Why is it that there is so much apparent religious working, and yet so little result in positive conversions to God, — so many sermons, and so few souls saved, — so much machinery, and so little effect produced, — so much running hither and thither, and yet so few brought to Christ P Why is all this? The reply is short and simple. There is not enough private prayer. The cause of Christ does not^ need less working, but it does need among the workers more praying. Let us each examine ourselves, and amend our ways. The most successful workmen in the Lord's vineyard, are those who are like their Master, often and much upon their knees.
Notes. Lukb V. 12—16.
12. — [A man fuU of leprosy.] Gill, in his commentary on this
{>assage, gives a long list of the symptoms and indications of eprosy, as laid down by Galen, Aretffius, Pontanus, ^gineta, Cardan, and others. Those who wish to study the subject are recommended to read what he has compiled. It will be found more interesting to medical men than to general readers.
The disease of leprosy is still to be found in some parts of the world, though comparatively unknown in England. There is said to be a small island on the coast of South Africa, near the Gape of Good Hope, which is appropriated by the Colonial Gov- ernment to lepers. It is mentioned in " M'Cheyne's Memoirs," p. 200.
13. — {I tPtU.'] It is remarked by Mr. Biugon that this "is the saying of God, and of God only, — the saying of Him, whose almighty will is the cause of all things. When His servants wrought miracles, far different were the phrases they used. Joseph says, * It is not in me : God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.' " Gen. xli. 16.
16. — [Withdrew himself.'] Gualter remarks on this expression that it should teach ministers of the Gospel to beware of too much familiarity, and too frequent public intercourse with their hear- ers. He considers that excessive familiarity between ministers and hearers leads to contempt, and that habits of privacy and retirement are on every account essential to a minister's position.
[and prayed.] This frequent mention of our Lord's praying is peculiar to St. Luke. Wordsworth remarks, " a similar instance
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