Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-10

Inc waySlde scenes IN the lie Oh CnrlSt
were full of deep and touching interest. He
needed to seek no sacred shrine or conse-
Grated spot; the place whereon he trod was
ever holy ground. Not only in the temple
and the synagogue but bv the seaside, the
riverside, and the wayside, he taught, and
healed, and blessed the sons of men. That
in the flesh burst forth at every turn, here
casting out demon, there healing leper,
yonder restoring lunatic, and yet again
giving sight to the blind.
1t was near the gates of Jericho that blind
Bartimeus sat and begged Hour after
hour in his darkness he had waited there
for aims. Meanwhile from time to time
rumors had reached him of the power of the
mighty Prophet of Galilee, the wonder
working Son of Mary He had heard and
wondered, and had believed in his heart
that this was truly great Davd's royal Son,
| at whose coming the eyes of the blind should
see out of obscurity, and the meek should
increase their joy in the Lord. Often he
had thought, "If | could only meet this
great Prophet, or come and fall at his feet,
| surely too might share the healing mercy
which he bestows with such liberal hand.'
| Aud so he mused and waited, and stretched
out his hands for the scanty offerings of the
passers-by until one day he heard the tramp
Of many feet and the murmur of many
voices, as the people thronged the highway
and raising his voice he asked what it meant.
And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth
passeth by" His opportunity had come,
and his souls desire burst forth in an ear
nest cry, "Jesus, thou son Of David, have
mercy on me-" "And they that went be-
fore,' those orderly, precise sort of people
who marshaled the procession, and were
sticklers for order and propriety, rebuked
him and charged him that he should hold
his peace. "Hush, hush, you interrupt the
proceedings, you disturb the procession, you
interfere with the plan of the committee OF
arrangements, this is no place for such de
| nopstrations."
viii he heed them, and miss his first
and last chance for healing? Will he, who
has waited so long for Christ to come, b.
cheated out of his help by forms and eti
quette? Not he. Now is your time, Bar
timeus sight is worth having; cry out, dc
your best "And he cried the more a greai
DEAL" louder and louder rung the plaintivt
plea above the hum aud tramp and clatter
above the remonstrances of the committe,
upon the ear of Jesus, and upon the ear o
God, Thou son of David have mercy Oh
me-"
"And Jesus stood still and commanded
him to be called" Now we shall see some
thing done. Never mind the procession
never mind the hosannas, never mind tn
committee of arrangements,-Jesus woulI
hush all the harps OF heaven to hear on
sinner pray.
And they call the blind man. "Be o
good comfort, rise he calleth thee !" Sc
him he filings aside his mantle, grasps hi
stick, and stretches out his hands-the
make way for him, and he " came to Jesus.
"What wilt thou that ! should do unit
thee ?" said the blessed one.
"Lord, that | may receive my sight"
Aud Jesus said unto him, " Receive tn
sight thy faith hath saved thee. And in
mediately he received his sight" His opene,
eyes beheld the Son of God, he looked unit
him and was lightened and his face was no
ashamed.
Again the procession moves on-the shout
of praise rise on the silent air,-but close +
the prophet of Galilee presses Bartimeu'
blind no longer, but rejoicing in his new
found sight, and glorifying God. "And al
the people when they saw it, gave praise t
God"
That same Saviour lives to-day and he i
mighty to heal and save. And there ar
not only blind eyes but blind souls that 81
in darkness by the wayside, and ask fo
help that no one else can give. They hav
heard, may be, of the woodworking powe
Of a far-otf Christ, aud have thought of tn
mercy he bestows, but have said, 4" 1t is no
for me-" Poor lost ones, Christ is very nea
to-day; Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Jus
where you are he can hear your cry, if, lik
Bartimeus you will pray and lift your voic
; to him. Do not delay, another day may b
, too late. Jesus never again passed by tn
place where Bartimeus begged. That wa
his first chance, and his last, but he in
proved it. This is not your first opportul
ity, but it may be your last. Do not mel
lect it. Jesus of Nazareth passeth by
"Rise, he calleth thee. To-day is the da
of salvation"