nessed its effects upon the hearts and lives of thousands, both in Jerusalem and Samaria. Happy the eunuch who with a teachable spirit listened to his convincing and pathetic strains. That unction from on high which teacheth all things accompanied the heavenly message-convictions flashed upon the mind of the attentive hearer-impressions, never to be erased, were suddenly produced-he welcomed the tidings, believed with the heart, and confessed with the lip, that Jesus was the Christ. In this faith he was immediately baptized in this faith he doubtless lived and died a distinguished monument of unspeakable mercy, and boundless love.

Among the various particulars which Philip brought forward in his discourse, his Saviour's last injunction to his Apostles to

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go into all the world and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost," would not be forgotten. Accordingly no sooner had they arrived at some well, or

fountain, or flowing stream, than the convinced and believing eunuch exclaims, with ardent desire to partake of the blessing, "Lo! here is water! What doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believe with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Brief and laconic as was the reply, it was perfectly satisfactory to Philip; for it was not the mere fact that Jesus was the Messiah that he admitted, but all the grand truths as to his person, his doctrines, his atoning sufferings, to which he had been so long and thankfully listening.

Nor was the present opportunity to be lost. The Ethiopian was on his way to his own country, which no missionary had yet reached, and Philip himself was about to be suddenly withdrawn from him. The chariot therefore was made to stand still; and they bent both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Whether the holy rite was administered by immersion, or merely by a copious affusion of water upon the head, it is of little importance to determine. The learned advocates of different sects and parties have warmly contested the point; but the Church of England is happily free from the charge of laying an undue stress upon the modes of baptism. She accommodates herself wisely and humanely to circumstances. If immersion be desired either by the parent in behalf of his child, or by an adult on his own behalf, his desire is immediately complied with; though in consequence of the coldness of our northern climate, and the non-importance of the quantity of water employed, her usual practice is to pour or sprinkle it upon the recipient. But though she lays but little stress upon the manner of administering the outward and visible sign, she attaches the utmost importance to the realization. of the thing signified,-the inward and spiritual grace, a death unto sin, and a new

birth unto righteousness. That this was truly exemplified in the instance before us there can be no doubt. Whether any extraordinary or miraculous gifts of the spirit were vouchsafed to him we know not; it is enough to feel convinced that he experienced, (what is far more important,) those renewing, strengthening, and comforting influences, which impart purity, and peace, and joy. It is particularly mentioned, indeed, as a circumstance worthy of remark, that when he pursued his journey homewards, after coming out of the water, he went on his way "rejoicing." And this is the more remarkable when we bear in mind that he was at this time deprived of the solace and companionship of the Evangelist, whom the spirit of God had suddenly caught away, and transported to a great distance, so that he saw him no more.

Though no reason is assigned in the narrative for this sudden and miraculous separation, yet it is not difficult to suppose

that it was chiefly intended to confirm the faith of this new and noble convert, and to enable him to testify to his countrymen that he had followed no cunningly devised fable in making known to them the power and coming of the Lord Jesus. And this is the more credible from the fact, as related by the historian Eusebius, that he was made the honoured instrument of planting in Ethiopia a numerous and flourishing Church.

As to what became of Philip after his miraculous transportation we are briefly told, that he "was found at Azotus," a place distant more than thirty miles from Gaza; and that passing thence through the country he preached in all the cities till he came to Cæsarea.

The time will not permit us to dwell any longer on the interesting narrative. But let us not separate, my brethren, without applying to our hearts and consciences the practical inquiry, What know we of the gladdening efficacy of the