stantly falling, and the other continually piercing, they are very trying to flesh and blood. And after all nothing will do but the Gospel. Christianity is for common life. Christ is with us always. To convince others of His sympathy and pity, His presence and providence, will do more to quiet the feverish pulse of the worried heart than all else beside. I intended to close this article by reminding my readers that great men have not been above the influence of petty troubles; they have been fretted by very small droppings of water. Rowland Hill, if he had uttered any statement in the pulpit which might be perverted to evil purpose, had a disturbed night; and many a man, whose outward placidity you envy is inwardly the prey to petty vexations. I know that John leaned his head on the bosom of Jesus; I know that confidence made him restful there. I know too that this Saviour is mine as well as John's. Let us all so strive to rest in the Lord, for He understands our feeble clay-He knows, that being but dust, we are moved by a breath of trouble as well as by a storm of grief. Fret not about the dead in Christ; they are happier far than we who weep beneath the willow of their memories. Fret not about the living; be earnest in purpose, and fervent in prayer, and leave the rest to the unerring will of God. "Fret not thyself!" It is the voice of thy Father, and thou canst not err in obeying it. If thou art needy, it were well to consider the lilies how they grow; if hungry, to consider the ravens how they are fed if distracted by opposition in the path of duty, to "consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied, and faint in your minds;" above all, to consider the promise, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." : "Sometimes a light surprises The Christian when he sings, W. M. STATHAM. Ephesus; or, the Mob.* EPHESUS was the greatest city of Asia Minor, and the metropolis of the Roman province of Asia. It was called one of the eyes of Asia, Smyrna being the other, and both looked out as centres of Acts of the Apostles, xix. intelligence from the projecting forehead of the peninsula. Ephesus stood at the lower end of the gulf of Samos, on an extensive plain, open on the west to the sea, and shut in on all other sides by precipitous mountains. The river Cayster traversed this plain in a diagonal direc- | they were sold at enormous prices. Such was the sanctity of the Temple of Diana, that kings deposited here their wealth, and rich men their treasures; and the ladies of Ephesus contributed their jewellery to the adorning of the temple, and continually added pictures, statues, and decorations to the fabric. Such was the pride of the people in the edifice, that when Alexander of Macedon offered the spoils of his eastern campaign if he might inscribe his name upon the building, the overture was declined. We may add, that the inhabitants of the city, though originally principally Greek, were half Oriental in their characteristics. "In the proud land of palaces wert thou Alone and matchless, as thine own fair queen Shines 'midst the gems of night's starcrowned brow, Veiling their dim rays with superior sheen. The gifts of monarchs, and the work of men- decay, Shall boast the meed of Fame's recording pen." tion, while in the neighbourhood of the city arose the hill of Prion, the marble quarries of which supplied the materials for the public buildings. Among the many objects of interest within and around the city, the most renowned was the temple of "Diana of the Ephesians," which was accounted one of the seven wonders of the world. Its foundations were laid on immense substructures; it was built of the purest marble from the neighbouring quarries; its columns were of green jasper; its doors of cypress wood, the parts that were roofed were of cedar, and the staircase was formed of the wood of a single vine from the Isle of Cyprus. It is said to have gleamed and glistened like a meteor in the eyes of those who approached the city. It was erected on an elevated platform of masonry, ascended by a flight of steps; it was 425 feet long, 220 broad, surrounded by 120 columns 60 feet high, each the gift of a king, 36 of which were elaborately enriched with carving and colour,* and the area of the entire pile was almost twice that of St. Paul's. It must, however, be remembered that this building, and others of that time, were unlike our modern erections, since a large part of it was open to the sky, and consisted mainly of colonnades, surrounding a cell which contained the idol. This shrine was held in peculiar sacredness, though it contained-not the Diana of Greek mythology, the "huntress, chaste and fair"--but a shapeless, black, old wooden block, holding a bar of metal in each hand, clad in a dress covered with mystic characters, but which was believed to have "fallen down from Jupiter." This hideous block was, however, sumptuously robed. On her head was a crown, and round her waist a girdle; and both crown and girdle were engraved with mystic letters, which were regarded with superstitious awe. These "Ephe-cised, that it is declared that "all that sian letters" were transcribed on rolls of parchment, and used to be worn eharms. Many large volumes also were published, describing these characters and professing to explain their secrets, and Conybeare and Howson. as On the arrival of the apostle in Ephesus, he had an interview with certain disciples already there, and afterwards sought to benefit his brethren after the flesh. His success was varied and partial, and he subsequently ended his labours in the synagogue, withdrew his converts, and preached in the schoolroom of one Tyrannus, who probably was a Jew, and a teacher of philosophy, rhetoric, or theology. Here he prosecuted his ministry for two years among Jews and Greeks; tidings of the man and his mission spread through the city, and his room was a place of resort, not only to the inhabitants, but to the people of the neighbouring country districts, and even to strangers from a