XXXIV.

ZECHARIAH.

THE PROPHET OF THE RESTORATION.

Ilis Mission-Idolatry at an End among the Jews-Promises of Messiah-Book

Divided into Two Parts-Restoring the Temple-The Samaritans-Heat of

Religious Dissension-First Series of Predictions-Man upon the Red Horse-

Advantages of Age-Zechariah's Later Prophecies-Ungodliness of the

Priests-Ruin of the Temple and City foretold-Dispersion of the Jews-Con-

version of the Nations-Everything to be Sanctified by Religion-New Heav-

ens and a New Earth.....

PAGE

416

XXXV.

EZRA.

THE SCRIBE.

Crossing the Desert-Arrival at Jerusalem-Marriages with the Heathen-Editing

the Scriptures-Expounding the Law-The Chaldee Alphabet-Synagogue

Worship-The System of Traditions-Mishna and Gemara..

423

XXXVI.

NEHEMIAH.

THE CUPBEARER.

The Walls of Jerusalem in Ruins-Preservation of the Jews Important to the

Human Race-The King of Persia's Cupbearer-The Gorgeous Palace of

Shushan-Couches of Ivory-Sparkling Fountains-Nehemiah's Piety-

Prayer for Direction-Success-Good Thomas Fuller-The Preliminary Meas-

ures to the Building of the Wall-The Persons Employed in this Work-The

Opposition Encountered-The Spirit and Means by which the Work was

Carried on-Subdivision of Labor-Strength Derived from the Consciousness

of God's Presence and Aid.......

426

XXXVII.

SIMEON.

THE WAITING SAINT.

False Gospels-Luke's Bold Outlines-A Just and Devout Man-Expectation of

Christ's Appearance-The Presentation in the Temple-Simeon's Recognition

of the Infant Redeemer-The Swan-song of the Seer of the Old Covenant-

A Light to Lighten the Gentiles-Prophecies of Simeon-"Waiting for the

Consolation".

450

XXXVIII.

JOHN.

THE BAPTIST.

Who are
"Great Men "?-Various Answers to the Question-Men not Great by

Social Rank, Vast Wealth or Noble Descent-Not Great Merely by Intellect-

ual Gifts or the Possession of Power-Virtue Combined with Genius and

Goodness with Power-True Greatness consists in Superior Mental and Moral

Endowments-John was "Great in the Sight of the Lord"-His Familiarity

with Nature-Converse with God-Distinguished Moral Excellences-Grand-

eur and Beauty of his Character as a Man of God-The Self-denial of the

Widow more Attractive to Christ than the Architecture of the Temple-John's

Moral Integrity Tested-His Work Demanded Intrepidity-His Humility-

Faith-The First to Identify the Messiah-The Greatly Good-The Possession

of Godlike Qualities......

PAGE

466

XXXIX.

PETER.

THE ROCK.

The Galilean Apostle-Burning Zeal of Peter-The Embattled Powers of Evil

driven Back-Awful Judgment upon Falsehood-Divine Sanction of Benefi-

cence-The First to receive the Dispensation of the Spirit-The Beautiful Gate

of the Temple-The Fulfillment of the Ancient Law-The Gates of Heaven

thrown open to the Human Race-Peter the First Human Founder of the

Christian Faith...

...........................

480

XL.

JOHN.

THE BELOVED DISCIPLE.

Surrounded by a Religious Atmosphere-Contemplative-The Companion of the
Lord-Gentle yet Impetuous-Awful Calamities-The Rock of Patmos-Love
Pervades the Teachings of John-While every Faculty Declines, this Ele-
ment of his Character Burns more Brightly-Ecclesiastical Tradition-Little
Children, Love one Another-The Sunset of the Apostolic Age.............................

XLI.

JAMES.

THE PRACTICAL PREACHER.

Character of James to be Learned from his Epistle-Moderator of the Council of
Jerusalem-His Common Sense-Enforcement of Moral Duties-His Earnest-

488

PAGE

ness-Striking Imagery-Invective-The Law in Powder-" Faith without

Works is Dead"-The "Great Teacher" in Earnest-The Demand of James

is "Life, Fruit"-Tears away "Shams"-His First and Only Title............... 492

XLII.

STEPHEN.

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR.

Full of Faith and of the Holy Ghost-Grace made him what he was-Knew whom

he believed-One of the Seven Deacons-His Life Blameless-A Zealous La-

borer for Christ-Marked by the Jews-Accused of Blasphemy-His De-

fence-His Glorious End...

..............

496

XLIII.

PAUL.

THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES.

His Enthusiasm as a Jew-His Grecian Culture-Union of the Qualities of the

East and of the West-Versatility of Nature-The Question of his Day-Ad-

mission of the Gentiles into the Christian Church-This the Key to his

Writings-Damascus-Antioch-The Jewish Sorcerer-The Lame Man

cured-Mission to Jerusalem-Peter and Paul in Collision-Personal Appear-

ance of the two Great Apostles-Quarrel with Barnabas about Mark-" Prin-

ciple" in Church Fights-Placing certain Writers and Passages of the Bible

above Others-Paul's Abundant Labors-Visits Cilicia-The Galatians-The

Macedonian Cry-First Gospel-Campaign in Europe-The Philippian

Jailor-Berea-Paul at Athens-Speaks in the Jewish Synagogue, in the

Market-place and on Mars' Hill-Corinth-Third Missionary Tour-Paul in

Palestine Appeals to Cæsar-Voyage to Italy-Preaches in Rome-Set

Free-Labors in Spain and Elsewhere-Hurried again to Rome-His Death-

500

XLIV.

BARNABAS.

THE GENEROUS FRIEND.

A Man worth Imitating-A Good Representative of Personal Friendship-The

Son of Consolation-His Generosity-Illustration from Houses in the East

and in the West-Prompt Action--Introduces Paul to the Christian Church

in Jerusalem-Misunderstandings-Blessed are the Peacemakers-Fable of

the Wind and the Sun-Barnabas goes to Tarsus for Paul-Paul in the Shade

at this Time-Magnanimity of Barnabas-Bishop of the Church at Milan..... 527

XLV.

APOLLOS.

THE ELOQUENT ORATOR.

The Associations of his Youth-Alexandria-The Resort of the Learned-A Place

of High Culture-Apollos Mighty in the Scriptures-Elementary Knowledge

of Christianity-Eloquent-Of Warm Temperament-His Accuracy—Aquila

and Priscilla-Humble Teachers-Men Prepared for their Work by Various

Influences-A Letter of Commendation-First Epistle to the Corinthians-

Divisions in the Church-Not the Fault of Apollos-Paul's Allusion to him—

A Good Pattern for our Imitation-Many Lessons to be Learned from his

Life............

.........

PAGR

536

XLVI.

TIMOTHY.

THE YOUNG DISCIPLE.

The Last Panel in our Gallery of Portraits-Timothy's Mother-His Early Train-

ing-Biblical Instruction-Paul's "Son in the Faith"-His Devotion--Active

Employment in Missionary Work-Travels with Paul-Joins the Apostle at

Rome-Paul's Confidence in Timothy-Details showing their Intimate

Friendship...........

547