LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. J
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J UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
MATTHEW- XIX* VER -XIV gg
MOEE ABOUT JESUS.
ILLUSTRATIONS AND A MAP.
BY THE ATTTHOR OF
"PEEP OF DAY," "READING WITHOUT TEARS/' &c„ &c.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
FRANKLIN SQUAEE.
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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and fifty-nine, by
Harper & Brothers,
In the Clerk's Ofiice of the District Court of the Southern District
of New York. -
PREFACE.
"Tell me more about Jesus!" is a request some-
times made in eager accents by the rosy lips of four
years to a fond parent who has lately taught the babe
to lisp the name of Jesus.
"Tell me more about Jesus!" is a request some-
times made in faltering accents by the parched lips of
fourscore to a kind daughter bending over the dying
pillow.
During the long interval separating infancy from
old age, a cold indifference too often steals over the
heart which seemed for a little while to glow with the
love of Jesus. The pleasures and prospects, the poets
and princes, the stories and studies, the hopes and the
heroes, the charms and the changes of this vain world,
captivate the imagination and engross the affections ;
while He who occupies the highest throne in heaven
is degraded to the lowest in that heart which He died
to redeem. So generally diffused is this indifference,
VI PREFACE.
that a Christian nation, in the examination of candi-
dates for some of her most honorable offices, allows a
knowledge of the words of Shakspeare, Horace, or
Homer to avail much, and a knowledge of the words
of Jesus — nothing ! Yet that knowledge, without
any other, renders a man fitter to rule than all other
knowledge without it.
There is an examination coming in which that de-
spised knowledge will be the only knowledge that
will avail any thing. " For this is eternal life, to
know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom
Thou hast sent."
Oh, parents, let no prospect of worldly advantages
hinder you from making it your chief object to im-
part the knowledge of Jesus to your children ! Wheth-
er they say, " Tell me more about Jesus," or whether
they do not say it, continue, oh ! continue to tell them
about Jesus.
Gather them around you on the Sunday afternoon
or evening, and induce them, by various means, to
search the Word of God.
This little work is humbly offered as a feeble help
in those exercises. Children are apt to read words
without reflecting on their meaning. The simple de-
scriptions in these pages may attract some volatile
minds, and the questions may recall to their memories
PREFACE. Vll
the interesting sayings that have been purposely omit-
ted in the descriptions.
When memory fails to supply the omissions, then
recourse will be had to the Scriptures, and the forgot-
ten sayings will be more deeply impressed upon the
mind.
It is not to be expected that children under eight
years of age should join in this exercise, but it is hoped
that some young persons double that age may not de-
spise it.* Great pains have been taken, by consulting
Kitto's Dictionary of the Bible, Home's Introduction,
Scott's Commentary, Josephus's History, and Stanley's
* Note to Parents. — As a successor to this work, and for the use
of more advanced youth, and for grown persons, the Publishers rec-
ommend Eev. Dr. W. M. Thomson's recently published volumes,
"The Land and the Book." Sabbath-school teachers, clergymen,
and all engaged in the instruction of youth in the truths of Holy
Writ, will find no other book so serviceable or so interesting. Dr.
Thomson resided for twenty-five years in Syria, and enjoyed there
unusual facilities for correct observation of the peculiarities of country
and people. His work embodies the result of this quarter of a cen-
tury of observation. It is arranged with a complete Index of Scrip-
ture passages, upon which light is thrown by circumstances and inci-
dents detailed in the work ; contains over two hundred and forty beau-
tiful engravings, illustrations of the people, customs, and scenery of
the Holy Land ; and, as a thorough, practical, and vividly-interest-
ing commentary on the manners and customs, places and people of
the New and Old Testament, it is invaluable to all Bible students.
Vlll PREFACE.
Travels, to supply information respecting places and
customs.
No applications are made of the affecting facts de-
scribed, because such, applications appear dull to giddy
childhood, unless exactly appropriate to individual
state, and urged in the moving tones of a parent's
voice. The writer keeps silence that the parent may
speak.
Sunday-school teachers may occasionally read this
book to their first class, and thus lead their scholars to
reflect on passages that they can already repeat by rote.
CONTENTS.
LESSON PAGE
i. The Aged Priest 17
ii. The Poor Maiden 21
in. The Cousin's Visit 23
iv. The Baby Prophet 26
v. The Baby Saviour 28
vi. The Babe in the Temple 30
vn. The Star 33
vni. The Alarm 37
ix. The Weeping Mothers 40
x. The Carpenter 43
xi. The Joyful Journey 45
xii. The Wise Child 46
xiii. The Earnest Preacher 49
xiv. The Holy Dove 53
xv. The Dreadful Desert 55
xvi. The Lamb 57
xvii. The Saviour's Home 58
xvni. The Feast < 61
xix. The Market 66
xx. The Secret Visit 69
xxi. The Well 71
xxn. The Cruel Congregation 77
xxm. The Four Fishermen 81
X CONTENTS.
LESSON PAGE
xxiv. The Man with Four Friends 86
xxv. The Man without a Friend 91
xxvi. The Mountain Prayer 94
xxvn. The Wild Man , 99
xxviii. The Prison 104
xxix. The Guilty King 108
xxx. The Supper by the Lake 110
xxxi. The Walk on the Waters , 114
xxxii. The Selfish Multitude 118
xxxiii. The Mountain of Glory 121
xxxiv. The Miserable Youth 124
xxxv. The Collectors of Money 127
xxxvi. The Busy Woman 130
xxxvii. The Grateful Beggar 135
xxxvih. The Ungrateful Nine 139
xxxix. The Earnest Beggar 143
xl. The Happy Publican 146
xli. The Sorrowful Sisters 151
xlii. The Grateful Woman 155
xliii. The Royal Rider 159
xliv. The Fig-tree 167
xxv. The Poor Widow 170
xlvi. The Traitor 173
xlvii. The Passover prepared 175
XLvm. The Passover eaten .• 178
xlix. The Garden 183
l. The Priest's Palace 187
li. The Porch 191
lii. The Suicide 194
liii. The Governor's Palace 197
liv. The Crucifixion 206
lv. The Soldier's Spear 213
CONTENTS. XI
LESSON PAGE
lvi. The Burial , 216
lvii. The Guard 220
Lvni. The Kesurrection 223
lix. The Evening Walk..,,,..,,, 229
lx. The Unbelieving Apostle,.. 233
lxi. The Breakfast ,...,, 234
lxii. The Mountain Assembly 237
lxiii. The Ascension ,.., 239
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Blessing little Children Frontispiece.
Map of the Land of Israel 16
Jerusalem 17
Nazareth 21
Hebron 23
Bethlehem 28
The Temple 30
Dove for Offering 31
Wise Men presenting Gifts 35
Asses used for Traveling 37
Egypt 38
Eiver between Rocks 49
Locusts, life size 51
John teaching 52
John baptizing in Jordan 53
Christ in the Wilderness •. 56
The Marriage in Cana 61
Water-jars 63
Jesus driving out the Money-changers 68
The Woman of Samaria 71
An Eastern Well 73
Nazareth 77
The Tumult at Nazareth 79
The Lake of Gennesaret 81
Peter and James called , 84
XIV LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Capernaum 86
House with flat Roof 88
The Pool of Bethesda 91
Jesus preaching on the Mount 97
Gadara f! 99
The Lord rebuking the Waters 100
Castle of Macherus 104
Jesus preaching near the Lake 110
Jesus walking on the Waves 116
The Mount of Transfiguration 121
The Transfiguration 122
Jesus at Bethany 130
Present Aspect of Bethany 131
Cluster of Dates 134
The Pool of Siloam 135
Present Aspect of the Pool of Siloam 137
Present Aspect of the Plain of Jericho 141
Jesus near Jericho 146
Sycamore-tree 147
Sycamore Figs 150
Jesus on Mount Olivet 159
Present Aspect of the Mount of Olives 161
A Palm-tree 163
Gethsemane 183
Jesus praying alone... 185
Valley of the Son of Hinnom , 194
The Floor of colored Stones 200
Calvary 206
The Garden of Joseph of Arimathea 216
Bearing Jesus to the Tomb 218
Within the Tomb 219
The Meeting near Emmaus 229
"He was seen of above Five Hundred Brethren at 01106' ' 237
JERUSALEM.
MORE ABOUT JESUS.
LESSON L
THE AGED PRIEST.
Behold that great city !
"What is that beautiful building on the top of that
hill ? It is white as snow ; it shines like the sun ; for
it is made of white marble, adorned with gold.
Look through the golden gate. How beautiful a
B
18 THE AGED PRIEST.
room! There are seven golden candlesticks on one
side, and a golden table on the other; and in the
midst a golden altar.
Before that altar an aged man is standing. He has
a long gray beard, and he is clothed in white linen,
with a blue and scarlet girdle around his waist, a
white turban or bonnet on his head, and no shoes
upon his feet.
Smoke is ascending from that golden altar, and the
air is sweet with the smell of spices.
That old man is praying earnestly. Surely he must
be a good man !
But, behold ! what a glorious light fills the place !
See ! the old man trembles! What makes him afraid?
On one side of that golden altar a bright creature
stands. His garments are whiter far than those the
old man wears ; his countenance is brighter far than
the light of the lamps in the golden candlestick.
Hark ! he speaks. He seems to be uttering words
of comfort. How much astonished that old man looks !
But the bright messenger looks displeased. Is he
rebuking the old man ?
He is gone !
The old man lifts up the curtain before the golden
gate, goes down the twelve marble steps, and enters a
court full of people.
THE AGED PRIEST. 19
Those people seem glad to see him. But he does
not speak to them ; he only makes signs.
And now a lamb is offered up on the great brass
altar in the court, and the singers sing psalms, and
the trumpeters blow trumpets ; but that old man hears
not the sound.
After the teacher has read the above section to the child, let
her ask the questions below. The method of teaching must de-
pend upon the age and tmderstanding of the pupils. If they
be more than ten years old, they might like to search themselves
in the Scriptures for the answers, after being told where to look.
If the pupils be ve?*y young, it might be better to tell them the
answers. In no case should the Scripture lesson be made a
task, but should always be taught so as to make it a pleasure
and a treat.
What is the name of that beautiful building?
In what city is it built?
What is the name of that old man?
What is he doing ? Answer. Burning incense on the golden al-
tar in the Holy Place. The priests drew lots each day to know
which of them should have this honor.
What is incense ? Sweet-smelling spices burned and offered up.
See Exod. xxx.
Is the old man who offers the incense the high-priest? No, he
is a common priest. He may go into the Holy Place, but not into
the Holy of Holies.
What is the angel's name ?
What message does he bring?
Why is he displeased?
What punishment does he inflict from God on the aged man ?
How long did the old priest stay in Jerusalem before he returned
20 THE AGED PRIEST.
home ? He staid till the end of the week. The priests were di-
vided into twenty-four courses (or sets), and each course served a
week at a time.
Luke, i., 5-23.
This passage may either be read or used as a reference only.
A verse of Scripture to be learned by heart :
THE ANGELAS WORDS TO ZACHARIAS.
UI am Gabriel, that stand in the presence
of God, and am sent to speak unto thee, and
to show thee these glad tidings." — Luke, i., 19.
PRESENT ASPECT OP NAZAEETH.
LESSON II.
THE POOR MAIDEN.
A small town is built on the side of a fruitful hill.
The streets of that town are steep and narrow. The
houses are built of rough stones, and their roofs are
flat. All around are corn-fields and green pastures,
adorned with blue and scarlet flowers, and vines laden
with purple grapes, and olive-trees, and fig-trees.
22 THE POOR MAIDEN.
In a lowly dwelling in that small town a poor
maiden lives. She is a gentle, modest5 holy girl.
Behold! an angel is speaking to her. That bright
angel is full of joy ; that poor maiden is full of fear.
The angel is telling her some delightful news. Why,
then, is she so full of fear? She seems to wonder
that an angel should bring such a message to a hum-
ble maiden like herself. She seems to think herself
unworthy of the notice of the Most High.
Now the angel is gone, and she is thinking of the
wonderful things he has said.
What is the name of that town ?
What is the name of that angel?
What is the name of that maiden?
What delightful message does the angel bring?
How long is it since that angel spoke to Zacharias ? Six months.
Luke, i., 26-29.
THE ANGEL'S WORDS TO MARY.
" Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor
with God."
LESSON III.
THE COUSIN'S VISIT.
Those hills are not so green and flowery as the
hills near Nazareth. They are more stony and more
craggy, yet they are fruitful in corn and wine.
Among those hills there dwells an aged man, with
his aged wife. No little children are playing at their
feet, and calling them " grandfather" and " grand-
mother." Yet they look peaceful and happy. But
they do not speak to one another. How is that ? for
24 the cousin's visit.
they seem to love one another. Sometimes the old
man makes signs or writes, but he never speaks to
the old woman or to any of his friends.
Have you ever seen that old man before? Per-
haps you remember him in the Holy Place. He is
not dressed as he was then. He wears no white robe
nor white bonnet, but he has clothes like the other
people in the town — a long, close-fitting garment, and
over it a large loose shawl twisted around his limbs.
Who is stopping at the door of the old man's dwell-
ing? A sweet and modest maiden. She has come
from a long way off. How weary she must be ! She
opens her arms to embrace that aged woman. What
an affectionate meeting !
The old woman treats that maiden as if she were
an angel come from Heaven ; she seems to think it a
great honor to have her in the house.
That aged saint is speaking sweet words of blessing.
The maiden answers in a lovely hymn, sweet as an
angel's song.
When she has finished her hymn, she does not leave
the house to return home. That good old man wishes
her to stay in his house, and so she stays for a great
many weeks. But while the two friends talk togeth-
er, the old man sits silent ; he can not hear their good
words nor their sweet hymns.
the cousin's visit. 25
What town is that? No one knows the name, hut it is one of
the priests' cities in Judah ; and it is probable the town is Hebron,
near the place where Abraham once dwelt, and where Isaac was
born. There were thirteen cities where priests had houses, and
gardens, and fields.
Who is that old man?
Why does he not wear his priestly dress? Because that was
only worn in the temple.
Why does he not speak ?
Who is that old woman?
Who is that poor maiden?
Whence does she come ?
How far has she traveled? About a hundred miles.
Is that old woman a friend of hers ? Yes, she is her cousin.
Why does the maiden come and see her now ? Because the an-
gel told her of the son promised to that old woman.
Why does the old woman pay so much respect to the young
maiden? Because she knows that the Son of God will be that
maiden's son.
What hymn did the maiden utter? That hymn which begins,
"My soul doth magnify the Lord."
How. long did the maiden stay in the old priest's house?
Luke, i., 39-57.
Elizabeth's words to mary.
" Blessed art thou among women. . . .
Whence is this to me, that the mother of my
Lord should come to me?" — Luke, i., 42, 43.
26 THE BABY PROPHET.
LESSON IV.
THE BABY PROPHET.
How happy are the people assembled in that house !
It is the house among the hills where the old priest
lives. There he is, and his old wife, wifli a great
many friends and neighbors. But where is that dear
maiden who came to see them from a great way off?
She has gone home ; she is not there.
What is it, that little thing wrapped up so careful-
ly, looked at by every body? It is a very little
baby. It can not sit up ; it can not laugh ; it can not
hold any thing in its hands. It is a baby of a week
old.
How fondly that old woman folds it in her arms!
How fondly that old priest fixes his eyes upon it!
Are they the parents of the babe ?
The friends in the house are talking together, and
often looking toward the babe, as if they were speak-
ing of it. But the old woman does not like what
they say, for she seems to say " No."
Then the friends look surprised, and turn toward
the old priest. They do not speak to him, but make
THE BABY PROPHET. 27
signs, as if he were deaf. He makes a sign, and a
little board is brought to him. It is about the size of
a slate, only it is a piece of wood, spread over with
wax. The priest takes an iron pencil, and writes on
the wax just two or three words.
The friends read the words, and seem astonished;
but the old woman is not
What a sudden change there is in that holy priest !
He is speaking now. Surely he is praising God in
the words of poetry ! At last he turns to the babe,
and speaks to it, with joy shining in his face.
Who is that priest, and who is his wife?
Who is that babe?
What are the friends come together for ?
What are they talking about ?
Why does the mother say No? Surely her husband must have
told her in writing what the angel said ?
What words does the father write upon the board or table ?
Why does he begin to speak?
Why did the priest rejoice so much over that babe? Because
he was come into the world to tell men about Jesus.
Luke, i., 57, to end.
THE WORDS OF ZACHARIAS TO HIS BABE.
"And thou, child, shalt be called the
Prophet of the Highest." — Luke, i., 76.
13ETIILEHEM.
LESSON V.
THE BABY SAVIOUR.
It is night. In that town, among those stony hills,
many travelers are sleeping in their beds ; for there is
an inn, with a large court, and many little rooms built
round the court, and those little rooms are filled this
night with weary travelers. The asses on which they
rode are in the little sheds behind.
In one of those sheds, among the asses, a babe is
sleeping. It is wrapped up in long clothes, and it is
lying upon a bed of hay. A poor maiden is close be-
THE BABY SAVIOUK. 29
side the babe, looking upon it with the fondest love ;
while a good man is standing near, watching over the
babe and its mother.
Suddenly the door opens. Several poor men want
to come in. They seem to be out of breath from run-
ning fast. "When they see the babe they are delight-
ed. They are telling of something they have^seen in
the sky.
The maiden listens to all they say. She does not
speak much herself, but she attends to all good words,
and thinks about them, and remembers them a long-
time. She is a tender-hearted, heavenly -minded
maiden.
The poor men leave the stable; praising God as they
go, and telling every body they meet about the babe
in the stable.
What is the name of that town ?
Who is the man watching over the babe and its mother ?
Who came to the stable in the night?
Who told them to come?
What are they praising God for?
Luke, ii., 1-20.
THE ANGEL'S WORDS TO THE SHEPHERDS.
"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all peo-
ple."—Luke, ii., 10.
THE TEMPLE.
LESSON VL
THE BABE IN THE TEMPLE.
A holy maiden is going up some steps, and pass-
ing through a golden gate into a court surrounded by
a stone wall. There are more steps leading into a
higher court, but she may go no farther.
Is the maiden all alone ? No ; a good man is tak-
ing care of her ; for she is poor, and weak, and timid,
and needs his care. They bring with them a little
babe, wrapped in long clothes. It is the loveliest
THE BABE IN THE TEMPLE.
31
babe that ever was seen. There may have been other
babes as fair, but there never was one with so sweet a
countenance. No passion ever reddened that little
face ; patience and meekness may be seen, like two
doves, in those gentle eyes.
And what are those birds that his mother carries in
a basket? They are two doves — two doves, just like
her own gentle babe.
DOVE FOE OFFERING.
She gives these doves to a man in a white robe.
She gives them to him to offer to the Lord, because
the Lord has given her a son. If she were rich, she
would offer a lamb, but as she is poor she brings
doves instead. She gives into the priest's hand an-
other offering : it is five small pieces of money. They
are the offering for a first-born son, for all the first-
32 THE BABE IN THE TEMPLE.
born sons were the Lord's, and must be bought back
with money.
Now there comes into the court a very old man,
with a joyful face. He goes up to the mother, and
takes the babe in his arms, and begins to pray to his
God. Soon he turns to the mother of the babe, and
to her husband, and speaks to them both in a sorrow-
ful manner.
But who is this coming in, bent with age ? It is a
very old woman ; she seems to be more than a hund-
red years old. She is praising God most earnestly.
She speaks to the people standing around her in the
court.
Who is the babe?
And who is his mother? And who is her husband?
How old is that babe? Forty days, or nearly six weeks.
What is he brought to the temple for? To be presented to the
Lord, because he is the first-born son.
Why does the mother give money to the priest? To redeem or
buy back her son. A lamb might have been offered upon the al-
tar, but a child could not ; so he was bought back with money.
See Num., xviii., 16, 17.
How much money was paid to redeem a first-born son? Five
shekels. Each shekel was worth two shillings and threepence.
Why does the mother present the doves to the priest ? As her
own offering to God for letting her come again into the temple
after her son has been born.
Where will the priest take the doves ? To the great brass altar
before the gate of the temple.
Who is that old man?
THE STAR. 38
What does he pray to God for? To let him die, now he has
seen the Saviour.
How did he know that the babe was the Saviour of the world ?
The Holy Ghost told him.
Who is that old woman?
How old is she? She must be more than a hundred, for she
has been a widow eighty-four years, and was a wife seven years.
Luke, ii., 22-38.
THE FIRST WORDS OF SIMEON^ PRAYER.
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart
in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salva-
tion."
LESSON VII.
THE STAR.
Who are those men in rich and handsome gar-
ments, going about the streets of a great city ?
They seem to be strangers, who have come from
far. They are asking questions of the people they
meet. Every one seems surprised at what they say,
and many seem troubled and terrified, yet no one can
give an answer to the strangers.
But see ! the strangers are standing at the gate of a
fine palace. The servants lead them into a room of
C
34: THE STAR.
enormous size, adorned with, gold, and fitted up with
large marble seats.
An old man, in a magnificent purple robe, receives
them ; he speaks to them graciously, yet his counte-
nance is fierce and cruel. But the strangers appear
pleased with what that old man says, and they go
away in good spirits.
They mount their camels by night, and leave the
city quietly, for so that old man wished they should.
Their way lies among the chalky hills where shep-
herds feed their flocks. Did those shepherds see them
pass who lately heard the angels sing at midnight ?
When the strangers have gone six miles they reach
a hill, covered with vines, and watered by running
streams. They enter a small town built on that hill,
but they know not where to go, till, looking up, they
see a bright star.
It is a long while since they saw that star, but they
remember it well, for it is not like other stars. It
moves along the sky. It shows the way, even as a
bird might do, flying in the air. How full of joy
those strangers are at the sight of that beautiful trav-
eling star ! They watch it as it moves over the roofs
of the houses. Lo ! it stops ! it stops over that lowly
roof.
How quietly the strangers enter that house ! There
THE STAR. 35
they find a gentle mother holding a sweet babe in her
arms.
They bend down on that floor; they worship that
child. They rejoice to see that babe, as once the
shepherds did.
But they are richer than those shepherds.
They take the burdens from their camels' backs,
and open their treasures at the baby's feet.
THE WISE MEN PRESENTING GIFTS.
Here are costly boxes of precious gums, which
flowed from the trees in their own land.
Here are bags of gold, found near rivers in their
own land.
Those precious gums will make sweet ointment to
36 THE STAR.
anoint the holy babe. That precious gold will pur-
chase food for the poor babe in the long journey it is
going soon to take.
The babe's mother was so poor that she could not
afford to buy a lamb for her sacrifice when she went
to the temple. Grod feedeth the fowls who know Him
not, much more does He feed His own children who
trust in Him.
Who are the strangers in that holy city?
What questions are they asking ?
Did they get an answer to that question? Not at first, but at
last they did.
Who sent for them secretly?
How did he know where Christ would be born? The priests
and learned men had told him; and they had found it from the
text in Micah, v., 2.
What question did the king ask the strangers ? When they had
first seen the star. He wanted to know when Christ had been
born, for he thought the star must have appeared first on the day
Christ was born. The strangers told the king when Christ was
born, and he told them where he was born.
How did they find the house where the babe was? The star
showed them.
What sweet gums did they offer to the babe?
Why did they worship him? Because he was God.
Matt., ii., 1-12.
THE WISE MEN'S JOY.
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced
with exceeding great joy."- — Matt, ii., 10.
ASSES USED FOR TRAVELING.
LESSON VIII.
THE ALARM.
It is night. All is quiet in the town among the
stony hills, six miles from the great city.
But suddenly a man rises from his bed in great
haste, goes out of the house into the stable, and takes
38
THE ALARM.
out the ass. A young woman, with, a child in her
arms, comes quietly out of the same house, and gets
upon the ass. Her head is covered over with a loose
garment, and she fondly wraps it round her babe, to
hide it from every eye.
