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.
[Illustration: THE CHILD CHRIST, MARY HIS MOTHER AND JOSEPH JESUS
RENDERED OBEDIENCE, NOT ONLY TO MARY, BUT TO JOSEPH--LUKE 2:51.]
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."
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.
[Illustration: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT St. Matthew 5:5-7. St. Luke
6:20-49.]
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.
[Illustration: FINDING OF THE LOST SHEEP. St. Matthew 18.12-14; St.
Luke 15.3-7]
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.
[Illustration: RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON. St. Luke 15.15-32]
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."
[Illustration: CHRIST BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN ST. MATTHEW 19:13-15;
ST. MARK 10:13-16; ST. LUKE 18.15, 16.]
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;
"And they shall scourge and spit upon,
And crucify your Lord;
The third day He shall rise again,
According to His Word."
The apostles listened, yet these things
They could not realize;
The meaning of the truths they heard
Was hidden from their eyes.
The Request of James and John.
THEN came, as they were walking on,
The wife of Zebedee,
Who said: "Lord, what I most desire
Wilt Thou grant unto me?"
He said unto her: "What wilt thou?"
She answered: "That my sons
May at Thy right and left sit down,
Thy kingdom's greatest ones."
Then Jesus to the young men said:
"Ye know not what ye ask.
To drink my cup, my baptism bear,
Would be too hard a task."
They answered: "We are strong enough.'
Then He said: "Ye shall try
To drink my cup, my baptism bear,
While grace shall strength supply.
"But to sit at my right and left
I cannot give to you;
My Father doth reserve those seats
For whom He deems them due.
"Be not such lords as Gentiles are,
And who would highest be
Let him be servant to the rest,
And take a low degree.
"E'en as the Son of Man came not
To take a lofty place,
But to be minister, and give
His life to save the race."
Blind Bartimeus.
AND now the Lord His way must take
Through ancient Jericho.
The people crowd around Him there,
And make His progress slow.
And Bartimeus, blind and poor,
Was sitting by the way;
Another beggar, sad and blind,
Sat by his side that day.
And when they heard the tramping crowd,
And asked the reason why,
They learned that Christ of Nazareth
Was just then passing by.
Then each man cried aloud at once,
In tones of earnest plea:
"Jesus, Thou Son of David,
Have mercy upon me."
And Jesus had compassion on
Their dark and helpless plight,
And gently touched their eyes and said:
"Your faith doth give you sight."
Immediately their eyes were healed,
And both with joyful mind,
Followed the Master, praising God,
And all the people joined.
Zaccheus.
AND now, as Jesus passed along,
A rich man hasting came--
A chief among the publicans,
And Zaccheus by name.
Jesus he sought to see, as did
The people, one and all,
But could not overlook the crowd,
His stature was so small.
So he ran on before, and climbed
Into a sycamore tree;
That, perched above the surging throng,
He might the better see.
And when the Lord came near, He raised
His eyes, saw him, and said:
"Zaccheus, in thy house, to-day,
I will take rest and bread."
And then in haste the man came down,
And joyfully received
Into his house, which stood near by,
The Lord, whom He believed.
And when the crowd saw what was done,
To murmur they began,
That Jesus was content to be
Guest with a sinful man.
Yet Zaccheus heeded not, but stood,
And said unto the Lord:
"Behold, Lord, half of all my goods
I to the poor afford.
"And if I aught have taken,
Through falsehood to me told,
More than is right from any man,
I give it back fourfold."
And Jesus said: "Salvation is
To this house come to-day;
For this man is of Abraham's line,
Though having gone astray.
"For I, the Son of Man have come
Into this world below,
To seek the straying and the lost,
And save from guilt and woe."
Parable of the Pounds.
AND as the people all around
Attentively did hear,
Believing that God's kingdom would
Without delay appear;
He taught the listening company,
By parable profound,
How God expects His faithful ones
To occupy His ground.
And as He does commit to them
Ten pounds, or five, or one,
He will reward them, at the last,
By what they each have done.
And having finished His discourse,
Wisely instructing them,
He went before them, in the way,
Up to Jerusalem.
The Anointing at Bethany.
SIX days before the Passover
The Lord appeared again
In Bethany, where Lazarus dwelt,
And his good sisters twain.
There, by a supper in the house,
Their welcome was expressed,
And Martha served, but Lazarus sat
At table with the guest.
