the recent famines in India and China (1877), the missionaries have found the way opened for the gospel in many districts by their ability to provide the starving with food or employment. (2) It manifests the miraculous grace of God: “everything wastes in the hands of men; but everything multiplies in those of the Son of God.”--(_Quesnel._) (3) It rebukes distrust: “He who feeds here five thousand men in an extraordinary manner and by a visible miracle, cannot He find means to support this numerous family, which raises in the mind of this father and mother so many unceasing and distrustful thoughts?”--(_Quesnel._) (4) It is an inspiration and a prophecy of Christian love. It is “the brilliant inauguration of that fruitful miracle of Christian charity which has ever since gone on, multiplying bread to the hungry. The heart of man once touched, like the rock in the desert touched by the rod of Moses, has gone on pouring over thirsty crowds the inexhaustible stream of generosity.”--(_Pressense._) (5) It is a symbol of the inexhaustible love of Christ himself; a symbol of that miraculous multiplying of sacred influences which, from one brief life of three active years, and one body pierced and broken on the tree, feeds innumerable thousands, a love which Christ imparts to his disciples, and which they in turn convey throughout the ages and to all lands. * * * * * Ch. 6:16-21. JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA.--CHRIST THE LORD OF NATURE: LIGHT IN OUR DARKNESS; PEACE IN OUR STORMS.--HE COMES TO THOSE WHO ARE TOILING TO COME TO HIM.--HIS MESSAGE TO ALL HIS DISCIPLES: FEAR NOT.--THE GROUND OF THAT MESSAGE: HE IS THE I AM. Compare Matt. 14:22, 23; Mark 6:45-52, and see Prel. Note at beginning of this chapter. 16 And[211] when even was _now_ come, his disciples went down unto the sea, [211] Matt. 14:23; Mark 6:47, etc. 17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18 And the sea arose[212] by reason of a great wind that blew. [212] Ps. 107:25.