162 PAUL CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE.

 Suddenly, brighter than the noonday sun, there was
a strange, dazzling light. Like a fixed column of light-
ning it struck them all, blinding their eyes, and they all
fell to the earth and lay there almost breathless. They
all heard a voice, but only Saul heard the words. His
name was twice called: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?" ME: what thoughts flashed through his mind!
When he persecuted men and women, how had he perse-
cuted that ME "? Could it be that the Jesus of whom he
had heard such wonders while he was on earth, still lived
and had such power as this? He could only ask trem-
blingly, "Who art thou, Lord?" He could not mistake
the answer: I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest."
 Saul was struck blind, but his mind could see what
 was strange before. It was all true; he knew now that
 Jesus of Nazareth was the Lord of heaven and earth, and
 he had been hating Him and all who loved Him! He
 could only ask, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
 Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what
 thou must do."
 He could rise up, but all was dark to him, no sight
 of the way, of the buildings, of the men. He was blind!
 The proud enemy of Christ was like a helpless child, led
 into the city; and for three days was without sight or food.
 In those three days of suffering and prayer, Jesus
 taught him many things, to prepare him for coming years.
 The Lord sent a vision to a Christian in Damascus, and