The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-06-30
Sunday School Column
Side Lights on Next Sundays Les
son for Teachers and Pupils.
By cHAs. K. MEYERS
July 4. Paurs Second Missionary
Journey. Acts :36 to 6:l5.


Our lessons continue the missionary
journeys of the great Apostle Paul.
Notwithstanding the hardships he en-
dured at the hands of the Jews in the
towns in Asia which he visited in his
first journey, he was ready to UNDER
take another into the same territory.
He visited many Of the churches which
he had established and in his own
MUD expected to continue work in
Asia Minor, but it appears from the
verses of our lesson that God had other
aud greater plans for him. The way
in which God wanted him to 60 was
finally made known through a vision
which told him that he should 90 over
into Macedonia. This was practically
call to preach the gospel in Europe
and was the beginning of the pro-
clamation of the life of Jesus in the
great cities of Philippi. Athens. Coz
NTH and Ephesus.
AS might be expected. Paul made
all haste to his new field of labor.
1t was in that part of Europe now
under the government of Turkey. He
took boat across that sea up which
ships must now pass to reach the city
of Constantinople and the Black Sea.
landing at what was then the seaport
town of Neopolis. This place was the
harbor for persons and merchandise
wishing to reach the great Roman
garrisoned city Of Philippi. From
that place went out the noted Roman
roads in many directions. and certainly
toward Rome. 1t was as if in our
day one had passed oyer much terri
tory to reach Chicago or Denver places
of great repute which were centers for
the spreading of information in many
directions.
q Paul was now in strange territory
and it would appear as if he took a
few days to size up the situation.
The Sabbath day came on. There
was no synagogue of the Jews in the
citv. but Paul knew that it was the
custom of the Jews to go to the banks
of the river to pray when they had no
stated building in which to worship.
He was not disappointed in his con.
clusions. for he found q number Of
women there in prayer and to them he
told of the suffering and death of
Jesus. At least one of his hearers
believed and her name goes down to
history as Lydia. She begged the
apostle and his company to make hel
home their abiding place. She and
her husband believed and we're hap.
tized. She thus has the honor of be.
ing the first convert made by Paul OF
his missionary journey to Europe.
We note few of the many good
things which we can learn from thii
lesson. First. Despite the fact thai
he had endured 80 many hardships OF
the first journey Paul was ready to
undertake another IN the cause of his
. master, Jesus. His conduct is Ger.
tainly an example to US that pas
difficulties in christian work shoule
not keep us from further endeavors il
this direction. Second. We must be
ready to be guided by the plans Goo
makes for US. Paul thoroughly be
lieved that he was to work in the
small villages neighboring on these il
which he had labored when on his frs
journey, but this was overruled and
the greater opportunities Of Philippi
Corinth and Athens given him. h.
did not know what was before him bu
he willingly followed what seemed t,
him the will of God. Thousands o
christians give testimony that the!
have been directed by God in theil
lives when they ade petition to be 81
led and much larger number nov
look back and see that what the!
thought at the time was q complet,
blocking of cherished plans was bu
Gods method of helping them t,
greater usefulness and thus greater
j happiness in life. Third. Lydia wa
| x01tUkOl III uCI WOxSuIRs 0uC WSu
with others to pray on the 5abbatl
, day and in her faithfulness received ,
: great blessing. Earnest christian
5 people should not neglect to come to
gether for PRAYER, to read the bibl
a and hear the preaching. Sometime
this seems line of conduct requiring
. much sacrifice. but in faithfully doinl
. their duty great blessing will come
: Let this lesson then encourage US, t
r renewed devotion to Gods cause; t
trust in the ] adings of His will feel
y ing that all things work together TO
good to those who lose Him, and fur
: ther, that faithfulness to religion
J. duties will bring most unexpecte
! blessings.
!; : YoYSS 20 sk5