thank him for his anxiety on our behalf, and avoid the miseries to which he directs our attention. Then, free from the only dangers we need fear or shun, we may go forth about our tasks in the strength, serenity, trust and cheerfulness which are sure to be the possession of those who hear the voice of the Son of God, and who carry in their hearts the great and beautiful lessons which he brings to us from the throne of Wisdom, the home of Love.

DISCOURSE V.

THE GROWING FAME OF CHRIST.

LUKE V. 15.

BUT SO MUCH THE MORE WENT THERE A FAME ABROAD OF HIM AND GREAT MULTITUDES CAME TOGETHER, TO HEAR, AND TO BE HEALED BY HIM OF THEIR INFIRMITIES.

As the Jews did not understand the Saviour when his extraordinary and marvellous deeds attracted their attention, and as, if he had labored more openly among them, they would have thought only to make him a temporal king, he often avoided and hid himself from their observation. He withdrew from those who followed him with worldly aims, or for worldly and selfish ends. His countrymen held in their hands a bribe, which, had his spirit and ambition been like theirs, he would have accepted. But his thoughts and aspirations were higher than theirs, and so he spurned the bribe as nothing to him, as a vain and foolish thing, and continued steadfast in his heavenly course. At one time, as he approached Jerusalem from the neighboring hills, he was welcomed by the multitude, saying, "Hail! Son of David! King of Israel!" and casting their garments and the branches and

palm-trees across the path before him. Nevertheless, he moved forward with the conviction deep and firm in his mind, that God had given him, not an outward kingdom, but a spiritual, a boundless, an eternal kingdom, and that he had been commissioned to bring all mankind into the light and freedom of this dominion. And, knowing that the enthusiastic people did not comprehend his purpose, that they would be offended at his doctrines, that they would be eager to nail him to the cross, he cautiously and prudently sought to promote the interests of his moral realm, he kept himself from everything which might be looked upon as ostentation, or the desire, Absalom-like, to steal the hearts of the nation. He neglected no opportu nity afforded him for effecting the great objects of his mission; he carefully avoided the snares and the attacks of those, who, when seeing that he had come into the world not to encourage, but to destroy their earthly hopes, would seek to take his life.

But he could not live unnoticed. Endowed with superhuman power, with wisdom without measure, performing works which no man had ever done before, proclaiming his lessons, not as the scribes, but as one having authority, as no man before had ever taught, the eyes of the world were upon him; he was the subject of conversation in all circles; the common people heard him gladly and followed him in crowds; the high and the powerful, the chief priests and the rulers questioned with unusual anxiety concerning his intentions, his discourses, and his miracles; and if, after he had performed a great and benevolent

deed, he sought to have it kept a secret, "so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities."

The text reminds us of certain particulars which are worthy to be considered; namely, that the truth of the Saviour's life is overspreading the world; that the power of the Saviour's character is attractive, and is drawing the world nearer and nearer to God; and that the virtue of the Saviour's spirit, flowing out perpetually to heal the wounded and dying, will cure those whose minds and hearts are diseased whenever they come to him, and will finally restore the world to the wholeness and beauty of heavenly life.

I do not wonder that the Saviour, while moving among men in his visible form, attracted uncommon attention. Although the men and women with whom he lived, did not know him, it was natural to be surprised by his peculiarities, and to proclaim in all quarters his astonishing power. They could see that he was not a common personage. They heard lessons from his lips, new, simple and sublime. And what they saw him do, and what they heard him say, they could not keep to themselves. Impressed with his greatness, they told of his deeds and sayings wherever they went.

Neither do I wonder that the Saviour is still a superior object of regard; that his fame is still filling the world. Since his ascension, he has only been seen by men as a spiritual form, applying his unequalled and reforming power to heal their moral wounds, to

cure their moral diseases. Of course, it has been impossible for men to behold him in this condition, to contemplate him as a Being of divine wisdom and love, still employing his powers to redeem the world from ignorance, error and sin, and yet to be indifferent and silent about him. And of course, too, they will not always resist the influences of his benevolent spirit; they will not withhold from one another forever, the knowledge they obtain from him in the path of life. The true view of the Saviour will be comprehended and declared by messengers without number. This view cannot be concealed. It will be proclaimed till all mankind receive it.

Nothing of the truth of Christ, no lesson from him meant for man, can be confined. Wherever a seed of God's revelation to his children from the hand of Christ has lodged, there it will spring up, and bud and blossom, and bear fruit. The Gospel of the Saviour is diffusive; it overflows all limits; like leaven, it pervades the world. A little circle here receive it. From this it flows out to a wider circle. Finally, it shall fill the world. What the Saviour tells his nearest disciples in secret, they will declare upon the housetop. The light they receive from him, they will not hide under a bushel, but they will put it on a candlestick, so that it may give light to all that are in the house. As the snow and the rain descend upon the earth to water it, and to cause it to bring forth seed for the sower, and bread for the eater, so shall it be with the word from God through Christ—it shall not return unto him void, but it shall make its way