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of the Spirit is to abide with the true church。
But near the close of earth's harvest； a special bestowal of spiritual grace
is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man。 This
outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain； and
it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to
the Lord of the harvest 〃in the time of the latter rain。〃 In response； 〃the
Lord shall make bright clouds； and give them showers of rain。〃 〃He will
cause to come down 。 。 。 the rain； the former rain； and the latter rain；〃
Zechariah 10：1； Joel 2：23。
But unless the members of God's church today have a living connection with
the Source of all spiritual growth； they will not be ready for the time of
reaping。 Unless they keep their lamps trimmed and burning； they will fail of
receiving added grace in times of special need。
Those only who are constantly receiving fresh supplies of grace； will have
power proportionate to their daily need and their ability to use that power。
Instead of looking forward to some future time when； through a special
endowment of spiritual power； they will receive a miraculous fitting up for
soul winning； they are yielding themselves daily to God； that He may make
them vessels meet for His use。 Daily they are improving the opportunities
for service that lie within their reach。 Daily they are witnessing for the
Master wherever they may be； whether in some humble sphere of labor in the
home； or in a public field of usefulness。
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To the consecrated worker there is wonderful consolation in the knowledge
that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father daily for fresh
supplies of needed grace； and from this communion with God He went forth to
strengthen and bless others。 Behold the Son of God bowed in prayer to His
Father！ Though He is the Son of God； He strengthens His faith by prayer； and
by communion with heaven gathers to Himself power to resist evil and to
minister to the needs of men。 As the Elder Brother of our race He knows the
necessities of those who； compassed with infirmity and living in a world of
sin and temptation； still desire to serve Him。 He knows that the messengers
whom He sees fit to send are weak； erring men； but to all who give
themselves wholly to His service He promises divine aid。 His own example is
an assurance that earnest； persevering supplication to God in faithfaith
that leads to entire dependence upon God； and unreserved consecration to His
workwill avail to bring to men the Holy Spirit's aid in the battle against
sin。
Every worker who follows the example of Christ will be prepared to receive
and use the power that God has promised to His church for the ripening of
earth's harvest。 Morning by morning； as the heralds of the gospel kneel
before the Lord and renew their vows of consecration to Him； He will grant
them the presence of His Spirit； with its reviving； sanctifying power。 As
they go forth to the day's duties； they have the assurance that the unseen
agency of the Holy Spirit enables them to be 〃laborers together with God。〃
（57）
Chapter 6
At the Temple Gate
The disciples of Christ had a deep sense of their own inefficiency； and with
humiliation and prayer they joined their weakness to His strength； their
ignorance to His wisdom； their unworthiness to His righteousness； their
poverty to His exhaustless wealth。 Thus strengthened and equipped； they
hesitated not to press forward in the service of the Master。
A short time after the descent of the Holy Spirit； and immediately after a
season of earnest prayer； Peter and John； going up to the temple to worship；
saw at the gate Beautiful a cripple； forty years of age； whose life； from
his birth； had been one of pain and infirmity。 This unfortunate man had long
desired to see Jesus； that he might be healed； but he was almost helpless；
and was far removed from the scene of the great Physician's labors。 His
pleadings at last induced some friends to bear him to the gate of the
temple；
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but upon arriving there； he found that the One upon whom his hopes were
centered； had been put to a cruel death。
His disappointment excited the sympathy of those who knew for how long he
had eagerly hoped to be healed by Jesus； and daily they brought him to the
temple； in order that passers…by might be induced by pity to give him a
trifle to relieve his wants。 As Peter and John passed； he asked an alms from
them。 The disciples regarded him compassionately； and Peter said； 〃Look on
us。 And he gave heed unto them； expecting to receive something of them。 Then
Peter said； Silver and gold have I none。〃 As Peter thus declared his
poverty； the countenance of the cripple fell； but it grew bright with hope
as the apostle continued； 〃But such as I have give I thee： In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk。
〃And he took him by the right hand； and lifted him up： and immediately his
feet and anklebones received strength。 And he leaping up stood； and walked；
and entered with them into the temple； walking； and leaping； and praising
God。 And all the people saw him walking and praising God： and they knew that
it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple： and they
were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened。〃
〃And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John； all the people
ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's； greatly
wondering。〃 They were astonished that the disciples could perform miracles
similar to those performed by Jesus。 Yet here was this man； for
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forty years a helpless cripple； now rejoicing in the full use of his limbs；
free from pain； and happy in believing in Jesus。
When the disciples saw the amazement of the people； Peter asked； 〃Why marvel
ye at this？ or why look ye so earnestly on us； as though by our own power or
holiness we had made this man to walk？〃 He assured them that the cure had
been wrought in the name and through the merits of Jesus of Nazareth； whom
God had raised from the dead。 〃His name through faith in His name；〃 the
apostle declared； 〃hath made this man strong； whom ye see and know： yea； the
faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence
of you all。〃
The apostles spoke plainly of the great sin of the Jews in rejecting and
putting to death the Prince of life； but they were careful not to drive
their hearers to despair。 〃Ye denied the Holy One and the Just；〃 Peter said；
〃and desired a murderer to be granted unto you； and killed the Prince of
life； whom God hath raised from the dead； whereof we are witnesses。〃 〃And
now； brethren； I wot that through ignorance ye did it； as did also your
rulers。 But those things； which God before had showed by the mouth of all
His prophets； that Christ should suffer； He hath so fulfilled。〃 He declared
that the Holy Spirit was calling upon them to repent and be converted； and
assured them that there w