he will be. Great mercy in the blinding stroke, shutting him up in hie own thoughts, His cry was, "What wilt thou have me to do?" Gracious answer to the prayer. Coutrast between the prayers which Saul of Tarsus had previously offered, and that "wlhy prayer of penitence and faith. _Every event the summing up of.the past and prophecr of _t~e fut~re, like a seed which represeuts former and followmg harvests. Epochs in spmtual history which face both ways. .A representative faot; " Behold it I" " he prayeth." I. A GREAT srmITUAL ORANGE. 1. In the mind. Thoughts of JesUL Acceptance of Messiahship. Overthrow of legalism. Satisfaction of understanding in the Divine authority manifested. Exaltation of Israel. Wo must be changed in our thoughts. " What think ye of Christ?" 2. In the heart. The persecutor penetrated with the f, cling of Divine love. The perverse will, kicking against conscience, against the reproach which like a goad was left by the remembrance of Stephen's death, Personal sense of sin the root of a true conversion. "I am the man." 3. In the conduct. Obedience to the heavenly vision. Tractable as a child; led by the Spirit. The prayer recounts that his face was turned towards the new way. Christianity not a mere change of views or sentiments, but a proclaimed rule of life. Walk in the way. Obedience. II. AN EPOCH IN SPIRITUAL HISTORY. Little could Saul foresee his own future, yet that Peniei was the introduction of a prince of God to his kingdom. What a step from the chamber in Juda.s's house at Damascus to Rome's imperial palace I 1. Prayer the preparation for activity. Jesus in the mountain solitude. .All great spiritual heroes before they have gone do1vn into the battle-field. 2. Prayer the lifting up of the fallen. Peace with God. Reopened eyes. .A blotted-out past. The goads of conscience exchanged for the light of a new life, the message of a reconciled Father, the commission of the heavenly King to his chosen ambassadors. 3. Prayer the pledge of fellowship. He prayeth; go and pray with him. Private prayer and public prayer closely con- nected together. Reli:,;ion is not a secret thing. "Behold I" We should take know- ledge of the state of souls aro=d us. Those that feel prompted to secret prayer should welcome the visit of the Christian brother, and the appeal to take the Name of Christ upon them, and the place which is appointed us both in the fellowship and work of the Cturch.-R. Vere. 19-22.-The new convert proving his sincerity. L THE GRACE 01' Go» ELEVATING THE NATUllAL MAN. Characteristics of Saul appearing in the new phase of his life. 1. Intelligence. He is ready to grapple with subtle antagonists. He seizes the great central truth of the gospel-the Messiahship of Jesus. He employs his va.:;t knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. 2. Boldn688 and energy. Not even waiting for opportunity, but making it; entering the synagogues, producing amazement by his v·ehemence. 3. &if-surrender to Christ, as before consuming zeal for the Law. \Vhere lie was expected as the persecutor, there he appears as the convert. All sense of shame swallowed up in devotion t.o Christ. II. 'l'HE TBUE METHOD OF SPIBITUAL ADVANCEMENT. He "increased the more in strength.." 1. Conviction deepens by speaking. Many lose strength by remaining silent. Work for Christ lifts up the heart. The idle ones doubt; the active ones are cheerful 2. The sense of victory a great help, both to individuals and the Church. .A bold aggressive policy specially demanded. In proving the doctrine, we must advance into the midst of the opponents. Especially should those that can speak of great grace not be ashamed of Jesus. Personal testimonies have remarkable power. Let the world be amazed. 3. The gifts of the Spirit should not be restrained. Some- thing for each one to do. If we cannot speak, we can proclaim Obrist by the aotive life of benevolence. The disciples at Damascus gained great strength from the example of Saul .An earnest Church creates an earnest minist.er, and an earnest minister 1111 ea.rneat Church.-B. Vers. 23, 24.-The new faith ezposr,d to trial. All manifestations of God's Spirit stir up the opposition of the evil one. The bold faith drives back the enemy into ambllSh.. Conspiracy against truth alwaye means confession of weakness. The false Church takes coUD.Bel to kill But God knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, cm, Ill, l -48,] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 303
I. CoNemEB THl!l Ell'FEC71' UPON SAUL HIMSELF-on his faith on his future on his 1pirit, as preparing him for suffering and humiliation for Christ, ' We never kn~w what our religion is to us till we suffer for it and feel what it is in suffering. II. CoNBIDER; THE EFFECT ON THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD. The persecutor perse- cuted. The fa.1th of the new convert shown to be strong enough to stand such a trial, The seal of the Lord put upon his servant. He was dealt, with as many of the prophets, We must remember that we "fill up that which is behind of the 11utferings of Christ for bis Body's sake, which is the Church," Bo patient.-R.
Vcrs. 26-30.-The Ohurch's seal upon the new acquisition. Jerusalem. Its influence on all the Church. Natural doubt of the change. Difference between the 1:haracter of Saul and that of the leading apostles, Barnabas fitted to be a. medi.i.tor both by his loving disposition and large-mindedness as a Cypriot. ' I. A simple, candid DECLARATION OF FACTS the true foundation of confidence. Spiritual men cannot resist the evidence of the Spirit. II. BROTHERLY SYMPATHY may accomplish much in times of perplexity, both in helping us to overcome natural feeling and in facilitating personal intercourse. III. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LABOURER will prove his own work. Let the facts speak for themselves. Preach boldly, and all must acknowledge the Lord's presence. IV. AFFLICTIONS HELP FELLOWSHIP AND MUTUAL CONFIDENCE.-R.