olJ self-confidence was gone ; it retumed afterwards, and was dispelled tor ever by the deep repentance which followed a yet graver, ll far more humiliating failure. Now he felt his weakness. His first request was unbecoming, not such as a sinner should mnke; his second was a true prayer, such a prayer as we all should lift up out of the depths of our heart t-0 our loviug Saviour. Such a prayer is never made in vain. "Immediately Jesus stretched forth hi~ band, and caught him, aml said unto him, 0 tliou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" The Lord waited not one moment. The needed change was wrought; Peter felt his helplessness. The Lord stretched forth his band. So doth he now. We feel, when we come to him with strong crying and fervent- prayer, that gracious hand holding us up, lifting us out of distress and ierror, drawing us closer to himself. "0 thou of little faith," he said, in gentle sweet: reproof. Peter's faith never wholly failed him; but it was mingled with doubt. That doubt, that divided mind, divided between faith and fear, might have been his ruin bad not the Lord in his great mercy saved him. Let us learn never to doubt the love of our dear Lord. If only he is with us, let us think, not too much of our difficulties . and dislressas, but of bis grace and power. "Lord, increase our faith," be that our con- stant prayer. 4. The adoration of the disciples. They ea.me into the ship, the Lord and the thankful, penitent apostle. Immediately the wind ceased. Immediately, St. John tells us, the ship was at the land whither they went. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him. They did not forget to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksghing for his gTeat mercies vouchsafed unto them. "Of a truth thou art the Son of God," they said. It was the first time, except the cases of John the Baptist and Nathanael (John i. 34 and 49), that men had given this title to the Lord. It followed a night of exceeding great terror. Our trials are blessed if they bring us near to Christ., if they help us to realize his love and power, if they bring us to our knees in awe and love and adoration. m Tm: RETURN TO THE LAND OF GENNESARET. 1. The sick brought to him. He was recognized at once; all knew him as the Healer, the Wonder-worker. The men of the place went out into all that country round about, _and brought unto him all that were diseased. That care for the afflicted, that eagem~ss to bring them to the Saviour, is an example to us; let us go and do likewise. 2. They were healed. They believed in him; their faith was like that of the woman who followed him when he was on his way to heal the daughter of Jairus-a faith deep and strong, if not altogether the faith of the instructed Christian. They did not, however, come behind him, as she did; they asked his permission t-0 touch the hem of his garment, and all who touched were made perfectly whole. So it is now. He cleanseth from all unrighteousness those who come to him t-Onching him with the touch of faith. • LEssoKs. 1. Let us learn of the Lord not t-0 desire popular applause, not t-0 seek the high places of the world. 2. Let us learn in all times of difficulty and anxiety to seek for peace and guidance in fervent, persevering prayer. 3. Let us trust in him;. ,he will help us in our troubles. "It is I," he saith; "be not afraid." 4. Let us shrink from presumption; we are safe when we distrust ourselves, when we trust only in· Christ. 5. Let u.s always look unto Jesw;; in temptation, in sorrow, in agony, let us look steadfastly to him. He will stretch forth his hand; he will J1.0t let us sink.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1, 2.-Hervd's hypothesis. Men's minds were much perplexed about the won- derful life of the new Prophet, and various theories were started to explain it. Here we have the king's hypothesis. This has something in common with the other sugges- tions and also a peculiar aptness in regard t-0 Herod himself. L 'rT IS NOT EASY TO ACCOUNT FOR JESUS CHRIST. The very variety of the theories shows that the problem was not solved at a glance. It was evidei;it "to his con- temporaries that our Lord was no ordinary man. And yet these people saw little more than his outer life. The teaching of his apostles anJ the revelation of Christ in his Church have brought out far greater marvels in his nature. If we accept him and hie claims, his Divine DRture and mission will explain all. But if we reject him we have Etill to account for him. And just here is the great difficulty for all unhelicvers. It OR, xiv.1-36.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 75