Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-07-30

The next great city that Paul vlslt
ed (for he wisely aimed to preach the
gospel in the great Centers OF popula-
tom, was Corinth. a city somewhat
different in character from Athens. 1t
was less intellectual and more given,
# possible, to luxury, RIGHTEOUSNESS
and lust. It was situated about forty
miles west of Athens. It's glory and
beauty has all passed away, while the
gospel that Paul preached, so much
iespised and opposed, is going on to
grauder triumphs over sin n sinful
men. He was not prosecuted at Ath-
ems. but treated with naughty con-
tempt and Indifference. At Cor1nth,
however, he was prosecuted. Persecu-
ton is an evidence that the gospel
message has made an impression. The
devil does not rage against the truth
that works no injury to his kingdom.
We prefer open opposition to indiffer-
.nce.
Verse 2. Born in Pontus." "a man
Of Pontus by birth" (Rev. Very
Pontus was a district bordering on the
Black Sea. At this time it was a
Roman province. "Claudius." The
emperor of Rome. He is more widely
known in history by his other name,
Nero.
(Rev. VIZ "He abode with them and
wrought" "The trade which st.
Paul's father had taught him in his
youth was thus the means of procur-
ing him inalienable associates in the
noblest work in which man was ever
engaged. No higher example can be
found of the possibility Of combining
diligent labor with the Utmost spirttu-
ality of mind" (Howson.)
5. Paul was pressed in the spirit"
paul was constrained by the word"
(Rev. Ver.) "And testified" Testi-
mony is the relating of our expert
ence-what we know. Paul told them
of his personal acquaintance with
Jesus. He doubtless spoke Of the ap-
pearance of Jesus to him and his n
version at Damascus.
g.. "And when they opposed them
selves" Men will often become so
obstinate as to refuse to listen to the
most convincing arguments and testi-
mony. When they get to that place
the best thing to be done is to cast no
more pearls before the swine, but to
go where the people will the more
readily accept the truth. H shook"
"Shook out" Grew. Ver.) his garment.
The Scribes and Pharisees we're accus-
toned, on returning to Judea from a
journey to heathen 1ends. to shake off
the dust from their feet and Columns,
to indicate they had nothing to do
with it, and that they considered the
least contact with it as deflement to
them. In shaking his garment Paul
indicated that he regarded them as a
heather people.
Z. Thence" From the synagogue.
zone chat worshipped God" He was
a devout Jew. worsbipping God accord
ing to the requirements of the Mosaic
law.
s. "Crispus." I. Cor. ia tells US
that Crispus was baptized by Paul.
Ruler The Jewish synagogue was
controlled by a board of elders, the
president of whom was called the ruler
of the synagogue. believed on the
Lord" We have noticed before in our
lessons the difference between believ-
ing in and believing on a person. We
may believe in a physicians skill and
yet not go the next step and take his
medicine and obey his orders. The
latter step is believing on the doctor.
"Were baptized" AS a confession Of
their faith.
10. For l am with thee" What
an assurance! Who would not 90
through what Paul did If God would
tell them the same thing! He does
say, 10, l am with you always" What
then are you afraid of? y
II. HE continued there a year and
six months" AS a result of the assur-
ance of the two preceding verses he
remained in this city a long time.
From this city he wrote several epis.
ties.
II. Gallo being deputy" His off,
cial title was Proconsul. He was the
Roman governor of the province OF
Achaia. 1t was his business to admin
lister justice.
Is. II will be no judge Of such"
The Jews had got the reputation of
being a disputatious people, always
disputing over religion, and this Ro-
man governor vas disguised. Well he
might be.
II. took Sosthenes and
beat him." So this time the tables
were turned. Instead of Paul being
beaten, the Greeks took the occasion
to beat the leading Jew OF the city,
who was without doubt one of the enc
mics of Paul.
IS. Having shorn his head" ''The
vow Paul took is very generally sup
posed to have been the vow of the
Nazarite. The restrictions of this vow
were threefold. There must be absti-
hence from all strong drink, from the
juice of the grape, and from every
thing belonging to the vine. The hair
of the Nazarite was to be permitted to
grow, no razor touching the head dur
ing all the days of his separation, and
he should on no account defile himself
for the dead.
Fl. IF God will" How few people
put that in their calculations. Many
seem to think themselves independent
of God-never reckon Him in at all
in their plans.