The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-04-15
Copyright, Davis W. Clark.
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON5
Second Quarter. Lesson iii.
April Is, 1909. Acts tx, lie.
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL

Hebrew eccleslaStlclSm is tot
tering to it's fall. Those who en-
joy her easy-going benefices are
in a rage against the plebeian
power which bids fair to bury
them with all their offices and
emoluments under the debris Of
the disestablishment. The ad-
vent of Saul is hailed with de-
light. The Cilicidn enthusiast
rushes to the rescue. He is an
ideal inquisitor. With the vigor
of youth he unites the erudition
and dialectical skill of a patri-
arch. The heyday of his young
manhood supplies the physical
force, while completest knowl-
edge of the history and dogma of
Israel provides the mental fur
nishing. Saul departs for Da-
mascus with the benedictions of
those who get their living by
priestcraft. Many sincere souls,
who consider Christianity a dan
gerous innovation, also follow the
prosecutor with their prayers.
1t is journey extraordinary!
The sailing of the three little
ships from Palos, fourteen hun
dred years later, was not so signif-
icant. The outcome of that voy-
age was the discovery of a hem
isphere. The issue of the ex-
petition to the capital of Syria
affects two hemispheres to the
end of time.
There is no more striking COM
ment on the saying, Man pro-
poses, but God disposes," than
the ninth chapter of Acts. The
denouement is exactly opposite
to the one expected. Fire of
persecution is of a sudden
quenched. Threats give place
to prayers. He who expects to
make others tremble does his
own trembling. He who thinks
he knows everything is to have
an obscure disciple for teacher.
He who expects to lead others
bound, is glad to find some one
to lead him.
Yet he reads this thrilling in
cident specifically who imagines
that the conversion of Saul is a
mechanical affair-a case of
sacred sunstroke. The appear
ance of Jesus is a merciful ap-
proach to a noble soul in desperate
straits, one whose heredity and
environment are dead against
the dawning conviction of the
truth of the system he has sci
himself to destroy. In no other
sense can the expression, 1T is
hard for thee to kick against the
pricks" be understood. Saul frs
felt the pricking point of con-
science, as Augustine suggests
when he witnessed officially the
death of Stephen. A religion
that made a mans face shine like
that of an angel, helped him to
forgive and pray for his murder.
ers, gave him a vision into the
open heavens, and enabled hin
to die like one falling asleep
such a religion has marks of di
vinity. Yet, is not the religion
of Moses divine, too? And where
is it taught that it shall ever b.
abrogated? The very fury Of
Saul's persecution against the
j Christians is an effort to eXtri
Y cate himself from a dilemma
effort which the Lord mercifull.
cuts short by the direct revela
ton of Himself.
Such is the eagerness of thi
young Sanhedrist to lay hi
hands upon these perverts fror
Jewry that he shows no pity to
ward either man or beast in hi
own cavalcade. The universe
Eastern custom would have cal
ed a long halt during the moo
hours. But on he speeds,
with lips firm closed and fixed eye,
Like warrior when the fight is nigh,
Nor talk nor landscape heeds.
A half-mile, and the goal {
this ever-memorable journey wi
be reached. The city's easter
gate is in sight. On an insta1
it is as if the troop struck an ir
visible but impenetrable BARRIE
Brave riders are endorsed, al
dumb brutes give sign of reco!
nizing the preternaturalness
the event.
"What sudden blaze is round hi
poured,
AS though ali heavens refulgent hoa
In one rich glory shone?"
\ No wonder that the highro;
J has been DETECTED from the sp
where this scene is thought
have transpired, in order tn
: careless feet may not profane
A deep excavation has be
made in the original roadbed
- the carrying away of pebbles
myriads of pilgrims. The &C
Words to Freeze the Soul.
"Your son has Consumption. His C