The parents are grieved to leave the town where
the baby was born, and where shepherds and strangers
came to worship him. Besides, it is the town where
David lived a thousand years before.
They travel day after day toward a hotter land.
They pass through a great sandy desert, where there
THE ALARM. 39
is only a little short grass and a few stunted shrubs,
and where all is dry and dreary, except a palm-tree
here and there. Sometimes they rest under the shad-
ow of a rock, and drink of the waters of a well. But
there are no cooling streams nor shady groves in that
desert land.
At last they come to a fruitful land. A very broad
river runs through it, and plenty of corn grows in it,
but there are no green hills like the hills of Canaan.
But what are those frightful images of beasts, and
insects, and all kinds of things? They are horrid
idols. Men and women are dancing round them with
wild delight. How sad it makes that holy little fam-
ily to see such wicked doings ! They think of the
true God, and of His temple at Jerusalem.
Why does that man rise in the night and set out on a journey ?
What is the man's name?
What town does he leave?
To what land does he go?
Matt., iL, 12-15.
THE ANGELAS WORDS TO JOSEPH.
" Arise, take the young child and his moth-
er and flee into Egypt." — Matt., ii., 13.
40 THE WEEPING MOTHERS.
LESSON IX.
THE WEEPING MOTHERS.
Is that the town where the babe was born about
whom angels sang ?
Is that the town where angels told the shepherds to
go?
Is that the town where the star led the wise men ?
Yes, it is that very town. It stands upon the hill
covered with vines.
The stones of that town are stained with blood — with
the innocent blood of babes.
Soldiers with drawn swords are running from house
to house, and mothers, clasping babies in their arms,
are screaming in the streets.
Behold that soldier snatching a babe from its moth-
er's arms, and stabbing it with his sword ! How the
mother tears her hair, and wrings her hands with ag-
ony! Behold there! a mother lies fainting on the
ground, with her bleeding infant by her side. Be-
hold there ! a mother lies weeping over the body of
her babe.
It is no use trying to comfort these poor mothers.
THE WEEPING- MOTHEES. 41
They say, " Our little ones are gone, that we fondled
in our arms — our pretty babes, that we loved so ten-
derly."
Oh, mothers, weep no more! you shall find your
little ones again in your Saviour's arms ; for a Saviour
is come (though you know it not) to die for you and
your little ones.
When the soldiers have killed all the babies in that
town, they go to other towns close by, and murder
the babies there. Every where there are mothers
weeping for their babes. How can the soldiers bear
the sight !
To what town did the soldiers go first to kill the babies ?
"Who sent them?
Why?
What became of this wicked king? Very soon after he had
killed the babies he fell dangerously ill. His disease was a very
dreadful one. He felt as if a fire was burning in the midst of his
body. It seemed, indeed, as if the pains of hell had taken hold
upon him before he died. His hunger was as keen as that of a
wolf, and nothing would content him but meat. Yet the more he
ate, the more pain he suffered. A loathsome running matter came
out of his feet, and part of his body was eaten with worms. His
breath also failed him, and even when he sat upright he panted and
gasped as if ready to expire. And so corrupt was his breath and
his body, that it was most unpleasant to come near him.
He sent for doctors, and declared he was ready to do any thing
they advised. They told him to go to a place the other side of the
river Jordan, where there was a hot spring of water, and to bathe
in that stream. So he left Jerusalem, and went to the hot baths ;
but be was not at all the better for bathing. Then the doctors de-
42 THE WEEPING MOTHERS.
sired him to bathe in a tub of oil. So he did ; but no sooner was
he plunged in the oil than he seemed to be dying. His servants
pulled him out of the tub, and began to cry out and howl, as was
the custom when a king died. These loud cries brought Herod to
himself again.
As he now thought he had bathed enough, he went to Jericho,
which was very near, and there lay aipon his death-bed. What a
death-bed it was ! Herod grew more passionate and cruel as he
grew worse. One day he called for an apple. His servants brought
him one, as well as a knife to pare it. When he saw the knife, he
looked around to see whether any body was watching him, and,
thinking he was not noticed, he took the knife, and was just going
to stab himself ; but one of his cousins saw what he was going to
do, and seized hold of his hand, and cried out with a loud voice.
The servants came running to see what was the matter, and when
the cousin told them how Herod had tried to kill himself, they be-
gan to make a great noise, as if they were much grieved, but, of
course, their sorrow was all pretense.
There was a prince in a prison not far off, and he heard some
one say that the king was dead. This prince was the eldest son of
Herod, and he was shut up in prison because he had once tried to
poison his father. Now he was full of hope that the jailer would let
him go, and he promised to reward him if he would ; but, instead
of letting him go, this jailer went and told the king, and the king
was so angry that he cried out, and beat his own head in his rage.
Then he raised himself on one elbow in his bed, and called for one
of his soldiers, and told him to go immediately and kill the prince.
The soldier went to the prison and executed this wicked son. Five
days afterward Herod died.
And did any one lament his death ? No one. I am sure those
poor mothers did not, who had lately lost their youngest darlings.
However, Herod had a magnificent funeral. His son, Archelaus,
ordered that the dead body should be dressed in purple robes, and
that a crown should be placed on its head, and a sceptre in its
hands. Thus arrayed, the loathsome corpse was placed in a golden
coffin, adorned with many precious stones, and covered with a pur-
ple wrapper. A long train of princes — Herod's .sons and relations —
THE CARPENTEK. 43
followed the coffin ; and then came a whole army of soldiers ; and,
lastly, five hundred servants, bearing fragrant spices. And yet not
one tear was shed by all these thousands of people !
Matt., ii., 16-18.
THE MOTHERS' GRIEF.
" Rachel weeping for her children, and
would not be comforted, because they are
not."— Matt., ii., 18.
Why are the mothers called Rachel ? Because Rachel was un-
happy about her baby, little Benjamin, thinking he would die.
LESSON X.
THE CARPENTER.
A POOR man is leading an ass through a desert. A
-"■o
gentle mother and her babe are riding on the ass.
That babe is now old enough to walk and to talk.
How sweet to hear his remarks and his questions as
he travels along in his mother's fond arms ! It is the
most loving and the most lovely child ever seen in
this world; for it is as meek as a lamb, and as pure
as a lily.
The kind man who guides the ass through the
sandy desert comes at last to the fair land of Canaan.
44 THE CARPENTER.
He seems uncertain which, way to take. He is look-
ing toward those stony hills where the babe was born ;
but he asks questions of the people he meets, and
when he hears their answers he does not go where he
wishes, but takes another road, and goes nearly a
hundred miles farther, till he comes to some green
and flowery hills. He enters a town built on the
west side of a hill. The people know him well ; they
seem to be his old friends and neighbors; and they
know his wife too, but they have never seen the
babe before. Oh, what long journeys that babe has
taken! What cold night -blasts chilled his tender
limbs when fleeing from the cruel Herod ! What hot
suns have beat on his gentle head ! Over what rough
paths has he been hurried ! In what mean hovels has
he taken shelter since he lay in the manger !
And now, to what kind of a home has he come?
To a lowly abode in a carpenter's yard. His mother's
husband saws wood, and hammers in the nails.
That dear child is ready to work whenever his pa-
rents command him.
Yet it is He by whom the heavens and the earth
were made.
When he looks at the wood and the nails in his pa-
rents' yard, does he think of the cross of wood on
which he will one day be nailed f
THE JOYFUL JOURNEY. 45
Why did Joseph leave Egypt? Because an angel told him
Herod was dead.
AYhv does he not go and live at Bethlehem or Jerusalem ? Be-
cause he heard that Herod's wicked son, Archelaus, was king oyer
that part of the land.
To what town does he go ?
Luke, ii., 19, to end.
Joseph's abode.
aAnd he came and dwelt in a city called
Nazareth." — Luke, ii., 23.
LESSON XL
THE joyful journey.
It is the first month of spring. The green grass is
gaudy with scarlet lilies, poppies, and tulips.
The little town on the side of the hill is full of
movement. A great company of people are setting
out on a journey. Women are riding upon asses.
They screen their eyes from the sun with the shawls
which cover their heads. The men are walking, with
sandals on their feet and turbans on their heads.
Their robes are of blue, or red, or white, and are fast-
ened with girdles.
46 THE WISE CHILD.
There are not many children in that company ; but
there is one, about twelve years old, whom all the
neighbors seem to love. He never joins with other
children in rude play or wild tricks, but he loves
singing psalms with those who fear God.
How sweet are the words of the psalm sung by that
company ! "I was glad when they said unto me, Let
us go into the house of the Lord."
From what town are that company going?
To what town are they going?
What are they going there for?
Luke, ii., 41, 42.
THE YOUTHFUL SAVIOUR.
" And Jesus increased in wisdom and stat-
ure, and in favor with God and man." — Luke,
ii., 52.
LESSON XII.
THE WISE CHILD.
Behold that beautiful city built upon hills ! On
the top of one of those hills there is a grand building
of marble and gold. There are courts around it : each
court is higher than the other.
<tHE WISE CHILD. 47
A sorrowful man, with his sorrowful wife, ascends
the hill, and enters the lowest court. It is a fine place,
with a pavement of colored marbles, and surrounded
by stone walls.
There is a large hall in this court. The roof is of
cedar wood, supported by pillars of marble. The two
sorrowful persons enter this hall. There are other
halls in this court, but this is the chief of all the halls.
What do these two mourners see when they enter
the hall ? They see old men, with long gray beards,
sitting on high seats, and at their feet many youths,
sitting on the floor, listening to their words.
Among those youths there is one who answers bet-
ter than all the rest. Every one is surprised to hear
his answers. Every one is surprised, also, to hear his
questions, for they are such wise and such hard ques-
tions. Yet how humble that boy seems ! He is not
seeking to be praised or admired.
The sorrow of the woman is changed into joy as
soon as she sees that boy. She speaks to him ; she
does not seem to be quite pleased with him, though
her face beams with the fondest love.
The boy answers her with affection and respect, yet
with all the majesty of a young prince, though yet he
is only a poor boy. Soon he rises from his lowly
seat, and follows his two kind friends.
48 THE WISE CHILD.
What city is that?
What is the beautiful building on the top of a hill?
What hall is that? The temple was surrounded by courts.
Into the court just round the temple none but priests entered;
into the court beyond all the men of Israel might enter; into the
court beyond that, women as well as men might enter; and into
the outermost court all nations might come, both men and women.
This court was called the Court of the Gentiles. In this court
•here were many buildings, where Levites resided. One of these
halls was a place where youths were taught by the elders. It
was also used as a synagogue, or place of worship.
Who are the two sorrowful people ?
What is the reason of their sorrow?
What does the mother say to her son?
What does he answer?
What is the meaning of " Wist ye not?" It means, "Do you
not know?"
Luke, ii., 42-53,
THE LORD'S ANSWER TO HIS MOTHER.
uHow is it that ye sought me? Wist ye
not that I must be about my Father's busi-
ness?"— Luke, ii, 49.
THE RIVER BETWEEN ROCKS.
LESSON XIII.
THE EARNEST PREACHER.
A riyer flows between steep banks. There are
mountains on each side the river.
Among those mountains a man lives all alone.
D
50 THE EARNEST PREACHER.
He wears a garment of the coarsest brown cloth, and
a girdle made of skin. He looks like one who has al-
ways lived in the open air, or slept in a cave; he
looks like one who has been wet with the dews of
night, and scorched by the noonday sun. The skin
of such a man must be brown and hard, and his hair
must be long and thick.
Now the lonely man is sitting under a tree, eating
his simple meal. He can not get bread in that deso-
late place. What, then, are those little morsels he is
putting into his mouth? They are small animals,
which live on grass and leaves ; they are not bigger
than a child's finger. The lonely man finds them in
the desert, and lives upon them. He searches in the
hollow trees, and he finds there sweet stuff fit to eat.
"When he is thirsty he drinks of the water of the river,
or of the rivulets that flow down the mountain side.
He seems to be happy in his desert, and not to wish
to go to the towns. He is often speaking to One who
can not be seen, and he is often hearing One speak to
him from Heaven.
What crowds of people are coming toward the lone-
ly man! From all parts the crowds are hastening.
Now they have gathered round that holy man. Now
they are listening to his voice. There is one word
the preacher often utters. The people tremble, they
weep, they pray.
THE EARNEST PREACHER.
51
But there are some men standing by with proud
and scornful looks. They wear fine and costly gar-
ments. The preacher observes their sneers and their
jeers.
He is not afraid of them. He turns toward them,
52 ■ THE EARNEST PREACHER.
JOHN TEACHING.
and speaks to them with a holy anger. But these
scoffers do not care for his warnings.
Who is that man?
Whose son is he?
Where is he preaching?
How long has he been in that place? Ever since he was a
child. Luke, i., 80.
What is his garment made of?
What does he eat?
What word does he often utter in his sermon? "Repent"
Who are his proud hearers ?
What terrible name does he call them by? Vipers.
Matt., iii., 1-7.
John's warning to the Pharisees.
"Who hath warned you to flee from the
wrath to comeT1 — Matt., iii., 7.
;:wi^
<&&
wmm
JOHN BAPTIZING LS JOEDAN.
LESSON XIV.
THE HOLY DOVE.
Close by the river-side, among the trees on the
banks, the preacher is standing. Who are these com-
ing toward him, with tears on their cheeks? They
are poor men, clothed in coarse garments. The
preacher receives them kindly, and goes with them
to the water. He bathes them in the jiver, and prays
with them.
What crowds are standing by the river's edge, anx-
I
54 THE HOLY DOVE.
ious to be washed in the stream ! But they are all
poor ; none of the proud men go with the preacher
into the water.
Here comes one man, more humble than all the
rest. Yet, when the preacher sees him, he speaks to
him with the greatest respect, as if he were speaking
to a king — yes, with still more respect. j He seems
unwilling to go with him into the water, but the hum-
ble man persuades him to lead him there.
They are now coming up out of the water together,
praying.
Look up ! What is that brightness ? Nothing on
earth was ever seen so bright. And who is flying
down from Heaven ? It is no bird of earth, yet it is
One who is like a dove, even the Holy Spirit of God ;
and the Holy Spirit rests upon the head of that bless-
ed One, praying in the water.
Hark ! what is that sound ? It is a voice, yet not
the voice of man, nor the voice of angel. It is a voice
uttering some joyful, yet awful words.
How earnestly the preacher listens to the sound !
"With what deep respect he looks upon the man
who came to him so humbly !
What river is that?
"Who is the preacher?
What is it he does to the people in the river ? He baptizes them.
THE DREADFUL DESERT. 55
Why does he baptize them? As a sign that God washes away
the sins of repenting sinners in precious blood.
What did John say when Jesus came to be baptized?
What did Jesus answer?
What did the Father say from Heaven?
Who are the Trinity?
Were the three Persons all seen and heard at this baptism ?
Yes ; the Father was heard, the Spirit was seen, and the Son was
seen and heard (for he was praying).
Matt., iii., 13-17. Mark, i., 9-11. Luke, iii., 21, 22.
THE WORDS OF THE FATHER TO HIS SON.
"Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased." — Mark, i., 11.
LESSON XV.
THE DREADFUL DESERT.
What a dismal, lonely place ! The mountains are
steep and rugged; the valleys are dark and gloomy.
There are deep caves where wild beasts hide them-
selves. How horrible is the sound of the lion's roar
and of the wolf's howl! There is hardly any grass
upon the dry ground, but great stones lie scattered
there.
See a man sitting among the stones ! How sorrow-
ful he looks ! He rises now, and walks and weeps.
56
THE DREADFUL DESERT.
____
CHRIST IN THE WILDERNESS.
It seems as if some one were pursuing him, but no
one can be seen besides himself. Why does he bend
his face toward the ground, and kneel and pray, and
cry out for help ? Of what is he afraid ? The wild
beasts do not come near him ; men can not live in
that barren place. What can fill that lonely man
with such trouble ?
Watch him from morning to night. You will
never see him sitting by a stream, drinking of its
water, nor eating a morsel of food. He eats neither
locusts nor honey.
THE LAMB. 57
Yet he goes on from day to day, living, and weep-
ing, and praying.
Who is the sorrowful man who eats no food in the desert?
How long does he remain there?
Who pursues and torments him there?
Who led him into the desert? The Holy Spirit; that Spirit
which had just descended upon him at his baptism.
Why does he suffer so much from Satan? To save us from
Satan.
Matt., iv., 1, 2. Mark, i., 12, 13. Luke, iv., 1, 2.
Christ's temptations.
" He was there in the wilderness forty days,
tempted of Satan; and was with the wild
beasts." — Mark, i., 13.
LESSON XVI.
THE LAMB.
The preacher is standing in the wilderness, among
the trees and hills, not far from the river.
People are standing around, listening to the preach-
er's words.
Suddenly he looks glad. He sees something at a
little distance which pleases him. He points that
58 THE saviour's home.
way, and speaks. There is a Man coming toward
hira.
That man is not clad, like the preacher, in a gar-
ment of camel's hair. He is dressed like any poor
man. But his face is more meek and holy than any
other face.
What does the preacher see a little way off to make him glad ?
What words does he speak when he sees Jesus?
Was the preacher in the same wilderness that Jesus was tempt-
ed in ? No ; for there were no people in the wilderness with
Jesus, only wild beasts.
John, i., 29-31.
THE WORDS OF JOHN TO THE PEOPLE.
" Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh
away the sin of the world.11 — John, i., 29.
LESSON XVII.
THE SAVIOUR'S HOME.
There, again, is the preacher in the wilderness.
To-day he looks as joyful as he did yesterday. There
are two of his friends standing close by him, listening
to his words.
The preacher speaks. There is the same man who
THE SAVIOUR'S HOME. 59
was seen yesterday ; he is walking along at a little
distance ; he will soon have passed by and be out of
sight. The two men standing near the preacher leave
him, and go after the man who is passing by. They
want to know him better. They do not venture to
go np to him and speak to him ; they only walk be-
hind him.
What joy for them ! That blessed man stops and
turns, and speaks so kindly. He speaks only a few
words. The two men answer him in a few words,
and he answers them in a very few more.
But see ! the three are now walking together. How
happy now those two friends seem ! What a sweet
walk they are taking in the wilderness !
At last they reach a lowly dwelling. All three go
in together. It is the afternoon. There is time for
much talking together before dark.
In the evening those friends take leave of the mas-
ter of the house. Will they ever forget the happy
hours they spent with him ? Surely this is the hap-
piest day they have ever passed.
What did John say the second time he saw Jesus walking ?
Who are the two men with him? One is Andrew; the other
we do not know, but we suppose it was John, because John wrote
this account, and so he may have preferred concealing his name.
Were Andrew and John brothers? No; they were partners in
the trade of fishing. Luke, v., 10. Andrew had a brother named
Simon, and John had a brother named James.
60 THE SAVIOUR'S HOME.
How do you distinguish the two Johns ? "We call one John
the Baptist, and the other John the Apostle.
What were the first words Jesus spoke to Andrew and his friend ?
What did they reply ?
What did Jesus reply?
At what hour did Jesus reach his dwelling ? About four o'clock.
How do you know that? Because it is written in John, i., 39,
"It was about the tenth hour." The Jews began to reckon their
hours from six o'clock in the morning ; therefore the tenth hour
is four o'clock.
John, i., 35-40.
Christ's invitation.
"Come and see." — John, i.? 39.
THE MARRIAGE IN CANA.
LESSON XVIII.
THE FEAST.
How glad the people seem to-day in that little
town ! It is a town among the green hills, where fig-
trees and flowers are growing. It is a town a few
miles from Nazareth.
What makes the town so gay this evening? Peo-
ple, dressed in their best clothes, are entering a house
where a feast is prepared.
And why is this feast prepared? To do honor to
a marriage that has just been made.
62 THE FEAST.
The bridegroom and the bride are there, but it is
not they who arrange the feast. There is a man call-
ed the "ruler," who takes all the trouble of receiving
the guests and directing the servants.
Behold the company seated round the tables, eating
and drinking, while the servants wait upon them.
Among the guests there is one very sorrowful man.
Though he is sorrowful, he has a heart that longs to
make every body glad. Some very dear friends have
come with him to the feast ; they are very poor men,
only fishermen. There is a woman, rather old, who
looks with fond affection upon the sorrowful man.
She is a humble, holy, and poor woman.
There are many empty cups on the table. "Why do
not the servants fill them with wine? But the bot-
tles and the jugs are empty too.
See, the servants are filling six large jars with wa-
ter. They fill them quite full. Are they going to
give the people water to drink ?
A servant is filling a cup from one of those jars.
But there seems to be wine in the cup.
A servant presents the cup to the ruler. He tastes
it ; he is astonished. He is now speaking to the bride-
groom.
The servants are speaking now; they are telling
something which surprises the guests. Every eye is
WATER- JARS.
THE FEAST. 65
now fixed upon that sorrowful man, and every mouth
is opened in wonder. Even the friends who came
with the sorrowful man are surprised.
But there is one person who is not surprised. That
elderly woman at the table expected to see this mira-
cle. As soon as ever the wine was gone, she expect-
ed that more wine would be supplied through the
wonderful power of that sorrowful man. Yet she had
never seen him perform a miracle before, but she knew
he was the Son of God, and that he could do every
thing.
What town is that?
What was the use of those stone jars? They were for the
guests to wash their hands in before dinner, and for other wash-
ings besides.
Why is every one at table so much surprised at the water be-
ing turned into wine? Because this was the first miracle which
Jesus did.
Who alone is not surprised? His mother.
What does she say which showed she expected this miracle to
be done?
What does the ruler of the feast say in praise of the wine ?
Can you think of any reason why Jesus should begin his mir-
acles by turning water into wine? Perhaps it was to show us
that he came into the world that we might come to a feast above,
where there should be abundance of wine.
What sort of a feast will that be ? It will be a marriage feast,
yet not like any earthly feast, nor will the wine be like earthly
wine. It will be a feast of love and joy in honor of the marriage
of the Lamb. See Rev., xix., 7-9.
John, ii., 1-12.
E
66 THE MARKET.
THE FIRST MIRACLE.
"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in
Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his
glory; and his disciples believed on him." —
John, ii., 11.
LESSON XIX.
THE MARKET.
Behold that great city built upon hills ! What a
splendid building there is in the midst! How high
it is lifted up above the streets of the city I
Go up into that splendid place. There is a beauti-
ful gate. Go through. You find yourself in a large
court, with a curious pavement of colored stones.
See that flight of steps ! Many people are going up
those steps into another court. But you must not,
unless you are a Jew. As you are a Gentile, you
must remain in this court below. Here Gentiles may
come and pray to God. s
What handsome halls are built all round this
court! The roofs are of cedar, supported by pillars
of marble.
THE MARKET. 67
In one of those great halls there a^e sheep and oxen.
How strange to see beasts in such a hall as that !
What can they have been brought here for ? There
are men standing by the beasts. Other men come to-
ward them. One looks at a lamb, asks the price, pays
the money, and takes it away with him. Another
chooses an ox and pays for it, and then leads it along.
What a noise the men make as they are disputing
about the price ! and what a noise the poor animals
make as they wait in the court ! Whcr can hear the
sweet singing of the psalms in the court above amid
this bleating and this lowing ?
There is a softer sound. It is the gentle cooings of
some doves shut up in cages. There are some parents
with a little baby, and they are buying a pair of
doves, and they take them to the court above.
Some people seem to be praying. How can they
pray amid this confusion ?
There are tables, with little chests of money upon
them, and men sitting beside them. Now a man
comes up and puts some money on the table, and the
man sitting by it gives him another sort of money in
exchange. The other man takes it, and goes up the
steps toward the temple. There is much cheating at
those money -tables. One says, "You gave me too
little ;" and the other declares he gave him too much.
What a shocking scene !
68
THE MARKET.
