under the influence of the Holy Ghost, saying, "Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: his bishopric let another take." He then pointed out the importance of supplying his place with some person who had been continually with them during our Lord's stay upon earth, all the time that He had gone in and out among them, from the period of John's baptism until the very day of Christ's ascension into heaven. This was, indeed, of the utmost consequence in the case of one who was to become an Apostle of Christ, in order that he might be able to bear witness to His wonderful life, His extraordinary miracles, and above all to His glorious Resurrection, that grand fact of our blessed religion which is at once the seal of its truth and the pledge of its final triumph.

E. I am very anxious to know on whom the disciples decided at last.

M. They appointed two men who appeared to them best qualified for this high office; one was Joseph or Barsabas, surnamed Justus; the other was Matthias; and they prayed in the most solemn manner to God, that He would help them in their choice; saying, "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship :" then they cast lots, as was the custom among the Jews on all important occasions, and the lot under the direction of Providence fell upon Matthias. For formerly, you know, God condescended to direct His people in their proceedings more visibly and remarkably than He does now, when they have a clearer revelation of His will to depend upon in His Holy word, than they had then.

E. Then I suppose drawing lots was a more serious business then, than it is now, and that there was nothing wrong in trying to discover the will of God in that way?

M. No, the decision of doubtful matters by lot, was a practice which God Himself had instituted among His people, as you may see in several parts of the Old Testament1 and to choose an Apostle in this way was, in fact, nothing less than in a very solemn manner to leave the decision with God, instead of venturing to judge for themselves. But we must keep in mind that, when this cause of proceeding was adopted by the Apostles, the Holy Ghost had not yet descended upon them to give them divine inspiration. They acted as yet, rather as Jews, than as Christian Apostles; though their act being well meant, and devoutly conducted, as well as agreeable to their then views of what was right, was overruled for good. It has farther been well remarked that, though under the Jewish dispensation there was something sacred in the casting of the lot, yet, as in the world at large, it has been used for far other than the sacred purposes, and even abused to gaming and other sinful ends, it was not intended to be continued with divine sanction under the universal dispensation of the Gospel. Accordingly, when another Apostle was added to the twelve, it was not by lot, but by a voice from Heaven, that He was appointed; as we may see by and by. It would, therefore, be very unwise and presumptuous in us to make this solitary act of the Apostles, under circum

1 Numb. xxvi. 55. Josh. xiii. 2-6. Judges xx. 9. 1 Chron. xxiv. 5. Luke i. 9.

stances so very peculiar, an example for our own imitation. Rather, let us make it our business under difficulties humbly, yet diligently to use our reason, and to study God's revealed will, praying devoutly for an understanding heart, and beseeching Him to guide us on every occasion by His gracious Providence, and His blessed Spirit. Happily for us, my child, these are still in our days, though unseen in their operations, as powerful as ever, in God's own way, to direct our steps, and bless our undertakings. There is no need for a moment to diminish our trust in God, which can never be too great; nor to check a desire, so necessary to our peace, that every event of our lives may be ordered, and every step directed, by His infinite wisdom and love. But it is important that we should bear in mind, that we are not under a dispensation of miracles, as the people of God were in old times, both before the coming of Christ, and also at the first preaching of the Gospel.

E. Did Matthias then become in all respects like the other Apostles, and remain among them?

M. We are only told in the Bible that "he was numbered with the eleven apostles;" but there can be no doubt that, being chosen to form one of that sacred body, he would remain with them at Jerusalem, until the Holy Ghost was bestowed upon them to enable them to fulfil their difficult and important duties. It is supposed that he began his ministry in Judea, where he had great success; that he afterwards travelled to the East, and that after suffering a great deal in the service of Christ, he at last laid down his life for his Heavenly Master's sake.

See Acts i.

12

SECOND SUNDAY EVENING.

DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

E. I suppose our Lord did not mention to His disciples the day on which the Holy Ghost should be given to them, although He commanded them to wait at Jerusalem until the great event took place?

M. No; not the precise day. "The times and seasons," even of mercies to come, the Almighty is pleased to keep for the most part in His own power. Though favoured with a general assurance of them, we are left in uncertainty as to their actual coming, in order, perhaps, to keep us in humble dependance upon God, as well as to keep alive in us, a sense of the value of His mercies, and an anxiety for their enjoyment. This kind of discipline, seems almost essential to prepare our minds for the effectual reception of blessings, just "as garments which are dyed with some rich colour undergo a preparatory process to enable them to receive it thoroughly, and permanently to retain it." The glowing purple, Edward, would otherwise quickly fade. The Apostle St. Paul, for instance, was three days blind, before he was baptized; and so, in the case of the twelve, God prepared their souls by a holy anxiety, before He caused them to be imbued, and as it were transformed with His renewing grace. But let us proceed to these glorious facts, recorded in the second chapter of "The Acts of the Apostles.” There we are told, in the simple but forcible language of Scripture, that "when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind, and it filled all the house were they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance 1."

E. What a wonderful account, Mamma, but hard to understand. I feel as if there were many things in it which I should like you to explain to me.

M. We must dwell upon every particular of it, Edward; an event so important to the Christian Church, from that time to this, and to the end of the world, demands our most serious attention. Only may God be pleased to give His blessing to our consideration of a history so extraordinary, of an event which, wonderful as it was, so immediately concerns us all!

I had better perhaps begin by explaining to you that the day of Pentecost was the fiftieth day after Easter, Pentecost being, as, I have no doubt, you remember, the Greek word for fiftieth; and that it was one of the three great yearly festivals of the Jewish people. In the New Testament it is called "the feast of Pentecost," and in the Old Testament, where we find the account of the institution of it, it is called "the feast of weeks;" because celebrated seven weeks, or "a week of weeks after the passover ;" and "the feast of harvest," because the barley harvest, which began at the passover, ended at this time.

E. But what was this feast kept for, Mamma?
M. It seems to have been instituted for the

pur