the Jews to gather in, knew how to prepare the minds of his ministers for so rich a work.

In Cesarea, the residence of the Roman governor, lived Cornelius, a centurion, a devout man who had been reclaimed from idolatry, and who, according to the light which had been afforded him, worshipped God; was just, exemplary, and eminently charitable. This man was warned of God, to send for Peter, and hear from him the words of eternal life. At the same time, Peter was instructed by a vision from heaven, not to call any man common or unclean. When, therefore, the messengers of Cornelius came to him at Joppa, he went with them without delay, and declared to the centurion and his household, the glorious Gospel of the grace of God. While he was preaching, the Holy Ghost fell on all his hearers, and they were converted to the Lord, and by the ordinance of baptism, admitted to the Christian Church. Such were the first fruits of the Spirit among the Gentiles. Thus was the wall of partition, which had stood for ages between Jews and heathen, broken down. How valuable was the Gospel to one of the best men the heathen world could boast! Before he heard it, he was highly esteemed among men, but he had no peace in his own breast. He had been daily an anxious inquirer at the throne of grace for peace and life. He now found them in the doctrine of forgiveness, through the blood of Christ. The best men in heathen lands deserve our compassion, for they know nothing of pardoning mercy, or the consolations of the Holy Ghost. Let the pride of narrow-minded, selfish men, who have long considered themselves the sole favourites of heaven, be rebuked. Among those whom such hate and view as outcasts, may be some of the brightest jewels in the Redeemer's crown.

The Christian temper was happily exhibited by the brethren at Jerusalem, when they heard of this unexpected enlargement of the Church. They viewed it at first indeed as irregular, and were disposed to censure Peter; but no sooner had he declared his divine commission and related to them the operation of the Spirit, than they glorified God for his mercy. Some measures may often be accounted inconsistent with long established principles and customs; and men may be brought into the kingdom of Christ, who, for various reasons, we might have supposed would never have a place there; but when satisfactory evidence is given that such, even through these means, are truly converted to the Lord, all prejudices are by the correct mind, sacrificed; the hand of fellowship is extended, and God is glorified.

were filled with more love and zeal for Christ, they were strengthened, animated, and joyful; and to their own utter amazement, were enabled to speak the various languages of man

kind.

This descent of the Holy Spirit formed a new Era in the lives of the Apostles, and of the Church of God. We no longer find the Twelve, the ignorant. timid, worldly-minded men they had been. The nature of Christ's kingdom; the benevolence of his errand; the perishing condition of the world; their high and holy office; were all full before them and took an amazing hold of their minds and hearts. They now cheerfully sacrificed the world, were ready to go forth and stand before kings and Gentiles and Jews, preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to lay down their lives, if Christ might be glorified in them.

They instantly commenced their ministry, by preaching the gospel according to Christ's express command, first to the Jews, that, if possible, they might bring that deluded people to the saving knowledge of the truth. Astonishment filled the minds of all who heard them. Jerusalem was at that time crowded with Jews from every country. In consequence of the numerous wars in which they had for centuries been engaged, with the heathen nations, the people were scattered in all parts of the Roman empire. Multitudes had from time to time been carried away captive, and not a few had gone from their own land for security and peace. These generally adopted the language of the people among whom they resided; but strictly adhered to the religion of their fathers; and, as much as possible, the pious among them went annually to Jerusalem, to the feast of Pentecost. At the very moment, therefore, that the Apostles were endued with the wonderful powers of speaking in divers tongues, there were devout men out of every nation in Jerusalem ;-Parthians and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Lybia, about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes, Cretes and Arabians ;-all these heard the Apostles speak, every man, in the tongue in which he was born. The native Jews who understood not these languages, and were disposed to ridicule the Apostles, said, "These men are full of new wine." The charge roused the spirit of Peter, and, in an ever memorable sermon, he showed them the utter improbability of the thing, from its being only the third hour of the day, when no Jew was ever found in that situation; that this was an

accomplishment of a prophecy of Joel, by the power of that Jesus whom they had rejected before Pilate, and with wicked hands crucified and slain; but who, according to the prediction of David, God had raised up to sit on his throne. A close application of truth to their consciences; a bold charge upon them as murderers of the Lord of life and glory, was not made in vain. The multitude were pricked in the heart. Curiosity at the wonderful miracle, was turned into distress for themselves. They felt that they were exposed to the wrath and curse of God for their vile treatment of his Son; and exclaimed, in the anguish of their souls, Men and brethren what must we do? Peter opened to them the treasures of the gospel, and directed them to that same Jesus whom they had crucified, for eternal life. He called them to immediate repentance, and submission to God in the ordinances of the gospel; assuring them of the remission of their sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. The effect was glorious. Three thousand were converted to the Lord, and, on a profession of faith and repentance, were baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

This was the first administration of Christian baptism, and the commencement of the

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

And as it was begun through the instrumentality of Peter, in this event was fulfilled the declaration of Christ, "Thou art Peter, and on this rock will I build my Church.'

