Peter said to him: "May thy money perish with thee, because thou hast esteemed the gift of God to be purchased with money."

Not content with persecuting the faithful in Jerusalem, Saul obtained authority to go to Damascus that he might cast into prison the believers in that city.

And as he drew nigh to Damascus suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Who said: "Who art Thou, Lord?" And He: "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." And he trembling, and astonished, said: "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" And the Lord said to him: "Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do." And Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they, leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus.

There was at this time in Damascus, a devout man named Ananias, to whom God spoke in a vision sending him to Saul to comfort him and to restore his sight.

When Saul had been baptized, he was filled with the most ardent zeal, so that he went about preaching Jesus in all the synagogues. At Jerusalem, the brethren were at first unwilling to receive him,

Why did Saul go to Damascus? What took place on the way? What is said of Ananias? What did Saul do after he had been baptized?

ST. PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON.

217

knowing him only as a persecutor. The Jews, on the other hand, laid plots to take his life; but he escaped from the city by night, being let down in a basket from the wall.

Peter, meanwhile, went through different countries preaching, and working miracles. At Lydda, he raised to life a certain holy woman named Tabitha or Dorcas, who had been distinguished for her charity, making garments for the poor.

At this time Peter was warned in a vision that there was to be no more distinction between Jew and Gentile, but that the Gospel was to be preached to all. Many at Antioch received the faith, and in this city the disciples were first called Christians.

And now king Herod caused James the brother of John to be put to death, and Peter he shut up in prison. He was delivered by an angel who opened the prison doors and led him to the city gate which of itself opened to them. A few days later, Herod was struck by God and died miserably, his flesh being consumed by worms.

What is said of Peter? What was St. Peter taught in a vision ? Why did the Jews murmur? Where were the disciples first called Christians? Whom did Herod put to death? Whom did he imprison? How did Herod die?

10

CHAPTER XCVI.

PAUL AND BARNABAS ARE ORDAINED TO PREACH THE

GOSPEL. PAUL IS

THE

STONED.-DISPUTES REGARD

ING CIRCUMCISION.PAUL AND SILAS IN

PRISON.-PAUL AT ATHENS.

HE Apostles imposed hands on Saul, now called Paul, and Barnabas, that they might partake in their missionary labors. They preached with much fruit, working many miracles. At Lystra, the people were struck with astonishment at these wonders, and they cried out: "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men." And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; but Paul, Mercury; because he was chief speaker. The priest also of Jupiter, bringing oxen and garlands, would have offered sacrifice with the people.

The Apostles seeing this, rent their garments, and reproached them for their superstition; but with all they could say, the people were scarcely restrained from offering them sacrifice.

Certain Jews succeeded later in stirring up the people, so that they stoned Paul, and left him for dead outside the city gate. But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, restored and full of life.

On whom did the Apostles impose hands? What took place at Lystra?

DISPUTES REGARDING CIRCUMCISION.

219

Warm disputes arose in Antioch regarding circumcision and other points of the Mosaic law. Some considered them to be obligatory on the Gentile converts, while Paul and Barnabas were of the contrary opinion. As St. Peter and several other Apostles were at Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas repaired thither, and the question was discussed in an assembly generally known as the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem. St. Peter presided, and when all had expressed their opinion, the decision was given in a letter containing these words: "It hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no farther burden upon you than these necessary things: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. The prohibition concerning blood and things strangled was a temporary discipline enforced through a consideration for the Jews.

At Philippi, the Roman magistrates caused Paul and Silas to be severely scourged, after which they were thrust into a dungeon and their feet were made fast in the stocks. The Apostles rejoiced in their sufferings, and at midnight their hymns of praise were heard by all who were in the prison. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, and all the doors were opened. And the keeper of the prison, drawing his sword, would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners

What question was referred to the Apostles at Jerusalem? What decision did they give? What prohibition was temporary? At Philippi, what did the magistrates do? What took place at mid night? What is related of the jailer?

had fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying: "Do thyself no harm, for we are all here."

Then the keeper went in, and trembling fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas. And bringing them out, he said: "Masters, what must I do, that I may be saved?" But they said: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." And he taking them the same hour of the night, washed their stripes; and he was immediately baptized with all his house.

When it was day the magistrates sent to release the prisoners. But Paul said: "After having whipped us publicly, men that are Romans, and uncondemned, do they now thrust us out privately? Not so; but let them come." The magistrates hearing that they were Roman citizens, were afraid; and coming to the prison, lismissed them honorably.

At Athens, Paul disputed with the philosopher and preached publicly in the Areopagus. Having re marked an altar on which was written: "To the Unknown God," he said: "Whom therefore you worship without knowing, Him I preach to you: God who made the world and all things therein. For in Him we live and we move and we are; as some also of your own poets said: For we are also His offspring." When Paul had spoken these and other words, declaring the resurrection of Christ, some mocked; but others said: "We will hear thee again concerning this matter."

What did St. Paul reply to the magistrates? What is said of the Athenians? What did St. Paul say in the Areopagus? How was his discourse received?