The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-12

BY Rev. j e. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary OF
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INTRODUCTIOE.-1n our time many
ministers OF Christ visit the city OF Rome
for pleasure and instruction. Frequent
ly their expenses are paid by affectionnte
congregations Wandering along the
streets, gazing upon the arches, columns.
palaces, and cathedrals; resting In the
parks or examining the works of art in
numerous galleries; they derive constant
delight and profit. But the great apostle
to the Gentiles. peerless In intellect and
devotion, went to Rome prisoner. Al
though treated with mora than ordinary
consideration through the influences OF Jul
Illus, who had brought him from
Caesarea. (Acts 1xvii:3) soldier kept
him. tverse ICY In chains and limited his
freedom. Wherever he went he was &C
companed by one who had authority.
and at any moment might control him.
What will he do; what can he do. under
such forbidding conditions7
AsSEMBLED.-The sterling worth and
burning zeal OF Paul are soon displayed.
He does not spend time sightseeing at
the end OF three days, short time, In
deed, for rest and for the adjustment OF
his apartments. he enters upon his work.
seemingly Indifferent to the splendor OF
the capital OF Caesars. With his old love
for his countrymen, (Rom. ix:3) he called
tho CHIEF OF the resident Jews to meet
him. Verse I'D Probably he expected
their sympathy and cooperation, for
they VINO had wandered into distant parts
OF the empire being under less control OF
the hierarchy, were more loberal than
those at Jerusalem. When thoy were as
sembled he delivered brief address,
highly respectful. beginning after the
manner common with the rabbi In >ublic
assemblies. saying, Men and brethren"
(Acts xxii:D.
! ExPLAINED.-In his address Paul ex-
planned why he was in chains and en-
deavored to- convince his hearers OF his
innocence. He was delivered to the Ro-
man officials at Jerusalem by his own
people, although he had committed no
offense tverse I'D an assertion which
he had made before Lysias. acts
xxW:l2) The Roman officers, on examina-
ton, had found no fault with him and
were disposed to release him. (verse 1S)
referring 10 Agrippa's statement. (Acts
xxviS1) But because the Jews opposed
the release, (verse 19) and proposed to
take him back to jerusalem for trial,
(Acts xxv:a) ne had appealed to Caesars
court and 80 ped from his enemies.
That straightforward story dld not. how
ever, disclose the whole truth. and Paul
would keep nothing back He informed
his hearers plainly concerning the cause
of his arrest. (Verse % } ''For the hope OF
Israel" he said. he was bound. The ex-
preston had but one meaning, the
Messlanic hope fulfilled in Jesus. (Acts
xxvi:s ~ A bold announcement that
he was a Christian.
REPLIED.-The answer OF the Jews to
evidently afraid either 10 befriend or OPP
pose him. Shortly before. because Of GER
tain entanglements. the whole Jewish pop
ulation had been expelled from Rome, and
they were anxious not to be subjected
again to so degrading an infection. They.
therefore, protested to have received no
communication from the authorities In
Judea concerning the APOSTLE singular
statement. in view OF the notoriety which
he had attained (verse 2D. They also ex-
pressed their desire to hear him concern
ing Christianity. regarded as a sect. about
which they had heard many unfavorable
comments (verse 22) It is possible that
they were ignorant OF the little congrega-
ton OF believers to whom Paul had ad-
dressed his letters (Romans, l. y, who
might easily be lost in great city OF
two millions. This reply of the chief men
was evidently intended to give them time
to consider what was the best course to
be pursued.
EXPOUNDED.-It Is said that the Jew
sh residents in Rome numbered $4,000 at
the time OF Paul's visit; that they had
seven synagog,ies. and that many learned
men were among them as teachers. At the
time appointed the chief men assembled
Mt Paul's own lodgings to hear his expo
sition of the religion and the claims of
Christ (verse 23). He occupied an entire
day, showing out OF the law OF Moses
and out of the writings OF tho prophets,
the very Scriptures which these mon
held to be sacred. that Jesus was the
:, M COZ al hn6
which our Lord employed (Luke. xxiv'
80 with His disciples, which Paul fol-
lowed on other occasions (Acts. xvii: 81.
That the company was not wholly unm-
pressed Is proved by the length of the
argument, and the fact that some be-
part rejected the testimony and clung to
thir ancient faith. This might have been
expected. It Is no easy matter for a
man to abandon religious views held from
childhood.
REPROYED.-There Is a limit to min
tsters obligations: he Is not required to
labor among people who will not re-
ceive his message, Jesus instructed His
disciples on this point (Matthew. X: 1D.
Having devoted q day to Jewish officials.
seeking to convert them to Christianity.
Paul resolved thereafter to turn his eff
forts to the Gentiles. But before tho un-
believers departed he administered a Sc
them passage from Isaiah, once quoted
by our Lord Himself (Matthew, Kill; "A,
l5). He charged that they could not see
nor hear because they would mott that
their blindness and deafness were tho
consequence of the grossness of their
hearts. Here ia the same old complaint,
uttered by the prophets again and again
Jeremiah, v: 2D, concerning tho Jewish
nation (Ezekiel, xii: p. Intellectual dull
ness through moral obliaulty and splr-
itual apathy has fallen upon millions OF
men, rendering them incapable OF per-
ceivng heavenly truth q Corinthians ~
1D.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT the reproof
Paul Informed the Jews that the saliva
ton of God was sent to the Gentiles,
and that they would listen to Its gracious
offer (verse 2O repetition OF the sa-
viours words (Matthew, XXI: 4S). teach
ing frequently given by the apps ties Gro
mans, XII ~. So ended the address, and
the audience dispersed. But those learned
mediately the great themes that had been
presented to them by this stranger, the