The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-15
Exposition of the
Sabbath School Lesson
FOR MARCH 23, 1902
Copyright, 1902, by John r. Whitney.

Temperance Lesson-Acts Ephesians
Golden Text Be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess.-Eph ", IS.
In mechanics. the power that lifts must be
applied from beneath, whether 1t be to raise
log, or stately building. In ethics, how
ever it must be applied from above, whether
who is intelligent-a man enstaved by vice,
or IGNORED for his moral worth. Hence the
bower which most efectually lifts men must
be divine. For earthly schemes-as education,
moral suasion, ethical culture careful organ
ization, legislative enactments. and host OF
others which might be named-can raise men
only for a time, and no higher than the men
who devise or use them. But divine power
exalts men to heaven, and for all eternity:
H.nce the gospel of Jesus Christ, which
brings men first into right relations Win Goa,
is the only power which has ever been able
to truly ennoble individual character ana
bring men Into better relations with each
ether. When it began its work among men,
even it's enemies confessed that 1t had power
to make complete revolution in society, Or
as they expressed ito turn 1.-The world up
side down" (xvii., - And no wonder, for
one that believeth' (Rcm. t., 16)
In this lesson we have striking tllustra-
ton of all this for in it we see the effect pro-
duced when the great truths we have recently
considered are honestly and truly received.
Rut in those lessons our attention was fixed
especially upon what the apostles preached
than
received Now it is fixed upon the effect OF
its reception by the people Of Ephesus
This city was one OF the most important
commercial cities OF its Tune: II Il, was va N. me
Minor. 1t and its sister city, Smyrna-some-
what similarly situated about forty miles to-
| the nortk-were thus called the Eyes OF
ASIA for through these poFts II looheu out
! upon all the world.
At the time this letter was written it was
city of great wealth, adorned by magnlncent
buildings, and inhabited by large popula a.
men, Among It's magnificent buildings there
were three which were especially noteu In
stadium or circus, the tneater' ana the iem-
The most important and the one which gave
the city its special pre-emlnence. was the
Temple OF Diana f t,t most nn ,ta feundations
| and which was many years In building, was was
| DESTROYED soon after it's completion IN So6
c. by fanatic mamso faaus bx Setting
| it on fire. Steps were Immediately taken,
however, to rebuild it. and ey the e enthu ISL
women freley contributing. their jewels and
| gold, this was ACCOMPLISHED on larger and
| more magnificent scale than before. When
completed It was Go oee as one q ene
1 II is said that it was 220 years in building
/ The image Of the goddess, which was be-
/ lieved to have fallen from heaven lxix.. 80
was enshrined In the covered part Of the tenn
/ pie She was looked upon as the representa-
tive of the productive and sustaining power
of nature. Her worship was a more Or refined
Il ler age, and by another people, to Astar.e
It's appeals to the senses gave it a most cor.
rupting and degrading influence. But It wa:
= exceedingly popular and the city, Of Ephesu!
prided itself on being known throughout tn.
:. world as '.Neocoros." or temple keeper
8 margin and T. " ra1s term
4 temple sweeper" was originally an express
/ sion OF humility and applied TO the loves