, 1900-02-27

those who are bringing their children
to the Lord in baptism and conhrma-
ton.
Being near the road. the blind men
caught the first sound Of the approach
ing Savior. Men soleInnly attentive to
means of grace are more likely to OBJ
tain the blessing than those afar off
concerned in their selfish life. Not
sufficient for these blind men to sit idly
by the wayside while Jesus was pass
ing. Have mercy on us o Lord Thou
Son of David" The multitude would
have silenced them either because of
their insignificance or their earnest
ness. When Jesus heard them He stood
still and called them. He sent mes
sengers to bring them to Him. He
calleth thee" God has a message of
love and blessing when the world
would spurn and cast away. No soon
err does He see the signs of a cOntrite
heart but He calls. Come unto me all
N' ina ~ "Nhl hilu l'pNN hN'l
and | will give you rest" He caIleth
thee, anxious one He calleth thee
cast down one.
He passeth by, for he has told us of
the roads along which He travels-the
preaching of His word, baptism, on
firmation, Holy Communion. Jesus is
as prenet now as He was hen and just
as ready to heal. In His precious, low
ing mercy he is ever crossing our life
along His appointed ways. But our
time is short and life is uncertain. His
last visit to us may be this night. never
more to hear His voice. To us Jesus
of Nazareth passeth may be Jesus of
Nazareth has passed.
A recent writer relates how he was
once making a stage ride on the Pa
Cific coast. He was travelling all night,
and was aroused at midnight by the
stage stopping to take in another trav-
eler. The two men were alone in the
inside of the coach; the newcomer
seemed to be a friendly dispositioned
man, who sought to while away the
time by pleasant conversation. The
other traveller was veXed at being
aroused, would not respond, and would
not listen, but turned over and went
to sleep. About daylight he stage stop
ped before a tavern. The stranger left
at this place. AS he got out of the
stage he wished his impolite and surly
fellow traveller a pleasant journey and
handed him his card. 1t seemed odd in
that rude frontier town, in a stage
coach too, for a stranger to be so cour-
teous. The traveller showed the card
into bis pocket-he was still drowsy.
Later in the day when he reached his
destination he examined the card.
Then he knew to his sorrow how in his
determination to be selfish. comfort
able. he had missed the opportunity of
hearing some good stories from a man
who has become one of the foremost
writer's of the day. The name on the
caro- was Bret Harte.
Many lose the delightful fellowship
of Jesus and His saving power in the
same way. They are drowsy, and want
to have their own way. Christ comes
to them with a cheerful face and hope
full spirit ready to make the brightest
day of the blacklist night, but they
sleep on now and lose the greatest OPP
p%ortunity of their life. Then life's aC-
tivities must be given up by the wan
ing strength of declining years, the
heart wanders back and pictures how
real and more unselfish and brighter
would have been life lived in fellow
ship with Christ and in the commun-
ion of His church.
Are you %unbaptised? Now is your
opportunity. Are you uncontirmed?
Delay no longer. Jesus Of Nazareth
passeth by" He calleth you.