trading city, and the capital of the Roman dominions in that part of Asia.

The first thing mentioned of Paul at Ephesus, is, his baptizing some of the disciples of John the Baptist, who appeared to have known Christ, yet not to have heard of the descent of the Holy Ghost. On their baptism, the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost were vouchsafed to them.

During his abode at Ephesus, Paul worked a great number of miracles, especially in casting out evil spirits. And the word of the Lord-as the Christian faith is so often calledgrew and magnified.

But just as Paul was about to leave Ephesus for Macedonia, a circum

L

stance occurred, which had very nearly involved him in great trouble.

The Ephesians, as well as many other Grecian nations, worshipped an image which they called their Goddess Diana; now at Ephesus there was a temple built for this image, so splendid, that it was reckoned one of the seven wonders of the world; and though there were images of Diana worshipped in many parts of the world, especially in Greece, the Diana of the Ephesians was the most celebrated, and great riches were brought to Ephesus, by the strangers who came to worship there.

Now when through Paul's preaching during the space of two years, so

many people were were converted to Christianity, and taught to abhor idols, the worship of Diana of course began to be neglected; and those who were employed in the service of the temple, as well as the silversmiths who made images and models of their temple, to sell to the public, began to be alarmed, lest their trade should fail them.

Accordingly, a silversmith named Demetrius, calling together others of his trade, endeavoured to excite their anger against Paul, through whom, as he said, their craft or business was likely to be injured, and the temple of the great Goddess Diana despised, since he persuaded people, "that

they be no Gods which are made

with hands."

Demetrius succeeded in his purpose so far, as to raise a great tumult in the city. They caught some of Paul's companions, and for two hours nothing was heard but the cry, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" At length the town clerk, a prudent man, and probably well disposed towards Paul, quieted the people, reminding them that neither he nor his companions had ever done any harm to them or their temple, and advising Demetrius and his party, if they had any thing to complain of, to have it settled in a lawful assembly, and not by means of this uproar, for which they themselves might get into trouble. His words appeased the people, and they separated without further disturbance.

CHAPTER XX.

Paul's Journey to Corinth.-His Return to Asia, &c.

PAUL did not remain any longer at Ephesus. Taking an affectionate leave of his Christian brethren there, he sailed across to Macedonia, visited his churches there, and then passed on into Greece. He remained in Greece (chiefly it is probable at Corinth) three months, and then intended sailing direct for Syria, but finding that the Jews were lying in