The St. Louis Republic., 1903-05-09

ing. IN all his career, to be right with God
and nan. In short, he worshped the same
God. h=ld the same scripture. cherished the
1 same nope, and honestly sought TO lead a
gcod life II was improper TO call sGcn d
OCCUPATION - Proposing to give the
fullest ard clearest possible account of him
sell, the apostle next proceeds to show why
lie came TO Jerusalem and what he did
after his arrival His errand was friendly
and benevolent. Verse ID His people were
| in need. and he had come with aims tRorn.
XIV. ~. an act that would be regarded as
pra!seworthy by all. whether Christians.
Jews or heathen. Having discharged his Of
tce, he had entered into the temple to per-
form, acts. OF publication, required under
done in a respectable manner. not with any
noise or confusion. not with a crowd gath
cred about him. whom he might incite TO
diserder; While thus engaged certain Jews
from Asia ,Acts xxi, 81, some Of those peo-
pie VINO previously annoyed him. came into
the temple and found him This conclusive
" showed that he. a pure-minded. we'll
behaved citizen. had been the victim OF envy
AMI malice.
defense is complete. Where were the men.
the Jews OF Asia. who found Paul in the
temple and raised a persecution against
daWn to as ny fae TseG fRs a
sence was presumptlve proof that they had
no reason TO accuse him. But inasrnuch
as they. who alone knew what transpired
while he was IN the temple. were not pres
ent. LET those who had come. say whether
in his trial before the. council any evil
Verse eo) He appealed to them there and
then to state whether on that occasion he
had behaved himself improperly in any par
ticular. except that he had announced his
belief in the resurrection, thereby causing
dissension between Pharisees and Saddu-
Gees. Here was a bold challenge to his enc
mics to produce testimony against him.
LIBERTY-Having listened attentively
to this speech the'Governor adjourned the
case. promising another hearing when
was honorable and wise A Judge needs to
gather evidence from all sources before
pears. however. that Felix was kindly dis
posed toward Paul. for he commanded a
centurion to keep hin-that is. to pro.
him against enemies. and to allow the
visit OF acquaintances. Verse 81 AS :.
further mark Of good will prov. XVI. .. he
that he was not treated as a. crimtnal-
This was equivalent 10 an Endorsement.
apostle had made a favorable impression.
Besides. it is expressly stated tverse 90
that Felix had knowledge of the Christian
kindly with its representatives
CONNICTICN-It is probable that the
Jews obtained no subsequent hearing: as
sustain their charges. they were doubtless
compelled TO withdraw and return to Jeru-
wife. Drusilla. who was a Jewess. invited
Paul TO speak before them concerning his
faith In Christ. Verse Al II is impossible
to determine whether at the first the Gov
ernor was influenced by mercenary mo-
tive Verse 26) Paul spoke upon the funda-
nentals Of acknowledgements, temper
ance and Judgment II Peter in, Isl The
sermon is not reported Felix was convict
ed. He trembled under a sense Of sin and
its consequences. Ezra K. 81 And vet
though near the kingdom he dismissed the
faithful preacher. promising at more con-
venient season to call for him. What
thoughts and feelings struggled within who
shall say? What resulted from this procras-
tination no one can tell. 1t was the turn
ing point. in life and Felix entered the
wrong path.
CONCLUS-ON-This appearance of Paul
before the Roman Governor fulfilled the
prediction Of Christ CIatt. X, 49, and served
several important ends in advancing the
cause of religion. The Jews were frustrated
in their purposes to persecute. The heroic
and godly character of an apostle shows
forth in the clearest light in cornmendation
of his faith, while his ready replies to the
accusations proved his intelligence. u Pc
ter iii. I5) 1t furnished an opportunity to
deliver the gospel message 10 those who :.
were in high position, who might not other
wise have heard II. and for time at least
aroused the conscience. 1t brought into
close relations three representative >Eaep-a
heather, Jew and Chrfstian-and afford
ed eacn opportunity to Judge the others and
10 measure himself. II was the beginning OF
that long struggle in which three forces
contendei for the mastery. Paul on trial
was Christianity on trial. Paul vindicated
was Christianity triumphant.