story of the ruler's chilil, because tho event occurred on the road to the man's house reveals Jesus as the Friend of the obscure, the miserable, the lonely. On the way to help the little daughter of a greiit. house, Jesus is arrested and deeply intercste<l with the faith and cure of a poor and helpless woman. I. THE WOMAN'S FAITH. 1. It is modest. She trembles at the idea of becomin<> conspicuous. In her deep distress she will but creep up in the crowd behind the great Healer and steal a blessing. Timorous souls are drawn to Christ. They will not come t., the "penitent's bench" at a monster revival meeting. Dut they will seek Christ in their own quiet way. 2. It is humble. Who is she that she should claim the attention of Jesus Christ? An important citizen may call him into his house, but this poor obscure woman cannot even bring herself to speak to him. Yet Jesus had pro- nounced a blessing on the poor in spirit (eh. v. 3). 3. It is unselfish. This would seem to be a most unfortunate time for approaching Christ. He is just hastening to the house of an important personage where a little child is dying. To stop him now would be cruel to the child; it would be resented by her father. Suffering is often selfish. But the distressed woman will not hinder the good work Christ is about to perform by asking him to stay for her. 4. It is ingenious. It was a new idea to obtain a cure from Christ by a touch of his garment. The sufferer decides for herself that her novel method will be efficacious. There is room for freshness of thought in our relations with Christ. 6. It is powerful. This is what most strikes Christ. In spite of her modesty, humility, unselfishness, and the difficulty of her position, this woman determines to try to obtain healing. Faith is tes~d by the difficulties it overcomes. It may be that the least pretentious faith is the strongest. There is room for great faith in lowly circumstances. The heroes of faith are to be found among the obscure and humble. II. How CHRIST TREATED HER. 1. He was conaciou.s of her touch. There was no magic in his garment. The cure came from him~elf. We are blessed by Christ only when we come into personal relations with him. 2. He took notice of her. He turned and saw her. It interested him much that a bumble woman should have so much faith in him. He is not satisfied thnt any should approach him solely for their own private advantage. He would know bis people, and he expects them to recognize him. This cannot be because he craves the fame of miracle-working. On the contrary, he shrank from that and forbade the publication of his doings. But he desires to have a personal friendship between himself and all whom be blesses. 3. He cheered her. The poor woman was overwhelmed with shame, and addressing her iu the utmost refine- ment of sympathy as "daughter," Jesus reassures her. 'fhere is a rough charity that wounds the spirit while it tries to benefit the body. But this is not found in Christ. He perfectly understands, he truly sympathizes, he encourages and gladdens the heart of the miserable. 4. He oommended her faith. Jesus was always ready to perceive the good in people, to tell it out and rejoice over it. 6. He healed her disease. She had her wish granted, while she had more. Jesus gives what will really satitify the need of his people, while his gracious recognition far exceeds the hopes of the humble.-W. F. A.
Vere. 36-38.-Tlie sheep and the harvest. Jesus is moved with compassion at the sight of the multitude. There is always something pathetic iu such a sight. '!.'ho needs of the people made it especially so for Christ. To him the people are of deepest interest. His heart goes out, not to favourites, not to a few select, refined, or saintly souls, but to the multitude. As he gazes at the great moving mass of humanity, it calls up to hie mind two images. First, it seems like a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Then it appears as a harvest-field waiting for the reapers. I. THE PITEOUS HELPLESBNEBS OF TIIE SHEEP. I. The sheep are without a s!.epherd. There were official teachers, men trained in the Law and appointed to instruct the ignorant. Dut these men were not true pastors. They were well meaning, many of them. But they had no charm wherewith to draw the people; they did not know the green pastures and the still waters. Therefore Jesus found the people shepherdless. Without Christ the world is lost. No human leader is sufficient for its needs. 2. The ,heep an, distressed. They are trained to follow their leader. He knows where the best pasturage is; he can protect the helpless creatures from d:ingor, Men aud women need firm guidance, spiritual pasturage, and heavenly protection. We canno, ~82 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [err. n:. 1-88.