The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-06-07
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
For June Il, Paul Crosses to Eu
rope" Acts xvi, 6-15.


CCNTEXT-Ou, last lesson pevtained ID
the happy conclusion Of the controversy
over circumcision in the church ~ antioch
Shortly afterwards Paul set out on his SEQ
ond missionary journey, accOmi aAied by
Siias. Passing through Syria and Clicia he
visited the churches which he mad founded
At Lystra, Timothy, q young disciple, prob
ably converted on the former visit facts
xiv, s.: was ordained to the ministry {
Tim, tv, IA. and added the party
Thence travelling ~noFtRVard the mission
ares directed their steps in paths previous
ly untrodden by the messengers OF Chris
into the dark depths OF pasGnism. Little 10
known of what transpirrd in the way. Thu
inspired writer had his mind on the Or
tective point to be reached further on, al
account OF which will be given in to-day'i
lesson. The entire New Testament nara.
tive IS a recital merely Of those important
events on which histOTy turned, leaving
other events unnotlced John XXI. -
JOUREEYING-Our Lessen opens vsrses
8 and n. with a bare mention CT the cOtn-
the missionaries ~journeysi. The hrss. Phry.
gla. directly west OF Lycania, contained
three important cities. Hierapolis. Colosss
and Laodices, but Paul depuSed Epaphrai
CCol. ", ~. a Christian OF Creek parent.
age, 10 labor there and pushed On VIA
silas and Timothy into Galhtia, a Province
descendants of a band OF adventurous
Gauls, who, about three centuries befors
the Christian era removed from their home
in Western Europe, fought their way
through many obstacles, and finally settlee
in Asia Minor. Warlike and Democratic,
these people governed themselves. and un-
own rulers. PauFs preaching made a pow
erful impression on their sensitive natures,
and they cordially heard him and accepted
the gospel. (Gai. ". ISL
RESTRAINISGfOn closing the labors in
Galatia the missions aries retraced their
steps, moving westward to the boundary OF
western province called Asia from which
We obtain the name now applied TO the
tr-hNlA 80 Ill.,, - I-vrEN
restriction was laid upon Paul. He was
first forbidden by the holy Ghost to preach
in Asa Verse a. Inferring that this in
dicated the Lords pleasure as TO the next
field OF labor, he was disposed to move
noTthward and enter Bithynia Verse y, a
Province lying along the southern shore of
the Black Sea. But the Spirit again inter-
posed. This shows that the missionaries
their own inclination and Impulse. Spirit
guided, with closed lips, they passed direct
" across Mysia and came 10 Its chief city,
near the site of ancient Troy, the scene of
Eomers immortal poem.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES been brought into
a country where they are not allowed to
speak for Christ. what shall these preachers
do2 They were not left alone in doubt. In
stood before him. crying. Come over to
man was the 1T representative q powerful
things in the domain Of politics. but were
growing old and feeble "WrlthinE In the
restlessness OF doubt at the foot Of their
were turning tired eyes toward the East,
seeking there a delivexance from evils OF
themselves" Cieudius was then the ruler
Of the world. The puppet OF mistresses and
favorites; he had laid upon the whole En-
pre- a yoke of deepest humiliation. a slavery
accompanied by no redeemins ray OF glory.
Y was, therefore. q most o~pportune time for
Paul and his associates to enter Europe.
I ATrEFnU fha arArfa zrfnG 49,
fallible cure for the iIls Of man.
vt96I rightly interpreted this
h leo as sSd fn e can Of God to a new field Of
ward over the Aegean Sea. According TO
hE sIS : vas E sS : f list s: Ill 9: another
point. Luke. the physician. destined to be
the ispired chronicler Of the apostolic age.
day the missionaries debarked az Neapolis,
on the main land. then a city OF consider
may be seen a little distance from the
Turkish village OF KavaIla- Verse IL
I hSsin sbs no ,5 5igs the IN mis ssTS's5, pushed on
built by Philip II. and rendered ilustrous
by the famous battles in which the Roman
had become a ~fourishing colony, the most
important in all that region. Paul. Silas,
Timothy, Luke. obedient to the heavenly
vl19n tAets XVI ~. were for The first time
PREACHING-The restraint imposed In
Asia being removed n. fun FUNCTION q the
Naturally Paul and siias-Luke and limo
thy being ~Greeks-turned to their country
m most n certa e. az. e1a a%9n aym MaSp tasy e. m Ugh.
were not numerous IN Phflipps, nor was
their religion acceptable to the people. The
worship OF form. idolatrous Of beauty. both
IN langusse and In art; wa, unfavorable to
EOy1lA UhfIa the c0r-rfnfinp ~ r1orr.rz 80
the political and religious despottsm of
Rome opposed any religion brought in from
PEELED to 60 out Of The city FOR Worship.
Building an orstory by the river side they
were accustomed to assemble there for
repaired verse I'D. and. finding q small
company Of women mi he sat down
with them and preached his first sermon
.BELfEVTNG-In that little audience ut
the riverside was q woman named Lydia
she had come across the sea and settled
in Philippi to engage in the sale Of purple
fabrics. made in her own country. Those
the glands in the throat Of a nsh by aFery
difficult and expensive process. HenoS the
cloths were highly priced. and were worn
she was by birth. she had renouncsd the
religion Of her father and had become a
vorshiper Of the God Of Israel. In so do
ing she made protest against the universal
sensuality and attached herself to the only
purifying force of the city. As Paul spoke
that day a strange influence came over this
woman. Her mind grSsped the truth and
her heart yielded 20 Christ as her Savior.
The warmth Of a new spiritual life entered
the company OF Christ's followers, the first
convert. a sister in the household OF faith
INNITING-Lydla brought her whole
household into the church with her by
baptism The number and character Of the
persons are not recorded. neither is there
any mention made OF the influences by
which the lngatherinE was secured. II IL
anita nTOho sha~ che haI q --. 1919
OF servants. The conversion of Lydia was
followed by a desire to assist the men WHO
had delivered the message of salvation. As
they were strangers in the city she ten
dered them hospitality, an act all the more
important because it accorded with Scrip
ture precept Heb: xiii. 2 and witt Oriental
practice Her invitation was IN the spirit
OF humility. IF ye have found me faithful
to the Lord " she said. as II she entertained
exalted conceptions OF her guests, and
Judged that they would be careful to know
the character Of their hostess. Evidently
she regarded the acceptance OF her ofep
as m honor. and such Ii truly was. The
the most dignifed OF earthly visitors.
COSCLUSfON-Thus began the ~evangeii-
cation Of Europe. The first convert an
known TO history, was made at a woman's
prayer meeting. The first European church
was organized In the house Of LYDIA
Viewed from the side Of human wisdom
this was not an auspicious beginning. There
were no worldly elements Of ruccess in II.
Money and social influence are generally
esteemed TO be necessary to the accomplish
ment Of any great design. And yet Lydia's
household pointed out the greatest agency
TO be employed in advancing the cause OF
Christ in all centuries The hottest men
NEak h.s-A .r-a- N-A1 .- -