the devil, and she would not be kept back from him. And so it is that times of distress are often best times, for they bring us to the feet of Jesus.

She had heard of the Saviour's pitying love, and how he had never refused any that came unto him; so she

MATTHEW XV. 22, 23. "Cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David. But he answered her not a word."

Not one single word of kindness, or of hope? Oh! why is this? Her grief, her need, were real: she would not be put back. She cried to him again and again, till his disciples came and besought him, saying, "Send her away, for she crieth after us." They would have Jesus give her what she asked, not so much that they were sorry for her, as that they were weary of hearing her,-vexed at the scene she made. How like ourselves! How often do we seem to act kindly, when the kindness is only to ourselves! How often do we give, to get rid of our own painful feelings! But mark the difference between God and man. In every gift of His there is a purpose of good, not to one alone, but to all. Each blessing from his hand stands not alone, but is as it were a link in the great chain of mercies, that, stretching through all time, carries from one to another the good that might seem to have been intended but for one. We, to this hour, may feel the merciful dealing of Jesus towards this woman of Canaan. His silence, his seeming coldness, were all mercies which reach down even From them we learn what we must do, when we have prayed, but seem to receive no answer to our prayers.

to us.

The heart of this poor mother was open as a book before the Lord Jesus. He knew that delay would only make her more eager to be heard-more earnest in her prayer. He would shame the Jews, by shewing them real faith in a Gentile. They looked upon themselves as God's only people and the

Messiah, they thought, was for them alone. To them first, in truth, the gospel was to be offered; and it was not till after the death of Jesus that all the Gentiles were to be invited to come in. So he

Verse 24.

"Answered and said, I am not sent but unto

the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

He had spoken, though not to her: this was something gained; and instead of being disheartened by his words, she pressed the nearer with her petition.

Verse 25. "Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me!"

At last he speaks to her: but what is it he says? Are these the words of the kind and pitying Saviour?

Verse 26. "But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs."

Was not this enough to drive her to despair? to make her turn away in anger? Had not the Saviour, from whom she hoped so much, not only refused her, but given as his reason, that it was not fitting to share the blessings belonging to his people Israel, who were of God's own family, with her people, who were but as dogs in comparison.

Oh let all learn from this poor distressed woman what real faith, and real humility is. She knew, she felt her unworthiness, but nothing could shake her belief in the Saviour's goodFrom the very words that seemed so full of disdain, she brought a reason why her prayers should be granted. She was indeed but as a dog before him, and she claimed the kindness shewn to dogs.

ness.

Verse 27. "Truth, Lord, she said, (it is true I am but as a dog) yet the dogs eat of the crumbs, which fall from their master's table."

Then came the blessing. It was her's from the beginning: but it was held back, that it might be a blessing to many more; that all might learn from her, how a trust in God so strong, so sure, that it will not be discouraged, should only grow the stronger from the deep feeling of our sin, of our utter unworthiness to obtain any favours. She was heard, her prayers were granted.

Verse 28. "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."

She had gained her cause-very hard had she begged. It was long before the Saviour had seemed to listen: but He had listened; He had granted her prayer, and she returned in joy to the house she had left in sorrow. St. Mark writes

MARK Vii. 30. "And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed."

The Bible tells us no more of her history: but I think we may feel sure, that she never could forget the blessing she had this day received. In an old book which tells of these early days, it is said that her name was Justa; and that from this time she left the idols of her nation, and joined herself to the people of God. Surely, as she learnt more and more, she would see that the Lord Jesus was "He of whom the prophets did write ;" and it would be shown to her, that "the Son of David," was also "the Son of God."

Is there no mother among us whose aching heart may find hope and comfort from the history of this woman? Fear not to bring your child to Christ the Lord. Have neither you nor she, for whom you grieve, one single claim upon his mercy? Do you feel that you are not of his people, that, till now, you have lived without thought of him? Oh, do not let this be a

hindrance to you,-only press the nearer, be more instant in your prayer. Nay, even if you have till now lived in open sin, keep not back for that. It is true that you are but as a dog before him, "yet the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their master's table." He will not refuse you. He may for a time keep you waiting, that He may humble you indeed, and make you confess that you deserve nothing at his hand, that you depend only upon his mercy, the mercy He shows to all his creatures, of which you feel that you are the vilest. Yes, He may keep you waiting for a time, but He hears your prayers, and He will grant them. If your daughter be grievously vexed with a devil: if sin rule openly over her, and she neither feels your grief, nor joins your prayers, pray, pray yet the more, Christ will hear.

Or is it pain and sickness that bows her down, and in her youth brings over her the feebleness of age? Pray, Christ will hear. Or is it the saddest grief of all: has a cloud passed over the mind of your child, darkening her young days, so that even the joyful light of the gospel cannot gladden her soul? Has gloomy fear taken such possession of her, that the promises of God in Christ are vainly spoken, she can neither hear nor feel them?

Poor mother! well may you sorrow for your child, this is the saddest grief of all: but Christ will hear. Whatever you have been, whatever you still may be, let your need bring you to the feet of Jesus, the Son of God. From him each good and perfect gift doth come. He called the light and it came. He

He can,

gave to men the mind that can know and love him. He will give light to your child. He can and he will give her power to understand and believe his love. Oh, grieving mother, pray; your own sins may now be made to pass before you in sad remembrance-you may have long to wait, but Christ the Lord will hear therefore pray.

Prayer.

grievously vexed with None but thou canst

Oh Jesus, Lord have mercy upon me. Son of David, Son of God, have mercy upon me. I am the power of Satan in me and mine. heal. Son of David, thou knowest the weakness of our frame. Son of God, thou hast the power, the love that dwells in God alone. I am but as a dog before thee: I have not one single claim upon thy mercy; but my need is great, oh have pity upon me. The dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their master's table let me share thy kindness, though I deserve it not, for the sake of thy dear love. Amen.

III.

MATT. XV. MARK VII.

After having granted the prayers of the Syrophenician woman, and healed her daughter, the Lord Jesus left that distant part of the country, [which, as I have before told you, was quite on the edge of the Holy Land, close to the heathen nations] and turned back again to the sea of Galilee. St. Mark writes,

MARK Vii. 31. "And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis."

St. Matthew tells us, that after he had reached the shores of the lake, He

MATTHEW Xv. 29-31. "Went up into a mountain, and sat down there, and great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and