Chapter I: TOLD you Andrew and Peter and John were fishermen. They used to go (3)

And He preached in their synagogues
Throughout all Galilee;
While, from before Him, as He went,
He made the demons flee.

Healing a Leper.

AND now it came to pass, one day,
When in a certain town,
A leper, seeing Jesus, came,
And on his face fell down.

And worshipped, and beseeching Him,
Said: "Lord, if but Thou please,
Thou hast the power to make me clean,
From this most foul disease."

At once the Lord put forth His hand,
And, with a gracious touch,
Said: "It doth please me--be thou clean;"
Thus prayer availeth much.

But Jesus charged him not to tell
The miracle abroad;
But go straightway unto the priest,
And offer gifts to God.

Yet so much more His fame went forth,
And multitudes came near,
That He might heal their sicknesses,
And they His words might hear.

But He stayed in the desert drear
While blazed abroad the news,
Fearing they would proclaim Him King,
And thus provoke the Jews.

After some days He came again
Into Capernaum;
And it was quickly noised abroad
The Master was at home.

The Man Sick of the Palsy.

AND many people gathered, till
The house could hold no more;
Grave doctors and proud Pharisees
Thronged in and round the door.

And Jesus preached, and taught them all
The precious, Gospel Word;
And healed the sick who recognized
The power of the Lord.

And now behold a kindly act:
A bed is borne by four--
On which one sick of palsy lies--
Near to the crowded door.

And when they cannot enter in,
They to the roof ascend;
And, breaking it, let down the bed
On which is laid their friend.

Thus to the sick man Jesus spake:
"Thy sins are all forgiven."
And then the scribes said in their hearts,
"Who thus blasphemeth Heaven?"

Immediately the Lord perceived
Their thoughts, and answer gave,
"Which is the easier, from sin
Or from disease to save?

"But that ye now may learn the fact,
And know it from this hour,
That to forgive all sin on earth
The Son of man hath power;"

He said unto the sick man: "Rise,
Take up thy bed and bear
It on thy shoulders hence away,
And to thy house repair."

Immediately the man arose,
To perfect health restored;
And taking up his bed, went home,
And glorified the Lord.

The Calling of Matthew.

NOW, after this, as Jesus passed
Where customs were received,
He saw a man named Matthew sit
And, knowing he believed,

Said to him only: "Follow me,"
And Matthew, leaving all,
Rose up and the disciples joined,
At this most simple call.

Then Matthew--sometimes Levi called--
Prepared a splendid feast,
Inviting a great company,
With Jesus, honored guest!

But Matthew was a publican,
On whom the Jews did frown,
And so were many of his friends,
Who at the feast sat down.

And thus the scribes and Pharisees
To the disciples said:
"With publicans and sinners vile
Why doth your Lord eat bread?"

Then Jesus said: "Not to the well,
But sick, are doctors sent;
And I came, not to call the good,
But sinners to repent.

The Pool of Bethesda.

SOON after this, again the feast
Of passover came round,
And Jesus, at Jerusalem,
All worshipful was found.

For, to fulfill all righteousness
He taught the people all,
And joined the service in God's house
At every stated call.

Now, in Jerusalem, there is
At the sheep-gate a pool,
Bethesda called in Hebrew phrase,
Five-porched, of water full.

And in these porches lay a throng,
Diseased and racked with pain;
Blind, halt and withered, hoping from
The water help to gain.

For, sometimes, down an angel went
And tossed the quiet pool;
And who could, after, step in first,
Was sure to be made whole.

And one poor sufferer lay there,
On that unhappy ground,
Who eight and thirty tedious years
Infirmity had bound.

When Jesus, passing, saw him lie,
He knew his wretched case;
And He who shares His peoples' woes,
Looked down with pitying grace;

And kindly asked the man: "Wilt thou
Be healed of thy disease?"
Well knowing that no earthly boon
Could more the cripple please;

Who answered, in dejected tone,
"Sir, I have no kind friend--
Whene'er the water is stirred up--
His kindly help to lend.

"But while with slow and painful steps,
I try to move alone,
Another suff'rer gets down first,
Whose limbs are good and strong;"

Then Jesus said: "Rise, lift thy bed,
And walk with it away."
Immediately the man obeyed;
And 'twas the Sabbath day.

The Jews who met him, therefore, said:
"Thou'rt doing very wrong,
Upon this holy, Sabbath day,
To bear thy bed along."

He answered them: "The man who did
The wondrous work on me,
Of healing by His own command
My long infirmity--

"He said: 'Take up thy bed and walk,'
And, instantly, there came
A healthful glow through all my limbs,
With power to do the same."

Then asked they him: "What man is he,
Who thus irreverent spake,
Commanding thee thus wickedly
The Sabbath law to break?"

But the healed man knew not the friend
Who did him so much good;
For Jesus bore Himself away
To escape the multitude.

But afterward, as Jesus taught
Within the temple gate,
He found this man and said to him,
"Behold thy healthy state;

"Now sin no more, lest worse should come
Upon the guilty soul."
Then went the man and told the Jews
'Twas Jesus made him whole.

Therefore the Jews did persecute
The Lord and seek to slay,
Because He did these wondrous things
Upon the Sabbath day.

But Jesus preached to them the truth,
In language strong and clear;
And happy were they who believed,
And lent a willing ear.

The Man With a Withered Hand.

AGAIN, as in the synagogue,
The Lord on Sabbath taught,
A man who had a withered hand
His kind attention sought.

And scribes and Pharisees around
Watched if the Lord would use
His power to heal upon this day,
That they might Him accuse.

But He, who knew their evil thoughts,
Unto the sufferer said:
"Arise, and stand forth in the midst;"
And the poor man obeyed.

Then He, to those who watched Him, said:
"I one thing ask of you;
Is it on Sabbath days correct
Evil or good to do?"