Then Mary came and took her place
Down at the Master's feet,
And broke an alabaster box,
Of odor very sweet.
And tenderly she did anoint
The feet of Jesus there;
And wiped them with the flowing locks
Of her luxuriant hair.
Then Judas, called Iscariot,
His sullen silence broke,
And of the woman's costly gift
Thus, with a sneer, he spoke:
"For three hundred pence, in money,
This ointment would have sold,
And that would feed and clothe the poor,
Who hungry are, and cold."
He said this, though he had no care
Or pity for the poor;
But was a thief, and had the bag,
And coveted the store.
Then Jesus said: "Let her alone;
Against my burial day
She poured this ointment on my feet,
Her last regards to pay.
"The humble poor ye always have
With you, to help their needs;
But me ye cannot always have
To show me loving deeds."
Now many people of the Jews
Soon knew that He was there,
And crowded in, that they might see,
And His discourse might hear.
Yet not for Jesus' sake alone
Had they the visit made,
But to see Lazarus, whom He
Had raised up from the dead.
Entry into Jerusalem.
THE morning rose with peaceful skies,
The first day of the week,
And Jesus forthwith went His way,
Jerusalem to seek.
He knew what waited Him--the thought
His lofty spirit thrilled--
That all His Father's' work be done,
And Scripture be fulfilled.
Along the road towards Olive's mount--
That oft-trod road--He went,
Then two of His disciples
Into Bethphage He sent;
And said: "Into the village go,
Where straightway ye shall see
An ass tied, and a colt with her;
Loose them and bring to me.
"If any may say aught to you,
This shall be your reply:
'The Lord hath need of them,' then he
Will cheerfully comply."
Then the disciples went their way,
And found, as they were bidden,
An ass tied, and a colt, whereon
No man had ever ridden.
And their owners, as they loosed them,
Enquired: "Why do ye so?"
They said: "The Lord hath need of them."
And then they let them go.
And they brought them unto Jesus,
And put on them their clothes;
And Jesus rode upon the colt,
While loud Hosannahs rose.
And multitudes of people spread
Their garments in the way,
While others strewed palm branches where
The Master rode that day.
And "Hosannah, Son of David!"
They cried with one accord,
"Blessed is He that cometh thus
In the name of the Lord!"
But the Pharisees said: "Master,
Rebuke this noisy shout."
Said Jesus: "Should they hold their peace,
The stones would then cry out."
Now they descend fair Olive's Mount,
Jerusalem appears,
And Jesus beholds the city,
And over it sheds tears,
Saying: "Hadst thou but known the things
Which belong to thy peace:
But now from thine eyes they are hid;
Thy day of hope shall cease."
The city's gate they enter now;
Much moved, the people say:
"Who is this?" Some answer: "Jesus,
Prophet of Galilee."
Then to the temple went the Lord,
To clear its spacious courts
Of those who bought and sold within
Its sanctified resorts.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw
His wondrous works and ways,
And children in the temple courts
Shouting these words of praise:
"Hosannah to great David's Son!"
They very angry were,
And said to Him: "These babbling cries
Around, dost thou not hear?"
And Jesus saith unto them: "Yea,
Have ye not read the Word:
'The mouths of babes and sucklings doth
Thy perfect praise accord?'"
The Pharisees, among themselves,
Said: "Do ye not perceive
That ye prevail naught while the world
Doth on this man believe?"
The Barren Fig-Tree.
BUT now the eventide was come,
And Jesus turned away,
And with His twelve disciples went
And lodged in Bethany.
Next morning, as the Lord returned,
Quite early in the day,
He wanted bread, and looking, saw
A fig-tree in the way.
Without delay He went to it,
To get some figs to eat;
But He found only leaves thereon,
Which are not good for meat.
And then the Master spoke to it--
Spoke to the useless tree--
And said: "Henceforth, forevermore
Let no fruit grow on thee."
Into the city then He went,
And in the temple taught,
And preached to all who thronged around
And His instructions sought.
But the chief priests and elders came,
And asked Him: "Who gave thee
Authority to do these things
That we both hear and see?"
And Jesus answered: "I, also,
Will ask one thing of you,
Which, if you tell me, I will tell
Who prompts the things I do.
"The baptism of John, whence was it,
From heaven, or of men?"
This question, which He asked of them,
They could not answer then.
