nied the labours of the apostles. It was at Jerusalem, the city
whose million voices had just before demanded the death of their Lord,
and imprecated his blood upon their own heads, that the first and
greatest effusion of the Holy Spirit took place. _There_ was spiritual
wickedness in high places. There iniquity was strongly intrenched. The
strong arm of the civil as well as ecclesiastical power was its defence;
and human calculation could look for no visits of mercy. Still the
Savior's command, to begin at Jerusalem, was obeyed. Nor was it long
before that city was filled with the presence of the Most High--before
the Spirit came down in power, and thousands were converted to Christ.

But this is not a solitary case. At Antioch, also, the Spirit was poured
out. Indeed, there are two places of this name mentioned in the Acts of
the Apostles;--both visited in saving mercy. One, the capital of Syria,
a city of great note. It was about ten miles in circumference; and, in
population, wealth, and splendour, esteemed the third city of the age.
Here Paul and Barnabas preached. Here the disciples were first called
Christians. Here the Church continued long to flourish. Here the
eloquent Chrysostom, at the close of the fourth century, preached with
great power and success: and here the Holy Spirit descended. "Now they,
which were scattered abroad, upon the persecution that arose about
Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching
the word to none but the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus
and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the
Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with
them: and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings
of these things came unto the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem;
and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who,
when he came and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them
all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." So
great was this work, so important this field of usefulness, that to
secure the best assistance, "Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek Saul;
and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to
pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and
taught much people." So powerful was this work of God, as to demand, for
a whole year, the special labours of two of his most favoured servants.