of Nazareth, rise up and walk and immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength. And he, leaping up, stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple and they were filled with wonder at that which had happened unto him.'—Acts iii.

N the early days of the Christian Church, a practice

prevailed, which was not enjoined on Christians.

of succeeding ages, nor indeed was it compulsory on any, even then-the selling of property by those brethren who had possessions, and having all things common, by an even distribution to those who had need. 'But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA.

303

wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife being also privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles. it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost. And about three hours after, his wife came in, not knowing what was done. And Peter said, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Then fell she down straightway, and yielded up the ghost.'-ACTS v.

IT

T was not to be expected that the Jewish rulers, whose rage and unbelief had driven them to reject and crucify the Son of God, should look on with complacency or indifference whilst His apostles wrought miracles, and gathered multitudes of the people round them by their acts and doctrine. 'And believers were the more added to the Lord, both men and women; so that they brought their sick into the streets, that, if possible, the shadow of Peter might fall upon them. Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.'-ACTS v.

ND when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But

the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors; but, when we had opened, we found no man within. Now, when the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests, heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they

U

feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did we not straitly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.' Then Peter and the other apostles stood up and bore open testimony to the divinity, the resurrection, and exaltation of Christ, declaring boldly to the astonished councillors, 'We are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.'-ACTS v.