Chapter I: TOLD you Andrew and Peter and John were fishermen. They used to go (2)

OUR Lord told His apostles to go into Galilee; and there some of them went out fishing on the lake, as they used to do; but they fished all night, and caught nothing. In the dawn of morning, they saw One standing on the bank, and He said, "Children, have ye any meat?" They said, "No." Then He said, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship." And directly the net was full of a hundred and fifty-three fishes, all large and good, and it did not break!

Then John knew who it was, and said to Peter, "It is the Lord." And Peter was so glad, that he sprang out of the boat, and came hurrying through the water to His Master's feet.

And JESUS said, "Come and dine;" and the disciples found a fire ready lighted on the bank, with the broiled fish and bread; and they ate with Him again, and felt His care after their long, weary, hungry night.

When they had eaten, the Lord said, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"

"Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee," Peter answered.

"Feed my sheep," our Lord said. Then again He asked, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee," said Peter. "Feed my lambs," He said; and again He asked, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Then Peter was grieved, and said, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee."

And again Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." Peter knew that our Lord is the Good Shepherd, and that His sheep and lambs are the people and the children of His flock, the Church; and that he was to show his love for His Master by taking care of them.

QUESTIONS.

1. Where did our Lord come to His disciples again? 2. What were they doing? 3. What time did He come? 4. How did they know Him? 5. Had He ever done anything like this before? 6. Who knew Him first? 7. Who sprang to Him first? 8. What did He give them to eat? 9. What question did He ask Peter three times? 10. What had Peter once done three times? 11. What did Peter answer now? 12. What did our Lord three times bid him do? 13. Who is the good Shepherd? 14. Who are His sheep? 15. Who are His lambs?

THIRD READING.

"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."--_Acts 1:11._

FOR forty days our Lord came in ways like what I have told you to see and teach His disciples. Once, five hundred of them saw Him together; but He never came to the wicked unbelieving Jews again.

But when the feast of weeks was near, the disciples went back to keep it at Jerusalem. There our Lord came to them again, and He led the eleven apostles out with Him to the Mount of Olives. He taught them, and charged them much; and He gave them a great command, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

And then He bade them stay at Jerusalem until they should be endued with power from on high. And while He talked with them, He was parted from them, and went rising up into heaven, going higher and higher, till a cloud received Him out of their sight.

While they still looked up after Him, two angels stood by them, and said, "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."

And so it was that our blessed Lord Jesus ascended up to His throne in heaven again, after He had been born, and lived, and died to save us. And there He is in heaven, now watching over us, and laying all our prayers before His Father in heaven, and getting ready our home there for each of us.

QUESTIONS.

1. How long did our Lord stay below? 2. Where did the disciples go? 3. Where did He take them with Him? 4. What was the great charge He gave them? 5. Whom were they to teach? 6. What were they to do to those whom they taught? 7. In whose name were they to baptize them? 8. What were they to teach them? 9. Who would always be with them? 10. What happened while He was speaking? 11. Where did He rise? 12. Who came to tell them where He was gone? 13. What do we call the day? 14. When will He come again?

Fifty-second Sunday.

_THE WAITING-TIME._

FIRST READING.

"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."--_John 14:16._

OUR Lord had told the apostles that though He was going to heaven, He would send them another Comforter, who would be with them for ever, and in whom He Himself should be present with them--even God the Holy Ghost, who is One with God the Father and God the Son.

Ten days after He had ascended up to heaven, on the great day of the feast of weeks (or, as we call it, Whitsunday), as the disciples were together in one place at Jerusalem, they heard a sound like the noise of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house; and there came flames like tongues divided in the midst, and sat on the head of each disciple--not burning, but shining.

And wonderful knowledge came to all of them--they understood all they could not understand before; and they could speak all sorts of different languages, without ever having learnt them. These wonders were to show them that God the Holy Ghost had come down from heaven to be with them, and to dwell in them, and help them, and make them strong for ever and ever.

QUESTIONS.

1. Whom had our Lord promised to send His disciples? 2. Who is that Comforter? 3. Who is with us when God the Holy Ghost is with us? 4. How long after our Lord's Ascension did He come? 5. What feast was it? 6. What do we call the day? 7. Where were the disciples? 8. How did they know when God the Holy Ghost came down? 9. What did they hear?

SECOND READING.

"Abide in me."--_John 15:4._

THE Lord God the Holy Ghost goes on coming and being with us still. He does not show us when He comes now, because it is more blessed to believe than to see; but we know He does come to each of us when we are baptised, to help us and make us good.

The reason He made the apostles able to speak all those languages, was that they were to go and teach all the nations round the Gospel--that is to say, the good news that Christ was come, and had died for the sins of everyone, and risen again. They did go and teach; and all who chose to believe and belong to Christ's kingdom were baptised.

Then each of us receives the Presence of the Holy Ghost, to help us to be good, and to keep God's holy law, the Ten Commandments, that He gave on Mount Sinai.

More and more of that good help of the Holy Spirit is given to everyone who comes, as our Lord bade, to take and eat and drink of the bread and wine, by which we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ; and He gives all that we ask to us if we pray to Him. For we belong to those nations that the apostles were commanded to teach and baptise, and bring into the fold; and we belong to Jesus Christ just as much as His own first disciples did.

We are called Christians, after His name; and all the time we live here, He takes care of us; and if we serve Him, He takes our souls to be with Him in Paradise, when death parts them from our bodies.

QUESTIONS.

