The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-06-14

Executive committee .
+. J.. Hoffman, Denison: VIM. Lindberg,
Kiron; F. L. VanSlyke Manila; Il. j.
Cook, Denson; Frank Woolston, Deni-
son; l.. G. Virgins, Dow City.
t.> Superintendent. .EL
'..P. Miss Susie Craft, Denison
Secondary Grade. F. l.. Hoffman, Denison
A"u,' epH Prof. 3. j. Still. Manila
nome nepaf' Mrs. e W. Pierce, Denson
....... Rev. ). G. Tourtellot Denison
ien'pera'eG Miss Manetta jorgensen Vail
Missionary Department -. :,
Mrs. Anna Williams, Dcnison
June 1S-The Philipian Jailer. Acts
Is, 1910.
The scene of our lesson today is ut
Philippi, the Roman city of which we
spoke two weeks ago. 1t was here
the gospel Of Jesus was first proclaim
ed in Europe and where was founded
q church which has the honor OF nav
ing an epistle from the hand OF Paul
ii it is q part of the bible. It, will be
remembered that Paul here met Lydia
and made OF her the first woman con-
vert in Europe. He remained in the
CITY for some time preaching and
teaching. ii would appear that While
going through the streets OF the CITY
Paul and his party drew the attention
of a half dementcd young woman VINO
by her pretended foresight into the
future gained for her masters quite a
living. She called out. after Paul.
'Theses men are the servants or the
most high God; which show unto US
the way of salvation Despite her
III balanced mind she had the power
to state the truth as to Paul. Her out.
cries continued day after day ana
finally Paul turned and in the name or
Jesus Christ commanded the wrong
spirit to leave the woman. Ih's TOOK
place and then her owners were mao
indeed for their mans OF easy living
were gone.
Time after time the chief opposi'
ton to tho religion of Jesus comes
from those who are in a bad business
and find this diminished in profits by
the teaching of ministers and teachers
That is what occurred at Philippi. The
owners of the slave girl raised great
outcrv that Paul and his party were
troubling the city and Paul and Sllas
we're hurried before the Roman police
officers. These without taking partlc'
MAR note of what the charge might be
ordered the prisoners beaten ana
thrown into Jail. Now these were not
common prisoners They were ho'
cross and surly, but although their
feet were in stocks to prevent the'f
escape and their backs bruised win
the lash, they prayed to their God and
sang songs of praise to Him IN Inc
night. i.
That was a most notable night In the
lives of many people. The other prs
oners were startled by the strange con
f1uct of the new men. and were all az
tention. The heart of the master OF
the prison, the jailer, was not Tor INC
time being affected, for he, 1eelins
that his prisoners could not escape
laid down to sleep. In the night, no"
ever. there came a shaking OF the
nrison, the doors were opened and the
chains fell from the inmates. This
aroused the jailer and thinking thai
his prisoners had all escaped he was
about to kill himself, when this was
halted by the command OF one or the
late arrivals. Paul, who said, do tiny
self no harm; for we are all here.
Then a change of heart came on thai
former brutal jailer. He called Tor
light and went in trembling to Pau
and Silas, brought them out OF the
prison and made inquiry. what mus
I do to be saved?" There came tha
famous reply, Believe on the Lore
Jesus Christ and thou shalt be savee
and thy house." and then followed 9th
or talk as to living the christian life.
The conversion Of the Philippial
taller stands out as one of the start
ling and important events in the his
tory of the early church. He had pu
Paul and Silas' in the prison with marc
brutal heart Offering them no WORD
of comfort or means to make thei
wounds less painful. A convert I,
christianity, his nature was changed
He was ready to, be merciful, tool
thought OF the feelings OF others, anx
inns to wash the wounds OF Fan
and Silas. and to give them food. Ina
night he was baptized, he and III
household, amidst much rejoicing. Pau
stilI remained a prisoner. 'The Romal
officers sent word in the morning u
let him and his party go. Paul her
asserted his Roman citizenship an
refused to leave the prison, sayin
that he had been beaten without tria
a Roman uncondemned, and II the o.
ficers wanted him to leave the priso
thew would have to come in perso
and acknowledge that they had don
wrong in their treatment Of him. Ihi
they did. . q
Among the many things which stan
out as a. lesson for us might be note
the following: First. Despite thel
heating and bad treatment, Paul an
,Silas did not give way. to repinings b'l
sang praises to God and prayed. Thci
trust in God was not shaken no ma
tor what came to them. 1t will be n
membered that some Of the earl
christians rejoiced that they weT
counted worthy to suffer for the causs
of Christ; 50 that In whatever circun
stances we may find ourselves. on
must not give up confidence in Coz
Second. Paul went right to the viti
thing in his reply to the question !
the taller. believe on the Lord Jesl
Christ and thou shall be saved" Whe
this is done. many other things folio
with perfect naturalpess. There W.
no call for forms and ceremonies, sin
nIe trusting was all needed that ntgl