miRsionnry ticlingR. These carried volnmce of conviction, Rnd were well fitted to do so. Men listen still womlcrfully in preached sermons to facts and relia.ble history. It is thcsu which weigh, too, with the unsophisticated and the mass. And with what keen- ness of attention nnd almost sympathetic pride they listen to these recitals from the lips of mon who hnd "hazarded their lives for the Name" of the Lord Jesus Christ (vcr. 26) I And after those thrilling speeches James (probably "the brother of the Lord" and the writer of the Epistle general) renews argument, corroborating it by Old Testament Scripture quotation. Nor does he sit down without making definite pro- posals to meet the presmt case. 4. In harmony with those proposals, the apostles anrl ciders and the whole Church agree. And they agree to write and to send what they write by the honoured hands of Paul and Barnabas, and two others specially delegated from their own home communion to Antioch. Vers. 23-29 contain the words of a letter which, for kindly respect, for conciliatory tone toward all, for fidelity of truth (ver. 24), for" honour to whcm honour" is due (ver. 26), for reli;,ious calling to witness of the one Ruler of the Church, "tbe Holy Ghost" (ver. 28), and for the word of exhortation (ver. 29), could not be surpassed. 5. The four peacemakers speed on their way to Antioch. Tiley call" the multitude" (eh. iv. 32; vi. 5) together, deliver their letter, and congratulate the Gentiles liberated from many a fear in ita "consolation." This gentle touch at the end speaks much of what had been transpiring in the minds of those Gentile converts, and helps as practical comment upon ver. 10 of this chapter. '!'he two visitors, Judas and Silas, also address the Antioch Church, the latter of whom finds such interest in place and people that he stays at Antioch, there a while assisting Paul and Barnabas in their ministry and in their pastorate of the flock. IV. Smm GENERAL LESSONS FOR Cmraca LIFE SUGGESTED BY THIS HISTOKY. We should observe: I. The sanction here given to the patient and faithful use of strictly moral forces in the government of the Church of Christ. The case had aspects that might well, on the one hand, try the forbearance of the large-hearted, and, on the other hand, tempt to high-handed despatch. But a world of trouble is not grudged to keep well within the spirit of the Master, and to have compassion on the weak, and to consider others in their errors and their small-mindedness," lest they also be tempted," with whom confessedly may lie now the strength and the right and the goodness. 2. The honour done to courtesy and respect and to the observance of "duty towards equals," or those who for the time must be called so. Christianity often seems to offer us a very clear, very beautiful outline of the perfections possible to human society merely as such. 3. The kindest attention here paid to human feelings. It seems to shine out again and again. Where a cold, despotic, hard-and-fast ecclesiasticism would have found its occasion for triumphing, the true order of Christ's Church finds a chosen occasion for reverencing feeling. l!'or upon and in addition to all the honour shown in the transac- tions recorded in this chapter to respect and courtesy, there is apparent the sympathy of true and heartfelt love. Amid great dangers the least possible damag:e was done to the reputation of young Christianity, and the comment might still be, "See how these Christians love one another."-B.
Vers. 37-39.-Symptoms more startling. There is a sense in which human nature and Christian principle are opposed to each other. When in conflict they are indeed two rare anta"onists. It is astonishing at how many angles the former can be touched by tho latter, and bow deeply and incisively this cuts into that. The great dissension in the mntter of circumcision and the new Gentile converts filled larger space under the eye; but how often has it faded away from the mental gaze of even the most devout reader when the present dissension bas come immediately after upon his view, and with unwclcowe semi-fascination riveted attention I Faithful, we may well say, as the "Spirit of all truth" is his Boolt. The sins and failings of apostles are not concealed. Nor nre they even glossed over, though it was the very moment when men of devout sympathies would have given anything to veil them from view and withdraw them from any permanent record. '!'he record lies here, and it must be for use. A certain mdefinitcness characterizes it where it would have particularly suited our curiosity to have exact detail and pronounced verdict. That very incompleteness is sure to shelter valua~le hints. We shall do well, then, to notice as simply as possible the track of the imrrativo, and keep near ii, We ffl tau;ht- 1',() THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [ oII. n. 1-4:L