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h took hold on His divine power； that the cure was wrought。
The wondering crowd that pressed close about Christ realized no accession of vital power。 But when the suffering woman put forth her hand to touch Him； believing that she would be made whole； she felt the healing virtue。 So in spiritual things。 To talk of religion in a casual way； to pray without soul hunger and living faith； avails nothing。 A nominal faith in Christ； which accepts Him merely as the Saviour of the world； can never bring healing to the soul。 The faith that is unto salvation is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth。 He who waits for entire knowledge before he will exercise faith； cannot receive blessing from God。 It is not enough to believe about Christ； we must believe in Him。 The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour； which appropriates His merits to ourselves。 Many hold faith as an opinion。 Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God。 Genuine faith is life。 A living faith means an increase of vigor； a confiding trust； by which the soul becomes a conquering power。
After healing the woman； Jesus desired her to acknowledge the blessing she had received。 The gifts which the gospel offers are not to be secured by stealth or enjoyed in secret。 So the Lord calls upon us for confession of His goodness。 〃Ye are My witnesses； saith the Lord； that I am God。〃 Isa。 43：12。
Our confession of His faithfulness is Heaven's chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world。 We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old； but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience。 We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine。 Every individual has a life distinct from all others； and an experience differing essentially from theirs。 God desires that our praise shall ascend to Him； marked by our own individuality。 These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of His grace； when supported by a Christ…like life； have an irresistible power that works for the salvation of souls。
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When the ten lepers came to Jesus for healing； He bade them go and show themselves to the priest。 On the way they were cleansed； but only one of them returned to give Him glory。 The others went their way； forgetting Him who had made them whole。 How many are still doing the same thing！ The Lord works continually to benefit mankind。 He is ever imparting His bounties。 He raises up the sick from beds of languishing； He delivers men from peril which they do not see； He commissions heavenly angels to save them from calamity； to guard them from 〃the pestilence that walketh in darkness〃 and 〃the destruction that wasteth at noonday〃 （Ps。 91：6）； but their hearts are unimpressed。 He has given all the riches of heaven to redeem them； and yet they are unmindful of His great love。 By their ingratitude they close their hearts against the grace of God。 Like the heath in the desert they know not when good cometh； and their souls inhabit the parched places of the wilderness。
It is for our own benefit to keep every gift of God fresh in our memory。 Thus faith is strengthened to claim and to receive more and more。 There is greater encouragement for us in the least blessing we ourselves receive from God than in all the accounts we can read of the faith and experience of others。 The soul that responds to the grace of God shall be like a watered garden。 His health shall spring forth speedily； his light shall rise in obscurity； and the glory of the Lord shall be seen upon him。 Let us then remember the loving…kindness of the Lord； and the multitude of His tender mercies。 Like the people of Israel； let us set up our stones of witness； and inscribe upon them the precious story of what God has wrought for us。 And as we review His dealings with us in our pilgrimage； let us； out of hearts melted with gratitude； declare； 〃What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me？ I will take the cup of salvation； and call upon the name of the Lord。 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people。〃 Ps。 116：12…14。
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Chapter 37
The First Evangelists
The apostles were members of the family of Jesus； and they had accompanied Him as He traveled on foot through Galilee。 They had shared with Him the toils and hardships that overtook them。 They had listened to His discourses； they had walked and talked with the Son of God； and from His daily instruction they had learned how to work for the elevation of humanity。 As Jesus ministered to the vast multitudes that gathered about Him； His disciples were in attendance； eager to do His bidding and to lighten His labor。 They assisted in arranging the people； bringing the afflicted ones to the Saviour； and promoting the comfort of all。 They watched for interested hearers； explained the Scriptures to them； and in various ways worked for their spiritual benefit。 They taught what they had learned of Jesus； and were every day obtaining a rich experience。 But they needed also an experience in laboring alone。 They were still in need of much instruction； great patience and tenderness。 Now； while He was personally with them； to point out their errors； and counsel and correct them； the Saviour sent them forth as His representatives。
While they had been with Him； the disciples had often been perplexed by the teaching of the priests and Pharisees； but they had brought their perplexities to Jesus。 He had set before them the truths of Scripture in contrast with tradition。 Thus He had strengthened their confidence in God's word； and in a great measure had set them free from their fear of the rabbis and their bondage to tradition。 In the
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training of the disciples the example of the Saviour's life was far more effective than any mere doctrinal instruction。 When they were separated from Him； every look and tone and word came back to them。 Often when in conflict with the enemies of the gospel； they repeated His words； and as they saw their effect upon the people； they rejoiced greatly。
Calling the twelve about Him； Jesus bade them go out two and two through the towns and villages。 None were sent forth alone； but brother was associated with brother； friend with friend。 Thus they could help and encourage each other； counseling and praying together； each one's strength supplementing the other's weakness。 In the same manner He afterward sent forth the seventy。 It was the Saviour's purpose that the messengers of the gospel should be associated in this way。 In our own time evangelistic work would be far more successful if this example were more closely followed。
The disciples' message was the same as that of John the Baptist and of Christ Himself： 〃The kingdom of heaven is at hand。〃 They were to enter into no controversy with the people as to whether Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah； but in His name they were to do the same works of mercy as He had done。 He bade them； 〃Heal the sick； cleanse the