March 7

John iv. 43. Now, after two days, he departed thence, and went into Galilee. 44. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. 45. Then, when he was come into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast; for they also went unto the feast. 46. So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 48. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

49. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51. And, as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52. Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him. 53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house. 54. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did when he was come out of Judæa into Galilee.

A short journey from Samaria brought Jesus again within the borders of Galilee, but he found here a different moral atmosphere from that which he had left at Sychar. There multitudes had shown a remarkable aptitude for spiritual truth, an impulse toward faith, which led them to embrace Christ upon hearing his word. But in Galilee there was, on the one hand, the indifference or incredulity which men are apt to manifest concerning the extraordinary claims of one with whom they have been familiar from childhood; and, on the other, the curiosity for marvels which marks an ignorant and superstitious community. The fame of his miracle at Cana had been augmented by the report of other miracles, brought back by Galileans who had been to Jerusalem; and this nobleman, moved by parental anxiety, hastened to the worker of wonders as one now a days would go to a famous physician. Jesus, who always sought the moral basis of faith, either as the condition or the object of a work of divine

power, at first reproaches him "that he had been led to come to him, not by the need of the heart, but by the need of a miracle."

But the earnestness of entreaty which the father now assumed as he thought of his dying boy evinced a faith which Jesus met by giving him more and better than he had asked. The manner of the cure manifested the omnipresence as well as the omnipotence of Christ. Here was no intervention of second causes; no use of physical means; no formula of healing, as in the case of the blind man; nor even, as in some other miracles, the spoken word of Jesus himself. His bare will, acting at the distance of many miles, cured a dying boy whom he had never seen. "In this very way, however, a severer test of the father's faith was made. He endures the test; goes his way; and the rejoicing servants, unable to wait for the time of his arrival, announce to him what has occurred, and in the very same words in which it had been foretold by the Lord."

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 27, 121, 130.

Gracious God, who never failest to help and govern them that put their trust in thee, we go forth to the duties and engagements of this day in dependence on thy promised aid and mercy. Grant that the word of Christ may dwell in us richly in all wisdom, that we may be able to teach and admonish one another, while we perform our relative duties with contented and cheerful spirits, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.

Be near to each of us in the greatness of thy power. Give us heart and courage for all the toils and struggles, for all the pains and sacrifices, of this mortal life. Help us ever to act as seeing thee who art invisible. Let our walk with thee be close; that, being filled with light and strength from above, we may daily practise whatsoever things are true, and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely, and of good report; and that in the doing of these things we may be filled with that peace which passeth all understanding. Let us yield to no temptation, neither fall before the force of any evil. Inspire us with humility. Let us

not be high-minded, but fill us with holy, loving, child-like fear. Guide us by thy counsel, and preserve us unto thine eternal glory.

We render thanks to thee for the comfort of rest and sleep, and for a home undisturbed by fear or sorrow. We pray for all men. Pity such as are in darkness and in error, and lead them into the way of truth. Bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end, and let the just be established. Bless the education of the young, the instruction of the ignorant, the visitation of the sick. Comfort all in sorrow, and prepare the dying for the rest and the joy of heaven.

Holy Father, command thy blessing on each member of this family; and take us, and all whom we love, into union with thyself. Lift upon us the brightness of thy countenance; and so let the light of heaven fall upon our path, that we may finally come into the everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our only Saviour; to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be honor and praise throughout all ages. Amen.