Evening star., 1925-08-22
Sunday School Lesson.

peal was an acknowledgment that
Roman authority, law, government,
the strength and pride of human cit-
zenship, which in some respects is
mans model today, was not sufflcient
to satisfy the human soul. 1t was
cry of the world that had gone as far
as 1t could go In it's own strength
and along the pathway of it's own ee-
MUS and that longed for deliverance.
Paul knew that the gospel of Christ
provided for It's redemption and that
it was the only way that salvation
could be found. The cry for help de-
manded immediate assistance. Rec
ogniZing that the call was a divine
summons to enter Europe. he started
as soon as possible for Macedonia.
Starting Christianity in Europe.
The vessel that carried Paul across
the Hellespont differed from that of
the same place where the apostle
embarked the next day for Neapolis,
modern Kavala the seaport of
PhilApi. 1t took them two days TO
make the 140 miles which separated
the two Roman provinces, which
were located III different continents,
yet were closely united by common
language and character and con-
nceted with each other by the path
way of the sea. Arriving at Kavala
then called Neapolis (the seaport that
has felt the bitterness of the Balkan
Wars and was again placed on the
map by the heroic efforts of the
British at the mouth of the Darda-
nelles during the World VAR, Paul
followed his missionary program of
striking at the centers of population
by proceeding to Phillip, where he
| commenced the planting of Christian
ity in Europe.
mo crossing ever made in the his
tory Of the world was more momen-
tous and significant than this cross
! ing Of the Aegean Sea at this narrow
point. 1t meant that the gospel had
begun it's glorious course of con-
| quest of the whole world and that the
| Church of Christ was to know no limi-
| tations of race or cline in its demo
| cratic service of making the reign of
| Christ universal" Civilization was
carried to Europe In that little boat.
That journey is linked up with all the
missionary work of the centuries. 1t
was to be followed by journeys
to Rome, Gaul and Germany. 1t meant
that "the uttermost part" had found
expression that would reach the
| British Isles, cross the Atlantic to
America, and then still on until the
| last man would be reached with the
gospel of Christ.
| A Woman the First Convert.
/ During the days Paul was in the
/ city, making a survey of it's religious
life, he stopped without doubt at the
home secured for him by Luke, who
betrays his loyalty to his home city
by calling 1t 'the chief city of Mace
oil Of ttc a l.
though Amphipolis held that rank at
the time. Phillip was growing rap
IDLY and in time became the chief city
of Macedonia. Paul learned in his In
vestigations that the Jews were not
numerous and were without a syn
agogue. They had an open air meet
ing place of worship near the river.
There, on his first Saturday in
Europe, Paul preached Christ to a
few women who met there for
worship.
Among the number was an aggreS-
sive and active business woman, who
had opened a successful dye-house
in Phillipi. Lydia was native of
Thyatra. a city noted for it's excel
lent purple dyes. This prosperous
woman had accepted the teachings of
| Judaism and was a devout worship
er Of Jehova. In that informal
meeting Paul won her as his first con-
vert, because she was eager to do the
will of God, and through the leader
ship of the Holy Spirit her heart
was opened to receive the message.
| Without the grace of the Comforter
his effort would have failed. AL
though she may have been brought
to Phillip as a slave, she was
woman of wealth and influence. After
this first convert had accepted Christ
Ioy h1n In, OH fn q
divine command, she opened her
home, which had become thoroughly
Christian through the conversion OF
every member of her household, to
the apostle. Moved by her generous
spirit, Paul broke his rule, gave uE
his lodging and became her guest
Her home formed the nucleus of the
first Christian church in Europe, that
Paul claimed was his joy and crown
Although the beginning was small
| Paul had opened up a work that
would win from future historians fol
the apostle the recognition of being
the molder of empires and the
pioneer of Christian civilization and
democracy. He responded to the cal
for help, as every follower of Christ
ought to do today. The work of con
quering Europe for our Lord 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 who refused to practice
His teachings. Ten years have passed
and men have forgotten it's lessons
The winning of the peace has beer
hindered by the cruel, grasping ant
selfish ideals found in government:
and people. II we are to preserve
peace and promote the civilization
that Paul introduced into Europe
then the Christians of America mus
respond to the Macedonian cry of tn,
world by giving them the gospel o.
| the Christ