being both sower and reaper, sometimes sowing all his life in tears that another may reap in joy. The truth of Christ’s saying in verses 37, 38, is illustrated, but as a prophecy it is not fulfilled, by the successful mission of the apostles to Samaria, where Christ sowed at this time and they reaped subsequently (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17). 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying[149] of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. [149] ver. 29. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for[150] we have heard _him_ ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. [150] ch. 17:8; 1 John 4:14. =39-42.= This mission of Christ to the Samaritans is not inconsistent with his directions to his apostles, when they were commissioned, not to go into any Samaritan city, for the reason of that prohibition was not his unwillingness to open the Gospel to the heathen, but the fact that his apostles did not yet comprehend its catholicity, and could not therefore successfully preach it to the heathen. That the opening of the doors to others than Jews was neither an afterthought with Christ, nor a supplemental act originating with Paul, is evident from the incident recorded here. Notice that the faith of the Samaritans rested on Christ’s words--he apparently wrought no miracles; and that they recognized in him the Saviour not of the nation but of the _world_. “Universalism was more akin to the Messianic faith of the Samaritans than to that of the Jews, with their definite and energetic feeling of nationality.”--(_Meyer._) Notice too, the forms of Christian experience illustrated in this passage; one (ver. 39) rests on the testimony of others, the other (ver. 42) rests on a personal communion with and experience of Christ as a Messiah and Saviour. * * * * * Ch. 4:43-54. THE CURE OF THE CENTURION’S SON.--TWO KINDS OF FAITH; A POOR FAITH REQUIRES MIRACLES; A TRUE FAITH ACCEPTS CHRIST’S WORD SIMPLY. 43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified, that[151] a prophet hath no honour in his own country. [151] Matt. 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24. 45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilæans received him, having seen[152] all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for[153] they also went unto the feast. [152] ch. 2:23. [153] Deut. 16:16.