The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-27
LESSON STORY.

Philip the Deacon. now the Evan
gelist, when Peter and John came from
Jerusalem to Samaria to supersede him
and finish his work in that province,
heard a voice telling him to go as mis-
sionary to the South.
The voice he heard, whether it was
the fraternal counsel of Peter and John.
or the inner suggestion of the Spirit to
his own spirit. was to him the messen-
ger of God. 1t was imperative.
Several roads led southwark to the
ancient city of GAIA. the scene OF the
marvellous Samson stories. One was
desert road. And this road, leading
through a solitary and barren region. he
was impressed was the one he should
choose.
L. A Perplexed Inquirer,-vs.
26-31.
Philip promptly started on his journey.
He was the first of the Christian mis-
sionaries to turn his face resolutely
away from the ancestral land of his peo-
pie. He was actuated by the conviction
that he had a story to tell which the
whole world must hear. He travelled
alone, under Divine guidance.
He saw a caravan, escorting char
lot, approach from behind. When it
had overtaken and passed him he had
learned that the Negro, the central fig
ure in the group, the man occupying
with his driver the chariot-seat, and in
tently reading scroll, was the cham
berlain of the Candace of Meroe,-the
treasure keeper the lord chamberlain
OF the queen of that prosperous Ethio-
plan nation at the south OF Egypt.
twelve hundred miles away from Jeru-
salem.
Jews, we remember, were numerous
in Egypt; of them this Ethiopian may
have learned the doctrine of One God.
Or there may have been among his own
people traditions of Solomon, brought
by the Queen of Sheba, thousand
years before; he may thus have learned
to recognize the Hebrew worship OF the
Eternal as the most worthy of all wor-
ship known among men.
We infer that this Jewish proselyte
had been in attendance at one of the
great feasts in Jerusalem. He was now
returning home. He had in his posses
sion.-he had probably obtained it for
great price from some scribe during his
stay in Jeruealem.-a treasure which
only the very rich could in his age pos
eess, a parchment copy of the writings
of Isaiah.
Over this prophecy he was porting.
He was, according to the custom of his
day, reading aloud.
Philip saw him go by. The Inner
Voice said to him. Join thyseG to this
chariot. He straightway ran till he was
where he could once more hear the
reader. He listened. He recognized
the familiar words of the prophet. He
saw look of perplexity in the readers
face. Here was Philips opportunity.
Here was clouded soul in unconscious
prayer for the clear light of the Gospel.
Philip asked of the Ethiopian: Under
standest thou lchat thou reddest? He
knew by his attitude he did not.
What did the Ethiopian discern in
the face of the questioning pilgrim?
Friendliness. intelligence, the authority
of goodwill and superior knowledge.
The eunuchs reply was an invitations:
Hop can I, except some one shall guide
me9 Philip was soon seated by the per-
picked student in the chariot.
Striking historical picture! Has ever
artist done it justiceY An Ethiopian, a
Negro, of race destined to endure CEN
turtles of oppression, yet man in au-
thority, with trappings of luxury and