Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 54

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ORDINATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS . 47 and dangersofthemissionaryfield. ThisdesertioncausedPaul tojudge him unfavorablyand severelyfor a longtime. He distrustedhissteadinessof character,and his devotionto the cause of Christ. The mother of Mark was a convert to the Christianreligion, and her home was an asylumforthedisciples. Theretheywerealways sureof a welcome ,and a seasonof rest, in which theycouldrallyfrom theeffectofthefiercepersecutionsthateverywhereassailedthem in their labors . It was during one of thesevisitsof the apostlesto hismother'sthat Mark proposedto Paul and Barnabasthathe shouldaccompanythem on theirmissionarytour. He had witnessedthe wonderful, power attendingtheirministry; he had feltthe favor of God in hisown heart; he had seen the faith of his mother tested and tried without wavering ; he had witnessed the miraclesperformedby the apostles, and which set thesealof God upon theirwork ; he had himself preachedthe Christianfaith,and had longedto devotehimselfentirelytothework. He had,as thecompanionoftheapostles,rejoicedinthesuccess of their mission; but fear and discouragement overwhelmedhim inthefaceof privation, persecution,and danger; and he soughttheattractions of home at a time when his services were most needfultotheapostles.At a futureperiodtherewas a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas concerning Mark , who was stillanxious to devote himself to the work of the ministry. This contention causedPaul and Barnabastoseparate,the latter followingout his convictions,and takingMark with him in his work . Paul could not,at that