December 18

1 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 monstration.

2 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 tallies.

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

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

5 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 Nicor, and Timor, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.

6 Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priest were obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 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.

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

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

12 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.

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

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

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

It was the duty of the Church then, as it is the duty of the Church now, to look after the temporal as well as the spiritual needs of her members. In this the Saviour has left her an example, and to all His disciples comes the command to "bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ." Hence these seven men were appointed to be "over this business."

"There is a deep-seated significance in the qualities by which these officers were to be distinguished. They must be men of 'good report'—must have an established reputation among their fellows for consistency and integrity; they must be 'full of the Spirit' men entirely consecrated to God, living to His glory and filled with His Spirit; and they must be men of 'wisdom'—men of practical sagacity and business tact, who could weigh the merits of cases and act with judgment and equity. This is a high standard of qualification. Let it be remembered that the office they were to undertake was secular—to 'serve tables'—and one that was boldly marked out by the apostles as vastly inferior to their own. With what deep meaning, then, are these words charged, and how vivid the witness which they bear to sanctity and responsibility of any position in the Church! The honor and prosperity of any Church depends, to a great extent, upon the purity and fitness of its officers. Here are the qualities required."—R. R. Meredith.

Closet Promise.—Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.—Hosca vi. 3.

It is by doing our duty that we learn to do it. So long as men dispute whether or no a thing is their duty, they get never the nearer. Let them set ever so weakly about doing it, and the face of things alters. They find in themselves strength which they knew not of. Difficulties which it seemed to them they could not get over, disappear. For He accompanies it with the influences of His blessed Spirit, and each performance opens our minds for larger influxes of His grace, and places them in communion with Him.—E. B. Pusey.