sea.

called Perga, situated on the river Caystrus, a large place, where there was a Temple of Diana. From this place they travelled to a city in the same province, called Attalia. This was a sea-port town, situated on a very fine bay, which opened into the Mediterranean Here they embarked, and soon reached Antioch in Syria, the city from which they had departed. As soon as they could, they called the church together, and told every thing which had occurred-they gave them what we would call, in these days, a missionary report of their proceedings, showing that God had prospered them much in their effort to introduce christianity among the heathen people. On this tour, Paul and Barnabas had been absent about two years. We are told, that after so long an absence, they took up their abode in Antioch, and remained there a long time with the disciples of Christ in that city, no doubt actively engaged in their important duties.

CHAPTER V.

Paul remains some time at Antioch-Discussion there about circumcision-Goes to Jerusalem-Council of the church-Settlement of the question, and return of Paul

with Barnabas to Antioch.

AFTER Paul and Barnabas had remained some time in Antioch, (this was Antioch in Syria,) they were compelled to experience what is really more trying to the feelings of a christian, than all the fury of his enemies. They were compelled to witness the introduction of some great errors in doctrine. There were some persons, how many, or who they were, we are not informed; but they came down from Judea with all their Jewish preju dices, though they were professedly converted to christianity, and they attempted to teach the new converts at Antioch, that unless they were circumcised, and kept the ceremonial laws of the Jews, they could not be saved. Some might say, what great harm could there be in these opinions--but the Apostle dis

covered the evil, for it struck at the very fundamental principles of christianity. By inculcating the necessity of conformity to the ceremonies of the Mosaic law, in order to be saved, it was as much as saying at once, that the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was not a sufficient ground on which to rest all hopes of salvation. These errors struck a blow at the great and vital doctrine of justification by faith, and seemed to teach the wicked error, that our own works can make us acceptable in the sight of God. Paul, as a faithful servant of his Master, set himself to oppose these errors with all his might, and he succeeded so far in putting a stop to their progress, as to induce the disciples at Antioch to send for advice to the church at Jerusalem, composed of older, and wiser, and more experienced christians than themselves. This they did; and Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem, announcing, as they went through Phenice and Samaria, the glad tidings of the conversion of the Gentiles. When the apostles and elders came together to discuss the matter which had caused the diffi. culty, Peter made an address, in which he took

the same view of the subject which Paul had. After Peter had spoken, Paul and Barnabas gave an account of the conversion of the Gentiles among whom they had preached the Gospel. When James had spoken, the conference was broken up, after determining upon a letter containing the unanimous opinion of all present on the question, and this opinion they declare to have been suggested to them by the Holy Spirit, under whose inspiration they were acting. The decision was, that the Gentiles, who became christians, were not bound by the Jewish ceremonial law, but that they were not to be allowed to eat meat that had been offered to idols, nor blood, nor the flesh of animals that had been put to death by strangling. This letter was carried by Judas, (whose surname was Barsabas,) and Silas, who were both distinguished men among the brethren. When they reached Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, they called the disciples together, and communicated the contents of the letter-and said a great many other things to do away the effects of the error which had been introduced. In this they happily succeeded. The brethren were all delighted at

the settlement of the question, and every thing went on prosperously, by the goodness of God. Judas and Silas being preachers, exhorted the people with many words, and their preaching confirmed them in the belief of the truths taught by Paul. After staying at Antioch a short time, it was agreed by the brethren, that they might return to the apostles, but Silas preferred staying there, no doubt encouraged by the success of his preaching, and desirous of being further useful.

As Silas thought to remain at Antioch, Paul proposed to Barnabas to go on another missionary tour, to see what the state of religion was in those places where they had before preached the Gospel. Barnabas agreed to go, but wanted to take with them the same John Mark, who had left them while they were on the former mission. This John Mark was a nephew of Barnabas, which was one reason, we suppose, why he wanted to take him. Paul did not think it right to take him, as he had deserted them once before. This made Bar. nabas angry, and Paul himself did not behave as humbly and as meekly as he ought to have done. Even good men are sometimes led