ge, which could enjoy such solid fare in a
place of entertainment; then the Epistle to the Ephesians, which sounds
the lowest depths of Christian doctrine and scales the loftiest heights
of Christian experience, is a testimony to the proficiency which Paul's
converts had attained under his preaching in the capital of Asia.

CHAPTER VII

HIS WRITINGS AND HIS CHARACTER

Paragraphs 115-127.

115-119. HIS WRITINGS. 115, 116. Principal Literary
Period. 117. Form of his Writings. 118. His
Style. 119. Inspiration.
120-127. HIS CHARACTER. 121. Combination of
Natural and Spiritual.
122-127. Characteristics. 122. Physique; 123. Enterprise;
124. Influence over Men; 128. Unselfishness;
126. Sense of having a Mission; 127. Personal
Devotion to Christ.

115. Principal Literary Period.--It has been mentioned that the third
missionary journey closed with a flying visit to the churches of
Greece. This visit lasted several months; but in the Acts it is passed
over in two or three verses. Probably it was little marked with those
exciting incidents which naturally tempt the biographer into detail.
Yet we know from other sources that it was nearly the most important
part of Paul's life; for during this half-year he wrote the greatest of
all his Epistles, that to the Romans, and two others only less
important--that to the Galatians and the Second to the Corinthians.

116. We have thus alighted on the portion of his life most signalized
by literary work. Overpowering as is the impression of the
remarkableness of this man produced by following him, as we have been
doing, as he hurries from province to province, from continent to
continent, over land and sea, in pursuit of the object to which he was
devoted, this impression is immensely deepened when we remember that he
was at the same time the greatest thinker of his age, if not of any
age, and, in the midst of his outward labors, was producing writings
which have ever since been among the mightiest intellectual forces of
the world, and are still growing in their influence.

In this respect he rises sheer above all other evangelists and
missionaries. Some of them may have approached him in certain
respects--Xavier or Livingstone in the world-conquering instinct, St.
Bernard or Whitefield in earnestness and activity. But few of these
men added a single new idea to the wor