739
THE KING’ S BUSINESS
and that stirred the mob up again. There is nothing that will stir up some mobs like seeing a Jew. There must be Something wrong if there is a Jew connected with it, so the crowd think. Then the original cry, “ Great is Diana o f the Ephesians,” is taken up again, and for two hours they yelled it at the top o f their voices. If shouting could prove anything, surely this proposi tion was proven. But shouting, no mat ter how loud it is, nor how long it is, nor how unanimous, proves nothing except the folly o f the shouters. The probability is that they did not altogether believe it them selves in their inmost souls, and were try ing to convince themselves o f it by yell ing the louder. The man who in his inmost soul is sure that he is right is pretty sure to be calm and quiet, while the man who doubts the truth o f his position waxes vehe ment in his assertion o f if, and what he lacks in conviction he tries to make up by nOise. vs. 35, 36. “And when the town clerk had appeased (quieted) the multitude (peo ple), he said (saith), Ye men o f Ephesus, what man is there that (who) knoweth not how the city o f the Ephesians is a wor shiper (temple-keeper) o f the great god dess ' ( omit, goddess) Diana, and o f the image which fe ll down from Jupiter. See ing then that these things cannot be spoken against (gainsaid), ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly (rash).” The town clerk was a sensible fellow. He told them there was no rise in yelling so loud to prove what everybody b'elieved. He also put in a protest against mob law. It is a protest that needs to be constantly, made, for there are many forms o f mob law. Many a thing is carried by mob law where there is< no riot .at all. Trying to carry things by multiplying names on petitions is oftentimes nothing but a resort to mob law. vs. 37-41. “ For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, (temples) not yet ('omit, yet) blasphemers o f your (our) goddess; (.) wherefore i f ( If therefore) Demetrius,and the craftsmen that are with him, have a
matter against any man, the law is (courts are) open, and there are deputies (pro- consuls): let them implead (accuse) one another. But i f ye inquire (seek) anything concerning (about) other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. Fbr\ (add, indeed) we are in danger to be called in question fo r (accused concerning) this day’s uproar (riot),. there being no cause whereby we may give account o f this con course (fo r it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give an account o f this con course). And when he had thus spoken he dismissed the assembly.” The town clerk told them that there was a legal way o f having difficulties settled and crimes pun ished, and that they must take the legal way, and even though they were right, not to carry the right by wrong means. He further told them they were in danger o f getting in trouble themselves by raising a riot. Men who excite a riot, or set in motion mob law, ought always to get in trouble themselves. Mob law should be severely punished. The advice that he gave to the excited citizens o f Ephesus to be “ quiet,” “ do nothing rashly,” is good advice for us all. The Greek word translated “rashly” means “precipitately.” There was never a time in the world’s history when so much harm was being wrought by precipitate action as today. I f a man per-* sists in keeping his head and doing nothing “precipitately” he is' considered by fools as a coward, and without having.sufficient regard for national honor, but by wise men he is considered wise, and the safe man for a nation to trust. Let us as individuals be deliberate and thoughtful, and be sure . we are right before we go ahead. The true man o f faith will never do anything “pre cipitately” (Isa'. 28:16). Paul and his com panions had respected the rights even of idolators. He had not robbed temples, and not even spoken evil o f their false god. H q' seems to have used his strength rather in preaching truth than in attacking error. The town clerk states the case against mob law well. He showed it was never neces sary (V. 39), and always) resulted in evil in the final issue.
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