Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-07-21

tians in Thessalonica he was so full of JOY that
he could not keep it back, and was testify1ng
with great enthusiasm and earnestness as 10
the saving power of Christ. There is nothing
that quite so much encourages a Christian WORK
er the news that those who he has led TO
Christ have been growing daily. Their coming
had also released him from the close confine-
ment of work and enabled him TO give more
time to the preaching of the gospel: >
The attitude of the Jews was not improved
any by the fact that the chief ruler Of $se
synagogue was converted. To =Se ehelr nigh
est officer fOrsake tL-szl, they thought, was
discOncerting, to say the least Of it, and their
opposition grew more and more intense. But
Sast when Paul could bear no more he had
vision. In the night God spoke to him, say
ing: ''Be not afraid, but speak and hold not
thy peace, for 1 with thee, and man
shall set thee TO harm thee, for 1 have
much people in this city
CONSTANT.
Thus encouraged by ,iOd, Paul continued to
proclaim the gospel even though the situation
seemed to be growing blacker and blacker every
day. 1t was rather strlnge that God should
have spoken that word TO him, for when we
think of the wickedness, the immortality, the
ayarice, the idolatry, the RIGHTEOUSNESS Of
these Corinthians. we can scarcely believe that
God could have spoken such a word; and yet
because of His infinite love, in spite of their
sin, God had chosen than, and knew that when
the gospel was presented to them they would
fOrsake their sins through the strength which
He should give Them and grow into other lives
The knowledge that there were many in that
city who God mad chosen spurred Paul on 20
greater effort, that for eighteen months he
continued there preaching the gospel, persistent
ly, patiently and prayerfully. God has mucn
people in this city. We do not know who they
are, and the very fact that we are ignorant
of il Is an inspira ton to us, for You do not
know but that you may be used of God to be
the to bring the gospel message to the last
one Of His chosen ones, the one who shall COM
plete the church which is the bride of Christ:
for when the last shall have been brought
in. Jesus Himself shall return. Be up and
doing, therefore! Maybe God will give you
that inestimable privileged
The very success which Paul had, however,
brought the opposition of the Jews to a focus;
so they arrested him and brought him before
Gallo, the Roman procOnsul. Gallo was the
characters history tells us, who was lovable
and Hkable. The Jews were not quite so tactf?l
in the way they presented their case here IN
Corinth, as the Philippian Jews had been, for
they charged Paul with religious heresy. As
Roman officer, Gallo cared nothing about this,
and threw the case out Of court. Then the
Greeks who glad Of an opportunity 20
show their contempt of the Jews laid hold on
SOsthenes the ruler of the synagogue, and beat
him before the judgment seat. But Gallo paid
no attention to this riOtOus act. He was too
concerned about other things, and considered
it only an amusing thing.
Finally Paul left COrinth accompanied by
AduiIla and Priscilla. A.
These are the three requisites of faithful FOL-
lowers of the Lord Jesus Christ. COURAGEOUS.
CLEAN, CONSTANT Courageous not because
OF any wisdom power which YOU nave IN
yourself, but only because you are depending
upOn Gods power and wisdom. Clean. because
you have not neglected any opportunity tnaC
has been given you. Constant, because you KNOW
that God has much people. and He INTENDS Tor
you to keep until the last one Is brought H.
Which-how many-have you?