blind beggar, now in the possession of his sight. Some said, "It is he." How very natural! Others said, "It is very like him!" A blind man walks with his head back, and puts his foot or his hand foremost, to feel that the way is clear, but the moment his eyesight is restored the head resumes its natural position. Not only is the face altered, but the whole shape, tone, mannerism of the man undergoes a complete transformation.

You can, therefore, easily conceive how naturally some of his neighbors said, "This is he," and others said "It is like him," but he said, "I am he." They doubted his identity, and asked him how the change took place. He said: "A man (for he was not yet convinced that Christ was the Messiah) made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash; and I went and washed, and I received my sight."

We shall not continue the dialogue which took place between the man and the Pharisees concerning the miracle, but we rest upon the fact that a miracle was performed, and that Jesus performed it.

As for the metaphysical, speculative, psycho

logical questions which men would raise, I cannot enter into these; but so long as the eyes of men are opened, I will mention the Physician's name.

These facts are at hand every day. Such miracles were wrought once for all, they are being accomplished morning by morning, night by night; the one thing men are now recovering is their eyesight. We shall miss the genius of the whole thought if we limit the word eyesight to some bodily function or exercise.

Sight means larger vision, keener perception, an awakening of all the faculties of the mind to a state of keen, exact, complete penenetration. "Lord, that I may receive my sight!" "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." "The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

May the Great Physician save us from looking at surfaces, outsides, transient shapes and symbols, and give us that peculiar penetrating vision that sees without staring, and that knows afar off what lights are coming up on the horizon.

Christ always completes His work: "Jesus heard that they had cast the man out of the synagogue," because he acknowledged the fact that a great miracle had been performed upon him; "and when Jesus had found him ”. how did He happen to go that way? For the same reason that He went the way in the first instance.

He knows all the roads, all the byways and highways. He knows all the roads to human dwellings and human halting-places.

"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"

Now we come to the real pith and purpose of Christ's mission-"Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" Was it not enough that the man could see? Was it not enough that the man had a sound body? He had ears, and eyes, and hands; he could smell the flowers, he could touch the very bloom of creation. Was it not enough?

No. Jesus Christ must needs go to the inner man, and ask the all-involving question, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"

It is in this belief we see and feel and realize

life. Without faith we cannot fly, we cannot walk, we cannot reach heaven.

The man answered and said: "Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on him?" We know some men by their tone of voice, some by their touch. This man seemed to realize already in whose presence he was.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen, and it is He that talketh with thee." Oh, sweetest words! He might have known Who it was. "Never man spake like this man. What a voice! What tender sympathy! What suggestion! What music!

"It is He that talketh with thee," and the man said: "Lord, I believe," and he stood there a man!

CHAPTER XI.

66 THE MIRACLES PERFORMED BY JESUS CHRIST.' (Continued).

WHILST the Pharisees and the doctors of the law, inflated with their vain science, reasoned to no end on the miracles of the Saviour, and their hearts all withered with their own incredulity, the grateful multitude adored and blessed the Son of God.

There is something inexpressibly touching in the simple, artless faith of those who went with such entire confidence to implore His aid, and also in that inexhaustible goodness which wrought miracles at their request. One of the most affecting examples of this confidence in the power and goodness of the Saviour is that seen in the case of the centurion who implored the Lord to cure his dying servant. "And when Jesus was entering into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion, beseeching Him, and saying, Lord, my servant