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selves hid (v. 27; 15:4, 12). The love of the applause of the religious world is a deadly thing. Notice the difference in the manner of Paul’s address to pagans and in his mes sages to Jews. “Turn from these vanities unto the living God which made heaven, and earth, and the sea and all things that are there” (v. 15). The evidence of God in nature could be read by all. He did not mention *the Scriptures of which they knew nothing. He finds a common ground and begins there. Compare Paul’s ad dress to the men of Athens or his epistle to the Romans (1st chap.). “There came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium who persuaded the people and stoned Paul and drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead” (v. 19), What is a trip of 130 miles on foot in hot weather when men are aflame with sectarian hatred ? The popular breath is like the turning of the wind. Today it is “Hosanna.”. : Tomorrow it is “Crucify Him.” These who a few days before would have treated Paul as a god, were now pérsuaded to treat him as worse th an 'a dog. Religious folks are easily prejudiced. Don’t place too much expectation in human beings. They stoned him until they thought him dead. The mantle of Saul of Tarsus had fallen upon them. Paul, the apostle, un doubtedly remembered what '48 recorded in Acts 7 :58; what was happening to him was the echo of. his own dread act. Many think this was the time when Paúl! was caught up to the third heaven, hearing unspeakable words (2 Cor. 12:2-4). “As the disciples stood round about, Paul rose up”Tv. 20). Satan can’t touch the life of God’s servant before his Work is finished (Job'2:6). Battered, stiff, and sore, Paul walked 20 miles 'to Derbe and went on with his sermon. Consider such obstacles! Think how Sasily some.-of us are turned aside by trifling difficulties! Returning again to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, Paul and Barnabas confirmed the believers, exhorting them in the faith and warning them to expect much tribu lation (v. 22). Evangelistic work is im portant, but we must have pastoral work and Bible conferences to preserve the fruit. : “Tribulation” is not a popular word to* day. Most, church members want to float, to heaven on cushions. Jesús told His dis ciples, and. they told Christians, to Count upon the world’s rejection. Many live Keystone View Co. A MODEL LITTLE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS IN TH E EUROPEAN COUNTRY OF HUNGARY. The Teacher and His Task “O God!" I cried. “Why may I not forget? These boys and girls entering life’s battle Throng me yet. Am I their keeper? Only I—to bear This constant burden for their good and care? So often have I seen them led in paths of sin—. Would that my eyes had never opened been!” The thorn-crowned, patient One replied, “They thronged Me, too; I, too, have seen.” “So many go at will,” I said, Protesting still. “They go, unheeding; but these boys and girls, Wilful and thoughtless, yes, and those that sin, Drag at my heart. For them I serve and groan. Why is it? Let me rest, Lord. I have tried." ■ He turned and looked at me: “But I have died." “But, Lord, this ceaseless travail o f my soul! This stress.1 This often fruitless toil. These souls to win'! They are not mine!” v He looked at them—the look of One divine! Then turned and looked at me: “But they are Mine." “O God!” I said. “I understand at last! Forgive! and henceforth I will bondslave be To Thy least, frailest little ones; I would no more be fredT'i'f He smiled and said, “It is to Me.” (Adapted from “My Burden,” by Lucy Rider. Meyer. Used with permission of the author of “Teaching the , Youth of the Church.”) been scoffed at and maltreated, but no one had tried to make gods of them and put them on a level with Christ. But they refused all such homage.. “They ran in among the people crying out, Why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you” (v. 15). Some preach ers, we fear, are not so ready to guard the honor of Christ and turn all thought away from themselves. Note how carefu| Paul and Barnabas were to keep them the gates” Tv. 13). When the Son of God came down in the likeness of men and did mighty miracles, so far were men from doing sacrifice to Him that they made Him a sacrifice to their hatred, and attributed His power to Beelzebub. “He was in the world and they knew Him not. He came unto His own and they received Him not” (Jn. 1:11-12). . Paul and Barnabas were not accustom ed to receptions of this kind. They had
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