PAUL THE APOSTLE.
 
 
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 PAUL 
 THE APOSTLE 
 
 A POEM 
 
 JOSEPH BEVAN BRAITHWAITE 
 
 KAAOC YMNOC TOY GGOY AGANATOC ANePnnOC, AlKAIO- 
 dcKH OtKOAOMOYMeNOC, €N H TA AOflA THC AAHeSIAC 
 IrKEXAPAKTAI. 
 
 Clem. Alex. Protrept, c. io, §. 107. 
 
 See an immortal man, in righteousness 
 Built up, in whom the oracles of Truth 
 Are deep engraved — he is A glorious Hymn 
 Of praise to God. 
 
 London 
 Seeley and Co., Essex Street, Strand 
 
 1885 
 
 All rights reserved. 
 
 IQ
 
 
 3 
 
 TO 
 
 MY BELOVED BROTHER, 
 
 ISAAC BRAITHWAITE, 
 
 IN GRATEFUL RECOLLECTION 
 
 OF HIS UNVARYING KINDNESS AND LOVE 
 
 THROUGH A PERIOD 
 
 OF 
 
 MORE THAN SIXTY YEARS.
 
 PREFATORY. 
 
 The history of this little efifort is very simple. 
 Having spent the autumn of 1883 in a journey to 
 the Eastern parts of Europe, and some parts of the 
 Turkish Empire, including Palestine and Syria, in 
 the service of the Gospel, and in the interests of the 
 British and Foreign Bible Society, in company with 
 my late dear and lamented friend C. E. B. Reed ; we 
 found ourselves towards the close of the year, on our 
 return from Palestine and Syria, detained for a 
 few days on the southern coast of Asia Minor within 
 sight of Mount Taurus. The birthday of my son, ■^>^t^ i*^Mv. 
 who was with me, occurred whilst we were off Mersin, 
 near Tarsus. My friend suggested that we should 
 each celebrate the event by a little poetry. I yielded 
 with hesitation, never having attempted anything of 
 the kind before. All around predisposed me to 
 sober reflection, and as I gazed upon the beautiful 
 scene before me, the Apostle Paul presented himself 
 as a theme at once natural and instructive. Had I
 
 PREFATORY. 
 
 imagined that the effort would have assumed its 
 present dimensions, I should have shrunk from the 
 attempt as presumptuous ; but as I simply followed 
 up the original idea, the thoughts crowded upon me 
 and at last became too absorbing to be easily relin- 
 quished. Such is the simple account of the origin of 
 these pages. A considerable part was written on 
 the Mediterranean and at Athens and Rome ; the 
 completion having been reserved to the scattered 
 intervals of leisure since my return home. 
 
 The life of the Apostle Paul has been treated 
 with so much accuracy and fulness of learning by 
 so many eminent writers, that I cannot hope to con- 
 tribute anything new to the general stock. But if 
 the somewhat freer handling, admissible in poetry, of 
 those portions which I have selected by way of illus- 
 tration, tend in any degree to present his noble 
 character with greater vividness, and thus to give 
 more distinctness to the lessons of which it is so 
 fruitful, I shall be far more than repaid. It will be 
 understood that in the conversation with Gamaliel, 
 and in some other similar instances, I have not 
 assumed to describe actual facts, but rather truly to 
 pourtray, or illustrate the respective characters of 
 those who are introduced as speakers. I have not, of 
 course, attempted an exhaustive picture of so many- 
 sided a life, but have confined myself to those por-
 
 PREFATORY. 
 
 tions, both before and after his conversion, which 
 have appeared to me the best adapted to illustrate 
 that course of discipline and experience through 
 which he was enabled, " by the grace of God," to 
 prove the reality of his great commission as the 
 Apostle to us Gentiles. 
 
 Accepting as I do the words of our adorable 
 Redeemer, " Love your enemies," — as an absolute 
 prohibition of all war to the Christian, I trust that 
 none of the allusions to the history of the world 
 before the coming of Christ in the flesh will be 
 understood as in any wise out of harmony with this 
 conviction. 
 
 With this brief explanation I commend these 
 pages, of the imperfection of which no one is more 
 conscious than myself, to the disposal of Him who 
 can alone make them a blessing. 
 
 312, Camden Road, London, N., 1885.
 
 Jn JH^morp 
 
 CHARLES E. B. REED, 
 
 WHO DIED FROM A FALL IN THE ENGADINE, ^ MO. 29, 1884. 
 
 Ah ! whence that voice of grief? Can it be true 
 That death hath claimed him, our loved friend with 
 
 whom 
 So late I journeyed 'midst the hallowed scenes, 
 Trod by the great Apostle, Mutual work 
 Found us in joy united, and in love. 
 Now am I left to tread my course apart. 
 We weep, but murmur not, since He hath willed. 
 Whose will is always best, and in whose love 
 The bush may burn, renewed, but not consumed. 
 Sudden the call. So full of life at morn. 
 Rejoicing as his wont 'midst scenes sublime ; 
 At noon earth's glories were for Heaven's exchanged. 
 And on his soul dawned the immortal day, 
 A morning without clouds. His Saviour's voice
 
 JN MEMORIAM. 
 
 He heard : what seemed unconsciousness of earth 
 
 To us, was but the waking of the soul 
 
 Enrapt, to the pure consciousness of Heaven. 
 
 The gate wide open stood : his robe washed white, 
 
 He entered in to worship and to praise. 
 
 What most with feeble steps have scarcely gained 
 
 At eventide, he early won at noon, 
 
 Not in his own, but in his Master's strength. 
 
 Looking to Christ, his course was swiftly run ; 
 
 No life too short by Him pronounced complete. 
 
 Thine was no broken shaft, shattered, abrupt; 
 
 Thy Lord, who shaped thee, recognized His work. 
 
 And crowned His own ; transferring thee at once, 
 
 From earth's poor courts, to His own temple, where 
 
 Love serves unwearied, undefiled. Forgive 
 
 The tears that flow, not grudging thee thy peace, 
 
 But joined in sympathy with those most loved, 
 
 The widow and the fatherless, whom yet 
 
 Thou knowest safe with Him whose love is their's 
 
 No less than thine. Not severed in thy death. 
 
 Be it our joy to know our life in Him 
 
 Who is thy life, thy Lord and ours, in whom 
 
 The Church redeemed is one on Earth in Heaven.
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 THE CONVERSION.
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Invocation. — Tarsus, the birth-place of Saul. — His education 
 at Jerusalem under Gamaliel. — Description of Jerusalem. — An 
 age of expectation. — Current ideas of the Messiah. — The multi- 
 tude deceived by worldly hopes. — Few humble souls, Mary, 
 Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna. — Saul's character. — A zealot of the 
 Law. — His pride and self-will. — His contempt for Jesus and 
 hatred of His followers.— A young member of the Sanhedrin. 
 — Gamaliel's moderation distasteful to him. — Vanquished in 
 argument by Stephen. — Takes part against him. — Stephen's 
 address to the Council and martyrdom. — Saul consents to his 
 death. — Unexpected interview with Gamaliel and defiant atti- 
 tude. — He makes havoc of the Church and goes to Damascus 
 with authority from the Chief Priests. — The journey. — He is 
 met on the w-ay by the risen Jesus. — His conversion. — Joy in 
 Heaven. — Praises of the Redeemed.
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 THE CONVERSION. 
 
 Hail ! glorious East, o'er which the hght first 
 shone 
 On this dark world. Man's earliest home ; where he 
 With all his wondrous powers of mind was taught 
 Of God to mould his thoughts in words, expressed 
 In sounds and forms ; speaking to eye and ear. 
 Great Nursery of nations ; whence they all 
 Derive their race, their noble claim to share 
 The heritage, the dignity, the hopes 
 Of man, for earth and Heaven. How can the 
 
 West 
 E'er pay the debt of love she owes to thee ! 
 Blest home of Christ, thou saw'st His spotless life ; 
 'Tvvas thine to listen to His words of Truth ; 
 Thine eyes beheld His agony and death ; 
 
 c
 
 iS PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 And how He rose triumphant from the grave. 
 
 From thee ascending, He resumed His reign 
 
 Eternal. Thine His apostles ; and from Thee 
 
 The one " born out of time " ; in choice of whom 
 
 He gloriously proved His power and love 
 
 To Gentile world. May I whilst here detained 
 
 Beneath the heights of Taurus, with his crown 
 
 Of snow looking in silent grandeur down 
 
 O'er ancient Tarsus ; I, howe'er unskilled 
 
 In sacred song, with stammering lips, express 
 
 In words poor and unworthy, yet sincere, 
 
 The thoughts that crowd within me, as I gaze 
 
 On scenes, familiar once to him, beloved 
 
 Servant of Christ. And Thou by whose sole grace 
 
 He was what he became ; in whom alone 
 
 He lived, and whom he served ; mayst Thou be 
 
 pleased, 
 Thou who alone art able ; so to renew, 
 Illuminate, and fill with light and love 
 My heart and mind ; that whatsoe'er Thou seest 
 In me is lacking, and Thou know'st how much. 
 Thy fulness may supply. Be Thou alone 
 My aim and end, my wisdom, and my all.
 
 THE CONVERSION. 19 
 
 Behold a youth tracing his high descent 
 From faithful Abraham, the friend of God, 
 Through Israel's youngest son ; bearing the name 
 Of Israel's earliest King ; a Jew by birth, 
 " Hebrew of Hebrews ; " and yet nobly free 
 As Roman citizen. In Tarsus born. 
 Where the bright stream of Cydnus cools the plain 
 O'er which unslumbering Taurus keeps high watch. 
 In its chill wave great Alexander bathed ; 
 And here had ended his eventful course ; 
 Had not eternal Wisdom seen it meet 
 To lengthen out his life for greater deeds, 
 Big with the fate of empires. Here it was 
 That Egypt's beauteous queen in her rich barge, 
 Glistering with gold and pearls, 'midst the soft 
 
 charms 
 Of Lydian melodies, went forth to lure 
 Her paramour, whom lust had made her slave ; 
 Deluded Antony, for her to lose 
 The world. 
 
 How often has the youthful Saul, 
 Unconscious yet of life's deep mysteries, gazed 
 On Taurus, glorious in his vest of light ; 
 
 c 2
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Or looked abroad across the restless wave, 
 
 And watched the orient sun above the hills 
 
 Of distant Antioch ; or scanned the deep, 
 
 For ships of Alexandria or of Tyre, 
 
 Bearing the wealth of nations to the marts 
 
 Of Rhodes or Corinth, or where earth's proud 
 
 queen 
 Reposed in grandeur on her sevenfold throne. 
 Such birth-place well became his great career, 
 In which his life so manifold, so rich 
 In fruitful work, shone clearly mirrored forth. 
 Yet little did he read or understand 
 The lesson. If indeed, as poets sing, 
 " The child be father to the man " : to most 
 It is a truth, silent, and scarcely felt ; 
 And only understood, as manhood dawns 
 With senses ripe upon the full-grown child. 
 
 But Tarsus, Taurus, nor the sea alive 
 With ships, could hold one born to greater things. 
 A Pharisee his father ; he was trained 
 In all the strictness of that straitest sect. 
 Gamaliel's high renown allured his steps
 
 THE CONVERSION. 21 
 
 To far Jerusalem. There in the shrine 
 Sacred to Israel's God he worships low 
 And at Gamaliel's feet drinks in the lore, 
 Halachah and Hagadah, ever dear 
 To mind of Pharisee, 
 
 Jerusalem 
 Then sat upon her mountain-throne, watched o'er 
 By guardian hills, magnificent ; her youth 
 Renewed from ancient widowhood ; the Queen 
 Of Eastern cities ; lovely as the rose 
 Unfaded among flowers ; fair as the moon 
 Walking in brightness, 'midst attendant stars. 
 Her glory far outshone the gorgeous pomp 
 Of earth's great spoiler Rome.* Exalted high 
 On Zion's hill, the palace of the King 
 Rose in barbaric splendour. Eastward stretched 
 Moriah's mount, where, ready at God's call, 
 Abraham, father of the faithful seed, 
 In giving up his son, only beloved, 
 Gave to the Church, illustrious proof of faith ; 
 And He who tried him, gave the gracious pledge 
 
 * See Merivale, Hist, of Rome, vol. vi. pp. 6, 7, and authori- 
 ties there cited.
 
 22 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 In sparing Isaac, of His love, the same 
 In which He spared not, but gave for us all 
 Isaac's great Antitype, His only Son 
 The perfect sacrifice, complete in love. 
 
 Here on this hallowed ground the Temple 
 stood 
 Joy of the earth. A shrine resplendent then, 
 With all the glorious beauty late bestowed 
 By Herod's artful guile, whereby he thought 
 To wun a nation's heart, or bribe her God. 
 'Twas all in vain. Those splendid towers, those 
 
 walls 
 Raised high towards Heaven, that solemn Temple, 
 
 where 
 Jehovah's name was worshipped ; all were doomed. 
 Rejecting Him for whom that Temple stood. 
 The nation was rejected ; and the shrine 
 At once their pride, and shame, laid desolate ; 
 For He their King had said it, whom in blind 
 Infatuation they had crucified. 
 
 Unconscious of the ruin imminent.
 
 THE CONVERSION. 23 
 
 Blind to the glory of his nation's King, 
 
 The young disciple sat with ear attent 
 
 To hear Gamaliel. Still with heart unchanged, 
 
 He thirsted for Rabbinic lore and drank 
 
 Its stream yet thirsted still ; for nought that comes 
 
 Solely from man can quench the spirit's thirst, 
 
 Burning with pride of self, he blindly thought 
 
 In rigid discipline, his soul's unrest 
 
 To ease ; in strictness striving to excel. 
 
 Vain strife ! For what can satisfy man's heart 
 
 But love ; and his was filled with pride and hate. 
 
 It was an age of expectation high ; 
 The world was old and worn. Hearts sick of hope 
 So oft deferred, were bent on change. But what 
 The change should be ; or when or how that 
 
 change 
 Should come ; this was the question hard to solve. 
 Had not the prophets spoke unanimous 
 The advent of One greater than they all ? 
 Had they not plain proclaimed Him Lord and 
 
 King } 
 His coming all believed. It was the hope
 
 24 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 The cherished hope of Israel ; shared alike 
 By Pharisee and Sadducee. The poor, 
 The rich, the skilled in sacred lore, the priests, 
 The untaught people, all with one consent 
 Looked onward to the time, when He, the Christ, 
 Should come, anointed King, and break the yoke 
 From Israel's neck. But Israel's sons required 
 A change of heart, a heart made new by God, 
 The word of prophecy to understand. 
 E'en Isaac's Esau ; Abraham's Ishmael gave 
 Impressive proof that high descent from God's 
 Most favoured sons conferred no special grace. 
 The unchanged are still untaught ; their ears made 
 
 dull, 
 Deafened by noise of rout, and wild uproar 
 Of earth's vain plaudits, and her loud huzzas ; 
 Shouting with sound of trumpet evil good ; 
 Denouncing good as evil with the same 
 Acclaim. Deceived by flash of glory's glare ; — 
 False empty glory of this transient world ; — 
 Messiah seemed to these a mighty prince 
 Who should in all the pride of earth-born Kings, 
 For Zion's sake, from Heaven descend to crush
 
 THE CONVERSION. 25 
 
 Her foes ; tread down, and utterly destroy 
 
 Her great oppressor Rome ; and in Rome's place 
 
 Set up his awful throne on Zion's mount, 
 
 And there inaugurate an earthly reign 
 
 O'er earthly hearts still selfish, proud, corrupt, 
 
 The slaves of sin ; because by love unchanged. 
 
 Fatal mistake ! whereby the Tempter sought 
 
 Still to maintain his reign under pretence 
 
 Of honouring God, and in Jehovah's name 
 
 Seduce the hearts of Israel. Blind revenge ! 
 
 Not to fulfil these Jewish dreams that left 
 
 The world unhealed, seething with pride and hate. 
 
 Sad victim of its own insatiate lusts ; 
 
 But to reveal God's righteousness and love. 
 
 He came, the Prince of Peace, the eternal Truth, 
 
 The Lion of the tribe of Judah, Who, 
 
 Through suffering and through death, the Lamb of 
 
 God, 
 Should lead His people on to victory. 
 
 For Him there waited souls, alas ! too few. 
 Their plaintive voice unheard above the shout 
 Of revelry, but known of God and blessed.
 
 26 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Such thou, the chosen Virgin, in thy home 
 Scarce conscious, waiting, pondering the hope 
 Of Israel, handmaid of the Lord, prepared 
 To hear the angel's message wonderful. 
 And trustful answer, " Be it as thy word." 
 Such too Elisabeth, past hope of sons, 
 Yet bearing him, herald of Israel's joy ; 
 Constrained of God with vigorous faith to greet 
 Her virgin cousin, " mother of her Lord." 
 Such Simeon, man in whom God's Spirit dwelt, 
 Gamaliel's father,* reverend with age, 
 To whom it was revealed that he should see 
 The Lord's Anointed e'er he tasted death. 
 Blest moment when he saw the holy child 
 Offered to God! Inspired, he Him embraced, 
 Breathing the prayer, " Lord, let me now depart, 
 " According to Thy word, in peace. Mine eyes 
 " Have seen Thy saving grace prepared for all ; 
 " A light unveiled to shine on Gentile world, 
 " Glory of Israel." Anna too, behold, 
 Bowed with the weight of years, that self-same hour 
 
 * So Dr. Lightfoot, Works, vol. ix p. 345. (Pitman's 
 edition.)
 
 THE COXVERSION. 27 
 
 Entering the Temple. Strong in faith, she praised 
 The Lord and told His grace to all who looked 
 In hope for His redemption. Of like mind 
 The faithful two, though timid at the first, 
 Joseph and Nicodemus, high in power, 
 Among the Jews. — These few, known to the 
 
 world ; — 
 With hidden ones, who thirsted after God ; 
 The spiritually poor, who mourned their sin ; 
 The pure in heart, who welcomed Zion's Prince, 
 Made known in lowly meekness. See 'mongst 
 
 these 
 The fishers on the Galilean lake. 
 Called from their humble toil to fish for men 
 On wider and more troubled sea : — the world. 
 
 But little was the youthful Saul prepared 
 As yet to know his King. He had no sense 
 Of his heart's need of change ; for in his view 
 The law respected nought but outward acts, 
 Which, punctual, he fulfilled. Blameless of life* 
 In his conceit, he thought all he received, 
 
 * Phil. iii. 6.
 
 28 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 E'en from his God, deserved. Grace was to him 
 A thought, repugnant, loathed. Saul, still self- 
 whole, 
 Spurned his physician. And this Jesus meek, 
 So potent to do good to wretched poor. 
 Healing the maimed and blind, and yet in view 
 Of Saul, stern and unyielding to the rich 
 And great ; giving himself to degradation base, 
 And unresisting mocked with ribald jeer. 
 Strange contradiction, only constant found 
 In inconsistencies ; so poor, so mean. 
 Advancing claims too high for mortal man ; 
 Yet dying death of slave, nailed to a cross ; 
 Could He, this Nazarene, be Israel's Christ .'* 
 All this to Saul, inebriate with pride, 
 Seemed a fanatic's dream, impossible. 
 
 Gamaliel's favoured pupil, Saul was passed 
 By none in lore of Rabbis. Though but young 
 A member of the Council ;* in repute 
 And influence, increasing day by day. 
 
 * See Lewin's Life of the Apostle Paul, vol. i. p. 14, and 
 authorities there cited. — Selden, ed. Wilkins, vol. i. col. 1099 
 and 1360.
 
 THE CONVERSION. 29 
 
 There from his seat he heard the Apostles plead — 
 Peter and John — with Pentecostal power, 
 Haply the youngest present. Awed at first 
 By their bold bearing, soon his scorn was roused 
 At their unlearned, presumptuous ignorance. 
 'Twas hard for him to bear Gamaliel's words, 
 Instinct with moderation, but to Saul 
 So cold and cautious.* His assent he gave 
 Tardy, reluctant, nursing thoughts of hate 
 That smouldered in his breast, biding their time. 
 
