March 20

Acts v.—1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.

2. And kept back part of the price (his wife also being privy to it), and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4. While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the

Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost. And the young men came in and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

12. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

13. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them; but the people magnified them.

14. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women);

15. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits; and they were healed every one.

A great religious revival is apt to bring along with it a revival of hypocrisy. No sin is so damning as covetousness. Ananias and Sapphira felt the pressure of the example of liberality around them, and wanted to share in the repute of such good works; yet their hearts hankered after their treasures, and this betrayed them into hypocrisy and falsehood.

The community of goods was not intended to be a law of the Church; nor was this example of primitive communism to be taken as a binding precedent. The converts to Christianity at Jerusalem were people from all countries, who had come to the capital, as Jews, to observe their festival. At such times the residents of the city were extremely hospital-

ble. But these guests had adopted a faith which doubtless alienated from many the friends who had entertained them. They had overstead their time, and were without means. To merit this condition of things, those converts who had property volunteered to share it with the rest. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira lay in professing to make the same sacrifice, when they were using it as a veil for their covetousness. It was necessary to free the infant Church from all taint of worldliness, time-serving, or hypocrisy. Hence this terrible judgment. Ah! if the Searcher of hearts should now go through the Church with a like test, how many, it is feared, must fall under his righteous sentence!

APPROPRIATE ITEMS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 28, 89.

Search us, O God! and know our hearts; try us, and know our thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in us; and lead us in the way everlasting. Have mercy upon us, O Lord! according to thy loving-kindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sin. For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us.

We thank thee that thou hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; defend us in the same by thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight.

Fit us day by day for the duties that lie before us. We would put ourselves and all that concerns us into thy hands, and ask thee to be our Guide and Counsellor. In all our ways we desire to acknowl-

edge thee; and do thou direct our path. Keep us, we beseech thee, from all evil, that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that thou wouldst have us to do.

Fit us, O Lord! for all the events of this short and uncertain life. If prosperity be our portion, keep us humble and watchful in the midst of it; or, if sorrows and trials come upon us, give us grace cheerfully to submit, saying, "Father, not my will, but thy will, be done."

[Give unto the children of this family grace to serve thee in the morning of life. Oh! keep them from temptation and evil, and from every false and hurtful way.] Be very gracious to our friends: grant to them health and prosperity in this life, and make them meet for the life everlasting. And, O Lord! bless and save the whole world.

We ask these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.