many sick persons, and no doubt preached the gospel during his three months there. Read the account in Acts, and note how even Paul's adversities "turned out to the advantage of the gospel."

5. Trace Paul's route from Malta to Rome.

6. Do you think that simple, honest words are preferable to flattery? Do people usually take seriously what is told them by known flatterers? What is involved in accepting or offering undeserved compliments? 7. What was the secret of Paul's courage?-A vision, or faith in God who sent the vision? Do you remember a similar incident in the life of Jesus? Can faith give us courage, to-day, in facing dangers? Give an example.

CHAPTER XXIII

PAUL IN ROME

WHEN they reached Rome, Paul was permitted to rent quarters outside the prison and there await the calling of his trial before Nero. The trial could not take place until his accusers arrived. Meanwhile, he was still a prisoner, chained to his guard, who was responsible with his own life for his prisoner's safety and security.

PAUL PREACHING AGAIN

Almost his first act after reaching the city and engaging his quarters was to call together the leading members of the Jewish synagogue and state his case to them. He hoped not only to give them a more favorable and fairer opinion of himself but to win at least some of them to the faith and obedience of Christ. What wonderful hope and courage he possessed, after all he had suffered at the hands of his countrymen, actually to attempt to win those who were in a position to do him much harm, never despairing of his own people-trusting always that in the end "Israel should be saved"!

Paul and the Jewish leaders.-When the Jewish leaders came, he addressed them as follows:

"Brethren, although I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans; who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty since I was not guilty of any crime. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I

had anything to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore I have asked you to come and speak with me; it is on account of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."-Acts 28: 17-20.

Their reply was friendly and courteous.

"We neither received letters from Judæa concerning you, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of you. But we desire to hear what you think; for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”—Acts 28:21-22.

Then they set a day to hear Paul expound his faith, his interpretation of the "hope of Israel" (that is, the hope of the Messiah and the kingdom of God).

On the day appointed a large number of Jews gathered at Paul's lodging, and Paul spoke to them all day long, from morning to evening, "testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the prophets."

Paul's unfailing optimism was once more justified. Among those who listened to him that day there were some who believed and became members of the growing church in the city of the Emperor. But, just as everywhere else, some refused to believe and departed, disputing among themselves.

Preaching to Gentiles.-But Paul's conscience was now free. He had spoken his message, as usual, "to the Jews first." He was now at liberty to turn to the Gentiles --and he told his hearers so before they left him. "Be it known therefore unto you that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles; they will also hear."

"And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that called upon him,

preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him."-Acts 28: 30-31.

With these words, the book of Acts concludes. Paul continued teaching and preaching to all who would come and listen. In one of his later letters he sends the greetings of some of the Roman Christians to the church he is addressing, and says, "They of Cæsar's household salute you" (Philippians 4:22): even slaves of the Emperor's own palace were numbered among the Christians. In another letter he names some of his Gentile friends in Rome-Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia (2 Timothy 4:21). A little later we find a large and powerful church in Rome, with numerous bishops and deacons and teachers. Before the century was over, the Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians, and perhaps also the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Mark, had been written in this city. In later times the Roman Church became the leading church in western Europe, and all through the Dark Ages it stood like a lighthouse in the blackness of the night. Though we know nothing of its origin-it had been founded before Paul arrived in the year 59—there is little doubt that the preaching of Paul in his "own rented house" on one of the side streets near the prison greatly aided its early growth and partly explains its later expansion and importance. Imprisonment did not discourage Paul; a prisoner's chain could not prevent his preaching the gospel. "The word of God is not bound," as he said.

THE IMPRISONMENT LETTERS

Nor did his imprisonment prevent his communication with the churches which he had founded. Luke, Aris

tarchus, Timothy, Tychicus, and others were with him in Rome. Messengers came and went between Paul and his friends in Asia and Macedonia and Greece. Letters were exchanged. Gifts were sent Paul to pay his expenses and provide some comforts while he awaited his trial.

The Epistle to the Philippians. Some of the letters have survived and come down to us in the New Testament. One of them is the Epistle to the Christians in Philippi. It was written to thank his friends for a gift of money-their fourth gift of this sort-which had been sent by the hand of Epaphroditus. He had intended to stay in Rome and be of what service he could to Paul, but fell sick and had to go home. With him he took Paul's letter as an expression of the apostle's appreciation and thanks for their generosity. It is one of the tenderest messages we find among Paul's letters, and reveals that gentleness and humility which, for all the sternness and severity of his preaching, won the deep, lasting affection of his friends.

"I thank my God whenever I think of you, always making my supplication with joy, for your fellowship in the furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offense unto the day of Christ;