distance. So wide was the influence he thus exer dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus;" and his accusers alleged, "that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands." And now the teach- | and addressed to them an inflammatory ings of the apostle, and the amazing results of his miraculous powers in the restoration of a demoniac, inaugurated a new era in his missionary enterprise. A profound impression was produced. The sorcerers of the city, who were very numerous, were awed. Many of the believers, who had not hitherto abandoned their mystic arts, or parted with their cabalistic books, produced them, and willingly and publicly consigned them to the flames; and it was estimated that the property thus sacrificed was worth not less than £1,700, and probably much "So mightily grew the word of more. God, and prevailed." suasions, and deterred him from the needless danger. harangue, in which he pointed out the apostle as the man who had compromised their trade and their religion, by both putting their craft in danger, and impugning the authority of "the great goddess Diana," whom "all Asia and the world worshippeth." The appeal, thus adroitly addressed at once to their pockets and their piety, was successful; one loud and angry response was heard on all sides: "Great is Diana of the Ephesians;" and the mob sallied forth into the streets in search of Paul and his companions. They discovered two of them, and bore them in triumph to the theatre. Paul himself, who, in their But the very success of Christianity frenzy, they seem to have been unable to aroused new forms of opposition. The find, hearing of the peril of his commonth of May had come, the period panions, and fearless for himself, wished especially set apart to the goddess of immediately to join them; but certain of the Ephesians, and at which the city the disciples interposed, and some of the was crowded with visitors. Imagine the Asiarchs, who seem to have been a kind scene thus presented; hundreds of vessels of priestly magistracy, and are called in the harbour, gaily painted boats flit-"the chiefs of Asia," added their perting up and down the basin of Panormus; innumerable pilgrims on the heights of Prion; pleasure-hunters in all directions; the theatre with its show; the hippodrome with its horse-racing; the wrestling and beast fighting in the stadium; men dressed in fancy costumes; mock gods and goddesses; Jupiters with glittering crowns, bolts of war, and white sandals; Apollo with his wreath of laurels and white robes; and Mercury dressed as the swift-footed messenger of Olympus.* At this season the tradesmen were wont to drive a brisk business in portable images or shrines of the goddess Diana; and the purchasers from a distance were accustomed to carry these with them to their homes, and also on journeys and in processions. These trinkets were made of wood, or gold, or silver. But the manufacturers and salesmen now found that the teachings of Paul, and the "no small stir about that way," which had arisen in consequence, seriously interfered with the sale of their manufactures. Accordingly, a master manufacturer, named Demetrius, summoned his workmen and other artisans, * Domninus; Lewin. Meanwhile a remarkable spectacle presented itself in the theatre. The mob had swept onward in tumultuous confusion to this enormous structure, and occupied the stone tiers that rose one above another, and were capable of seating 50,000 persons. The theatre was excavated from the sloping side of Mount Prion, was faced with a portico, and, like all the ancient theatres, was uncovered. It was probably the design of the leaders of the mob that the prisoners should be subjected to some irregular form of trial, and then punished, perhaps slain; but the crowd was so vast, the cries were so various, and the ignorance so general, that nothing could be done. "Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and," the sacred historian, with a graphic touch, quaintly adds, "the more part knew not wherefore they were come together." At length an attempt was made to guide this confused assembly to the adoption of some intelligible course. This was made by the Jews, who seem argument to the last, he bade them recollect that they themselves, by their tumult and irregularity, had actually to have been afraid lest they should share the danger to which the Christians were exposed, and they put forward Alexander-possibly "the coppersmith" | broken the law, and might incur the -to make a defence to the multitude. If we are right in the supposition that this was the man who was once a troubler of the apostle, he was likely, as an artisan, to be acceptable to the craftsmen of Ephesus. But no sooner did the mob discover that he was a Jew, than they found at least one cry in which all could unite; and for two long hours the air was rent with their shout, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." At last, however, the strength or the breath of the people began to fail, and the townclerk seized the opportunity to interpose. He was a magistrate of high authority, and might be called the Recorder or Chancellor of Ephesus. "He had to do with state papers; he was keeper of the archives; he read what was of public moment before the senate and assembly; he was present when money was deposited in the temple; and when letters were sent to the people of Ephesus, they were officially addressed to him." The year in which he held office was sometimes known by his name, his name was often engraven on the coins, and his presence was familiar to the populace. It is obvious that no one was so well qualified as the town-clerk to deal with an Ephesian mob, and he discharged his difficult duty with singular adroitness and success. Having secured silence, he suggested that there was no need for any solicitude on the part of his audience, that it was even undignified that any anxiety should be betrayed, since the honour of their goddess, and the devotion of the people to the "image which fell down from