Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/839



OME time  after,  Paul  set  out  on  his  second  apostolic  journey, taking with  him  Silas  instead  of  Barnabas,  who  with  Mark sailed to  Cyprus. Paul published  the  decree  of  the  Council  and preached with  great  zeal  in  Syria,  Cilicia,  Phrygia,  Lycaonia,  Galatia, Mysia, and  nearly  all  Asia  Minor. At last  he  came  to  Troas. There he  doubted  where  he  should  go  next;  but  God  made  it known  to  him  in  a vision. During the  night  he  saw,  as  it  were, a man of  Macedonia,  who  said  to  him:  “Pass  over  into  Macedonia, and  help  us!”

Immediately Paul  set  out  for  Europe,  with  three  companions, Silas, Luke,  and  Timothy ,  and  landed  safely  in  Philippi,  the capital of  Macedonia. On the  Sabbath-day  Paul  preached  the Gospel of  Christ. Among his  hearers  was  a God-fearing  woman named Lydia,  a seller  of  purple. Opening her  ears  and  her  heart to the  divine  word,  she  received  it  with  joy  and  was  baptized  with her whole  family.

Very soon,  however,  a storm  was  raised  against  the  apostle. As Paul  and  Silas  were  going,  as  usual,  to  the  place  of  prayer, they were  met  by  a certain  girl  who  had  a spirit  of  divination, and was,  therefore,  a source  of  great  gain  to  her  masters. She persisted in  following  the  apostles,  crying  out:  “These  men  are the servants  of  the  Most  High  God,  who  show  to  you  the  way of salvation.”  Paul,  turning  round,  said  to  the  spirit  that  possessed her: “I  command  thee  in  the  Name  of  Jesus  Christ  to  go  out  of