ethren, what shall we do?" The answer
which Peter gave then and there is the true answer to that
all-important question. I sincerely desire that every unconverted man
and woman in this house will duly consider the answer, for it may
redound to the salvation of his or her soul. I will therefore give it
in the exact words we find recorded. They are these: "Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Notice here, obedience comes first. The repentance and the baptism
precede the gift of the Holy Spirit. God is holy; and the sanctuary
must be cleansed before he is willing to set up his glory there. The
Temple had to be dedicated before the Lord could dwell in it. This
gift of the Holy Spirit, by which we are to understand his entering
into our hearts and making his abode with us, is the beginning of a
heavenly life in the soul. The fruit of the Spirit, as it appears in
the life of its possessor, is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, kindness, meekness, temperance, brotherly kindness,
charity.

The body of every true follower of Jesus Christ is a temple of the
Holy Ghost. But I cannot dismiss the subject yet. I have reason to
believe there are some unconverted men and women in this little
assembly. Were those hearers on that day sinners above all men? "I
tell you nay! And except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." I
sometimes think they were not such sinners as many we see around us
now. Was it not for these the Lord prayed as he hung upon the cross?
Hear his dying prayer: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what
they do." Can this be said of the many who go on heedless of all the
preaching, and praying and reading that is being done to instruct
their minds and move their hearts? I do not think it can. And it is to
be feared that in a coming day the very sinners who go on in sin,
facing the very light of gospel day, may be compelled to realize the
awful truth uttered by our Lord: "He that knoweth to do his Master's
will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes."

But there is glorious news here for every one who is willing to obey.
Thousands of obedient hearts are rejoicing to-night, on earth and in
heaven, in the happy experiences they have of the presence of the Holy
Spirit in their souls. This is the good news, this is the Gospel of
their salvation. God is his own witness in every one th