"But when He saw the multitude He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd" (Matt. 9:36).

The Evangelist does not say anything about seeing the surroundings, but, "When He (Jesus) saw the multitude." This divine and broader vision of love turns the eyes away from things and puts them on men. If a visitor comes into your city, you might show him your great public buildings, your great industrial establishments, your art galleries, your magnificent edifices, and all other sights of a great city. But if that visitor were Jesus Christ, He would see, not things, but men. He would stand and look, as you and I have looked, at the great moving mass of human souls. And as He heard the tramp of this host on their march to eternity, and to despair for many, His heart of love would well nigh break with compassion.

My brother, do you see things or do you see men? If you are living the self-life you see things. But, oh, let us see men.

You stand by the seashore. A vessel was been wrecked. With a half-dozen men you get into a lifeboat, and start out from shore for rescue. As you row out, the sea is strewn with wreckage of all sorts. Here are packages, and boxes, and cases, filled with silks and laces, treasures of Eastern looms and Eastern artificers. Those in the boat may set to work to gather and get gain, until it is filled with things with which to go ashore. Or you may absolutely refuse to notice the things which are floating there; for you see a child in mute appeal as it is going down to death, or the pale face of some drowning woman; or the agony of some man struggling in the waves. You may see the souls that are perishing, or you may see the things that are floating upon the water. It is yours to choose. And what arrests your eye and your heart is the test of your character-of your heart. Extract