Christians; they had broken into no temples, nor used abusive language of the goddess, ver. 37. If there were a private quarrel between Demetrius and the Christians, the assizes were even then being held, (see Margin,) and the Imperial representatives (deputies or proconsuls) were on the judgment-seat, ver. 38. If some public question were involved, the law made provision for the calling of an assembly for its consideration, ver. 39. Meanwhile, an offence had been committed which the Imperial power treated with great severity,- a breach of the public peace,

ver. 40.

REFLECTIONS.-1. See the baseness of self-interest. The Gospel of Paul could not win hearts devoted only to gain.

2. Note the degrading influence of idolatry. Whatever philosophers may have said about an inner and spiritual meaning of idolatry, the common people believed and worshipped gods made with hands.

3. "One sinner destroyeth much good." 4. Religion elevates friendship and conciliates respect,-see the devotedness of Aquila and Priscilla, and the courtesy of the Asiarchs.

5. Go not with a "multitude to do evil."

QUESTIONS.-Who commenced this city riot? Who assisted him? Where did the crowd rush? How was Paul saved? What action did the Jews take? How was it frustrated? By whom was the riot quelled? What argumentsdid he use?

INTRODUCTION. Much preparation will be required in filling up the narrative in the first six verses. The references to the Epistles should be consulted, and before sitting down to teach, the teacher should have the Apostle's movements distinctly inscribed on his mind. The voyage in ver. 1316, can scarcely be made intelligible without a map or sketch.

A RAPID JOURNEY.-V. 1-5. We must now take a peep into the house of Aquila and Priscilla, and note a few things which went on there, and led ultimately to the return of the Apostle to Greece. First, Timothy and Erastus had been sent away to Corinth, round by Macedonia, and whilst these two brethren were on the way, a party of Christians had sailed from Corinth and joined the Apostle at Ephesus; amongst them Apollos, 1 Cor. xvi. 12, 17. These messengers had brought very bad news; wickedness and strife had broken out in the Church at Corinth. So Paul sat down to write a letter to them, the First Epistle to the Corinthians. This he sent by Titus, and in it stated that he would shortly visit Corinth, but would come round by Macedonia; thus affording the Corinthians time for repentance, 1 Cor. xvi. 5. So now when he must leave Ephesus, he turns to his old route, through Troas to Philippi. With what feelings he commenced his journey, he tells us himself, 2 Cor. i. 8-11. When he reached Troas, he began the Lord's

work again; yet Titus came not: matters at Corinth must have become worse; the anxiety became unbearable, so he started for Philippi in the hope of meeting Titus on the road, 2 Cor. ii. 12-14. The Church there had grown meanwhile, but persecution had not ceased, 2 Cor. vii. 5. At length Titus, Trophimus, and perhaps Timothy, arrived, and brought tidings which lifted a burden from the Apostle's mind, 2 Cor. vii. 6-16. We may be sure that the Apostle would re-visit the scenes of his former labours, Thessalonica and Berea, (ver. 4,) and perhaps at this time he extended his labours to the other side of the country. During this visitation of the Churches, he collected alms for the poor saints at Jerusalem, Gal. ii. 10; 2 Cor. viii. 12— 14; ix. 6, 7. He also addressed a second letter to the Corinthian Church, and sent it forward by Titus, Trophimus, and probably Luke, 2 Cor. viii. 18, and in ver. 5: the first person is again used in the narrative. After a while, Paul followed, and spent three months at Corinth. Here he formed the design of sailing direct to Syria, but gaining information concerning a plot against him, somehow or other connected with the voyage, he changed his plans, and taking Luke and some others with him, he returned to Philippi. brethren mentioned in ver. 4 sailed direct to Troas, having been appointed by their several Churches to convey their contributions.

The

AFTERNOON

-an

DEATH AND LIFE AT TROAS.-V. 6— 12.-The first day of the week,indication that already the day of the resurrection of Jesus, the Lord's Day, had taken the place of the Jewish Sabbath amongst the Christians, Rev. i. 10. To break bread,-to partake of the Lord's Supper, and probably the Love-feast, which, in the early Church, accompanied it. Paul preached unto them, not necessarily one long, connected discourse, but explanations in answer to questions, combined with teaching and exhortation. Many lights in the upper chamber,-implying that the room was crowded and oppressive; the casements or shutters of the windows having been thrown open for ventilation. A certain young man,unaccustomed to so late an hour, and exhausted by the close atmosphere. Fell on him, and embracing him,gestures indicating intense compassion, and no doubt accompanied by prayer. Paul's earnestness drew pity from the skies, and the young man was restored.

