CHAPTER VIII

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FIRST RECORDED MIRACLE AND FIRST PERSECUTION.

ACTS iii. 1-6.

The Acts a Mirror of Church History--Pause after Pentecost, Reason of--Need of Pastoral Work--Relapses in Mission Field--The Corinthian Case--Rest and Spiritual Growth--Evils of Excitement--Contrast of Christianity with the Montanists and Cynics-- True Religion not, however, Purely Contemplative-- Circumstances of First Miracle--Which was Typical of Church's Future Work--Among the Poor and Sick-- Story of St. Crispin--St. Chrysostom's Sermons-- First Franciscans Contrasted with Early Methodists-- Medical Missions--Place of Miracle--Solomon's Porch--St. Peter's Address Model for Preachers--Shows Divinity of Christ--Exalts Christ--Is Bold and Prudent withal 148-172

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