The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-20


ganization of its full system of worship, was
the great work of this reign. Solomon by
an extensive commerce brought immense
wealth into his kingdom; and adorned the
land with splendid structures. These were
the days when Israel basked in the sunshine
of his glory. But with all its splendOr Sol
omon did not strengthen the kingdom, either
internally or externally. And although in
early life he made choice of wisdom, he went
astray, being led into idOlatry by his heather
wives.
To US, his most important work was the
writing of those lessons of wisdom, chiefly
penned no doubt in his old age, some of which
we studied in the Book of Proverbs and in
the Book of Ecclesisstes. Beginning with
the call of wisdom we had the solemn warn
ing, from the case of those who reject the
Saviour, and TOO LATE call upon him, and
perish forever, self-destroyed.
We learned, with Solomon as our teacher,
the value of true wisdom, the pearl of great
price, for which we shcald be willing to give
up our worldly all. These were lessons
about honest industry, in securing both tenn
pOral and eternal good; and about the dread
consequences of iutemperance. Then fol
lowed the beautiful portraiture of the excel
lent woman. Aud lastly, the young are ex-
horted to early pie,y, in view Of the miseries
of an irrelgious old age. SolOmon's life and
his writings present to US what is indeed the
great lesson of life and revelation; aud the
chief end of mans being; "Let US hear the
conclusion of the whole matter fear God
and keep his commandments for this i8 the
whole duty of mau."
SECOND QUARTER.
The studies of this quarter began with the
book Of Acts. This book, written by Luke,
ia history Of the church in apostolic times.
The first part Of the book (chspter xii is
an account of the extension of the church
among the Jews, Peter being the Leading
actor. To this quarter belongs the history
of the church at Jerusalem before the disPer-
sion of the disciples.
Oar risen Lord assembled to heaven, aud
entered the most holy place, where ne ever
liveth to make intercession for as. Accord
ing to bis promise, based upon his covenant
with the Father, he poured out his Spirit on
the day of Pantecost This was the begin.
ming of the new dispensatiOn and the effa
sion of the Spirit marked this as especially
the dispeusasiou Of the Spirit, whose office
work it is to apply the purchased redemption.
Peter on this occasion preached an Inaugural
discourse; the first gospel sermon under the
Christian dispensation. In this sermon Je-
sus Christ is held up as crucifed Saviour,
to whom, and to whom alone, every sinner
may look for salvation. Three thousand,
convicted By this preaching of Christ cruel
fed, were instructed in the way Of life, and
brought into the church on that day by bap-
tism. The infant church was now character
lied BY diligent attendance upon worship,
and by displays of Christian fellowship; and
Dyed constant accessions from the world
The healing of lame man at the temple
gate opened the way for another gospel dis
course to the people, who crowded around
Peter aud John. This second discourse has
the same general characteristics as the first.
A cruci69d Saviour is held up to the faith Of
the penitent believer. TGeir preaching to
the people, however, led to the first perseCu-
ton of the Christian church. The two
apostles were arrested, imprisoned, and
brought before the Council, where, instead
of defending themselves, they only stated the
good deeds they had done, and preached
Jesus to the Council, and boldly avowed their
determination to obey God rather than man.
When the released apostles returned to
their company, We have an exemph6Cation
of the unity of the body of Christ, frat in
their being down together in prayer to God
in their trouble, and afterwards, having re-
ceived fresh effasiou of the Spirit, iu their
mutual liberality, love and fellowship. This
very fellowship was the occasion Of revealing
wicked plot, which was the first great in
ternal trouble of the Church, Auauias and
Sapphire, in their contributions, lied unto
God, and were suddenly stricken down. This
heavy judgment was followed by an awaken
ing and ingatheripg of believers, as the out
pouring of the Spirit had been previously.
The great success of the gospel again awak-
ened the hostility of its enemies, and they
imprisoned the Apostles. By miracle they
were released from prison; but were again
arragued before the council. Peter as on
former occasions, speaking for the body of
the Apostles, reaffrmed their principle of &C
ton, to obey God rather than man, and
again preached to them Jesus. Ga this &C.
cssion the council was restrained by the TEN
perate counsel of Gamaliel, and released their
prisoners after sCourgiug them.
Another internal trouble in the Church,
connected with its tempOralities, complaint
about the distribution of the charities, led to
the more complete organization Of the Church,
by the election and ordination of seven dea
cons. Large scCessiOns of members followed
the institution of this office. But trouble
again come upon the Church from without.
Stephen, one of the seven, seeing already the
transient nature of the Old Testament dis
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