The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-06

could never afterwards deny the ev.-
dence then given of the spiritual power
of the Name. Yet he had been a rest
less prosecutor in dread of the Nazarene.
1t was kicking against the goad. Now
the light had smitten him. AS Phari-
see he was in ruins. He was not yet
born as Christian.
2. Befriended by the Christian
AnanfaS,-ve. 10-13.
Saul was led by the hand into the
city. On the main street of the city,
then called the Strait Street.-at that
time broad avenue from the eastern to
the western gates and divided by CORN
THAN columns into three divisions, but
in our day. as the travellers report. it
has degenerated to narrow street
which, with it's unsightly buildings,
bears no resemblance to what it once
was save in one fact that it is still
straight" ON this street was a public
house kept by Jew, Pharisee named
Judas. To this inn Saul was led, and
here he found temporary home.
The hours which succeeded were to
Saul hours of fearful struggle and
agony. Must he give up his national
pride, his Jewish hope of triumphant
royal Messiah, and change the religious
habits of his life? Must he believe in
crucified Messiah, Messiah approved
of God by being raised from the dead,
Saviour of the world? Terrible ques
tons! While awaiting their answer
within himself he could not taste of
food nor suffer water to cool his inward
fever. He tasted; he could not do
otherwise. Spiritual life in him was
contending with spiritual death.
He prayed. He prayed as blind man
prays for sunlight. He prayed as soul
in darkness prays for divine assurance.
He prayed as ruined life, becoming
conscious of it's condition. prays for
pardon and restoration.
In trance-vision which came in some
intermission OF his agony. Saul with his
inner eyes saw Christian of Damascus,
Ananias by name. coming toward him
with fraternal greetings, to help him in
his sore need. to lay upon him amounting
hands.
What of this Ananias? He was de-
vout man according to the law, we'll
reported of among all the Jews of Da-
mascus. He had become believer in
l. Of
who were driven from Jerusalem; or he
may, which is more probable, have
learned the Gospel from some of the
prosecuted ones who had brought their
faith with them to the northern city.
He was, in any case, now sincere and
well-instructed disciple of the Nazarene.
To this devout believer a vision had also
been vouchsafed. In the spirit he had
heard his name called, betokening that
he was chosen for special commission.
He answered the Voice after the He
brew fashion, Behold 1 an. here, Lord.
He was told by the Voice to go to the
street called Straight, and at the house
of Judas to inquire for Saul of TaSsus,
who was then in prayer. He hath seen.
said the Voice, a man named Anontas
coming in. and laying has hands on
hin. that he mag receive has sight.
Ananias demurred.
He had heard of this SAUL He had
heard of him doing evil to the saints at
Jerusalem. He had heard of him re-
ceiving authority from the high priest to
come to Damascus to bind all that be-
lieved on the Name. Why should he go
to such a cruel and powerful enemy?
The Voice replied, Go ting acGg, for he
is q chosen Uessel unto me to bear mig
name before the Gentiles and Kings,
and the children of Israel, for aoiH
show him hov mang things he mast
suffer for ma names sake. Ananias
now believed that it was the voice OF
Jesus speaking to him out OF the inner
silence. He obeyed; he came to Saul.
Saul saw him approach. 1t was as it
had been foreshown to him; his vision
had become fact,
Ananias paused to ask no questions;
he laid his hands upon the blind man.
saying, Brother Saul, the Lord. e0en
Jesus. schom thou didst see IN the a0dy
Which thou earnest, hath sent me that
thou mayest receiue thy sight and be
filed aOith the Holy Spirit.
3. The Repentant Prosecutor
Baptized, 1920.
Another flash of light came to Saul.
1t was not now light to blind; it was
light to reveal. Straightvay there fell
from his eyes as 1t had been scales, and
he received has sight.
The outer light and the inner light
flooded his being at the same moment.
He believed in the Christ, He was
newborn soul.
His fast was broken; he was restored
to bodily health; his new faith caused
him to hasten to publicly confess Jesus
in baptism. He sought the company
Of the Christians in Damascus.
He who had come to battle and des-
troy the Christians of Damascus was
soon heard in the synagogues of that
city publicly and boldly declaring to
| ,yondarino Iistaners that Jesus is the