Master hath need of them," but there was no such crying necessity in the case as justifies the forcible appropriation of another's provisions, lands, or cattle in times of war or famine, or in the face of a mighty conflagration. Besides, in neither case did the owners yield to force, but each evidently assented quite cheerfully, proving that Christ's almighty power influenced them to cede to the Lord that which He had but lent them for a time, and which anytime and everywhere He could justly claim as His own.
Brethren, from these considerations I would have you gather three points: First, the power of Holy Scripture as a defender of truth and a weapon against error. The most appalling danger to religion in modern times is the popular loss of faith in Christ's divinity. The ideas of the non-Catholic world on this most important point are growing daily more vague and uncertain. Let us not neglect the study of those sacred pages, in almost every line of which we will find reasons for the faith that is in us. Second, Let us admire the sublime condescension with which Christ chooses at times the lowliest of His creatures to be the vehicle of His truth or the instrument of His will. The royal entry of earthly kings is made in gorgeous chariots drawn by prancing steeds, but Christ's kingdom is not from hence. The humble ass and colt, recalling as they do the prophecy of Zachary, add more lustre to His retinue than all such pomp and ceremony. Such disregard of earthly aids is in line with His choice of fishermen to be His Apostles, and per-
