The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-08
First Quarter: Lesson X, Acts viii,
 SIS; March g, 1909.
The Disciples Scattered.

The Disciples Scattered
 It was Passion Week for the infant Church: the burial of the first martyr, the dispersion of disciples, and the rise No; history does not afford more re- markabie example of good coming out of evil. It was the disruption of the nest which taught the saglsts to fly. These s. s ss So.s ns steam the seed which had been gathered in 2 single spot to many different regions. and In several instances to considerable distance. It was new epoch for the auence. No historian records more vivid illustration of the blessings Incl dent to persecution. This event, which apparently teemed with destruction. left behind 1t a most beneficial result They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word"
 The evangelist now sives us . specific instance under this general statement. 1t is in the case of Philip. The dispersion of the Church leaves him no room to |, Is discreet for him to go. He stands next to Stephen in his order. Stephens fate awaits him if he remains. He Is discreet also in the place of his retreat The sandhedrin has no Jurisdiction in sama- his creed. He appeared as persecuted fugitive. but was really an ambassador of Heaven.
 Philip has been aptly called the .'He was found at Azotus. and. passing through. he preached In all the cities till he came to Cesarea-" In this instance he struck for sychem, the cathedral city of the Samaritans. He knew if he could would quickly be infused into the extrem: ities. Here was a divine philosophy which may we'll be iearned-an example wtich may well be initiated in our day.
 Philip was not only city evangelist: course St. Paul eclipses him; but he has this undisputed distinction: he was the first foreign missionary of the Chris tian Church. He first crossed the bound Gospel into foreign parts. He preached Christ to the--as they were regarded in his day-most degraded people on earth. the SamAritans.
 He found them In pitiable plight. just as our missionaries do the heathen races today-suffering all sorts of moral and physical maladies, and dominated by a powerful sorcerer. who practiced his magic and black arts upon them. He preached the same Jesus to them who, his presence and words of power and grace. He gained a ready and universal hearing. Soon there was that great and characteristic joy which always follows
  Ing news quickly reached Jerusalem that Samaria had received the Word of God. So important was the emergency that the chiefest of the apostles, Peter and John, went down to view the field. conserve the fruits of the revival. and impart the niracle-working power to such of the converts as were worthy to exercise 1t; for an apostle only could transmit that poYer.
 Samsritans was an eye-opener to the Jewish Christians. If the Gospel could be received by the Samaritans, then nc nation was too mean to receive it. For to the Jews the Samaritans were at the was for them, 1t was for all. Thus some one has we'll said. Samaria was the first pier in the bridge over which the Gospel passed to the whole world. The conver- the founding of the Church at Antioch, the commissioning of St. Paul as the pcstie to the Gentiles s-events occurring in rapid successicn-revealed the fact that Christianity. unlike Judaism, was to be a worldwide religion.
 We are inclined to be severe in our judgment of the Jews for their narrow ness and jealousy touching the Samari- tans. But before we judge should we not inquire whether we are entirely free from a similar narrowness? Do we re- sliYe as keenly as we ought that ther Is no race so ncngrel or debased as 10 be incapable of receiving the Gospel; no race to whiCh h 1t is not adapted: none that would not be instantly blessed and ele- vated by Its reception? Do we really be- ileve that God looks as compassionately upon the Chinaman. with hs cue and chops ticks. and the African in his vulgar nudity. and the Islander with his cruel cannibalism. as upon an Engli hman or American? He who has made all nations of one blood would make all feliow-citi- zens in one. kingdom of grace here and o1 Oru hereaffnr