tude that followed him, because his compassionate heart would not suffer them to depart hungry, will not let his humble followers want.

The blessed Jesus, in performing this miracle, before he gave out the food, looked up to heaven for a blessing upon it. In this we should do well always to imitate him to God we are indebted for our daily supplies, we ought therefore to bless Him; and as our food will do us little good without He makes it nourishing to us, we should always look up for a blessing on what we are about to partake.

Here let us admire the great love of our divine Redeemer, who, while he was delivering his heavenly doctrines, administered to the wants of his followers. But how dreadfully inexcusable will be the conduct of those, who, while they are rioting in

luxury and affluence, refuse a morsel of bread to their poor fellow creatures!

In the sixth chapter of St. John, where this miracle is also recorded, our Saviour makes some improving remarks to the multitude, directing them to labour for the meat that perisheth not; holding forth himself to them as the bread of life, and promising that they who feed on him shall never hunger.

May Christ be the great object of our souls' desire, may we continually follow him, may we live upon him as the bread of life, and we shall find, as David elegantly observes, that "He openeth his hand, and filleth all things living with plenteousness."

JOHN VI.

They strove tho in vain for a while; The force of the waves to withstand, But when they were weary'd with toil, They saw their dear Saviour at hand.

THE DISCIPLES IN A STORM.

A general cry they raise, their causeless fear
Our Lord did soon remove with "I am here!"
Entering the ship his words the winds command,
They see the happy port, and hail the welcome land.

JESUS having fed the multitude, he directed his disciples to enter into a ship, to go to another place, while he sent the people away he then retired to a mountain to pray, and when evening was come he was there alone. But it may be asked, what had Christ to pray for? As "The Mighty God," he had all things under his control, but having taken human nature upon him, he prayed as a man to his heavenly Father; and there is little doubt it was for his people that he spent this time in prayer, and we ought to take this act as our example.

In the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus