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THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH.

into houses, searching for Christians, that he might seize them and commit them to prison. The Christians were scattered abroad by this persecution throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, and in all the cities and villages to which they went they preached the gospel.

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Philip, who was one of the seven deacons, went to the city of Samaria, and found there a great field of labour. After he had preached there for some time, the angel of the Lord said to him, Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert." And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot was reading Esaias the prophet. Then

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the Spirit said unto Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.", And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, "Understandest thou what thou readest?"

And

he said, "How can I, except some man should guide me?" And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the Scripture which he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch said to Philip, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" And Philip said, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.a

49. THE CONVERSION OF SAUL.

In the mean time, Saul became more and more active in persecuting the Christians. And he went to the high priest, and asked of him letters to the chief men among the Jews in Damas

a Acts viii. 26-39.

THE CONVERSION OF SAUL.

cus, desiring them to assist him in apprehending any Christians whom he found there, and to bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "Who art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And he trembling and astonished said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he 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 go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name." But the Lord said unto him, "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: for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

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 in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." And immediately there

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fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.

THE CURE OF ENEAS.

Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.a

But all that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?" But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that Jesus was indeed the Christ. And, after many days, the Jews took counsel to kill him: but their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket, (see cut in opposite page); and Saul went to Jerusalem.

50. THE CURE OF ENEAS.-RAISING OF DORCAS TO LIFE.

PETER went about visiting the churches, and he went to see the believers in the town of Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, "Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole : arise, and make thy bed." And he rose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Not far from Lydda was the town of Joppa, on the sea coast. And a pious woman lived

a Acts ix. 1-20.

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