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little can do much.”—“There is always enough if it is passed through His hands.” v. 43. Took up fragments. “The wasted fragments would evangelize the world.”® “ This union o f economy with creative power could never have been invented, yet nature, that mirror o f the divine perfec- By Mrs. H. "IA7 OULDN’T you have liked to have * * lived in Palestine when Jesus did? When Jesus passed down a street, the word was quickly passed to neighbors and friends and a crowd assembled. Should He stop at some home, the house and yard were quickly crowded. Men, women and chil dren forgot their business, homes and play in their eagerness to see and hear this strange and mighty person in their midst. From all directions, far and near, early and late, they came in such numbers that Christ and His disciples couldn’t find time even to eat. What rest did Christ plan ? What did the crowd do? (Use map.) Weary as Christ was. He might have been upset and impatient with the clamoring mob that fol lowed. Not so. He was moved with love and compassion toward them because they were ignorant, helpless, tired, searching for something to satisfy, and needing guidance and care. Christ never changes. If there is need in your life, Christ reaches out to you in love and longs to help you. “He began to teach them many things.” Not a word o f what Christ taught them is given us. But doubtless they had stood for hours hanging upon Christ’s every word, forgetting their hunger, for in their haste they had brought no food, and they were far from home in a desert place and night soon upon them. What did the disciples suggest? What seemingly absurd reply did Christ make ? Christ didn’t say, “ Give them' to eat,” but “ Give ye them to eat.” But the disciples had no lunch-boxes with them. Even if they had, how ridiculous to think o f sharing it with thousands o f people (v. 44). They seemed willing to spend their
tions, exhibits the same combination of boundless munificence with truest frugal ity.”—“Gifts obtained from the hand of Jesus are not to be squandered.”—“ The best way to have a generous supply o f the Bread o f Life for yourself, is to give it away.” J. Baldwin. money to make the best o f a difficult sit uation but they had only a few small coins and it would require not less than 200 pennyworth “that, each might have a little.” It was a great day for that lad. When He surrendered what he had to Jesus, Jesus took him into partnership with Himself, and Jesus and he fed the multitude. Jesus did not use part o f what the boy had, the boy gave Him all. Christ must have all or none at all. The boy didn’t offer the excuses that the cakes weren’t frosted, or that the fish was dried, or that the lunch was too small for Christ. Christ doesn’t care whether our talents are large or small. He wants a chance to use us and what we have jufct as we are. The boy might have reasoned as we often do—it will,cost too much. Thh lunch was his. There was nothing wrong about keeping it. He was desperately hun gry. Why need he give it up? Do you think that he was ever sorry that he gave it to Jesus? Was he the poorer for giving? Nor are we ever losers for giving to Jesus for no one can out-do Jesus in giving. He always pays back in manifold proportion whatever given to Him o f self, time, tal ents or money. Undoubtedly Jesus could have anything that boy had, the remainder o f his life. What did Christ do after taking the . food? Why should God be thanked before partaking o f food? Can you think o f any food that man can make, any food that is not a gift from God? Perhaps Father says grace at the family table, but what about the public eating house or the picnic? Are you ashamed to bow and offer thanks in the presence of
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