IN CHURCH HISTORY. 37 



finite plan, and the product of their toils was in all 

 essential features alike in all places. 



Wherever they went they told of the Christ, what 

 He said and what He did, and how men may be 

 saved through Him ; and then when any believed 

 their message they admitted them as members of 

 the Christian society, and instructed them as to 

 what were their new duties and high privileges. 



Picture to yourself the earnest work, and self- 

 denying labors of the primitive disciples. Here 

 we will say is a town where up to that moment no 

 voice has ever uttered the name of Jesus Christ. 

 It is an idolatrous place. In the temple is the 

 statue of a god or goddess, and the worship of the 

 people is filled with lascivious rites and most de- 

 basing ceremonies. And now there come into 

 this place two or three travel-stained men, recog- 

 nized perhaps as Jews by their dress and speech. 

 Who are they ? Who in all that town cares who 

 they are ? They appear to be a few dusty travellers. 

 Why give them a second thought ? But the 

 travellers inquire for the synagogue of the Jewish 

 colony established there, and at the hour of prayer 

 go into that synagogue, and begin to teach their 

 brethren, the Jews, that Messiah has come ; that 

 Jesus Christ fulfils the ancient prophecies, and by 

 mighty deeds and gracious words has shown that 

 He is the Blessed One. 



Their message is listened to and discussed. 



