Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-09-08
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson XII Third Quarter,
For Sept. IL, 1909.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text OF the Lesson, Acts XXI, LII.
Memory Verses, IS, 14-oolden Text,
Acts XXI, 14-commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.

: Acts XXI, 14-Commentary Prepares
, by Rev. D. M. stearns.
, Copyright. 1909. by American Pres Association
When the time came to leave Tyre
! the disciples there, men, women and
children, accompanied Paul's party out
Of the city down to the shore, and
all kneeled down on the shore and
prayed. What an object lesson for
those who may have been looking onl
There are always some watching us
who draw their own differences from
our conduct as to whether we are
worldly or other worldly, whether we
are for the most part In communion
with earth or heaven. Some who bear
the name Of Christ have been known
to shrink from praying before others
or even asking blessing on their food.
What can He think Of those who are
thus ashamed Of Him. Matt. x, 49,
AS at Miletus. so here at Tyre we
have another painful separation when
Paul and his companions set sail and
the friends from Tyre return to their
homes, but we trust that all hearts
were more than ever turned to Him
who 70 our continual habitatiOn Cps.
Xxi. 81 and from whose presence some
day we shall go no more out. One day
at Ptolemais, where they also found
brethren. and then to Caesarea, where
they tarried many days In the home of
Philip the evangelist, who had four
daughters. virgins, who did prophesy
We recall that Philip was greatly used
Of God In Samaria and then to lead
the Ethiopian treasurer to Christ, after
which he preached in all the cities
from Azotus to Caesarea (Acts viii,
40). but that seems to be the last we
have heard Of him till now. God gave
to the churches apostles, prophets,
evangelists. pastors and teachers for
the perfecting OF the saints, for the
work Of the ministry, for the edifying
Of the body Of Christ (Eph. ", II. 12),
and were It not that Philip is still
called the evangelist we might think |
that he had become pastor Of the I
church at Caesarea and that Cornelius |
and his household were members Of |
that church. There are so many things
We are not told and we are curious |
enough to want to know, but we must |
wait to end out why we hear nothing
more Of Philips active ministry and to
learn what he was doing at Caesarea.
Then these daughters Of his-in what
sense did they prophesyf
Concerning II all 1t comes to me con-
tinually that there is only One with
whom we have to do. and If we are
filling the place He assigns us, be its
service small or great. that is all He
requires Of us. whether other people
know much or little or anything about
II. He appoints to every one his work
and says occupy till come ozark
Kill. "a; Luke xix. 49,. He knows In
what part Of His field His plants will
thrive best and bear the fruit that He
desires. so II Is ours to quietly abide
IN Him and see no one but Jesus only.
We may imagine what time of pray
er and praise and study of the word
these days in Caesarea were and how
they would listen to Paul declaring
what things God had wrought by his
ministry (verse 19). for as he after
ward did at Jerusalem he probably did
here also and elsewhere. While at
Caesarea prophet from Judea named
Agabus by a striking object lesson
toretold that at Jerusalem Paul would
be arrested and imprisoned, upon
which the disciples there as we'll as
Paul's own companions besought him
not to go to Jerusalem. Pauls reply
% them all was that he was ready,
lot to be bound only, but also to die
It Jerusalem for the name Of the Lord {
Jesus (verse 13). Compare his words
o the Ephesian elders at Miletus In
'hapter Xxx, "a. Both Of these are
Iplendid utterances Of whole hearted 1
ervant of Christ who would not by I
my persuasion Of friends be turned I
side from what he believed to be the
hat he would not be persuaded they Z
imply ceased urging him and said, a
The will Of the Lord be done" Verse 2
A.. Being Joined by several Of the s
disciples from Caesarea and by an o
Id disciple from Cyprus named q
mason, who was to lodge them. they G
D due time reached Jerusalem and s
7ere gladly received by the brethren. {
'hus ended the third missionary jour.
ey.
Concerning the will Of the Lord to
rhich they desired to submit when g
hey found that they could not per- II
uade Paul not to 60 to Jerusalem, Il
here can be nothing greater or higher "
nd when His will shall be done on 81
arth as In heaven that will be the ic
ingdom of God on this earth. Our n
ord Jesus could say, 81 delight to do N
by will, o my God;' my meat Is to W
0 the will of Him that sent me and d.
} finish His work" Cps. XII, 8; John ii
;, 34). In proportion as His will Is al
one in US now. that good and accept az
BILE and perfect will Of God Rom. XII, q,
q, we have just that much Of the sc
ngdom IN US, foretaste Of eternal m
ory. May we ever say from the W
cart cheer!ully, Thy Will be done" sa
It possible for us to think that we bi
e In the will Of God when we are
IMPLY working out our own Will? 1t
to be feared so. could believe that
aul was right in resisting all the en- di
eaties Of his fellow believers and
low laborers unto the kingdom and 90
'terminiDg to 60 to Jerusalem at any
st were 1t not that the Spirit said to
aul that he should not go oversees 4.
}. The disciples said to Paul through an
a Crtvf< khax IA ohn1tA vn& m