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far exceeding the brightness of the sun, Encouraged with this assurance, Ananias darted upon him, at which he was greatly repaired to the house where Saul was, and, amazed and confounded, falling, together laying his hands on him, delivered a message with his horse, prostrate on the ground. to this effect: "That the Lord Jesus, who This light was accompanied with a voice, in had appeared to him in his journey, had sent the Hebrew language, saying, "Saul, Saul, him not only to restore his eyesight, but likewhy persecutest thou me?" To which Saul wise to bestow upon him the gifts and graces replied, "Who art thou, Lord?" He was of the Holy Spirit, such as might qualify immediately answered, "I am Jesus whom him for the ministry to which he was then thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick appointed." No sooner had Ananias finished against the pricks." As if he had said, his speech, than thick films, like scales, fell All thy attempts to extirpate the faith in from Saul's eyes, and he received his sight; me will prove abortive, and, like kicking immediately after which he was baptized, and against the spikes, wound and torment thy- continued some days with the disciples at self." Damascus, preaching in the synagogues, and proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

Saul was now sufficiently convinced of his folly in acting against Jesus, whom he was now assured to be the true Messiah. He therefore, trembling with fear, said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" On which a voice replied, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Those who accompanied Saul were struck with fear and amazement, wondering that they should hear a voice, and yet see no man speak, while Saul himself was so dazzled and overpowered by the light, that he quite lost his eyesight. His companions, therefore, led him by the hand into the city of Damascus, where he continued three days totally blind, nor did he, in the whole time, take the least refreshment.

At this time there dwelt in the city a certain disciple, named Ananias, whom the Lord, in a vision, commanded to go and find out one Saul of Tarsus (then lodging at the house of one Judas, a Jew), and, by laying his hands on him, to remove his blindness. Ananias was startled at the name of the man, and, to excuse himself, alleged his violent persecutions of the church, and with what a wicked intent he was then come to Damascus. But to this the vision told him, that he was appointed, by the Divine Being, to be a powerful instrument in the propagation of the gospel, both among the Jews and Gentiles, and that, how much soever he had persecuted Christianity heretofore, he was now to become a zealous defender of it, and even to die in testimony of its truth.

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Syrian Merchant. (Damascus.)

After staying some time at Damascus, Saul retired into the neighboring parts of Arabia Petræa, where he first planted the gospel; and, in the beginning of the next year, returned to Damascus. Here he applied, with the utmost assiduity, to the great work of the ministry, preaching Christ daily in the synagogues, and confuting all those who argued against his doctrine. He was, indeed, remarkably zealous in his preaching, and blessed with a very extraordinary method of reasoning, whereby he undeniably proved the fundamental points of Christianity. This irritated the Jews to the highest degree; and at length, after about three years' continuance in the city, they found means to prevail on the governor of Damascus to have him apprehended and confined. But they knew it would be difficult to take him, as he had so many friends in the city; they therefore kept themselves in continual watch, searching all the houses where they thought

St. Paul was let down by a basket (Acts ix. 25; 2 Cor. xi. 33) is also shown.

The house of Judas is shown, but it is not in the street Straight." That of Ananias is also pointed out. The scene of the conversion is BEYROOT, distant about fifty-eight miles, N.W. confidently said to be an open green spot, is the seaport of Damascus. Population 112,600, surrounded by trees, and used as the Christian of whom about 12,000 are Christians, and 5,000 burial-ground. The point of the walls at which Jews. - Bib. Dictionary. | A. B.

he might conceal himself, and likewise obtained a guard from the governor, to attend the different gates of the city, in order to prevent his escape. In this distress his Christian friends were far from deserting him; they tried every method that offered to procure his escape; but finding it impossible for him to pass through either of the gates of the city, they let him down from one of their houses in a basket over the wall, by which means the cruel designs of his enemies were rendered abortive.

