Cleveland County herald., 1921-08-25
IMPROVED UklFORM INTERNATIONAL Sll1nldaySchool ] 7 Lesson v (By REV. r. B. FITZWATER, D. D., Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)
 co, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR AUGUST 28
FROM ASIA TO EUROPE.

LESSON TEXT-Acts 16:6-1S.
 GOLDEN TEXT-And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.-Acts 16:9l | REFERENCE MATERIAL-Rem, 15:15- 21
 PRIMARY YOPIC-A Wonderful Dream. JUNIOR TOPIC-PauI Crosses Over Into to Europe
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC Beginning Work on New Continent. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC Paul Carries the Gospel to Europe.
 ]. Forbidden by the Holy Spirit to Preach the Word (vv. 6-S).
 We have here a lesson on divine guidance. The inclination of Paul and his companions was to tarry in the provinces of Asia preaching the word, but contrary to their inclination they were hurried along They might have reasoned What difference would 1t make as to where we preach, just so the Gospel is preached?" Though seemingly small, the question as to l whether the Gospel should be preached among the people in the East or in the West has determined the entire history of the church. Had they preached among the people in the East, Christianity would never have become worldwide On the other hand, by laying hold upon the Grecian intellect and combining with it the push and energy of the Romans, it became worldwide. In the guidance of the Spirit we find Him just as ac- tive and as faithful in closing doors as in opening them. "The stops as well as the steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord" We ought to as truly recognize Gods hand in the ''shut-ins" as well as in the "open- outs"
 II. Called to Macedonia (yv 9-12).
 A vision was given to Paul of man from Macedonia pleading for help. This was the solution of the mystery of closed doors about them. There is negative and positive side to the Spirits guidance. If we will note both we shall be able to determine with surety the proper course of ac- tion. In order to be led alright we must be sure that we are willing to be led pray definitely for leading and then render willing obedience as fast as the light comes. As soon as the divine way was known they rendered immediate obedience.
 III. The First Convert in Europe (vv. 13-15).
 The missionaries went to Philippi. The Jewish element in this city was Eery insignificant; so much so that they could not afford a synagogue therefore the devout people were ac- eustomed to worship at the river side. To this humble gathering Paul came and preached to the women gathered there. A certain woman from Thy atira believed his message. and was baptized. Lydia was a woman of wealth, culture and wide experience, and yet she had need of Christ The steps in Lydias conversion are worthy of note:
 1. Attendance at the place of prayer (v. 13). This is the case with most people who are saved.
 2. Listened to the preaching of the worG of God (vv 1414. The instru- ment used by the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners is the word of God. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:1O.
 8. Her heart was opened by the Lord tv. 14). Regeneration is su- pernatural work. When the Gospel is preached the Spirit of God makes it living and active, opening the sin ner's heart for the reception of Christ
 4. She was baptized (v. 15). It is natural for the one who believes in Christ to desire to be baptized.
 5. Her household also believed (v. 15). Thus we see that hers was a typical conversion.
 ". A, Spirit of Divination Cast Out (vv. 16-1S).
 As the missionaries went out from day to day to the place of prayer they were accosted by a young woman pos sessed by a spirit of divination She was owned by syndicate of men who derived large gains from her sooth- saying. This act of the woman be- came d great annoyance to Paul whe, in the name of Jesus Christ. com handed the evil spirit to come out. Here is case of a spiritual medium. a fortune-teller, being freed from de monacal possession. Many men to- day are making money by the degra- dation of womanhood, and they resent all efforts to destroy their internal business, even try to destroy those who interefere with their business. Here as everywhere Satan blocks the way as the Gospel of Christ is car ried into new fields, but the Lord is again triumphant.