For thus they reasoned with themselves:
"If we shall say from heaven,
He will say: 'Why not, then, to him
Was your attention given?'
"But yet, if we shall say of men,
The people's wrath we fear;
For all hold John a prophet true,
And his name they revere."
And so they said: "We cannot tell."
He answered: "Nor to thee
Tell I by what authority
I do the things you see."
And then, as evening fell, the Lord
With His disciples went
Unto the mount of Olives, where
The night they often spent.
And in the morning they returned,
And lo! as they passed by,
They saw the fig-tree in the way,
All withered up and dry.
And Peter then remembered well:
"Master, behold," he said,
"The fruitless tree which Thou didst curse
Is withered all and dead."
And Jesus, answering, said to them:
"Verily, I say to you,
Have faith in God and doubt Him not,
And ye shall such things do.
"And who shall to this mountain say,
In firm, believing faith,
'Be thou cast forth into the sea,'
It shall be as he saith.
"And whatsoever ye desire
And ask for when ye pray,
Believe that ye receive the gift;
It shall be yours straightway.
"And when you pray forgive all those
Who have offended you,
That so your Heavenly Father may
Forgive the wrongs you do."
The Law of Love.
NOW, "Master," said a Pharisee,
Thus tempting Him again:
"Which commandment is the greatest
That the law doth contain?"
Jesus said: "Thou shalt love the Lord
Thy God with all thy heart,
And all thy soul and all thy mind--
This is the first great part.
"And the second is like to it:
Thou shalt thy neighbor love
In the same way thou lov'st thyself;
By deeds this new law prove.
"Upon these two commandments--
Within the spirit wrought--
Hang all the law that Moses wrote,
And all the prophets taught."
The Widow's Mites.
AND now the Lord was sitting where
He could the people see
As they cast their gifts of money
Into the treasury.
And many rich cast in large sums;
Then came a widow, poor,
And she threw in two mites, which make
One farthing, and no more.
Then the Lord called His disciples
And said to them: "Verily,
This poor widow has cast the most
Into the treasury.
"For all they, of their abundance,
Offered, some less, some more,
But she, of want and penury,
Did cast in all her store."
[Illustration: THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS. St. Matthew 25:1-13]
The Hypocrites.
JESUS spoke to the multitude,
That gathered at His feet:
"The scribes and Pharisees do sit
In Moses' sacred seat.
"Do, therefore, what they bid you do,
But follow not their way;
For they, themselves, keep not the law,
Nor do they what they say.
"For they bind heavy burdens
For other men to bear;
But will not give a helping hand
To ease another's care.
"And all they do is to be seen
Of men they daily meet;
Their outward garments they adorn,
Down to their very feet;
"And love the upper rooms at feasts,
And greetings in the crowd;
And the chief seats in synagogues
And titles make them proud.
"But be not ye called 'Rabbi,' for
To Christ that name is given;
And call no man father on earth;
Your Father is in heaven.
"Nor be ye masters called, for One,
Even Christ, your Master is,
And he that would be greatest, let
The servant's place be his.
"And whoso shall exalt himself
Shall be low and abased,
And he that humbles himself shall
To lofty seat be raised."
He Weeps Over Jerusalem.
AND then, His gentle spirit grieved
For Israel's sin and pride,
With tender pity in His voice,
He sorrowfully cried:
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!
Which doth the prophets kill,
And stonest them sent unto thee,
The promise to fulfil;
"How oft would I have gathered
Thy children to my breast,
As a hen her brood doth gather
Beneath her wings to rest.
"And ye would not. And now, alas!
Behold your sad estate,
Your doom is nigh, your house is left
Unto you desolate.
"Moreover, ye shall not see me
Until ye say the word:
'Blessed is He that cometh in
The name of Israel's Lord.'"
And His disciples then He warned
To watch, and faithful be,
Not knowing at what hour they
The Son of Man should see.
Parables of the Virgins and Talents.
AND then He pictured to their minds,
In parables most clear,
What should take place before the throne
When the Lord should appear.
The fate of the ten virgins,
Of whom but five were wise,
And five were foolish, without grace,
He placed before their eyes.
And of the nobleman who went
To travel far away,
And to his servants talents gave,
Their wisdom to display.
And two their talents used in trade,
And brought their master gain,
Which pleased him so he raised them up
O'er cities fair to reign;
While one was slothful, loving ease,
His talent hid away,
And brought with it a vain excuse
Upon the reck'ning day.