THE ISLES OF GREECE.-V. 13-16. The vessel was a small coaster carrying goods from port to port of the Asiatic sea-board. Its course would be winding and slow, threading the many islands which dotted the sea with beauty. But.. the voyagers had other thoughts than those which spring from the search for the beautiful. Sailed unto Assos, -to reach which a promontory must be rounded. Paul stayed a little longer with the disciples at Troas, and then crossed to Assos overland, a distance of twenty-five miles. Mitylene was a town on the island of Lesbos. The next day found them still "hugging"

the coast opposite the island of Chios; on the third day they passed the island of Samos, and came to an anchorage off the island of Trogyllium. What must have been Paul's feelings when sailing in front of Ephesus, probably in sight of it! But Paul "had determined to sail by Ephesus;" he was afraid of losing his vessel, and thus failing to reach Jerusalem. Early on the fourth day the little coaster rounded the promontory, also called Trogyllium, and dropped anchor in the bay of Miletus.

REFLECTIONS.-This Lesson is concerned with the activities of an Apostle. Not likely that such a lot will be ours. Is there, then, nothing we can imitate? Yes, in the man. What he was, we may learn from the letters written during this year of travel. These

were four suppose we take from each one principle which may help us to understand Paul, and also to be something like him.

1. Courage; to dare, to do, and to suffer in doing the right.-What he exhorted others to, he did himself, 1 Cor. xvi. 13.

2. Trust in the wisdom and power of God's providence, 2 Cor. i. 10.

3. The patience of hope, Gal. vi. 9.

4. Gentle and loving courtesy.-See the numerous salutations in Rom. xvi.

QUESTIONS.-Who had been sent to Corinth from Ephesus? Why did Paul write his First Epistle to the Corinthians? Who took it? What depressed him at Troas? Upon what work of charity was he engaged whilst in Greece? How long did he stay at Corinth? Who accompanied him from Greece? why? What happened on his return to Troas? What Epistles were written during this time?

INTRODUCTION.-We saw in our last Lesson that the vessel in which Paul sailed left Troas on the Monday morning, and on the fourth day, that is, Thursday, it reached Miletus, and on that day the messenger was despatched to Ephesus to summon the elders of the Church. The distance was thirty-six miles, so the elders could scarcely reach Miletus before Saturday, and it is very probable that St. Paul's impressive charge to them was delivered on the Sunday. That charge is not only valuable as an Apostolic deliverance on

doctrine and duty, but as an exhibition of character. As the light through a window suddenly opened shows every piece of furniture in a room, so these words of strong personal feeling open the very heart of St. Paul. So let us turn this Lesson into

A STUDY OF ST. PAUL.

I. HE WAS A GODLY MAN.-The doctrines he preached were woven into his own experience, ver. 21. He was ever living by faith in Jesus, Gal. ii.

20. So it was easy for him, everywhere and amongst all people, to speak of repentance and faith. What did he say to the Philippian gaoler? Acts xvi. 31. To the sages of Athens? Acts xvii. 30. In the synagogue at Ephesus? Acts xviii. 5. He that would build a worthy character, must have these two corner stones, repentance and faith.

II. HE WAS A DEVOUT MAN.-What he now did for these Ephesian elders he did habitually for himself, ver. 32. He commended himself to God in prayer, and nourished his soul upon "the word of His grace," furnished to him by those who were eye-witnesses of the Saviour's life and resurrection, or by Divine thought furnished to him by the Spirit of inspiration. Both these sources of growth are open to us. The Throne of Grace is as accessible to a child as to an Apostle. The finished Word is in our hands. Divine blessing keeps the virtues fresh, as the dew the flowers. Divine teaching enlarges and ripens virtue, as the sap the fruit.

III. HE WAS A TRANSPARENT MAN.— Read ver. 18. Shaded windows conceal, will not let people know what is or what goes on behind. Paul kept back nothing in his teaching, ver. 20, 26, 27; opened the window and let in the light upon his conduct, ver. 33. The human mind is naturally prone to concealment; the customs of society and greed of money strengthen this tendency. But in the sight of God, "a conscience void of offence" is the true excellence. Jesus still loves Nathanaels, John i. 47.

IV. HE WAS A BRAVE MAN.-Read ver. 19, with 2 Cor. xi. 24-27. The sufferings referred to in the last passage he had already endured when this address was delivered. So much for the past. What about the present? ver. 22, 23. He felt himself a man appointed to suffering, Acts ix. 16; 1 Thess. iii. 3. "But none of these things move me." With this mention of the "course,' read Heb. xii. 1. Paul had got far on in the race; was looking to Jesus; would not be robbed of the prize, a place at the right hand of God. If we would know more of the secret of this courage, let us consult the letters which he had recently written, in which he gave free utter

ance to his emotions, Rom. viii. 35, 37; 2 Cor. iv. 16. How easy are our circumstances in comparison with those of Paul! but they will be hard enough to overcome us and arrest our course, unless we habitually draw strength from the same source as Paul, -the love of Christ, the daily renewal.

He

V. HE WAS A TENDER MAN.-A man who felt danger, was sensitive to suffering, sympathetic in sorrow. was a brave man, yet could weep, ver. 19, 31, with 2 Cor. ii. 4. So, like his Master, Luke xix. 41. Is not this beautiful? So strong, yet so tender!

