The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-08

The International Sunday School Les
son for May 9 is 'Paurs First Mis-
sfonary Journey-Antioch Pisidia."
Acts 1882.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS
The school of experience soon gives
pupils their proper rating. Barnabas
and Saul had set out from Antioch in
Syria to do missionary work, and they
were classified in this order and by
these names Now we find that the
story is altered. 1t is Paul and his
company" The first man has naturally
and inevitably risen to first place. Here
We find his name changed from Saul to
Paul The new man had taken on
new name. John Mark drops from
the company at this point, probably be-
cause he was not of as sturdy stuff as
the leaders of the expedition, and could
not face the hardships that were to be
endured. Later he had to reckon with
Paul on this account, and was really
the means Of dividing the two asso-
ciates, Paul and Barnabas.
Sailing from Paphos in the Island of
Cyprus, where the last lesson was laid,
the company came to Perga, in what Is
now called Asia Minor, and thence they
went up to Antioch in Pisidia,-prob-
ably one Of the sixteen Antiochs
founded by Seleucis Nikator and named
for his father. 1t must not be con-
founded with the great Antioch in
Syria, where the disciples were first
called Christians. Why Paul did not
remain at Perga has been a subject of
OF summer, and the malaria which in
Tested this low-lying city along the wa
ter. drove him up on to the high table
land where Antioch was situated.
Ramsay thinks that the malaria which
here entered Pauls system was his
life. In any case, some consideration
drove the little band of missionaries
over the perilous journey to Antioch.
A Point. of Contact
Like Jesus, Paul went to church on
the Sabbath. He identified himself
with all the best customs of his time
and community. He knew that the
6ynagogueS were to be superseded, and
that the preaching was usually dry,
unpalRtable and unnutritious pabulum.
Nevertheless Jesus and Paul went to
the synagogue on the Sabbath. They
found it a point of contact with the
best agencies of their day. They iden-
titled themselves unequivocally with
oil religious tendencies, although their
own beliefs extended quite beyond
those entertained and taught by the
synagogue. This attitude, which ever
seeks point of contact with the peo-
pie whom it desires to serve, is an es-
sentiaI qualification In Christian work.
So Paul and Barnabas were shown to
the rabbinical seats, and after the
reading Of the Law and the Prophets,
them to speak. With the tact that al
ways characterized him. PauPs sermon,
or "midraish," as the Jews called It,,
was based upon the passages which
had been read that morning. He re-
cited the history which the Jews never
tired Of hearing, and of course found
it an easy path to the story of the
Messiah who had come.
Paul was never satisfied to make
general propositions. His sermons al
ways ended in an application He was
a Thou are the man. type of preach
er. He left his hearers face to face
with their personal responsibility in the
case
Stirring City.
1t had been many a long day since
that synagogue had heard searching
and sensational sermon as was preach
ed by the unexpected stranger on that
Sabbath morning. It set the Jewish
community by the ears. Whenever a
genuine preacher appears in a neigh
borhood with a clear message of con-
viction, the latter Is bound to make
more talk than all the advertising he
can do. People always have been and
always will be interested in vital,
spiritual truth. Rufus NJ Jones saws,
I'm his spiritual nature, man is in
curab1y religious" The religion that is
related to life can always get a hear
ing. AS IT was in Paups day, so it is
now. A great sermon makes itself
talked ABOUT Inc members OF the
synagogue entreated Paul and Barna-
bas to speak again the following Sab
bath
The implication is that this syna-
gogue was an influential factor in the
life Of Antioch. It's outreach touched
the entire city. Apparently it had to
some degree solved the ever-present
problem of making the church the CEN
ter OF the communal life. 1t must have
delighted Paups heart to see the way
I'm which that synagogue was able to
get after men in their social relation
ships, so that, as the narrative runs
Next Sabbath almost the whole city
was gathered together to hear the
WORD Of Cod
Some Jealous Jews.
Sour. misanthropio, and i'll favored
souls there always have been, whose
greatest sorrow seems to be the hap
pinesS OF other people. OF a naturally
Jealous disposition, they can not view
with eqtraniInity the prosperity OF any
body else. The world is full of these
born detractors. The slang phrase OF
the day calls them knockers;" and
the philosophy of the street has coin
ed words OF keenest soorn for them
Even the man who gives least thought
70 questions OF character and ethics
percieves that the "knocker'' Is on the
wrong track, and that he is a man tc
be avoided or reformed.
The Jews of Antioch had been de-
lighted over the popularity which
Paul's sermon had won for their syna.
gogue, but when they found that tbs
multitude followed Paul and disre.
garded them. they ''were field witt
Jealousy" They could not stand aside
for the sake OF great man and 6
great message.
Therefore they stirred UP Islander
against the missionaries; even a.
heathens in all lands have fabricated
the most outrageous and baSeless Ian.
ders against missionaries. 1t Is
common belief in many pagan com
munitles that the missionaries stea