The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-07

whole years, perhaps longer CANS
xlx:10), seeking to confirm the converts
and TO win others to the Chrlstiun faith.
At first no preached In the .lewish sSnut
goguc the most natural and accessible
countrSnen. After three months he>
went into the school Of Tyrannus, u
Greek teacher or philosophy and rhe-
toric. This prolonged ministry brought
Christianity Into great prominence US
doctrines were In direct conflict with
the prevailing sin and narrow bigotry.
And while he obtained large following
and great popularity, he at the Same
time. us ls common when o new cause
seeks public favor, encountered much
difficulty. Some opposed directly ana
sought to bring him anu his toachings
into contempt, jealous OF his success.
Others, curious and unprinciped class.
hoped to find profit by fruudulently
copying some of Pnul's methods. But
oven this was turned to good account,
11NORCrsED,--(V 49,, It was the
common belief OF tho Jews OF that day
that evil spirits might possess and con-
troll men, and by various arts tl, ,t.,
might be exercised or rejected. David.
by playing on a harp, cast out the evil
spirit that troubled Saul Il Sam. xvi:23)
Our Lord cast out devils Matt, vll:1G),
and bestowed upon Ills Apostles power
to do the same (Nlatt., x:s). which
power was exercised by believers after
His ascension (Acts' xvi:1s). But many,
for purposes Of gain only and sunk to
the lower level OF the superstitlous
rites Of the 1lcathen. They were ready
to use any device that seemed TO promise
results. These men, called vagabonds
or worthless fellows In our lessoli VII,
messed the miracles wrought by Paul
(yerse III, and concluded that there was
n power which might be invoked by them
In their wicked business. Their custom
was to call over the afflicted the name
Of Jesus and say to tho spirit: Wo
allure you In the name OF Jesus, whom
Paul preacheth
I OFFICIAII.-(V Verse 14.) This bold ana
blasphemous attempt to peryert ana
prostitute the power Of tho Gospel to
mercenory ends, beginning with low
and sordid class, was not confined 70
them, 1t Is remarkable that unworthy
practices are frequently taken up and
INDUCED by those who might, because
OF their position know better. It Is IN
this way that evil spreads In the world
Sceva, chief OF the priests, n man prom
inent in Ephesus, had seven sons. there
I fore MI In tho priesthood. The number
was supposed to indicate special wisdom
| and sanctity, according to a tradition
| that had come down from centuries. bor-
| rowed doubtless from the hcnthen, These
sons all adopted this method OF eXorclsm
| Probably they hoped to Md 20 e me ne
| honors and emoluments that came 20
| them. They were willing to lend their
| oniciaI name and Influence to support
n practice that could bring nothing bul
loss to Judaism and Christlanity'S and
tend. to prolong tho denominations thar
afflicted society.
FI2EBuKED.-(Verse 15.) What was
| done to the vugabonds who began thls
procedure Is not rela ted. But the oil
| cial practice met with n notable rebuke
and that in a way to afford most whole
| Some Instruction. Paul wisely let all
| the parties alone. There is no evidence
| that he preached against them as many
| ministers In our day would do. He proba-
bly, acted upon the principle enumerated
by Gamaliel (Acts, v:ss), before the
! council. In one instance the evil spirit
who had been adjured answered. Jesus
| I know, and Paul I know, but who are
| yer, This was plain recognition OF the
Master and his worthy servant. who had
power over spirits, a power that could
not be denied or resisted. Tho testimony
was Immensely valuable at that time
when the cause of Christ was pleaded
by the apostle. All through the realms
of darkness honor was bestowed upon the
l mighty lOrO. lUc ScHlGISc Solkahi.
| ed n contemptuous rejection OF these sons
who presumed to attempt what they had
no right to do. * Who are We? So inslg-
| nincant as spiritual forces as to be ln-
known, as not to be obeyed or feared,
| Who are We? Prespmptuous imposters,
using a name which ought not to be
pronounced, save with reverence. and
assuming authority that IS re1t clen J.
| ATTACKED.-(Yers 160 The eYil splrlt
was irrItated Having repealed the as
sumptiona Of Sceva's sons no attacked
! them. Tho unfortunate man who was
under the demons power. whom they
| attempted to liberate, became abe fercc
| instrument to execute deserved chastise-
ment. He leapcd on the eXorcists with
all the hate and strength that belong to
! those who are moved by evil, The
onset was terrific, and the men were
oyerpowered. Wounded they dlsengaged
themselves and fod from the house lenv-
| Ing their outer garments and styled
| therefore, naked. This was a remarka-
bio occurrence-an evil spirit offended by
| the dolngs of evil persons. The offense
was not in the evil disposition, but In
the method When men who are the
they are hypocrites who deserve to be
despised duke, xi:44.) Satan could not
recognize those who. while possessing his
character. nevertheless attempted tt
overthrow his kingdom. They who de
dlaboIcal work must adopt dlabollca
ways. while they who do Chriht's WORK
must adopt Christ's wa,i PowerlcsA ffs
good are they who reverse the order
MAGNIFITD-(Vers 10 Intelligence
of the attack upon Sceya's sons spreat
rapidly from lip to lip and from house t
house until all Ephesus heard IT.. Jow'
and Greeks alike. Tho details must haV'
been rehearsed many times TO cage
groups Of listeners. and the whole affair
discussed in all Its aspects, produced
/ widespread and profound impression
i Gradually strange fear settled dow
upon the inhabitants, who might hay
thought at first that this was only be
| ginning of an outbreak from the spirltua
world to be followed by others. INVOLVING
the life and peace Of all. superstitlou
people might easily imagine that man!
evils would follow, even beyond tn
power OF the Imagination to describe
duke 4; 565.) But shortly this feeling o
4 Impending trouble passed away as mel
discovered the significance of what hat
occurred. 1t became apparent that tn
confession Of the spirit and his treatmen
of the exorcsts showed the excellence g
the gospel, and the name Of Jesus invoked
irreverently was magnitied,
| ''I-tr>A f,I