little sins there, and these thrust out the Saviour. We reserve a little corner for the world, and Jesus is not heartily welcomed. We are candidates for heaven, but we want to take the world with us there. Now, go and pray that God would empty your heart of all else, and fill you with faith.

He was "full of the Holy Ghost." He did not merely look up to the Holy Spirit now and then as his Teacher, but the Holy Ghost was his daily and hourly Guide and Comforter. The Holy Ghost dwelt within him as an ever-present Friend. He walked in the Spirit all the day long. Here is the secret of a really heavenly life. Whether we are ministers or private Christians, here is the secret of our Christian walk. And this need not merely be the portion of a few: it may be the portion of us all. For does not the apostle say, "Be filled with the Spirit"? If he dwells within us, then shall we rise higher and higher in our heavenward course.

But let us examine a little into Stephen's history. Let us see if the fruits of holiness appeared in his life. He was specially selected by the apostles as one of the seven deacons. These deacons were an order of men set apart as helpers to the apostles. Their office was to manage the money matters of the Church, and also to assist the apostles in the work of their ministry, and for this purpose they were careful to choose men of a godly character and of blameless lives. No sooner was Stephen appointed to this important office than he began to labor zealously for Christ. We find him disputing with the Jews, earnestly endeavoring to bring his beloved countrymen over to the Christian faith. This was a hard task, for the Jews clung stubbornly to their old ways. The new doctrine of Christ crucified and salvation through him was altogether distasteful to them. But Stephen persevered. His was a work of faith and a labor of love, and he longed to bring them out of their darkness into a better and a purer light. And success in many cases crowned his efforts.

But from this moment Stephen became a marked man

marked by God as his faithful servant, marked by the apostles as a true brother and fellow-workman, and marked by the unbelieving Jews as a troubler of Israel. And all the more furious did they become, since "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spake." At length, after various attempts to put him down, they stirred up the people, seized him, dragged him before the council and brought against him false witnesses who accused him of having spoken blasphemy. Stephen was now in the power of his enemies, and what could he do against so violent a rabble? There was, however, something so heavenly about his manner that his very judges were all struck by it, and as they looked upon him they felt as if they were looking upon the face of an angel.

How remarkable is the power and influence of real godliness! When you have been in the company of a holy person, have you not sometimes been quite awed, as it were, by it? Has it not humbled you and made you feel painfully conscious of your own unworthiness? Has it not shown you that religion is a real thing? Is there not something about an earnest servant of God which even the most careless person cannot but observe? How, then, will it be when Jesus himself stands before you in his glory? Will not many then exclaim, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord"?

Stephen makes a long defence before the council. For a while they listen to him. But when at length he upbraids them for resisting the Holy Ghost, and reminds them that they had murdered Him who came to save them, they could no longer restrain themselves. His words cut them to the heart, and they fairly gnashed their teeth with rage. Meanwhile, Stephen is unmoved. He is calm in the midst of the uproar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, he lifts his eyes upward to heaven, from whence came his strength and comfort. In a remarkable manner he received the support he so much needed. He is permitted to behold for a moment the very glory of God. He sees before

him that almighty Saviour who has promised to be with his people, and who is with us though we see him not, and with us more especially in the hour of our need. And now they rush upon him with the fury of so many wild beasts. They hurry him out of the city, for they dare not murder him in Jerusalem; and having done this, they stone him to death.

Such was the end of this faithful and fearless martyr. He was the first who suffered for Christ's sake-the first who gave his life for the faith of the gospel. What an amazing contrast have we here between the peaceful calmness of Stephen and the headstrong fury of his murderers! Think of those men, full of anger, giving way to their evil passions, altogether unchecked by the fear of God, breathing out threatenings and slaughter against their unoffending brother. Truly did the wise man say, “Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly." May the Lord keep us from the madness of our own wicked hearts! May he restrain our passions and govern our wills! Oh that he may never leave us to our own evil selves!

And now think of this Christian sufferer. How fearful his end, and yet how glorious! With what cruelty and violence is he treated, and yet how peacefully does he meet death! Whilst his enemies rage, he calmly commends himself to his Saviour, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Whilst they were lifting up their savage hands against him, he pleads for them as his Master did before him: "Lay not this sin to their charge," and then he "fell asleep." His earthly trials were then all over, and he passed into the peaceful presence of his Lord.