Four members were recently added to the church at Tulare, Cal.
A feature of the late quarterly meeting at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, was the addition of four members to the church.
On the 24th ult. Prof. P. T. Magan and Brother J. E. White were ordained to the Gospel ministry at the tabernacle in Battle Creek, Mich.
A tract society has been organized at Burlington, Iowa. The membership at the organization was eighteen, and Sister Alma Nelson was chosen as librarian.
Elder G. K. Owen and wife have been transferred from the State of Nevada to Napa, Cal. Just prior to leaving Nevada, four persons were baptized at Lawton Springs.
Elder D. T. Bourdeau, who has been laboring among the French-speaking people in the northwestern States, has organized a Sabbath-school of twenty members at Wilson, Mich.
At the camp-meeting held at Eureka, Cal., in July seven persons were baptized one Sunday afternoon in Humboldt Bay. On the closing night of the meeting several others responded to the call for sinners to accept the call of mercy.
Three of our missionaries on the Gold Coast of Africa have been compelled to withdraw on account of the terrible fever that prevails in that region. Elder D. U. Hale has returned to America in order to recuperate his health, with the hope of being able to return; and Brother and Sister Kerr have gone to Cape Town, South Africa.
In connection with the camp-meeting held last month near the city of Winnipeg, fifteen persons were baptized. The services were conducted in both English and German, mainly by Elders A. T. Jones and J. T. Boettcher. The meeting had a good influence in the community, and was a means of great encouragement to the brethren in that region.
Elder W. C. Grainger, missionary in Tokyo, Japan, reports fifty or more Japanese students who come to the mission as they have opportunity to learn about the Christian religion. This work began by one student's coming, then bringing a friend, and so on. With the exception of one, these young men never had read a word in the Bible. Brother Grainger makes the stereotyped missionary call for more help. Who will answer the call, either in person or by donation of means?
We acknowledge receipt of the annual catalog of Graysville (Tenn.) Academy for 1897-98. The academy is now in a prosperous condition, although but three years ago it was entirely closed by the enforcement of the State's intolerant Sunday law. The time for opening the next term of school is fixed for October 13. The course of study is practical, and the terms very reasonable. The catalog is a handsome souvenir, and gives full particulars regarding the school and the requirements of students. Address, Prof. W. T. Bland, principal, Graysville, Tenn.
Elder George B. Thompson, president of West Virginia Conference, gives some good counsel to his people in regard to attending camp-meeting, which should be remembered in other fields as well. We make this extract from the Monitor: “In the days of the children of Israel the Lord bade them assemble in a holy convocation three times in the year, and he gave them the assurance that no man would desire their land when they went to appear before the Lord. Ex. 34: 23, 24. Here the Lord pledged himself to look after their financial interests while they were away from home in their annual convocations. These things are written for our admonition on whom the ends of the world have come. Satan will suggest to us if we go to camp-meeting once in a year that this thing and that will suffer. Brethren and sisters, the end is here, so let us go to camp-meeting and let the Lord look after our affairs while we are gone. He is surely more able than we. Can we not trust him?”
Our good church paper, the Review and Herald, the pioneer of all our periodicals, and, we might say, of all our denominational literature, has this timely hint in a recent supplement: “Despite this melting weather, the SIGNS list runs merrily along at about 40,000. What ought it to do when cooler weather sets in? Rather, what will you do?” Sure enough, “What will you do?” is the gist of the whole matter. This is not merely a general question, it is personal. Our mission as a people is to give the everlasting Gospel to the world, and especially that which pertains to the coming of the Lord and a preparation for the judgment. There is no other means by which you can circulate so much matter on these topics for so little money as through the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Think of this, and decide what you will do. Satan's work goes on in hot weather just as persistently as in cold weather, and why should not the work of the Lord do the same? Satan works through human agency, and so does the Lord. Then should not those who profess to work for the Lord be as devoted to their calling as those who serve the adversary of souls? The hire of those who carry the Gospel will be far greater in the end, and their reward far more enduring.
At a Sabbath-school convention held in Fairfield, Iowa, a paper was read by Mrs. Emma N. Teeter on “Our Need of Consecration,” from which we take the following truthful sentiment, as reported in the Workers' Bulletin: “As the work advances and the end draws near, we know there is no place for half-hearted workers, nor haphazard work; for it will not stand the test of the judgment. If we are devoted to the work God gives us to do, every effort we make to dispel darkness and diffuse light and the knowledge of Christ, causes the heavenly beings to rejoice and sympathize with us in our labor. We can not depend upon human ability, but upon the promised help from above. The Lord needs consecrated workers to gather the souls as sheaves of precious grain for his garner. As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may strengthen it, so let us turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven's light may shine upon us, and our character be developed in the likeness of Christ.”
