,o old prover?s sa:y:, (3) ~is sa?bath empl?Ym;mt. "Every sahbath." Unwearierl teal charactonzes him. F111thf□ l in that which 1s leil.St, he is faithfol in that which Is much. The week-day work and the sabbath consecration help one another. Work makes the sacred rest sweet; and the sacred. rest gives new energy for work. 2. Courageous progress. (Vera. 6-8.) When Timothy and Sila~ came Paul instead of throwing the work upon their shoulders, only redoubles his activity. 'How' useful and how happy " the tie that binds" men's hearts in Christian love and work (Phil. ii. 22) ! lie continues to witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. The previous work in the synagogue had probably been preparatory. But the love of Christ constrn.ins him, nnd he cannot keep back the main matter of his messaie, certain as it is to awaken violent opposition, Oppo8ition and blasphemy break out; but the constancy of th'l servant of Christ is the more illustrated. 'l'here is no paltering, no drawing back, no compromise. "Your blood be on your heads!" Thus he clears himself from com- plicity in the guilt of their spiritual suicide. But before any can venture to imitate Paul's example in this, let them see whether they have done all in their power to raise and eave, like the apostle. Driven from the public place of meeting, he goes into the private house of Justus; rejected by Jews, he turns to the heathen. The conversion of Ctispus rewards his efforts. Not "many" wise are called (l Cor. i. 26). At the same time, there are exceptions, Paul goes out by the front door of the synagogue, so to speak, to find his way in again by the back. 3, The blessed result. (Vers. 9-11.) 'l'he Divine voice came, SBying, "Fear not! speak, and be not silent!" Times of weak- ness and discouragement and self-conflict are for all. The mightiest spirits know the deepest dejection. Recall Abraham before Abimelech, Moses in the desert, psalmists of the Captivity, and prophets, Elijah under the juniper, John in prison, Jesus in Geth- semane, Luther and his violent crises. The latter said, "Many think because I am so cheerful in my outward walk that I tread on roses, but God knows how it stands with me," But saith the voice: "I am with thee; none shall set upon thee to hurt thee; much people have I in this city." "I am with thee:" a word of might, that each and all in every humble or important path of duty may lay to heart, and go forward with his work, clear in speech and strong in action. "I have much people in this city:" the seed and the leaven of the Word works with secret might when we observe it not; sleeping echoes waiting to be roused; seven thousand hidden ones who have not bowed the knee to Baal. II. OPPOSITION TO THE WORK, A year and six months passed in prayer, patience, confidence in God, diligent toil. These are the means by which the work of God is fur- thered. But the incidents that followed teach that men must suffer for their work, and that all true work involves its cross. The world is the world still; and offences must come. 1. The charge against Paul. "He persuades the people to worship God contrary to the Law." How easily do men persuade themselves that what is against their own pleasures is contrary to God's Law I It is nothing new that those who are most given to error in religion are most ready to accuse others of heresy. 2. The conduct of Gallio. He referred disputes about the Jewish Law to the Jews themselves. It is wise that magistrates should not pass judgment in matters of religion which they do not understand. But it is not well, if magistrates are indifferent to religion, its genuine reality, and fail to protect sincere believers in tb.e enjoyment of their religious belief. GallLo is a fine example of moderation, putting to shame the bloodthirsty spirit which has so often prevailed in the Christian Church. But it is an abuse if the example be used as a plea for indiflhrentism. Gallio, who was cold to religious sympathy, would consent to see a man's civil rights injured, Gallio, on the whole, is a mix.ed example. Ltt us say that the duty of a Christian judge is (1) to have a con" ·ience and a religion o, his own; (2) not to intermeddle in the affairs of conscience of others; (3) to protect men against violence, of whatever faith they may be.-J. Vere. 18-22.-Retum of Paul to Antioch. We do not know the exact nature of the vow he was under, But the following lessons may be drawn from his c0nduct : - I. WORK WHILE IT IS DAY. Where God opens the door, let the ready servi1ut enter. The voice of the Almighty saith, "Upward and onward evermore!" ·work, not for glory and gain, but for the ki1wdom of God and the salvation of men. II. T.AlUIY NOT TO CONFER ;ITH FLESH AND BLOOD. Foes might have deterred hilll 102 THE ACTS 01<' 'l'HE APOSTLES. [oH. xvm. 1-28,
i1! the' fr~mt; loving friends might have held him back; difficulties might have made him quail ; but he hears but one voice sees but one hand, and goes forward. He who proceeds i_n this spirit," unhasting, un:esting," is always setting out, always arriving; and, JJ8:Ssmg unhurt through perils which, if dwelt upon in the imagination, would apprar msurrnountable, can with thankfulness exclaim, at the end of every step of the life-journey, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped ue I "-J, Vers. 24-28.-The el.o~t Apollos. L PAUL AND APOLLOS: A CONTRAST. "I plan~d, Apollos watered. Diflerent Divine instruments, shaped out of different rnntenal, prepared in different ways, destined for different objects. The unity in rnriety in Christian character is one of. the chief beauties in the garden of God. Il. APOLLO AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF OONSECRATED LEARNING IN THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. Here learning is kindled by sacred enthusiasm; it is rooted in faith; it is united with docility; it is applied in t.hc right place and way. III. As AN EXAMPLE OF GROWTH IN GRACE. It is the need of all It is attainable by all who seek it in the right way. It becomes blessed and fruitful in new activity in the kingdom of God. IV. As' AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE VARIED SCHOOLS OF LIFE-EXPERmNOE, In the great school of Alexandria Apollos is among the aristocracy of intellect; at Ephesus he is in the company of tent-makers. It is good to know life on nll sides; good to find ,irtue and grace in the most diverse society; and, above all, to detect in each scene the leading hand and educating wisdom of God.-J.