wise an account of the success of the gospel, and the formation of the churches. We shall enter on this subject at our next meeting. DIALOGUE XVI. Maria. PRAY, aunt, where did we leave the disciples in our last conversation? Aunt. On mount Olivet, looking with astonishment and desiring eyes after their ascending Lord, when two men in white apparel thus addressed them: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. They then returned to Jerusalem, and spent much time together in prayer: the assembly usually consisted of one hundred and twenty persons. There were now only eleven apostles; but, upon a proposition made by Peter, they set apart Joseph, called Barsabas, and Matthias, two of the seventy, that one might be chosen in the place of Judas; and then praying, they cast lots; and the lot fell on Matthias, who was numbered with the apostles. When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. George. Pray, aunt, what is the meaning of Pen tecost? Aunt. The word signifies the fiftieth day, and re fers to a festival which the Jews were commanded to keep, called the Feast of Weeks. See Lev. xxiii. 15, 16. Deut. xvi. 9, 10. It was also exactly fifty days from our Lord's resurrection, and the first day of the week, when they were all assembled. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting and there appeared unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, which sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues: that is, they conversed in all the different languages then spoken. : There were at this time devout Jews from all nations assembled at Jerusalem on account of the feast. The wonderful appearance of tongues, like as of fire, sitting on each of them, was soon reported in the city; and the people came in multitudes to see this great sight. The apostles addressed each in his own language, which filled them all with wonder and surprise. The strangers perfectly understood the discourses, and were fully satisfied of the reality of the miracle; but others (probably the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judea, who did not understand any foreign language, and were more prejudiced against the disciples of Jesus than the strangers were) derided them, and, mocking, said, These men are full of new wine; supposing they uttered unmeaning sounds in a confused manner, as if they were speaking in another language. But Peter, standing up, and raising his voice, declared unto them, that what they had seen and heard, so far from being the effect of wine, as they foolishly supposed, was a remarkė able accomplishment of what God had foretold by the prophet Joel, concerning the outpouring of the Spirit in the latter days. He then proceeded to shew, in a speech of considerable length, that Jesus of Nazareth, whom they with wicked hands had crucified and slain, was no other than the Messiah, of whose resurrection David had spoken so clearly in the Psalms. This Jesus, said Peter, hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses; therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear: let all the house of Israel, therefore, know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? to which Peter replied, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptised. And the same day, there were added unto them three thousand souls, who continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. Maria. Did they immediately build churches? Maria. But they must have one church; for it is said, there were numbers daily added to the church. Aunt. The church of Christ does not consist in an outward building: it is an assembly of christians uniting together in christian fellowship; it matters not what the building may be called, whether Church, Chapel, or Meeting-house: however chris tians may differ in modes and forms of worship, if their faith and practice are according to the word of God, they will meet above, where there will be no difference of opinion to hinder their union; but they will be all of one heart and one mind. George. What was the first miracle wrought by the apostles? Aunt. That of curing a lame man, who sat at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful, begging. He asked alms of Peter and John. Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the hand, and lift him up: and he stood, and walked, entering with them into the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God. And the people came from all quarters to see him, being filled with astonishment. Peter, observing their amazement, thus addressed them, Why look ye so earnestly on us, as if by our own power or holiness, we had restored this man? Peter then preached Christ to them, declaring that it was by faith in his name, they wrought this miracle. Thus the apostles sowed the seed, and God gave the increase: for there were added to the church five thousand. Maria. Did they persecute the apostles as they did our Lord? Aunt. Their malice was the same, and this miracle, together with their preaching Christ to the people, was the occasion of exciting it afresh. The priests and sadducees, with the captain, or ruler of the temple, came, and took Peter and John, and put them in prison. The next morning, the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrim, and the whole examination was reduced to one single question : By what power, and by whose name, have ye restored this lame man? George. I think the question implies that they were not ignorant how the miracle was wrought. Aunt. You are certainly right, George; but they hoped to have made the apostles disown it through fear, and so have weakened the faith of the new converts. But Peter, being assisted by the Holy Ghost, according to our Lord's promise in such cases, made a most noble defence, declaring boldly, That it was by the name of Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified, and whom God had raised from the dead, that that man stood before them; assuring them, there was salvation only in Christ, for there was no other name under heaven given among men whereby they must be saved. When Peter had finished, the rulers commanded the apostles to withdraw; and conferred among themselves, what they should do with them? they agreed, that they could not deny the miracle, for it was manifest to all that dwelt at Jerusalem; they therefore concluded to threaten the apostles, and dismiss them, charging them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Maria. When the apostles were ordered in again, what answer did they give? Aunt. Peter and John said, Judge ye: whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you more than unto God, for we cannot but speak the things we have heard and seen. After being farther threatened, they were dismissed without any |