Et.hiopian eunuch, to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. That chapter, like so much more of Old Testament prophecy, appeals to the deepest yearnings of the awakening heart, to the sense of sin, the feeling of need, the longing for atonement, the reachina forth of the soul for a personal Saviour. Prophecy is a "burning and a shining light,'il as John the Baptist was; his office was to lead men to Christ, to say, "Behold the Lamb of God!" Such is the office of prophecy. Its guiding lamp is precious; but more precious far to the individual soul is the revealed presence of that Saviour of whom all prophecy speaks. His presence, manifested according to his promise into the Christian heart, is the dawn of the spiritual day, He is the Day-star, the Light. bringer; for be is the Light, the Light of the world. Precious above all price is the clear brightness of that holy day; precious, therefore, is prophecy, as it guides 'liS onward through the encircling gloom till the dawning of the day, and the risin" of the Bright and Morning Star. And we shall value the guidance of prophecy the ~ore when we consider the source from which it comes. '.l'he prophecies of Holy Scripture are not the result of human thought. The prophet did not himself unravel the mysteries of the future. It was not Joseph who interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh, or Daniel who interpreted the visions of Nebuchadnezzar. It was not for the prophet to interpret the revelation presented to himself. Interpretation as well as vision comes from God. "It is not in me," said Joseph: "God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets," said Daniel to the king. Prophecy came from heaven, like the voice which spake at the Transfiguration; it was borne to the prophet, as that voice was borne to the Lord. The holy men who uttered the prophecies were borne along by the Holy Spirit of God. God who spake at the Transfiguration is the God who spake by the prophets. Both forms of testimony come from him ; both are sure and certain; the one makes the other surer. LESSONS, 1. St. Peter looked forward cal.m.1y to the approach of death; we should learn to do the like, He regarded the nearness of death as an incentive to earnest work ; we should follow his example. 2. The external evidence of our religion is sure; we have ihe testimony of eye-witnesses, who themselves had the testimony of God. We have the testimony of prophets who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. 3. But the surest evidence to each individual soul is the manifestation of Christ, the Day-star, rising in the heart. "Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1.-Peter's primacy. We have, in the career and the fame of St. Peter, an extraordinary instance of a man rising from obscu1ity to renown. A Galilrean fisherman became the leader of the college of apostles, and has for centuries been acknowledged by the whole of Christendom as one of its inspired teachers and counsellors; whilst by a great part of Christendom Peter has been regarded as the chief human head' and ruler of the Church, first in his own person, and afterwards by those considered to be his successors. It is certainly very remarkable in how very many respects Peter stands first among our Lord's apostles, Confining ourselves to the scriptural narrative, disre- garding all traditions, and giving no heed to superstitioua claims, we cannot but admit the many evidences of St. Peter's primacy. L PETER WAS THE FIRST AMONG THE LITTLE GROUP OF OHOSEN DISCIPLES ADMITTED TO WITNESS CrrRIBT's GLORY, Peter was the first-mentioned of the three who saw the transfigured Son of man upon the holy mount; and it was he who, as the spokesman of the others, exclaimed, "It is good for us to be here." li. PETER OCCUPIED THE SAME POSITION AMONGST THOSE CHOSEN TO TESTIFY OF TIIE S.t.VIOUR's HUMILIATION AND AGONY, In the garden of Gethsemane, Simon was one of the same band of three whom Jesus kept near to himself; and his prominent action in his Master's defence is proof of his admitted leadership. III. PETER WAS THE FIRST OF THE APOSTLES '!'O BEAR WITNESS TO THE Loan's MEsSIAHBHIP AND DIVINITY. It was his exclamation, "'l'hou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," which called forth the Lord's approval and original blessing, " Blessed 1?.rt thou, Simon," etc, oH, 1. 1-21.J THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 19
JV, PETER WAS TlIE FIRST TO PI:OCLAIM THE SAVIOUR'S RESORRECTION FROM THF: DEAD, Paul himself records that the risen Redeemer first appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. "'l'he Lord bath risen indeed, and bath appeared unto Simon "-such were th? joyful tidings which circulated among the little company during the resurrect10n-day. V, PETER WAB THE FIRST, AFTER THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPII\IT, TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO IIIB FELLOW-MEN, Upon the Day of Pentecost he stood up, and in the name of the brethren published to the multitude the explanation of the marvellous events of that day. As the chief speaker and representative of the Church, he proclaimed, not only the facts of the Resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit, but panlon and salvation through the redemption which Christ had wrought. VI. PETER WAS THE FIRST AMONG CHRISTIAN CONFESSORS TO ENDURE AND TO DEFY THE RAGE OF THE PERSECUTOR. The storm broke upon the loftiest oak of the forest. Peter was naturally selected by the enemies of the faith as its most public and powerful representative, that he might be made to feel their power. But his attitude and limguage proved that he was conscious of the presence and support of One mightier than all those wbo were opposed to him. VII, PETER WAS THE Flll.ST AMONG THE TWELVE TO WELCOME BELIEVI::,.G GENTILES INTO THE CHUROH OF CHRIST. The case of Cornelins, the circumstances attending the "Council of Jerusalem,'' are sufficient proof of this. Although the "apostle of the circumcision," it is plain that Peter was in fullest sympathy with that Divine move- ment of expansiveness which was to represent Christianity as the religion for mankind, and Christ as the Saviour of the world. VIII. PETEB WAS THE FIRST CONCERNING WHOM IT WAS FORETOLD THAT HE SHOULD SUFFER A DEATH OF MARTYRDOM FOR THE LoRD WHOM HE LOVED. Jesus himself fore- warned him of the fate which was before him, and even signified what death he should die. He who counted it an honour to fulfil his Lord's will, and to proclaim b.is Lord's grace and love, when the time came, counted it a joy to share his Master's reproach and to bear his Master's cross.-J. R. T.