 Kindled afresh, his zealot spirit blazed. 
 Encountering Stephen. Ill could he endure 
 To hear this low-born Jesus set above 
 Great Moses, and the Temple's splendid shrine 
 Proclaimed as nothing worth compared with hearts 
 Of wretched Nazarenes. Joined with the rest. 
 His countrymen, in disputation keen, 
 Stephen outmatched them, answering calm their 
 
 words 
 With wisdom. Vanquished, stung with shame, they 
 
 hale 
 
 Acts V. 33-41.
 
 30 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Stephen before the Council ; loud they charge 
 Complaint of blasphemy and claim his death. 
 
 The time was ripe : Rome's emperor lay dead ; 
 Pilate was banished ; and Jerusalem 
 Incautious left to the capricious rule, 
 By passion or by party too oft swayed, 
 Of Jewish Council, eager to assume 
 Ancient prerogative of life and death. 
 
 Thus Stephen came before them. As he stood, 
 Figure majestic, all his features breathed 
 The greatness of his soul. His eyes flashed fire 
 Of zeal and love. Deep contemplation marked 
 His brow. His noble forehead spoke resolve 
 And reverence for the truth. His mien erect 
 And steadfast air proclaimed his courage high, 
 His heart at peace with God, firm fixed in trust. 
 Raised far above all dread. Calmly he spoke, 
 And as they heard, his face with radiance shone. 
 As with angelic brightness. Great his theme. 
 Worthy his words. " Our fathers' call," he said, 
 " Was from the God of glory ; they owed all
 
 THE CONVERSION. 31 
 
 " To Him. His love and grace to Abram gave 
 " The promised blessing, not because of works. 
 " Believing, though uncircumcised, his faith 
 " Was counted righteousness. 'Twas God who 
 
 cared 
 "In every age for His own chosen race ; 
 " From Him receiving all, their story gives 
 " Continual proof of their ingratitude, 
 " And foul relapse, in the rejection base 
 " Of their deliverers. Thus, by envy moved, 
 " E'en Jacob's sons from whom we boast descent 
 " Sold Joseph : — deed of infamy unheard ! 
 " Yet here our God was pleased to magnify 
 " His mercy, giving them deliverance 
 " By him whom they rejected and betrayed. 
 " Ye boast of Moses, counting it your pride 
 " To trace your law from him, first Lawgiver ; 
 " But in that law you read your own disgrace. 
 " Whence but from Israel came the bitter taunt 
 " That drove him into exile, ' Who made thee 
 "'Our judge'.? God led them through the sea 
 
 whose shore 
 " Re-echoed notes of triumph o'er their foes,
 
 32 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " So late their masters, now o'ervvhelmed by waves. 
 " They heard the voice of God speaking His law 
 " 'Midst Sinai's thunders, but how soon forgot. 
 " Whilst Moses tarried, rapt in converse high 
 " With God, our fathers' coward hearts back 
 
 turned 
 " To Egypt's flesh-pots, and its thraldom vile. 
 " And even Aaron, from whom ye high priests 
 " Claim pedigree, base yielding to the crowd, 
 " Made them a calf of gold ; — fit image this 
 " Of their low carnal minds ; — it worshipping 
 " As God their saviour ! Did not He give up 
 " These faithless, recreant hearts to wanderings 
 
 drear, 
 " And worship of the host of heaven, Moloch 
 " And Remphan, till their corpses strewed the 
 
 waste. 
 " And when He won their children rest within 
 " The Promised Land, by hand of Joshua, — type 
 " Of greater Jesus, — He longsufifering bore 
 " With their rebellions, and in patient love, 
 " Self sacrificing, granted them a King. 
 " He, Avho His people led, their faithful Guide,
 
 THE CONVERSION. ii 
 
 " Pillar of cloud by day, of fire by night, 
 
 " Needed no gorgeous shrine. A shifting tent, 
 
 " Plain image of the transient, was enough 
 
 " To witness of His truth and grace ; a type 
 
 " Not to endure, but through the ages long 
 
 " Of preparation, pointing still the heart 
 
 " To the unchanging verities beyond. 
 
 " David, the King favoured of God, desired 
 
 " To build a temple ; war and blood forbad. 
 
 " The great design fell to his peaceful son, 
 
 " Weak type of Him, by prophets named the 
 
 Prince 
 " Of Peace and Righteousness. This king's sad 
 
 fall 
 " Proclaimed his work unstable, ill designed 
 " To be His house, who fills the heavens, nor 
 
 dwells 
 " In earthly shrines." The martyr's spirit rose 
 As he denounced in deep indignant tones, 
 Israel's revolts, its heart uncircumcised. 
 Ever resisting God with stiffnecked pride ; 
 The prophets' persecutor, and at last, 
 Worst crime of all, its rising against Him, 
 
 D
 
 34 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 That meek, Just One, whose love with murder 
 
 vile 
 Had been repaid. " Vain boasters of the Law 
 " Received through angels, constant disobeyed.'' 
 
 They heard nor waited more. As some wild 
 storm, 
 Rushing from East or North with sudden rage, 
 Lashes old Ocean to his inmost depths, 
 Driving the waves on some lone beacon rock, — 
 They dash and roar tumultuous, leaping high 
 In mad confusion, seeming to o'erwhelm. 
 Nathless it stands erect, and rears its head 
 Unmoved above the storm. So furious raged 
 The venerable throng, gnashing their teeth, 
 And with loud shouts demanding Stephen's blood. 
 
 Serene he stands. Heaven opens to his gaze ; 
 And with uplifted eyes cleared from earth's mists, 
 He sees God's glory, and his risen Lord 
 Standing at God's right hand. The vision told ; 
 Cut to the heart, they stop their ears, and rush
 
 THE CONVERSION. 35 
 
 With fearful yells at him, now doomed to die. 
 The Holy City thought too sacred ground 
 For such a deed ; with sanctimonious care 
 They drag him forth to the blasphemer's death, 
 And stone him. Christ-like he, their pardon 
 
 pleads, 
 Calling on Jesus with his latest breath. 
 Thus the first martyr fell asleep in Christ. 
 
 Frenzied by zeal and hate, Saul joined with 
 them, 
 That stoned the just ; and restless, seeking peace, 
 Heaped on himself the guilt of Stephen's death. 
 In grim congratulation he went forth, 
 Thinking the act high service done to God, 
 Deeming himself a champion of the Law. 
 Southward he turned towards tomb of Absalom, 
 And met Gamaliel, sad of heart, and grave. 
 
 " My son," he said, " what hear I of thy acts 'i 
 " This furious rage, my pupil ill beseems. 
 " Aspirest thou to sit in Moses' seat } 
 " Was he not meek, impartial, patient, just ? 
 
 D 2
 
 36 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " Pleaded he not for Israel in their sin ; 
 
 " Though shameful, worshipping the calf of gold, 
 
 " And prayed that he might bear his people's 
 
 curse ? 
 " In this thou seem'st to be thy name-sake Saul, 
 •' Who sought the death of David innocent, 
 " Rather than David, sparing oft Saul's life. 
 " Remember his sad fate, rejected King ! 
 " Thou heard'st my voice in council, knows't my 
 
 mind. 
 " Jesus hath suffered death ; enough for Him 
 "If guilty. Bold the words of those who now 
 " Assert Him risen and alive. The case 
 " Is weighty. Pharisee, I firm believe 
 " The dead shall rise ; and if the event should 
 
 prove 
 " That Jesus rose, shall I contest God's will ? 
 " I give no verdict, leaving all to Him 
 " Who in His way and time will make it plain. 
 " But how can blood avail in such a case .-• 
 " How can man s fury vindicate God's truth ? 
 " Not sacrifice, but mercy He requires. 
 " Be patient, judge not, wait to see the end."
 
 THE CONVERSION. yj 
 
 He scarce had ceased, when Saul defiant turned 
 On his old master. " Well thy words suffice, 
 " For those who stiff with age have lost their 
 
 hearts. 
 " Much as I learned when sitting at thy feet, 
 " Never would I unlearn the sentence grave 
 " Of our great Moses, ' Death on blasphemy.' 
 " Give me the zeal of Phinehas, perish all 
 " Beside, What ! wilt thou tell me that this man 
 " From Galilee, so lately crucified ; 
 " Is risen Lord and King, the Christ of God, 
 " Who shall our venerable rites destroy, 
 " Our Temple crush, our worship overthrow, 
 " And rule as Zion's King ! Avaunt such dreams ! 
 " They may content weak minds ; and thou may'st 
 
 still 
 " Maintain repute for wisdom, on pretence 
 " Of holding just the even scales of Truth. 
 " Ardent and young such meanness suits not me. 
 " Saul, I must cease to be e'er I believe 
 " These myths. I am a wolf of Benjamin, 
 " And glory in my name and race. Farewell." 
 Angry he turned away in high disdain.
 
 38 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Gamaliel sighed, "Alas ! my son, behold 
 " This pillared tomb. Art thou my Absalom ? 
 " Heedest thou not the saying of the wise, 
 " Pride hath its ruin, haughtiness its fall. 
 " Ponder my words, be humble, patient ; thou 
 ** May'st still be blessed." Thus mildly he, but Saul 
 Rushed on impetuous, hardening his heart. 
 
 Witness of Stephen's death, the martyr's words 
 Returned not void, but burned within his soul ; 
 The more he strove to quench them, still the 
 
 more 
 They wrought upon his conscience. It was hard 
 " To kick against the pricks " that pierced within. 
 But should he weakly from his ground retreat } 
 That were a baseness to be loathed and shunned. 
 The conflict inly raged. Truth raised her voice 
 Supreme ; but still, his stubborn self refused 
 To bend. Though racked within by many a pang. 
 He would not yield, but fiercely thundered forth 
 The cruel watchword, " Slaughter and destroy." 
 
 Great havoc made he of the infant Church,
 
 THE CONVERSION. 39 
 
 Entering the Synagogues, and seizing men 
 And the defenceless women, putting them 
 In filthy prisons, dungeons horrible, 
 And with dire threats compelled them to blas- 
 pheme. 
 If steadfast in their faith, his voice secured 
 Their death unpitying. Thus infuriate, 
 Venting his utmost rage, unsatisfied, 
 Saul in exceeding madness tracks the sheep 
 Of Christ to distant cities. Merciless, 
 Breathing loud threats, and spurning milder 
 
 thoughts, 
 He seeks direct the Sadducean priests, 
 Opponents of Gamaliel, and obtains 
 Authority from them to persecute 
 Far as Damascus, those who loved that Lord, 
 So soon to be his own ; now strangely scorned. 
 
 Behold him now, in eager haste, of ill 
 The messenger ; and as a wolf from Taurus, 
 Raging with hunger, ravins o'er the plains 
 'Gainst the defenceless flocks; so Saul goes forth 
 To glut insensate zeal on Christians meek.
 
 40 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 What were his thoughts as on the way he sped 
 Past Shechem and the Galilean lake, 
 Halting perchance to gaze athwart the plain, 
 Where kingly Hermon from his throne o'erlooked 
 The three doomed cities, standing then unscathed, 
 Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazin, — 
 In all the pomp of luxury and pride, 
 But hurrying to their fall ? Now, Jordan passed 
 And Paneas, whence Jordan's fount bursts forth, 
 His spirit swells, as from afar he sees 
 On the well-watered plain, Damascus rise 
 As a fair vision midst the bounteous streams 
 Of Pharpar and Abana ; — hoar with age, 
 Fresh with perennial youth ; beneath the shade 
 Of goodly Lebanon. It was a sight 
 To touch his heart, kindling its depths with love : 
 Hate might have changed to pity, and though 
 
 late, 
 The Pharisee have learned a brother's love 
 Towards all, who with himself, were Abraham's 
 
 sons. 
 But no, the Pharisee was still unchanged, 
 P^ierce, proud, relentless, obstinate, self-willed.
 
 THE CONVERSION. 41 
 
 And now Damascus near, high in the vault 
 Of Heaven blazed forth at noon the Syrian sun ; 
 When suddenly a greater light appears, 
 With which compared the sun himself grew pale, 
 Owning Him Lord, the uncreated Light. 
 An awful voice inquires, "What dost thou here 
 " Me persecuting ? " Struck to the earth, Saul asks, 
 " Who art Thou, Lord ?" Distinct the answer comes, 
 "Jesus I am whom thou dost persecute." 
 Yes, it is He who triumphed over death 
 And spoiled the grave ; who ever lives. He 
 
 comes 
 To claim His own Apostle ; comes to prove 
 The love that seeks until it finds ; the might 
 That saves the chief of sinners. He is there 
 Whom all creation worships. 
 
 Saul amazed. 
 Stricken with terror, yields, and at the name 
 Of Jesus bows his stubborn heart in awe. 
 Were these his thoughts .'' " Lord, art Thou come 
 
 to me, 
 " Thy persecutor ; this Thy grace to one 
 "Who sought to slay Thee in Thy followers.''
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " Lord, this is Love indeed, surpassing man's 
 
 " Or angel's ; this is Love befitting God. 
 
 " No longer I resist. Take Thou my heart 
 
 " To will Thy will, not mine, but Thine. O 
 
 Lord! 
 "What wilt Thou I should do?" 
 
 Behold him now 
 Raised from the earth by friendly hand ; though 
 
 blind 
 Yet seeing ; the inward eye illuminate 
 With His clear light who is Himself the Light. 
 Led to Damascus, contrite he abides. 
 At house of Judas, in the street called Straight, 
 Wrestling in prayer like Jacob, and like him 
 Intent to win the blessing. Three days passed 
 In prayer, nor Saul had tasted food ; when comes 
 The faithful Ananias, sent by Christ 
 To greet him who before was breathing nought 
 But slaughter. At the words, " Receive thy sight, 
 My brother," straight the scales fell from his 
 
 eyes ; 
 Saul rose and was baptized ; with joy and praise 
 Confessing Christ his King. Thus was the wolf
 
 THE CONVERSION. 43 
 
 Of Benjamin subdued by Judah's Lion ; 
 
 Thus did the Lamb of God o'ercome, and make 
 
 The ravining wolf through grace divide the spoil. 
 
 Oh for anointed eyes to see Heaven open, 
 For ears to hear the voice of joy and praise 
 Before the throne, at this blest victory. 
 Great Cherubim, and Seraphim, and all 
 The angelic host raise the triumphant song ; 
 Hymning the praises of the risen Lord. 
 E'en midst the joy ineffable of Heaven, 
 Every lost sheep, sought out, brought home by 
 
 Thee 
 Adds to Thy joy, Great Shepherd of the flock ; 
 And how much more a conquest such as this, 
 
 " All blessing and all praise be unto Thee, 
 " Thou Lamb of God, for this Thy victory, 
 "Speaking Thy power supreme. Thou wast Thy- 
 self 
 " The One to sound the utmost depths of sin 
 " And wretchedness, for man. Thyself the One 
 " To bear his chastisement, to die his death,
 
 44 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " Great Sacrifice for sin ; and now, 'tis Thine 
 
 " To prove Thy power to save ilHmitable, 
 
 " Redeeming him, filled with conceit, stiffnecked, 
 
 " Lost beyond hope, to be Thy joy and crown ; 
 
 " Wondrous example of exhaustless love, 
 
 " Flowing to unborn myriads, who through him, 
 
 " Hereafter shall receive Thy endless grace, 
 
 "And bless Thee for his work, in whom, as first 
 
 " Apostle to the Gentiles Thou hast shown 
 
 " Thy patience and Thy mercy infinite." 
 
 They scarce had ceased, when from before the 
 
 Throne 
 A host innumerable took up the psalm. 
 Prophets and saints, the Church of the firstborn. 
 The voice of Stephen heard above them all : 
 " Thrice blessed be Thy name, O Lord ! our 
 
 God! 
 " Thee, Father, everlastingly the same, 
 " Thee we approach with reverential praise 
 " For this Thy grace and power unspeakable. 
 " Thee do we praise, only-begotten Son, 
 "Through whom the Father's love unveils itself.
 
 THE CONVERSION. 45 
 
 ^' By whom He manifests His power and Truth, 
 
 " By Thee creating all things. Thou wast pleased 
 
 " To give Thyself to die the death for sin, 
 
 " And patient, waitest in long-suffering love. 
 
 " Thee dying, living, loving, we adore. 
 
 *' And Thee, Eternal Spirit, Comforter, 
 
 " Witness for Truth, Great Changer of man's 
 
 heart, 
 " By whom Almighty grace and love become 
 " Man's own through faith, we bless Thee, One 
 
 with God. 
 " Reign, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God, 
 " Almighty ! Infinite ! Be Thine the praise 
 " All Holy, Holy, Holy, Perfect Thou ! 
 " In wisdom, truth, and love, world without end." 
 
 The chorus ceased, and though unheard, was 
 
 not 
 Unfelt on earth. Sweet was the joy that filled 
 The heart of Saul, sealing his pardon sure. 
 His call express, his peace with God through 
 
 Christ.
 
 46 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Where thy impatience now, where thy unrest ? 
 Whither has fled thy wilfulness of self, 
 And blind presumption, urging on to ruin. 
 All, all exchanged for self-renouncing love. 
 The dreams of Rabbis serve no more to feed 
 Thy soul. All problems now are solved in Him 
 In whom God's fulness dwells ; Earth's voice is 
 
 hushed, 
 And nought is heard within, save this one prayer, 
 "Lord Jesus, as Thou wilt, still love and lead."
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 THE PREPARATION.
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Invocation. — Saul now changed preaches Jesus boldly. — 
 His enemies seek to kill him.— He retires to Arabia to learn new 
 lessons of truth and love. — Alone with Christ ! blest solitude ! 
 — He returns to Damascus but is again obliged to flee. — Visits 
 Jerusalem.— Converse with Peter, who had been prepared to 
 receive him by the conversion of Cornelius. — With James. — 
 After fifteen days obliged to flee to Tarsus. —Where after some 
 years he is sought by Barnabas. — Schooled in the discipline of 
 patience. — They come to Antioch, where the call at length goes 
 forth for service.- They visit Paphos, where Saul assumes the 
 name of Paul. — They cross the sea to Pamphylia and visit 
 Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and the region of Galatia.— 
 Thence they return to Antioch in Syria.- Conflict in the Church 
 on the subject of circumcision obliges Paul and Barnabas to 
 go up to Jerusalem. — Statement of the difficulty. — The Law 
 twofold ; the typical portion transitory, and not intended to be 
 a yoke upon the Gentiles : the moral and spiritual permanent 
 and universally binding. — Debate at Jerusalem. — Decision, 
 in accordance with Paul's view, opening the way for his further 
 work among the Gentiles. — Peter's lack of courage at Antioch 
 reproved by Paul. — Fellowship of Peter, James and Paul, 
 beautiful type of the Church designed to be built up of a 
 variety of precious stones. — Appeal to the Church of to-day.
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 THE PREPARATION. 
 
 Thy Church shall praise the glory of Thy work, 
 
 Who goest forth, Great Shepherd of the sheep, 
 
 To save the lost and bring them home with joy ; 
 
 Nor shall it cease to celebrate Thy love 
 
 In training them for service high of Heaven. 
 
 Receiving Thee, Thy condescending grace 
 
 Makes Thee to them their Light, the Life, the 
 
 Truth, 
 The Way, their eye to see, their mind to know, 
 Their will to do Thy will, perfect and blest. 
 So Saul found Thee. Behold him changed in 
 
 heart ; 
 No longer Saul the Persecutor ; blind 
 With prejudice and hate, but contrite, meek, 
 Filled with Thy love, that wrought not to destroy 
 Aught that was good or noble in his soul. 
 But hallowed and made strong his inner man,
 
 52 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Raised him to be amongst the greatest, great, 
 Though, in his own account, less than the least. 
 
 As a bold champion, sure of victory. 
 He preaches Jesus, as the Christ of God, 
 In Whom all ancient prophecy and type 
 Fulfil themselves. Amazed, his enemies 
 Exclaim, " Can this be he sent from our priests 
 " To hale and drag to prison these despised 
 " Of Galilee .■* Whence comes this wondrous change, 
 "This fond delusion passing all conceit.'"' 
 Emboldened more with courage from on high, 
 Saul proves his new-learnt lesson, and confutes 
 Their sophistries, with truth unanswerable 
 From Moses and the Prophets. Wonder turns 
 To hate. They seek to kill him whom they thought 
 To welcome as their champion ; and the men 
 He came to slaughter, shield him as their friend 
 And brother ; loved by Christ, so loved by them. 
 
