PRAYING AND LISTENING.



To stretch my hand and touch Him,

Though he be far away; 

To raise my eyes and see him

Through darkness as through day; 

To lift my voice and call him 

This is to pray!

To feel a hand extended 

By One who standeth near;

To view the love that shinetb 

In eyes serene and clear;

To know that he is calling 

This is to hear!







THE TOUCH OF FAITH.


IN the throng of people presented in the accompanying picture, there is NO difficulty in discovering the prominent form and benevolent face of the Saviour. Multitudes thus pressed about him wherever he went when here upon earth, to listen to his words of wisdom, and to behold, perhaps to share, his acts of blessing. 

A poor woman is seen in the picture, stretching forth her hand to touch the Saviour's garments. She had long been afflicted with a wasting disease. Many physicians had tried to cure her, but had failed. The more they did, the worse she grew. They got her money, and gave her only additional pain and suffering in return. Thus she had spent all her means, and long years of anxiety and sorrow, till hope had given place to despair.

She had heard of Jesus, the great healer. He comes her way. She joins the crowd that press about him. She can do nothing to earn her living or to relieve her affliction, and is daily growing worse. This is her extremity, and now is her opportunity.

But how can she gain his attention in the midst of such a crowd? She said to herself, I will not try to do that; if I can only touch the hem of his garment, I shall be healed. So she pressed through the crowd, and, coming up behind him, as we see her, reached forth her hand and touched him. 

Instantly, she was healed; but Jesus knew all about it. Turning round, he asked, 

"Who touched me?" His disciples wondered he should ask that question, when the crowd was jostling and pressing against him on every side. But it was no common touch to which he referred. Many touched him, and received no benefit, because it was not an act of faith; but this woman wanted to be healed, and believed that act would heal her, and touched him in faith; and Jesus knew that touch.

When she saw that she was discovered, she came trembling, and falling down before him told him all. He said to her, these kind and cheering words: "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."

Thus we may come to Jesus with all our wants; and however secretly we may come, he will know it; and whatever may be going on around us, the Lord's attention is not distracted; but he will notice every act of faith, and help us. 

Read the story of this woman in Mark 5:25-34.




 U. S.