example of Christian living, a sure guide in Christian doctrine.  No more favored mortal is ever likely to appear; he is the counterpart of Moses as a divine teacher to all generations.  The popes may exalt Saint Peter as the founder of their spiritual empire, but when their empire as an institution shall crumble away, as all institutions must which are not founded on the “Rock” which it was the mission of apostles to proclaim, Paul will stand out the most illustrious of all Christian teachers.

As a man Paul had his faults, but his virtues were transcendent; and these virtues he himself traced to divine grace, enabling him to conquer his infirmities and prejudices, and to perform astonishing labors, and to endure no less marvellous sufferings.  His humanity was never lost in his discouraging warfare; he sympathized with human sorrows and afflictions; he was tolerant, after his conversion, of human infirmities, while enjoining a severe morality.  He was a man of native genius, with profound insight into spiritual truth.  Trained in philosophy and disputation, his gentleness and tact in dealing with those who opposed him are a lesson to all controversialists.  His voluntary sufferings have endeared him to the heart of the world, since they were consecrated to the welfare of the world he sought to enlighten.  As an encouragement to others, he enumerates the calamities which happened to him from his zeal to serve mankind, but he never complains of them or regards them as a mystery, or as anything but the natural result of unappreciated devotion.  He was more cheerful than Confucius, who felt that his life had been a failure; more serene than Plato when surrounded by admiring followers.  He regarded every Christian man as a brother and a friend.  He associated freely with women, without even calling out a sneer or a reproach.  He taught principles of self-control rather than rules of specific asceticism, and hence recommended wine to Timothy and encouraged friendship between men and women, when intemperance and unchastity were the scandal and disgrace of the age; although so far as himself was concerned, he would not eat meat, if thereby he should give offence to the weakest of his weak-minded brethren.  He enjoined filial piety, obedience to rulers, and kindness to servants as among the highest duties of life.  He was frugal, but independent and hospitable; he had but few wants, and submitted patiently to every inconvenience.  He was the impersonation of gentleness, sympathy, and love, although a man of iron will and indomitable resolution.  He claimed nothing but the right to speak his honest opinions, and the privilege to be judged according to the laws.  He magnified his office, but only the more easily to win men to his noble cause.  To this great cause he was devoted heart and soul, without ever losing courage, or turning back for a moment in despondency or fear.  He was as courageous as he was faithful; as indifferent to reproach as he was eager for friendship.