CHURCH SERVICES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
By Editor
This column of church services, especially in our larger towns and cities, will be printed from time to time as we have room, for the benefit of strangers who may read the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, or brethren passing through. We have found it necessary to condense in the smallest possible space. The word “Sabbath” always refers to the seventh day of the week. These services consist of Sabbath-school, preaching, Bible study, missionary, and prayer-meetings. The first Sabbath service is, with but few exceptions, Sabbath-school. The first address is that of the church, or place of meeting; the second, if given, that of pastor or clerk.
Alameda.—Foresters’ Hall, cor. Santa Clara Ave. and Park St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. and 2:45 P. M. W. C. Chamberlain, Elder.
Atchison, Kan.—Cor. 9th and Santa Fe Sts., German M. E. Church. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Tuesday 7:45 P. M. City Mission, 1124 Atchison St. A. I. Crane, Elder.
Colorado Springs.—311 Boulder Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., and 3 P. M., prayer-meeting Tuesday 7:45 P. M. D. H. Soggs, Elder.
Denver, Colo.—Cor. W. 11th Ave. and S. 11th St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday and Friday 7:45 P. M. Ira A. Haskins, Elder.
East Portland, Ore.—514 East Everett St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A. M. and 7 P. M., Wednesday 7 P. M. G. E. Henton, Elder.
Garden Grove, Cal.—Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 3 P. M. Harriet A. Rainsey, Clerk.
Helena, Mont.—307 N. Warren St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday and Wednesday 7:30 P. M. W. T. Henton, Elder.
Kansas City, Mo.—Cor. 12th and Woodland Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Tuesday 7:45 P. M.
Los Angeles.—145 Carr St., bet. Main and Hill Sts. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A. M., Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 P. M. Belle P. Baker, Clerk, 926 Hill St.
Oakland.—Cor. 12th and Brush Sts. Public services: Sunday at 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M.
Omaha, Neb.—Near cor. N. 25th and Indiana Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 6 and 7:30 P. M., Tuesday and Wednesday evening 7:30 P. M. Also at South Omaha Sabbath at 3 P. M. A. J. Howard Pastor, 941 N. 25th St.
Pasadena.—Cor. of Summit Ave. and Mountain St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A. M. Mrs. H. A. Chapman, Clerk, Station 1, Pasadena, Cal.
Phoenix, Ariz.—Cor. 4th Ave. and Washington St., upstairs. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 10:45 A. M.; Wednesday 7:30 P. M. (Elder, C. D. M. Williams, absent.) Leader, Eugene A. Browne, 306 N. 2d St.
Sacramento.—G St. bet. 18th and 19th Sts. Public services Sunday 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M.
Salt Lake City, Utah.—Room No. 30 East 4th S. St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 7:45 P. M., Wednesday and Saturday 7:45 P. M. J. M. Willoughby, Pastor, 1227 Emerson Ave.
San Diego.—Cor. 18th and G Sts. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. Chas. Sandell, Elder. Hattie Hoff, Clerk, 624 Franklin Ave.
San Francisco.—414 Laguna St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A. M., Thursday 7:30 P. M.
San Jose, Cal.—Church, San Salvador St., near Delmas Ave. Sabbath school 10, Bible study 11 A. M.; missionary meeting Sunday 7 P. M.; prayer-meeting Wednesday 7 P. M. L. M. Hodge, Elder.
St. Joseph, Mo.—Cor. 15th and Locust Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. Mrs. Harriet W. Talbert, Clerk.
St. Louis, Mo.—2055 Sheridan Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A. M., Wednesday 7:45 P. M. Mary S. Yener, Clerk.
St. Paul, Minn.—On Wacouta bet. 8th and 9th. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 7:30 P. M. H. F. Phelps, Pastor, 1634 Carroll St.
Stockton.—Cor. Miner Ave. and Stanislaus St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 2:30 P. M. Henry C. Mathews, Elder.
Tacoma, Wash.—Cor. South 16th and K Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 6 and 7:45 P. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. F. H. Smith, Elder, 1507 South I St.
LITERATURE WANTED.
GEORGE J. LLOYD, 2005 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, Md., desires clean copies of our periodicals and tracts for ship missionary work. Send post-paid.
MRS. V. O. COLE, 7 Shaw Avenue, Memphis, Tenn., asks for late copies of the SIGNS for missionary work in that city. Send post-paid.
