N°
Now

OW there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which, by interpretation, is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works, and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and, turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up.'-ACTS ix.

THE

lius, . . . a devout man, and one that feared God

with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. And when the angel was departed, he [Cornelius] called two of his servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.'-Acts x.

BY

PETER'S VISION.

Y this remarkable vision, Peter seems to have been taught these two things at once: namely, he

learned literally and expressly that there were no more Jewish distinctions of meats to be observed; the use of them was passed away, as God no longer separated the family of Abraham to Himself: and, secondly, the apostle was taught, by way of emblem, that the Gentiles should no longer be counted unclean, or unfit for Jews familiarly to eat and converse with. He [Peter] fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth; wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten

But Peter said, anything that is

common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now, while Peter doubted what this vision should mean, the men sent from Cornelius stood before the gate: and the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise, and go with them, doubting nothing.'-ACTS X.

ND Saul was three days without sight, and neither

did eat nor drink. And there was a certain

disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth. Ananias answered, Lord, I have

PAUL ESCAPES FROM DAMASCUS. 319

heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints. But the Lord said, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And he received sight forthwith.'-ACTS ix.

HIS new and illustrious convert to the faith of Christ

lost no time in declaring its doctrines to the people,

nor was it long before himself became the object of that persecution of which just before he had been the most active instrument. 'Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he