g the
fishing-tackle.

The proposal met with an instant assent: "We also go with thee." And
in a few moments Peter with six others had leaped into a boat, and they
were preparing for the night's work with all the enthusiasm with which
men throw themselves into a craft which for some time they have
disused. But their ardor was soon checked. Hour after hour passed.
The lights went out in the hamlets and towns. The chill night damps
enwrapped them. The grey morning at last began to break, whilst again
and again the nets were hauled up and let down, but in vain; not a
single fish had entered them. "That night they caught nothing." Why
this non-success? The night was the most favorable time! These men
knew the lake well, and were experienced in their craft. They did
their best, but they caught nothing! Why was this? Was it a chance?
No, it was a providence; it was carefully arranged, disappointing and
vexing though it was, by One who was too wise to err, too good to be
unkind, and who was preparing to teach them a lesson which should
enrich them and the whole Church forever.

The failure put an arrest on their temporal pursuits. Had they been
successful that night, it would have been very much harder for them to
renounce the craft forever; but their non-success made them more
willing to give it up, and to turn their thoughts to the evangelization
of the world. Then, too, our Lord surely meant to teach them that
whilst they were doing His work, whether that work was waiting or
active service, it was not necessary for them to be anxious about their
maintenance; He Himself would see to that, though He had, for each
meal, to light a fire and prepare it Himself. And, deeper than all
this, there were surely great spiritual lessons to be gained respecting
the conditions of success in catching men in the net of His Gospel.

It is difficult to understand how a man can call himself a Christian,
and how he can face the awful possibilities of life, except he believes
that all is ruled by One who loves us with a love that is infinite, and
who wields all power on earth and in heaven. If, however, that be your
fixed belief, you may find it often severely tested. "I have waited
this livelong night; can this be Christ's will?" "I have done my best
in vain; can this be Christ's will?" "I have labored without a single
gleam of success; can this be Christ's will?" Yes, most certainly it
is. It is His love which is arrang