 Leaving Damascus, for a time he goes 
 Not to Jerusalem, — as though he sought
 
 THE PREPARATION. 53 
 
 From man a confirmation of his call 
 Received from none save Jesus, now alone 
 His Lord ; — but to Arabia's unobserved 
 Retreats, where in communion with that Lord, 
 Sacred and still, his mission might be sealed. 
 Say, was it 'midst the wastes stretching afar 
 From Gilead and from Bashan's mountain plains, 
 Teeming with herds of vigorous beeves that roam 
 Through giant cities ; or, where, 'midst the heights 
 Rock-hewn of Petra, the Bedouin wild 
 Pitches his tent, and wanders still untamed ? 
 Or was it rather 'midst Sinai's wilds. 
 Whither from Jezebel, Elijah fled. 
 And learned in Horeb's cave, divinely taught, 
 That not in storm, or earthquake terrible. 
 Or in the fire: but in the "still, small voice" 
 Jehovah speaks to lowly, listening hearts ? 
 E'en here, like John, blest herald of his Lord, 
 Or Moses, taught to esteem reproach of Christ 
 Above earth's wealth and fame ; e'en here his 
 
 heart 
 Was schooled to wisdom in love's discipline, 
 And taught new lessons of his Master's truth.
 
 54 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Alone with Christ ! how much had Saul to un- 
 learn, 
 How much to learn. The law no outward code, 
 Needing nought else but outward keeping ; eyes 
 Upturned in seeming piety ; no life 
 Of broad phylacteries, strict fasts, prayers, alms, 
 A dull and cold routine of surface show, 
 Wanting all depth ; the heart still breathing self, 
 Careless of God; but law instinct with life* 
 From its great Author, God of truth and love ; 
 And so producing service pure from hearts 
 Made right with Him. Alone with Christ ! Saul 
 
 learned 
 The debt he owed to Him Who paid the price 
 And bought him for Himself; he could not be 
 His own, by Christ created and redeemed. 
 Henceforth he knew that when God speaks to man 
 He claims his all, not, as a tyrant lord, 
 His slave, but as a Father, His loved child, 
 Whose will, made His by love's own instinct, moves 
 Towards Him as needle to the pole. All else 
 
 * " The law of the Sph-it of life in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 
 viii. 2.)
 
 THE PREPARATION. 55 
 
 He counted nought, a phantom, or a dream, 
 
 Eluding grasp, ever deceiving hope. 
 
 Alone with Christ ! how clear from mists of doubt 
 
 Or prejudice became Saul's inward eye ; 
 
 How great a light, from Christ, the Fountain 
 
 streamed 
 On page of inspiration. All the types 
 Explained in Him, the eternal Antitype ; 
 The picture long obscure, and made more faint 
 Through tract of time ; the image half defaced 
 Upon the well-worn coin, give place to Him, 
 Perfect original. Bodies of beasts, 
 Slain offerings, that could ne'er for sin atone, 
 In Him receive their meaning, and their end, 
 The Great High Priest and Sacrifice for sin, 
 Whose Everlasting Priesthood far excels 
 The weak and erring priesthood of the Law. 
 Death, suffering, degradation, now appeared 
 No infamy in Jesus ; to Saul's mind, 
 Thus taught from Heaven, they were essential parts 
 Of the all-perfect counsel, in which God 
 Was pleased to magnify eternal Love 
 Yearning in tenderness to save the world.
 
 56 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Yet still uphold as just, His righteous I,aw. 
 Alone with Christ ! How oft did Paul revolve 
 The character of his great namesake Saul* 
 Like him a Benjamite ; Israel's first King ; 
 Whose call and unction with " another heart " 
 Received from God, such early promise gave 
 Of greatness. Humble then, he hid himself. 
 Shrinking from high estate. Brought forth at 
 
 length, 
 In modest dignity, as column tall 
 He towers majestic, high above the crowd. 
 " Swift as the eagle, as the lion strong,"! 
 His looks proclaim him born to rule. In him 
 The people see the answer to their prayers. 
 And straight, with eager shouts, salute him King. 
 But tried and in the balance weighed by God 
 He was found wanting. The materials choice 
 Were there ; but that which governs all — the will, — 
 
 * This appears to me one of the key-notes of the Apostle's 
 character. It is observable that the only reference to King 
 Saul in the New Testament is to be found in the Apostle's 
 memorable address in the Synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia. 
 (Acts xiii. 21.) 
 
 t 2 Sam, i. 23.
 
 THE PREPARATION. 57 
 
 Impatient, unsubdued, remained. The bond 
 
 Complete in love was absent ; without which 
 
 Nought can be firm, compact together joined. 
 
 King Saul thus fell. Attempting to maintain 
 
 His own repute, his life, at first so fair, 
 
 Ended at last in shame and foul defeat : 
 
 A weak half-heartedness his ruin proved. 
 
 All this to Saul, devoted now to Christ, 
 
 Was sealed indelibly upon his soul, 
 
 In converse high with Him, His risen Lord. 
 
 In Israel's King he saw example plain 
 
 That neither call express, nor heart renewed, 
 
 Nor sacred unction, could secure from fall, 
 
 Without unceasing watch and constant prayer. 
 
 Hence Saul his body in subjection kept, 
 
 Lest, haply, he " a castaway " should prove : 
 
 In Christ abiding, resting in His love. 
 
 His was henceforth, through Christ, the purpose 
 
 firm, 
 Not to please men, but God. 'Twas now to him 
 The one essential aim, with patient faith 
 To run and to obtain, and Christ to win. 
 All else was dross. Bought with that precious price,
 
 58 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Redeemed by Christ, no more he sought his own. 
 
 His whole desire was but himself to yield 
 
 A living sacrifice, holy, entire, 
 
 Perfect in love and praise, as all of Grace. 
 
 Alone with Christ ! Saul was not merely taught, 
 His mind informed, but the whole man was 
 
 changed, 
 Self now excluded, Jesus reigned in love : 
 Yes, Jesus one with God, the perfect man. 
 The Word made flesh, the same who died yet 
 
 lives, 
 Present with Saul, and Saul alone with Him, 
 Could open out the heights and depths of truth. 
 And vindicate the grace that died to save. 
 Alone with Christ ! in fellowship divine. 
 Blest solitude ! how art thou needed now 
 Amidst this bustling, anxious world, where talk 
 Unceasing, and the multitude of books. 
 And ever varying cries, and theories new 
 Elbow each other, scantly giving space 
 For converse high, calm, and retired, with Him, 
 The unchanged and perfect Teacher of the wise.
 
 THE PREPARATION. 59 
 
 And yet, dear Lord, Thou wouldst not have us 
 
 leave 
 The world before Thy time, or, in the world 
 Be sick of heart, faint with discouragement. 
 Basely deserting duty, dead to life's 
 Tremendous conflict, cowardly sneaking off 
 To some choice hermitage, there, slumbering out 
 The dregs of life, useless to God and man. 
 Rather, we crave to be redeemed from self, 
 Resting in Thee, patient to learn Thy truth, 
 And through earth's weary tossings, do Thy will 
 With holy constancy, at peace with Thee. 
 
 Returning to Damascus with fresh strength 
 And wisdom fortified, Saul preaches Christ 
 With boldness. Enemies exasperate 
 Contrive his death with Ethnarch of the king. 
 The city walls are watched, the gates are closed, 
 But " through a window, in a basket," Saul 
 " Let down," escapes, and so confounds revenge. 
 
 Three years have passed since the eventful 
 change.
 
 6o PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 That turned Saul's heart from self to Christ, from 
 
 earth 
 To Heaven. 'Tis now he seeks Jerusalem ; 
 Not to obtain commission new from man, 
 But to enjoy with Peter converse sweet, 
 As with a brother, and on equal terms. 
 Peter, to whom meanwhile, at Simon's house 
 At Joppa, when in Heavenly vision tranced, 
 Appeared a sheet, extended large, athwart 
 The Western main, on which all kinds of beasts 
 Clean and unclean were seen ; and who had heard 
 A voice, " Call not unclean, what God hath 
 
 cleansed." 
 The thrice-seen vision sealed on Peter's heart 
 The truth so hard for man to learn, that Christ 
 Is come, heir of the world, " the Seed in whom 
 " All nations," Jew and Gentile, " shall be blest." 
 This truth, so great, essential, slowly dawned 
 On the Apostles. Clear in prophecy. 
 And in the word of Christ, it needed more 
 Than Pentecostal power to bring it home 
 To simple Jew, with whom " clean and unclean," 
 Scarce understood save in the outward sense,
 
 THE PREPARATION. 6i 
 
 Stamped as impure, unholy, what was so 
 
 By no inherent brand. Thus was marked out 
 
 A barrier between Jew and Gentile, strict, 
 
 Impassable ; a barrier vast in power, 
 
 Only to be down-broken by the Cross, 
 
 Proclaiming clean all that our God is pleased 
 
 To purify by His own law of love 
 
 Revealed in Christ. Blest Saviour ! we adore 
 
 Thy Grace, whose death this problem solved for 
 
 man, 
 Who in Thy life uprisen from the dead, 
 Wast still so near to instruct and lead Thy 
 
 Church, 
 Opening the heart of Peter, giving him 
 To see in vision clear, what without Thee 
 He ne'er had understood. Joppa, how fit 
 The spot ! The place whence Jonah fled 
 To Tarshish from the call to Nineveh ; 
 First Preacher of Repentance to the world 
 Of Gentiles ; in his deliverance strange, 
 And future preaching, wondrous type of Him 
 Who died and rose. How fit that here should come 
 The call in name of Jonah's Antitype
 
 62 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 To win the Gentiles home. To Peter thus 
 
 The privilege was given to unlock 
 
 The door of faith to Gentiles, as before 
 
 To Jews, on day of Pentecost, and bid 
 
 Cornelius welcome. Soldier of the world, 
 
 Now called to Christ ! Blest pledge of grace's might 
 
 To conquer martial Rome, that in her grasp 
 
 Of iron held mankind. It were too long 
 
 Here to depict the scene in which the love 
 
 Of Christ first thee embraced. Enough to note 
 
 How the event, so big with consequence, 
 
 Essential to Saul's service, harmonized 
 
 In time and scope with his own call to work. 
 
 'Twas a coincidence, worthy of God, 
 
 Peter, Cornelius, Ananias, Saul, 
 
 How great the changes wrought upon their minds ! 
 
 Nicely adjusted, fitting each to each, 
 
 Opening the hearts of Gentiles to believe, 
 
 Preparing hearts of Jews to welcome them. 
 
 And above all a mind and heart like Saul's 
 
 The Gospel message to sound forth, outside 
 
 The Jewish fold, to willing hearts and glad. 
 
 The fifteen days spent at Jerusalem
 
 THE PREPARATION. 63 
 
 Barely sufficed. They were but three who met. 
 How various were their minds ! Peter, unskilled 
 In learning of the schools, impetuous, strong, 
 And as a rock basaltic from his home 
 On fair Gennesaret, rough, fiery, hard. 
 Owing its noble form to Christ's own Hand, 
 Who made the man of rock His first Apostle. 
 James, brother of the Lord as man, who yet 
 Had lived for years unconscious of His power 
 And dignity Divine, deeming His life 
 Too lowly to be great ; whose mind remained 
 That of a Jew still zealous of the Law, 
 Devout in life, unlearned as Peter. Both 
 Made one in owning Jesus as the Christ, 
 " The Lord of Glory," Saviour, Son of God, 
 Were ready to greet Saul as brother loved. 
 And give him fellowship in work for Christ ; 
 He to the Gentiles called, they, to the Jews. 
 How precious was the foretaste of Christ's love 
 When present with these three in conference sweet, 
 Unwillingly dissolved. Saul, still pursued 
 By hatred and revenge, is forced to flee. 
 And so once more amongst his native fields.
 
 64 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Where Taurus lifts his snow-clad head and points 
 To Heaven, behold our new Apostle ; there, 
 In holy calm, waiting his Lord's behests. 
 Let it not pass unheeded, 'twas at home, 
 'Midst its just claims of duty and of love, 
 Saul was detained for years from wider work. 
 Month passes month, year after year goes by. 
 And yet he waits till full ten years* are flown 
 Since first he heard his Master's call, and bowed 
 His heart to love. Patience, the discipline 
 Of Faith, how art thou blest ! In exercise 
 Of which the soul submissive rests in God 
 Strengthened for conflict, and endurance hard. 
 
 At length, in search of him, a brother comes, 
 
 The faithful Barnabas, a Levite born 
 
 Of Cyprus, full of love, of generous zeal, 
 
 Sharing his goods with Christian poor ; his heart 
 
 Enlarged to give the hand of fellowship 
 
 To Saul, suspected for his sudden change. 
 
 How oft may one endowed with lesser gifts, 
 
 * The late Dr. Burton makes the period twelve years. See 
 his striking observations, Lectures on Ecclesiast. Hist, pp. 
 109, 1 10.
 
 THE PREPARATION. 
 
 If humble, wise, sincere, help on his way 
 
 A brother destined to be greater far. 
 
 Such needed help in Barnabas Saul found. 
 
 From Tarsus they to Antioch proceed. 
 
 Fast by Orontes, then in luxury wrapt. 
 
 Third city of Rome's empire ; where the crowd, 
 
 Whose thoughtless wit in later years provoked 
 
 Imperial satire, first contemptuous called 
 
 Disciples " Christians " ; name of honour now, 
 
 In bitter jest then given ; so God ordained. 
 
 There waiting, ministering to God with prayer 
 
 And fasting, came the summons from their King 
 
 To Saul still young, with elder Barnabas, 
 
 " Set them apart for their appointed work." 
 
 Saul's own peculiar call, between the two 
 
 No jealousy creates. His name stands last 
 
 In their commission. Willing to be last 
 
 He goes, as seeking not himself to please. 
 
 Faithful in simple service to His Lord, 
 
 He who was last, through grace becomes the first, 
 
 Gladly acknowledged such by Barnabas. 
 
 Launched from Seleucia, Cyprus first they seek,
 
 66 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 The home of Barnabas, it traversing 
 To furthest Paphos, where Saul's fervent zeal 
 O'ercomes the wiles of Jewish sorcerer ; 
 And where Rome's governor, with open mind 
 Astonished hears the truth ; and from that hour — 
 Was it in mark of this momentous change ? — 
 Saul first is known by Gentile name of Paul, 
 Henceforth his name, free citizen of Rome. 
 From Cyprus crossing to Pamphylian coast ; 
 Would we could see these lowly messengers 
 Wending their way up yonder mountain pass. 
 Barely escaping perils. Here were hid 
 The nests of brigand robbers who so long 
 Fiercely defied the power of Greece and Rome, 
 Infesting still these rocky fastnesses. 
 Thence they descended into mountain plains, 
 'Midst varied scenes, some drear, by sea of salt, 
 Others along the margin of a lake, 
 With waters sweet, girt round with lovely trees, 
 And lovelier flowers, fresh in the early spring. 
 At length they reach Pisidian Antioch, 
 Built on the heights, and backed by mountain 
 peaks.
 
 THE PREPARATION. 67 
 
 'Twas on the road traversed for ages past 
 
 By Persian satraps, and Rome's conquering hosts, 
 
 Now trod by humble messengers of Peace, 
 
 Bringing glad tidings from the King of kings. 
 
 For conquest of the world by love divine. 
 
 Here, as their wont, the Synagogue they seek, 
 
 And hear the lessons read in order due. 
 
 Paul, then invited, speaks. Mark his address ; — 
 
 No essay on an isolated text, 
 
 But living words fresh welling from a heart 
 
 Constrained by love, a mind divinely taught. 
 
 With earnest words he spoke of Israel's past, 
 
 A past which pointed on to future days ; 
 
 How Patriarchs and Kings looked for the time, 
 
 — A time, no longer future, fully come, — 
 
 When God should prove His love and grace to 
 
 man, 
 By raising up a Saviour, David's Son, 
 Jesus, in whom, as crucified and risen. 
 All who believe, their peace with God should find, 
 A peace the law could never give. He closed, 
 Warning despisers, and with fervent zeal 
 Entreating all, " Be reconciled to God." 
 
 F 2
 
 68 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Next Sabbath came, and with it crowds to learn 
 The glorious news. This stirred the Jews to hate. 
 Opposing, they blaspheme ; constraining Paul 
 Bold to declare, " Needful it was to preach 
 " God's grace at first to you, but, since ye deem 
 ** Yourselves unworthy of eternal Life, 
 " We to the Gentiles turn, to whom Christ comes 
 " Light and Salvation." At these joyful words 
 Many believed, with hearts prepared of God. 
 Thus they passed on, preaching the word of Life 
 'Midst districts rude, uncultured, where had roamed 
 In bygone centuries hordes of barbarous Kelts, 
 Leaving their sons, scarce tamed, to give their name 
 To the whole district, thence Galatia called. 
 At Lystra on the Lycaonian plain 
 Paul one observed, lame in his feet from birth ; 
 Marking his faith, he bid him stand upright : 
 Forthwith he leaped and walked. The people, awed, 
 Judged rightly God was present ; but, untaught, 
 Supposed the Apostles gods in human form, 
 And brought them sacrifice. They, grieved, declare 
 Themselves but men, and point them to the Lord, 
 Of Life the Author, Who controls the years,
 
 THE PREPARATION. 69 
 
 Giving man fruitful seasons, rain and sun, 
 Whose goodness rules the world. Hardly restrained 
 From worship, the untutored crowd quick turned 
 To other thoughts, nor stirred when Jews enraged. 
 From Antioch and Iconium, seized on Paul 
 And stoned him, purposing the death he wrought 
 On Stephen. Left for dead, he rose inspired 
 Anew with life from God, and, going forth, 
 Revisited each newly-planted church 
 With Barnabas ; confirming the disciples, 
 Bidding them look to rest beyond the world, 
 Sure and abiding, for which Christ their King 
 Through tribulation would prepare His own. 
 Ended their work, o'er Taurus they return 
 To Syrian Antioch, and there rehearse 
 With grateful joy and praise the Gentiles' call 
 And glad acceptance of God's love in Christ. 
 
 Paul tarries there, awaiting summons fresh. 
 And now, new troubles rise. Satan, disturbed 
 At gathering in of souls, seeks to o'erthrow 
 The work. He finds the mind of Paul too strong 
 To be deterred by threats from duty high.
 
 70 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Father of lies, see him with envious guile 
 
 Plotting the Gentiles to exclude from Christ, 
 
 Narrowing the Church to a mere sect of Jews, 
 
 Taking the pith from Paul's commission wide. 
 
 No marvel ; 'twas the old deceit, so late 
 
 Exposed by Stephen, answered with his blood. 
 
 Paul, in whose heart the words of Stephen burned, 
 
 Discerned the stake involved. He set himself 
 
 With all his moral power to foil th' attempt, 
 
 Rousing the Church with ardent words. Himself 
 
 And Barnabas, with others of like mind, 
 
 Are sent from Antioch to Jerusalem 
 
 To meet the brethren. Vast the issue raised. 
 
 Pregnant with weal or woe to future Church. 
 
 " What is the Law } To whom does it extend } 
 
 " And how distinguish portions that bind all, 
 
 "From others, limited to Jews alone .^" 
 
 All bowed before its declarations plain 
 
 Of God's own truth and being. Doubt arose 
 
 On circumcision, sacrifice and rites. 
 