But they replied not, then He said:
"What man among you all
Shall have one sheep which on this day
Into a pit shall fall;

"And he will not lay hold on it,
And quickly lift it out?
That man is better than a sheep,
You surely cannot doubt.

"Wherefore 'tis lawful thus to do
Good on the Sabbath days;"
And He looked on them with surprise,
Grieved by their wicked ways.

Then to the man who meekly stood,
Waiting the Lord's command,
In centre of the synagogue,
He said: "Stretch forth thine hand."

And though the hand hung helpless down,
The heart with faith was strong;
And instantly ran vital force
The arm's whole length along.

Then went the haughty Pharisees
And the Herodians rude,
And held a council to destroy
Him who did only good,

But Jesus, knowing it, withdrew,
Still followed by the crowd;
He healed them all, but charged that they
Speak not His name aloud.

The Twelve are Chosen.

AND then up to a mountain's side,
One day, the path He trod,
And there alone He bowed Himself
All night in prayer to God;

And in the morning called all those
Who Him their Master claimed,
And, from amongst them, chose out twelve,
Whom He apostles named.

And He ordained this favored few,
With privilege to each
To be with Him when He so willed,
Or be sent forth to preach;

And to have power to heal the sick
The dumb, the halt, the blind,
And cast all evil spirits out,
That vex and curse mankind.

And these were the twelve chosen men:
Simon, to whom the Lord
Had given the name of Peter--
A stone, both strong and hard;

And Andrew, Simon's brother, and
The sons of Zebadee,
Bold James and John, whom Jesus said
Should Boanerges be,

Which means the sons of thunder, and
Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew and Thomas, James and Jude,
Both sons of Alpheus true;

Simon, who was a Canaanite--
By Luke Zelotes named--
And Judas called Iscariot;
Traitor, for evil famed.

Healing the Sick.

HE then descended to the plain,
To seek for food and rest,
When all the people of the land
In crowds around Him pressed.

The weary sick and those who felt
The pangs of racking pain,
And others vexed with devils hoped
From Him relief to gain;

And, following, sought to touch Him,
As power from Him had flown;
But in compassion He beheld
And healed them, every one.

The Sermon on The Mount.

AGAIN, up to the mountain side
He went, and took His seat;
And His disciples followed Him,
And gathered round His feet.

And lifting up His eyes on them,
He raised His voice to teach,
Declaring those exalted truths
He came on earth to preach.

He told them, first, the blessedness
Of purity and grace;
And that the souls most like to God
Should see the Father's face.

Then told them of their high estate,
Their privilege sublime,
To upright stand, and shed forth light
Upon the realms of time.

And taught them of the moral law,
And of the law of love,
For heart and spirit to be kept,
All human laws above.

In simple words He framed for them
A solemn, fervent prayer,
By which they could approach to God,
And on Him cast their care.

He taught that, if their neighbors' faults
Were lovingly forgiven,
They all might claim in humble faith
The Fatherhood of Heaven.

Then charged them 'gainst the error made
From that time until now,
That men to different masters
Allegiance can avow.

"For God," He said, "ye cannot serve,
And mammon serve beside;
In love to one and not to both,
Your spirit must abide."

He then the precious lesson taught
Of God's vast providence,
Which is our faithful guardian,
And our secure defence.

The little songsters of the air,
The lilies of the field,
Are fed, and clothed, from day to day,
While they no forethought yield.

And man, much better in His sight--
How little faith has he,
To doubt the providential care
That all his needs can see!

"Seek first the kingdom of your God,
His righteousness divine,
And all the stores of earthly good
Shall graciously be thine."

The Preacher then went on to charge
'Gainst judging others' sin--
Those fond of spying evil deeds,
Should with their own begin.

And they who ask, or seek, or knock,
God never will deny;
And men to other men should do
As they would be done by.

And it is wise to enter in
The narrow way and straight;
And shun the way where many go--
The wide and open gate.

Though men may openly appear
What they are not within;
Yet you shall know, if in their lives
You see the fruit of sin.

For every good and perfect tree
Doth faultless fruit bring forth;
But when you see an evil tree,
Its fruit is nothing worth.

And each tree bearing not good fruit
Into the fire is cast;
Wherefore, 'tis by their deeds ye know
The doom of all, at last.

"Not every one who says to Me;
"Lord, Lord,' shall enter heaven;
But he that does my Father's will;
And knows his sins forgiven.

"Many will say to me that day:
'I've done good in Thy Name;'
I never knew you, I will say,
I disregard your claim.

"Therefore, who hears these words of mine
And doth not doubt or mock,
Is like a man who wisely built
His house upon a rock.

"And the rain fell and floods came on,
And winds blew fierce and long;
But that house stood, securely firm,
On its foundation strong.

"And every one that hears my words
And disobeys, shall stand
Like to a foolish man, who built
His house upon the sand;

"And the rain fell and floods came on,
And winds blew round and round
Upon that house, and soon it fell
In ruins on the ground."

The Centurion's Servant.

AND, now, when Jesus entered
Into Capernaum;
A Centurion besought Him for
A servant, sick at home.

"I will come," He said, "and heal him."
The Centurion answered: "Lord,
I am not worthy Thou should'st come,
But only speak the word.

"For I, myself, am in command,
And whatsoe'er I say
To one, or to another man,
They instantly obey."

When Jesus heard him, in surprise
He said to those around:
"I verily, in Israel,
Such great faith have not found."

Then said to the Centurion: "Go,
Thy faith the work has sealed;"
And in the self-same hour he found
His servant had been healed.

Raising the Widow's Son.

IT came to pass upon the day
Succeeding this event,
That as He journeyed on His way,
Much people with Him went.

Along the road He traveled on,
Until He came to Nain;
When, just outside the city gate,
He met a funeral train.

In sorrow they were bearing forth
A weeping widow's son;
And many sympathized with her--
He was her only one.