1. Who stays with us still? 2. When does He come to us? 3. What does He come to us for? 4. Why did He teach the apostles to speak languages? 5. Where were they to teach the nations? 6. What does Gospel mean? 7. What is the good news? 8. Who belong to His kingdom? 9. What have we to do? 10. What are His laws? 11. Who will help us to keep them?

THIRD READING.

"We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth."--_2 Pet. 3:13._

THE Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. We do not know when it will be; but, sometime or other, He will send His angel to blow a trumpet; and all that are in their graves shall hear His voice, and their souls will come back to their bodies; and we shall all be alive again; and if we have been good and holy, we shall be caught up to meet the Lord Jesus in the air.

For then He will come, with all His holy angels, and will sit on a great white throne; and all that have ever lived will be called before Him, and judged for all the things they have done, and the words they have said.

And then those that have gone on doing wrong, and never being sorry, and never caring for the Lord Jesus, but have made Satan their master, will be given to Satan, to be in misery in hell-fire for ever.

But those who have tried to do their best, and held fast to our Lord Jesus, and prayed Him to wash them clean in His blood, will be taken home for His sake. And they will have the happiest and most blessed home that ever can be in heaven. There will be all brightness, and no more pain, nor grief, nor sorrow; and the Lord shall wipe off all tears from all eyes; and there shall be gladness and joy for ever and ever.

The old earth will be burnt up; but there will be new heavens, and a new earth, all beautiful, with nothing that will hurt or spoil or fade, but all lovely and peaceful.

And then there will be the great joy of singing the praise of God, who made us, and saved us, and helps us to be good, for ever and ever.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come! Alleluia!

QUESTIONS.

1. When will our Lord come again? 2. What will He come for? 3. How will the dead be waked? 4. Who will be caught up to meet Him? 5. What will He sit on? 6. Who will come before Him? 7. What will everybody be tried for? 8. Who will be punished? 9. Who will be saved? 10. What will become of the old world? 11. What will the new home be? 12. What sort of place will it be? 13. Why will it be so happy?

New Testament Story in Verse

BY ANNE FLETCHER.

The Archangel's First Visit.

TWAS in the days of Herod--
First king of that proud name--
Who reigned over Judea,
The land of Scripture fame.

A certain Zacharias,
Of the large, priestly force,
The temple of Jerusalem
Was serving in his course.

His wife, Elizabeth, belonged
To Aaron's favored line;
And they were righteous before God,
And kept the law Divine.

But this couple had no children,
And they were very old;
And lived alone, nor ever hoped
A son they should behold.

And it came to pass one morning--
As Scripture doth record--
That Zacharias burned incense
On the altar of the Lord;

And outside the people waited,
And stood in silent prayer;--
For in this way they worshiped
In that holy temple fair.

And, in that solemn season
To Zacharias' sight--
Standing beside the altar--
Appeared an angel bright.

And the good priest was troubled,
When he saw the spirit form,
And fear fell on him, and he shook
Like willow in a storm.

But the angel said to him: "Fear not,
Thy prayer is heard in heaven,
And to thy wife, Elizabeth,
A son shall now be given.

"And thou shalt call the baby John,
And thou shalt have great joy;
And many shall rejoice with thee
Over this precious boy.

"And he shall, in the holy sight
Of God, be great and high;
And wine, or ardent spirit,
His lips shall ne'er come nigh.

"The Holy Ghost shall early
Spread through his heart abroad,
And many of your ancient race
Shall he turn to their God.

"And in the power and spirit
Of Elias, he shall go
Before Him who is coming
To save the world from woe."

Then Zacharias, in surprise
And overwhelming bliss,
Demanded of the angel:
"Whereby shall I know this?"

And the angel, answering, said:
"I am that Gabriel,
Who stand in God's high presence,
And am sent glad news to tell.

"And, now, because thou doubtest,
Behold thou shalt be dumb,
And shalt not speak, until the child
I have foretold has come."

Meanwhile the people waited till
The priest should come outside,
And marvelled at his long delay--
What could to him betide?

And, when to them he did appear,
And could not speak a word,
They knew that he had seen, within,
A vision from the Lord.

And so he served the temple
Until the day had come
When, his ministration over,
He departed to his home.

The Archangel's Second Visit.

SIX months, and, sent again from God,
The angel Gabriel came
To a city of fair Galilee,
And Nazareth by name,

To a virgin, spouse to Joseph
Of David's royal race;
And the virgin's name was Mary,
Whose life was truth and grace.

The angel entered softly,
Where Mary sat alone,
Saying: "Hail! the Lord is with thee,
Thou highly favored one."

But, when she saw the stranger,
Mary was troubled sore;
For such a salutation
She ne'er had heard before..

But: "Fear not," said the angel,
"For, Mary, thou hast found
Favor with God, whose goodness
And mercy doth abound.

"And thou art greatly honored,
For God hath chosen thee
To nurse the high, anointed One
Whose name shall Jesus be.

"He shall be great, and shall be called
The high Jehovah's Son
And the Lord God shall give to Him
His father David's throne.

"And he shall reign o'er Jacob's house
For ever, evermore;
His Kingdom still shall flourish
When earthly reigns are o'er.

"Behold," he said, "Elizabeth,
Thy cousin, good and kind,
I've also promised her a son,
And the promise true she'll find.

"For God is the omnipotent,
All power is in His hand,
And nothing is impossible
To His Divine command."

Then Mary meekly said: "Behold
The handmaid of the Lord;
And let the honor be to me
According to thy word."

The angel then departed--
Ascending up above--
And left the gentle virgin bowed
In humble trust and love.

Mary's Visit to Elizabeth.

NOW Mary felt a longing
To see her cousin dear,
And with Elizabeth to spend
A season of good cheer.