Jupiter," was unquestionable, and not to be imperilled by a few insignificant strangers. He reminded them further, that Paul and his companions had not been guilty of actually profaning the temple, or aspersing the goddess herself; that if they had violated the law, they might at once be arraigned, for the assizes were at that time being held; or, again, they might appeal to the Roman proconsul. But, reserving his strongest severe displeasure and penalties of the Roman authorities. Having thus appealed to their judgment and their fears, he pronounced the technical words with which an assembly was dissolved, and the people quietly dispersed. The public ministry of the apostle in Ephesus had now drawn to a close. Time rolled on: the work of God was carried on among the people; a Christian church was formed, and officers were appointed, while Paul pursued his missionary labours in various lands. How great the change that thus had been wrought. "Behold us at Ephesus in the year 65," says Monod. "Twenty years later, an event, both insignificant and mighty, takes place in this city. A Christian church has been born, separated from the bosom of paganism, like an isle in midst of the sea." At length tidings reached the elders of the church that the apostle had touched at the port of Miletus, and that he desired to see them. With gladdened hearts and eager steps they responded. The interview was as instructive as it was affecting. It reveals to us new depths of love in the apostle's nature; it teaches us the manner and the motives of his life; it tells us of his temptations, his tenderness, and his tears; it shows us the sympathies of the man, the trials and triumphs of the minister, the seraphic gifts and graces of the apostle. It informs us of much that he had done at Ephesus, the devotion which then inspired him, the dauntlessness with which he dared, to us, a momentous and alarming future. "And now," he says, "behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall 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 might 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." do their worst; the mob might fill the theatre, and rend the air with their acclamations "Great is Diana of the Ephesians;" but beneath these storms of passion there were under-currents of spiritual life that had been deeply moved. Souls were brought out of that midnight moral darkness into marvellous light; Christian communities were formed; a Christian church was founded; Christian friendships were cemented; and, on the shore at Miletus, in the interview between the elders of the church and their spiritual father, we contemplate one of the most affecting scenes ever witnessed in the annals of the world;-an illustration of that grateful love which inspires the hearts of the converted to those who have been the means of their salvation. Thus Paul won the triumphs of the cross, and he lived to see cities moved, continents awakened, empires shaken, churches founded, and souls innumerable saved, through his ministry. Verily, his work was not in vain in the Lord. And he had other and higher consolations. The love of Christ constrained and rewarded him. He endured, as seeing Him who In studying this chapter in the annals of the Christian church and the life of the apostle, we have illustrated before us the trials and the consolations of Christian service. The cross is the symbol of our faith, and the church must take up the cross if it would "follow after." It was so with the apostle. Sometimes he laboured with immediate success; sometimes he encountered only callous indifference, or open hostility and contempt. He preached at Athens to the philosophers of the world, but we do not find that he there founded a church. He preached at Corinth, but had afterwards to rebuke the inconsistencies of some, and the declensions of other of his converts. He preached at Ephesus, but there he encountered "the lying in wait of the Jews," and "fought with beasts," either human or wild. The eminent endowments of Paul, the zeal of the apostle, and the miraculous gifts with which he had been entrusted, did not guarantee him immunity from trial. But in all this he followed in the steps of his Master, who endured the contempt of the Pharisee, the scepticism of the Sadducee, the scoff of the scribe, the quib-is invisible. For His sake he counted bles of the lawyer, the hostility of the Herodian, the ignorance of the mob, the subtlety of the priest, the betrayal of the traitor, the condemnation of the Roman, and the desertion of faint-hearted friends. And so, in every age, he who would do the work of Christ must count the cost. But the apostle had also the encouragements of Christian service. He had consolations, human and Divine. Opposition might arise in many forms; heathendom, trembling at her doom, might be lashed into fury; the crafts of idolatry might it joy to suffer. For love of Him Paul rejoiced to make life itself a service and a sacrifice. He told the story of that love with all the fervour of one who felt it glowing in his own bosom; and when his words faltered upon his lips with the burden of their own tenderness, the tear would start down his cheek, and plead with its yet more persuasive eloquence. And thus, "by the space of three years" he "ceased not to warn" these Ephesians "night and day with tears." F. S. W. Romanist Proselytism, Ellustrated in the Letters of Fenelon. FRANCIS DE SALIGNAC DE LA MOTTE FÉNÉLON, a younger son of the Marquis de Fénélon, was born August 6, 1651, at the castle Fénélon, in Perigord. He received a plain education, and was trained to act conscientiously, and upon principle. His parents were pious and upright, and reared him accordingly, so that his natural talents and noble heart were early improved by the practice of self-denial and humility. In his quiet, rural home, he was taught the ancient classics. Early destined for the church, he was sent, in his twelfth year, to the neighbouring University of Cahors, where he pursued his studies with great success. |