out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' At last, when bruised all over and ready to die, he kneeled down and said, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' Thus with his last breath he asked God to forgive his cruel murderers.

As soon as he had offered this prayer he fell asleep.

This was the death of the first martyr. Thousands and thousands of martyrs have died like him, praising God and praying for their enemies, and they will all come with Jesus to reign with - Him in glory.

The host of martyrs :

' And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.' -Rev. xii. 11.

D

IX.

THE FIRST MISSIONARY AFTER THE

ASCENSION.

Acts, viii. 1-13.

THE dead body of Stephen was not left to be cast out by his enemies. It was buried by holy men, with tears and sighs.

The Jews went on ill-treating the believers at Jerusalem; so that many of them went to other cities to get out of the reach of their enemies. Saul, that young man, who kept the clothes of the stoners, was the fiercest of all. He went into any house he pleased, and dragged the believers to prison--both men and women.

But the apostles would not leave Jerusalem. They went on preaching pardon to the murderers of Jesus, if they would repent.

One of the deacons was named Philip.

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women, committed them to prison.'-P. 44.