etrayers and murderers; ye who received the law
as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not."

_Martyrdom_.

Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they
raged against him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up
steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on
the right hand of God, and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and
the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

But they cried out with aloud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed
upon him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city, and stoned
him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young
man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and
saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this
sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And
Saul was consenting unto his death.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which
was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the
regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men
buried {345} Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid
waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging out men and
women committed them to prison.

(The martyrdom of Stephen gave a fresh impulse to the new faith. The
disciples had been content to stay in Jerusalem, and preach to their own
people. But persecution drove them out of the city, so that the gospel
came to a wider circle of hearers. We shall see, as the story goes on,
how Philip was directed to the officer of Queen Candace, and how Peter,
against his will, at first, was sent to the Roman captain. So the new
faith broadened, not as the apostles planned, but as God willed.)

{346}

V

SIMON THE SORCERER

_The New Faith Spreads. The Story of the Man of Samaria
Who Wished to Use It for His Own Selfish Advantage_.

They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word.
And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them
the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things
that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he
did. For from many of those who had unclean spirits, those spirits came
out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were
lame, were healed. And there was much joy i