Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-06-02
LESSON FOR JUNE 4.
THE CALL OF THE WEST.

at Antioch Of the decision Of the Jeru-
salem church, Paul and Barnabas and
others continued their evangelism In
that city (ch. $3.50. These leaders
soon felt the need of revisiting the
scenes of their former labors ". s6).
but when It came 10 the organization
of their party, Paul refused to accede
to the decision of Baynabas that John
Mark should accompany them Tvs. 81.
aS, see Acts 14:13). so sharp q con-
tention arose that two parties were or
ganised. That Paul later forgive
Mark Is evidenced by his tender refer
ences to him.
!. A cIossd Door. Oh. 1918. Paul's
companions for this second mission
airy tour were Silas (16:4o), Luke
(see use of word we" v. ~, and
Timothy ". 1-3). The latter came Of
good ancestry. had good training and
was OF good report, still to avoid con-
tention he submitted to the rite Of
circumcision. Paui's work was to
promulgate the Jerusalem decree, to
establish or to confirm the churches
and to add to these churches new con-
verts. But that did not entirely full
6ll Paul's commission (9:15). The
word Asia" ". 81 means the Roman
province of Asia and. wisely obeying
the Spirits direction. Paul passed on
hntil he came to the seaport town of
Eroas. At a later time Paul spoke
khe word Of the Lord Jesus" In Asia
with wonderful effect (19: l, s, 10,
s6, 20. 1t must have burned within
the bones of Paul thus to be re-
strained but 1t did not serve as an ex.
cuse for him to take a vacation, but
rather to seek new fields wherein to
preach. Thus he came to Troas.
II. The Macedonian Call. v. 9-13.
Paul had several epochmaking vi
sions; on the Damascus road (s:3, 4
and 26:19); in Jerusalem (23:1D; at
the time Of his shipwreck (27:23(,
and the one we are now considering.
A vision is knowledge of the need
and Of the resources at ones COM
mand. Grecian beauty. philosophy.
art and culture needed Christ.
Christ as resource was adequate
and available to supply that need.
This vision Paul saw: through 1t God
called him to Macedonia. I'VE"
(the first use OF that pronoun in the
book OF Acts). Paul and Luke imme-
diately essayed to obey.
III. The Open Door, '. IA, Is. On
what seeming trifies does history
turn! An outcast wandering Jew
coming to help a proud, cultured, In
fiuential foreign city. but he bears the
Gospel which alone con be of help
to them. Paul did not wait to I'm
vestigate the field" nor to establish
D working organization. He knew
. better point of contact, and that was
10 find those In that city who knew
God even though ignorant Of Christ
He began by preaching Jesus, not
comparative religions, nor did he
seek to found community centers"
with soup Kitchens and social uplift.
Paul knew that to elevate the individ-
nal by establishing him In the faith of
Christ would soon result In commu-
nifty uplift On the other hand, Q
faith which evaporates In words and
does not give tangible, concrete evil
dence in works may well be chal-
lenged DIS to it's being genuine. There
was no supernatural direction as to
what part Of Macedonia Paul was to
visit. and exercising his common
sense, Paul went at once to the prin-
cipal city. He Gid not begin at once
to preach the Gospel ". IL r. W,
but waited and watched for an opporI
tunity, doubtless praying much for q
favorable opening (Ch. 10: IL; 1873:
18:D.
The man Of Macedonia" seems te
have been a woman unless we consider
the Philippian jailor. This open-air
meeting was one of the most notable
in history. The Lord opened the
heart of pious Lydia and 1t was the
turning point Of the evangelization OF
Europe and America and the world
God must open the hearts Of men and
women John 6:44, As; Eph. 1:17, IS;
Luke 24:45). and this he In willing
and glad to do. The steps of THU
woman's conversion are clearly
marked and present good type. III
She went out to pray ". 49,. ca She
heard the word ". 13, IL; 500 also
John 6:24). (3) She had her hear,
opened by the Lord ". 14). % Shs
gave heed to the things which wers
spoken" ". Is and Mark 1915. e.
She made public confession Of hel
newiy-found faith by baptism
| TO- She carried with her the Who'll,
household, perhaps children. worker
In her business and servants ". u
50; I Cor. l:16).
The use Of the word Constrained
In verse Is indicates q heart hungs.
to be helpful by being allowed Il
serve.
| The Phiiippian church often heIpe<
Paul subsequently and doubtless LydiI
was q leading spirit In such service
| The history OF the Christian churcl