The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-26

at Antioch appears to have been es-
pecially with Paul and Silas; they were
commended By the brethren to the grace
of the Lord.
At Lystra, in Lycaonia, they were, as
we have already noted, joined by limo
thy. whom Paul loved as son.
In this inland region the missionaries
went to many cities. strengthening the
churches already established and found
ing new ones. So the churches soere
strengthened in the faith. and increased
in number daily.
From this point the lesson passage
continues the narrative.
I. Door Shut,-vs. 6-9.
We have but brief mention of the
journeyings through the regions of
Phrygia and Galatia. We have not yet
the narrative of an eyewitness. OF
Phrygia we have learned only that some
| from this province we're witnesses of the
outpouring of the spirit at the Pente-
cost in Jerusalem $40. The Gospel in
crude form was no doubt brought by
| them to their home. or Galatia we have
hitherto had no mention. The churches
now established in Galatia were after.
wards objects Of Paul's especial regard.
From his epistle to the Galatians we
learn that they we're peculiarly subject
to the influence of the Judaizing party.
This inland region was not satisfac-
tory field to the missionaries. 1t was
their desire to go into the more populous
province Of Asia-the province from
which the continent has received its
name. But they were forbidden bg the
Holy Ghost.
| We're Barnabas and Mark already at
work there? It is not i'm probable. This,
or similar reason. deferred Paul from
entering this inviting region.
When they found themselves near to
Mysia, the northern province of Asia,
they partially formed the purpose of
pursuing their work to Bithynia, the
yet more remote region at the northeast
But this also the Spirit forbade. Prov
idence designed that they should preach
not in the wilds, but in the great cen
ters of influence.
When it seemed that all the doors of
opportunity had closed upon them, they
came through Mysia down to Troas, on
the shore of the Egean Sea. The phrase
passing By Mysia, implies that tn ey did
not at this time, as they passed through
it, preach the Gospel to it's inhabitan ts.
Troas was a seaport of Mysia; yet it.
self colonial city. independent of My
sia, and not reckoned part of Asia. 1t
was built by Alexander the Great, and
after him named Alexander Troas. 1t
was point of peculiar interest to one
who, like Paul, was versed in the Greek
| learning "At four miles distance, Says
Stalker, "lay the Plain of Troy. where
Europe and Asia encountered each
other in the struggle celebrated in Ho-
mer's immortal song. Not far off Xer-
xes, sitting on marble throne reviewed,
the three millions of Asiatics with
which he meant to bring Europe at his
feet. On the other side of that narrow
strait lay Greece and Rome, the centers
from which issued the learning the
commerce. the armies which gov
erned the world. Could his heart, so
ambitious for the glory of Christ, fail
to be fred with the desire to cast him
self upon those strongholds, or could he
doubt that the spirit was leading him
forward to this enterprise?"
Still the missionaries hesitated. All
doors seemed closed to them.
.. A Cry from Macedonia, VS..
9-12.
A Uision appeared to Paul IN the
night: There aoas a man Of Macedonia
standing beseeching him and saying,
Come over into Macedonia and help as.
This man beheld by Paul's inner eyes,
a man standing and with outstretched
arms beseechipg that the missionaries
come over into Europeans not
doubted by Paul as being Messenger
of the Spirit.
Great currents Of history have had
their source in his mystic cry, which
has been ever since the watchword of
missions. "On this momentous vision"
says Schaff, "hung the Christianization
of Europe, and all the blessings of mod
ern civilization"
And tchen he had seen the vision, con-
tinues the record. straightt0ay zoe sought
to 90 forth into Macedonia. concluding
that God had called as for to preach
the Gospel unto them. Note the words,
We sought to go forth. At this point
Luke begins to speak to us as an eye-wit-
ness. 1t is to be inferred that he joined
the missionaries while they we're waiting
at Troas. The copjectured reason of his
then joining the company is that he was
needed to watch over Paul's health.
Paul gal. 4:20) had recently suffered a
severe sickness; he was still afflicted
with bodily disorder. probably serious
ly affecting his eyes. Opportunely, Luke
the beloved physician" now became
Paul's companion. The brevity of the
account of the journey hitherto, COM
pared with the fulness of details in the
| narrative heraaftar makaa diatinct this