And so in haste, and early,
She started forth one day,
And journeyed to a city
In Judea's hills away.

For there dwelt Zacharias,
And Elizabeth so pure,
And, entering in, the virgin found
A welcome, warm and sure.

For the Holy Ghost gave token
To Elizabeth's glad heart,
That her visitor, in God's wise plan,
Should have a happy part.

Then out she spake, exultant,
"O, why to me accord
The honor of a visit
From the mother of my Lord?

"And blessed is she for evermore,
Who humbly hath believed,
For every word shall come to pass
Which she from God received."

And Mary said: "O, how my soul
Jehovah magnifies!
And how my spirit joys in God,
My Saviour, 'bove the skies!

"For He hath had regard unto
His handmaid's low estate,
And henceforth all shall call me blest--
The humble and the great.

"For He, the high and mighty One
Hath done to me great things,
And holy is His honored name;
His praise my spirit sings.

"His mercy they that fear His name
Enjoy from day to day;
From age to age it is the same,
And shall be so alway.

"And He hath shown abroad the strength
Of His almighty arm;
For He hath chased the proud, who sought
To do the humble harm.

"He hath put down the mighty
From their haughty seats on high;
And lifted up the lowly to
The region of the sky.

"His hand hath filled the hungry poor
With daintiest of food,
And the rich he hath sent empty
Away from hope of good.

"He hath come to the assistance
Of His servant Israel's race;
In remembrance of His mercy,
His promise and His grace,

"As He spake, in the beginning,
To Abraham, our head,
And to Jewish tribes for ever--
Naught hath failed of all He said."

After this the virgin Mary
With Elizabeth, so true,
Made a pleasant three months' visit,
Then to her home withdrew.

Now that great thing did come to pass,
Which Gabriel had foretold,
In the sacred temple service,
To Zacharias old.

And soon Elizabeth received
The promised baby boy;
And gazing on the heavenly gift,
Her heart was filled with joy.

And all her friends and cousins,
To whom the tidings went,
Came with their gratulations,
Upon the glad event.

Then on the day of naming,
The parents both agreed
That John the infant should be called,
As Gabriel had decreed.

And the speech of Zacharias
Immediately returned;
He praised and glorified the Lord,
His heart with fervor burned.

And fear came on the neighbors all,
As these things were noised abroad;
And they said: "What kind of child is this
Who comes, foretold of God?

But the hand of God rich blessings
On the babe, each day, bestowed;
And the heart of Zacharias
With the Holy Ghost o'erflowed.

And he burst forth in thankfulness,
And praised, and prophesied
Of all the wondrous goodness
That should to men betide.

For the light of inspiration
Had shown to him, indeed,
That his son was the Elias,
Who should the Lord precede.

The Holy Child.

ROME was the world's proud mistress,
And would tax her subjects all:
Thus every man, to his own town,
Received Imperial call.

And Joseph, wed to Mary,
Must go to Judah's land,
And, with the sons of David,
Must take his lineal stand.

Then, from Nazareth, he journeyed,
With his fair and gentle spouse
To Bethlehem of Judea,
The place of David's house.

But when--their journey ended--
They sought repose to win,
Their lodging was a stable,
So crowded was the inn.

And to that stable, lowly,
In humble, human guise,
There came a babe most holy,
Descended from the skies.

'Tis written that the angel
Had to the virgin come,
And told her that this Holy Child
With her should make his home.

And now a rosy light from heaven
On Bethlehem's city shone;
And this was the first Christmas
The world had ever known.

For Jesus was the promised Christ,
So long ago foretold--
The King that all the Jewish race
Were longing to behold.

The Shepherds.

THE men, who watched the sheep that night,
Were seated on the ground,
When a glorious light from heaven
Shone brightly all around.

And, lo! an angel of the Lord
Appeared before their eyes,
And they were filled with sore affright,
With wonder and surprise.

The angel said to them: "Fear not,
For I have come to tell
News of the joyfullest event
The world has e'er befell.

"For, this day, unto you is born,
In David's' city fair,
A Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord,
And David's lineal heir.

"And this shall be a sign to you
That true is what I've said:
You'll find the babe in swaddling clothes,
And in a manger laid."

Then suddenly a crowd appeared
Of spirits, bright and fair,
And their glad voices, praising God,
Resounded through the air.

"Glory to God," they sweetly chant,
Who reigns in highest heaven,
And peace on earth for evermore,
And love to men be given.

Thus singing, shining, up they went
Away to heaven again;
And night and silence were restored
To ancient Bethlehem's plain.

"Come," said the shepherds, "let us go
Into the city old,
And see the strange, mysterious child,
Of whom we have been told."

And, leaving there their flocks, they went
Into the town near by;
And found the babe, as they had heard,
His gentle mother nigh.

And, having seen him, they made known,
To people all abroad,
The things that had been told to them
About the Son of God.

The people listened to the news
With very great surprise,
The wondrous things the shepherds heard,
And witnessed with their eyes.

But these strange things within her heart
The mother kept concealed,
And pondered o'er them, nor her thoughts
To any she revealed.

The shepherds, thrilled with gladness, praised
The God of heaven above,
For all things they had heard and seen
Of His unbounded love.

Good Old Simeon.

NOW, when a week had passed, the babe
Received the sacred sign
Which God to Abraham had given,
As covenant divine.

They gave him Jesus for his name,
According to the word
Of the archangel Gabriel,
Who stands before the Lord.

And, then, a few weeks later,
To Jerusalem they went,
Before the great Jehovah
The young child to present;

And to offer, on the altar,
In thankful sacrifice,
A pair of doves, or pigeons,
Of small and humble price.

