March 19

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Eneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34 And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make tay bed. And he arose immediately.

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Seron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the

body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her a we

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a banner.

Dorcas is the first woman, after the names in the gospel, whose name is mentioned in the history of the Church. She was a "disciple," that is, a follower of the Lord Jesus, and a woman of eminent piety. Her life "was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." What a beautiful testimonial is this to go down to all generations! How far above all memorials of worldly fame and greatness!

"The work of Dorcas was personal. This is the most precious kind of benevolence, both to the giver and receiver. She knew each widow whom she clothed, each child whom she fed. Possibly she had not much money to bestow; but she contributed visits of sympathy, looks of love, and works of skill. There is a strange power in personal contact and sympathy. The poor, the dependent, and the distressed often value it more than money. The kind look and the loving word are more highly appreciated than the smoking meal, the warm garment, or the glittering silver."—R. R. Meredith, D. D

Her goodness was abundant. She "was full of good works." They were not occasional with her. They were a full and overflowing stream—overflowing its banks and fertilizing the neighboring regions.

Her goodness has immortalized her. She lived in a comparatively small and unimportant town, and there was nothing magnificent to worldly view in her simple deeds of charity; but it has pleased God to leave on record for all ages the history of her humble yet bright example. Let no "Dorcas" think that her charities are unnoticed or unregarded in heaven. If they spring from genuine love, first to Christ, and then to those for whom He gave His life, they are all written there.

Closet Promise.—He shall feed His flock like a shepherd. He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.—Isa. xl. 11.

"And a blessed truth it is when the Holy Spirit writes it on the soul: The Saviour is mine, and I am His. All to me that a shepherd can be to His sheep, all to me that God can be to a creature: He thinks of me, He cares for me, He shelters me, He understands me, He is as much mine, and as really, as if I were with Him this moment in heaven, faultless before the presence of His glory."—Rev. A. W. Thorold.