Evening star., 1921-08-27
Sunday School Lesson

two days to make the 140-mile trip
from the edge of Asia to Europe. 1t
is doubtful, as Lightfoot has pointed
out. that Luke considered that the
passage from Troas to Phillip was
from continent to continent. Such z
distinction was not then made by the
inhabitants of Macedonia and Asia,
as they considered them to be two
Roman provinces! closely united by
common language and character, con-
nected with each other by the path
way of the sea.
Having crossed the Hellespont, Paul
reached Neapolis. modern Kavala, the
seaport Of Phillip Chat has felt the
~as again placed on the map Of the
world by the heroic efforts of the
British fleet at the mouth of the Dar-
danelles during the world war;. the
apostle following his plan of seeking
to win the strategic centers of popu-
lation, for the Lord proceeded to
Phillip. where he commenced to
plant Christianity in Europe. This
was without doubt the home of Luke,
as is proven by his references to his
alone. at that time claimed for it the
rank Of the first city Of the district.
which by common consent WAS ac-
corded to Amphipolis. Luke has sue
ceeded in hiding himself, but in this
reference he betrays. as students of
loyalty to his native city, which at
that time was rapidly growing and
in time was destined to become the
first city of Macedonia.
After waiting until the Sabbath in
the new world, Paul started the work
of planting Christianity in Europe
by attending a women's prayer meet
ing. The Jews of thu city were not
numerous and were without a syna-
gogue. yet they had made proselytes
1,4 o1o N
place of prayer by the river side.
There in their open-air place of wor-
ship Paul talked with the few women.
who assembled to worship Jehovah.
AS he spoke one of the number, who
was a proselyte and was eager to do
der the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
so that she not only grasped men,
tally the apostles message concern
ing Christ but she was born again as
woman of wealth and influence in the
city. Although she may have once
been a slave. her success as a seller
of purple dyes had given her "a home
and a household After Lydia. WHO
was the first fir ,,Hs one to to accept chriss rs
opened her home. which had become
thoroughly Christianized by the con-
version. of every member of her
household, to the apostle. Her home
formed the nucleus of the first Chris
tian church in Europe. The COM
mencement was small. but a few
years later Paul called that organi-
zation of believers his joy and crown.
Although the beginning was small.
the apostle was not discouraged. He
that of the molder of empires and
the pioneer of Christian civilization
and democracy. yet such is his rank
in hi1tory. He obeyed the call for
service. just as every follower of
Christ ought to respond to. the call of
human need today for help. The
| work of conquering Europe for Christ
Is still summoning men and women.
The world war revealed the lack of
Christianity among those who pro-
fessed faith in the doctrines Of the
Master but refused to practice His
passed through the valley of the
shadow Of death. 'In people and gov
ernment cruel, grasping, selfish ideals.
that have little in common with His
teachings, are still a dominant force" I"
They have made the winning of the
of the war. The need of Europe calls
today for preaching of the gospel as
| much as China and Japan require it.
! II we are to promote peace and pre-
serve the civilization that Paul intro
! duced into Europe. The Macedonian
cry has become the cry Of the world
| to Christians of America.
When Paul arrived in Philippf he
had no idea of making an attack upon
| the social abuses of the city. He was
bent upon doing spiritual work. but
| the evidences Of ones spirituality Is
| frequently apparent in their practic-
ing the teachings Of Christ proclaimed
in Hfs sermon on the mount. Paul
waited some time before he was
aroused by the attempts of Satan to
interfere with the progress of the
gospel through the public testimony
Of female slave whose power of
divination made her profitable to her
owners. Being unwilling that his
ministry should be associated with
| soothsaying and being indignat that
greedy money lenders should make cap
ital out Of the poor girls pitiful con-
dition, Paul in the name of the Lord
commanded the demon to leave her.
The unfortunate creature was rescued
Immediately. for the demons obeyed
the same hour. BY the first miracle in
Europe Paul struck the first blow of
the church for the emancipation of
women" breaking the shackles that
kept the poor soul in bondage to men
who had prostituted her. powers for
their private gain. He proved by his