The Dermott news., 1916-06-01

Following the commissions report at Antioch Of the decision of the Jeru salem church. Paul and Barnabas and others continued their evangelism in that city teh. b S5D. These leaders soon felt the need of revisitng the scenes ot their former labors ". 36). but when il came to the organization ot their party. Paul refused to aCeede to the decision of Barnabas that John Mark should accompany them tys. 31, 3S, zee Acts l+el31. So sharp d con tention arose that two parties were or. ganized That Paul later forEave Mark is evidenced by his tender refer cuces to him
 |. 4 Closed Door. Ch t6:1sH. Pauls s companions for this second mission ary tour were Silas G5:40D. Luke (see use of word we V. l3l, and Timothy ~ l-3b 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 Paul's work was to promulEate 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 fill Paul S commission t9.l5). The word Asia Cv. e means the Koran province of Asia and. wisely ohcynE the spirits direction Paul passed on until he came to the seaport town of Troas. At later time Paul spoke the word of the Lord Jesus in Asia with wonderful effect Cf9. l. \. IT, 26. -. It must have burned within the bones of Paul thus to be re strained. but it did not serve as an eX- cuse Tor him to take vacation. but rather 10 seek new fields whcrelu 10 preach Thus he came Co TFoas
 II. The Macedonian Call '. 9.I5 Paul had several epoehmakiug vi sseHs. on the Damascus road 59.3. and 2G. ID in Jerusalem .22:I4. at the tune If his aAtRVae,G ue5.esl. aud thc cue We are now =yeas,aera- \ vision k kaowieHae ot fle ueed and ef tEe=r resources at oees cam m4ud Greataa beauty. philosophy a1t and ea.tare needed Christi thust as q resource Waa a.ssu3te au4 available t9 supply taa' =raz4 rh5s vision Paul saH thr5uab | Go! called hm to Macedonia No the arst use ot that prououo III thH book ef Aetst Pau and I.,se lr,ag- dlateJy essayed tp obey
 III. The Open Door. V II. IL on what seeming trtaes does history turn, Au u4teast wandering Jew coming to help proud. cultured. ln- ilueuudl foreign city. but he heags :ho Gospel winch alone can be of notu to them Paul did not Wait to rIa- vcstigatc the field nor to establish working organization He knew better point ot contact. and that Was To find those in that city wso knew God even though ignorant of Christ He began by preaching Jesus. net comparative religious nor did he seek to found community centers with soup kitchens and social upliit Paul knew that 10 elevate the individ- ual by establishing him in the faith ot Christ would soon result in comm nity uplltt On the other hand. faith which eyaporates in words and does not give tangible. concrete eyi- deucc in works may well De chal lenged as to its 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 did not begin at oneo to preach the Gospel tY. l2 t N.I. hut waited and watched fer an oppor- tuuity doubtless praying much for favorable opening tCh. l3. l4. r. lN.4I.
 The man Of Macedonia seems to have been woman unless we consider the Phnippian iailor This open-air meeting was one of the most notable in history The Lord opened the heart of Tious Lydia and it was the turning point of the eyaugelizatiou ot Europe and America and the world God must open the hearts Of men and women John G5f4, A.. Eph l.l7. K. Luke - i5l. and this he is willing and glad to do The steps of this woman conversion are clearly marked and present a good type tl She went cut to prag V. l&t tea- She heard tho word tv I3. It. soe also loau 52a t31 she had her h,a, opened hg the Lord " l4H fI SG,
 raFe heeI ta tse thjHss which were suoAen ty. ls aod Mark tHf'. GI She made rah'e confess m ot hef ncwN-toand faith hy baptism
 CD she carreI with her tae whole household perhaps children. workers in her business and servants v. 31- 53, Cor. l.tG1.
 Tho use of the word constrained in Verse h indicates a heart hunger to be helpful by being allowed to serve.
 The Philippian church often helped Paul subsequently, and doubtless Lydia was a leading spirit in such service.
 The history of the Christian church relates many illustrations of the lead. ership and prominynce of women of