scarcely had they come up out of the water where the solemn rite of dedication to God had taken place, but the teacher was suddenly, probably miraculously, separated from his disciple. But herein was the wisdom of God manifested; for the convert was to be taught the sustaining character of the religion he had embraced, he was led more directly to the Saviour in whom he had so recently begun to trust, and the sanction of the miracle by which Philip had been taken away, in connection with the extraordinary manner in which they had first become acquainted, would never suffer him to doubt the reality of the truths he had received. The inspired writer adds in reference to this new Christian that "he went on his way rejoicing." How could it be otherwise? He had become acquainted with the most "joyful sound" which ever arrested the attention of man,-the glad tidings of eternal life and mercy; he had received the pardon of his sins, through faith in the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God; he had devoted himself to the service of Christ, entering into a perpetual and never-to-be-forgotten covenant with him; he

was going home to publish among his kindred and countrymen salvation by the cross of Christ; and he expected that after serving Jesus on earth, he should, by sovereign grace, be raised to the throne of Christ in heaven. Could it, then, be matter of surprise that he should go "on his way rejoicing?" He resembled Krishnu, a baptized Hindoo, who, on the day of his baptism, said he was "full of joy ;" and when, shortly after, asked by an European in the street what he got by his profession of Christianity, replied, that, “He got nothing but joy and comfort," adding, "it was the work of love."

As an illustration of the importance of the baptism of this courtier, we may add, on the authority of Dr. Kitto, in his excellent Pictorial Bible, "Traditions state that this eunuch,' preached the gospel in his own country, after his return; and that the queen was the first whom he baptized; that he afterwards went to proclaim the glad tidings in the neighboring part of Abyssinia, in Arabia Felix, and in Ceylon; and at last suffered martyrdom. It is observable that the Abyssinians allege that the province of Tigre, the part of their country

nearest Meröe, was converted by the preaching of this eunuch,' although the nation at large did not receive the gospel until a later day."

In reference to Philip it is only necessary to add, that having discharged his duty to Indich, and being removed by the Spirit of the Lord" from this scene of action, he travelled from city to city, preaching the gospel of Christ, till he arrived at Cesarea, where he continued to reside, faithful to the cause of his Great Master

It is pleasing to learn, from the whole view of this subject, that the religion of the gospel and its privileges are not confined to any one class of men, but that the great and noble, as well as the poor, may be brought under its influence;-that all true piety is founded on the knowledge of the Scriptures; that God is at no loss in providing instructors for those who fear him; -that we should be encouraged to speak for God and his truth to all persons, and in all places; that true piety will always tend to the prompt obedience of the law of God; -and that the results of our religion will

act on the world as long as it shall continue Let us, then, ever say :—

to exist.

Jesus, mighty King in Zion,

Thou alone our guide shalt be:
Thy commission we rely on;

We would follow none but thee.

SAUL OF TARSUS.

ACTS IX.

Jesus, I my cross have taken,

All to leave, and follow Thee:

Destitute, despised, forsaken,

Thou, from hence, my all shalt be.

Perish, every fond ambition,

All I've sought, and hoped, and known;

Yet how rich is my condition,

God and heaven are still my own.

LITE.

HISTORY, sacred or profane, scarcely records the name of a more remarkable man than Saul, or as he afterwards called himself Paul, probably in compliment to one of his converts, Sergius Paulus, a proconsul of Cyprus, who appears to have been his first gentile convert. Or possibly, as he was a Roman citizen, and emphatically the "apostle to the Gentiles," he would adopt a Roman name, rather than continue his Jewish one. He was a native of Tarsus, a city of Asia Minor, the capital of Cilicia; which was made free by Augustus, the Roman