 Priesthood and ceremonies, meats unclean 
 
 And clean. A code, so strict for Jews, — Could Christ 
 
 Have died to give the Gentiles such a yoke .-•
 
 THE PREPARATION. 71 
 
 To Paul all this was clear : to him the Law 
 Was twofold ; first, a declaration fixed 
 Of God's own will, all holy, just and true. 
 Deep, spiritual, addressing heart and mind 
 Of universal man, and hence a Law 
 'Of universal import through all time ; 
 Spoken to Jews, because from them should come 
 The Christ, fulfilling and explaining all. 
 To this there was annexed a second part 
 Of outward rites, in essence typical. 
 Designed, as in a figure, to present, 
 In sacrifices, Christ's atonement full 
 For sin ; in circumcision, change of heart ; 
 In other rites, the fruits of holy life. 
 These rites were transient in the view of Paul, 
 Fading as dawn before the rising sun, 
 Not permanent, as universal Law, 
 But superseded by the work of Christ, 
 Displacing pictures by reality, 
 In whom all types were ended and fulfilled. 
 
 Debate arose : the men professing Christ, 
 But zealous of the Law, were tliere. To them
 
 72 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 The Law was one : no difference would they own 
 
 'Twixt transient rites and universal Law 
 
 Immutable. Long lasted the dispute : 
 
 All eyes were fixed on Peter. Grave he rose 
 
 At last. His speech, plain and unvarnished, went 
 
 Directly to the point. To him the doubt 
 
 Was solved at Joppa : and the grace that claimed 
 
 Uncircumcised Cornelius threw the door 
 
 Open to all. " Shall we," he said, " in face 
 
 " Of this, load Gentile brethren with a yoke, 
 
 " Not yoke of Christ, that neither we could bear, 
 
 " Nor yet our fathers } No ! Not through the Law, 
 
 *' But through the grace of Christ, the Jew is saved 
 
 " Even as Gentile." Silent all remained 
 
 Listening to Barnabas and Paul, whilst they 
 
 Recounted wonders God had wrought by them. 
 
 Opening the door of faith to Gentile world 
 
 Apart from Circumcision. James then spoke, 
 
 From prophecy confirming Peter's words, 
 
 Giving his sentence clear : " The law in Christ 
 
 " Ls now to all a ' law of liberty.' 
 
 " Our Gentile brethren are not called to win, 
 
 " Through type, what is so freely theirs in Christ
 
 THE PREPARATION. 73 
 
 " The Antitype. All that is needed now 
 
 " Is this, that they abstain from everything 
 
 " Idolatrous. Unburdened of all else, 
 
 " Let them, co-heirs with Jew, maintain with God 
 
 " A holy walk." With him they all agreed : 
 
 The Holy Ghost approved. 
 
 Thus Christ watched o'er 
 His infant flock, setting His final seal 
 To Paul's high call. Thus was to all unveiled 
 The mystery which ages had concealed ; 
 The Gentile fellow-heir with Jew proclaimed 
 Through Christ, not Moses ; hence not bound by 
 
 types, 
 Soon made impossible by dread o'erthrow 
 Of the one hallowed shrine, in which alone 
 They could be right performed. The way was plain 
 For Paul in all his future work : on which 
 He soon set forth, followed by earnest prayers 
 From Churches where the Jews, Peter and James 
 And John, with ancient priests that loved the faith, 
 Rejoiced with Gentile brethren in the same 
 Free, full salvation bought for all by Christ.
 
 74 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Peter, 'tis true, strong as he seemed, the man 
 Of rock, once more his lack of courage proved 
 At Antioch. When first he thither came 
 After the sentence at Jerusalem, 
 With Gentiles he unhesitating ate ; 
 But when opposers had arrived from James, 
 He, weak, dissembled, and withdrew, as one 
 Ashamed of eating meat with the " unclean." 
 And Barnabas, alas ! by him ensnared, 
 Dissembled too. Much was at stake. If Paul 
 Had yielded, what was won were lost. The Jew 
 Still set above the Gentile, wronging him, 
 Himself had suffered. Paul, indignant, saw 
 The snare. His noble heart dissembling scorned ; 
 With the true courage which pure love inspires. 
 He answered Peter firm before them all. 
 And thus the truth prevailed. Peter, reproved, 
 Meekly received his words, and counted Paul, 
 Still more than e'er before, brother beloved. 
 
 Hail fellowship of saints made one in Christ ! 
 Their independent minds like varying chords 
 Attuned by grace to sound harmonious strains,
 
 THE PREPARATION. 75: 
 
 Sure proof to us that God can build His Church 
 
 Of stones, diverse in character and form, 
 
 And mould them all for their appointed place. 
 
 The Lord, who made them differ, ne'er designed 
 
 Their difference should disjoin or separate. 
 
 He would fit each to the Foundation laid 
 
 By Him in Zion ; and adjusted thus, 
 
 Conformed to the Foundation, them unite 
 
 Each to the other, thereby building up 
 
 A temple bright with all choice, precious stones, 
 
 Resting as one on Him their firm support. 
 
 For Him to inhabit, and in them fulfil 
 
 His work and reign. Who fills eternity, 
 
 Yet with the lowly wise delights to dwell. 
 
 Church of to-day, how long wilt thou remain 
 Jarred and disjointed } Thy Apostles frail, 
 Poor likenesses of Peter, James, or Paul, 
 Each seeking to make great his little name. 
 Preaching himself as representing fit 
 The Church entire ; oft causing question sad, 
 " Is Christ divided 1 " Shall no loving hand, 
 Led by the mind of Christ, discriminate
 
 76 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 The things which differ, and hold fast the true, 
 Firmly maintaining with unfaltering faith 
 Those that alone stand clear, revealed to guide 
 Our souls to heaven. Oh ! that all else were left 
 As questions unresolved, never designed 
 To separate the fellowship of saints, 
 Reserved in awful reverence for the light 
 Of that immortal day, morn without clouds, 
 When seeing eye to eye Whom all believe. 
 Drinking His fulness, we shall know in truth 
 As we are known, and find all doubts unsealed.
 
 BOOK III. 
 PAUL AT ATHENS.
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Paul now goes forth without an elder brother. — Hitherto 
 the Gospel preached only in the East. — Paul at Troas. — His 
 armour described. — He waits further directions. — A man of 
 Macedon appears to him, crying for help. — Paul at once 
 embarks for Europe. — Philippi, Europe's first Church. — Lydia, 
 the first convert. — Thessalonica, Beroea. — Paul, obliged by Jews 
 to flee, is led to Athens. — He there waits for his friends. — 
 Description of the city. — Brief retrospect of its past history. 
 — Paul's appreciation of ancient Greece. — As Apostle of the 
 Gentiles, his mind prepared to influence the minds of succeed- 
 ing ages both in the Eastern and Western world. — Even 
 America, to Paul unknown, now looks up to him as its Apostle.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 
 
 Thus far our theme has been of Saul the Jew, 
 
 Before and after the momentous change 
 
 That won his heart to Christ. Him have we 
 
 watched 
 Through years of preparation and of work, 
 Until the Church, divinely led, approved 
 His call to bring the Gentiles home through 
 
 Christ, 
 Not through the Law. Long has he joined in 
 
 work 
 With Barnabas. Now conflict, seeming sharp, 
 But ending all in love, divides the two ; 
 And with no elder brother, Paul goes forth. 
 
 Years have rolled on. The heralds to proclaim 
 Aloud the joyful sound through all the earth, 
 
 G
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Have travelled forth. How beautiful their feet 
 
 Prepared by Him who sent them ; swift to bear 
 
 The message of their King — Salvation, Peace ! 
 
 The news has quickly spread o'er mountain tops 
 
 Of Zion, Galilee, and where the heights 
 
 Of Lebanon and snow-clad Hermon rise 
 
 O'er Palestine and Syria. Cyprus fair 
 
 Has heard the voice of love ; not frenzied rites 
 
 Of Paphian Venus, but the love of God 
 
 In Christ, all holy, pure. The echoes sweet, 
 
 Wafted across the sea, have borne the notes 
 
 Far as Pamphylian and Pisidian hills, 
 
 And Taurus vast has echoed back the voice. 
 
 Where'er with arms outstretched he looks o'er 
 
 plains 
 Of lesser Asia ; then instinct with life, 
 Still beautiful in death. As yet the East 
 Alone has heard the tidings glad ; but now 
 In other fields behold the harvest ripe. 
 
 Coming from Phrygia, twice had Paul " assayed " 
 Asia, Bithynia ; twice the Lord he served 
 " Forbad " ; twice " Jesu's Spirit suffered not."
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 83 
 
 Asia him glad received in later years ; — 
 Such to the province the high-sounding name, 
 Where proudly sat on Cayster's lovely plain 
 " The first of all, the chief metropolis, 
 " Diana's Temple-keeper,"* Ephesus ; 
 And there for years, in lowliness of mind, 
 Paul sedulously toiled, planting the Church, 
 Watering it night and day with tears of prayer. 
 But see him now detained in love to Christ, 
 Tarrying at Troas, 'neath whose time-trod plain, 
 O'erlooked by Ida's " many-fountained "f hill. 
 Great Ilion lay entombed ; 'midst scenes en- 
 shrined 
 In ancient song : a veteran now in war 
 Far nobler than the contests famed of old : — 
 A " wrestling not with flesh and blood " alone, 
 But with the Powers of darkness ; hosts arrayed 
 In desperate rebellion, raging high 
 Against the Highest ; combat fierce and dread, 
 With which compared, earth's conflicts are but 
 dreams. 
 
 * These are titles of Ephesus upon the coins. 
 f This is Homer's epithet. 
 
 G 2
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 His weapons not of earth ; of Heavenly mould 
 And temper, fresh from the armoury of God ; 
 In grace and wisdom infinite prepared 
 For warriors of the Cross. Behold him thus 
 Armed to the point. The Truth, his girdle 
 
 strong, 
 Fast holding in restraint all fierce desires, 
 Bracing the soul for effort high. Behind, 
 No armour covers base retreat from foes, 
 Who vanquish only them that yield themselves. 
 In front see Righteousness, as breast-plate, shine 
 Brighter than burnished gold, reflecting clear 
 The light of Him, the uncreated Light ; 
 In Whom the beams of holiness and love, 
 Mercy and truth, together blend as one ; 
 With piercing, concentrated power to chase 
 Earth's darkness and proclaim the day of God. 
 With sandals new, two-fold for either foot, — 
 God's Peace to man, man's perfect Peace with 
 
 God, 
 And all through Christ, firm bound with cords of 
 
 love ; — 
 Behold his feet prepared ; ready to run
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 85 
 
 Whither and whensoe'er his Captain sends 
 Swift and with joy. Besides and over all 
 See shield of Faith, full-orbed, refulgent blaze, 
 Flaming with love and zeal, from, and for Christ ; 
 Pledge of His presence and preserving power, 
 Quelling all Satan's fiery darts of death. 
 Upon his head, Salvation sits enthroned. 
 His crested helmet, to protect from harm, 
 Striking with terror all his trembling foes, 
 To himself the earnest of the victor's crown. 
 Strong in his Captain's strength, on high he wields 
 The Spirit's sword ; two-edged and sharp, to 
 
 pierce 
 And smite all wickedness with fatal stroke, 
 And when with dexterous hand applied, with skill 
 Divine, fitted no less direct to point 
 The stricken hearts to Him who loves to heal 
 Their wounds, and with new life to upraise the 
 
 dead. 
 
 Such was the armour, panoply of God, 
 Through prayer and watching bright and strong 
 for use,
 
 86 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 With which equipped, Paul ready at his post, 
 Under a Captain that ne'er knew defeat, 
 Stood Hstening for the word of high command. 
 From Asia and Bithynia late restrained, 
 Soldier of Christ, he waits, afraid to move 
 Until he hears. Instructive lesson ! hard 
 For us to learn, and yet for us no less 
 Important than for Paul ; that in all work 
 For Christ, His full commission, although wide 
 As Paul's, ne'er supersedes the need — blest need — 
 Of special guidance, and of strength renewed 
 From step to step. It was a solemn hour. 
 Vast issues were involved for precious souls. 
 Europe expectant stood. History looked on 
 And paused. 'Twas night, when lo ! to Paul 
 
 appeared. 
 In vision clear, a man of Macedon. 
 Standing, he cried for help. His cry soon reached 
 Paul's heart. In it his ear at once discerned 
 His Shepherd's voice, yearning in love for sheep 
 In distant fields ; — that Shepherd King, all-wise, 
 Who in His grace designed for Paul the joy, 
 First herald to sound forth the word of life
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 87 
 
 In the wide Western world ; summoning Greece 
 And Rome with all their idol gods to bow 
 Before the risen Jesus, Lord and King. 
 Call glorious, full of hope ; and yet replete 
 With peril ; one from which a mind less firm 
 Than his might well, dismayed, have shrunk in 
 
 dread. 
 All conscious of the danger, Paul obeyed 
 Unhesitating ; life not counting dear. 
 If but his course might reach its destined goal ; 
 His ministry fulfilled, commission high 
 From Christ, as His ambassador to preach, 
 And as His faithful witness naught conceal, 
 But fully testify His Truth entire. 
 The glorious " Gospel of the Grace of God." 
 Enough the word, " Sufficient is my Grace 
 " For thee. My strength, thy strength in weakness 
 
 still." 
 
 Decided thus, the Apostle launched at once 
 From Troas ; and with three companions loved, 
 Sylvanus, Luke, Timotheus, passed o'er 
 The sea to Europe. Imbros, nor the heights,
 
 88 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Rugged and steep, of lofty Samothrace, 
 
 Mysterious isle, that on her sea-girt throne 
 
 O'erlooks from far great Ida's plain ; nor yet 
 
 More distant Thasos, colonized of old 
 
 By mariners of Tyre, battling with storms 
 
 In thirst for gold ; — of these, them none detains. 
 
 'Tis Macedon they seek ; Neapolis 
 
 Its port ; its city first, Philippi, known 
 
 As colony of Rome ; on whose drear plain 
 
 Brutus and Cassius, by their friends esteemed 
 
 The last of Romans, fell self-sacrificed 
 
 In freedom's name ; sad victims of despair. 
 
 Here, now behold them, on a Sabbath morn, 
 Paul and his friends, seated by river-brink 
 Whose stream, once stained with blood in civil 
 
 strife, 
 Now learned in happier times, to murmur back 
 The voice of prayer and praise, mellifluous. 
 From humble worshippers ; — women devout, 
 To fame unknown, but known of God and blest. 
 Lydia, thy name in Europe first we hail 
 In the bright band of women joined in faith
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 89 
 
 To Christ ; whose love constrained thee to accept, 
 With heart made contrite in thy sense of need, 
 His message sent through Paul, " Believe and live." 
 Seller of purple, now prepared to exchange 
 Earth's costliest dye for robe washed white as 
 
 snow 
 In Fountain of the Lamb. Thee they all love. 
 The throng unnumbered, who e'er since thy time 
 Have loved thy Lord who made thee what thou 
 
 wert. 
 Choice flower of Gentile women saved by grace ; 
 Type of what all should be ; faithful and wise ; 
 With open heart and house ; discreet, sincere, 
 Whose law was kindness, and whose word was 
 
 truth ; 
 To luxury no slave nor pampered ease ; 
 Despising bread of idleness and sloth. 
 But diligent to watch with prudent care 
 Thy household's ways ; not to accumulate, 
 And still add store to store of unused wealth ; 
 But to devise with an ungrudging love. 
 Right royal gifts for all that needed help. 
 For this thy faith unfeigned, thy generous zeal.
 
 90 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Thy fruitful love, Lydia, we praise thy Lord 
 Who gave thee what thou hadst to use for Him. 
 Behold the cradle of the Western Church, 
 Scarce seen at first ; but now with youth renewed 
 Outgrowing far her humble origin. 
 
 Thus Macedon, that first back from the East 
 The tide of Empire turned, was in the West 
 First called to accept the yoke and reign of Christ. 
 Philippi still the earnest sure remained, 
 Sealing to Paul the presence of his Lord, 
 Strengthening in weakness. Python overcome ; 
 The jailer cruel, forced to yield at last 
 In penitential joy ; proud Rome obliged 
 To bend ; her magistrates constrained to loose 
 The prisoners, and themselves undo their wrong. 
 All this and more untold, Christ's power pro- 
 claimed, 
 His grace triumphant, onward cheering Paul. 
 His life, so fraught with love, and peace and joy, 
 Was not a life of ease. Pursued by Jews, 
 Implacable in hate, who ne'er forgave 
 His wondrous change ; how sadly must he oft
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 91 
 
 Have thought of Stephen, and remorseful felt 
 His fury then, and blinded zeal, now turned 
 In bitter retribution on himself. 
 This kept him humble, tender, filled with love 
 Towards them that hated and reviled. His heart 
 E'er yearned for Israel's sons, with fervent prayer 
 That every cloud might pass, and every veil 
 Be lifted from their hearts. His lot was still 
 The lot of one " not greater than his Lord." 
 Meekly he bore reproach. Not pleasing self, 
 Suffering without complaint, he strength renews 
 In rest continual in his Saviour's love. 
 Oft homeless and distressed, he ne'er despairs. 
 But, filled with courage, still pursues his way, 
 " Cast down, but not destroyed." 
 
 Behold him now, 
 Bercea passed, from Macedonia driven, 
 Southward he flees, led on by faithful guides, 
 Baffling his enemies.* Lo ! where he bends 
 His course across Thessalia's plain, on which 
 
 * In the nearly equal division of authorities it will be seen 
 that I have preferred the land route ; with every respect for 
 those who take the opposite view.
 
 92 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Pompey 'gainst Caesar strove in hapless war 
 For conquest of the world ; poor transient prize ! 
 Thence pressing on where the ^gean wave 
 Scarce leaves thy narrow pass, Thermopylae ! 
 Guarded till death by brave Leonidas, 
 To country faithful, Paul no less to Christ — 
 He comes, our great Apostle, led to Thebes, 
 City where once Epaminondas lived. 
 The soul of Greece ; where, in immortal verse, 
 Pindar had tuned his lyre ; and, later, where 
 Grave Plutarch taught ; three noble minds enough 
 To raise Bceotian wit above the charge 
 Of vulgar mediocrity. At length 
 He views Cithaeron's heights, and downward turns 
 By famed Eleusis, home of yEschylus, 
 Poet severely grand, where, awful, stood 
 The shrine of Ceres, with her mysteries crowned ; 
 Now desolate. Thence urging on his course 
 Along the shore of inland bay retired, 
 Fair Salamis athwart his eye reveals 
 Her beauty, and recalls heroic deeds 
 When Greece was young. Now, Daphne passed, 
 he sees
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 93 
 
 Where, o'er the plain, Ilissus softly flows. 
 Proud Athens rise, lovely as cloudless dawn, 
 Bright star of Hellas, shining still undimmed. 
 Her halls and temples glorious as they stood 
 In age of Pericles, unscathed by time. 
 By groves of olives old as Socrates, 
 Of which, perchance, some even now survive,* 
 Onward he comes along the " Sacred Way," 
 Through Cerameicus, hallowed with the tombs 
 Of those who in their sleep in silence speak 
 E'en now, with pathos exquisite, of love 
 And tender partings to a world unknown. 
 Shrouded in all the mystery of death.f 
 
 What recked the giddy crowd who thronged 
 the streets 
 And strutted proud, high in their own applause. 
 Gaping in busy idleness for news, 
 Spendthrifts of time ; what recked they of the Jew 
 
 * So I was informed at Athens, by my friend Professor 
 Rhousopoulos. 
 
 t See the exquisite sculptures of parting scenes still remain- 
 ing in the street of the tombs at Athens.
 
 94 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 That trod their streets, friendless, unknown ; or, 
 
 known. 
 Despised, and shunned ? Where all those triflers 
 
 now ? 
 How little did they deem that he, to them, 
 " Offscouring of the earth," should live in hearts 
 Of multitudes, when their poor names, unheard. 
 Unlinked with noble deeds, had passed from thought. 
 They to their houses, splendid or obscure, 
 Where luxury reigned, or envy gnawed the heart, 
 Or indolence benumbed, and made her slaves 
 Less than themselves ; he to his lodging went, 
 The man of God, resting in holy calm. 
 Waiting his friends ; but still, as was his wont, 
 Waiting not idly, instant to redeem 
 The swiftly passing, ne'er returning hour. 
 Great thoughts steal o'er him and possess his soul. 
 Shall it be deemed presumptuous if in strains 
 Unequal to the theme, but yet with hearts 
 Present with him in love whilst thus he waits, 
 We strive to picture forth the mighty past ? 
 
