The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-05-06
THE SUNDAY SCH00L.
International Lesson Appointed
for May 511e, 1897.
Subject: Attempts to Deity SITS. Paul and
Barst9l,ns.

| ES5
Datd.-Acts, IA 11-Is Inclusive.
Time.-We date A. d. E,er 1850 years ago.
| Lystra--1. Was in Asia Minor.
| 9. In province OF Lycaonia.
3. Established cir. B. G. $50.
4. Settled by Babylonian Jews under Anti
ochus
5. Ina. D. AZ, few Jews there.
| 6. No synagog in A. d. AZ.
Z. Visited by st. Paul in lst and I'd mission
airy tours.
8. Some there worshiped St. Paul.
| 8. st. Paul stoned nearly to death.
! 10. Home of st. Timothy.
II. Modern name, Bi,-6ir-killisseh.
! IL. st. Paul healed cripple froA BIRTH
| The scene more specifically Wal located q,
the principal gates of tho city. v. l3. Thi:
shows Lystra was n walled city. While the
| city had no synagog, there was temple in
honor of Jupiter. The gates werc the general
| places of assemblage. 1t is not unlikely the
| lame man Of Y. 8 sat near said gates.
| Lycaonia.-1. A district in Asia Minor.
| 9. Inhabitants had 3 peculiar dialect.
3. A dreary sort of plain.
q. Good for sheep farming.
5. Named from Lycaon.
| JUPITER AND MERcuRrus.
In early days there was belief in polythe.
| ISM No one could tell how many gods there
! were. There was one for winds, another fol
| fountains, another for forests, another for the
| season Spring, etc. Every place had its god
and every human being god-guardian. The
father OF all the gods was Jupiter. His name
Is, according to DR.. Clarke. composed of juvans
pater. meaning helping father Jupiter is his
| Roman name, while Zeus was his Greek appe.
| lation.
Neptune and Pluto were his brothers. His
queen was Juno, The representations given
OF Jupiter show him large, dignifed, of ma.
Jestic micn with grave countenance, sitting on
! throne, holding scepter and thunderbolts.
Jupiter was the god of nature. He controlled
tho lightnings; held in his fists the storms.
and In connection with other gods, had to do
| with light, fire, vegetation, water.
What Is Jupiter doing" meant "What
kind OF weather is it?" Jupiter was the guard
ian oil cities and towns, and so was STYLED Jupi-
ter Custos. We see connection between the
TACT OF his being called the god of nature and the
statement OF st. Paul as to the true God giving
rain, fruitful season, etc. Y. H.
Jupiter was son of Saturn and Rhea. He ia
also called Jove. Jupiter is equivalent to Joyis
Pater. The largest planet is fifty called Jupi-
ter. since he is always associated with great
magnitude of size aud character
Mercurius was known also as Hermes He was
the messenger-in- special of Jupiter. He was
god OF words, speech, eloquence; inventor
OF commerce. letters, Tyre. gymnastics SON of
~SPisSA anu oiaia. ue Had many Sm0gOnlc cal
aiilances-as, for example, with fire, light. with
the sources of knowledge :, SO much SO he was
regarded to be the principle of fecundity.
WHAT THE LYsTHrANs THOUGHT.
We notice that st. Barnabas was thought to
De the superior god-Jupiter, while st. Paul
was identified with Mercurius Why is this
we might nave expected the reverse. But we
recall the fact that jupiter was noted for his
fine, symmetrical. noble body, while Mercurius
figured specially in elocntipn. We are to infer
That the people saw certain corresponding
qualities, which led to their discrimination.
IL is the view of Chryssstom that st. Barnabas
had fine. commanding bodily micn and form,
while we know that the, physical presence of
St. paui was very Insignificant. Cor, 10: 10.
Besides we see st. Paul was the orator. The
reason why they called Isl. Paul Mercurius is
stated in Y. l2-"b because he was the chief
speaker"
Inc Lystrians imagiped they saw in SITS.
Barnabas and Paul incarnations of Jupiter
and Mercurius. This impression the moro
readily gained ground by reason of tho fact
that legend existed in the region of Lystrs
to the effect Jupiter and Mercury once visited
Lystra, and were entertained by two humble
peasants-Baucis and Philamon,
Ovid, in his Metamorphoses represents Juni.
ter and Mercury as having been recipients of
the hospitality of Lycaon, who gave his name
to Lycaonia.
Having seen an actual miracle-an act be-
yond human power, and therefore proof of
Observation-Disclosures is not SO wonderful the
people took SITS. Paul and Barnabas to be said
two gods. They must have been governed by
some similar idea in naming Barnabas Jupiter.
Dr. A. c. kendrick wrote: Called Barna.
bas Jupiter probably from his tall stature and
imposing presence. Paul as the chief speaker.
was identified with Mercury. who was the at
tendant of Jupiter and excelled in eloquence."
We are. of course. to keep in mind that the
heather ideas as to a multiplicity OF gods are
erroneous. Euphemcrus, philosopher, living
about 300 B. c.. was doubtless correct in hold.
ing that tho ancient gods were del fed mortals
Hence what is known as euphemerism.
SOME SUGGESTIONS.
We get from st. Paul grand conception of
Deity: He is the living God which made
Heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things
that are therein" More, too, he preserves ali
things, as history proves. Considering the past
we may say: I" He did good, and gave us rain
from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filing our
hearts with food aud gladness." Vs. Is, II.
What blessing TO the earth
Flows from and showers,
Driving hence both drouth ana derth
bringing fruits aud flowers!
God, who gives the yielding Seeds
VETS them from his river,
Shines Oh valleys fields, and meads-
or their fruit The Givcr
$50, in barren human hearts,
HE in mercy soweth
Precious seed which life imparts,
Where the spirit bioweth.
lie rcfreshes with his grace,
BY his truth enlightens,
And. with beams from Jesus face,
Ciouded brows he brightens
u He in blessing e'er delights;
Gives us food and gladness;
Sinners To himself invites
Saves from guilt aud sadness.
Ev'ry soitning shown of rain.
Ev'ry fruitful season,
Tells II we Of him complain
we've no show OF reason."
If thoughtful ct all it will not be difficult to
think of thousands of blessings for which we
ought to return thanks to Almighty God.
Be not reluctant to express appreciation to
the Giver of all our blessings. 1t is our duty
to remember the Bestoweri of all good things.
And we should not enjoy ali these, letting our
tongues remain speechiess. Expression of
gratitude is pleasing Co God, as it is to every
human image of God. Says SHAKESPEARE in
1uelfth Night: e1eG
81 hate ingrattude more in man
Than any faint of vice whose strong corruption
lniiabiis our frail blood"
There is something inconceiyably mean
about lack of appreciation. The quaint old
Spencer used to say many very wise things,
but none more true than the following:
" If an exhausted and needy traveller should
~ r.