The Bible Story Part 261

"All authority hath ben given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Then they all went again to Jerusalem, where Jesus appeared once more to them, and spoke with them about the kingdom of G.o.d. They, still thinking that he meant an earthly kingdom of which he would be king at Jerusalem, and wondering when it would come, asked him, saying, "Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority. But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST.

By G. Biermann [End ill.u.s.tration]

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And he said unto them, "These are my words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, how that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me."

Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; and he said unto them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high."

And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pa.s.s while he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they wors.h.i.+ped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, blessing G.o.d.

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Leaders and victories of the New Faith.

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JESUS SHALL REIGN

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun Does his successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

To Him shall endless prayer be made, And endless praises crown His head; His name, like sweet perfume, shall rise With every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue Dwell on His love, with sweetest song; And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on His name.

Blessings abound where'er He reigns; The prisoner leaps to loose his chains; The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blest.

Let every creature rise and bring Peculiar honors to our King; Angels descend with songs again, And earth repeat the loud Amen!

--_Isaac Watts_.

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FROM GREENLAND'S ICY MOUNTAINS

From Greenland's icy mountains, From India's coral strand, Where Afric's sunny fountains Roll down their golden sand,-- From many an ancient river, From many a palmy plain, They call us to deliver Their land from error's chain.

What though the spicy breezes Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle; Though every prospect pleases, And only man is vile; In vain with lavish kindness The gifts of G.o.d are strown; The heathen, in his blindness, Bows down to wood and stone!

Shall we, whose souls are lighted With wisdom from on high,-- Shall we, to men benighted, The lamp of life deny?

Salvation, oh, salvation!

The joyful sound proclaim, Till earth's remotest nation Has learned Messiah's name.

Waft, waft, ye winds, His story, And you, ye waters, roll, Till, like a sea of glory, It spreads from pole to pole; Till o'er our ransomed nature The Lamb for sinners slain, Redeemer, King, Creator, In bliss returns to reign!

--_Reginald Heber_.

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GLORIOUS ZION

Glorious things of Thee are spoken, Zion, city of our G.o.d!

He, whose word cannot be broken, Formed Thee for his own abode: On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake Thy sure repose?

With salvation's walls surrounded, Thou may'st smile at all Thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love, Well supply Thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove: Who can faint, while such a river Ever flows their thirst to a.s.suage?-- Grace, which, like the Lord, the Giver, Never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering, See the cloud and fire appear For a glory and a covering, Showing that the Lord is near!

Thus deriving from their banner, Light by night, and shade by day, Safe they feed upon the manna Which He gives them when they pray.

--_J. Newton_.

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THE MORNING LIGHT IS BREAKING

The morning light is breaking; The darkness disappears!

The sons of earth are waking To penitential tears; Each breeze that sweeps the ocean Brings tidings from afar, Of nations in commotion, Prepared for Zion's war.

See heathen nations bending Before the G.o.d we love, And thousand hearts ascending In grat.i.tude above; While sinners, now confessing, The gospel call obey, And seek the Saviour's blessing-- A nation in a day.

Blest river of salvation!

Pursue thine onward way; Flow thou to every nation, Nor in thy richness stay: Stay not till all the lowly Triumphant reach their home: Stay not till all the holy Proclaim--"The Lord is come!"

--_Samuel F. Smith_.

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[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE GOLDEN GATE, EAST OF THE TEMPLE AREA.

JERUSALEM LOOKING TOWARD THE MOUNT OF OLIVES [End ill.u.s.tration]

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How the New Faith Spread from Jerusalem.