There is a man with a sorrowful countenance
watching all that passes. He looks more sorrowful
every moment. At last he stoops down and picks up
some of the rushes on which the oxen are treading,
and twists these rushes into a switch or a whip ; and
now he begins with that switch to drive out the sheep
and the oxen. The sellers of the beasts do not hinder
him, but go out with their droves and their flocks.
Then that holy man throws down the tables, and the
JE8US DRIVING THE MONEY-CHANGERS OUT OF THE TEMPLE.
money rolls on the pavement. But he does not up-
set the cages, or hurt the gentle doves. He says to
the dove-sellers, " Take these things away ;" and they
THE SECRET VISIT. 69
take them. The poor man's friends seem much sur
prised at what he is doing.
What was that court called where the beasts were sold ? It
was called the Court of the Gentiles, because even Gentiles might
come there.
What was the use of that court ? For people to pray in.
What did people buy animals for? To offer them in sacrifice
to God on the great altar.
Why was it wrong to sell and buy in that court ? Because that
court was a place for prayer to the Father, and not for business
with the world.
Why did people change money? Because all had to pay half
a shekel once a year to the priests, and they wanted to change
whole shekels for half shekels. A shekel was worth about half a
crown, and therefore half a shekel was fifteen pence.
What did Christ say as he drove out the sellers?
John, ii., 13-17.
Christ's words to the sellers.
"Make not my Father's house an house of
merchandise.11 — John, ii., 16.
LESSON XX.
the secret visit.
In the streets of that great city a man is walking in
the dark. He goes very quietly along, as if he did
not wish to be seen.
Is he a thief? He does not look like a thief, but
like a rich and honorable man.
70 THE SECRET VISIT.
He comes to a house; he is let in; he enters a
room ; he sits down by the side of a poor man, who
lives there.
With how much respect he treats that poor man!
He seems to be asking him questions. He listens to
the poor man's answers with great attention. At first
he seems much surprised ; then he looks very serious.
That poor man speaks with the majesty of a king,
yet with all the kindness of a brother. He has been
teaching all day long, yet he sits up at night to teach
that rich man.
Before the morning comes that rich man goes away,
for he does not wish any one to meet him coming out
of that poor man's house.
Who is that man walking in the night?
Why does he come to Jesus by night, and not in the day ?
What did he hear Jesus say which surprised him very much?"
What did Jesus say afterward about his own coming into the
world ?
John, iii., 1-18.
Christ's words to nicodemus.
44 God so loved the world, that He gave
His only-begotten Son, that whosoever be-
lieveth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life." — John, iii., 16.
THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA.
LESSON XXI.
THE WELL.
There are $wo high hills. Between them lies a
green and flowery valley. Corn-fields smile on every
side, while many a clump of olive-trees gives shade
to the weary laborer.
In all that sweet land there is not so sweet a valley
as this.
There is a small town built in an open part of the
72 THE WELL.
valley. About a mile beyond there is a well, shaded
by thick trees.
In the heat of the day, just about noon, a few tired
travelers come up to this well. One of them sits down
close beside it, but the others go on toward the town.
This traveler, who is left all alone by the well,
looks very weary and very thirsty. The thick trees
shelter him from the scorching rays of the sun, but
the well affords him no refreshment, for it is deep,
and there is no bucket to let down. It is a trial to a
thirsty man to see water and not be able to taste it.
But here comes a woman with a pail in her hand.
It is a little pail made of skins. That woman will
surely give some water to the traveler ; even if he
does not ask, she will offer him some.
But no, she does not. He is asking humbly and
sweetly, she is refusing proudly and rudely.
Is the traveler angry ? No, he does not look as if
he was offended. Thirsty as he is, he talks to the
woman in the kindest manner. She begins to look
less proud ; now she looks ashamed. She speaks re-
spectfully to the stranger.
But who are these, coming with loaves of bread
from the town. They come up to the well; they
look surprised, but they say not a word. They listen
quietly to those two who are talking at the well.
•>
•3=- il~M@ .y
THE WELL. 75
But now the woman looks astonished — so much as-
tonished that she can not go on talking. She sets off
running to the town, leaving her little pail standing
by the well.
Now the weary travelers are going to dine on the
food they have brought from the town. They can
get water from the well, for the woman has left her
little pail. But He who was so thirsty will neither
eat nor drink. His friends press him to take some
food, but he refuses. His thoughts are taken up with
something better than bread, better than water.
There is the sound of feet approaching — of many
feet, moving fast. Here is the woman, accompanied
by a troop of her neighbors, all anxious to see the
man who sits by the well. They come round him ;
they listen to him; and now they are leading him.
back with them to the town. How delighted they
are to have Jiis company ! The friends of that man
go with him. They sleep that night in the town.
The next day the kind Teacher must leave the
place. What a parting there is between him and
those poor people ! Many who did not love him at
first, love him now. Oh, how they wish they could
keep him always in their town ! And that woman,
who was so unkind as to refuse to give him a drop of
water, would readily now give him all she has, for she
loves him above all.
76 THE WELL.
But her teacher must go on his journey with his
friends to other towns.
What are the two hills on each side of that valley? The
mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, called the mountains of cursing
and blessing. See Deut., xxvii., 12, 13.
What town is in that valley ? Sychar, in the Old Testament
called Shechem, near which Jacob lived for a time. Gen., xxxiii.,
18.*
What were the first words Jesus spoke to the woman ?
Why did she refuse his request?
Why did the Jews and Samaritans hate one another so much?
Because the Samaritans were descended from various strange na-
tions, placed in Samaria by the King of Assyria. Therefore they
were despised by the Jews. 2 Kings, xvii., 24.
What did Jesus promise to give to the woman if she asked?
What did he mean by "living water?" John, vii., 37-39.
What did Jesus say which astonished this woman so much that
she left her water-pot and went into the city?f
John, iv., 5-42.
THE WORDS OF JESUS TO THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA.
u Whosoever drinketh of this water shall
thirst again ; but whosoever drinketh of the
water that I shall give him shall never thirst.'"
— John, iv., 13, 14.
* In this passage the word " Shalem" means safety, and the verse
should be read thus : "Jacob came in safety to the city of Shechem. "
i This city, called Sychar, received Jesus better than any other
city, and a blessing appears to rest upon it, for it is at this day the
most flourishing city in the land. Its modern name is Nablous.
NAZARETH.
LESSON XXII.
THE CRUEL CONGREGATION.
In that small town on the side of a hill there is no
splendid building of marble and gold, but there is a
place toward which many feet are bending their steps.
In that building there are benches, on which men sit
in rows. The women sit in another part by them-
selves. There are children also, sitting with their
mothers, and big boys sitting with their fathers.
There is no pulpit raised up on high, as in our
78 THE CRUEL CONGREGATION.
churches, no clergyman in his gown, nor communion
table behind the rails ; but, instead of a pulpit, there
is a high bench placed opposite the other benches.
On this high seat several wise and grave men are sit-
ting. There is a desk also, and there is at one end a
great chest.
A man with a sorrowful and humble countenance
enters the place. Many people seem to know him.
All eyes are fixed upon him, as if he was some won-
derful person. The chief man in the place invites
him to sit on'the raised bench. How different is his
humble look from the proud and haughty looks of
the men sitting there !
Presently he is desired to stand at the desk and
read, and a man goes to the chest and takes out a roll
of parchment and presents it to him.
This roll is covered with writing.
The humble man begins to read, and while he is
reading the whole congregation look at him most ear-
nestly.
He reads a few verses, then gives back the roll to
the man who has the care of the chest. He sits down.
Every body is longing to hear what he is going to
say. At first all the people seem pleased ; soon they
look disappointed ; now they look angry — more and
more angry; at last furious. They can not contain
THE CRUEL CONGREGATION.
79
their rage ; they rush from their seats ; they turn the
preacher out of the place ; they hunt him up the steep
street, as hounds hunt the innocent deer ; they hurry
him to the edge of the hill ; they drive him toward
the precipice ; they would fain hurl Him down and
dash him to pieces ; but — but he is gone ; no one can
find him ; he has escaped.
tfr ^YC^'fcVfcNX -VSV. «^ -
THE TUMULT AT NAZARETH.
His enemies are disappointed, as dogs that have
lost an innocent deer they were going to devour.
80 THE CRUEL CONGREGATION.
What town is that?
What building is it where people assemble?
What part of the Bible was written on that roll ?
What verses did Jesus read?
Who gave the roll to Jesus? The minister or servant who had
the care of the synagogue.
What did Jesus say in his sermon which made the people so
angry? He spoke of two Gentiles to whom God had granted
great favors.
Who were those Gentiles ? The widow of Zarephath, and Naa-
man the Syrian.
Why were the people angry at hearing God was kind to Gen-
tiles ? Because they wanted Jesus to be kind to Jews only, and
especially to them. They wanted him to do a great many mira-
cles in their city.
How did Jesus escape from those wicked men ? By the power
of God his Father, who saved him out of all danger till his time
to die was come.
How cruel were the men of Nazareth ! How hind were the men
of Sychar! Yet Jesus had been brought up in Nazareth, while
he was a stranger in Sychar; but so it is; some who have heard
much of Jesus hate him, while others who know very little about
him love him.
Luke, iv., 16-30.
THE WORDS JESUS READ OUT OF THE ROLL.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, be-
cause He hath anointed me to preach the Gos-
pel to the poor.11 — Luke, iv., 18.
THE LAKE OP GEN NES ABET
LESSON XXIII.
THE FOUR FISHERMEN.
Among the green hills there is a large piece of w a-
ter called a lake. Its waters do not run along like
the waters of a river ; they are calm and still, except
when the wind blows roughly. That lake is so large
that you can scarcely see the land on the other side.
F
82 THE FOUR FISHERMEN,
If you were to walk round the lake, you would travel
forty miles, so that a child would be at least a week
in making the journey on foot.
There are a great many little ships on that lake;
some are for fishing, and some are for carrying goods
across from one town to another.
"What a great crowd of people are standing on the
green banks ! but, though there are so many, they are
as quiet and silent as the waters of the lake. They
seem to be listening with great attention to a preacher
who is standing in the midst of them. They are press-
ing around him so closely that he can scarcely breathe
or move.
The preacher knows what to do.
He sees two little fishing-ships lying close by the
shore. There are no fishermen in them. The owners
of these little ships are on the beach, washing their
nets. Those four men are the dearest friends of the
preacher. That preacher knows well how much they
love him, and how ready they are to lend him any
thing. He calls one of them. The man comes quick-
ly, and another man besides. They get into their own
ship. The preacher enters also. Now see, the fish-
ermen are pushing their little ship from the shore.
They do not push it far, only just so far as to be out
of the reach of the crowd.
THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 83
The preacher sits down where he can be well seen
and heard, and begins to preach a sermon.
The people sitting on the green banks can hear
him well.
When the sermon is finished the fishermen begin
to move the little ship farther into the sea. Now they
are letting down a net from the side, but their faces
look sad as they let it down.
Now they are pulling it up ; but that seems hard
work indeed. Yet how bright the faces of the fish-
ermen look ! The heavier the net, the happier they
are.
They are striving and striving with all their might,
but that net is too heavy ; they can not get it up out
of the water. "What can they do? They see the
other little ship close by. The fishermen in that ship
are their friends ; they come to help in pulling up the
net. All four pulling together succeed in getting up
the net.
Oh, what a quantity of fish ! They are too many
for one ship to hold, and they are so heavy that the
net is broken ; but it can be mended.
The fishermen carry some of the fishes into the
other ship ; both ships are so full that they are begin-
ning to sink. The fishes must be brought. quickly to
land.
84 THE FOUR FISHERMEN.
PETES AND JAMES CALLED.
How much, astonished those fishermen look ! One
of them falls upon his knees at the preacher's feet ; it
is the man to whom the ship belongs. The poor man
seems full of fear, of grief, and of shame. How hum-
ble and how thankful he looks ! The preacher speaks
to him most graciously, and cheers his spirits by his
kind words.
When they all reach the shore, the fishermen leave
their ships and go after the preacher.
What is the name of that lake ?
To whom do those two little ships belong ?
In whose ship did Jesus preach ?
"Whom did he desire to let down his net ?
Why did this fisherman think it would be of no use to let down
his net?
THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 85
What did he say when he fell on his knees?
What did Jesus say to him ?
What did Jesus mean by catching men ? He meant saving
souls by preaching the Gospel. See Matt., xiii., 47.
Matt., iv., 18. Mark, i., 17-21. Luke, v., 1-12.
peter's words to jesus.
"Depart from me; for I am a sinful man,
O Lord."— Luke, v., 8.
OAPEENAUM. — THE MAN SICE! OF THE PALSY.
LESSON XXIV.
THE MAN WITH FOUR FRIENDS.
There are several towns built on the shores of
that quiet lake.
In one of those towns those four fishermen live,
who had two little ships of their own. The preacher
lives there also.
The people in that town are fond of hearing that
preacher. Whenever they see him they crowd around
THE MAN WITH FOUR FRIENDS. 87
hini to listen to his words, and to see the wonderful
things he does.
He has just entered into a house. One neighbor
tells another, "I saw him go in."
Immediately the people begin to crowd into that
house, till at last no more can get in. Those who can
not get in stand around the doors.
Some very proud and learned men go into that
house, not because they love the preacher, for they
hate him, but only just that they may scoff at him,
and speak against him.
Here are four men coming along the streets carry-
ing something on their shoulders. Is it a coffin ? No,
it is a bed — not a bedstead, but a couch or mattress.
The man lying on it is not dead, but very sick and
helpless.
The four bed-bearers are trying to get into the
house ; it is of no use trying ; even without a bed they
could not get in. How much disappointed those four
men look! They seem to love the sick man very
much, and to be ready to take any trouble to get him
in. Are they his sons, or his brothers, or only his
friends? Whoever they are, they are good, kind-
hearted men ; and, more than that, they are believing,
for they seem to believe that the preacher can do great
good to that sick man.
88 THE MAN WITH FOUR FRIENDS.
They will not return home with their precious bur-
den ; they will not even wait till the crowd is gone.
They have thought of a plan. They are climbing
up the stairs outside the house, with the bed on their
shoulders. They have got upon the flat roof. They
HOCSE WITH FLAT RijOV.
THE MAX WITH FOUR FRIENDS. 89
are breaking up the covering ; they are letting down
the bed with cords; it is coming down just at the
preacher's feet.
Is the preacher displeased at his sermon being in-
terrupted ? Oh no ! oh no ! he is much pleased ; he
looks kindly at the sick man. He speaks to him ten-
derly. How glad the sick man seems as he lies
stretched upon his bed !
Those proud people who went into the house to
scoff are looking very angry.
They do not like to hear those kind words spoken
to the sick man. But the preacher cares not for their
frowns. He reproves them for their wicked thoughts ;
then he turns to the sick man, and speaks some more
words — words of majesty and power, like the words
of God.
Immediately the sick man springs out of his bed ;
his helpless limbs are become nimble and strong. He
is walking out of the house with his bed upon his
back, praising God as he goes.
The crowd follow him through the streets to the
door of his house. Every one is filled with wonder.
Nothing is heard but praises. How glad are those
four friends that they believed in the preacher's pow-
er, and that they found out a way to get the sick
90 THE MAN WITH FOUR FRIENDS.
What town is that by the side of the lake?
What is the sick man's disease?
Who are the proud men ? Some are Scribes, whose business
it is to copy the Scriptures and to explain them to the people.
What does Jesus say to the sick man to comfort him ?
What does he say to cure him?
Why is he pleased with the sick man's friends? Because they
have faith.
How do we know that the sick man was a child of God ? Be-
cause he wanted to have his sins forgiven. Many people do not
care whether their sins are forgiven or not. They would rather
have a purse of gold or a pretty toy than have their sins forgiven.
Matt., ix., 2-9. Mark, ii., 1-13. Luke, v., 17-27.
THE FIRST WORDS JESUS SPOKE TO THE PARALYTIC.
u Son, be of good cheer ; thy sins be forgiv-
en thee." — Matt., ix., 2,
THE POOL OF EETHESDA.
LESSON XXV.
THE MAN WITHOUT A FRIEND.
Close by a very large pool a great many sick peo-
ple are lying. There are five little covered places by
the side of the pool, and these poor people are shelter-
ed in them from the heat of the sun.
Some of these people have lame feet, and some have
withered arms, and some are quite helpless. It is te-
dious for them to lie, hour after hour, day after day,
by the water-side ; but some have friends sitting near
them, and they cheer them by their company.
92 THE MAN WITHOUT A FRIEND.
But there is one poor man lying on a couch, or bed,
quite helpless, and no one is near him. He seems
rather old, and he looks very miserable. Why does
he he there so long ? Does he mean to bathe in that
pool ? But how could he bathe without a friend to
put him in ? And why should a helpless man wish
to bathe ?
Hark ! what is that sound at a distance?
Is it not the sound of the Sabbath psalms sung in
that building on the top of the hill ?
" It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lorc(
.... upon the harp, with a solemn sound." — Ps. xcii.
That poor man lying by the pool can not enter the
holy courts, for he has no one to take him there.
Behold a man walking by the pool, with sorrowful
looks ! He casts his compassionate eyes on that help-
less, friendless man. He speaks a few kind words to
him.
The helpless man is telling him his pitiful case.
His compassionate Friend listens to the sad tale,
and speaks again. And — oh, wonderful to tell ! — the
helpless man rises, takes up his bed upon his shoul-
ders, and walks away full of strength and joy, among
crowds of people.
Are the people glad who see him walking in the
street? They have seen him lying helpless on his
THE MAN WITHOUT A FRIEND. 93
bed for many a long year. What do they say
now ?
Alas! there are some proud men who are angry
when they see the man carrying his bed. They speak
roughly to him ; they are looking every where for
his compassionate Friend, but they can not find him.
Where can he be ?
See him standing in the court of the temple, talking
to that poor man. That man has left his bed at home,
and has come to the temple.
That is a good sign.
Perhaps the man feels grateful to his God, and sorry
for his sins. It is the Friend of Sinners who is talk-
ing to him, and he is giving him some wise advice.
Will that poor man have grace to follow it ?
What is the name of that pool?
What does the word mean? "Beth" means " House," and the
whole word means "House of Mercy."
Why are those poor people watching around the pool?
How long has that friendless man been ill?
Why is he called "impotent?" Because he is weak.
What is the first question Jesus asks him ?
What sorrowful complaint does the poor man make?
What command does Jesus give?
Why are the chief men angry?
What has God said about carrying burdens on the Sabbath-day ?
Jer., xviii., 24.
Ought the Jews to have blamed the man for carrying his bed ?
No ; for God has never forbidden such a burden to be carried, but
only burdens of things for sale, as in Neh., xiii., 19. The same
94 THE MOUNTAIN PRAYER.
Jews who blamed this man, encouraged people to buy and sell in
the temple, and that was really wrong.
What did Jesus say to the poor man in the temple ?
John, v., 1-16.
THE WORDS OF JESUS TO THE MAN IN THE TEMPLE.
" Behold, thou art made whole; sin no
more, lest a worse thing come unto thee/'' —
John, v., 14.
LESSON XXYI.
THE MOUNTAIN PRAYER.
It is the dark night.
The weary laborer is at rest; the sheep are asleep
in the fold ; the little birds on the branches are hiding
their tiny heads beneath their soft wings. No sound
is heard among the mountains except the shrieks of
the night-hawk or the howling of 4he wolves.
Hark ! a voice is heard in the darkness.
Behold a man on a mountain top praying ! He is
alone.
How earnestly he prays !
How long he continues to pray !
THE MOUNTAIN PRAYER. 95
Though, he looks worn and weary, he is not tired
of praying.
At last the sun rises.
Who are those around him now ? They seem to
love him, and to delight in being near him. He calls
one of them to come to him. It is a fisherman — a
warm-hearted, open, honest man — the very man who
let down the net so lately, and made that prayer,
11 Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord."
Does he call him to be with him? Yes, he does.
Instead of departing from him, he keeps near him.
Then he calls that man's brother.
Then he calls his two friends. Those two friends
are brothers, and they also are fishermen. Those
four were all together pulling the net on the clay that
it was filled with fishes.
He calls two others, who are friends, not broth-
ers.
One of them he once found near Jordan, and said
to him, " Follow me!" The other once prayed in se-
cret under a fig-tree.
He calls another, whom he once saw sitting by the
sea-side, receiving taxes or tolls from the people who
landed there.
He calls another. He is a man slow to believe, yet
readv to die for his Master's sake.
96 THE MOUNTAIN PRAYER.
He calls another, of whom we know nothing but
his name.
He calls two brothers. A long while afterward
they wrote two letters in the Bible.
All these men loved Him who called them.
But he calls one who loves him not — a child of the
devil, an enemy of God.
These twelve men go down the mountain with their
Lord, and they stand around him on the plain.
What a multitude of people are collected there !
They are waiting for Jesus. They have come from a
great way off. The blind have been led, the lame
have been carried, the mad have been brought by
their friends, and many poor sick creatures, without
friends, have crawled there as well as they could.
They try to touch the Lord. That gracious Lord
does not keep them off; he lets them touch him; he
touches them. The loathsome leper becomes fresh as
a little child, and the helpless cripple skips like a
young deer. What songs of joy are sung by lips
once dumb !
When all the sick people are made well, then the
Lord goes up into the mountain again, and sits down
in a place where he can be seen and heard by many
people. His twelve friends come to him there, and a
great crowd of people press round him to listen. He
THE MOUNTAIN PEAYEE.
97
PREACHING ON THE MOUNT.
looks at his twelve friends, and then opens his month,
that he may speak loud, and begins his sermon. He
begins it with a blessing.
Who once said, " Depart from me?"
What was his brother's name?
What were the names of the two brothers who were fishermen
as well as they?
To whom did Jesus once say, "Follow me," near the River Jor-
dan ? John, i., 43.
What was the name of that man's friend?
To whom did Jesus say, by the side of the sea or lake, " Fol-
low me?'' Matt., ix., 9.
Who was slow to believe, yet ready to die? John, xx., 25.
John, xi., 16.
Who were the two brothers who wrote two letters in the
Bible?
Of which apostle are we told nothing but the name ?
G
98 THE MOUNTAIN PRAYER.
Which was the child of the devil? John, vi., 70.
What were the first words of the Sermon on the Mount?
Mark, iiL, 13-19. Luke, vi., 12-20.
THE FIRST WORDS OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
u Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven." — Matt., v., 3.
LESSON XXVII.
THE WILD MAN.
There is the quiet lake among the green hills.
There is the city where the Preacher lives, whom men
crowd together to hear. He is preaching by the lake.
But now he is very weary, and the sun is setting.
The people do not wish to leave him, for they delight
in hearing him ; but he tells them to go ; and he gets
into a little ship, and his twelve friends come with
him. Other people come in other little ships.
100
THE WILD MAN.
They set sail. They are going across the lake.
They have six miles to go. It is dark. The wind
begins to blow hard. The waters of the lake move
up and down. The waves are so high that they roll
over the little ship. See! the water has filled the
ship ; it must soon sink.
"Where is the Lord ?
His friends look for him. They find him asleep
upon a cushion in the hinder part of the ship. They
awake him. They are surprised that he should sleep
when they are so much terrified ; and the Lord is sur-
prised that they should be so much terrified when he
is so near them. He arises and speaks, and suddenly
THE LOED KEi/UKLNG THE WATERS.
THE WILD MAN. 101
the wind goes down, and the sea is quiet. Then
every body in the ship is astonished. But the Lord
is not pleased with his friends for their behavior in
the storm.
Now they have reached the land. What a deso-
late spot ! There are no houses to be seen on that
shore ; only barren, craggy hills, and great caves, with
stones rolled before their mouths.
What can be in those caves ?
A scream is heard! Another scream! A loud,
deep yell ! Is it the howling of wild beasts ?
But beasts do not howl in the day.
A wretched man, without clothing, covered with
wounds, rolling his eyes and gnashing his teeth, is
wandering among the rocks. There are marks on
his wrists and ankles — marks of chains that once were
fastened round his limbs. But he has no chains now.
