before it fouml its footing, mndo its mark, and left behind it memories equally lastin"' o.nd fragrant. Amid the wide group of suggestions offered by these verses, we may especially note the following 1\8 particularly worthy of a place in connection with this history:- 1. 'l'HE WATCHFULNESS OJ!' THE MASTER OVER HIS SERVANTS TO Dl': WELL TRUSTED. God had guided Po.ul and his companions, after a fierce voyage a.t a.II events, to a. safa haven at last. But here also they found, (1) in common with a.11 the company, for very humanity's sake, kindness, and '' no common kindness" either; and (2) they found also for themselves honoured and distinguisherl entertainment. How often since bas this been seen true I What kindness, what entertainment, ha.s been heartily ;:-:iven to men as the servants of Christ, which nothing else personal to themselves would have either earned for them or entitled them to I II. 'l'HE ENCOURAGEMENT TO KillDNESS OJ!' HEART AND OJ!' ACT THAT CHRISTIANITY PROMOTES, Publius showed kindness, doubtless not imagining any reward for himself. But most surely he received abundant recompense of reward. The prospect of any such return undoubtedly is not to be waited for or reckoned upon, but the bouatifol hand of Jesus, whose generosity will never be outdone, ought to be noted. Generous, indeed, a.re the acknowledgments of Christianity. It repays kindness of heart and kind- ness of a.et with an inner satisfaction and with a. practical beneficence " heaped up and flowing over,'' yea., a thousandfold. III. How SURELY, ESSENTIALLY, IT J,IES IN CHRISTIAN WORK TO SPREAD. It might be uttered as a taunt against Christian action, or at all events against this illustration of it, that the benefits were those of miraculous help to the body. But the taunt would be most unjust, for if there be one thing plainly written on the historic pages of Chris- tianity now these eighteen centurie~, it is this, that wherever its works are found-not simply its profession-life and inquiry and devotion are found. Whenever souls are being saved, and wherever, there and then are found a life and spirit of inquiry and- the multitude athirst. IV. How DEEPLY IT SEEMS TO LIE IN THE GENIUS OJ!' CHRISTIANITY TO EVOKE GRATITUDE OJ!' TJIE LARGEST AND STRONGEST AND MOST PRACTICAL. It is quite true that there is " a.11 the world's" difference between the blessings that Christianity gives and the returns that it receives from those most deeply, truly, touched by it. Yet none the less is it true that, when these bring of their best, though that best may be far as earth below heaven, it is to be accepted as a true testimony of their gratitude, "well pleasing to God." For what Paul had done the islanders returned" many honours," and actually" laded him with such things as were necessary." V. How GREAT A PRACTICAL ADVANTAGE IT IS TO ANY GROUP OR COMMTh"ITY OJ!' PERSONS TO BAVE AMONG THEIR NUMBER ONE OR TWO OJ!' THE BEAL CHRISTIAN STAMP. Probably the special reference of ver. 10 is to Paul and his immediate collaboratev.rs, who had lodged with him at the house of Publius, and had come to be known as particularly belonging to him, as he taught or worked miracles among the people. Yet, at any rate, we are certainly not told cf a single thing these said or did, till we are told how they came in for a share of all the bountiful, generous things given by the islanders, " Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, Jaded us with such things as were necessary." 'l'here were none ever in the company of Jesus but had the opportunity of taking infinite advantage from it. And there are none in the company of the thorough, honest uncompromising servant of Christ, but get some share of the advantage.-B.
Ver. 14.-.A week with brethren. It cannot be that this one verse was written for nothing. Like a we.if and stray on the wide waters of Scripture, to the careless eye, it is anything but really such. We may notice touching the events the verse records- I. THEm PABTIOULAR SIGNIJ!'I0AN0E ON TBIS occAsroN. 1. They included the heighten- ing pleasure of a very agreeable surprise. 2. 'l'hey speak the affection of a hearty invita- tion. Invitations are often as superficial and insincere and abased to ill purpose as m11ny other good things. But the genius of them is good. They mean care and regard, respect and love, willinghood and an anticipation of what may be in brcthren's hearts. 3. They are tinted with a certain sacred hue. Did not n " seven days'" press- ing invitation mean to make sure of one "day of the Lord" together? Those who gave All'f&-U, ~ 838 'l'HE ACTS OF 'l'HE APOSTLES. [on. xxvm. 1--31.