The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-07-07
Sunday School Column.
Side Lights on Next Sundays Les.
son for Teachers and Pupils.
By CHAs. K. MEYERS.

Our lesson tells us Of the stirring
events which took place in Philippi
when Paul and his associate Silas were
there on Paul's second missionary
journey. Last week we learned as to
how Paul reached Phillppi. the great
Roman city and of the conversion of
Lydia. After this event. Paul. began
teaching in the city about Jesus. AS
he was walking about the streets he
met on number Of occasions q half
witted girl. q fortune teller, who was
the property Of two men who gained
their livelihood by what the girl did
in the way of telling fortunes. When
she met Paul. she had cried out,
These men are the servants of the
most high God. which show US the
way Of salvation" This she did on
many days. 1t will be remembered
when Jesus was on earth. that on an
occasion told Of in Mark s, man with
an unclean spirit called out. saying
that He was the Son of the most high
God. So it would seem as if it was
common for those under the domina-
tion of power other than the true God,
to understand about sacred things.
Paul did not think the words of the
girl were helpful to him, and then
again he had compassion on her, and
SO one day he turned and commanded
that full intelligence be given her.
saying that the cure was done in the
name of Jesus. When her owners
saw they could make no more money
from the young woman. they raised
great cutlery and aroused the citizens
So that the city officials arrested Paul
and Silas, had them beaten by the
police, and cast them into prison.
The jailer, brute that he was coming
so constantly in contact with crime
and suffering. put the two disciples in
the foulest part of the Jail, placed
their feet between two wooden clamps,
and gave them no treatment for their
bleeding sores.
One might we'll think that under
these conditions Paul and Silas would
have been down heartened and had
little to sing about. It was under
these circumstances that the great
spirit of the Apostle Paul came to the
uppermost. He and Silas began sing
ing and praying to God and all the
prisoners heard. God was not un-
mindful Of them, and the record says
that an earthquake shook the founda-
tions of the Jail. opened the jail doors
and set all prisoners free from their
chains. The jailer was aroused and
seeing the doors open thought his
prisoners had escaped, aud knowing
that he would be held personally re-.
sponsible for their freedom was about
to kill himself, when Paul called that
none had gone.
Then things about the Jail began to
change. The jailer called for light
and not with arrogance and command.
but with fear sought Paul and Silae,
brought them out and said, "What
must / do to be saved?" Note the
answer of Paul. for it answers the
same question on the lips and in the
heart Of every man and woman today.
Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou
shalt be saved" The jailer believed
then and there. he and his people were
baptized and became followers Of the
God whom Paul told about. Now see
the evidences of change in the nature
of the jailer. for he washes the
stripes Of the suffering men, and
shows sympathy for them. In the
morning Paul set forth his Roman
citizenship. and demanded to know
from the officials why he, being y
Roman, had been beaten without trial.
he would not leave the jail until the
officers came with apologies urging
him to.
There are many lessons for US from
this account Of the conversion of the
Philippian jailer. First. Even those
under evil influences acknowledge
the power Of Jesus and His followers.
Second. The power of the name of
Jesus to restore to mental and spirit
ual strength those needing it. Third.
the jailer before his heart was touched
was brutal, unkind, but the accept-
ance of Jesus made him gentle. ready
to relieve suffering. Fourth. Accept
ance and belief in Jesus wrought this
change. Fifth. Paul's answer that
salvation would come through belief
in Jesus. Sixth, The trouble was
stirred against Paul because he inter-
fered with the money making Of GER
tain men and in our day much opposi-
ton comes to Christianity from those
who find that the bible condemns their
evil practices.
ARION ITEMS.
Jennie Hailowell. who is attending