is considered "worthy." The same spirit was at work in
the days of Christ.

The Master immediately started for the centurion's house; and it
looked as though He were going because of his personal worthiness.
But if He had done so, it would have upset the whole story as an
illustration of grace. As the Saviour was on the way, out came the
Roman officer himself and told Jesus that he was not worthy to
receive Him under his roof. He had a very different opinion of
himself to that of his Jewish friends. Suppose he had said, "Lord,
you will be my guest; come and heal my servant because I am worthy:
I have built a synagogue." Do you think Christ would have gone? I do
not think he would. But he said, "I am not worthy that Thou shouldst
enter under my roof. Neither thought I myself worthy to come unto
Thee; but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed."

Jesus marveled at the man's faith. It pleased Him wonderfully to
find such faith and humility. Like the Syro-Phenician woman, he had
low thoughts of himself, and high thoughts of God: therefore he was
in a condition to receive the grace of God. His servant, we are
told, was healed that very hour. His petition was granted at once.
Let us learn a lesson from this man, and take a humble position
before God, crying to him for mercy; then help will come.

GREAT FORGIVENESS.

I never noticed till lately an interesting fact about the story of
the poor sinful woman mentioned in Luke's Gospel, who went into
Simon's house. If you have not observed it before, it will be quite
interesting for you to know it. The incident occurred immediately
after Christ had uttered those memorable words we read in Matthew:
"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will
give you rest." Matthew closes the narrative there; but in the
seventh chapter of Luke you will find what the result of that
invitation was. A poor fallen woman came into the house where He
was, and obtained the blessing of rest to her soul. I think that
many ministers will bear me out in this statement, that when one has
preached to a large congregation, and has given an invitation to
those who would like to remain and talk about salvation, probably
the only one to do so is a poor fallen one, who will thus become a
partaker of the grace of God.

We find that the Saviour was invited to the house of Simon, a
Pharisee. While he was there, this poor sinful woman crept into the
house. Perhaps she watched for a c