XVI.

PAUL GOES TO MACEDONIA.-HE RESTORES EUTY

CHUS TO LIFE.-AT MILETUS HE CONVERSES WITH THE ELDERS AND PRAYS WITH THEM. HE IS A FEW HOURS AT COOS, AND A SHORT TIME AT RHODES.-HE REMAINS A WEEK AT TYRE. HE IS ONLY ONE DAY AT PTOLEMAIS.AT CESAREA HE STAYS AT THE HOUSE OF PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, WHOSE DAUGHTERS PROPHESY. -PAUL WILL NOT, HOWEVER, BE DISSUADED FROM GOING TO JERUSALEM.

PAUL affectionately takes leave of the disciples, for he is anxious to go on to Macedonia. It seems that the Jews, seeking his life, had determined to attack the vessel in which he had proposed to sail for Syria; and it is supposed that, on this account, he changed his plan, and travelling by land, again visited the Macedonian churches. Paul's friends going on, a little before him, waited for him at Troas. He was, perhaps, detained on the Ægean by contrary winds, for it is five days before his friends joyfully welcome him at this city. On the first day of the

week they celebrate the Lord's supper. They do not forget who said, "This do in remembrance of me," and their hearts are overflowing with gratitude, that thus, with their dear pastor, they can show forth the Lord's death till he come."

And then Paul preaches unto them. He knows he is soon to be separated from that little flock, and he has much to say. We think he must have exhorted them to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free. He must have told them of his daily prayers for them; and he must have entreated them to be renewed in the spirit of their mind, and to live in love and peace together.

No doubt they spent a much longer time than was customary in that upper chamber, for knowing that their beloved teacher would soon be far from them, it is probable that they took this opportunity of seeking information from him on different points of doctrine.

The young

There are many lights in the room. man sitting in the recess of that window has fallen asleep. Look! he falls! There is a cry amongst the crowd, "He is dead! he is dead!" Great is the consternation of all around.

Why does Paul walk calmly forward? There is no anxiety on his countenance. He merely embraces the young man. What does this mean? We are strongly reminded of another scene, when one

greater than Paul said, "She is not

sleepeth." "Trouble not yourselves, for

dead, but

his life is

in him!" was Paul's first exclamation. We must not forget that the Saviour had promised his disciples that power should be given them to heal the sick, to raise the dead; and when did one jot or tittle of his word ever fail? The young man revives and again stands amongst them; and, oh, how comforted are his friends!

We will tell you what Jowett says about these Eastern houses in reference to Eutychus.

use.

"The ground-floor was used as a store; the firstfloor consisted of a humble suite of rooms for daily On the upper floor the rooms were large and elegant; the windows in front projected and overhung the street; round the room, and particularly in the windows, was a raised step, or dwain, for the most distinguished guests; and when the company was numerous, they placed cushions for a second row of persons.

Thus, Eutychus would be on a level with the open window, and might easily fall out. He also notices the great plenty of oil in that neighbourhood, which would enable them to have many lamps, and the heat would increase the drowsiness of the youth, and account for the window being open. The words of the Evangelist decidedly indicate that Eutichus was killed by the fall."

to pass, when we

And then Paul takes some refreshment, and converses with these dear friends till daylight is flushing the eastern sky. Oh, how swiftly the hours seem are about to be separated from those we love! He now bids the sorrowing group farewell, and commences his solitary walk to Assos. This must have been very fatiguing to him, but we must remember that he was "in journeyings often" and "in perils in the wilderness." At Assos he found the disciples, and sailed with them to Mitylene. This town was the capital of the island of Lesbos, which is the largest in the Egean sea, and was remarkable for the magnificence of its buildings.

Paul is anxious to continue his journey, and remains but a few hours here. The next day he is at Chios, which is one of the most lovely and fruitful spots in the whole Archipelago. It was celebrated for fruits and marble; but the rich green foliage and fruit-laden boughs did not tempt Paul to spend much time there, though we know he must have spoken to them out of the abundance of his heart of Jesus, his Lord and Master.

The sails are filled, and away over the blue waters they sail to the large island of Samos. It is traversed by a picturesque range of hills, which produces a great deal of marble. Those ruins near the shore are all that remain of its once celebrated temple of Juno. Paul rests one night at Trogyl

lium, which we shall see, if we look at our maps, is a large promontory of Ionia, just opposite to Samos.

Now he is at the splendid city of Miletus, which was the capital of the Greek colonies, on the coast of Caria and Ionia. Paul determines not to land at Ephesus, but to pass by it. He knows the affection of the Ephesians towards him, and he is fearful that, if he is once amongst them, he shall be so delayed in his journey as to be unable to reach Jerusalem by the time of Pentecost. He therefore sends from Miletus to the elders of the Ephesian church, a distance of about forty miles, and discourses with them in a strain of peculiar eloquence and tender. ness. Oh, how affectionately he speaks of his own fidelity when amongst them! He had laboured faithfully, and he appealed to them for proof of his sincerity. They knew him privately as well as publicly; and he told them, that in all humility, he had dwelt amongst them as a watchful shepherd, as a faithful instructor. He had been from house to house, "rejoicing with those who rejoiced, and weeping with those who wept." He reminds them how boldly and fearlessly he has delivered the whole Gospel message. "And now, behold I go," he touchingly says, "bound in the Spirit, unto Jerusalem." Can we not imagine we see him tenderly looking on his sympathising friends, as he feels