apostles had turned away from Saul this man had taken him by the hand, and begged them to receive him as a brother. This man was Barnabas. His name was 'Son of Consolation, or Comfort.' Was not Saul glad to see him? O yes!glad indeed.

Barnabas had a great deal to tell him. He told him that he had come from a heathen city, where many people had turned unto the Lord. *Come with me,' said he, to the city of Antioch; for we want you there to teach the heathen who have just turned to the Lord.'

Saul willingly went with Barnabas to the city of Antioch, in Syria. It was a very grand city, full of fine houses, and beautiful gardens, and heathen temples; but there were quiet rooms in it, where many believers met together to worship the Father and the Son.

In this city a new name was given to

believers in Christ. They were called Christians, and they have kept that name, even to this day.

Saul and Barnabas spent a whole year in Antioch, preaching to the new Christians. Once only they took a journey to Jerusalem. The Christians at Antioch sent them there to give money to poor saints, as bread was very scarce and dear. This was a proof of their love for Jesus, as it was at Jerusalem that Jesus died and rose again.

'And the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.'-Acts, xi. end of 26.

XXIII.

PAUL'S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

Acts, xiii. 1-12.

WHILE Saul and Barnabas were living at Antioch, in Syria, the Holy Ghost

said to the Christian teachers, 'Let Barnabas and Saul go to the work I have called them to do.' So the other Christian teachers prayed, and sent them out to preach to the heathen.

And they took with them a young man, named John Mark. He was the nephew of Barnabas, and his uncle was fond of him, and liked to have him with him.

Where did they first go?

They went to the native country of Barnabas. Saul had once gone to his native country, Tarsus, and now Barnabas wished to go to his. Barnabas had been born in a very large and beautiful island, called Cyprus.

Saul and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus in a ship. They could easily get there in a day. When they landed at Salamis, the port, they found themselves among orange-groves and apricot-gardens. The hills were covered with vines, and the green pastures were sprinkled over

with milk-white flocks. But this sweet country was made hateful by the wicked ways of its people. The two apostles preached everywhere they could. They went all through the island preaching. The island is about one hundred miles long.

At the further end, there was a city called Paphos, where the governor lived. His name was Sergius Paulus. He was a Roman, and was king or governor under Cæsar at Rome-just as Pontius Pilate had been king in Jerusalem.

But he was a much wiser man than Pilate. When he heard of the preaching of the wonderful strangers, he wanted to hear them preach, and so he sent for them, that he might learn about the true God.

The two apostles went into the palace of the governor, hoping to lead him to believe in Jesus.

There was a very wicked man in

the room.

His name was Bar-jesus.

He was a Jew, and had a Jewish name, meaning the 'Son of Jesus,' but he was really the son of Satan. He had another name, meaning Wise Man'— Elymas-for he pretended that he was wise through the devil, and he pretended to do wonders. He was a wizard, or one who knew the wise art. He was a sorcerer and a conjurer. This wicked Jew could not bear to hear of Jesus, and he tried to turn away the governor from believing in him. We do not know what he said, only that he spoke against the Gospel.

Saul then turned towards him and fixed his eyes upon him, saying, 'O full of all cunning and mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness! the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind and not see the sun for a season.'

Immediately this wicked man found himself in darkness, and he spread out