This giving up of all private property by the rich, so that the poor believers might be supported, was necessary at that time: for the poorer class of people on becoming Christians, would get neither employment nor help from their Jewish brethren; nor would they receive any part of those sacrifices offered in the temple, which were devoted to the relief of the poor. But however desirable this arrangement was then, it was not _commanded_; it was a sacrifice made willingly by the rich, for the benefit of the poorer brethren. In these days, to have everything in common would be impossible; but though we are not called upon to do this, we _are_ called upon and _commanded_ to help others; and to deny ourselves, and sacrifice our own wishes, that we may be able to do good to our fellow creatures; and thus show our love for Jesus, Who says, "If any man seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" And again, "To do good and to distribute forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Many other passages of Scripture teach us the same lesson, and it is summed up as it were in the command, "Do unto all men as ye would they should do unto you." The next act we hear of as done by the Apostles is, that "Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour." There were three fixed times for public prayer in the temple: the third hour (or 9 o'clock in the morning), when the morning sacrifices were offered; the sixth hour, that is, 12 o'clock or noon; and the ninth hour, 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the evening sacrifices were offered. The gates of the temple were the favourite resorts of cripples, who caused themselves to be carried to them, that they might beg for money from those who were continually passing and re-passing. Peter and John, going up to prayer in the middle of the day, saw a poor man who had been lame ever since he was born, and "whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple." When this man begged of the Apostles they said unto him, "Look on us." The man readily gave heed unto them, and did as they told him, "expecting to receive something of them"; and so he did, though not of the kind he expected. "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he, leaping up, stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." When the people saw this man, whom they had long known as a helpless cripple, "walking, and praising God," they were naturally full of wonder and amazement. "And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran