WE are very pleased with the earnest way so many of you have answered our questions during this year. We have also received several nice letters from our young friends, ant very happy indeed are we to know from your own selves that you do love the holy word of God, and that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ for time and for eternity. As we take leave of one another for 1831, we affectionately commend you to God and the word of His grace, and we are sure you will never, never regret having diligently sought in the sacred word the answers to our questions upon it.
1. (a) Acts 2:9. The gospel was not preached to the Gentiles until Acts 10. (b) Hosea 2:23, "I will say to them which were not My people, Thou art My people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."—2. As "strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11); as 'those to whom Christ had left an example, that they should follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21); as those who were to "pass the time of their sojourning here in fear" (1 Peter 1:17) — 3. They were (a) elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father; (b) through sanctification of the Spirit; (c) unto obedience of Christ; (d) and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2)— 4 (a) He bids them be "clothed with humility." (1 Peter 5:5) (b) He speaks of "suffering wrongfully" as "thankworthy (1 Peter 2:19); of those suffering for righteousness' sake as happy" (1 Peter 3:14), bids them "rejoice" in being "partakers of Christ's sufferings," (1 Peter 4:13) and says that one who "suffers as a Christian" should "not be ashamed," but glorify God. (1 Peter 4:16.) (c) "By the power of God, through faith, onto salvation." (1 Peter 1:5.) (d) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8.) (e) "Be ye sober, and watch unto prayer." (2 Peter 4:7.)—5. Because God had promised that the Jews should be prosperous in this world, unless they were disobedient.—6. Paul (2 Tim. 4:6-8) Stephen (Acts 7:55-60.) —7. Spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5); the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15).— 8. The costly price of their redemption. (1 Peter 1:18, 19.)