Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-08-17
Lesson For August 20.

"Lesson Title: "The Riot At
Ephesus."
Lesson Text: Acts 19: 23-41. Mem
orize VS.. 20, 80.
Golden Text: "The love of money is |
a root of all kinds of evil."-1 Tim
6: 10.
l. Memories of Ephesus.
/ have vivid memories of Ephesus.
The train which took us there from
Smyrna stopped till the train crew
could drive a meditative cow from the
track! At the ruins of the city we
lunched, and held service in the
ancient theatre. The city was found
ed in11OO B. C. by Greek colonists.
For 200 years it was a province of
Rome. 1t was the first city in Asia
where every Roman official landed. 1t
then had splendid harbor at the head
of which was the great temple OF
Diana, the first object seen by the
mariner. There were many soldiers
there and in that great, seething city
center Paul abode three years in his
own hired house.
Now there is nothing but ruins
there. The change in the shore has
put the old harbor a mile or more
inland. Diana's temple is in ruins.
The theatre, with it's natural, hill
formed auditorium, remains in almost
complete outline. Probably the in
habitants of Ephesus thought their
city would long abide. Now it is
chiefly remembered for its association
with Paul, Tarsan tentmaker, and
the Christ he served! What will be
the permanent facts about your town! :!
III. The Dictation of Business
Demetrius, silversmith of Ephesus,
made silver shrines of Diana. He had
a fine trade. The preaching of Paul
interfered with his business. He call
ed his fellow tradesmen together and
melted a riot which later filled the
theatre. Demetrius argued that any
religion that interfered with his busi-
ness ought to be put out!
Business tries to dictate to religion
today. 1t speaks thru the saloon
sometimes and even thru legitimate
business. 1t is urged that moral prin-
ciples must be subordinated to busi-
ness customes. The result is that the
voices of righteousness and justice are
silenced. Young men just beginning
their business life are told they must
give up their notions about religion
and do whatever business demands.
There is a famous historical anal
ogy. 1t was in the time of slavery
Men then defended slavery, often out
of the Bible. Men are doing the
same for breweries and saloons today
We are told that "vested interests
demand that we permit saloons te
exist. Nineteen states have denied the
argument and the time is not distant
when the Unied Staes will be dry?
III. Trades Unions.
AS Demetrius gathered his trades
men together for action so the work
ing men are organized in unions today
Probably there is no more of such
organization in our time than in Paul's
time, altho there was a great dea
then. We ought to study carefully
the rights, perils and duties of trades
unions. We cannot ignore the fact
that they have made mistakes, mol
deny that they have ministered great
ly to human betterment. Such or
ganizations of men must be governed
by right motives and christian prin
ciples. If they are not governed the!
may become greedy, dictatorial ant
selfish. The problem of the relation
of labor and capital today is larg'
one. 1t will not be solved by war
but by frank discussion and by ad
justment according to principles o
justice and Righteousness.
Nv. The Appeal to Law.
When the mob in the theatre hat
cried out for two hours, "Great i
Diana of the Ephesians" the town
clerk quieted them by an appeal t.
civic pride. He urged that nothing b
done rashly and when he had secures
their attention he said: eff therefore
Demetrius, and the craftsmen who ar
with him, have matter against an,
man, the courts are open and ther
are proconsuls." This was a bold
brief appeal to law. There can be n