05-The Alluring City
05 THE ALLURING CITY Text: “I must also see Rome.” Acts 19:1-41, When Paul spoke the words of our text lie was in the city of Ephesus on the shore of the Aegean sea at the western fringe of Asia, looking toward the ever-beckoning west. If westward the course of empire takes its way, it is because individual men, daring and free, have not only looked and longed, but have braved the hardship of pioneer life, and have pushed their way onward toward the setting sun. On a former occasion Paul had heard the Macedonian cry come ringing across this same sea, and had responded by carrying the message of the Cross into Europe as far as Macedonia and Greece. As he again reaches the western edge of Asia and looks westward over the sea, in imagination he leaps beyond the territory of his former labors and sees the capital of the world. He feels its lure and his pulsating purpose finds expression in these simple words, throbbing with hope and endeavor: “I must also see Rome.” For all of us there is waiting somewhere beyond our horizon the city of our dreams. For some of us it is not far away and is not worth, the pilgrimage. For others there are the intervening waters to be crossed, and the mountains to be climbed, but the goal is so worthy that even if it be not reached the one who sets out for it receives an ample reward in its pursuit. “What was the character of the city which Paul sought, and what was his purpose in determining to go there? Paul was determined to see Eome. “What was the character of that city? and what was it that lured him on, pulling him with a mighty and compelling power?
Eome was a city of pleasure. Of all the cities in all the world at that time doubtless Eome had them all beat for gayety and glitter and show. All the froth of the social set in all the petty capitals of the provinces floated into the capital of the empire, and every diversion known to high society among the idle, rich could be found in Eome. I have no doubt that in Paul’s day there were young people throughout the provinces who longed to go to Eome for pleasure. The artificial pleasures of their restricted circle palled on them, and they longed for the infatuation of the gayer life of Eome. But this was not Paul’s motive. He longed to go to Eome; more than that, he was determined to go, but it was not for his own pleasure. He had higher interests to serve.
Eome was the world’s business center. To this center of big business gravitated the capitalists of the empire. Out over those splendid roads that radiated from the imperial city went the trade that brought wealth to her merchants; and her ships sailed into every port, carrying her commerce, and bringing back the riches of the world.
There is always something alluring in the field of business endeavor. Young men who feel themselves capable of success find it a fascinating adventure to strike out on a business career. It is not uncommon to find young men becoming dissatisfied with the business prospects at their native cross-roads or in their own home town. The ambition to succeed in business and to excel in some line, early stirs in the heart and mind of every normal youth.
Success in some small sphere sets to glimmering a boundless field of opportunity, and with radiant hope the young man sets out to conquer new worlds. He seeks an environment favorable to a larger success, and a situation more in harmony with his growing capabilities. We have all seen the working of this law of expanding life.
I have no doubt it was as true in the ancient day as it is in our time. Of course our new sense of freedom and the increased facilities for travel have accentuated this tendency in modern business life. In our day of highly organized society more young people follow their own particular bent; and in the demand for specialists they find their field in the centers of population. It is not unlikely, however, that in Paul’s day multitudes of young men sought a business career in Rome, and many others throughout the provinces longed to try their luck in this big business center.
They had had some success at Jerusalem or Joppa, at Tarsus or Troas, and they felt that their business capacity was equal to a larger opportunity elsewhere. So they longed to go to Rome. The Jews did go everywhere, into all the cities, and they succeeded. But this again was not what moved Paul to say that he must see Rome. True to the traditions of his race Paul was a- business success. As atent maker he supported himself while devoting much time to the preaching of the Gospel. Doubtless he could have gained wealth had he devoted himself to the development of his trade. And Rome would have offered him his opportunity. But it was not for this that Paul wished to see Rome.
Rome was a literary and art center. The most famous literati and the most celebrated artists of the ancient world could doubtless be found in Rome. Every budding poet with his bundle of poems, and every coming artist with his roll of canvass desired to go to Rome where his talents could be tested out and where his productions would be appreciated.
It is quite important that the coming put of a musical artist shall be properly staged, and that the event be attended by the people whose opinion counts in musical circles, and whose presence will give prestige to the debutante.
Only a big city can supply these necessary accompaniments of a proper debut. In like manner the budding author seeks the stamp of some popular publisher on the back of his book. It goes to show that the manuscript has been examined and passed upon, and adjudged to be of value by experts in the literary field. It is not unlikely that in Paul’s day aspiring authors desired to go to Rome. Conscious of his ability to write, and feeling the lack of appreciation on the part of the people of his own provincial town, many a poor author has longed for means to take him to Rome.
Once there he knows he could succeed.
Paul was an author whose writings have outlived most books written in that day, but his success depended in no way on his being in Rome/ Some of his best writings were produced before he ever saw that city. It was not for the purpose of securing a name as an author that Paul would see Rome.
