The writings of the apostle Paul make special appeal to the student of Christian Science on account of the purely metaphysical character of many of his statements. They do not seem as difficult and confusing as they did when we had no knowledge of the truth as revealed in our text-book, Science and Health. Studied in the light of Christian Science they reveal a God near at hand, a religion wholly spiritual, and a perfection attainable. For their author says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me."
As lovers of the Bible, we owe much to Paul, who gave us one third of the New Testament. His letters, written to various churches which he and his fellow-laborers were instrumental in organizing, contain so much of the "hidden wisdom" that they were preserved for future generations, and for this we are duly grateful. We first meet with Paul (then called Saul) in connection with the stoning of Stephen,—"And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." It may be of interest to note in passing that Paul afterwards twice used, in part, almost the same words Stephen uttered while speaking in his own defence before "the council," and while being stoned. Stephen is recorded as saying, "The most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands," and while speaking to the Athenians on Mars Hill, Paul said, "God. . dwelleth not in temples made with hands." Both men were doubtless quoting the thought expressed by King Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple. Just before Stephen "fell asleep," he "cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," and in his second letter to Timothy, writing of those who had forsaken him, Paul says, "I pray God it may not be laid to their charge."
Paul was bom in Tarsus, a Greek city which, like Athens and Alexandria, was noted for its schools of literature and philosophy. It was also a commercial center, and had a large Jewish population. Tarsus was made a free city by Mark Antony, and it was on this account perhaps that Paul said to the Roman captain, "I was free born." Paul's parents belonged to the tribe of Benjamin who were Pharisees of "the straitest sect." In such a home Paul was reared, and here he doubtless became familiar with the Greek language, which opened the way for his long continued and effective ministry among Greek-speaking peoples.
