Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 271, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1914 — Page 3

On the Footsteps of St.Paul

HE rapid development of Asia Minor will undoubtedly do much to awaken public interest .in this wonderful land, and, what is more, call attention to those old cities made famous in Holy Writ through their association with St Paul. Indeed, was not the apostle to the gentiles born at, Tarsus, one of its principal cities? • Then was it not to

the cities and peoples of this little-known but nevertheless historic land that St. Paul made long and toilsome journeys, enduring great hardships and perils in order that he might preach the Gospel? Here, too, were founded the earliest of the >’ Christian churches. . Although Asia Minor —that great tract of land, 220,000 square miles in 'extent, which juts out from the continent of Asia like an hrm towards Europe—was the scene of St. Paul’s great labors, it is virtually a closed book to us. We know less about Its ancient cities, its Wonderful peoples and

their strange customs, than wh do about those of - any other land. It might weft be described as one of the least “explored” sections of the globe so far as the ordinary traveler is concerned. No one \ ever thinks of visiting it, 1 for theHftmple reason that traveling in the country has been so difficult, and in parts even dangerous. This is all the more remarkable when we -remember the part its cities have played not only in the early history of the world but in the history of Christianity, and how that for nigh upon three thousand years it was the great battleground of the nations,; \ Here the greatest conquerors of the world contended for supremacy; here were fought out the wars of the Medes and Persians with the Scythians; of the Greeks with the'Persians; and of the Romans with the Mithridates and Parthians, and later the Turks with the weak Byzantine empire. Here Alexander the Great and the Romans successively strove for the mastery of the' 1 civilized world. Here stood proud Ephesus with its great templq to Diana, one of the eight wonders of the world, where Paul preached regularly for two _ years, till many of the sorcerers and others brought their books of superstition and burnt them; Troas, where the ■young man Eutychus fell asleep and, falling down, broke his neck, but was miraculously restored to life by the apostle; Lystra, where Paul healed -the cripple; Caesarea, where he was brought be-fore-Felix, who trembled at his preaching, and a host of other places known" by name to every Bible reader.

We wonder whether these cities, where St Paul and his companions preached and founded churches, still exist today and what they are like. Alas, many of them are in ruins, and others are but old-world, sleepy villages, possessing but a fraction of their former population and little of their ancient glory and -wealth. But a new era has set in, and these old Bible cities of Asia Minor are again to become prosper- * ous and regain some of their lost greatness. Altogether Paul made four great missionary journeys. Three of these were taken from Antioch, in Syria, which may be described as the Apostle’s headquarters, the last being his voyage from Sidon to Rome as a prisoner. Antioch, therefore, became the cradle of gentile Christianity. It was here that a Christian community was for the time formed independently of the synagogue, and here the members of the new sect were first called Christians. In the days of St Paul, that is, in A. D. 44 to 50, over eighteen hundred years ago now, this historic and memorable city of northern Syria was a delightful place to sojourn In. The ancient writers called It “Antioch the Beautiful** and “The Crown of the East.'* It boasted of a population of half a million souls and was the capital of the old Greek kings of Syria. The banks of the River Orontes that flows through It were lined with stately and noble palaces, while It contained many fine public buildings and works of art and some beautiful synagogues. It was amidst this magnificence and splendor that the first Christian Church arose, which through Its disciples, carried the gospel northwestward into Asia,Minor, to the Islands of the Great sea, to Macedonia, Greece and Italy. Paul’s first journey was taken In company with Barnabas and a relative named Mark, and lasted about two years. His first objective was the island of Cyprus, lying off the Syrian coast, now under British administration. We can picture the little band Crossing the bridge over the Orontes and making their way past the plantations' to Seleucla, the ancient port of Antioch, where they embarked. The port Is now In ruins, though the walls inclosing the basin are still preserved From this very harbor, then, Paul and Barnabas sailed to commence the first great evangelistic . tour deliberately planned by the Christian church. After a tour of the Island the preachers sailed to Perga, In Pamphylia, a Roman province on the/south coast of Asia Minot, traveling thence to Antioch Plsidia. To follow them step by step is unnecessary here, as their journeys are recorded in the Acts. Rather we will noth how we can best today visit these cities and places which BL Paul saw, and wherein he preached during the three trips he made into this wonderful country. As we are in Antioch, our best plan will be to go by road to Alexandretta and there take steamer to