Rome was a political center. If Rome surpassed other cities in any one thing it was in its political power. Athens and Alexandria may have rivaled Rome as a literary and educational center, and Venice vied with, her for first place in commerce. But in the field of politics Eome had no rival. Here the emporer with his satellites ruled supreme. From here appointments were made to military and civil offices throughout the empire. A pull was necessary to secure an appointment, and this often made necessary a journey to Eome.
I doubt not many a young man in the provinces of the empire longed to go to Rome, lured by the possibility of an appointment to some petty office. If he could get to Eome, and could get the ear of the powers that be, he might after a few years return as governor of his own home city. It would be mighty fine to make the companions of his youth stand up and take notice, or go back and sit down, according to his own whim and pleasure. Perhaps many bankrupted themselves to purchase citizenship in the empire for the purpose of gaining office..
Paul was a Eoman citizen, and was proud to proclaim himself Eoman born. His citizenship stood him in good stead on more than one occasion, but he never made capital out of his citizenship for political purposes. No such ambition moved Paul to declare his purpose to visit this great city.
Why did Paul want to go to Eome? Where shall we look for an answer? The answer is found in the first chapter of his letter to the Romans. Paul’s mighty motive, his impelling purpose was service. There were in Rome these obvious worldly advantages which we have outlined, and which are found in every great city. The city was teeming, too, with men and women self -centered and bent on their own pleasure. But there was a little group of men and women, also, who were followers of the Nazarene. These were struggling in that wicked city to live, pure lives, and it was to this group that Paul desired to minister.
Through them the salt of the earth he hoped to save the city, and ultimately the world. It was this flickering flame burning but obscurely, which Paul wished to fan into a blaze that would kindle the fires of righteousness throughout the world. Paul the preacher of the Gospel, Paul the daring missionary of the Cross, Paul the Christian Statesman, must also see Rome, in order that he may plant the seeds of righteousness in that world center. The history of the Christian Church has justified his ambition, and has set the seal of success upon his efforts. Paul chose wisely, and has become an example and an inspiration to aspiring youth of all the generations since his time.
I would not seem to rob life of its legitimate pleasures. There are many things in life to enjoy. “We have no call to be down-cast and glum. But the real joys of life are for those who realize life ’s purpose, and who accept its responsibility. He is not happiest who selfishly seeks Ms own pleasure. He who panders his own appetites soon finds that satisfaction can not be found in that direction. As he multiplies these artificial stimuli his capacity to enjoy decreases, and hope is eaten out by despair. Life’s real joy lies in another direction. He alone knows what happiness is who finds it in friendships formed on the high plane of worthy endeavor, and deepened, through a common service and sacrifice.
I would say nothing to dampen the worthy ambition of any one who has a desire for material success in any legitimate vocation of life.
Such dreams are normal, and but lead our young people on to take their place in the world’s work. These reconstruction days call for men of vast business ability to solve the questions of production, conservation, and distribution. There must be a material foundation for the new civilization of which the modern prophets dream. The democratization of the nations of mankind will make it more imperative than ever before that men and women shall prepare themselves for intelligent citizenship, which carries with it the obligation of some to hold office. But underneath it all, and permeating all our life, there must be the spirit of service. There must be the desire to live for others: to sacrifice, and if need be to die, in order that materialism may not dominate the life of the world. If the world is to be saved there must be brave men like Paul who will be willing to risk everything, and to lay all on the altar of sacrifice, in order to build up the Church of Christ in the centers of population. By an experience with the risen Christ, and through an abiding fellowship with Him, the spirit of love became in Paul a dynamic that sent him into the great and wicked city on a mission of service. With such a motive for his life, no power could stay him, and no opposition discourage. He counted not his life dear, and even though death awaited him he counted it all joy for the excellency of that blessed name. It mattered not that finally when he did reach Eome it was as a prisoner in bonds. Even so, the opportunity was given to render the service there that he longed to give.
We count Paul a success. The blessing and helpfulness of his life reach down through the centuries and are potent for our time. He demonstrated the value of ideals, the power of justice, and the strength of right. Because for these principles men will still dare to die the world wags on, with humanity’s star in the ascendant. This spirit of service and sacrifice must be carried into humanity’s peace time problems. Only the Church of Jesus.Christ can give men this vision. The Gospel of a world Eedeemer, who can save selfish and sinful humanity, must be brought to bear upon the life of our cities. If the world is to be won for Christ, our cities must be saved. Everywhere are the little groups, such as Paul found at Borne. Their value to the Kingdom, and their service to the world can not be measured by their numbers. Strong leaders are needed to build up in the great cities of our country little groups of loyal consecrated followers of the Master, for peradventure for the sake of the fifty, or even ten, the city may be saved.
“I must also see Rome.”