Saul having thus escaped from his malicious persecutors in Damascus, repaired to Jerusalem, where, at first, he was but coolly received among many of the disciples. They were not insensible of his former conduct, and were therefore doubtful of the sincerity of his heart, till at length Barnabas, who was privy to the circumstances that had attended him both before and after his conversion, introduced him to the apostles, and, having clearly related to them every particular that had passed, they admitted him into their communion. He continued some time at Jerusalem, during which he preached

* JOPPA, a town on the S.W. coast of Palestine, the port of Jerusalem in the days of Solomon, as it has been ever since. According to Josephus, it originally belonged to the Phoenicians (Ant. xiii. 15, § 4). Here, writes Strabo, some say Andromeda was exposed to the whale. Japho or Joppa was situated in the portion of Dan (Josh. xix. 46) on the coast towards the south. Having a harbor attached to it though always, as still, a dangerous one— it became the port of Jerusalem, when Jerusalem became metropolis of the kingdom of the house of David, and certainly never did port and metropolis more strikingly resemble each other in difficulty of approach both by sea and land. Hence, except in journeys to and from Jerusalem, it was not much used. But Joppa was the place fixed upon for the cedar and pine wood, from Mount Lebanon, to be landed by the servants of Hiram king of Tyre. It was by way of Joppa, similarly, that like materials were conveyed from the same locality, by permission of Cyrus, for the rebuilding of the second Temple under Zerubbabel (1 K. v. 9; 2 Chr. ii. 16; Ezr. iii. 7). Here Jonah, whenever and wherever he may have lived (2 K. xiv. 25), "took ship to flee from the presence of his Maker." Here, lastly, on the housetop of Simon the tanner, "by the sea-side," St. Peter had his vision of tolerance. These are the great biblical events of which Joppa has been the scene. In the interval that elapsed between the Old and New Dispensations it experienced many vicissitudes. It had sided with Apollonius, and was attacked and captured by Jonathan Maccabæus (1 Macc. x. 76). It witnessed the meeting between the latter and Ptolemy (ibid. xi. 6). By Pompey it was once more made independent, and comprehended under Syria; but by Cæsar it was

with great boldness to the people; and his
sermons were so powerful, and disputations
with his opponents so unanswerable, that
they, like the Jews at Damascus, formed
But as soon as
designs against his life.
this was known to the brethren, they con-
ducted him to Cæsarea, whence he set sail
to his own city, Tarsus, and continued, for
some years, preaching the gospel with great
success in various parts of Cilicia and Syria.

The church, at this time, was free from persecution, and flourished exceedingly, upon which Peter took the opportunity of making a general visitation to all the reformed places in Judæa, Galilee, and Samaria. In his progress he arrived at a town called Lydda, where he cured one Æneas of a paralytic disorder, which had confined him to his bed for eight years; and from this miracle all the inhabitants of Lydda, as well as a neighboring town called Saron, were prevailed on to embrace the From Lydda he was doctrine of Christ.

*

entreated by two messengers to go over to Joppa, on account of one Tabitha, a Christian woman, venerable for her piety not only restored to the Jews, but its revenues, whether from land or from export duties, were bestowed upon the second Hyrcanus and his heirs. When Herod the Great commenced operations, it was seized by him, lest he should leave a hostile strong-hold in his rear, when he marched upon Jerusalem, and Augustus confirmed him in its possession. It was afterwards assigned to Archelaus, when constituted ethnarch, and passed with Syria under Cyrenius, when Archelaus had been deposed. When Joppa first became the seat of a Christian bishop is unknown. It was taken possession of by the forces of Godfrey de Bouillon previously to the capture of Jerusalem. Saladin, in A.D. 1188, destroyed its fortifications; but Richard of England, who was confined here by sickness, rebuilt them. Its last occupation by Christians was that of St. Louis, A.D. 1253, and when he came, it was still a city and governed by a count. After this it came into the hands of the Sultans of Egypt, together with the rest of Palestine, by whom it was once more laid in ruins. Finally, Jaffa fell under the Turks, in whose possession it still is.

