-28

time in great confusion (verse 52). Many
did not know the cause of the trouble.
Various and partial reports had been
circulated and, as a result, some shout
ed one thing and some another, accord
ing to the interests represented. Suf-
fcient order was finally obtained to per-
nit hearing of the cause, and the
Jews, who had been involved with the
Christians, attempted to mak, a state
ment 1t is probable that they desired
to have 1t known that they were not
responsible, and that all the blame, If
such there be, rested on the Christians.
Alexander was put forward by them to
speak, This is doubtless the same man
that is afterward mentioned by Paul Q.
Tim. /: 20) as the coppersmith, who made
him great trouble QI. Tim. iv: 1D. Lift
ed to some elevated place where he
might be seen, a measure of quiet re-
stored, he beckoned with his hand and
began his address.
OUTCRY.-Alexander was not permit
ted to deliver his address. Possibly by
his associates, or by his appearance,
or by his accent, or by his opening sent
ence he was recognized as a Jew. With
out waiting to learn what he had to
say the people considered him as In a
sense opposed to them and their relig-
ion. voice shouted, another, another
III, anu tne look up
the cry, raised at the beginning: Great
is Diana of the Ephesians." 1t was
popular, noisy demonstration in favor
of the goddess. For two hours the out
cry continued (verse 80 until Bedlam
was supreme. This was a remarkable
event in the history of the city, the
home of the best Hellenic culture. Here
Anacreon had sung the songs that suit
ed the Greek colonists; here Mnnermos
written plppinSs ho1
given the first impulse to philosophy;
here Parrhasius and Appclles hal
studied their immortal art: and here
the deepest of all Greek thinkers
had meditated on those truths which ne
uttered in language of incompatible
force. But now the morals and intel
lectual life of the city had sunken so low
that it had become the center of super
stltlon. polluting the atmosphere of the
adjacent region.
REFLECTIoNS.-One would scarce ex-
pect in such city after the scenes ius.
described that the Gospel would achieve
any great results. But with the excep-
ton of Rome, the city was destined to
become by far the most important field
OF the apostles labor. Here he wrote
two, perhaps three of his letters, in one
of which he declared that great and
effectual door had been opened to him
in Ephesus Il. Cor. xvi: 81. He refers
to the city in his charge to Timothy q.
Tim. /: -, and to the service rendered
there by onesipherus, III. Tim. Il isl and
he sent Tychicus there to labor III. Tim.
iv: R) Traphimus was an iEphesian.
(Aots xxi: 29D The Apostle John is he.
lieved TO have made Ephesus his resi-
dence during the latter part of his life.
Later the church declined from its first
love, Rev. II; 1-l7D causing the apoca-
lyptic letter to be written. Ephesus
became, in fact, the third capital or
starting point of Christianity. Born at
Jerusalem. broadened and quickened at
Anioeh' 1t here witnessed its fun de-
yelopment In the final amalgamation of
Its unconsolidated elements. We may
learn thus that opposition does not in
Jure man, or cause. Rather 1t brings
out and strengthens every good work.
Il. Thes. iii: 81