The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 160

of what is Raid and done. -4. Buch services need not be unduly limited or too eaaily altered in charncter for the sake of the young. 5. Such services should take into due account, and deal conRidemtely with, the physical infirmities of the young. It is possible, by securing variety in forms of worship, changing attitudes, and efficient illustro.tion In preaching, to successfully resist the infirmities of the children. If we find our public services uninteresting, we may question whether we are not, like the apostle, ourselves to blame. II. ST. PAUL FELT THAT THE DEATH 011' EUTYCHUS WOULD BE lllIBUNDERSTOOD. Too ee.aily the company would take up the notion that this was a judgment on inattention, and such e,n idea must be at once and fully corrected. In such a case as that of Ananias and Sapphira, no apostle would feel impelled to put forth miraculous power ; the judgment of God on sin must stand. But the case of Eutychus belonged to what may fairly be called "accidents." A conjunction of circumstances brought it about- heat, sleepiness, the position in which Eutychus eat, the open window, etc.; a.nd this St. Pa.ul may deal with in a way of miracle, just as Elijah and Elisha had done in cases of sudden death from disease (see 1 Kings x:vii. 21; 2 Kings iv. 34). It is quite true that Christia.nity makes great demands on self-control and self-denial. It expects the spirit to master the body; but it makes its demands of the full-grown" man in Christ;" and, only in appropriate measures and degrees, on those who are young in years and. young in the faith. The restoration of Eutychus may be regarded as a prominent and interesting illustration of the" sweet reasonableness" of Christianity.-R. T. Vere. 9-11.-Earnestness in pre.aching and hearing. The subject is suggested by the conversation, or the address, being lengthened out by the mutual affection of St. Paul and his audience. They were unwilling for him to cease ; he was unwilling to keep back anything that might be a help and a blessing to them. That night there were just the conditions that made "long preaching" advisable, and prevented its being thought a weariness. The impulse of the preacher is such an audience; the joy of the audience is such a preacher, Tell of the associations of St. Paul with Troas, and give illustrative instances of his singular power to draw out towards himself the affection of those whom he served for Christ's sake. A feeling of oppression and anxiety at this time rested on the apostle-he felt that his missionary labours were almost done, and this gave a peculiar urgency and tenderness and pathos to his preachings. They had the characteristics of "last utterances " and " farewells." J. THE llllPORTANOE OF 0UB BA VING PERSONAL CONFIDENCE IN, .L'fl> GLOWING AFFEC• TION FOR, oun TEACHERS. So far as mere truth is concerned, a stranger with competent knowledge can instruct us; but truth, in its personal relations with us, can only be taught by those who know us; and our ability to receive such influence depends largely on our love for those who give it. Press the importance of settled ministries, of regular attendance at the same worship, and of coming into such relations with our "pastors and teachers" as may bring on us the power of their personal characters. Apply tho principle," Faithful are the wounds of a friend;" and our pastors should be felt such friends that we can receive both reproof and comfort and instruction from them. II. THE DEMANDS WHICH TRUST AND AFFECTION MAKE Ul'ON 0UB TEACHERS. Theso people would not let St. Paul go; they kept him talking all night. He was compelled to respond to such love, and to pour forth his best treasures of knowledge and experience for their help. Trust and love still make the highest demands on our teachers, demands sometimes so great that ministers feel overwhelmed with the tremendous responsibility. Nothing draws out the best in a man like trusting him and loving him. Money can never buy a man's best; duty can never compel a man's best; love can always win a man's best, just as a pure love makes a man noble, and a babe's love calls a mother to sublime self-denials. The one condition of receiving the best spiritual blessings from a Christian teacher is that you must trust and love him as his disciples did St. Paul. Hie relations with his disciples are models, and happy are they who can give a like joy to their teacher and cnn win like blessings from him. In conclusion, deal practically with those things which constitute fitting preparation of ~earers for receiving the best spiritual blessings through their teachers. Such prepa- rations are: 1. Geneml, bearing upon good worshipping habits; right relations with Church life; and personal knowledge of, and affection for, the teacher. 2. Special to  166 'l'HE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [on. xx. 1-38.