Mersina, now an important port on the Cilician coast Shortly, even this sea trip, will not be necessary, for Alexandretta will be ~ linked with the Bagdad railway. ' * Once at Mersina, we can follow the railway through the heart of the country, leaving this link with civilization here and there order to visit those places which claim our particular attention. A railway ride of about an hour from Mersina brings us to Tarsus, the birthplace of the apoqtle. Truly it is a city with a remarkable past. Alexander the Great spent some time here, while It was at Tarsus that Mark Antony received Cleopatra, who sailed up the river in a magnificent barge disguised as Aphrodite. It was one of the three great universities of the pagan world* It lies on the Cydnus river, about eight miles In a direct line from the coast In St Paul’s day the river was navigable as far as the city, but it has been allowed to silt up, with the result that only very email boats can approach the city now. From Tarsus we have a somewhat rough ride to Bulgurlu, where we again strike the railway. Our road is a romantic one, over the Taurus mountains and through the famous Cilician gates. The latter is a pass in a deep rocky gorge. Here a band of engineers are making a track for the railway, so that In the near future one will be able to cross the pass In comfortable coaches. The apostle passed through this very defile on his second journey. At Bulgurlu we again take the train to Konia, passing over what is likelyto become-an exceedingly fertile plateau. Konia is In the center of a great cotton-growing district, and Is surrounded by luxuriant orchards of plums and apricots. This Is ancient Iconlum, a very old city, and said to be the first place to emerge after the deluge. The railway has wrought great changes In This ancient city. Modern European houses are springing up near the station, the.populatlon is growing, trade has Increased four or five-fold, and there is a general sense of alertness. Portions-of the old walls that.once surrounded the city are still to be seen, as well as one of Its old towers. St. Paul visited this city twice, once in company with Barnabas and the other time with Timothy. It was here that the apostle was taken for a heathen god and had much ado to prevent the priests of Jupiter offering sacrifices to him. In the end, however, the great missionary had to flee the town and seek refuge at Lystra, which lies' a Httle to the south and is easily reached on horseback. About thirty miles southeast of Lystra Iles the site of Derbe, in St Paul’s day an Important frontier town of the province of Galatia. The exact locality is still uncertain, but is generally placed near the slope of a mountain, Hadji Baba (Pilgrim Father), 8,000 feet high, on a spot which shows indications of covering a buried town. Nothing appears above ground, while before Moslem In-

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

vasion the town was of sufficient Importance to be the seat of a Christian bishop. Retracing our steps to Konia, we make preparations for a tour to Pisidla Antioch, in Phrygia. It stood on the great high road from Syria to Ephesus, and In those early days was the administrative and military center of the southern half of the Roman province of Galatia. Away to the south is Perga, now called Murtana, some twelve miles from the coast, the old-time capital of the province of Pamphylia. Paul visited it twice. On the first occasion he simply passed through It, but oh the second made a short stay . and preached the word of the Lord. The city has been gradually eclipsed by its seaport, Attalia, now known as Adalia, today a very busy and thriving place, and from whence we can take steamer and sail westward around the coast of Asia Minor, passing many places associated with the missionary story of the apostle. Yonder are the ruins of Myra, once an important portT>f Lycla, the harbor where Julius, the centurion jwho had Paul in charge, transhipped him with his other prisoners into ,a vessel of Alexandria bound for Rome, the same that was afterward wrecked on the coast of Malta.. Then in succession we catch sight of the places touched by the apostle when returning to Syria from Philippi on his third missionary journey. A few hours only from Myra are the ruins of Patarg, where he arrived from Miletus and changed for a. vessel bound for Tyre. Presently we come within sight of the Island of Rhodes and the town of the same name rendered famous by the" bronze Colossus, and then catch sight of . Cnidus, mentioned in the account of Paul’s voyage to Rome and Cos. The scenery is now superb and remains so until . we reach the Gulf of Mendelyah, where we anchor, and In about an hour stand amid the ruins of Miletus. This famous Greek city, perhaps the greatest of all the old Greek cities In Asia Minor, 'had lost some of its Importance In Paul’s time owing to the growing prosperity of Ephesus. AS we gaze upon its wonderful rujns we recall the touching story of Paul’s solemn and affectionate farewell to' the elders of the church at Ephesus, whom he had summoned to Miletus to meet him. Rejoining our steamer, we slip through the narrow channel between Samos and the rocky promontory of Trogyllium, In the neighborhood ot which is an inlet still known as St Paul’s bay, and In due course arrive at busy Smyrna, from whence we can go by rail to the ruins of Ephesus and also to ancient Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Leaving the train at Ayasoluk, we are soon among. the ruins of the once, proud and mighty city of Ephesus. In Paul’s ay it was a seaport with a serviceable harbor, but now, owing to the continuous washing down of soil by the Menderes and the Cayster, it stands high and dry some four or five miles east of the latter river. It was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and the then Liverpool of the Mediterranean. It was on the great line of communication between Rome and the East, and behind it lay such cities as Philadelphia, Laodicea and Apamela. Northward again, but easily reached by local steamer, Is the island and town of Mitylene, with Assos on the main and, both associated with St. Paul, while farther north still lies Troas, now known as Eskl-Stamboul. The Troas of Acts Is not to be confused with classic Troy The old cities of Macedonia and Greece, where Paul and his companions preached and founded flourishing churches, are easy of access. Kavala, ancient Neapolis, is a thriving port, while Philippi, where Paul sUyed in the house of the convert named Lydia, a seller of purple, a few miles Inland, Is In ruins. Amphlpolls and Apollon are today picturesque villages, known, of course, by other names, while Thessalonlca Is the Salonlca of today. The two letters that the apostle wrote to his converts here showed that he bad a very special affection soy them, Later, Thessalonlca played a$ important part ih the history of Christianity, and tn the middle* ages was known as the "Orthodox City.*’ Farther south Is Athens, the -capital of Greece, at the height of-its popularity when Paul knew it in k. D. 52.

