6. Divine Aid in Propagation of the Gospel.--The causes must have been divine which could enable men destitute of all human aid, poor {81} and friendless, neither eloquent nor learned, fishermen and publicans, and they too Jews, that is, persons odious to all other nations, in so short a time to persuade a great part of mankind to abandon the religion of their fathers, and to embrace a new religion which is opposed to the natural dispositions of men. In the words they uttered there must have been an amazing and a divine power controlling the minds of men. To which may be added miracles, prophecies, the detection of men's secret designs, magnanimity in the midst of perils, contempt for all the objects of ordinary ambition, a patient and cheerful endurance of sufferings worse than death, as well as of death itself, and finally, lives of the purest and most unblemished character. That the ambassadors of Jesus Christ were in fact thus furnished for their work, is a truth perfectly clear and obvious. And if we suppose them not to have been so furnished, no probable reason can be assigned for so rapid a propagation of Christianity by this small and feeble band.--Mosheim. 7. The Rapid Spread of the Gospel.--Thus, then, under a celestial influence and co-operation, the doctrine of the Savior, like the rays of the sun, quickly irradiated the whole world. Presently, in accordance with divine prophecy, the sound of his inspired evangelists and apostles had gone throughout all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Throughout every city and village, like a replenished barn floor, churches were rapidly abounding and filled with members from every people. Those who, in consequence of the delusions that had descended to them from their ancestors, had been fettered by the ancient disease of idolatrous superstition, were now liberated by the power of Christ, through the teachings and miracles of his messengers.--Eusebius, writing of the period between 37-41 A. D. REVIEW. 1. What was the first official business of the authorities of the church after the resurrection? 2. State the manner of filling the vacancy in the quorum of the twelve. 3. What of Mosheim's translation of the phrase: "They gave forth their lots?" (Note). 4. Was Matthias called of God? (Note 1). 5. What evidence can you refer to in proof that the quorum of Twelve Apostles was to be perpetuated? 6. When was the gospel first publicly preached after the resurrection? 7. How long between the ascension and Pentecost? (Note 2). 8. Describe the events in the church on the day of Pentecost. {82} 9. What circumstance is an evidence that the statement of scripture is true that there were devout men from many nations in Jerusalem at that time? (Note 2). 10. Was the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost a complete fulfillment of Joel's prophecy quoted by Peter? (Note 3).