Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-18

asylum to every one within a circle
about the Temple of Diana, the radius
of which would be the flight of an ar
row; and miraculously the arrows
flight was a furIong. Under the very
shadow of the temple, therefore, were
found vice and crime unimaginable and
unthinkable. Hermodorus was exiled
from Ephesus because his virtuous life
was a silent rebuke for the vice all
around him; and there was another phi.
losopher called the weeping Philoso-
pher' who said that the reason why
he never laughed was on account Of
the intensity Of the sin all about him.
AN OPEN DOOR.
IL was this strategic and wicked
city that the apostle of the Gentiles
came for the second time, and found
there an open and Intellectual door open
ed to him. He remained in the city for
two years and three months, and
changed its whole complexion. There
is great meagerness of detail about this
prolonged stay, for Luke was not with
him at the time; but enough has been
preserved to let US see what a pro-
found impression was made by his
presence.
We have a record of his discovery of
the twelve disciples of John who had
received the Holy Spirit in fullness
when they knew of their privilege. (It
is sad thing that there are too many
church members today who practically
have never let the Holy Spirit into
their lives. and are living lives of fail.
ure when they might be living lives of
power) We also know OF his work for
three months in the synagogue and as
usual OF the increasing opposition OF
L.. H.
hall of the school of Tyranus, where
he might proclaim the gospel of life
and power. This became the center of
an evangelistic movement that reached
out into the surrounding cities and
towns so that after two years of work
the record is that all Asia had heard
the gospel. 1t was probably at this
time that the churches were organ
lied which afterwards were built up
under the bishopric of John the Be-
loved, before his evile on Patmos.
Nor was the preaching of Paul with
out signs of Gods approval Miracles
were performed so that handkerchiefs
were carried from his body to the sick,
God using them as a means of healing.
So deep an impression was created that
the seven sons of Sceva tried to imi-
tate him, but they were repudiated by
a mailman and thoroughly beaten by.
his wild frenzy. This became known so
widely that even those who were Chris
tians were affected by 1t and brought
their books of magic, which they still
practiced. and made a great bonfire,
burning up over $4,000 worth Of them.
II is difficult for us to appreciate the
depth of the impression which an incl
dent of this kind made on the city as
whole. People who had not been inter-
ested before stopped to think. Chris
tianity was cutting into the very life of
the people and removing the sores of
the body polite.
But this was not accomplished without
the expenditure of the apostles very life
blood. We find from his letters to the
Corinthians written here and just after
leaving here what great trials he had
TO undergo and how hard his work had
been. We admire more than we can ex-
press the courage of this despised little
Jew as he faced all of these trials with
fortitude and faith.
THE RIOT.
The feast of the Passover was just
over. Paul had planned TO stay here un-
I'll after Pentecost. but during the month
of May an incident occurred which made
IL advisable for him to change his plans,
and leave earlier This month had been
given over to the worship o fDiana. Peo7
pie came from all over Asia to Ephesus
TO worship in her temple. The month
was given up to a series of festivities,
of buying and selling, and worshipping
and frolicking. 1t was a combination.
of a convention and A southeastern fair.
During the whole month the expenses of
the festivities were borne by ten Ash
archs who were always chosen from the
men of wealth and prominence, and who
were willing to pay the expenses for the
honor of the position. During the festi-
val there was a considerable market for
the. souvenirs. which took the place of
the modern postcard. This particular
wear there had been a decrease in the at
tendance at the festival, and particular
ly I'm the trade of souvenirs. So De-
metrius. who was a silversmith., called
together his fellow-craftsmen. workers
in silver, wood. and clay, and under the
guise of religion. but really because of
his profits having been affected. created
quite a riot. He made his fellow-crafts-
men believe that unless Paul was stop
ped they would all starve to death, and
the temple of Diana fall into dis
repute He spoke more truly than he
knew. hut ne did not care so much about
the religious side of il as he did for his
own profits. The trade union became so
fnfamesd that they searched for Paul.
who was probably shielded by his
friends. Priscilla and Aquila. who. he
SAYS. risked their lives for him. Not
finding him. they took two of his com
panions. Gsius and Aristachus, and
dragged them into the theater. This
wonderful structure. recently discover
cd. seated between $4,000 and 10000 peo-
pie.
While this demonstration was going
on. the Jews, fearing less they should
get mixed up in it and have their trade
affected and their shops demolished. put
forward Alexander to explain that while
these Jews were Christians, the Chris