 In Athens, then, was to be found the flower
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 95 
 
 Of all that earth could give of taste and art, 
 
 And culture high. On the Acropolis 
 
 The Parthenon stood forth, supremely fair. 
 
 By it, colossal, Pallas rose sublime, 
 
 Athens' protectress, so by men esteemed ; 
 
 Her statue finest bronze, by Phidias wrought 
 
 From Persian trophies won at Marathon ; 
 
 Her pointed lance, erect, glittering as gold, 
 
 Star-like, as seen distinct o'er Sunium's cape 
 
 By storm-tossed mariner, o'erjoyed to greet 
 
 In peace, once more, his loved and long-left home. 
 
 Such she remained for centuries unchanged. 
 
 Men say that at her gaze, undimmed by age, 
 
 The Gothic king,* amazed, who wasted Greece, 
 
 And at whose dread approach, Ceres dethroned. 
 
 Her temple crushed, her mysteries struck dumb, 
 
 Fled shrieking from Eleusis, but to die. 
 
 And end inglorious the long reign of night ; 
 
 The king, well named " the bold," who fearless 
 
 broke. 
 Ruthless, in face of the astonished earth, 
 
 * On Alaric, see Hodgkin's " Italy and her Invaders," vol. 
 I. p. 247 et seq. : especially p. 251.
 
 96 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 The spell of ages in the sack of Rome ; * 
 
 Great Alaric spared Athens, to remain 
 
 Gem of the ancient world to latest times. 
 
 The Erectheum next, in its embrace 
 
 Fast holding earliest, venerated shrines, 
 
 The sacred olive and the tombs of Kings, 
 
 With temple of Athene Polias ; 
 
 Her image, olive-hewn, reverend with age ; 
 
 Sacred memorial, blind tradition taught, 
 
 Of her success in wresting Attic soil 
 
 From Neptune's grasp. Before the Parthenon 
 
 The Propylsa, splendid, spread her wings. 
 
 There ! through that central gate were poured, in 
 
 days 
 
 Of old, the pomp and power of Athens. There 
 
 In grand procession swept, magnificent, 
 
 All she could give of beauty, wealth or taste ; 
 
 The young, the old, the rich, the poor, the great, 
 
 * Jerome was at Bethlehem, engaged in his " Commentary 
 on Ezekiel," when the "terrible" news reached him. Over- 
 powered by his feelings, he at once suspended his labours, and 
 he describes, with deep emotion, the consternation and dismay 
 which the fall of the Imperial city, the mistress of so many 
 conquered nations, had everywhere produced. See Epist. ad 
 Principiam, Opera, vol. i. 953, 954. F.d. Vallars.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 97 
 
 The wise, the lady fair, the man of might, 
 
 Bearing the Peplos* to Athene's shrine. 
 
 Within the Erechtheum safe enclosed. 
 
 Along that steep ascent, past hill of Mars, 
 
 Within that narrow space, between those ruts, 
 
 Still to be seen deep-worn into the rock, 
 
 The " sacred car " moved on, led by the crowd 
 
 Of worshippers. 'Twas thus that Athens kept 
 
 High holiday ; her citizens, as one 
 
 Wild with delight, expressed their common joy, 
 
 With shouts that made the mountains ring again. 
 
 Beneath this ancient porch, before these shrines 
 
 Hoary with age, what multitudes have trod, 
 
 Noblest, O Athens ! of thy noble sons. 
 
 Turn to the right ! See there that beauteous 
 
 pearl, 
 Fairest among the fair, in the bright Crown 
 Of Athens, fane of " Wingless Victory " — 
 With others hard to name ; then undecayed, 
 
 * The Peplos was a crocus-coloured shawl or scarf offered 
 to Athene Polias. The whole of this procession is presented 
 in the frieze of the Parthenon, the work of Phidias and his 
 disciples, portions of which are in the British Museum. See 
 Wordsworth's " Athens and Attica," pp. 183-185. t
 
 98 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Unspoiled and splendid, fresh as from the hand 
 Of Polycletus or of Phidias skilled, 
 Ictinus or Callicrates ; and all 
 Marvels of highest art, at which e'en nov/. 
 Shattered in ruins, genius stands amazed. 
 Vain were the attempt to number or recount 
 The temples, statues, marbles, sculptured rare. 
 Which then adorned the city, beauteous queen ! 
 Making the breast of Athens swell with pride, 
 Exulting at the thought that she, in art 
 At least, had vanquished her proud conqueror, 
 Rome. 
 
 But not for Art alone was Athens famed. 
 Here were the groves of Academus, where 
 Once Plato taught, and his successors then 
 Were heard in mild discourse. Here was the porch 
 Whence Zeno's followers gained the Stoic name. 
 Here were the gardens Epicurus gave 
 To them that called him Master. Here were all 
 With changing doctrines, and with endless names, 
 Who, under philosophic garb, assumed 
 Wisdom's high title ; often falsely claimed.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 99 
 
 Such were the scenes that now called back the 
 
 mind 
 Of Paul to days when Athens' worthiest sons 
 Were first in deeds immortal for the world. 
 Hers was a past that deeply stirred his soul, — 
 A nation's life, its bloom and quick decay, 
 Replete with lessons ne'er to be forgot. 
 See at the voice of Freedom Hellas rise, 
 Athens and Sparta, Elis, Argos old, 
 And Corinth strong, commanding its twin seas ; 
 Leaving all mutual jealousies, distrust 
 And hate ; great and invincible as one, 
 To meet the common foe ; and backward roll 
 The tide of Persian conquest. So does Greece 
 Still bid the sea backward to roll his waves. 
 When roused by tempest, from her rock-bound 
 
 shores. 
 They dash, loud threatening, but they dash in vain. 
 
 Memories of Marathon and Salamis, 
 Cimon, Miltiades, Themistocles ! 
 When every citizen lived not for self. 
 But for the state, and all for Greece ; as free, 
 
 H 2
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 United. The age of heroes past ; — alas ! 
 
 Too soon ; — an age of noble deeds from hearts 
 
 Generous and strong ; pride and the love of self 
 
 Usurped the throne of love, true and sincere, 
 
 For country. Then uprose the lust of power. 
 
 The thirst for glory ; mutual distrust 
 
 And jealous rivalries ; which, on the plea, 
 
 Sacred and high, of patriotic zeal. 
 
 Engendered hate, and separated friends. 
 
 The Greek forgot his brother ; and, at length, 
 
 Rushed madly into war, deadly and fierce ; 
 
 To Hellas full of grief and woe ; begun 
 
 In Freedom's name, ending in Freedom's death. 
 
 The age of Pericles ! How art thou fraught 
 
 With mingled thoughts of greatness and of shame ; 
 
 Surpassed by none in intellect or taste, 
 
 In all that tends to humanize mankind. 
 
 And make his life complete, short of Divine, 
 
 Worthy of God ; but giving to the world 
 
 Sad proof, repeated oft, as oft despised ; 
 
 How filled with danger is ambition's glare 
 
 To noblest minds! How oft, in pleasing self. 
 
 Careless of others' rights, men lowest fall !
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 
 
 But yet, with faults admitted and deplored, 
 He must be less than man who backward looks, 
 Unmoved to sympathy, on times like these ; 
 When Socrates, great Seer, herald of dawn 
 In Gentile night, still " feeling after God " 
 With earnest heart, high converse held in street 
 Or Agora with the Athenian youth 
 On prayer and justice, truth and highest good ; 
 Not for display or disputation vain ; 
 But that, like him, they also might become 
 Seekers of God. Or when, in prose, as harp 
 Melodious, as Hymettan honey, sweet, 
 Mankind was taught by Plato to discern 
 The true, the just, how lovely. Who of these 
 Can think, of Xenophon, of Sophocles, 
 Of Aristotle wise, great Stagirite ; 
 Or of the other scarce less brilliant lamps 
 That filled that starry firmament with light ; 
 And ne'er the longing feel, hard to repress. 
 With them to have lived, who lived so nobly 
 
 great, 
 Illustrious dead .''
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 But was it so ? Did Paul 
 Whilst thus detained at Athens, meditate 
 Her wondrous past ? What was that past to him, 
 The Jew, the Christian ? Much in every way. 
 Was he not called and specially designed 
 " Apostle of the Gentiles " by his Lord, 
 A chosen vessel ? Did not He who called 
 Equip him for his work ; give him the power 
 To feel with Gentiles, intellect to think 
 Their thoughts, a mind and heart to sympathize 
 With seekers after God of every clime, 
 Barbarian, Jew, and Greek ? How could he 
 
 fail 
 To gauge at proper worth the master minds 
 Of Pindar, Sophocles, or yEschylus ; 
 Or think of Socrates, Pythagoras, 
 Sages who live enthroned through time in hearts 
 Of all that love the truth, and not himself 
 " Prove them in all things, holding fast the good " ? 
 Yes, surely he could see that whatsoe'er 
 In them was right, and just, and true, was not 
 Their own, but all freely received from Him, 
 " F'ather of lights " supreme, sole fount of Truth ;
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 103 
 
 Granted in mercy, part of that great work 
 Of preparation, by which He, the God 
 Of all, gave proof of His all-patient love 
 Through the long twilight till the time was full 
 To unveil His glory in the face of Christ. 
 
 Paul thus, behold. Ambassador for Christ ! 
 Divinely taught all to " persuade " to accept 
 His Truth and Love ; by Him prepared to meet 
 Throughout the ages, giant doubts of men 
 IMighty in thought, differing in tongue and time ; 
 Teacher and friend alike of Origen, 
 Of Alexandrian Clement ; and of him. 
 The " Golden-mouthed," whose lofty eloquence 
 Charmed Antioch and Constantine's proud seat ; 
 Fitted no less for minds of different mould — 
 TertuUian, warm with Carthaginian sun, 
 In Latin speech Christ's first Apologist, 
 Whose fervent mind and turgid style obscure 
 Too oft distort the symmetry of Truth, 
 But yet convey great thoughts with force to 
 sweep
 
 I04 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Far down the stream of time in "household 
 
 words ;"* 
 Cyprian compatriot, and by contrast mild, 
 Whose Cliristian conscience early spoke the 
 
 truth, 
 Later expressed in verse by English bard. 
 Indignant: "One murder makes a villain, 
 " Millions a hero ; "-f- who encountered firm 
 The pride of Rome with the impressive word — 
 " Custom devoid of Truth is error's craze, 
 " A time-worn lie ; "J and who, faithful till death, 
 Now wears the martyr's crown ; Ambrose, who 
 
 dared 
 To oppose the Imperial mandate with the claims 
 Of Christ ; Augustine, Monica's loved son. 
 Hippo's great Bishop, Teacher far renowned, 
 
 * These three are in the "Apolog-y " alone: — (i) " The world 
 we recognize as one commonwealth of all men ; " (a thouglit 
 exclusively Christian) ; (2) " See how these Christians love one 
 another !" (3) "The blood of the Christians is a fruitful seed." 
 
 t " Madetorbismutuosanguine ; ethomicidium cum admittunt 
 " singuli, crimen est ; virtus vocatur cum publice geritur," (S:c. 
 Cypr. de Gratia Dei, c. 6. 
 
 X " Consuctudo sine veritate, vetustas erroris est." Epist. 
 74- §■ 9-
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. lo; 
 
 By his " Confessions " known throughout the 
 
 Church ; 
 Whose brilHant thoughts like phosphorescent light 
 In midnight wave, illumined darkest times ; 
 Who rests in Christ, and in pure joy serene 
 Needs none to tell the beauty or the praise 
 Of " God's own city," for he knows it all. 
 Their faith and zeal bespeak His love who called. 
 Their grave mistakes declare them like ourselves 
 Compassed with weakness ; warning us to look 
 Not up to them, but still to Him, their Lord 
 And ours. Great Shepherd of the Flock, in whom 
 Alone the Church is one on earth, in heaven. 
 But why attempt to catalogue the names ? 
 'Tis known that men, lights of the world, bright 
 
 stars, 
 Yet differing star from star ; Wiclif and Huss, 
 The ha/bingers of light ; Luther, the man 
 Of God, champion intrepid of His Truth ; 
 Melanchthon, Zuingli, Pascal, Fenelon ; 
 Tyndale, the noble martyr of the cross, 
 Whose life still deathless lives in God's own book. 
 Made free where'er our English speech is heard ;
 
 io6 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Cranmer and Ridley, faithful in the fire ; 
 Knox, the reprover stern of sin enthroned, 
 Whose fear of God shut out all fear of man ; 
 Leighton, whose mind devout and holy life 
 Bespoke him heir of Heaven ; Taylor, best known 
 By name that well-befitted one who mourned 
 For Church and State in troublous times, who, 
 
 meek 
 As little child trained in the school of Christ, 
 Used his vast learning in his Master's cause, 
 In noble pleas for " liberty " of thought 
 And " prophesy," for " holy " walk with God, 
 " Living and dying " ; and who now in Christ, 
 The living Truth, finds every doubt resolved, 
 " Leader " unerring " of all doubting souls " ; 
 Baxter, who, far removed from strife of sects 
 And scoffs of brutal judges, hopes no more, 
 But who at last, in that exceeding joy. 
 Passing all hope and thought, in fulness knows 
 " The rest eternal " for the saints prepared ; 
 Fox, Barclay, Woolman, heralds of lost truth, 
 Wrought out unflinching to its utmost reach, 
 Witnessing nobly to Christ's life and power.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 107 
 
 In His immediate presence with the Church ; 
 Bunyan, blest dreamer ; Wesley, who aroused 
 With dauntless faith the world from sleep of death, 
 Whose lengthened life was one unwearied hymn 
 Of fruitful love for souls ; and those bright lights 
 Of science, Newton, Leibnitz, Faraday ; 
 With others more, unnumbered, all proclaim, 
 United, Paul their teacher under Christ. 
 
 Him their Apostle with one voice confess 
 The Churches manifold in wide embrace 
 Of Asia, Afric, Europe, and the land 
 Far stretching vast beyond the western star. 
 To Paul unknown ; where, then, the Red man 
 
 roamed 
 'Midst scenes of wild magnificence supreme. 
 Sole monarch of the mountain and the plain. 
 The river and the lake ; where none but he 
 Had tracked the Beaver to his watery home. 
 Or fearless held at bay the grizzly Bear, 
 Dread foe to man ; or won in easier strife 
 A greater prize, the Moose Deer's splendid horns ; 
 Or on the open Prairie, free as wind
 
 loS PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Pierced the swift Bison in his mad career ; 
 
 Or in his birch canoe had braved the storm 
 
 On Huron or Ontario ; or pressed on 
 
 Where Mississippi or Missouri rolls, 
 
 Calm and majestic to its ocean home ; 
 
 Or passed the Rocky Mountains to explore 
 
 Earth's mightiest marvels on Pacific strand. 
 
 Who but the children of the West alone, 
 
 In these vast wilds had watched the setting Sun 
 
 Slanting his rays across Cayuga's lake, 
 
 Or at his rise, fresh from his ocean bed. 
 
 Seen far-spread Alleghanies, peak by peak. 
 
 Cast off their veil of mist, in glad salute 
 
 Of him the King of day, as from his car 
 
 Enthroned in light, he looked o'er hill and plain 
 
 Clothed with the forest from the first of time ; 
 
 Where Oaks of various leaf and ancient growth, 
 
 Great princes of the wood, the noble Beech, 
 
 The fragrant Linden, the majestic Elm, 
 
 The fruitful Walnut and the graceful Birch, 
 
 The splendid Maple and the towering Pine, 
 
 The Ash from which the Red man shaped his bow. 
 
 The Hickory hard, well seasoned for the fire,
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 109 
 
 The Locust, and the Tulip crowned with flowers, 
 
 In robes of lightest or of darkest green, 
 
 Yellow, or brightest crimson, each arrayed, 
 
 Spread forth Autumnal, ever-varying charms 
 
 In glorious profusion, e'er the frost 
 
 Had spoiled their beauty with his icy breath. 
 
 Free Forest child ! amidst these lonely scenes 
 
 Didst thou with anxious thought revolve the end ? 
 
 Say ! didst thou watch the Delaware's blue wave, 
 
 Potomac or Ohio gliding swift. 
 
 Unconscious until lost in ocean's flood. 
 
 Or pensive hear Niagara's full voice 
 
 Far sounding through the woods in ceaseless roar ? 
 
 Tremendous fall ! whose waters slow, at first. 
 
 Move on scarce felt in gradual, tranquil flow, 
 
 Then eddying restless in tumultuous whirls, 
 
 More and more rapid hurry wildly down, 
 
 Tossing in sportive dalliance on the brink, 
 
 And madly rush to the last fatal leap, 
 
 Engulphing all in one deep, hopeless grave. 
 
 Ah ! hadst thou seen in these great natural types 
 
 Sad emblems of the silent, sure approach 
 
 Of ruin to thy race from distant worlds,
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 From men pretending love in the high name 
 Of Christ, the Prince of Peace ; traitors to Him ; 
 Thy life had been one long, dark dream of death. 
 Blest " blindness to the future " ! given in love, — 
 His love, Who died for thee and lives to save, — 
 To spare thee anguish, and new hope inspire ! 
 
 America thus dwelt in solitude ; 
 Voiceless to all the world besides; — a dream 
 Through countless centuries. (Such was His will 
 Who reigns ; in wisdom still directing all.) 
 Hers was a long minority ; in which. 
 Far from the Old World's weary strife, she stood 
 Calm and retired, accumulating force. 
 Beyond the Atlantic, waiting for the hour 
 When at His voice, Who out of darkness called 
 The light, Time should uplift her veil, and bid 
 Old Earth, worn with decrepitude, renew 
 His youth in her young life, so rich in gifts 
 Long treasured up for these the latter days ; 
 Not for herself bestowed but for the world. 
 
 Happy Columbia ! whilst thy people live
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 
 
 Mindful of Him, great Source of all their good ; 
 Nor seek to drain Earth's cup of seeming joy- 
 In one excited draught, like spendthrift heirs 
 Mortgaging their expectancies ; as though 
 The world's great future were on them entailed, 
 In present right from Heaven, by patent sealed. 
 How shall they e'er forget the debt they owe 
 To those through whom, in the wise will of God, 
 They have received their ancestry, their race, 
 The priceless boon of liberty and law. 
 And noble speech, worthy of noblest minds ; 
 And, above all, God's best and choicest gift, 
 The glorious Gospel of His grace in Christ, 
 Expanding Paul's commission, opening out 
 To Him, Apostle of the Gentiles, called 
 New worlds to conquer in his Master's name, 
 For which great Alexander vainly sighed.
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 
 
 {Continued)
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Paul's further reflections at Athens.— The failure of Hea- 
 thenism, debasing things divine, leading the highest intellects 
 to the worship of Idols. — Love to God untaught by Heathen- 
 ism. — Not taught even by the Philosophers. — His love 
 shown to be in harmony with His holiness only in the Gospel 
 of Christ, the one sinless and Almighty Sinbearer upon 
 whom was laid the iniquity of us all. — What had Philosophy 
 accomplished for the masses ? — Paul thinks aloud as his 
 heart is stirred at seeing the city given to idolatry. — ■ 
 He is comforted by finding an altar " to God unknown." — 
 Dionysius meets him, and tells him not to think himself alone. 
 — He encounters the Epicureans and Stoics, who drag him to 
 the Areopagus. — Description of the scene on which the eye 
 of Paul there rests. — His address, and dismissal. — Athens 
 stony ground. -Damaris and Dionysius. — Paul passes on to 
 Corinth, more than ever determined to know nothing but 
 Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 
 
 I 2
 
 PAUL A J ATHENS. 117 
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 
 
 {Continued^ 
 
 Such was his call : and how, with such a call, 
 Chosen Ambassador of such a King ; 
 Wise Master-builder of the Gentile Church 
 On Christ the Rock ; could he at Athens rest 
 Impassive ? Stranger here, 'tis true, but not 
 Estranged in heart. From her Acropolis 
 His eagle glance surveyed the Heathen world ; 
 Hate, scorn and Jewish pride, alike exchanged 
 For pitying love of Christ, Who died for all. 
 With mind renewed, enlarged ; by Christ pre- 
 pared 
 All to behold as with his Master's eye 
 In the pure light of God's own " Truth and 
 
 Grace," 
 Did he not here, where culture, art, and taste, 
 Together strove with matchless power, to give
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Full proof of all that human intellect 
 
 And skill could do to elevate mankind : — 
 
 Say, did he not, whilst thus detained, perceive 
 
 How powerless Philosophy, with all 
 
 The aid of giant minds to change the world, 
 
 Seduced by sin from God ? Did he not see 
 
 That old Idolatries had struck too deep 
 
 To be by weak compliances o'erthrown, 
 
 Or strange, though well-meant offerings of cocks 
 
 To yEsculapius ? How could he fail 
 
 To mark as demonstration plain of man's 
 
 Revolt from God, what even Plato mourned, 
 
 And which, still later, wrung from Tully's breast. 
 
