COMMENTS. In the beginning, the apostles preached the gospel only to the Jews, and only received into the Christian Church such of these as believed on Christ as the true Messiah. They knew that, according to the last great commission of their Master, the gospel was to be preached to all nations, and that all who believed were to be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity; but they were of the opinion, that circumcision was also necessary, in order to be saved, and, therefore, that all Gentiles-heathen-who professed to believe, must be first circumcised, before they were baptized and received into the Church. This opinion seemed to be so fixed in the minds of the apostles and the first Christians, that only a special revelation could overcome and remove it. Such a revelation was made to Peter, who was then the chief apostle. By the wonderful events which happened to him and to Cornelius, recorded in the previous chapter, Peter was led clearly to see, that circumcision was no longer necessary, in order to be saved, bat only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and, therefore, without first circumcising them, he baptized Cornelius and hist family, and received them into fellowship with the Church, and placed them on the same footing with converted Jews. When the news of this strange and revolutionary proceeding on the part of Peter reached Jerusalem, the apostles and Christians there were very much disturbed by it. Some were even of fended by it. Consequently, when Peter himself, came to Jerusalem, he was required to make a defence of his conduct, which defence is the subject of the lesson to-day. 1. Apostles. Probably all the apostles except Peter had remained in Jerusalem up to this time, and they were, therefore, all present at this meeting. Brethren. By these are meant believers-Christians-all of whom were converted Jews, as were also the apostles themselves. Gentiles. By these are meant heathen generally; in this particular instance, Cornelius and his family, who were Romans. These were brought to believe in Christ by the preaching of Peter. 2. They of the circumcision. These were certain converted Jews, who still believed that, in order to become Christians, it was not only necessary to believe in Christ and be baptized, but also to be circumcised and to observe the whole Mosaic law, that is, that the Gentiles must first become Jews, and then only could they become Christians. Contending with him. They called Peter to an account for his conduct towards Cornelius and his family in such a way as to show that they disapproved of it. 3. Thou wentest in, etc. The charge they made against Peter was, that he held familiar intercourse with heathen, and ate with them at the same table, as if they were not only of the same nation, but also of the same religion. Now, although there was no law of Moses which prohibited such intercourse between Jews and Gentiles, there were teachings of the Rabbis which made it unlawful, which teachings were considered as binding on the Jews as those of Moses. 4. Rehearsed, etc. Peter told them the whole story of his intercourse with Cornelius, step by step, as it occurred from the beginning to the end. 5. Joppa, one of the oldest seaports in the world, is situated on the coast of the Mediterranean sea, 30 miles south of Cesarea, and 35 miles south-west of Jerusalem. It is now called Jaffa. 8. There were many so-called unclean animals in the vessel, and, therefore, Peter, still believing that the law concerning clean and unclean animals was binding upon him, refused to slay and eat. 9. What God hath cleansed, etc. The first meaning of these words is, that the distinction made by the Mosaic law between clean and unclean animals, was abolished, and that all were to be regarded as clean, and, therefore, fit to eat. But the vision was also symbolical in its character, and it therefore had another and a deeper meaning. By it God would give Peter new information respecting the way of spreading the gospel, especially among the Gentiles. The symbolical meaning of the vision has been thus interpreted: The vessel denotes the creation, especially mankind; the letting down of it from heaven, the descent of all creatures, especially of all men, from the same divine origin; the four corners are the four quarters of the globe; the clean and unclean beasts represent the Jews and Gentiles; and the command to eat contains the divine declaration that the new creation in Christ has henceforth annulled the Mosaic laws respecting food, as well as the distinction between clean and unclean nations; and that even the heathen, therefore, were to be received into the Christian Church without the intervention of Judaism, as the cloth, with all the animals, was taken up again into heaven. Peter did not at first catch this meaning of the vision; closely following events, however, enabled him clearly to understand cumcised or uncircumcised, who now believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, were to be baptized and received into the one fellowship of the saints. And for this they praised the Lord. To Get out of Debt. To a young man in debt, Benjamin Franklin gave the following advice: and of all that is owing to you. ReMake a full estimate of all you owe, duce the same to note. As fast as you can collect, pay over to those you owe. If you cannot, renew your note every year, and get the best security you can. Go to business diligently, and be indus12. Doubting nothing. Not yet un-economical in all things; discard all trious; waste no idle moments; be very derstanding the deep meaning of the vision, Peter would, perhaps, have hesitated to have anything to do with these heathen men; or he may have doubted the story which these men told him about Cornelius. Whatever caused him it. to hesitate, he was commanded to cast aside all his doubts and scruples, and go with the men. 15. The Holy Ghost fell upon them, that is, upon Cornelius, his kinsmen and near friends, who were present (chap. x. 24), all of whom were uncircumcised Gentiles. As on us in the beginning, that is, as the Holy Ghost came down on the apostles and brethren on the day of Pentecost-they being all circumcised Jews. The point is, that the Holy Ghost came in like manner and measure upon both Gentiles and Jews, making no distinction between the one who were uncircumcised and the other who were circumcised. 