Berea, were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. And the happy consequence was, that many of them believed: also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

At ATHENS, he had to endure the strife of tongues. In the Synagogue he disputed with the Jews, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks encountered him; while others, mocking said: "What will this babbler say? Thou bringest strange things to our ears." The opposition which St. Paul met with from these philosophers, most strikingly shows the holy and humbling nature of the Gospel.

The Epicureans derided him, because the pure and self-denying precepts of Christ, condemned and controlled their loose and exorbitant course of life. The Stoicks assailed him, because the meek and lowly spirit of the Gospel was directly opposed to their immoderate pride and love of praise.

All, both philosophers and plebeans, ridiculed him, because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection, and exposed, by arguments drawn from Creation and Providence, the folly of idolatry, and their gross superstition in worshipping an unknown God.

At CORINTH, when Gallio was deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judg

ment seat. But here, the Apostle received strength and consolation from on high. The Lord spake to him in the night by a vision: "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace, for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, for I have much people in this city.”

At EPHESUS, a violent tumult was raised by Demetrius, who made silver shrines for Diana. The whole city was full of confusion, and so great was the danger that, when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him

not.

At MILETUS, St. Paul expressed his feelings to the elders of the church of Ephesus with inimitable tenderness. "Now behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befal me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying: that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know, that ye all among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more!”

At CESAREA the Apostle manifested a noble firmness. A certain prophet from Judæa, named Agabas, took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said: "Thus saith the Holy Ghost, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." When the disciples

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heard this, they besought Paul not to go to Jerusalem. But was such a man as he, to be intimidated through fear of suffering ? Could he, who gloried in tribulation for Christ's sake, he induced to shrink from the cross ? Paul answered : ، What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And when he could not be persuaded, they ceased, saying: the Will of the Lord be done!

At JERUSALEM, the Apostle did indeed experience the full accomplishment of the predictions of Agabus. All the city was moved; and when the people ran together, they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple, and went about to kill him. The chief captain also commanded him to be bound with two chains. But Jesus did not forsake his faithful servant. In a vision of the night, the Lord stood by him, and said: "Be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

With such divine assurances of support, with such favoured manifestations of his Savour's love, he might well say to Agrippa, in his eloquent defence, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds."

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Having appealed to Cæsar,-Festus said to Paul :— Unto Cesar, shalt thou go. All this was over-ruled, to lead this faithful ambassador of Christ to Rome, that there also he might testify the Gospel of the grace of God.

With such unceasing trials the Apostle might well say to the Corinthians: "If in this life only, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." But his hope was founded on the Rock of Ages; his life was hid with Christ in God; therefore he was safe and happy.

Being put into a ship at Adramyttium, this faithful minister of Christ proceeded on his voyage to Rome. He whose way is in the sea, and whose path is in the great waters, was pleased to raise a storm which should manifest his power, promote the spread of his Truth, and procure respect for his suffering servant.

When neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest threatened their destruction, all hope that the crew would be saved was taken away.

Any religion will stand in a calm.—In a storm, in the moment of imminent danger, the true Christian alone exhibits the strength of his principles. When the worldling is filled with dismay, he is full of comfort, yea exceeding joyful in all his tribulation. Amidst the raging elements, the Apostle stood as the messenger of mercy. "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now, I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me, this night, the Angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying: Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cæsar; and lo! God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore,

Sirs, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."

Happy Paul! to be thus honoured of God, and blessed with his presence! Cæsar, surrounded with all the splendours of an imperial palace, was poor indeed, when compared with this despised prisoner of Jesus Christ.

We may here learn to form a just estimate of human happiness. It does not consist in the abundance of wealth, the dignity of power, or the fascinations of pleasure; but, in the enjoyment of the divine favour, and in an uniform loving obedience to the divine will.

Can we, like the holy Apostle, in filial confidence declare: "Whose I am, and whom I serve ?" To do this is happiness upon earth; to feel this, is the commencement of heavenly felicity. If our hearts assure us that the Lord is our portion, we are truly rich, under every outward privation. Faith is the key which unlocks the store-house of divine bounty. Possessing this gift of grace, the believer can hope against hope, and repose upon the promises under every discouragement. When all is dark around him, and dangers threaten his destruction, he can even then rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of his salvation.

How sweetly does David sing: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."