“WHOSO IS WISE, AND WILL OBSERVE THESE THINGS, EVEN THEY SHALL UNDERSTAND THE LOVING-KINDNESS OF THE LORD” [Sidenote: _The Ministry of Healing_] God’s healing power runs all through nature. If a tree is cut, if a human being is wounded or breaks a bone, nature begins at once to repair the injury. Even before the need exists, the healing agencies are in readiness; and as soon as a part is wounded, every energy is bent to the work of restoration. So it is in the spiritual realm. Before sin created the need, God had provided the remedy. Every soul that yields to temptation is wounded, bruised, by the adversary; but wherever there is sin, there is the Saviour. It is Christ’s work “to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, ... to set at liberty them that are bruised.”[138] [Sidenote: _A Suggestive Figure_] [Sidenote: _Only Love Can Restore_] In this work we are to co-operate. “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ... restore such a one.”[139] The word here translated “restore” means to put in joint, as a dislocated bone. How suggestive the figure! He who falls into error or sin is thrown out of relation to everything about him. He may realize his error, and be filled with remorse; but he can not recover himself. He is in confusion and perplexity, worsted and helpless. He is to be reclaimed, healed, re-established. “Ye which are spiritual, restore such a one.” Only the love that flows from the heart of Christ can heal. Only he in whom that love flows, even as the sap in the tree or the blood in the body, can restore the wounded soul. Love’s agencies have wonderful power, for they are divine. The soft answer that “turneth away wrath,” the love that “suffereth long, and is kind,” the charity that “covereth a multitude of sins,”[140]—would we learn the lesson, with what power for healing would our lives be gifted! How life would be transformed, and the earth become a very likeness and foretaste of heaven! These precious lessons may be so simply taught as to be understood, even by little children. The heart of the child is tender and easily impressed; and when we who are older become “as little children;”[141] when we learn the simplicity and gentleness and tender love of the Saviour, we shall not find it difficult to touch the hearts of the little ones, and teach them love’s ministry of healing. * * * * * [Sidenote: _Perfection in Little Things_]