Article May 29, 1915 Issue

The Road to Damascus

JOSEPH G. ALDEN

In the book of Acts we read that "Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." We may readily suppose that there was dread among the Christians in Damascus when it became known that Saul, a powerful member of the great Sanhedrin and an uncompromising enemy of the Christian sect, was on his way to the city to arrest such of them as he could find evidence against, to take them bound to Jerusalem, there to be tried before the ecclesiastical court. Accustomed though they were to the sneers and taunts and indignities heaped upon them by the people of Damascus, many stout hearts doubtless quailed before the announcement of Saul's approach. His reputation for unbending judgment had preceded him. He came armed with a high priest's commission and accompanied by a soldier band. He spared none and granted no quarter.

The day appointed for Saul's arrival came and went in Damascus, but Saul was not seen. The Christians paused as they met, to question each other of the probable cause of his non-appearance. Had he abandoned his proposed trip, or had he simply stopped on his way to visit swift vengeance upon some other city in his path? Had he been detained in Jerusalem, or had some more important duty claimed his first attention? Was Damascus to be spared now, only to receive the dread visitation at a later time?

One day there appeared in the synagogues of Damascus a new disciple of the Nazarene. Unheralded he came; yet he had the air of one in authority. His face glowed in the reflected light of an inner vision. Upon his brow sat dignity and learning. His speech was golden with words of truth and soberness. His bearing was that of one accustomed to be obeyed, but in his look there was kindness and justice and mercy. When he spoke, he commanded quick attention, for his message burned with earnestness and power. It was Paul, the ambassador of Christ, come to Damascus on a mission of peace and good will!

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