Every one is afraid to come near him. If any one
sees him at a distance, he runs away, as he would
from a tiger.
There is a herd of pigs feeding on the green mount-
ains, with servants to keep them ; but those servants
take care not to come near the wild man.
When the Lord and his friends land among the
rocks and caves, the wild man sees them, and rushes
toward them.
102 THE WILD MAN.
Does the Lord go back into his ship for safety?
No ; he waits for the man to come up to him. Does
the man hurt him ? No ; he kneels down and begins
to pray to him. The Lord talks with the man for a
little while.
Suddenly a wonderful change is seen.
That herd of pigs, feeding so quietly a great way
off, among the mountains near the sea — that herd is
seen running toward the edge of the cliff; the fore-
most falls over the cliff, and dashes into the water;
all the rest come tumbling over after it, and all sink
— sink — sink to the bottom of those waters.
That man who was so wild is quiet now. Some
one has given him clothes to wear. He is sitting like
a lamb at the Master's feet.
How happy he looks !
How much he seems to love his Lord !
But who are these coming over the hills so fast ?
They are out of breath with running. They look
frightened and angry. They come up to the Lord,
and speak to him with furious looks. They are point-
ing to the sea, as though they wished the Lord to go.
And he goes.
He always goes when he is not wanted.
He is stepping into the boat with his friends. That
poor man is stepping in after him ; but Jesus stops
him, and will not let him come, and so the poor man
THE WILD MAK 103
stays behind among those furious people who are so
glad to see the Lord depart
What lake is that?
In what city did Jesus live ?
What did the disciples say to Jesus when they awoke him?
What did Jesus reply?
What did he say to the winds and waves?
How did he reprove his disciples?
What was the desolate land called where he landed?
What made the man so fierce ?
In what place did he wander? Among the tombs.
What did the devils in the man say to Jesus?
What was their name ?
What does "legion" mean? A legion was the name of a com-
pany of six thousand soldiers in the Roman army.
What request did the devils make before they were cast out ?
Is the devil in the bodies of wicked people, or in their hearts ?
JEIe is in their hearts, and thus he makes them wicked. Satan
could not be in the hearts of the pigs, for they have no under-
standing; he was in their bodies, as he had been in the body of
the wild man. In the Lord's prayer we pray against Satan when
we say, "Deliver us from evil" — that is, from the evil One.
Why did those people from the town wish Jesus to go away?
Who had told them what Jesus had done?
Why did Jesus not let the poor man go with him in the ship ?
Matt., viii., 18, to end. Mark, iv., 34, to end ; v., 1-21.
Luke, viii., 22-40.
THE WORDS OF JESUS TO THE POOR GADARENE,
OR GERGESENE.
" Go home to thy friends, and tell them how
great things the Lord hath done for thee, and
hath had compassion on thee." — Mark, v., 19.
CASTLE OF MACHEEUS.
LESSON XXVIIL
THE PRISON.
How strong is that castle, with its great gates, thick
walls, and high towers !
All around are high mountains and dark forests,
and not far off there is a great lake ; not that fair and
smiling lake where fishermen cast their nets, but a
gloomy lake, where no fishes are swimming, and where
no ships are sailing. It is a horrible lake, full of bit-
ter waters.
THE PRISON. 105
Who would like to live in a castle near such a hor-
rible lake?
Yet a king is living there for a little while. There
are soldiers going in and out. They seem to be pre-
paring for war. But there is no fighting to-day;
there is feasting.
In one of the rooms of the castle a fine feast is
spread, and the king is sitting at the table among his
lords, all clad in purple and fine linen.
While the company are eating and drinking, and
making merry, a little girl enters the hall. She looks
like a princess, and she seems full of vanity and folly.
She begins to dance before those great lords. Can a
little maid of ten years old be so bold as to dance in
such company ? Yet the king views her with delight,
and so do all his lords. They must be bad men to be
pleased with so vain a girl.
When she has finished her dance the king speaks
to her. He is praising her, and making her promises.
The child leaves the room, but soon comes back with
a message.
The king is much troubled when he hears that
message.
He looks at his lords, and then at the little maiden,
and seems perplexed and troubled. At last he calls
to one of the soldiers of his guard, and gives him a
106 THE PRISON.
command. The man goes down to the bottom of the
castle; he unbolts a door; he enters a gloomy dun-
geon. There sits a man in chains. His feet are
bound with fetters. He is young and strong, but his
face is thin and pale, like the face, of one who has
been shut up in prison month after month.
He does not seem alarmed when he sees the soldier
with a sword drawn in his hand. He meekly bends
his neck, and suffers the soldier to cut off his head.
The soldier puts the bleeding head into a great dish,
and delivers it up to (you will shudder to hear it !)
the little girl.
Can she bear the sight of that face bathed in blood ?
Yes, sne can. She hastens with the dish to a fine
room in the castle, where a very grand lady is sitting.
How dreadful is the countenance of that beautiful
princess! The malice and cruelty of Satan beam
from her bright eyes. She takes the dish from the
hands of the little girl with a tiger's joy.
Some good men come soon to the prison, weeping
very much, and they take the body. Oh, how they
weep to see the bleeding neck ! And they bury it in
a tomb, and then go to Jesus and tell him what has
happened.
What castle is that? It is the castle of Macherus, near the
Dead Sea, in the country of Moab, beyond Jordan.
THE PRISON. 107
Who is that king? It is Herod. Not the Herod who killed
the babes of Bethlehem, for he died soon afterward ; but it is his
son, called Herod Antipas.
Of what country is he king? He is king of Galilee.
Is he really a king ? Not really ; he is only a tetrarch, or gov-
ernor of a fourth part of a kingdom. See Luke, iii., 1. But he
is called a king.
Does he live in that castle? No, he lives in Tiberias, a fine
city he built on the Lake of Gennesareth, but he is stopping at
this castle on his way to fight with an Arabian king named Aretas.
Why does he make a feast? Because it is his birth-day.
Who is that little girl? Salome. She is not Herod's daugh-
ter, but the daughter of his wife.
Who is the little girl's mother? A very wicked woman named
Herodias. She has been the wife of Herod's brother, but she has
left her husband and married Herod.
Who is the prisoner?
Why was he put in prison?
Why did Salome ask for his head?
Who buried John the Baptist?
Where was he buried? It must have been somewhere near the
castle, not far from the banks of the River Jordan. So John was
buried near the placs where he baptized, and there he will rise
again to reign with Jesus.
Matt., xiv., 1-13. Mark, vi., 14-30. Luke, ix., 7-9.
THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE MARTYRS.
" I saw the souls of them that were behead-
ed for the witness of Jesus, and for the word
of God; and they lived and reigned with
Christ a thousand years." — Rev., xx., 4f
108 THE GUILTY KING.
LESSON XXIX.
THE GUILTY KING.
On the banks of the beautiful lake where so many
little ships are sailing, there is a grand town. It is
full of fine new houses, built of stone. One of them
is a splendid palace. There lives a king. It is the
very same who made a feast to his lords in the castle
by the Dead Sea. He was then going to the wars.
He is now come back from the wars (though he has
not conquered his enemies).
His servants are standing near him, talking. They
are telling him some wonderful news. The king is
listening with great attention.
He looks terrified. He looks miserable.
He looks as if he remembered some wicked thing
that he has done. He trembles. Though he is a
king, he trembles ; for there is a King of kings, and
he is afraid of His anger.
Why does he not pray for pardon? No, he does
not pray. He only trembles. He does not confess
his sins. He will grow harder and harder ; and soon
THE GUILTY KING. 109
he will leave off trembling, and only laugh at his
sins.
What lake is that? The Lake of Gennesareth, called also the
Sea of Galilee.
What is that grand new town on its shores? It is the town
of Tiberias that Herod built, and called after the Emperor Tibe-
rius Caesar, of Eome.
What wonderful news are the servants telling Herod?
Why did Herod wish to see Jesus? That he might know
whether he was like John the Baptist.
Did he ever see him ? Yes, a long while afterward, and then he
was grown so bold that he mocked him. Luke, xxiii., 6-11.
Matt., xiv., 1, 2. Mark, vi., 14-16. Luke, ix., 7-9.
THE WORDS OF HEROD WHEN HE HEARD OF CHRIST.
"It is John, whom I beheaded; he is risen
from the dead." — Mark, vi., 16.
JESUS PREACHING NEAR THE LAKE.
LESSON XXX.
THE SUPPER BY THE LAKE.
There are many cities built by the side of the
lake. There is that grand city where the king lives.
There is another city, where a greater King lives, not
in a palace, but in a cottage, wearing the garments of
a poor man.
His twelve friends are coming back to that house.
They come back, not all together, but two at a time,
each carrying a staff in his hand, but no bag. They
THE SUPPER BY THE LAKE. Ill
seem to have been traveling a long way, and they
look as if their journeys had been pleasant. They
are much delighted to see their dear Master again, and
they long to tell him all that has happened. They
sit round him, and begin to tell him ; but people come
into the house and disturb- them. They can not even
eat their suppers in quiet, for many want to talk with
their Master.
See those twelve men following the Master out of
the house to the water's edge ! They all get into a
little ship early in the morning. They go very quiet-
ly, that no one may see them go, for they want to be
alone with their Master. They sail on the lake.
They do not go across the lake, but they sail along
the coast to a place about ten miles distant. They
might have walked along the shore, but they preferred
going by water.
At last they come to the place where they wish to
land. It is a lonely place, where there is no town,
but only scattered huts among the high green hills.
Here they may talk without being disturbed.
But there is a crowd of people on the shore. They
are all waiting for the Lord. They saw him get into
the little ship, and so they walked along the shore
so quickly that they got first to this place. As they
walked they could see his little ship on the sea; and
112 THE SUPPER BY THE LAKE.
they saw it stop, and they came to the water's edge
just as Jesus was stepping out.
The twelve disciples are surprised to see such a
crowd, but Jesus is not; for he knew all they were
doing, because he is God. How kindly he looks on
them ! How much he pities them because they have
no one to teach them !
He sits upon a hill, and teaches them. He sees
some poor creatures among them, blind, lame, and
sick, and he heals every one of them.
Thus he spends the day.
But now the sun is going to set. The poor people
have had bread for their souls, but no bread for their
bodies. They will not have strength to walk ten
miles to their homes.
Jesus is talking with his twelve friends. Those
friends seem to wonder at what their Master is saying.
But one of them is now speaking to a boy among the
crowd. That boy has got a store of food. Perhaps
he has brought it from a village near, in the hopes of
selling it. There are five loaves and two small fishes.
One of the disciples is taking them from the boy and
bringing them to Jesus. Now all the twelve are
going among the people, and making them sit on the
grass in rows, fifty in a row. What a number of
rows! There are a hundred rows of fifty in each.
THE SUPPER BY THE LAKE. 113
The grass is fresh and green, for it is the first month
of spring.
Now the Lord is breaking the bread, and lifting up
his eyes to heaven, and speaking to his Father.
See, now he is giving a portion of bread and fish
to each of the twelve.
What a little portion each has got ! not more than
enough for two or three persons to eat.
Now the twelve are walking among the rows of
men, giving to each person as much bread and fish as
he can eat ; and there is more than enough for every
one. There are a few women and children sitting on
the grass, not counted among the rows ; yet each has
a portion of food.
How happy the people look as they are eating their
supper ! They did not expect to be fed in that lone-
ly place. Now they will have strength to go home
that night.
Each of the twelve has got a basket, and is looking
in the grass for small pieces of bread which the people
have left. Soon every one of the baskets is filled
with these little bits. Now it is certain that every
one has had enough food, or else so much would not
have been left.
How astonished all the people seem that evening !
They are all looking at Jesus and praising him.
H
114 THE WALK ON THE WATERS.
What town did Jesus leave when he went into the ship? Ca-
pernaum.
To what place did he go ? To a place not far from Bethsaida.
What did Jesus consult his disciples about in the evening ?
Which of them told him of the lad?
How many men did Jesus feed ?
Matt., xiv., 13-22. Mark, vi., 30-44. Luke, ix., 10-18.
John, vi., 1-15.
THE WORDS OF THE MEN WHO HAD SEEN THE
MIRACLE.
" This is of a truth that Prophet that should
come into the world." — John, vi., 14.
LESSON XXXI.
THE WALK ON THE WATERS.
Twelve men are getting into a little ship.
They do not wish to get in, for their Master will
not go with them, and they wish to stay with him.
But they will not refuse to do what their Master
wishes, so they all set sail, and leave their dear Mas-
ter standing ' on the shore amid a great crowd of
people.
These people seem so glad that the Master is not
THE WALK ON THE WATERS. 115
gone, for it is lie who lias just fed them with bread
and fish.
Now the Master is persuading the people to go
away.
The people are going away ; but they are not all
going home, for they hope to find the Lord in that
same place when the morning comes. Where they
will sleep to-night I can not tell, perhaps in the vil-
lages, perhaps in sheltered nooks among the hills.
Now the blessed Lord is standing all alone. He
seems to wish to be alone. He goes toward one of
the high hills; he climbs its side as the darkness of
night is coming on ; now he is out of the sight of
men, and he is pouring forth his earnest prayers to
his Father in Heaven. He continues to pray until
the very darkest hour of the whole night ; then he
looks, and sees in the midst of the lake a little ship
tossed with the waves. None but Jesus could see
that little ship in that dark hour; but the darkness
and the light are both alike to him.
The poor disciples are rowing with all their might,
for sails are of no use now the wind is against them
and blowing with such fury.
How much the Saviour on the mountain's top feels
for the poor disciples on the rough lake !
Suddenly the weary rowers cry out in terror. They
116 THE WALK ON THE WATERS.
see something that looks like a man, but they think
it can not be a man, with a body like their own, be-
cause he is walking upon the water. They think it
must be the spirit of a dead man, with the likeness of
a body, but not a real one.
JESUS WALKING OIS THE WAVES.
He is coming nearer the ship, but it seems as if he
would pass by without stopping. He hears the bitter
cry of the frightened rowers ;~ he stops ; he speaks.
His voice is loud enough, to be heard amid the howl-
ing winds and roaring waves.
And what comfort does that voice give to the ter-
rified men !
One of them answers, and then steps overboard into
THE WALK OIST THE WATERS. 117
that raging sea. He walks upon those tossing waves !
He is going toward his friend ; he is just within reach
of him, when — suddenly he looks frightened — he be-
gins to sink ; he calls out j his friend stretches out his
hand and takes hold of him, and leads him toward the
ship, and goes up with him into the vessel.
Oh, how joyfully do those eleven men receive him
on board ! They come round him and worship him
as the Son of God.
Immediately the wind ceases, and the ship very-
soon reaches the land, and conveys the men to their
own city and their own home.
From what place did the ship go with the twelve disciples on
board? From the desert of Bethsaida.*
To what place was the ship going? To Capernaum, whence
it had come in the morning.
How far did Jesus walk upon the sea before he reached the
ship ? Three or four miles, which was nearly half the way.
What words did Jesus speak to comfort his disciples as he came
near the ship?
Who asked leave to come to him on the water?
What did he cry out when he was sinking?
What did Jesus say as he caught hold of him?
What did the disciples say as they worshiped Jesus?
Matt., xiv., 24-34. Mark, vi., 47-53. John, vi., 16-22.
* In Mark, vi., 45, instead of reading "unto Bethsaida," we must
read (as in the margin) over against Bethsaida; or, to Capernaum,
which is over against Bethsaida.
118 THE SELFISH MULTITUDE.
THE WORDS OF JESUS TO THE DISCIPLES IN THE
STORM.
"Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid."
—Mark, vi., 51.
LESSON XXXII.
THE SELFISH MULTITUDE.
It is morning among the green hills by the sea-side.
The green grass looks as if it had been trodden by
many feet, and as if a multitude had been sitting on
it the day before.
This morning a number of people are looking for
some one they can not find. They go from place to
place ; but he is not here, he is not there. They look
much disappointed ; they talk to each other and won-
der. They seem to be in great haste to go somewhere.
Shall they walk all the way, or shall they go by sea?
But are there any ships for them to go in? Yes,
some have just arrived.
The people get into these ships and set sail. How
crowded the vessels are! But no storm arises, and
the people get safely to a city on the shore. They
THE SELFISH MULTITUDE. 119
land ; they look, they search, and lo ! they find Him
whom they sought.
How much surprised they seem !
They can not think how he got over.
No ; there were no other ships the evening before
except that one into which the disciples entered.
How little these people think that Jesus walked upon
the sea !
Is Jesus pleased to see them ?
No ; he seems displeased.
He goes into the synagogue and teaches. Many
of the chief men there dispute with him.
Jesus speaks about himself and his Father, while
wicked men around are scoffing at his words. Some,
who liked him once, are beginning to look angry.
They go away. It seems as if they never mean to
come back, or to see him again. Poor creatures!
what will they do without Jesus? He can do with-
out them, but they can not do without Htm.
Jesus looks round on his twelve friends and asks
them a question. One of them answers very affection-
'ately. They all love their Master except one, who
only pretends to love Him.
"Why did the people expect to find Jesus in the morning ? Be-
cause they had seen the disciples go away in the only ship, and
therefore they thought Jesus must still be in the place.
120 THE SELFISH MULTITUDE.
To what city did the people go in the ships that came after-
ward ? To Capernaum.
Why were they so anxious to find Jesus?
What did Jesus say to them when they came?
What did he say about himself in the synagogue? "I came
down from Heaven. I am the bread of life. The bread that I
will give is my flesh. My flesh is meat indeed."
What did the scoffing Jews say? They said, "Do we not know
his father and mother ? Why, then, does he say he came down
from Heaven? How can he give us his flesh to eat?"
What question did Jesus ask his twelve disciples? "Will ye
also go away ?"
Who answered the question?
What did he say?
What did Jesus say of the disciple who pretended to love him ?
John, vi., 22, to end.
peter's answer to jesus.
" Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast
the words of eternal life, and we believe and
are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of
the living God.17— John, vi., 68, 69.
THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION.
LESSON XXXIII.
THE MOUNTAIN OF GLORY.
On a high mountain, in the night, there is a man
shining as bright as the sun. That glorious man is
praying in the darkness; and as he prays his face
122
THE MOUNTAIN OF GLORY.
grows brighter and brighter, till it is bright as the
sun, and even his clothes shine like the light, and
look exceedingly white, like snow.
And now two glorious men are talking with him.
They are bright like angels, but not as bright as that
glorious man in the midst. They seem to be talking
of something sorrowful, yet of something that will
end in joy. "What can it be ?
Three poor men are sleeping upon that mountain
top, just near the three bright ones.
Suddenly the sleepers awake.
How much astonished they are at the sight of the
glorious three ! And how much frightened, too !
THE TRANSFIGURATION.
THE MOUNTAIN OF GLORY. 123
But now two of these bright ones seem as if they
were going back to heaven. These poor men do not
wish them to go away ; for, though afraid, they are
delighted with all they see and hear. They never
saw any thing so beautiful, or heard any thing so
sweet before.
One of these poor men speaks to the Lord. He
seems to be asking him not to let those bright ones
go away.
Lo ! a great cloud hides those glorious three from
the- sight of the poor men. It is not a dark cloud,
but a bright cloud; yet it fills them with fear. A
sound comes out of the cloud. It is a voice, not like
any voice heard upon earth. Now the poor men fall
down upon their faces, and lie stretched upon the
ground.
Pfesently a gentle hand touches them, a gentle
voice speaks to them ; they look up ; it is their Friend,
no longer bright as the sun, but as he ever used to
look — a poor man like themselves, with a sorrowful
countenance. They look around, hoping to see the
bright ones ; but they are gone ; the cloud is gone ;
Jesus alone is there.
It is morning now. The poor men walk down the
mountain talking with the Friend they love. Will
they ever forget how glorious he looked that night ?
124 THE MISERABLE YOUTH.
What mountain is that? A mountain in Galilee. We know
not which. Most people call it Mount Tabor, but others say it
could not be Mount Tabor, as there were towers and walls built
there in our Saviour's time, though there are none there now.
Who are those two bright men come down from heaven?
Who are those three poor men? m
Which of them spoke to Jesus?
What did he say?
What is a tabernacle? A tent.
Whose voice came out of the cloud?
What words did He speak?
What did Jesus say when he touched his disciples?
Matt., xvii., 1-14. Mark, ix., 2-14. Luke, ix., 28-37.
THE WORDS OF PETER TO JESUS ON THE MOUNT.
" Master, it is good for us to be here; and
let us make three tabernacles ; one for thee,
and one for Moses, and one for Elias." — Luke,
ix., 33.
LESSON XXXIV.
THE MISERABLE YOUTH.
It is morning. Many people are standing at the
foot of a mountain. There is a great deal of confusion
among them. Some are saying one thing, and some
another.
THE MISERABLE YOUTH. 125
Nine poor men are standing in the midst of the
crowd. They look troubled and perplexed.
Some proud learned men are talking to those nine
men, and scoffing and jeering at them. How much
ashamed those nine appear to be !
Every one is looking at a miserable boy, who is
twisting and turning, rolling his eyes, and gnashing
his teeth, tossing his arms, and foaming at his mouth,
and screaming and howling like a wild beast. People
hold him fast, or he would do a great deal of harm,
and perhaps kill himself. The boy can not speak a
word, nor can he hear what is said to him.
There is a man close by him who looks very un-
happy. He must be the father of the boy.
Suddenly the people begin to run toward the
mountain. They are running to meet a gracious
man who is coming down that mountain, accompa-
nied by three friends. The people seem delighted to
see him.
That man comes to the spot where the proud men
are standing, and he speaks to them.
But before they can answer the father rushes for-
ward, kneels at the feet of the gracious man, and tells
him all his trouble.
That kind Friend listens with great compassion, and
then speaks as if he were displeased and surprised.
126 THE MISERABLE YOUTH.
He gives a command.
The boy is coming. But as he is coming he is
thrown down upon the ground, and he lies there
wallowing and foaming like a poor wounded beast.
How sorrowful the father looks ! But he hears his
gracious Friend speaking encouraging words; and
now the tears are streaming down his cheeks, and he
is making a short and earnest prayer to his loving
Lord.
Every moment the crowd is increasing, for people
are running to see what is going on.
The word is spoken ; a horrible cry is heard ; a ter-
rible struggle is seen; the boy lies still as a stone
upon the ground. He seems to be dead.
The gracious Lord stoops down, takes the helpless
boy by the hand, lifts him up, and gives him into his
father's arms.
"What a change! That restless, struggling, sense-
less boy is now quiet, and well, and reasonable.
How much astonished every one is who sees this
wonder !
At last Jesus returns to his house, and the nine
disciples come and ask him a question which they
did not like to ask before the people. Their Mas-
ter answers them, and tells them what they have
done wrong.
THE COLLECTORS OF MONEY. 127
What is the matter with that boy?
Who are those proud men?
Who are those nine men?
What are their names?
Why are they ashamed?
Where had Jesus been while they were trying to cure the boy?
What words did the father say with tears ?
What did Jesus say to the devil?
Why did not the devil speak to Jesus?
What question did the nine disciples ask Jesus in the house ?
What did Jesus answer?
Are some devils worse than others? Yes, and this dumb devil
was one of the worst kind.
Matt., xvii., 14-22. Mark, ix., 14-30. Luke, ix., 37-43.
THE WORDS OF THE FATHER TO JESUS.
"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbe-
lief."—Mark, ix., 24.
LESSON XXXV.
THE COLLECTORS OF MONET.
A fisherman is standing near the door of a house.
That house is in a town near the sweet lake where
Jesus so often sailed. It is not a grand town. The
houses are small, and have flat roofs. They are built
of stone. They have deep verandas in front, so that
128 THE COLLECTORS OF MONEY.
when a man stands by his door he is shaded from the
sun.
Some men pass by the house. They have a bag to
hold money. They speak to the man at the door.
