wife — thy husband — is dead." The former things will have passed away.
Let us learn, for another thing, how almighty is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. That message which pierced the ruler's heart, telling him that his child was dead, did not stop our Lord for a moment. At once he cheered the father's fainting spirits with these gracious words, u be not afraid, only believe." He comes to the house where many are weeping and wailing, and enters the room where the damsel is lying. He takes her by the hand, and says, " Damsel, I say unto thee Arise." At once the heart begins to beat again, and the breath returns to the lifeless body. " The damsel arose and walked." No wonder that we read the words, "they were astonished with a great astonishment."
Let us think for a moment how wonderful was the change which took place in that house. From weeping to rejoicing — from mourning to congratulation — from death to life— how great and marvellous must have been the transition ! They only can tell that, who have seen death face to face, and had the light of their house- holds quenched, and felt the iron entering into their own souls. They, and they only, can conceive what the family of Jairus must have felt, when they saw their beloved one given back once more into their bosom by the power of Christ. There must have been a happy family gathering that night !
Let us see in this glorious miracle a proof of what Jesus can do for dead souls. He can raise our children from the death of trespasses and sins, and make them walk before Him in newness of life. He can take our
5*