tised in appointing persons to an office, was a symbol of the impartation of the gifts and graces which they needed to qualify them for the office. It was of the nature of a prayer that God would bestow the necessary gifts, rather than a pledge that they were actually conferred." — Hackett.

-

9. The synagogue of the Libertines. "The so-called synagogue of the Freedmen." Noyes. "The 'Libertines' were Jews, who, having been taken prisoners and reduced to slavery, had afterwards been emancipated, and had returned to their native land. They had been allowed by Augustus to settle in a part of Rome, and to follow their own religious customs, but were expelled by Tiberias, A. D. 19. . . . It is a reasonable conjecture, that of these exiles enough may have found their way to Jerusalem to organize a synagogue of their own; and having suffered persecution for their own faith would be foremost in opposition to the new doctrine 999 Abbott. as one against this holy place and the law.' Asia. Not the continent of this name, but the small province in the west of Asia Minor. 11. Then they suborned men. That is, they induced them to testify to what was false. "By the witnesses being called false, it does not follow that all they said was a fabrication, but only that they had on many points distorted the assertion of Stephen with an evil intention. It was far from his design to attack the divine origin and holiness of the law, or blaspheme Moses. (Verses 13, 14.) But he probably represented the religion of the Jews as an arrangement for the time being, and as eventually falling before the grand movement of higher and more spiritual truths. The slightest hint of that kind would, of course, be caught up and magnified into the gravest crime."— - Livermore.

HINTS TO TEACHERS. The main purpose of this Lesson is to call attention to the choice of the seven deacons to relieve the apostles of a part of their work, and to Stephen as the first Christian Martyr. Besides these topics, however, some of the following may be noticed: (1) The "Grecians" and the "Hebrews," and their jealousy of each other. (2) The complaint that the Apostles neglected the widows of the Grecians may have been unfounded, or the neglect may have been unintentional. (3) The advantages of a division of labor; the evils to which it leads when carried to an extreme. (4) The wisdom shown by the apostles in the method they suggested to heal this church trouble. (5) Prosperity and increased usefulness the result of healing it. (6) The character of Stephen as seen in the Book of Acts. (7) The opposition of the Jews to the new religion and those who preached it. (8) The wickedness of misrepresenting another's words. (9) The power of the thoughts and feelings we cherish to change the face.

REFERENCES. Neander's "Planting and Training of the Christian Church" (Bk. I. Ch. III.); Milman's "History of Christianity " (Bk. II. Ch. I.); Schaff's "History of the Apostolic Church" (pp. 208–214); Renan's "Apostles " (Chs. VII., VIII.); "Bible for Learners" (Vol. III. Bk. II. Ch. III.); Commentaries and Bible Dictionaries.

PHILIP THE EVANGELIST.

Acts VIII. 1-26.

Lead us, heavenly Father,
In our opening way;
Lead us in the morning

Of our little day;

While our hearts are happy,

While our souls are free,

Oh, may we give our childhood
As a song to thee.

GOLDEN TEXT: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. — PROVERBS iv. 23.

1. What did you learn about Stephen in the last Lesson? 2. What followed the death of Stephen?

"A great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem."

3. What became of the believers in Jesus?

"They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria."

4. Where did Philip, one of the seven chosen to distribute charity to the poor, go?

He went to a city of Samaria and preached there.

5. Where was Samaria, and what do you know about the Samaritans?

6. What effect had Philip's preaching on the people?

It led a great many to believe and be baptized.

7. Who went to Samaria to help Philip?

Two of the apostles, Peter and John.

8. What bad man professed to believe in Jesus and was baptized?

Simon, the Sorcerer.

9. Do you know what a sorcerer is?

10. What did Simon want to buy of the apostles?

He wanted to buy of them the power to give the Holy Spirit to people.

tised in appointing persons to an office, was a symbol of the impartation of the gifts and graces which they needed to qualify them for the office. It was of the nature of a prayer that God would bestow the necessary gifts, rather than a pledge that they were actually conferred."- Hackett.

9. The synagogue of the Libertines. "The so-called synagogue of the Freedmen." Noyes. "The 'Libertines' were Jews, who, having been taken prisoners and reduced to slavery, had afterwards been emancipated, and had returned to their native land. They had been allowed by Augustus to settle in a part of Rome, and to follow their own religious customs, but were expelled by Tiberias, A. D. 19. . . . It is a reasonable conjecture, that of these exiles enough may have found their way to Jerusalem to organize a synagogue of their own; and having suffered persecution for their own faith would be foremost in opposition to the new doctrine as one against this holy place and the law.'"- Abbott. - Asia. Not the continent of this name, but the small province in the west of Asia Minor.

11. Then they suborned men. That is, they induced them to testify to what was false. "By the witnesses being called false, it does not follow that all they said was a fabrication, but only that they had on many points distorted the assertion of Stephen with an evil intention. It was far from his design to attack the divine origin and holiness of the law, or blaspheme Moses. (Verses 13, 14.) But he probably represented the religion of the Jews as an arrangement for the time being, and as eventually falling before the grand movement of higher and more spiritual truths. The slightest hint of that kind would, of course, be caught up and magnified into the gravest crime."- Livermore.

HINTS TO TEACHERS. The main purpose of this Lesson is to call attention to the choice of the seven deacons to relieve the apostles of a prof their work, and to Stephen as the first Christian Martyr. Besid topics, however, some of the following may be noticed: (1) "

cians" and the "Hebrews," and their

complaint that the Apostles neglect

have been unfounded, or the ne

The advantages of a division

carried to an extreme.

method they suggeste increased usefulness

as seen in the Bo

religion and th ing another's cherish to ch

REFERE Church"

Ch. I.);

Renan's
Bk. II.

PHILIP THE EVANGELIST.

Acts VIII. 1-26.

Lead us, heavenly Father,
In our opening way;
Lead us in the morning
Of our little day;

While our hearts are happy,

While our souls are free,

Oh, may we give our eniidhood

As a song to thee.

GOLDEN TEXT: Keep thy heart with all diligence. io: on: I are the issues of life. - PROVERBS iv. 23.

1. What did you learn about Stephen in the las: LessUI 2. What followed the death of Stephen?

"A great persecution against the church wines wer

salem."

11. What did Peter say to him when he made this request? "Thy heart is not right in the sight of God."

12. What did he bid him do?

66

Repent, therefore, of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."

13. How can you tell whether your heart is right in the sight of God?

14. What must you do if it is not right?

1. Will you give a brief account of Stephen, the first Martyr?

2. What followed the death of Stephen? Acts viii. 1.

3. What did they that were scattered by the persecution do? 4.

4. Where did Philip go? 5.

5. What have we already heard of Philip? vi. 5.

6. Where was Samaria, and what can you say of the Samaritan religion?

7. How was the preaching of Philip received? 6.

8. Why would there be less prejudice against Christianity in Samaria than in Judea?

9. What wonderful cures are ascribed to Philip? 7. 10. Who had been doing wonderful things in Samaria before Philip went there? 8.

11. What effect had he produced? 9-11.

12. By what name is he usually called?

13. What did Simon do when he saw that many believed Philip's preaching and were baptized? 12, 13.

14. When news of Philip's success reached Jerusalem, who were sent to him? 14.

15. What did Peter and John do when they were come down to Samaria? 15-17.

16. What do you understand by these verses?

17. What gift did Simon try to buy with money? 18, 19. 18. Does this show that he did not truly repent when he professed to believe?

19. How did Peter rebuke him?

20-23.

20. What entreaty did Simon make? 24.