The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-26
LESSON FOR AUGUST "a
JouRNEylNa TO JERushLEM.

LESSON TExr-Acts eoie.0.
GOLDEN TEXT commend you to Cod
and to the word OF his graee-Aets eo.xs
After his experience in Ephesus PAM
went to Corinth. where, amidst much
sickness and affection, he cared fol
the churches, corrected their WRONG
conduct and probably wrote several 81
his letters and eplstles tT Cor. 4:7.1iii
11:2s; 12:20). From Corlnth he Jour
neyed by way Of Phillip to Troai
where he preached his famous long
sermon ". 5-12), that sermon which
had such a tragic result. It Is recorded
as a witness to the power OF the pray
er OF faith and Paul's readiness "a
serve In time OF need. In HIS haste Ia
reach Jerusalem before the Day o..
Pentecost "a. D. bs) Paul did not 70
turn to Ephesus. but, IN order to SAVE
time, he had the elders Of that church
meet him at Miletus (see q rood!
map).
Ia erea. Review tyv. 1928. Pauls
craftsmanship and genius for organla
zation is nowhere more clearly sci
forth than here. He had plans for D
great eyangelistic campaign OF Latin
lands, (Ch. 19:21). Before pursuing
his plan he decided to visit Jerusalem
carrying with him the collechonfl
which had been systematically takeu
up in the various churches on this
tour from. 10 :2e; 1 Cor. 1915; Act
PAID and he was accompanied by q
considerable number Of pilgrims. (Ses'
v. ~ 1t Is a good thing to pause occa
.sionally and to take stock, to review
our lives and to see what progress WI
have made. This Paul did, and to Till
Ephesian delegation he enumerntes ~
his character among them wv. 1919
They knew his manner Of life, how
that, as a bond servant, and "with ali
lowliness of mind" he had served.
their church. They also knew that
with tears he had wept over their hard
and impenltent hearts ". 31) and all
of this amidst many testings; t2) hii
method Of work ". 2o). Paul NOT
only worked at his trade Of tentmah
ing, but found time for the publ,
proclamation of the gospel and also
house to house visitation. He wai
after men. not notoriety. he was al
ways and ever at 1t, amidst trials, self
denial and the "lying in wait,n (Am.R
W Of men; t3) his methods ". 21).
He hud the same message for Jew and
Gentle, Repentance toward God and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christi
Repentance is not for Jews alone. Paul
shrank not from declaring all that wal
profitable for their encouragement, re
proof, warning. help, training in serv,
ice and hard study. he had taught
them publicly in classes, and had Wis
tied them from house to house and had
Invited them to his own home. Paul'g
aim, as is the teachers aim, was II
make all people patriotic citizens o.
the kingdom Of heaven while on earth
that they might fight the good fight oil
faith against all evils, even the priD
clpalitles and powers Of evil.
It was a great undertaking, and hi
knew not what might befallE him, but
he did know that bonds and a%fiiction
awaited him; however, none Of these
things could move him from his purs
pose.
He Counted not his life as dear unto
himself" II so be he might hold Out
until the end and accomplish bis
course and ministry. This epoch:mak
ing Journey, one Of the greatest In his
tory, suggests in many points oui
Savior's last Journey towards that
same city duke 9:51). Like his mas
ter, Paul knew that ahead Of him wers
trials, but he also knew that God was
leading him In obedience to the Spin
It's guidance, though 1t was over the
protests Of his friends.
u. A Great Charge wv. 2s-3s). it's
a great experience when one can de.
clare himself pure from the blood Of
all men ". 28), and that he has ne !.
shrunk from declaring the whole CO
sci Of God. Such conduct alwa,
brings an obligation upon those wky
know and hear such men, viz, than
1t should be emulated. These elders
were to return to the church at Ephe.
sus, not to be servants Of themselves
but to feed the church of God ". 2s,.
Paul knew, as a prophet, what would
be in store for them wv. 2e;8o). There
fore he eIhorts them to watch, and
warns them how by his own hands he
had supported himself and had lived q
righteous life among them ". 81.
We have here rescued from Oblivion,
a new saying Of our Lord Jesus
Christ, "It is more blessed to give than
to receive" one not found In the Cos.
pels.
It is this giving which produces q
quality Of happiness anda more
noble character.
It is the b~lessedness OF Christ, Of
heaven, and Of the, Christian religion.
It is also the blessedness that q q
dures.
Paul then poured forth his prayer
on their behalf wv. s8-s9).
Blessed Is the sunday-school class
and the church which has such .
and such a leader.
These friends sensedit the Significance
this final separation from Paul Il.
3S), and their greater sorrow Seemed
10 be to miss his personality than to