Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-06-07
5ntfrnational gesso11.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON xl, SECOND QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, JUNE IS.
Text of the Lesson, Acts xvi, 6-15.
Memory Verses, o, 1O-Golden Text
Act. XIII, 1S-Commentary Prepar-
ed by Rev. D. M. Stearns.

Acts xii, 1S-Commentary Prepar-
ed by Rev. d. NJ. Stearns.
copyright, 1902. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
6. Now when they had gone throughout
Phrygia and the region OF Galatia ana
were forbidden Of the Holy Ghost to
preach the word In Asia.
This Is written of Paul and Silas on
the second missionary tour. We left
Paul and Silas and Barnabas and 9th
ers in the last lesson at Antioch In
Syria preaching the word Of the Lord.
Then Paul suggested to Barnabas that
they revisit the cities where they had
preached and see how the brethren
were doing. Barnabas wished to take
Mark with them, but Paul refused be-
cause he had left them Oh the previous
Journey. There was sharp conten-
ton, and they separated, Barnabas
taking Mark and sailing to Cyprus,
where they began the first tour and to
which island Barnabas belonged (Acts
xiii, 4; iv, 36, while Paul took Silas
and started through Syria and Cilicia,
confirming the churches (chapter XIV,
364D. 1t Is interesting to note that
the time came when Paul thought bet
ter of Mark and was glad to have him
with him (Col. iv, 10; III Tim. iv, III.
Z. After they were come to Mysia they
assaycd to go into Bithynia. but the Spirit
suffered them not.
In teaching this lesson and the other
missionary lessons map is essential
to the understanding of the lesson. One
of the most striking things in this book
Is the partnership Of the Holy Spirit
and the apostles just as Jesus had said
that it would be John xiv, 16. II; XIV,
&C. q; xvi, 13, IA; Acts /, 81, and as 1t
was manifested to be in such pas.
sages as Acts v, 80; viii, %; Kill, 2;
XIV, %. 1t has been we'll said that our
fidelity to our Master is as thoroughly
exemplified in our refraining from do
ing what the Spirit forbids as in our
doing what He commands.
s, 8. Come over into Macedonia and help
uR.
Being hindered in going either north
or south, as they waited at Troas this
Is what they heard and saw In a vision.
We may be sure of this-that If we are
wholly under the Spirits control, seek
ing only the glory Of God. He will
guide us in some unmistakable way
(Ps. xxi, 8: lisa. xxx, 2D. Opposition
is not necessarily an evidence that we
are to move on or cease the work, but
often it is an encouragement to con-
tinue. See chapter xiv, 2, 3; xviii. g.
9, 10; I Cor. xvi, 8.
10. And after he had seen the vision I'M
mediately we endeavored to go into Mace
donia. assuredly gathering that the Lord
had called US for TO preach the gospel
unto them.
The pronoun 1--WE" which now be-
gins to be used may indicate that
Luke, the writer Of the book. had now
joined the party. Previous to this it Is
"he," speaking Of Paul. and they"
speaking Of the party. See Col. iv, IA;
Phi. "a; II Tim. iv, II. for further ref
erences to Luke.
II. Therefore loosing from Troas we
came with a straight course to Samo-
thracla and the next day to Neapolis.
By consulting the map we find that
Samothracia was an island in the
Egean sea. almost in q line direct
from Troas to Neapolis and about half
way across, Neapolis being the port of
Philippi and about ten miles distant
from it. Although we are not told of
anything accomplished on the voyage
over, we may be sure that He who
teaches US to "buy up the opportuni-
ties" (Eph. V. 1G. r. V. margin) was
not slow to do the same.
Ii. And from thence to Philippi. which
Is the chief city Of that part of Mace
donia and a colony, and we were In that
city abiding certain days.
Strangers in a strange land, no one
to meet and welcome them, no kindly
greeting, not expected by any one!
What a good time for Satan to get in
some work on his line! And probably
he tried it, perhaps after this fashion:
Well, Paul, you are quite distance
from home, and nobody knows you or
wants you here. Your man in the
vision who called you this way Is not
up to time. Perhaps you have made
a mistake. Hadn't you better get back
where people know you?
H And on the Sabbath we went out Of
the city by a river side, where prayer was
wont to be made, and we sat down and
spalSe unto the women which resorted
thither.
What Is this but women's prayer
meeting at which the gospel is first
preached in Europe? Thank God for
the women who love to meet for pray
er and who labor in the gospel either
by proclaiming it or helping those who
do Phil. iv, 8; Ps. xviii. II, r. W.
H. And a certain woman named Lydia.
q seller Of purple, Of the city Of Thyatira,
which worshiped God. heard us. whose
heart the Lord opened that she attended
unto the things which were spoken of
Paul
We can readily imagine the topic of
Paups theme, for he had but one-one
person had taken him captive (Acts *,
20; xviii, 2, 8; xviii, %, 81; Cor. II,
q. Paul was not suffered at this time
to go into the province called Asia, but
here was a woman Of Asia who up to
her light worshiped God and doubtless
eagerly prayed for more light, and now
she has received it by a special mes
senger all the way from Syria and but
recently from the holy city Jerusalem,
one who had himself seen the Lord u
Cor. XIV, 81.
Is. And when she was baptized and her
household she besought US, saying. II ye
have judged me to be faithful to the