October 14

Acts xxvi.—19. Whereupon, O King Agrippa! I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision;

20. But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

21. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come;

23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people and to the Gentiles.

24. And, as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.

25. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus;

The speeches of Paul are as remarkable for their adaptation to the circumstances of his hearers, as for force of logic, and fervor of eloquence. Agrippa was a Jew by birth, and had been thoroughly trained in the Jewish faith and customs. Though a vessel of the Roman empire, he had by inheritance the title of king, and ruled over Northern and Eastern Palestine. Paul was within the jurisdiction of Festus, to whom Agrippa was paying a visit of courtesy. The apostle was not on trial before Agrippa; but Festus, wishing partly to entertain his guest, and partly to obtain his advice, summoned this noted prisoner to explain his views. With great dignity and courtesy, Paul opened his address with a reference to Agrippa's

but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

27. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

28. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

29. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

30. And, when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them;

31. And, when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

32. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.

knowledge of the law: he then gave the narrative of his own life and conversion, and the biblical argument for the Messiah as a suffering Saviour. The pagan Festus, like the philosophers at Athens, did not conceal his contempt for the doctrine of the resurrection; but his ridicule could not disturb the serene dignity of the apostle. Indeed, it is Paul who here stands forth as the judge and the king, with wondrous self-command dismissing the charge of Festus, with ineffable dignity inviting Agrippa and all the gay and noble circle of the court to share his blessedness without his pains. Such is the moral grandeur of Christian faith borne out by a worthy character. Who would not be altogether such a Christian?

APPROPRIATE ITEMS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 88, 101, 121.

Thine, O Lord! is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord! and thou art exalted as Head over all. We bless thee that thou hast given unto thy Son the kingdom in this world, and hast promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his Church; and we beseech thee, upon this thy holy day, so to bless thy truth and all the appointed means of grace, that a great multitude of souls shall be born into the kingdom of Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost. Make thy Word a comfort and a joy unto all believers, and the power of God unto salvation to the world that lieth in wickedness.

We pray for the whole Church of Christ, that she may possess all the gifts of thy Holy Spirit: for all Sunday schools,—oh! hear the hosannas of children, and show to them the love of Jesus their Saviour; for the poor and needy, sick and

afflicted, widows and orphans; for all whom thou hast given to be near and dear to us. Give them thy blessing, O Lord! for the sake of Him who hath taught us to love one another even as he hath loved us. O Lord Jesus! rule thou in our hearts; by thy redeeming grace take away our sins; by thy sanctifying presence fill our souls with thy peace. May we do all things to thy glory, and show forth thy praise in our lives!

We humbly thank thee, O Lord! for the blessings of the past week; for thy daily benefits to us, and to all dear to us. Bless this household, this day and always, with thy grace. May every one of us before thee, and all who are united with us in family-ties, be found within the kingdom of thy dear Son! May we know the joy of a full consecration unto Him who hath redeemed us to God with his precious blood! and, having served him in his kingdom here, may we come to be partakers of his glory in the kingdom of his Father, for Christ's sake! Amen.