Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 289

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282 LIFE OF PAUL . tilhe was removed from them,did theyrealize how heavy were the burdens which he had borne intheirbehalf. Heretoforetheyhad largelyexcusedthemselvesfrom responsibilityand burdenbearingbecausetheylackedhis wisdom, tact, and indomitableenergy; and now ,leftin their inexperiencetolearnthelessonstheyhad shunned, and feelingthattheywere nevermore tobe benefitedby the apostle'slabors, they prizedthe warning ,counsel, and instructionwhich he sent them,as theyhad neverbeforeprizedhisteachings. And astheylearnedof hiscourage,faith, and meeknessinhislongimprisonment,theyalso were stimulatedto greaterfidelityand zealin the cause of Christ . Among the assistantsof Paul in his labors were many ofhisformercompanionsand fellowworkers. Luke, " the belovedphysician," who had attendedhim in the journeyto Jerusalem, throughthetwo years'imprisonmentat Cæsarea, and upon hislastperilousvoyage,was with him still. Timothy alsoministeredto hiscomfort. Tychicus was his mail-bearer, takinghismessagesto the differentchurcheswhich theyhad visitedtogether. Demas and Mark also were with him . Mark had once been refusedby Paul as unworthy to accompany him, because, when his helpwas much needed,he had leftthe apostle and returnedto hishome . He saw that,asPaul's companion,hislifemust be one of constanttoil, anxiety,and self-denial; and he desiredan easier path. Thisled the apostletofeelthathe could not be trusted, and that decisioncaused the unhappy dissensionbetweenPaul and Barnabas. Mark had since learned the lesson which all