Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 213

Scan transcription helps with searching and selection. Use the printed page above for exact spelling and punctuation.

206 LIFE OF PAUL . ing hispurpose, thebrethrenceasedtheirimportunity,sayingonly, "The willof theLord be done . The time soon came for the brief stay at Cæsarea toend,and,accompaniedby some of the Cæsarean brethren, Paul and hiscompany set outforJerusalem,theirheartsdeeplyshadowed by thepresentimentof coming evil. The crowd at theannualfeastswas sogreatthatstrangers oftenfailedtofindshelterwithinthe city,and were obligedto resortto booths outsidethe walls. But, accordingto previousarrangements, the apostleand hisattendantswere tobe entertainedat the house of one Mnason, of Cyprus, an old disciple." ،، Since hisconversion,Paul'svisitsto Jerusalem had always been attendedwith anxiety, and with a feelingofremorseashe gazedupon scenes that recalled his former life. There was the school of Gamaliel , where he had received his education,the synagogue in which he worshiped, thehousewhere the high priesthad given him hiscommission to Damascus ,the spot where the blood of Stephen had witnessedfor Christ. As theapostlegazed upon theplaceof martyrdom, thescenein allitsvividnessroseup beforehim. Was he going forwardto a similarfate? Never had he trod the streets of Jerusalem with so sad a heart as now . He knew that he would find few friendsand many enemies. In the crowds around him were thousands whom the very mention of his name would excite to madness . He was in thecitywhich had beenthemurderer of the prophets, which had rejectedand slain the Son of God , and over which now hung the threateningsof divinewrath. Remember