accusers.

Then Festus said, that

as he had appealed to Cæsar, to Cæsar he should go.

Meanwhile it happened, that King Agrippa (son of that Herod Agrippa, who put the Apostle James to death,) and his sister Berenice came to Cesarea, on a visit to the Governor. And Festus spoke to them of the prisoner whom Felix had left bound. He told them that the Jews had brought accusations against him, about things relating to their law, but that finding he had done nothing worthy of death, and had appealed to Cæsar, he had determined on sending him to Rome.

Agrippa, who was himself a Jew, (though not perhaps a very strict

one,) expressed a wish to examine the prisoner himself; so it was agreed that Paul should be brought before him on the morrow.

On the morrow then, Agrippa and Berenice arrived in great pomp, and seated themselves in the judgment hall, where Festus and the chief persons in Cesarea were assembled. Paul was then brought forth alone, unfriended, and in bonds, he stood before the royal guests, undaunted by their presence. On Agrippa's

saying that it was permitted him to speak for himself, he thanked the king, and modestly and courteously, but with the dignity which became his cause, gave the history of his past life, and an account of the faith

for which he stood accused. This speech, as it is repeated to us by Luke, (who no doubt was among the crowd present,) is so interesting, and I think so easy to be understood, that I shall copy for you the chapter of the Acts which contains it.

CHAPTER XXV.

Paul's Speech to Agrippa.

"I THINK myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, respecting all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews; especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

"My manner of life from my youth, which was passed among my

our

own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto fathers unto which promise our twelve tribes hope to come, for which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I indeed thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth; which I did also in Jerusalem; and many of the saints" (the Christians were often so called,) " did I shut

up