He finds the life

in the house of Jairus (S. Matt. ix. 23). less body reverently laid on a bier in an upper chamber,' probably the church or oratory where the disciples were accustomed to assemble for the worship of GOD, while round the bier are gathered the mourners-those whom Dorcas had taught and fed and clothed, while she was yet with them.

The Apostle puts them all forth; he kneels before the altar in silent prayer; then, rising from his knees and turning to the body, he exclaims, Tabitha, arise.' Life returns, the colour comes back to the pale cheeks, her eyes slowly open -she sees the Apostle standing by her side-she sits up. S. Peter gives her his hand and lifts her up; then, calling the astonished 'saints and widows,' he presents her alive. The report of the wonderful miracle spreads through the city of Joppa, and many by its means are won to the faith of CHRIST.

Perhaps it was to confirm these new disciples in the Faith, and teach them more fully the mysteries of the Gospel, that S. Peter remained for a time at Joppa, staying in the house of one Simon, a tanner. (The trade of a tanner was held in abhorrence by the Jews-so much so, that if any man became a tanner, his wife could claim a divorce. His taking up his abode in the house of a tanner shows that S. Peter was prepared to set aside Jewish prejudices and usages as of little moment.)

Lessons to be drawn from the Narrative :—

1. The power exercised by the Church is derived entirely from her union with CHRIST. When CHRIST raised the dead, He did it by His own Almighty power as GOD (S. Mark v. 41 ; S. Luke vii. 14; S. John xi. 43); but when the Apostles worked miracles it was in the Name of JESUS CHRIST, by His power and authority committed to them (Acts iii. 6, 12, 16; ix. 34). All spiritual power exercised by the Church, all due administrations of the Sacraments, are from the same source; therefore, with the exception of Holy Baptism, none

but those who are duly ordained to any office or ministry in the Church can administer the Sacraments, which are the channels of God's grace.

2. Spiritual life and healing is a far greater gain than any temporal blessing. Though extraordinary manifestations of the working of the Holy Spirit are not granted in our time, the same Holy Spirit works as powerfully as of old in convincing souls of sin, and uniting them to their Saviour.

3. The death of the soul is a far worse evil than the death of the body. Those who are living in sin are really dead; they neither see their danger, nor hear the voice of GOD, nor feel His love, nor speak to Him in prayer and praise, nor do His will. All who really love God should be earnest in prayer for those who never pray for themselves, that CHRIST may call them back to life, and the Holy Ghost, the LORD and Giver of Life, may breathe fresh life into their souls.

4. The poor, the sick, and the suffering are CHRIST's representatives; we should deem it an honour and a privilege, like Dorcas, to minister to their necessities. CHRIST will say of all who have devoted their lives to their service for love of Him, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me' (S. Matt. xxv. 40).

'I in your care My brethren left,
Not willing ye should be bereft

Of waiting on your LORD.

The meanest offering ye can make—
A cup of water-for love's sake,
In heaven, be sure, is stored.'

Read Acts x. 1-23.

LESSON XIX.

Seeking after God.

Learn Mal. iii. 16; Rev. viii. 3, 4.

1. Cornelius the Centurion (ch. x. 1, 2).

Thirty miles from Joppa, on the sea coast, was built the fine city of Cæsarea, beautified and enlarged by Herod the Great, and named in honour of Augustus Cæsar. The Romans had made it the capital of the conquered province of Judæa, and garrisoned it with their troops. (The Cæsarea of the Acts must be distinguished from Cæsarea Philippi at the foot of Mount Hermon.-S. Matt. xvi. 13.)

An officer in this garrison, the centurion of the band called the Italian band, Cornelius by name, had given up the worship of false gods, and had become a worshipper of the true God; not, however, a proselyte; he was still a Gentile, and uncircumcised (v. 45; xi. 3). He was a devout man, leading a godly life; he feared GOD, with all his house, instructing them in the worship of GOD; and gave much alms to the Jewish people, among whom he lived, like that other centurion of whom it was said, 'He loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue' (S. Luke vii. 5). Nor was this all; 'he prayed to GOD alway'; not only at the stated hours of prayer, but continually lifting up his heart to GOD, earnestly desiring further teaching and deeper knowledge of the truth.

2. The Vision of Cornelius (v. 3-8).

GOD, in His love and pity, was listening to the prayers of that Gentile centurion. About the ninth hour of the day

(3 P.M., the hour of the evening sacrifice), as he seeks GOD in fasting and prayer, he is rewarded by a glorious vision. An Angel in bright clothing stands before him and calls him by name- Cornelius!' The heavenly vision fills him with fear, and he asks, tremblingly, 'What is it, LORD?'

The Angel answers, 'Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before GOD.' Yes, the prayers and the alms of that Roman centurion, Gentile though he was, uncircumcised, outside the pale of the chosen people, had been offered as sweet incense by the Angel who presents the prayers of all saints upon the golden Altar before the Throne on high (Rev. viii. 3, 4; v. 8).

Cornelius had prayed for more knowledge and greater light. The Angel bids him. send for one who will teach him all things necessary to salvation. Cornelius is not to be instructed directly from heaven; the Angel is not commissioned to tell him that which he desires to know. Nor is he bidden to become a disciple of any famous rabbi or teacher of the law. No! God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and GOD hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty' (1 Cor. i. 27-29). He is directed to send for one Simon, surnamed Peter, lodging with one Simon, a tanner, at Joppa, who shall teach him that by which he and all his house shall be saved (ch. xi. 14). Cornelius had been faithful to the light vouchsafed to him, and therefore a greater measure of light was now to be his.

The Angel departed, and Cornelius does not hesitate. Filled with joy and thankfulness at this assurance of the love and favour of GOD, he calls two of his household servants and a devout soldier, imparts to them the glad tidings, and bids them hasten to fulfil the directions of the Angel.

3. The Vision of S. Peter (v. 9-23).

The day following, S. Peter, praying on the house-top of Simon the tanner at the sixth hour, falls into a trance or

ecstasy, and sees heaven opened, and, as it were, a great sheet let down from heaven to earth, wherein are all manner of four-footed beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and fowls of the heaven. While the Apostle gazes on the strange sight, there comes a Voice to him: Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' 'Not so, LORD,' is the answer; 'for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean.' Again the Voice is heard: 'What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.'

Three times was the vision repeated, in order that no doubt might remain in the Apostle's mind, and then the vessel was received up again into heaven.

While S. Peter, roused from his trance, was wondering what the vision which he had seen might mean, the three men sent by Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and were now standing outside the gate (for, as Gentiles, they could not, without giving great offence, enter a Jewish dwelling), asking whether Simon which was surnamed Peter were lodging there.

When the message was brought to him, the Spirit bade him Go with these three men, doubting nothing, for I have sent them' (v. 20). The Apostle obeyed, and, having heard the message of Cornelius, he showed his disregard of Jewish prejudices by inviting the strangers into the house, and the following day accompanied them to Cæsarea, taking with him six brethren as witnesses of what God's purposes might be with regard to the reception of Gentiles into the Church.

4. The Church Universal.

It

The vision of S. Peter represents the Church Universal throughout the world. The white linen sheet was let down from heaven, for the origin of the Church is from above. was drawn up again into heaven; for after the Church has fulfilled her mission on earth, she will be received up and glorified in heaven.

The four corners of the sheet, signify the extension of the Church to the four quarters of the globe; the whole animal