in the year 73. The tradition of the church in Origen's days, says, that Parthia was allotted to him, which then contained all Persia. Chrysostom affirms, that he went through almost all parts of the world, and lived without fear in the midst of the most barbarous nations, performing his duty without regard to his own security or life. And, being encouraged by a divine vision, he travelled into the Indies, to Maliapur and the country of the Brachmans, who, fearing the downfal of their rites and religion, resolved upon his death. Accordingly, at a tomb not far from the city, where the apostle often retired for his devotions, while he was intent in prayer, they loaded him with stones and darts, till one of them, coming nearer, ran him through with a lance. From this first plantation of christianity in the East Indies, by this apostle, there is said to have been a continued succession of christians in those parts to this day, called by the name of St. Thomas's christians.

Maria. Who was the next sufferer?

Aunt. The apostle Simon. He is said by some to have suffered martyrdom in Britain.

George. What, in our island?

Aunt. Our forefathers were no better than the most savage nations, till the gospel reached this then miserable, but now happy isle. Simon is said to have preached in Africa also. He likewise went into Libya and Mauritania, where he displayed the glory of Jesus Christ, not only by his preaching, but also by miracles: from these countries he came into Britain, where, having been the instrument of converting multitudes to the faith, he was, after

much persecution, crucified by the infidels. Others give a different account of his death; so that we have no certainty of the time or manner of it.

Lucy. How is it, aunt, that we have not a full account of the lives and deaths of the apostles in the scriptures, some being only mentioned by name, while we have so large an account of Paul and Peter? Were not these two apostles more highly favoured than the others?

Aunt. We have no reason, my dear, to form such a conclusion: for the apostle John was as highly favoured in the Revelation which was given to him. With respect to those apostles who have not left any writings behind them, we are not to imagine that the actions of their lives are lost: no, they are all faithfully recorded in the Lamb's book of life: for, when they rest from their labours, their works do follow them; and will hereafter compose a register infinitely more authentic and valuable than all the collections of antiquity. They who are made wise unto salvation, have indeed a noble library prepared for them in heaven. How many precious sayings fell from the lips of our blessed Jesus, which are not set down in the gospels: for the apostle John tells us, that if every thing had been recorded, he supposes, even the world itself could not contain the books which should be written: but there we shall have the whole complete; affording an inexhaustible source of instruction and delight, throughout the boundless ages of eternity. But, to proceed:

There now only remains John, the beloved dis

ciple of our Lord. We have no particular account of him, till the second general persecution under the emperor Domitian, in the year 95.

George. He must be a very old man.

Aunt. He was then ninety years of age: but that did not exempt him from persecution; for the enemies of christianity accused him to Domitian, as a disturber of the peace of the empire. He accordingly wrote to the proconsul of Asia, to send John bound to Rome. On his arrival, according to Tertulian, the emperor commanded him to be put into a cauldron of boiling oil, or rather oil set on fire; and this, as others assure us, in the presence of the senate. Lucy. What inventions of cruelty! and, to behold the horrid sight, what wretches!

Aunt. But the Lord shewed them that the power of life and death was not in their hands. The oil burned, but John felt no harm from it: on the contrary, he came out (as Jerom says) more active and vigorous than before.

Maria. Then he had the honour of martyrdom without suffering its torments.

George. Like the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. But did the emperor raise him to high ho nours, as Nebuchadnezzar did them?

Aunt. The emperor, being disappointed in his intentions, hardened himself against the evidence of the miracle. When he found it was in vain to attempt his life, he banished him to the desolate isle of Patmos, in the Egean sea, there to be employed in digging in the mines; the usual labour of persons banished thither for any crime.

Maria. How was it, that God should suffer him

to pass his life in a desolate island, where he could be of no use to others, nor enjoy any comfort himself?

Aunt. A christian can be in no situation, where the God of comforts cannot make up all losses to him. Here John might indeed say, as Jacob once did, Surely this is the house of God, and the very gate of heaven! Here he had glorious views of the unseen world: nor was his usefulness to others less promoted during his continuance here, than his own personal comfort: for, it was in this place he was favoured with those important discoveries of the mind and will of God, recorded in the Book of the Revelation; the prophecies of which, in their daily accomplishment, are admirably calculated to establish the faith of believers to the latest period of time, whilst they leave infidels without excuse. The first part consists of admonition and instruc tion, as well as prophecy, being directed to the seven churches in Asia, which this apostle had principally founded, namely, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

George. Did he end his life in this island?

Aunt. It should seem not; for, in Rev. x. 11, you will find that God informed him, he must prophesy again, before many people and nations, and tongues and kings: though some understand this of those prophetic declarations which are contained in the following part of the book, by which he, being dead, yet speaketh. It appears, however, from ecclesiastical history, that his enlargement took place shortly after, in the reign of the emperor Nerva,

who granted indulgence and toleration to the christians.

The apostle John took advantage of the times, and returned to his most intimate friends at Ephesus. Timothy being dead, he was desired to take the charge of the church, which he accepted; and, notwithstanding his great age, he went many journies into the neighbouring provinces.

The church of God enjoyed rest but four years, when the third general persecution broke out, in the year 100, and the third of Trajan: the apostle John, however, felt none of this storm at Ephesus, but pursued his ministry in peace, though extremely weak and declining in body; continually urging his auditors to the duties of love and tenderness to each other.

Jerom tells us, that from his great age he was reduced to such weakness, that he could not go to the christian assembly, unless carried by his friends, and that, not being able to make long discourses, he would only say to them, My dear children, love one another. Those who attended, being tired with hearing the same thing so often repeated, said to him, Master, why do you always say the same thing? To which he replied, It is what our Lord himself has commanded; and, if ye perform this, ye do well. In the latter end of the year 100, and the 27th day of December, according to the most received opinion, this great apostle died in peace at Ephesus, being about one hundred years of age...

Thus ended the apostolical age, and likewise the first century. You have seen, my dear children, our