The Story of St. Paul's Life and Letters

by J. Paterson Smyth

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. ...Evidently he has heard that they are losing balance, in their restless excitement expecting Christ any day. They will not settle down to ordinary work, but are going about in dreamy contemplation, singing and holding prayer meetings and watching for the Lord. History tells of a similar condition more than once. In the year IOOO A.D., and at the time of the Reformation and more or less at other times, even down to fifty years ago when fanatics were prophesying and fixing dates for the end of the world. We had a slight renewal of it last year, owing to the war. This letter is written to steady the Thessalonians. Its main thought is expressed in that old story of New England, when one day in one of those times of excitement about the end of the world, a sudden darkness came at noonday while the Assembly was in sitting. Men got frightened and cried, "It is the coming of Christ, it is the end of the world." "Bring in candles," said the old president, "and go on with your work. If the Lord is coming, how better can He find us than quietly doing our duty." That is the spirit of Paul's second Epistle to the Thessalonians. CHAPTER XI DIANA or THE EPHESIANS AFTER writing the Thessalonian letters Paul remained on in Corinth, founding a Church of Christ amongst the lowest classes, largely slaves and people of degraded life. On the one hand it was the most inspiring work, proving the glorious power of Christ on the lowest sinners. But on the other hand, as we see later, such classes make a perilous setting for a church unless their founder can stay with them. Perhaps that was why he stayed nearly two years. But he must go on. He is the pioneer of the gospel to the civilized world. He cannot stay in one place....

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1917