The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-24

III Tic edStCIu pdib VI Tic NSuAISii"
mean sea, and Antioch, the Roman
capital of Asia, was on the mainland
not far from the northeastern extrem-
ity of that sea.
AS this latter place is so prominent
ly connected with the history that
follows, let us definitely locate It,
It was about 300 miles north of Jer-
usalem, and was on the Orontes river,
sixteen miles above its mouth. 1t
was then about $50 years old. and
was the third city in the Roman EN-
pire-Rome in Europe. and Alexan-
dria in Africa, being larger. 1t was
the natural gateway between Asia
Minor and the rich countries of the
East, and was noted for its beautiful
location, its wealth and its wicked
ness. The first preachers, however,
preached to the Jews only.
It was later, when men came from.
Cyprus, and from far-away Cyrene on
the north coast of Africa 1--WE now
call their city TripolD, that the Lord
Jesus" was preached to the Gentiles
"The hand of the Lord was with"
these preachers, and great numbers
of their hearers believed and turned
unto the Lord.
When the church at Jerusalem
heard of this, they sent their most
suitable man to investigate. Barnabas
was chosen. He was a man or Cy
prus himself, and was broader mind
ed than most of his brethren. His
life had been so pure, his labors so
abundant, and his level headed wis
dom so often in evidence, that ne
could be safely trusted to manage a
delicate situation. In sending him
"as far as Antioch however the
church at Jerusalem lost him, for
when he reached Antioch he stayed.
When he saw how the grace Of God
was being made manifest in the sal
walton of the Gentiles "he was glad,
and encouraged them, for he was
a good man, and full of the Holy
Spirit and of faith The number Of
converts kept increasing, and Barna-
bas soon needed an assistant. Know
ing where to find the very man he
needed he journeyed to Tarsas to
get Saul. Returning with him to An
tioch, they probably Instituted a sort
Of training school for the Gentle con-
verts, which lasted at least a whole
year. 1t came to pass that the "discl-
pies were first called Christians at
Antioch" The word is used only
twice more in our Scriptures-one by
Agrippa and once by Peter. 1t is
thought to have been given first in
derision or ridicule. 1t is pointed out
however, that the thought is Hebrew
the root word is Greek and the termi-
nation is Latin, thus combining the
three languages in which PLATE wrote
the accusation of Jesus in a term that
shall always be applied to and proud
" worn by the redeemed of the Lord
While Barnaba5 and Saul were de
veloping and blending into one mix
ed church. composed of Jews and
Gentiles. other visitors called proph-
cts. arrived from Jerusalem. One OF
these named Agabus predicted a great
famine which should affect all the
adiacent countries. This prediction
seems 70 have been fulfilled in the
near future AS soon as they heard
the prophesy, the disciples at Antioch
resolved to assist the brethren in
Judea every man." Jew and Cen
tile. gave according to his ability,
and they gave it promptly, and for
warded it to its destination by Bar
nabas and Saul.
When these men had completed
their ministry, they returned to An
tioch, taking with them a nephew Of
Barnabas named John Mark, the son
of Mary. to whose house Peter made
his way when delivered from the pris
on. We shall hear Of him again in
these lessons. He was also the writer
of the gospel that bears his name.
We have one other view of ASabus.
While Paul rested at Cesarea, on his