The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-02-27
In the 0unduy Sch00/
BY W. P. CHAMBERS.

The next year after the crucifixion
the resurrection and ascension of the
Lord Jesus Christ was a momentous
one in the history of his followers.
1t witnessed an increase in numbers
that was nothing less than marvellous.
From small prayer meeting in an
upper room they had grown to i'm
mense throngs Of many thousands.
{ Doubtless several of the four hun
dred synagogues in the city we're used
as places of worship. besides the mon
ster meetings on the temple area. 1t
witnessed the first internal friction
among the membership-the first
Church FUSS" il you please--and the
wise solution of the same, by men
who we're willing to efface themselves
for the glory of God. 1t Witnessed the
launching of thhe first "layman's
movement that was ever inaugurated,
and the glorious success resulting
| from same. 1t witnessed the aroused
hostility and bitter enmity of first,
| the Saducees and then the Phar-
| isees. 1t witnessed the first death
| among the membership, which came
as terrible warning against hypoc-
1 risy and, so far as the record shows,
the lesson last Sunday described the
death of the first real disciple that
fell asleep"
So today we take up the history
from the death of Stephen-the first
! witness" who attested his fidelity
with his blood. We behold a harassed,
distressed and prosecuted people.
Foremost among their prosecutors was
a splendid young man, one Saul Of
| Tarsus, the ablest and the most I'M
relenting foe the people of God ever
encountered. Directed by him, the
| magnificent congregations of believers
were broken up, their plans of work
frustrated, the members dragged and
driven from their homes and compell-
| ed to seek shelter in other regions.
None save the apostles dared to re-
main in the holy city, the storm-cen-
| ter of the persecution. Because it
was the post of greatest danger, per-
haps, these men, whoSrejoiced in be-
ing thought worthy of stripes and
Imprisonment for the sake of their
risen Lord, elected to stay, feeling it
their duty to witness for him first
in Jerusalem" I'm the original wit
ness" and martyr" mean the same
thing) But those who went away
went preaching the word.
Our lesson concerns one of the
| seven laymen, chosen by the church
for the transaction of its business
affairs. Some forty or fifty miles
| north of Jerusalem as the crow flies
was the city of Samaria, whose cit
liens were more widely separated
| from those of Jerusalem than If
thousand miles interviewed. Into the
city of Samaria came Philip, pro-
claiming unto them the Christ. Great
multitudes gave heed to his message
with one accord" and when they saw
his miracles of healing, as attesting
signs, "there was much Joy in that
city" "They believed-and were bap-
tized, both men and women" There
is never hint as to who administered
the ordinance. Perhaps 1t was Philip
himsef-perhaps he had companions
who assisted him In his work.
Among the converts" who were
baptized was one Simon, known in
history as Simon Magus, whose name
is perpetuated in our language in the
crime called "Simoney." This man
was sorcerer or magician. He un-
derstood some hidden law of nature,
perhaps, by means of which he
wrought apparent miracles, and
claimed superhuman powers in con-
sequence. A few weeks ago our own