The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 40

II. SPECIAL ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CHRISTIAN MOTHERS, 1. How mnny exnmplres hnve we not of devout mothers in the Old and New Testaments I Hannah, the mother of Samuel; Mary, the mother of Jesus; Salome, the mother of Zebedee's children; Eunioe, the mother of Timothy. And with these may be compared Monica, the mother of Augustine. 2. A mother's prayers are as guardian angels about the life of her child; nnd the godly son possesses the hapl?y harvest of a mother's tears. 3. The mother's early influence is the best preparatwn for future service. Paul laid stress upon it; and the happy connection between himself and the disciple-so fruitful for both and for the world-rested upon the early foundation laid by the mother.-J. Vere. 9-15.-The journey to Macedonia: the happy beginning. The transplantation of the gospel into Europe was e. great epoc~. We see the seed-corn of the kingdom germinating end growing from small beginnmgs. I. THE PROVIDENTIAL INDI0ATI0NS. It came, as on many occasions to prophets and men called and sent of God, in a vision of the night. The Macedonian appears and cries," Cross into Macedonia, and come to our aid l" From the 'Confessions' of St. Patrick, the evangelist of Ireland, a dream is cited, in which, by a letter addressed to him, with the inscription, "The voice of the Irish," he was called as a missionary to Ireland, where he had spent some years of his youth, having been captured and enslaved by pirates. Let us regard this vision as an allegory of the constant cry of the heathen world, "sitting in iarkness e.nd the shadow of death," to the loving sympathy of Christian hearts. "Christians, help poor Patagonians I" is the refrain of a plaintive mission song. It is a cry that rises from the lands of the West to the lands of the East in this narrative ; and again it becomes, in the course of history, a cry from the East to the West. It may sound again from now so-called Christian lands, should our candlestick be removed from its place, and the gospel light pass over to those who prove themselves more worthy to enjoy it. May we know the day of our visitation I II. THE HAPPY CONSEQUENCES. 1. There was quick apprehension of the IJivine command. They gathered (Luke glides into the narrative) that God had called them to preach. The presence of the Divine Leader, manifesting itself in such indica- tions, is everything in these new enterprises. "Jesus, still lead on!" He was already before them in Macedonia, and the vision assured them of this. Here is a great lesson. So soon as we are assured of the direction of the Divine will, let us be prompt to obey. 2. They enjoyed a straight course to their destination. II a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes his enemies to be at peace with him, and the winds and waves to be calm as he proceeds. Their confidence grew at every step of their cruise. " 'Hearty welcome I' cried Europe" (Bengel). 3. Tlrn arrival. They came to Philippi, the chiei city of that part of Macedonia. The arrival at a great city for the first time is an impressive moment in one's life. Who can see the dome of St. Peter's in the distance the first time without a thrill? The city is the epitome of mankind. Great cities have great vices, but likewise contain eminent virtues and flowers of piety. Poets, prophets, and apostles have generally found their sphere in the busy town life. 4. The leading of events. The sabbath day came, and the Christian missionary band repaired to the banks of the river. How good the simple devotional habit! We are ever in the way of getting good and doing good when in the way to prayer, How simple and natural the true method of fulfilling a Divine call I "The trivial round, the oo=on task, V(ill furnish a.ll we ought to ask." We do not need t.o create opportnnities; they lie to our band. Work is always waiting for willing ancl called workers. All places are suitable for prayer: the field (Gen. xxiv. 63), the shore (eh. xxi. 6), the prison (eh. xvi. 25), an<l here the river. 5. The woman's heart conquered to Q \.rist. :Not by conversion en masse, but by gaining the ~carts of individualB, does the gospel proceed. The kingdom of God is like seed sown 10 the ground. When it takes root in but one life, how great may be the results I The nobl_e Church at Philippi, which gave the apostle so much joy, sprang from the con- version of Lydia. How beautiful is the description: "Her heart the Lord opened"! The teacher's voice strikes vainly upon the ear, until God opens the heart. But the heart may refuse to open, and the word runs," Behold, I stand at the door, a.nd knock·.  THE AOTS OF THE .APOSTLES. [on. :s:n. 1-40.