He answers ; but, instead of giving them any money,
he goes into the house.
Is he gone to fetch his money ?
No, for he comes out without any money, but only
a fish-hook in his hand. He goes to the side of the
lake and casts in the hook. Of course he first puts a
bait on the hook.
Presently he catches a fish. He pulls it out of the
water. He opens the creature's mouth, and finds in
it a piece of silver, of the value of half a crown.
He takes the money to the collectors, and gives it
to them.
Who is that poor man standing near his house?
In what town is the house?
What are those men collecting money for? For the temple,
to buy sacrifices, and to pay other expenses of the holy place.
Are those collectors publicans? No, for publicans collected the
public taxes for the Emperor of Eome, while these men collected
for the temple of God.
Who is that poor man at the door?
What question do those collectors ask him?
What does he reply?
Whom does Peter talk with when he goes into the house?
What is the meaning of " Jesus prevented him?" It does not
mean Jesus hindered him, but, Jesus spoke before Peter could ask
him any question.
THE COLLECTORS OF MONEY. 129
How was it that Jesus was in Peter's house? Because Jesus
lodged there.
Why might Jesus have refused to pay money to the collectors?
Because the money was for his Father's house, and children do
not pay money to their own fathers when their fathers are rich.
What command did Jesus give to Peter ?
How much money did Peter want in order to pay the collect-
ors? Fifteen pence; and Jesus wanted fifteen pence, so that half
a crown was enough to pay for both.
Was Jesus rich or poor when he was on earth? He was a
very poor man, for he had nothing of his own ; yet he was very
rich, for he was God, and all things belonged to him, even all the
cattle on the hills, and all the fishes in the sea.
Matt., xvii., 24, to end.
THE GREAT KINDNESS OF JESUS.
uYe know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your
sakes he became poor." — 2 Cor., viii., 9.
JEBU8 AT BETHANY.
LESSON XXXVI.
THE BUSY WOMAN.
Theee is a very fruitful hill, with a pretty village
built on the hill side, among palm and olive trees. It
is very near a great city, with a splendid building in
the midst.
In that town a guest is resting himself. At his feet
a woman is sitting, and listening to every word he
says. She looks as if she would not like to lose a sin-
gle word that drops from his lips. Her countenance
is meek and affectionate.
THE BUSY WOMAN. 133
Suddenly another woman comes near. She seems
in great haste and confusion, and as if she had too
much to do, and did not know how to get through
her work.
She looks angry as well as busy. She does not
mind disturbing her guest while he is talking. She
speaks to him in a hasty manner. She seems to be
angry with the woman who is sitting at his feet. She
seems to be speaking against her.
That gentle maiden does not answer.
Her gracious Friend answers for her. He looks
displeased with the woman who spoke so angrily.
Does she look ashamed ?
I think she must feel ashamed, for she has behaved
improperly and unkindly.
What village is that ? Bethany. It is called Bethany because
there are so many dates on the palm-trees there. "Bethany"
signifies "House of Dates."
On what hill is Bethany built? On the Mount of Olives.
Near what city is that mount ? Jerusalem.
Who is sitting at the feet of Jesus?
Who comes in and speaks angrily?
What does she say against her sister?
What does Jesus answer?
What was Martha so busy about? Much serving. It seems
probable that she was preparing a great dinner for the Lord and
his disciples ; but Jesus preferred simple food, such as fish and
bread, honey and figs. He did not want a table spread with dain-
ties. He wanted people to listen to his words.
Luke, x., 38, to end.
134
THE BUSY WOMAN.
CLUSTEB OF DATES.
THE WORDS OF JESUS TO MARTHA.
"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and
troubled about many things ; but one thing is
needful; and Mary hath chosen that good
part, which shall not be taken away from
her." — Luke, x., 42.
THE POOL OF 8ILOAM.
LESSON XXXVII.
THE GRATEFUL BEGGAR.
A poor man is standing by a pool. There is a
high, rock just above, and the water trickles down
from the rock and fills the pool beneath. So the
water there is sweet, fresh, running water.
What is that poor man doing at the pool? His
eyes are covered with a thick plaster of wet clay. He
stoops down and washes off the clay from his eyes.
He opens his eyes ; he looks around ; he seems sur-
prised, and hardly to know where he is.
136 THE GRATEFUL BEGGAR.
He soon leaves the pool. He goes along the streets.
He looks at every thing and every body, as if he had
never seen them before. But many people seem to
know him, and every one who does know him looks
at him with astonishment.
The streets are crowded with people going up a
high hill to a marble building at the top. Some stop
and ask questions of the poor man. He answers
them, yet the people do not seem satisfied with his
answers.
Now they are taking him up the hill. They go
through the gate, up some steps, into a court. They
go no farther than this first court. There is a fine
hall in it, with a roof of cedar and a floor of many
colored stones.
At one end of the hall there are high seats for sev-
enty men. The chief of all is the high priest.
The people who have brought the poor man here
complain of him. Then the judges on the high seats
ask him questions ; then they talk to each other, and
dispute about the poor man.
At last a poor old man and woman come in. They
look very much frightened while the judges ask them
the questions. They soon go out, and leave the poor
man who washed his eyes to answer for himself. He is
not frightened, but stands up and speaks all the truth.
THE GRATEFUL BEGGAR.
137
PRESENT ASPECT OF THE POOL OF SILOAM.
His judges grow more angry every moment. They
insult and abuse that poor man. And now they send
him away in deep disgrace.
The poor man goes about the streets by himself;
no one is allowed to speak to him.
At last a man with a gracious countenance meets
him, and speaks to him very kindly. The poor man
does not know who he is. But soon he falls down be-
fore Him. and worships Him,
138 THE GRATEFUL BEGGAR.
What pool is that? Siloam.
Is there any other pool in Jerusalem? Yes, a much larger
pool, named Bethesda.
Who put clay on the man's eyes?
How did he make it?
Who are the judges in the great hall? They belong to the
Sanhedrim, a council of seventy judges, who met to consult in a
great hall near the temple.
What makes them angry with the poor man ? They were really
angry because his eyes had been opened by Jesus, whom they
hated ; but they pretended to think it was wrong to cure a blind
man on the Sabbath-day.
Who were the poor old man and woman?
What questions did the judges ask them ? The first question
was, "Is this your son?"
Did they answer that question?
What question would they not answer?
Why not ? Because they were afraid to say that Jesus had
cured their son, though they knew he had ; so the parents were
liars, for they said, "We know not," when they did know; but
their son told the truth, and said, "He hath opened mine eyes,"
verse 30.
What punishment did the judges give to the poor man ? They
cast him out; that is, for a whole month no one was allowed to
speak to him, nor to come within an arm's length of him (but
he might go to the temple).
What did Jesus say to the man when he met him?
Do you think this man was a child of God? Yes, he was.
How different he was from the man cured near the pool of Be-
thesda ! Observe how Jesus spoke to that man when he met him.
See John, v., 14.
John, i., 10.
THE UNGRATEFUL NINE. 139
THE WORDS THAT JESUS AND THE POOR MAN
SPOKE WHEN THEY MET.
"Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"
11 Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on
him."
u Thou hast both seen him* and it is he that
talketh with thee."
"Lord, I believe."— John, ix., 35-38.
LESSON XXXVIII.
THE UNGRATEFUL NINE.
A troop of poor men are traveling on foot. There
are thirteen in all. One of them leads the way.
The travelers have arrived at a village. Just as
they are going in they see some men standing at a
distance from the road. These men do not come near
the travelers, but they stand still, and call out with a
loud voice.
They seem to be miserable men, entreating for
mercy. Their skins are not like the skins of other
140 THE UNGRATEFUL NINE.
men in that country, of a dark and sunburnt color.
They are made loathsome by frightful sores. There
are ten of these miserable creatures, all standing to-
gether, and calling out in a wailing, beseeching tone.
The leader of the travelers hearkens to their cry,
and answers them in a voice of command.
The ten men turn and walk away.
Presently one of them leaves his companions ; he is
coming toward .the travelers ; and, as he is coming,
his voice is heard speaking aloud the praises of God.
How different is the sound from that wailing cry that
he lately uttered !
But see, how much changed is his countenance!
It shines now with health and happiness. The joyful
man approaches his gracious Friend, and falls down
on his face at his feet, pouring out his grateful thanks.
That Friend seems surprised to see only one man
at his feet, and asks a question, which is not answered.
Then he speaks some kind words to the poor man.
The grateful man rises and goes on his way.
To what village were the travelers going ? No one knows. It
was a village a good way from Jerusalem.
What was the matter with those ten men?
Why did they stand so far off the travelers? Because their
touch made people what is called " unclean;" that is, unfit to en-
ter the temple or the synagogue.
What words did the ten men utter?
What command did Jesus give?
rr ,*.
THE EARNEST BEGGAR. 143
Where were the ten men going when they were made well ?
To one of the thirteen cities where the priests lived. Of course
they would go to the nearest. Josh., xxi., 13-19.
Why did Jesus tell the lepers to go to the priests? Because
it was the priests who offered sacrifices for lepers when they were
made well. Lev., xiv.
What question did Jesus ask when the leper fell down at his feet ?
Of what country was the man who gave thanks ? Of Samaria.
He was not a Jew.
What kind words did Jesus speak to him?
Luke, xvii., 11-19.
THE WORDS OF JESUS ABOUT THE LEPERS.
"Were there not ten cleansed? but where
are the nine? There are not found that re-
turned to give glory to God save this stran-
-ger." — Luke, xvii., 17, 18.
LESSON XXXIX.
THE EARNEST BEGGAR.
By the river side there is a grove of palm-trees
eight miles in length. A hill rises above the grove,
and there a large city is built. An immense crowd
is moving along toward that city.
A poor blind beggar is sitting by the wayside, at
144 THE EARNEST BEGGAR.
the entrance of the city. He hears the trampling of
feet and the hum of voices. He can not tell what is
the reason of ^all this noise and confusion. He asks
those who pass by, and they tell him what it is all
about.
There is a look of hope on that blind face. The
beggar is crying out very loud. The crowd have just
reached the place where he is sitting. Those who
come first are displeased with him. They speak an-
grily to him as they pass by, but he cries out louder
than ever.
The crowd move on; suddenly one man in that
crowd stops. All the people stop when he stops.
That man has a gracious look, such as no other
man ever had.
He stands still, speaks to some one, who goes im-
mediately toward the blind man, delivers a message
to him, and then takes him by the hand.
How quickly the poor fellow arises! He throws
aside his loose upper garment, that he may make
more haste. He is standing before Him who sent for
him.
That Friend is looking at him with such pity, and
speaking to him with such kindness; and now he
places his hand upon the blind man's eyes for a mo-
ment, and utters a few words. ^
THE EARNEST BEGGAE. 145
The blind man opens his eyes; lo! he can see.
What joy ! Now he is going along with that crowd,
and calling out with a glad voice ; and many others
are joining in the praises of Him who opened the
blind eyes.
What river is that?
What city is near it?
What is the blind man's name?
What is the reason of the noise he heard?
What words does he call out?
What does the messenger say to him?
What question does Jesus ask him?
What does the blind man answer?
What does Jesus say to him as he cures him?
Which knew most about Jesus, the blind beggar of Jerusalem or
the beggar of Jericho ? The latter ; for he knew that Jesus was
the son of David ; the other did not know that Jesus was the Son
of God. But they both had great faith. One showed his faith by
calling out so earnestly ; the other, by confessing Jesus so boldly.
What great difference was there in the manner of their cure?
One asked for help ; the other was helped without asking. One
was cured by a touch; the other by clay, spittle, and water.
Matt., xx,, 29, to end. Mark, x., 46, to end.
Luke, xviii., 35, to end.
THE WORDS THAT JESUS AND BARTIM^EUS SPOKE.
" What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee V
"Lord, that I may receive my sight.11
" Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved
thee.11 — Luke, xviii., 41, 42.
K
JESUS NEAR JERICHO.
LESSON XL.
THE HAPPY PUBLICAN.
Near the city of palm-trees there is a great crowd
moving along the way. In the midst of the crowd
there is a man not so tall as other men. He tries to
see some one in that crowd ; but he can not, for he is
so short that the heads of the people hide that man
from his sight.
He has found out a way ; he runs a short distance
before the crowd ; he sees a tall tree. He thinks to
^S{^m~
8YCAM0BE-TEEE.
THE HAPPY PUBLICAN. 149
himself, "HI climb that tree, I shall be able to see
him as he passes by."
He climbs the tree.
The crowd continue to move along ; at length they
pass beneath that tree.
He is coming whom every one wishes to see. The
man in the tree looks down and sees the top of his
head, when, lo ! that wondrous man looks up toward
the tree, and shows his blessed face to him who is
watching in the tree. Hark ! he speaks ; he speaks
some gracious words that fill that man with joy.
Oh, how quickly the climber comes down from the
branch on which he sat ! He runs toward his newly-
found Friend; he shows him the way to a house;
opens the door to him, and spreads the table for him.
But there are proud men in the crowd, who feel en-
vious because the Lord has gone into that house, and
they stand murmuring and whispering together.
And now that little man whom they despise is
standing up and speaking to his Lord, and those
around are listening with wonder to his speech.
The Lord is pleased, and he is praising the despised
man, and speaking very gracious words to him ; while
he is much displeased with the proud murmurers.
What is that city with the palm-trees? Deut., xxxiv., 3.
Who is that little man?
150 THE HAPPY PUBLICAN.
What is his employment? Collecting the public taxes; there-
fore he was called a publican, and much despised by the Jews,
who hated those who collected money for the Roman emperor.
What tree does he climb? A sycamore, which is a kind of
fig-tree.
SYCAMORE FIGS.
What does Jesus say to the man in the tree?
What do the murmuring Jews say when they see Jesus go into
the publican's house?
What two things does the publican promise the Lord to do?
What dishonest acts had he committed ? He had made the
people pay more taxes than were really due, and had kept some
of the money for himself.
What did Jesus say about the publican ?
Why did he call him a son of Abraham ? Because he believed in
Christ, and Abraham is the father of all who believe. Rom., iv., 11.
Luke, xix., 1-10.
THE WORDS THAT JESUS SPOKE TO ZACCH^EUS.
"This day is salvation come to this house,
forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of Man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost." — Luke, xix., 9.
THE SORROWFUL SISTERS. 151
LESSON XLI.
THE SORROWFUL SISTERS.
A small company of men are walking along the
road. They are close to a mountain covered with
palms and olives.
On the hill side they see a pretty village, shaded by
trees. They are just going to enter this village, when
a woman meets them. She seems to be weeping as
she goes.
She speaks to one of the travelers in a very sorrow-
ful tone. That traveler answers her with words of
comfort.
They talk together for a little while ; but soon the
woman returns to the village, while all the travelers
remain where they are.
There they stay for some time, as if they were wait-
ing for some one. All around them are fruitful trees,
under whose shadow they may rest.
Now a great company of people are approaching
that spot. They all appear to be mourning and weep-
ing, but there are two women who are more sorrowful
than the rest.
152 THE SORROWFUL SISTERS.
One of these women is the same that returned so
lately to the village.
The other woman seems quite overcome with grief,
for as soon as she is near her gracious Friend she falls
down at his feet. That gracious Friend sees her tears,
and the tears of all that company, and he is melted
by tender pity.
The mourners are now showing him the way, and
he is following them ; and as he goes he weeps.
Those tears are seen and noticed by many. Some
seem to think those tears show he has a kind and
loving heart, but others only wonder why he weeps.
There are many proud and spiteful people watching
all he does and says.
The grief of that blessed man is very great all the
time that he is walking with the mourners.
At last he comes to the grave. That is the place
to which the mourners were leading him. It is a
cave, and a great stone lies at the entrance. The
weeping Friend gives a command; but one of the
women does not like that command, and objects to
the thing being done.
Her Friend will have it done, and he is far wiser
than she.
The command is obeyed.
The stone is rolled away.
THE SORROWFUL SISTERS. 153
Then He, on whom all eyes are fixed, lifts rip his
own blessed eyes toward heaven, where his Father
dwells, and prays to Him in the hearing of all the
people.
When the prayer is finished, he utters with a loud
voice two or three words.
How anxious every one is at this moment to see
what will happen ! WTiat a solemn, awful moment
it is!
There is a sound in the cave, as of one rising from
his bed.
Behold ! a person is seen standing at the mouth of
the cave.
How strange is his appearance !
His arms are bound to his sides. His feet are fast-
ened together with rolls of linen. His face is hid, for
it is covered with a cloth.
If nothing more is done for that man, what will be-
come of him ? He will never be able to release him-
self from one of his bandages.
But another command is given ; and, lo ! men press
forward to loose the bandages. Those eyes see again
the light of day, his beloved sisters, and his adorable
Saviour.
Who can tell the joy that those three now feel — the
brother and the sisters — as they return to their peace-
154 THE SORROWFUL SISTERS.
ful home — that home which their Saviour has so often
blessed with his presence !
What mountain is that?
What village is built on its side?
Who is the sorrowful woman that comes first to Jesus?
What does she say to Jesus?
What does he say to comfort her?
Why does the woman return to the village ?
What do people think was the reason why Jesus wept?
What command does Jesus give first at the grave ?
Who objects to it, and why?
What command does he give to the dead man?
What command does he give last at the grave?
Which of these commands was wonderful?
How long had the man been dead?
John, xi., 18-46.
SOME OF THE WORDS OF JESUS AND MARTHA
WHEN THEY MET.
"Thy brother shall rise again."
"I know that he shall rise again in the res-
urrection at the last day."
u I am the resurrection and the life." — John,
xi., 23-25.
THE GRATEFUL WOMAN. 155
LESSON XLIL
THE GRATEFUL WOMAN.
There is a little village perched on the top of a
chalky hill.
Around are other hills, not green and shady, but
white and chalky. The little village is a quiet place.
No travelers pass through it, for it is not the way to
any town. Beyond it there is a wilderness, where no
one wishes to go. That little village is fit for a hiding-
place. Bad people, such as thieves and murderers,
often want to hide themselves, and sometimes good
people want to escape from their cruel enemies.
There is a good man living in the village, with a
few friends who love to be with him.
How sorrowful is the countenance of that dear
man ! How pale and worn his cheeks ! How tearful
his eyes ! How thin and weak his body ! He looks
like one who has suffered hunger, and thirst, and
weariness, and ill treatment. He spends many hours
in prayers and in tears. Often he sleeps not in the
night, and in the day he is teaching his friends and
preaching to the people.
156 THE GKATEFUL WOMAN.
After spending many days in the village he leaves
it, and goes down the chalky hill with his friends.
He is on his way to the great city. He comes to a
hill, adorned with olives, palms, and fig-trees.
He enters a village built on the side of that fruitful
hill. He goes to the house of a friend, a man who
once had a loathsome disease, and has recovered.
That man gives a great supper to his Lord. Many
guests are invited. Among the guests is one whom
every one desires to see, because he was dead, and is
now alive. One of his sisters is waiting on the guests.
Crowds flock round the house. They look at him
who was dead.
One says, "I saw him die."
Another, " I saw him buried."
Another, "I saw him rise."
Then every one speaks of Him who called the dead
man from his grave. Many look at Him with won-
der and with faith.
But there are some who look at him with hatred
and envy. They did not know where he was when
he was among the chalky hills in the quiet village,
and now they see him again they hope soon to have
him killed.
"While the guests are at supper, a woman enters
with a little bottle in her hand. She goes up to Him
THE GRATEFUL WOMAN. 157
whom she loves above all, and, breaking off the neck
of the bottle, she pours some sweet ointment upon his
head and upon his feet, and, stooping down, wipes
those feet with her long hair ; for her beloved is lying
on a couch by the table, and she can easily reach his
feet. The sweet smell of the ointment fills all the
house with its fragrance.
When the guests see what the woman has done,
some of them are displeased ; for there is a man there
who pretends to love Jesus, but who really hates him,
and this wicked man speaks against the woman for
pouring the ointment on her Lord, and the other dis-
ciples join in blaming her.
But there is One who defends her, for she is so
meek that she says not a word in her own defense.
The Friend whom she has anointed praises her very
much. His praises must comfort her affectionate
heart.
But the spiteful man looks more spiteful than ever,
and seems to be making up some spiteful plan in his
head.
What village is that among the chalky hills near the wilder-
ness? John, xi., 54.
What village is that on Mount Olivet?
At whose house is the supper made?
Who that was lately dead is sitting at supper?
Who serves the guests?
Who anoints her Lord?
158 THE GRATEFUL WOMAN.
What did she anoint him with ? With ointment made of a
sweet plant called spikenard, and the ointment was contained in
a little bottle (called also a box). Bottles of this kind had stop-
pers, and were sealed up. It was usual to break off the neck,
and then all the sweet stuff was poured out at once.
How much was the ointment worth ? Three hundred pence,
which are equal to nearly ten pounds of our money.
Who spoke against what the woman did?
What did he say?
What did Jesus say in defense of the woman?
Did the woman know that Jesus was going to be buried ? She
may have known it; for Jesus had often told his disciples that
he should soon be crucified and buried, and Mary had often sat
at his feet and heard his words.
On what day of the week was Jesus anointed ? On Saturday
evening.
How soon afterward was he buried? Just six days; for he
was crucified on the next Friday, and on the Friday evening he
was buried.
John, xi., 54, to end ; xii., 1-12. Matt., xxvi., 6-14.
Mark, xiv., 3-10.
THE WORDS THAT JESUS SPAKE IN BEHALF
OF MARY.
"Let her alone; against the day of my
burying hath she kept this. For the poor al-
ways ye have with you; but me ye have not
always." — John, xii., 7, 8.
JESUS ON MOTJNT OLITET.
LESSON XLIII.
THE ROYAL RIDER.
Upon the Mount of Olives there is a village shaded
by fig-trees, very near that village of palm-trees where
Jesus so often went.
Just at the entrance of this village, near the door
of a house, an ass is standing, and a young ass close
beside her, and both are tied up. A great many peo-
ple pass by those asses, for two roads meet at the spot
160 THE ROYAL RIDER.
where they stand, and both, these roads lead to the
great city, about a mile off.
But there is no danger of those animals being stolen,
for the owners are standing close by them.
Two travelers come up to the asses, and, without
asking leave, begin to untie the asses.
The owners are surprised to see men taking away
their asses, and they speak to them ; the two travelers
answer, and then the owners seem quite satisfied, and
allow the asses to go.
The men lead the asses away. They do not take
them along the road leading to the great city, but just
the other Way, toward the village of palm-trees.
They meet their Master on the road, and a great
many people with him, holding palm-branches in their
hands. They lay their garments upon the young ass,
and they set their Master upon him. It is an ass so
young that it has never been made to carry any one
before, yet, instead of resisting when it feels a burden
upon its back, it goes quietly along, just as if it had
been broken in.
What a scene of joy there is upon that mount!
What shouting! What singing! The people who
go before pick the branches off the palms, and, after
weaving them into a kind of matting, they strew them
on the ground ; and others spread their garments on
THE ROYAL RIDER.
163
A PALM-TREE.
the way, that the young ass may not place his foot on
stones or dust, because he bears so glorious a rider.
But amid all this joy there is the low murmuring
164 THE ROYAL RIDER.
of those who hate that glorious man. They can not
bear to see the multitude treat him with such honor,
nor can they bear to hear those songs of praise. They
complain to Him who is riding on the ass, but he
rides on without attending to their spiteful words.
He is at once like a king and like a lamb — as gentle
as a lamb, and yet as glorious as a king.
Thus the Master rides along the heights of the hill
till he comes to a spot whence he has a prospect of a
splendid city on the opposite hills. Then he stops,
looks at the city, and utters some sorrowful words — so
sorrowful that the tears run down his cheeks as he
speaks.
