March 18

Acts iv. — 1. And, as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them;

2. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day; for it was now eventible.

4. Howbeit, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes,

6. And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7. And, when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name have ye done this?

8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9. If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

The men who had compassed the death of Jesus of Nazareth were startled by the new impulse given to his doctrine. Five thousand converts gathered in Jerusalem alone within a few days gave a formidable aspect to the faith which the Sanhedrin imagined they had crucified along with its Teacher. Not only was the hold of the priests upon the people again threatened, but there was danger of a popular reaction

12. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

13. Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.

14. And, beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15. But, when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16. Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17. But, that it spread no farther among the people, let us straitly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye;

20. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21. So, when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22. For the man was above forty years old on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

against the instigators of the crucifixion. Yet they could think only of violence as a remedy. These preachers must be abused by fear. But the disciples, who ran away at the approach of danger to their Lord, were now fortified by his death against the fear of dying. Conscience was mightier than any human authority, and faith stronger than fear.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 16, 47, 49.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto thee, have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen us in all goodness; and finally bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are all thy ways, thou King of saints. We would praise thee and worship thee ever, world without end. We commit ourselves to thy love and faithfulness. In thee would we trust at all times. Confident in thy promises, and in the help of thy Spirit, may we not fear what man can do unto us!

Thou of thy great goodness hast caused us to dwell in safety during another night, and to awake in peace. May our conversation, this day, be such as becometh the gospel of Christ! If trouble befall us, may we trust, and not be afraid! Feed us with food convenient for us. Assist us to honor thee with our substance and with the first-fruits of our increase. May we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God! and may each member of our family be kept from sin, and preserved to recount thy mercies at evening! All these mercies we humbly beg in the adorable name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with the Father and the Spirit, liveth and reigneth evermore. Amen.