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LECTURE IX.

ACTS vi.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost, and wis dom, whom we may appoint over this business.

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of of Antioch.

Whom they set before the Apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Then they suborned men which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council.

And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law.

For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

To enter properly on the consideration of the chapter before us, it is requisite that we should be reminded of the situation and circumstances of the infant Church as

briefly unfolded to us in the two preceding chapters.

In consequence of the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, when Peter preached his memorable sermon, and also on a subsequent occasion, a vast accession of converts had been made. Among these were persons of all classes and conditions of life; but the great majority were comparatively poor, and dependent upon their daily la bour for support, whilst many doubtless were in circumstances still more humble and dependent, and disqualified by age and infirmities from gaining a livelihood for themselves. To provide for the wants especially of the latter, those who had possessions came forward with the most unbounded liberality, confidence, and affection, and threw the proceeds of their sale into a common treasury, out of which all who were in necessity might receive a daily supply of things needful for the body. This is what we are to understand,

I think, by the expression, in chap. iv. 32, "They had all things in common;" not, as some have imagined, that all the disciples united to support each other in idleness upon the proceeds of their common property; but that such was the warmth of their zeal for their Master's cause-such the ardour of their attachment to one another as his persecuted followers-and such the elevation of their minds above the ordinary considerations of a prudential and selfish nature, that those amongst them who had estates, whether of houses or of lands, voluntarily surrendered them to the church for the benefit of their poorer brethren. That this sacrifice on the part of the wealthier members of the infant Church was a voluntary sacrifice, which they were free to make or to withhold, is directly affirmed by St. Peter. Nor can so extraordinary an instance of liberality under such extraordinary circumstances be alleged as a precedent which it would be either wise or expedient

for Christians literally to follow in this age and country. Still, however, it is the duty and the privilege of Christ's disciples in every age and in every country, to act up to the spirit of such noble and disinterested conduct, by being ready to give and willing to communicate out of the stores which God hath given them, according to the rule laid down by the Apostle Paul: " As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, and specially unto them that are of the household of faith." "Charge them who are rich in this world that they be ready to distribute, and willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." And then as to the measure of our liberality, we have this solemn remark from the pen of inspiration: "He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly