The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-07

After all that had been achieved for Christ
shall an Infatuated crowd be permitted to
the ministers. who had come to preach de-
liverance from sin and superstition? In that
moment Paul rose to the supreme height Of
courageous friend and fearless advocate
He determined to enter the theater, to face
the angry multitude. to speak to them II he
might. Ii was only with much difficulty
that his friends persuaded him not to make
the venture.
OUTCRY-Verses 30. 80. 34) And SO the
tumult continued and increased. the greater
part OF the assembly ignorant OF the cause
OF the commotion. but all supposing that
their religion was opposed. Fanaticism had
gone mad. Under these circumstances the
Jews began TO fear that vengeance might
soon be taken on them also. as they repre-
scented a foreign religion. They therefore put
forward one of theiy own number. Alexan-
der. the coppersmith. who had been trou-
blesome TO Paul III Tim iv, I'D, expecting
that he would defend himself and his own
nation against any accusation. The Jews
hour. and leave the Christians to suffer But
as Alexander began to speak ii became
known that he was a Jew. and his voice
was instantly silenced by the noisy clamor
of those who were unwilling to hear With
one voice OF the multitude. as before. cried:
Great is Diana of the Ephesians." The
words rang through the spacious building,
and overwhelmed every contrary effort to
speak.
DIANA-(verse 35) Bphesus was the rap
ftal OF a Roman colony, and the civil
authorities were required to maintain the
peace After two hours Of this noisy DEM
onstration the town clerk appeared on the
scene. Because of his position and power
he soon bestowed 4 measure Of order, sufT
ficient to be heard. - He was the menE for
the hour--with tact Possessed by few. ne
bring Quietness to all He simply told the
multitude what they all knew, what every
one in Ephesus knew. what had been
be successfully refuted, namely. that the
city had worshiped the great goddess
Diana, which fell down from Jupiter. That
moniai. candid Argument and most Jr-
dicious pleading. the force OF the state
ment was about this: What Is the use OF
is firmly fixed in the minds of all?. Livery
one must have seen the purpose OF the town
clerk.
QUIETNESS-Cverses &c and 81 Hav-
10 fatter the s1perstitous multitude, the
town official urged all to quietness, Tire
very thing which he above all others was
reasonable that all who heard must have
felt It's force. There was really no oc-
easion for any upEoar; The more more, sensible
see that what had transpired was purely the
result OF a causeless excitement But the
did not rest the case here. He proceeded to
speak a word of defense for the men who
had been 30 violently treated. who we're
mob n He a seemed to Know SOMETHING so f u
the department Of Gaius and Aristarchus
who must have behaved themselves in
Ephesus in such manner as to be without
accusation. Their vindication at this time
was complete. II was authoritativcly de-
clared that they had done and said nothing
against the popular relision-they had not
robbed churches or blasphemed the god
dess.
LEGALITY-yerses % and 3s) Here
caveat was thrust into the clerks address.
If. as might have been the case. notwith
standing the loyalty Of the people TO their
religion and the innocence Of the appre-
hended disciples. there was any real griev-
ance. there was legal mode of redress.
II Demetrius. the silversmith. had really
been injured, as he claimed. mob could
not give him Justice; Courts Of law were
the facts may be rehearsed and a decision
calmly reached This was pleading for
law and order. for the right and dignity OF
government. for the execution Of justice by
the duly constituted tribunals. as against
those disorGerly and passionate outbursts
that would secure good to no one: In this
pears to excellent advantage. Rome had
conquered the world and had imposed forms
Of civil government upon all the subject |
peoples Of whatever race or tongue. Sub
mission to lawful authority was therefore |
required.
PRUDENcE-ver.e 4o) There was still
another point which had not been cdnsid:
.red by those who. with clamor. had rushed !
Ised with good effect to reach the end he |
outside of the forms of law are |
subversions OF government, and |
therefore, officials are obligated to inquire 1
nto them. their causes and motives In |
uch Investigation the parties who had be- |
'un the trouble might be summoned to an
wer and might. In fact, be punished a.
iisturbers Of the peace. The crowd saw at |
moe that they were liable to arrest, to trial |
nd to imprisonment. Prudence alone, q |
egard for their own welfare. would dictate /
hat they should quietly dispense to their /
ZONES. This they promptly did. The Gov
'rnment OF Rome In the province was thus
espected. and all things were speedily re-
tored to their accustomed order--a genu-
ne triumph was effected over the heated
PASSIONS of men.
REFTECTTONSLThe instructive points Of
his lesson may be arranged under three
General heads: ]. We have view of hu-
nan nature when moved by prejudice, SUI
,erstition and selfshness-its animosity ex-
liability. thoughtiessness, involving the in
Iocent and menacing the rights and inter-
SITS Of society. We are the value and
'ower of civil government in restraining
ng order and securing Justice. Any form
government deserves the consideration
( men and Is worthy Of support until It
subversive Of tho interests II Is APP
ointed to guard. 8. We SEQ how Christians
nay establish their innocence and compel |
ublic approval. thereby escaping censure, |
low they may come into peril unfustly, but
scape through the interposition Of consti- |
uted authority, how the Government may |
ecome friend and helper to Christianity.
nd truth and righteousness may be estab- |
s4ed through joint action Of the church
nd the state. The mob sustained Diana; |
nYv1e a AL ~