Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-06
BY DIR. MAR1oN MICH. HULL,

BY DIR. nrARIoN MICH. HULL
After five days Ananias reached
Caesarea and laid before Felix his COM
plant against Paul
Many things had happened since Paul
had left Caesarea. Just twelve days
before he had reached Jerusalem, had
been received by the brethren that
afternoon, and the next day (within the
first twenty-four hourS) he appeared
before James and the elders and pre-
sen.ed has gift to the church. Inc sec
ond day he began the performance OF
vow which James had suggested, identi-
flying himself with the men. The thlrd
day he was in the temple again carry
ing out the VOW on the fourth day he
probably was arrested, the riot occurred,
and he spoke on the castle steps. The
fifth day he appeared before the San
hedrim (Acts xii, 800. On the sixth
day the plot was made and exposed. Al
O'Clock that night he left Caesarea
(Acts xiii, 23) under the protection OF
the Roman guard On the seventh day
he arrived at Caesarea, and five days
later the trial began. (Acts xiv, 1-23;
xiii, 1924: xii
A PERFECT PEST.
Ananias did not trust himself to pre-
sent his case against Paul BEFORE feilX,
but employed barrister named Ter
tullus After a very complimentary In
PRODUCTION, which had just enough truth
in it TO be wholly false, he charged Paul
with being a perfect pest, and then made
three counts against him of sedition,
sectarianism, and sacrilege. He pre-
scented no witnesses, but depended upon
his adroit statement of the case and the
confirmation of it by the Jews who had
come with him rather than depending
upon the evidence of witnesses.
He knew that the Roman court cared
nothing for the differences of opinion
of the Jews as to their belief, but he
also knew that the mere mention of the
sect of the Nazarenes would recall to
the mind of the governor the turmoils
that had followed the preaching or the
cross So sure was he OF his position
that he left the matter in the HANDS OF
the governor to form his opinion after
questioning Paul.
PAUL'S APOLOGY.
Felix was no fool, in one sense. He
had detected before this the real glst OF
the situation, that the matter was one
merely between two sects of Jews, as
he thought He nodded his head at
Paul, signifying that ne might speak
for himself in answer to these charges.
Paul replied, recognizing at once the
weakness in the case as il had been pre-
sented by Tertullus, namely, the lack
of witnesses to back up his statement.
Therefore, with great urbanity and
with great force he presented his side
of the case He counted himself for
tunate to be able to defend himself be-
fore a man who mad been so long in
the country that he knew very well the
customs. He was better able to judge
of the merits of the case.
A plain statement of the facts, which
bore the stamp of truth on the very face
of them, won the case for Paul. He told
the governor there had been but twelve
days since he came to Jerusalem, and
that therefore, the first and third counts
against him we're utterly preposterous.
As far as the second count was concern
ed, he admitted it, but showed that be-
ing a follower of the Nazarene was
merely believed in the fulnllment of all
the promises and prophecies which they
, themselves believed.
PAUL'S PLEADING.
Felix knew enough about Christianity
to see that they had no case agalns,
Paul but instead of having the back
bone that he needed to let him go, H.
postponed his decision until the chief
CAPTAIN should come down to bear testi-
mony to what he had said. He gave
| Paul as much liberty as he could. In
fact he sent for him time and again to
have him speak to him of his views and
beliefs, hoping that Paul would offer him
a bride The brother of Felix was the
richest man in Rome, so Felix did not
expect a small sum. He had evidently
| inquired into Pauls family and connec-
ton, and thought that it was possible
| for him to control a large amount of
wealth if he wanted to. Paul never
offered the bride though, but he did
| offer Feliy something far better He
gave him the opportunity than which no
man ever had a better one-to accep'
Jesus Christ as his Saviour. The first
time he sent for him, Felix came with
| Drusilla, his wife. who had been induced
| to leave her husband through the work
| of Simon Magus and become the wife
| of this prohigate and cruel old Roman
| slave who had risen to political promi-
nence There is no better illustration of
| the power which Simon Magus exerted
| than this. Paul had his opportunity
| With all the holiness of a fearless fol-
! lower of Christ he knew that he was
4 right and they were wrong. and yet with
all the tenderness and gentleness of a
| Christian gentleman, he reasoned with
| them of righteousness, and self control
/ and judgment to come. Even Felix
| trembled His breast was stirred by
| strange emotions.
| No one knows when the last opportun-
! ity will be given you to accept the saliva
, ton which Jesus Christ offers. BE
/ hold! Now is the accepted time! Behold.
now is the day of salvation To-day
! if you will hear His voice. harden not
your heart" but come to Him just as
! you are, and take Him just as He is
and then one day you will be changed
| from what you are and be like He is.