At that time, in the temple gate,
There was an aged saint,
Who waited for the promised Christ
Nor did his firm faith faint.

A just and righteous man was he,
And Simeon was his name,
And the Holy Ghost, with power,
Upon his spirit came.

And it was thus revealed to him
That he should never die,
Until his mortal eyes had seen
The Lord's Christ, from on high.

And he came, by the spirit,
The temple court within
Just as his earthly parents
Their infant child brought in.

Then Simeon took the Holy Child
Into his arms, and said:
"Bless Thee, my God, for all the way
Thou hast Thy servant led.

"And now let me depart in peace
According to Thy word,
Since my old eyes have haply seen
My Saviour and my Lord;

"Whom Thou hast sent into the world,
To lighten all mankind,
And that Thy people, Israel,
Their precious Prince may find."

Then Joseph and the virgin
Were filled with great surprise
At the words that Simeon uttered--
So grave, devout and wise.

And Simeon blessed both parents,
And said to Mary then,
"This child is set that Israel
May fall and rise again;

"And for a sign, which wicked tongues
Shall slander and indict,
And that the thoughts of evil hearts
May be exposed to sight."

The Prophetess.

THEN, also, lived one Anna,
A prophetess of God,
Who, in His faith and service,
Her way, through life, had trod.

She was an aged widow, too,
Daughter of Israel's race;
And, coming in that instant,
She joined in thanks and praise;

And then throughout the city went,
And told the glorious news
From house to house, wherever dwelt
The pious, hopeful Jews;

Told that the great Messiah,
Long looked for, now had come,
An infant in a virgin's arms,
And in a lowly home.

The Wise Men.

NOW, when this wondrous babe was born
Into his low estate,
Another strange event occurred,
Which Scripture doth relate.

There dwelt, far off, in eastern land,
Wise men devout and good
Who nature's grandest mysteries
Revered and understood.

One night as eagerly they scanned
The splendors of the sky,
They saw a new, strange star appear
Among the worlds on high;

And said it came thus suddenly
Important news to bring--
The sign that Balaam had foretold--
Of Israel's glorious King.

And when they reached Jerusalem,
"Where is your King?" they said,
"For we have come to worship Him,
And by his star were led."

This question greatly troubled
Proud Herod, on the throne,
For, in the land of Judah,
He would be King alone.

At once he called the priests and scribes,
Demanding they should tell
In what place had it been foretold
That Christ should come to dwell.

And readily they answered--
Nor waited to take note--
"In Bethlehem of Judea,"
For thus the prophet wrote:

"Thou Bethlehem, in Judah's land,
Art not 'mongst princes small;
For out of thee shall come a Prince
And rule my people all."

Then Herod for the wise men called,
And, with foreboding fear,
He bade them tell him just what time
The star did first appear;

And said: "Go search in Bethlehem,
And when the babe you find,
I, too, will come and worship Him,
For thus I am inclined."

The wise men were rejoiced to see
The radiant star once more,
And gladly followed, as it led
The way to Joseph's door.

They opened, then, their treasures,
Gold, frankincense and myrrh--
Fit offering to a Prince Divine,
From reverent worshipper--

And joyfully bestowed their gifts
Upon the Son of Man--
And thus the custom, since observed,
Of Christmas gifts began.

The wise men to their lodging went,
For rest and sleep, that night;
But God came to them in a dream,
Before the morning light;

And said, "To Herod ye shall not return,
Nor tell my Son's abode."
And so returning to their home,
They took a different road.

Away to Egypt.

AND when they had departed thence,
To Joseph came a dream,
In which an angel of the Lord
Appeared and spoke to him:

"Rise, take the babe and mother,
And into Egypt flee.
For Herod seeks to kill the child--
Go, till I call for thee."

Then Joseph rose, obedient,
And while it still was night,
With the young child and mother,
To Egypt took his flight.

Then cruel, wicked Herod,
When the wise men told him naught,
Or let him know what house contained
The babe whose life he sought,

Sent forth his brutal servants
To kill each little boy,
In and around old Bethlehem--
Each mother's hope and joy;

All--every tender nursling,
From two years old and less;
Nor heeded Rachael's weeping,
Her mourning and distress.

But wicked, wicked Herod,
Who would be king alone,
Was soon thereafter called to die,
And leave Judea's throne.

And now the wrathful tyrant
Has no more power to harm;
And his fierce and jealous hatred
No more can cause alarm.

To Joseph, down in Egypt,
Now comes another dream,
Wherein an angel of the Lord
Appears again to him;

And says: "Now, back to Israel's land
With child and mother go;
For he, the murderer, is dead,
Who was the infant's foe."

Then Joseph rose and willingly
Obeyed this new command,
And, taking child and mother,
Returned to Israel's land.

But hearing Archelaüs
Was king in Herod's room,
He turned aside to Galilee,
Which was his former home;

And dwelt in Nazareth city,
Thus plainly may be seen
The truth of Scripture words: "He shall
Be called a Nazarene."

And there the blessed Jesus
Spent childhood's simple days,
And, as he grew, waxed strong and wise
By God's unholding grace.

The Child in the Temple.

NOW, every year, these parents
Jerusalem did seek;
To keep the feast of passover,
And spend the holy week.

And when the child was twelve years old,
They did as heretofore;
And went up to Jerusalem,
The road oft traveled o'er.

They kept the feast as usual,
And, then, with cheerful mind,
Returned the way that they had come--
But Jesus stayed behind.

The parents traveled all day long,
Believing that their Son,
Somewhere, among the company,
Was coming safely on.

