After three months the centurion and his soldiers, with Paul and the other ship, left in a ship of Alexandria that had wintered in the island, and came to the city of Puteoli, where they remained seven days with some brethren who lived there and then went on foot to Rome.

The brethren at Rome, hearing that Paul was coming, went to meet him as far as Apii-forum and the Three TavAnd when Paul saw them he thanked God and took

erns.

courage. On entering Rome the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but they let Paul live by himself, with the soldier who kept him and to whom he was chained.

After three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together, and said to them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people or customs of our fathers, yet the Jews at Jerusalem gave me as a prisoner to the Romans, who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because I had done nothing worthy of death.

But when the Jews were determined to kill me I appealed unto Cæsar. I have sent for you that I might speak with you, for it is because that I believe that Jesus is the Saviour promised to the Jews that I am bound with this chain.

The Jews answered him and said, We have had no letters from Jerusalem about thee, nor have the Jews who came from there spoken against thee, but we would like to hear what you preach about; as for these Christians, they are everywhere spoken against.

When they appointed a day many of the Roman Jews came to him in his lodgings, and he expounded the Scriptures to them, and talked to them of Jesus, both out of the Law of Moses and out of the Prophets, from morning till evening.

Some believed what he said, and some did not; and they disputed among themselves. Paul said unto them, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shalt not perceive. Be it known unto you that this gospel is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

Paul lived two whole years at Rome in his own hired house

receiving all who came to him and preaching the gospel with all confidence, none trying to hinder him.

It is believed that Paul was beheaded under Nero at the time when that cruel emperor set fire to Rome and then accused the Christians of it, and in consequence had many of them put to death.

Peter was crucified, because he was a Jew and crucifixion

was the Jewish mode of death, while Paul, being a Roman, it was contrary to their law to crucify him.

We have many letters in the New Testament which were written by the apostles to the churches which were established by their labors. They are really letters from God, as the apostles were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write them, and they were written not only for the benefit

of the churches to which they were addressed, but also for the benefit of all Christian churches which shall exist in the world.

There are twenty-one epistles written by the different apostles. They contain statements of doctrine, experience, and duties pertaining to believers towards God, such as reverence, worship, and love towards our brethren, in assisting them as far as we can to be good, and pure, and happy; and to ourselves in being like Christ, being filled with the Spirit of God, and ever rejoicing in Christ our Saviour.

CHAPTER LI.

THE REVELATION OF SAINT JOHN.

THIS is the last book in the Bible, and is called Revelation because most of its contents are a real revelation by the

Lord Jesus Christ, as the Risen Saviour and Head of His Church, to the apostle John.

These revelations were made to St. John while he was in banishment on a desolate island named Patmos.

Here the Lord appeared to him in a vision, clothed in a garment reaching down to his feet, and having a golden girdle

around his breast. His head and his hairs were like wool, and as white as snow; his eyes as a flame of fire; his feet like unto fine brass; his voice as the sound of many waters. He had in his right hand seven stars; a sharp two-edged sword

went out of his mouth, and his countenance was as the sun when he shines in his strength.

When John saw him, he fell at his feet as if dead; but Jesus laid his right hand upon him and told him not to fear, because, though he was dead, he now lives forevermore, and has the keys of hell and of death.

Jesus then gave John seven messages to the seven Christian churches which were in Asia, one to each. Each message was of the kind suited to their spiritual condition, showing

their faults, commending their virtues, and urging them to all goodness and purity.

Having received these messages, he was directed to a door opened in heaven, and heard a voice like a trumpet, which