And when the Lord saw her He had
Compassion on her grief;
And said unto her: "Weep no more,
I bring you sure relief."

He touched the bier, and all the friends
Stood still in mute surprise,
When to the dead He spoke: "Young man,
I say to thee arise."

And the dead youth sat up, alive,
And to her speechless joy,
The mother from the Lord received
Her resurrected boy.

The Pharisee and the Woman.

IT happened that a Pharisee
Invited Christ to eat,
When a poor, sinful woman came
And worshipped at His feet;

And washed them with her copious tears,
And wiped them with her hair,
And kissed them, and anointed them
With ointment rich and rare.

The Pharisee, within himself,
Said: "If this man were wise,
And were a prophet, he would know
This sinner to despise."

And Jesus, answering his thought,
Explained the woman's love:
She was a sinner who, now saved,
Her gratitude would prove.

And while the guests in wonder gazed,
He to the woman spoke:
"Thy sins are all forgiven--thy faith
Hath broken Satan's yoke."

The Blind and Dumb Man.

AGAIN a man they bring to Him,
Of Satan sore possessed,
Both blind and dumb, in wretched plight,
But Jesus gave him rest.

The sufferer both spake and saw,
When people, every one,
Who saw this miracle, exclaimed:
"Is not this David's Son?"

But the proud Pharisees, in heart
Ignored this title true;
And said the wondrous healing gift
To Satan's power was due.

Then Jesus knew their thoughts and said:
"What logic ye command!
If Satan cast out Satan, then
His kingdom cannot stand."

The Storm on Galilee.

AND as the multitudes increased,
And thronged about the Lord,
He said: "I other towns must seek,
And in them preach the word."

So He commandment forthwith gave
That His disciples go,
And get a ship in readiness,
Across the lake to row.

Then a certain scribe said: "Master,
I'll follow Thee to-day,
By land or water, wheresoe'er
Thou goest or shalt stay."

And Jesus answered: "Foxes can
Run into holes for rest,
And every bird of air can fly
Into a pleasant nest;

"But no place hath the Son of Man
Whereof it can be said:
'That is His home, where He may lay
In peace His weary head.'"

The scribe had nothing more to say;
He, doubtless, did not care
The fortunes of so poor a man
To follow and to share.

Another said: "Lord, let me go
My father's grave to make."
Said Jesus: "Let the world do that,
Come thou, my portion take."

And now the followers of Christ
Were all aboard the ship,
And He, o'ercome with weariness,
Lay down and fell asleep.

And the disciples, in alarm,
Their Master woke from sleep;
"Lord, we must have thine instant help
Or perish in the deep;"

When He, in calm and gentle voice,
Said: "Wherefore do ye fear,
O ye of little faith and trust.
While I, your Lord, am here?"

Then He arose in dignity,
And spoke His sovereign will,
Commanding both the winds and sea
To hearken and be still.

And instantly all nature's face
A tranquil aspect wears,
Hushed is the tempest, and the sky
Again serene appears.

The men each to the others, said,
In awe and great amaze:
"What kind of man is this, whose word
The fearful storm obeys?"

The Legion of Devils.

NOW when they reached the other side,
All fright and danger o'er,
The country of the Gadarenes
Received them to its shore.

But many steps they have not gone
To reach the city near,
When suddenly two unclad men
From 'mongst the tombs appear.

By unclean spirits sorely vexed,
No firm restraints could hold
Their demon-strengthened limbs, or keep
Their frantic souls controlled.

And in the mountains and the tombs,
With cries, both night and day,
They cut themselves, and caused such fear,
None dared to pass that way.

But when the Lord approached, a change
Came o'er these men possessed;
One fled--the other, falling down
In worship, sore distressed,

Cried: "What have I to do with Thee,
Jesus, Thou Son of God?
Torment me not, nor banish me
To my most drear abode."

Then Jesus said: "Come out of him,
Thou unclean spirit, vile,
And let thy presence ne'er again
His tortured soul defile."

And then He asked: "What is thy name?"
"Legion," the man did say,
For many, many devils bold
Within him had held sway.

The devils, knowing they no more
In this poor man could dwell,
Imploringly besought the Lord
To drive them not to hell;

And seeing a great herd of swine
Upon the mountain side,
Begged His consent to enter them,
With which the Lord complied.

But though there were two thousand swine
They could not fight nor flee,
The legion entered them, and all
Rushed headlong in the sea.

And they that fed the swine, alarmed,
Ran hastily away,
And told in town and country round
The wonders of that day.

Then every one went out to see
What wondrous things were done,
And still and calm the country lay,
And all the swine were gone.

And he who long had raged around,
A terror to mankind,
Sat peacefully at Jesus' feet,
Clothed, and of rightful mind.

And they who saw the miracle,
With eager tongues revealed
How he of legion once possessed
So suddenly was healed.

Then the whole multitude from all
The country round appear,
And beg the Lord to leave their coasts
For they were filled with fear.

Now, as the Lord took ship again,
The man thus saved from woe,
Prayed that he might be with the Christ,
Wherever He should go.

But Jesus answered: "Nay, return
To thine own house, and tell
What God hath done for thee, and hence
With thine own kindred dwell."

And the man did as Jesus said,
And told to great and small
Of his most glad deliverance
From Satan's dreadful thrall.

The Daughter of Jarius.

IT came to pass as Jesus thence
Returned, across the sea,
Many He found awaiting Him--
The men of Galilee.

And behold, Jarius, ruler of
The synagogue, drew near,
And knelt at Jesus' feet, and prayed,
In great distress and fear,

That Jesus to his house would go
And heal his dying child--
A little daughter, twelve years old,
In manners sweet and mild.

Then Jesus, whose glad work it was
To cheer each broken heart,
Went with him, followed by the crowd,
Who would not from Him part.

