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the name of Crispus, was converted, and all his family; and many of the Corinthians, hearing these things, were induced to attend on the preaching of Paul. Numbers of them also were converted and were baptized. We are not expressly told, in the history, that Paul had as yet suffered any violent persecution in this city of Corinth, though it is fair to infer that he did; because it is recorded, the Lord Jesus Christ came to him in a vision by night, and said, "be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee, to hurt thee, for I have much people in this city." It is supposed, that during the period of this year and a half, Paul wrote his first and second epistles to the Thessalonians; the object of the first of which was to supply the converts at Thessalonica with arguments against the attacks of the philosophers and men of learning. The object of the second epistle, was to refute an error into which the Thessalonian Christians had fallen, as to the immediate coming of the day of judgment.

While Paul was thus actively engaged in the cause of his Master, the Jews again en

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deavoured to bring him into trouble. They brought him to the judgment-seat of Gallio, who was deputy of Achaia, for Achaia was that province of the Roman empire of which Corinth was the capital. Gallio would hear nothing on the subject, and therefore instantly dismissed the parties. He considered the Jews and their law, the Apostle and his Gospel, as all beneath his notice, and he left them to settle, as they chose, what he considered a frivolous contention. The sacred history tells us, "he cared for none of those things." If we may give credit to the accounts of Roman authors, Gallio was a man eminent for his talents and literary attainments. He was brother of Seneca, the famous moralist, and under the emperors Claudius and Nero acted as deputy-governor of Achaia. Not many years after the event here related, Gallio and his brother were murdered by order of Nero. His character is usually represented as amiable. His conduct on the occasion just mentioned deserves a mixture of applause and censure. His liberal turn of mind was evinced, by his refusal to punish Paul for his religious opinions merely, and his willingness to permit the Jews

to think as they pleased, and to settle their disputes among themselves. We must, however, strongly blame the contempt and indifference with which he appeared to treat subjects of such great importance, as that truth which God has revealed, and that salvation for which Jesus, the Son of God, laid down his life. He was also to blame for suffering violence to be done in his presence as a magistrate; for he let the Greeks beat Sosthenes, whose only fault appears to be that he had favoured Paul.

Paul remained, however, in Corinth some time longer, notwithstanding this strong opposition. It was not the mere clamour of his enemies that could hasten his departure. When the time came, he took with him his two friends Aquila and Priscilla; and we are told, that at Cenchrea, a neighbouring port, from which he set sail, he shaved his head, according to a certain vow which he had made, probably for some great deliverance. When they arrived at Ephesus, he preached the word with his accustomed zeal, but soon left his dear companions there, though they wished him to continue. He "conferred not with flesh and blood," but pressed on with ardor wherever his

duty seemed to call him. He hastened to Jerusalem with charitable contributions to the church, and having made a report to the brethren there assembled, and finished the purpose of his return, he went to Antioch in Syria, where he staid some time.

During his absence from Ephesus, there came there a Jew, from Alexandria in Egypt, named Apollos, who appears to have been thoroughly acquainted with the Old Testament scriptures; and, as far as we can judge, had been impressed with the truth of the Messiahship of Jesus, as the subject had been proclaimed by John the Baptist. He probably was a convert to some of the disciples of John. He preached his doctrine boldly in the synagogue. Aquila and Priscilla having heard of him, taught him more fully in the doctrine of Jesus the Saviour; and when he was desirous of going away, they gave him letters of introduction to the Christian brethren. He appears to have produced considerable impression on the Jews; for we are told, that he "mightily, convinced" them, "publicly shewing, by the Scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ."

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CHAPTER XII.

Paul's third Missionary Tour-Principally confined to Ephesus.

WE mentioned in the last chapter, Paul's return to Jerusalem, and his subsequent visit to Antioch. After remaining a short time in Antioch, he set out on his third missionary tour. He first hastily passed through Phrygia and Galatia, and then went to Ephesus, which he made his missionary station, and the principal scene of his labours.

Ephesus was formerly one of the most distinguished cities of Asia Minor. It was situated on the river Cayster, which falls into the Egean sea. It is supposed, by some, to have been built as early as the days of David, king of Israel. It was most famous for the Temple of Diana, which is said to have been 425 feet long, 220 broad, with a roof supported by 127 pillars, each 70 feet high. This temple was burned down 360 years before the time of our Saviour, but rebuilt.

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