The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-11-11
Acts 16:9-15, 25-31.


After completing the first mis-
sionary journey Paul and Barna-
has went up to Jerusalem, where,
as we have seen. the burning
mission problem was solved as to
admitting Gentilos to church
membership. Returning to Anti
och in. Syria, the two leaders
separated each taking a helper
and Paul beginning his second
missionary journey. revisited the
missions in Asia Minor. Proceed
ing westward, attended by Silas
and from Lystra onward by Tim
othy, Paul went on contrary to
plan but under impulse of the
spirit to the seaport city of
Troas. Here Luke joined the
party and the Macedonian sum-
moncd them to Europe. They re-
sponded at once and so planted
at Philippi about so A. D. the
first church on that continent.
THE CALL TO EUROPE
The Man Of Macedonia beckon-
ed to the southern shore of Euro
pc. At Troas Paul had the good
fortune to add another valuable
member to his missionary party.
1t may have been without prear-
rangement. or, more likely, at the
request of Paul, who was possibly
still emaciated from his sickness
in Galatia, that Luke, the be-
loved physician, became hence
forth the attendant, associate,
and chronicler of the Great
Apostle. But the question Of
questions before Paul at Troas
was not long kept in suspense.
Before him at night in vision
there stood Macedonian be-
seeching him to come to that
country. Thus the path OF duty
was divinely made clear and Paul
determined to pursue it without
a moments delay. Taking the
first boat. Paul and his party
sailed with favoring breeze to
the island of Samothrace. which
they reached in day and there
anchored for the night. The next
day they reached the city Of
Neapolis, which was an import
ant harbor on the Macedonian
coast. Leaving there, they set
foot for the first time on the soil
of Europe. A journey of 10
miles inland Though they might
have sailed up the Gangas river
brought the missionaries to the
city of Philippi, which as Ro-
man colony was not only mill
tary center, but also in its gov
eminent a miniature of the I'M
perial City.
THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA
The merchantwoman of Philippi
was the first fruit of the gospel
in Europe. Though the Jews
were not numerous enough in
Philippi to have synagogue
there, a place of prayer by the
riverside beyond the city limits
wa smaintained, principally by a
few devout women. Thither the
missionaries went on the sabbath
and seized the opportunity to
preach the gospel. One of the
listeners was Lydia, dealer in
dyed goods which were doubtless
imported from her native city OF
Thyatira. The words of Paul
went straight to her heart which
the Lord opened: she believed
and thus became the first con.
vert in Europe: and she showed
her faith by being baptized. by
leading her household to believe
and be baptized, and by con-
straing the missionaries to be her
guests. Thus the Philppiar
: church was founded.
THE CONVERSION OF
THE TAILOR
The Philippian jailor and his
household were converted and
baptized after a season of pray
er, praise and power on the part
of the imprisoned missionaries
Though rudely scourged and shut
in a stenchful dungeon with their
wounds undressed and their
wrenched legs in the torturing
stocks, Paul and Silas were moi
detected. They prayed so fervent-
ly and effectually that their
prayers rose to and burst forth
in trusting, joyous song, attract
ing the attention of the cher
prisoners. Then came the MIRA
culous earthquake, moving the
prison foundations, throwing
open every door of the building
and shaking the shackles IRON
the person of every prisoner,
Aroused from slumber and see
ing the prison doors all open, the
TAILOR drew his sword to kill HIM,
self since he knew his life woulc1
be forfeited by the escape OF
the prisoners intrusted to MS
keeping. But Paul prevented the
jailor's suicide by declaring every
prisoner in his place. Then came
the transition from mental alarm
to spiritual conviction. The mar
who was on the verge of self
murder is now seeking salvation
The TAILOR called for a light
sprang into the prison, Eel
trembling before the missionaries
brought them out from the inner
cell to the prison court, and IN,
uuired what he must do to DC
saved. The answer OF Paul ano
Silas to his awakened, inqulrlng
soul is q classic and moael
land they at once followed up the
terse requirement of faith IN
Christ by explaining further the
word of the Lord to the entire;
household. That they all believed
in Christ is evident: for they
washed and Modified the stripes
made by the cruel scourge, they
- -s..al;ntol.r hantizad in the