The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-17
FIRST QUARTER. LESSON VII.
Mark 1:2l-si. February IS. 1906

Mark 1:2l-a. February is, 1906.
A Day of Miracles in Capernaum.
Marks spirited narrative describes Je-
sus as going to the synagogue as soon
as the doors were open. BY common con-
sent, He takes the speakers stand, and
utters words that have principle OF life
In them. The most eminent scribe that
ever occupied the desk never approx
mated to the self-assertiveness OF the
present speaker. Hear His II say unto!'
II am the way. the door. the vine, the
shepherd, truth. life resurrection!" Before
Abraham was. 1 ami No wonder the au-
dience was dumbfounded Moses and the
prophets were not authorities to be APP
pealed to-, but servants to deck the
speakers brow with aureola of divinity.
In the very midst of that fervid sermon,
the breathless stiffness of the audience
Is broken by the piercing cry OF ter
ror and astonishment with which the
underworld recognizes its Sovereign Mas
ter: All" Woe Is met! Mine hour
of doom Is come
1t was just such a cry as the con-
demned felon might raise at the sud-
den. unexpected appearance of his execu
toner. The seed of the serpent recog-
nizes the seed of the woman. But even
In Its terror the unclean spirit sees an
ponent. He fails not to avail himself
Of 1t. He will patronzingly acknowledge
the new rabbits exalted claims, so that
there shall be the appearance of collu-
sion. The venomous Jews shall be fur
nished with some color for their DAM
aging accusation that Jesus is himself
possessed. and by that means exercises
His authority over demons. The Master
checlimates that devil in single move.
7 In ell I.i,~ MI,
mon gives an example of his malevolent
ferocity by giving his unhappy victim "a
last fling" before he leaves him. In
that synagogue by the sea is witnessed
sharp encounter between the powers
OF light and darkness. and heavens final
triumph Is there ndumbrated. No Won
der that the fame of 1t flew with winged
feet. The scene of Jesus's tireless ac-
tivity is at once transferred from the
publicity of the synagogue to the sweet
privacy OF the home OF the chiefest OF
His Apostles. What Peter has Just seen
of the Masters power emboldens him to
call His attention to an instance OF sick
ness In his own house-a low, consuming
fever. The domestic miracle will pro-
duce no such sensation as that wrought
In the synagogue; but love for His dis
ciple. and desire to confirm this some
what unstable character. as we'll as
sympathy for the sufferer. leads Jesus to
give the touch of word and power,
What God does is well DONE"
No tedious convalescence. succeeds the
breaking of the fever. AS a token Of
gratitude the sick woman Instantly rises
from her couch and prepares savory
meal. All unconsclously she gives n con-
ivinciag evidence of the perfection Of her
cure; at the same time she refreshes the
Master after the tolls of the day, and
ions of the early evening. For scarcely
was the meal finished before the street
In front of Peters house was converted
into a hospital. That miracle In the
synagogue had been silver bell whose
notes Of hope had sounded in every shnd-
owed home. In obedience to its ,encour-
solved the people from their overstrnined
notions Of Sabbath observance, they came
power had had such conspicuous ex-
emplificatlon. From one sufferers mat to
another Jesus walked In that hustily-ex-