Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-09-06
The Loayes and Fishes,

The Loaves and Fishes.
There is exceeding pleasure and profit
in the study of the life of Christ. His
words, example, parallels, miracles, all he
did or said, are full of instruction and con-
ISOLATION. Take the miracle of the loaves
and fishes. All the day long Jesus had
been teaching the multitudes who had fol-
lowed him to the desert, and working mir.
aculous cures. The people are weary,
faint, far from home. What shall be done ?
The Lord feeds them in way to greatly
instruct and encourage.
/. He gives proof, as all his miracles do,
that he is divine; and that, believing on
him, we shall have eternal life.
2. He commends attention to physical
wants.
The people are hungry and he feeds
them. Bread for the body was as gener-
ously provided, as grace for the SOUL
Christ was no friend to asceticism or abuse
of the body. He believed in eating and
drinking, and keeping up healthy physi-
cal existence. And he would teach his
disciples to observe hospitality; also to
turn no man from their doors to famish
to provide for the temporal relief of the de-
graded, as well as for their moral reform.
He had given the people much wholesome
truth about the kingdom, and wisely fast
ened it.in their hearts by asumPtuous meal.
So bread is often means of grace, and to
supply physical wants, part of the mis-
sion of the gospel. 1t gives bread to the
| hungry, and what is better, itteaches them
to provide bread for themselves.
8. He encourages forethought and prov
idence.
By word, he could have made bread
for the five thousand. But a lad had tho't-
fully brought along five barley cakes, and
two small fishes, and this prudence made
to provide great feast. "To him that hath
shall be given" Gods love and power
are great, but mans agency is not ignored.
1t was the lads bread which multiplied in
the hands of the Savior. Human agency,
and care, are woven into the divine inter-
vention. God helps those who help them
selves.
4. Small means are blessed TO the ac-
cOmplishment of great results.
1t was a small matter that the lad put in
a few extra cakes, for chance hungry COM
panions. He had no thought of doing any
great things; he was simply prudent and
generous, providing a little for Others, and
behold the results-he feeds thousands
We plant and water in weakness, but God
giveth the increase. How the boy opened
his eyes when he saw his cakes and fishe:
multiplying in the Savior's hands. Have
none of US seen similar things in the king.
dom Of grace? at is not by might, nor by
power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord ;
and he chooses theweak things to confounC
the mighty. Let no one neglect duty, O
fail to attempt to do good. Children car
do something, and if they do what the,
can, Christ can use them. This boy Will
the loaves was the only one the Lord coulC
use to bless the people. The Others ha,
no cake to multiply. It is not for US t
, say how much good we shall do. We cal
+ not tell. 1t is our business to be good
and try to do good the Lord will TAX
S care of results.
5. We are taught economy.
e Generously, easily, the little lunch be
/, came a sumptuOus feast. Why shoul
o they be careful for crumbs, when the feas
was so bountiful? But Jesus says, "Gathe
y up the fragments that nothing be lost. -
S The lesson is emphatic; be saving; vast
r nothing; the most generous supply wi
S not Justify waste; creative power will nc
: indulge it, things of little value, fragment
: must be saved. This applies to both ten
!, poral and spiritual matters. The comfort
Il Of life depend quite as much upon savin
y as producing. Income is not a ce-tai
: criterion of abundance. The difference /
h what people have, depends more upo
o what they save than upon what they re
y ceive. Economy is the key to prosperit,
d Save the fragments, and you will hay
e abundance.
/ The same is true in spiritual affairs
Our usefulness depends quite as much VI
e on attention to little things, as upon migl
l. ty deeds. Many person noted for dom
IS heroic work, giving money, making sacr
t, fees, bearing burdens, on large seal
le waste aud destroy it all by petulance, al
re ger, hasty words, little, everyday folIie
II and vulgar habits. There are fearful Ieal
y in many deposits of influence, so that hal
workers get ahead but little. The was
presses hard upon the gain.
6. Jesus also suggests his ability al
ID disposition to feed the hungry souls wi
le the bread of life.
'e He was in the world as a man, poor,
E. pendent, prosecuted, despised and reject
US of men, most unlikely source of infni
ne blessings; but he is able to save to the I
$. termost. Hungry souls may come to hi
It. and be fed; he is the true bread; etern
- life is the portion af all who partake. i
g. words are full of life and love, and salts
lg the soul with fatness.-Aornjng Star.