The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-02-10
ARGUMENTS OF ORATORIO,
Whatis Meant to be Understood
From it.
choral Society is Ready for Concert
Next Thursday Story is Thrilling
one and it Will be Rendered in
Most Effective Manner.

The argument Of MondelsSohn's
oratorio of SAINT Paul, to be rendered
here on Thursday, February 1lth, is
based on the life of Saint Paal, both
before and after his conversion, and
runs somewhat as follows:
The prosecuted Christian Church of
Jerusalem prays to the Lord for pow
er to resist the fury of the Heathen.
Stephen is accused OF blasphemy by
the iaeensed people, aud is brought
before the Council. Being quest toned
by the High Priest he reproves his
judges for the obstinacy with which
they and their fathers have rejected
the true faith, and resisted the Holy
Ghost. They refuse to hear him, and
insist upon putting him to death.
Heedipg not the rebroof that Jerusa-
lem had ever killed the Prophets which
had been sent to her, they shouted
''Stone him to DEATH; and Stephen
suffers martyrdom, praying for mercy
upon his prosecutors.
Devout men carry him to his burial,
with much iamentation, and utter
words Of peace and hope over his
grave. Saul, who is present at the
martyrdom, resolves to continue his
prosecutions of the Christian Church,
and for this purpose journeys toward
Damascus.
A sudden light shines around him
and he is struck with blindness. A
voice from Heaven calls opon him to
proclaim the glory Of the Lord to the
benighted people, and his companions
lead him by the hand into Damascus
There he prays, in bitter repentance,
until the Lord sends to him Ananias,
who restores his sight, and cunfers
upon him divine commission. as a
Christian preacher.
He is baptized, and breaches in the
Synagogues; and the congregation
praises the wisdom and knowledge of
God.
Saul who after his conversion takes
the name Of Paul, breaches before the
congregation. Paul and Barnabas are
selected by the Holy Ghost and sent
as ambassadors to spread knowledge
of Christianity abroad. The multi
tude acknowledges them as messen-
gers who preach the gospel of peace.
The Jews, not believing in the Sa-
vour, are envious, aud consult how
to Kill Paul. But Paul and Barnabas,
telling them that they have rejected
the truth. although they were chosen
first to have the word of God set before
them, turn from them to preach unto
the Gentiles. Paul miraculously cures
a cripple at Lystra; and the Gentiles,
believing that the Gods have come
down from heaven as mortals, call
them Jupiter and Mercurius, and de-
sire to offer sacrifices to them. But
the Apostles refuse such vain homage;
and Paul endeavours to divert the
minds OF the people from the worship
of false idols to that Of the living
God. This excites the anger OF the
multitude; and both Jews and Gen
tiles accuse him OF having spoken
against Jehovah's temple and the
holy law, and raise cry Of "stone
him." But the Lord, whose help is
ever nigh unto the faithful, saves him
from persecution. Paul conyokcs the
elders of Erhefus, telling them that he
is bound in the spirit TO go forth to
Jerusalem, and that they will see his
| face No more.
They weep and pray; bat Paul ex-
presses his readiness to die for the
Lord, and takes his leave, the elders
accompanying him unto the ship. 1t
is their comfort now To- be Gods own
children. To him who has fought a
good fight, and kept well the faith, a
crown of righteousness shall be given,
and not only unto him, the believers
sling, but to all them that love His APP
pearlhg. So they bless the Lord, and
praise His holy name forever.