THE FIRST MIRACLE.



A MIRACLE is an event contrary to the established course of things, a supernatural-occurrence. We read that when Jesus was upon the earth he performed many mighty miracles; he healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out devils, gave sight to the blind, and made the lame whole. The Record does not state the number of miracles he performed, but if it was proportionate to his good works, which John says would take more books than the world would hold to record, that generation had sufficient proof that he was of divine origin. They were without excuse.. Christ's first miracle was upon the occasion of the marriage at Cana in Galilee. 

The mother of Jesus was there, and both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the marriage. (Some have supposed that this was the marriage of John the evangelist, and that he was a near relative of the Lord.) There being more guests than were probably at first expected, before the end of the feast the wine was all gone. 

Mary mentioned this circumstance to Jesus, and also told the servants to do whatever the Lord told them. At the proper time for Jesus to work his miracle upon this occasion, he commanded that six water-pots of stone be brought and filled to the brim with water.

The accompanying engraving represents an entrance to an Eastern house. The servants, in obedience to the Saviour's command, are filling the water-pots with water. Five water-pots are discernible, one is probably hidden by the Saviour's garments. Immediately Jesus tells them to draw out from the pots and carry to the governor, or chief man of the feast. And they bare it. And when they did so, the water was changed to wine. John 2:7-9. The governor was ignorant of what Jesus had done, but when he tasted the water, which was made wine, he called the bridegroom to him, saying, "Why have you done contrary to the   usual custom? Others, when they make a feast, set the good wine upon the table first, and after men have had enough, so that the taste is not so delicate, they offer that which is not so good; but thou hast kept the good wine until now." This miracle convinced the disciples that he was the Son of God.

There is a story related of Dryden, the poet, that when he was a boy at school he showed a very fine genius; and having one day neglected his task, or committed some other fault, his master told him he should escape punishment, if he could manage to relate the miracle at Cana of Galilee in one line; and that he immediately replied, "The modest water saw its God, and blushed. "This line is very beautiful, and worth your remembering. 




M. J. C.



SOME of the ablest men of this world owe more than half their success in life to the well-spent hours of their childhood. The foundation of character is laid in youth.




The wine that Jesus made was not fermented wined. It was not spoiled in the least, and was very pure and good for you. In the time that Jesus lived on the earth, the people called the grape juices wine and they could tell you if it was intoxicating or not.

The drinks that have alcohol in them, Jesus has told us not to use.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Proverbs 20:1