Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-07-19
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson lv.-Third Quarter, For
July %, 1916.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text Of the Lesson. Acts xviii. f22
Memory Verses, 9. fo-Golden Text.
Acts xviii. documentary Prepared
by Rev. q. NJ. Stearns.
| do not know that we can tell how
long Paul remained at Athens. brit he
gave faithful testimony, and some
believed chapter xvii. 34l. The mes
senger of the Lord is apt to be dis.
couraged If he finds opposition to his
message and seemingly few. II any.
believing, or II after a faithful testi
mony there is neither a thank you
nor a word of appreciation. Ii is true
that we must never speak to please
people nor covet their approval. but
most of us are so awfully human that
word of gratitude from one who has
been helped by the message is very
cheering Il Thess. II. 4: ii Tim. II. f5l
The devil will be sure to tell you that
you have accomplished nothing and
had better seek some other occupation.
and messengers have been known 10
heed his suggestion. | am thankful
that some one said TO me many years
ago. as ! wondered If any good was
being done: do you recollect tina,
when the devil sowed his tares he
went his way. for he was sure that
they would grow? And you do not
seem to think that the Word Of God
is as good seed as the devils tares."
That helped me greatly. and since
then l have gone my way after a serv-
ice. saying: Thank God; that will
work; it will surely accomplish His
pleasure" lisa. ". II: Jer. /. IL, r. VI
Leaving Athens. Paul went to
Corinth. wicked. worldly. commercial
center. notorious for its immortality.
and the first thing we read of him Is
not that he preached. but that he
found employment with some who
were Of the same craft with himself
that Of tent making-and he abode
with them (verses l-3l. He would rath
er work at his trade and thus earn his
living than be burden TO any one
He afterward wrote to this people ask
ing them to forgive him II be had
wronged them by not being a burden
to them I'll Cor. XII 1916. II does
sound little like sarcasm. The Lord
Jesus Himself was known as the car
penter Mark vi. 81 and no doubt help
ed to make a living for the family till
He began His public ministry.
When the Sabbath days came round
Paul was ready to testify to the Jews
In the synagogue that Jesus was the
Christ. their Messiah verses 4. 5 and
margin. Silas and Timothy. whom
he had left at Berea and for whom he
had sent from Athens that they might
come to him. reached him here at
Corinth xvii. IA. 15. The phrase
''pressed in spirit" verse 81 Is trans
lated In the r. v. constrained by
the Word" Weymouth says Paul was
preaching ferventiy. We think Of
Jeremiah, who. when he was derided
and reproached. was tempted to stop
speaking the Word of the Lord. but It
was such . burning Ore within him
that he had to speak der. XIX, 7-9,- We
think also Of Elihu. who said that be
was 90 constrained by the spirit within
him that he was like bottle Of wine
ready to burst and he had to speak
that be might be refreshed dob. xxxh.
1920.
When the Jews opposed Paul and
blasphemed he turned from them to
the gentiles and found an open door
In house close by the synagogue. own
ed by q man named Justus. who wor-
shipped God verses 6, y. When God
wants His message proclaimed He will
provide place. held q class In one
town where all the churches were clos
Cd against me for the truths sake. but
hotel proprietor invited NJ to meet
In his parlors. and 30 we continued
Paul said concerning one place. "A
great door and effectual IL opened unto
me. and there are many adversaries"
Il Cor XVI 81. Notwithstanding the
opposition at Corinth there was much
encouragement. for the chief ruler Of
the synagogue and all his house believ-
ed and also many Of the Corinthians
Verse 81. No doubt it was. as always.
because of the manifest work Of the
Holy Spirit that the devil stirred up
such opposition. How Paul must have
been strengthened to continue by that
most gracious visit Of the Lord Jesus
Himself. who came to him In the night
and said. BE not afraid, but speak.
and hold not thy peace. for am with
thee. and no man shall set on thee to
hurt thee, for have much people In
this city" verses o. 10l. The day that
the Lord appeared to him on the way
TO Damascus He said, II have appear
ed unto thee. and will appear unto
thee" Chapter XVI. 16). and this was
one Of those other appearings to him
We have His completed word and
can hear Him speak to US at any time
II only we have ears 60 hear, for He
-