But when, at evening, they encamped,
And sought for Him around,
To their surprise and sore distress,
He was not to be found.

Still seeking Him they turned their face,
And traveled back again,
The old road to Jerusalem;
But seeking was in vain.

For three days long they went about,
Within the city lines,
Then, in the temple, found the lad,
Among the great divines.

He sat and heard the doctors talk,
And asked them questions wise;
And all who listened were amazed
At his profound replies.

And His parents were astonished
When they beheld Him thus,
And Mary said: "O why, my son,
Hast thou so dealt with us?

"Thy father, Joseph, and myself
Have three days sought for thee,
And sorrowed greatly, fearing we
Thy face no more would see."

Then Jesus, gravely, said to them:
"Wherefore my absence mourn?
My Father's work I have to do,
Till I to Him return."

And Mary, in her inmost heart,
Did secretely confine
The things He did, the words he spoke,
This wondrous Child Divine.

And Jesus rich in wisdom grew,
As passed the years of youth,
And gained the favor of all men,
By virtue and by truth.

John the Baptist.

NOW, in the fifteenth year, when reigned
Tiberias Cæsar grand,
And Pontius Pilate, under him,
Ruled over Judah's land,

And three of Herod's sons controlled
The regions North and East,
And Annas and Caiaphas were
Appointed, each, high priest,

The word of God came unto John--
Old Zacharias' son--
Who, in Judea's wilderness,
Had dwelt and prayed alone.

His raiment was of camel's hair,
There in his strange retreat,
While locusts and wild-honey
Comprised his only meat.

He preached where flowed the Jordan
Down through Judea's land;
Saying: "Repent ye, for the kingdom
Of heaven is at hand."

Now, the people all expecting
Their Messiah at that time,
Mused in their hearts if John were not
That prophet most sublime.

So the Jews sent priests and Levites,
Down from Jerusalem,
To see this new, strange preacher,
And closely question him.

And, "Who art thou?" they asked of him,
And humbly he confessed
"I'm not the Christ, looked for by you,
Nor with such honor dressed."

"What then? Art thou Elias?"
He said: "Not that I know."
Art thou a risen prophet?"
He firmly answered, "No."

Then said they: "Tell us who thou art,
That we may answer give
To them that sent us thither
Some knowledge to receive."

He said: "I am the voice of one
Who through the land doth cry,
'Make straight, as said Esaias,
The way of the Most High.'"

The messengers were Pharisees,
Who said: "Why then baptize,
If thou be not the promised Christ,
Or he that should arise?"

John answered: "I, indeed, baptize
With water from the stream;
But there is one among you now
Of whom you do not dream.

"'Tis He who cometh after me,
The latchet of whose shoes,
Because He is so mighty,
I'm not worthy to unloose.

"And He shall, with the Holy Ghost,
Baptize you and inspire,
And fill your souls with power divine,
And with celestial fire.

"Whose fan is in His hand, and He
Will thoroughly purge His floor;
And gather up His wheat, but then,
With fire the chaff devour."

And many other things said he,
Exhorting all who heard;
And preaching unto them, with zeal,
The Gospel's precious Word.

Emmanuel.

AND in those days it came to pass
That Jesus--Holy One--
From Nazareth came to Jordan,
To be baptized of John.

For He had reached just thirty years,
The age the law declared
Those called into the priesthood,
For service were prepared.

But John forbade Him, saying,
"'Tis I have need to be
A subject of Thy baptism,
And comest Thou to me?"

And Jesus, answering, said, to him,
"Suffer it now, for thus
To keep the law of righteousness,
It well becometh us."

Then, meekly, and with solemn awe,
Did John the Lord baptize,
And when the heavens were parted wide,
He saw, with great surprise,

As Jesus felt the water, and
With humble reverence prayed--
The Holy Ghost descending, like
A dove, upon His head.

And a voice, in tones majestic,
Came from the heavens, so bright,
Exclaiming, "This is my beloved Son,
In whom I take delight."

The Temptation.

THEN Jesus, with the Spirit filled,
And soul exalted high,
Was led from Jordan's bank into
The wilderness near by,

To be tempted of the devil--
Who in evil most delights.
There He, with wild beasts, made his home
For forty days and nights.

After this the Lord was hungry,
When the devil came, and said,
"If thou'rt the Son of God, command
These stones to be made bread."

But He answered, "It is written,
Man doth not live by bread alone,
But by each word, proceeding
From God, upon the throne."

The devil then conducts Him through
The holy city, fair,
And sets Him on the temple roof,
High in the ambient air;

And says to Him, "If so Thou be
The Son of God, indeed,
Cast thyself down from hence, and for
Thy safety take no heed;

"Since it is written, 'Unto God
In danger thou shalt flee,
For to His angel band He gives
A charge concerning thee.'"

Then Jesus unto him replied,
"Again the written word
Rebukes presumption and declares,
Thou shalt not tempt the Lord."

Again the devil takes Him up
Into a mountain--high,
And shows Him all the kingdoms of
The world, both far and nigh.

And saith unto Him, "All these things
Will I give unto thee
If Thou wilt own my princely power,
Fall down and worship me."

Then Jesus called him by his name,
"Satan," He said, "be gone,
For it is written, 'Worship pay
To Israel's God alone.'"

Then, thus repulsed, the devil fled,
Pursued his wicked way,
And angels came and ministered
Unto their Lord that day.

The Meeting with John.

THE next day Jesus, calm and pure,
Was walking all alone,
Down, near the banks of Jordan,
When He was seen by John;

Who said, while pointing unto Him,
"Behold the Lamb of God,
Who takes the world's dark sin away,
And bears the awful load."

