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utterly alone。 In his epistle to the Thessalonians he expresses his feelings
in the words； 〃Left at the Athens alone。〃 1 Thessalonians 3：1。 Obstacles
that were apparently insurmountable presented themselves before him； making
it seem almost hopeless for him to attempt to reach the hearts of the
people。
While waiting for Silas and Timothy； Paul was not idle。
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He 〃disputed 。 。 。 in the synagogue with the Jews； and with the devout
persons； and in the market daily with them that met with him。〃 But his
principal work in Athens was to bear the tidings of salvation to those who
had no intelligent conception of God and of His purpose in behalf of the
fallen race。 The apostle was soon to meet paganism in its most subtle；
alluring form。
The great men of Athens were not long in learning of the presence in their
city of a singular teacher who was setting before the people doctrines new
and strange。 Some of these men sought Paul out and entered into conversation
with him。 Soon a crowd of listeners gathered about them。 Some were prepared
to ridicule the apostle as one who was far beneath them both socially and
intellectually； and these said jeeringly among themselves； 〃What will this
babbler say？〃 Others； 〃because he preached unto them Jesus； and the
resurrection；〃 said； 〃He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods。〃
Among those who encountered Paul in the market place were 〃certain
philosophers of the Epicureans； and of the Stoics；〃 but they； and all others
who came in contact with him； soon saw that he had a store of knowledge even
greater than their own。 His intellectual power commanded the respect of the
learned； while his earnest； logical reasoning and the power of his oratory
held the attention of all in the audience。 His hearers recognized the fact
that he was no novice； but was able to meet all classes with convincing
arguments in support of the doctrines he taught。 Thus the apostle stood
undaunted； meeting his opposers on their own
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ground； matching logic with logic； philosophy with philosophy； eloquence
with eloquence。
His heathen opponents called his attention to the fate of Socrates； who；
because he was a setter forth of strange gods； had been condemned to death；
and they counseled Paul not to endanger his life in the same way。 But the
apostle's discourses riveted the attention of the people； and his unaffected
wisdom commanded their respect and admiration。 He was not silenced by the
science or the irony of the philosophers； and satisfying themselves that he
was determined to accomplish his errand among them； and； at all hazards； to
tell his story； they decided to give him a fair hearing。
They accordingly conducted him to Mars' Hill。 This was one of the most
sacred spots in all Athens； and its recollections and associations were such
as to cause it to be regarded with a superstitious reverence that in the
minds of some amounted to dread。 It was in this place that matters connected
with religion were often carefully considered by men who acted as final
judges on all the more important moral as well as civil questions。
Here； away from the noise and bustle of crowded thoroughfares； and the
tumult of promiscuous discussion； the apostle could be heard without
interruption。 Around him gathered poets； artists； and philosophersthe
scholars and sages of Athens； who thus addressed him： 〃May we know what this
new doctrine； whereof thou speakest； is？ for thou bringest certain strange
things to our ears： we would know thereof what these things mean。〃
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In that hour of solemn responsibility； the apostle was calm and
self…possessed。 His heart was burdened with an important message； and the
words that fell from his lips convinced his hearers that he was no idle
babbler。 〃Ye men of Athens；〃 he said； 〃I perceive that in all things ye are
too superstitious。 For as I passed by； and beheld your devotions； I found an
altar with this inscription； To the Unknown God。 Whom therefore ye
ignorantly worship； Him declare I unto you。〃 With all their intelligence and
general knowledge； they were ignorant of the God who created the universe。
Yet there were some who were longing for greater light。 They were reaching
out toward the Infinite。
With hand outstretched toward the temple crowded with idols； Paul poured out
the burden of his soul； and exposed the fallacies of the religion of the
Athenians。 The wisest of his hearers were astonished as they listened to his
reasoning。 He showed himself familiar with their works of art； their
literature； and their religion。 Pointing to their statuary and idols； he
declared that God could not be likened to forms of man's devising。 These
graven images could not； in the faintest sense； represent the glory of
Jehovah。 He reminded them that these images had no life； but were controlled
by human power； moving only when the hands of men moved them； and therefore
those who worshiped them were in every way superior to that which they
worshiped。
Paul drew the minds of his idolatrous hearers beyond the limits of their
false religion to a true view of the Deity； whom they had styled the
〃Unknown God。〃 This Being； whom he now declared unto them； was independent
of
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man； needing nothing from human hands to add to His power and glory。
The people were carried away with admiration for Paul's earnest and logical
presentation of the attributes of the true Godof His creative power and
the existence of His overruling providence。 With earnest and fervid
eloquence the apostle declared； 〃God that made the world and all things
therein； seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth； dwelleth not in temples
made with hands； neither is worshiped with men's hands； as though He needed
anything； seeing He giveth to all life； and breath； and all things。〃 The
heavens were not large enough to contain God； how much less were the temples
made by human hands！
In that age of caste； when the rights of men were often unrecognized； Paul
set forth the great truth of human brotherhood； declaring that God 〃hath
made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth。〃 In the sight of God all are on an equality； and to the Creator every
human being owes supreme allegiance。 Then the apostle showed how； through
all God's dealings with man； His purpose of grace and mercy runs like a
thread of gold。 He 〃hath determined the times before appointed； and the
bounds of their habitation； that they should seek the Lord； if haply they
might feel after Him； and find Him； though He be not far from every one of
us。〃
Pointing to the noble specimens of manhood about him； with words borrowed
from a poet of their own he pictured the infinite God as a Father； whose
children they were。 〃In Him we live； and move； and have our being；〃 he
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declared； 〃as certain also of your own poets have said； For we are also His
offspring。 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God； we ought not to
think that the Go