The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-27


From her name we infer her character.
She was timid, self-forgetful. of ten
der sensibilitiee, loving and lovable.
Gazelle had been full of good works and
aims deeds. Her life was literally filled
with deeds of loving kindness. She was
not poor; she was not compelled to labor
for her own support; she found her
blessedness in filling up her life com
pletely with thoughts and deeds for
others.
1t was sore bereavement to her
friends when Gazelle died. She appears
to have sckened suddenly; and her dis
ease in short time terminated fatally.
Her body after being prepared for burial
was laid in the upper chamber, perhaps
on the roof. of her house.
Her bereaved friends then thought of
Peter. They had heard of his wonder
work at LYDIA, nine miles away. 1t was,
we assume, with sense Of their need of
some light to brighten their spiritual
Joppa cent two brethren to LYDIA ask
ing Peter to hasten to them. Peter
must have previously known of the
works of Gazelle. Peter also knew that,
according to Oriental precedents, the
burial could not be long delayed. He
| fastened to return with the messengers
| ho ho ta1y 81
| to the chamber whore the body was
| lying. Here he saw how an unsefish
life survives in human memory. The
widows.-those who had been, as some
think. recipients of Gazelle's friendly
help, or as others prefer to think. those
who had been her associates in her help
full work. gathered around the apostle.
The story of her generous life was tear
fully recalled. The garments she had
made with the hands now stilled were
displayed, either on the persons of the
widows, who thus acknowledged their
gratitude, or in collection reserved in
the house for distribution.
1t was then realized how full of hu-
man love her life had beer, and how great
the bereavement of her untimely eud
g. A Great Restoration, vs..
40 43.
What followed may we'll awaken won
der. Peter requested all to retire, and
leave him alone with the body, In this
he initiated his Master when the daue h.
ter of Jairus was raised. Then he knelt
down and prayed. Yielding himself to
the spirit of Jesus, the spirit of Jesus
possessed him.
1t has been a reason for censorious
criticism that in the wonder work which
followed Peter does not, as he did with
the paralytic at LYDIA. speak in the
Name of Jesus. But who can reasonably
question that it was in the power of the
Name that he issued his august COM
mand?
Tobitha, Gazelle. arise.
The light came again to her eyes. Her
spirit revived within her. When ST g
saw Peter.-it is probable the man of
God was well known by her-she sat up.
He gave her his hand, to welcome her
back to the world which her life had
blessed. and she arose and stood erect
once more in the frail power of mortal
ity.
The apostle then recalled to the room
the company. both the widows and the
saints. and gave Gazelle back to them by
formal presentation. The marvel and
the rapture we're great.
The story, on the testimony of the i'm
mediate witnesses, spread through
Joppa; there was, as result, general
turning to the Lord in the city.
While the work of reformation was in
progress, the apostle Peter, Simon the
fisherman, found home ia the house of
the social outcast, Simon the tanner.