there is no apostolic succession, no work of the ministry, no priesthood, no ministers, evangelists, pastors, or teachers. Nay, a man may argue thus, suppose a certain nobleman intended to build a splendid mansion that might endure for ages, he determines to spare no expense, he engages the most skilful menarchitects, builders, artizans, &c., gives them a plan or model, and says, I have engaged you for this work, continue in the work to which I have chosen and appointed you till it is completed. If the work should continue seven years or forty, while the work was going on the workmen would continue in the employ, but when the mansion was perfectly finished-the work completed the workmen would cease their labours, and the nobleman would not appoint successors to them, for the noble mansion so erected with skill, adorned and beautified with all manner of riches and precious stones, would remain and stand forward the admiration of all succeeding ages.

It is time that I returned to the examination of this special gift of prophesy during the existence of the ministry of the apostles, &c., as I have examined the gift of tongues; but as I have trespassed sufficiently on your columns for this week, I must defer this subject to the next, and am,

Mr. Editor, your's, &c.

AMEN.

LETTER X.

Mr. EDITOR,

THE question to be answered is this.-Is there any proof in the scriptures of the gift of prophecy being exercised by any person during the ministry of the apostles? I think that I have furnished the most clear and satisfactory proof from the scriptures, that the church was to possess this gift amongst others, as long as the work of the ministry continued; but according to my plan in investigating this subject of THE MINISTRY and APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION, I think it not only necessary to shew this, but to prove by the recorded acts of the apostles and others, that this gift was exercised for a given time, and that the facts I shall produce, prove also that this term prophesy or prophesying does not mean, or at least is not restricted to teaching or preaching, but means foretelling future events.

It would be a waste of time to adduce cases from

the scriptures of the prophets under the first covenant, to illustrate the meaning of this word all through See Deut. xviii. 15; John i. 45, vi. 14;

the Bible.

Acts iii. 22.

It is stated generally (Acts xiii. 1) that "there were in the church that was at Antioch, certain prophets and teachers," thus simply and plainly distinguishing between a prophet and a teacher; besides, it will be observed, that others besides the apostles had this gift. There were in this church Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, besides Paul, &c. And "Judas and Silas being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them, and after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles," Acts xv. 32. From this passage let us observe first, these were not apostles; secondly, that whatever is meant by confirming, this act required the gift of prophesy in order to perform it. Therefore to establish the general principle, I will produce one or two cases direct to the point. Paul laid his hands on twelve men, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied (Acts xix). It is recorded, that in those days" came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch, and there stood up one of them, named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout the world, which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar," Acts xi. 27. Again, Philip the Evangelist (which was one of the deacons of whom it is said that he was full of faith and power, and did great wonders and miracles among

the people, Acts vi. 8) had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy, and as Paul and his companions "tarried there (with Philip) many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles," Acts xxi. 9, 10, 11. Which came to pass on Paul's arrival at Jerusalem (Acts xxi. 33). It is quite manifest that the people were accustomed to these prophecies, or the prophets foretelling events which were to come, for when Agabus had foretold that which should befal Paul, they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. And Paul also was used to this spirit of prophecy being exercised in the churches, and believed the Holy Ghost speaking by Agabus, is clear from his answer to their entreaty, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

Another thing seems clear, that this gift extended to different members of the church or body, and that it was enjoyed alike by men and women, according to the will of God, and appears a very simple, and beautiful, and literal fulfilment of the prophesy by Joel (ii. 28), to which Peter made reference, "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days, of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy." Some persons may object and say Paul directly contradicts this, and

thus commands, "Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak, &c., and if any of them will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the church," 1 Cor. xiv. 34. And in Paul's instructions to Timothy, he says, "Let the womau learn in silence with all submission. But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man," 1 Tim. ii. 11. In these quotations there is not the slightest contradiction to the other parts of God's truth, they only go to confirm what I have before stated, that preaching and teaching are not prophesying; a woman was not to teach or preach in the churches-but a woman was to prophesy when the gift of prophesy came upon her, when the Lord poured out of his Spirit upon all flesh, and said your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. It was one thing for the women to ask their husbands at home if they would learn anything, and another thing for God to teach the women by his Spirit in order that they might prophesy; and when this was poured out upon a woman in those days, she would not have acted obediently to God, to have gone to her husband first for leave to prophesy, " For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." And Paul says again, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order," 1 Cor. xiv. 3.

I must entreat attention to this part of the subject to which I am arrived, with regard to the Ministry, &c. I take it that no candid reader will deny that I