e
risen Lord, the exhibition of the wounds incident to crucifixion, the
invitation to touch and feel the resurrected body of flesh and bones, to
which Thomas demurred. He had no such definite conception of the
resurrection as would accord with a literal acceptance of the testimony
of his brethren and sisters who had seen, heard, and felt.

A week later, for so the Jewish designation, "after eight days," is to
be understood, therefore on the next Sunday, which day of the week
afterward came to be known to the Church as the "Lord's Day" and to be
observed as the Sabbath in place of Saturday, the Mosaic Sabbath,[1378]
the disciples were again assembled, and Thomas was with them. The
meeting was held within closed and, presumably, guarded doors, for there
was danger of interference by the Jewish officers. "Then came Jesus, the
doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands;
and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not
faithless, but believing."

The skeptical mind of Thomas was instantly cleansed, his doubting heart
was purified; and a conviction of the glorious truth flooded his soul.
In contrite reverence he bowed before his Savior, the while exclaiming
in worshipful acknowledgment of Christ's Deity: "My Lord and my God."
His adoration was accepted, and the Savior said: "Thomas, because thou
hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen,
and yet have believed."

AT THE SEA OF GALILEE.[1379]

The angel at the sepulchre and the risen Christ Himself had severally
sent word to the apostles to go into Galilee, where the Lord would meet
them as He had said before His death.[1380] They deferred their
departure until after the week following the resurrection, and then once
again in their native province, they awaited further developments. In
the afternoon of one of those days of waiting, Peter said to six of his
fellow apostles, "I go a fishing"; and the others replied, "We also go
with thee." Without delay they embarked on a fishing boat; and though
they toiled through the night, the net had been drawn in empty after
every cast. As morning approached they drew near the land, disappointed
and disheartened. In the early dawn they were hailed from the shore by
One who asked: "Children, have ye any meat?"[1381] They answered "No."
It was Jesus who made the inquiry, though none in the boat r