The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 138

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132 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them." In view of the life of service that Dorcas had lived, it is little wonder that they mourned, that warm tear-drops fell upon the inanimate clay. The apostle's heart was touched with sympathy, as he beheld their sorrow. Then, directing that the weeping friends be sent from the room, he kneeled down, and prayed fervently to God to restore Dorcas to life and health. Turning to the body, he said, ^'Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up." Dorcas had been of great service to the church, and God saw fit to bring her back from the land of the enemy, that her skill and energy might still be a blessing to others, and also that by this manifestation of His power the cause of Christ might be strengthened. It was while Peter was still at Joppa, that he was called by God to take the gospel to Cornelius, in Csesarea. Cornelius was a Roman centurion. He was a man of wealth and noble birth, and his position was one of trust and honor. A heathen by birth, training, and education, through contact with the Jews he had gained a knowledge of God, and he worshiped Him with a true heart, showing the sincerity of his faith by compassion to the poor. He was known far and near for his beneficence, and his righteous life made him of good repute among both Jews and