SCENES
IN THE
LIFE OF SAINT PAUL.

THE great Apostle Paul was born
In Tarsus, of renown;
To many cities rich and great
It was a rival town.

His parents both were faithful Jews,
Of a noted tribe he came;
And through the history of the Jews,
Could high ancestry claim.

His parents taught him in the Law,
And in the Prophets too;
He was by education then,
As well as birth, a Jew.

He was a Pharisee most strict,
And knew the Law full well;
He was made perfect therein, by
The learn'd Gamaliel.

He all the knowledge of the world
Extensively did gain,
His mind through all philosophies,
With sprightly vigor ran.

He was esteem'd by high and low,
And loved by great and small;
His praise was sounded every where
By rulers, people, all.

Before he was converted, he
Was known by name of Saul,
But after his conversion, then
His name was changed to Paul.

He soon was in authority,
In office in the state,
And of his conduct there, I will
In simple verse relate.

NOW Saul, he was a bigot fierce,
And every where did slay
Those men and women, innocent,
Who did the Lord obey.

He hated much the name of Christ,
Because he was a Jew,
And yet he held most sacredly
The Law and Prophets true.

The Law and Prophets spoke of Christ,
But Saul could never see
That He who in a manger lay
In Bethlehem, was He.

He therefore thought it blasphemy
To speak in Jesus' Name,
He therefore had authority,
And did abroad proclaim,

That Jesus' Name should not be heard,
As David's Son and King;
And all who did believe His Name,
To punishment he'd bring.

But Christians could not soon give up
The love of Christ their Lord,
They did not dare refuse His cross,
Nor once renounce His word.

So Saul let persecution rage,
And put them to the sword,
The men and women, children too,
Who held the Saviour's word.

He made great havoc of the church,
And everywhere did slay,
All who received the crucified,
Or in His Name did pray.

He breathed out threatenings all around,
And did most dreadful harm,
And fill'd all Christian families
With terror and alarm.

THEN he became exceeding mad,
And all his fury spent,
He soon received authority
And toward Damascus went.

And all the Christians whom he'd find
He threaten'd they should die;
Not one should name the Nazarene,
Whom Jews did crucify.

And as he rode along, behold,
A glorious light shone round,
It blinded him, and tyrant Saul
Fell prostrate to the ground.

And those who with him journey'd, fell,
With terror overthrown;
The light that shone, was far above
The brightness of the sun.

A voice was heard, and they were all
With greatest terror mute,
The voice said unto Saul, aloud—
"Why dost thou persecute

"These men and women, innocent
And follow them with rage,
And kill them with your fearful sword,
And dreadful slaughter wage?

"These are my chosen ones, whom I,
Did die to save from sin;
And those who torture them, touch me,
And scorn my love Divine."

Then Saul replied:—"Who art thou, Lord?"
The Saviour:—"I am He
Whom wicked Jews, with malice fill'd,
Did hang upon the Tree."

WHEN Saul heard this, he said:—"O what
Wilt thou have me to do?"
Then Jesus said:—"Rise on your feet,
And to the city go.

"And there it shall be shown to thee,
The things that thou shalt do;
The work that I've prepared for thee,
Thou shalt hereafter know."

He rose up therefore from the earth,
All changed his heart and mind,
But could not find his way along,
For now his eyes were blind.

At once he to the city went,
According to the word,
Which he when on his cruel way
Received from Christ the Lord.

NOW in Damascus there did dwell
A servant of the Lord—
The Saviour him in vision call'd,
And he the Saviour heard;

The Saviour said to him: "Arise,
And to the street call'd Straight,
And there inquire for one named Saul,
He'll for your coming wait;

"For he hath clear in vision seen—
A vision of the night—
One Ananias, coming in,
To give to him his sight.

"Now Ananias, tarry not,
But go at once your way,
And do as I have said to Saul,
Who now with tears doth pray."

Then Ananias answer'd:—"Lord,
I have through many heard,
How this man persecuted saints—
How they his anger fear'd.

"And here he hath authority,
To take at once and bind,
And scourge and kill those Christians true,
Who will not change their mind."

But Jesus answer'd:—"Go thy way,
And do as I have said,
For he who would you slay, I have
A chosen vessel made.

"And to the Gentiles and to Kings,
This Saul shall bear my Name;
And Me, whom he did persecute,
Shall far abroad proclaim.

"And he shall unto Israel, too,
My saving mercy take,
And to him I will show what things,
He'll suffer for my sake"

SO Ananias went his way,
According to the word;
And found the persecutor blind,
As spoken by the Lord.

