"the new man" (Ephes. iv. 22, 24). The Parables of "The Treasure" and "The Pearl," which set forth the priceless value of salvation, and the different ways in which it becomes known to men, may be illustrated by several instances in the early history of the Church. One finds the truth, as it were, by chance, like some hidden treasure. Such was the man of Ethiopia finding, as he crossed the desert, an apparently chance traveller able to expound to him the prophecies of Messiah (Acts viii. 27); and such was the jailor at Philippi, stopped in the act of committing suicide to be baptized by his prisoners (Acts xvi. 27, 30). Another finds "The Pearl" worth all the world besides, only after long search. Such was S. Paul, who sought for it in intense zeal for God, and found it in the Voice which said, "Why persecutest thou Me?" (Gal. i. 14, Acts ix. 4). And such was Cornelius, whose prayers and alms called down the blessing from above which brought to him the knowledge of His Saviour (Acts x. 30-48). Whilst the value which men set upon the discovery was shown by the joy with which all things were given up for the sake of Christ, when men "did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people" (Acts ii. 46, 47); when they rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name" (Acts v. 41); when being expelled with violence from one city they went on to the next, and, instead of complaints, "the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost" (Acts xiii. 50-52); and when one could say, who had given up all his earthly prospects and high position amongst his fellows, "what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ" (Phil. iii. 7, 8). The last Parable of the series, "The Draw-net," referring as it does to the final separation at the end of the world, cannot be illustrated by example.