Africa, the Archipelago, in Greece, Italy, and Gaul, were Jewish colonists, carrying their education and civilization. Like prepared signal-fires, they were in waiting for apostolic hands to apply the torch of the gospel.

While this was being done, other nations were in training, seven hundred and fifty years before Rome was founded upon the western banks of the Tiber. In that period, with resistless crushing stride, she had become almost the world's mistress. Though cruel, rapacious, dissolute, and pagan, Rome understood one thing so thoroughly that the world has measurably sat at her feet ever since, viz., the secret of organization under consistent and comprehensive laws. Her progress despoiled, and spread desolation; but she taught the world the definition and function of government.

A third nation, the Greeks, were also in training. Their intellectual civilization brought the culture of the intellect and imagination to heights that still tower, models and marvels alike. They were always restless. Their colonies fringed Asia Minor; and, wherever they went, “they carried their arts and literature, their philosophy, their mythology, and their amusements." Through Alexander's conquests "the new culture penetrated the mountain ranges of Pisidia and Lycaonia. The Tigris and Euphrates became Greek rivers. The language of Athens was heard among the Jewish colonies of Babylonia; and a Grecian Babylon was built by the conqueror of Egypt, and called by his name."

For long centuries did this threefold and, for some time, simultaneous preparation progress. At last, when the Roman had learned that law, however comprehensive or powerful, could not keep his nation from steady relapse into luxury and impurity; when the polished Greek was

only cultured, that his vice and debauchery might be æsthetically varnished; when the Jew used his superior knowledge of God for a dispensation to break his laws in their true application to heart and life; when, in short, the world groaned in its bitterness, sick unto death, and knowing no helper, then the Son of God came to earth, that his kingdom might unite all that was valuable in Roman civilization, in Greek culture, and in Jewish knowledge of religion.

The sanctions of human law were transferred to the divine. Roman roads were pressed by eager feet, carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth. The Greek language yielded its unequalled resources to interpret the story of redemption. Jewish forms and doctrines were baptized by the Spirit into higher fulfilments, that encircled the world in their saving design. Then, as soon as all things were ready, barriers were thrown down, and the Gentiles were received.

3. We should follow Peter's example in carrying the gospel to the Gentiles.

They have been training all these centuries, as were Greeks and Romans. As Peter was commissioned to enlighten Cornelius, so those who have been graciously taught must go to those sitting in darkness. The angel does not enlighten Cornelius, but simply directs him to Peter. So Saul was directed to Ananias. Jesus always gives the bread of life to his disciples for distribution.

Like Peter to Cornelius, we must "preach Jesus Christ" as historically revealed, and always mighty to save. Thus preached, he will save, whatever the darkness and degradation. We may command the saved to be baptized, boldly forming them into churches. Those missions thrive best that rely most upon home material.

Unmistakable signs seem to point to a consummation close at hand. Steam and electricity are binding together the ends of the earth, as did Roman roads the known world when Jesus came to Judea. More effectually than ever before are distance and isolation abolished. Is not this a bringing together of the nations, that their long years of waiting may be ended; that each may bring special preparation, and essential contribution to that kingdom that shall fill the whole earth from sea to sea, whose maker and builder is God? Then "the remnant of Israel" shall see their long looked-for Messiah; then Japan and China shall bring their acute minds to the divine oracles; then the dusky sons of Africa shall have their faith-intuitions answered by the indwelling Holy Ghost; then the simple inhabitants of sea-girt islands shall learn the wisdom of the ages; then Europe, rich, learned, and strong, shall shake off the lethargy and blindness of superstition, and the round world shall be "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone."

So shall the Gentiles be received.

SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL.

LESSON.

Acts, xi. 19-30.

MARK, XVI. 20.

GOLDEN TEXT.

Mark, xvi. 20.

"And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following."

THE visible ministry of Christ on earth was ended. The words which he spake in the presence of his disciples, at the conclusion of the paschal feast," Father, the hour is come,... I have glorified thee on the earth, I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. . . . And now I am no more in the world; but these are in the world, and I come to thee," had come to pass. The Lord had been crucified and slain,—had lain in the grave, and risen again from it, and before the eyes of his disciples was received up into heaven out of their sight. It would seem that such a separation from their Lord would have been most calamitous to that little band of disciples.

When we remember how great had been their dependence upon him, how helpless they were, and into what trouble they fell, when occasionally separated from him, though only for a little while, when we reflect that his relation to them had been more like that of a mother to her little children than that of a master or teacher to his mature disciples, - it seems as if his permanent removal from them would have left them in a state of helpless orphanage. Before it occurred, when Christ, to prepare their minds for the event, foretold them of it, sorrow and dismay filled their hearts. They had the feeling of little children, who, beholding the life of a parent fast ebbing away, listen

to her dying words. Hence the striking language which their Lord used to comfort them. "I will not leave you orphans. I will come unto you." "It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."

How wonderfully were these promises of Christ fulfilled! The apostles, instead of being paralyzed and undone by the ascension of their Lord into the heavens, received straightway a marvellous development of mental and moral strength; and the work of the gospel, instead of being brought to a sudden and complete standstill, took a mighty start, under the impulse of which it soon passed beyond the limits of Judea, and spread over the whole world, going from "Jews only," to the Grecians, then to the Romans, then to the barbarians. What were the elements of power which contributed to produce the astonishing change?

How was it that this new faith, which, when Christ was with them, made such little progress and gained so few converts, acquired, after he was gone, such an irresistible influence? The whole world was opposed to it at the start. A double wall of fire and steel, Jewish hate, and pagan hostility, supported by the mighty power of the Roman empire, stern, cruel, and unrelenting, hemmed it in, and resisted its every forward movement. How was it that a cause having for its sole adherents a small company of Galilean peasants and fishermen, without wealth, without social rank or prestige, without worldly influence of any kind, and without arms save the pacific symbol of the cross, was able, not merely to survive such opposition, but to triumph over it, until it enthroned itself in the palace of the Cæsars; and the enthusiastic Tertullian could say, "Though