tidings came from Christ’s lips, they were good tidings, and to proclaim them was His first task.  The miracles of healing came second.  They were not ‘the bell before the sermon,’ but the benediction after it.  They flowed from Christ in rich abundance.  The eager receptiveness of the people, ignorant as it was, was greater then than ever afterwards.  Therefore the flow of miraculous power was more unimpeded.  But it may be questioned whether we generally have an adequate notion of the immense number of Christ’s miracles.  Those recorded are but a small proportion of those done.  There were more grapes in the vineyards of Eshcol than the messengers brought in evidence to the camp.  Our Lord’s miracles are told by units; they seem to have been wrought by scores.  These early ones were not only attestations of His claim to be the King, but illustrations of the nature of His kingdom He had conquered and bound the strong man, and now He was ‘spoiling his house.’  They were parables of His higher work on men’s souls, which He comes to cleanse from the oppression of demons, from the foamings of epilepsy, from impotence as to doing right.  They were tokens of the inexhaustible fountain of power, and of the swift and equally inexhaustible treasures of sympathy, which dwelt in Him.  They were His first trophies in His holy war, His first gifts to His subjects.

Thus compassed with enthusiasm, and shedding on the wearied new hopes, and on the sick unwonted health, and stirring in sluggish souls some aspirations that greatened and inspired, the King appeared.  But no illusions deceived His calm prescience.  From the beginning He knew the path which stretched before Him; and while the transient loyalty of the ignorant shouted hosannas around His steps, He saw the cross at the end, and the sight did not make Him falter.

THE NEW SINAI

’And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain:  and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him:  2.  And He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3.  Blessed are the poor in spirit:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4.  Blessed are they that mourn:  for they shall be comforted. 5.  Blessed are the meek:  for they shall inherit the earth. 6.  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:  for they shall be filled. 7.  Blessed are the merciful:  for they shall obtain mercy. 8.  Blessed are the pure in heart:  for they shall see God. 9.  Blessed are the peacemakers:  for they shall be called the children of God, 10.  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11.  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. 12.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in heaven:  for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13.  Ye are the salt of the earth:  but if the salt