17. In the fact of the Holy Ghost descending upon Cornelius and his family, Peter saw a clear sign and proof, that God accepted their faith and acknowledged them as His children, even though they were not circumcised. If, under these circumstances, he had refused to acknowledge them as true believers and to baptize them, and thus receive them into the Church, he would have opposed God. 18. Peter's clear and frank statement of all that had taken place, not only relieved him of all blame in the eyes of the apostles and brethren, but also convinced them that God had forever abolished all distinction between Jew and Gentile, and that all, whether cir pride; be faithful in your duty to God, by regular and hearty prayer morning and night; attend church and meeting regularly every Sunday; and do unto all men as you would that they should circumstances to give to the poor, do do unto you. If you are too needy in whatever else is in your power to do cheerfully, but if you can, help the poor and unfortunate. Pursue this course and if you are not happy, comfortable diligently and sincerely for seven years, and independent in your circumstances, come to me, and I will pay your debts. Filial Piety. The late Dr. John Todd, in the preface to his little book, "Truth made Simple," thus assigns to his children a reason for his incessaut occupations: "Far away from our house lives an aged widow. She has no children near her. She has no home. She has no money. She has been deprived of reason ever since I can remember; she does not even know her own children. That aged woman is your father's mother. For the last twelve years I have had the honor to provide for this afflicted woman, and to do it I have been obliged to use my pen. For this I have written books, and every cent of the proceeds have thus been devoted. Nothing else would ever have made me an author; nothing else would keep me one. Have I not done right? I charge you then, my dear children, that if you live, and as long as you live, never fail to be kind, affectionate and grateful to your mother." SEPTEMBER 17. LESSON XXXVIII. Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. Acts xi. 19-26. 1876. THE DISCIPLES INCREASE AT ANTIOCH, WHERE THEY ARE ALSO FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS. 19. Now they which were scattered abroad [ upon the persecution that arose about Stephen. traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 23. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26. And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a 22. Then the tidings of these things came whole year they assembled themselves with the unto the ears of the church which was in Jeru-church, and taught much people. And the d ssalem and they sent forth Barnabas, that he ciples were called Christians first in Antioch. should go as far as Antioch. QUESTIONS. 19. Concerning whom does this verse speak? Where is that persecution recorded? Chap. viii. 1. Whither did these disciples go? Where is Phenice? Where Cyprus? Where Antioch? What did the disciples preach? What is meant by the Word? To whom only did they preach? Why only to the Jews? 20. Who were some of these disciples? What is meant by men of Cyprus and Cyrene? What did they do at Antioch? Who are meant by the Grecians? What is meant by preaching the Lord Jesus? 21. What was with them? mean? What was the result? by turned unto the Lord? What does that What is meant 22, 23. When tidings of these things came to Jerusalem, what did the Church there do? Who was Barnabas? Chap. iv. 35. For what | purpose did they send him on this mission? When he came to Antioch and saw the grace of God, how did he feel? In what was the grace of God manifested to him? What did he exhort them to do? What does that mean? 24. What kind of a man was Barnabas? Why is he spoken of in this way here? 25, 26. Whither did he then go? Why did he go to Tarsus? When he found Saul, what did he do? Why did he bring Suul to Antioch? How long did they remain and teach there? What were the disciples called first at Antioch? What does that name mean? How often does the word occur in the New Testament? See this verse, and chap. xxvi. 28; 1 Pet. iv. 16. What are Christians generally called in the New Testament? Do you bear the Christian name? Are you a Curistian? COMMENTS. St. Luke goes back to chap. viii. 1, where he related the dispersion of the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem by the persecution instigated by Saul, and, in the lesson for to-day, records one of the good results which God brought out of it at Antioch. more ready to believe and practice the doctrine that the gospel was for Gentiles as well as Jews. Grecians. Uncircumcised Gentiles-heathen idolaters, of Greek nationality and language. Preaching the Lord Jesus-proclaiming Him to be the Lord and Saviour of all men who would repent and believe on Him, and not of the Jews only. 21. The hand of the Lord. The hand is a symbol of power, and the phrase may here mean, that the Lord revealed His power, not only to heal the sick, etc., but also to work repentance and faith. Turned unto the Lord. They turned from their heathen faith and practices, and accepted the new faith and Christ as their Lord and Saviour. 22, 23. When the news of the conversion of these heathen reached the brethren at Jerusalem, they were perhaps as much perplexed as pleased at it. They could not yet understand how heathen could become Christians without first being circumcised, and to receive such converts into the Church without circumcision, was to them at least a great irregularity. But as they did not know how things were proceeding at Antioch, they sent Barnabas to make a pastoral visitation of the churches between Jerusalem and Antioch, and to inquire into their condition, etc. And Barnabas was the very man for this work, for, besides his special spiritual qualifications for it, he was himself a native of Cyprus-a heathen Christian-and was thus enabled best to understand the men who were working here. Had seen the grace of God. This was manifested in the conversion of these Gentiles at Antioch. With purpose of heart, etc.