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Show REV. ROBERT H. HARPER Th Conv0Tsion of Saul. Lttson for May 6: Acts 9: 1-6, JO-19. JO-19. Golden Txt: John 15: 16. Saul was a native of Tarsus a nil of a family that had acquired Roman citizenship. Though a Jew, he had the Impress of Greek culture, cul-ture, and he wai the most .highly educated of the leaders of the early church. He waj therefie eminently fitted to become the great apostle to the gentiles. Notwithstanding his educational training and associations, he was at first very narrow and bigoted in religious matters. He watched with, approval the stoning ol Stephen, and soon thereafter, armed with letters from the chiet priests, he set out for Damascus ta persecute Christians found there. As he drew near to Damascus, a dazzling light exceeding that of the midday sun caused him to fall to earth, blinded and astonished. aston-ished. The risen and glorified Saviour appeared to him in outward out-ward splendor as the Messiah and commissioned him to be the great apostle to the gentiles. The record also tells of another great man Ananias, who was different dif-ferent from the great liar of the same name of whom we also read in the Acts. Saul had found lodging in the house of one Judas who dwelt In the street called Straight. Thither the Lord directed Ananias to go. Though at first he ques tioned with the Lord because h had heard of Saul's activity against Christians, Ananias went to Saul, lead him out of blindness and tc Christian faith and baptism. Sc may the light from Jesus illumine the way of service for all of us. |