The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-18
BY VIM. E. GILROY, D. d.
Editor of The CongregationaIist

EDITOR OF Inc
THE Macedonian call has become
i a symbol of appeal in urgent
need; and this, as well as the dra-
matte occasion of the introduction
of Christianity into Europe, has
given a particular significance to
this lesson.
AS yet, Pauls ministry had been
entirely in Asia. Starting out from
Antioch, he had travelled extensively
through Asia Minor preaching the
gospel and establishing churches.
After the first journey of this sort
had been accomplished and Paul
had returned to Antioch in Syria,
the impulse to visit again the places
where he had preached the gospel
and to confirm the new disciples in
the faith led to his second mission
airy journey.
Went With Silas
1 On the first missionary journey
he had been accompanied by Barna
pas, but when the second mission
airy journey was proposed he and
Barnabas could not agree ABOUT the
taking with them of John Marx
Who, it seems, had left them dur
ing the first missionary journey un-
! der conditions which had incurred
Paul's censure. Whether or not
John Mark was to blame in the
matter we do not know. 1t seems
rather doubtful, because Barnabas
defended him. and John Mark has
spoken for himself so far as his
general ability and outlook are con-
cerned in the gospel that bears his
name-the gospel of Mark. The
contention between Paul and Barn.
abas over the matter. however, be-
came so sharp that Paul separated
from Barnabas and took, as his
companion on this second mission
airy journey, Silas.
Paul and Silas had Travelled
! through Asia Minor to its western
coast as far as Troas, on the Aegean
Sea, where a narrow waterway sep
arated them from Europe. Troas
was located about twenty miles
from the Dardanel1es and was near
the site of ancient Troy. Here Paul
had a remarkable dream. Possibly
the sense of nearness to Europe may
have been unduly emphasized in
Paul's mind. We know how he was
constantly reaching out in his adj
venturous way for any sense of con-
quest in the Gospel. 1t is possible
that this influence. consciously OF
unconsciously affecting him, may
have had to do with his dream OF
or vision in the night.
At any rate, he saw a man oil
Macedonia standing and urging
him with the words, Come ovel
into Macedonia and help US" Sen
sitive in every way to spiritual i'm
pressions and appeals, and with
such a call quickening to response
in Pauls adventurous spirit, there
was no doubt about the issue.
Paul Immediately laid his plans
to go into Macedonia. and in a cou-
pie of days was at its chief city
Philippi-a city named after Philip
of Macedonia, the father of Alex
ander the Great. Here he met a
company Of Jewish people who were
accustomed to meet for worship in
an open place by the river side
Here at once Paul found a very
notable convert in Lydia. "a seller
of purple" that is. a dealer in dyed
goods. who probably was fairly we'll
to do in a business way.
She not only became a disciple
but opened her home to Paul. mani
/ Testing that type of hospitality
which has been so powerful a factor
in the spread of the Gospel.
Philippi was to be the scene OF
tragic and memorable experiences
in the lives of Paul and Silas. The