grievous persecution. Thanks to the influence of Christian civilization the era of sword and faggot has passed by. But those who inquire the way to Bethlehem must still face the finger of derision. In the case of many a man it requires more courage to stand before a burst of laughter than to march to battle in the face of an advancing foe. The false teacher has much to answer for. It is not necessary to say, "I do not believe in God"; simply live as if there were no God and your lesson is taught. You need not say, "I have no faith in prayer," or "I doubt the inspiration of the Scriptures"; refrain from prayer and from reading your Bible, and others will take knowledge of it. You need not join the multitude who lead Christ to Calvary with shouts of "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Hold yourself aloof from those who accept him as their Lord and Saviour, and your attitude will be perfectly clear. It is not necessary for one who would destroy his neighbor's garden to break through and tear up the fragrant plants; let him merely toss a handful of thistle-seed aloft and the wind will do the rest. In any case, the force of silent example is a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. A farmer on his way from the house to the stable on a snowy morning hears a voice behind him calling, "I'm coming right along, Papa," and looking back he sees his little son lifting his feet and carefully planting them in his footprints. Thus, no man liveth unto himself. Our children, our friends and neighbors, are coming " right along after us." See, therefore, that ye offend them not. A man may be willing to take his own chances in denying truth and living an unholy life, but let him ponder well the fact that he is the centre of a coterie; that he is living or dying for others; that his children's children are coming after him. But there is a positive side to all this. If by virtue of the silent, tremendous, self-propagating power of influence we are ever in danger of injuring others, by the same token we may be constantly doing good. It is for me to say whether my hand shall lay the stone in the path or be stretched forth to help. Blessed be God, there are multitudes of people who are unconsciously making their lives a blessing to all. In our Museum of Art there is a picture by Gabriel Max called "The Last Token." A maiden stands in the arena, awaiting death for her devotion to Christ. On her left is a group of lions sated with flesh and unconcerned; on her right a ravenous beast with eyes aflame is just issuing from its cage. The galleries are filled with eager spectators. At the feet of the young martyr a rose has fallen from above. She stands with her hand upon a pillar, and her eyes, soon to be closed on earthly scenes, lifted to the balconies. They are searching for the hand that has dropped this token of kindness at her feet. Thank God, such simple deeds are possible to all. There are many about us whose temptations are greater than they can bear and whose burdens are breaking their hearts. Friends, lend a hand! Put yourselves into a position where your influence will tell. Come over on the Lord's side and follow him, of whom it is written, "He went about doing good." Bind up the wounds of the man who has fallen on the Bloody Way; put the cup of cold water to thirsty lips; speak the word in due season, which is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver. Live so well that you shall be blessing others, oftentimes without knowing it. O the world is full of sighs, XXIII THE MISTAKES OF A PHARISEE In which he puts a Respectable Gentleman to shame in the presence of a Woman of the Town. And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. The Pharisee, within himself: "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner." Jesus: Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee." The Pharisee: "Teacher, say on." Jesus: "A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, the other fifty. When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them, therefore, will love him most?" The Pharisee: “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." Jesus: "Thou hast rightly judged."-LUKE vii, 36-50. THE scene is in the home of a Jewish gentleman at Nain. He is entertaining a company of friends at dinner; and Jesus is among them. His invitation was due, in all likelihood, to the prevailing interest in his Messianic claims. The host, as a loyal Jew, shared in the general expectancy of the coming of One "whom kings and prophets longed to see, and died without the sight." Jesus had been heralded as the Messiah, and his own averment was positive and unequivocal: "I that speak unto thee am he." Nor was this claim without distinctive and singular proofs. On the one hand, he displayed a pre-eminent insight into the spiritual mysteries and a supreme mastery in the art of presenting them to the average man. During his itinerary among the towns and villages of Galilee the people had flocked in multitudes to hear him; and they were agreed in their judgment that never man spake like this man. On the other hand he had buttressed his position as an aspirant to Messianic honors by many wonderful works of healing. It was but yesterday that he came to Nain, though his fame had preceded him. At the entrance of the town he wrought a miracle which was the current theme of conversation. A young man was being carried to his burial, of whom it is written, "He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." Life and death met face to face in the gateway. Jesus, seeing the woman bowed under the burden of her grief, had compassion upon her. He approached the bier and said with quiet authority, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise!" whereupon the dead returned to life. And Jesus "delivered him to his mother." It was a miracle so manifest, so stupendous, that all who saw it glorified God, saying, "A great prophet is risen among us!" Simon the Pharisee must have heard of this occurrence, and had been impressed no doubt by the supernatural wisdom and power which it evinced; but he belonged to a class of Jews who, as yet, were |