'Many also of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices' [Acts 19:18 (RSV)]
'Many also of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices'. In fact they brought their books of magic arts and made one great bonfire of them all. It was a case of burning your books in front of you! Their action is still exemplary for all who would get ahead in the Christian life. For them there was no going back to the old practice of magic - they burned their books. There was no fear of them remaining secret disciples: they burned their books in public. They manifest great sincerity and at the same time set themselves a high standard to maintain. Every eye in the town would henceforward be upon them. Isn't it a pity we've largely lost this spirit? Or are there some still ready to do the same today?