of faith in the living God, who works wherever, whenever, howsoever he wills. Beware of that narrow egotism which even now may be shutting us out from light and beauty, divinity and blessedness. III. THE MOST INVINCIBLE 01!' OBSTACLES IS THE WILL 01!' MAN. How deep was the truth of the saying, that against stupidity even the gods fight in vain I There was sarcasm in the saying of Jesus (ver. 4). Often has it been repeated. He" wondered at their want of faith." Full of faith and love himself, 'twas hard to understand the want of response to it. "He was not able to do any work of power there." Ask, when the business of the kingdom does not seem to be going forward ( except on a small sea.le, ver. 6), whether the cause may not be want of wish, want of will, want of prayer.-J. Vers. 7-13.-Missionaries. I. MISSIONARIES MUST NOT BE, AS A RULE, SOLITAl\Y MEN. For counsel, defence, cheerfulness, "two are better than one." Without arti- ficially imitating this example, in natural and quiet ways it will be found good to follow. II. MIBSIONARms, AS A RULE, MUST BE FRUGAL MEN. No luxuries; bare necessaries compose their outfit. It is like the soldier in "marching order," or the exploring traveller. Luxury is a relative term, but the Christian minister will always put it in a secondary place. IIL MxssIONABIES, AS A RULE, MUST NOT BE SEDENTABY MEN. They are sent with a witness. 'l.'hey must deliver a few clear statements, sound a blast upon the trumpet that calls to repentance, and then forward again. The rule for the pastor is very different. We must try to understand our call. IV. MIBSIONABIES, AS A RULE, MUST ACT DIRECTLY UPON THE CONSCIENCE 01!' MEN. This is a great canon, and a mark of distinction between the missionary and the pastor. "They, departing, proclaimed that men should repent." A fresh voice, delivering this word, "Repent I" with intensity and power, will awaken echoes. But, repeated in the same place by the same person, the effect must wear off. Solid and continuous instruction then is needed. The teacher must sow where the exhorter has broken up the fallow ground.-J. Vers. 14-16.-Wonder and fancy. Incidentally how much light on human nature do we gain from the Gospels I I. PERSONAL FORCE ALWAYS ATTRACTS ATTENTION. The man cannot be hidden. Even the "lion" of the hour merely is an expression of spiritual force. Who is he'? Whence came he? II. THE POPULAR CONSCIENCE RECOGNIZES THE FORCE OF CHARACTER. They felt that something new had come into the world of thought and feeling. It is always worth while taking note of the direction of popular interest. Herod learned much from the people. However wide of the mark their conjectures as to the personality of Jesus might be, their instinctive recognition of his greatness was unerring. III. THE SUPERSTITION 0l!' THE BAD MAN, It is often seen that unbelief and super- stition, o.s in the expressive language of the Germans, Un9laube and .Aberglai,be, are generally found together, springing from one root. The truth is, that in an idle, voluptuous mind any sort of thought springs up, rife as weeds in warmth o.nd rain. 'l'he only way to think truly is to feel purely and act rightly.-J. Vers. 17-29.-The hero's death. I. THE HERO OF co111s0IENCE C0:sTRASTED WITH THE VOLUPTUARY. The former chooses to be true and loyal to the right rather thau to live; the latter postpones everything to "life," in the lowest and most sensual acceptation of the word. Yet the wicked man involuntarily respects the good man. II. Tim SLAVE OF SPURIOUS HONOUR CONTRASTED WITH THE SERVANT OF THE TRUTH, Herod excuses his violent deed; nay, he pretends that it is required in order to satisfy nis word as a man of honour. Such a one as his victim would never have given his word in such a case. III. THE TRUE PARTS OF MEN IN LIYE OFTEN SEEM TO BE REVERSED. John loses his head at the order of Herod. 'l'he sublime hero bows before the weak tyr::mt. So is it 2iG THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [ca. vx. 1-56.
in the "whirligig of time." Unless we keep our eye firmly fixed on the unseen and spiritual, it may appear that all things are turned upside down, But there is only one relation of things, and that is God's. Herod is really to be pitied, Over John is extended the shield of omnipotence, and in the very momont of his violence Herod is most weak. (Compare R. Browning's poem, 'Instans Tyrannus.')-J. Vers. 30-34.-Rest and work. I. THERE IS NO TBUE REST WHICH HAS NOT BEEN EARlIED BY WORK, Il. THE DUTY OF RESTING HAS THE SAME REASONS AS THE DUTY OF WORKING, Ill, SOLITUDE IS THE PROPER REFRESHMENT AFTER PUBLIC WORK, AND PREPARATION FOR IT. IV. THE SPIRIT CAN NEVER BE AT LEISURE FROM COMPASSION, SYMPATHY, AND LOVE,--,J,