well, too, for the multitude to learn the great lesson that faith in Christ hath power to heal. 6. His mercy. He turned him about, he saw her. She came, fearing and trem- bling, and told him all. She feared that she had presumed too much, but the good Lord at once reassured her. "Daughter," he said (it is the only time, as far as the Bible tells us, that he used that endearing word), "be of good cheer." He comforted her in her trembling awe, as now he comforts the humble and penitent. And then came the blessed word, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." It was he who saved her; it is he who saves smners now. But faith is the band put forth to touch the Lord; faith is the instrument, Christ is the cause of our justification. 'l'he Lord puts great honour upon faith. He marvelled at the centurion's faith; it filled him with admiration. Let us pray, "Lord, increase our faith," that, like this poor woman, we may be made whole from that hour when with the hand of faith we touch the Saviour. III. THE HOUSE OF JAIRUB, 1. The Lord's sympathy. He felt for the father's grief; he knew the anguish of his soul. "Be not afraid," he said, " only believe." Trust in Christ is the one only comfort in deep sorrow. " Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe in God, believe also in me." He would not allow the curious, excited crowd to intrude upon the parents' grief. Only the Lord and the three most favoured apostles entered the cha.mber of death. The delicate ta.et of true Christian sympathy is a precious gift ; we must learn it of the Lord. 2. The preparations for the funeral. There was an unseemly noise; hired mourners and minstrels were mingling the hypocrisy of grief with the real sorrow of the bereaved. The Lord reproved them. "She is not dead," he said, "but sleepeth." They misunderstood his words. They showed their want of feeling by la.ughter and ridicule in the presence of the dead. But he put them forth; they could not resist his simple dignity, his tone of tranquil authority. And now he was left alone with the chosen three, and the father and mother of the maiden. Christian funerals should be quiet, without display; they should be cheered with Christian hope. "She is not dead, but sleepeth." The Lord Jesus should he present. He will come if we ask him. His sympathy brings peace among tears, com- fort, humble hope. 3. The word of power. He took the little hand; it was still and cold; it la.y motionless in his. Dea.th and life were brought into close contact ; the dead maiden and the Lord, who is the Resurrection a.nd the Life. He spoke but two words. There was no effort, no excitement, no display; only two simple words. But the parted soul hea.rd; it returned at the Lord's command; the hues of health came back to the pallid cheeks, and the little ma.id arose. They were astonished with a grea.t astonishment, but the Lord was still and ea.Im. It was no wonder to him, for he is God Almighty. It was bt1t an anticipat.ion of what he will do hereafter on a vast and awful scale. "All that are in the graves shall hear his voice," as the maiden heard that day. We shall hear him then; we shall come forth; God grant it may be unto the resurrection of life I LESSONS, I. Come to Jesus in the hour of bitter sorrow; he will come to those who come to him. 2. He knows all our troubles, all our hidden griefs. "B~ not afraid, only believe." 3. Be not content with outward forms; put forth the ha.nd of faith, o.nd touch the Lord. 4. "Arise!" he says. May he give us grace to listen now, to hear and. live, that we may share the resurrection of the just I
Vere. 27-34.-Other miracles. I. THE TWO BLIND MEN, 1. Their cry. The day's work was not over. It had been a wonderful day, crowded with mighty deeds. 'l'be Lord was returning from the house of Jairus, his thoughts full, we may well believe, of 11ympathy with the sorrowing, of holy joy at their deliverance. But this world is a world of sorrow; sorrow in various forms meets us everywhere. 'l'wo blind men followed in the crowd. They could not see the gracious face of the Lord, but they had heard of his wondrous works. He who raised the dead could open the eyes of the blind. They followed in the crowd; they implored him as the Son of David. It was the first time, as far as we know, that men had so addressed him. They were blind, but they bad the inner vision of faith. They sa.w that Jesus was tho Christ that was to come. Faith is more precious than sight; it perceives the things unseen, the eternal verities of the spiritual world. "Have mercy on us I" they ctied again and again. He seemed as though he heeded not. He passed on in silence, absorbed, it seemed, in holy meditation. 2. Their perseverance. He seemed not to hear them, He entered into <!76 TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [cs. IL 1--38.