What a blessed Saviour Jesus is, who can thus spread the sunshine of his peace and hope through the hearts and homes of the poorest and most afflicted in the land!

And thus, we have spoken of three good reasons, why all who love our Lord Jesus Christ should keep this solemn sacrament which he has ordained; we should do it because we see in it—­the word of his command—­the memorial of his sufferings—­and the hope of his glory.

And when we partake of this solemn ordinance ourselves, or see others partaking of it, how well we may say in the beautiful lines of Havergal, the English poetess: 

    “Thou art coming!  At thy table
    We are witnesses for this,
    While remembering hearts thou meetest,
    In communion closest, sweetest,
    Earnest of our coming bliss. 
    Showing not thy death alone,
    And thy love exceeding great,
    But thy coming, and thy throne,
    All for which we long and wait.

    “O the joy to see thee reigning,
    Thee, our own beloved Lord;
    Every tongue thy name confessing,
    Worship, honor, glory, blessing,
    Brought to thee with glad accord,
    Thee our master and our Friend,
    Vindicated and enthroned;
    Unto earth’s remotest end,
    Glorified, adored, and owned.”

“THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”

ILLUSTRATIONS: 

THE WOMAN OF CANAAN

Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.  But he answered her not a word.  And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.  And she said, Truth, Lord:  yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith:  be it unto thee even as thou wilt.  And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.—­St. Matt. xv:  21-28.

* * * * *

NOTE BY THE ARTIST

The picture illustrates the scenery and gardens in the neighborhood of Beyrout, which lies on the coast at the foot of Lebanon and within the Syro-Phoenician border.

SIMON PETER’S FAITH IN CHRIST