Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-24
Paul's Second Missionary Journey.

PAUL AT ATHENS. Acts. IL 1854.
The distance from Berea to Athens was
not so great geographically as it was in
tellectually and morally. In a degree,
Berea was FAR from the madding crowd"
They were a people of simple tastes.
They had time for serious thought and
they used it to a good advantage. Their
study of the Scriptures had made the
word Bereans synonym for patient. per-
sistent inquiry into the meaning of Bible
teachings. But Athens, in almost every
particular, was the opposite of Berea- It
was the center of culture. In its uni
versity the Roman youths received their
last instruction before entering upon
their active careers. In its prime it has
been said that it sent forth more great
men in 100 years than all the rest of the
world could show in 500. When we re-
member that this was the home of Soc
rates, and Plato. OF Aristotle, Demos
themes. Aeschylus, Sophocles, Pericles and
many others equally known to fame, we
are prepared to accept the claim as true.
But Attic culture existed side by side
with the most debasing idolatry. Plir9
tells US that at the time of Nero Athens
contained over 300 public statues, be-
side a countless number of lesser images
within the walls Of private houses. OF
this number, the great majority were
statues Of gods. demigods and heroes. In
one street there stood before every house
a square pillar upon which was a bust of
the god Hermes. Every gateway and
porch carried its protecting god. Every
street. every square,. nay, every purlieu,
had its sanctuaries, and Roman poet
bitterly remarked that it was easier in
n
man of Paul's culture and literary tastes
his first entrance into Athens must have
been a memorable event. He was at
home in their literature.
He had read their poets and he had
mastered their philosophy. He must have
longed to walk Its streets to look upon
its monuments, and to listen to the wis
dom OF its men of renoWn. But in such
cases things are rarely they are
painted Far away pastures are al
ways green OF course, Paul knew that
the Athenians were idolaters AT that
time. except the Jews, all men were idol
aters. But he little thought that they
had carried their idolatry to such an eX-
cess. We may imagine the apostle then.
as he lands at the quay and begins his
walk through the city. Everywhere he
goes, everywhere he looks, are statues.
Every god i'm the Pantheon had its affairs
and its worshipers. And. see. there is
an altar to the unknown god or an
unknown god. Now Paul had left Berea
hurrledly. The charge brought against
him of proclaiming another king was
SO serious that it was deemed advisable
that he should leave instantly. a few
friends accompanied him, but Silas and
Timothy were left behind. 1t seems to
have been the purpose OF Paul to re-
main quiet III Athens until his compan-
ions should come. But the sight of the
ldolatry, universal and debasing stir
red his spirit The word in the original
means to urge on as with a sharp goad !"
naf To ho ,;1t
such circumstances. He fastened 10 the
synagogue. Here. among the worship
ers of the one God, he expected to find
sympathy. He disputed reasoned with
them. and then with the devout persons
the proselytes of the gate. But such was
the need of the gospel that he FASTENED
from the synagogue to the market place
Athens, we remember. was the home of
Socrates. The old philosopher had been
nearly five hundred years in his grave
but the Socratic method had become a
part OF the life of the city. This method
Paul adopted i'll his disputes in the ogora