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I. IN WHAT LAY THE STRENGTH OF ST. PAUL'S MINISTRY? "Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day." The apostle clearly alludes to his ministry in past years, and acknowledges —

1. That both his life and his health were preserved by God: and who can review the apostle's history without observing the truth of this? And which of ourselves can look back to the years that are passed and not discover the same merciful care and protection of God manifested to ourselves? Our spared lives, the many trials and difficulties which have awaited us, both as minister and people, and through all of which we have been safely conducted, loudly proclaim that our mercies have been many and great: they call for our gratitude to the Father of mercies, and ought to inspire us with the feelings of the Psalmist (Psalm 116:13).

2. But the words of the apostle may equally imply that God had preserved him in his zeal and faithfulness for the truth. The principle which he fell within him, and which animated him in all his labours, was the "constraining love of God"; "it was shed abroad within the apostle's heart," and in the midst of his most trying difficulties it was the buoy that upheld and encouraged him in his work. And the same principle of love to God must inspire and animate every minister in his work and duty, and which alone will enable him to labour with success, and to triumph over his difficulties, and "in the end to lead him on his way rejoicing." In the most trivial circumstances of life, unless God be with us, how can we prosper? "Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." But in the far more important concerns of the soul, how much more needful is prayer! "It is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure." And is not prayer equally needful to keep alive within the Christian's heart that spark of spiritual life, so easily quenched and so ready to become dormant and sluggish, if not carefully watched over and cultivated by the spirit of meditation and prayer? How needful also for the minister of the gospel, considering the many temptations and trials that beset his path! It was this feeling of the need of prayer which led the apostle, together with his fellow labourers, on one occasion to exclaim, "We will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word." Oh, for more of this spirit of prayer to descend upon us who are your ministers; and upon you who are our people! Oh, that each one amongst us this day may be directed in the spirit of David to say, "We will lift up our eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh our help"; and with him also to feel "that our help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

II. WHAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF THE APOSTLE'S MINISTRY? He tells Agrippa that it was Christ. He clearly sets before Agrippa and the Jews that they accused him without just grounds — "that he said none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come, that Christ should suffer" — that they could not fairly condemn him, without at the same time condemning their own writings, — that the gospel which he preached was not different from that which their own prophets and Moses had declared — that they could not, as they received and acknowledged the writings of the Old Testament, justly condemn him for preaching Jesus.

III. TO WHOM WAS THE APOSTLE TO DIRECT HIS MINISTRY? who were to be the objects of it? All mankind: "witnessing both to small and great." Wherever the apostle went, in whatever situation he was placed, he called the attention of sinners to the same great truths, telling them that if they repented and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, they should be saved. Conclusion: The subject is full of instruction, equally important to the minister and to his hearers.

1. To the minister. It reminds him of his high calling and responsible position, that he may occasionally be placed in a difficult position in upholding his office.

2. And to you who hear the subject before us is not without a word in season likewise: it reminds you of your duty to receive the truth in affection, and to pray for it, "that it may have free course."

(J. L. F. Russell, M. A.)

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KJV: Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

WEB: "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,