Ill. IT IB ENLIGHTENED BY EXPERIENCE, The centurion knew power. He exercised lt on tboee beneath him; he felt it from those above him. The whole of the iron structure of the Roman empire wae knit together by means of authority and absolute obedience. In this stem school the centurion bad learnt lessons that enabled him to believe in the irresistible power of Christ's word of command. We can best understand religion if we interpret it in terms of our own experience. It will then take different forms from those of established usage. Bat it will not suffer on that account. On the contrary, it will become wonderfully fresh and vivid. IV. IT JS LED TO BEE RIOBTFUL POWER. This is the special advantage of a Roman training. The Jew would look for legal fitness, the Greek for truth and beauty, the Roman for authority. Thus the man trained in the discipline of an imperial army is able to interpret to us an aspect of the character and life of our Lord which but for him we might have missed. It is important to recognize the authority of Christ, his .command over nature, his power over man. He saves by his strong arm. V. IT 18 REWARDED WITH ADMIRING RECOGNITION. Here is a man of heathen birth showing greater faith·tban Jews possess. The New Testament always gives us favourable ·portraits of Roman centurions, and thus lets us see that there was good in the Gentile world. Christ was the first to recognize this. No eye was so keen for goodness in unexpected quarters as his. He is no respecter of persons; He is generous to recognize all hopeful signs. .And when he recognizes them be responds. The lad is healed by 11 word from a distance-a most exceptional action. But the centurion's faith is exceptional, and the Divine blessing is always according to our faith.-W. F. A. Vers. 14, 15.-A. domestic scene. The long day is nearly over. The great sermon has been preached, the bealings by the way have been accomplished; at last Jesus has -come home to rest for the night with one of his friends. But even now his ministry cannot cease. Wherever he goes be sees human need; whenever be sees human need he is ready to put forth power to help. , I. TBEBE IB TnOU'BLE IN THE HOME. Pain and sorrow are not shnt out when the darkness of night is excluded and the door is closed on the tempest. Though there be no trouble in the streets, the bird· of evil omen may brood in the very centre of the family. All may be well with the state, yet the household may be distracted with misery. The great Atlantic steamer is sailing safely on her voyage, but sick women &nd crying children down below have a wretchedness of their own that is never chronicled in the captain's log-book. How many homes of beauty and comfort are just dens of misery ! how many more o.re haunts of anxiety I II. THE FRIENDS OF CHRIST ARE IN TROUBLE. Peter is one of the best friends of Jesus-one of his newly chosen disciples. Yet a near relative of Peter's is found to be seriously ill. The service of Christ does not insure us against the invasion of trouble. Christian fnmilies do not escape the epidemic that brings distress to the homes of the godless. Tbe Church of Christ is not a Goshen which the angel of pestilence avoids. 0
If the laws of health are broken in a Christian household, that household bas no bill of indemnity to eave it from the consequences of its mistake. While Peter lived by the low swamps of Gennesareth, a place to invite fever, it we.s natural that fever should appear in his house. Ill. CHRIST ENTERS THE HOME. He is not like John the Baptist, dwelling alone in ,the wilderness. He lives with his friends. He loves home-life. Though now unseen because our "eyes are bolden," he still visits homes. We pray for his presence in the Church, and we hope to meet him in our public worship. But his habits on earth show us that he is quite as ready to be found in the family. The family is the social unit. Society will be out of joint unless the family is consecrated by the presence of Christ. Let us always think of him as One nt our table, sharing our domestic life. IV. CHBJST'B PBESEN0E BRINGS HEALTH. He was not invited into Peter's house for the purpose of curing the sick woman. Peter knew nothing of the trouble. The fever, as is often the cnse in tropical climates, may have seized the poor woman without a. moment's notice. Christ was invited for his own sake, that be might partake of refresh- ment and rest awhile. But the most unselfish serving of Christ will receive be.ck unsought and unexpected blessings. Where Christ is present, he is ready to help. He saw, he touched, he healed. According to St. Mark, BO'Jle told Jesus of the distressful 340 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [oH. vm. 1-34.
con<lition of his hostess's mother (Mark i. 30). Then Jesus went to see her for himself· He is not unobservant of suffering, and for him to see is to help. V. BLESSINGS FROM CHRIST LEAD TO THE SERVICE OF CHRIST. The sick wom&n ia perfectly cured. She does not suffer from the languor that usually follows Cover. Feeling well, she immediately sew about her daily work. Plainly she is a most sensible woman. It is worth while to cure such a practical person. 'l'he end of salvation is service. Each may best serve Christ in the way of his or her own capacities. The grace of Christ is not to lift us above doing the homeliest duties, but to fit us for them. -W.F.A.