THE martyrdom of the great Hellenist, who was conveyed to his grave amidst much lamentation _by devout men_[737] (Acts viii. 2), was the signal for a furious persecution of the Christians. The protection with which the prudence of Gamaliel had hitherto shielded them was now withdrawn. Pharisee and Sadducee alike[738], in the absence or with the connivance of the Roman procurator[739], turned against the hated sect, and the young Cilician of Tarsus, who was _consenting to the death_ of Stephen (Acts viii. 1), and probably was now or shortly afterwards a member of the Sanhedrin[740], found himself able to give vent to the full fury of his zeal. Resolved _to make havoc of the Church_ (Acts viii. 3), he invaded the dwellings of those who professed adherence to the Christian faith, dragged forth their inmates, whether men or women, and committed them to prison (Acts viii. 3, xxvi. 9, 10, xxii. 3). Some of these persecuted people he scourged, _often, in many synagogues_ (Acts xxvi. 11); some he strove to compel to blaspheme the Holy Name whereby they were called (Acts xxvi. 11); others he brought before the Sanhedrin, and when it was decided that they should be put to death, _gave his vote against them_[741] (Acts xxvi. 10), so that his fame as an inquisitor spread beyond the boundaries of Palestine, and reached even the distant city of Damascus (Acts ix. 13). From a persecution instigated by such a zealous leader the disciples fled in different directions throughout Judæa and Samaria, and even further north still, to Phœnicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Acts xi. 19), but the Apostles remained firm at their posts, and for the present did not leave Jerusalem (Acts viii. 1). Amongst those, who were thus dispersed abroad, was one of the “Seven” who had been elected with Stephen to superintend the distribution of the funds of the Christian society. Between Judæa and Galilee lay the district of Samaria, the inhabitants of which, though shunning and shunned by the Jew, “yet clung to the same promises and looked forward to the same hopes[742].” Thither Philip now went down, and entering one of its towns[743], began to proclaim the message of Glad Tidings to its people, and performed many miracles, casting out demons, and healing many that were lame and paralysed. He was received with no less readiness than the Holy One Himself, when sitting on Jacob’s well[744], He declared Himself the Messiah to the woman who was a sinner. With one accord the Samaritans _gave heed to his words_ (Acts viii. 6).