February 12

The maketh the storm a calm. — PSALM cvii. 29.

Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? — MATT. viii. 26.

THE reproving question bears its own answer. The disciples were fearful because they had so little faith. How dull they were! How little they understood him! They did not really know who he was. Surely if they had taken in the evidences of his divine personality and authority, which had attended all he did and said in their presence, the sudden storm on the lake would not have affrighted them with Christ in the boat, although he were asleep. Were they not there by his command, and what were winds and waves to him? Could they perish with him on board? Alas that we are such cowards often in the face of danger, and forget who it is that commands the ship!

In recently crossing the Atlantic a group of passengers after a violent storm huddled together on their steamer-chairs condoling each other on their late fearful experiences, when a lady of the company addressed the captain, who had drawn near, and asked, "Captain, didn't you think we were going to the bottom?" Assuming an air of offended dignity, the master of the ship replied, "Madam, when I signed the ship's papers in the company's office, I agreed to carry this steamer across the Atlantic Ocean from Liverpool to New York. The bottom is not on my chart."

Now when Christ entered the ship with his disciples his purpose was to cross the lake. The bottom was not on his chart. But he answered their fears and bade the wind and storm cease; and there was a great calm.

F. Bottome, M.D.

Jesus Jehovah, be our stay Over the dark and troublous way. Embarked with him we need feel no fear Though the storm, the trial of faith, be near.