Again did Jesus walk, when John
With two disciples stood,
Who, looking on Him, said to them,
"Behold the Lamb of God!"

And the disciples, at this word,
Followed where Jesus went;
Who, turning, gently asked of them,
Their purpose and intent.

"Master," they said, "Where dwellest thou?"
He answer, "Come and see."
They went, and stayed with Him that day,
In holy converse free.

Now, one of these men was Andrew,
Who, filled with thoughts profound,
And, meeting his brother, Simon,
Said, "We the Christ have found."

And brought him straight to Jesus, who
Said to him, as he came,
"Thou'rt Simon, son of Jonah, now
"Cephas shall be thy name."

The Meeting with Nathanael.

THE following day would Jesus
Return to Galilee;
And, finding Philip, saith to him,
"Come thou and follow me."

Then Philip found Nathanael,
And, unto him, he saith,
"We've seen the Christ of prophecy
Jesus of Nazareth."

Nathanael answered shortly,
"Thinkest thou can it be
That good come out of Nazareth?"
Saith Philip, "Come and see."

When Jesus saw Nathanael come,
Him did He kindly greet;
"Behold an Israelite," He said,
"In whom is no deceit."

Nathanael asked, "Whence know'st thou me?"
"Beneath the fig tree's shade,
Before that Philip called to thee,
"I saw thee," Jesus said.

Nathanael said to Him, "Rabbi"--
With wonder overawed--
"Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou art the Son of God."

"Because I told thee," Jesus said,
"I saw thee 'neath the tree,
Believest thou? Yet shall thine eyes
Much greater wonders see.

"For thou shalt see bright angels,
Through heaven's open span,
Ascending and descending
Upon the Son of man."

The Marriage at Cana.

THE third day spent in Galilee
There was a marriage feast;
In Cana was the wedding held,
And Mary was a guest.

And Jesus, to this marriage feast
Received a formal call--
The wondrous Gospel Teacher,
With His disciples all.

And when more wine was wanted,
The mother of the Lord
Requested Him to show His power,
And wine to them afford.

But Jesus answered, "Woman,
My youthful days are o'er,
And to direct my actions
Should be your part no more.

"To show to men, by miracles
My power, the wondrous sum,
'Tis mine to choose the proper time
Which has not fully come."

Then, Mary to the servants said,
"Hark what He saith to you;
And, whatsoever it may be,
That thou shalt surely do."

And there were set six waterpots,
That cleanly Jews might reach
To wash their hands, and they contained
Two or three firkins each.

Jesus unto the servants said--
Who paid respect to Him--
"These vessels all with water fill;"
They filled them to the brim.

Then He commanded, "Draw out now,
And bear a cup well filled
Unto the ruler of the feast;"
And they did as He willed.

And the ruler, when he tasted
The wine from water made,
Not knowing how it was produced,
Unto the bridegroom said:

"Each man who spreads a feast, sets forth
Good wine at first, of course,
And, when the guests have drunk it all
Produces what is worse.

"But never at a marriage feast
Has bridegroom done as thou
Who gave poor wine at first and kept
The good wine until now."

Thus, by this first of miracles,
Did Jesus show His power,
And His disciples knew Him Christ,
From that important hour.

Driving Out the Money-Changers.

THEN the Jews' passover drew nigh,
And to Jerusalem
Went Jesus, and His followers
The journey made with Him.

But when they reached the temple court
A market there they found;
Creatures on sale, for sacrifice,
And merchants sitting round.

Then Jesus made a scourge of cords,
And drove them all outside,
And, angered by their wickedness,
The money scattered wide.

And the disciples then recalled
The Psalmist's ancient word,
"I have been eaten up with zeal
Unto thy house, my Lord."

Then said the Jews, "We want to see
What evidence you show
That you possess authority
Such things as these to do?"

"Cast down this temple," Jesus said,
Let its proud walls decay,
And I will raise it up again,
Ere three days pass away."

They answer, "Forty years and six
This temple took to build,
And wilt thou rear it in three days?
Art thou so strangely skilled?"

But of his body thus he spoke,
A temple strong to view,
And the disciples, when He rose,
Recalled that word most true.

Now, while in old Jerusalem,
At the passover feast,
Jesus performed great miracles,
By which His fame increased.

Yet He gave not His confidence
To any, great or small,
Because He read the human mind
And knew the hearts of all.

And needed not to be informed
That man is weak and vain,
Who will applaud and honor now,
And persecute again.

A Ruler of the Jews.

THERE was a man, a Pharisee,
One of the chosen race,
Who, in the council of the Jews,
Maintained an honored place.

The same to Jesus came by night,
Saying, "Rabbi, well we know
Thou art from God, for no mere man
Such miracles can do."

Jesus replied, "Thou dost believe,
Yet such a faith as thine
Is naught, unless thou undergo
An inward change divine.

"Except a man be born again,
I truly say to thee,
The holy kingdom of his God
His eyes shall never see."

Then Nicodemus said, surprised,
"How can a man, when old
Become a little babe again,
Such wonders to behold?"

And Jesus answered, "Verily,
The birth of which I speak
Is by the Spirit's gracious power,
Which every one must seek.

"That which is born a little babe
Is but a fleshly frame,
But inward birth to all imparts
The Spirit's living flame.

"And, as the way the wind doth blow
Is not known by the sound,
So shalt thou feel, but not discern,
The inward change profound."

Then Nicodemus asked again,
"How can these things be so?"
Christ answered, "Dost thou rule thy race
And yet these things not know?

"I verily declare to you
The truths that are divine,
And ye receive not in your heart
These precious words of mine.

