Evening star., 1921-10-01
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

No one can study the experience of
Paul in Corinth without being encour-
aged to carry on the Masters work
in the most difficult field. When the
apostle entered cosmopolitan Corinth
he was discouraged, disappointed and
disheartened. During the fifty miles
of lonely travel Paul had opportunity
to recall the events that had marked
his campaign in the various Euro
pean cities. He had responded to the
call of the man of Macedonia to
come over and help-him. Instead OF
prairie fire over Greece, it had been
retarded by barren controversy and
bitter persecution. He had willing
ly faced the frenzy of mob. but he
considered the indifference of Athens
with despair. They possessed 1.-The
wisdom of this world" which pre-
vented their acceptance Of Paufs mes
sage. that pronounced the death doom
Of their polytheism. The sermon that
he delivered upon Mars hill will be a
living power, when all that is left
of their statues and temples to their
many gods will be ruins. Crushed by
the failure of his masterful effort
Paul tells that he entered Corinth .'in
weakness, and in fear. and in much
trembling"
During his trip from Athens to
Corinth Paul determined. as result
of his reflection upon his failure in
the seat of culture, to preach Jesus
Christ and Him crucified. That de-
ciSion. which was probably made
while sailing on a vessel that would
cover the distance in about five hours
proved to be wise ones 1t was the
message for the voluptuous and wealthy
commercial city, with its heterogeneous
population, that had been attracted
to that center Of trade from all quar-
a share tof its riches and of its luxury.
Before Paul could commence his cam
paign to win the depraved, drunken and
dissolute city for Christ it was neces-
sary for him to find a residence. for
he was without an acquaintance who
would invite him to his home. He had
to find work. for he was without
funds. He needed to have reinforce
ments to do his work. Pauis nature
called for friends who could cheer
and comfort him in his loneliness and
distress.
There was no reception committee
to extend the welcome of the city to
the bent and weary Jew. who felt his
loneliness and WEAKNESS as he en-
tered the strategic commercial center
that would be his headquarters for the
next two years. In their desire for
gold and gayety the crowds paid no
attention to Paul, whose life and labor
during the next few years would in
fuence during the coming ages all
the latest history of the world. The
conference concerning the unemploy-
ed that is now meeting in the nation
capital as we'll as the one called for
next month concerning disarmament
by that struggling tent maker dur
inU hiq SOiOnrn in COrintl.
Providence had prepared for his
coming When Claudius Caesar or
dered that no Jew should be allow
ed to stay in Rome. Aquila and his
wife, Priscilla, were compelled to find
a new home and establish their bust
ness of tent making in some other
community. Moved by the prospects
Of the business openings in Corinth
they and a large number of others
fiocked to that city. In the crisis
of PauTs life he found in Aquila. who
was a native of Pontus. which was
and his wife. Priscilla, friends who
did not hesitate Ito risk their own
lives" for the sake OF the apostle He
found them through the guild OF tent
makers in the Jewish quarter of the
city when he was looking for work
at his trade. We have no record OF
their baptism, 80 1t is quite probable
that they were already Christians
who did not hesitate to welcome their
new employe into their home.
They gave Paul an opportunity to
earn his own living. SO that his min
istry could be free from being
charged with any worldly motive.
Our missionaries are supported by the
churches SO that when they enter the
mission fields they can prove that
they are seeking, as Paul did. to
reach men ald not their money
Aauila and his wife became worthy
and helpful friends in the Masters
labor. Priscilla was remembered
when the first child was born on the
AIayfower. They enabled Paul by
giving him work to boast to the
wealthy Corinthian church, which he
established, that. his ministry had
been one of love for their souls. The
minister is worthy of his hire and
there is no call for any man. except
in some emergency, to depend to-
day upon manual labor for his bread
and butter as Paul did in Corinth
Every minister is entitled and should
receive at least living wage. yet
probably no class of people Is paid
on an average less than the preachers
of the foaDe1