The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-14
THE sUNDAY-sCHoOL LESSON.


The Temple of Diana was a citadel Of Pagan
ISM Embellished by the pencil OF Apelies ana
the chisel of Phidias. it was in itself incompara-
bly, beautiful 1t was a favorite asylum for po-
ltical and civil fugitives. 1t was a colassal
safety-deposit vault. holding the wealth OF west
ern Asia. All this. well as shrine or wor-
ship II is affirmed that there was no religious
building in the world in which was concen-
trated a greater amount Of admiration, enthusi-
asm and superstition. The strategic
skill of ST. Paul is here exemplifed. Next to
Rome. Ephesus was the most influential metropo-
lis in the world The apostle awaited himself Of
the multitudes coming and going at this Asiatic
vanity fair to send his message to the ends OF
the earth. His dauntless courage is shown in
the assault upon this acropolis of Paganism.
Success proves the divinity of his gospel
This stirring scene in Paul's eventful Ephesian
pastorate is wildly presented He was evil
IDENTIFY pressing heathenism to the wall In its
very stronghold. Some sort Of counter movement
must needs be made. Demetrius proved clever
leader a past master as labor agitator. His
appeal was to self-interest IF Paul succeeded
their craft was at an end" This bald monetary
consideration gilded with religious venera-
ton. The propaganda of tumult succeeded. The
mob, resorted to the theater, taking with them
two of Pauls companions Paul himself was re-
strained from filing an appearance in person.
orator who should exonerate them from any
completely with the new sect of Christians, with
whom they commonly identified in current
opinion.
The riotous assembly was finally dissolved by
a city official who made most skillful plea for
order affirming in his address the invincible de-
votion OF the city to the goddess, the innocence
of the men detained. the constant and easy ac-
feasibility of the courts of law. the unlawful
H. ~
bility OF the seity and the personal amenablity
of those present to the Roman Emperor for the
disorders then occurring. Scarcely had the off,
cal ceased speaking before the multitude, a
moment before so vociferous. quietly dissolved.
Paul had struck Paganism a whitening blow.
Yet he was no iconocast. The city recorder Of
ficially exonerated him, affirming that he was
no church robber blasphemer. He overthrow
idoism by the introduction OF new love. de-
pending upon its expulsive power to accomplish
the rest Logic opened the way for love. Two
hours of continuous shrieking of the Pagan shib-
boleth sufficient to drown out the apostle s
appeal TO reason. . The success OF Paul was
splendid. The humble schoolroom of Tyranus
We'd in attraction with the Temple of Diana.
The visitors TO the May festival OF Ephesus, in
stead of carrying home the pretty silver shrines,
took the story of the with them. In the
briefest time, and in the completest manner the
porch of the huntress goddess cleaned the sign
of Christianity. Soon Ephesus took its place
among the apocalyptic churches of Asia. To it
Paul addressed the letter declared to be pro-
foundest of ALL Well may excaim: What
has become of the Temple of Diana? Can a
wonder of the earth be vanished like a phantom
without leaving trace behipd?'' Temple, idol.
priest and shrinemaker are gone but the gospel
| remains and is the power of God.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
Erhesus is a fascinating city to the Bible
reader. Here Mary, the Lords mother died
| John wrote here his gospel and epistles and died
natural death. forming the only exception to
martyrdom among the apostles. Timothy was
| the bishop of the church, and to him two pas
toral epistles were addressed. besides to the
church itself Here the third EcImenical Coun-
! ell, A ID. 431, was held.
Interest eliminates in Paul's experiences. He
fought Ike a gladiator with the beast OF preju-
diced Judaism and infiamed heathenism.
PauIs methods capable of universal appii-
cation. He paid first attention to the semi
Christians disciples OF John BaptisD, ther
sought to bring defective Christians Chose still
using magic ar.s) up to the true standard, and
finally proceeded against heathenism.
The shrineDakers' strike a sort OF an.
cient labor trouble-a trades union affair But
it in defense of a craft that had no rational
| grounds for existence. Methods were used which
enlightened labor leaders OF to-day would
| scorn.
| The vanity Of opposition to the truth is adj.
mirably illustrated in the Ephesian episode
Demetrius unwittingly paid a high compliment
| TO Paul and his gospel (verses 20 and I'D
1t admits of question whether the modern labor
strike does rot bear some resemblance to tn,
tumult among the silversmiths OF Ephesus
| whether the arguments used are not somewhat
/ similar: whether there is not still the appeal {,
| prejudice.
Corrupt persons with selfish ends are still abb,
| to foment trouble and gain adherents in churcl
| and state.
Great Is Disnal Every cause has fits watch
| word: every sect its shibboleth In too man,
| instances the name OF the goddess is displacei
only to be supplanted by something as idola
| trous.
The town clerk is a model for the city Office
of to-day. He was prudent. considerable. .nrr
| and Just; ne averted riot and bloodshed and di
not give up the persons OF his prisoners
HIS address " worthy place among master