Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-11-30

While the statement Of the father
clearly indicated that the boy was ar
epileptic, Christ summons the lad sc
that He may come in personal contact
with him, make a personal study of the
case and then cure him. When the
father brought his only son to Jesus
the Master had an opportunity to see
the lad at his worst, for at that moment
1.-THE spirit tare him. and he "wallowed
foaming." rolling to and fro on the
CONFUSION. While the poor lad was
suffering from the violent convulsion
that distorted his features Jesus turned
to the father to show not only His
sympathy for the despairing man, but
to arouse his faith, that evidently had
been shaken by the apostles failure
and the scribes' arguments. askir g
How long has he been a sufferer? The
recital of he fresh details showed how
closely the fond parents had watched
over their only son to protect him from
the danger of the fire and water into
which he had fallen frequently in vio-
lent paroxysms that threatened to de-
stroy him at almost any time.
There was always certain deliberate
ness in all Of Christ's miracles. In this
case there was no change. The recital o!
the lads sufferings brought from the
father the petition, IF thou canst dc
anything, have compassion on us and
help u.s. revealing the anxiety OF the fond
father and also his weak faith. The reply
of Jesus. repeating the man : own words
IF Thou canst." pointed out the truth
!, that the mans lack of faith and not
Chrst's inability was the cause Of the
Masters failure TO cure Immediately. The
modern practitioner has to establish con-
fiGence in his ability as a physician before
he can attain great success.
JesuS asked for faith before he tried
to cure the lad. by pointing out the prin-
ciple Of power, All things are possible
to him that believeth." The mans faith
responded to the suggestion of the Mas
ter to give expression to his confidence in
Christ's power to help and heal his son.
The cure was public one. differing from
the last two We studied. The scribeS had
publicly ascribed the failure of the apos-
ties to the lack Of power possessed by
the Lord. He publicly proved his power
by controlling the demon. and then cured
the lunatic boy. In his treatment Of the
case the Great Physician adopted meth
DDS that today are standards In medical
practice with the insane. The Master re-
stored and cured him completely, al
though the people considered that he was
dead.
One of the most important lessons for
us is in the last two verses, that give
between Christ and the apostles concern
ing the cause of their failure. The reason
why We are frequently defeated In our
endeavors is probably the same as Jesus
stated to them. The unsuccessful worker
needs to examine himself to see II he. like
the apostles, Is deficient in prayer.
While Mark gives us an abbreviated an
swer that shows they lost power through
the failure Of their prayer life. We must
interpret that fact in accordance with
the fuller statement Of Matthew, VINO
tells US that Jesus told them it was Be
cause of Your little faith; for verify I
say unto you, If ye have faith as grain
of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain. remove hence to yonder place.
and it shall remove. and nothing shall be
impossible unto YOU" The secret Of their