L. TROWBRIDGE, 3314 South Twentieth Street, Omaha, Neb., would like to have sent to him, post-paid, back numbers of the SIGNS and Review for use in missionary work.
F. SMOOT, 1934 Second Street, New Orleans, La., desires copies of the SIGNS for missionary work among the colored people in that city. Send post-paid.
CHURCH SERVICES EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Baltimore, Md.—Hollins St., cor. Calverton Road. Public services: Sabbath 10:15 and 11 A. M., missionary and prayer-meeting, Wednesday 8 P. M. S. E. de Bruyn, Clerk.
Birmingham, Ala.—Odd Fellows' Hall, Fox Building. Public services: 2:30 and 3:30 P. M. every Sabbath, Sunday 7:30 P. M. R. D. Hottle, Pastor, 1005 N. 20th St.
Boston, Mass.—694 Washington St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. George B. Wheeler, Pastor.
Bradford, Pa.—Church cor. of East Main and Jerome Ave. Public services: Sabbath 2 P. M. H. T. Morian, Clerk.
Brooklyn, N. Y.—Wurzler's Hall, 315 Washington St. near city post-office. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M.
Camden, N. J.—Wilde Hall, cor. Fifth and Pine Sts. Public services: Sabbath 2, and 3:15 P. M.
Chicago, Ill.—On 46th St. bet. Michigan and Wabash Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A. M. and 12:30 P. M., Sunday 7:15 P. M., Tuesday 7 P. M., and Thursday 7:30 P. M.
Cleveland, Ohio.—249 Cedar Ave., bet. Sterling and Hayward. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. (sun time), Sunday 7:30 P. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. Willard H. Shaw, Pastor.
Detroit, Mich.—424 Trumbull Ave., bet. Perry and Bagg Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 A. M., Sunday 7:30 P. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. O. A. Burrill, Pastor.
Duluth, Minn.—123 First Ave., East. Public services: Sabbath 2 and 3 P. M. John Clark, Elder.
Hartford, Conn.—Room 6, 254 Main St. Sabbath-school at 2, and preaching at 3:15 P. M. O. M. Hatch, Clerk.
Jersey City, N. J.—Second S. D. A. Church. Public services: 49 A South St., Sabbath 2:30 and 3:30, Sunday and Friday 7:45 P. M. A. R. Bell, Elder.
Jersey City, N. J.—Public services: At church, 27 Oak St., Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. Amos Mitchell, Elder.
Louisville, Ky.—Second S. D. A. Church (white) mission room 243 W. Broadway. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday and Wednesday 7:30 P. M. J. W. Collie, Pastor. First S. D. A. Church, Broadway, bet. 8th and 9th Sts. Sabbath-school at 9:30 and preaching at 10:30 A. M. J. R. Buster, Pastor.
Lynn, Mass.—Lee Hall. Public services: Sabbath 11:30 and 2 P. M., Tuesday and Friday 7:30 P. M. A. B. Jernegan, Elder. A. B. Felton, Clerk, 35 Union St.
Nashville, Tenn.—Hall 415 Woodland St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday and Wednesday 7 P. M. Sallie Baird, Clerk, cor. 10th and Woodland Sts.
New Bedford, Mass.—Church at Willow St., west of Cedar. Public services: Sabbath 10:30 A. M. and 12 M. J. B. Hall, Clerk, Box 72, Acushnet, Mass.
New Orleans, La.—Jefferson Hall, cor. Magazine and Philip Sts. Public services: Every Sabbath at 10 and 11:15 A. M. J. E. Evans, Pastor, 6325 Patton St.
Philadelphia, Penn.—Public services at 1724 N. 15th St.: Sabbath 10 (Sabbath-school 11:15) A. M., Sunday 7:45 P. M. E. A. Merrell, Pastor, 1724 N. 15th St.
Pittsburg, Pa.—Hall of Bank Building, cor. 5th Ave. and Stevenson St., entrance on Stevenson. Public services: Sunday 3:00 P. M., Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. J. G. Excell, Pastor, 211 Dinwiddie St.
Portland, Me.—Williams' Hall, Congress St., Sabbath-school 2 P. M., social meeting 3:15 P. M. H. C. Basney, Elder, North Deering.
Providence, R. I.—Olney St. Congregational (Unitarian) Church. Public services: Sabbath 2 and 3 P. M., Friday 7:30 P. M. Wm. H. Warfield, Clerk, 27 Susan St., Providence.
Richmond, Va.—Meetings at 501 North 25th St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. J. P. Neff, Pastor.
Syracuse, N. Y.—100 Harrison Place. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A. M., Sunday 3 and 4:30 P. M., prayer-meeting Wednesday 7:30 P. M. F. H. De Vinney, Clerk, 505 Bear St.
