The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-19
LIFE AND WORK OF ST PAUL.
"SAUL OF TARsUs As WE FIRST
MEET HIM." ny REV. JORDAN.

gun Mt the First Baptist Church.
The Youth ana Training OF the
Apostle aud His Personality and
Character Discussed i'm an Enter
tanning Mnnner-The Music Under
the Direction OF Prof. snow.
Rev. John D. jordan began a series of
sermons at the First Baptist Church last
night upon the life and work Of the Apos-
tie Paul The title Of his opening sermon
was Saul of Tarsus as We First Meet
Him"
zone Of The most interesting and prof.
table studies for men is the study of other
men" said DR. Jordan. IN Saul of Tar
sus we have one of the finest subjects for
study that the world has ever produced.
To me Moses and Paul are the two most
engaging characters of all sacred history.
l except, of course, our Lord"
Dr. Jordan then gave an account of
the birth and training of the future apos-
tie, and discussed his character and per-
sonality. Saul of Tarsus, he said, was
born in the early yearS of the Christian
era, between and 10 a. D., in the Ro-
man province of Cilicia, in the city Of
Iarsus, the capital of the province, stu
ated on the River Cydnus. twelve miles
from the northern coast of the Mediter-
ranean sea. Nothing is known absolute
" OF his parents except that they We're
Jews, with the rights of Roman citizens
Ills native city was one of prominence
and Importance. IL was beautiful in sit
nation, resting in a rich plain between
the Mediterranean and the beautiful Tar
sus mountains. The city enjoyed an ex-
tedslVS trade, ana many vessels came
and went from the harhor.
AS to schools Tarsus took rank with
Athens and Alexandria. Saurs early ed
ueauonal advantages were unsurpassed
His religious home and the splendid
schoois OF the city Afforded hinf an IDEAL
youthful training II is supposed that he
went to Jerusalem for higher education at
the age of u. this being the age al which
Jewlsh youths began the study Of the Jaw
Al Jerusaiem he became the student of
damaliel, one of the most noted teachers
OF the time. Gamaliei was not only a
earned nSd . man. but he was eminently wise
of that time the Bible was the chief text
book The language of the Jews was He
brew, but that Of the country was
Greek. Saul acquired both. Education
was carried on in the schools largely by
both studied and imprOmptu debates. Thus
was young Saul developed for his then
undreamed of forensic service to the
course in the literary school he returned
home and learned his trade, according to
the custom Of all tirst-class jewish fami-
lies of his day Tent making being a
chief industry in Tarsus he learned IT,
aud IL served him well.
Il believe in teaching our boys and
girls a trade said Dr.. Jordan. 1.-THE Jews
We're very rigid about this matter in sanrs
day 1t was a saying with them that He
that teacheth not his son a trade doth the
same as if he taught him 10 lie. He that
hath a trade in his hand, TO what Is he
like? He is like vineyard that Is
fenced"
Al,er Saul had finished his education
and mastered his trade he went 90 Jeru-
T.
Hence. He was Pharisee of the strait
est sect He came TO the kingdom at a
troublesome time. The Pharisses and the
Sadducees were afrayed against each
other on every forum and the contest was
sharp and bitter. Christianity was just
springng to prominence and claiming rec
ignition. There were synagogues OF the
CilIcians, the Cyrenians the Alexandra
ans and others, all arrayed against each
other and all combined against Christian
. lily. No doubt the synagogue OF the CHI
+. clans had one Of its ab.est exponents In
young Saul Of Tarsus But he met more
than his match in Stephen, the first Bap-
tist deacon of Jerusalem. stephen, full
OF grace and power, 20 ably presented the
claims OF the gospel of Christ that repre-
sentatiVes from all the synagOgues arose
10 debate with him, and they We're not
able 10 Withstand the wisdom aud the
spirit by which he spake." Here for the
first and she last time was Saul out
matched in debate. stephen was not only
able in reason and eloquence, but he had
the best side of The question He pleaded
for spirituality against fol1nality in relig-
ion, the universal worship OF God as
against q local worship confined 90 Jeru-
salem only; the superiority OF Christ &c
Moses and His teachings the fulhlment OF
the law Being unable to meet Stephen s
arguments they put him to death, and
there Saul first appears TO us with inno-
cent blood on his garments. Strange, Is
it not that years after, Paul, la the same
city, standing on the castle stairs, adyo-
Gated these same truths and the people
cried Away with such q man from the
earth, for 1t IS not Mt that ne should
live"
OF PauFs personal appearance, DR.. Jor-
dan said that 1t was not the most striking
neither must IL be concluded that il was
of the meanest sort. He was neither q
giant nor pigmy II is quite likely that
the beloved physician. WITH him much OF
The time This Is evidence that he was
neither n faith healer nor Christian Sci.
OF PauTs character, Dr. Jordan sait
that he was ambitious, SURPRISING many
of his fellows. but he laid his life a Will
ing sacrifice upon the altar Of the cause
which he loved. He was intensely re,ig-
ious. He was willing to prosecute to blood
ana death that the law and the prophets
might be maintained, but he was willing
to die that the gospels might triumph
He was highly Intellectual, having few
equals in his day. lie was resolute man
iron-wlled and dion hearted lie was {
gentleman, a man OF singular courteFs
and refinement, able 10 adapt himsel
10 all classes. Last Of all, ne was a greai
sinner The blood Of the saints STAINED
his garments. He was saved, but h,
could not forget his sins, and declared
himself the chief Of sinners. "a saul o
Tarsus, the prince Of sinners, found for.
giveness. why need any desoa.r.
Excellent music was furnished at botf
services under the direction OF Prof
Snow At the morning service The quar-.
tette. composed Of Mrs Florence Lachu
son. soprano; Miss Mamie Proctor, contraI
TO- Mr.. Clarence Coburn, tenor, and Mr.
r X Dow, basso, sang with good effect
DeKovens adaptation of Kipilng's Recess
sional Mrs. ellen Morgan sang the OF.
fertory At the evening service MIR Co
burn sang the offertory Elijah from Men
delssobn.
The Pastors Aid Society of the churcf
Will give an excursion Tomorrow nigh
TO the bell buoy and return on The steam
err Clifton for the benefit Of the charity
fund.
Marceau's Ashes in IA Bank.
From the London Chronicle.