And a poor woman, suffering
From a severe disease,
Who, for twelve years, her money all
Had spent in doctors' fees;

When told that He was passing by
Came in the crowd, behind,
And said: "If I may touch His clothes,
I sure relief shall find."

And, stooping down, she gently touched
His garment's hem: when, lo!
She felt the fountain of her plague
Had ceased at once to flow.

When He, perceiving in Himself
Some loss of power Divine,
Turned and demanded of the crowd:
"Who touched this robe of mine?"

Then His disciples said to Him:
"The people throng round Thee,
They closely press on every side,
And sayest Thou: "Who touched me?'"

But He still looked around, when she,
Knowing she was not hid,
Came, trembling, fell down at His feet,
And told Him what she did.

But He said, kindly: "Daughter, thou
This act must not deplore,
Thy faith hath healed thee, go in peace;
No plague shall vex thee more!"

And while He spoke, from Jairus' house
Came messengers, who said:
"Trouble the Master now no more;
The little maid is dead."

But Jesus to the ruler turned,
And said: "You need not grieve;
All shall be well with thee and thine,
If only thou believe."

Before He reached the ruler's house,
He told the rest to wait,
And none but Peter, James and John,
Went with Him through the gate.

And when He entered in the house,
He found it full of grief,
Nor did the mourning company
Expect from Him relief.

Then He said gently to the friends:
"Why make this noise, and weep?
The damsel is not truly dead,
But taketh rest in sleep."

And they all laughed--a laugh of scorn--
Well knowing she was dead,
When He turned out the sneering crowd,
And calmly onward led.

The father and the mother, who
No doubting did betray,
And His believing followers,
To where the maiden lay;

Then took her gently by the hand,
And said, with pitying eyes:
"Talitha Cumi; damsel, I
Now say to thee arise."

Then instantly the maid arose,
And walked upon her feet,
When He in kindness ordered that
They give her food to eat.

Two Blind Men Healed.

NOW when the Lord departed thence,
Two blind men followed close,
And, "Oh! Thou Son of David," cried,
"Have mercy upon us."

And when He reached His lodging house,
The blind men entered too;
Then Jesus asked: "Do ye believe
That I this thing can do?"

They said: "Yea, Lord;" then did he touch
Their eyes, with fingers kind,
And said: "According to your faith,
Be ye no longer blind."

Forthwith they saw, and Jesus charged
That they let no man know;
But they went out and spread His fame
Wherever they did go.

The Disciples Sent Forth.

STRAIGHTWAY the Lord departed thence,
And came to His own home,
And in the synagogue He taught
When Sabbath-day had come.

The people wondered at His words,
And asked: "How can it be
That this man has such power gained
As we both hear and see?

"For is not this the carpenter?
We know his mother well;
His brethren and his sisters, too,
All here among us dwell."

And so they took offence at Him,
And Jesus said: "In vain
A prophet much esteemed abroad
At home would honor gain."

And He could do no mighty works--
Save healing a few sick,
And teaching in the villages--
Because their faith was weak.

But looking on the people with
Compassion in His heart,
As scattered sheep, and ignorant--
He called the twelve apart,

And sent them forth, through all the land,
To preach, by two and two,
To the lost sheep of Israel,
The Gospel, pure and true.

Death of John the Baptist.

HEROD, the king, his birthday kept,
And festive supper spread,
For lords, high captains and chief men,
Of Galilee the head.

And with the flowing of rich wines,
And strains of music sweet,
The daughter of Herodias danced
On light and airy feet;

Which dancing so much pleased the king
He promised, with an oath,
That whatsoever she would ask
He'd give her--nothing loth.

The daughter of her mother asked:
"What gift shall I desire?"
The wicked woman answered her:
"John Baptist's head require."

Straightway the brazen damsel came,
And, with petition bold,
Demanded John the Baptist's head,
Just as she had been told.

Although the king was sorely grieved,
He would not break his word,
In honor of the company
By whom the oath was heard.

Now, soon as John's disciples knew
Of his most cruel doom,
They took his body, tenderly,
And laid it in a tomb;

And to the Master straightly told
What had befallen John--
The deed which at the king's command
His servile guard had done.

But fear's dread torment soon drew near,
When Herod heard the news
Of the wonder working Jesus,
Now preaching to the Jews.

And he, with pale and trembling lips,
Unto his servants said:
"This is the Baptist whom I slew,
Arisen from the dead.

"Therefore do wondrous works in him
Show forth themselves, to prove
That he a mighty prophet was,
Appointed from above."

Feeding the Multitude.

THE twelve apostles, when the time
For their return had come,
Betook themselves with one accord
To Jesus, at His home;

And told Him all things that befell
While they had been away;
What they had done, what they had taught,
And how they fared each day.

Then Jesus at Bethsaida
Was with compassion moved,
To see the people crowd around--
The sheep He so much loved.

He talked to them of God and heaven--
The land above all lands--
And healed as many as had need
Of healing at His hands.

Then said the twelve: "Lord do Thou send
The multitude away,
That they some victuals may procure
Before the close of day."

But Jesus knew that poverty
Oppressed the multitude,
And kindly to His followers said:
"Can ye not give them food?"

"Two hundred pennyworth of bread,"
Philip at once replied,
"Would not a little food for each
Of this great crowd provide."

Then Andrew, Peter's brother, spoke:
"Here is a lad," he said,
"Who two small fishes has, beside
Five loaves of barley bread.

"But, what are they to such a crowd?"
The Lord said: "Bring them here.
Then seat the people on the grass,
By fifties, far and near."

And taking in His hands the bread
And fish, He looked toward heaven
And blest it in the name of Him
From whom all bread is given;

Then brake, and the disciples passed
The broken food around
To all the multitude, who sat
Expectant on the ground.

Then Jesus said: "Go, gather up
The fragments careless tossed
Upon the ground, in wanton waste,
That nothing may be lost."

