Ephesus, ef'e-sus, an ancient city on the western coast of Asia Minor. It was the natural seaport of the kingdom of Lydia, the realm of wealthy King Croesus. It enjoyed an extensive commerce with Asia and Greece. An immense temple to an Asiatic goddess was built here. She was the deity of fertility, the mother of vegetation,--an embodiment of the productivity of the earth. Later, when Ephesus became a Greek city, this goddess was confounded with Artemis or Diana. In the year 356 B. C., on the night of the birth of Alexander the Great, an individual set fire to this temple that his name might not be forgotten in the world. This edifice, evidently consisting largely of wood, was replaced by a far more splendid temple. The women of Ephesus sold their jewelry and neighboring towns sent contributions, so important was the temple considered. Alexander offered to pay the cost of its erection if he might be permitted to carve his name on the pediment, but his tender was rejected. When completed, the dimensions were 240 by 418 feet. The roof of marble tiles was supported by over a hundred sculptured marble columns. It was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. This temple served several purposes. A vast number of priests and artificers lived in its precincts engaged in acts of worship and in making shrines and images for sale to worshipers. A refugee from justice might not be arrested within the shelter of the temple, and might even venture safely to a certain distance marked by a stone wall. After the city passed into Roman control Mark Antony found difficulty in controlling the horde of thieves that took advantage of this asylum. The apostle Paul early established a Christian church at Ephesus. The Epistle to the Ephesians was a letter written, no doubt in his own handwriting, and sent to the church for the edification of the faithful. For some account of the reverence in which the temple was held and the excitement among the silversmiths, read Acts xix. A general council of the Catholic church was held at Ephesus 431 A. D. One hundred thirty-five bishops were present. The site is now occupied by a squalid village. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.--I Cor. xv: 32.