The Spectator., 1916-06-02

OOnld anu Uelp uS-ftCtS loss 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 (ch. 15:35). These leaders soon felt the need of revisiting the scenes of their former labors (y. 36), but when it came to the organization of their party, Paul refused to accede to the decision of Barnabas that John Mark should accompany them (vs. 37, 3S, see Acts 14:13). So sharp con- tention arose that two parties were or ganized. That Paul later forgave Mark is evidenced by his tender refer ences to him.
 l. A Closed Door. Oh. 16:1:S. Pauls companions for this second mission ary tour were Silas U5:4O), Luke (see use of word "we," V. 13), and Timothy (v. 1-3). 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. Pauls work was to promulgate 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 (9:15). The word Asia" (v. 6) means the Roman province of Asia and, wisely obeying the Spirits direction, Paul passed on until he came to the seaport town of Troas. At a later time Paul spoke the word of the Lord Jesus" in Asia with wonderful effect Q9: 1, s, 19, 26. 2O. It must have burned within the bones of Paul thus to be re- strained. but it did not serve as an ex- cuse for him to take vacation, but rather to seek new fields wherein to preach. Thus he came to Troas.
 II. The Macedonian Call. V. 9-13. Paul had several epochmaking vii sions: on the Damascus road (9:3, and 26:19); in Jerusalem (23:l); at the time of his shipwreck (27:23), and the one we are now considering. A vision is knowledge of the need and of the resources at ones com mand. Grecian beauty, philosophy art and culture needed Christ Christ as n resource was adequate and available to supply that need. This vision Paul saw: through 1t God called him to Macedonia We (the first use of that pronoun in the book of Acts), Paul and Luke, imme- diately essayed to obey.
 ilI. The Open Door, V. II. Is. On, what seeming triles does history turn! An outcast wandering Jew coming to help a proud. cultured, in fluential foreign city. but he bears the Gospel which alone can be of help. to them. Paul did not wait to in vestigate the field" nor to establish a working organization. He knew a better point of contact, and that was to find those in that city who knew God even though ignorant of Christ. He began by preaching Jesus, not comparative religions, nor did he, seek to found community centers" with soup kitchens and social uplift Paul knew that to elevate the individ- ual by establishing him in the faith of Christ would soon result in commu- nifty uplift. On the other hand, a. faith which evaporates in words and does not give tangible, concrete evi- dence in works may well be chai- 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 once to preach the Gospel (v. 12 R. VI, but waited and watched for an oppor- tunity. doubtless praying much for G. favorable opening (Ch. 13: IA: 17:2. 1S:G.
 The man of Macedonia" seems to have been q woman unless we consider the Philippian tailor. This open-air meeting was one of the most notable fin history. The Lord opened the heart of pious Lydia and 1t was the. turning point of the evangelization of Europe and America and the world. God must open the hearts of men and women (John 6:44, 45; Eph. 1:l7, 1S: Luke 24:45), and this he is willing and glad to do. The steps of this. woman's conversion are clearly marked and present a good type. u( She went out to pray (v. 13). (2) She heard the word (v. 13, IA: see also John 5:2D. (3) She had her heart opened by the Lord (v. 14). (4) She, gave heed to the things which were spoken" (v. 13 and Mark 16:16). (5) She made public confession of her newly-found faith by baptism.
 t6) She carried with her the whole household, perhaps children, workers in her business and servants (v. S1- 33: Cor. 1.16).
 The use of the word "constrained'' in verso 15 indicates heart hunger to be helpful by being allowed to serve.
 The Philippian church often helped Paul subsequently and doubtless Lydia was a leading spirit fin such service.
 The history of tho Christian church relates many illustrations of the lead ership and prominence of women of