And the disciples--patient men,
Went, stooping, o'er the field,
And fragment of the late repast
Twelve baskets full did yield.

And when the Lord perceived that they
Did meditate to bring
United force with the intent
That they might crown Him king,

He urged that His disciples should
Take ship and cross the sea,
While He dispersed the multitudes,
And followed secretly.

Jesus Walks Upon the Sea.

WHEN Jesus, up the mountain side
Ascended all alone,
To spend some hours in peaceful prayer
Before His Father's throne.

Meanwhile the twelve were toiling hard
In rowing o'er the lake,
But 'gainst the stormy winds they could
But little progress make.

And Jesus, on the mountain high,
Engaged in fervent prayer,
Looks on the lake and sees his friends,
And feels their toil and care.

Now comes the fourth watch of the night;
The tired men still row
Against a rising, boisterous sea,
While angry tempests blow.

But now, amid the wild uproar,
And darkness of the storm,
They saw approaching, o'er the waves,
Their Master's much loved form.

They failed to recognize their Lord,
With storm and darkness near,
Supposed He was a spirit form,
And cried aloud for fear.

Then straightway Jesus hushed their cries;
"Be of good cheer," He said;
They knew the kind, assuring voice:
"'Tis I, be not afraid."

Then Peter, warm, impulsive, bold,
Said: "Lord, if it be Thou,
Bid me and let me come to Thee
Upon the waters now."

Jesus said: "Come." Then Peter stepped
Over the vessel's side,
And walked securely and alone
Upon the stormy tide.

His eyes were on the Master fixed,
But, looking on the wave,
At once he did begin to sink,
And cried out: "Lord! Oh, save!"

Then Jesus quickly stretched His hand
And raised the sinking man,
Said: "Wherefore did'st thou doubt?" and placed
Him on his feet again.

And when they step aboard the ship,
There is a sudden peace,
The wind is still, the stars are bright,
The waves their motion cease.

And the disciples, bending low,
Their spirits deeply awed,
Said: "Of a truth we now are sure
Thou art the Son of God."

Then comes to pass another thing,
They cannot understand;
The ship, so lately out at sea,
Is now quite close to land.

And, resting from their hours of toil,
And filled with wonder deep,
The twelve around their Master's feet
Lie down in peaceful sleep.

The Bread from Heaven.

THE next day, for the absent Lord,
The people searched around,
Near to the place where He had fed
Five thousand on the ground.

Then Jesus said: "Ye seek me not
In honor of my power,
But for the bread I brake to you
In hunger's helpless hour.

"Labor not so for earthly meat,
Which perisheth away,
But for that meat which shall endure
Through everlasting day."

And then He preached to them the words
Of saving, Gospel truth,
Of Bread that keeps the soul in strength
And in immortal youth.

He told them that He was the Bread
Which had been sent from heaven,
That Bread of everlasting life,
To all believers given.

And some went back, and walked no more
With Him--the Truth, the Way;
Then to the chosen twelve He said:
"Will ye, too, go away?"

Then Simon Peter answered Him:
"Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of endless life;
From Thee doth wisdom flow.

"And we believe, and we are sure
That Thou are Jesse's Rod;
The promised Christ of Israel--
Son of the living God."

Jesus said: "Have I not chosen
Twelve of you to believe,
And witness to a sinful world
The truth which ye receive;

"And one of you a devil is?"
He spoke of Judas vile,
Who should, by wicked treachery,
The bishopric defile.

Now, when around Capernaum
The Lord had done much good,
He rose and traveled forth, to where
Old Tyre and Sidon stood;

And entered in a house, that He
Might of the crowd be rid,
And rest in peace there for a day;
But He could not be hid.

For a woman, whose young daughter
Had an unclean spirit, heard
That He was that great prophet who
Could heal her with a word.

And, hast'ning to Him, she knelt down,
And bowed her weeping face,
Relating in His willing ear
Her daughter's grievous case.

But Jesus answered not a word;
The apostles wondered why,
And said to Him: "Send her away,
We're weary of her cry."

And then He said: "I am not sent
Save to the sheep astray
From Israel's fold--beloved of God--
To guide them in the way."

Now this poor woman was a Greek,
And of Phœnician birth;
But she believed great David's Son
Was Prince of all the earth;

And that He loved all human kind,
Of every degree;
So, drawing near, she worshipped Him
Exclaiming: "Lord, help me!"

Then He replied: "It is not meet
To take the children's bread
And cast it out to dogs, while they--
The children--are not fed."

But she said: "Yea, Lord, very true,
Yet dogs, Thou know'st, do eat
The crumbs that from the table fall,
Beneath the children's feet."

"O, woman," Jesus answered then,
"Great is thy trusting faith;
And be it unto thee, and thine,
Whatever thy heart saith."

And she went joyful to her house,
And found the devil fled,
And her fair daughter calm and well,
And laid upon her bed.

Feeding the Hungry.

AND now, this gracious work performed
The Lord returned again
Unto the sea of Galilee,
And through Decapolis plain.

Unto a mountain He repaired,
And sought a quiet seat;
But many sufferers followed Him,
And crowded round His feet.

The eager multitudes brought forth
The blind, and dumb, and lame,
And Jesus healed them, every one,
Who to His presence came.

And all the people glorified
The God of Israel;
And, much astonished, they exclaimed,
"He hath done all things well!"

Then the Lord sent the people home,
And, taking ship again,
Sailed with the twelve along the sea,
Unto Magdala's plain.

There Pharisees and Sadducees
Came, tempting Him, and sought
A sign from heaven that they might know
The doctrines that He taught.

But He refused to give a sign
To hypocrites so base,
And leaving them, and taking ship,
Sailed to another place.

Curing the Blind.

NOW, coming to Bethsaida,
They bring a blind man down,
Beseeching Him to touch him,
But He leads him out of town.

Then, spitting, moistens the blind eyes,
And asks him if he sees;
And the man looks up and answers:
"I see men walk, as trees."

