The "Seven Churches."

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jun 18, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 24.

The "Seven Churches."

THE candles were long ago removed from the seven Asiatic candlesticks, and yet a few of the faithful are there, as was discovered by the venerable Dr. Somerville, of Glasgow, who continues his evangelistic labors in the East, where he has been visiting the sites of the "seven churches" of Asia. At Thyatira, we are told, the people attended a service in large numbers and were most attentive. Utter desolation and ruin prevail at Sardis, where only a few Mohammedan huts are to be seen. A meeting was, however, held in the house of the Sheik, attended by his wives and the neighbors, numbering twenty-six in all. Philadelphia is a thriving place, and a goodly number of the people was got together to hear the memorable epistle explained. The famous temple of Minerva, founded by Alexander the Great, was also visited. In the open air, on the floor of the temple, the people assembled. Sankey's hymns were sung in Greek, and "instead of the worship of the goddess of war," writes one who was present, "we had the gospel of the Prince of Peace." Dr. Somerville and his party passed along the road undoubtedly traversed by the Ephesian elders, when they went to meet Paul, leaving the isle of isles, Patmos, to the right. Colossæ has disappeared, and in vain they looked for any trace of Philemon's house or Epaphras's church. At Ephesus they saw the theater into which Paul wished to go to quell the infuriated mob. There was neither house nor hut even at Laodicea. Pergamos was the only site of the "seven churches" not visited, its distance being too great to suit the convenience of the party. Dr. Somerville's meetings in Smyrna have extended over several weeks, and efforts were being made to organize a Christian Ladies' Association there, also a Young Men's Christian Association.—Sel.