It was our compassionate Saviour's desire to reconcile disputes, to make peace, and to afford us an example of forbearance and love towards all men, and therefore—against all the customs and prejudices of his country -he accompanied the Samaritans into Sychar, and stayed with them two days; during which time his gracious deportment and doctrines so won their hearts, that a great number believed in him, from only hearing him speak, for

never man spake like this man."

How does the conduct of the Samaritans put to shame our coldness and indifference towards our Saviour! How anxious, how eager were they to hear the words of one who was but a stranger to them! and shall we, his own disciples and children, turn carelessly away? We cannot, as they did, ask

him to stay with us in person, but we may entreat him to dwell in our hearts ; for he expressly declares, he will "dwell with him that is of an humble

spirit." We may say, like King David, "Go not far from me, O

Lord;" and most needful is that prayer, since our Lord assures us, that if he does not abide in us, not only we can do nothing good, but we shall surely be cast away like a withered branch. Keep near, then, to this Almighty Friend he will never leave you if you do not leave him; and it is only when you are with him that you are safe.

"Draw nigh to God, and He will "draw nigh to you."-James, viii. 4.

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IX.

THE NOBLEMAN'S SON.

AFTER his visit to the Samaritans, our Lord proceeded on his journey to Galilee, where he was received by the people with great joy, for his fame had spread far and wide, and every one was anxious to see and hear him.

The news of His return soon reached to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, where there lived a nobleman, whose son was dangerously ill; every remedy had failed-the skill of the doctor and the tender care of his father were all in vain and he was now

lying at the point of death. Grieved

and sad, the poor father had still one hope left: he had heard of the mercy and great power of the Lord Jesus, and he determined to go to Him himself, and entreat Him to come and cure his son.

Full of this last hope, he immediately set off for Cana, where our Saviour was staying, and which was about a day's journey from Capernaum; and entering into the presence of Christ, he besought Him to come and cure his child. Our Saviour did not, however, immediately grant his request ; but, either seeing the unbelief which lurked in his heart, or probably to try his faith, said, “ Except you see signs "and wonders, you will not believe." As this was neither a refusal nor a grant of his prayer, and as he feared that, while our Lord delayed coming, his child would die, the nobleman

urged his entreaty again with still more eagerness: "Sir, come down, ere my "child die!" This last appeal was not in vain, and he received the gracious answer, "Go thy way, thy son liveth.” Believing the word of the Lord, he turned his steps homewards, and before he arrived at his house, he met several of his servants, who, full of joy, hastened out to meet him on the road, with the glad news that his son was not only still alive, but perfectly well. You may fancy the happiness of the poor father, who eagerly enquired at what time they had observed the favourable change. "Yester"day," they said, "at the seventh "hour (one o'clock in the day), the "fever left him ;" and the man remembered that it was exactly at that hour, the day before, that the Lord