Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/845

 Many of  those  who  had  dealt  in  magic  brought  their  books, which were  of  great  value,  and  burned  them  before  the  apostle and the  whole  people. But a certain  man  named  Demetrius, a silversmith, who  made  little  idols  and  miniature  models  in  silver of the  famous  temple  of  Diana,  called  together  his  fellow-craftsmen and told  them  that  Paul,  by  his  preaching,  was  destroying  their trade, turning  the  people  away  from  the  worship  of  Diana,  on which  their  living  depended. When the  silversmiths  heard  this they cried  out:  “Great  is  Diana  of  the  Ephesians!”  And  a tumult was raised  throughout  the  whole  city. The people  were  about to lay  hold  on  Paul  and  his  disciples,  with  intent  to  kill  them; but, happily,  the  town-clerk,  by  wise  persuasions,  succeeded  in appeasing  their  wrath,  so  that  peace  was  speedily  restored.



The tumult  being  quelled,  Paul  assembled  the  Christians  of Ephesus, and  having  exhorted  them  to  persevere,  sailed  for Macedonia. Thence he  returned  to  Troas,  where  he  remained  seven days. On Sunday  he  assembled  all  the  faithful  in  an  upper  chamber, where he  offered  up  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  and  preached  to  the  people till midnight. The sermon  being  so  long,  a young  man  named Eutychus, who  sat  in  the  window,  having  fallen  asleep,  fell  from