these in their minds, and to remember them in time of need. We live in the midst of an evil world, and see few with ns, and many against us. We carry within us a weak heart, too ready at any moment to turn aside from the right way. We have near us, at every moment, a "busy devil, watching continually for our halting, and seeking to lead us into temptation. Where shall we turn for comfort ? What shall keep faith alive, and preserve us from sinking in despair ? There is only one answer. We must look to Jesus. We must think on His al- mighty power, and His wonders of old time. We must call to mind how He can create food for His people out of nothing, and supply the wants of those who follow Him, even in the wilderness. And as we think these thoughts, we must remember that this Jesus still lives, never changes, and is on our side.
Let us observe, for another thing, in this passage, our Lord Jesus Christ's conduct, when the miracle .of feeding the multitude had been performed. We read, that " when He had sent them away, He departed into a mountain to pray."
There is something deeply instructive in this circum- stance. Our Lord sought not the praise of man. After one of His greatest miracles, we find Him immediately seeking solitude, and spending His time in prayer. He practised what He had taught elsewhere, when He said, " enter into thy closet, and shut thy door, and pray to thy Father which is in secret." None ever did such mighty works as He did. None ever spake such words. None ever was so instant in prayer.
Let our Lord's conduct in this respect be our example.
129
We cannot work miracles as He did ; in this He stands alone. But we can walk in His steps, in the matter of private devotion. If we have the Spirit of adoption, we can pray. Let us resolve to pray more than we have doue hitherto. Let us strive to make time, and place, and opportunity for being alone with God. Above all, let us not only pray before we attempt to work for God, but pray also after our work is done.
It would be well for us all, if we examined ourselves more frequently as to our habits about private prayer. What time do we give to it in the twenty-four hours of the day ? What progress can we mark, one year with another, in the fervency, fulness, and earnestness of our prayers ? What do we know by experience, of u labor- ing fervently in prayer ?" (Col. iv. 12.) These are humbling inquiries, but they are useful for our souls. There are few things, it may be feared, in which Chris- tians come so far short of Christ's example, as they do in the matter of prayer. Our Master's strong crying and tears — His continuing all night in prayer to God — His frequent withdrawal to private places, to hold close com- munion with the Father, are things more talked of and admired than imitated. We live in an age of hurry, bustle, and so-called activity. Men are tempted contin- ually to cut short their private devotions, and abridge their prayers. When this is the case, we need not wonder that the Church of Christ does little in propor- tion to its machinery. The Church must learn to copy its Head more closely. Its members must be more in their closets. " We have little/' because little is asked. (James iv. 2.)
6*
130