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numbers and power, but to surpass each other in efforts to promote the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, by labouring for the best interests of men temporal and eternal.

THE MINISTRY AND TEACHING OF THE APOSTLES.

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WHILST the words of Christ were yet sounding in the ears of his disciples, they commenced their ministry at Jerusalem. They followed their Master's example of preaching the gospel to the poor, of healing the sick, the lame, the blind, and deaf, and of raising the dead. 66 Silver and gold have I none," said Peter to the man lame from his birth ; "but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."* One of the earliest results of their ministry and teaching is thus recorded: “And all that believed were together, and

*Acts iii. 6.

had all things common: and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all "And the men, as every man had need."*

multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common." "Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." The distribution of the proceeds of these benefactions among the needy soon absorbed so much of the time and attention of the apostles, as to draw them unduly from their peculiar duties of preaching the gospel, and made it necessary to select and appoint men to this special business. Frequent mention is made, throughout the Acts of the Apos

*Acts ii. 44, 45. † Acts iv. 32, 34, 35.

Acts vi. 1-3.

tles and the Epistles, of the great liberality and hospitality of the early Christians; but it is obvious that within the space permitted to these writings, few details of the private life of the converts could be included. We can refer to what the apostles taught, as some evidence of what the first Christians practised.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.--Acts ii. 44, 45.

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own: but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus : and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.-Acts iv. 32-35.

Abhor that

He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity: he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. which is evil; cleave to that which is good. affectioned one to another with brotherly love; preferring one another.-Rom. xii. 8—10.

Be kindly

in honour

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward an

other. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath : for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.—Rom. xii. 13—21.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.-Rom. xiii. 8. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.-Rom. xiii. 10.

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.-Rom. xiv. 7.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.—Rom. xiv. 10.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way.-Rom. xiv. 13.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities

of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.-Rom. xv. 1, 2.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.-Rom. xv. 5.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.-Rom. xv. 7.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.-1 Cor. i. 10.

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.-1 Cor. vi. 7, 8.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity

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