or the dreariness of the work-house, and revolts not at the bleeding couches of the hospital. It is neither awed by a coronet, nor shamed away by the bared and cold hoariness of age. It offers itself as freely to him in purple and fine linen in the mansion, as to him who is huddled in rags at the gate. It crosses the frontier and laughs at the sentinel's bayonet; it has its good centurions in the army; it enters the barrack in spite of its dissipation; its sunshine fills the cottage; nay, it "is found in kings' palaces," and it triumphs in the midst of licentiousness and blood "They that are of Cæsar's household salute you." Paul preached unto them—what better could the apostle do than preach? preach with all that power which distinguished him, as well as with that knowledge and application of the scripture, that keen insight into human nature, that perfect mastery of motives, that entire self-abnegation, and that earnest and repeated pressing of his theme upon his audience, for life and death were at stake-by which his reported addresses are characterized. He was unpretending, indeed, in appearance, feeble in health, and agitated by the various passions of his soul; his strength was in his frailty; "his speech was contemptible," "rude," as he admits, possibly in accent and gesture, but glorious in its theme, and mighty in the faith and fervour of him who employed it— "Weary souls by thee are lifted; Struggling souls by thee are strengthened; Truth from falsehood cleansed and sifted; Lives like days in summer lengthened." It may be inferred from the narrative, that, as an apostle, THE LORD'S SUPPER. 307 he presided at the ordinance of the Supper. How memorable such a scene in that church on the night when Paul broke the bread of life in the Master's name, and gave thanks over it after the Master's example! From the lips of that weak and worn-out traveller, what words of truth and power would flow! How he would speak of the death of Christ-he who had himself been "crucified with Christ!" With what impressive power he would revert to the scenes of the last sufferings-the agony in the garden, the capture and trial, the sentence and the scourging, the procession to the cross, and the torture endured upon it, till He "bowed His head and gave up the ghost!" How he would glow as he spoke of that love which the Redeemer displayed in dying for lost souls; of the meekness of His character and the openness of His heart; of the tears He shed, and the wise and affectionate words which He uttered; of the deeds of mercy He did, and the pure and fascinating life which He led! How his heart would melt, and his accents thrill, as he repeated the words "Take, eat; this is my body." How he would speak, as he felt from the deeps of his own enraptured experience, words of electric power, stirring those whom he addressed into kindred emotion. The eating of bread and drinking of wine betoken a feast and a family circle. Might not the apostle dilate on that love which Christians should display to one another each loving the image of Christ-praying for one another's welfare, and striving together for it; drawing the bonds of the gospel closer round them; "kindly affectioned one to another"—"in honour preferring one another?" O what a cheering banquet it must have been, with the principal part of the conversation sustained by Paul, on his last journey to Jerusalem, and under the solemn impression that his career was drawing to a close. The fragrance and softness of heaven would breathe in his words, as he counselled the communicants to remember Jesus, to grow in faith on Him, to pray for more likeness to Him, to serve Him yet more devotedly, and suffer for Him yet more joyously-to bear Him in their hearts, and manifest Him in their lives. The apostle "continued his speech till midnight"—the interview, as being the last, was naturally prolonged. There were "many lights in the upper chamber"-the moon was but young-and the assembly cared not though they were seen of all men. A young man seated on the bottom of the unclosed window became overpowered with sleep, and fell into the court from the "third loft," in which the upper room was situated. But the consternation at this fearful incident was hushed at once, when Paul, acting like Elisha, "went down and fell on him, and, embracing him, said, Trouble not yourselves, for his life is in him”—as restored to him by miracle. After the miracle the conversation was renewed, and carried on till the morning broke upon the heights of Ida: then the sad farewells were exchanged— "so he departed." XIV.-PAUL AT MILETUS. ACTS xx. 17-38. ON leaving Troas, the companions of the apostle took shipping for Assos, and left him to walk to that town by land. The distance is twenty-four Roman miles, and we do not know why the apostle preferred a solitary pedestrian journey, but we are told, "for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot." No doubt he wished to be as long with the Trojan converts as possible, and he saved himself a tedious voyage, as the vessel had to round the promontory of Lectum before it reached Assos. He met his company at Assos, and embarking with them "came to Mitylene," the capital of Lesbos, a voyage of about thirty miles. The next day they were 66 over against Chios," the modern isle of Scio; the following day they arrived at Samos, remaining for the night at Trogyllium, and on the morrow they came to Miletus, a seaport about thirty miles from Ephesus. The reason why the apostle did not visit the latter city is thus given"For Paul had determined to sail by "-that is, past"Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia ; for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." The apostle could not go himself to Ephesus, either lest his presence should be the occasion of another tumult, or lest his journey to Jerusalem should be retarded, and his arrival before Pentecost rendered impossible; nor could he summon the entire church to him, as such a large concourse might have excited suspicions, and led to dangerous consequences. But he convened the elders, as the rulers and representatives of the church, and delivered them his counsels. His very words seem to have been preserved, and thus he spoke-" Ye know yourselves, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you during the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears and trials befalling me through the plots of the Jews; how I have kept back none of the things which are profitable to you, so as not to tell and to teach you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and also to Greeks repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things about to encounter me there: save that the Holy Ghost testifies to me from city to city that bonds and afflictions await me (in Jerusalem). But I hold my life of no account, not even so precious to myself as to finish my course with joy, to wit the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to witness this very day that I am clear from the blood of all; for I have not kept back from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves, therefore, and to all the flock in which the Holy Ghost has made you over |