The community of goods or common stock was a _voluntary thing_ and not _required_, as is clear from the language of Peter to Ananias and Sapphira. Alluding to the possession he sold and the proceeds of the sale he said: “While it remained was it not thine own? and after it was sold was it not in thine own power?” Acts v. 4. There was no compulsion to do what he pretended he was doing—that is, _giving the whole_—no law requiring it. This case appears to have ended the whole affair. We find no more account of it, but clear allusions to liberality, to the rich and poor, etc., showing that it was not continued. There is no question but that some of the first Christians received the impression that the coming of the Lord, the resurrection of the dead and the end of the world were at hand; and the unbounded love of the gospel inspired in their hearts for God and man led them to regard their possessions as nothing. They did not believe they would need them, nor did they see the state of things that would result from their course. Not only so, but there may have been a providence in it, as their city was soon to be destroyed and they “led away captive among all nations.” The main thing we need is the fact that it is not required of us. It ended at once and was not enjoined nor continued. DELUDED. We can not conceive how people could be more completely deluded, than to be so turned away from the promise of God, than when the Lord says, “He who believes and is immersed _shall be saved_,” he can not rely on the words, “_shall be saved_,” but can rely on an uncertain class of feelings reached in an exciting meeting without a promise of the Lord. The apostle commands inquirers, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and _you shall receive_ the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Here is a sure promise from God: “_You shall receive_ the gift of the Holy Spirit.” These people can not or _will not_ rely on _this promise_, but will rely on a peculiar state of feelings without one shadow of evidence that the feelings are from the Lord, or intended to assure any of pardon. Members of the church should read their Bibles in their families and to their children, and worship with them, and teach them what worship means, and if they do not do it they will be held responsible in the great day. We must never stop but cry aloud and spare not, till this ignorance is out of the land. We exhort brethren, no matter where they may be scattered, to read the Bible, explain it to your neighbor, and be not poor, helpless creatures waiting for somebody to send you a preacher, but go at it and read the Scriptures, and show your neighbor how to read them, and where to read, to learn the way of salvation. Circulate other reading calculated to show them the good and right way. Be alive and awake to the work—read about it, pray over it, and do all in your power to counteract ignorance and superstition.