as if St. Luke had said that there arose a great disturbance about Christianity. But what led to this uproar against the Apostle?

M. We have observed before, that Ephesus was quite a strong-hold of idolatry. We are not surprised therefore to find that many persons drew their whole subsistence, and even more derived great wealth from making silver shrines for Diana. These are supposed to have been small models in silver of the temple of Diana, with a small figure probably of the goddess within; and they were continually bought by strangers as objects of curiosity, and perhaps even of devotion. Amongst the persons who made these shrines was one named Demetrius, a silversmith, who perhaps excelled in the workmanship of them, for he "brought no small gain unto the craftsmen." This person, it seems, called together all the workmen of like occupation, and stirred them up to a violent spirit, by addressing them in these words; "Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth; moreover ye see and hear 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; so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."

E. Now I understand the matter, Mamma, thoroughly. These silversmiths were afraid that St. Paul's preaching would lead the people away from dead idols, to serve the living and true God both at Ephesus and elsewhere; so that in a little while there

would be no more purchasers for their shrines of Diana.

M. And their trade depended upon idol-worship; the fall of idolatry would therefore bring poverty to them and the selfishness of such men as Demetrius and his artisans, who lived for this world only and its gains, was of course justly alarmed. Yet see how skilfully they hide their avarice under a professed zeal for their religion; thus enlisting the feelings of the populace more warmly on their side; seeing that it was not a question of mere private loss, but a matter of public concern, affecting their character throughout the world. What an instance of the sagacity of the world as regards its worldly concerns! What a proof that "the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light'."

This specious argument succeeded. Popular tumults are easily excited, and often before the people know why; but they are violent notwithstanding, the more violent perhaps for that very cause, that it is all excitement. But so it must always be more or less when falsehood sets herself against truth; she must make up in violence what she wants in reason. Thus it was now. As soon as the people "heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! and the whole city was filled with confusion."

E. How unfortunate that this should happen just as St. Paul was going away! I am afraid he must have got into great difficulties now?

M. It was a critical moment indeed; but "the tu

mult of the people" is as much under the control of Providence as "the raging of the sea'." He stilleth both in a moment, if it pleaseth Him. Apparently St. Paul was in imminent danger; for the people had dragged two of his friends and companions into the public theatre, and St. Paul would have followed to speak to the people, if the disciples would have allowed him; but they, knowing his danger, "suffered him not;" indeed "certain of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not adventure himself into the theatre." The advice was wise; for the tumult was beyond all bounds; 66 some cried one thing, and some another;" and when Alexander a Jew tried to speak to them, " they all with one voice for the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" But God you see had given St. Paul favour in the sight of some of the chief magistrates of the province; so that he remained unmolested in the midst of this great disturbance ;like Daniel untouched in the lion's den.

E. I suppose this furious multitude would have torn St. Paul to pieces, if they had only been permitted?

M. An enraged mob is scarcely less to be dreaded than a den of lions; indeed it is supposed by some that the public games were at this very moment celebrating in the theatre, and that St. Paul and his companions were therefore literally in danger of being thrown by the people to the wild beasts. But the life of the Apostle was in the hands of the Lord, and not a hair of his head could be touched without his permission.

1 Ps. lxv. 7,

No doubt his angels were there, though unseen, to deliver his faithful servant.

The noise and tumult was at length appeased by the interference of a public officer, who persuaded them that these men were innocent of any serious offence; or that, if not, any complaints against them ought to be determined by a lawful assembly:" whilst he reminded them that they were in danger of being called in question for this day's uproar, there being "no good cause whereby to give an account of this concourse:" for there was a Roman law which made it a capital offence to raise a riot. And when he had spoken to them in this judicious manner, he dismissed the assembly.

Thus God can raise up help to his servants in any trials, when and where He pleases.

E. But would not such tumults greatly hinder the Gospel?

M. It might appear so at first sight, but probably their effect was really the reverse. They brought the Gospel into notice; made people talk and think of it; showed how disinterested its teachers were to persevere under such trials, and promoted that conflict between truth and error, in which truth must ultimately prove victorious. The only resource which error has, is to avoid the light, and to evade comparison with the truth. When it courts the day, it is undone. The moment it ventures, as it were, into the field of battle, its cause is gone. The only danger which the Church has to fear is her own unfruitfulness in the faith of Christ. It was this, and this alone, that destroyed the Church of Ephesus, which no opposition could prevent from rising.

E. And did St Paul get quietly away from Ephesus after all?

M. Yes; as soon as "the uproar was ceased, he called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed," paying another visit to Greece, and returning through Macedonia; but I do not intend taking you any further with the great Apostle tonight. We have finished the 19th Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and we will keep the opening of the twentieth to another evening.

See Acts xviii. 23–28. xix.

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY EVENING.

CONCLUSION OF ST. PAUL'S THIRD JOURNEY.

E. Had St. Paul any companions in his new visit to Greece, Mamma?

M. We read of no fewer than seven disciples from different Churches, who accompanied him in this journey. Of some of them very little is known; but amongst them we find a few names which are more familiar to us, such as Timothy, and Tychicus, and Trophimus. Timothy was a native of Lystra, for whom St. Paul had a very particular friendship, and to whom he addressed two of his valuable Epistles. He was frequently the Apostle's companion in his journey, and is repeatedly mentioned by him in terms of great affection and esteem.

E. But I have never heard of Tychicus and Trophimus who were they?

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