*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79891 *** [Illustration: Paul Preaching at Damascus.] THE GOOD CHILD'S LIBRARY. FOURTH BOOK. SCENES IN THE LIFE OF SAINT PAUL. In Easy Verse. WITH BRILLIANT ILLUMINATIONS, FROM ORIGINAL DESIGNS, Printed in Oil Colours by Hogan & Thompson. PHILADELPHIA: HOGAN & THOMPSON. 1850. Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by HOGAN AND THOMPSON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PREFACE. The object of the "Good Child's Library," is to encourage a taste for Scripture reading, by presenting some of the most interesting portions of the New Testament narrative, in the attractive form of verse. While the children read these verses, they will not only become acquainted with the principal events in the lives of our Blessed Saviour and His Apostles--their travels, their sufferings and their death,--but they will see that the Bible is a readable book, and a book that may be read every day, without any fear of becoming the unhappy being that some persons suppose; and besides this, the tone which is given to the affections, the minds, and the morals of children by such reading, is of almost infinite value. In order to combine things pleasing and things useful, to the greatest possible extent, the publishers have gotten up at a great expense, especially for this work, some of the most beautiful Scripture designs that have ever been published. These pictures are printed in Oil Colours--an expensive, but a finished and highly artistical process, of which the publishers are the originators in this country. Each history is illustrated handsomely with them. There is in all twelve books; each book being complete in itself, and containing a full history. The "Good Child's Library" is composed of the following books: Scenes in the Life of the Saviour. Scenes in the Life of St. Peter. Scenes in the Life of St. John. Scenes in the Life of St. Paul. Scenes in the Lives of St. Matthew, St. Jude, and St. Simon. Scenes in the Lives of St. Stephen, Timothy, St. Mark, and St. Luke. Scenes in the Lives of St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, and St. Thomas. Scenes in the Lives of St. Andrew, St. James, and St. James the Less. The Sermon on the Mount. The Parables of the Saviour. The Miracles of the Saviour. Texts for Children. The Publishers have in preparation another series, embracing Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Kings, illustrative of the Old Testament Scriptures, to be gotten up in the same style as the present series. SCENES IN THE LIFE OF SAINT PAUL. CONTENTS. I. His Birth and Education II. His Persecutions III. His Conviction IV. His Conversion V. The Vision of Ananias VI. He Goes to Saul VII. Paul Preaches VIII. He Preaches at Paphos IX. He Strikes the Sorcerer with Blindness X. Paul Preaches at Antioch XI. He Performs a Miracle XII. Paul in Prison XIII. Paul on Mars' Hill XIV. Paul Before Agrippa XV. Paul Sails to Rome SCENES IN THE LIFE OF SAINT PAUL. I. HIS BIRTH AND EDUCATION. 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. II. HIS PERSECUTIONS. 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. III. HIS CONVICTION. 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." IV. HIS CONVERSION. 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. [Illustration: Conversion of St. Paul.] At once he to the city went, According to the word, Which he when on his cruel way Received from Christ the Lord. V. THE VISION OF ANANIAS. 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" VI. HE GOES TO SAUL. 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. VII. PAUL PREACHES. 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. VIII. HE PREACHES AT PAPHOS. 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." IX. HE STRIKES THE SORCERER WITH BLINDNESS. 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. X. PAUL PREACHES AT ANTIOCH. 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. XI. HE PERFORMS A MIRACLE. 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. XII. PAUL IN PRISON. 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. [Illustration: Paul and Silas and the Keeper of the Prison.] 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. XIII. PAUL ON MARS' HILL. 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. [Illustration: Paul before Agrippa and Festus.] XIV. PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA. 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." XV. PAUL SAILS TO ROME. 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. THE END. Transcriber's Note Page numbers have been left out. Italic text is shown _like this_. Spelling and punctuation are as printed, including these places where the printer may have slipped: Chapter V: "He'll suffer for my sake" has no full stop. Chapter VI: "And told me I should find thee out," has no opening quotation mark. Chapter XI: "Systra" is printed where the Bible has Lystra. Chapter XIII: "they were touch'd." ends with a full stop where a comma might be expected. Chapter XIV: "Which do my spirit bless." has no closing quotation mark. *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 79891 ***