go as solitary pilgrims dependent on our own resources. 3. The sheep are scattered. They were not drawn togeLher by the voice of a trusted shepherd. So they wandered foolishly a.nd aimlessly. The world without Christ is disunited. In thought and conduct men wander from one another, and the social bond is broken when the Divine bond is di~regarded. 4. The sheep need a shepherd. Jesus saw the need, and he came to supply it. Later in his ministry he proclaimed himself a.s the good Shepherd (John L 11). Moreover, he expects his ministers to be first of all pastors to the people, feeding his sheep (John xxi. 17). II. THE GLORIOUS PROSPECT OF THE HARVEST. The image changes. Instead of a scattered flock of bleating sheep spread over the hillside, we see waving fields of corn ripe for the harvest, only needing the reapers to gather in its golden wealth. I. Ther; is a haruut in the world. This is a cheering thought. Reuarded from one point of view, men are like sheep-their need is great ; looked at fro~ another standpoint, they are indeed a havest-field with boandless possibilities. When the industry of China the speculation of India, the endurance of Africa, are won to Christ, and when the bo~nd- less energy of the West is all gathered into his garner, great will be the wealth of the kingdom of heaven. The world is worth winning for Christ. He counts his wealth by the souls he possesses. 2. The harvest is plenteous. (1) It covers a vast area. The ureater part of the world is not yet Christian. (2) It includes a multitude of souls. "Christ has not come to save a few; he aims at the plenteous harvest of many souls. (3) It cont.a.ins many forms of good. There is great wealth in this harvest-field of the world. Christ would have the heroism, the industry, the art, the literature, of the world gathered into his kingdom. 3. Many labourers are needed. Jesus was the Sower (eh. xiii. 3). His disciples are the reapers. Never was so large a harvest-field open for the sickle as in our own day; never were so many labourers needed. The great want of the world is apostolic missionaries, men and women with the spirit of Christ in them. -W.F.A. Vers. 1-8 (Mark ii 1-12; Luke v. 17-26).-Tlie Lord of both lives. Notice in introduction one of the simplest instances of the way in which the fhree very various accounts of our Lord's life 11.Ild works supply one another, add greatly to our information, and form a network of evidence of the authenticity of the narrative which it would seem impossible to gainsay. Observe-- I. THE GRACIOUS ACTION TA.KEN BY THE SAVIOUR SO PROMPTLY ON THE FIBBT SIGHT OF FAITH. Notice the fact that the forgiveness of the sins of the paralytic took precedence of the healing of his disease. Was this due to the specialty of the occasion, the large attendance of doctors of the Law and Pharisees? Wns it due exclusively to something that the eye of Jesus saw in the spiritual condition of the paralytic-in that his heart's deepest desire was for forgiveness; or that there was special fitness in· him to stand as an example, to all time herein, of one blessed to take the supreme good first, nnd find " all " the rest " added to him ; " or to the sovereign and unerring will inscrutabk , II. A REMARKABLE AND REMARKABLY SIMPLE ):NSTANCE AND ILLUSTRATION OF FAITH WITH woBKB Al!ID OF FAITH SHOWN BY WORKS. These works of themselves spoke for the faith that was behind them, as also for the intense desire that gave such definite outline to it. "Their" faith, no doubt, designates that betokened by the conduct of all concerued-the paralytic himself, and those who were hands, arms, and feet to him. The "works" of themselves asked help of the mighty Helper. .And they showed the uLdoubting persuasion on the part of those who put forth their strength, and on the part of him, of whose suggestion perhaps it all came, where, and where alone, that help was to be had. II£. 'l'HE UNDOUBTED BLASPHEMY HEARD ON THIS OCCASION, DUT LAID ON THB \\'BONG P&BSONAGE. The enemies of Christ, as they stood around, understood arighl what he had done, what he had said, and to what the deep implication of these amounted. But they took up the position that he had not done what he said, and C(/11,Zd not do it, and that therefore he committed blasphemy in uttering it. Their hostility wu a foregone conclusion, and had it not been so, there would have been reason on their 6ide; and the language of Christ, and hie action immediately following, allow this, within certain limits, for he remarks on the exact position, and offers and Clil. n.1-38.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 38~
gives a proof. But their unbelief and disbelief were already deep-rooted in their heart -that "thinking evil in the heart," which he 80 distinctly saw, 80 pronouncedly marked. IV. CHRIST'S CONDEBCENDmG AND MOST COMPLETE VINDICATION OF HIS LANGUAGE AND HIMSELF. The practical test he challenges, with dignity surpassing that of Elijah on Carmel I He does not volunteer it, but bids them "stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." And they do see it I Whether they will even now believe is another thing. Certain as it is that they have not made their own the beatitude, "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed," have they even entitled themselves to bear it said, "Because thou bast seen, thou hast believed"? V. THE ATTITUDE AND DOCILITY OF THE PEOPLE, .AS THESE RISE UP IN JUDGllENT AGAINST THE DOCTORS OF THE LA w AND PHARISEES. They "marvel ; ,, they "glorify God;" and this not as the only Object of adoring praise and worship, but also as "the Giver of such power to men;" and they are "filled with fear." And they make con- fession, unstinted, undisguised, of the impression they have received:" We never saw it on this fashion; " "We have seen strange things to-day ."-B.