widow and the
fatherless;" to "speak peace" to the people--in these happy duties lay
a large part of their work. Dark, indeed, were those early days for
the infant Church; heavy the clouds above her; terrible the storms of
hate and persecution which spent their fury upon her and scattered
abroad her fellowship, but amidst it all more songs were heard than
sighs, more triumphs than complaints. In the midnight hour a strange
new music ran through the prison, for Paul and Silas "prayed and sang
praises and the prisoners heard them," and so, to crushed and bleeding
souls, even there, a breath of heavenly comfort came. We have
sometimes heard people talk of St. Paul in such a way as to picture one
who was above the tenderness wherefrom sad hearts are blessed--the
great theologian, the mighty logician, the lone, strong, sublime man
whose self-mastery lifted him above sympathy with common men. Great he
was, but great in compassion as well as in mind. Among the watchwords
of encouragement you will find none more inspiring than those written
by his fettered hand. Was it not he who wrote that assurance which has
so often come between us and despair:--"And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God"? From him, also, came
that glowing word which has shed radiance upon many a couch of pain:
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." There is a more noble
picture of the great Apostle to the Gentiles than that above referred
to. The ship is "driven up and down in Adria." Euroclydon roars
through the rigging. Mighty billows come crashing over the bulwarks.
"Neither sun, nor moon nor stars" have "for many days appeared."
Nearer and nearer the helpless craft is being swept to the cruel rocks
of yonder savage coast. The ship's company is in an agony of dismay.
Suddenly from the cabin comes he of Tarsus. "Wherefore, sirs, be of
good cheer," he cries, above the blast, "for I believe God." Thus does
he summarise in one great assuring word the message learned at the foot
of the cross. Behind it is all the authority of God's revelation to
his soul upon the Damascus road!

So ministered the Master, and so, His first preachers, and hence it
came to pass that the early disciples of the infant faith were known
for their calmness, their courage and their joy. Men "took knowledge
of them that they had been with Jesus." This was the