January 22

Acts ix. — 19. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23. And, after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.

24. But their laying wait was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26. And, when Saul was come to Jerusalem,

he essayed to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians; but they went about to slay him.

30. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

The genuineness of Saul's conversion was proved by the earnestness with which, at the risk of his life, he began to preach the faith he had so fiercely persecuted. He came near falling a victim to the very rage which he had incited against the Christians. Both at Damascus and at Jerusalem, he was in peril of his life. At Damascus he had a narrow escape. The city being surrounded with walls, and having but two or three gates, it seemed impossible for him to evade his enemies. But the house of a friend was built against the city wall, with a window overhanging it; and from this he was let down in a basket such as would be used to lower a man into a well. Though the particular window that favored Paul's escape must long ago have been destroyed in the changes of time and war, yet one can see windows just like it on the present walls of the city; and the street called "Straight" can still be identified.

The danger which threatened the outset of Paul's ministry thickened about it until it closed in martyrdom. But never did he waver in his devotion to Christ. The commitment made in a moment was made for life. Paul was drawn to Jesus by the conviction that he was the Son of God, and by the grateful sense of mercy toward him in his blindness and unbelief. With the consecration of his intellect to the service of Christ, and the reverence of a loyal heart, was blended the fervor of a personal love, which made whatever concerned the honor of Christ dear to him as his own life. For a time he had to encounter the prejudices of the disciples, who feared that he had some sinister end in trying to join them. But an honest heart wins its way to confidence, and Paul grew in favor and in power. Barnabas set a noble example of brotherly fellowship.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 59, 133.

O Lord, who by the example of thy blessed apostle Paul hast taught us to forget those things which are behind, and to reach forth unto those things that are before! give us grace this day that we may press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling of thee in Christ Jesus. May we lay aside every weight, and the sins which easily beset us, and run with patience the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith! As he for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame; even so may we ever have before us our heavenly reward, and in like manner not fear what men can do unto us, if we may only acceptably serve thee.

From all idleness and carelessness; from all self-conceit, and love of praise; from all confidence in our own powers, and neglect of seeking thy grace, — Lord, preserve and keep us.

From all want of love to one another; from all lack of charity in thinking and speaking of men;

from all undue cleaving to our own likings and opinions, — Lord, preserve and keep us.

From all unsocial and selfish feelings; from taking advantage of the weakness or the ignorance of others; from slighting any one, or inwardly despising any one, — Lord, preserve and keep us.

In the constant sense of our membership of Christ; in the unfailing thought that we are his soldiers and servants; in the love for our Father's house, and the blessed hope of our eternal home, — Lord, preserve and keep us.

For the mercies of the past night; for the health and comfort with which we begin the day; for the provision for our wants; for means of improvement, of enjoyment, and of usefulness, — we humbly thank thee, the Giver of all good. Bless all dear to us. Multiply the preachers of thy gospel; turn opposers and persecutors into witnesses for thee; and subdue all hearts unto thyself, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.