Dr. Marden’s Uplift Talks

By ORISON SWETT MARDEN.

’ Copyright by McClure newspaper SyndieaM DO NOT DISCHARGE THE BOY., Edwin Booth once scolded one of his supers for the careless way in which he took his part. “Look at me,” said Mr. Booth, “why don’t you do as I do?" “Ah, Mr, Booth,” said the man, "if I- were you I would not be carrying a spear for one dollar a night” , Don’t scold the employee who doesn’t always do things as you would,, do them. Remember, he has not your experience, judgment or present ability. If he had he would not be working for ypu. Don’t" fire” the boy who has disappointed you. Think bow you would like to have some one treat your boy who happened to make a mistake or to do some foolish thing. Do not throw him out Take all interest in him. Try to arouse his ambition. Tell him qt your struggles to get a start in the world and how important it is to do everything to a finish. Show him that every letter he writes, that every, well done thing is a step to something higher. Did you ever think, Mr. Employer, what it may mean to you to discharge a boy or girl, perhaps in a fit of temper or fqr a trifling offense? It may seem a little thing for you to discharge employees, but it may be the turning point in their careers. It is a most unfortunate thing tor young people, who are very susceptible to discouragement, and who are the victims of their moods, to be discharged. They sometimes become so disheartened they think it is no use to try to do thei.r best Some employers say that their time is too valuable to spend breaking in green boys, and they discharge a boy upon the slightest provocation, for a little Instance, a blunder, carelessness. They do not realize that this may ruin him.

Remembey that you can persuades boy, you ean lead him, into almost anything, but It is very difficult to drive him, if there Is anything In him. , Perhaps the boy you want to discharge has net had the love and care, the tender Influences in his home, which your boy has. had. In fact, he may have no real home at all, as you have it. His home may even have a vicious Influence upon him. Are you sure there is nothing in him which you can bring out? Employers should resort to every possible expedient before discharging help. Sometimes just a little encouragement, a little praise, when an unruly employee does - well, will result in wonderful Improvement. Only recently the manager of a large department store told me that he had been so tired with the stupidity, the carelessness and apparent indifference of a girl clerk that he made up his mind he must discharge hdh. He had talked with her and advised her, but found that it did little or no good. He called her into the office one morning to tell her that he would have to let her go. While talking to her, however, he asked her why it was thipt she could not do better, and she told him that she didn’t like the work she was doing; that If he would put her in the silk department he would find she would do better. He made the experiment, and she became a different girl. She took a great interest In silks; in fact, had an almost perfect knowledge of silk textures and colors. The girl is now in charge of the silk department at a large salary, and her employer says she has become Indispensable to the concern. Instead of firing an employee who has tried you perhaps past endurance, change him about, try him in different Positions. He may develop genius. He may now be a round peg in a square hole, and after he has found his place he may prove very valuable to you; but if you discharge him it may discourage him from trying. Many men seem to think that they can treat their help In any way; that they can scold them, hdund them, nag them, find fault with them, and use all sorts of slave-driving methods in their treatment of therii, and yet get their best service. While there Is now and then a conscientious person who tries to do his best under p.ll circumstances, ‘there are a thousand who will give back wjiat they receive, & ' Action and reaction are pretty nearly equal in this world- As a rule, people pay us back In our own coin. They will pay back kindness with kindness, hate with hate and ingratitude with contempt - T - TODAY 18 YOUR DAY AND MINE. The majority of people get a very small percentage of the possible happiness out of life because they are waiting for that paradise of tomorrow When they believe their worries and their anxieties and the tilings that embarrass and harass them and fret them will be eliminated and only the good things, the things that make people happy, will remain/ „ . Do you ever realize, you who. are dreaming about tomorrbw and its wonderful possibilities, that ft will be just like today, that the glamour