 Indignant, protest loud ;* how Homer, who. 
 
 Father of song to Greece, heroic bard. 
 
 Still with delight thrills men of noblest souls. 
 
 Should lend his aid to weaving splendid lies, 
 
 Debasing things divine ; pourtraying God 
 
 Weak and depraved and vile, the slave of vice, 
 
 Worse than the worst of men ? Could he whose 
 
 heart 
 Was changed by love, o'erlook the fact — a fact 
 * See the well-known passage, I. Tusciil. c. 26.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 119 
 
 Too little known, or else too oft forgot, — 
 That man, degraded in the Fall, has ceased 
 To be a child at peace, resting in love, 
 Whose inmost instincts breathe the tender cry, 
 " Father, Thy will, not mine, be done " ? He 
 
 knew 
 That peace with God cannot with sin abide. 
 That sin unpardoned still o'ercasts the heart 
 With dread ; making impossible, apart 
 From Christ, the thought of love from God to 
 
 man, 
 And — consequence inevitable, — of love 
 From man to God. Were these Paul's thoughts 
 
 unspoken, 
 Not unfelt ? " Few venture hardy to deny 
 " That God exists, but how to meet or know 
 " Him, awful, is the problem none can solve. 
 " 'Tis thus ' the world by wisdom knows not God,' 
 '■ As He, whose nature and whose name is Love, 
 " Is known in Christ to broken, contrite hearts. 
 " Not Plato, or his master Socrates, 
 " Nor golden-versed Pythagoras, Samian sage, 
 " Nor others of the noble choir of Greek
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " Philosophers, e'er heard, or, if they heard, 
 " E'er taught, the truth by Moses learned from God, 
 " Proclaimed afresh by Christ, that the one great 
 "Command — command which all includes — is LovE, 
 "Pure, all-pervading as the light of Heaven, 
 " The Love of man to God, grounded alone 
 " On Love of God to man.* Such love from God, 
 " The Lord, from everlasting still the same, 
 " ' Of purer eyes than evil to behold,' 
 " Towards man by sin depraved ; — such love re- 
 mained 
 " From Gentiles veiled, a ' secret of the Lord,' 
 " In hiding which in wisdom infinite, 
 " He gave the world the sad yet needed proof, 
 " A lesson surely ne'er to be forgot, 
 "Of its own blindness to the highest Truth, 
 " And that its greatest, noblest minds all come 
 " Far short of wisdom true in Christ revealed ; — 
 " How God, all holy, can the sinner love, 
 " And still express for sin His hate unchanged ; 
 " How He can cleanse the guilt ; and in that act 
 
 * 'Ayanrj (Love), "vox solum biblica," — "a word exclusively 
 biblical" — Wilkii Clavis by Grimm.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 
 
 " Of Sovereign grace exalt His law unblamed. 
 " Come to the Cross ; see there the mystery- 
 solved, 
 "In matchless 'grace and truth' declared in Him, 
 " ' The Word made flesh ' ; made man, to feel 
 
 as man ; 
 " Tempted in all points, yet unstained by sin ; 
 " ' Propitiation ' blest, ' set forth by God ' * 
 " The perfect sacrifice, our sin to bear, 
 " And one with God, omnipotent to save. 
 
 " Behold the spotless Lamb, by God ordained 
 " Ere time began,-f- the ransom for the world ! 
 " His sinless life the mirror of the law; 
 " His death, the free acceptance of its curse,;); 
 " Inevitable on sin. In Him behold 
 " The law expressed in holiness supreme, 
 " And in His death, inviolate, maintained ; 
 " * Just with Salvation ' ; still proclaiming love 
 " In righteousness, and righteousness in love ; 
 " His precious blood alone cleansing from sin, 
 " 'Stablishing law in grace, and grace in law, 
 
 * Rom. iii. 25. f i Pet. i. 20. ;[ Gal. iii. 13.
 
 122 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " Sole worthy to discharge law's righteous claims. 
 
 " Risen, and glorified He ever lives 
 
 " For us to mediate and intercede, 
 
 " High Priest eternal, and our Shepherd King. 
 
 " Head of the Church in whom all fulness dwells, 
 
 " He sends the Comforter, the Holy Ghost,* 
 
 " To visit and ' reprove of sin the world,' 
 
 " To witness of Himself, His work and reign, 
 
 " To change, transform, and sanctify the heart 
 
 " That turns to Him, in penitential faith ; 
 
 " To seal His peace and love, and to preserve 
 
 " His servants faithful, stedfast to the end. 
 
 " In Christ alone the Father is revealed, 
 
 " Christ is the Word by whom He speaks to man, 
 
 " The Way, the Door, wide open set to all ; 
 
 " Through whom alone the Jew, Barbarian, Greek, 
 
 "Redeemed from sin, with conscience cleared from 
 
 guilt, 
 " Can worship God with reverence and joy. 
 
 " Man's wisdom has been tried, and folly proved. 
 " Yearnings there were, with aspirations high 
 
 * See John xv. 26 ; xvi. 7.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 125 
 
 " And searchings deep, breathings of souls athirst 
 
 " For God ; but all have failed to reach the end. 
 
 " Man, living man, with mind immortal born, 
 
 " Has prostituted, base, his noblest powers, 
 
 " Preferring death to life, forsaking God, 
 
 " Living and only true, from whom alone, 
 
 " He life, and mind, and soul, and all received, 
 
 " For service of dead idols, stocks, and stones ; 
 
 '• With foul idolatries of beasts and birds ; 
 
 " And worse than all of shameless vice ; in thought 
 
 " Detestable ; when worshipped most abhorred." 
 
 Thus meditating high, unspoken thoughts, 
 Too high, perchance, for the unthinking crowd, 
 Did the Apostle sadly ask, " And what 
 " Has poor Philosophy, with all her boast, 
 " Accomplished for the masses sunk in woe ? 
 " Too nice for them. Philosophy accosts 
 " The rich, the great, the mighty of the earth, 
 " The citizens, the free, but not the slave. 
 " And in this boasting age how few are free, 
 " How many slaves, mere chattels to be bought 
 " Or sold, despised, down-trodden ; or, if raised
 
 124 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " From lowest degradation, raised for use 
 
 " That they may better serve their tyrant lords 
 
 "In whose power absolute they are for life 
 
 " Or death ! 'Tis the exception rare, if found 
 
 " At all, for philosophic thought to reach 
 
 " The mass of slaves or poor. Uncared for, 
 
 crushed, 
 " Their lives a burthen, and their minds a waste, 
 " As beasts they live and toil ; as beasts they die. 
 " Such is the fruit, the poisoned fruit, of sin, 
 " For which Philosophy, vaunt as she may, 
 " No remedy has found or tried. The world 
 " Has waited long. Through centuries of slow 
 " And bitter proof, needed alike for Jew 
 " And Gentile, man was to be taught how weak 
 " His strength, his righteousness how false, his eyes 
 " How closed to wisdom's light, blind to discern 
 " The way to rest ; how powerless he to win, 
 " With all his strivings, perfect peace with God. 
 " Ages have watched, but now, behold, at last 
 " The longed-for dawn, the time fulfilled. He 
 
 comes, 
 *' The crucified, the risen. Light of the world,
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 125 
 
 " * Desire of all the nations,' He whose word 
 " And work, whose death, whose life and reign 
 " Shall satisfy man's inmost thirst ; in whom 
 " All who believe shall find eternal rest, 
 " And hail Him Saviour, Lord alike of Greek 
 " And Jew." 
 
 Thus musing, with unshaken faith 
 The Apostle walked the Athenian streets. 
 Back looking to the past, reflected clear 
 In present. Pensive still, his thoughts in speech 
 At last break forth. " Is this the glorious flower 
 " Of Athens' wisdom .'' These the choice, ripe fruits 
 " Of her Philosophy ? Can Plato give 
 " No more .-' Were man's transcendent powers of art 
 " And thought inventive given by God, all-wise 
 " And jealous of His honour, to adorn 
 " With matchless splendour worship of the dead ; 
 " Say rather demons foul, abominable } 
 " Are Idols sculptured fair with all the skill 
 " Of Phidias or Praxiteles, alone 
 " The earth-born mirror in which man beholds 
 " His God, and which he worships } My spirit stirs,
 
 126 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " My heart is hot within me, as I see 
 
 " Greece with her sons degenerate bowing low 
 
 *' To statues wood or stone, work of men's hands, 
 
 " Poor mortals like themselves ; their work, not God ; — 
 
 *' That were indeed a mockery to think ; — 
 
 " Not life but death. Here are there none with 
 
 whom 
 " To sympathize ? none who in earnest pant 
 " For freedom from such bondage ; glad escape 
 " From degradation base in thraldom vile 
 "To tyrant custom, fraud, and worn-out lies? 
 " But stay ! what is this altar that I see ? 
 " Sacred to whom or what? — 'To GoD unknown'; — 
 " In memory, perchance, of that dire plague 
 " When Athens desolate by Pallas left 
 " Her blue-eyed Idol, anxious, sought relief 
 " From Epimenides, the sage of Crete ; 
 " Who prudent counselled, so tradition tells, 
 " To sacrifice to God unknown, yet true. 
 " What a theme this for me ! Surely Heaven-sent 
 " By my loved Lord ; an earnest this of hearts 
 *' Athirst for Him and open to His love." 
 As thus he spake a stranger heard ; his mien
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 127 
 
 Earnest and grave ; who him addressed : " Deem 
 
 not 
 " Thyself alone ; thy words have reached my heart. 
 *' My name is Dionysius ; if thy God 
 *' Permit, we meet again ; till then, Farewell." 
 Thenceforth the Apostle, strengthened in hope, 
 With men devout, in synagogue ; with Greeks, 
 Daily in Agora, free converse holds 
 On things Divine. His speech o'erheard by some 
 Deemed wise, they judged it passing strange that 
 
 he, 
 A Jew, and wanting philosophic garb, 
 Should yet assume discourse on themes so high. 
 Stoics there were from Zeno's porch austere. 
 Others that Epicurus, Master called ; 
 Men oft engaged in contest fierce and loud 
 On questions then and since debated long ; 
 Whether man's good in pleasure's soft embrace 
 Is found, or in stern virtue's nobler toil. 
 Meaning by virtue not the fruit of hearts 
 Broken and contrite, changed by Grace Divine, 
 Resting in God, and joying in His love. 
 But virtue, seeming noble, feebly based
 
 128 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 On strengthless strength of self ; a building up 
 
 Of man to God, apart from God. 'Twas thus 
 
 The Stoic failed, through pride, greatly unwise. 
 
 Humility to man a grace unknown. 
 
 For which no word Philosophy had framed 
 
 In Greece or Rome ; we hail thy name, so sweet, 
 
 Revealed by God ; fruit of repentance, faith's 
 
 Loved harbinger, in which the child by Grace 
 
 Redeemed can walk with God in peace and praise. 
 
 Divided thus between themselves, the schools, 
 Zeno and Epicurus, as the poles 
 Opposed, encountering Paul, straight join as one, 
 Agreed to attack the upstart who had dared. 
 Presumptuous, to invade their rights. At once. 
 With bitter sneer contemptuous, they ask, 
 " What says this babbler " } And because he 
 
 preached 
 Christ crucified and risen, Him through whom 
 All shall arise ; they forthwith him accuse 
 Of capital offence, if proved. "He seems," 
 Said they, " a setter forth of Gods both new 
 " And strange to Athens, ever true to name
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 129 
 
 " And venerated shrine of world-renowned 
 
 " Athene, Guardian and Nurse Divine 
 
 " Of this our glorious city ; who so oft 
 
 " Has led to victory our soldiers brave, 
 
 " Shall we, poor, witless changelings, her forsake 
 
 " For Jewish dreams, this wretched King despised, 
 
 " This malefactor crucified and slain, 
 
 ^' Powerless to save Himself, much less the world " ? 
 
 Thus vainly boasting, to the sacred Hill 
 Of Mars they lead the Jew despised, where sat 
 The Court august to which the law reserved 
 Questions of worship grave. No hall was there, 
 No temple marked the place. The Court was held 
 On the bare rock unroofed, free to the vault 
 Of Heaven, fast by the high Acropolis 
 Where stood Athene in her fortress shrine 
 Pre-eminent. Beneath the Hill of I\Iars 
 The city splendid lay, glittering with temples. 
 See where, still grand in ruins, on the plain 
 The shrines of Theseus and Olympian Zeus 
 Shone nobly fearless 'midst their proud compeers. 
 There stretched the busy Agora ; from which 
 
 K
 
 I30 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Arose the distant hum of citizens 
 
 Eager for gain or news. Behind, on slope 
 
 Of yonder Hill, the Pnyx appeared ; from which 
 
 On one or other Bema still discerned, 
 
 In the high noon of Athens' pride and strength 
 
 Great Pericles oft launched his words of fire 
 
 Grand and persuasive ; and from which too late 
 
 Demosthenes had heaped defiance stern 
 
 On Philip, Macedon's ambitious King. 
 
 See there ! Cithseron, Parnes, frontiers bold 
 
 Of Attica ; Hymettus clothed with thyme. 
 
 From which its bees draw sweets so wideh' famed. 
 
 Whilst rugged Lycabettus, unabashed, 
 
 Lifts up his cone-like head amidst them all, 
 
 The City guardian. Far Pentelicus, 
 
 Here scarcely seen amongst the distant hills, 
 
 Conceals his wealth of finest marble : whence 
 
 The blocks were hewn, on which, i'nsjDired by 
 
 Truth, 
 The Greek had learned indelibly to trace 
 The lines of beauty, and has left them there, 
 Firm in the rock, imperishable, fixed, 
 Man's priceless heritage for ever. . See
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 131 
 
 Across the plain, two columns scarce discerned 
 'Midst groves of olives ; 'tis Colonus famed 
 For verse of Sophocles that cannot die. 
 Still further look where yon low-rising hill 
 Hides the Piraeus by the lovely Bay, 
 Crowded with ships, risen with life renewed 
 From cruel spoil, fruit of disastrous war. 
 And blind revenge. See onward to the right 
 Geranian hills, south of the plain around 
 Close-hidden Megara ; and still beyond 
 Across the Bay, sparkling in sunshine, look 
 Where proud Acrocorinthus lordly towers 
 O'er the low Isthmus, 'neath the Arcadian hills. 
 Next, Epidaurus ; Salamis ; with isle 
 Of fair .^gina fronting the Attic shore 
 And tomb of great Themistocles ; fit spot 
 For such a grave. Here Paul long gazing stood. 
 Where all around is beauteous even now ; 
 What was it then uninjured, undecayed, 
 Bright in the glory of its ancient youth .-' 
 
 How amidst scenes like these, where the mere 
 stones, 
 
 K 2
 
 132 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 So rich and full with memories of the past, 
 In silence speak with power beyond all words, 
 How could Paul stand unmoved ? Sublimest hour ! 
 Sublimer far than idly deemed by those 
 Who brought him hither. What they unaware 
 Had done he knew unerring, taught of God. 
 'Twas Christ, not Paul, that was thus face to face 
 Arraigned before the Gods of Greece, adored 
 Of old. The question to be tried was not 
 If Paul were guilty, but if Christ should reign. 
 In open Court, their canopy the sky, 
 The Judges sat, on marble seats sedate, 
 Traces of which, rock-hewn, may still be seen. 
 Amongst them he who late accosted Paul, 
 Now present as an Areopagite, 
 Calm and unprejudiced. 
 
 In presence then 
 Of auditory grave, of Athens crowned 
 With temples, and before the fortress home 
 Of Pallas, amidst scenes that ever fired 
 The hearts of Greeks with reverence for the past, 
 I'aul thus bccran : —
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 133 
 
 " Athenians, I perceive 
 " In all around me evidence of hearts 
 " Stirred to devotion. This sure hope inspires 
 " That truth outspoken I may here declare 
 " Free and unhindered. Not new Gods and strange, 
 " But One of old, Almighty, Infinite, 
 " Eternal, do I teach, and fain would think 
 " That, passing by. His altar I have found. 
 " Tis thus inscribed, ' To GOD Unknown ' ; and 
 
 Him 
 " Whom ye, in ignorance, adore ; I now 
 " Declare revealed. He made the world, and all 
 " That is therein ; the Sun, the Moon, the host 
 " Of Heaven resplendent ; all to speak His praise 
 " And glorious power, but not to be adored. 
 " Think, O Athenians ! how can He who fills 
 " The heavens, and whom all Heaven fails to con- 
 tain — 
 " How can He dwell confined, in earthly shrines, 
 " Made with the hands of men ; who owe to 
 
 Him 
 " Their life, their breath, their wealth, their all. 
 To us
 
 134 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " Great Source of happiness and joy ; Himself 
 " Perfect and blest ; all-bounteous ; who ne'er 
 " Receives ; but ever gives from His full hand 
 " Exhaustless ; how can He e'er want our gifts, 
 " Not one our own, but all from His rich store ? 
 " Can they add aught to His o'erflowing cup ? 
 " Impossible ! Nought we can give can make 
 " Him richer, greater, wiser, or more blest. 
 " The service He requires is for our help, 
 " Not His, who needs it not ; enjoined in Love 
 " That we may share His bliss, and find our bliss 
 " In Him. His shrines and worship are not made 
 " With hands. The pomp and ritual of priests 
 " With Him are nothing worth. His shrine the 
 
 heart 
 " Broken and contrite. His the worship pure 
 " Of love ; excluding pride ; accepting all 
 " Received as gifts from Him, with reverent 
 
 praise ; 
 " In constant recollection of the truth 
 " Which e'en your poets speak — that we, endowed 
 " By Him with life and mind, are rightly deemed 
 " ' Offspring of God,' and bound worthy to live
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 135 
 
 •' Of such a Sire. Not of yourselves alone, 
 
 " O men of Athens who rejoice to trace 
 
 " From Him, through Earth, Great Mother, your 
 
 descent, 
 " Is He the Parent ; He is God of all ; 
 " For He of one hath made us ; howsoe'er 
 " In tongue we differ, or in race or clime. 
 " All are from Him ; all joined by Him in blood ; 
 " Disjoined, alas ! by sin. He rules supreme. 
 " Man's blindness to His light ; his wanderings far ; 
 " His wild, perverse revolts, ne'er shake His 
 
 throne. 
 " King of the Nations, righteously He reigns 
 " In wisdom absolute ; appointing each 
 " Its place and bounds ; to each, its special 
 
 sphere. 
 " Ceaseless He works in silence, undiscerned, 
 " Still patient, through the ages ; teaching men 
 " That they, at last, may find their rest in Him, 
 " For whom great souls in every age have yearned, 
 " ' Feeling their way, groping as blind.' * Ah ! 
 
 why 
 * This represents the meaning of the original. yj/rjXacpiiaeiav.
 