The American missionary, Dr. Thomson, who visited Joppa (Jaffa) in 1857, says, "Twenty years ago, the inhabitants of city and gardens were about 6,000; now, there must be 15,000 at least, and commerce has increased at a still greater ratio. Several sources of prosperity account for the exIt is the istence and rapid increase of Jaffa. natural landing-place of pilgrims to Jerusalem, both Christians and Jews; and they have created a considerable trade. The Holy City itself has also been constantly rising in importance during the present generation. Then there are extensive soap-factories here and in adjacent cities, much

and diffusive charity, who was lately dead. | quest him to raise her from the dead, but Peter complied with the request of the mes- by their tears, and great commendations of sengers, and immediately accompanied them her charity, sufficiently testified their wishes to Joppa. On his arrival at the house, he found the body in an upper chamber ready prepared for interment, and surrounded by a number of mournful widows, who showed him the coats and garments wherewith she had clothed them, the monuments of her liberality. They durst not, however, re

that he would do it. Peter was not insensible of their meaning, and was willing to grant what he knew would give them general satisfaction. Having, therefore, ordered them to withdraw, he first knelt down, and prayed for some time, with great fervency; after which, turning himself to the body, he

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said. "Tabitha, arise." Upon this, the good woman instantly opened her eyes, and Peter, taking her by the hand, raised her up, and presented her alive to her friends and relations. This miracle gained Peter a prodigious number of converts, and encouraged him, for a considerable time, to continue his abode at Joppa, during which

of which is exported from this port to all the cities along the coast, to Egypt, and even to Asia Minor through Tarsus. The fruit-trade is quite considerable. Add to this that silk is now being

he resided in the house of one Simon, a tanner.

During his stay at Joppa, he one day retired to the top of the house, about noon, to pray. After he had finished his devotions he found himself hungry, and called for meat; but, while the people were preparing his dinner, he fell asleep, and beheld,

cultivated. It is celebrated for its gardens and orchards of delicious fruit, such as the orange, lemon, apple, apricot, quince, plum, &c. - A. B.

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in a vision, a large sheet, or table-cloth, let | very readily attended their pleasure, and down, as it were, by the four corners from desired to know the occasion of their sendheaven, wherein were creatures of all kinds, ing for him.' clean and unclean, and, at the same time, a voice said to him, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat." But the apostle, being tenacious of the rites and institutions of the Mosaic law, declared his aversion to such a proceeding; upon which the voice rejoined, that what God had pronounced clean, he ought by no means to account common or unclean. This representation was made to him three several times, after which the sheet was taken up, and the vision disappeared.

come up as

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The reply Cornelius made in answer to this was to the following effect: days ago, being fervently employed in the duties of fasting and prayer, an angel from heaven appeared to me, declaring that my prayers and alms were memorial before the throne of the Most High; and at the same time ordered me to send to Joppa for one Simon Peter, who lodged in the house of a tanner near the seaside, and who would give me further information in the mysteries of salvation. Accordingly I made no hesitation to obey the heavenly messenger; I sent immediately for thee, and now thou art come, and we are met together, I desire to hear what instructions thou hast to communicate.'

When Peter awoke he could not help seriously reflecting on the vision he had beheld; and while he was wondering within himself what might be the event, he was interrupted by three messengers, who, knocking at the gate, desired to speak with him. They were accordingly admitted, and From this relation of the Roman officer, as soon as they saw Peter they acquainted Peter delivered a discourse to the assembly, him with their business, which was to the fol- which he began by declaring that he perlowing purport: that "Cornelius, a Roman, ceived plainly God had made no distinction captain of a company in the Italian legion,* of persons and people, but that the pious then at Cæsarea, a person of eminent virtue, and godly of all nations were to meet with piety, and charity, had, by an immediate acceptance. He told them that peace and command from God, sent to him, begging reconciliation between God and man was a that he would return with them to give him some instructions on so important and singular an occasion.” Peter detained the messengers that night; but the next day he set out with them accompanied by some of his brethren, and the day following arrived at Cæsarea.

