thence addressed the multitude who flocked to the shore. It was here that Peter and Andrew, James and John, were called to a more stated attendance on their Lord.

These disciples were engaged in the pursuit of their calling, that of fishermen, when Jesus bade them follow Him, promising henceforth to make them fishers of men. On this occasion their faith in the Divine power of Him who called them was signally confirmed, and a striking emblem given of their future success in the Christian ministry. In obedience to the command of Christ, the disciples. cast in their nets, though they had toiled all the night previous without success, and though no apparent prospect of success presented itself; and now a miraculous draught rewarded their obedience, and encouraged their faith. From this time these disciples entirely relinquished their worldly pursuits, and devoted themselves to a constant attendance on their Lord. We are not required to relinquish our lawful callings for Christ; but we are to serve Him in them, and to rest assured, that whatever sacrifices we may make in His cause, and for the sake of a good conscience, all shall be abundantly repaid, in peace of mind, and His approbation.

In the synagogue at Capernaum Jesus taught on the Sabbath, and there also expelled a demoniac. This most dreadful of human afflictions, demoniacal possession, seems to have been frequently permitted about the time of our Lord, as if to afford an occa

sion of displaying his sovereignty over the race of devils. We perhaps can form but a very feeble conception of the nature and extent of the malady. It was doubtless far more aggravating than the most dreadful attacks of fits, or of mental derangement, which we have ever witnessed; to which, however, the visitation has been compared. The devil, who possessed the poor man, at once recognized and acknowledged the Saviour of men, the conqueror of devils; and howled forth, in an agony of terror, "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." Alas! that men should hear such a confession of faith from devils, and not believe! but how strikingly, too, does this warn us against resting satisfied with such a faith as a devil may possess, and be a devil still. "Thou believest that there is a God; that Jesus is a Saviour: the devils also believe, and tremble”—but saving faith is that which purifies the heart, and works by love. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and commanded him to depart out of the man,-which he was compelled to obey; and, in the midst of the assembled multitude, he threw him down, and came out of him, and hurt him not.

On quitting the synagogue, and returning to Peter's house, he found the mother-in-law of that disciple afflicted with a violent fever: the relatives humbly solicited his omnipotent aid, and He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her; and so per

fect was her recovery, that she immediately arose, and ministered to our Lord and His disciples. The fame of these miraculous cures being noised about, before sun-set the house was surrounded with crowds of afflicted persons, suffering under maladies of various kinds, whom their friends had brought, hoping to attract the benevolent Saviour's compassion. He granted their requests, laid his hands on them, and healed their various maladies; the devils also in many instances being expelled, and compelled to acknowledge aloud, the sovereign authority of Christ.

Early the following morning, Jesus retired into a desert, for prayer; thus teaching us, that no engagements, however pressing or however useful, can supersede the necessity, or justify the neglect, of secret devotion. When Jesus was so pressed with the claims of public duty, and so engaged in works of benevolence and mercy, that he had no leisure so much as to eat bread, He rose a great while before it was day, that he might hold communion with His heavenly Father: let us go, and do likewise. The people anxiously sought Him, and entreated Him that he should not depart from them : but His time was short, His benefits must not be engrossed, He must visit other cities, and fulfil His divine mission to them; he therefore for that time left Capernaum, and took the circuit of Galilee.