VI. HE WAS AN INDEPENDENT MAN.— V. 33-35. We remember his working with his own hands at Thessalonica, 1 Thess. ii. 9; 2 Thess. iii. 8; and at Corinth, Acts xviii. 3. We now learn that the profits of his toil helped to support his colleagues as well as himself, probably because they were ignorant of any handicraft, or had not strength (Timothy, for instance) for such toil. Why this? Had he no right to his sustenance? Yes; but for the sake of freedom he did this, 1 Cor. ix. 11, 12; 2 Cor. xi. 9; for example's sake; and because only so could true charity have means. Work hard and be free; get by work, and give.

VII. HE WAS A LOVING AND LOVEABLE MAN.-Evidenced by his patient toil, ver. 31; and the scene with which this narrative winds up, ver. 36-38. See these weeping men! How hard to part with a form so dear to their affections! hence these embraces. But sorrow must bridle itself; the wind is favourable; the vessel shakes out her sails; so the group pass from the town to the anchorage; the parting is bitter, (notice, "we had gotten from them,' in ch. xxi. 1; that is, torn ourselves away,) the Apostle and his companions are on board, and the elders turn with melancholy hearts to their journey homewards, thinking of that face upon which they shall gaze no

more.

QUESTIONS. On what day did Paul reach Miletus? When would the Ephesian elders arrive? State how Paul's address to them exhibits his godliness and devoutness. How is his courage exhibited? What do you mean by transparency of character? How was this seen in Paul? Independence? What scene occurred at the farewell? What did this show?

SEPTEMBER 6." DOEG THE DAVID AT MIZPEH AND HARETH.V. 3-5. Where did our last Lesson leave David ? Once again he flees from his native land; not this time for his own sake, but to place his parents in security. The aged couple could not well bear David's life of hardship and wandering; it pained him that they should be in continual danger from Saul. Ruth the Moabitess was their ancestress; the memory of this might induce the King of Moab to protect them. He accepted the charge, and Jesse and his wife dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold,- -"hold" means a fortified cave. Probably David's parents remained in Moab so long as their son was obliged to hide himself in any such refuge. They are never mentioned again in the sacred history. David was not permitted to stay in Mizpeh; the prophet Gad bade him return to Judah. God could guard him there. Exile might alienate the affections of the people from him. Hareth lay to the south-west of Jerusalem; its exact situation is unknown. Mark,—

1. David's care for his parents.-He was a dutiful son. Christ thought of His mother upon the Cross. "Honour thy father and thy mother." Your obligation to them does not cease with your childhood.

He

2. David's confidence in God,-he was willing to wait patiently till he knew what God would do for him. felt certain of ultimate deliverance. Thus he obeyed the prophet, and returned into Saul's territories. He was as safe there as in Moab, since God was with him.

"DOEG THE EDOMITE."-V. 6-10. The words in the parenthesis describe Saul's manner of holding his court. His residence was at Gibeah. Probably there was no house there large enough for himself and his retinue, so he sat under a grove in a high place. (See Margin: Ramah means a "high place," it is not here a proper name.) His spear in his hand served, as was cus

EDOMITE."-1 Samuel xxii. 3—23.

tomary in those days, in lieu of a sceptre. Thus sitting in state, he reproached his courtiers, Hear now, ye Benjamites, etc.,-will David treat you better than I have done, exalt you to higher honours than have been conferred upon you by me? He calls David the son of Jesse, hinting at the obscurity of his birth, forgetting that his own ancestry was not much more aristocratic. My son hath made a league, etc.,-possibly Saul had heard something about the covenant of ch. xx. 42; more likely, he referred only to the general friendship that every one knew subsisted between David and Jonathan. My servant, David, my subject. Certainly the charge against Jonathan was false; he was in no way connected with the assembling of David's army; doubtless the conspiracy of the courtiers existed only in the King's imagination. How true it is "the wicked flee when no man pursueth"! Saul's consciousness of guilt and rejection by God, made him fearful of every one. When a child has done wrong secretly, his conscience makes him afraid of persons and events that really cannot affect him. He thinks every one is busy to find him out. Often his very terror and nervousness betray him. Most of Saul's retinue are silent, perhaps because they knew nothing to reveal. One, however, can give important information, "Doeg the Edomite." He was set over the servants of Saul,-held an office somewhat similar to the Queen's Lord-steward of the Household. He had seen David at Nob, had watched all that passed between him and Ahimelech. He relates the occurrence without mentioning that David had deceived the priest. To curry favour with Saul, he was unjust to Ahimelech. Yet he had been detained before the Lord,-performing some act of religious worship. Nevertheless, he could act so treacherously. See the worthlessness of the mere form of godliness.

THE MURDER OF THE PRIESTS.—V.

i