THE NEW APOSTLE.

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CCCXXXIII.

JHE New PLPOSTLE.

QIFTER Jesus had ascended
into Heaven, the disciples
all returned to Jerusalem,
to wait there for “the
promise of the Father,”
as Jesus had told them. They used
to meet together in an upper room,
with Mary the mother of Jesus, and
the other women, and many more
who believed; and they spent their
time in prayer and praise.

One day, when about a hundred
and twenty of this happy company
were gathered together, Peter stood
up and spoke tothem. He remind-
ed them, that one of the twelve
apostles was parted from them for
ever:—the wicked Judas; and then
he said, “ Let us now choose from
among the disciples, another man
to take the place of Judas, and
to be witness with us ‘of the re-
surrection of Jesus.” The dis-
ciples were all willing to do this;
and they soon chose out two men,
Joseph called Barsabas, and Mat-
thias. But they would not them-

  

selves determine which of these two
should be the apostle. They prayed
to God, and asked Him to choose
for them. They said, “Thou,
Lord, which knowest the hearts of
all, show which of these two Thou
hast chosen, that he may take part
of this ministry and apostleship.”
Then they cast lots; and God made
the lot fall upon Matthias; and
he was numbered with the twelve
apostles. .
It was very right of the apostles
to ask God to direct them in what
they did. This is what we should
always do, when we have any busi-
ness or duty to perform. We are
so ignorant, that we know not of
ourselves what to do, nor how to
do it aright; but if we ask God, He
will give us holy wisdom to teach
and direct us. St. James says, “If
any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, who giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not, and
it shall be given him.” James i. 5.