August 7

Acts xiv.—8. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.

9. The same heard Paul speak; who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10. Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11. And, when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

13. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15. And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you, that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven

and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein;

16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20. Howbeit, as the disciples stood around about him, he rose up, and came into the city; and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium and Antioch,

22. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

In ancient times, each city had its patron divinity, whose statue or temple stood often outside the city walls. At Lystra, Jupiter was the tutelary god; and his worship was celebrated before the city gate. These pagans had a strong belief in supernatural beings and powers; and Paul and Barnabas might easily have perverted this to their own interest, just as in all ages designing priests have taken advantage of the credulity of the people. But the apostles, like their Lord, used the power of miracle for purposes of benevolence, and to attest the truth, — never for his divine effects, nor for personal gains. Disclaiming all honor for themselves, Paul and Barnabas discovered of God as he is seen in his works of creation and of providence, illustrating his being, his goodness and his grace. Only an abstract of their argument is given; but this shows that Christianity, so far from being in opposition to the religion of Nature, adopts, elevates, and enforces this by its own teachings. The discoveries of modern science which

illustrate, upon so wide a scale, that orderly succession of phenomena in Nature which we intuitively refer to, i.e., are in perfect accord with the teachings of the Bible, which ascribe these same phenomena to the providence of God. The Bible was not written with a scientific purpose; and therefore it does not use the terms and definitions of science. It aims to keep continually before us the great First Cause, and therefore makes little mention of second causes. But the very laws of Nature, by their uniformity, their combinations, their adaptations, reflect the wisdom and the omnipotence of God; and the Scriptures describe the movements of the heavenly bodies, the seasons, the winds, the rains, as his ordinances. Yet the very men who professed to follow Nature, and were ready to worship those whom they mistook for their divinities, turned upon them with rage and violence. So fickle is human nature, and so far is the spirit of wonder from the spirit of true faith!

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 88, 140, 152.

Blessed be God, the Father of all mercies, for the daily comforts of his providence and grace. Thy mercies, O Lord! are new every morning. Grant us grace daily to live unto thee, to do thy holy will, and to glorify thee in our bodies and spirits, which are thine. Suffer not the cares of life to distract our minds from thee; but may we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness!

Give us, this day, our daily bread; and feed our souls with that living bread which came down from heaven. May Christ be in us the hope of glory, and the power of an endless life! O Lord, the Maker and Ruler of all! we bless thee for all thy marvellous works and for thy ways unto the children of men. Thou givest us rain from heaven,

and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Bless the earth, we pray thee, with abundant harvests, that there may be seed for the sower, and bread for the eater. And, O most merciful Father! do thou visit our land with plenteous showers of grace, making thy Word fruitful, reviving thy Church, and causing righteousness to flourish and abound. Rule in the hearts of our rulers, and turn the people unto the things of thy kingdom. We commend unto thee all dear to us. We commit our souls unto thee for this day; beseeching thee for Christ's sake to forgive our sins, to keep us unspotted from the world, and pure in thy sight. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be glory forever. Amen.