from the narrative. When just before this meeting with Bartimæus took place, a rich ruler came running, and knelt down before the Lord, asking, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life"; we hear not a word of censure addressed to him by the multitude, on account of his having interrupted the Saviour's progress to Jerusalem. They treated the ruler's anxiety with reverent silence. But they could not brook the idea that the mendicant Bartimæus should, for one moment, intrude his case upon the Lord Jesus. Hence the outcry against this poor man : "that he should hold his peace.” Those who raised it had no real compassion for the distress of Bartimæus, though possibly, from time to time, they had given him alms, because he sat in a public place, and their doing this would attract the observation of passers-by. But oh how differently the Lord Jesus acted! The rich ruler He would not receive, until he had given to the poor the gold he idolized. This petitioner wanted to exhibit his own goodness to the Lord in some new matter, thereby to lay claim to His consideration. And so, though Jesus loved him, He chilled his self-righteous zeal. Jesus evidenced a strong interest in his case, but the ruler could not quit his own walk through life and follow after Him, because there was a stumbling-block in the way which he was unwilling to have removed.

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Bartimæus was one for whom possibly no one cared; he had no self-righteous views of his own holiness; he was possessed by no prejudices against the Lord Jesus. When the educated ruler had, in cautious reserve, addressed our Lord only as "Good Master," reminding one of that question, "Have any of the pharisees or of the rulers believed on Him?" (St. John vii. 48) the simple-hearted Bartimæus owned Him at once as the Messiah: " Jesus, Thou Son of David." Where the rich ruler had wanted to recommend his own good doings to the Lord's notice, the poor blind man only cried, "Have mercy on me." In coming to Jesus, Bartimæus not only cast away the garment from his body, but threw off all self-righteous coverings from his soul. The rich ruler had sought to purchase heaven. The blind beggar prayed for mercy, from Him whom the Jews despised and rejected, and then, finally, in spite of the prejudices that existed against Him, "he followed Jesus in the way." The contrast between these two characters is a very instructive one. It is not a difficult matter to decide who was really the happier of the two-the rich, honourable, self-satisfied Pharisee, or the poor, despised, humble, diffident Bartimæus.

My dear brother, you and I, whether we are rich or poor, had better follow the example of Bartimæus, than that of the Jewish ruler. We stand in need of

the Lord's mercy. Let me counsel you, in your trying sickness, to seek that mercy. Come to Jesus, feeling yourself to be a sinner, unworthy of His notice, and I am sure He will receive you. Pray for the faith, the lowliness of mind, the earnestness, and the gratitude of Bartimæus, the son of Timæus. Give your case altogether, without reserve, into the Lord's hands and in faith and patience await the result. I cannot promise that He will restore you to health, but I am sure He will then make you one with Himself. During the days of His sojourn in the flesh, our blessed Redeemer's work was rather to forgive sins, than to heal diseases. He gave public demonstration of His infinite power to cure the ailments of the body, that those He addressed might the more readily recognize and own His infinite power to put away those of the immortal soul. He desires that you and I should be in far greater trouble respecting a sick soul, than a sick body. Your's is exactly the case He compassionates. You are as dear to Him as Bartimæus was. Oh, in God's strength, my friend, throw away all self-righteousness and unbelief, and cry to Him, "Jesus, Thou Son of David, Thou Saviour of sinners, Thou Seeker of the lost, have mercy on me." And whether He wills to raise you up from sickness or not, be careful, with Bartimæus, to follow Him in the way. Let Him not have to say to you, "One thing thou lackest." Be

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careful to spend nothing in a way of which He would disapprove. Shew by your patience and pious resignation to His will in this trying season, that His counsel to the rich ruler has, through His grace, some weight with you: "Come, take up the cross, and follow Me." (St. Mark x. 21.)

Prayer.

ОH Thou Who dost compassionate the ills of all mankind, Who wilt shortly appear to bruise Satan under the feet of Thy people, and to bring about that blessed time when none shall say "I am sick," mercifully hear us, we beseech Thee, on behalf of this our suffering brother. "Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on him." By Thy gracious Spirit, bid him be of good comfort. If it be Thy holy will heal him of his malady. But, chiefly, we pray Thee, bid him arise and depart, as one feeling that here is not his rest, and make him one of Thy "called, and chosen, and faithful" ones. Help him to cast away all ideas of self-righteousness, and only to cling to Thy precious Cross and Passion as his One hope of pardon and acceptance. Mercifully impart to him that spiritual sight, which, through Thy grace, shall enable him to see Thee, and to own Thee, before all

men, as his Deliverer. Grant to him the gift of saving faith, and a spirit of entire self-consecration to Thy service. Hear us, oh Lord, we beseech Thee, for Thy precious merits' sake, Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, ever One God, world without end. Amen.

XLIX.

GOD'S OBJECT IN PERMITTING AFFLICTIONS.

ST. JOHN XV. 1-12.

IN these few verses are opened out such glorious views of the intimate relationship, through Christ, between God and man, that were it not for the miserable lowness of our faith, they would surely fully occupy the mind, and shut out every other subject of an earthly nature. Rightly taken to heart, our Lord's words will serve to set us at rest upon many points which, without the teaching of the Holy Spirit, we cannot possibly understand. But