-that they should persevere with their whole hearts in serving the Lord, and not let any temptation, danger or persecution lead them away from Him. 19. Phenice (Phoenicia), was a small but important country, from 1 to 20 miles wide, and from 150 to 180 miles long, lying between the crest of Mt. Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea. It was originally peopled by the descendants of Ham, who worshipped, with cruel rites, the sun, moon, and planets, and exerted a pernicious influence on the ancient Jews. The land is frequently referred to in the Old Testament by the names of the chief cities, Tyre and Sidon. Cyprus is a large island in the Mediterranean Sea, about 60 miles from the coast of Palestine. It is frequently mentioned in the Scrip. tures, and is especially notable as being the birth-place of Barnabas, and as being also the first point reached by Paul and Barnabas in their first missionary journey. (Chap. xiii. 4). Antioch. This is Antioch in Syria, and was a city situated on the river Orontes, nearly in the angle formed by the coasts of Syria and Asia Minor. It was the metropolis of all Syria, and its situation made it a place of concourse for all classes and kinds of people. It was from 1 to 2 miles wide, and between 4 and 5 miles long from east to west, and was surrounded by a wall 50 feet high and 15 feet thick. It was distinguished not only for its refinement and learning, but also and especially for its luxury and vice. Frivolous amusements were daily occupations, and vice the business of llfe. The Word, that is, the Word of God, the gospel. The Jews only. These disciples were Jewish Christians-converted Jews-and their preaching to the Jews only accorded with Christ's commission to the twelve apostles while He was still living (Matt. x. 5), and with their practice for the first few years after His resurrection and ascension. They had not yet reached the be-sition; full of and ready to be guided lief that the gospel was for all nations. 20. Men of Cyprus, etc., that is, natives of these places, and were probably Jewish proselytes-converts from heathenism to Judaism-who, being less prejudiced than Jewish Christians, were 24. The character here given to Barnabas explains the reason why, in executing his mission, he recognized the work of God in converting the uncircumcised. He was kind in his dispo by the Holy Ghost; possessed the faith which enables one to see the things that are unseen. Being such a man, he accepted the grace of God manifested by the spiritual change wrought in the character of these uncircumcised Greeks as an evidence of divine power which not only outweighed his preconceived opinions as to the irregularity of receiving them into the Church, but filled his heart with joy and gladness. 25, 26. Barnabas, being convinced by what he had seen that the door had been opened at Antioch by the providence and Spirit of God to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and recalling Saul's commission to preach it to the Gentiles (chap. viii. 15), now goes and brings him to Antioch to carry on the work assigned to him. Christians. They are such who believed in Christ as the only Saviour of men, and the name serves to distinguish them from Jews, Mahommedans, etc. Though the name may have been given to them at first in ridicule, as a nickname, it became a name of honor, and makes honorable all who worthily bear it. Throughout the New Testament, Christians are called "believers," "the faithful," "saints," "brethren," or "disciples." A System for a S. S. Secretary. From a pastor in Westerly, R. I., comes the following request: Will you please publish a list of such books as are necessary to accomplish the perfect work of the secretary of a Sunday-school. Such as are now in use by some of our best secretaries. furnish in each case the scholar's num- Useful Sermon. How many times we preach and retire discouraged, feeling that we have spent our strength for naught! How many times our utterances seem simple and powerless to ourselves, but afterward prove they have been the power of God unto the salvation of a poor sinner! Many years since, the Rev. Edmund Calamy preached in London. As he was truly eloquent, and drew large crowds, a young man in deep despondency of mind traveled some distance for the purpose of hearing him. It so hap Schools vary so much in size and in character, that every general plan is likely to need modification in its special applications. Yet, the main facts requisite to an accurate account of a large school, are equally important concernihg a small school. The difference is rather in the amount than in the kind of work demanded. Whether in sepa-pened that on Sabbath, when the young rate and voluminous books, or in a sin- man took his seat in church, the pulpit gle and compact book, the following was supplied by a plain country minisrecords should be provided for: (1.) An ter, who took for his text, Matthew 8: admission record, where every scholar's 26-" Why are ye fearful, O ye of litname, residence, parents' names, and tle faith?" Although there was nothprevious Sunday-school history should ing remarkable in the matter or manner be enrolled at the time of his admission. of the speaker, the weight was lifted A duplicate of this record should be from the hearer's heart by the influence, handed the teacher to whom each new and "he went on his way rejoicing.' scholar goes, and no new scholar should Who the preacher was the young man be permitted to enter any class, except never knew, but he himself was John by way of the admission record. Upon Owen; and the long life of usefulness, this record each scholar has his own en- both in church and state, which followed, rollment number. (2.) An alphabeti- was attributable to God's blessing on cal enrollment, or register. This should that single discourse. |