 136 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 " Did they not see or feel, that He, the God, 
 " Maker of all, in whom we live and move, 
 " Is near to all in love, waiting to bless. 
 " If we His offspring ; folly 'tis to think 
 " That He, sole Fount of life, Source of all minds, 
 " Should e'er be like dead silver, gold or stones 
 " Graven by art. This cannot be, Athenians ! 
 " The Godhead, uncreated, cannot die ; 
 " Living, He must abide, essential life. 
 " No art or skill of Phidias e'er can make 
 " A statue live, or give to stone the mind 
 " To think and feel : far less, can Him create, 
 " The living God, Father of all, Supreme. 
 " These were the times when He, the God un- 
 known, 
 " In pity winked * at human ignorance ; 
 " Giving no sanction to man's blindness strange, 
 '' But * watching o'er ' him with long-suffering 
 
 love. 
 " These times are passed. The dawn already 
 breaks ; 
 
 "<• It will be seen that the idea expressed in vrrfpibiov is ex- 
 panded in the lines that follow.
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 137 
 
 " See Him ' the God unknown ' at length revealed 
 " In light all-glorious, with His healing wings. 
 " Hear Him command all to repent, for He 
 " Hath fixed the day when He in righteousness 
 " Shall judge the world, by Jesus, ' man 
 
 ordained,' 
 " His only Son, of Him invisible, 
 " The image clear ; of which this pledge He gives 
 " As sure to all — Jesus who died now lives, 
 " Raised up by God." 
 
 Thus far they heard, but here 
 Murmurs from crowd impatient, hindered more. 
 Some mocked in scorn at resurrection. These 
 Epicureans ; who beyond this world 
 Saw nought ; to whom life seemed a pleasing 
 
 dream. 
 Transient as lightning, dazzling by its glare ; 
 Porn but to flash a moment, then to die. 
 Can this be all } If mortal, how explain 
 The mysteries of mind, inventive, deep, 
 And full of thought that shall outlive our death 
 And cannot die t Created men, with breath
 
 138 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Of life from God, why sink us to the beasts ? 
 And if from God, then not our own ; to Him 
 Responsible. Others that heard Paul speak, — 
 Were they the Stoics ? — half convinced, retired, 
 Leaving the matter in polite suspense ; 
 Hinting to Paul in courteous tones, " Thee we 
 " Will hear again." Of these no record lives. 
 A few blest souls received the light of Truth ; 
 With joy confessing Christ their King. At first 
 The flock was small. Athens was stony ground. 
 Philosophy, by Socrates begun 
 In humble search, was now too oft a proud 
 Conceit of knowing ; striving about words 
 Unprofitable, vain, steeling the heart 
 To wisdom. Then, as now, the proverb true, 
 " The whole need no Physician." 'Tis the sick, 
 The lame, the blind, the spiritually poor. 
 Who know their want, and humbly cry for help, 
 Whom Jesus calls. His Spirit breaks their heart 
 And wins them to accept His love in grace. 
 Such were the two whose names are traced in 
 
 light 
 Upon the sacred page. Would there were more !
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 139 
 
 Second to Lydia, Damaris appears 
 In band of Gentile women, owned by Christ. 
 Dear pledge of love from Him of woman born 
 Towards her to whom His grace appoints a 
 
 sphere 
 In which it is her privilege and joy 
 To train the child for Heaven, to cheer the heart 
 Oft bruised and faint with weariness of life ; 
 To give the charm and tenderness of love 
 To duty stern and high resolve. 'Tis hers 
 To seek the lost, the fallen raise, with all 
 To sympathize that lose their way 'midst earth's 
 Chill fogs ; and with a love that ne'er upbraids, 
 To lead with joy the wanderers home. With such 
 A ministry as this, in faith fulfilled, 
 Woman may move the world. Why ask for 
 
 more } 
 'Tis Christ alone can woman thus prepare 
 For her just place. 'Tis He alone can change. 
 Raise and adorn both mind and heart. 'Tis His 
 To train in faithfulness her deep desires. 
 Making her loveliness more lovely still. 
 With meekness, truth, and grace, her triple crown.
 
 I40 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Thee, faithful Dionysius, we hail, 
 Noble Athenian, friend of Paul ; thy Lord 
 Bravely 'midst scoffs confessing ; first to place 
 The Areopagite below the name, — 
 Blest name, of Christ. Thy courage rare demands 
 Our love. Strange as the myths which crowd thy 
 
 fame, 
 
 %■ 
 
 They yet approve thy high repute for skill 
 
 In sacred lore, and tempt conjecture. Thine 
 
 The Epistle would we glad believe, addressed 
 
 To Diognetus, seeker after God, 
 
 Whose author, still unknown, has left a gem 
 
 From ancient mines of thought, brilliant with 
 
 light 
 Of truth that ne'er grows old ; skilfully set 
 In all the charms of Attic speech, concise 
 Apology, sirqple, yet full, profound, 
 For Christ His precious Truth and Grace. Of 
 
 thee 
 Far worthier and thy age, than the forged books 
 Writ in thy name in darker times. But why 
 Indulge conjecture } 'Tis enough to know, 
 Great Areopagite ! in sacred page
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. \\\ 
 
 Thy title sure. First fruits of Athens, thou, 
 An oHve wild, wast grafted into Him 
 The olive good, whence flows, exhaustless, oil 
 Of grace, compared with which Minerva's tree, 
 Sacred esteemed, is sapless, withered, dead. 
 Thou from the Court, appointed to protect 
 Dead Idols, to proclaim thy faith wast called 
 In Him who died yet lives ; and in thy life 
 Thyself to give an earnest of His life ; 
 To Paul sure pledge of victory reserved 
 To later times. 
 
 From Athens thus released. 
 Where he had done his work, Paul safe passed on 
 To Corinth ; not the city famed of old, 
 Taken by Rome in memorable year 
 When Carthage fell, sad victim of revenge. 
 Of ancient Corinth, sacked by ruthless hands 
 Of Mummius, a vestige scarce remained. 
 The city in the time of Paul was new, 
 Restored by Caesar, and become a mart 
 Of commerce, seated on the Gulf whence towards 
 The west the seamen gained the Italian shore,
 
 142 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 And eastward, 'cross the isthmus, ships from 
 
 Tyre, 
 And Rhodes, and Antioch, joined to bear earth's 
 
 wealth 
 From distant isles. 'Tis now a dreary waste : 
 Acrocorinthus high, vast, massive towers 
 Majestic o'er the plain ; beneath, remain 
 Seven Doric columns to attest her past ; 
 Whilst o'er the Gulf the everlasting hills, 
 Parnassus, Helicon, with Delphi, still 
 In silence speak the voices of the dead. 
 It was a scene on which Paul often gazed. 
 'Twas here, as one oppressed in spirit, yet 
 With zeal renewed of God, he Christ proclaimed, 
 By long experience taught that nothing else 
 Will reach man's heart. At Corinth he declares 
 His fixed, determined purpose " nought to know 
 " But Jesus Christ, the Saviour crucified." 
 A lesson this confirmed at Athens 'midst 
 The culture high of philosophic thought, 
 Of ancient art, and heathen lore. Here now 
 Behold him at his toil, earning his bread 
 At tent-making, proving his noble mind ;
 
 PAUL AT ATHENS. 143 
 
 'Midst care of Churches, coveting nor gold 
 
 Nor silver, acting out his own advice 
 
 To the Ephesian Elders, " they who serve 
 
 " The flock, like him should labour with their 
 
 hands, 
 "Bearing in mind the Master's words, 'More blest 
 " * It is to give than to receive.' "* That Paul 
 Athens revisited no Scripture tells. 
 Pallas, 'tis true, long lingered, dying hard 
 Upon her Attic throne. Nathless the thrust 
 Paul gave proved mortal, — one from which her 
 
 youth 
 She ne'er renewed. By Emperors enriched. 
 Philosophy still held her schools and read 
 Her lectures, — all that Heathendom durst give 
 Of moral teaching ; for in days of old 
 Preaching was found in Synagogue or Church, 
 But not with idol Temples or their priests. 
 The leaven in the meal in secret wrought 
 Fermenting slow. Philosophy meanwhile, 
 With new Platonic subtilties inspired. 
 Sought to devise fresh methods to prolong 
 * See Acts. xx. 33-35.
 
 144 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 The reign of error, plausibly concealed 
 
 In words brave and high-sounding, nothing more. 
 
 For this Plotinus strove, and Porphyry, 
 
 But strove in vain. Age and decrepitude, 
 
 Fatal paralysis, portending death, 
 
 Had seized her vitals. Neither Julian's zeal 
 
 For aged superstitions, nor the wit 
 
 Of eloquent Libanius, could give life 
 
 To idols doomed, and tottering to their fall. 
 
 Where now the Gods of Greece, enthroned of yore 
 
 In nations' hearts ; embalmed in highest art 
 
 And tuneful song, guarded by all the pride 
 
 And jealousy of fierce democracies. 
 
 Or despots crazed by passion, or by power } 
 
 All, all are gone, ne'er to return. Great Zeus 
 
 Dethroned and his Olympian Court 
 
 Discrowned ; their shrines deserted, all attest 
 
 His might who rules, the might of Paul's loved 
 
 Lord, 
 To whom he gave his all. Yes, it is Christ 
 Who, triumphing in patience, hath o'ercome.
 
 BOOK V. 
 PAUL AT ROME.
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Brief notice of Paul's labours up to his imprisonment at 
 Jerusalem. — His appearance before Felix and before Festus and 
 Agrippa. — Appeal to Rome. — His voyage and shipwreck. — Two 
 years in his own hired house. — Brief reference to Rome's his- 
 tory. — Vast extent of the Empire. — Overruled for the union of 
 nations and the spreading of the Gospel. — Nero's character. — 
 Paul brought before him ; he is acquitted. — Journeys to Spain 
 and the East ; — He is again a captive at Rome. — Nero's in- 
 creasing cruelty. — The conflagration of Rome. — Paul's probable 
 condemnation and martyrdom. — The omission of any descrip- 
 tion of his death in Scripture gives greater emphasis to the 
 death of Christ. — His last recorded words. — Conclusion. 
 
 L 2
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 149 
 
 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 
 
 How many years have passed since Paul first gave 
 
 His heart to Christ. Years of unwearied toil 
 
 And fruitful love, in which he fully preached 
 
 His Saviour's message to a guilty world, 
 
 In lesser Asia, Macedonia, Greece ; 
 
 Amidst Jerusalem's unfriendly crowds. 
 
 And thence in circuit to Illyricum. 
 
 His life had been a sacrifice of ease. 
 
 Of profit, of renown ; not pleasing self, 
 
 All things he counted loss, that he might walk 
 
 Worthy of Christ. Behold him oft in deaths ; 
 
 Frequent in prisons ; from the Jews alone 
 
 Five times enduring stripes ; thrice beat with rods, 
 
 Once stoned ; thrice shipwrecked ; for a day and 
 
 night 
 The sport of raging deep : 'midst dangers great. 
 In constant journeys ; but most keenly felt
 
 ISO PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 His perils from the Jews and brethren false ; 
 Added to these his daily, ceaseless care, — 
 The care of all the Churches, far and near. 
 Well might he ask, is any weak, distressed ? 
 And I not weak, their need not also mine ? 
 Thus had he toiled, spending and being spent. 
 Till once more found within the Temple courts. 
 There seized by Jews fanatic, blind with rage, 
 And shouting death, he had been slain outright. 
 Had not the Roman captain with his band 
 Rushed down Antonia's stairs and rescued him. 
 
 Thus Paul became a prisoner ; yet with faith 
 And courage high, he boldly faced his foes, 
 And met their charges. See the man of God 
 Confronting Felix ; righteousness his theme, 
 And coming judgment. F'elix hears with awe 
 And, conscience-stricken, trembles at the word, 
 Yet weakly waits, deluded by delay. 
 For time convenient ; — hour that never comes. 
 Paul before Festus and Agrippa stands 
 'Midst an assembly brilliant in rank ; 
 By them accounted least ; to us the first,
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 151 
 
 And they remembered only for his sake. 
 How great his speech, glowing with sacred fire 
 That forced Agrippa to confess its truth, 
 And hold Paul innocent ; but Festus weak, 
 Unconscious instrument of Jewish hate, 
 Constrains the Apostle to appeal to Rome. 
 
 Behold him now braving the wintry seas, 
 Calm and reliant, trusting in his God. 
 As danger thickens stronger faith becomes, 
 More fixed his heart. Through fourteen days and 
 
 nights 
 Nor sun, nor stars appear to anxious gaze. 
 The weary anguish of the storm-tossed crew 
 'Midst the wild hurricane's incessant roar. 
 How can our fancy paint ? 'Twere hard to bear 
 E'en in our age luxurious ; how much more 
 When he who bore was captive, bound by chain 
 To common soldier. His the hardest couch. 
 The meanest fare. Servant of God, beloved, 
 He rests in Him, whom winds and seas obey. 
 When all despair, and nought but death ap- 
 pears,
 
 152 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 'Tis Paul who speaks. " This night before me stood 
 " God's angel, whose I am and whom I serve, 
 " Be of good cheer," he said, " to thee are given 
 " All with thee in the ship, thou safe to Rome 
 " Shalt go, and before Caesar stand." The storm 
 Still unabated, 'tis the Apostle calm. 
 Who, reverent, takes the bread, and offers thanks. 
 Persuading them to eat. Shipwrecked, they all 
 Escape safe to Melita. There 'tis he 
 Alone receives from God the power to heal. 
 And is by Publius honoured with rich gifts. 
 
 Thus Paul was brought towards Rome. Brethren 
 beloved 
 Come forth to greet him far upon the way. 
 Welcomed, he takes fresh courage, thanking God. 
 His great Epistle to the Church of Rome 
 Had been before him. In it they had read 
 Those burning words which he, inspired of God, 
 Wrote as the Spirit's message to that Church ; 
 Surely designed in record plain to point 
 To truth of Christ immutable ; nor less 
 Plainly to witness against error's guile,
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 
 
 The false deceit of him, the man of sin, 
 
 Who his apostasy at last should crown 
 
 By speaking glozing lies, as with the mouth 
 
 Of God, in God's own Temple. Warning dread 
 
 To infant Church. Had it been heeded then 
 
 How much of bitter woe might have been spared, 
 
 To Church of future time ! The warning stands. 
 
 Sad proof of folly, of high-minded pride 
 
 In the wild olive branch, late graffed in, 
 
 Infallible itself to deem ; — of fall 
 
 Incapable. And no less wondrous proof 
 
 That the Apostle spoke his Master's mind 
 
 Threatening the awful doom: "If God spared not 
 
 " Nature's own branch, heed lest He spare not thee." 
 
 Cheered by his friends, along the Appian Way, 
 
 The prisoner comes, a captive and yet free ; — 
 
 Free born as Roman, free by birth divine, 
 
 Of Zion's city, new Jerusalem. 
 
 The noble Burrhus, captain of the guard, 
 
 Freely permitted him to live apart 
 
 With his attendant soldier. Thus two years 
 
 In his own house he dwelt, receiving all. 
 
 And with unhindered voice teaching the truth.
 
 154 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Rome then was near the zenith of her power ; 
 From small beginnings she had gathered strength 
 For greater conquests. Hers a people proud, 
 Valiant and bold, steadfast for law and right, 
 Training her sons in rigid discipline. 
 The love of country, and obedience stern. 
 The world has marvelled at the purpose firm 
 Which fired the Roman heart from age to age, 
 Haply unconsciously in earlier years. 
 But more and more confirmed at every step ; 
 A purpose which, pursued through weal and woe, 
 Attained its end, the conquest of the world, 
 And makes Rome's wondrous history unique. 
 They are accounted great whose strength of will 
 Has nerved to noble deeds ; their names engraved 
 Distinct in History's scroll, immortal live : 
 But Rome's long annals shew a race entire 
 Through centuries one thought pursuing still ; 
 Whom no success can lull to slothful ease. 
 Nor peril e'er dismay ; who ever press, 
 Unvanquished by defeat, straight to the goal. 
 
 Thus Rome exalted sat, majestic Queen.
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 155 
 
 The Greek who proudly spurned the Persian 
 
 thrall, 
 Athens with all her memories of the past, 
 Corinth the fair, with Macedon's last king. 
 And Carthage, once the rival dread of Rome, 
 With hardy Celt, and the Iberian wild. 
 All bowed submissive to her iron yoke. 
 Princes that ruled Orontes and the Nile, 
 The seats of ancient Kings, magnificent, 
 To her were subject, Mistress of the Earth. 
 Atlas and Taurus and the snowy Alps, 
 Lands from Euphrates, or the beauteous Rhine, 
 Far stretching to Arabia's eastern wilds. 
 Or south to Afric's wastes, all owned her sway. 
 Thus were together linked in empire vast. 
 In the far-seeing providence of God, 
 Great nations, who had lived to each opposed, 
 Dififering in manners, as in race and speech, 
 Dwelling in mutual hate, and cruel war ; — 
 For man by sin enslaved is to his own 
 More brutal than the beasts. — For this great end, 
 To bring mankind under one common rule. 
 Owning one law, as subjects of one Prince,
 
 156 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 And thus prepare the way, when the full time 
 
 Was come, for the free spreading of His truth 
 
 Throughout the world, so that the precious seed 
 
 Should take firm root and never be destroyed, 
 
 God's wisdom had o'erruled man's fierce desires ; 
 
 His fond ambition, and low, selfish thoughts 
 
 All made subservient to the wise design. 
 
 In thus o'erruling, God ne'er sanctions wrong ; 
 
 He still abhors the evil, judging right, 
 
 Nor amidst evil abdicates His throne. 
 
 The winds may roar, the waves may rise and dash, 
 
 Raging tumultuous, but He who reigns 
 
 Still sits upon the flood, for ever King. 
 
 But not alone was Rome the seat of power ; 
 Thither had flowed, as in a turbid stream. 
 The wealth of conquered nations ; there were 
 
 heaped. 
 In gorgeous profusion, gold and pearls. 
 The finest marbles, and the costliest gems, 
 Statues and pictures rare, the ruthless spoil 
 Of ancient cities, once magnificent. 
 Now weeping, 'midst their ruined palaces.
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 157 
 
 Such the wounds left by Rome's terrific grasp 
 
 On suppliant peoples, crouching at her feet. 
 
 Her governors, proconsuls, pitiless. 
 
 Oft used brief lease of power to basely wring 
 
 From subject countries revenues immense, 
 
 Draining their wealth, to lavish on themselves 
 
 In all the Hstlessness of luxury, 
 
 And yet athirst for more. Old Rome had 
 
 changed. 
 Her ancient families, proscribed, extinct, 
 Or ruined, penniless, " new men " arose. 
 Mere upstarts, haply sons of pampered slaves. 
 Men who, by flattery and servile arts, 
 Had won the ear of beauty, rank, or wealth. 
 Such Pallas, once a slave, the favourite since 
 Of Nero's mother, niece of Claudius weak ; 
 He, on her marriage with the Emperor, 
 Acquiring wealth beyond belief, and power 
 To rule through her the Roman v/orld. Puffed up 
 With pride, by Senate thanked, behold him shield 
 His brother Felix, charged with blackest crimes 
 Whilst ruling Jews. Such too Narcissus ; both 
 Branded with infamy on History's page.
 
 158 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 The pride of martial Rome despised all trade ; 
 Commerce was left to men of alien race, 
 The Rhodians, Tyrians, or the supple Greeks, 
 Who gathered wealth and haughtily looked down 
 With cool contempt upon the swarms of poor. 
 Rome had no middle class. Vast was the gulf, 
 Frightful the contrast, between rich and poor ; 
 Excessive wealth, squandered in luxury 
 And gross voluptuousness, in dishes rare. 
 In feasts and revelries more fit for swine ; 
 And by its side most abject penury. 
 See, by palatial halls, the squalid dens 
 Where the poor starved in wretchedness and 
 
 woe, 
 " The dregs of Romulus." See those who traced 
 Descent from proud patricians, scorning work 
 And honest bread, mere hangers-on of rich, 
 In shameless beggary, worse than the slave. 
 In Rome were men who dared deny a God, 
 Who loud affirmed the soul was mortal ; men 
 Who laughed at thought of judgment after death, 
 Yet heard with dread the screeching of an owl. 
 Or gazed affrighted at the lightning's flash,
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 159 
 
 Or listened half aghast 'twixt hope and fear 
 
 To soothsayers' wild and dismal mutterings. 
 
