The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-03-04
THE SUNDAY school,.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MARCH 8.

Subject: Paul At Eehesss. Acts six., u 70
.Goldcn Text. Acts XIX, 15-Meinory
Verses, 1870 - Commentary ON the
Days Lesson.
Vacabond Jews defeated Tvs. l3-lIl. i3.
Misunderstanding" They were similar
to modern gypsies and fortune tel;ers.
Certain Jews who went about from pace
to place, protesting by charms and spells to
cure diseases. "Esxorcists." Men who, BY
the authority Of the name OF some power
full being so.emnly assumcd to require the
demon to depart SO effectively as to be
obeyed. Call over them Knowing that
Pau. cast out demons through the name OF
Jesus. they thought that by using the same
name they could produce the same effects.
"Adjure you" We bind you by ~ oath;
o. %e as oasS. WHOM T as P sadI prs sas sa,e"D " :
doubt they had often heard Paul proclaim
the divinity OF Christ in the hail OF Tyran-
II. "A chief priest" Chief priest in the
New Testament usually refers TO men Of
the pricstly order who were also rulers in
the S%anhedrin. This man was 2 Jewish
chef priest Of distinction, and had held
the Office of q ruler.
Is. Evil spirit answered" The evil
sPir,. i in ' S,I man 2. spoke s1I,sush the s, ma. J;
tOulIAdIC <QIEA % IL 1Noart u ABVU
thori,y and 1 know Paul as His servant.
who are ye" You have no power or al.
thority, you are not His followers and col
only pretenders in the use Of His name.
10. Both Of them" Il appears that
only two OF the seven sons were present
on this occasion. Prevailed" Tae mani
in whom the demon was raging tore Of
their clothing and wounded their bodies,
- Al-s 49,. Ill - l,-~x. -nu~ IL 49,
ence. Several similar instances are re-
corded. See Mark S: 3; o: l7!29; Luke 81:
~. Naked" This need not be taken IN
its strict sense. It could be applied to
those stripped partially Of their rsiment.
IL. This became known" Gradually
the new was spread abroad. Fear feli.S
This occurrence caused Q great sensation,
and produced q fear Of that mysterious
power which was ascribed to the name oil
Jesus. The Ephesians were 20 bound up
in belief in magic that it seemed necessary
tan, the father Of deceit. "Was magni-|
fed" The transaction showed that the,
miracles performed in the name Of The
Lord Jesus by Paul were real and proyedl
the doctrine he taught. Impostors could
not work such, miracles, and those who
pretended to do 90 only exposed them
selves to the rage Of the evil spirits. II was
thus shown that there wns Q real. vital DIFF
ference between Paul and these impostors,
and their failure only served 70 extend bic
Even demons are compelled to elorify
Christ when God 10 wills II. The name %
Jesus Is glorified. ]. In His servants BY
their victories. .. In His enemies BY their
defeat.
Many converted Tvs. 1900. IL. .sThst
had believed" These were either protested
Christians whose conversion had not beea
genuine, and whose consciences were now
20 powerfully wrought upon that they were
led TO confess their sins, or new eonyertl
to Christianity who. before this time, had
a aes ses saS eo sas ssa' q %t sas's sh sAi g;
science is truly awakened there win Away
be = humble confession OF sins committee
Declaring their deeds" They told hog
they had been connected with supcrstisio1
practices, and had INDUCED in witchcu{
and sorcery which were not consistent wf
Christianity.
10. Curious arts" Arts or practices Il
curing skill and cunning, such as mag
and sleisht Of hand, which are practieed
extensively IN Eastern Countries. Such ar
bratcd "Ephesian letters were small aid
of parchment in silk bags, on which war
written strange words and sentences, and
were carried about on the person a. charms
or amulets TO shield from danger, or to proj
cure good fortune. Books" There were
no books then such as we have now; these
books were parchment rolls which ron
tanned their mysteries and described thei1
heather practices. Burned them" etc]
Confession Is cheap, but reformation IL "a
ten costly. A false penitence would harai
sold these books: and kept both the money
and the credit for piety. Such q burning
and caused o connection In Ephesus. Be-
fore an men," Publicly. The course then
people pursued would, ]. Show that they
renowned the sins Of which they had been
guilty. 2. Show that they never expected
to return to them. 8. Remove the tcmy.;
tation to return. l.. Prevent Others frop(
being injured by them. 5. Be Q public ~
timony in favor OF the truth. o. Shot
their JOY in their conversion. Fifty thon
sand pieces" The sacrifice was very great
The 5000 pieces Of silver. II reckoned IN
Jewish money (shekels) would be about
$4,000: II in Greek (~draehmasl. As is more
idea Of the purchasing powt OF the money!
A days wages then was on.y a penny, and2
at the rate Of wages here. the cum would
amount to from $50 900 to sl00. G00.
20. $50" This word so" il q divine
Amen" n testimony OF approval coming
from heaven. Nightly" With ovcrpow
ering force and strength which nothing
could resist. "Grew." The truth grew ID
favor wita the people, and there vert
many conversions and aeecssions to Tho
church. The word of God grew in pewef
and intensity and led to marvellous deedd
Of determination rs well as TO the mani
fcstation OF great so.emnity and JOY. And
prevailed" It prevailed, /. Over the cor
ruption of the -atnral heart-leading thos4
who had heard the gospel TO turn froa
dead idols to serve the living God.
Over the opposition of the powers OF evil
manifested in the exposure Of Sceya's son
and the deliverance OF the man possessed
3. Over the besettinc sins Of helievers-ea
Aiding those who had received the word
shake themselves free from the love
magic and the destinations Of money. Viii
the church was being stirred TO c~oufcssid
and reformation, a deep impression "
also being made upon the community, lea
ing TO fear and venerat;on. IL not to cow
ton and conversion. We should notice a..
"the absolute exclusiveness of Chrisfiani
which admits OF no compromise" II ca
not mix with other religions. but must p
vail over them.
Gunper's Mate an l~nveaeer.