History of Presbyterianism thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee and give thee peace." Numb. vi:24-26. But when Christ blesses it is in his own name and by his own authority: "I say unto thee, arise, take up thy bed and walk," and when he raised Lazarus from the dead, he stood at the mouth of the grave and cried, "Lazarus come forth, and he that was dead came forth." To the woman taken in adultery he pronounced the sentence of absolution in his own name, "Neither do I con¬ demn thee; go in peace and sin no more." When Jesus was leaving the world and going to his Father he lifted up his hands and blessed them. He came blessing and he left the world in the very act of blessing. Thus Christ wrought miracles, did mighty works, raised Lazarus and the widow's only son and others in his own name, and in his own name and by his own power he blesses his needy children who seek a blessing at his hands. What comfort and encouragement do these truths bring to every penitent, hungering, thirsting soul! Secondly. When the Lord blesses he does so efficaciously. When men bless, the best they can do is to wish or pray to God for the desired blessing; but God blesses really, personally, directly, effectu¬ ally. He bestows a double blessing. He blesses when he opens the heart to receive, and also when he bestows the blessing itself. Did he not open the eyes of the blind man, and confer on him at the same time a far greater favor, making him blessed indeed, 266