As he goes down the hill, the people continue to
sing and to shout. He passes oyer the little bridge
which crosses the narrow stream ; he ascends the steep
streets of the city. Every one hears the shouting and
the singing. The streets are thronged, and the flat
roofs are covered with wondering faces. If a king-
were entering the city in his golden chariot, drawn
by prancing horses, there could not be more rejoicing
than about this King, who rides upon an ass.
Where does the King stop ? He has no palace nor
house he calls his own. He stops at his Father's
house, that grand house of marble and of gold, the
glory of the city.
THE ROYAL RIDER. 165
He goes up the steps into the outer court, and finds
it filled with sellers of sheep, and oxen, and doves,
and with changers of money. He drives out the men
and the beasts, and he overthrows the tables of the
money-changers and the seats of the dove-sellers. He
had done the same three years before, when he had
begun to be a preacher, and now he is going soon to
leave off preaching and to die.
Though he has no sword in his hand, the sellers
and the changers flee before him, for God makes them
afraid.
When they are gone, other people come into the
court. Some are led, and some are carried in, but
when they go out they need neither leader nor bear-
er. The voices of children are sounding loud in that
court, and the King is listening to them, well pleased,
though proud men frown, and try to stop their songs
of praise.
Then once again the King preaches in his Father's
house.
When evening is come he looks around him. Then,
with his twelve friends, he departs, and goes to the
village of palm-trees, and spends the night there.
In what village are the asses tied up? Most likely it was in
the village of Bethphage, a name that signifies " House of Figs"
(as Bethany does " House of Dates").
What do the owners say to the men who loosed the ass?
166 THE ROYAL RIDER.
What do the men reply?
What do the people cry out as Jesus is riding on the ass?
Why does Jesus weep as he looks upon the city?
What do the people in the city cry out as he enters?
And what is the reply?
What does Jesus say to the sellers in the temple?
What do the children in the temple cry out?
What does "Hosanna" mean? " Save us."
What verse in the Psalms did Jesus repeat?
What did Jesus preach about? See John, xii., 44, to end.
On what day of the week did Jesus enter Jerusalem on the
ass ? Sunday.
Matt., xxi., 1-17. Mark, xi., 1-14. Luke, xix., 29-46.
John, xii., 12, to end.
THE WORDS OF JESUS AS HE WEPT OYER JERU-
SALEM.
"If thou hadst known, even thou, at least
in this thy day, the things which belong unto
thy peace! but now they are hid from thine
eyes.1'— Luke, xix., 42. ,
THE FIG-TREE. 167
LESSON XLIV.
THE FIG-TREE.
It is the early morning of a spring day. The blos-
soms are blooming on the trees, and the birds are
singing in the branches.
A man of sorrows is walking along the pathway of
a hill adorned by olive-trees, fig-trees, and palm-trees.
He is walking toward the great city, accompanied by
his twelve friends.
The fig-trees have not yet put forth their leaves,
but on this hill there is one fig-tree different from the
rest.
That tree is richly adorned with large dark leaves.
The man of sorrows goes up to that tree, and
searches its boughs, but he finds not one single fig to
satisfy his hunger — no, not one. He speaks to the
tree as if it had sense and hearing ; he utters words
of rebuke and displeasure. All his friends listen to
the words attentively. Never before had they heard
their Master speak to a tree.
They all go on toward the city, passing over the
168 THE FIG-TREE.
bridge and the stream, and going up the hill into the
courts of the marble building.
It is soon known in the city that the great Teacher
has come into his temple, and numbers of the people
flock around him, and listen to him all the day. His
spiteful enemies are there also. The priests, who are
offering sacrifices, are his enemies; and so are the
Scribes, who teach the Scriptures to the people. They
watch all his words, in hopes of catching him in say-
ing something wrong, while the people wonder at the
wise things he utters.
At last, when evening comes, the Teacher leaves
the temple, and goes out of the city to his favorite
village. He goes by the fig-tree, but it is now dark,
and his friends can not see it as they pass by.
The next morning they go along the same path,
walking toward the great city. They pass by the
fig-tree. The friends call out with astonishment at
the sight of its wretched condition, for it is entirely
withered awav. The fine broad leaves are withered,
the branches and the trunk, down to the very roots.
That tree, which was fairer and finer than all the rest,
is now the worst of all. One of the twelve disciples
points out the tree to his Lord. The Lord begins to
talk to them about that tree, and to tell them many
other things.
THE FIG-TREE. 169
Then lie goes to the temple, and teaches there for
the last time. It is the last day that his sweet and
gracious voice will be heard in those courts.
On what day of the week did Jesus wither up the fig-tree?
On Monday; the day after he rode into Jerusalem.
Why did he expect to find figs on it, if the time of figs was
not yet come? Because, when fig-trees do have leaves, they have
fruit also, if they are good trees.
What did Jesus say to the tree when he found no fruit?
When did the disciples notice the withered state of the fig-tree ?
The next morning, which was Tuesday.
Which of the twelve pointed it out to Jesus?
What did he say?
What did Jesus tell his disciples that they ought to learn from
the fig-tree ? To have faith in God ; that is, to believe that God
can do every thing. God will deliver us out of all our troubles
if we have faith in his power, and if we forgive our enemies, as
Jesus forgave his.
Matt., xxi., 18, 19, 21-23. Mark, xi., 12, 13, 18-27.
Luke, xix., 47, 48.
THE WORDS OF JESUS TO HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT
PRAYING.
4 'When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye
have aught against any; that your Father
also which is in heaven may forgive you your
trespasses.'" — Mark, xi., 25.
170 THE POOR WIDOW.
LESSON XLV.
THE POOR WIDOW.
In a square court of the temple the wise Teacher
is sitting, surrounded by his friends. He looks fa-
tigued, like one who has been teaching all the day.
A great many men are passing through the court,
but none except Jews.
Women come into this court, but they do not go
up to the court beyond.
In one part of this court there is a row of eleven
chests, and each has an opening in it for money.
Proud men approach these chests. These men
wear upper garments adorned with deep fringes, and
a blue ribbon just above the fringes. Their fringed
garments sweep the ground as they walk. The proud
men drop large pieces of silver into the chests, and
they seem to think themselves very good for putting
in so much.
But the Teacher, who is observing them, does not
seem to think them so very good. He knows how
unkind they have been to poor widows, and he sees
THE POOR WIDOW. 171
into their hearts, and knows how proud they feel
when they put the money in.
But now the great Teacher looks pleased. What
is it he sees that pleases him ?
A poor widow is going up to the chests. She
seems to be a very, very poor woman. She has two
very little pieces of silver money in her hand, and
these she drops into a chest. They are the least bits
of money ever used, and both together would only
buy a piece of bread.
The widow little thinks that any one is noticing
her. She does not wish to be praised for her small
gift. But the great Teacher calls his friends to listen
to him. He tells them about the poor widow. Oh,
how much pleased she would be if she knew how
much she is approved by Him who sees her heart !
And now the blessed Teacher is going down the
steps. He is leaving the temple.
One of his disciples is admiring the beautiful stones,
and showing them to his Lord. Some are of enor-
mous size ; some are of beautiful colors.
But the Teacher does not look at them with pleasure.
He is speaking sorrowful words concerning them.
He leaves the city, never to return there except
to die. His teaching in the temple is all finished.
He will never teach there any more.
172 THE POOE WIDOW.
Soon afterward lie sits upon the side of Mount Oli-
vet. He is looking at tlie temple. Four of his friends
are with him, listening to his words. They are sur-
prising words — they are sorrowful words — they are
solemn words.
In what court is Jesus sitting? In the Court of the Women.
This court lay above the Court of the Gentiles. People might
sit in the women's court, but in the men's court they might not sit.
What were the chests for? They were to receive money that
people gave to buy sacrifices and other things for the temple.
These chests were called the Treasury.
Why did men wear fringes on their garments? Because God
had commanded the Jews to wear fringes, to remind them of His
commandments. See Numbers, xv., 27, 28. The Scribes thought
that deep fringes made them look very good, so they wore very
deep fringes that trailed on the ground. These were the long
robes. See Luke, xx., 46. These were the borders of their gar-
ments. Matt., xxiii., 5.
How much did the poor widow put into the treasury?
On what day did Jesus leave the temple, never to teach there
any more? On Tuesday evening. It seems that the last words
he spoke in the temple were about the poor widow.
What did Jesus say about the stones of the temple as he was
going away?
What four disciples listened to him on Mount Olivet?
What did he tell them? That Jerusalem would soon be de-
stroyed. (It icas destroyed forty years afterward.} He also told
them that he would come again some day in the clouds, but he
did not tell them when. He has not come yet, but we are ex-
pecting him.
The last prayer in the Bible is, "Come, Lord Jesus."
Mark, xii., 41, to end ; xiii., all. Luke, xx., 45, to end ;
xxi., all.
THE TRAITOR. 173
THE WORDS OF JESUS ABOUT THE WIDOW.
"All they did cast in of their abundance;
but she of her want did cast in all that she
had, even all her living." — Mark, xii., 44.
LESSON XLVI.
THE TRAITOR.
It is the dark night. A man, with a look as dark
as the night, is walking down the Mount of Olives
all alone. He seems to be a wicked man, and to
have a wicked plan in his head.
He looks like a child of Satan.
He enters the great city. ^
He stops before the gate of a palace. The porter
lets him in. He goes through the court of the pal-
ace. He is admitted into a great hall.
Many rich and proud men are assembled in this
hall.
They are talking over some plan. They seem very
anxious about it. Is it a murder ?
These proud men look much astonished when they
see the stranger enter.
174 THE TRAITOR.
He tells them why lie has come. Then they look
delighted.
They are making him a promise of some reward,
and he also looks delighted; and so he leaves the
palace, and returns to the Mount of Olives.
He goes to a little village there. He finds his
Master there, and his friends. They look very sor-
rowful, and he tries to look so too. He tells no one
where he has been, and no one finds out except his
Master, and He knows every thing. This man little
thinks that his Master knows where he has been.
Who is that man walking alone?
To what house does he go? To the palace of Caiaphas, the
High-Priest.
Why does he go in the night? One reason was because the
high-priest was at home only in the night, for he spent the day
in a room near the temple.
What are the priests talking about when Judas enters ? About
how they should get hold of Jesus.
What does Judas say that pleases them?
What do they promise to give him?
Who has entered into the heart of Judas? Satan.
Does Satan enter now into people's hearts ? Yes ; and that is
much worse than getting into their bodies, for by getting into
their hearts he drags them to hell.
On what day of the week did Judas go to the priests? Prob-
ably on Wednesday.
When had Jesus offended Judas? On the Saturday before, at
the supper in Bethany, when Mary poured the ointment on his
feet, and Judas blamed her, and Jesus defended her.
Matt., xxvi., 1-5, 14-16. Mark, xiv., 1, 2, 10, 11.
Luke, xxii., 1-7.
THE PASSOVER PREPARED. 175
«
JUDAS.
uThen entered Satan into Judas surnamed
Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve."
— Luke, xxii., 3.
LESSON XLYIL
THE PASSOVER PREPARED.
Two poor men set out one morning from the Mount
of Olives to go to Jerusalem. These poor men are
friends. How unlike they are to that wicked man who
went the day before from the mountain to the city !
They enter the city. The streets are crowded with
people, who are going to shops, and carrying burdens,
as if they were €ill preparing for feasts at home.
A servant is walking along, carrying a jug of water.
The two poor men meet him. As soon as they see
him, they follow him. They turn when he turns, and
they take care not to lose sight of him.
At last the servant stops at a house.
The two friends stop also ; he goes in ; they go in.
They find the master of the house at home. They
speak to him. He takes them up a few steps into a
176 THE PASSOVER PREPARED.
large room. There is a ltmg table in it, and couches
for people to rest on while eating their meals.
The two friends leave the house, and go and buy a
young lamb. It is without spot or blemish. They
carry it up the hill where the temple stands. They
enter the Court of the Gentiles ; they pass through it,
and through the Court of the Women, up the steps
which lead to the Court of Israel. They give their
lamb to a priest. He takes it, and kills it in the Court
of the Priests, and then sprinkles its innocent blood
before the great brass altar. There are thousands of
lambs that day being killed in that court. The priest
returns the bleeding lamb to the two friends. They
take off its white skin, and cut open its little body.
Then they bear their lamb out of the courts.
They buy herbs to eat with the lamb, such as let-
tuce and endive ; they buy fruit, such as figs and rai-
sins, to make sauce ; they buy loaves of bread, and
some weak wine.
They bring all these things to the house of the man
who lent them the large roqm. They are allowed the
use of an oven, where they may roast their lamb.
They place a stick through its body from its head to
its tail, and another stick from side to side ; so the
two sticks are like a cross, and the lamb is crucified in
the oven.
THE PASSOVER PREPARED. 177
They give the lamb's skin to the master of the
house, to reward him for lending them a room.
When the lamb is roasted they place it on the ta-
ble, "with the bread, and the herbs, and the wine.
They mash up the figs and raisins into a kind of
paste or sop. There are dishes and cups on the table.
In the room there are basins and towels for washing.
When all is ready, they return to their Master in
the village and tell him what they have done.
Who are the two friends?
On what day do they set out? On Thursday, the first day of
the Passover. That feast lasted seven days.
Why do they follow the man with a jug ?
Who lends them a room ? No one knows his name. It was
the custom for the dwellers in Jerusalem to lend a room to stran-
gers during the Passover.
What was the lamb in the Passover to keep in memory ? How
the first-born of Israel were saved in Egypt by a lamb's blood
sprinkled on the door-posts.
What was the lamb in the Passover to show forth? How Je-
sus would shed his blood to save men from eternal death.
Why was the lamb roasted? To show how Jesus would be
burned by the wrath of God against sin ; as it is written in the
Psalms, ' ' My bones are burned as an hearth .... because of thine
indignation and thy wrath." Ps. cii.
What sort of bread was eaten at the Passover? Unleavened
bread ; because the Israelites, when they left Egypt, had no time
to leaven their bread.
Were all the old customs observed in our Saviour's time? No;
the lamb was not kept up four days before it was slain, Exodus,
xii., 3-6; nor did the people eat it with shoes on their feet and
a staff in their hand.
Mat., xxvi., 17-19. Mark, xiv., 12-17. Luke, xxii., 7-14.
M
178 the passover eaten.
Christ's message to the man in Jerusalem.
"The Master saith, My time is at hand; I
will keep the Passover at thy house with my
disciples. " — Matt, xxvi., 18.
LESSON XLVIII.
THE PASSOVER EATEN.
There are thirteen men around that table. They
are lying on couches or sofas along the sides.
The Master is giving thanks, and drinking a cup
of wine with his friends.
The supper is now brought in. There is a lamb
roasted whole, bitter herbs, mashed fruit, and un-
leavened bread.
Before he begins supper the Master rises, takes
off his loose upper garment, and ties a towel round
his waist.
He pours water into a basin, and, going up to one
of his friends, begins to wash his feet.
This is the way in which he washes them. As
the friend is lying on a couch, he puts the basin
THE PASSOVER EATEN. 179
under his feet, and pours water over them; and
then, with the end of the towel round his waist,
wipes first one foot, then the other.
But see ! one of the friends will not let his Master
wash his feet. His Master persuades him, and then
that friend is very anxious indeed that his feet
should be washed.
Now that dear Master has gone back to his place
at the table, and has put off the towel, and put on
his loose robes again, and he is talking to his friends.
He seems to be giving them advice, with a heart
full of affection.
Now they begin to eat the lamb and the bread;
they also drink more wine, but it is wine mixed
with water.
During the supper the Master looks very sorrow-
ful indeed.
He speaks ; all his friends are terrified ; they call
out, and look at each other with wonder and dismay.
One of them is leaning his head upon his Master's
breast. Why does he sit nearest his Master? and
why does he lean his head as on a father's bosom?
Surely he must be greatly beloved.
Another disciple makes a sign to that beloved one,
as if he wanted him to whisper something into his
Master's ear.
180 THE PASSOVER EATEN.
The beloved disciple whispers, and his Master re-
plies, but not loud enough for others to hear.
Then the Master takes a morsel of bread, and dips
it in the dish of mashed fruit, and gives it to another
disciple lying very near him, but not leaning on his
breast.
That man is not like the rest. His countenance
is mean, and sly, and cruel. He takes the sopped
bread from the dear hand that offers it, then rises
and goes out of the room.
No one knows why he goes out except the Master,
and He knows full well ; and he says something to
that bad man as he is going out, but no one under-
stands what he means.
After the base one has left the room the Master
goes on talking. He speaks to that man who did
not at first wish him to wash his feet, and he says
something to him which grieves him deeply.
Now the Master takes a cake of bread, and blesses
it, and breaks it in pieces, and gives a piece to each
of his friends; and as he gives it he says to each
something very sad, and very sweet, and very loving.
Now he pours wine into a cup and gives it to his
friends, that each may drink a little ; and as he gives
it he utters some more sweet, and sad, and loving
words.
THE PASSOVER EATEN. 181
How much troubled those friends look as they eat
and drink ! Their Master talks to them a long, long
while. What pains he takes to comfort them, though
all the while he is so sorrowful himself!
At last he sings a hymn with them.
Now he rises from the table, and goes down the
steps which lead into the court.
He walks by the light of the moon along the dark
streets, crosses the bridge over the narrow stream,
and so reaches the garden on the other side.
As he walks he is comforting his dear disciples.
On what day of the week are those thirteen eating that sup-
per? On Thursday; the day before the Saviour's death.
What did Jesus say when he gave his disciples the first cup
of wine? He said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves;
for / will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of
God shall come." Luke, xxii., 17, 18.
Which disciple did not wish his Master to wash his feet?
What did he say to Jesus?
What did Jesus reply?
What, did Peter say then ?
What did Jesus say to all his disciples after he had washed
their feet?
Was it the custom to wash the feet at the Passover? No;
only the hands.
What did Jesus say which alarmed his disciples? "One of
you shall betray me."
What question did they all ask ?
Who leaned on the Saviour's breast?
Who made him a sign to ask the Lord a question?
How did the Lord answer it?
Who left the room during the supper?
182 THE PASSOVER EATEN".
Why?
What did Jesus say which grieved Peter?
What did Jesus say as he gave the broken bread?
What did he say as he gave the last cup of wine ?
Why ought all who love Jesus to take the Lord's Supper?
Matt., xxvi., 20-30. Mark, xiv., 17-26. Luke, xxii.,
14-39. John, xiii., xiv.
Christ's words of comfort to his disciples.
"Let not your heart be troubled; ye be-
lieve in God, believe also in Me. In my Fa-
ther's house are many mansions." — John, xiv.,
1, 2.
GETHSEMANE.
LESSON XLIX.
THE GARDEN.
Twelve men have just reached a garden gate.
The moon is shining upon the olive-trees which
adorn the spot.
184 THE GARDEN.
These twelve men look very sorrowful, but one
is more sorrowful than the rest.
This man of sorrows leaves eight of his friends
near the garden gate.
He takes the other three with him a little farther.
Then he leaves these three, and goes all alone a
few steps farther on (about as far as a person could
throw a stone).
Behold him now in that gloomy garden, kneeling
down, bending low, so that his face almost touches
the ground, and praying most earnestly. Oh, how
earnestly he prays ! so earnestly that his sweat, like
great drops of blood, flows out of his skin, and falls
upon the cold earth. Oh, what a sight ! the Man of
Sorrows is bathed in his own blood.
There is no one on earth to comfort him ; but, lo !
an angel comes down from heaven, with better com-
fort than man could give.
After a while he rises, and goes to his three
friends a little way off; but he finds them sleeping;
he speaks to them a few words, then leaves them,
and returns to his place of prayer.
He prays again, then rises again, and goes again
to his friends. Again he finds them asleep; again
he speaks to them, but they are so sleepy that they
can not answer.
THE GARDEN. 185
JESUS FRAYING ALONE.
Again lie leaves them, and again lie prays.
Again, the third time, he speaks to his sleeping
friends.
But this time they rise from the ground ; they can
sleep no more ; for, behold, a troop of men approach.
Some hold swords, and some hold sticks, and some
hold lanterns in their hands.
One of the troop comes forward, and goes up to
the Man of Sorrows and kisses him.
The rest are just going to seize that sorrowful One,
when he comes boldly up to them and speaks a few
words. Suddenly the whole troop, instead of seizing
him, go backward, and fall on the ground.
186 THE GARDEN.
There they lie, as helpless as dead men.
How easy it would be for Him they seek to es-
cape, but He will not.
His enemies rise again and lay hold of him, but
they do not lay hold of his friends.
One of those friends is so bold that he draws his
sword and cuts off the ear of one of the enemies.
Then the Master puts out his hand, and heals the
wounded man. That hand will not be able to do
any more good, for the enemies are binding both
hands with cords ; yes, those kind hands, that have
touched so many blind eyes, and dumb lips, and
leprous skins.
His friends have left him all alone ; they have run
away ; and he is in the midst of his enemies.
He goes willingly with them. There is no need to
pull or drag him along; it is enough to lead him,
even as a lamb is led to the slaughter.
What is the name of that garden?
How do we know that the moon was shining? Because on the
first day of the month there was a new moon ; and the Passover
took place in the middle of the month, when it was full moon.
What are the names of the eight disciples left at the gate?
What are the names of the three who went farther?
What were the words of Christ's prayer?
What did Jesus say to his disciples when he found them asleep ?
What did he say to Judas?
At what words did the enemies fall backward?
Who cut off the servant's ear?
THE priest's palace. 187
Why did the enemies allow the disciples to escape ? Because
Jesus had said to the enemies, "If ye seek me, let these go their
way."
Matt., xxvi., 36-57. Mark, xiv., 32-51. Luke, xxii.,
40-54. John, xviii., 1-12.
THE WORDS OF CHRISES PRAYER.
"O my Father, if it be possible, let this
cup pass from me ; nevertheless, not as I will,
but as thou wilt." — Matt., xxvi., 39.
LESSON L.
THE PRIEST'S PALACE.
A great multitude of fierce men are hastening in
the depth of night toward a great city. They are
leading a meek and gentle prisoner, whose hands are
bound. Strange it is that so many men should guard
one single prisoner, and He so weak and so weary.
The multitude reach a palace gate. There is a
maiden who keeps the door. She lets those pass
through whom she knows, but others she will not
suffer to enter.
The prisoner with his guard passes through.
188 the priest's palace.
But his friends are not allowed to pass, except
one. He seems to be well known at the palace, for
when the maiden sees him she lets him in.
But there is a man standing at the gate and long-
ing to get in who can not do so. How anxious he
looks! How sorrowful! At last the other man,
who got in so easily, returns to the door. He sees
his distress ; he speaks to the maiden, and then she
lets him in.
How glad that poor man looks now he is admit-
ted ! But he can not go far in. He stands amid a
crowd of servants in the outer hall. There is a fire
in that hall, for the night is cold. The servants
gather round the fire and warm themselves. The
stranger sits down with them, and warms himself
too ; but his eyes are often turning toward the place
where the prisoner is standing.
That gentle prisoner has been led into a great
hall. Many proud men are seated on high seats,
and are asking him questions with rough voices.
The prisoner answers with the meekness of a lamb.
Yet one of the servants standing near him gives him
a blow on the face with his hand.
Does that barbarous blow make his face redden
with rage? Oh no, he answers sweetly and softly
as an angel.
the priest's palace. 189
His gentle hands are bound ; but if they were not,
he would not return the blow ; and even now how
easily he could burst the cords that bind him !
Two men, with deceitful looks, enter that lighted
hall ; they are speaking against that blessed prisoner ;
the proud judges listen with eagerness to their ma-
licious words; yet when these men are questioned
each by himself, their words do not agree together,
and it is plain they are telling lies. Then two more
come in, and then two more ; but none are found to
speak the truth. A great number of men speak
against the prisoner.
At last the chief of the judges stands up, and
speaks very angrily to the prisoner.
At first the prisoner does not answer him, but
afterward he utters a few words. Then that chief
judge grows more angry still; he pretends to be
very unhappy ; he takes hold of his upper garment,
and tears it, to show his grief. He looks round
upon his proud companions, and they all join with
him in uttering some very dreadful words against
the meek prisoner.
