The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-08

f1CutCW AG1E was XdnA. AK SpocliC ~
the Gentiles. He had a most profound
intellect and an heroic soul. OF the
New Testament writer's he was fore
/. most. His writings are of the greatest
value, and If he did write some things |
hard to be understood, as his brother
Peter intimates, he was the master !
| apostolic band. We have several
times lately written of Pad1's voyage
towards Rome and what befel him. In
tending at the start to touch upon n
incident in his journey we were led on
from week to week to consider many
points suggested by the inspired his
torical record by St. Luke, his COM
panion on the voyage. After Paul had
reached Rome. a chained prisoner, he
lived alone watched by a soldier, but
for two years lin his own hired
house" We gave a brief insight into
his arrival and his first address t. his
fellow Jews. They were interested in
what he said and wanted him to speak
at more length another time for they
said to him I'VE desire to hear of thee
what thou ~thinkest." Now turn to
Acts 2Sth and read from 23rd to 18th
verse inclusive, for We wish to write
brifiy of a point or two recorded there
in. The leading thought of the great
apostle was the source of unbelief. At
the appointed day many visited him
in his lodging, when Paul taught
them, ~expounding the blessed truth of
God, testifying of the Scriptures and of
"~persuading them concerning Jesus"
He spoke at much length, consuming
Tie entire day with his discourse, even
from morning till evening"" Pau
was indeed a mighty teacher and
preacher of 1.-The glorious Gospel of the
Son of God" Let it be no iced that
the sermon was very long, wonderful
ly long. He spoke, it may be six,
eight or ten hours, and the people
gathered no doubt heard him with the
deepest interest. None left, We may
Wei believe. They were enlightened,
were edited. To people living now
this Bible account is astounding. Try
to think of an audience of any nation
ality sitting now as willing and de-
lighted auditors for an entire day, lis
tening to the proclamation of Gods
truth, attentive to the great principles
hat belong to 1.-THE Kingdom of God"
trying to learn of the great funda-
mental doctrines and duties and evil
dences of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
of all that really concerns the Lord
Jesus Christ, both out of the law of
Moses, and out of the prophets" You
do not know o to start to imagine
such a thing. They might sit in a
theatre at a great play for five or six
hours. They might spend many hours
watching a prize fight between bruis-
ers, or a terrific game between two
foot ball teams, or might listen for
six or eight hours in physical discom-
: fort to political speeches. But to sit
in a modern church IN easy pews and
: listen to the great truths about 1.-The
, Kingdom of Cod" and all that on
Germs the destiny of the soul through
eternity with unfaltering interest
could never occur perhaps. Think. of
:, people in a bustling, hustling, materia-
listic age, given over to much sinful
worldly pleasures, setting apart an en-
tire day for Gods worship, seeking the
. higher life, inQuiring into the great
l revealed truths of the Gospel. When
is. it I'VE done2 And yet we should
not grudge any time so devoted to
t seeking after the true way, the right
: living. 1t is employment far above all
= soul beyond any thing the world can
. offer. 1t is to learn Gods will and
Y catch the full purpose Of diligently
: seeking to perform it. 1t is to grow in
grace and in the love and knowledge
of Il Lord Jesus Christ. It viii
prove beneficial to any contrite spirit
any sincere seeker after uod and holi.
t ness of life to a%nxiously, eagerly
e watchfully employ days and hours. in
!, the development of the spiritual man
: in endeavOring to attain to heights in
i the Divine Life of which you are now
profoundly ignorant. Paul "expOImd-
ed and testified the Kingdom of God
< ~persuading them concerning Jesus
4 The constant theme of Paul before thi.
!, had been Jesus and Hin crucifed. anC
it was his mighty theme of discours,
: to the end of his wondrous life. w,
t will resume the consideration. Of othel
verses another day as We have no
space now.