The Dwellers in The Street Called Straight
D. Davies. Acts 9:11 And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul… I am afraid that if Ananias had been sent to that street to inquire for some of us he would not have found us living there. This street is a very interesting one, because — 1. The people who live in it are honest, and would not do a dishonourable thing for all that you could give them. Thus there are many people who do not think it worth their while to live in that street; still less do they think that anyone can succeed in business there, as they will have to compete with people who live in other streets, and who will do very unworthy things for the sake of gain. Thus they think they are bound to do some crooked things or they will be driven out of house and home by competition. And so there are many people who refuse to live in "the street called Straight," because it has no "Lying Corner" or "Cheating Alley." But we must remember that the only sense in which we can be rich is not having a lot of money to our credit in the bank. The richest man after all is the man who has got a good name, which cannot be bought for money; so that if a man loses occasionally in pounds, shillings, and pence by living in "the street called Straight," he gains in having a nobler spirit, a finer character, and a more beautiful life. 2. The people who live in "the street called Straight" are truthful. They will not tell a lie on any account, even if it gets them out of a difficulty. Now, I wonder how many of you children live in this street? 3. Those who live in "the street called Straight" are self-denying. They will gladly do a kindness, if by so doing they can help their neighbour. Ah, there is wonderful neighbourliness in this street. 4. Those who live in this street keep everything very clean. They sometimes may be mistaken, but they are very pure in their motives. (D. Davies.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, WEB: The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,