of light and heat, an atmosphere of calm and peace glided with Jesus over the Sea of Galilee a heavenly glory walked in the darkness of the night. The disciples supposed they had seen a spirit; but his gentle voice re-assured them, for he straightway spake unto them; “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."

The

And Peter answered him, "Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.' And he said, "Come." Peter essayed-but finding the wind boisterous, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, "Lord, save me!" Simon Peter, like many more, was not content. miracle of the loaves-the Saviour walking on the waves, were not enough for him. The day had been one of wonderful excitement to the ardent and impetuous Galilean. He had seen the power of God exhibited in miracles greater than even the old-time records of the Jews furnished. The creation of plenty in a desert place, and the feeding of famishing thousands, was succeeded by this greater miracle-Jesus walking on the sea. The waters of Edom had retreated before the people of God, and the River Jordan was parted when the priests, bearing the Ark, stepped in. God had removed the waters before man, but never had he conferred upon him power to walk upon the sea as upon the dry land. In the hieroglyphs of the Egyptians, the figure of feet upon the waves represented an impossibility: and in the minds of all men, Jew and Gentile, the physical contradiction is apparent. Therefore the disciples thought, and Peter with them, that they saw a spirit-a vision-air, lighter than water, gliding over the

sea. But the well known voice which had that day blessed the bread in their hearing, undeceived them. They worshipped the divine power, in the man Christ Jesus. And yet in the mind of Peter there was a shade of doubt, even while he gazed and wondered. He required a farther sign. "Lord," he said, "if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the water." He desired a special miracle in his behalf, namely, that upon him should be conferred the same power which he saw in Jesus. Many Christians are as unreasonable as Peter.

apostle that he saw

Surely it was sufficient for the Christ walking upon the sea. And surely it is sufficient for us, that to the eye of Christian faith, above all the sea of doubt, amid all the storms of temptation, the Saviour may still be seen. He is known by many infallible proofs he is felt in thousands of modes, by those who love his appearing. But, as Peter did, modern Christians often desire a special miracle. They expect and implore— they even ask with an "if," as Peter asked, that the Redeemer would distinguish them with a peculiar and wonderful manifestation. They throw themselves into the sea, and happy is it for them, if, beginning to sink amid their doubts, they have faith left to cry, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him, and said unto him, "Thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt ?" And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. The disciples were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, for they considered not that he who could feed five thousand in the wilderness,

could command the elements. But they came and worshipped him, saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." Thus were the disciples re-assured, notwithstanding the hardness of their hearts; and led to wait His good time, who could reverse the laws of matter. The miracle of the loaves, the rejection of the crown, and the miracle upon the sea, had proved them. They found safety in obedience they were toiling in rowing, when in the fourth watch Jesus came to them. He requires of his disciples implicit, unquestioning faith in his wisdom, and entire obedience to his commandments. And if we obey, though as Jesus appeared about to pass his disciples by, God's face seem to be hidden from us, still will he return and give us his blessing, even life for evermore.

XXII.

Che Close of the Second Year.

The country where Jesus and his disciples landed was Genesaret, the tract in which Capernaum was situated. The people of that region had knowledge of Jesus; and forthwith their sick were brought to him. They besought him that they might touch only the border of his garments, and as many as touched him were made whole. The sick were laid in the streets, and his appearance among the people was made memorable by many acts of sovereign mercy.

On the day following, the multitude who had seen the miracle of the loaves and fishes, looked for Jesus. They had seen the disciples embark, and that the Master went not with them in the boat; and when they found him not, supposed that he had afterwards taken passage to Capernaum in some other vessel. They also took shipping and came to Capernaum, his usual residence, seeking him. And when they had found him they asked, "Rabbi, when camest thou hither?" The Saviour discerned their motives, and rebuking them, said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled." He

taught them that they should not thus make the following of him a search for earthly good. "Labour not," he said, "for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed." They asked, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" They looked for miraculous gifts, but the Saviour replied that they were to find the work to which they were appointed in faith and obedience. "This is the work of God, that ye should believe in him whom He hath sent."

Then they who had witnessed the miracle of the day preceding verified the words of Jesus, that they sought not to live in obedience to his teachings, but desired temporal advantages, and the amusement of the multitude by such signs as should satisfy their own curiosity, not vindicate the wisdom of God. They reserved their faith, and in the boldness of human presumption, asked, "What sign showest thou, then, that we may see and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written He gave them bread from heaven to eat." Then Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth light unto the world." Then said they unto him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life, he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall