Vere. 22-33 (~ also Mark vi. 45-52; John vi. lG-21).-A contention of semeand faith. ~h~ lllilt miracle was ~ne the teaching of which was certainly good for all, alike for the disciples and the multitude; and of the two for ?bvious and natural reasons, per- haps more so for the Conner than for the latter. But, Jetting alone the teaching force of it that foregoing miracle had for its practical object the benefit of the five thousand with women snd children, allaying their hunger and bringing home to their hearts-of what•· eyer c~amcter those hearts-some sense of and some persuasion_ of the thoughtful con- 11deration of the Lord, For the small number of the twelve disciples there was never any great difficulty-probably never any at all-in supplying" all their need." But the present miracle was one for the disciples themselves. It was good alike for their body md soul. It may, perhaps, be said to have been in highcl' kind also, even as limb and life are ever of more import than the satisfying of huuger, though this may be intense. Though we are not at all bound to find herein the reason of its following so distinctly in each account upon the other, yet the link of thought may be helpful. And far is it from being out of analogy with the truth, that he who so cares for the vast flocks scattered, needy, distracted wilh fear, or callous with indifference, shows no small pro- portion of that care in also caring for t~e ~heph 7rds and bishops and pastors of the flock, whom he has set, and whom he ever still 18 settmg, over them. It certainly is so in the history now before us. Notice here- L AN INSTANCE OF CHRIST SENDING HIS SERVANTS TO TRY THEIR WAY BEFORE HIM, TO FEEL AIID TO TEST THEIR OWN QUANTUM OF STBEN'GTB AND RESOURCES; AND 01! BOW, THEN, IN BUCH CASES BE IS WITH THEM, AND OVERTAKBS THEM TO THE VERY KOMll:NT OF THEm REAL NEED. Distinguish with emphasis such cases from those in which forwardness and self-confidence anti unsafe zeal lead the way. And notice what room there is in the dispensation of the Spirit for full account to be taken or this prin- ciple. Hew needful it is, how desirable it is, for us often to feel that there is One who trusts us to go onward awhile, and apparently as though by ourselves, but whose eye aod whose love are none the less ever near to us I And notice, further, that these are not for a moment to be counted artificial devices of the vast and infinitely wise super- intending Providence, even though for wise and high ends. There were reasons why the disciples were sent onward before Christ. II. AN INSTANCE OF A CERTAIN APPARENT CONSPIRACY AND ACCUMULATION OF THE DIFFIOULTIEB OF NATURE CONTENDED WITH, BY THE INCREASE OF CONSCIOUS HUM.Ali! EFFORT il"D TOIL ; AND YET WITHOUT AV AIL, OR WITH VERY LITTLE A VAIL, Darkness, wind, and stormy waves were all "contrars" to the disciples; but they rowed where l!8ils would not serve; and they toiled; and yet there came the hour when the most that they could say for themselves and their effort was that they did not relreat, that they could just hold their way. But this was much to be able to say. IIL AN INSTANCE OF THE FmBT APPEARANCE OF HELP BEING JUDGED TO BE EITHER .AN EHPTY FORM, OR A FORM, IF NOT EMPTY, CHARGED WITH SOME SPECIES of ADDITIONAL FEABFULNESS. Remark that the version, "a spirit," is not most correct to the word used, or probably to the real description of the alarm excited in the minds of the disciples. Nor can any justification be adduced from the passage of any scriptural warrant for beliefin certain superstitions. It may be said to be Scripture, on the other hand, which defines spirit, and determines the reality of spirits, and does not deny, indeed, that spirits may take" phantom" appearances, but in this place certainly does not state it. The word is not the same as that used, e.g. in Acts xii. 15, nor does it point in the same direction, JV, PJ; INSTANCE OF THE BOUNDLESS GENTLENESS OF THE PITY," LIKE AS A FATHER'S," WITH WHICH THE LORD DISPELS HIS 81':RVANTS' FEAR, AND REPLACES IT WITll ALL THE EXULTATION OF AN UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCE OF COMFORT .AND REPOSE, V. AN INSTANCE OF A GLORIOUS EPISODE OF FAITH1 AND THE FAITH THAT BIGHTS IlllTATION AND LIKENESS. Faith is the very father of great thought and great enterprise for some; for others it is patient enJurance of the storms, and the vanquisher of fears, and exquisite rest from anxiety. But in its noblest attempts, it knows no measure and owns no limit, while it keeps its firm look on its Lord. It partakes of the omnipotence of its unseen object. VI. AN INSTANCE OF ill INGLORIOUS LAPSE OF FAITH. The cause of this very plainly marked here-the eye turned away from its great object, and confused by the difficulties of sense. cm, xiv.1-36.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 81
VII. AN INBTAN0E OF A Vlrn!TJ,DLE ScmPTUP.E PHOTOGRAPH OF Tf!E CIIUllCH OF THE LORD JESUS CHllIBT IN THE TUMULT, THE DARKNESS, THE STORM OF 'rHE WORLD-BUT SA FE j OHBIST NEAB IT, THE EYE OF CHRIST ON IT, CHRIST HIMSELF IN IT, AND ITSELJ!' AT LABT WITH HIM IN THE HAVEN,-B,