Paul Before Nero
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the low, the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, the proud
and the humble. Yet all alike were destitute of the true knowledge of
the way of life and salvation.
Again the Jews urge against the prisoner the old charges of sedition
and heresy, while both Jews and Romans accuse him of instigating
the burning of the city. While his enemies were vehemently urging
their accusations, Paul preserved a quiet dignity; no shade of fear or
anger disturbed the peaceful serenity that rested upon his countenance.
The people and even the judges beheld him with surprise. They had
been present at many trials, and had looked upon many a criminal; but
never had they seen a man wear such a look of holy calmness as did
the prisoner before them. The keen eyes of the judges, accustomed
as they were to read the countenances of their prisoners, searched the
face of Paul for some hidden trace of crime, but in vain. When he was
permitted to speak in his own behalf, all listened with eager interest to
his words.
Once more Paul had an opportunity to raise aloft before a won-
dering multitude the banner of the cross of Christ. With more than
human eloquence and power, he that day urged home upon their hearts
the truths of the gospel. The wisdom of God was revealed through his
servant. As Paul stands before the emperor of the world, his words
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strike a chord which vibrates in the hearts of even the most hardened,
and which thrills in unison with the mission of angels. Truth, clear
and convincing, overthrows error and refutes falsehood. Never before
had that company listened to words like these. Light was shining into
darkened minds that would gladly follow the guidance of its precious
rays. The truths spoken on that occasion would never die. Though the
utterance of a feeble and aged prisoner, they were destined to shake
the nations. They were endowed with a power that would live through
all time, influencing the hearts of men when the lips that uttered them
should be silent in a martyr’s grave.
As Paul gazed upon the throng before him,—Jews, Greeks, Ro-
mans, with strangers from many lands,—his soul was stirred with an
intense desire for their salvation. He lost sight of the occasion, of the
perils which surrounded him, of the terrible fate which seemed so near.
He looked above all this, to Jesus, the Divine Intercessor, the Advocate
pleading before the throne of God in behalf of sinful men. Earnestly
he pointed his hearers to the great Sacrifice made in behalf of the fallen