The Indianapolis journal., 1903-04-04

THE sUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON.
April 5, 19O3-PauIs Farewell
Ephesus. Acts TX, 2S-3s.


Ephesus. Acts TX, 2S-3S.
The Bible abounds in pathetic scenes. The
last supper of Jesus with His disciples Is chier
of these; but. next to this. it will be generally
conceded, is Paui's parting with the elders on
the Ephesian Church. We have seen PAU among
his enemies; here he is among his friends. Have
heard him thunder against blind Judaism or gross
Paganism, but here 1t Is as IL the heartstrings
are muffied, 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 quadruple
harbor and forest of masts, stands for the per-
manent. That little company OF obscure and
travel-stained strangers exchanging their fare
wells stands for the evanescent How erro-
neous! The reverse is the case. The city is
gone The harbors are filled UP. face Of nature
changed, coast line altered. All that
Miletus from oblivion is that there Paul said
goodbye to his converts.
The scene is merely pathetic. 1t is highly
significant. 1t is the golden period TO the third
and last missionary journey of the Apostle Paul
No wonder he indulges in retrospect at this
point. As he gazed at these men rescued from
Judaism and heathenism and consecrated TO the
Christian ministry by the imposition OF his
hands, not merely his experiences In Ephesus.
missionary life, seem to pass before him In a
panorama.
A look forward is a natural sequence to retro
spect Paul has stood there on the shore review
ing the past He now turns his eyes to the fu-
ture. He naturally desires that the fruit of his
toll and sacrifice 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? Glancing into the future. he dlscerns
their pers. AS Paul, with prophetic eye. saw the
ravening wolves. the cruel prosecutors attack
ing the churches from without and the heretcs
rising within, to rend them into shreds, he poured
out his soul IN appeal to the elders OF Ephesus
and, through them. to the overseers OF all
churches in every age and place: Take heedr'
watch Remember
He uses every worthy motive to incite the
Ephesan elders to that alertness which would
insure safety of the church. He utilizes their
very love and for himself to this end.
He employs the personal argument. pointing to
the spirit of his ministry chad he not been lowly-
minded. tender and patiently; TO the diligence of
his ministry The had declared the whole counsel
publicly. and from house to house,: to the dis
interestedness Of his ministry (his sef-support
and freedom from coyetousness.) They would
never see his face again: he going to mar
tyrdom. II they loved him, as they professed.
let them manifest that love by protecting the
church. He emphasizes their responsibility: ID
The Holy Ghost had called them TO the elder
ship; (0 the inestimable value of the church
committed to their care. God and grace are af-
firmed the sources OF success and safety. Spite
of wolves, heretcs world. flesh, DEVIL God is
able to build Up and to the finally persistent give
a portion In the heavenly Canaan. Yet they are
ha N foil for
Others keeping in mind the golden saying OF
Jesus. here sna:ched from oblivion. and which
afirms that the moral gains of the giver in Civ
ing exceed the material gains OF the recipient In
THE TEACHERS LANTERN
We enter here what might be called the climax
period OF Pauls eer-sthe last five years OF his
life.
We have in this incident the whole Ephesian
ministry In miniature.
This is one OF many farewells-a typical scene
We know Paul revisited the churches which he
founded He said goodbye: and that he exhorted
the overseers Of the several churches may be
safely inferred.
This farewell eludes close analysis The at
tempt Is like picking flower to pieces. Rather
let one enjoy the color and fragrance Of 1t.
Paul had several (seven) comrades his jour
ney TO Jerusalem. They were ofncial representa-
tives of churches where offerings had been taken
Each probably carried portion of the money
on his person. BY this division Of the the
security OF the whole increased BY this
means also. Paul guarded his good name: for
these men were witnesses that the money. and
nj, OF It. went to the parties for whom Il had
been collected. Paul did not presume upon his
of5scs or reputation for integrity.
Ernest Seton Thompson has shown (''Wild AMI
mails Have Known and Lives OF the Hunted')