in them about Jesus. They found all was true that the apostles told them. In one of the books they saw it was written that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem; in another book, that 'He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.' Then Paul told them that such a Lamb was Jesus, when He was crucified for our sins.

Then many of the Jews of Berea believed in Jesus. Many of the Gentiles also believed. The apostles must have felt very happy among these believers; but they soon were made sorrowful.

The wicked Jews of Thessalonica heard that Paul was preaching at Berea. They came over the hills to Berea, for they did not care for a journey of fifty miles, if they could only hurt Paul. When they reached Berea, they tried to set the people against the apostles.

The kind Christians of Berea were

so much afraid of these wicked men, that they thought it best to send Paul quite away. Silas and Timothy were to remain at Berea, and Paul was to go away secretly, for fear any other wicked Jews should seize him by the

way.

It was very sad for Paul to leave his two dear companions behind, but it was better for the Bereans that Silas and Timothy should stay.

Could Paul go quite alone upon his journey? O no! The kind Bereans would not let him go alone. Some of them went with him to the sea-shore, about ten miles off* There they found a ship ready to sail. His kind friends went in the ship with him. They all made a long voyage, and after many days arrived at Athens, a very grand city. Then Paul parted from his

* The words of our version-' as it were to the sea' -give the idea that Paul did not really go to the sea; but it means, towards the sea.

Berean friends, and he gave them this message to deliver to Silas and Timothy: Come to me very quickly.'

Paul determined to wait at Athens till they came, for he did not like to be separated long from his dear companions, though he was glad to think they were teaching the new believers at Berea. Timothy had himself been taught when a child to know the Scriptures, and he could help the Bereans to understand what the prophets had written about Jesus.

them

Search the Scriptures; for in ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they which testify of me.'-John, v. 39.

XXXIV.

PAUL AT ATHENS.

Acts, xvii. 16 to end.

PAUL found himself alone at Athens. This was the first time he had been alone since he had begun this missionary journey.

Athens was in Greece. Paul had now left Macedonia, and had entered Greece, often called Achaia.

There was a great deal to be seen in Athens. It was the most famous city of Greece.

There never was a city with so many beautiful statues, pictures, temples, and altars. Was Paul pleased at beholding them? No; he was filled with grief, for most of the statues were the images of false gods, and all the temples were the houses of idols.

There was indeed one synagogue, where the true God was worshipped,

but no place where Jesus was honoured as the Son of God. Paul went to the synagogue on the sabbath. In the week he went to the grand market-place.

There were many wise heathens in Athens, who were always in the marketplace, talking and teaching, under the shade of trees and marble colonnades. Paul went there to talk with them, and to teach them about Jesus. These pretended wise men laughed at Paul, and called him a 'babbler,' or prating fool. Some were offended, and said, 'He wants to set up new gods.'

But at last they proposed a plan which pleased Paul very much. These Athenians were fond of hearing new things, so they thought they should like to hear Paul preach about the new things he told them. They led him up a high hill in the city, where the judges often sat to give judgment. There were stone seats for the judges. There was a very fine temple on the