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to the multitude。〃 〃And they did all eat； and were filled。 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments； and of the fishes。〃
He who taught the people the way to secure peace and happiness was just as thoughtful of their temporal necessities as of their spiritual need。 The people were weary and faint。 There were mothers with babes in their arms； and little children clinging to their skirts。 Many had been standing for hours。 They had been so intensely interested
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in Christ's words that they had not once thought of sitting down； and the crowd was so great that there was danger of their trampling on one another。 Jesus would give them a chance to rest； and He bade them sit down。 There was much grass in the place； and all could rest in comfort。
Christ never worked a miracle except to supply a genuine necessity； and every miracle was of a character to lead the people to the tree of life； whose leaves are for the healing of the nations。 The simple food
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passed round by the hands of the disciples contained a whole treasure of lessons。 It was humble fare that had been provided； the fishes and barley loaves were the daily food of the fisher folk about the Sea of Galilee。 Christ could have spread before the people a rich repast； but food prepared merely for the gratification of appetite would have conveyed no lesson for their good。 Christ taught them in this lesson that the natural provisions of God for man had been perverted。 And never did people enjoy the luxurious feasts prepared for the gratification of perverted taste as this people enjoyed the rest and the simple food which Christ provided so far from human habitations。
If men today were simple in their habits； living in harmony with nature's laws； as did Adam and Eve in the beginning； there would be an abundant supply for the needs of the human family。 There would be fewer imaginary wants； and more opportunities to work in God's ways。 But selfishness and the indulgence of unnatural taste have brought sin and misery into the world； from excess on the one hand； and from want on the other。
Jesus did not seek to attract the people to Him by gratifying the desire for luxury。 To that great throng； weary and hungry after the long； exciting day； the simple fare was an assurance not only of His power； but of His tender care for them in the common needs of life。 The Saviour has not promised His followers the luxuries of the world； their fare may be plain； and even scanty； their lot may be shut in by poverty； but His word is pledged that their need shall be supplied； and He has promised that which is far better than worldly good；the abiding comfort of His own presence。
In feeding the five thousand； Jesus lifts the veil from the world of nature； and reveals the power that is constantly exercised for our good。 In the production of earth's harvests God is working a miracle every day。 Through natural agencies the same work is accomplished that was wrought in the feeding of the multitude。 Men prepare the soil and sow the seed； but it is the life from God that causes the seed to germinate。 It is God's rain and air and sunshine that cause it to put forth； 〃first the blade； then the ear； after that the full corn in the ear。〃 Mark 4：28。 It is God who is every day feeding millions from earth's harvest fields。 Men are called upon to co…operate with God in the care of the grain and the preparation of the loaf； and because of this they lose sight of the divine agency。 They do not give God the glory due unto
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His holy name。 The working of His power is ascribed to natural causes or to human instrumentality。 Man is glorified in place of God； and His gracious gifts are perverted to selfish uses； and made a curse instead of a blessing。 God is seeking to change all this。 He desires that our dull senses shall be quickened to discern His merciful kindness and to glorify Him for the working of His power。 He desires us to recognize Him in His gifts； that they may be； as He intended； a blessing to us。 It was to accomplish this purpose that the miracles of Christ were performed。
After the multitude had been fed； there was an abundance of food left。 But He who had all the resources of infinite power at His command said； 〃Gather up the fragments that remain； that nothing be lost。〃 These words meant more than putting the bread into the baskets。 The lesson was twofold。 Nothing is to be wasted。 We are to let slip no temporal advantage。 We should neglect nothing that will tend to benefit a human being。 Let everything be gathered up that will relieve the necessity of earth's hungry ones。 And there should be the same carefulness in spiritual things。 When the baskets of fragments were collected； the people thought of their friends at home。 They wanted them to share in the bread that Christ had blessed。 The contents of the baskets were distributed among the eager throng； and were carried away into all the region round about。 So those who were at the feast were to give to others the bread that comes down from heaven； to satisfy the hunger of the soul。 They were to repeat what they had learned of the wonderful things of God。 Nothing was to be lost。 Not one word that concerned their eternal salvation was to fall useless to the ground。
The miracle of the loaves teaches a lesson of dependence upon God。 When Christ fed the five thousand； the food was not nigh at hand。 Apparently He had no means at His command。 Here He was； with five thousand men； besides women and children； in the wilderness。 He had not invited the large multitude to follow Him； they came without invitation or command； but He knew that after they had listened so long to His instruction； they would feel hungry and faint； for He was one with them in their need of food。 They were far from home； and the night was close at hand。 Many of them were without means to purchase food。 He who for their sake had fasted forty days in the wilderness would not suffer them to return fasting to their homes。 The providence of God had placed Jesus where He was； and He depended on His heavenly Father for the means to relieve the necessity。
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And when we are brought into strait places； we are to depend on God。 We are to exercise wisdom and judgment in every action of life； that we may not； by reckless movements； place ourselves in trial。 We are not to plunge into difficulties； neglecting the means God has provided； and misusing the faculties He has given us。 Christ's workers are to obey His instructions implicitly。 The work is God's； and if we would bless others His plans must be followed。 Self cannot be made a center； self can receive no honor。 If we plan according to our own ideas； the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes。 But when； after following His directions； we are brought into strait places； He will deliver us。 We are not to give up in discouragement； but in every emergency we are to seek help from Him who has infinite resources at His command。 Often we shall be surrounded with trying circumstances； and then； in the fullest confidence； we must depend upon God。 He will keep every