The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-21

Thus We have a survey, somewhat inper-
feet to be sure. yet profitable withal. OF
the spirit and condition OF apostolic Chris
tianity of the First Century.
FIRST LESSON-January 4. Paul and
Silas at Philippi. (Acts XVI. 2a-34) Good
men engaged in the Lords work are here
ed by divine grace. they prayed and sang
praises to God. Suddenly earthquake
broke their chains and set them free. The
keeper of the prison. alarmed by these oc-.
currences, was ready to kill himself. Paul
interposed, saved his life and preached
the gospel. Accepting the message, the
and received them joyfully into his own
house.
SECOND LESSON-January IL. Christian
Living (Phil. iv, Try The Christian char
acter and life are here presented under the
head of fraternity, which unites those once
separated, and leads to ministries Of good
lead to benevolent deeds; prayer. that
turns ever to God and expels anxiety and
fear; meditation upon the most precious
truth: disposition to receive instruction
from others and to convert all knowledge
into motive power for conduct; the accept
ance Of gifts with thanksgiving. calm
resting In the power of God. with assur-
ances OF ability to do. limited only by his
THIRD I1EssoN-January IS. Paul at
Thessalonica and Berea- (Acts xvii. I'D
reception accorded the apostle In two ad-
jacent cities. In the one the envious jews
raised an uproar. assaulted the house where
of violence compelled him to nee from tne
city. Passing thence to Berea they were
received most cordially. The teaching was
tended upon 1t manifested their interest by
daily searching the Scriptures to determine
the truthfulness Of what was taught. Ana
so 1t was said that the men OF Berea were
more noble than those Of Thessalonica.
FOURTH LESSON-January % Paurs
Counsel to the Thessalonians. Thes. v;
H2) Despite the harsh treatment received
at Thessalonica Paul established church
there. q small company OF believers They
were never in a very prosperous condition'
and this fact induced him to write two let
tiers to them to correct mistakes into which
they had fallen. His first letter closes with
many wholesome advices as to their dispo-
sitiSn and conduct; They are e enhor,e leo 70 70
Quench the spirit. to prove all things. to
hold fast to the good to abstain from the
appearance Of evil. and he closes with prom
Uses of divine grace.
FIFTH LDSSON-February l. Paul at
Athens. (Acts xvii. 22-34D 1t was most
fortunate fact that the great apostle tic to
polite learning OF his time. prepared to en-
ter into the discussion of the questions OF
the scholarly world When: in his travels
he met the prevailing superstition which
was exhibited in the affairs and Inscriptions
One of these ITO the Unknown Coo, he
made text for a sermon in which he set
forth the true idea OF the deity. and then
proclaimed Christ and the resurrection. By
this this he gained ssyer5
tian church. the beginning of splendid VIC
tory finally achieved over heathen learning.
r sTa Xsts The XVIII dhurch
LII The beginnings Of an enter
prise are always interesting. The en-
mercial metroe s s0s Of ereeee was partcu
larly instructive. There was first the quiet
stay in the home of Aquila. q felow-crafts-
synagogue then the. opposition of the Jews,
next the preaching in the house Of Crispus.
afterward the conversion Of the ruler.
favor. BY small beginnings through ad-
SEVENTH LEssoN--February 10 Chris
Tempsranee lesson. one one Of the he chief
sources OF trouble to the Christians in
apostolic times was the question OF food.
offered to IDOLS and those who ate them
afterwards We're by this act confessing
their loyalty to the heather systems Of re-
followers Of Christ eat the meat offered
to idols? Some said no and others yes. The
latter urged that as an idol was nothing
the others claimed that in this way the
weak were injured. The strong ought 81"
therefore abstain so as not to cause any
Tended
EIGHTH LESsON-February % Chris
tlar Love. u Cor. KILL Inc greatest OF
Christian graces. the very flower of holy
endeavor and attainment. is here presented
in Its main Misunderstanding suffering,
not pulled up does not behave unseemiy,
seeketh not her own. not easily provoked
thinketh no evil. reioiceth in the TRUTH
beareth all things. hopeth all things and
haust the account. There are other excel
lences by which love Is shown to be su-
perior to all the other noble qualities that
adorn the Christian man and distinguish
him from other men.
NINTH LESSON-March ]. Paul and
Apolos. (Acts xviii, "a. to xix. g. An elo-
quent man from Alexandria is introduced
into the apostolic history to show that
brilliant qualities in a minister are not al
ways to be trusted. hpolos preached at
Ephesus. but he was obliged to sit at the
feet Of Aquila to learn the way OF God
more perfectly. Afterwards he went into
Achaia to minister. Paul found on his re
turn that Apolios had done his work i'm
perfectly. and that 1t was necessary to
give further instruction to the converts.
And SO this man of fluent speech needed
two Others to correct the results OF his
labors.
TENTH LESSON-March s. Paul at Ephe-
sus tActs xix. 13-20. E.xorcism the expul-
sion of evil spirits by system OF incanta-
tions. was practiced extensively in the
heather world for centuries resulting in all
manner of social abuses. The apostle was
brought in contact with the art in the city
of Ephesus. One undertook in the name Of
Christ to cast out demons and was himself
overcome. The event caused much excite
ment and many were c0nvertedto Christ.