August 20

Acts xvii. — 16. Now, while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter-forth of strange gods; because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection. 19. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 22. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious; 23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24. God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as

Athens was "the ere of Greece," and, to the Roman world, was yet the centre of art, of letters, and of philosophy. Art had so crowded it with temples, altars, and idols, that a satirist said it was easier to find a god at Athens than a man. Many Greek and Roman writers corroborate Luke's epithet, "a city full of idols." But the philosophers, though they would humor the superstitions of the people, inwardly condemned their worship: the Epicureans advocated a life of sensual pleasure; the Stoics, the opposite extreme of indifference to the world, and a stern fatalism. In the heart of the city was the Forum, which was at once a business-exchange, a place of news, and the arena of public discussions. Back of this was the hill of the Acropolis, crowned with the Parthenon and other wonders of art, especially the colossal statue of Minerva, whose shining spear was visible far out at sea. A little west of the Acropolis was another ridge, somewhat lower, but still sixty feet above the forum, known as Mars' Hill, where the high court of justice sat. Paul's discussions in the

though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things;

26. And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth; and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us; 28. For in him we live and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said. For we are also his offspring. 29. Forasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent; 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 32. And, when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Forum had drawn such crowds, that he was placed upon Mars' Hill to address them. Here he had above him the splendid temples and statues of the Acropolis; beyond him, the mountains and the sea; beneath him, the temples and altars with which the city was filled. Taking advantage of this prominence given to objects of devotion, he said, "I perceive that ye are in every way most religiously inclined: for, passing by, and closely observing the objects of your religious veneration, I found an altar 'To the Unknown God.'" Then, arguing from the glory of the creation visible around him, and from the testimony of their consciousness uttered by one of their own poets, he proclaimed the majesty of the one spiritual, eternal Creator and Father of all above these dumb images of gold or silver or stone. Then, pressing home this truth upon the conscience, he proclaimed the moral government of God as Judge, and urged the duty of repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ. It is not enough to behold and admire God in nature: the heart must serve him in humble, adoring faith.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 132, 140, 178.

O Lord, most gracious Saviour, who on this day didst rise again from the dead! raise up our souls unto newness of life, granting us repentance from dead works, and planting us in the likeness of thy resurrection. We beseech thee so to purify our hearts this day, that we may worship thee acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Incline us to receive thy Word into honest and good hearts, and to bring forth fruit with patience; that we may at last inherit everlasting life, through the mediation of our great High Priest, who has passed into the heavens, and who liveth evermore.

Thou Lord of the evening and morning, we bless

thee for thy love which shines upon us in the morning light. As thy goodness hath preserved us in the night, may thy grace attend and keep us this day! As we shall study thee in thy works and Word, fill our minds with thy truth, and our hearts with thy love. Teach the children thy grace in the gospel of thy Son, that they may consecrate to thee the dew of their youth.

Let thy special blessing, O Lord! rest on all our friends and neighbors, and upon thy whole Church. Oh! hasten the final coming of Christ our Saviour; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all praise and thanksgiving forever. Amen.