Toronto, Ont.—41 Argyle St. Public services: Sabbath 2:30 and 3:30 P. M., Sunday 7 P. M., prayer-meeting Friday evening 8 P. M. M. C. Guild, Pastor.
Washington, D. C.—On 8th bet. F. and G. Sts., N. E. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A. M., Sunday 7:30 P. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. V. H. Lucas, Pastor, 209 8th Street, N. E.
Wilmington, Del.—Red Men's Hall, 515 Shipley St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 2:30 P. M. Edwin F. Eckel, Clerk.
Worcester, Mass.—118 Austin St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. F. C. Bee, Clerk, No. 6 Furnace St.
FREE TO CHRISTIAN ENDEAVORERS.
A copy of "An Appeal to Christian Endeavorers," by Rev. D. Read, LL.D., pastor First Baptist Church, Los Angeles, will be sent free upon request of any member of the above society. Address Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD
By J. H. Waggoner
ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
THIS is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents.
33 “But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and 34 were minded to slay them. But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while. And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about 36 to do. For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody: to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to naught. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God. And to him they agreed; and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.”
1 “Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the Word of God, and serve tables. Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the Word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch; whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 “And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 “And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
QUESTIONS.
1. Repeat the substance of the words spoken to the Jewish council by the apostles.
2. What effect did this talk have upon the council? What did they plan to do?
3. Who then came forward? What was his standing among them? Before he began to speak about the case, what did he command?
4. When the apostles had been removed, what did he say to the council?
5. What two examples did he cite of men who had started fanatical or seditious movements?
6. What was the result in each case?
7. In view of those things, what was Gamaliel’s advice concerning the apostles? What did he say would become of their work if it was of men?
8. But if it were of God, then what would opposition avail? Against whom would opposers be fighting?
9. What did the council think of Gamaliel’s advice? Nevertheless, what did their rage impel them to do? What did they again command the apostles?
10. With what spirit did the apostles leave the judgment-hall?
11. How did they regard the injunction of the council?
12. What was the natural result of such zealous and faithful witnessing? What took place when the multitude of believers became very great? What was the cause of the complaint?
13. What did the twelve then say of their own work?
14. What measure did the apostles propose in order to relieve them of the burden of looking after financial matters? What kind of men did they say should be chosen to attend to the business?
15. What did the apostles say that they themselves would do?
16. How did this proposal strike the brethren? Whom did they choose?
17. How were they set apart? What followed this division of labor? From what class of people were many converts made?
18. Who seemed to be the most prominent among the seven men who had been chosen by the church? What did he do besides attending to the distribution of funds?
19. Who set themselves against his work?
20. What could they not do?
21. When they could accomplish nothing by argument, what did they do?
22. Having stirred up a feeling among the people, what charge was brought against Stephen before the council?
23. What did they declare they had heard him say?
24. What effect did these violent proceedings have upon Stephen’s peace of mind?
NOTE.
It is a point worthy of note that these seven men were not appointed to raise money, but to distribute it. When the believers are all of one heart and soul, being filled with the Holy Ghost, and are bearing their testimony with the power of the Spirit, the question is not how means shall be obtained, but how to distribute the abundance that flows in. Notice also that the men who have to do with the financial part of the work of the Lord, need to have as much of the Holy Ghost as those who preach the Word.
The Sunday School
International Series.
LESSON IX.—SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 1897.
PAUL OPPOSED AT EPHESUS.
NOTE.—In returning again to the history in Acts, we should trace Paul’s journey on the map, both his return to Jerusalem and his outward journey through Asia Minor to the city of Ephesus. Learn the main incidents of the period, which extend over more than three years, locating each on the map. This will give more life and reality to the study. The lesson section includes the latter part of the second missionary journey, the visit to Jerusalem, and the most of the third journey, as well as the epistle to the Ephesians. This entire missionary journey extended over four years, A.D. 54 to 58. Paul’s companions at Ephesus were Timothy, Titus, Stephanas, Fortunatus, Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla, Chloe, Gaius, Aristarchus, and Achaicus. Read Acts 18:18 to 20:3, and commit verses 24–26 of chapter 19.
21 “Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen; 25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. 26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands; 27 so that not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth. 28 And when they heard this, they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. 30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him, and besought him not to adventure himself into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people. 34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.”
