Course 3, Chapter 3: • rlstianity established. — Life of St. Paul continued, First Century

1. Continue the history of St. Paul?

On quitting the city of Philippi, St. Paul went to Thessalonica, where he established a congregation of Christians, to whom, some time after, he wrote one of his epistles. He thence came to Athens; appeared before the senate called the Areopagus, refuted the false principles of the philosophers; confounded idolatry; and shortly after started for Corinth.

Q Did he remain long at Corinth?

A. He remained there eighteen months, gathering to the true faith a large number of Christians, to whom he wrote two epistles, replete with all that zeal, charity, and prudence which so characterized that great apostle. From Corinth he passed to Ephesus.

2. What happened to him at Ephesus?

At Ephesus he was the object of a violent sedition, excited by a goldsmith who made statues of Diana; previous to his leaving the city, however, St. Paul wrote his admirable letter to the faithful at Rome. Quitting Ephesus, he directed his course to Jerusalem, carrying with him to the faithful of that city the charitable contributions of their brethren dispersed through Asia. On his way he passed through Troas.

3. What miracle did he perform at Troas?

Whilst preaching at this place, a young man, who was seated in a window, fell asleep, and fell from the third story and was killed. St. Paul restored him to life, and then started for Miletus.

4. What did he do at Miletus?

He there assembled the bishops and pastors of the church of Ephesus, to whom he bade farewell; telling them they should see him no more. All melted

254 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

into tears, and conducted him to the vessel on which he embarked for Jerusalem.

5. What happened to him at Jerusalem?

He was apprehended in the temple by the Jews, and delivered up to the Roman governor, who sent him to Rome to be judged at the tribunal of Nero. At Rome, St. Paul remained two years in prison, preach ing the gospel to all who visited him.

6. Did he obtain his liberty?

He finally obtained his liberty, went back to the east, wrote to the churches and to his disciples, Titus and Timothy, and then returned with St. Peter to Rome. These two apostles filled the city with Christians, and even the palace of Nero, who could not endure a religion so holy as that of Christianity.

7. What did Nero do?

He condemned to death the twro apostles, who received the crown of martyrdom a short distance from the city. St. Peter was crucified with his head down; but St. Paul, being a Roman citizen, was beheaded. This glorious martyrdom occurred on the 29th of June, in the year 66 after Christ.