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devoted his life； to be the only cause that can never fail。 Though he may
perish； the gospel will not perish。 God lives； and His truth will triumph。
Many who that day looked upon him 〃saw his face as it had been the face of
an angel。〃 Acts 6：15。
Never before had that company listened to words like these。 They struck a
cord that vibrated in the hearts of even
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the most hardened。 Truth； clear and convincing； overthrew error。 Light shone
into the minds of many who afterward gladly followed its rays。 The truths
spoken on that day were destined to shake nations and to live through all
time； influencing the hearts of men when the lips that had uttered them
should be silent in a martyr's grave。
Never before had Nero heard the truth as he heard it on this occasion。 Never
before had the enormous guilt of his own life been so revealed to him。 The
light of heaven pierced the sin…polluted chambers of his soul； and he
trembled with terror at the thought of a tribunal before which he； the ruler
of the world； would finally be arraigned； and his deeds receive their just
award。 He feared the apostle's God； and he dared not pass sentence upon
Paul； against whom no accusation had been sustained。 A sense of awe
restrained for a time his bloodthirsty spirit。
For a moment； heaven was opened to the guilty and hardened Nero； and its
peace and purity seemed desirable。 That moment the invitation of mercy was
extended even to him。 But only for a moment was the thought of pardon
welcomed。 Then the command was issued that Paul be taken back to his
dungeon； and as the door closed upon the messenger of God； the door of
repentance closed forever against the emperor of Rome。 No ray of light from
heaven was ever again to penetrate the darkness that enveloped him。 Soon he
was to suffer the retributive judgments of God。
Not long after this； Nero sailed on his infamous expedition to Greece； where
he disgraced himself and his kingdom
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by contemptible and debasing frivolity。 Returning to Rome with great pomp；
he surrounded himself with his courtiers and engaged in scenes of revolting
debauchery。 In the midst of this revelry a voice of tumult in the streets
was heard。 A messenger dispatched to learn the cause； returned with the
appalling news that Galba； at the head of an army； was marching rapidly upon
Rome； that insurrection had already broken out in the city； and that the
streets were filled with an enraged mob； which； threatening death to the
emperor and all his supporters； was rapidly approaching the palace。
In this time of peril； Nero had not； like the faithful Paul； a powerful and
compassionate God on whom to rely。 Fearful of the suffering and possible
torture he might be compelled to endure at the hands of the mob； the
wretched tyrant thought to end his life by his own hand； but at the critical
moment his courage failed。 Completely unmanned； he fled ignominiously from
the city and sought shelter at a countryseat a few miles distant； but to no
avail。 His hiding place was soon discovered； and as the pursuing horsemen
drew near； he summoned a slave to his aid and inflicted on himself a mortal
wound。 Thus perished the tyrant Nero； at the early age of thirty…two。
（498）
Chapter 49
Paul's Last Letter
From the judgment hall of Caesar； Paul returned to his cell； realizing that
he had gained for himself only a brief respite。 He knew that his enemies
would not rest until they had compassed his death。 But he knew also that for
a time truth had triumphed。 To have proclaimed a crucified and risen Saviour
before the vast crowd who had listened to him； was in itself a victory。 That
day a work had begun which would grow and strengthen； and which Nero and all
other enemies of Christ would seek in vain to hinder or destroy。
Sitting day after day in his gloomy cell； knowing that at a word or a nod
from Nero his life might be sacrificed； Paul thought of Timothy and
determined to send for him。 To Timothy had been committed the care of the
church at Ephesus； and he had therefore been left behind when Paul made his
last journey to Rome。 Paul and Timothy were bound together by an affection
unusually deep and strong。
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Since his conversion； Timothy had shared Paul's labors and sufferings； and
the friendship between the two had grown stronger； deeper； and more sacred；
until all that a son could be to a loved and honored father； Timothy was to
the aged； toilworn apostle。 It is little wonder that in his loneliness and
solitude； Paul longed to see him。
Under the most favorable circumstances several months must pass before
Timothy could reach Rome from Asia Minor。 Paul knew that his life was
uncertain； and he feared that Timothy might arrive too late to see him。 He
had important counsel and instruction for the young man； to whom so great
responsibility had been entrusted； and while urging him to come without
delay； he dictated the dying testimony that he might not be spared to utter。
His soul filled with loving solicitude for his son in the gospel and for the
church under his care； Paul sought to impress Timothy with the importance of
fidelity to his sacred trust。
Paul began his letter with the salutation： 〃To Timothy； my dearly beloved
son： Grace； mercy； and peace； from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord。
I thank God； whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience； that
without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day。〃
The apostle then urged upon Timothy the necessity of steadfastness in the
faith。 〃I put thee in remembrance；〃 he wrote； 〃that thou stir up the gift of
God； which is in thee by the putting on of my hands。 For God hath not given
us the spirit of fear； but of power； and of love； and
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of a sound mind。 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord；
nor of me His prisoner： but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the
gospel according to the power of God。〃 Paul entreated Timothy to remember
that he had been called 〃with a holy calling〃 to proclaim the power of Him
who had 〃brought life and immortality to light through the gospel：
whereunto；〃 he declared； 〃I am appointed a preacher； and an apostle； and a
teacher of the Gentiles。 For the which cause I also suffer these things：
nevertheless I am not ashamed： for I know whom I have believed； and am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him
against that day。〃
Through his long term of service； Paul had never faltered in his allegiance
to his Saviour。 Wherever he waswhether before scowling Pharisees； or Roman
authorities； before the furious mob at Lystra； or the convicted sinners in
the Macedonian dungeon； whether reasoning with the panic…stricken sailors on
the shipwrecked vessel； or standing alone before Nero to plead for his
lifehe had never been ashamed of the cause he was advocating。 The one
great purpose of his Christian life had been to serve Him whose name had
once filled him with contempt；