Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/452

 III. This stranger,  by  being  grateful  for  his  corpora! health, received  a  still  greater  favor,  the  cure  of  his soul. He was  converted  to  the  gospel,  which  Christ preached; hence  Christ  says,  "Arise,  go  thy  way,  for thy  faith  has  made  thee  whole." The other  nine,  as  St. Augustine  fears,  were  probably  lost. " For  the  hope of  the  unthankful  shall  melt  away  as  the  winter's  ice, and  shall  run  off  as  unprofitable  water." (Wis. xiv.  29.) Take care  then  to  be  always  grateful  to  God,  for  the benefits which  you  receive.

I. Whilst  Christ  was  passing  through  Galilee,  "  they bring  to  Him  one  that  was  deaf  and  dumb,  and  they besought  Him  lay  His  hand  on  him." (Mark vii.  32.) Ponder how  meritorious  an  action  it  is,  to  bring  others to Jesus  Christ,  and  endeavor  by  every  means  consistent with  your  state  and  calling,  to  bring  to  Him  those, who are  spiritually  deaf  and  dumb. What is  spiritual deafness? He is  spiritually  deaf,  who  will  not  listen  to the  truths  of  faith,  nor  to  the  voice  of  God  when  He  calls him to  virtue  and  perfection. Examine whether  you  be not  in  some  respect  spiritually  deaf,  and  do  not  shut your ears  to  the  voice  of  God;  fear  lest  the  terrible  words be addressed  to  you,  "  then  shall  they  call  upon  Me,  and I  will  not  hear." (Prov. i.  28.)

II. What is  spiritual  dumbness? He is  spiritually dumb, who  does  not  correct  his  brother,  when  by  doing so, he  can  prevent  him  from  sinning. He also  is  spiritually dumb,  who  does  not  preach  the  Word  of  God, when it  is  his  duty,  or  make  open  profession  of  his  faith,