But his lord answered wrathfully,
He no excuse would take,
But told him what he should have done,
A lawful gain to make.
Then ordered that they take and cast
Nor pity him, nor spare--
The unprofitable servant
Out into dark despair.
The Corn of Wheat.
AND while He taught the people all,
From highest to the least,
Some Greeks appeared, who had come up
To worship at the feast.
The same approached to Philip, who
Was of Bethsaida,
Saying: "Sir, we would the Master see,
And from Him knowledge draw."
Philip and Andrew went apart,
And they informed the Lord
That polished strangers, standing near,
Desired to hear His word.
"The hour--the long-approaching hour--
Is come," the Lord replied,
"When I should close my earthly work,
And should be glorified.
"Verily, I say unto you,
Except a corn of wheat
Sink in the ground and die, it will
Alone produce no meat.
"But if it die, it brings forth fruit;
And he that life doth love
Shall lose it: he that hates it gains
Eternal life above.
"If any man will serve me, then
Let him come after me;
And where I am, there, also, shall
My faithful servant be.
"Now is my soul in agony,
And what more shall I say?
Father, save me from this sad hour,
My human heart would pray,
"But for this cause--that I might die--
Unto this hour I came,
So in my heart I cry: "Father,
Glorify thine own name!"
Then came there a voice from heaven,
Saying, in clearest strain:
"I have glorified it, and I
Will glorify it again."
The people standing by were sure
That thunder shook the air;
But others said: "Not so, it is
An angel's voice we hear."
Jesus answered, and said: "This voice
Came not because of me,
But that ye all might understand
The power of Deity.
"Now is the judgment of this world;
Its prince cast out shall be;
And I, if I be lifted up,
Will draw all men to me."
The Traitor Judas.
NOW Satan to the carnal heart
Of Judas entered in--
He that was called Iscariot,
Who money loved to win.
And he went unto the chief priests,
And bargained to betray
His Master to their evil power
If they would give him pay.
And his base scheme these men were glad
To hear and understand,
And thirty shining silver coins
They weighed into his hand.
And from that time he sought a way
He could, by sign or word,
In absence of the multitude,
Deliver up his Lord.
The Upper Room.
NOW came the first day of the feast--
Day of unleavened bread--
When the Passover must be killed;
And the disciples said:
"Where wilt Thou, Lord, that we shall go
And preparation make
For Thee to eat the Passover,
And we, with Thee, partake?"
Peter and John He then sent forth,
Saying: "As ye walk the street,
A man, bearing a pitcher
Of water, ye shall meet.
"Then follow him into the house,
And to the good man say:
The Master needs the guest-chamber
To keep the feast to-day.
"And a large, furnished, upper room
He unto you will show."
Then the disciples went and found,
As the Lord said, 'twas so.
Now, at the evening hour, the Lord
With His disciples came,
And sat down round the table where
Was served the paschal lamb.
And He said unto them: "I have
Desired with every breath
To eat this Passover with you,
Before I suffer death."
Washing the Disciples' Feet.
THIS being over, Jesus rose,
And laid His robe aside,
And a towel girded round Him,
So free was He from pride;
And with water in a basin
Washed the disciples' feet.
O, lowly Master! loving Lord!
Thy meekness is complete!
But Simon Peter would refuse,
With love and high esteem,
This humble office should be done
By Jesus unto him;
Till Jesus, checking his proud will,
Answered decidedly,
By saying: "If I wash thee not,
Thou hast no part with me."
Then Peter cried: "Lord, not my feet
Only from stain be free;
But also let my hands and head
Be purified by Thee."
Jesus said: "He whose feet are washed
Is every whit made clean;
And ye are clean, but not you all--
He Judas, false, did mean.
So, when the Lord had washed their feet,
And had His robe put on,
And took His seat, He said: "Know ye
What I to you have done?"
Then taught them that if He, their Lord,
Had washed their feet, then so
Should they to one another
Such act of grace bestow;
That they to His example
Should prompt respect accord,
Well knowing that the servant is
Not greater than his Lord.
Jesus is Betrayed.
NOW, after this, was Jesus sad,
And trouble did display;
For one of them who sat with Him
He said should Him betray.
And then, all being sorrowful,
Said: "Is it I?" in turn.
