TWELFTH SUNDAY EVENING.

LABOURS OF ST. PETER.

M. From the history of Saul we shall return once more, Edward, to the labours of St. Peter, who was at Jerusalem, you will remember, when Saul returned to that city as an Apostle. On Saul's departure from his native country, the persecution which he had been so instrumental in stirring up, and which had so mysteriously recoiled upon himself, seems to have ceased.

E. I am truly glad of that: then the Christians would have a little rest.

M. Yes; all the Churches planted by Philip, and others throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, had rest; and a great blessing it must have been to them. For the providence of God is ever-watching over his people, and provides for them continually their seasons of refreshment and peace, whenever He sees it necessary. Thus, now a happy season of quiet and of comfort succeeded the severe trial of patience, to which the saints at Jerusalem had been exposed; like a day of calm sunshine after a season of storms;-like sweet returning health after long sickness.

E. And like Canaan, Mamma, after the long journey in the wilderness.

M. And this we may observe continually in the history of the Church of Christ, not only in the days

of the Apostles and in the Old Testament too, but even in our own days: each Christian almost might observe it for himself in his own history. And does not this confirm us, Edward, in that most blessed hope of our religion: "There remaineth a rest for the people of God?" Does it not encourage us to labour in the great work of our salvation, yea, even to suffer cheerfully, if need be, either from within or from without, in the sure and certain hope of everlasting repose in heaven.

Let us now see how the Christians improved this season of peace: they have left us in this respect a holy example, for they spent it in edifying themselves and all around them; walking so beautifully and happily in the fear of the Lord, and enjoying so evidently the comfortable presence of the Holy Ghost, that others saw and admired and were drawn into the Communion of the saints themselves. Nor did they lose this favourable opportunity for active labours in the cause of Christ. St. Peter availed himself of it to visit the disciples in all the places just mentioned, establishing them no doubt by his preaching, and confirming their faith by the miracles which he wrought. So important is it that, in seasons of rest from great trials, the Christian soldier should, as it were, look over his armour, and have it bright and ready against further struggles with the enemy of his soul; that he should then become deeply rooted and grounded in the faith, against other trials to which he may be called.

E. Are the miracles which St. Peter wrought particularly mentioned?

M. One was the healing of a paralytic whose

name was Eneas, who had kept his bed, it appears, eight years, being all that time "sick of the palsy." Yet at the word of Peter, or rather, at the gift of Christ, he rises immediately full of health and strength, able at once to make the bed on which he had so long been lying a helpless cripple. But you must notice the language of the Apostle on this occasion, for there is something particularly striking in its beautiful simplicity. He does not say, "I, an Apostle of Christ, bid thee arise," nor, as on a former occasion, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk," but, as if he were bringing the boon to the poor cripple directly from our Lord, he announces the blessing in the following short but expressive words, "Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed." Short and simple message of mercy, but how full of power! What a What a proof of Christ's presence with his Apostles! What a call for their dependence upon his Almighty power for a greater cure than that of the palsy, the cure of all the disorders of the soul! This miracle had a great effect upon all the spectators; for it is said that "all that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord."

E. I do not remember the cities of Lydda and Saron, Mamma. Whereabouts shall I find them?

M. Lydda was not far from Joppa, but rather more inland to the north; and seems to have been more a village than a city. Saron was a town adjoining Lydda, from which a wide and fruitful valley between Cæsarea and Joppa takes its name. I think you know Joppa well?

E. It is on the borders of the Mediterranean, the

nearest seaport, I believe, to Jerusalem, and about forty miles from it, But was Eneas a disciple?

M. We do not read whether he was or not. Most probably he was, or, if not, that he became so immediately. Another case is also mentioned still more interesting. Of Eneas we hear nothing but that he had been sick and was healed; but the other person called Tabitha or Dorcas at Joppa is spoken of as a disciple, "full of good works and almsgivings," and in consequence much beloved. Yet she was sick, and died; for even those who are dear to Christ are not exempt, as we know, from sickness and death.

E. No, I remember how they said to our Lord about Lazarus; "He whom thou lovest is sick."

M. And the body of this holy woman was prepared for the burial, and laid in an upper room ready for its bed of dust. Great, meanwhile, was the grief felt on her account, for great in her had been the general loss; so much so, that, Lydda being near to Joppa, and the disciples knowing that Peter was there, they determined to send to the Apostle, not doubting apparently that the miraculous power, with which the Holy Ghost had endowed the Apostle, would reach even to the raising of the dead, although no such work had been performed as yet since the Great Head of the Church had withdrawn his visible presence from it. Peter did not delay to obey the summons: he was moving about through the Churches expressly to strengthen and comfort the disciples of Christ, and he would not be inattentive to such a call as this; but hastening to the relief of this distress, he accompanies back to Joppa the messengers who had been sent for him.

E. How anxiously the friends of Tabitha must have watched for his coming!

M. Especially as, in warm climates, the burial always follows the death very quickly; the beloved form being torn away with overwhelming suddenness from those to whom it is precious even in death. And when Peter was come, they brought him to the upper chamber where the dead body was laid. The scene, which that chamber presented, was a mournful one, but deeply interesting: there stood a group of poor widows, whom she had clothed and comforted in her life-time, weeping for her loss, and displaying to the Apostle the coats and garments which she had made for them. She had been zealous in her charities, and such a friend to the poor and miserable could not easily be replaced. Eloquent were the tears they shed; the tears of the poor! what better panegyric could be uttered over the departed? how far more valuable than the most pompous funeral speech, than the richest monument which could be raised by surviving friends; tears, accompanied by proofs of her activity in doing good; memorials of her love to Christ, and to the poor which are his body! Truly "the memory of the just is blessed!"

How precious are such proofs of real faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! He has said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me1;" thus consecrating for ever our deeds of charity, and graciously permitting us in this way to show our love to him. Does not this story point out the importance of good works,

1 Matt. xxv. 40.