The Spectator., 1916-03-24
LESSON FOR MARCH 26
REVIEW-THE GREAT MULTI.
 TUDE.

more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them. nor any heat: for the lamb that Is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd. and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.-Rev. 7:16, r.
 I. General Information - Quitting lessons 4, T and Ii. all of the past quarters work has to do with the early, the apostolic church, covering period of time from A. D. 30 to per haps A. D. 37, six or seven years. The chief events are the resurrection of Jesus, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the change in the apostles, particular ly Peter. the conversion and baptism of 5000 believers, fellowship and won. ders worked among these believers, the beginning of persecution. the selection of seven deacons. Stephens testimony and death, the dispersion of the Chris tians, the work of Philip, great growth in the early church.
 Historically these lessons have to do with the things that Jesus began and continued to do after his resur- rection through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is, therefore, story of the power of the risen Christ. The prin- cipal characters are of two classes. CD The leading workers. Of these are: Peter and John, apostles; the 120 dis ciples, Barnabas, the seven deacons. particularly Stephen and Philip; the Ethiopian eunuch and Gamaliel, who gave some friendly assistance. CD The chief enemies: Those who falsely accused the apostles, the rulers of the Jews and the temple, Ananias and Sapphira, Saul and Simon Magnus.
 It is not difficult to paint word pie ture of the events of the past quar- ter. This may be done by assigning to separate pupils such questions as: Where, when and why did the event of this lesson occur? To another pu- pill assign the task of telling what he thinks the scene looked like, and to still another to name the chief per sons mentioned in each lesson. Let these assignments omit lessons 4, and II, which do not chronologically fit into the work of this quarter. The remaining pupils should be primed to supply any omitted facts and to cor rect any mistakes.
 I, The Coming of Power. Lesson 1. The ascension of Jesus is one that shows us the risen Christ as the giver of the HCly Spirit and he is the All Powerful One who has carried for ward the things Jesus began to do." Lesson ?. This is very much the same except that 1t suggests the man side of this transaction. As the early dis ciples obeyed. they received. In like manner the Spirit is given today to those that ask him." Lesson shows what effect we may anticipate when we proclaim the fact of the risen Christ.
 II. Tho Use of Power. Lesson 5 (omitting No. 4 has to do with the daily walk and work of those who had so recently received this newly be- slowed power. Through his servants, Jesus, by the power of the Spirit. heals and makes strong the lame man at
  Christianity" the pCyer of practical social service. AS u result of this service Peter and John Uesson 6) had opportunity to give their testimony to the rulers, the result of which con- founded the enemies who thought they had conquered Christ at Calvary-the use of power in testimony. The fur ther evidence of how this new power was using men is that given in lesson s, the Christian Brotherhood at Jeru- salem.
 III. The Test of Power. Stephen Qesson 10) was one of those who had been separated for the care of the temporal affairs of the early church, yet his testimony and martyrdom cas- fly makes him more famous than most of the apostles and forever exalts the layman in the Christian church.
 One other (lesson 12) of those seven deacons, Philip. was also so signally used and blessed that his name and deeds are almost as familiar to us as is the work of Stephen.
 In the first case this newly bestowed power filled the witness with a calm ness and courage that will always re- main an inspiration. while in the sec ond illustration Philip so gave himself to the direction and leadership of the Spirit as to go where he was sent; and when to human judgment his presence was essential 10 the carrying on of great revival. he obeyed the new command and left the multitude to deal with a single individual. Jesus makes no reference to the