To us, it may appear surprising that so much should have been effected in one day. It was nine in the morning when Peter began his sermon, and with many other words besides those which are recorded, did he exhort the people to salvation. It could have been only therefore in the after part of the day, that their confession was received and they were baptized and admitted into a covenant relation with God. But the Apostles were full of the Holy Ghost, and able, probably, to discern spirits; and, if some were received, who were not sincere converts, it was only in accordance with a well known principle of Christ's Church, that there must be tares with the wheat. The conduct of the Apostles, however, cannot be viewed as a warrant for ministers in succeeding outpourings of the Spirit, to receive a multitude upon their first expression of penitence and faith, into the Church; for, by their fruits, we must know them.

This glorious work of grace resulted not only in the submission of multitudes to Christian ordinances; but in much holiness of heart and life. The enmity of the heart to divine truth,

was subdued, and the doctrine of the Apostles was received in love. A spiritual union and fellowship was formed, to which the world were strangers. The selfish heart was laid aside, and a new and unheard of benevolence was substituted in its place. The most of these converts were poor. Such of them as were rich, sold their possessions and threw all they had into a common fund for the benefit of the whole. The fear of the Lord came upon every soul, and a spirit of prayer was excited in every breast. Common food was received with a gladness before unknown; and in the Lord's supper and the worship of the Temple, a joy was felt unspeakable and full of glory. So powerful and happy were the results of that great revival of religion.

In one sense, it was miraculous; but in no other, than is every revival. It was not effected by the miracles the Apostles wrought. Had they spoken in divers tongues with the same fluency on any other subject, no such effects would have been produced. It was effected by the power of the Holy Ghost, through the instrumentality of truth;-by presenting plainly to men, their sin and danger, and calling them to repentance and holiness. Joel had, ages before, predicted this outpouring of the Spirit, and the sacred historian says, it was the Lord that added daily to the Church, of such as should be saved. Here, therefore, as in all revivals, we see God effecting his great purposes of sanctifying mercy, while ́men are awakened and turned to the Lord by the truth.

Soon after the day of Pentecost, Peter and John cured a well known beggar, of lameness. This miracle brought together a great concourse of people; and Peter embraced the opportunity to charge upon them the sin of crucifying Christ and to call them to repentance. The multitude listened with the most profound attention. But the magistrates, who were Sadducees and enemies to the doctrine of the resurrection, were grieved and vexed, and rushed upon the Apostles, and put them in prison unto the next day. They then brought them before the High Priest and council, and asked by what authority or power they did this? Peter, who once trembled at the voice of a maid, answered with astonishing boldness, In the name of Jesus of Nazareth whom they had crucified, but whom God had raised up, and in whom alone salvation was to be found. The magistrates were afraid to touch them. The boldness of Peter was unexpected, and the miracle none could deny. They dismissed them, charging them no more to speak in the name of Christ. The Apostles departed, protesting against the charge, and held a meeting for prayer, in which they enjoyed much of the divine presence and blessing, and were animated to go forth with new boldness in the cause of Christ.

The number of disciples was now increased to above five thousand, and they lived in great harmony and love ;-were followers of God as dear children.

But as it had been in the Jewish, so was it in the Christian Church. All were not Israel who were of Israel. There had been a Judas among the twelve; and now, among the converts to Christianity, were brought to light two gross hypocrites. Ananias and Sapphira pretended to give unto the Lord all their possessions, while they gave only a part. Peter exposed their deceit, and the Lord struck them dead. It was an awful judg ment; but it showed the Church the sin of hypocrisy; the impossibility of concealing any thing from God; and must have led every professor to a serious and careful examination of his

own state.

Converts

The influences of the Spirit were long continued. were multiplied The Apostles, were endued with astonishing powers of healing. The sick were brought from all the cities round about Jerusalem, and cured of their diseases; and while the attention of the multitude was thus excited by such wonderful works of mercy, their hearts were melted by the power of the gospel.

The continued success of the Apostles again aroused the indignation of the rulers, who hated every thing which called the attention of men to a future world. They seized them once more and cast them into the common prison. But what could bars and bolts do against the power of the Almighty? God sent his angel at midnight and opened the prison doors, and bade them go preach in the Temple. What a miracle! How must it have confounded those hardened rulers! It ought to have subdued them. But they once more summoned the Apostles to appear before them and inquired how they dared fill Jerusalem with their doctrine, and bring Christ's blood upon them. Peter soberly but boldly told them they must obey God, rather than man, and again charged them with the crucifixion of Christ, whom God had exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour. Instant death would probably have been their portion, had it not been for the timely counsel of Gamaliel, an eminent doctor of the law. He told the rulers to let them alone, for if their work was of men, it would come to nought, but if it was of God, they could not overthrow it, and it behooved them to be careful not to fight against God. His advice was followed. The Apostles were only beaten and charged to keep silence. But they were not moved. They departed rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ.