miracle-working church, and that, when it could not say 'Silver and
gold have I none' it has also lost the power of saying, 'In the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk'!

The actual miracle is most graphically narrated. With magnificent
boldness Peter rolls out his Master's name, there, in the court of
the Temple, careless who may hear. He takes the very name that had
been used in scorn, and waves it like a banner of victory. His
confidence in his possession of power was not confidence in himself,
but in his Lord. When we can peal forth the Name with as much
assurance of its miracle-working power as Peter did, we too shall be
able to make the lame walk. A faltering voice is unworthy to speak
such words, and will speak them in vain.

The process of cure is minutely described. Peter put out his hand to
help the lame man up, and, while he was doing so, power came into the
shrunken muscles and weak ankles, so that the cripple felt that he
could raise himself, and, though all passed in a moment, the last
part of his rising was his own doing, and what began with his being
'lifted up' ended in his 'leaping up.' Then came an instant of
standing still, to steady himself and make sure of his new strength,
and then he began to walk.

The interrupted purpose of devotion could now be pursued, but with a
gladsome addition to the company. How natural is that 'walking and
leaping and praising God'! The new power seemed so delightful, so
wonderful, that sober walking did not serve. It was a strange way of
going into the Temple, but people who are borne along by the sudden
joy of new gifts beyond hope need not be expected to go quietly, and
sticklers for propriety who blamed the man's extravagance, and would