ST. STEPHEN'S GATE, JERUSALEM.
LOOKING IN TOWARD THE CITY.
From a photograph belonging to Prof. H. G. Mitchell, and used by his kind permission
IV
THE FIRST MARTYR
How Stephen Died Heroically for the New Faith. The Beginning of Persecution. The Sermon of Stephen. The Martyr's Crown.
(The new faith was not destined to win its victories in peace. As the rulers hated Jesus, so they hated the new faith which was now proclaimed in his name; as they crucified the Master, so they persecuted and killed the disciples. Stephen was the first of "the noble army of martyrs," thousands of men, women, and children, who gave their lives gladly for the new faith. It was an army without weapons. The command of Jesus, "resist not evil," was, in the first centuries, obeyed literally. It is worthy of note that the new faith never spread more rapidly nor won greater victories than during these years, when it never lifted sword against its enemies, but conquered them by the power of service and sacrifice.)
And Stephen, who had become prominent among the disciples, was full of grace and power, and wrought great wonders and signs among the people. But certain of the Jews disputed with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they bribed men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God."
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, and set up false witnesses, who said, [{340}] "This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place; and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us."
And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.