Then Jesus put His gentle hands
On the man's eyes again,
Made him look up--his eyes were healed,
And he saw all things plain.

The Apostle Peter.

THEN, after that, as Jesus with
His twelve disciples walked
To Cæsarea Philippi,
And gravely with them talked,

He asked them who the people said
That He, Himself, might be;
They answered John, Elias, and
The prophet Jeremy.

He saith: "But whom say ye am I,
Who long with you have trod?"
Peter exclaimed: "Thou art the Christ,
Son of the living God!"

Then Jesus answered him: "How blest
Simon Bar-jona, thou,
For flesh and blood hath not revealed
What thou, from heaven, dost know.

"And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter sure,
And on this rock I'll build my church
From gates of hell secure.

"Keys of authority and truth
Shall unto thee be given;
What thou dost bind or loose on earth
Is bound and loosed in heaven."

From that time forth the Lord began
To tell, and to explain
To His disciples, how He should
Be killed, and rise again.

But Peter said: "Nay, nay, my Lord
This, surely, shall not be;
Such treatment of the Prince of Life--
Were great indignity."

But Jesus turned and said to him:
"Satan, get thee behind,
Thou savorest not the things of God,
But pride of carnal mind."

And then said Jesus to them all:
"Who will my servant be,
Must deny self, take up his cross,
And humbly follow me.

"For whosoe'er will save his life,
Shall lose it in the end;
But he who yields it for my sake,
To life in heaven shall tend.

"For what is a man profited
If he shall gain the whole
Of this world's pompous wealth and power,
Yet lose his own poor soul?"

Jesus is Transfigured.

NOW Jesus tarried round these coasts
Till six days passed away;
Then He took Peter, James and John
Up in a mount to pray.

And, as He prayed, His face was changed,
And shining as the Sun;
His raiment became white as snow,
When glistening at noon.

And while He thus transfigured stood,
In His apostles' sight,
They suddenly beheld two men
Appear, with Him, in light.

'Twas Moses and Elias, who
Talked feelingly with Him
About the death He must endure
Soon at Jerusalem.

Then Peter spoke--his heart was full
Of holy love and fear:
"Lord, it is good," he said, "for us
To dwell forever here.

"Let us three tabernacles build;
The first shall be for Thee,
One be for Moses, man of God,
One for Elias be."

He spoke his heart's sincere desire,
But ere the words were said,
A bright cloud overshadowed them,
And covered every head.

And from the cloud a voice was heard,
"This is my Son beloved,
In whom I am well pleased--hear Him,
If ye would be approved!"

When the disciples heard the voice,
They fell upon their face,
O'ercome by fear and sore dismay,
In that most awful place.

And Jesus, touching each one, said:
"Arise and do not fear;"
And when they looked around they saw
No one but Jesus near.

And as they came down from the mount,
He bade them not disclose
What they had seen and heard that day,
Till from the dead He rose.

And they obeyed, and of that scene
No word to others said;
But 'mongst themselves enquired what meant
The rising from the dead.

An Only Child Healed.

THE next day, coming to the place
Where they had left the nine,
They found a crowd, glad to behold
The Master's face, Divine.

He asked the scribes: "What question ye
With my disciples here?"
When one in haste approaching Him,
And kneeling down in fear,

Said: "Lord, have mercy on my son--
He is my only child;
And a dumb spirit tortures him,
And makes him fierce and wild.

"And often in the fire he falls,
And in the water too;
And I spoke to Thy disciples,
But they could nothing do."

Then Jesus said: "O, men perverse,
Why can ye not believe?
How long shall I be with you ere
The faith ye will receive?"

Then to the father: "Bring to me
Your son." The child was brought,
When he fell, foaming, on the ground,
By the foul spirit wrought.

Then Jesus asked the man: "How long
Has he been troubled thus?"
He answered: "From a little child;
But, Lord, canst Thou help us?"

Jesus replied: "If thou hast faith,
Then thou shalt have relief."
The man cried out: "Lord, I believe;
Help Thou mine unbelief."

Then Jesus to the demon spoke:
"Deaf and dumb spirit sore,
I charge thee to come out of him,
And enter him no more."

The spirit cried and troubled him,
Till, like one dead, he fell;
But Jesus took him by the hand,
And, lo! the child was well.

And now the Master and the twelve
Into a house retired;
And the nine came to Him and asked
That which they most desired:

The twelve then asked: "Why could we not
Cast out that spirit, pray?"
He said: "Because your unbelief
Stood boldly in the way.

"For, verily, if ye have faith
As a small, mustard grain,
Then shall unto this mountain say,
'Remove to yonder plain.'

"It shall remove. Nothing shall be
Impossible to you;
Yet these foul spirits go not, save
By prayer and fasting, too."

Jesus Teaches Humility.

ONE day while Jesus sat at rest
He asked the twelve to say
What was it they disputed, as
They walked along the way.

But they replied not, for they had
Disputed which should gain
The greatest rank and power, when
Their Lord should come to reign.

Then Jesus said: "If any man
Desire the highest place,
He shall be last, and servant, too,
Within the realm of grace."

He set a child in midst of them,
Then took him in His arm,
And said: "Whoso receiveth such,
And shieldeth him from harm,

"Receiveth me, if, with true love,
He does it in my name,
And not only receiveth me,
But Him from whom I came."

The Young Lawyer.

AND now behold a lawyer rose
With tempting question vain,
And said: "Master, what must I do
Eternal life to gain?"

Jesus addressed His questioner
With manner frank and kind,
And by a parable He taught
His keen and doubting mind;

Told of the good Samaritan
Who succored a poor Jew;
Then, in conclusion, counseled him:
"Go thou and like wise do."

At Bethany.

AND as they went, He and the twelve,
Along the public road,
They entered into Bethany,
Where Martha, kind, abode;

Who hospitably welcomed Him
Into her house to rest,
Then hastened to provide for Him
Refreshments of the best.

