their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great
grace was upon them all. For neither was there among them any that
lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and
brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the
apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as anyone
had need.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing about
it, and brought a certain part, {336} and laid it at the apostles' feet.
But Peter said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the
Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it
remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not
in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy
heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up his spirit: and
great fear came upon all that heard it. And the young men arose and
wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not
knowing what was done, came in. And Peter said unto her, "Tell me
whether ye sold the land for so much."

And she said, "Yea, for so much."

But Peter said unto her, "How is it that ye have agreed together to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried
thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out."

And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up her spirit: and
the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and
buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church,
and upon all that heard these things.

{337}{338}

[Illustration]
ST. STEPHEN'S GATE, JERUSALEM.
LOOKING IN TOWARD THE CITY.

From a photograph belonging to Prof. H. G. Mitchell, and used by his
kind permission
[End illustration]

{339}

IV

THE FIRST MARTYR

_How Stephen Died Heroically for the New Faith.
The Beginning of Persecution.
The Sermon of Stephen. The Martyr's Crown_.

(The new faith was not destined to win its victories in peace. As the
rulers hated Jesus, so they hated the new faith which was now proclaimed
in his name; as they crucified the Master, so they persecuted and killed
the disciples. Stephen was the first of "the noble army of martyrs,"
thousands of men, women, and children,