ll
renew our commission, and make all men to know that a risen Saviour is
our King, and a promised Comforter our portion,

WHAT A BLOW TO SOCINIANISM, BOTH OF IDEA AND WORD, WOULD A 'SECOND
PENTECOST' BECOME!

We do not here mean to dwell on the example shewn to the Church by the
accord in prayer, the many pleading, so differently, and yet in harmony;
we are writing now for preachers, knowing that hundreds of workers will
read every line we write, and we are thus led to enquire further--

HOW FAR PETER'S SERMON IS LIKE THE SERMONS WE PREACH?

Some who have read it, as it is printed, have said, "We should not have
invited such a preacher to our circuit:" but such people forget that the
accompaniments of preaching cannot be printed. Who can write down the
spiritual atmosphere? Who can reproduce the tone of voice in which Peter
spoke? How can he describe what some of us have felt--the unction--the
never-to-be-forgotten emotions of the soul? Depend upon it, these were
present in a remarkable manner.

But beside all this, there are the Bible facts. Peter knew his Bible and
could quote it. How familiar he must have been with the Old Testament!
Could he have found, in any part of the book, passages more telling and
more suitable? If we knew our Bible better, we should not need to do as
the manner of some is, round off common-place ideas of our own, with
pretty poetry of someone else's!

Then, the preacher was not afraid to tell the congregation what sins they
had committed. Many of them were what is called "good sort of people,
went to place of worship, and paid their way," &c. But it was true,
"Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God, ye have taken, and by wicked
hands have crucified and slain." Let us who preach, cry to God to give
us His Spirit, that we may tell those who hear us of their sins. How are
they to be convinced of sins, if they are not told of them?

Nor was Peter satisfied with the good feeling, or even with seeing the
people moved. It was not enough for him that his hearers were pricked in
the heart, he would have them do more. Would he not have said to many of
those who have gone into the inquiry-room, "I am not satisfied that you
are in earnest. You want God to save you in your sins." Repentance is
impossible to those who are not conscious of guiltiness. And, without
repentance, faith holds the cup of water to one who was never thirsty. Do
you wonder that it is loathsome? He might d