Ordination of Paul and Barnabas
29
confusion into which this man was brought, with all his boasted power,
made of none effect all his subtle arts against the doctrine of Christ.
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The fact of his being obliged to grope about in blindness, proved to
all beholders that the miracles which the apostles had performed, and
which Elymas had denounced as being produced by sleight of hand,
were in truth wrought by the power of God. The deputy was convinced
of the truth of the doctrine taught by the apostles, and embraced the
gospel of Christ.
Elymas was not a man of education, yet he was peculiarly fitted
to do the work of Satan. Those who preach the truth of God will be
obliged to meet the wily foe in many different forms. Sometimes it
is in the person of learned, and often in the person of ignorant, men,
whom Satan had educated to be his successful instruments in deceiving
souls and in working iniquity. It is the duty of the minister of Christ
to stand faithfully at his post, in the fear of God and in the power of
his strength. Thus he may put to confusion the hosts of Satan, and
triumph in the name of the Lord.
Paul and his company now continued their journey, going into
Perga, in Pamphylia. Their way was toilsome, they encountered hard-
ships and privations, and were beset by dangers on every side, which
intimidated Mark, who was unused to hardships. As still greater dif-
ficulties were apprehended, he became disheartened, and refused to
go farther, just at the time when his services were most needed. He
accordingly returned to Jerusalem, and to the peace and comfort of his
home.
Mark did not apostatize from the faith of Christianity; but, like
many young ministers, he shrank from hardships, and preferred the
comfort and safety of home to the travels, labors, and dangers of the
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missionary field. This desertion caused Paul to judge him unfavorably
and severely for a long time. He distrusted his steadiness of character,
and his devotion to the cause of Christ. The mother of Mark was a
convert to the Christian religion, and her home was an asylum for the
disciples. There they were always sure of a welcome, and a season of
rest, in which they could rally from the effect of the fierce persecutions
that everywhere assailed them in their labors.
It was during one of these visits of the apostles to his mother’s
that Mark proposed to Paul and Barnabas that he should accompany
them on their missionary tour. He had witnessed the wonderful power