Meanwhile her sister Mary,
Who long had wished to meet
The gracious Lord and hear His voice
Sat meekly at His feet.

But Martha, cumbered and perplexed
With anxious, household care,
And wishing for her welcome Guest
A banquet to prepare,

Entered the room where Jesus sat,
And said: "Lord, dost Thou know
My sister lets me serve alone?
Bid her some help bestow."

And Jesus answered in a tone
Of grace yet kind concern,
"O, Martha, Martha, good and true,
Thou something hast to learn.

"Thou careful art, and troubled much
All good things to enjoy,
And that thy friends may feast full well
Thy time and means employ;

"And yet there's but one needful thing,
Worthy thine utmost thought,
And that good part is Mary's choice,
Which from her take thou not."

The Lord's Prayer.

AGAIN, did Jesus journey on,
When, in a certain place,
He lifted up His voice in prayer
With unction, power and grace.

When He had ceased one of the twelve
Said: "Lord, teach us to pray,
As John taught those who followed him,
"We wish to do as they."

He taught them then that form of prayer
Which pure devotion is;
Known as THE LORD'S PRAYER ever since,
Because the words are His.

Then on He went, and preached the truth,
Along each country road,
And taught the people, high and low,
The love and fear of God;

And told them how God answers prayer,
If prayer be warm and true--
With far more loving, swift response
Than earthly parents do.

The Woman with an Infirmity.

NOW, in a synagogue, as He
One Sabbath day did preach,
Behold a woman, quite bowed down
And listening to His speech,

A poor, afflicted sufferer,
Who bore with groans and tears,
A spirit of infirmity
For fully eighteen years.

Upon her Jesus laid His hand,
And, suddenly made straight,
She rose and glorified her God,
Whose mercies are so great.

The ruler of the synagogue,
Indignant that the Lord
Upon the Sabbath day had wrought
This healing by His word,

Unto the people said: "There are
Six days in which you may
Do all your works;--in them be healed--
Not on the Sabbath day."

Then Jesus answered: "Hypocrite,
Doth not each of you think
It right, on Sabbath day, to lead
His beast away to drink?

"And ought not this poor woman, who
Is Abraham's daughter, be
Made loose from pain she bore so long
Through Satan's tyranny?"

And all His adversaries were
Ashamed when thus He chid,
While others wondered and rejoiced
For all the works He did.

The Man Born Blind.

WHEN, coming near His journey's end,
Jerusalem was nigh,
He, one day, saw a man, born blind,
As He was passing by.

And His disciples questioned Him:
"Master, whose sin hath done
Such evil as is this man's lot--
His parents' or his own?"

And Jesus answered: "Neither hath
His parents sinned nor he,
But that the works of God, in him,
Might be made plain to see.

"I must perform my Father's works
While it is day; the night
Is coming, when no man can work;
But I am the world's light,

"As long as I am in the world."
And when He thus did say
He spat upon the ground, and made
The spittle into clay;

And with it He anointed thick
The eyes that ne'er had seen,
Then said unto the man: "Go wash
In water pure and clean."

Then went the man obediently,
And washed his sightless eyes,
And instantly he saw all round,
With grateful, glad surprise.

The neighbors said: "Is this the man
Who begged, and could not see?"
Said others: "He is like to him."
But he said: "I am he."

They asked him how he gained his sight,
And he, with thankful voice,
Told all about the wondrous work
That made his heart rejoice.

And now unto the Pharisees
The happy man they brought;
And it was on the Sabbath day
This miracle was wrought.

Questioned by doubting Pharisees,
He did to them relate
The way by which he was relieved
From his unhappy state.

They said the man who gave him sight
A sinner, sure must be
Or He would not, on such a day,
Make a blind man to see.

Yet others said: "How can a man
Who is a sinner do
Such miracles?" The healed man said:
"He is a prophet true."

The Jews would not believe the man
Was ever blind at all;
And, to find out if it were so,
They did his parents call,

And asked them: "Is this man your son,
Who without sight was born?
How, then, doth he now see so well,
Yet blind until this morn?"

The parents said: "He is our son,
And was born blind, we know;
But know not how he gained his sight;
Himself the truth must show."

The Jews straightway recalled the man,
And said: "Give God the praise,
We know this man's a sinner, by
His Sabbath-breaking ways."

He answered them: "I know not if
This man a sinner be;
One thing I know, that whereas I
Was blind, yet now I see.

"We know that God regardeth not
A sinful man's appeal;
But to obedient worshippers
He will Himself reveal.

"Since first the world began can ye
Such wondrous power find
As that a mortal man could heal
The eyes of one born blind?

"And if this man were not of God,
Nor down from heaven came,
He could do nothing in my case--
All glory to His name!"

And then they answered, wrathfully:
"Thou, who believest thus,
Wast altogether born in sin,
And art thou teaching us?"

They cast him out; which Jesus heard,
And found him, when alone:
"Believ'st thou on the Son of God?"
He asked in gentle tone.

The man said: "Lord who is He, that
My faith to Him might bow?"
Said Jesus: "Thou beholdest Him,
He talketh with thee now."

Then he said: "Lord, I do believe,"
With fervent voice, and loud,
And bending forward to the earth,
In reverent worship bowed.

The Raising of Lazarus.

OF Martha you've already heard,
Who entertained the Lord
When once He passed through Bethany,
And Mary heard His word.

They had a brother, Lazarus,
And Jesus loved the three,
And now the young man was brought low,
And very ill was he.

And his sisters sent a message
Unto the Lord, in haste:
"Behold, he whom Thou lovest well
Is sick and failing fast."

But Jesus said: "This sickness
Comes not that he must die,
But for God's glory, that His Son
Be glorified thereby.

