December 19

54 5 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens

opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

36

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen had been seized and dragged before the Sanhedrin. "Suborned men" testified against him. Far from being dismayed in the presence of so much antagonistic power, so full was he of holy joy and comfort that they "saw his face as it had been the face of an angel" (vi. 11-15). Having heard their accusation, the high priest appealed to him, "Are these things so?" In reply Stephen entered upon his defence, which is given at length (verses 2-53). The key to the whole of this defence is contained in these words, "As your fathers did, so do ye" (verse 51).

The effect was decisive. "They were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." See the face of the protomartyr shining like the face of an angel, and his enemies "gnashing on him with their teeth." Stephen "looked steadfastly into heaven," committed his case there, and became mighty through God. "One whose eye is fixed on heaven can trample equally under foot the smiles and the frowns of the world."

And now, under a cruel shower of stones, the brave and faithful Stephen is dying. Look at him in his death.

1. His Prayer. He died "calling upon the Lord." He needed prayer to the end, because to the end he needed Divine support 2. His Faith. "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Christ was recognized by the dying martyr, and into His hands he confidently commended his spirit. 3. His Love. "And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." There is no room for resentment in a soul ripe for heaven. The martyr met his doom upon his knees. He sought forgiveness in his dying hour, but not for himself. That had been attended to before. Following the example of his Divine Master, he prayed for his murderers. 4. His Peace. "And when he had said this he fell asleep." It was a hard bed, but "he fell asleep!" And so did the servants of the Redeemer; for "so He giveth His beloved sleep."

Closet Promise.—I will be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy: for Thou hast considered my trouble; Thou hast known my soul in adversities.—Psalm xxxi. 7.

The Lord will neither overdo nor underdo; every one shall have his load and no more—no more than they can bear, and no less than their need requires. The Lord delights not in His children's tears; He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men; but yet He would rather they cry than perish. Wonder not, Christians, that your tender Lord puts you in pain, and that your pains are so sharp and so many: "Your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things." It is a mercy that He will chastise; you may put your corrections among your mercies. His breakings of you are His blessings, His woundings are your cures; and by your own, as by your Lord's, stripes you are healed. And when you shall review and read over all His darker providences, and behold the wisdom and tenderness which is attempted with His severities, evidenced in His laying on so much, and yet no more than was needful, you will then write down with the psalmist: "Thou in very faithfulness hast afflicted me."—Richard Alleine.

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

Breakfast Motto.—Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?—Matt. vi. 26.

Weekly Proverb. —Good sense is a thing all need, few have, and none think they want.—Poor Richard.

DAILY BIBLE READING—RUSKIN'S FAVORITE CHAPTERS.

Sunday.—An Exhortation to Bless God.—Psalm ciii.

Monday.—The Benefits of Godliness.—Psalm cxii.

Tuesday.—God's All-seeing Providence.—Psalm cxxxix.

Wednesday.—An Exhortation to Obedience.—Prov. iii.

Thursday.—Virtues and their Contrary Vices.—Prov. xii.

Friday.—The Fast which God Accepts.—Isa. lviii.

Saturday.—Sermon on the Mount.—Matt. v.

STRANGE CONDUCT.

I know a little fellow,

You'd deem almost perfection,

Until some chance occurrence

Should lead to his detection.

He'll do any one a favor,

Run on an errand fleetly;

So willing and obliging,

He wins you: love completely.

But let his busy father

Desire some slight assistance,

He'll answer with impatience,

Or even with resistance

Full often have I known him

With frowns do for his mother

What he, a moment later,

With smiles did for another.

The little girls, his playmates,

Consider him "just splendid;"

Alas! by his own sister

He could not be commended.

How like you such behavior,

Bright boys and merry misses?

And, tell me, did you ever

See conduct strange as this is?

- Rev. P. B. Strong.

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him.—Psalm lxxxix 7.

I suppose my little readers all go to church. Well, now, you must all learn to reverence God's house. If you stand in the vestibule and laugh and make a loud noise, or play on the stairs and slide down the rail of the staircase, that is not reverence. If you trifle, or play, or look around, when those about you are praying to God, that is not reverence. No, that is mocking God, and that is a dreadful thing to do. Then you must also reverence His holy name. I remember reading about a good man once, who made it a rule always to pause and look up before he spoke the name of—God. The Mohammedans, when they find a slip of paper they cannot read, put it aside, for fear the name of God is on it. But we often hear children, and men and women, too, speak of God's holy name as lightly as they would speak of their own name or the name of a fellow-creature. Oh! dear children, let us reverence God. When we read His name, in the Bible or elsewhere, or when we use it in singing or prayer, we should think how great and glorious He is, and use it with reverence.

THE BROTHERS.

What a beautiful picture is this! From it let us learn some very important lessons:

First, brothers and sisters ought to play happily together. They should not quarrel or get angry with each other. Let your little brother or sister have your whip, or doll, or book. Don't be selfish. Selfishness makes both big and little people very unhappy. Always be kind to the brother or sister that is smaller than you. If you are looking at a picture book, and he or she wants to see it, lift the little one up, and turn the leaves carefully, so all can see the pictures.

Second, brothers and sisters ought to share with each other. If you have some nice candy or fruit given you, let them have a part. Don't keep the best share for yourself. Divide equally. If your father and mother are going to the city, or into the country, and can't take all the children, be willing to stay at home and let some of the rest go this time. Wait for your turn, which will come next time.

Third, brothers and sisters ought to help each other. It may be you are old enough to have some kind of work to do each day. If so, help each other. When company comes don't run off alone to play with them and leave little sister to finish her work before she can play. Help her to get the work done and then all have a good time. You will be very much happier.

Fourth, brothers and sisters ought to pray for each other. There was a dear little fellow of five years of age, named Harry. He had a baby brother, who at one time was very ill. Harry would go at least a dozen times every day into his little room, and when he thought no one saw or heard him but his Heavenly Father, would kneel down by his bedside, and say: "O Lord! please make my dear brother better. Amen, for Christ's sake." After a while the baby got well. When you pray, remember to pray for brother and sister.

(663)

FIFTIETH WEEK.

PEARL TEXT.—Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.—Heb. xii. 2.

The dear Christ dwells not afar, The king of some remoter star. But here, amidst the poor and blind, The bound and suffering of our kind,

In works we do, in prayers we pray, Life of our life, He lives to-day. —Selected.

Too many only see Christ in a book, as we see places in a map; but, to come nigh—to enjoy Him—this is delightful and saving.—Rutherford.

Christ is a path, if any be misled; He is a robe, if any naked be; If any chance to hunger, he is bread; If any be a bondman, he is free; If any be but weak, how strong is He!

To dead men life He is, to sick men, health; To blind men, sight; and to the needy, wealth; A pleasure without loss; a treasure without stealth. —Selected.

HELPS FOR THE DEVOTIONAL HOUR.