and all this was not because the effort was great, but because the effort was needed. In harmony with this we read in ver. 41 that, when the leper came Jesus being. "moved with <:°1!1passion, put forth his hand, and touched him." Hs did' this although he knew that 1t involved him in ceremonial defilement; but he was willing to m11k6 the leper clean, even by contracting uncleanness himself. In that we have a sign of what _St. Paul meant when he said, "He was made sin for us, who knew no 11in, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." IL THE EAGEmIESS OF THE SUPPLIANTS. She who was ill of fever in Peter's house could not plead for herself, and therefore others interceded for her, and not in vain, Encouraged by this, parents brought their children, sons their mothers, and "they brought unto him all that were diseased." 1. Some were physically diseased. Laid aside from ~tivity, a_ burde1;1 ins~d of a support to others, suffering pain which made days and mghts weansome, mvahds would be thankful to those who bore them in their strong. arms to Jesus' feet. We may do the like for our sufferers, and if restoration to health is not given, serenity of heart will be. The voice of Christ will be heard amidst the storm of thei~ trouble, saying, " It is I ; be not afraid." Blessed by his presence, if they recover they will go back to the world as those who have been on the borders of heaven, or if they enter the dark valley, he will fulfil the promise, "I will come again, and receive you to myself." 2. Some had spiritual disorders. It was sin which lay at the root of all suffering. Christ came to put it away by the sacrifice of himself. By his removal of the effects he gave a sign of the removal of the cause. If we have those dear to us who- are tied and bound by the chain of their sins, let us bring them to Jesus, earnestly,. tenderly, patiently, hopefully. Those who through drink seem demon-possessed, those feverish with anxiety, those so morally stained that men of good repute avoid them as though they were leprous,-may all find hope and help in Christ. 3. Some felt their own need of blessing. They did not wait for others to bring them. The leper, for example, of his own accord came kneeling to Jesus, feeling that he could make .him clean. The Law could only separate the leper from others and pronounce him clean after restoration ; bnt Christ had purifying power, such as the Law never had. Similarly now, outward restrictions may check wrong-doing; the moral influence of friends may restrain ns, and vows and resolves may prove of service; but the heart is only turned from sin when God answers the prayer," Create within me a clean heart." It is just short of that acknowledgment and cry that many halt, though others have done for them all that they can; and Jesus waits for faith and prayer that he may say," l' will; be thou clean."-.A.. R. Vera. l-8.-Glad tidings. L THEY ABE THE FULFILMENT OF LONG :Q_OPEB, Human natnre is ideal; it is a creature of wishes and of hopes, and made for enJoym~nt. The· love of the living God is at the root of all our instincts. Faith _is our expre~s1on ~f the sense of this. It begets hope a.midst suffering an~ s_orrow, sustam_s the sou~ in patience. God seeking man, man in turn seeking God,-th1S lB the secret hfe of Scripture and 0£ history. History is sacred because it is the reflection of the vast spiritual strnggle of man to apprehend God, of God to apprehend his creature. "I will not let ~,h_ee go. except thou bless me ! " is the cry of man. " I am found of them that seek me I 1s the, answer of God. lL HOPE DIES DOWN IN SIN AND IIISERY, AND CAN ONLY BE REMOVED IN REPENT- ANCE. Pessimism and despondence spring from unfaithfulness. Men are not living the- life which begets hope. Palestine was depressed, conquered and unhappy: John pro- poses no political change, but a moral change. Man can end_ure outward 1l)s, ~nd seek for their removal if the hearts are only happy. The inward emanc1pat1on, the· "remission of sms'" is what we all need. No other" franchise" will really do much for us without this. in order to have the kingdom of God, there must be an energy in the soul to grasp it. The nerveless hand cannot raise the food to the lips. "In order to possess God, we must have something that is cap~ble o~ possessing God." The possi- bility of repentance is itself glad tidings, virtually mcludmg all others. . IlL SEBIOUSNESS AND 80LEHN1TY THE PBOPEB MOOD OF EXPECTATION. 1. Tins typified in the ascetic character of the Baptist. Thought and self-denial, prayer _nnd, fasting, low Jiving and lofty aspiration,-this is the ground from which the fairest. tlower• of joy spring. Not upuo ally soil barren of thought are they found. 2. In the- on. L 1-4.5.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK.
rite of baptism. It expressed the new will of the people-decision, renunciation of the old, the putting on of the white dress of purity in preparation for the Bridegroom. The confession of sin and the mercy of God are coincident. 8. In the attitude of reverent waiting. A mighty One is at hand. The mission of the Baptist was in itself incomplete. The symbolism of his apparel and way of life had a sirnificance behind it. So had the outward baptism of water. To this mood the gospel would ever: bring us. Revelation is inexhaustible. The secrets of history in the nation and the individual have not been all told. Every day is a new day, every morrow will bring its gladness to the soul that believes.-J. Vere, 9-13,-The consecration of Jesus. L THE GOOD o-, CUSTOM. Honoured by his submission to baptism. This is an example. Custom is the sacred link between past and present. Old customs, sacred rites, should be kept up; only abandoned when they no longer teach truth, but mQre falsehood than truth. Rebellion against custom for rebellion's sake is vicious individualism. Compliance with the beauty of order is the mark of a loyal and loving spirit. II. THE BY!d.DOL IS PRECIOUS, NOT FOB 1TB FOBM, BUT ITS CONTENTS. we speak of a "beautiful word," but it is the thought conveyed by it tbat shines. So of a." sacred rite ; " but the one sacred thing is the spiritual belief signified, the real union of the soul with God. Upon the meek spirit the gentleness of Heaven descends. The "meekness and gentleness >lof Christ is the grace of the lowly and obedient heart. The delight of God is in those human traits which resemble and reflect Jesus. ill. 'l'RIAL FOLLOWS CONSECRATION. The Spirit of God is given to prepare for service~ and the call to this is not long delayed. All trial is for good. There is no needles:i- torment of the spirit in God's wuool. Only in conflict do we really learn reality. "When the fight begins within himself, A mo.n's worth something. God stoops o'er his hee.d, Bo.tan looks up between his feet. Both try. He's left himself iu the middle; the soul wa.kes And grows. Prolong that ba.ttle through his life I Never leave growing till the life to come I"