Golden Text.—“Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness.”Luke 12:15, R. V.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What purpose did Paul have in mind as recorded in the beginning of this lesson? Verse 21. Note 1. (2) After visiting Jerusalem what further purpose had he? Same verse. (3) Into what country did he send two of his helpers? Verse 22. (4) What did he himself do? Same verse. (5) What commotion arose at that time? Verse 23. Note 2. (6) Who is particularly named in connection with this controversy? Verse 24. (7) What was his occupation? Same verse. (8) What was he particularly engaged in manufacturing? Same verse. Note 3. (9) What is said of the profit from this occupation? Same verse. (10) What was this silversmith’s first step in opposing Paul? Verse 25. (11) What did he say of the occupation in which they were engaged? Same verse. (12) What did he say of the extent of the work which had caused their meeting? Verse 26. (13) What did he say Paul had done? Same verse. (14) What was Paul’s teaching in regard to the product of their craft? Same verse. (15) With what danger did this threaten them? Verse 27. (16) What further danger did they fear? Same verse. (17) What did he say of her worship? Same verse. Note 4. (18) How were the people affected by this appeal? Verse 28. (19) What did they do? Same verse. (20) How extensive did this uproar become? Verse 29. (21) What further action was taken by the excited populace? Same verse. Note 5. (22) What did Paul purpose to do? Verse 30. (23) How was he prevented from carrying out his design? Verses 30, 31. Note 6. (24) What characteristics of mob violence are mentioned in verse 32? (25) Lest they should be reckoned with the Christians in causing this disturbance, what did the Jews do? Verse 33. (26) What effect did Alexander’s attempted defense of the Jews have upon the people? Verse 34.
NOTES.
1. After these things.—The things referred to are the baptism of the disciples who had not heretofore been baptized in the name of Jesus; the reception of the Holy Ghost by these disciples; Paul’s teaching in the school of Tyrannus; miracles wrought by the hand of Paul in the cure of the sick; the vain attempt of the Jewish exorcists to use the name of Jesus in casting out spirits; and the burning of the books of magic by the converts to Christianity.
2. The Way.—That is Christ, the Way of Life. Christ had said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. The proclamation of this truth dethroned the idols in the hearts of the people. Therefore the “stir” which Paul’s teachings occasioned.
3. Made silver shrines of Diana.—“Small models of the temple of Diana, containing an image of the goddess. They were purchased by pilgrims to the temple, just as rosaries and images of the Virgin are bought by pilgrims to Lourdes, or bronze models of Trajan’s column or of the Colonne Vendome by tourists to Rome or Paris.”—M. R. Vincent. “They were often set up in their homes on their return as objects of worship, and were not unfrequently of such a size as could be carried about upon the person, and were looked on in the latter case as charms or amulets which had the power to avert diseases and other dangers from the bearers.”—Schaff.
4. The great goddess Diana.—The temple of this goddess which then existed in Ephesus was one of the wonders of the world. The image was regarded as of peculiar sanctity, and was believed to have fallen down from Jupiter. It was said that the sun saw nothing in his course more magnificent than this great temple. Standing at the head of the harbor, the glittering structure was the first thing which met the mariner’s gaze. It was four hundred and twenty-five feet long and two hundred and twenty broad. Its marble columns were sixty feet high, and thirty-six of them were magnificently carved. Its porticoes contained in all one hundred and twenty-seven columns, each one the gift of a king. The halls were adorned with wonderful statuary and paintings. The Ephesian goddess Diana is not to be identified with the Grecian goddess Artemis, although the later Greeks had clothed her with some of the same attributes. Her worship was nature worship, accompanied with detestable and lascivious dances, in which her devotees “strove,” says Farrar, “to madden the multitude into sympathy with that orgiastic worship which was but too closely connected with the vilest debaucheries.” It was a part of the great system of sun-worship.
5. Gaius and Aristarchus.—Lewin says that “the mob of Ephesus made for the house of Aquila, with whom Paul was lodging.” But not finding their prey, they “seized on Gaius and Aristarchus, two of Paul’s associates, and dragged them away as criminals.” Aristarchus is again mentioned in connection with Paul’s journey to Rome. The theater to which they were taken was capable of holding 50,000 people. This place was used for dramatic representations, gladiatorial contests in which men fought either with men or beasts, and for meetings of citizens on extraordinary occasions.
6. Certain also of the chief officers of Asia.—“The Asiarchs, or high priests, of Asia, were heads of the imperial, political-religious organization of the province.” They were wealthy men, into whose hands were given the preparations for the feasts and gladiatorial contests in the theater. When executing their official functions they were arrayed in purple and crowned with garlands.
CHRIST AND THE SABBATH
Or Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New, by Elder James White. Paper covers, fifty-six pages, sent post-paid for ten cents.
