and accordingly two candidates were proposed; Joseph, called Barsabas, and Matthias, both qualified for the great and important work. Having prayed that Divine providence would guide and direct their choice, they cast lots, and it fell upon the latter, who was admitted at once into their number.

After filling this vacancy, they spent their time in prayer and meditation till the feast of Pentecost, when the promise of their great Master in sending the Holy Ghost was fulfilled, in a remarkable manner, having the appearance of "cloven tongues of fire, resting upon each one of them."

This surprising transaction produced different effects on the minds of the people, some attributing it to the effect of a miracle, and others to the power of new wine; upon which the apostles all stood up, and Peter, in the name of the rest, undertook to confute this injurious calumny.

He told them that this scandalous slander proceeded from the spirit of malice and falsehood; that their censure was uncharitable as it was unjust; that it was early in the morning, and therefore not a time for drinking, especially on a day set apart for devotion; that these extraordinary and miraculous effects were but the accomplishment of an ancient prophecy, which the Almighty had expressly declared should be fulfilled in the times of the Messiah.

He continued boldly to explain the prophecies, and declare Christ to be the promised Saviour.

This discourse, though the first that Peter ever made in public, deeply affected the audience, and every word, like a dagger, pierced them to the heart; so that they cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

To which Peter answered, The only way to expiate your guilt, obtain pardon for the many sins you have committed, and acquire the gifts of the Holy Ghost, is to repent sincerely, and be baptized into the religion of this crucified Saviour.

He also used the most forcible and endearing expressions to prevail on them to listen to the inviting calls of the Son of God, and by that means to save themselves from the unavoidable ruin and destruction, which would shortly fall on the heads of the wicked and headstrong generation of unbe

lieving Jews. The effect of this discourse was equally wonderful and surprising; for vast numbers of those who before ridiculed the religion of Jesus, now acknowledged him for their Saviour, and flew to him for refuge from the impending

storm.

Soon after this wonderful effusion of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John, going up to the temple about three in the afternoon, near the conclusion of one of the solemn hours of prayer, they saw a poor, impotent cripple, near forty years of age, who had been lame from his birth, lying at the "Beautiful Gate" of the temple, and asking alms of those who entered the sacred edifice.

This miserable object moved their compassion; and Peter beholding him with attention, said, The riches of this world, the silver and gold so highly coveted by the sons of men, are not in my power to bestow; but I possess the power of restoring life and health, and am ready to assist thee.

Then taking the man by the hand, he commanded him in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, to rise up and walk.

Immediately his nerves and sinews were enlarged, and the several parts of his diseased members performed their natural functions. Upon which the man accompanied them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God.

So strange and extraordinary a cure filled the minds of the people with admiration, and their curiosity drew them around the apostles to view the men who had performed it.

Peter, seeing the multitude gathering round them, took the opportunity of speaking to them of the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer.

The amazing success Peter and John met with, could not fail of exciting the envy and attention of the rulers of Israel, who seized them, and put them in prison.

The next day they were carried before the Jewish Sanhedrim, and being asked by what power and authority they had done this, Peter boldly answered, Be it known unto you and to all the descendants of Jacob, that this miracle was wrought wholly in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom ye yourselves have crucified and slain, and whom the Almighty

hath raised again from the dead. Nor is there any other way by which you, or any of the sons of men can be saved, but by this crucified Saviour.

This boldness of the apostle was admired by all, even by the court of the Sanhedrim, and after beholding them with a kind of astonishment, they were ordered to withdraw, while they debated among themselves what was proper to be done.

They were finally forbidden to preach the gospel of Christ, but in answer to prayer they were replenished with fresh measures of the Holy Spirit, and enabled to continue with new ardor and boldness in proclaiming Christ's purchased salvation.

