iness of mind, examining the
scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Many of them
therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of
men, not a few.

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was
proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring
up and troubling the multitudes. And then immediately the brethren sent
forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there
still. But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and
receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to
him with all speed, they departed.

IV

PAUL AT ATHENS.

_The Leader of the New Faith Speaks on Classic Ground_.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, he was aroused, as he beheld
the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews
and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that
met with him. And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers
encountered him. And some said, "What would this babbler say?" others,
"He seemeth to be a teacher of strange gods": because he preached Jesus
and the resurrection.

{405}{406}

[Illustration]
THE PARTHENON, ONE OF THE TEMPLES ON THE ACROPOLIS AT ATHENS

From a photograph belonging to the Forbes Library, Northampton, Mass.,
and used by special permission

"Crowning the Acropolis was the Parthenon, the glorious temple which
rose in the proudest period of Athenian history to the honor of
Minerva, and which ages of war and decay have only partially defaced.
The sculptures on one side of the pediments represented the birth of
the goddess; those on the other depicted her contest with Neptune.
Under the outer cornices were groups exhibiting the victories achieved
by her champions. Round the inner frieze was the long series of the
Panathenaic procession." The Acropolis, with its splendid temples, was
on Paul's right and in full view as he preached on the Areopagus.
[End illustration]

{407}

And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying,
"May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee? For
thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know
therefore what these things mean." (Now all the Athenians and the
strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either
to tell or to hear some new thing.) And Paul stood in the m