And now they give him up into the hands of their
servants. It is like giving up a lamb to be torn by
dogs, for those servants seize hold of him and begin
to torment him. They mock him ; they beat him ;
190 THE priest's palace.
they push, him; they blindfold him; they ask him
who struck him, and then burst out laughing; they
pluck off the hair of his face ; they do what is worse
still, they spit — they spit upon that sweet, that glori-
ous, that beloved face.
"Oh, how do angels bear the sight!"
Yet he hides not his blessed face from men's cursed
mouths.
To what place do the multitude lead Jesus? To the palace
of Caiaphas, the high-priest.
Which of the apostles gets in easily?
Which gets in aftenvard?
How does he get in?
Who is the chief man among the judges?
Who strikes Jesus as he stands before his judges?
What does Jesus say to that mean man?
What men come in to speak against Jesus? False witnesses.
What did two of them say against Jesus ?
Had he really said he would destroy the temple ? Yes, but he
meant his body; for his body was a temple, because God dwelt
in him.
What did Jesus say at last which made the high-priest tear his
clothes ? He said he was the Son of God.
What sentence did all these judges join in pronouncing? "He
is guilty of death !"
Why did the servants ask him who struck him? Because Je-
sus was a prophet, and knew all things, and the servants wished
to mock him.
Matt., xxvi., 26-68. Mark, xiv., 51-65, Luke, xxii.,
54, 55, 63-65. John, xii., 12-16, 19-25.
THE PORCH. 191
THE WORDS OE JESUS ABOUT HIS SUFFERINGS.
"I gave my back to the smiters, and my
cheeks to them that plucked off the hair ; I
hid not my face from shame and spitting." —
Isa., L, 6.
LESSON LI.
THE PORCH.
Around a fire in a large hall a number of servants
are warming themselves. There is one among them
who is not like the rest. He is a stranger, and not
a servant. He is very sad to-night, though he tries
to appear cheerful ; but he feels very anxious about
that poor prisoner who is standing in the next room
before his judges.
All at once a woman, who keeps the door, comes
up to the stranger sitting by the fire, looks earnestly
at him, and suddenly cries out, as if she was much
surprised. The stranger answers her in a very pos-
itive manner. But the other servants join in saying
the same as the woman ; first one and then another
192 THE POECH.
look at the stranger and call out. The poor man
goes on answering, but as no one seems to believe
him, he looks frightened, and gets away from them
all by going into the porch.
When he is in the porch he hears a cock crow, for
the morning is soon going to dawn. A good while
afterward a man speaks to him, and then a woman,
and their words fill that poor stranger with terror,
because there are many persons standing by listen-
ing. The frightened man answers with more vio-
lence than ever.
He leaves the porch and returns to the fire. There
he talks away as if he did not care for his dear
Master, who is being tormented in the other room.
People are listening to him as he talks away by the
fire, and they observe a tone in his voice, and a way
of speaking, that remind them of the cities by the
lake. They think that the man talking by the fire
has come from one of those cities, and that he is a
friend of the prisoner. Now they are telling him
what they think. That man is denying all they say.
What horrible words are coming out of his mouth !
too horrible to be written down.
Suddenly he stops speaking.
What has he heard that fills him with dismay ?
Is it the crowing of that bird ?
THE PORCH. 193
What has he seen that has filled his eyes with
tears?
Has that blessed lamb, who is in the midst of his
tormentors, fixed his eyes upon him?
Something has happened which has deeply grieved
him, for he is now weeping most bitterly in the
porch. Let him weep on. He has much to weep
about.
Who is warming himself with the servants by the fire?
What do they say to him?
What does he reply?
When did he first swear? In the porch.
When did he both curse and swear? When he returned to
the fire.
What words of Jesus did Peter remember at last?*
Matt., xxvi., 69, to end. Mark, xiv., 66, to end. Luke,
xxii., 56-62. John, xviii., 17, 18, 25-27.
THE WORDS THAT PETER REMEMBERED.
u 'Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt
deny me thrice/ And when he thought there-
on, he wept." — Mark, xiv., 72.
* In St. John's Gospel the circumstances of the first denial alone
are related.
N
VALLEY OF THE SON OF HINNOM.
LESSON LIL
THE SUICIDE.
The morning is almost come. A miserable man
is walking toward the temple. He enters the courts
of the holy place. He opens the door of a great hall.
Though it is so early, there are many rich and hon-
orable men assembled there. They are the same
men who sat up during the night in the palace of
the high -priest. These are the judges who con-
demned the innocent man. Their faces are weary
THE SUICIDE. 195
from want of sleep; but they could not sleep, for
their hearts were too full of hatred.
When the miserable man enters they are surprised,
yet they seem as if they knew him.
The miserable man has a heap of money in his
hand. He offers it to the proud men, but they will
not take it. So he throws down the money on the
floor, and suddenly goes out.
Where does he go ?
He goes to a dark, deep valley, close by the great
city; he finds a tree that stands on the edge of a
steep crag. He ties a rope round his neck, and fast-
ens one end of the rope to a bough of the tree, and
then lets himself hang.
Oh, terrible deed! He kills himself!
Lo! he falls from the tree into a deep place be-
low, and his body is dashed to pieces.
How horrible is the sight of that mangled corpse,
lying in the midst of blood and gore, a fit feast for
vile dogs and unclean birds !
What has become of the wicked soul that dwelt
once in that loathsome body?
Who is that miserable man?
Who are the men assembled in that hall? They are some of
the seventy-two judges called the Sanhedrim, of which the high-
priest was the chief.
What does the miserable man say as he returns the money?
196 THE SUICIDE.
What do the judges answer him?
How do we know what became of Judas's body ? From Acts,
i., 18, 19.
Why would not the proud judges take the money? Because
it was the price of blood.
What did they do with it when it was cast down ? They would
not put it into those chests (called the treasury) where the widow
cast in her mite, but they bought with it a field that had been
dug up by a potter, in order to make earthenware, and which was
of no use except as a burial-place. These wicked judges bought
this field as a place to bury Gentiles in, thinking it not good
enough for Jews, because it was bought with the price of blood.
Yet this field teaches us that Jesus shed his precious blood in
order that both Jews and Gentiles might rise from the grave and
live forever.
Matt., xxvii., 3-11.
THE WORDS OF JUDAS AND OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS.
"I have sinned in that I have betrayed the
innocent blood."
" What is that to us? See thou to that."
— Matt, xxvii., 4.
THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE. 197
LESSON LIII.
THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE.
Behold that magnificent palace ! It is the finest
house in all the city — much finer than the high-
priest's house.
The man whom the servants tormented all night
is being led, bound with cords, along the streets to
this grand palace. He looks, indeed, like a bleeding
lamb, as the morning light shines upon his weary-
body and his sorrowful face. Oh, how that face has
been insulted! But it will be worse treated still
before all is over.
That bleeding lamb is surrounded by a great mul-
titude of people. They follow him to the palace
gate, but no farther. The soldiers then lead the
prisoner in ; his enemies remain outside. They have
lost sight of him ; he is inside the palace, they .are
outside in the streets.
But who is this coming out of the palace ? He
seems to be some great one. He looks like the gen-
eral of a great army. He wears a purple cloak.
It is fastened by a clasp over one shoulder.
198 the governor's palace.
The crowds in the street can see him well. The
proud men speak to him ; and oh ! what hatred and
envy are in their countenances as they speak !
The great man does not know how to answer
them. He returns to the judgment-hall, where his
sorrowful prisoner is standing. He soon returns into
the street. He speaks a few words to the proud
men, and those few words make them ten times
more furious than before.
See! now the general, or governor, is giving or-
ders to some soldiers; and now these soldiers are
leading the bleeding lamb along the streets.
A number of his proud enemies follow his steps.
"Where are they taking him ?
They are taking him to another palace, though
not so fine a one as the other.
In that palace there is a king, who once trembled
at the name of that prisoner ; but he does not trem-
ble now. He has got over his fears, and when he
sees him he laughs. Yes, he laughs at that man of
tears and grief. Yes, he laughs! Soldiers are
standing around that wicked king, and they, too,
laugh at him.
The proud men who followed the prisoner are
speaking words of hatred against him. And the
prisoner is silent. Though the king speaks to
him, he will not answer.
THE FLOOR OF COLORED STONES.
THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE. 201
And what are they doing now to that sorrowful
man ? The soldiers are putting on him a fine robe,
all glittering like silver. This they do to mock him.
The king looks on, well pleased.
This is the first time that king has ever seen him.
But he will see him once again, and then he will
not laugh, but weep and howl, and curse the
day he first saw that blessed man.
And now the soldiers are bringing back the pris-
oner, in his silver robe, to the great hall.
The governor seems sorry to see his prisoner
again. He does not know what to do with him.
There is in the street a high place, with a floor
of colored stones, and a magnificent seat. The gov-
ernor sits down upon this jud'gment-seat, and begins
to talk to the people in the street. But, the more
he talks to them, the more violent they grow; the
poor people join with the proud men in cruel cries
and fierce shouts.
But who is this coming with a message? It is
a servant. He is come from the governor's own
rooms. He has something very serious and of great
consequence to say.
The governor looks frightened as he listens to the
message. He tries more than ever to persuade the
multitude; but their voices grow louder, their looks
fiercer.
202 the governor's palace.
How much distressed the governor appears ! He
is calling for something. It is a basin and a jug
of water, and he is washing his hands as he sits on
that judgment-seat, and he seems to wish that every
body should see what he is doing. And they do
see it, and as they look they utter a horrible cry.
And now soldiers are leading into the street a
wicked-looking wretch. They are knocking off the
chains from his hands and his feet, and are setting
him free ; and the multitude seem pleased !
Other soldiers are binding the blessed lamb to a
post or pillar; they are stripping the garment off
his back; they are beating him with knotted ropes,
made harder by little sharp-pointed bones. That
back is covered now with bleeding stripes.
And the multitude seem pleased!
Now the soldiers are hurrying that bleeding one
again into the hall. All the soldiers have gathered
round him ; there are at least six hundred — six hund-
red tormentors of one bleeding, fainting, gentle lamb !
They are stripping off his garments, all stained with
blood; they are putting on him a purple garment.
Some are plaiting long thorns, and making it in the
form of a crown. They place it on that drooping
head ; they put a reed in that drooping hand ; they
bow the knee, then rise to — mock. They lift up
THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE. 203
their hands and strike that face. They take the
reed out of his hand and beat him on the head — the
head bound with thorns. They do still more —
they spit upon him.
The governor comes in ; he sees what the soldiers
are doing. The governor goes back into the street,
and the bleeding lamb goes out also. The governor
points to him, as if he wished the people to look
at him.
There he stands, where all can see him, in his pur-
ple robe, with his crown of thorns.
What do his enemies feel when they see that face
covered with blood, and bruises, and spittle ? Alas !
they feel no pity. They cry out against him as loud
as before.
The governor looks alarmed. He takes the pris-
oner back into the hall ; he speaks to him again, and
the prisoner answers him. Oh, how that governor
seems to wish to let him go ! But he hears the peo-
ple in the street crying out, and he is afraid of dis-
pleasing them. Oh, foolish man, to displease the
God who can cast thy soul into hell !
He brings the prisoner "back again into the street ;
again he mounts his judgment-seat. He points once
more to the bleeding lamb, wearing the thorny
crown ; but the people will not hear.
204 THE governor's palace.
They repeat their cruel cry.
And now the governor commits his great sin — he
CONDEMNS THE INNOCENT LAMB !
Oh, terrible moment, when Man condemned his
God to die!
Who was the governor of Judaea? Pontius Pilate, a Roman,
appointed by the Roman Emperor Caesar.
Where did he live when at Jerusalem? In a palace built by
Herod the Great, the finest in Jerusalem.
Why would not the priests enter that palace? Because it was
inhabited by a Gentile, and they thought that to enter it would
make them unclean, and unfit to eat the Passover.
But had they not eaten the Passover the day before? Yes;
but the feast lasted seven days.
What do the Jews accuse Jesus of? Of making himself a
king; for they thought that as Pilate wished to please his mas-
ter (the Emperor of Rome), he would punish any one who called
himself a king.
To what other judge does Pilate send Jesus ? To that Herod
(King of Galilee) who had killed John the Baptist.
What message is brought to Pilate while he is on his judg-
ment-seat ?
Why does Pilate wash his hands? As a sign that he washes
away the guilt of condemning an innocent man; but water can
not wash away guilt.
Whom do the people ask Pilate to release instead of Jesus?
What do the soldiers say when they mock Jesus?
What words does Pilate utter when he shows Jesus to the
people ?
What do they reply?
Matt., xxvii., 11-30. Mark, xv., 1-19. Luke, xxiii.,
1-25. John, xviii., 28; xix., 16.
THE WORDS OF PILATE AND THE JEWS ABOUT
JESUS.
u Behold your king!1'
"Away with him ! away with him ! crucify
him!"
" Shall I crucify your king?"
"We have no king but Caesar." — John,
xix., 14, 15.
OA1.VABY.
LESSON LIV.
THE CRUCIFIXION.
The streets of Jerusalem are crowded with peo-
ple ; the doors, the windows, the roofs of the houses
are filled with lookers-on.
All eyes are fixed upon a man who is creeping
along the way, bending beneath the weight of an
enormous beam of wood. His back is bathed in
blood, his clothes are stained with blood, his brows
are streaming with blood. It seems as if he would
THE CRUCIFIXION. 207
sink under the burden he bears, and expire on the
spot. Why do none of the soldiers that surround
him help to carry his load ? Cruel men ! they follow
him with taunts and jeers. Does no one come to
his relief? Not one. Some would like to help him,
but they dare not.
Here is a man coming down the street. His dark
complexion shows that he was born under a burning
sun. He is a stranger in Jerusalem, though he is a
Jew. He is only just entering the city. The sol-
diers seize this man, and make him help the bleed-
ing lamb to bear his load. It is not out of pity
they do this, but out of cruelty, for they wish their
victim to live longer, that they may torment him
more.
There is a company of women walking after the
bleeding lamb, weeping and wailing as they go.
He notices their tears ; he turns toward them, and
speaks to them.
But see, two men bearing crosses, whom the sol-
diers are driving along. Their faces are not meek
and holy, like the face of the lamb, but wicked and
wretched.
The crowd moves on. They do not go toward
the Mount of Olives, but just the other way. They
pass through the gate of the city ; they come to a
208 THE CRUCIFIXION.
place of rocks and crags, a horrible and loathsome
spot, where dead men's bones are strewed about.
Here the wicked crew stop.
It is now nearly nine o'clock in the morning.
The soldiers take hold of their prey, and they
strip his clothes off his bleeding body. They offer
him a draught of vinegar, mixed with bitter myrrh
and more bitter gall. He tastes, but will not drink.
Four soldiers stretch his wounded limbs on the
rough wood, and each soldier thrusts a great nail
into his tender hand or tender foot. They lift up
the Cursed Cross, and the Blessed Man hangs on
it by the nails in his agonized hands and feet.
Lo ! he speaks. Those uplifted eyes show that he
is speaking to God. It is a prayer. Is it a prayer
for vengeance, or for the pardon of his murderers ?
Four soldiers are busy at the foot of the cross.
What are they tearing- and dividing ? Blood-stained
garments.
Now they are admiring one of the garments. It
is a short cloak, or vesture, which has no seam, but
is made of one piece. They are casting lots. One
soldier draws the right lot, and seizes the cloak for
his own. Will he ever wear that cloak ? How will
he feel when he remembers the man whom he treat-
ed so cruelly?
THE CRUCIFIXION. 209
Numbers of people are passing by that cross, and
gazing and staring at the Crucified One.
As they pass, they look up at a placard just above
his head ; there is writing on it, in three languages,
and some read the words in one language and some
in another. The governor is standing by. Some
of the Jews speak to him about these words, as if
they did not like them ; but he answers them in a
determined, positive manner.
The soldiers are sitting on the ground, with their
eyes fixed upon the Crucified Man; and, as they
look, they laugh! Now and then one of them
fetches a cup of vinegar and offers it to him, just
to mock him in his thirst and pain.
The people are pressing in crowds to view him;
but, instead of praising him, as they once did, they
are mocking him.
Even the proud priests and counselors come to
look at the man they hate ; they come to insult him
in his dying hour, to pout out their lips, and to
shake their heads at him.
Can it be that those wicked wretches hanging on
the crosses at his side are joining in the mockery?
Yes ; they, even they, insult him.
But, lo! one of them seems to be looking with
penitent eyes at that cross in the midst, and to be
O
210 THE CRUCIFIXION.
offering up a prayer. The Crucified One hears the
prayer, and gives an answer fall of grace and peace.
So now that sorrowful thief is filled with comfort,
while the other continues murmuring and miserable.
Among the cruel troop around the cross there are
a few with weeping eyes. There is a woman of a
meek and gentle spirit. She seems pierced to the
heart with grief. Beside her stands a young man,
who seems to feel for her.
The blessed eyes look down from the cross upon
those two sorrowful ones. The Crucified Man speaks
a few words, first to one, then to the other. Now
that young man looks at the woman as if he loved
her as a mother. He is taking care of her in her
grief. He will not leave her to weep alone.
The sun was shining in all its brightness upon
the sinful multitude. Suddenly he hides his head,
and darkness is spread over the place. Those mock-
ing faces can not now be seen, and that dying face
can not now be stared at.
Every one is frightened at this sudden and thick
darkness. Hour after hour passes; the darkness
goes not away for three whole hours.
After three hours, when it is three o'clock, a very
bitter cry is heard.
Many do not understand the words of that cry.
THE CRUCIFIXION. 211
They think the Dying One has called for a prophet
to help him, for they know not that He trusts only
in his God.
Hark ! another cry ! It is only a word.
That word is understood.
Behold! a man runs, takes a sponge, and dips it
in a jar of vinegar ; he then puts it on the end of a
long straight branch, and with a reed he tries to
reach the parched lips of the dying lamb. The suf-
ferer just tastes it, and speaks once more.
A very loud voice is heard. It is like the voice
of prayer. Those lips have spoken their last words.
The head droops upon the breast ; the breath has
ceased.
At the same moment there is a dreadful shaking
of the ground ; it cracks ; it heaves ; the hard rocks
are torn, and the caves where dead bodies lie hid
burst open.
Men shake with terror ; even the soldiers tremble ;
and the people are beating their breasts, and return-
ing home frightened and miserable.
Who helps Jesus to bear his cross? A man born in Africa,
though a Jew.
What does Jesus say to the weeping women ? ' ' Weep not for
me, but for yourselves and for your children."
Why were they to weep for themselves? Because the Jews
were soon to be punished for the murder of the Lord by the Ro-
mans coming and destroying Jerusalem.
212 THE CRUCIFIXION.
What was the name of the place where Jesus was crucified?
Golgotha, which means in Hebrew the Place of a Skull. Calvary
means the same in Greek.
How many times did Jesus speak while on the cross? Seven
times.
What was his first prayer while on the cross?
What did he say to the thief?
What did he say to the two sorrowful ones?
What bitter cry did he utter which was not understood?
What words did he speak which made the soldier fetch vinegar?
What did he say when he had drunk the vinegar? "It is
finished," or, "It is fulfilled," meaning, "The words of God
about me are fulfilled."
What was the last prayer he offered up?
What did the soldiers say when the earthquake came? "Truly
this was the Son of God."
Matt., xxvii., 31-54. Mark, xv., 20-39. Luke, xxiii.,
26-49. John, xix., 17-30.
THE THIEF'S PRAYER AND CHRIST^ ANSWER.
44 Lord, remember me when thou comest
into thy kingdom.'1
44 Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou
be with me in paradise." — Luke, xxiii., 42, 43.
THE SOLDIER'S SPEAR. 213
LESSON LV.
THE SOLDIER'S SPEAR.
Three crosses are standing upon that rocky-
ground. Three bodies are hanging upon those
crosses. The darkness is gone, and the sun's set-
ting beams are shining upon those bleeding bodies.
A good way off a number of people are standing,
looking with fond affection upon the body which
hangs upon the middle cross. Many women are
there, and also one of the apostles. What grief is
in those faces as they gaze upon the cross!
Suddenly a captain with some soldiers approaches.
"What are they going to do? How anxiously the
friends of the Crucified One watch all the move-
ments of these cruel men !
The soldiers look at one of the thieves; the
wretched man breathes still; they break the bones
of his legs with the butt-end of their weapons, and
so leave him quite dead.
Then they look at the other thief. Is he the thief
who obtained mercv? Call him not wretched. He
214 the soldier's spear.
is going to have a glorious supper. He breathes
still. The soldiers break his legs as they did the
legs of the other, and leave him quite dead.
They come next to the body that hangs on the
middle cross. His bleeding head is bowed down
upon His breast. He breathes no more.
Will the cruel soldiers insult the dead body as
they did the dying men?
Oh, how the friends who are watching afar off
tremble for the body of their Lord !
One of the soldiers thrusts his spear into the side
of the crucified body, and a stream of blood and wa-
ter flows out of the wound. The soldiers go away,
but the friends stand by, looking at that gaping
wound and at that purple stream.
Not one bone of their precious Lord has been
broken, though his blood has been shed so abundant-
ly. His body has been broken, as he said, but not
his bones.
Who sent the soldiers to kill the crucified men ? Pontius Pilate.
Who asked him to send them ? The chief men among the Jews.
Why did they wish the crucified men to be killed ? That their
bodies might be taken down from their crosses before the Sabbath
began. The Sabbath began at six o'clock on Friday evening, and
Jesus died at three.
Why did the Jews object to the bodies hanging on the crosses
during the Sabbath? Because God had forbidden that a body
should remain upon a tree (or wooden cross) during the night.
THE SOLDIER'S SPEAR. 215
If a body might not remain on a cross during any night, how
much less during the Sabbath night! Deut., xxi., 22, 23.
Why was the Sabbath after Christ's death greater than other
Sabbaths? Because it was the Sabbath in the Passover week.
John, xix., 31-37.
johx's words about the second coming
OF JESUS.
"Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every
eye shall see him, and they also which pierced
him ; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail
because of him." — Rev., i., 7.
THE GARDEN OP JOSEPH OP ARIMATHEA.
LESSON LVL
THE BURIAL.
A rich man enters a palace. He speaks to a
great lord. . This lord is dressed like a Eoman gen-
eral— in a short purple cloak.
The rich man is much troubled in mind, and he
makes a request in a very earnest and pressing
manner.
At first the honorable general does not grant the
THE BURIAL. 217
request, but calls a captain, and asks him a question.
That captain also is a Eoman. He answers the ques-
tion of his general.
Then the general turns toward the rich Jew, who
is standing before him, and grants his request.
That rich man has a friend, rich and honorable
like himself. They go both together toward the
gloomy place of crucifixion. One brings with him
an immense roll of fine linen, and the other brings a
mixture of very sweet spices.
Thus laden, they approach the cross.
The soldiers have received an order from the
great general to give the wounded body to these
two friends. See them now taking out those nails
which they thrust in a few hours ago.
The two rich men receive the body in their loving
arms. They lay it in the white linen sheet as care-
fully as Mary once wrapped her infant in its first
loose robe. They cover it all over with the sweet,
spicy mixture, and then place the arms straight by
the side, and fold the linen round and round the
helpless limbs. But they give the head a separate
covering; the bleeding brows, so lately pierced .by
thorns, they bind with a linen cloth.
The two friends bear the precious burden from
the loathsome place of bones toward a garden close
218 THE BURIAL.
by. As they enter, the last rays of the setting sun
are shining through the green boughs.
Some women are following at a little distance,
and watching all that is done with their Lord's body.
BEARING JESUS TO THE TOMii.
In a rock a cave has been hewn. No dead body
was ever laid there; it is sweet and clean as the
chamber of a king. The friends go down the steps
which lead into that cave, and place the body on the
cold, hard floor. There they leave it, under the care
of their heavenly Father and His watchful angels.
