The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-28
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
August 20, 1s97-Acts xix, 21-34.


The temple of Diana was a citadel of pagan
ism. Embellished by the pencil of Apelles and
the chisel of Phidias, it in itself incompara-
bly, beautiful. 1t was favorite asylum for polit-
zeal and civil fugitiVes 1t colossal safety
deposit vault holding the wealth of western Asia.
All this, as well as a shrine Of worship. 1t is af
frmed that there religious building in the
world in which concentrated a greater
amount of admiration, enthusiasm and supersti-
tiCn. The strategic skill Of st. Paul is
here exempliied. Next to Rome, Ephesus was
the most influential metropolis in the world. The
apostle avaled himself of the mutitudes coming
and going at this Asiatic Vanity Fair to send
his message to the ends OF the earth. His daunt-
less courage is shown in the assault upon this
ACiop9ls OF pagansn- success proves the divin-
lty or ms gospel = Paul struck paganism
Wlthenng DloW; Yet he was no Iconoclast. The
city recorder officially exonerated him, affirming
that ne was no church robber or blasphemer. he
love, depending upon its expulsive power to ac-
complish the rest. Logic opened the way Tor
pagan shibboeth was insufficient to drown out
the apostles appeal TO reason, The sue
cess or Paul was splendid. The humble school
room of Uranus wed in attraction with the
tival of Ephesus, Instead of carrying home the
pretty silver shrnes took the story Of the cross
pletest manner, the city metamorphosed
dess cleaned the Sign Of q 9ihrs g so
Ephesus took its place among the Apocalyptic
declared to be profoundest of all. Well may one
exclaim. What has become of the temple Of
like phantom, without leaving trace behind p
but the gospel remains, and is the power Of God
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES
After these things: Gospel firmly established at
circumstances.
About that way: R. V, the way. Satan always
desires to obstruct the narrow way.-Iange.
Shrines for Diana: Small models of the temple
containing image of goddess-Vincent.
Called together: OF this opportune occasion
Demetrius took advantage to stir up the idle and
- fpAl< lace
Our craft: II you NEEDLE with Diana, you must
cTattIIhe temple: Appeal to selt-interest and
Chiefs of ASIA: Asarchs, high priests Of Asia
We're heads Of the imperial, potical-religous or
ganiza{ avon OF the plovlnce:-ttamsay Wealthy
men CHOSEN annually to superintend the games
Great is Diana; Common formula of prayer and
Into the theaters: The Colosseum, capable of
Disciples suffered him not Many an army has
done the same for its beloved leader.-Peloubet.
THE TEACHERS CULVER
First-Ephesus a fascinating city to the Bible
reader Here Mary, the Lords mother died
John wrote here his gospel and Epistles. and died
a natural DEATH forming the only exception to
martyrdom among the apostles Timothy was
tie bishop of the church, and to him two pastoral
epistles were addressed besides one to the church
itself. Here the third Ecumenical Council, A. D.
49,, vas held.
second-7lnterest eliminates in Paul's expert
ences He Fought like a gladiator with the beasts
OF preJudlced Judaism, and an infiamed
Third-Paul's methods capable of universal
application. He paid first attention to the semi
CT rstfans disciples Of John Baptist, then sought
to bring defective Christians chose still using
magic arts up to the true standard, and finally
proceeded against heathenism.
Fourth-Ihe ShrinemakerS strike sort
of ancient labor trouble; a trades union affair
But II was in defense of a craft that had no
rational grounds for existence. Methods were
used which our enlightened labor leaders of to-
day would scorn.
Fifth,,,rhe, vanity of opposition to the truth is
admirably illustrated in the Ephesian episode
SlXth-oeinetrlus unW1ttingly paid a high COM
pliment to Paul and his gospel. Werses 20 ~