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elements by the lifting of his finger, cast out demons, and heal the
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diseased and imbecile by a word or the touch of his hand. The visible
evidence of Satan’s power was among them. The Prince of Light and
the Prince of Darkness met, and all present beheld the supremacy of
the one over the other. Yet seeing this they begged the Son of God
to depart from them. He gratified their wish; for he never urges his
presence where he is unwelcome.
Satan is the God of the world; his influence is to pervert the senses,
control the human mind for evil, and drive his victims to violence and
crime. He sows discord and darkens the intellect. The work of Christ
is to break his power over the children of men. Yet how many in every
department of life, in the home, in business transactions, and in the
church, turn Jesus from their doors but let the hateful monster in.
It is no wonder that violence and crime have spread over the earth,
and moral darkness, like the pall of death, shrouds the cities and habi-
tations of men. Satan controls many households, people, and churches.
He watches the indications of moral corruption, and introduces his
specious temptations, carefully leading men into worse and worse
evils, till utter depravity is the result. The only safety is to watch unto
prayer against his devices; for he goes about, in the last days, like a
roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The presence of Jesus is a
safe-guard against his advances. The Sun of Righteousness discloses
the hideous blackness of the enemy of souls, and he flies from the
divine presence.
Many professed Christians of our time banish Jesus from them
for the sake of worldly gain. They may not use the exact words of
the Gadarenes, but their acts plainly indicate, that, in their various
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avocations, they do not desire his presence. The world is exalted
above his mercy. The love of gain crowds out the love of Christ. They
heed not his injunctions, they slight his reproofs. By dishonesty and
avaricious scheming, they virtually petition the blessed Saviour to
depart from them.
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