sioned words of Peter, was disturbed by the measured tramp of advancing soldiery. The Captain of the temple, accompanied by his guard, came to arrest the preacher. The whole scene changes in a moment. Peter's voice is hushed, the crowd disperses,-the Apostles are seized, and the guard marches them off to prison.

men.

But how is this? What offence have the Apostles committed? Why should such good men be imprisoned? Why? Because they, being only Galilean fishermen, have presumed to teach the people, that being the exclusive work and prerogative of the Priest. Unauthorized teachers must not be allowed; the priestly province and order must not be invaded by unlettered and unofficial Why put them in prison ?" Ask the Sadducee this question; and he will tell you, it is because these men preach the doctrine of the resurrection, which the Sadducees altogether disbelieve. Peter and his companion say, that Jesus is risen from the dead; and they adduce a variety of argument and proof in support of their statement. The men must be silenced, or the people will be convinced. Do not listen to them, do not argue with them, put them in prison, and so make an end of it.

Poor misguided men! They thought they could bind the truth by binding its Ministers; that they could prevent the conversion of the people by incarcerating the Preacher. But he that sat in the heavens laughed at them the Almighty had them in derision. Probably these Priests and Sadducees had made all haste to the

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tower of Antonia, where the soldiers were stationed; and, by alleging that a tumult was likely to be raised among the people by the preaching of the Apostles, had succeeded in getting the temple-guard to interfere and take the offender into custody. Nevertheless, whatever haste they might have made, the mischief which they had apprehended was already done; the Holy Spirit had carried home the truth to the hearts of the people, so that "many of them that heard the word believed." There is neither counsel nor might against the truth and the Spirit of God. The Gospel of Christ will prevail against civil, ecclesiastical, and military power. All men shall know the truth, and by it be made free.

On the following morning Peter and John were examined before the Great Council; and, in answer to the question proposed to them, " By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" Peter, "filled with the Holy Ghost," made an admirable and triumphant defence : "Ye Rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which has become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

On hearing this address, the Council was utterly confounded. They had no reply to make. The facts which had been set forth were undoubted. The arguments based upon those facts were resistless; and conscience corroborated the whole. What could they do? They had

no reasons to advance; but they had authority. They were without argument, but not without power. They dared not punish, for fear of the people; but they could command and threaten. And they did so: " They commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." But the Apostles were not to be intimidated; and they said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

We have now, as proposed, glanced at the particulars of this miracle; at the effect produced upon the public mind; at the sermon preached about it in Solomon's porch; and at the consequences immediately resulting to the Apostles themselves: and, were it not that we have already reached the limit assigned to these observations, we should endeavour to make a useful application of the whole. As it is, we will only add, that the Apostles, while rendering obedience to the word of Christ, carefully imitated his example, and were instant in season and out

of

season, trying to do good to the bodies, as well as to the souls, of men. They had not worldly wealth; but

they had that which was infinitely more valuable,—the

unsearchable riches of Christ. These they had freely received; and they freely gave.

Many of us may say, "Silver and gold have we none;" but we are not therefore excused from the exercise of a divine charity. The soul of man is more precious than the body. The interests of the soul are of far higher moment than are those of the body. The evils that afflict the body are great; but the miseries of the soul are unspeakably greater. If, then, you are poor in regard to this world's goods, bring out your spiritual treasures, and bestow them generously. Tell men of a Saviour's love; guide them to him, in whose salvation they will find a "joy unspeakable and full of glory." Say to them what St. Peter said to the lame beggar: "Such as I have give I thee."

SCENE X.

KNEELING IN THE UPPER CHAMBER BY THE DEAD BODY OF DORCAS.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord."-Acts ix. 36-42.

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WHILE reading the sacred accounts of former times, and more especially those which relate to the supernatural appearances, and the wonderful transactions, then so common, we not unfrequently experience a feeling like regret that such prodigies are now all passed away, and probably for ever. No cloud of the Divine Presence now is seen, no voice from the excellent glory heard. The stupendous

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