Christian Happiness, considered in its relation to man, families, and churches. By E. Mannering. London: John Snow. pp. 170.

The Happy Christian; or, Piety the only foundation of true and substantial joy. By J. B. Waterbury. Religious Tract Society. pp. 152.

We can most cordially recommend both of these interesting little works to our readers. Their object is the same, to direct the people of God to the full import of the injunction of the apostle" Rejoice in the Lord always," and to point out to all the right path to happiness.

"Christian Happiness," from the pen of Mr. Mannering, is an earnest, affectionate, and forcible appeal on the happy personal and relative effects of fervent piety, showing how it diffuses joy and gladness in the christian's own heart, and over families and churches. It is of unspeakable importance, when discoursing on the happiness of fallen and guilty man, to exhibit clearly the character, perfections, and government of God, and man's relation to him. We are glad to perceive that our author has brought out these subjects with prominence and with ability.

The "Happy Christian" is written by Mr. Waterbury, the author of "Advice to a Young Christian," published by the Tract Society some years since, which has had a large circulation, and has been extensively useful. It is sufficient for the work before us to say that it is written in the same pious, animated, and elegant style as the other we have alluded to, and we wish it similar success.

A Scripture Guide to the leading Doctrines and Truths contained in the New Testament. By the author of "Our Home Population." pp. 48. Simpkin and Co.

We decidedly prefer an arrangement of scriptural subjects to a concordance of words; it is more useful to an inquirer after truth. In the little work before us, we are presented for the trifling sum of sixpence, with an alphabetical arrangement of all the leading subjects in the New Testament. It is executed carefully and judiciously, and we need not say in how many ways it may be used with advantage.

THE

INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE.

MARCH, 1843.

HISTORY OF ST. PAUL.

CHAPTER II.

PAUL'S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY, A. D. 45, 46.

[Acts xiii and xiv.]

From Antioch, by the direction of the Holy Spirit, Paul set out with Barnabas on this missionary tour. Taking with them Mark, they went to Seleucia, a port on the same river as Antioch, about 15 miles lower, and thence sailed to the island of Cyprus, of which island Barnabas was a native.' They landed on the eastern coast, and passed from Salamis, which was 127 miles from Seleucia, through the island, 88 miles, to Paphos. At this place they had an interview with the Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, and preached to him the glorious gospel. A sorcerer, named Bar-jesus, or Elymas, who was with the deputy, endeavoured to prevent the ruler receiving the truth; and was struck blind for his wickedness. From this time the apostle is, in the history in the Acts, called Paul.

Paul and his companions, leaving the island of Cyprus, came to Perga, in Pamphylia, 168 miles. At this place John left his fellow travellers, and returned to Jerusalem. Departing from Perga, Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia, 82 miles, and on the sabbath day, Paul, with the permission of the rulers of the synagogue, preached in their assembly: and at the request of the Gentiles he preached again on the following sabbath. The Jews, who were unwilling it should be proclaimed that the Gentiles were equally eligible with themselves to a participation in the privileges of the gospel, were envious, contradicting and blaspheming: and the word of the Lord continuing to be published, they stirred up certain persons in the city, and raised a persecution against the apostles, who leaving that city, came to Iconium, a place about 80 miles distant. Here many Jews and (1) Acts iv. 36.

F

Greeks believed; but the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles against the apostles, and a design was formed to ill-use and to stone them. The apostles being aware of it, fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, the one 40 miles, and the other nearly 60 miles from Iconium; and in that neighbourhood preached the gospel.

At Lystra, having healed a lame man, they were regarded by the idolatrous inhabitants as gods; and with some difficulty the people were restrained from presenting sacrifice to them. But here also they suffered persecution; for Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived, and so persuaded the ignorant people that they stoned Paul and left him for dead. Of so little worth is the favour of those whose passions enslave them, and whose conduct is the result of opinions hastily formed on insufficient evidence. Paul soon arose, came into the city, and the next day departed with Barnabas to Derbe, a distance of more than 25 miles. Having taught in that city they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, (in Pisidia) confirming those who had believed, and appointing elders in the different churches; and having passed through Pisidia came to Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, went about 17 miles westward to Attalia, and thence sailed to Antioch in Syria, 310 miles distant.