"If I have told you earthly things
And you do not believe,
How shall you of these heavenly things,
My truthful words receive?

"And no man hath ascended up
To heaven's throne, above,
But the eternal Son of man,
Who hath come down in love.

"And as a serpent Moses raised,
Upon on upright pole,
That those who felt a poisonous bite
Might look and be made whole,

"So must the Son of man be raised--
In hate, and wrath and strife--
That whoso shall believe on Him
May have eternal life.

"For God so loved this sinful world
He gave His only Son,
That those who should believe on Him
Might find their heaven begun.

"For God sent not His Son below
The wicked to condemn:
But that, through Him, salvation might
In mercy reach to them.

"He that believes is saved from death,
But he that doubts must die;
Because he has rejected, thus,
The Son of God, most high.

"And this is what condemns their lives,
That light is shining clear,
And men love darkness lest their deeds
Of evil should appear."

John the Baptist.

AFTER these things did Jesus go
Forth into Judah's land,
Attended by his followers,
A faithful holy band.

John in his holy zeal baptized
The people all around,
In Aenon, near to Salim,
Where water did abound.

And John's disciples told him all--
How Jesus, too, baptized,
And crowds of people went to Him;
But John was not surprised.

He answered, "Man can nothing take,
Except to him 'tis given,
And to baptize with water
Was my command from Heaven.

"And ye, yourselves, can witness true
I said, I am not He--
The Christ, the long expected one--
He cometh after me.

"Full happy is the bridegroom, but
His friend, which standeth near,
Rejoiceth in his happiness,
So I am filled with cheer.

"He will go on, in power and might,
His glory must increase;
While I, His humble forerunner,
Must dwindle and decrease.

"He that descendeth from above
Is Lord and King of all;
While he that is mere earthly man
Is tainted by the fall.

"He that from heaven comes to earth--
The mighty Prince and Lord--
Tells men what He has seen and heard,
And none receive His word.

"Yet he that hath received His word
Hath set his loyal seal,
That God's eternal righteousness
He doth to man reveal."

But John's bold, fearless preaching
Now, suddenly, must cease--
How truly he had prophesied
Unto himself decrease!

Wicked Herod.

HEROD, tetrarch of Galilee,
John's teaching oft did seek,
Thought him a just and holy man,
And gladly heard him speak.

Yet Herod had a wicked heart,
And crime had stained his name,
For he lived with his brother's wife,
And none had dared to blame.

But John, with holy courage, had
Condemned his sinful life,
And said, "It is not right for thee
To have thy brother's wife."

Therefore, the woman hated him--
Herodias was her name--
And would have killed him if she could,
With neither fear nor shame.

But Herod she persuaded,
To seize the preacher bold,
And in a dungeon's gloomy cell
His prisoner to hold.

Now, when the news of this event
To Jesus had been brought,
While in the land of Judah,
Where He baptized and taught,

And He well knew that word unto
The Pharisees had gone,
How, in His mission here and there,
He plainly favored John,

He left Judea's flowerey land,
And turned His face again
To Galilee, His early home,
In Herod's proud domain.

Yet neither horse nor chariot had
This royal Son of God;
But traveled humbly and afoot
The hot and dusty road.

The Woman at the Well.

HIS way lay through Samaria,
And, as the noon was high,
He came to Jacob's ancient well,
The town of Sychar nigh.

And, wearied with His journey,
He by the well sat down,
While His disciples went to buy
Some food within the town.

Then, presently, a woman came--
A daughter of the land,
To draw some water from the well--
Her pitcher in her hand.

And Jesus, full of pitying grace,
Beyond what we can think,
Looked gently in the woman's eyes,
And said, "Give me to drink?"

And thus, this poor Samaritan,
Who knew but sin and shame,
Was led to seek the living draught,
Found in Messiah's name.

And she, that single pupil, heard,
By the old patriarch's well,
The greatest, grandest lesson
That e'er from Jesus fell.

And she believed. O, woman fair,
Though fallen thou hadst been,
The Searcher of all hearts in thee
The seed of faith had seen;

And traveled through Samaria,
To meet you, and to tell
The new and wondrous doctrine
That you received so well.

And now came the disciples back,
Who wondered that He taught
One humble woman there alone,
Yet wherefore no man sought.

But the woman left her pitcher,
And to the city went,
And told to every one she met
The wonderful event;

How she had seen a traveler,
Sitting by Jacob's well,
Who all her secret history
Did accurately tell.

And, "Come and see him!" she exclaimed,
"For he the Christ must be;
Such wisdom, dignity and grace
None e'er possessed as He."

Meanwhile the Lord's disciples
Before Him set some meat,
And urging Him with gentle words,
Said, "Master, come and eat."

But, in that hour, no mortal food
His craving want could fill,
His heart and mind were wholly set
To work His gracious will.

'Twas now the harvest day of souls,
In old Samaria's fields,
And He would gather all the fruit
That faithful labor yields.

So He, in answer to the call
That He partake of food,
Taught the great lesson to all men
Of always doing good.

And, now, came the Samaritans
And begged the Lord to stay
And lodge within their city's walls,
And teach them every day.

And He who hearkens when we ask,
Complied with their request;
And in their city He abode
Two days, an honored guest.

And many of those men believed
He was the Christ--the Lord,
When they beheld His holy life,
And heard His gracious word.

The Nobleman's Son.

AND, now, upon His journey bent,
He turned His eager face
To tread the road to Galilee,
Urged on by love and grace.

And on before Him went His fame.
'Mongst Jews both great and small,
And teaching in their synagogues,
Was glorified of all.

