Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1916 — THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER

Acta 16:10-Si—June IS. An Experience With Evil Spirits—Sad Condition of a Slave —Her Enraged Owners Revenge Themselves Upon St. Paul and Silas—The Missionaries Beaten and Imprisoned Singing Pfaises to God Under Adverse Conditions —A Well-Timed Earthquake. “Believe on the Lord Jcsun Christ, and thou shall be saved.’’—Verse 31.

HILE passing daily from Lydia’s home to the place of worship outside the gates of Philippi, the mission-

aries were met repeatedly by a slave giri possessed of au evil spirit, one of the fallen angels. The spirit, working through her, told fortunes, gave intelligence of lost articles, of future events, etc. Evidently she was well known; and the exercise of her profession brought a large income to a stock company of influential men who owned her. Eor several days this girl followed the missionaries, shouting, “These be the servants of the Most High God, which show r unto us the way of salvation:” Of course, the girl did not know St. Paul and his companions; but the evil spirits did. The Apostle was grieved as daily this testimony was given by the girl; for he knew that the evil spirit prompting it would have no respect for the Truth/" A fallen angel that had respect for God and for the principles of righteousness would not seek to obsess humanity when it knew that such obsession would be to their injury and was contrary to God's will. St. Paul said not a word to the girl, assuming that she was not accountable. lie addressed the spirit as such, commanding it in the name of Jesus to come out of her—just as our Lord and the Apostles, under Ilia instruction, had frequently cast out evil spirits.— Matt. 10:1; Mark 5:1-17; Luke 10:17, etc.

The Syndicate's Revenge. We can imagine what consternation was aroused amongst the owners of the slave when they found not only that their source of future gain was gone, but that the money invested in this girl was lost; for spirit-possessed slaves had a high market value. They liecame desperately angry; and, having

no hope of getting the evil spirit back into the slave, they took revenge upon those who had financially ruined them. Evidently the syndicate had influence; for they succeeded quickly in arousing a mob determined to have revenge. St. I’jjtul and Silas were carried before the rul-

ers at the market-place. There the syndicate ignored the truth of the; matter, and claimed that the missionaries were teaching a religion contrary to the laws of Rome and likely to raise sedition. This was untrue; for the Lord's servants went, according to law, outside the city gates for their worship. The false charge brought upon the missionaries the severest penalties which their judges could inflict. The magistrates rent their garments as indicative of their distress that such a disturbance had occurred, and then ordered the missionaries to be beaten with rods and put into prison. Under these unfavorable circumstances, with backs raw and bleeding, these faithful brethren sang hymns of praise for the privilege of enduring tribulation for Christ's sake.

The Jailer Converted. While the missionaries were singing, an earthquake shock jarred the prison walls, loosed tile chains wherewith the prisoners were bound, and released the

bars which fastened the doors. The jailer, finding the doors open, supposed that the prisoners had escaped. Knowing that he would be held responsible, he was about to commit suicide, when St. Paul called to him, “Do thyself no harm. We are all here.” *

By this time the jailer Was fully convineed that the missionaries were not ordinary criminals. After he had secured the door, he brought St. Paul and Silas into his ojvn quarters and attended to their comfort. Meantime he heard from them something respecting Jesus, the world’s Redeemer. He was convicted of sin, and inquired, “What shall I do to be saved?” The answer came promptly, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ- Then, taking this statement as a text, St. Paul explained to him and his household the Divine Tlan of Atonement. The Truth-seed sank into good soil. Those present gratefully accepted the privilege of discipleship—to suffer for Christ’s sake. Next morning, the rulers, having learned something of the events of the preceding night, ordered the release of the missionaries. Evidently they realized that they had no just cause against the two. When the order reached the prison, the missionaries sent word back that they were Roman citizens, and that Roman law had been violated in that they had been publicly beaten and illegally condemned. These charges against the magistrates might have gone hard against them. Hence It Is not to be wondered at that thev came to the prison and brought the missionaries forth publicly, thus conceding that injustice had been done. '** I

St. Paul Exorcising a Demon.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”