The Brinkley argus., 1910-05-27


 perse among the villages which law beyond the uninhabited region where they had gathered to Jesus. in order to buy food for themselves. But the Sa- viour knew better way. It is never necessary to leave him for anyone else In the search for food, for body or soul. In the second case the multitude g were in their own country, but the vii. lages were few in the Decapolis. and they had been with Jesus for three days.
 The second miracle, with so many circumstances like the first. has been considered by certain critics to be only the first miracle disguised by differ ent tradition. But there are pointed dliferences that rule out the idea: and II the real object of the miracles was to meet some human need, then the re- currence of like conditions would lead to recurrence of the miracle. And. in the life of Jesus, with its frequent resort to solitary places, and the dispo- sition of the multitude to follow him wherever he went, the emergency of a hungry crowd in place where supplies were not to be obtained would be cer- tain to recur. Prof. Gould, in the h. ternational Critical Commentary. The Challenge to Faith.-Matt. IA: l6-1S; l5:33, 34. Who suggested feed Ing the multitudes? Jesus, in each case. John tells of an earlier conversation with Philip. in which our Lord asked that disciple, whose faith seemingly had special need of strengthening (see John 14:S, 9, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?" But John, ever careful to guard his Master from misunderstanding adds that Jesus said this merely to test Philip, since he himself knew well what miracle was to come.
 What supplies were available for feed i-g these nine thousand and more? In the first case, only lads simple lunch con, consisting of five loaves tor rather, round flat cakes like large crackers) or coarse barley bread, to- g2ther with two of the little dried or pickled fishes caught by millions in the lake and eaten along with the bread. In the second case seven 'loaves" could be mustered and a few of these little fishes.
 The Hungry Fed-Matt. l4:19-21; Is: :35-39. How aid the Saviour arrange the multitude? In an orderly way on the grass, in garden plots." as Mark picturesquely says, of about fifty to a group. It is as if Christ would indicate by this bit of symmetry that the mira cle was no violent departure rom the laws of nature.
 What was the first step in the mir acle? In each case Christ asked a blessing, in accordance with his GUS tom; thus 'instructing us not to touch a meal until we had given thanks to him who giveth us this food. "--Chrys- ostom.
 What was the second step in the miracle? Christ broke off pieces of the bread and gave them to the disci- pies, for them to give to the multitude. This was the least ostentatious way of performing the wonder.
 What vas the third step ir the mir acle? The separate giving of the fishes (see Mark). Some would give the poor only the barest necessities, bread only; our Lord adds fish"- Sturgeon.
 What was the last step in the mira cle? Preserving for future use, at Christs command (John 6:12). the fragments of the feast.
 Gather up the fragments of opportu- nity, as Uncle John Vassar" did One day, waiting for a friend in Boston hotel, he determined not to waste the time and went right up to a fashion ably dressed lady, beginning, in spite of her naughty repalses. to speak with ht about Christ and the new birth. He read the Bible to her and offered prayer. Later, with tears in her eyes, she told her husband about it. He asked, Why didn't you tell him it was none of his business?" She replied, Dear, if you had been there and heard him, you would have thought it was his business!"
 Sin is destructive; harmony is con structive.-Rev. C.. w. Blodgett, Meth