Many sold their possessions and gave all they had into the common treasury, for the promotion of the great work. Ananias and his wife Sapphira, were two who pretended to do thus, yet kept back part, hoping to deceive those who were guided by the Spirit of Omnipotence. Peter, on his first coming in, asked Ananias how he could suffer Satan to fill his heart with such enormous wickedness, as to think to deceive the Holy Ghost. That before it was sold, it was wholly in his own power, and afterward the money entirely at his own disposal; so that his action was capable of no other interpretation than that he had not only abused and injured man, but mocked the Almighty himself, who he must know was privy to his most secret thoughts. The apostle had no sooner finished, than Ananias, to the great surprise of all who were present, fell down dead by a stroke from heaven.

Not long after this his wife came in, whom Peter reproved in the same manner he did her husband, adding that she should immediately end her life in the same manner; upon which she was smitten by the hand of Omnipotence, and fell down dead, sharing with her husband in the punishment, as she had before in the heinous crime.

But such instances of severity were very extraordinary; the power of the apostles was generally exerted in works of mercy and beneficence toward the sons and daughters of affliction. They cured all kinds of diseases, and cast out

devils, so that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them upon beds and couches, that the shadow at least, of Peter, as he passed by, might cover some of them; well knowing that a single touch or word was sufficient to remove the most inveterate disease.

The apostles were again interrupted in their work, by the interference of the rulers, who put them in prison.

Their power, however, was limited, and like the drop of a bucket to the ocean, when opposed to the Almighty arm of the great Jehovah.

The prison doors, though fastened with the utmost caution, opened of themselves at the approach of a messenger from the courts of heaven, who commanded the apostles to leave the dungeon, repair to the temple, and preach the glad tidings of the gospel to the people.

The officers, returning in the morning, found the prison doors shut and guarded, but the prisoners were gone.

This remarkable circumstance greatly alarmed them, and they repaired to the council to acquaint them with what had happened. The rulers were astonished at the news; but hearing that the apostles were preaching in the temple, they sent an officer to bring them, with the least violence to their persons, before the Sanhedrim. Their orders were soon obeyed, and the disciples of Jesus placed before the same court that had so lately condemned their Master.

The high priest asked them how they dared to propagate a doctrine they had lately so strictly charged them not to preach; to which Peter, with characteristic boldness replied, "We certainly ought to obey God, rather than man.”

Thus true was Peter's devotion, ever after his bitter repentings which succeeded the denial of his Lord.

CHAPTER XXV.

MIRACLES PERFORMED BY PETER; HIS VISION; SUCCESS OF HIS PREACHING REMARKABLE DELIVERANCE FROM PRISON; BANISHMENT FROM ROME; SECOND IMPRISONMENT, AND FINAL MARTYRDOM.

HE apostles who continued at Jerusalem were soon informed of the remarkable success of the ministry of one Philip, a deacon, at Samaria, and thought necessary to send him assistance.

Accordingly Peter and John were deputed to this infant church; who, having prayed and laid their hands on the new converts, they received the Holy Ghost.

Such miraculous gifts astonished Simon, a magician of the place, and, desirous of obtaining the same privilege, he offered the disciples money to invest him with this power, that on whomsoever he laid his hands, he might receive the Holy Spirit.

But Peter, who perceived the insincerity of his heart, rejected his offer with scorn and detestation. "Thy money,' said the great apostle, " perish with thee." And as thy heart is full of hypocrisy and deceit, thou canst have no share nor portion in so great a privilege. Simon was terrified at the speech of Peter; his conscience flew in his face, and he prayed the apostles to make intercession for him at the throne of grace, that the Almighty might pardon his sin, and not inflict on him those heavy judgments.

The apostles did not stay any longer in Samaria than was necessary to confirm the faith of the new converts, and preach the gospel in the adjacent villages; after which they returned to Jerusalem.

The storm, though violent, being at length blown over, the church enjoyed a time of calmness and serenity; during which Peter went to visit the churches lately planted in those parts, by disciples whom the persecution had dispersed.

At his arrival at Lydda, he miraculously healed Eneas, who had been afflicted with the palsy, and confined to his