brethren." And do we love good people because they love and serve God?

And Cornelius sent this " devout soldier" and another servant to tell Peter what had taken place, and to invite him to Cesarea. So he "made haste, and delayed not to keep God's commandments." And we should do so too. We should be wise today; we know not what will be on the morrow.

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QUESTIONS.

1. Tell me the character of Cornelius, and of his household.

2. What do all God's servants do?

3. To whom are we a spectacle ?

4. What does God himself deign to do?

5. What did the apostle say to the church at Philippi?

6. What did the angels know of the Saviour?

7. How may we know that we have passed from death unto life?

8. Why should we be wise to-day?

STORY XXXIII.

CORNELIUS.

PART II.

OUR Lord devoted his ministry chiefly to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel ;" and his disciples did so likewise; nor is it very likely they would have done otherwise, had not God expressly called on them to do so. This he did in a wonderful

manner.

Peter had gone up about noon to the top of the house to pray; and God presented to the eyes of his mind, a vision as of a large sheet coming down from heaven, full of all kinds of animals, clean and unclean. And a voice was heard, saying, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat." But Peter objected, because, as he said, he had never eaten of any

animal forbidden by the law of Moses. But the voice replied, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." And the vision was repeated three times; this was to convince Peter that he should not refuse, when called by God's providence, to go and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. For all who indeed receive the Gospel, "are one in Christ Jesus;" so that, in the Christian church, all common distinctions are done away; there is neither Jew nor Greek, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all, and in all."2

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Now, whilst Peter was thinking of this vision, as he did not perceive its full meaning, the men from Cornelius were standing at the gate, asking after him by name. And the Holy Spirit bade him go with them, as he had sent them.

And the men came into the house, and told Peter about their master and their whole errand; and the next morning Peter, and all of his brethren, went with them; so wonderfully did God order things in his good providence. We should

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"acknowledge God in all our ways, and he will direct our paths."

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Cornelius, expecting every hour a visit from Peter, invited his kinsmen and friends to his house, that they, as well as himself, might receive the benefit of his instructions. If we love our friends as we ought, we shall be concerned to bring them to the Lord Jesus. If we indeed possess the grace of God, we shall care for the welfare of the souls of our relatives, and of all around us. When the Saviour paid Matthew a visit, he invited many to meet our Lord. When the woman of Samaria had met with the Messiah, she went and invited the people of the town, and said, “Come, see a man who told me all things that ever I did.”

As Peter was entering the house, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and would have given him Divine homage, but he would not suffer him; he said, "Stand up, I myself am also a man!"

Now both Peter and Cornelius gave an account of the vision they had each seen; and the latter added, "We are all here present before God, to

hear all things that are commanded thee of God." It is a fine sight to behold a whole congregation, or family, all waiting to hear what God will say them by his holy word."

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Then Peter spoke to them very solemnly, and said, "Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.""

And are we among these happy characters? Are we truly sorry for our sins? Do we fear to offend God? Do we rely on the merits of the Lord Jesus for salvation? And do we love him, and obey his commands?

And then Peter declared to them the Gospel. He told them how God had pitied poor sinners, and had sent his only Son, who "is Lord of all," to atone for their sins, and satisfy the claims of Divine justice; and that Christ is "our peace," and our peace-maker.

He also told them of the ministry of the Saviour, how constantly he went about doing good; and