But He said: "'Twere good for that man
If he had ne'er been born."
Now the disciple Jesus loved,
Who next His bosom lay,
At sign from Peter asked: "Who, Lord,
Would vilely Thee betray?"
Jesus said: "When I dip the sop
It shall be that man's lot."
And when He dipped He gave it to
Judas Iscariot.
Yet upon Judas' callous heart
No softening touch it gave:
But Satan entered into him,
To harden and enslave.
Jesus said: "What thou do'st, do now."
None knew what this did mean;
But Judas rose and left the room,
And sought a different scene.
The Last Supper.
AND now the evening shades had closed,
And night was o'er the sky;
Supper was ended and lamps lit
Within that chamber high.
The Lord took bread, and, blessing it,
He brake in pieces small;
Saying: "Take, eat, this is my body,
Once broken for you all."
Then took the cup, and, giving thanks,
He gave it to them, too;
Saying: "Drink ye, for this is my blood,
Which is poured out for you.
"And eat this bread, and drink this cup,
For memory of me.
But I'll not taste the wine till I
My Father's kingdom see."
Peter's Warning.
THEN Peter cried out in alarm:
"Lord, whither goest Thou?
I will go with Thee unto death,
Or unto prison now."
Jesus said to him: "Verily,
Before the cock shall crow,
This day thou wilt deny full thrice
That thou the Lord dost know."
Promise of the Comforter.
AGAIN the Master's voice arose
In precious converse sweet,
The last and richest lessons,
With wisdom most replete:
"Let not your heart be troubled,
Believe in me, most true,
For in my Father's house I shall
Prepare a place for you."
And on, in soothing accents, flowed
Upon their listening ears
Words which, while they increased their love,
Excited still their fears.
For He talked of going from them,
Yet being with them still,
And giving them what they should ask,
If they would do His will;
And said He would pray the Father
The Comforter to send--
The Holy Ghost--who, teaching them,
Would lead them to the end.
And again He said unto them,
As He, at first, had said:
"Let not your heart be troubled,
Nor let it be afraid."
The Parable of the Vine.
WHEN it was time to go, He said:
"Arise, let us go hence,"
And they all stood and sung a hymn
Ere they departed thence.
Then out into the shadowed street,
After the close of day,
The Lord and His eleven friends
Walked slowly on their way;
On towards the mount of Olives, where
His custom was to go,
Along the well-known path which crossed
Where Kedron's waters flow.
And still the Master, as His wont
When walking with His friends,
Continued teaching golden truth
The which to glory tends.
He likened Himself to a vine,
While they the branches were;
His Father was the husbandman,
Who of the plant had care;
And charged them that they must bear fruit,
And never barren prove;
His Father should be glorified
Through faith that works by love.
And charged them to abide in Him,
And thus much fruit return;
And warned them 'gainst the dreadful fire,
Where barren branches burn.
He then unfolded to their view
The things that should be done,
When He, their Head, should go away,
And they be left alone;
And told them if they asked of God,
In His name, any thing,
Such prayer would quickly rise to heaven,
And joyful answer bring.
Again He spoke to them of love,
And of His blessed peace,
And said, as He had overcome,
So should their warfare cease.
His Prayer for His Disciples.
AND then He stood and raised His eyes
To heaven's transparent dome;
And in the same clear voice He said:
"Father, the hour is come."
Then followed such a solemn prayer,
With holy nearness filled,
As human lips ne'er breathed before,
By faith however thrilled.
The prayer ended, then Jesus crossed
Over the Kedron brook,
And the last walk, in silence calm,
With His disciples took.
Christ in Gethsemane.
ON Olivet a garden grew--
Gethsemane its name--
And here, in that portentous hour,
The "Man of Sorrows" came.
The shadows of the midnight fell,
And silence reigned around,
As He and His eleven friends
Trod the familiar ground.
Then, Oh! such heavy agony
Descended on His soul,
That even His strong spirit was
Unable to control.
He said to them: "Exceeding woe,
Beyond all mortal grief,
O'erwhelms my soul; watch here while I
In prayer shall seek relief."
Then went a little farther off,
And on His face He fell,
And offered up this earnest prayer:
"If it be possible,
"My Father--Oh! My Father!--
Let this cup pass from me.
Nevertheless, Thy holy will,
And not my will shall be."
Then, coming back to those He left,
A mournful watch to keep,
He found them prone upon the ground,
And wrapped in heavy sleep.
