Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 26

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SAUL THE PERSECUTOR . 19 At thisthepriestsand rulerswerebesidethemselveswith anger. They were more likewild beastsof prey than likehuman beings. They rushedupon Stephen,gnashingtheirteeth. But he was not intimidated; he had expectedthis. His facewas calm,and shone with an angeliclight. The infuriatedpriestsand theexcitedmob had no terrorsfor him . The scenęabout him faded from his vision; the gatesof Heaven were ajar, and Stephen,lookingin,saw the gloryof thecourts of God , and Christ, as if just risenfrom his throne, standingready to sustainhis servant, who was abouttosuffermartyrdom forhisname . When Stephen proclaimedthe gloriousscene opened beforehim,itwas more than hispersecutorscouldendure. They stoppedtheirears, thattheymightnothearhiswords,and uttering loudcriesran furiouslyupon him with one accord. "And theystonedStephen,callingupon God ,and saying,Lord Jesus,receivemy spirit. And he kneeled down , and cried with a loud voice,Lord,laynotthissintotheircharge. And when he had saidthis,he fellasleep." The witnesseswho had accusedhim wererequiredto cast thefirststones. These personslaiddown their clothesat the feet of Saul, who had taken an activepartin thedisputation,and had consented to the prisoner'sdeath. The martyrdom of Stephen made a deep impressionupon allwho witnessedit. Itwas a sore trialto the church,but resultedin the conversion of Saul. The faith,constancy,and glorification ofthemartyr couldnotbeeffacedfrom hismemory. The signetof God upon hisface,hiswords, thatreachedtotheverysoulof thosewho heard them,remainedin the memory of thebeholders,