of repcnte.nce, while the appeal was made, not on the ground of terror, for she knew nothing, bnt on the ground of simple trnth-Tell me the truth. 2. Of the spirit of di~cernmeut and, in the Name of the Lord, of prediction, Had not Peter uuder supcr- naturnl impulse foreseen the death of the woman, he would not have dared to utter such words. As it was, it was a responsibility which none but an inspired man would have assumed, Such a fact speaks volumes on the supernatural state of the Church at that time. Ill. A GRACIOUS APPLICATION of extraordinary facts. 1. To the OhurcA it.self. The 1mlemnization of fellowship. God thus said," Take heed how you join my people." The <>thical se~ in the light of the spiritual. "Be ye holy." The sins of falsehood, presump- tion, avarice, self-confidence, set forth. The Divine kingdom clearly revealed. If God is so near, and yet to all who trnst in Christ near to bless, how glorious this time I What is he not doing? and how little need·we fear the world's opposition when he can ~trike dead our enemies? "Stand still and see the salvation.'' Compare the Israelites looking back on Pharaoh's host and forward to the promised land. 2. To the world. " All that heard these things." Such facts preached, loudly and widely, where the preacher's voice did not reach. We must remember that grace and providence go hand- in-hand. F:,llow ground broken up by the ploughshare of terrible events and warning dispensations. "J udgment begins at the house of God; what shall the end be," etc.? Yet the "fear" was a fear mingled with the light of hope; for these deaths pointed to the way of life. The Church was the more conspicuously revealed as a refuge opened by God for all. So in the terrible times of human history religion has gone forth with special power. What message has philosophy at such times? Where are the rationalists and the doubters in the great crises of the world? Press home the facts upon those who tempt the Spirit of the Lord by untruthfulness, rebellion, indifference, worldliness.-R. Vers. 12-16.-" Clear shining after rain." The blessed effects of what at first is not fully understood. The outpouring of judgment may be a preparation for the outpouring of mercy. 'l'he Church has to be made and kept pure; then the deeper ~be work of grace among God's people becomes the larger the work of the gospel in the world. Notice- J. An increase in the manifestation of THE POWER OF THE SPmIT. 1. In the working of miracles, which had their special value in rousing attention and proving the nearness of God's kingdom. 2. In the separation, and magnifying in the eyes of the people, of the true ::hurch. The rest durst not join them ; the people magnified them. 3. In the solidifying of the Church as a society. Solomon's porch ; one accord. 4. In the work of conversion. Multitudes-men and women; notwithstanding the awful deaths. 6, Jn the diffusion of the glad tidings in the surrounding neighbourhood, not as mere idle rumour, but as a practical appeal which brought the needy and suffering to the feet of Chrut. II. THE tmFOLDING GBACE OF Gon to mankind. Solomon's porch the place of meeting still The centre of new life in the midst of the old corruption. Invitation to both Jews and Gentiles. Public place, yet connected with the temple. The Divine society inviting all to new life-a life that healed, that cared for the sick and dying, that drew the multitudes, the miracles giving confidence and pointing out th11 wa.y, The manifest testimony of the world to the Church, speaking of man's preparation for the gospel The marvellous progress of the truth in the growth of the Church a sign that the grace wa.s being abundantly bestowed. A time of great awakening and many conversions is a time of tremendous responsibility. At least the shadow of the messenger falls upon us, as he passes by. It is not said that the shadow healed, but it may help to the faith which is a prerequisite. The people magnify the work, though they way not receive the blessing. God works generally from the lower to the upper strata of society. .All great moral changes have begun among the people. The rich will resist for it is bard to them to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 'l'he Church must lr,ok ~ell to itself if it is to be the power of God in the world. The circle of grace will widen if only the force keeps going out from the centre. We must avoid the fatal JnisLake of enlarging that circle by mere human methods. Let God do it in his way. What we want is not large Churches as communities or wealthy societies, or great sign11 _,nd wonders wrought in our cities, but "believers added to the Lord, multitudes both of OU, V, 1-42.] THE AC'£S OJ!' THE APOSTLES. 175
ruon and women;" and they will be " the more added " because the rest dare not join themselves u~t<? them because the _Si;>irit of ~od is manifestly among them. Our great dF1ngcr 1s 1mpat1onoe and unbelief. Resortrng to our own expedients, because we think God's methods fail. Out of the dark cloud of Ananias's and Sapphira's sin broke forth a new baptism of zeal, devotion, and spirituality.-R.