The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 213

natural. For certainly (2) the event proved that the occl\Slon waa, in point of fact, one of the most supreme sort. Most remarkable and most fatal was the chill ta.keu by "the people." It had looked 11.11 though Jerusalem would not have been in vain • begun with i_n the" preaching of the gospel. It bad looked as though that "greal company of pnests" who became" obedient to the faith" decided the tide of victory and made the day one ever notable and glorious. But the prospect terribly clouds over, and fair hopes are dashed to the ground. '!'his the event proves. But the foreseeing eye, the foreknowing great mind, heeded not the event, yet treats that oncoming decisive struggle as though there were still hope, and gives it every help, if ha.ply Jerusalem may be still snatched from its self-chosen destruction. It is so constantly, that God, though he foreknows, still lengthens out the opportunity and the offer of grace and help. Behind the fact lies, doubtless, one of the great mysteries, ns yet unapprehendcd, nay, untouched, by the apprehension of man. Certain it is that foreJ..--:nowledge with us would peremptorily strip off from us alike impartial conduct and courage, whether for what awaited ourselves or for what awaited others. We should never keep a steady hand or hold on a steady way. But is Jerusalem in the TJery act of sealing her fate ?-still to the last the hand, the voice, the features of Divine pity and love, continue or redouble their appeal ffi. THE SEALING OF HIS FAITHFUL TESTIMONY WITH HIS LIFE-BLOOD WAB NOW Dil.ll:INEl.'T FOR STEPHEN. And this is like the grace and free liberality of the Master. Ha.s Stephen's career been very short ?-yet be has run bravely the race, he has fought well the fight. And even before the crown above, and before the glorious witness there, he shall have a telling and to-be-remembered witness here also, on the very scene of bis conflict, and in the very eyes of those whom he sought to save, but who sought to destroy him. Either we do often call that a miracle which needs not the name, or we very often fail to call that a miracle which begs the name; for tender analogies to the thing wrought now for Stephen have been even frequent since and up' to the present. When the end comes very near for the faithful, how mellowed his feeling and how calmed his temper and how serene his countenance I When the last hour approaches, bow often does physical pain resign her hitherto implacable tyranny, and mental aberration subside into a resumption of childlike instead of childish disposition and docility of thought and feeling! When the last moments arrive for those who have "struggled long with sins a.nd doubts and fears," but who nevertheless have been faithful both to work and to love, how often does the actual countenance speak of the peace that reigns undisturbed within, and sights are seen and songs are hw.rd which nothing but the callousness of the infidel can possibly deny or throw doubt upon! This very thing was going to be so for Stephen, while he is being stoned. :But it is anticipated by-shall we say-a brief half-hour. For his last argument he shall have more light within than ever before-the logic of very light; and in his last gazing and impassioned looks turned on the gainsaying people his face shall reflect the light of God.-B. Vera. 1, 2.-The call for order in the Church. It arose out of the very fact of increase. The association of people together demands organization and order. A few persons may have such an interest in each other and such a knowledge of each other as will enable them to dwell together in peace without formal rules, and this is abundantly illustrated from family life; but large aggregations of people, mostlJ unknown to each other, that are based only on some common sentiment on a particular subject, must be set under rule and order; society, as distinct from the family, requires organization and government. The first occasion of difficulty arose out of the party spirit, and out of the jealousy some felt on account of others getting undue advantages. These two veI1!88 suggest two subjects for consideration. L THE CALL FOR OBDEB AS JIU.DE BY THE PEOPLE, Sooner or later, society, clubs, and nations find out that order is necessary to secure both the general and the individual well-being, comfort, and success in life. Illustrate by the consequences of civil commotion, class conflicts, or society jealousies. The same is true within Christ's Church. Offences will come. Jealousies and envies do arise. But Church members soon cry out for the order and rule which alone can ensure peace, growth, or prosperity. Every man who joins a commwuty has to learn that he must give up his independence cu. VL 1-15,] 'l'HE AO'l'S OF TllE APOSTLES. 209