The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-08-16

In order to appreciate the real char
acter of the apostle who styles himself
the least, although he labored more
IMAM all the rest we must mot forget
MS origin. He was a gentleman by
birth. His parents were well-to-do
citizens, not by purchase or residence,
but by Inheritance. According to Stra-
bo's account, Tarsus outranked even
Athens and Alexandria in point of Gull
ture.
That st. Paul soon became a notab BILE
feature and enjoyed the respect of the
educated classes in his own country is
evident from many circumstances in
his life. We always find him in what
might be called select company, and we
must suppose that there was a certain
refinement in his manner which espe-
cially fitted him to be that vessel of
election which, as God has destined.
should carry the name of Christ before
the Gentiles and kings. Thus at one
time he has as his travelling companion
foster brother of Herod, Tetrarch of
Gaul. The princes and governors of
the Asiatic provinces are rather friend
ly inclined toward him, in spite of the
accusation lodged against him. At
Ephesus we find the superintendent of
the secretariate making a harangue to
defend him against the angry crowd.
He is nearly always listened to with re-
spect when he undertakes to defend
his rights, and except from his own ma
ton, the Jews, he receives, even when
under accusation, every consideration
due to man in high station.
One trait Strikes US more than the
rest, perhaps because it is character
istic of the American gentleman as
distinguished from all other nationali-
&c 1,a Il
by the dogmatic phrase. Mind your
own business" The great saints in the
church, who were also great organ
lZers, have always made it favorite
rule of action. I'VE entreat you, that
You use your endeavor to be quiet, as
that you attend to your own business =
Further, st. Paul puts the maxim.
Honesty is the best policy on a very
sound basis, when he enjoins upon his
people that no man overreach or de-
ceive his brother in business. because
the Lord IS the avenger of all things -
st. Paul possessed the finer feelings
characteristics of the true gentleman,
but which do not at once strike us
when we read his life in the acts or his
words in the epistles. St Jerome de-
scribes him as combining gentleness
and gravity in his outward manner.
Nlcepherous draws charming picture
of him, having before him, it seems the
celebrated image of St Paul belonging
to San Sylvestro. His face, his gait
and motion bespoke that modesty
which he preached to others. Let
your modesty be known to the whole
world he writes to the Philippians.
And again: Brethren, whatsoever
things are amiable, whatsoever things
are of good repute, if there be any vir-
tue, if there be any praise of discipline,
think on these things"
His urbanity is apparent from the
manner of salutations in the epistles
which he writes. He says all sorts of
kind things, remembering friends by
the services they did him or to the
brethren; yet he reminds them also
that he has never ''at any time used
the speech of f1attery" Though prob
ably better versed in the sacred scrip
lures than any of the other apostles,
and having received his mission direct
~ from the Holy Ghost, he submits
his gospel for appreciation to st. Peter
and the rest of the apostles, as he tells
the Galations. His generosity is simply
magnificent. He forgets all former in
jury and prejudice, all the agitation of
the Jews against him, when there is
question of helping those in need.