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constantly to the mighty power of the risen Lord, in transforming their lives so that they love the things they once hated, and hate the things they once loved. PRACTICAL POINTS. (1) The miracle was marvelous, unso licited, instantaneous, permanent, — a type of salvation. (2) Cripples lie all around us; they have a right to expect something from us. (3) Fellowship in prayer is a precious privilege. Let us pray. (4) Prayer and power go hand in hand. Give God a chance. (5) Believers should secure an option on every opportunity. (6) Humanity with hungry hearts be sets the path of the heavenly pil grim. “ Give ye them to eat.” (7) There need be no poverty in a Christian’s life to hinder the be- stowment of blessing. (8) There cannot be much pouring out of power, unless there be the pouring out of life and posses sions. (9) The pressing need of the Church is not money, but dependence upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (10) The pity is the Church can no longer say, “ Silver and gold have I none” ,— and, alas, it can so seldom say “ In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk!” Subject Illustration—Healing. “ My older boy had been given up to die. The doctor said that he would nev er again regain consciousness. I was sent for. The boy was lying in a stupor on his grandmoth- LESSON er’s lap, looking ILLUSTRATIONS like a corpse. I W. H. Pike p r a y e d earnestly for God to spare
“ That at the name of Jesus every knee- should how, of things In heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, “ And that every tongue should con fess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” God is pledged to honor the name of Jesus, so Paul was right in saying, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” Peter took the lame man by the hand and encouraged and helped him, as he had seen his Master do (Luke 8:54). If you get the full meaning of the picture, you will see an eye of pity, a voice of compassion, a hand of sympathy and a mighty faith in a mighty Healer. (4) The Proof o f Power, vs. 8-11. “ Immediately his feet and ankle bones were strengthened.” This was not like many cases of so-called heal ing,— gradually getting better,— but “ at once.” Isa. 35:6 was fulfilled in the healing of this man. He had never walked upon his feet. He did not know how to handle his limbs,— but now he leaped and walked. His heart leaped for joy and his feet kept company. This is a type of the saved man. He testifies by lip and by life. His soul leaps out of the old condition. He comes into newness of life and walks in the light (1 John 1 :7 ); in the Spirit (Gal. 5 :16 ); in wisdom (Col. 4 :5). The healed man praised God, not Peter and John. He knew where the power came from. He held the hands of his friends, but he poured out his thanksgiving to God (Psa. 103:1, 2; 107:21, 22). The effect upon the multitude was marked. The people knew him as a lame beggar? now they see him as a whole man. They knew no earthly power could have healed him. The lives of Christians should testify
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