Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-08-20
ST PAUL
a Lay Sermon, BY Evangeline-

saul of Tarsus was born in Tarsus,
q city Of Cilicia. 10 lay on both sides
OF the river CydDus, whose cool and
swift waters were the ride of the
city and bore traffic 20 and rom
the port Of Rhegma. Ciicia was an
ancient division OF Asia Minor. now
included in the Turkish province Of
Adana. u was made Roman
province by Pompey In 81 3. c.
Sauls parents were of the tribe Of
Benjamin, and ne inherited from his
father the privileges OF a Roman citi
zen. HE native city. Tarsus. was
highly distinguished for learning and
culture and 10 Is therefore reasonable
90 suppose from his after career that
he had been well instructed in his
home city before his parents. at a
suitable age, sent him 20 Jerusalem
Co enter the school of the renowned
Gamalicl where his education was
completed. Gamaliel was one Of the
most distinguished Rabbis Of his
age. Saul profted by the instruction
OF Gamaliel and became learned In
the law. He elected 10 be guided by
the principles OF the strictest sect
OF the Pharisees and became a fierce
defender Of Judaism. So much for
his early history.
when apparently about thirty
years OF age, we find him at Jerusa-
lem, seemingly enjoying the full con
hdence of the leading men OF the
nation. The first glimpse we get in
the Bible OF this man Saul of Tarsus.
or ST. Paul as he is best known TO
she Christian world, is in the 5Sth
verse Of eth chapter OF the Acts OF
the Apostles. This eth chapter of the
Acts OF the Apostles describes the
stoning 10 death by the Jews of 81.
stephen, and the circumstances lead
ing up 20 that most notate tragedy.
Here We see Saul, apparently direct
ing the assault upon ST. Stephen and
standing guard over the superfiuous
clothing OF his assailants.
Next we see this young man Saul.
IN his zeal for Judaism. or the Jewish
church. as il was before the coming
OF Christ, entering the quiet homes
of the followers of Jesus and
haline men and women, casting them
into prison. Acts SO. Finally he goes
10 the high priest and requests of
him letters 20 the synagOgues of the
city of Damascus, giving him author
ity, II he found any who believed I'm
Jesus Christ. 20 bind them and
bring them TO Jerusalem 90 be pros
ecuted according TO the Jewish law.
But, God moves in a mysterious
way. His wonders 20 perform"
On his way 10 Damascus with a
company Of hOrsemcn TO enforce his
authority and execute his mission.
Saul was met in the way by that
great and mysterious power which he
sought 10 overthrow. II overthrow
him and all his designs and COMPEL
ed the wrath of man 10 praise him.
How the Lord Jesus met Saul on his
way 20 Damascus is fully and graph
cally described in the 9Th chapter Of
the Acts OF the Apostles. See also
the 22d chapter Of the Acts for St.
PauIs personal description of his
own most miraculous conversion. See
the 26th chapter OF Acts and read
St. PauTs defense before King Agrip-
pa. when is one Of the finest speci-
mems of oratory recorded in the
Bible
This is a mere synoptical sketch
of the life Of this truly great man
who, after his conversion to Chris
fianity became as jealous for its
promotion as he had formerly been
for its overthrow. He was honest in
his support of Judaism because he
believed IL was right. But when he
became convinced TO the contrary he
was just as honest in his belief in
and support OF Christianity.
1t would require many volumes TO
TO adequately set forth IN detail the
mighty works of ST. Paul. his mis-
sionary travels, his preaching, his
miracles, performed in the name OF
Jesus Christ, his epistles, his almost
suPerhuman reasoning-proving be-
yond the peradventure OF a doubt
that Jesus OF Nazareth is very Christ,
the Son OF God and that salvation is
obtainable only through faith in Him
and repentance toward God.