Acts 9:10

AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. As members of the Baptist Missionary Society, we are in happy and hopeful circumstances. God is smiling upon the work, both at home and abroad, and raising up men whose hearts are in the cause. Last year the Society was in arrears—it has expended very much more money this year than last year—and yet it has paid its way, is clear of debt and begins the year with a balance in hand!

AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. As members of the Baptist Missionary Society, we are in happy and hopeful circumstances. God is smiling upon the work, both at home and abroad, and raising up men whose hearts are in the cause. Last year the Society was in arrears—it has expended very much more money this year than last year—and yet it has paid its way, is clear of debt and begins the year with a balance in hand! For this we are very thankful, not only because the money is necessary to defray the charges of the holy service, but because it shows that the Churches have confidence in the Missionary Society and that they are awakening to their responsibility concerning it. The more Believers in the Lord Jesus consider the matter, the more they will see that it is the duty and the privilege of all who know the Lord to make Him known to others. There was a time when Christian people thought it idle to send missionaries to the heathen, but that time only survives in regretful memories. We remember reading that in a Scottish assembly, a Moderate minister, famous in his day, talked of the proposal to send missionaries to the heathen as the greatest absurdity to which he had ever heard! One who was of another mind cried out, "Reach me that Bible"—and when the Bible was opened and he began to point to its teachings, the quibbler was silenced. Are there any such quibblers yet afire? If there are, they are wise enough to hold their tongues! No reviewer in our day would dare to sneer at "consecrated cobblers," for they remember Carey and tremble in their shoes! Brothers and Sisters, we are to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. This is our Captain's orders and it would be treason to disobey! We have acted negligently towards this commission far too long! It is high time that we awakened from our sinful slumbers.

A certain disciple - A Christian. Many have supposed that he was one of the 70 disciples. But nothing more is certainly known of him than is related here. He had very probably been some time a Christian Act 9:13, and had heard of Saul, but was personally a stranger to him. In Act 22:12, it is said that he was a devout man according to the Law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there. There was wisdom in sending such a Christian to Saul, as it might do much to conciliate the minds of the Jews there toward him. Said the Lord - The Lord Jesus is alone mentioned in all this transaction. And as he had commenced the work of converting Saul, it is evident that he is intended here. See the notes on Act 1:24. In a vision - Perhaps by a dream. The main idea is, that he revealed his will to him in the case. The word “vision” is often used in speaking of the “communications” made to the prophets, and commonly means that future events were made to pass in review before the mind, as we look upon a landscape. See the notes on Isa 1:1; compare Gen 15:1; Num 12:6; Eze 11:24; Act 10:3; Act 11:5; Act 16:9; Dan 2:19; Dan 7:2; Dan 7:1-2, Dan 7:26; Dan 10:7. See the notes on Mat 17:9.