Cornelius, being in expectation of his coming, had invited his friends and relations to his house, and as soon as Peter entered, he fell down at his feet to worship him, but the apostle, rejecting that honor as being due to God alone, raised him up, and then told the company that, "though they must know it was not lawful for a Jew to converse (more especially on the duties of religion) with those of another nation; yet since God had taught him to make no distinction, he

* The cohort of the Romans, which we call band, was a body of infantry, consisting of five hundred men, ten of which bands made a legion; and the manner in which the Romans distinguished and denominated their bands and legions was very various. Sometimes it was from the order of places, and so they were called the first or second band, according to their rank and precedency; sometimes from the commanders they were under, as the Augustan and Claudian band, &c., because persons of that name did lead them; sometimes from their own behavior, as the Vic

doctrine published by the prophets of old, and of late, since the time of John the Baptist, preached through Galilee and Judæa; that of this peace Jesus of Nazareth was the only Mediator between God and man, as appeared by the divine powers and graces wherewith he was invested, and which he constantly exercised in doing good to mankind; that of his life and actions, more especially of his crucifixion by the Jews, and resurrection from the dead, of his appearing to his disciples, and even eating and drinking with them after his resurrection, he and the rest of the apostles were chosen witnesses; that from him they had received, before his ascension, a command and commission to publish to all nations, that he was the person, whom God had ordained to trix, the Ferrea, the conquering, the iron band, &c., by reason of the great valor, which, in some sharp engagements, these had shown; sometimes from the countries they were chiefly quartered in, as the German and Pannonian band, &c., and sometimes from the parts whence they were gath ered, as this of Cornelius is called the Italian band, because it was raised out of that country, and was a body of forces well known for their gallantry and great exploits, among the writers of the Roman history.

be the great Judge of the world; that all the prophets, with one consent, bore witness of him; and that whoever believed in his name would certainly receive the remission of sins.

While Peter was thus speaking, the Holy Ghost came down upon the whole audience, and inspired them with gifts and graces, fitting them for several conditions in the church. The Jews who accompanied Peter, were greatly astonished to see that the gifts of the Holy Ghost were poured upon the Gentiles; which being observed by Peter, he told them he knew no reason why those persons should not be baptized (having received the Holy Ghost) as well as they. He accordingly gave orders that they should be baptized, which being done, he staid with them several days, in order to confirm them in the holy faith they had so happily and earnestly embraced.

The conduct of Peter on this occasion was considered in various lights by the brethren at Jerusalem, who being but lately converted to the Christian faith, were zealously attached to the religious ceremonies of the Mosaic institution, and therefore most of them severely charged Peter, on his return to Jerusalem, as being too familiar with the Gentiles. How powerful is the prejudice of education! The Jews had, for many ages, conceived an inveterate hatred to the Gentiles, considering them as persons not approved of by the Almighty, who had chosen the Jews for his peculiar people. The law of Moses, indeed, enjoined them to be kind to their own nation, in preference to all others; and the rites and institutions of their religion,

and the peculiar form of their commonwealth, rendered them very different from the inhab itants of other countries; a separation which in after ages they contracted into a much narrower compass. They were also tenaciously proud of their external privileges in being the descendants of Abraham; and therefore looked upon the rest of the world as reprobates, refusing to hold any conversation with them, or even to treat them with common civility.

It is therefore no wonder that they were highly displeased with Peter; nor would he, in all probability, have been able to defend his conduct in a satisfactory manner, had he not been charged with a peculiar commission from God for extending the privileges of the gospel to the Gentile world. To satisfy them, however, of the propriety of his conduct, he first gave them a plain and minute narrative of the whole affair, together with the occasion of it; and then took occasion from the whole, to draw this inference: that, “since God had been pleased to bestow on these Gentiles the same privileges, and marks of conversion, that he had done on his select disciples, it would have been direct disobedience in him to the divine will, had he denied them admission into the church, or refused them his instructions and conversation."

From this representation the whole audience were perfectly satisfied, and their displeasure against Peter was turned into praise and thanksgiving to God, for having communicated the same mercy to the Gentiles as he had done to the Jews; namely, "repentance unto life eternal.”

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