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THE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
This miracle was a sign to both Jew and Gentile, for Joppa was on the bor derland! It was a special plea to the heathen and resulted in the winning of many. Great as is the miracle, it is not so great as the giving of life to those dead in sins. For the sinner to have his eyes opened to the glory of God, is the climax of the miraculous. Dorcas died again, but the sinner saved by grace shall live forever. The miracle is recorded for our edification, and inspiration. We can lay hold of the lost and say to them “ Arise. Come sinner, and receive the Lord as your own Saviour. Come into the life, light, love and freedom of a happy, helpful, victorious life.” PRACTICAL POINTS (1) Aeneas was sick with the palsy, and sick of the palsy. (2) At Peter’s command he shook off the palsy, and shook up his bed. (3) Dorcas was a.doer of the Word, not a hearer only. (4) They sent for Peter because Peter was sent of God. (5) The garments gave testimony to her goodness of heart. (6) The prayer of Peter penetrated Paradise and brought back the soul of Dorcas. (7) True prayer is always performing miracles. (8) Christ’s disciples are the instru ments of His inherent power. Subject Illustration—Two Towns Con verted. In answer to the prayers of a few godly people an evangelist began meet ings in a little town in Pennsylvania. When the meeting closed a larger num
ber had pro- * fessed c o n v e r - sion than the number of the whole popula
LESSON
ILLUSTRATIONS
W . H. P ike
tion. At Lydda and Sharon all turned to the Lord, but in this Pennsylvania town more than the size of the town came, however not every individual in the town was converted for many of them came from the surrounding coun try. The only Christians in the commun ity were two young women. A layman asked these two if they would pray fif teen minutes daily for the saving of souls in that community. They coven anted together. Meetings commenced bud continued, but no power was mani fested. He said, “ Girls, pray more.” They increased the time to thirty min utes daily. Then to forty and forty- five. They then agreed to spend an hour a day in prayer. God sent an evangelist along at this point and the power of God fell upon the whole com munity. Forty-five heads of families were saved besides hdsts of young peo ple. .The work widened out and touched many surrounding places. Aft er twenty years it was recognized to be the greatest work of grace in the com munity. Large Results From Small Deeds. A m&n who was going to the station to take the train, heard a little boy, who was sitting on a door step, singing, “ There’ll be no sorrow there.” “Where?” asked he, for his mind was impressed by the words. The boy answered, “ In heaven above, where all is love.” The man hasted on to take his, seat in the train, but he could not forget the simple words of the hymn, and was led to .Christ. A 'homely sermon, preached in an Irish barn, by an illiterate evangelist, was instrumental in leading to a de cision for Christ, a youth, A. M. Top-
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