March 6

Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. — Acts ix. 34.

Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. — LUKE viii. 48.

THIS potent touch which Jesus honored was prompted by a realization of present and pressing need. The woman fully understood the malign nature of her ailment, and was persuaded that it was incurable unless Christ should interpose for her relief.

This realization of need and helplessness was the result of repeated trial and failure. Only after that she had spent all her living upon physicians and grew nothing better, but worse, was she persuaded that her case was hopeless unless the great Physician would aid her. Under constraint of these convictions she came to Christ, she touched, and was healed.

Jesus never rejects us because we insist upon making trial of every conceivable device that gives promise of relief before we intrust ourselves to his care: but when we come to him with the conviction of helplessness that sin engenders, and touch him by that simple faith which relies solely on him, he will speak to every sin-sick soul those words of cheer: "Go in peace: thy faith hath made thee whole."

D.R. Frazer.

Heal me, O my Saviour, heal;

Heal me, as I suppliant kneel;

Heal me, and my pardon seal.

Thou the true Physician art;

Thou, O Christ, canst health impart,

Binding up the broken heart.

GODFREY THRING.