The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-04
Second Quarter. Lesson I. Acts xx,
 2s-3s. April 5, 1903.
Paul's Farewell to Ephesus.

Fau4'S EareWel ro EpheSus.
 The Bible abounds in pathetic scenes. The last supper of Jesus with his disci- ples is chief of these; but next to this 1t will be generally conceded, is PauPs part ing with the elders of the Ephesian Church. We have seen Paul among his enemies; here he is among his friends. Have heard him thunder against blind Judaism or gross organism, but here 1t is as if the heartstrings are untitled, and we catch only the softest notes of what has been called the most perfect and touching address ever uttered.
 Any one that day observing the scene would have said: This opulent city, with ouadruple harbor and forest of mas.s, stands for the permanent. That little company of obscure and travel-stained strangers exchanging their farewells stands for the evanescent." How erron- eous! The reverse is the case. The city Is gone. The harbors are filled up, face of nature changed, coastline altered. All that saves Miletus from oblivion is that there Paul said goodbye to his converts.
 The scene is not merely pathetic. It is highly significant. It is the golden pe- riod to the third and last missionary jour ney of the Apostle Paul. No wonder he indulges in a retrospect at this point. As he gazed at these men rescued from Ju- daism and heathenism, and consecrated to the Christian ministry by the imposi- ton of his hands, not merely his expe- riences in Ephesus, but the stirring scenes of his twenty years of missionary life, seem to pass before him in panorama.
 A look forward is a natural sequence to a retrospect. Paul has stood there on the shore reviewing the past. He now turns his eyes to the future. He naturally de- sires that the fruit of his toll and sacri- flee shall be conserved. He knows that in all the centers of thought and power in proconsular Asia, Macedonia and Greece he had planted churches. each of which enshrined the saving gospel. What shall be the fate of these churches Glanctng into the future, he discerns their perils. As Paul, with prophetic eye, saw the ravening wolves, the cruel persecu- tors attacking the Churches from with out, and the heretics rising within, to rend them into shreds, he poured out his soul in an appeal to the elders of Ephe- sus. and through them to the overseers of all churches in every age and place: Take heedl' "Watchi" "Remember!'
 He uses every worthy motive to incite which would insure the safety of the Church. He utilizes their very love and reverence for himself to this end. He employs the personal argument, pointing to the spirit of his ministry (had he not been lowiy minded. tender, and patient ? {; to the diligence of his ministry Che had declared the whole counsel publicly, and from house to house): to the disinterest- edness of his ministry (his self-support and freedom from covetousness.) They would never see his face again; he was going to martyrdom. If they loved him, as they professed. let them manifest that love by protecting the Church. He em- phasizas their responsibility: CD The Holy Ghost had called them to the elder ship; @ The inestimable value of the Church committed to their care. God and