which your imagination puts, in It wff!' be gone when you reach it, that the mirage which you witness today come* from the distance, but that when you arrive it will be gone, and you will find only a' common, ordinary day—practically a duplicate of this common, ordinary day, through which you are now passing? The trouble with many of us i» that we are waiting for the ideal condition before we enjoy ourselves. Somehow we cannot seem to manage to extract satisfaction and enjoyment out of the day that la so full of cares, anxieties and the humdrum routineof.life. We are dreaming of that Utopia somewhere in the future that will have all the good things, the comfort, the conveniences and luxuries without the annoying things, the thousand pin pricks and the little annoyances, the fretting and the worrying and the anxiety of today. We are dreaming of the condition when our family will all be well, when weshall be strong and healthy, vigorous, and when we shall be rid of the things, that harass.

But there is no. such Paradise awaiting us. We are really now In the Paradise which we. pictured in our dreams a few years ago. We all are in it. This is the future w.e looked forward, to when we were in schpol or c'ollege, when we first left’ home to start out in the world for ourselves, and is it materially different from yesterday? Is it not the same humdrum sort of life, with the same anxieties, the same worries, the same cares that we had then, and probably many more? Life is made up of days, each one must be a success or the whole is marred. The' habit, therefore, of Resolving when we. start out each morning that the day shall find us a little farther ahead, a little farther on* is' a" wonderful help. Life as a whole will be a success if each day is a success. “Today is your day and mine, the only day we have, the day in which we play our part,” says David Starr Jordan. "What our part may signify in the great whole we may not understand; but We are here to play it, and now is bur time. This we know; it Is a part of action, not of whining. It is a part of love, not cynicism. It is for us to express love in terms of human helpfulness.” Today it the day that holds the key to your future. What you do today you will likely do tomorrow; what you , are today you will be tomorrow, with simply one day’s growth or one day’s retrogression. Today is the bulletin-board of what you do tomorrow. By what philosophy can you idle away your time today, waste your energy, squander your force, and do your work like a drudge, and expect a magnificent harvest of success, prosperity and happiness from such a sowing? Today is the seed you are sowing for tomorrow’s harvest, and If you sow seeds of carefulness, accuracy, energy, zeal and enthusiasm, if you sow optimistic good cheer, helpful seeds, you will reap the same kind of a harvest tomorrow.

Evolution of Modern Trade.

In a jewelry store more than fifty years ago, John Wanamaker was buying a present for hie mother with a few dollars of his earnings.' “I’ll take that,” he said, pointing to a dainty jewel and handing out the' cash a little proudly. As he spoke, he saw another shiny something that pleased him stilF more, even though It came higher. "I ’ think I’ll change my mind and take that one Instead,” he said to the man, who had not yet wrapped up the first selection. "It’s too late now,” snapped the jeweler. "You’ve bought this and you must keep it” Doubtless it had been In stock a long time and the salesman felt proud that he had worked it off. It was an affront to the young purchaser, but It was the inception of one of the basic policies in the Wanamaker system. The jeweler's attitude reflected trade conditions prior to ’6l, but all this was reversed in the Wanamaker idea, ufcose creator has lived to see his convictions adopted as business axioms. One price for goods and the return of purchases has revolutionized retail trade not only in Philadelphia, where It met with bitter opposition, but in all parts of the country. John-Wanamaker was one of the first merchants to recognize the. privilege of the American woman to change her piind.—"A Modern Business General,” by Flynn Wayne, tn National Magazine.

Fire Away.

A company of territorials were at the range. The usual marker bad not turned up, but a deputy was soon found in the person of an old worthy well known in the district who occasionally acted as substitute in such circumstances. The first round was about to be fired when the captain, looking towards the target, was almost stupefied to see 'the newly-en-gaged marker right in the line of fire. “Stop, firing!” he screeched, as he hastened to where the old man stood, calmly smoking. “You blithering idiot!” he yelled, as he approached. “Do you know you were within an ace of death just now r* “deb, aye,” was the reply. "Jist fire awa*. A’ve marked for your squad before.”—London Tit-Bits.

Neglected.

"Yes,” said the lifelong resident, "I can remember when that stream wan 15 feet across.” - “And now it isn’t more than five,” < “Yes. It just goes to show that we haven’t been getting our share of the rivers and harbors appropriations. 4 ■' . ■