And He was well received by them--
The men of Galilee--
Who, at the feast of passover,
His miracles did see.

There was a certain nobleman,
Who in Capernaum dwelt;
Whose son was sick, and nigh to death,
And great concern he felt.

But hearing Jesus had returned
To Galilee, was glad,
And hastened to Him, to entreat
That He would heal the lad.

Then Jesus said, to try his faith,
"Unless ye wonders see
Ye will not yield your hearts to God,
Nor yet believe on me."

To this remark the nobleman
Made no direct reply;
But said: "Oh, Sir, come down with me
Before my child shall die."

Jesus responded: "Go thy way,
Thy son doth surely live;"
And the man went, nor did he doubt
The word the Lord did give.

And as he traveled to his home,
His servants came to meet,
And tell him that his son was well;
His joy was now complete.

He asked them when the child improved,
And they, in answer, said
"The seventh hour of yesterday
The burning fever fled."

That very hour, the father knew
Had Jesus said he lived;
And he, himself, and all his house,
On Christ, the Lord, believed.

In the Synagogue.

THEN Jesus came to Nazareth,
His childhood's quiet home;
And, as to teach on Sabbath days
His custom had become,

He, in the synagogue, stood up,
To read the holy Book;
And the writings of Isaias,
When handed Him, He took;

And opened it, and found the place
Wherein the prophet spake
Of Israel's Messiah,
Who should their bondage break.

He read the text, distinct and clear,
Then closed the Book again,
And took His seat, while on Him gazed
The eyes of all the men.

And He began to say to them:
"This day, in all your ears,
This holy Scripture is fulfilled,
After so many years."

And they, in awe and wonder, heard
His words of grace and truth,
And said: "Is not this Joseph's son,
Whom we have known from youth?"

But soon their kind and gentle mood
Began to disappear,
Because He told them homely truths
They did not wish to hear.

At last, the fickle people rose
In wild and wicked wrath,
Seized Him, and roughly led Him up
The sloping, hillside path;

That, in their raging anger, they
Might cast Him headlong down
The precipice, one side the hill,
On which was built their town.

But He passed through their very midst,
An unfelt, spirit shape;
And left them, standing wonder-struck
At this most strange escape.

And so He went from Nazareth;
His home was there no more;
But in Capernaum He dwelt,
And showed His grace and power.

The Draught of Fishes.

ONE day the Lord stood by the shore
Of lake Gennesaret;
And watched the fishermen, as there
They pulled the outspread net.

And, as He stood, the people came,
And pressed upon Him round,
To hear Him preach the Gospel news,
Which they so precious found.

Then Jesus, seeing Simon's ship
Was anchored close at hand,
Stepped quick aboard, and gave command
To push a space from land.

And, sitting down, He taught the throng
Who crowded on the shore,
And heard, with joy, such heavenly truth
As ne'er was preached before.

The sermon ended, then He bade
Simon launch out for fish;
And Simon answered that he would,
If 'twere the Master's wish.

But added: "We have toiled all night,
Nor sleep nor rest have sought,
But through the water dragged out nets,
And yet no fish have caught."

Still, while he spoke, he launched the ship
Out on the waters wide,
And let the net down in the sea,
The vessel's' rail beside.

And lo! at once, with fish 'twas filled,
A multitude so great
That the strong net came wide apart,
So heavy was their weight.

The fishermen their partners called
To bring another ship;
And soon both vessels were quite full,
And sinking in the deep.

Then Simon Peter, in amaze,
At Jesus' knees fell down;
And said: "O Lord, depart from me,
My sins to Thee are known."

But Jesus gently said to him:
"Thou need'st not be afraid;
From henceforth thou shalt sinners catch,
By my Almighty aid."

And when they brought their ships to land,
They--Peter, James and John--
Forsook their vessels and their friends
And followed Christ alone.

The Unclean Spirit.

NEXT Sabbath, in the synagogue,
When He stood forth to teach,
The people wondered at His force,
And mighty power to preach.

And one was there within whose breast
A devil foul had sway;
Who, held in bondage most unclean,
Yet sought to praise and pray;

But, by the devil moved, cried out,
And called the Lord by name;
Declaring that he knew Him well,
And also whence He came.

Then Jesus to the devil said:
"Silence and come thou forth;"
Who came forth, hurting not the man,
But casting him to earth.

And all the people were amazed
At what they saw that day,
And said, "With power doth He speak,
And spirits vile obey."

And the news spread round the country,
And was told from place to place,
Of the wonder-working prophet,
And this miracle of grace.

Simon's Wife's Mother.

WHEN Jesus left the synagogue
He did not go alone,
But with Simon and with Andrew,
Followed by James and John,

And entered into Simon's house,
Where they besought His aid,
For the kind mother of Simon's wife
Was in a fever laid.

The raging fever quickly fled
At His divine behest,
And she arose and ministered
To every waiting guest.

Casting Out Devils.

NOW, when the sun was setting low
They brought all the diseased;
He laid His hands on every one;
To heal them He was pleased.

And many devils He cast out
By His command and power;
And all the people quickly came
Together at the door.

The devils He forbad to speak,
As they around Him trod--
For one and all acknowledged Him
The Christ--the Son of God.

And so the word Esaias spoke,
Foretelling Him, came true:
"Himself bare our infirmities,
And all our sickness knew."

The next morn, rising early,
Before the break of day,
He went out to a desert place,
To meditate and pray.

And Simon and his company
Went after Him, and said:
"All seek for Thee and are amazed,
Supposing Thou hast fled."

He said to them: "I go to preach
In other cities too;
For therefore came I down from heaven,
To teach the Gospel true."