the attitude he assumes towards Jesus. 1. As to a supreme submission to his authority as "the Bon of the Most High God." 2. As to a calm and lovin"'0 reliance upon him as "Jesus," the "Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 3. As to a sincere alliance with him in the work of raising men from the dominion of evil-casting out the spirit of all foulness from the human life. 4. As to a perfect fellowship with Christ in the communion of sympathy and love.-G. Vere, 21-43.-Avowed and hid,J,e,n faith. The two incidents here grouped together show that in the neighbourhood of Capereaum faith in Jesus' power to heal has been established; nor is it to be wondered at, seeing the many instances of healing with which the people must be acquainted. The picture is striking. The "Teacher" has returned from his sail across the lake, where truly "the power pro- ceeding from him had gone forth," even the stormy wind yielding to it. A crowd gathers around him. He is standing by the sea speaking, when "one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name," who had come seeking him, "and seeing bim, he falleth at his feet," making supplication for his" little daughter," who is "at the point of death." Yet does he believe that if the hands of the Healer be laid upon her she shall "be made whole and live." Therefore his earnest entreaty," Come thou." He who would that children should come to him refused not to go to them-a single child's life is precious in his sight. Presently the sad tidings are brought, "Thy daughter is dead." Why, therefore, should the Master be troubled any further? The faith of the father might well fail since now all hope of recovery is cut off. Is this man mighty enough "in hope" to believe "against hope"? Perhaps not without the strengthen- ing word," Fear not, only believe, and" (as St. Luke caught)" she shall be made whole." Truly " belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Then, as on another occasion (cf. Luke vii. 11-li), the word of command-" Arise "-is uttered to the dead by the " Lord of both the dead and the living," and another handful of the firstfruits of his resurrection power is plucked by his hand. Thus is the resurrection pre- sented to us as the awaking of a little child, for in his view the dead "but sltepeth." Who can wonder that" they were amazed straightway with great amazement"? But this instance of open and avowed faith is for ever intertwined with an example of hidden faith of equal strength, though less obtrusive. 'rhe faith of the woman was hidden " within herself," its ingenuity only was showed, in that she came "in the crowd behind, and touched his garment." Surely this was not faith in the touch which was the supposed appropriate medium, the contact judged to be needful by the many that "pressed upon him that they might touch him." This, if a suitable sign, was not a necessary one, as the faith at least of one declared; "but say the word, and my servant shall be healed." All faith in the nostrums of physicians had died out from this woman's heart, for she had "suffered many things " of them, and was "nothing bettered, but rather grew worse." But in this Healer she did believe, and her faith, which the Lord detected as truly as he "perceived in himself" that the healing power which could proceed Jbm him alone "had gone forth," he amply rewarded. "Who," of the many thronging me, "touched me" with that touch of faith? Faith was united with humility and truth; and "trembling and fearing, she fell down and con- fessed all." Once more, and for the instruction of the needy in all time, Jesus points to the "faith" thus honoured· it" bath made thee whole." Yes, the faith instru- mentally, as our fathers have said, the touch mediately; but in reality, "I have healed thee in response to thy faith-I, who only can say,' Go in peace, aud be whole of thy plague.'" Hence are we to learn: 1. 'l'he power of Christ to raise the dead and to heal the sick, so that we may sleep calmly in death till he bid us arise. 2. His pitiful consideration towards even stru)!gling faith, whether assailed by the rude doubt, " It is too late," or is too timid to declare itself openly. So that they of liLtle faith need not doubt. 3. 'l'he true attitude of suffering in its confident approach to Christ for healing and help ; even patient trustfulness, fearing not, and though persistent, yet bumble. 4-. 'l'he real support of all faith, the word of Christ, with such patient con- sideration of his works as leads to an apprehension of his Divine ability. May we not now stretch out our hand and touch him ?-G.
Vere, 1-20.-Ohriat, tM Redeemer of th1J intellec,. L THE EXTREME OF HUllAB 232 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [CH. V, 1-43.
DEGnADATION AKD MISERY. Bondage, impotent violence, suicidal mania. We caanot make ont a theory of the facts; the facts are certain, and sad enough in this as in that age. There may be a duplicity in the consciousness of man, 110 that the being is threatened with a rending asunder. There is a certain reflection of this duplicity in all of us. II. VIOLENT CONFLICT PRECEDES HAPPY CHANGE. There are crises when we dread the presence of the power of good ; it means a sharp struggle at hand in the depths of the soul for our very life. Men will sometimes endure the present misery rather than undergo the pain which is to cure it. Dut the surgeon is no cruel tormentor; nor is the faithful teacher of the truth to be feared, but loved. III. THE BLESSING 9F A SOUND MIND. It may be lost ; thank God it may be recovered. As there are parasites which prey upon the lower forms of animal aud vegetable life, so there are ideas which may possess the imacrination and confound the whole conscious life of the soul. Nowhere do we find the h~pe of salvation in all its senses, from physical and moral maladies, and those inscrutable to science, so clearly held out as in the gospel. IV. THE DIVINE POWER AND PI'l'Y. "Tell thy friends how much the Lord has done for thee, and that he pitied thee." Power and pity fused in love: this is the soul of the world, the principle of its redemption. It has infused its strong enchantment into nature, and healing is ever open to us if we will yield to its influence on our being.-J.