"Our friend, Lazarus, sleepeth,"
Were the next words He spake:
"And I go hence that I may him
Out of his sleep awake."

Then said they: "Lord, if Laz'rus sleep
He surely shall do well"--
Thinking that it was natural rest
That o'er his eyelids fell.

Then He said, plainly: "Lazarus
Is cold and still in death.
But well, for your sakes, 'tis that I
Went not while he had breath.

"For so your faith shall be made bright,
That may be somewhat dim;
But now arise and leave this place,
That we may go to him."

Then Thomas said--called Didymus--
To the disciples all,
"Let's go, that we may die with Him,
If death should Him befall."

And now all hearts are sad and still,
And many throb with fear,
As Jesus and His followers
To Bethany draw near.

And those who meet Him tell the news
Of sorrow and of gloom,
That Lazarus has already lain
Three days within his tomb.

Now Bethany was very near
Unto Jerusalem;
And many to the sisters came,
To see, and comfort them.

And as they sat in silence,
Their hearts with grief bowed down,
The word was brought that Jesus
Was coming into town.

Then Martha went to meet the Christ,
And said unto Him: "Lord,
If Thou hadst been here, my brother
Had recovered by Thy word."

"Thy brother," thus the answer came,
"Shall rise again, I say."
"Yea, in the resurrection morn,"
She said, "at the last day."

"I am the resurrection, and
The Life," the Lord replied.
"He that upon my name believes
Shall live, though he had died."

"Oh, Lord," she answered fervently,
"I truly do believe
Thou art the Christ, the Son of God,
Whom this world should receive."

When Jesus saw the sisters' tears,
And tears of those around,
He groaned in spirit and was sad,
With troubled thoughts profound.

He said to them: "Where have ye laid
Your friend and mine to sleep?"
They say to Him: "Lord, come and see,"
Then all beheld Him weep.

And then they took away the stone
From where the dead was laid,
And Jesus lifted up His eyes,
And solemnly He said:

"Father I thank Thee that Thou hast
Heard my heart's secret prayer,
And I know that Thou dost always
Bow down to me Thine ear."

And when He thus had spoken,
He cried in accents loud:
"Lazarus, come forth," and the dead
Came forth, bound in his shroud,

And his face bound with a napkin;
His movements thus were slow;
But Jesus called out, with command:
"Loose him and let him go."

Then O, what deep and solemn joy
The sisters' hearts conceived!
While many of the Jews around
On Jesus Christ believed.

They Brought Little Children to Him.

ONE day the mothers, who believed,
Their little children brought,
And from the Master's gentle hand
A gracious blessing sought.

But the disciples, in their zeal,
Said: "Take these children home,
They're in the way of older ones,
Who for some good have come."

But Jesus loved the little lambs,
And much displeased was He,
Saying: "Suffer little children,
That they may come to me.

"For 'tis such innocents as these
That God's high kingdom win;
And all must have as simple hearts
Who gain a place therein."

Then gently lifting in His arms,
And folding to His breast,
He put His hands upon their heads,
And every infant blest.

The Young Ruler.

NOW, as He went forth in the way,
A certain ruler came;
"What shall I do," he frankly asked,
"That I may heaven claim?"

"Why callest thou me good?" the Lord
Enquired in gentle tone.
"There is none good in earth or heaven
But God, and God alone.

"Thou knowest the Commandments;
Keep them in deed and truth,
He answered and said: "Master, I've
Observed them from my youth."

Then Jesus looked at the young man,
And loved him in His heart,
And said: "One thing thou lackest yet,
Thou with thy wealth must part.

"Go sell, and give all to the poor,
And stored in heaven 'twill be,
Then come and cheerfully take up
The cross and follow me."

But the young man was sad at heart,
Unwilling to obey;
His riches he would not give up,
So, grieved, he went away.

And then to His disciples
The Lord said, grave but kind:
"How hardly shall the rich their way
Into God's kingdom find?

"It is easier for a camel
Through a needle's eye to go
Than he who loves his worldly goods
The bliss of heaven should know."

Peter Questions Him.

AND Peter then began to say:
"Lo! we have given up all,
And followed and believed on Thee;
What shall to us befall?"

And Jesus answered, "Verily,
I say, no man hath left
Parents or brethren, wife or child,
Of home or lands bereft,

"To suffer for the Gospel's sake,
Who shall not find much more,
Both in this world and that to come,
Laid up for him in store.

"But they who will be first on earth
Shall be the last in heaven;
And they who here take lowest seats
Shall then have highest given."

Parable of the Laborers.

AND Jesus taught them as they walked,
By pointed parable,
That all shall have an equal right
Who serve the Master well.

He told them of a man who hired
Some laborers to work,
And promised each a penny, for
The day, from morn to dark.

Again at noon, and later still,
He others idle found,
And sent them into his vineyard
To work upon the ground.

And then again, and just before
The closing of the day,
He hired others who should get
A penny for their pay.

But when the eventide had come,
And the day's work was done,
The men were called, that each might get
Whatever was his own.

The last come were paid first, and each
A pleased expression wore.
But when the first were paid they thought
That they should get still more.

And when a penny each received,
They murmured at the pay,
Which was the same for one hour's work
As for the long, warm day.

The good man answered one of them:
"Friend, I do thee no wrong;
A penny I agreed to give--
That doth to thee belong.

"Take that thine is and go thy way,
I will to this last one
Give just the same as unto thee--
Is it not all my own?

"So shall the last be as the first,
And first as last to view;
For many be the called of God,
And yet, the chosen, few."

Foretells His Death.

THEN Jesus took the twelve apart,
And gravely said to them:
"Behold, we now are on our way
Up to Jerusalem,

"And all things that the prophets wrote
About the Son of Man,
Shall be accomplished in that place,
True to the ancient plan.

"And He shall be betrayed unto
The chief priests and the scribes,
Delivered up to the Gentiles,
And mocked with taunts and jibes;