The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 188

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182 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES rest, were not aware of these preparations. Soon, however, theii' attention was attracted by the sound of music and the enthusiastic shouting of a large crowd, who had come to the house where they were staying. When the apostles ascertained the cause of this visit and its attendant excitement, 'Hhey rent their clothes, and ran in among the people," in the hope of preventing further proceedings. In a loud, ringing voice, which rose above the shouting of the people, Paul demanded their attention; and as the tumult suddenly ceased, he said: ''Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.'' Notwithstanding the positive denial of the apostles that tliey were divine, and notwithstanding Paul's endeavors to direct the minds of the people to the true God as the only object worthy of adoration, it was almost impossible to turn the heathen from their intention to offer sacrifice. So firm had been their belief that these men were indeed gods, and so great their enthusiasm, that they were loath to acknowledge their error. The record says that they were ''scarce restrained." The Lystrians reasoned that they had beheld with their own eyes the miraculous power exercised by