Change in Confirmation at Reformation--Yet the Rite remained Essentially the Same as of Old--Importance of Tertullian's Testimony for its Primitive Origin-- Cyprian's and Augustine's View--Relation of Cyprian to Tertullian--Imposition of Hands United with Prayer in Ancient and Modern Church--Utility and Blessings of the Rite--Improvement which might be made in its Administration--Conduct of Simon Magus--He was Intellectually Convinced but Spiritually Unconverted-- Application of his Example to Foreign Missions--Late Controversy Concerning Educational Missions--Simon's Conduct and Simony--Definition of Simony--Sin not Confined to Established Churches--Takes Subtle Shapes in Every Community--St. Peter's Exhortation to Simon Magus--Corrects a Modern Error 385-397 CHAPTER XX. EVANGELISTIC WORK IN THE PHILISTINE'S LAND. ACTS viii. 26-8; ix. 32. Those Passages Typical of Evangelistic Efforts and Qualifications for Success in them--St. Philip Contrasted with St. Peter--Need of Education for Mission Field--Christian Missionaries of Early Centuries Partook of Highest Culture--Pantænus--Origen--Clement-- These Texts show Importance of Clear Conception in Theology--Clear Views need not be Narrow Views--Distinction between St. Philip's Guidance and that of St. Peter--Reasons for Angelic Interference--Archbishop Trench on John v. 4.--Apostolic Labours all tended Westward--Philip's Mission towards Gaza--Obstinate Paganism of Gaza-- Proved by Survey of Palestine--Ethiopian Eunuch--Candace and her Kingdom--St. Philip's Doctrines--Abyssinian Traditions--Revised Version and the Eunuch's Confession-- Creed of Apostolic Church--Witness of Aristides' _Apology_ 398-419 INDEX 421-424 CHAPTER I. _THE ORIGIN AND AUTHORITY OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES._ "The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which He was received up, after that He had given commandment through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles whom He had chosen."--ACTS i. 1, 2. These words constitute the very brief preface which the writer thought sufficient for the earliest ecclesiastical history ever produced in the Church of God. Let us imitate him in his brevity and conciseness, and without further delay enter upon the consideration of a book which raises vital questions and involves all-important issues. Now when a plain man comes to the consideration of this book one question naturally strikes him at once: How do I know who wrote this book, or when it was written? What evidence or guarantee have I for its authentic character? To these questions we shall apply ourselves in the present chapter.