Yet another result followed which we might not have hoped for--a large increase of believing converts. "Multitudes of men and women, believing on the Lord, were the more added to the Church." "The more." Yes, for this very reason--they saw and felt that "the Lord was there," and loving Him, they wished to dwell in His presence, and enjoy His protection and care. Oh, how important motives are! A thief in the company of innocent people may, like them, offer to be searched, in order to avoid suspicion, as Judas asked, "Lord, is it I?" when all the disciples had first put the question to Jesus, but he could not thus escape the searching eyes that read his heart, or the words of condemnation that fell upon his ears. Are we willing to be searched and tried by God? But, if we do desire to belong to Jesus, and follow Him, need we, should we, hesitate to unite with, or remain among, His people? Oh, no! Though He is angry with the wicked every day, and terrible to the hypocrites, He is gracious and full of compassion to all who seek His grace. "Will He plead against me with His great strength? No, but He will put strength in me," said Job (chap. xxiii. 6). And while He burns up all who rebel against Him, as the fire consumes briars and thorns, they who would be at peace with Him shall find peace by His own strength (Isa. xxvii. 4, 5) and love. Yes, and not only so--it is a blessing for us that He does know us altogether. We are sometimes afraid to confess some secret fault to an earthly friend, lest we should be loved less when the wrong thing is known; and if we could hide ourselves from God, how we might shrink from telling Him some of our thoughts and feelings, and this secrecy might ruin and destroy us. But He does know all, and knowing, loves His children still, so that we may pour out all our heart before Him; and while it will be an unspeakable relief to us, it will be no news to Him. A sense of our own unworthiness will only precede the joyous assurance of pardon and blessing. Peter once said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" and Isaiah cried, "Woe is me, for I am undone" (Isa. vi. 5); but Peter's fear gave place to the clinging words of love--"Lord, to whom shall we go [but unto Thee], for Thou hast the words of eternal life?" (John vi. 68); while Isaiah's cry of sorrow changed to the gladsome song, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid" (Isa. xii. 2). Oh, that we may be helped to cast ourselves by faith and prayer entirely upon Him, and, like Peter, say, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Amen. Our next subject will be, _The Good Shepherd, His Lambs and Sheep_ (Isa. xl. 11). Yours affectionately, H. S. L. BIBLE ENIGMA.