For what purpose are miracles wrought? In all generations there have been people who have sought signs, by which they might be converted. But miracles are not given for the {268} purpose of converting the unbelieving. The scribes and the Pharisees came to Jesus, saying, "Master, we would have a sign from Thee. But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign." What then is the purpose of miracles? Miracles come as the result of faith; they do not come to create faith. In His own country, Jesus even could perform no mighty work because the people had not faith in Him. Miracles are a kind of reward of faith, and serve to strengthen faith already born. "It shall come to pass," said Jesus in modern times, "that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed; he who hath faith to see shall see; he who hath faith to hear shall hear; the lame who hath faith to leap shall leap." All these good things come by faith to increase our faith. [Sidenote: The privilege of the sick.] So, in the providence of God, it is given to the authority of the priesthood, through faith, to do mighty works--to command forces of nature not yet understood by man, and thereby to perform miracles, for the increasing of faith and the perfecting of the saints. Said James the apostle, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." {269} THE REFERENCES Mark 3:22-26. Matt. 12:38, 39. Doc. and Cov. 45:8. Doc. and Cov. 42:48-52. James 5:14, 15. THE QUESTIONS 1. What questions are aroused by the reading of the miracles performed by Jesus? 2. How did the scribes explain Jesus's miracle-working power? 3. What was the answer of Jesus? 4. How can it be shown that the universe is ruled by law? 5. Explain the miracle of the telephone? 6. What other miraculous achievements have been made by science? 7. How does a miracle differ from one of these achievements of science? 8. Show that it is no more difficult to believe in one of the miracles than in one of the achievements of science. 9. By what power are miracles performed? 10. What is the purpose of miracles? 11. What privilege does everyone of us enjoy when he is sick? {270} PICTURE: CHRIST BEFORE PILATE, Hofmann {271} XXXV AN ATONING SACRIFICE [Sidenote: An incredible thought.]