The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-12-30

Jet him come He that wills, let him take
apf the water Of life freely.-Rev. 22:lf.
III It Is possible In lessons one to nine
to review the past quarters work, In
b logical, chronological manner, but
lessons seven and nine are not In their
proper chronological setting. These les.
CONS extend over FIVE years OF Paul's
4 ne from about 50 A. D. to o. A. D.
lTney are five wonderful years, and the
= LIST of the authentic years we have OF
the life Of this wonderful man. The
review should Of course center in Paul
his eunGuct, character und teachings.
~ The first twelve chapters OF the Book
ipf Acts, in which we have chiefly been
studying, cover u period OF about six.
teen years, A. D. 30-48 with Jerusalem
ps the center. The rest Of the Book OF
Acts cover another period Of approx.
mately 10 years from 46 to G2, and Is
the record Of the foreign missionary
work of Paul and his companions, Paul
being Of course the central character.
The series for this quarter close with
the vision Of the final triumph of Chris.
hanity as seen by John in the Revela.
Hon. Maps should be employed If pos.
Rtble to show the Journeys of Paul.
The risen Christ and the cnduemcnt
pc the Holy Spirit were the vision and
the power which wrote this first
Church History, and which have been
writing Church History ever since.
The home church (Chs. 30 began with
about 100 praying men and women.
Peters first sermon brought into "the
way" 5000 more. From time to time
others were added. Persecution and
heliyerances the first martyr, Stephen
and the dissatisfaction which led to
the choice Of the deacons, are the out
standing events of this period. The
home mission period, with Jerusalem
MS the center and Palestine rs the teid
Chapters S-12) covers period of
about ten years. Persecution scattered
the disciples throughout the country.
Paul was converted on the road to
Damascus, Philip goes to Samaria, and
Peter carries on the work throughout
Lydia, Joppa and Caesarea. In this
PSNS4Uh VIC AhC oNulJ Vi IuIII
and the Ethiopian, of Peter curing the
palsied man at LYDIA, the raising OF
Dorcas and Paul and Barnahas return.
Ing to Jerusalem with help to those
ut that city who were suffering from
famine. Then begins the period of for.
eign missions, covering about sixteen
years, from about \. ID. ~ to g.. The
principal characters begin or course
with Paul and Barnabas, though Paul
soon takes his place Of leadership
Pauls first missionary Journey lasted
For about two years, from say A. D.
~ to 40, Barnabns being his principal
companion. Returning to Antioch from
Jerusalem, Paul soon began his second
Journey, this time taking with him
Silas. Again there Is n period of about
Two years, from A. d. 30 to -. Paul
had his Macedonian vision during this
Zine, and the gospel first entered Eur.
ppe, beginning with the conversion OF
The Phillipian Tailor. PUN's preaching
ut Athens and his service at Corlnth
are perhaps the most outstanding fea.
lures of this journey. Paul's third Jour.
I hey lasted nearly three years, A. D. So
10 66 or 81. He re-viSits the Asia Minor
churches to strengthen them, spends
hearty three years at Ephesus, and has
eome outstanding adventures as, for
Instance, the riot at Ephesus about
The shrines of Diana. Returning to
Jerusalem to take part in the feast he
% told Of the ultimate prosecutions
which he must endure. For long
lime he has desired to preach the COS.
pei In Rome. Everyone of the trials,
hindrances, opposltions and attacks
proved to be the means by which he
gained that desired nd.
In this particular quarter. In lesson
fne, we see Paul's calmness in persecu.
Hon, his prudence under danger. In
leeson two, his delicate courtesy and
bhrewdness In selling every opportu
pity that he might witness for his Lord.
IN lesson three Is manifested his TN.
shaken belief In evcr"ihing found In
The Scriptures, and his wise use there.
pf In leading men to Christ. In LESSON
i've, his fearleSsness amidst { niger
ind his absolute confidence in God. In
lesson six, his humility. In lesson sew.
en, his well balanced common sense
Ind his love Of peace among his brcth.
rem. In lesson eight, we see him long.
ing for human companlOnship and
kympathy, and have an evidence of his
Iove for his own countrymen, and yet
bis faithfulness declaring the word Of
BOD to them as well as to the GentIles.
Last Sunday we stood with Isaiah,
looking down through the centuries to
khe man Of Galllee 700 years hence.
Today, as We review this quarter and
the lessons Of the past year. we are
boxing back nearly two thousand years
10 the one who wrought out our saliva
HON on Calvary, but we may also
Iurn our faces the other way, and look
lor him whose returning will bring
feace to the earth, and at whose com.
hg the brightness of his glory shall
}over the earth even as the waters
sover the sea.
We have seen the breaking down Of
armed peace"