He spake and said: "Dear brother Saul,
The Lord who came to thee,
When on your way to hither come,
The same appear'd to me,

And told me I should find thee out,
And give to thee thy sight,
And that thy soul might now be fill'd
With heavenly truth and light."

As soon as Ananias spake,
His sight to him return'd;
He also felt the love of God,
His heart within him burn'd.

He rose forthwith and was baptized,
And then partook of meat;
And when he had received some strength,
He did the brethren greet.

O! WHAT a miracle was here,
A miracle of grace.
That Christ to Saul, the wicked Saul,
Should deign to show his face.

And how complete the wondrous change
The Saviour in him wrought,
That he who once did persecute,
To love the Lord is brought.

He never thought that he should Christ
The Son of God confess:
But now he feels the Saviour's love
His inward spirit bless.

He enter'd in the Synagogue
And to the people spake,
And said: "God will the sins forgive,
Of all, for Jesus' sake."

He told with boldness there to all,
The blessed, faithful word,
That Jesus was the Son of God,
And they with wonder heard.

He said: "That He who on the cross
Died at Jerusalem,
So loved the world, that He did give
His life to ransom them."

He begg'd and pray'd that they would now
The blessed Lord receive;
And if you are of sinners chief,
He freely will forgive.

The Christians wonder'd much and gazed,
To see him preaching thus,
And said: "Is not this man that Saul,
Who persecuted us?"

And he confounded all the Jews,
And proved the blessed word,
That Jesus whom they crucified,
Was Christ the Son of God.

NOW Saul had enter'd in the work,
And went forth to proclaim,
The word of God to dying men;
He left Jerusalem,

And went unto an island, and
At length to Paphos came,
And publish'd there to all who heard
The blessed Saviour's Name.

And while he preach'd, the Deputy
Some word of him had heard,
And sent for him that he would come—
He wish'd to hear his word.

The Apostle came and to him preach'd,
And spake to him with zeal,
And as he spake with earnestness,
The Deputy did feel.

And while he preach'd, a sorcerer came
Unto the Deputy,
And practised there seducing arts
To draw his mind away.

The Apostle saw that Satan now
Was trying to deceive
The Deputy, so that his mind
Would not the truth receive.

He therefore stood with boldness forth,
And to the sorc'rer said,
"Thou art the devil's child, and would
The Deputy mislead.

"And thou art full of subtlety,
And full of mischief too,
And though thou here dost work deceit,
I'll prove my doctrine true.

"Thou dost pervert the ways of God,
And standest in the way
Of those who would the Saviour love,
And His commands obey."

AND as he spake his soul within
With heavenly fire burn'd,
And stretching forth his hand again,
He to the sorcerer turn'd,

And said:—"God's hand is now on thee,
Thou of the wicked mind,
His power doth take thy sight away,
And thou shalt wander blind."

The Sorcerer's eyes grew dim and dark,
And fear came on them all;
And they paid great attention to
The wond'rous words of Paul.

The Saviour to His servants gave,
Great power against their foes;
And they reproved the wicked, when
They did their way oppose.

The Deputy with all his heart,
At once the truth received,
And many people standing there,
The Apostle's word believed.

They were astonish'd at the power
That Paul did exercise,
And all their hearts did greatly fear,
And wonder fill'd their eyes.

How great, how mighty is the truth,
It spreadeth fast around,
It conquers soon the hearts of men,
And error does confound.

The strongest man is one of truth,
Who onward keeps his way;
And he is, too, the happiest man,
Who does the truth obey.

No danger can disturb his peace,
No terror fill his breast,
He lives a happy life, and hopes
For an eternal rest.

ONE Sabbath day—th' Apostle in
The Synagogue sat down;
And one sent unto him and said,
"If ye would speak, say on."

Then Paul stood up—stretch'd forth his hand,
The people all drew near,—
And said:—"Ye men of Israel
Unto my words give ear.

"The Lord Jehovah loved our race
And brought us through the sea,
And took us out of Egypt's land,
And gave us liberty.

"He bore with us for forty years
When in the wilderness,
And though toward Him we did rebel,
He always did us bless.

"He brought us through the wilderness,
By His Almighty hand;
He slew our enemies, and brought
Us to the promised land.

"He gave us judges many years,
Who ruled in Israel,
And when we did desire a king,
He gave us one named Saul.

"And when He had removed this king,
He gave another one,
To rule us all in righteousness—
Great David—Jesse's son.

"And now of David God hath raised
The Saviour of mankind;
If you will in the Prophets read,
That this is true, you'll find.

