without. Contrast the sequel of each event. King Jesus spends the night in prayer upon the mountainside, and when the winds and waves arise He comes walking on the water and stills the sea and saves His shipwrecked followers. King Herod, drunk with wine and pleasure, swears to give his shameless niece her will, be it half his kingdom, and at her word presents her on a dish the head of the murdered Baptist. A striking lesson this as to the results of the use and abuse of wealth. For Christ is King to-day, and Herod and his house but an odious remembrance. To the selfish rich their wealth eventually proves a curse, and their names and memories are held in universal execration, but the generous giver stills the turbulence of the masses and becomes a second saviour of his people. " All the Church of the Saints shall declare his alms," says Scripture. Almsgiving is the surest guarantee of undying fame here and of rich reward hereafter, for " blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."
