The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-23

Rev. Dr.. kerr's Interesting Lecture at the
First presbvterian Church.

On Sunday night, at the First Presby-
terrain church. Or. Kerr I'm speaking OF
ST. Paul al Cornth. said I'm part:
Corlnth was situated on the Isthmus.
bridge Of the sea. which was about
eight miles wide and connected the Pelo-
ponesian peninsular with the main land.
Xenophon speaks Of IL as the
Gate Of the Peloponesus. the
closing of which would make all ingress
and egress impossible During the Per
siam war and when Leonidas was killed
wall was built across the Isthmus. as
defence against the marauders. II was
after the point Of contention in subse-
quent wars and was always looked upon
as the most strategic fort OF Greece.
JIstinian rebuilt this wall and fortified
% with one hundred and nifty towers A
ship canal across the Isthmus had often
been proposed. Demetius julius Caesar.
and Caliguta had wished 10 effect H.
And at the time Of 81. Paurs visit the
work was about TO be begun by Nero.
But not until recently I'm our time, was
this great canal finished enabling ships
10 avoid the dangerous cape OF Malea.
and lind a safe and short passage between
the east and west. The most conspicuous
typographical feature Of the region was
the acrocorinthus 1900 feet high. which
stood in the midst of the city.
10 is easy 70 see what an advantageous
position Corinth had. as a centre OF
commerce and the place designated by
nature fOr great city.
At the time of the Roman CONQUEST Cor
inth had been destroyed but julius Caesar
founded in anew. and made il a colony
most or tho colonisis being freedmen
Of Rome. The population grew I'm num-
hcrs with great rapidity and when the
apostle visited C0rnth ii was great and
wealthy city. Its patron deity was
Neptune. the God Of the sea.
III was q very different kind Of city
from Athens. The latter was uniycr-
sity town. quiet. conservative and Gull
tured while Corinth was busy mart of
commerce. about the difference now OBJ
served b'~wecn Edinburgh and London
While IL was a Roman colony the popu-
latlon was largely Greek and as was us
ually the caes in commercial centres.
there We're also many Jews. The Cen
tile population OF the city was among
the most corrupt OF an the communities
Of the ancient world TO "Corlnthianizc'
was in the speech Of the day TO live a
licentiOus life. and a "COrinthan ban
quet,' or a "Corinthian drinker' were
proverbs current among mankind, stand
ing for grossest dissipation.
Into this corrupt city 81. Paul came 10
preach the gospel Of purity and virtue.
4 concerted and determined insurrec-
ton was made against 81. Paul by tie
Jews. and they brought him before ,he
judgment seat OF Berna Of Gallo. the RO-
man Pro-Consul charging him with
heresy. saying, This fellow persuadeth
men 10 worship God contrary 10 the law"
IL must Be remembered that under the
liberal government OF Rome. the Jews
were allowed certain religious privileges
and liberty 50 they thought as Jews had
already done in other places to invoke
the aid OF the Roman law in putting
Paul down rs a hereto. After the charge
had been stated ST. Paul was about 10
open his mouth 10 defend himself bur
the Pro-consul interrupted him 10 pro-
n0unce judgment In his favor and SAID
10 the Jews III this were a matter Of
wrong or wicked lOwdness. . ye Jews.
reason would that ] should bear with you.
but IN 10 be a question OF words and
names and Of your law. look We 10 II. for
/ will be- no judge In such matters In
Dther words it was a purely religious
question and not one affecting the peace
lr safety Of the city. The Jews could tx
Paul II they would, but the
Roman law had nothing TO do with jew
sh religious penalties. So Gallo calls
'or The lictors. and drives the Jews
rom the judgment seat.
The Greeks seem 10 have been not only
pleased with this decision. but indignant
At the Jews for bringing their religious
before the PrO-consul, so
hey took their leader. Sosthenes. the
.hief ruler Of the synagogue and beat
lin before the Judge. But Gallo cared
or none Of these things and looked on |
IS an amused or uninterested spectator.
This glimpse Of Gallio's character Is |
,uite i'm accord with what we read Of |
i'm in the writings Of contemporary Ro-
nan historians. who describe him as a
nan of gentle disposition. fond OF quiet.
extremely popular with all Romans. lie |
yas "A brother OF Seneca. the philosopher. |
Who was the tutor of Nero.
Or. Kerr will speak on st. Paul at |
sphesus next Sunday night.