"And John, before the Saviour came,
Forerunner bold was sent,
He said:—'The kingdom's near at hand
And ye must all repent.'

"And, men and brethren, ye must now
With one accord repent,
For unto you, through Christ the Lord,
Is this salvation sent.

"Our Saviour died upon the cross
By wicked hands was slain;
And now He sends His servants forth
To show his love again.

"This Saviour rose up from the tomb,
And many came with him;
He show'd Himself in Galilee,
And in Jerusalem.

"And now we do glad tidings bring,
Salvation from the Lord;
And this salvation now is yours,
If you receive our word.

"And therefore be it known to you,
That through His Love Divine,
The Lord, to all who do repent,
Forgiveth every sin.

"And as ye cannot by the Law,
From sin be justified,
Ye can receive full pardon now,
Through Jesus Christ that died.

"Be careful lest ye do despise
The Saviour's blessed word,
And feel when 'tis too late to help
The anger of the Lord."

And as he spake the Jews did feel
Their hearts with anger burn,
The Apostle said:—"If ye refuse,
We to the Gentiles turn.

"For so the Lord commanded me,
'I've set thee for a light,
Unto the Gentile nations far,
To turn them all from night.'"

And when the Gentiles heard these words,
They Paul with joy received;
He spake to them of Jesus' love,
And they the truth believed.

It fill'd the Apostle's heart with joy,
That they received his word,
And turn'd from all their evil ways,
To fear and love the Lord.

HE came to Systra, where he saw,
A lame man sitting by,
Who heard Paul speak, and in his face
Paul gazed most steadfastly.

And seeing in his face that he
Had mingled faith and hope—
"Stand upright on thy feet," Paul said;
The man at once stood up.

The people gazed, astonish'd much,
To see what Paul had done,
And lifting up their voices cried,
"The gods have now come down."

They thought the gods indeed were there,
And worshipp'd at the feet
Of Paul and Barnabas, who said—
"Why brethren, 'tis not meet,

"That you should worship us who bring
To you the word of God;"
And then Paul spake the sacred truth,
And they with wonder heard.

And knowing their idolatry,
He told them of the Lord—
That they should turn from vanity
Unto the living God.

The people would have sacrificed
To them, if they would stay,
But leaving there the word of God,
They onward went their way.

THE Apostle in a certain place
A certain woman heard
Cry out for many days—"These men
Are servants of the Lord."

She was a sorceress, and brought
Unto her masters gain,
And when the Apostle heard her speech
It fill'd his heart with pain.

He turn'd unto the sorceress,
And to the spirit said:
"Come out of her in Jesus' Name;"
And it at once obey'd.

And when the woman's masters saw
That all their gains were gone,
That she no longer could divine,
They saw they were undone—

They went around the city, and
These men of God they caught,
They loud complain'd, and them before
The magistrates they brought.

They laid false charges to them there,
And said:—"These men we saw
Instructing persons in those things
That are against our law."

The multitude rose up at once,
And beat these men of God,
And laid upon them many stripes;
And would not hear a word

In their defence, but hurried them
To jail—their feet in stocks;
And there in prison, made them fast,
With bars and bolts and locks.

And there both Paul and Silas pray'd,
And praised the name of God;
They sang so loud and sweetly too,
That all the prisoners heard.

And suddenly an earthquake came
And shook the prison through;
The locks and bars and bolts were rent,
The gates wide open flew.

The stocks fell down from off their feet,
The chains fell from their hands,
And being thus at liberty,
They on their feet did stand.

But no one prisoner ventured forth,
But all were fill'd with joy;
The jailer woke; thought all were gone,
And would himself destroy.

But Paul cried out, "We all are here
And do thyself no harm;"
The jailer then call'd for a light,
And came with great alarm;

And brought the Apostles out and said
"O! Sirs, what shall I do,
That I may from my sins be saved?"
They answer'd him, most true;—

"Believe on Jesus Christ,"—they said,
"Receive His blessed word,
Forsake at once your every sin,
And love and fear the Lord."

At once did he and all his house,
The word of God receive;
They heard the dear Redeemer's word,
And did at once believe.

And in the morn, the magistrates,
Sent men to tell them go—
The Apostles would not thus go out,
They therefore answer'd—"No.

"Ye publicly have cast us in,
Now publicly release;
Go tell them come and take us out,
And we will go in peace.

"For we are Romans, and ye know
The Roman law is strict;
Ye cannot on a Roman's back,
Those cruel stripes inflict."

The magistrates did therefore come,
And did beseech them go
And to them then they did through fear,
The utmost kindness show.

I SEE this great Apostle stand,
The champion of the cross,
To publish forth the word of God,
Though he his life should lose.

