They were waiting: they had been waiting. Nor is it improbable that they had continued daily to assemble for prayer, since the ascension of Jesus. It is not certain in what place they were assembled-whether in the upper room, where we left them, (ch. i. 13,) or in the temple; nor is it material to determine. We find them, however, still in the exercise of faith and prayer, as is ever befitting the disciples of Jesus, when looking for a blessing: especially the descent of the Holy Spirit. They were assembled, “with one accord," with one mind. There were no longer any disputings or divisions among them; no heart-burnings, or envy towards one another; no party plans; no discordant purposes: each one could say-as every Christian should say

Do I not love Thee, O my Lord?
Behold my heart, and see!
And turn each worthless idol out,
That dares to rival Thee.

Thus, holding the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, and possessing a spirit of supplication, they had the best. possible preparation for the visitation of the Holy Spirit; for his influences "are most to be expected, where there is the greatest unanimity and the greatest devotion."

The promise was now fulfilled; the Spirit came, with a power and energy corresponding to the mighty effects which were to be produced. The apostles were the first subjects of his wonderful influences. So copious was the effusion, that they are said to have been filled with the Spirit. New and unwonted mental power was imparted; and higher and clearer views of the Gospel scheme of salvation conveyed. Languages, of which they were before ignorant, they were now enabled to speak with fluency; and presently they were addressing a multitude of strangers, whom the signal wonders transpiring had attracted to the place.

It does not belong to our plan to detail the marvelous

events which ensued. It was the first great outpouring of the Spirit under the Gospel. It was a magnificent display of the power and grace of God. It was a glorious beginning of the New Dispensation, and a presage of the fulfillment of the promise by the "evangelical prophet:" "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied."

That night, three thousand lay down to sleep-if indeed they could rest-friends and followers of Jesus, who, in the morning, were enemies of the Cross! Then, "children of wrath;" now, "sons of God." Then, in the "broad road that leadeth to destruction;" now, "in the narrow way that leadeth unto life." Wonderful change! Surprising grace!

The remaining account of these converts is short, but entirely in their favor. Not one apostasy is recorded; nor is there reason to apprehend that any occurred. On the contrary, we read that "they continued steadfast in the apostles' doctrine:" that is, attended on their teaching and instruction— "and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Let it be remembered, that, in this account of the first revival which occurred under the Gospel, it is said the converts continued to pray. No one is born into the kingdom of Jesus who does not, from that time, pray. It is among the first duties performed; the first expression of love and gratitude. "Behold, he prayeth!" was said of Saul, as an evidence that he was a true disciple of Jesus. That convert's hope is not worth a rush, who does not pray; that revival of religion, which is not followed by prayer among its subjects, never resulted from the operation of the spirit of God. In regeneration, a light is kindled which never goes out; a spirit of supplication is imparted which never is lost.

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,

The Christian's native air;

His watchword at the gate of death-
He enters heaven with prayer.

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

PETER AND JOHN.

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word. By stretching forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, &c.-Acts iv. 29-31.

Ir the success of Christianity, on its first promulgation, was surprising to its friends, with what wonder must it have been regarded by its enemies?

To the bigoted scribes and Pharisees, the crucifixion of Christ was hopefully the annihilation of all his schemes, and the death-blow, they believed, to the hopes of all his followers. But, for once, they mistook; and a great mistake it proved. In a few short weeks, the whole scene was changed. The hopes of the disciples were more than restored; a far brighter prospect presented itself than they had ever before witnessed; all the promises and pledges made to them by the despised Galilean were likely to be realized.

Jesus came forth from the grave a conqueror. Once more he collected his scattered followers. He poured into their bosoms fresh hopes; and, having commissioned them to go forth, and plant the standard of his cross in every place where the usurper had found a foothold, he ascended, in triumph, to his mediatorial throne. The promised Spirit soon after descends, and the apostles are qualified for their work. The marvelous scenes of Pentecost transpire; three thousand souls are brought under the influence of the doctrine of the cross in a single day; the whole city of Jerusalem is moved; the common people are excited to the highest degree of wonder and astonishment; the Pharisees and the Sadducees are themselves filled with amazement and apprehension.

"Signs and

But the work was not destined to stop here. wonders" were daily done by the apostles. In the previous chapter, we have an account of a miracle wrought by Peter and John upon a man lame from his birth. The miracle was an undoubted one, and wrought in favor of a cripple, well known to all who were in the habit of frequenting the temple. There could be no deception in the case. being unable to help himself, in a single moment he standshe leaps he walks-he follows his benefactors into the temple, and mingles, with the demonstrations of his joy, the praises of God, by whose power he had been cured.

From

The scene soon attracts the attention of the people in the temple. A crowd is collected to the spot, and the circumstances are explained. Jesus Christ is duly honored by the apostles; and the charge of having rejected and condemned him is driven home upon the consciences of the people, with all the bold and manly eloquence of which Peter was

master.

Meanwhile, intelligence of these proceedings was conveyed to the men in power by some of their zealous partisans. Instant alarm seized the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, who soon made their appearance, and committed Peter and John to prison.

An inquiry into the circumstances did not serve to allay their apprehensions, or lessen their indignation. That night, however, nothing could be done. In the morning, probably at an early hour, rulers, elders, and scribes, with Annas the high-priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, were assembled to consider what should be done. The prisoners were brought out, and placed at the bar, and the inquiry was put: "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?"

It was the precise question which Peter could have wished asked; and, while he paid due deference to this supreme council of the Jewish nation—whose jurisdiction he did not deny-he proceeded to answer it; which having done, with

great plainness, he himself turns accuser, and proceeds to bring a direct accusation against his judges. He felt that it was no time to flatter. It was no time to conceal. Hence, he directly and boldly charges them with the bitterest malice and the deepest guilt, for the part they took against the Son of God: You brought him to the cross! you mocked his dying agonies! you would have blotted out all the hopes of the sons of men by the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth! But what you would have frustrated, you have accomplished. The death of Christ, which you, by your malice, effected, has laid the foundation for the salvation of a world. He is at the right hand of God at this present moment; and, through his name, by faith in his name, this man has been made whole.

Peter and John were unlearned men. They were unacquainted with the subtilities of logic and the arts of eloquence. But Peter was, nevertheless, eloquent-too eloquent-too bold-too truthful, for the ease and comfort of his auditors. To the address of Peter, there was no reply. The facts were as he had stated them. The miracle had been wrought. The explanation was comprehensible, and could not be gainsayed. The proud doctors of Jerusalem were silent and confounded in the presence of the fishermen of Galilee.

But what should be done? Temporarily dismissing the apostles, they consulted together about some expedient for extricating themselves from their present embarrassment. They had, however, nothing to do, and could do nothing, but only expostulate with the apostles, and threaten them. This they now did; commanding them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.

The apostles, however, had gathered still more strength. They saw and appreciated the confusion of their judges. They also knew whose ministers they were, and upon whom they might depend in the hour of their need. They made,