The National tribune., 1891-08-06

means beds, as in garden-squares or parallel
Ograms. By ranks we understand groups, par
ties; as St. Luke has il. companies
Possibly all was not so systematic "A in our
supposed plans. The multitude may have been
set OF IN companies-l0O here, so there. Per-
haps they were not really counted, but little
groups were formed Of about 100 persons here,
and about 50 there. Everything. however,
seems 10 be studied Christ wished 20 make
the facts Of the miracle clear and exact. He
had a reason for having il definitely under
stood there were 5000 men, besides women and
children, fed.
II. The Grace or Blessing.
Having taken in hand the loaves and fishes,
Christ returned thanks for them and asked
blessing on their reception. The jews were in
the habit Of ascribiug praise to God for food
while at the table. Many forms are found IN
their books.
70. The Rsportsrs
SITS. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all give
this miracle. one il profted by reading tho
four accounts and considering their similari-
ties and differences Two Of the reporters
were actually present-Sts Matthew and John
and served as walters. SITS. Mark and Luke
may have been in the multitude.
10. Lessons.
/. God often tries our faith John, 6 6.)
z. Obey Christ though his directions seem
unreasonable. st. Mark, 6 80, 40l
3. Ask blessing and return thanks at the
table a Sa., 9: IS; tn, 3 Il; IT,, 4: 4, s.
4. BE saving. Wastefnlnes5 is q sin. Even
they who have plenty should take care Of
remnants. Christ had all power Of supply,
and yet he enforced the duty Of fragality.
8. Go to church. Hear tho Gospel. Make
sacrifices to get to the sanctuary. Men should
be attendants Of religious services. Women
and children should also DO fouRd in the pews.
8. Have concern for human physical wants.
Care for others bodily needs.
z. Be Chri5ts walters. Take from him and
hand to others. Stand between Christ and q
needy world.
8. Trust God. He can provide in most seri-
Gus emergencies. Ask daily bread.
3. DO not 90 rom Christ to philosophy, hui
man inventions Of salvation, etc.
10. BE orderly, systematic, and that specially
at table. q Cor, II 81 O.)
III. Give and you will have. Be not stinted.
IL. Margaret J. Preston, in the following
lines, shows how even children can serve rslig-
iOusly:
What II the little Jewish lad,
That Summer day had failed to 70
Down To the lake because he had
30 small store OF leaves TO shown
The press Is great, +" he might have saidE
For food the thronginR people call
only have five loayes of bread
And what were they among them allf"
And back the mothers word might come,
Her cOaxing hand upon his hair;
" Yet gOi for they may comfort some
Among the hungry children there
So TO the lakeside forth he went
Bearing the scRnt supply he had;
And Jesus. with eye intent,
Through all the crowds beheld the lad,
And saw The loaves and blessed them Then
Beneath his hand the marvel grew:
He brake and blessed, and brake again;
The loayes were neither small nor feWI
For as we know. 10 came 10 pass
That hungry thousands there were fed,
While sitting ON the fresh green grass,
From that one basketful Of bread.
IL from his home the lad that day
His five small lOaves had failed to take,
Would Christ have wrought-can any sayR
This miracle beside the lake2