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lost； we must also take time for meditation； for prayer； and for the study of the word of God。 Only the work accomplished with much prayer； and sanctified by the merit of Christ； will in the end prove to have been efficient for good。
No other life was ever so crowded with labor and responsibility as was that of Jesus； yet how often He was found in prayer！ How constant was His communion with God！ Again and again in the history of His earthly life are found records such as these： 〃Rising up a great while before day； He went out； and departed into a solitary place； and there prayed。〃 〃Great multitudes came together to hear； and to be healed by Him of their infirmities。 And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness； and prayed。〃 〃And it came to pass in those days； that He went out into a mountain to pray； and continued all night in prayer to God。〃 Mark 1：35； Luke 5：15； 16； 6：12。
In a life wholly devoted to the good of others； the Saviour found
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it necessary to withdraw from the thoroughfares of travel and from the throng that followed Him day after day。 He must turn aside from a life of ceaseless activity and contact with human needs； to seek retirement and unbroken communion with His Father。 As one with us； a sharer in our needs and weaknesses； He was wholly dependent upon God； and in the secret place of prayer He sought divine strength； that He might go forth braced for duty and trial。 In a world of sin Jesus endured struggles and torture of soul。 In communion with God He could unburden the sorrows that were crushing Him。 Here He found comfort and joy。
In Christ the cry of humanity reached the Father of infinite pity。 As a man He supplicated the throne of God till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that should connect humanity with divinity。 Through continual communion He received life from God； that He might impart life to the world。 His experience is to be ours。
〃Come ye yourselves apart；〃 He bids us。 If we would give heed to His word； we should be stronger and more useful。 The disciples sought Jesus； and told Him all things； and He encouraged and instructed them。 If today we would take time to go to Jesus and tell Him our needs； we should not be disappointed； He would be at our right hand to help us。 We need more simplicity； more trust and confidence in our Saviour。 He whose name is called 〃The mighty God； The everlasting Father； The Prince of Peace；〃 He of whom it is written； 〃The government shall be upon His shoulder；〃 is the Wonderful Counselor。 We are invited to ask wisdom of Him。 He 〃giveth to all men liberally； and upbraideth not。〃 Isa。 9：6； James 1：5。
In all who are under the training of God is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world； its customs； or its practices； and everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God。 We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart。 When every other voice is hushed； and in quietness we wait before Him； the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God。 He bids us； 〃Be still； and know that I am God。〃 Ps。 46：10。 Here alone can true rest be found。 And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God。 Amid the hurrying throng； and the strain of life's intense activities； the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace。 The life will breathe out fragrance； and will reveal a divine power that will reach men's hearts。
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Chapter 39
〃Give Ye Them to Eat〃
Christ had retired to a secluded place with His disciples； but this rare season of peaceful quietude was soon broken。 The disciples thought they had retired where they would not be disturbed； but as soon as the multitude missed the divine Teacher； they inquired； 〃Where is He？〃 Some among them had noticed the direction in which Christ and His disciples had gone。 Many went by land to meet them； while others followed in their boats across the water。 The Passover was at hand； and； from far and near； bands of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem gathered to see Jesus。 Additions were made to their number； until there were assembled five thousand men besides women and children。 Before Christ reached the shore； a multitude were waiting for Him。 But He landed unobserved by them； and spent a little time apart with the disciples。
From the hillside He looked upon the moving multitude； and His heart was stirred with sympathy。 Interrupted as He was； and robbed of His rest； He was not impatient。 He saw a greater necessity demanding His attention as He watched the people coming and still coming。 He 〃was moved with compassion toward them； because they were as sheep not having a shepherd。〃 Leaving His retreat； He found a convenient place where He could minister to them。 They received no help from
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the priests and rulers； but the healing waters of life flowed from Christ as He taught the multitude the way of salvation。
The people listened to the words of mercy flowing so freely from the lips of the Son of God。 They heard the gracious words； so simple and so plain that they were as the balm of Gilead to their souls。 The healing of His divine hand brought gladness and life to the dying； and ease and health to those suffering with disease。 The day seemed to them like heaven upon earth； and they were utterly unconscious of how long it had been since they had eaten anything。
At length the day was far spent。 The sun was sinking in the west； and yet the people lingered。 Jesus had labored all day without food or rest。 He was pale from weariness and hunger； and the disciples besought Him to cease from His toil。 But He could not withdraw Himself from the multitude that pressed upon Him。
The disciples finally came to Him； urging that for their own sake the people should be sent away。 Many had come from far； and had eaten nothing since morning。 In the surrounding towns and villages they might be able to buy food。 But Jesus said； 〃Give ye them to eat；〃 and then； turning to Philip； questioned； 〃Whence shall we buy bread； that these may eat？〃 This He said to test the faith of the disciple。 Philip looked over the sea of heads； and thought how impossible it would be to provide food to satisfy the wants of such a crowd。 He answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not be nearly enough to divide among them； so that each might have a little。 Jesus inquired how much food could be found among the company。 〃There is a lad here；〃 said Andrew； 〃which hath five barley loaves； and two small fishes； but what are they among so many？〃 Jesus directed that these be brought to Him。 Then He bade the disciples seat the people on the grass in parties of fifty or a hundred； to preserve order； and that all might witness what He was about to do。 When this was accomplished； Jesus took the food； 〃and looking up to heaven； He blessed； and brake； and gave the loaves to His disciples； and the disciples to the multitude。〃 〃And they did all eat； and were filled。 And they took up twelve baskets full of t