In a much more doubtful light appear Artemus, said to have been Paul's companion," Alexander the coppersmith, Hymeneus, Philetes," Phygeleus,78 Hermogenes, who appear to have left bad recollections, provoked schisms or excommunications, and to have been considered as traitors in the school of Paul" and Onesiphorus and his household, who, on the contrary, must have shown themselves, upon more than one occasion, full of friendship and devotion towards the apostle."1

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Several of the names just enumerated are the names of slaves, as may be seen by their strange signification, or from the ironical emphasis, which makes them resemble those grotesque names which they take pleasure in giving negroes in the colonies. 82 It is not to be doubted that there were many persons of servile condition among the Christians.83 Slavery, in many cases, did not necessitate so complete a bond to the master's house as our modern slavery. Slaves of certain categories were free to visit each other; to associate in a certain measure; to establish brotherhoods, species of tontines and assessments, with consideration to their funerals. 84 It is not impossible that several of those men and those pious women who devoted themselves to the service of the church, were slaves, and that the hours which they gave to the deaconry were those granted them by their masters. At the period in which these events are taking place, the servile condition contained polished, resigned, virtuous, enlightened, and well-bred people." The highest lessons of morality came from slaves. Epictetus passed a large portion of his life in slavery. The stoics and the sages, like St. Paul, said to the slave, "Remain what thou art; do not think of freeing thyself." We must not judge the popular classes of the Greek cities by our populace of the middle ages, stupid, brutal, boor

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ish, and incapable of distinction. Whatever of fine, delicate, and polished, that we detect in the relations of the primitive Christians, is atradition of Greek elegance. The humble artisans of Ephesus, whom St. Paul salutes with so much cordiality, were doubtless agreeable persons, of strict uprightness, distinguished by

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excellent manners, and that peculiar charm which exists in the politeness of the lower classes. Their serenity of soul, their contentment, were like unceasing predication. "See how they love each other!" was the exclamation of the heathen, surprised at this innocent, tranquil air, this profound and winning gayety." Next to the preaching of Jesus, this is the divine work of Christianity. It is its second miracle, a miracle drawn in reality from the active workings of humanity, and from what is best and glorious in it.

CHAPTER XVI.

CONTINUATION OF THE THIRD MISSION.

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SECOND SOJOURN OF

PAUL IN MACEDONIA.

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UPON leaving Ephesus, Paul probably went by land, at least for a part of the way.' In fact, he had calculated that Titus, by going by water from Ephesus to Troas, would reach the latter point before him." This calculation did not hold true. Having reached Troas he did not find Titus there, a fact which caused him great disappointment. Paul had already passed by way of Troas, but it appears had never preached there. This time he found the opportunity very favorable. Troas was a Latin city of the style of Antioch of Pisidia and Philippi. A certain Carpus received the apostle, and entertained him. Paul employed the days during which he was waiting for Titus, to establish a church. He succeeded admirably; for a few days afterwards a company of the faithful conducted him to the shore when he set out for Macedonia." About five years ago he had embarked at this same port at the word of a Macedonian man, whom he had seen in a dream. Assuredly no dream ever advised greater things or brought about grander results.

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This second sojourn of Paul in Macedonia may have lasted about six months, from June to November, 57." Paul occupied all this time in strengthening his dear churches. His principal residence was Thessalonica. He must, nevertheless, have also remained some time at Philippi11 and Berea. The tribulations which had filled the last months of his sojourn at Ephesus, seemed to pursue him, at least for the first days after his arrival. He had no repose. His life was a continual struggle; the gravest apprehensions filled his mind. These cares and these afflictions surely did not come from the churches of Macedonia. There were no churches more perfect, more generous,

more devoted to the apostle. Nowhere had he met with so much affection, nobleness, and simplicity."

There were a few bad Christians there, sensual, and attached to the world, in regard to whom the apostle expressed himself with a great deal of sharpness,15 calling them "enemies of the cross of Christ, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame," and upon whom he calls down eternal destruction; but it is doubtful whether they even belonged to the flock of Paul. It was from the church of Corinth that proceeded his greatest anxieties. He feared more and more lest his letter should have irritated the indifferent, and encouraged his enemies. Titus rejoined him at last, and consoled him in all his disappointments.1 He brought him in the main good news, although the clouds were far from being dissipated. The letter had produced the profoundest effect. Upon reading it, the disciples of Paul had burst out into sobs. Almost all had assured Titus, with tears in their eyes, of the profound affection which they bore the apostle; of their regret in having afflicted him; of their desire to see him again, and to obtain pardon from him. These Greek natures, fickle and inconstant, returned to the good with the same readiness that they had abandoned it. There was fear mingled with their feelings. They supposed the apostle to be armed with terrible powers." Before his threats, all those who owed him faith trembled and strove to exculpate themselves. Their indignation against the guilty was boundless. Each one strove by zeal against the latter to justify himself, and to turn away the severity of the apostle.18 Titus was overwhelmed with the most delicate attentions by the faithful ones of Paul. He returned enchanted with the reception accorded him,—with the fervor, docility, and good-will which he had found in the spiritual family of his master. 19 The collection was not much advanced, but there was hope that it would be fruitful.20 The sentence pronounced against the incestuous one had been made milder; or rather Satan, to whom Paul had delivered him, did not execute the sentence. The sinner continued to live, and what was but

the simple course of nature they attributed to an indulgence granted by the apostle. They did not even absolutely. drive him out of the church, but they avoided associating with him."1 Titus had conducted this whole affair with an extreme prudence, and as skillfully as Paul could have done himself." The apostle never experienced more unmingled joy than upon receiving these tidings. During several days he was beside himself. At one moment, he repented having grieved such good souls; then, seeing the admirable effect which his severity had produced, he was overwhelmed with joy.2

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This joy, however, was not complete. His enemies were far from yielding. His letter had exasperated them, and they criticised it very strictly. They pointed out those portions severe and harsh towards the church. They accused the apostle of pride and boasting. "His letters," they said, "are severe and energetic, but his person is insignificant, and his word without authority." His rigor towards the incestuous one was attributed to personal hatred. They looked upon him as a foolish and extravagant man, extremely vain, and without tact. The changes in his plans of travelling were represented as fickleness." Moved by these twofold tidings, the apostle began to dictate to Timothy 25 a new letter, destined on one hand to soften the effect of the first, and to express to his dear church, which he thought he had grieved, his paternal feelings; on the other, to reply to the adversaries who had, for a moment, almost succeeded in robbing him of the hearts of his children.

In the midst of the numberless disappointments which had assailed him for several months, the faithful ones of Corinth are his consolation and his glory." If he changed the plan of his journey, which he had communicated to them by Titus, and which, by taking him twice to Corinth, had permitted him to afford them a double pleasure, it was not through lightness;27 it was out of regard for them, and in order not to show them always a mournful countenance. "For if I make you sorry," adds he, "who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is