Then they use all the strength they have, and get
all the help they can, to roll an enormous stone be-
fore the mouth of the cave. That stone guards the
THE BURIAL. 219
body from hungry birds, and beasts, and malicious
men.
The women are sitting in the garden, watching
the burial of their Lord.
WITHIN THE TOilli.
How sorrowfully they return home through the
dark streets of Jerusalem !
What rich man asked for the body of Jesus?
To what great council did he belong? To the Jewish Sanhe-
drim, or council of seventy, the council who condemned Jesus
to die.
Was there any other good councilor besides Joseph?
Whom did he ask to give him the body of Jesus? Pontius
Pilate.
Whom did Pilate inquire of before he granted Joseph's request?
He inquired of the centurion, or captain of a hundred.
220 THE GUARD.
What did he ask him? How long Jesus had been dead.
How was it the centurion knew? Because he had been with
the soldier who found him dead and who pierced his side.
In whose tomb was Jesus buried?
At what hour was he buried? Just before six o'clock on Fri-
day evening.
Matt., xxvii., 57-61. Mark, xv., 42, to end. Luke,
xxiii., 50-55. John, xix., 38, to end.
THE SAVIOUR'S TOMB.
" Now in the place where he was crucified
there was a garden ; and in the garden a new
sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid." —
John, xix., 41.
LESSON LYIL
THE GUARD.
A great many people are hastening toward the
marble building on the top of the hill. There is no
buying nor selling in the streets, no carrying of bur-
dens, no grinding of flour between the mill-stones,
but there is singing of psalms and repeating of
prayers in many places. Yet the people do not
THE GUARD. 221
seem happy to-day ; there is a troubled and a terri-
fied look upon most faces, and there is a bad and
guilty look in the faces of the chief priests and
scribes.
There are some poor women whose eyes are red
with weeping, and there are some poor men who can
hardly speak for sorrow.
It would make any one's heart sad to walk
through the streets to-day, and to see such miserable
countenances.
The proud priests and their friends are consulting
together. They have something upon their minds,
and they are at a loss what to do. Now they are
going together toward the finest palace in the city*
They ask for the governor. They are telling him
what troubles them. Ought they to go to the gov-
ernor on the Sabbath? Ought they not to be wor-
shiping God, and resting from worldly business ?
The governor listens to their complaints, and al-
lows them to do what they will.
Now they are on their way to the temple. Are
they going to worship there ? No. They call some
soldiers who are guarding the gates. They are Eo-
man soldiers, such as helped the Jews to seize Jesus
in the garden, and tormented him in the hall, perhaps
the very same who crucified him. They wear ar-
222 THE GUARD.
mor, and short woolen cloaks over it, and they hold
long spears in their hands.
The soldiers are following the proud priests from
the temple gate to the garden gate near Calvary.
They enter the garden. They sit down near the
cave, close by the great stone.
The proud men begin to fasten the stone to the
rock. They take a strip of leather, and put a plaster
of wet clay on each end, and then, with a large seal,
they stamp the clay. No one can go into the cave
without breaking the seal, and so it would be known
if any one were to go in. Now these wicked men
are sure that the disciples can not take away the
body from the cave.
They go back to the temple to offer their prayers
and their sacrifices, while the soldiers watch around
the tomb all the day and all the night.
Who go on the Sabbath to speak to Pilate? The men who
belong to the council of the Sanhedrim.
What soldiers did Pilate allow them to have? The Roman
band employed in guarding the temple under a captain, called the
captain of the temple.
Why were the priests afraid lest the disciples should steal the
Lord's body ? They thought the disciples would say that Jesus
had risen, and so every body would believe in Jesus.
Matt., xxvii., 62, to end.
THE RESURRECTION. 223
THE HOPE OF CHRIST^ ENEMIES.
"Now that he lieth he shall rise up no
more." — Ps. xli., 8.
LESSON LVIII.
THE RESURRECTION.
Around a great rock in a gloomy garden some
soldiers are sitting, armed with long spears. It is
still dark. Those soldiers have been watching all
night, and they are longing for the rising of the sun.
Suddenly they feel the earth tremble; they shake
from head to foot ; the earth heaves, and cracks, and
opens ; and at the same moment a bright angel from
heaven appears in the midst of them, and rolls back
with his strong arm the enormous stone ; then seats
himself upon it, as a king upon his throne.
The soldiers are so much overcome with terror at
this sight that they can not run away, but fall down
like dead men upon the earth. They hear no more
the rumbling of the ground ; they feel no more the
mighty heaving, nor do they see who comes out of
that cave.
224 THE RESURRECTION.
After lying senseless for a little while, they rise
up, and, without daring to look into the cave, they
rush back into the city.
Soon after they are gone three women enter the
garden, carrying in their arms large jars. They are
the very same women who sat in that garden two
days before. The sun was setting then, but now it
is rising.
The first thing these women see when they enter
the garden is the enormous stone lying at a little
distance from the cave ; but there is no angel sitting
there now.
The women are filled with terror. One is more
alarmed than her companions, and she ventures not
a step farther, but runs out of the garden, and goes
quickly to the disciples' house.
The other two women, though much frightened,
go toward the open cave, and venture to walk in,
hoping to find the body of their Lord. But how
much are they astonished to see a young man, dress-
ed in a long white garment, sitting in the cave!
Now they are more alarmed than ever.
But hark ! the young man speaks. How kind are
his words ! Yet the women tremble still.
They hasten to leave the tomb, and they run very-
fast along the streets, not speaking to any one they
THE RESURRECTION. 225
meet; but, though they tremble as they run, they
are full of joy. As soon as they reach the disciples'
house they tell them all that has happened.
The other woman (who ran first into the city) has
already told two of the disciples, and these two are
running in great haste toward the garden.
One of them runs faster than the other, but,
though he arrives first at the tomb, he does not go
in, but only stoops down and looks in. And what
does he see? Not angels, but only linen clothes
neatly folded up.
His friend soon reaches the spot; he does more
than look in; he goes into the cave, and finds there
the linen clothes. He is surprised to see the linen
which was wrapped around his Lord's head lying,
neatly folded up, in a place by itself.
The man who ran fastest now comes in too. He
also looks at the linen clothes, and he feels sure that
robbers have not been there, for they would have
taken those precious clothes and precious spices, and
not have left them in such order ; therefore he feels
sure that his Lord is alive, and has risen from his
tomb. This very man saw the spear thrust into his
side, so he is sure his Lord has died, and yet he is
sure that he is alive. These two friends return to
their own home. Oh, what a happy walk thev have
P
226 THE RESURRECTION.
as they talk together of their living Lord! And
oh! what happy news they have to bring to their
Lord's dear mother !
Is there any one in the garden now the disciples
are gone home ? Oh yes ; there is a woman stand-
ing near the cave, and weeping abundantly. She is
the woman who ran out of the garden as soon as
ever she saw that the stone had been rolled away.
She has returned, but she has not entered the
cave.
Now she stoops down and looks into the tomb,
and she sees, not linen clothes only, but angels.
They are clothed in white, and one is sitting where
the head of Jesus once lay, and the other where his
feet lay. They speak kindly to the weeping woman.
She answers them in a tone of deep grief, as if
she could not be comforted.
Does she know these are angels? Surely, if she
did, she would not go on weeping as she does.
She turns round, and sees a man standing near
her, but she does not know who he is. He speaks
to her, and she answers in the same sorrowful voice
as before. He speaks one word, and that one word
takes away all her grief. She turns toward him
with great joy, and she utters one word.
She would hold him fast, but he will not let her.
THE RESUKEECTION. 227
He speaks some sweet, heavenly words, and then
she leaves the garden, and runs with haste to tell
the disciples whom she has seen.
She was the first to see her Lord ; but very soon
the other women saw him too, for they met him on
the way, and they held him by the feet and wor-
shiped him.
What three women came first to the tomb ? Salome (the moth-
er of James and John), Mary (the mother of James and Jude),
and Mary Magdalene.
Who ran away as soon as she saw the stone ? Mary Mag-
dalene.
What two disciples did she tell? Peter and John.
Which of them reached the tomb first?
Which went into the tomb first?
What did the angels say to the women who entered the tomb?
Who wept alone near the cave?
What did the angels say to her?
What did the Lord first say to her?
Were these the first words he spoke to any man or woman
after rising from his tomb? Yes.
What did Jesus say to the women whom he met? " All hail !"
which means, "Be glad."
Did any other women go to the tomb besides the three who
went first ? Yes, Susanna, Joanna, and several more ; and they
saw angels, but not Jesus. Their visit is related by St. Luke.
Was Jesus seen by any of the apostles on the day of his res-
urrection? Yes, by Peter; but we do not know when or where.
Thus Jesus showed Peter that his sin in the hall was par-
doned.
Matt., xxviii., 1-10. Mark, xvi., 1-9. John,
xx.. 1-18.
228 the resurrection.
the first words of the risen jesus, and
mary's answers.
"Woman, why weepest thou?"
" Because they have taken away my Lord,
and I know not where they have laid him."
"Mary!"
"RabboniT
THE MEETING NEAR EMMAUS.
LESSON LIX.
THE EVENING WALK.
Two men go out of the gates of Jerusalem to
walk to their home in the country. The heat of
the day is over, and the air has all the freshness and
sweetness of the spring. The path lies among rocky
mountains, where few travelers are seen.
The two friends are talking to each other in sor-
rowful tones. Neither is able to comfort the other,
m - ,
for both seem crushed under a heavy burden of grief
230 THE EVENING WALK.
A stranger comes up to them, and speaks to them
in a kind, compassionate voice. The two friends do
not remember having ever seen him before, but they
readily answer his gracious inquiries ; and soon they
open their hearts, and tell him all their troubles.
He listens, and then answers them in a warm and
earnest manner. He teaches them as he walks with
them, and explains to them many things they do not
understand.
About seven miles from Jerusalem there is a little
village, watered by refreshing streams flowing down
the sides of the mountains.
At the door of a humble dwelling in this village
the two friends stop. They are just entering; the
stranger seems to be going farther ; but they entreat
him to come in, and he comes in.
The supper is spread upon the table, and the
three are seated round it.
Before they begin to eat the stranger takes the
bread, blesses it, and breaks it, and gives it to the
two friends.
They look at him, and are astonished ; but before
they can speak to him he is gone !
They turn to each other and express their delight ;
then leave the table, and set out that very evening
to go to Jerusalem. How quickly they go over
THE EVENING WALK. 231
those hilly paths! more quickly far than when the
stranger was cheering them with his sweet words.
They hasten to the disciples' dwelling. The doors
are locked, but those within open when they hear
well-known voices outside.
Ten apostles are in the room, and many of their
friends, and they are all talking earnestly together.
While they are all telling each other the happy
news, they look up, and see in the midst the Beloved
One standing! Though the doors are locked, he
comes in, for he can open any lock.
At first all the disciples are terrified; but they
soon hear a gentle voice encouraging them. The
Lord shows them his hands and his feet, with the
marks of the nails, and the deep hole in his side ;
and he lets them touch his body, that they may see
it is made of real flesh and bones. And so the dis-
ciples are frightened no more, but only very glad,
and very much surprised.
Now they bring him food — a little broiled fish
and a piece of honeycomb. They see him eat as he
used to do. Now they feel sure that he is a real Man.
But He is God too; for he breathes on his apos-
tles, and gives them the Holy Ghost.
Many eyes, that were yesterday running down
with tears, are beaming with joy this happy evening.
232 THE EVENING WALK.
Who are those two friends walking into the country? One is
named Cleopas ; the name of the other is not known. It is
probable his name is Luke, for Luke relates the story. Holy men
are humble, and avoid mentioning their own names except when
it is necessary.
Where are they going? To Emmaus, a village seven miles
from Jerusalem, on the north. Emmaus signifies " Hot Baths."
On what day are they walking ? On Sunday, the day when
Christ arose.
What are they talking about ?
Have they not heard of Christ having risen? Yes, they have
heard that the second company of women saw angels who said
Jesus was alive, but they have not heard of the first company of
women having seen Jesus himself?
What does Jesus explain to the two friends? The prophecies
about himself, such as those in Ps. xxii. and Isa., liii.
How do the two friends find out who the stranger is ? By
God's opening their eyes to know him.
What are the first words that Jesus speaks when he enters the
room?
Luke, xxiv., 13-44. Mark, xvi., 12, 13. John,
xx., 19-24.
THE FIRST WORDS OF JESUS TO HIS APOSTLES
AFTER HE HAD RISEN.
" Peace be unto you. Why are ye troub-
led? and why do thoughts arise in your
hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that
it is I MYSELF."
THE UNBELIEVING APOSTLE. 233
LESSON LX.
THE UNBELIEVING APOSTLE.
Ten men are talking to a friend. They seem to
be telling him some joyful news ; but he is hard and
obstinate, and will not believe what they say.
All these men are sitting together at supper one
evening. They have locked the doors, to prevent
their enemies coming in to hurt them.
Suddenly they see their most beloved Friend
standing in the midst.
He utters some sweet words.: Only one of the
company is frightened ; the rest know well who he is.
He calls that frightened man to come to him.
Then he shows him his hands, with the marks
of the nails, and also a deep wound in his side.
The man looks astonished and ashamed. He is "
no longer hard and obstinate. He is very sorry
for his unbelief, and very, very glad to see his Lord.
His Master speaks a few gentle words of reproof.
Which of the apostles was absent on the Sunday when Jesus
first appeared?
What did he say when the other apostles told him they had
seen Jesns?
234 THE BREAKFAST.
When did this apostle see his risen Lord? The next Sunday
evening after the Resurrection Sunday.
What did he cry out w^ien he saw the wounds?
Mark, xvi., 14. John, xx., 24-30.
THE WORDS OF JESUS TO THOMAS.
" Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou
hast believed ; blessed are they that have not
seen, and yet have believed. " — John, xx., 29.
LESSON LXI.
THE BREAKFAST.
The sun is rising upon that lake. A boat is
floating on the waters. Seven poor men are in the
boat. They look hungry and weary, as if they had
passed a sleepless night and had eaten nothing.
There are no fishes in the boat's hold, and no food
of any kind on board.
The seven fishermen see a man standing on the
shore, but they don't know who he is. He calls
out to them. They answer. He speaks again, and
they let down their net into the sea. Now they are
trying with all their might to pull it up again, but
THE BREAKFAST. 235
they can not. They are astonished. One of the
men speaks a word to his friend, and immediately
that friend wraps his loose upper garment around
him, and wades through the water to the shore.
The other six get to land in the boat, dragging
after them the net full of fishes.
As soon as they reach the shore they see a fire
burning there, with some fish broiling on the hot
embers, and some bread. Who can have kindled
that fire, and prepared that breakfast?
The man who stood and called is there. The
man also who waded through the sea is there.
That man had not helped to drag the net through
the sea, but now he goes and pulls it to shore, and
he finds it full of large fishes, in all one hundred
and fifty -three! He is surprised to see that this
great load has not broken his net, as once before
another load did break his net.
None of these fishes are wanted for the fishermen's
dinner; that is ready upon the fire. He who pre-
pared it invites the seven fishermen to sit down, and
then with his own hands he gives them each a por-
tion of bread and fish. Those hands bear still the
marks of nails, and they feed the men for whom
they bled.
After the seven have finished their meal, their
23& THE BREAKFAST
gracious Master talks to them. He speaks especially
to the man who waded through the water. He asks
him the same question three times over; he grieves
him by repeating it so often, but he does it in love.
Then he calls him away from the rest, that he
may talk to him alone; but another of the seven
comes too, even that apostle who first knew who it
was standing by the lake.
Those two apostles seem to be great friends, and
to be also the favorites of their Lord.
What lake is that where the men are fishing? The Lake of
Gehnesareth ; also called the Sea of Tiberias, and Sea of Galilee,
What are the names of the seven disciples ?
What is Nathaniel's other name? Bartholomew.
Which knew first the Lord's voice?
Which went into the sea?
What grieved him after the breakfast?
What did Jesus say would happen to that apostle at last? He
would be crucified.
John, xxi., 1-25.
THE WORDS OF JESUS AND PETER.
a Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me
more than these?"
" Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee."
uFeed my lambs. "
'HE WAS SEEV OF AT'OYE FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE."
LESSON LXIL
THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY.
What a number of people are climbing up that
mountain! Some are walking two and three to-
gether, and some are coming one by one, and some
are coming in troops of ten, or twelve, or twenty.
They have made long journeys, and they look weary,
but very joyful. They mount with eager steps the
steep sides of the mountain.
When they have all reached the summit they
238 THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY.
wait there with, anxious hearts. They do not care
for the prospect they see from the hill-top; their
thoughts are fixed upon some absent Friend.
He comes ! what delight !
They fall at his feet and worship Him.
But some look at him with fear, as if they saw
a stranger.
He shows them his wounded side, and they be-
lieve ; and they also worship at his feet.
Then he talks to them. What heavenly words
he utters! How gracious his countenance! How
sweet his voice !
What is the name of that mountain? No one knows; but it
is a mountain in Galilee. It may be the very same where once
he shone like the sun before the three apostles.
Why did the people come to the mountain ? Because Jesus
had invited them, as the angel said at the tomb, "He goeth be-
fore you into Galilee; there shall ye see him." Mark, xvi., 7.
How many people saw Jesus on the mountain? More than
five hundred.
Matt., xxviii., 16, 17 ; part of 18.
THE WORDS OF PAUL ABOUT JESUS ON THE
MOUNTAIN.
"He was seen of above five hundred breth-
ren at once ; of whom the greater part remain
unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. w
- — 1 Cor., xv., 6.
THE ASCENSION. 239
LESSON LXIII.
THE ASCENSION.
How happy are those eleven men sitting around
their glorious Friend in the beautiful city! How
attentively they listen to every word he speaks!
Once they could not understand all he said, but now
they can. Once they did not" believe all he said,
but now they do.
After conversing for a long while, the little com-
pany walk together through the streets of Jerusalem.
They go the way they used to go so often ; not the
painful way to Calvary, but the peaceful way to
Olivet
As they go, they talk. The eleven ask a ques-
tion of their Friend, and He makes a promise to
them.
They go up the mountain, and there the Saviour
lifts up his hands and blesses his beloved friends.
While he is blessing them, lo! he rises in the
air, borne aloft by a cloud. He ascends higher and
higher, and at last He is out of the sight of men.
240 THE ASCENSION.
His disciples lift up their faces toward heaven,
and keep looking at their ascending Lord with eager
eyes, till the last speck in the sky has disappeared.
They hear sweet voices close beside them. They
look, and they see two angels, dressed in white.
These angels speak comfortable words to them.
The eleven disciples fall down and worship their
ascended Lord upon that mountain top.
Then they descend the hill, and return to the city,
not weeping, as they go, but rejoicing and praising
God..
They, enter the temple and worship there.
How long did Jesus stay upon earth after his resurrection ?
Forty days.
Where did Jesus live all that time ? No one knows ; but he
often appeared to" his disciples.
We read of five times that he appeared :
1. At Jerusalem, on the Sunday that he rose.
2. At Jerusalem, on the next Sunday, when he spoke to
Thomas.
3. By the Lake of Gennesareth.
4. On a mountain in Galilee.
5. At Jerusalem and Bethany, just before he ascended.
What were the last commands he gave to his apostles? To
preach the Gospel and to baptize those who believed.
What question did the apostles ask?
How will he come again? With clouds on Mount Olivet.
Matt., xxviii., 18-20. Mark, xvi., 15, to end. Luke,
xxiv., 50, to end. Acts, i., 6-13. Zech., xiv., 4.
THE ASCENSION. 241
THE ANGELS' WORDS TO THE APOSTLES.
" Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing
up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is
taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven."
Q
242 THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY
THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY.
They're hast'ning, hast'ning, hast'ning there,
From village and from town;
He's coming, coming, coming there,
Who wore the thorny crown.
Oh, how I wonder who were there,
Ajid what they did and said !
How glad they were to see Him there,
So lately monrn'd as dead !
I know beloved John was there,
Who leaned on Jesus' breast ;
I know his brother James was there.
Who died before the rest. Acts, xii.,2.
The other James and Jude were there.
Who wrote epistles since;
And Thomas Didymus was there,
The hardest to convince.
And Simon, Jonah's son, was there,
Who wept outside the hall;
His brother Andrew, too, was there.
Who call'd him first of all. John, i., 41.
Obedient Philip — he was there,
Whose Lord said, " Follow me!'' John, i., 43.
Nathaniel, Philip's friend, was there.
Who prayed beneath the tree. John, i , 4S
THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY. 2i3
The generous publican was there,
Who made his friends a feast;
The man of Cana, too, was there,
Of whom we know the least.
The traitor Judas was not there —
A devil from the first; John, vi., 70.
Eleven were bless'd with Jesus there,
The twelfth with Satan — cursed. Matt, xxvi, 24.
How many were with Jesus there,
Whose names we do not know?
For aU who loved the Lord were there,
An<^ could the journey go.
The paralytic — was he there,
Once cheer' d by pardoning words ? Matt., ix., %
And were his faithful bearers there,
Who let him down by cords?
The wretched dumb boy — was he there,
By Satan torn for years? Matt, ix., IT.
And was his sorrowing father there,
Who prayed for faith with tears?
Samaria's daughter — was she there,
Who call'd her countrymen?
And was Samaria's leper there,
Most grateful of the ten?
The good centurion — was he there,
The saint of heathen birth?
And was the Tyrian mother there,
With faith of priceless worth? Mark vii, 24
244 THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY.
The rich Zacchseus — was he there,
Who frankly own'd his sin?
And was the lowly widow there,
Who put her farthing in?
Blind Bartimseus — was he there,
Who called so long and loud?
And was the other blind man there,
Once cast out by the proud? John, ix., 24.
The weeping sinner — was she there,
Who wash'd the Saviour's feet? Luke, vii., 3S.
And was the grateful Mary there,
Whose ointment was so sweet? John, xii., 3.
Her sister Martha — was she there,
Who willing service gave ? John, xii, 2.
And was her brother Lazarus there,
Who left the darksome cave?
The man of Olives — was he there,
Who lent a colt to ride? Matt., xxi., 3.
And was the man of Salem there.
Who did a room provide? Luke, xx., 12.
The couns'lor Joseph — was he there,
Who did the body crave ? John, xix., 38.
And was wise Nicodemus there, u xix., 39.
Who costly spices gave?
The little children — were they there,
Once clasp'd in Jesus' arms?
And were the singing children there,
Foretold in David's Psalms? Matt, xxi., 16.
THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY.
245
Joanna — Susan — were they there,
Who came from Galilee ? Luke, viii, 3.
Was Mary Magdalene there,
The first her Lord to see? Mark, xvi., 9.
The other Mary — was she there,
Mother of Jude and James? Matt.,xxvL,56; xxviii.,1.
And was devout Salome there,
Mother of John and James? *{"*' ^h^-
Matt., xxvu., oo.
The blessed Mother — was she there,
Who watch'd the manger-bed? —
What joy to see, victorious there,
The Babe she nursed and fed !
They sleep — they sleep, who saw Him there,
And He's beyond the skies;
Their spirits live with Jesus there,
Until their bodies rise.
O God, a sinful child prepare,
To see the Saviour where
The saints, arrayed in garments fair,
Shall meet Him in the air ! i Thess., iv., 17.
P
Joyful.
f
EE
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-J — afc
They're hast'n - ing, hast'n - ing, hast'n - ing there, From
S
^
5±ti rr~=g i r • g r
246
THE MOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY.
I
50E
m
^e
mm
~=mm
vil - lage and from town ;
/
He's com - ing, com - ing,
m?Tf g r-^B >• i ft=jir- e r^
com - ing there, Who wore the thorn - y crown.
^&
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THE END.
14 May 1859 I
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