March 17

Acts iii.—1. Now, Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3. Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alms. 4. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.

7. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength. 8. And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God. 9. And all the people saw him walking, and praising God; 10. And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11. And, as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

The most magnificent gate of the temple was that which stood before the sanctuary itself. This was seventy-eighths high, and twenty-five broad: it was completely overlaid with gold, and had above it golden vines with huge clusters of grapes. In the courts and walls were nine gates, all overlaid throughout with gold and silver; and besides these one of Corinthian brass, which, according to Josephus, "greatly exceeded in sumptuousness those plated with silver and gold." Either this, or the one first mentioned, was distinguished as "the Beautiful Gate." In contrast with this magnificence of material worship was a dilapidated temple of humanity, deformed, crippled, beggared. Just as, at the doors of the churches in Continental Europe, the most wretched objects are privileged to sit or lie as beggars; so this impotent beggar was daily at the temple-gate to remind worshippers that charity is ever the most acceptable service.

Peter and John knew what it was to be poor; and the sight of this helpless fellow-creature touched them with such

compassion as Jesus was wont to feel for suffering humanity. With the sympathy of the Master came his power also; and the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth imparted strength and motion to feel that had never walked. So conspicuous a miracle was like another resurrection of the crucified Nazarene, and gave new life and power to his gospel.

Our Lord wrought miracles by his proper personality: the power rescued in his own spirit; the virtue went out from himself. His apostles performed miracles in his name, and never assumed to possess this power independently. By thus invoking Jesus for a power properly divine, they proclaimed their faith in his resurrection, his continued life, his ascension, his government over the world, his omnipresence and omnipotence; in a word, their faith in his divinity. The cripple himself felt that his healing was a divine act; and his first use of his new powers was in praising God. So should every gift, every mercy, every new experience of his goodness, inspire us to show forth his praise.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 9, 32.

Father of lights, Fountain of all good, we lift up our hearts and voices in gratitude and love. Thy mercies are new every morning, and thy faithfulness is repeated every night. We bless thee for life and health and reason; for the use of our limbs and powers; for our food and raiment and habitation; for labor and reward; for friends and kindred; for freedom from suffering, infirmity, and pain. By the remembrance of thy goodness, awaken in our hearts, O God! a purer love and devotion to thee. Inspire us with a true and childlike trust in thy faithfulness and mercy. So stay our minds on thyself, that we may be anxious about nothing, but, leaving the future to thine infinite wisdom, pass the rest of our lives in peace and quietness, fulfil all duty in reliance on thy promised strength, suffer all trials in submission to thy will, and patiently wait the issue of all thy dealings in our salvation.

O God! since thou hast opened our eyes to see the light of another day, be pleased to prosper us with thy continual favor in all its duties and engagements. Keep us from sin, temptation, and

danger. Help us in all things to show forth thy glory by a life and conversation becoming thy children. Keep us from conformity to a sinful world; and so aid us by thy good Spirit, that we shall preserve ourselves unsplotted, and shall perfect holiness in thy fear. In all our intercourse and dealings with men, help us to maintain our holy principles, and so commend the faith which we profess.

May it please thee to bless all whom we love, and grant unto them the healthful spirit of thy grace! Have compassion on all the children of toil and sorrow and suffering. Mercifully look upon the afflicted and the dying, and give unto them everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Bless this household with such favors as thou seest to be good for us; and teach us to desire and seek only that which is good in thy sight.

Holy Father, open our hearts to deeper and more living impressions of unseen and eternal things. Help us to walk by faith, that, by a patient continuance in well-doing, we may come to glory and honor, through Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.