He's standing now upon Mars' hill,
Not pleading for his life,
But telling forth the words of truth,
Engaged in noble strife.

He utters forth with sweetest voice
To men of many years,
Who possibly him will condemn,—
He death nor danger fears.

His form erect, his brow is clear,
His eyes do glow with love,
And underneath his vestments stirs
A heart fill'd from above.

They brought him there, and charged that he
Was setting forth strange gods,
The council therefore wished that he
Would utter there his words,

That they might hear and judge his speech,
And if he did deny
The gods that Athens cherish'd, then
They'd sentence him to die.

The Athenians were idolators,
And yet he fearlessly,
And yet he boldly spake the truth
Not doubting he should die.

His noble heart now stirr'd within,
He was for God to speak,
He knew the truth and power of God
Could superstition break.

And there he did with wondrous zeal,
One God above proclaim;
And did ascribe all power and might,
Unto His Sacred Name.

He told them that God made the world,
And all the starry frame,
And men should not make gods of stone,
And bow and worship them.

He told them that they came from God,
Who rules the Heavens above,
And He alone our praise demands,
Our worship and our love.

He told them there of Jesus too,
The Blessed Son of God,
Who came down from His throne on high,
To save us by His word.

He said, that He should judge the world,
And all who did believe
Should then be raised to happiness,
And crowns of life receive.

He spake with life and energy—
With force and truth and love,
And with most weighty argument,
Did he his doctrine prove.

They heard him thro', and they were touch'd.
And some could not refrain
From loving him; and others said,
"We'll hear of this again."

But on Mars' hill, he never preach'd
Again the Saviour's word—
For on his way he went, to tell
The love of Christ the Lord.

AGAIN we find the Apostle Paul
Is speaking for his Lord,
Before the great ones of the earth,
And spreading forth his word.

Before Agrippa now he stands,
His hands are bound with chains;
And though they have maltreated him,
He never once complains.

And though he sees his enemies,
His cheek doth show no fear;
For near him his dear Saviour stands,
His darkest hour to cheer.

He wishes only that he may,
Fight the good fight of faith,
And tell to all the love of Christ,
And then resign his breath.

He wishes now that kings may hear,
The blessed gospel sound,
And be converted, that the truth
May spread the world around.

He to Agrippa did unfold
The Saviour's Holy Name,
And in the ears of royalty,
He did His love proclaim.

And Festus near Agrippa sat,
And he did Paul deride,
And said: "Much learning makes thee mad,
Thou art thyself beside."

But Paul replied:—"I am not mad,
But speak in soberness,
The words of truth, those sacred words,
Which do my spirit bless.

Agrippa's heart was nearly touch'd,
And he this answer made:
"Me to become a Christian too,
Thou almost dost persuade."

Then Paul replied:—"I would to God,
That thou, and all here by,
Were altogether made to be
Just such an one as I,—

"Except these chains you see me wear;
I wish that you were all
Obedient to the Heavenly words—
Your blessed Saviour's call."

NOW Paul sets sail for Italy,
To tell to Cæsar, too,
The Gospel of the Son of God,
The Gospel, faithful, true.

A storm arose, the sky was dark,
The ship was tempest-toss'd,
And all the men who with him sail'd,
Soon gave up all for lost.

Then Paul stood forth and said to them,
"Ye need no longer fear,
The ship is lost, but we are safe
And now be of good cheer.

"An Angel stood by me this night,
And said:—'Not one is lost;
They will, if all do keep the ship,
In safety reach the coast.'"

For many days and many nights
The storm did not abate,
The winds did howl, the waves did roll—
The sea was very great.

And after fourteen days had pass'd
The ship went on the sand,
The captain order'd those who could,
To swim and get to land.

The rest all follow'd as they could,
And though long tempest-toss'd,
They reach'd the shore in safety all,
And not a soul was lost.

And finally he came to Rome,
And preach'd the word of God,
And many people whom he taught,
Received with faith his word.

But soon the Apostle Paul was call'd
To leave this scene of strife,
He labor'd long for Christ, and now
For Him he gives his life.

And Nero, Emperor of Rome,
Sent forth his cruel word,
To those who round his person stood,
To slay this man of God.

And thus he died a martyr's death,
And wears a martyr's crown,
And sings with joy the martyr's song
Around the Saviour's throne.

When all the saints are saved in Heaven
They'll see these martyrs there,
And with them praise the Lamb of God,
And in their glory share.

O! happy day, O! blessed hour,
When we in full shall prove,
The Saviour's glory and his power,
And His Eternal Love.