But among these outcasts Jesus had many sheep. He gathered some in olden times. He came to lay down His life for a great multitude, to be drawn to Himself from every kindred, and tribe, and nation, and tongue. He spoke of them as being already His own--"Other sheep I have, and them also I must bring," or lead. "The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost." "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way"; and He who paid the ransom price of His wandering flock, goes after every one for whom He shed His blood. "He finds them wandering far from God, And brings them to His chosen fold." "As many as are led by His Spirit"--the Spirit of God--"they are the children of God," the sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ. He brings them to feel that they are lost--that they are far off by wicked works--that they are guilty, and weak, and helpless--and thus they are drawn to the Good Shepherd, who can and will deliver them from all evil, and fill them with all good. And having brought near, He leads in green pastures, beside still waters; and even when the way is less pleasant, He always "leads in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment" (Prov. viii. 20). "They shall hear My voice," He said, and it is by His voice--His Word spoken to the heart--that He ever leads His people. Three thousand heard it on the day of Pentecost, and were pricked in their heart. Wounded, and imploring forgiving, healing grace, they heard again with gladness, and followed their Lord in baptism (Acts ii. 37-41). Lydia's heart was opened to receive the glad tidings, and she followed the Good Shepherd; and Jesus leads His disciples all the way home. "In all thy ways," the wise man says, "acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Prov. iii. 6). "These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth" (Rev. xiv.). Happy are they who know the sound of that heavenly voice! Have _we_ heard it? It may not be _recognized_ at first, as Samuel heard, but did not know _who_ called him, until his name had been again and again repeated, and Eli had "perceived that the Lord had called the child." But as surely as He speaks, we shall, sooner or later, _know_ His voice, and long and love to hear it. Then Jesus promises that all His people, of all nations and all ages of time, shall become one flock--one in Jesus; one in heart, and mind, and judgment--and the whole redeemed and gathered flock shall at last dwell in one fold--the fold of heavenly, eternal life and glory. "From sorrow, care, and pain, And sin they shall be free, And perfect love and friendship reign Through all eternity."