munition of rocks. We are clad in the armour of a righteousness, that all the powers of darkness cannot penetrate; and although in ourselves weak and defenceless, if thus supported, even the Enemy of souls himself we can undauntedly defy in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel

There was a doctor of the law, called Gamaliel, a man very highly esteemed on account of his education and superior talent, who, after hearing all their wicked plans, told the chief-priests to be very careful how they touched the apostles.

He reminded them of many who had before pretended to do a great deal, but being unable to succeed, their followers soon dispersed, and they themselves were heard of no more.

He entreated them to refrain from any violence"If this work be of man, it will come to nought;" and then, as if a meteor-beam of faith momentarily shone on the night of his spiritual darkness,-" if it be of God," he continued, "ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." And He who has the hearts of all at his disposal, caused them to agree to Gamaliel's counsel.

But again these holy men are bound, and we hear the lash, the cruel lash! What! has man prevailed against them? Oh, no. "If ye endure chastening,

God dealeth with you as with sons." Now they are set at liberty. Do they hang down their craven

heads, and promise obedience to the command, that they should give up the cause of their Master? Look at their dignified mien, their open and cheerful aspect! Joy beams in their eyes, and the language of exultation is already on their lips. They rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of their Redeemer, "and daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ."

We never like to hear of disputes amongst Christians; it always make us sad. It is bad enough when those who never think of their Saviour quarrel with each other; but when those whom Jesus calls his own, those whom he especially commands to live in peace, and to love one another, those over whose heads waves the banner with its enlivening motto, "God is love"-when they forget to walk even as He walked, then our hearts are sorrowful. Yet amongst God's faithful servants this has been the case. They who sometimes soar above the world on faith's steady wing, are, alas! at other times entangled in the petty dissensions and heart-burnings of life.

The Grecians, we read, murmured against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. What! could they not have settled the matter without murmuring? But so it is, and so it will be, as long as the flesh lusteth

against the spirit; so it will be till the warfare be accomplished, till sin be conquered, till we be made perfect and complete in the Redeemer.

Ere this matter is finally settled, we are told that they prayed. Then we are sure that these evil feelings melted away as snow before the sunbeam. Anger, hatred, and malice cannot stand one breath of prayer. The very atmosphere of devotion causes them to wither' and die.

It is at this time that we first hear of Stephen. He was appointed deacon. He was a bold and faithful servant of God, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost; and he did great wonders and miracles amongst the people. And the word of God increased; and many of the priests-those who had openly denied the Saviour-now turned unto him.

But the world did not like Stephen; they did not like his prayerful, consistent life.

It has been justly said, that prayer is the Christian's passport at the gate of death; and surely in life it is the letter in which the overburdened soul makes known its requests to a loving Father.

You perhaps think, dear young friends, that it will be very well to pray when the cares of life are but what need is there for prayer,

around

you;

you are ready to exclaim, during youth's unclouded

morning?" They that seek me early shall find me," is the sure word of promise. The storm sweeps over the tender bud as well as the stricken tree. There are trials, even during childhood, that we need strength to bear; and should all be sunshine, the early beams will not be the less cheering if seen through the medium of a prayerful spirit.

All the learned men of the land were unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spoke; and they were so afraid that he would turn many to the Saviour, that they determined in some way to silence this faithful servant of the Lord.

And all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. Even in the present day,though we are neither stoned, nor scourged, nor imprisoned, still, if Jesus be really our master, we cannot, perhaps, altogether escape from the strife of the tongue, the chilling manner, the unkindly glance. But under any circumstances, the peace that God gives his children can fill our hearts with consolation.

The people are easily stirred up, and Stephen is seized and brought before that tyrant council; and false witnesses come forward, and blasphemy is the charge brought against him. They accuse him of an attempt to change the customs of Moses!

These blood-thirsty rulers, then, at last have him Surely he must tremble now!

in their power.

D