[The apostle Paul adds some particulars to the early part of his history, in his epistle written to the Church at Galatia.]

But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my birth, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might proclaim him among the Heathen, immediately I communicated not with flesh and blood, neither did I go up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and again I returned to Damascus. Then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem, to visit Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles, I saw none, except James the brother of the Lord. (Now, in regard to the things which I am writing to you, behold, before God, I lie not.) Then I went to the countries of Cyria and Cilicia. But I remained personally unknown to the Churches of Judea, which were in Christ; only they were hearing [reports] that he who formerly persecuted us, now proclaims the faith which once he was destroying. And they gave glory to God on my account. Gal. i. 15-24.

QUESTIONS ON LESSON VII.

WHAT was Saul continuing to do?

What measures did he adopt for that purpose?
What happened to him on the way to Damascus ?

Who spoke to him?

What did he say?

What did Saul answer?

After this vision whither did he go?

What condition was he in for three days?

Who was sent to him?

Who sent him?

What did the Lord say to Ananias he intended to make

Paul?

Of what city was Saul a native?

What did Ananias say to Saul?

What happened?

What did Saul do after this in Damascus ?

How did the Jews behave to him?
How did he escape from them?
Whither did he then go?

What did he attempt to do there?

Did the apostles receive him at first?

Who introduced Saul to them, and satisfied their minds?

What did we read of Barnabas in a former lesson ?

What did Saul do at Jerusalem ?

How did the Grecians behave?

Who were the Grecians? (See a former Lesson, note.) Where did the brethren send him to?

Where did Paul go after God revealed his Son in him?
Where next?

How long was it before he went up to Jerusalem ?
Whom did he see there?

How long did he remain ?
Where did he then go?

LESSON VIII.

The persecution ceases-Peter heals Eneas at Lydda-goes to Joppa, where he raises Tabitha— Cornelius is directed to send to Joppa for PeterPeter sees a vision directing him to go to Cornelius-he goes, and Cornelius and all his household believe, and are baptized.

FROM ACTS IX. AND X.

So the Churches had rest throughout all Judea, and Gallilee, and Samaria, and were

*

The Roman

*The Churches had rest.—The attention of the Jewish rulers seems to have been at this time drawn away from persecuting the Christians, by a persecution with which they themselves were threatened. Caligula, now Roman Emperor, had ordered that his own statue should be erected in the temple at Jerusalem. When this profane order arrived, the Jews were in consternation. general was advancing upon the city. The Jews entreated that he would desist till they had time to make a representation of the case to the Emperor, which was granted. The Emperor, on receiving the message, was enraged, and threatened to proceed himself, and see his orders fulfilled. But in the mean time he was assassinated. Thus God gave a breathing time to the Church, that it might be edified and comforted.

edified: and, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

And it came to pass, as Peter was proceeding throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.* And there he found a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was paralytic. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee, arise and make thy own bed. And immediately he arose. And all that dwelt at Lydda, and Saron, † saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Now, at Joppa, there was a certain disciple by name Tabitha, who by interpretation [of the name] is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works, and alms-deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died; and having washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. And Lydda being near to Joppa, and the disciples having heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter rose up, and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, 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

* Lydda.-A town about 32 miles westward of Jerusalem. Saron.-A neighbouring town, which gave its name to a spacious and beautiful valley that reached from Joppa to Cesarea.

Joppa.-A town about 14 miles from Lydda, on the sea coast, being the nearest port town to Jerusalem. The remains of it still exist, under the name Jaffa.

up: and having called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known through all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass, that he remained many days in Joppa, with one Simon, a tanner.

Now there was a certain man in Cesarea, * named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band: a devout man, and one that feared God with all his household, giving much alms to the people; and praying to God alway. He saw in a vision openly, about the ninth hour of the day,+ an angel of God coming into him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now, send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side: he will tell thee what thou must do.

And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius, was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that attended on him continually and having related all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

:

* Cesarea. A town lying to the north of Joppa, also on the sea coast. It was previously called Strattan's tower, but Herod rebuilt it, added a commodious harbour to it, and named it after his patron, Augustus Cæsar. Its ruins still remain.

+ Italian band.-A band consisting not of Syrians, but of native Italians. That there were such bands or cohorts in Syria, appears from other sources of information. They seem to have stood in the same relation to the other troops, which British regiments in India bear to the native troops. Cornelius was a name well known at Rome, being the name of an ancient illustrious family, although there were many of the common people who had the same name.

Ninth hour.-Nine hours after sunrise, or about three o'clock in the afternoon.

On the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drawing near to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and wished to eat: but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet, tied at the four corners, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, call not thou common. This was done thrice and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Now, while Peter was perplexed in himself what this vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having found Simon's house by inquiry, stood before the gate, and calling, asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter was thinking on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee: but arise, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing for I have sent them.

Then Peter having gone down to the men, said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye are come? And they said, Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and having good testimony from all the

* Sixth hour. i. e. noon, one of the regular hours of prayer among the Jews.

+ Peter might, without this intimation, have been alarmed when he heard that three men, and one of them a soldier, were seeking him.