The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-08-18
LESSON FOR AUGUST 20
RIOT AT EPHESUS.


the root of all kinds Of evil Tim. 6:10
Teachers ought to have good maps
and keep before the minds of theil
classes both the ancient and modern
names of the places Paul visited. Paul
resided at Ephesus nearly three years
A. D. SO to Sc. The events Of this les
son occurred about three years after
our last lesson in Acts.
|. The Missionary Work of Paul
wv. 1-1O). How long Paul remained at
j Antioch after his second journey we
/ do not know, but having passed
through the upper coast" he came to
this city of Ephesus, which was an
important city and a great mission
! field. In Revelations and is list
| Of the churches which he evangelical
from this center. 1t was great and
| effectual door for him Il Cor. SO |;
read also Acts 20:17; 2:35). In this
| city Paul found a religious guild Of IL
members (see w. 2-7), whose relig-
| ious experience needed the enrichment
of the Holy Spirit; like need is ever
before the Christian church.
II. The Miracles Wrought by Paul
wv. 11-20). Ephesus was a center Of
magic and witchcraft, and special
power was given Paul to work mira
cles which COMPOUNDED the magicians
in this, their stronghold. The Gospel
proves it's power most and best by
transforming the characters Of men.
Deeds Of love and service are the best
proofs Of Christianity, and these are
the things which awaken heather ma
lions to seek after the Christian relig-
ion. But such deeds are often imi-
tated as in this case. (See v. 49,
However, only the real spirit Of Christ
can work the true workings Of the
Gospel, and thus the name of the Lord
Jesus was magnifled in Ephesus. Imi-
tation Is often the sincerest form Of
flattery.
I'll. The Mob's Attack Upon PauI's
Work wv. 21-41. The first result of
Pauls work was the burning of the
books of magic wv. 1920. Many who
had been dupes of the magicians
ceased their secret practices and de-
clared their wrongdoings in this pub
lie manner. Literally, book after book
was thrown into the fire, much the
same as in Florence Savonarola had
his "bonfire of vanities." Paul's won
derful success had to have its testing |
before he left. The Gospel "way," the |
way Of salvation, Of true living, is |
sure to create a stir sooner or later.
Preach the Gospel faithfully and fully,
and it will stir up any community. 1t
is not necessarily a bad sign when
things begin to be disturbed. 1t may |
simply indicate that the fire is get
ting hot The good results Of reviv-
ais do not hurt business, but they do
hurt the devil. So that "big business"
was intensely stirred up in the city
of Ephesus Demetrius, their leader
uttered a striking and truthful COM
mendation of Paul ". 26), although
1t was entirely unintentiOnal. (See
I Thess. :9-1O). Demetrius does not
seem to seek to controvert the preach
ing of Paul. or that it did not square
with the word Of God, but rather that
It would interfere with financial con-
sideratiOns. The modern world is full
If descendants of the Ephesian silver
smiths,-politicians and business in
erests which defend the saloon, and
airly respectable citizens who receive
'ents from such business, or from i'm
moral or unsanitary properties, and
Who cry out against any reform which \
nterferes with trade and money max T
n.y. There are many today who are '
cry enthusiastic religionists If they
an coin money out Of it or get into =
N office.
At this theater meeting paul was
ot present, Wv. 20, 81 Demetrius ap-
ealed (D to wealth, (2) to religion,
81 to the honor and fame of the city,
nd az he also made an esthetic ap-
cal, wv. 25, &c, 27). The Jews put
onward one of their number, Alexan-
er, to make a defense unto the peo-
lie, and to show that they were not
/ sympathy with Paul and his COM
anions in their preaching against the
orship of Diana or that as Jewish til
hristianS they did not maliciOuSly dc
ope to destroy the worship of Diana in
nj the business interests of that city. =,
heir effort, however, only stirred the -
oh to larger shout, "Great is Diana -
the Ephesians," which lasted for
20 hours. fu
Those who yell the loudest think NJ
ey are sure to prove their point, w
ough in such a way the point does w
It stay proved. Paul combines fear ~,
S. courage and humble common '"
nse, and, while he fain would ap- va
al to the mob ". 30), he refrained. Ba
lie mob must soon awaken to the III
anliness and spirit of Pauls soul. Ee
was the town clerk who interfered r,
. 35-41) and by skillful management NJ
elled the excited mob He was the G.,
nple keeper and showed that the q,
'rship of Diana was so settled in ~
hesus that no company of Jews NJ
lid overthrow it, and that they did liz
t have any real cause for violence. He
3e also emphasizes the fact that He
} image of Diana, their chief god, He
been miraculously sent to them We
Jupiter. He called attention to the
t that Paul had not committed the