But Jesus said: "Sleep now and rest,
The hour is close at hand.
Behold the Son of Man betrayed
To an ungodly band."
At the Palace of the High Priest.
AND as He spake, behold a crowd
With lanterns and with swords;
And Judas, traitor, came before,
With kiss and guileful words.
But He who reads all hearts, and points
To what He finds amiss,
Said: "Judas, dost thou thus betray
Thy Master with a kiss?"
Then gently turning to the crowd,
He asked them: "Whom seek ye?"
They said: "Jesus of Nazareth."
He answered: "I am he."
And the armed band led Jesus
Along the city road,
Up to the high priest's palace--
Caiaphas' abode.
Meanwhile sat Peter by the fire,
Wondering how this would end,
And feeling wholly powerless
His Master to defend.
A servant, passing, said to him:
"Thou with this man hast been."
But Peter in great fear replied:
"I know not what you mean."
And soon another said he had
Of Jesus' friends been one,
But Peter cursed and swore that he
Had never Jesus known.
Just then the cock crew, shrill and clear,
And Jesus turned His face,
And full on Peter cast a look
Of love, reproach and grace.
Then over Peter's aching heart
Repentant anguish swept,
And he rushed out into the dawn,
And bitterly he wept.
Christ before Pilate.
AND now the morning beams appeared
The council of the Jews
Led Jesus to the judgment hall,
That they might Him accuse.
And Pilate gathered to his aid
Chief priests and rulers all,
And Jesus stood before him in
The royal judgment hall.
And Pilate said unto them: "Ye
Have brought this man to me,
Saying, 'He perverts the people,'
But no fault in Him I see.
"Nor yet Herod; for I sent you
With your prisoner to the king;
But no offence to Roman law
Could you against Him bring.
"I, therefore, will chastise Him
And order Him released;"
For 'twas custom he should free to them
A prisoner at the feast.
But they exclaimed: "Away with Him,"
And cried, with one accord,
That he release Barabbas,
And crucify the Lord.
Now Barabbas was a robber,
And they knew his record well;
He for murder and sedition
Lay in a prison cell.
"Why, what great evil hath He done?"
Pilate, the third time saith;
For he knew it was for envy
That they desired His death.
Pilate's Wife's Dream.
AGAIN upon the judgment seat,
To end this cruel strife,
Sat Pilate, when a servant came
With message from his wife.
"Beware"--the word the lady sent--
"That thou no evil do
To Him who stands before thee now--
That man so just and true.
"For I while sleeping on my bed,
Have suffered, in a dream,
Much anguish and distress of mind,
This day, because of Him."
Then Pilate saith to Jesus:
"Art thou the very king
The Jews expected should appear,
And their salvation bring?"
"My kingdom," Jesus answered,
"Is not beneath the skies,
Else to protect me from the Jews
My servants would arise."
"Art thou a king, then?" Pilate asked.
"Thou sayest it," the reply;
"For I was born, and hither came,
The truth to testify."
Pilate said to Him: "What is truth?"
Then left the judgment hall,
And said unto the Jews: "I find
In Him no fault at all."
Then Pilate, taking water, washed
His hands before them all;
And said: "This just man's blood on me
Shall not in judgment fall."
Then answered all the people:
"Let this man's blood be shed;
And let it fall on each of us,
And on our children's head."
[Illustration: THE CRUCIFIXION St. Matthew 27:35-38; St. Mark 15:24-28;
St. Luke 23:33, 34; St. John 19:18-24]
The Crucifixion.
IT was outside the city wall
Of proud Jerusalem,
That Roman soldiers crucified
Whom Pilate dared condemn.
But from the suffering Nazarene
No word of murmur came;
Patience appeared through keenest wrong,
And dignity through shame.
Only this kind and earnest plea
Their malice from Him drew:
"Father, I pray, forgive them now,
They know not what they do."
The Mother of Jesus.
NOW there stood by that dreadful cross
The mother of the Lord,
Whose soul with sharpest agony
Was pierced, as with a sword.
When Jesus therefore saw her near,
And His disciple, John,
The man whom He loved best, He said:
"Woman, behold thy son."
Then said to the disciple:
"Thy mother here behold!"
And John thenceforth his loving care
Around her did enfold.
The Darkened Sun.
