d Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of
God and the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both
men and women."

The dispersion which followed the fiery persecution of the saints at
Jerusalem was productive of good. The scattered apostles, and the
overseers of the deacons as well, of whom Philip named in the text was
one, preached wherever they went, and many believed. The very steps
taken by the enemies of the cross to put an end to its power "turned
out unto the furtherance of the gospel." In this we can see the
overruling hand of Providence.

There is one point in this line of thought which I desire to make
specially prominent. This point is the readiness with which believers
in that day submitted to the ordinance of baptism, and the
consequences which were almost sure to follow. The duty of being
immersed seems to have pressed itself upon their hearts, and nothing
short of obedience to this command could give their consciences rest.
But how is it now! Error has done so much to rob this impressive
ordinance of its beauty and significance that many seem indifferent to
its claims, or ignore it entirely.

Thousands professing faith in Christ at the present day go away from
the _revival_ singing:

"Nothing, either great or small;
Nothing have I now to do:
Jesus died and paid it all,
Long time ago."

This would surely be getting salvation at a cheap rate. There is in
this no "trial of faith, more precious than gold," no "cleansing of
the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord."
This means receiving the crown without bearing the cross. But the
early Christians were never soothed with such sedatives. On the
contrary, they were admonished to count the cost. Some of the items in
this cost were "_self-denial, no certain dwelling place_," _the loss
of all things, persecutions, fiery trials, bonds, imprisonments,
death_. They were not taught to regard the church as a cradle in which
their spiritual infancy was to be rocked, but as being a camp for
soldiers, with stout hearts and strong sinews, ready to do battle for
the Lord. They were therefore exhorted to put on the whole armor of
God: and their baptismal vow was the act of putting this armor on
publicly, and their enrollment in the Lord's host, prepared for the
great conflict. They were expected from that hour forth to "fight the
good fight of faith," and the battle hymn that flowed out of the heart
of ev