The Dermott news., 1916-12-28

let him come. He that wills, let him take
of the water of life freely.-Rev. 22:17.
1t Is possible In lessons one to nine
to review the past quarters work, In
Il logical, chronological manner. but
lessons seven and nine are not in their
proper chronological setting. These les
sons extend over five years of Pauls
life from about So A. ID. to SO A. d.
They are five wonderful years, and the
last of the authentic years we have of
the life of this wonderful man. The
review should of course center in Paul,
his conduct, character and teachings.
The first twelve chapters of the Book
Of Acts. in which we have chiefly beer
studying. cover period of about six.
teen years. A. ID. 30-46. with Jerusalem
as the center. The rest of the Book OF
Acts cover another period of approx.
mately 16 years from As to c., 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
tianity as seen by John In the Reyela-
ton. Maps should be employed If pos
sibe to show the Journeys of Paul.
The risen Christ and the enduement
of 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. 2-7 began with
about 40 praying men and women.
Peters first sermon brought into 1.-The
way" 1900 more. From time to time
others were added. Persecution and
deliverances. 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
as the center and Palestine as the field
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
section we have the story of Philip
and the Ethiopian. of Peter curing the
palsied man ut LYDIA, the raising OF
Dorcas and Paul and Barnabas return. /
ing to Jerusalem with help TO those
famine. Then begins the period of for. /
eign missions. covering about sixteen
years, from about A. ID. AZ to e.. The |
principal characters begin OF course
with Paul and Barnabas, though Paul
soon takes his place of leadership.
Paurs first missionary journey lasted
for about two years, from say A. ID.
At to 40. Barnabas 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 n u. % To 81. Paul
had his Macedonian vision during this I
time and the gospel first entered Eur.
ope, beginning With the conversion OF
the Phillipian jailor. Pauls preaching +
at Athens and his service ut Corinth F
are perhaps the most outstanding fea- F
lures of this journey. Paul's third Jour- t
ney lasted nearly three years. A. ID. SO f
to SO or 81. He re-visits the Asia Minor /
churches to strengthen them. spends
nearly three years ut Ephesus, and has +
some outstanding adventures as. for
Instance. the riot ut Ephesus about
the shrlnes of Diana. Returning to
Jerusalem TO take part In the feast. he
IL tnlI nf IN ultimate
which he must endure. For long
time ne has desired to preach the COS
pei In Rome. Everyone of the trials,
oppositions and attacks
proved to be the means by which he
gained that desired end.
In this particular quarter. In lesson
one. we see Paul's calmness In persecu-
ton, his prudence under danger. In
lesson two. his delicate courtesy and
I'm seizing every opportu-
nifty that he might witness for his Lord.
In lesson three Is manifested his I'M
shaken belief In everything found In
the Scriptures. and his wise use there
Of In leading mea TO Christ. In lesson
five. his fearlessness amidst danger
and his absolute confidence In God. In
lesson six. his humility. In lesson sew
EN-. his well balanced common sense
and his love of peace among his hreth-
rem. In lessen eight. we see him long
Ing for human companlonship and
and have an evidence OF his
love for his own countrymen. and yet
his faithfulness declaring the word OF +
God 10 them as well as To the Gentiles. |
Last Sunday Wa stood with Isaiah,
looking down through the centuries 10 /
the man OF Galilee 700 years hence. |
Today, as we review this quarter and |
the lessons OF the past year. we are
looking back nearly two thousand years
10 the one who wrought out our saliva
ton on Calvary, but We may also
turn our faces the other way. aud look
FOR him whose returning will bring
peace to the earth. and at whose com
NC the brightness of his glory shall
cover the earth even as the waters