Solitude ls a necessary element in trial. (See Robertson's sermon on the' Loneliness of Christ.') Life is a drama. on which angels and demons look with intensest interest. Evil is ever near ; succour never far off.-J. Vers. 16-20.-Oall of disciples. I. CALLING MEANS BEPABATION. We cannot prove any .calling without separation. The merchant must separate himself from the easy-chair. anq _the. book, the student from society, the soldier from borne. One main object is enough fo~ most men. Few can properly pursue the ministry and business at the same time. II. THE CALLING IMPLIES A CALLER, Not our fancy, whim, passion, but Divine will. To some that will is made known clearly and directly; they cannot mistake. To· some not so directly. But need any mistake, if they make it a rule to be ever fulfilling the duty of the moment? It is a mistake to think too much on the point. True thought is Q-od realizing himself in us. True action is God willing to do in and through us, • J>iever resist a pure impulse; never turn from a voice that speaks to what is disinterested in you, • JII, To TAKE TO A HIOHEB WAY OF LIFE ALWAYS MEANS THE GIVING UP OF A LOWER, God co,nfounds our avarice by his generosity. We cling to all we can hold; want to keep incompatible things-to be learned but not poor; to have as much of the world as possible, yet not be worldly; to live in self-indulgence, yet earn the reputation o! saints. But God teaches us that our surrenders are no less profitable than our seeming gains. '1'.he provincial fisher becomes the apostle to the world. The things that are unseen are ~ore than all that are seen.-J. Vers. 21-28.-Soul-emancipation. I. BONDAGE OF BODY AND SOUL OUR NATUI\AL coNDITIO~. We nre fettered and distressed in our fetters. Disease is a hond; habitua} THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST, MARK. [OB. L 1-46,
ideas of one kind or another are bonds t.o every man. The mystery of evil possession we cannot fathom; wh11t we know is that our imagination is a tyrant. "Fixed ideas" harshly govern us, irritate our passions. We long for freedom, yet cannot shake them off, II. 'l'HIS RESTRATh"'T MUST BE PUT AN END TO BY DIVINE POWER. A tyrannous idea of sin or sorrow will only yield to a larger and stronger idea-to a new fact. A bad temper only to be driven out by the "expulsive force of a new affection." AU conversion means this. ~he d~rkness is the absence of light, and the tyranny of dark bemgs 1s the absence of hght m the soul. When we see and believe th&t the living God means our freedom by the truth, the fetters of th~ mind fall aw&y. What waa real in one way in connection with the local personal act.iYity·of Jesus, is universally true of the activity of God in the soul. Truth is one in all its forms: the trnths of science of morals, of art, of health. Reverently let us recognize all as works of God Incarn~te, having authority over unclean spirits.-J.
Vers. 29-34.-2'71e progress of health. I. It IS IDENTICAL WITH THE PROGRESS 01!' CBRISTIAl-"'TTT. For Christianity is the embodiment of the wisdom of the physician, the power of the Creator, the compassion of the God. These wonders are really revela- tions of law. Were the will of God the only factor in the case, we could hardly imagine bow suffering could be. But there is our will also. The truth, so far as we may conjecture., seems to be that in the nature of things evil cannot be as a rule over- come without the co-operation of the individual free-will. On the other hand, without the operation of the living love of God, nny removal of ill seems inconceivable. II. CHRISTIANITY WILL NOT AD?tlIT ANY QUESTIONABLE AID IN THIS WORK, No recognition of evil powers, of compliments or testimonials from them. Christian work is vitiated when it courts bad alliances. Better to go on single-handed than in fellow- ship with those whose aims are not ours. One voice out of time spoils the chorus. One detected interest paralyzes the nerve of benevolent enterprise. Suffer not the demon of policy to speak in our councils.-J.
Vers. 4-0--45.-77ie leper. L FoB THE W0BST EVILS THERE IS A REMEDY. If not always in the physical, yet ever in the spiritual sphere. They are cured in effect when they are balanced by some weight of good iu the soul. II. IT IS HALF-WAY TO THE BEMEDY TO KNOW WHERE IT LIES. The leper knew, and was not ashamed to seek it at the right quarter. Many know who or what will do them good, but are too proud to ask or ashamed to own their need. III. CHBIST IS THE ALL-HELPFUL ONE. This is ever the representation of him. He wills, God wills, our recovery and our health. Do we then will it? It is an essential condition that we should. IV. TRUE llD-"EVOLENCE AND TRUE GRATITUDE ARE UNOSTENTATIOUS, Christ is the example of the former; it is questionable whether the leper is the true type of tlie latter. He will not obey the word of his Deliverer. He cannot suppress the desire to talk. To prate about others' ii;oodness may really ~pring from egotistic motives. It is pleasant to be the hero of a tale. Though the leper's conduct is not to be seriously blamed, it illustrates a certain frivolity of mind. And the lesson is taught that "still waters run deep," and thankfulness is best cultivated in silence.-J. Vere. 1-8.-The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Ohrist. "The gospel" isa revelation of the Divine love; the "beginning" of it is therefore hidden in the depths of the eternal love of God. The whole gospel was buried, the end from the beginning, in the Divine purpose; and it was contained seminally iu the first promise. Every Divine promise is equal to the event. But the manifestation of the gospel in time, or the historic "beginning of the gospel," is the theme of this prologue. Thought of within the limits of history, the "beginning" is a preparation. The messenger is sent to "prepare the way of the Lord." '!'his preparation is twofold-historical and personal. L THE BIBTORICAL PREPARATION 18 A PREPARATION FOB THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE G-OSPEL. '!'he historic preparation must be traced from the moment when the first gentle word of promise mingled, half unheard, with the first words of jodgrnent and condemnation, forwards to that moment in which "the time" was "fulfilled," and the word was heard, "The kingdom of God is at hand Repent, and believe in the gospel," ffll, L 1-45.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 4'5