liar praise of Timothy, that from his childhood he had known the Scriptures. And it appears probable that Apollos possessed the same advantage, since we are told not merely that he had obtained a competent knowledge of God's holy word, but that he was mighty in the Scriptures. He had not only perused but digested those sacred writings; not contenting himself with a partial and confused notion of their contents, but obtaining a clear and comprehensive view of their consistency and worth insomuch, that he became at length a living commentary upon them, quoting and comparing, interpreting and explaining, their several parts with readiness and effect, bringing out of his sacred treasures, like a liberal householder, things new and old.

In addition to all this, we are told that he was a man fervent in spirit; a person of much feeling and warmth, much zeal and activity. And indeed this might be justly argued from his undertaking such a journey as then engaged his attention. He might have quietly enjoyed at Alexandria, among his kindred and connexions, the fruit of all his pious studies and spiritual experience. He might

there have privately grown in grace, till grace had ripened into glory. That such is the case of many, whose names are almost unknown in the church, can hardly be doubted. They occupy their private stations with so much modesty and reserve, as almost literally to pass through the world like pilgrims and strangers, undiscovered and disregarded by every eye except the allpervading eye of Him, who is about our path and about our bed. But Apollos was of another temperament and character. His candle was lighted up, not to be hidden under a bed or a bushel, but to be borne aloft from place to place, conveying illumination and encouragement to the habitations of his distant brethren. It was the benevolence of his heart and the fervor of his spirit, that urged him from his remote abode to labour in unknown countries for the public good. He felt an earnest desire to be employed in spreading far and wide through the world the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. He longed to assist in lengthening the cords and strengthening the stakes of that spiritual tabernacle, which Jehovah himself had pitched among men; setting up in his name an en

sign for the nations, assembling the outcasts of Israel, and gathering together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. To this high service he devoted himself with sincerity and resolution, willingly enduring many privations in his own person, that he might be made the instrument of communicating to others the tidings of salvation.

Insensibility and indifference are equally hateful in the sight of God and man. It is good always to be zealously affected in a good thing. This warm and lively feeling is calculated to draw out the best energies of the soul, putting the whole man in motion, and exciting him to employ all his influence and ability for the general weal. Without a high degree of animation and fervor, no extraordinary undertaking ever was, or ever can be accomplished. Were we to choose a patron, an agent, or a friend, he should be a man whose fervent spirit would qualify him for entering into our concerns, and engaging in our interests, in such a way as to secure their advancement. It is through the instrumentality of such characters, that the allwise God effects his special purposes in the world from age to age. Such men were

Moses and Elijah among the prophets; such were Peter and Paul among the apostles; such also was Apollos among the earliest disseminators of truth; and such the great apostle would have all professing Christians to be, not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.

Thus qualified for his work, this pious stranger taught diligently the ways of the Lord; employing every opportunity afforded him by the stated times of public worship of reasoning with the Ephesian Jews on the great truths of their holy religion, and in discoursing with them on the stability of those promises, upon which all their highest expectations were founded. Among the auditors of Apollos were numbered Aquila and Priscilla; and it will hardly be questioned, that they were two of the most spiritual and intelligent of his hearers. They listened to his discourses with all the earnestness and gravity becoming their character. But while they witnessed his uncommon endowments, and admired the impressive energy with which he delivered himself, they quickly discovered his utter ignorance of the christian dispensation. The gospel of Jesus Christ

not yet having penetrated into Egypt, Apollos consequently had never heard of that allsufficient Saviour, who was come down from heaven a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel. The doctrines of John, and the baptism he instituted, were indeed generally known in that country, where they had been cordially received and promptly adopted by this diligent enquirer after truth. He was one of those who waited for the consolation of Israel: and no sooner had the report of John's ministry reached his ears, than he was led to consider that extraordinary person as the immediate forerunner of the expected Messiah. On this occasion his views were enlarged, and his resolution fixed to proceed from faith to faith, and from grace to grace, till he should be made a joyful partaker of the promised blessedness. Such were the impressions made upon good old Simeon's mind, when he took the infant Saviour in his arms, and rejoiced in the present fulfilment of God's holy promise. Such were the feelings of Anna, who coming at that very instant into the temple, immediately joined the goodly company she found there, in giving thanks