Cleveland County herald., 1921-09-01

him, and delivereth them.-Psalm S4:7.
 REFERENCE MATERIAL-I and II Thess.
 PRIMARY TOPFC-God Takes Care of Paul and Silas
 JUNIOR TOPIC-A Midnight Experience in Philippi
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC Courage in the Face of Persecution.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC Preaching with Prosecutions.
 l. Paul and siIas in Jail (yv. 19-26).
 1. The occasion (yv. 19-24). When the demon was cast out of the maid her supernatural power was gone; therefore, the source of revenue was dried up. This so exasperated her owners that they had Paul and Silas arraigned before the magistrates on false charge. Those men ought to have rejoiced that such blessing had come to this poov girl. They cared more for their gain than for her welfare. This is true of the iniquitous crowding together of the poor in unsanitary quarters in our ten ement districts and the neglect of pre- cautions for the safety of employees in shops and stores. Without any chance to defend themselves they were stripped and beaten by the angry mob and then remanded to jail, and were made fast in stocks in the inner prison.
 9 Their behavior in jail (v. 25). They were praying and singing hymns to God. It seems quite natural that they should pray under such condi- tions, but to sing hymns under such circumstances is astonishing to all who have not come into possession of the peace of God through Christ. Even with their backs lacerated and smart ing, and feet fast in stocks compelling the most painful attitude in the dun geon darkness of the inner prison, with a morrow before them filled with extreme uncertainty, their hearts went up to God in gratitude.
 8. Their deliveranee (v. 26). The. Lord wrought deliveranee by sending a great earthquake which opened the prison doors and removed the chains from all hands.
 II. The Conversion of the Jailer (vv. 27-34).
 The jailer's sympathy did not go out very far for the prisoners, for after they were made secure he went to sleep. The earthquake suddenly aroused him. He was about to kill himself, whereupon Paul assured him that the prisoners were all safe. This was too much for him. What he had | heard of their preaching and now what he had experienced caused him to come as a humble inquirer after l salvation. Paul clearly pointed out | the way to be saved-"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" The word be l lieve" means to yield to and fully obey. The proof that the jailer was saved is threefold:
 1. Transformation from brutality to l tenderness.
 2 Confession of Christ in baptism.
 5. His whole household baptized.
 III. The Magistrates Humbled (vv. 35-4O).
 The earthquake brought fear upon the magistrates. The: gave leave for iiiC pI lO SOf Dut iho" tINS iC fuse to go, claiming that their rights as Roman citizens have been violated, and demand a public vindicatiOn. Paul was willing to suffer for Christ's sake, but he used the occasion to show them that prosecuting men who preach the gospel is an offense against the law of God and man.
 w. Preaching in ThessaIonica (vv. 17-19).
 At TheSsalonica he found open hearts. He followed his usual custom of going first to the Jew (v. D. After witnessing to the Jews he went to the Gentiles. Concerning the Christ he affirmed:
 l. Tt behooved Christ to suffer" (v. 3. No plainer teaching is to be found anywhere than the suffering of Christ Gsa. 53).
 ?. The resurrection of Christ from the dead (v. 3.
 3. The kingship of Jesus (v. D.
 The result of this preaching was that many Greeks, some Jews believed.
 V. Preaching in Berea (vv. 1O-l5).
 His method here was the same as at ThessaloDica. He entered the Jew ish synagogue and preached Jesus unto them. The Bereans received the gos- pei with glad hearts. Two striking things were said about them:
 l. They received the message gladly.
 ?. They searched the Scriptures daily fn ha ,,l, ing. All noble minds have CD an openness to receive the truth CD a balanced hesitancy; (3) a subjection to rightful authority.