Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-16

Last weeks lesson formed an intro
duction to this weeks study of one of
the most dramatic episodes in Paul's
entire career. The prisoner, covered
with dust and blood and bound with
chains. surrounded by soldiers and sep
arated somewhat from his foes. whose
plans TO destroy the apostles life had
been frustrated by the appearance Of
the guard. did not lose his courage,
GOODNESS or self-possession, for he
sought to take advantage of the OPP
portunity to present the gospel to his
countrymen who had charged him with
fo-sa king his nation. abjuring the Mo-
sstc law and profaning the temple.
While the soldiers were taking the
prisoner up the stairway of the castle.
that Herod had restored and called An
tonis after his friend Mark Antony,
Paul surprised the captain, who had
been assigned to the task of keeping
peace in the temple area. with his re-
quest made in Greek, the language Of
diplomacy. to be permitted to address
the mob. His request was source of
disappointment to tho Rornan. for he
had taken il for granted that his cap
ti"e was none other than the Egyptian.
whom Josephus states had come to
Jerusalem short time previous.
claiming to be prophet at whose word
the Notifications Of the city would fall.
He persuaded a multitude to follow
him on to the Mount Of Olives, expect
ing that the walls would fall at his
word and that he would lead back his
followers through the breach.
Felix dispersed the tumultuous as
sembiy by the force of arms. but the
Egyptian had succeeded in making his
escape. When convinced by Paurs
claim to citizenship in Tarsus, which
was held in such high esteem by the
Romans that II was exempted from
taxation, that he was not a false Mes
apology to the people who were follow
ing him with shouts and cries
II was strange pulpit that Paul
selected to make the first of five ad-
scter and call to missionary work
among the gentiles as an apostle o:
Jesus Christ The stairway that con-
nected the temple area with the castle
prison formed the conn Getting link that
united IN Paufs life the change from
the Old Testament law 10 The Roma n
Law. With heroic courage. spiritual
passion and Christian tactfulness. the
apostle succeeded in quieting the mob.
F'lom ne addressed In the Semetic YER
4cclrr Of the day. holding their at
iea.ti"n and interest as with a few
;~ranh.c words he traced the story Of
8 conversion, and pointed out that
10 whole thought and life OF the fol-
. "rs OF Jesus was to be regarded as
tho most rational and natural develop
Lssrt OF the religion Of Israel
fiuc. the charge against Paul had
j." Of dislovalty to the national in
81 a,inns. Paul commenced his defense
- pointing out his claims TO be con-
si|c-ed q Jew, for by blood. although
Of foreign birth. education and religious
oui-ions he and his hearers were origi-
nally the same. Against the charge
that he was disobedient to the require
nents Of the law and the ritual of
.foses. Paul pointed back to his con =
Tuct as a prosecutor Of the Christians
nj the change wrought by his con-
version as evidence that the difference
then existing was due to the dealing OF
God with him on the way to Damascus
Whenever Paul was hard pressed he
rehearsed the story Of his conversion.
The third point in his defense. as pre-.
scented by Paul and recorded by the his
torian. who writes as an eyewitness Of
tbe scene. was that his missionary
work among the gentiles was due Il
divine directions: There would hays
been no opposition TO his ministry
among the gentiles II he had not takeT
such pronounced views that claimed fol