and these we possess in common with them.

The first kind of gifts-the power, viz. of working miracles, the early Christians had a need of which we cannot have. They had to teach the world the religion of Jesus. Christ, to teach, not as our missionaries do now,-going forth from an enlightened nation to instruct those who look up to them already as their superiors. But these men went forth from a despised class of persons in their own despised country, to teach the proud and the learned of this world; they wanted then, we can easily see, the help of miracles to gain attention even, to what they said.

Besides, they were exposed to trials and temptations which we are safe from, to sufferings, indeed, as you will soon hear, of the severest kind; they required, therefore, the power of working miracles to prove,

perhaps to themselves, but certainly to others, that they were not deserted by God.

In these days, you know, Christ's religion is established,

acknowledged to be true, that is, and we

are no longer in fear of being put to death for the love of our Master, as they were.

But God's Holy Spirit has not left us to ourselves; we have the Holy Scriptures, which stand us instead of miracles, telling us, as they

D

do, of those very miracles, and teaching us all things necessary to our salvation.

We have, too, as I said, his inward gifts; and think now, dear children, of what I am going to say. When the Holy Spirit gives people power to overcome their wicked habits, when He puts into their hearts good thoughts and good desires,when He changes all that is wicked. in them, so that, through his help, the unjust become just, the proud humble, the angry gentle, the selfish kind;-think whether we have not as much reason to be grateful to Him as if He still opened our mouths to speak with other tongues, or enabled us to prophesy, or heal the

sick among us. These outward gifts might even have made us proud and vain; but the inward gifts I have been speaking of, put it into our power to live as becomes the redeemed creatures of Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER VI.

History of Ananias and Sapphira.

I AM now going to tell you a history which proves that not all who call themselves Christians, and wish for Christ's promises, are his faithful servants. It is a painful story, and shows that sin had even thus early crept into the Christian Church.

It seems that many persons among this band of Christians, who possessed land or other property, sold it, and