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 Ghost,  however,  did  not  impart  directly  to  the  Ethiopian’s  mind  the true explanation  of  what  he  was  reading,  but  He  sent  to  him  Philip, who had  received  from  the  apostles  power  and  authority  to  proclaim the true  faith. Thus faith  did  not  come  to  the  Ethiopian  by  the  reading of the  Scriptures,  but  by  hearkening  to  the  interpretation  of  them  given to him  by  Philip. ‘‘Faith cometh  by  hearing;  and  hearing  by  the  word of Christ”  (Rom.  10,  17).

APPLICATION. The first  Christians  confessed  their  faith  boldly, and no  persecution  could  frighten  them  out  of  it. Do you courageously confess  your  holy  faith,  or  do  you  fear  the  ridicule of the  unbelieving  and  foolish? Are you  ashamed  to  make  the sign of  the  cross,  or  to  genuflect  before  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  when others are  present? Do you  neglect  to  raise  your  hat  to  a crucifix, or  to  join  aloud  in  public  prayers,  for  fear  of  criticism? Be ashamed of  such  despicable  cowardice,  and  pray  to  the  Holy  Ghost, whom you  received  in  your  Confirmation,  to  give  you  strength to overcome  all  human  respect.

Are you  as  anxious  to  know  your  holy  religion  as  was  the Ethiopian officer? Do you,  like  him,  pay  great  attention  to  the instruction which  is  given  you? Are you  willing  to  listen  to  the Word of  God,  and  take  what  you  hear  to  heart? Are you  careful to learn  your  catechism? Do you  take  pleasure  in  reading  spiritual books?

The Ethiopian  went  on  his  way  rejoicing  after  he  had  learnt to know’  the  true  faith,  and  had  been  made  a child  of  God. The purest and  noblest  joy  is  that  which  is  spiritual  and  supernatural. Do you  not  feel  a heavenly  joy  in  your  heart,  when  you  have made either  a good  confession,  or  a fervent  Communion? Is not your soul  filled  with  a joyful  sense  of  exultation,  when  you  are assisting devoutly  at  any  of  the  splendid  religious  ceremonies  of the  Catholic  Church? Thank God  that  you  are  a child  of  His holy and  infallible  Church,  and  resolve  that  you  will  do  honour to your  holy  Church  by  the  piety  and  goodness  of  your  life!

AUL, still breathing  threats  and  slaughter  against  the  disciples of our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  went  to  the  High  Priest,  and