The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-16

OF June 10 Is Inc EAlllpPidh Gil
or."-Acts 16:16-40.
A Big Man in a Tight Place.
(For the sack of variety and vivid
ness, suppose we re-write, in the form
of a drama, the story which is the
Sunday school lesson, taking no lib
critics with facts, and only slightly ex-
banding the text-)
Scene: The City of 'Philippi,
short distance from the present allied
camps. The action moves from the
Jews praying place by the river, to
the market place of Philippi, and
thence to the city prison and the jail
or's house.
Time: SO A D.
Persons: Paul, of Tarsus.
Silas, of Antioch. a companion.
Timothy, of Lystra. Paurs dis
ciple and attendant.
DR.. Luke, physician and histor-
ian.
a Christian.
Fortune Telling Maiden.
Her Masters.
Roman Magistrates.
Tailor.
Roman Sergeants.
The Jailor's Family.
Mob of citizens.
ACT I.
Paul: Not again, Brother Silas,
shall we return to this quiet place of
prayer by the flowing stream, where
Gods own sky canopied us, and our
hearts were as open as the air to one
another. Still, 1 seem to see that lit
tie company, of whom, Sister Lydia
is the chief, grown to great church,
worshiping the Name; and with it's
power flowing farther than the
rivers flow. But see, here is the adj
versary, again intruding into our holi-
est hours
Fortune-Telling Maiden "Ho, peo-
pie. Look, These are the teachers
of new doctrinet They call them
selves servants of the Most High God,
and say that they alone proclaim sal
vation- Can they tell your fortune?
Do they read the omens? Out upon
them for foreigners and dreamers"
Paul: Demon, 1 charge thee in
the name of Jesus Christ to come out
of that maiden. See, Silas, how even
the evil spirits are subject to the
Name. Behold, the maiden is now
herself, and no longer a mocker and
railer- Now who comes here, FUN
ing and cursing and swinging their
arms as if to do US violence?"
The Maiden's Masters: "Barbar-
iansi Unbelievers. Rascals! We
shall see if there is law in Phil
Have hold of them. men, and we'll
to the magistratel'' CThey roughly
drag Paul and Silas to The market
place and the judgment seat)
ACT II.
The Mob: "Yo no! All All! 90 90!
Kill EN-! Beat 'eml Let US at
'emI That's it: hit him again. Wen
placed, Tony; that blow brought the
blood. Give them to us. Master Magis-
trates, and we'll make short shift of
| them
The Magistrates: Silence! Order!
Sergeants, quiet that rabble Where
are the accusers? All, here they
stand. Well speak up, now"
The Maiden's Masters: 20 Honora-
BILE sirs, justice is with you. and no
man comes to your august presence in
vain for his rights. These men, being
Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city
and set forth customs which it is not
lawful for US to receive or to observe
being Romans
The Mob: Ow! Boo! Kill 'em!
Kill emf
The Magistrates: "off with their
coats Lictors. to your work Beat
them well. that they and all other
wanderers and iconoclasts may keep
away from Philippi-" (Paul and
Brother Silas. Twas so our Lord was
beaten for our sins. Let US pray for
these poor. misguided folk
Magistrates: Now to prison with
their feet" Aside, to the Maiden's
Masters. Come to us first hour after
nightfall and we shall settle that lit
tie matter of business. There was nc
need to raise such riot. Our bust
ness which is the city's order, is more
important than yours"
sACT III.
| teyT1L.
Brother Silas: yet it was from a dark
er pit of prideful sin that our Lord
delivered me. Did you not feel Him
near, in the fellowship of His suffer
ings, when the blows fell SO fast"
Silas: Even so, Brother Paul, nv
spirit was never freer than since my
feet have been locked in these dun.
geon stocks. Christ counts me worthy
to suffer for Him.
Paul: why not hymn, Brother
The one you taught the women by the
river, about the worthiness of the
Lamb. To you has been been giver
the minstrel gift
(They sing, even as the hour o.
midnight sounds While singing ar
earthquake shakes the building to it.
deepest dungeon Doors fly open ant
even the prisoners stocks breaI
Ioose.)
Paul: at is the Lord. Comes H.
Himself, or is this but His messages
to set His servants free upon theil
journey again? I knew that the patti
to Macedonia was to be kept open be
fore our feet What a Lord is ours
whom winds and waves and earth
quake shock serve, even as does tn,
still small voice But see: Who il
this ?'
The Jailor: 'I am ruined! Ever,
door is opened and the prisoners gone
Better death than dishonor At leas
my trusty sword is left, and here di
amid my shame and broken trust
Farewell wife, and children! Hail
Caesar. thy soldier dies ere disgrac
o'erwhelms him.
Paul: stay, jailor. stay, Do -hysel
no harm. We are all here. Thy nam
is kept, by the God whom we serve
Live, and learn of Him."
Tailor: "A light, keeper. light