Having thus finished their missionary tour, they called the church together, and related the particulars of their success among the Gentiles—an early specimen of those delightful assemblies, revived in modern times, under the name of missionary meetings. Here they abode "long time," probably some years, with the disciples.

CHAPTER III.

JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM CONCERNING CIRCUMCISION, A.D. 49. [Acts xv.]

Some difficulty occurs concerning the journey to Jerusalem, mentioned by Paul in his epistle to the Galatians, ii. 1; whether that journey be the same as the one about to be noticed has been questioned. Dr. Paley is inclined to think they are two journies, and that the one mentioned in the epistle was the prior one of the two, and might have been taken during the "long time" that the apostle's stated residence was at Antioch. Dr. Lardner and Dr. Doddridge think, that the same journey is

meant in the epistle and in the history, and that the fourteen years are to be computed from the time of the apostle's conversion. The reader would do well to compare the account in the Acts, and that in the epistle, and consider for himself, whether or not they both refer to the same journey.

The occasion of the journey we now notice, was a question concerning circumcision. Certain persons came from Judea, and maintained the necessity of Gentile converts being circumcised. After much disputation, it was determined by the christians at Antioch, that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem, and consult the apostles and elders there upon the subject. Being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, and gladdened the hearts of the brethren by telling them of the conversion of the Gentiles. Having arrived at Jerusalem, and communicated to the church the results of their labours, the question which had occasioned their present journey was brought before the apostles and elders. After consultation and much debate, they, with the whole church, deemed it proper to send, by Paul and Barnabas and other messengers, a communication to the Gentile christians, containing the decision of the council. This decision, which was that it was not needful for the Gentile converts to be circumcised, was received at Antioch with joy. Silas, one of the messengers sent from Jerusalem, remained with the church at Antioch, and accompanied Paul in a subsequent tour.

CHAPTER IV.

PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY, A.D. 50-54.
[Acts xv. 36 to xviii. 22.]

After some time Paul proposed to his friend and co-worker Barnabas, to go together and visit their brethren, in the several places where they had preached. To this Barnabas agreed, but wished to take with them John Mark, who, if he be the same person as is mentioned in Col. iv. 10, was his nephew.' Paul objected to having him for a companion, who in their former journey deserted them; and this difference of mind in these two good men caused them to part. Barnabas taking with him Mark sailed to Cyprus, and Paul choosing Silas for a companion,

(1) It may be reckoned probable, that Mark mentioned 1 Peter, v. 13, and who has been generally considered to be the evangelist, is also the same person as Barnabas's companion.

and after being recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Of the subsequent movements of Barnabas we have no account in the sacred history. Paul proceeding on his journey came to Derbe (175 miles from Antioch) and Lystra, and from this neighbourhood he took with him Timothy, who perhaps was converted by his instrumentality,' on his former visit to these places. As they passed through the cities, they delivered to the converts the record of the decision of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem concerning circumcision; and the churches instructed and comforted, both by this decision and the labours of the apostle, continually increased. Having passed through Phrygia and Galatia, and being forbidden of the Holy Ghost to go into (Proconsular) Asia, they came into Mysia, and would have gone into Bithynia, but their heavenly guide forbade them, and they passed on to Troas near the sea.

They were now about 340 miles west from the central parts of Galatia, which are about 170 miles from Lystra. The distance really travelled was much greater.

At Troas, a vision appeared to Paul, calling upon him to preach the gospel in Macedonia. Hitherto none of the apostles, so far as we know, had carried the glad tidings of salvation through Jesus into Europe; but now, that quarter of the world was to share in the light and comfort these tidings impart. Paul, whose zeal was unabated by the labours he had undergone, and the sufferings he had endured, flagged not in anticipation of what might happen on the western side of the Ægean sea. He had considered well the course he had chosen, and he was upheld therein by motives too strong to be overcome by any fears that any enemies could excite, or any allurements earth could supply. Loosing from Troas, Luke forming one of the company, they came with a straight course to the island of Samothracia, a distance of more than 50 miles, and the next day to Neapolis, on the European coast, 70 miles from Samothracia. Thence they journeyed about 10 miles from the coast, to Philippi, near the river Strymon, a city of the first part of Macedonia, and a colony. There they abode some days. At (1) 1 Tim. i. 2; 2 Tim. i. 2.

(2) Shewn by coins to have been planted by Julius Cæsar, and augmented by Augustus.