se exigencies Paul unfolded for the first time
the mighty powers which lay in him. An access of the Spirit seizing
him and enabling him to overcome all obstacles, he covered the Jewish
magician with disgrace, converted the Roman governor, and founded in
the town a Christian church in opposition to the Greek shrine. From
that hour Barnabas sank into the second place and Paul took his natural
position as the head of the mission. We no longer read, as heretofore,
of "Barnabas and Saul," but always of "Paul and Barnabas." The
subordinate had become the leader; and, as if to mark that he had
become a new man and taken a new place, he was no longer called by the
Jewish name of Saul, which up to this point he had borne, but by the
name of Paul, which has ever since been his designation among
Christians.

82. The Mainland of Asia.--The next move was as obviously the choice
of the new leader as the first one had been due to Barnabas. They
struck across the sea to Perga, a town near the middle of the southern
coast of Asia Minor, then right up, a hundred miles, into the mainland,
and thence eastward to a point almost straight north of Tarsus. This
route carried them in a kind of half circuit through the districts of
Pamphylia, Pisidia and Lycaonia, which border, to the west and north,
on Cilicia, Paul's native province; so that, if it be the case that he
had evangelized Cilicia already, he was now merely extending his labors
to the nearest surrounding regions.

83. At Perga, the starting-point of this second half of the journey, a
misfortune befell the expedition: John Mark deserted his companions and
sailed for home. It may be that the new position assumed by Paul had
given him offense, though his generous uncle felt no such grudge at
that which was the ordinance of nature and of God. But it is more
likely that the cause of his withdrawal was dismay at the dangers upon
which they were about to enter. These were such as might well strike
terror even into resolute hearts. Behind Perga rose the snow-clad
peaks of the Taurus Mountains, which had to be penetrated through
narrow passes, where crazy bridges spanned the rushing torrents, and
the castles of robbers, who watched for passing travelers to pounce
upon, were hidden in positions so inaccessible that even the Roman army
had not been able to exterminate them. When these preliminary dangers
were surmounted, the prospect beyond was anything but inviting: the
cou