with the
immediate followers of Christ. "Them that were with them" (Luke xxiv.
33, 35, 36). All had been witnesses of these things, and all were now
to proclaim in His name repentance and remission of sins among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Thomas was not there on that memorable occasion. He was always
accustomed to look on the dark side of things. When Jesus proposed to
go into Judaea to raise Lazarus, he made sure that there was no
alternative but to die with Him; and when the Master spoke of His
impending absence, he said gloomily, "Lord, we know not whither Thou
goest, and how can we know the way?" He was doubtless at this time
wandering alone over the scenes of that awful tragedy, which had so
deeply imprinted itself on his imagination that he could not forget the
print of the nails, and the wound in His side, and the unlikelihood of
any surviving such treatment as He had received.

When he heard the story of the others, he seemed inclined to treat them
as too credulous; and with the air of superior caution said, that he
must not only see the wounds which death had made, but touch them with
his fingers and hand. Yet we may be grateful for this story. First,
because it wears the aspect of truth. What weaver of an imaginary
history would ever have dared to suggest that the resurrection was
impugned by some of Christ's close followers? And, next, because it
shows us that the resurrection was subjected to the severest tests,
just those which we would ourselves apply.

Thomas was left for a whole week. Day after day he heard the repeated
story of Christ's appearances; and waited for Him to come again; and
became more and more confirmed in his sad presentment that the whole
story was a myth. How great must have been his anguish during those
days, as he tossed between hope and fear, saw on other faces the light
which he might not share, and thought that the Master, if really
living, was neglectful of His friend!

At last Jesus came, not to anathematize or exclude him, not to break
the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax, but to restore him, and to
lift on him the light of His countenance.

He suited himself to his needs. He stooped to comply with the
conditions that his poor faith had laid down. He was willing to give
proofs, over and above those which were absolutely necessary, to win
faith. So eager was He to win one poor soul to Himself and
blessedness, that He said unto Thomas, "Reach