 Denying God, these worshipped sinful men, 
 
 Men like themselves — the great Augustus dead, 
 
 Julius, or witless Claudius,* till at last 
 
 Incense was burned and stated worship paid 
 
 To the dead image of the living Prince, 
 
 A mortal man, and yet adored as God. 
 
 So false, unstable, without rest is man, 
 
 A mighty paradox, apart from God, 
 
 A riddle dark, that none but He can read. 
 
 But whilst with all that earth could give of 
 wealth 
 And power, in Rome was found the awful sum 
 Of wickedness and crime, outrunning all 
 Experience in the past, the darkest night 
 Presaged the dawn. Souls that had waited long 
 Were watching wearily for light. Behold 
 It come ; not in the majesty of earth. 
 Or great array of learned subtilties, 
 
 * See Rasche Lexicon, sub voc. Claudius, vol. i. 395.
 
 i6o PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 But in the grace and truth revealed in Christ ; 
 Of whom Paul now was minister in chains. 
 He was himself a living monument 
 Of Rome's far-reaching power. His was the 
 
 right 
 As her free citizen, whilst yet a Jew, 
 To make appeal to Rome's imperial chief 
 From Jewish prejudice, implacable, 
 From low and petty minds, and sordid hearts ; 
 And in that last appeal, himself to place. 
 Servant of Christ, in presence of the world. 
 With his exalted mind, his thoughts soared high 
 Above mere Jew or Roman. Bought by Christ, 
 And born of God, he was made free, an heir 
 And citizen of heaven. Christ was his King, 
 Far above Caesar, before whom as Judge 
 Supreme, Caesar no less than Paul should stand. 
 
 Thus was it in the ordering of God 
 That Paul, so taught and trained, was brought at 
 
 last, 
 Where, in the world's great centre, he could 
 
 meet
 
 PA UL AT ROME. l6l 
 
 Gentile and Jew, men of proud Caesar's house, 
 The rich, the great, the princes of the earth, 
 No less than humble poor, the lowly meek, 
 Finding in every class " seekers of God." 
 Whether e'en Seneca, the Stoic famed. 
 Or Epictetus, slave philosopher, 
 May have conversed with Paul, no record tells. 
 Clemens and Linus, honoured names, with those 
 Of Claudia and of Pudens, (they perchance 
 From Britain's isle,) with others more, appear 
 Amongst his friends, cheering his captive hours. 
 Ambassador of Christ, his name was known 
 Throughout the palace. Far and wide were 
 
 spread 
 The tidings glad ; many made bold to plead 
 The cause of Christ, their faith and love con- 
 firmed 
 By his calm courage, patient though in chains. 
 
 See Paul, now "aged," captive still at Rome, 
 Writing Epistles that outlast discourse, 
 In which, though dead, he speaks to latest age. 
 First to Philemon on behalf of slave, 
 
 M
 
 1 62 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Who in his bonds Paul had to Christ begot ; 
 
 Not now in Christ a slave, but brother loved ; 
 
 " As such receive him," these, the Apostle's words, 
 
 "If he aught owe, I surely will repay." 
 
 How blest these lessons of the love of Christ, 
 
 True source of sacred liberty to world. 
 
 Next the three letters writ with weight and power 
 
 To Ephesus, Colosse, Philippi, 
 
 Filled with the noblest strains to tune the heart 
 
 For heaven — speaking Paul's ripest thoughts that 
 
 breathe 
 Divinest. words ; declaring Christ, as God, 
 Maker of all, becoming man to die 
 The bitter death, the death upon the Cross, 
 And in that death our peace ; through whom alone 
 Man walks with God, at rest in holy joy ; 
 His sin forgiven, his evil heart renewed. 
 The risen Christ his life, his Shepherd-King ; 
 His treasure and his converse fixed in Heaven. 
 
 And now the time was come when Paul must 
 stand 
 Before the unhappy youth, on whom devolved
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 163 
 
 Caesar's proud name. Twice tracing his descent 
 
 From sister of great Julius, the blood 
 
 Of all the Caesars ran in Nero's veins. 
 
 The grandson of Germanicus, who died, 
 
 Alas ! too soon for empire. He who won 
 
 The spoils at Actium, and he who fled 
 
 In base retreat to die with Egypt's Queen, 
 
 Rivals for power, both claimed him as their son. 
 
 And yet, as if to mock descent so high, 
 
 Nero was feeble, vain. His mother's lust 
 
 Of power had raised him to a height on which 
 
 His mind turned giddy. Nurtured in the lap 
 
 Of empire, dupe and slave of flattery base. 
 
 Untaught to rule himself, how could he rule 
 
 The world ? Whilst counsels wise of Burrhus grave, 
 
 And Seneca, restrained his earlier years 
 
 His reign was full of hope ; but when at last 
 
 He shook them off, he soon betrayed a mind 
 
 The sport by turns of vanity and lust. 
 
 Poor trifler of the hour.* Augustus great, 
 
 * The difference in the expression between the earher and 
 the later coins of Nero is remarkable. Some of the earliest 
 have the ingenuousness of youth ; whilst the later become more 
 and more coarse, and even brutal. 
 
 M 2
 
 i64 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 And Antony, fired with Rome's ancient pride, 
 
 Had blushed to see her majesty disgraced 
 
 By their unworthy son ; basely himself 
 
 Exposing on the stage and in the race, 
 
 Flattered by crowds of venal sycophants. 
 
 But this, and more than this, was naught compared 
 
 With infamy of Nero's lusts and crimes. 
 
 Foul murderer of a wife unstained by guilt, 
 
 And of adopted brother, innocent, 
 
 She who had borne him reaped at last the fruit, 
 
 The bitter fruit, of her insatiate mind. 
 
 In her own death, by him deliberate planned 
 
 With fiendish hate, and malice ill-concealed ; 
 
 Of which forewarned, persistent she preferred 
 
 Her son should reign, though she herself should die. 
 
 Unhappy mother of unhappy son ! 
 
 Who in his sober mind would not exchange 
 
 All Nero's wealth and power for iron chain 
 
 Of him, the captive Jew, freed-man of Christ, 
 
 Who stood before him with immortal hopes, 
 
 His heart in Heaven, his peace with God assured .'' 
 
 How fit that towards the close of such a life 
 
 As Paul's, the emptiness of earth's poor gifts,
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 165 
 
 And of her gilded crowns, should thus be brought 
 In startling contrast with th* exhaustless wealth, 
 Endless, all-satisfying, found in Christ ! 
 
 What was Rome's empire but a wondrous mass 
 Of ill-assorted fragments, joined by means 
 Of fraud, or lust of power, bearing the seeds 
 Of dissolution ? Vast the woe and sin 
 Darkening its birth and growth, and e'en its age 
 Mature. Through what dread seas of human blood 
 Were Julius and Augustus swept to power ! 
 And upon Nero's death, what cruel strife, 
 And sanguinary wars, racked to its heart 
 The State ; e'er the three rivals, overmatched, 
 Galba, Vitellius, Otho, were compelled 
 At last to yield brief lease of power to one 
 Worthier to reign ! How few of Rome's proud sons. 
 Who sat upon her throne, breathed out their lives 
 In nature's course ! And e'en of those who lived. 
 How few were happy in excess of power ! 
 
 How blest the kingdom, and thrice-blest the King, 
 In whose behalf Paul stood, thus face to face
 
 1 66 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 With kingdom of the world, its pomp and pride ! 
 
 By all forsaken in the hour of need* 
 
 He stood unmoved before the tyrant's gaze, 
 
 Nor feared his frown, for with him was that Lord 
 
 Who had Himself appeared in matchless love 
 
 And glorious power, to claim him for his own ; 
 
 Who gave him wisdom to disprove the charge 
 
 Against him, and triumphant to proclaim 
 
 His innocence in sight of God and man. 
 
 But more, his Master, high above all power 
 
 Of earth, nerved him afresh to plead His Truth — 
 
 " God's mercy infinite, able to purge 
 
 " E'en Nero's guilt, in virtue of the blood, 
 
 " More precious far than blood of bulls and goats, 
 
 " Of Him the Lamb, the ransom for the world." 
 
 Pleading His love, Paul faithfully proclaimed 
 
 " Christ the eternal Judge, who should declare 
 
 " God's judgment just on all who spurned His call, 
 
 " Hardening their stubborn hearts, impenitent." 
 
 The prisoner ceased. There was a breathless pause, 
 
 Nero himself turned pale, his heart was pierced, 
 
 * See 2 Tim. iv. 16-19, which, in accordance with the ancient 
 interpreters, I am disposed to refer to the first imprisonment.
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 167 
 
 And, 'twixt remorse and dread, he gave the word 
 To set the captive free. Rome's lion fierce, 
 Whose roar was later heard, denouncing woe 
 Upon the sheep of Christ, quailed, overawed 
 Before the Lamb of God, present, unseen. 
 
 The Apostle thus set free, gave praise to God, 
 Assured that He would shield from " evil work," 
 And safe preserve him to the bliss of Heaven. 
 Five years a prisoner, freedom had for him 
 New charms ; given, Paul felt, not for his own 
 But for his Master's use. He had desired 
 Hence "to depart, ever to be with Christ," 
 As "better far," if such the will of God, 
 Yet willing to abide and wait His time ; 
 His motto still, " To me, to live is Christ." 
 Say, was it now he journeyed into Spain, 
 Herald of Peace to Europe's utmost bounds. 
 Where far Atlantic's wave, all restless, rolled 
 Its ceaseless message from an unknown world, 
 111 understood for ages ? Service this 
 Of which no record lives. The few slight hints 
 Left on the Sacred page direct our thoughts
 
 i68 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Once more to scenes hallowed by earlier toil, 
 With others now first visited by him, 
 Philippi, Macedonia, Troas, Crete, 
 With Ephesus, Nicopolis : these all 
 Distinctly named. What pictures they recall 
 Of faithful work, watching, and fervent prayer, 
 By which Paul, still unwearied, sought to guide 
 Instruct, protect, and cheer the flock of Christ ! 
 Paul laboured long in Crete, that ancient isle. 
 So famed in legend for the birth of Zeus, 
 Where aged heathendom maintained its sway. 
 And many Jews perverse opposed the truth. 
 Did he now visit the three Churches famed 
 On wondrous Lycus, whither he had sent 
 From Rome Epistles speaking peace and joy ? 
 
 Urged on by worldly hope and fierce revenge. 
 Falsely to deem deliverance from Rome, 
 " Zion's redemption," — the deluded Jews 
 Rush on to shame and death in cruel war, 
 P^ulfilling blind the sentence of their King, 
 Whom they in base ingratitude despised 
 And crucified. Paul marked with bitter grief,
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 169 
 
 And dark forebodings sad, their stubborn hearts 
 Still hardening more and more against His sway, 
 Meek Lamb of God, omnipotent in grace. 
 But that he e'er again Judaea saw 
 Uncertain seems. We rather think of him 
 Greeting with tears at Corinth brethren loved, 
 And lastly wintering at Nicopolis, 
 Longing for Titus. Record scant remains 
 Of further labour. 
 
 See Paul now at Rome 
 Again a captive, waiting calm the end. 
 Of old companions, Luke alone with him, 
 Soon to be joined by Timothy beloved. 
 Nero meanwhile, had plunged into abyss 
 Of crime ; his bravest friends compelled to die. 
 For thee, illustrious Seneca, we mourn. 
 And noble Lucan. See e'en " Virtue's self 
 Outraged " when Thrasea and Soranus die. 
 But why prolong the catalogue of death ? 
 E'en Rome herself was fired, Queen of the world. 
 In awful conflagration, ne'er beheld 
 Since barbarous Gaul sacked it in cruel rasfe.
 
 I70 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 So low was Nero sunk, he was believed 
 
 In thoughtless mockery to have sung, on stage 
 
 Of his own theatre, the fate of Troy, 
 
 While Rome was burning ; and himself was 
 
 thought 
 The author of the deed. To turn aside 
 The dreadful charge, he reckless threw the blame 
 On flock of Christ, thus adding crime to crime. 
 By tortures exquisite he put to death 
 The innocent ; exposing them to dogs, 
 To crosses nailed ; or forcing them to stand 
 In his own gardens, each a glowing torch, 
 Blazing by night in garments smeared with pitch, 
 Whilst he himself, as charioteer, drove on 
 In fiendish sport amidst the pitying crowd, 
 Who shuddered at their death, though them they 
 
 scorned 
 As " haters of mankind/' Strange that such 
 
 charge 
 Should e'er be brought 'gainst those whose Lord 
 
 supreme 
 Taught them their foes to love, for them to pray ; 
 And proved His power in their triumphant death.
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 171 
 
 And now the end draws nigh. See the two men, 
 The one, prince of the world, with all its pomp ; 
 The other chained, and seeming without friends. 
 His life in Nero's hands. Not all the power 
 Of Rome, its luxury or wealth, could give 
 To Nero peace. Still miserable, he seeks, 
 'Midst life's excited whirl, now in proud dreams. 
 Now charmed by witchery of some new crime. 
 To soothe the cravings of his feverish mind. 
 'Twas all in vain. Not Corbulo's success. 
 Nor act exalting majesty of Rome 
 In crowning Tiridates, eastern king, 
 Far less his deep intoxicating draughts 
 Of self-consuming lust and pleasures vile. 
 Could e'er bring ease to Nero's breast. For still 
 He was a man, with soul immortal born 
 Whose thirst could ne'er be quenched by earthly 
 
 streams. 
 See him led on, the wretched dupe of sin 
 And crime, until at last the flattering world. 
 That he had served so long, him false forsakes. 
 He flees in terror, and his death, unwept. 
 Has left a name loathed and abhorred by all.
 
 172 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 To Paul we turn, prisoner of Christ, unmoved 
 Midst raging foes ; thy Lord, who called and loves, 
 Still leads thee on to victory assured. 
 Say, shall we grieve that silence veils thy end ? 
 We rather joy that thy loved Lord fulfilled 
 Thy prayer, that thou shouldst witness be for Him, 
 And Him sole magnify by life or death. 
 Though Stephen's death lights up the sacred page. 
 First martyr of the Church, and by his death 
 Probing Saul's heart with deeply piercing "goads ;" 
 In the New Testament, transcending all. 
 One death, four times attested, stands supreme, 
 A theme exhaustless for a dying world ; 
 To souls redeemed, anthem of endless praise. 
 To emphasize this death, all other deaths 
 Retire as stars before the blaze of noon, 
 Deriving all their lustre from the light 
 Shed from the Cross. 'Twas thus with Peter, James, 
 And others of the noble martyr band ; 
 With Paul no less. Such silence eloquent 
 Be ours. We know the thoughts that stirred his heart 
 And thrilled his raptured soul as he foresaw 
 The end. To him all earthly loss was gain.
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 173 
 
 The Cross was all, the Cross of Christ, by whom 
 
 The world was crucified to him, and he 
 
 Unto the world. Hear his triumphant song : — 
 
 " Behold me now, as a thank-offering poured, 
 
 " In joyful sacrifice to my loved King, 
 
 " Who bought me to Himself I hail the day 
 
 " On which I go ; to me not death but life, 
 
 " A passing to my home above, an house 
 
 " Not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 
 " My life has been a conflict fierce with sin ; 
 
 " Now the good fight is o'er, the race is run ; 
 
 ** Each step complete in Him whose faith I've kept, 
 
 " Whose grace to me is all. For me laid up 
 
 " Behold a crown, surpassing far earth's poor 
 
 " And fading wreaths ; the crown of righteousness, 
 
 " By Him the righteous Judge, all-wise, reserved 
 
 " Not for me only, but for all who love 
 
 " The grace and truth in Jesus Christ revealed." 
 
 How blest such words as these, having for us 
 No less of pathos and of hallowed power 
 Than if we heard them from his martyr lips 
 And saw the fatal stroke ! His death to us
 
 174 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 In silence speaks through ages of the past, 
 
 Still bidding us to look, not unto him 
 
 But to his Lord, for whom his life e'er spoke 
 
 The ne'er-to-be-forgotten words, " Not I, 
 
 " But Christ, who loved and gave Himself for me." 
 
 Such was the victory of grace in Paul, 
 In glorious contrast with what earth could give, 
 With all its fleeting and deceitful charms. 
 To those who drank its poison to the dregs. 
 Whithersoe'er we turn, the searchings deep 
 And anxious cravings e'en of noblest minds 
 Tell only of man's thirst unsatisfied. 
 Philosophy had then its hour to speak, 
 And failed. Grave Seneca, Aurelius, great 
 In Stoic wisdom, Epictetus wise. 
 And generous Plutarch, skilled in lessons apt 
 From ancient story, give a picture rare 
 Of moral thought ; yet how obscure their light, 
 Compared with that which shines from Christ 
 through Paul. 
 
 Rome's Empire, with her boasted wealth and power.
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 175 
 
 Vaunted eternal, are all passed away 
 
 But Paul remains a monument of grace, 
 
 Speaking to millions of his Saviour's love ; 
 
 And in the Church planted by him on Christ 
 
 We see a house upon the rock 'gainst which 
 
 The storms have beat for ages, but in vain. 
 
 Blest Church of Christ ! Proof of His life and reign! 
 
 Sole living relic of the ancient world ! 
 
 Great Sanctuary of Truth ! Thou hast outlived 
 
 The wreck of empires, and through Christ preserved 
 
 The seeds of life from Him, sole Head ; which else 
 
 Had died. For who but He could have restrained 
 
 The witcheries of worldliness and pride. 
 
 Fatal paralysis of ease and sloth ; 
 
 Or, scarce less fatal, disputations fierce, 
 
 In which His patient love no place could find. 
 
 Who but He, the Omnipotent, All-wise, 
 
 Could have o'erruled the crash of savage life, 
 
 That made a chaos of the ancient world, 
 
 Its life and culture, and from seeming death 
 
 Have called new life to spring ; order to reign ; 
 
 Making the desert blossom as the rose ; 
 
 Bidding the streams of grace and truth to flow,
 
 176 PAUL THE APOSTLE. 
 
 Through tracts which else had been a wilderness ? 
 
 Man's heart still finds a yawning chasm dark, 
 A gulf no human art or skill can sound, 
 Reached only by the love of God in Christ. 
 Depraved by nature, folly 'tis to think 
 That man needs now no inward change divine, 
 Or that old speculations, empty proved 
 Or false in time of Paul, should now avail 
 To heal man's wound, or quench immortal thirst. 
 Cease then contentions vain ; frail man can now 
 No more live without Christ, than in the days 
 Of Paul. No Christ can now for man suffice 
 Save He, the crucified, the risen, by whom 
 Alone Paul was what he became ; of Grace 
 A trophy, a melodious Hymn OF PRAISE. 
 
 We magnify thy grace O Lamb of God ! 
 In rescuing man from Satan's cruel thrall, 
 The awful curse of sin. But ah ! how much 
 Remains of conflict hard, ere Thy just reign 
 Prevail o'er hearts made contrite by Thy love. 
 To us belongs to watch, to work, to pray ;
 
 PAUL AT ROME. 177 
 
 For this be pleased to give the needed strength, 
 
 And from Thy fulness, Lord, renew fresh strength 
 
 For persevering labour to the end. 
 
 'Tis Thine to bless the work ; Thy might, Thy grace, 
 
 Thy wisdom infinite. We dare not think 
 
 The time too long in which it pleases Thee 
 
 To wait ; and yet forgive us, gracious Lord, 
 
 If, bowed in reverence, earnestly we pray. 
 
 Patient in our impatience, for the time 
 
 When thou shalt to Thyself take Thy great power, 
 
 And reign o'er all the earth in every heart. 
 
 Yea, come, Desire of Nations ! " to Thy crowns 
 
 "Add yet this one, the crown of all the earth, 
 
 " Thou who alone art worthy."* Hear our cry ; 
 
 Compassionate, look down on them that groan 
 
 In cruel bondage under yoke of sin ; 
 
 Fulfil the purpose of Thy precious death, 
 
 In glorious revelation of Thy life ; 
 
 Be Thou Thy people's life, their Sun and Shield, 
 
 Their rest, their peace, their everlasting joy ! 
 
 * Cowper. 
 
 N
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED BY WOODFALL AND KINDER. 
 
 MILFORD LANE, STRAND. W. C
 
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