And this great event has always been remembered with interest by the Christian church. In the early days of the church, the day kept in memory of the coming of the Holy Ghost was set apart as one of the solemn seasons for baptizing persons who wished to be received into the church. The candidates for baptism on these occasions were clothed in white garments, to denote the purity which should mark those who received baptism properly, by truly repenting of their sins, and having their souls washed in the blood of Christ. And for this reason, the Sunday on which the day of Pentecost was thus celebrated, was called Whit-Sunday, or Whit-Suntide. In the Episcopal Church in this country, in the Church of England, and in some other branches of the Church of Christ, this Whit-Suntide festival is still kept with great interest. The scriptures read on this day refer to the coming of the Spirit and to the importance of his work; and the sermons preached at this season generally have reference to the same subject. And when we remember how the success of the great work in which the Church of Christ is engaged depends upon the help which the Holy Spirit gives, we see how important it is that we should be constantly reminded of the necessity of having his presence and power with us in all our efforts to do good to the souls of men. And so, when we think of the time of the Spirit’s coming, we may bear in mind that it was on the day of Pentecost, or on the fiftieth day after the death of Christ. And now, we may go on to speak of—_the MANNER of the Spirit’s coming_. It was an _expected_ coming. Jesus had told his disciples about the coming of the Spirit and had given them a promise that he should come. He said to them on one occasion: “It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” St. John xvi: 7. And then, just before his ascension into heaven, he repeated this promise, commanding them “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father:” again he said, “ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence;” and again, “ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Acts i: 4, 5, 8.