Vera. 12-14.-0hristianity promoted by being persecuted. It might naturally have been thought that the arrest of the missionary journeys of St. Paul, and the shock of his imprisonment, would have seriously checked the spread of the gospel. The apostle is anxious that his readers should understand that these apparently untoward events have had the very opposite effect, and this in two ways. J. 'l'Bl!l WORK OF ST. PAUL WAS RENDERED MORE EFFECTIVE BY THE VEl\Y PERSE- 0UTIONS HE BUFFERED, 1. The area of his influence was extended. He bad long wished to preach the gospel in Rome ( e.g. Rom. i. 8-15). Persecution sent him there. 'l'he particular circumstances of his residence in Rome further gave him an opportunity of reaching classes of people who would have been almost inaccessible to him if he had gone there as a free visitor. Living among Prmtorian soldiers, if not in the Praitorian camp itself, St. Paul was able to preach Christ to the cream of the Roman army. The prisoner became a missionary to his guard, and was successful in winning converts among those stern soldiers. 2. Theforce of his influence was intensified. He always preached Christ by his life, but never more eloquently than when in bonds for the sake of his great Master. The sight of the brave old man a.waiting trial on a capital charge, not only possessing his soul in patience, but rejoicing in tribulation, and earnestly preaching the gospel beneath the very shadow of Nero's palace, was enough to strike the attention of the most thoughtless. II. OTHER CHRISTIANS WERE Ill'SPIRED WITH GREATER CONFIDENCE AND E.'IERGY DY THE SIGHT OF THE PERSECUTED APOSTLE. 'l'hey were made confident through his bonds. 1. The example of St. Paul inspired them. Courage rouses courage. Noble self-devotion calls forth responsive echoes in the hearts of others. We feel ashamed of standing idle while our brother is toiling in the midst of d.'\nger and suffering. 2. 'l.'he success of St. Paul encouraged them. Half-heartedness in missionary efforts comes of unbelief in the real utility of them. When we see the fruitfulness of these efforts we are urged to extend them. 3. The independent action of St. Paul excited the/ealousy of some. In Rome, which was a strunghold of Judaic Christianity, tho great apostle of the Gentiles preached his more liberal gospel. This greatly disturbed sumo of the prevailing school. But, unlike their brothers in Corinth, they did IJ.ot directly oppose the work of St. Paul. They rather proclaimed their own vcrijion of the gospel more zealously. In so doing they, being true followers of Christ as wdl as the npostle they suspected, preaclml Christ. Thus sectarian rivalry may be ovel'rnled for the extension of tho gospel.-W. F. A.
Ver, 18.-Christ preached in sectarian jealousy. It is scarcely possible to conceive 5G 'l'HK EPISTLE TO 'l'HE PllILlPPIANS. ten. 1. 1--30.