the sake of the Church and the world, for the good of friends and enemies, He kept away.
The chilrden of God must constantly school their minds to learn the great lesson now before us. Nothing so helps us to bear patiently the trials of life as an abiding convic- tion of the perfect wisdom by which everything around us is managed. Let us try to believe not only that all that happens to us is well done, but that it is done in the best manner, by the right instrument, and at the right time. We are all naturally impatient in the day of trial. Wa are apt to say, like Moses, when beloved ones are sick, " Heal her now, Lord, we beseech thee." (Num. xii. 13.) We forget that Christ is too wise a Physician to make any mistakes. It is the duty of faith to say, "My times are in Thy hand. Do with me as Thou wilt, how Thou wilt, what Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Not my will, but Thine be done." The highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still, and not complain.
Let us turn from the passage with a settled determina- tion to trust Christ entirely with all the concerns of this world, both public and private. Let us believe that He by whom all things were made at first is He who is managing all with perfect wisdom. The affairs of kingdoms, families, and private individuals are all alike overruled by Him. He chooses all the portions of His people. When we are sick, it is because He knows it to be for our good ; when He delays coming to help us, it is for some wise reason. The hand that was nailed to the cross is too wise and loving to smite without a needs-be, or to keep us waiting for relief without a cause.
Notes. John XI. 1—6.
The raising of Lazarus, described in this chapter, is one of the most wonderful events recorded in the Gospels, and de- mands more than ordirary attention. In no part of our Lord's history do we see Ilim so distinctly both man and God at the