The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-13

1t Is possible that for rhetorical purposes the
ignobe character of Paul's entrance to Rome has
been somewhat exaggerated. Four months had
elapsed since the shipwreck. The voyage from
Malta had been prosperous. For seven days after
Landing Paul had refreshed himself amid the
unrivaled scenery of the Vesuvian bay and the
congenial society of Christian disciples. An ad
mirng escort came fifty miles to meet him. He
entered Rome Roman citizen His appeal
10 Caesar had invested him with a sort Of dig
nity On personal grounds he treated with
marked consideration by the commanding officer.
Yet after all deductions have been made. the
contrast between the invincible might Of Nero
and the contemplate weakness of Paul remains.
II is the ever-recurring contrast between mate
rial and spiritual power. The kingdom of heaven
was entering the imperial city without observa-
ton and in the servile form of Jewish prisoner.
II the augurs of the capital could have really
discerned the signs of times they would have
raised a louder cry than when Hannibal stood at
the gates
The hand Of Providence in the founding Of the
church never was conspicuous than when it
brought Paul to Rome. His coming to the center
of the worlds empire and TO the height of his
own moral power simultaneous. His pre-
yious experiences were of the nature of discipline
for him Now, fully equipped for more effective
service his person protected from the malicious
rage of sectarists by Imprisonment which did
not restrict him from those forms OF evangelistic
effort most needed at that time he recognized
and seized his opportunity. He was not to go to
the world. The world was to come to him. No
more toilsome and dangerous journeyings. The
house which the lioerality Of the Christians at
Rome enabled him to rent eclipsed in attractive
ness any shrine oracle of city full of them.
According to his established custom-"the Jew
nrst''-he gave his fellow-countrymen the initial
wish itself accused for the sake of brethren and
kinsmen according to the flesh" that constant
" breathed its hearts desire and prayer that
Israel might be saved" such love of country
as that could not brook any insinuation against
itself. Paul hastens to explain that his appeal
from a Hebrew to heather court not
prompted by any unpatriotic motive nor any per-
sonal piaue sgainst his fellow-countrymen. There
is TO finer comment upon PaIls noble ode to that
charity which beareth all things and endureth
all things than his own mild illusions to his
cruel treatment the hands of the Jews. II
was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the
hands of the Romans'-no hint here OF riot and
conspiracy. Again. his very chain ought to bind
his auditors to him, for the hope OF Israeli put
II on him. The very expectation of the Messiah
which they all alike INDUCED. the cause of
his arrest.
The Jews had manifold population-geo-
grapAically at least. f1rSt, the population resi-
dent In Palestine; next the Jews OF the disper-
sion in Asia and Greece. and. finally. the some
sixty thousand of them then resident in the
ghetto OF Rome. individuals believed. The ma
ton was obdurate With broken heart the cap
tive missionary sang the requiem Of his common
wealth in the solemn strains of the prophet
In contrast this obduracy of the Jews stands
the plancy of the gentles They hear and ac-
cept the salvation OF God. The extremes meet In
Paurs reception room-for the thievins and fuxi-
tive slave Onesimus. 20 those OF Caesars house.
hole. Seneca and Burrus. the noble but unheeded
monitors OF Nero, were not unlikely visitors
Soldier tradesman. artisan, seryant-whoeyer
came heard the gospel from the lips OF a tireless
preacher.
AS a fruit OF this church In the house an Pan,
styles IL. a goodly and ever-increasing company
of converts Above the putrid stream OF
depravity that flowed alike through temple pal-
ace and howell. they emerged walking with Christ