acted in this manner, for he first consulted with his wife, and keeping back part of the money for himself, he resolves to take the rest to the apostles, and tell them that he had brought them all he had received for the land. Ananias had not been compelled to sell his property, and even after he had disposed of it, he was not obliged to give away the money; why then did he impiously attempt to deceive that God to whom all desires are known and from whom no secrets are hid? Oh, had Sapphira gently remonstrated with her husband, or, on her knees, had she besought the Lord to save him from the commission of so fearful a crime, the awful consequences might have been avoided! But, alas! in their sinful communings, they forgot the all-seeing God, and with the well-prepared falsehood, Ananias appears before Peter, telling him he brings as an offering to God all the money he has received for the land. 66 66 Can we not picture Peter's stern look as the conscience-stricken Ananias quails before his glance ? Why has Satan filled thy heart," he says, 'to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?" What, then, was his guilty plan discovered? Had the glance of the God of Truth made light in a moment his dark scheme of deception ? Oh, how terror blanches his cheek and causes him to tremble, as Peter continues speaking! "Was not the land thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?" As if he had said, "I did not ask you for the money; I did not even expect it; and wilfully have you thus sinned, and unsolicited lost your precious soul;" and immediately Ananias falls down and dies! Look at the multitude around! They stand in silent terror, and no wonder-that guilty man has passed with a lie on his lips into eternity! No time for prayer; no time for repentance-and the young men arise, some of the youth of the congregation who were in attendance as servants on the Christians, and wind up Ananias tightly in folds of linen,-a custom amongst the Jews to preserve the body from putrefaction,— and carry him out and bury him. This immediate interment must not surprise us, as there might have been some danger of tumult amongst the people, had there been any delay in this burial; besides, the Jews, like most Eastern nations, bury their dead as soon as possible. But this is not all; Sapphira, the guilty wife, appears, triumphing perhaps in the supposed success of her plan, for she knows nothing of all that has happened, and is, no doubt, pleasing herself with the idea that they both will find favour in Peter's sight on account of their disinterested gift, and that they will now rank amongst the eminently religious. Alas, poor Sapphira! Sin is a hard master, and his wages are misery and weeping. Peter could not wait till she should begin her tale of falsehood. As soon as she enters the room he anxiously exclaims, "Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?" or had he a faint hope that she might not have been linked with her husband in this fearful crime? Look how his countenance alters, as without any hesitation she replies, "Yea, for so much." "How is it," he indignantly exclaims, "that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out." They were just returning from the funeral of Ananias, who had been buried outside the walls of the city, according to the Jewish custom, and they would be in time to perform the same office for his guilty wife. What! and could it be her husband gone, and she in a measure his leader to destruction? What must have been her feelings at that moment! But ere she has time to reflect on the enormity of her sin, ere she has time to beseech the Lord to have mercy on her soul, death hurries her to the judgment-seat of an offended God. Yes, she too dies; and one in death are those who so lately were one in sin! and side by side they were buried, and their graves stood an awful warning to the hypocrite and the liar. The people 66 were all much frightened, and, perhaps, many a mental prayer arose, Lord, save me! keep me by thy power in the way of uprightness, in the path of truth!" To the youngest amongst you we would affectionately say, the next time the falsehood trembles on your lips remember this tale of woe. You can do nothing in your own strength; but ask that the Spirit of Truth may dwell in your hearts, so that whatever may have been your offence, you may have courage never to deny your fault. And, oh, beware of hypocrisy! Better, far better, that the world should think evil of you, than that he who is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart should know that you conceal your sins from man, with a beautiful and garnished covering it may be, yet woven of deceit and falsehood; "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” VI. ----- MIRACLES WROUGHT BY THE APOSTLES.-THEIR WONDERFUL DELIVERANCE FROM PRISON.THEIR BOLDNESS.—GAMALIEL'S ADVICE. Look at that crowd! ah, we know the apostles are there!—yes, in the midst of much opposition, with tyranny on their right hand and scorn and hate around them, strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man, boldly they speak of salvation only through Christ. But what does all this mean? Couches and beds are placed at the road-side. Look at those pale and sunken faces. It is the first time they have left their chambers for many months, but they could no longer remain at home, so anxious were they to look at these holy men, to whom the Lord had given such power. It gladdens their hearts, if even the shadow of Peter, as he passes, falls on them. And strength is given to those who thus seek their Saviour. Fear is lost sight of, the stern rulers of the land are forgotten, as multitudes from |