pure and healthy happiness and domestic joy, there is tho reflection of the "joy ol God to see a happy world." "God is wisdom, God is love; "-this is the refrain of the hoart true to itself; nor can the occasional discorus of bodily pain or mental perplexity mar the sweetness of the music or obscure the clearness of the evidence.--J. Vere, 21-28.-Return eo Antioch: l'J pictur8 of apostolic actiuity. The scene quickly changed at Lyetra. The multitude, wrought upon by Jews from Antioch and Iconium, rise up against Paul, and stone their late hero and god. Fickle world, which now brings garlands and now stones I "Every generation stones by-and-by its own gods, but every time has its own method of _stoning." The boldest antagoni9ts of the kingdom of darkness arouse most foes; Paul 1s stoned, not Barnabas. Perhaps his own act comes back upon him in stoning Stephen; certainly it must be present to his mind. God makes of our own past evil acts whips to scourge us or stones to pelt us. But Paul rises from the ground. "Rejoice not, 0 mine enemy, for though I fall I shall rise again." 'fhe story is told of Numidicus at Carthage, in the time of Cyprian, that, half burned and stoned, he lay as dead. His daughters came to bury him, whereupon he arose and went into the city. The next day, following the marching orders," When they persecute you in one city, flee into another," Paul goes forth with Barnabas to Derbe. Now comes a rapid sketch of busy labour. L CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHRISTIAN PREACHER. 1. He is not to be cast down by disappointment nor defeated by opposition. Faith, tried by fire, proves its endLiring quality. The more the apostle suffers, the more glowing becomes bis love. He returns, as if by irresistible attraction, to the scene of defeat. It is just those souls which resist us tbat we must mark out for conquest; they will be well worth perseverance to gain. 2. He is ever seeking for new worlds to conquer for the kingdom of Christ. Ever planting and propagating the Word in virgin ground, the motto of the missionary is. "To-morrow to fresh fields and pastures new." 3. His cares and duties are manifold. This is suggestively brought out by the different words employed. He" evangelizes;" i.e. he announces the good news of the kingdom; he proclaims, or preaches, in the proper sense, Christ. Next, he "instructs" (,uu811n6<1v) the converts, so that they become disciples, i.e. men taught and ever learning more of Christian truth. He al.so "strengt.hens," or "confirms," Christian believers, by calllng to mind and applying the old truths. He " exhorts," bringing the force of personal love and suasion to bear on the will, "speaking from the heart to the heart." To keep men in the faith is no less an anxiety than to bring them into it, 4. He is the comforter. He sheds a light upon man's troubles, by showing that it is through them the path lies to the kingdom of God. "The path of sorrow, nnd that path alone, Leads to that land where sorrow is unknown." Christianity glorifies suffering; apart from it, we sink amidst them into II cheerless pessimism or a blind resignation. 5. He has to take part in the government and guidance of communities. The appointment of officers over the different Churches is here mentioned. Christianity is a social as well as an individual life, and social life must have its organization. If we ca.refully study this short passage (vers. 21-23), we find in it a compendium of the Christian minister's duties, Truly- " 'Tie not a oause of small import The pastor's care demands." II. THE BLEBBINGB ATTENDANT ON THE PBEAOHING OF THE GOSPEL. 1. Reflex blessings on the mind and heart of the preacher; assurance through suffering and trial and experience of Divine help. Even if a man sees but little present fruit of bis labour, he has reason to thank God for the effect upon bis own spirit and character of a. work so holy on the souls of others, Discimus docendo-W e learn by teaching ; and he that watereth is watered himself. 2. To those who receive the message. Instead of the wild irregularity of passion and fancy, Christian order and sobriety takes possession of the soul, Idle fubles are driven out by the Divine Word. 3. To the supporters and mes~engers of missionary work. Joyous was the welcome, great the thanksgiving at A.nhoop. wh\ln tµe IQjssionaries ceime bac~. And so ever; refr~~hrnent of !~ith, 448 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [en. XlV, 1-28.
broadening of symy,athiPs, quicbning of intelligence, ever follows upon the receipt of good news from the fields of Christian work, and opening of new doors to the free passage of the ·word.-J.
Veni. 1-7.-Faithful service: Iconium. I. The MAGNANIMITY r.:i the preoohers; though badly used by the Jews of Antioch, they still return good for evil. II. THE FIRST SUCCESS OF THE WORD, when there was no decided attempt to thwart it, a powerful testimony to its adaptation both to Jews and Gentiles. Ill. THE TENAOITY AND E:IIDURANCE of the re1,resentatives of truth must be set over against the fickleness of their hearers and the obstinacy and envy of evil-minded men. The Lord bears witness to us when we speak boldly in his ~nme. IV. There is A LIMIT TO ZEAL. It must not unnecessarily llitcrifice life. Fly to other places when the testimony is persistently rejected. "Cast not pearls before swine." The true wisdom is seen exemplified in this instance. The preachers remained at their post until their lives were actually in da:nger, and God said clearly," Go."-R.