Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 180

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SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS . 173 helpus," had decidedhim topreachthegospelin Europe. His stayinTroas was thus shortened, and he was preventedfrom laboringthereas he had purposed; but he statesthata doorwas now open tohim oftheLord, and he laidthefoundationofa church,whichrapidlyincreased. Paul had directedTitus, on his return from Corinth, to rejoinhim at Troas,and he awaited thecoming ofthisbelovedfellow-laborer,hoping to receivesome tidingsfrom the Corinthian church. But week afterweek passed,and Titus came not. The apostle'ssolicitudebecamealmost insupportable. He says, "My spiritfound no rest, because of Titus, my brother." He left Troas,and went toPhilippi,where he met Timothy,hisson inthegospel. Here was a churchwhich had proveditslove forthegospelofChristby itsfaithand works. The brethren had not swerved from their confidence in the Lord's messenger. Paul, in his epistletothePhilippians,doesnot censurethem, but speakswords of warm approval. The truth of the gospelhad thoroughlyconvertedthem. This church couldnot be prevented from making donations to the apostlefor his support while preachingthegospel,althoughhe had repeatedly refusedto accepttheirliberality. He was very persistentinhisdeterminationtosustainhimself, lestoccasionmight be givenhisenemiestosay thathe laboredforhis personalgain. But the Philippianswould not be deniedtheprivilegeof aidingthe Lord'sambassadorby bestowingof their means to meet his necessities. Twice while hewas at Thessalonica,immediatelyaftertheir conversion, they urged theirgiftsupon him. Again theysenthim reliefwhilehewas preach-