Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-07
Sunday School Lesson
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

the devil hiding himself in the mean
ness and antagonism of men to the
truth was met here by the sick and
those possessed of demons being cured
by the carrying of the headpiece and
apron, that the apostle used in his work
as a tentmaker, to the afflicted ones,
who were healed by touching these gar
ments of the apostle. Strolling exorcists,
who tried to use the name of Jesus,
whom Paul preached" in their efforts
to make cures were exposed by the
demons themselves in such a manner
that the apostles prestige was increased
among the people.
The attack of the demons upon the
sons of Sceva resulted in widespread
terror. and they began to hold the name
of the Lord Jesus in high honor" A
revival broke out, which resulted in a
continuous coming out from the world
Of men and women who had accepted
Christ as their Savior They burned the
books Of magic upon which they had
counted for help, just as converted
pagans today burn up their idols. Tney
destroyed in the flames these bo1ks of
sorcery, magic and fortune telling, val
ued at about $9,375. according 70 Mead,
at one time.
Perils of Success.
Pauls success resulted in arousing the
opposition Of the vested interests. who
depended upon funds received through
the sale of the small Shrines for their
income. Demetricus, a silversmith
started riot by adroitly pointing ont
that the apostles gospel was resulting
in people treating the temple of the
goddess Diana with contempt. When
succeeded in starting riot by pleading
with the people in connection with a
great feast because they believed that
there was really danger that the wor-
ship of Diana would be deposed as a
result Of Paul's preaching and teaching
It was not Demetricus' love of Diana so
much as 1t was his excessive love of
money that started the riot and mob
Much of the evil in the world exists to-
day because some persons are making
money out of that form of iniQuity
It required the appeal to reason, made
by the public official called the town
clerk. to quiet the mob. His candid
argument and judicious tact" revealed a
sympathy for Paul He told them that
they were shouting themselves hoarse
in the face of the fact that the Chris
tian leaders had not performed any il
legal acts. If any one had suffered he
pointed out that 1t was Demetricus, who
should have taken his case to the courts,
serious situation. Tactfully he suggest
ed to the mob that If they were aroused
by any grievance that it should be
brought before q legal assembly that
had authority to act. The mob was not
only not legal. but their uproar had
placed their liberty, conferred by Rome,
In serious danger of being taken from
them. This resulted in his being able
to dismiss the mob. Demetricus had
lost. The city rulers had helped to thor
oughly establish Christianity in Ephesus,
with the result that so years later Pliny,
writing to Trajan. said that the gold
smiths fires have died out, dust lies
thick upon the affairs of Diana and the
Christ Of Paul has triumphed."
Just as through the appeal to reason
the riotous attitude of the people, who
had been aroused by the attack of vest
ed interests upon the ministry of Paul,
was Quoted and peace restored, SO the
nations Of the earth through arbitration
and the cultivation Of the spirit of
brotherhood based upon love for the
Lord Jesus and His kingdom can de-
stroy the desire for war and substitute
the spirit Of peace with prosperity and
progress. Unless we succeed in eradi-
eating from the nations of the earth
the view that might makes right" and
substitute justice, equality and frater-
nifty, civilization Is In danger If Amer
lea Is to do that we must possess the
life Of purity that Paul urged upon the
followers Of the Lord in EpheSus to DOS
sesS. Let us have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works Of darkness, but
ratner even reprove them"