NOW 'tis high noon and, solemn sight,
The sun withdraws his face,
And shadows, over all the land,
The beams of day replace.
All nature, wrapped in solemn awe,
Stood shuddering in dismay,
As hours of stern, Almighty wrath,
Passed tediously away.
Once, from the cross, an anguished voice
Came languidly: "I thirst,"
And then a cry, as though the heart,
So full of love, had burst.
"Eli, Eli," these were the words,
"Lama Sabachthani?"
Oh! what acutest agony
Wrung forth that mournful cry!
Meanwhile a sponge, in vinegar,
One standing near Him dips;
And, putting it upon a reed,
He lifts it to His lips.
He then, with exclamation loud,
His voice aloft doth send,
Saying: "Father, now into Thy hands
"My spirit I commend!"
And, then, behold! the temple vail
From top to bottom rent;
An earthquake shook the city's walls,
The rocks to pieces went.
And the centurian, with his guard,
Seeing these signs abroad,
Exclaimed in fear: "Now, of a truth,
"This was the Son of God."
The Burial.
NOW a good man, Joseph by name,
Of wealth and high renown,
In secret a disciple true,
Of Rama's ancient town,
Besought that Pilate grant to him
Permission to remove
The body of the Crucified,
Whom he had learned to love.
And then came Nicodemus,
With aloes and with myrrh--
Another who had been of Christ
A secret worshipper.
And these two men, who ne'er had made
Profession, great or small,
Prepared the sacred body for
An honored burial.
They wrapped it, with the spices,
In clean, white linen clothes;
According to the way in which
The Jews their dead dispose.
Then reverently laid it down
In Joseph's tomb--quite new,
Which he had hewn from out the rock,
His own last sleep in view.
The Resurrection.
THE Sabbath passed in sullen calm
The Lord of all things slept,
And some exulted in their crime,
While others mourned and wept.
It passed, it ended, and, behold!
While darkness veiled the sky,
Midst shock of earthquake, there came down
An angel from on high.
He sought the silent sepulchre,
And rolled away the stone--
The heavy stone that filled the door--
And took his seat thereon.
His features shone with lightning glow,
His robes were snowy white;
With solemn awe the keepers shook,
And fell, as dead, with fright.
Women at the Tomb.
MEANWHILE the day began to dawn--
The first day of the week--
And sorrowing women early came,
The sacred tomb to seek;
With spices and with ointments sweet,
To preserve the precious clay;
And saying: "Who shall roll for us
That heavy stone away?"
But when they reached the sepulchre,
They saw the stone removed,
And, entering in, they also missed
The form of Him they loved.
Instead, they saw a strange young man,
Sitting up on the right,
Clothed in a long, white flowing robe,
And they were filled with fright.
And he said unto them: "Fear not,
Ye seek Him who was slain.
He is not here. He's risen indeed,
Come, see where He has lain."
[Illustration: "THEY CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP AND
WERE NOT ABLE TO DRAW IT FOR THE MULTITUDE OF FISHES." St. John 21. 6]
The Ascension.
ON sacred Olivet, once more,
The apostles met their Lord,
And looked with rapture on His face,
And heard with joy His word.
He spake with old-time gentleness,
And dignity, and love,
Commanding that they should not from
Jerusalem remove.
"But wait there till the promise of
My Father come," He said,
"Of which you heard me plainly speak
The night I was betrayed.
"For John baptised with water,
But ye shall feel the glow
Of baptism with the Holy Ghost,
Not many days from now."
And as He talked He led them on
As far as Bethany,
When they, together, forward came
And asked Him earnestly,
Saying: "Lord, wilt thou at this time
To Israel restore
The kingdom in such splendor
As it enjoyed of yore?"
But Jesus said unto them all:
"'Tis not for you to know
That which the Father doth intend
Respecting things below.
"But ye shall be endued with power,
And strength, and majesty,
After the Holy Ghost has come
Upon you from on high.
"And ye shall witness unto Me
Both in Jerusalem,
Judea and Samaria,
And lands ye now condemn."
And then He lifted up His hands,
And blessed them as they stood,
While He ascended from their sight,
Their Master, great and good.
And they beheld Him rise aloft
Into the ether bright,
Until a cloud enveloped Him,
And bore Him from their sight.
And while they looked up after Him
Toward heaven, amazed and sad,
Behold two angels stood by them,
In white apparel clad;
Which said: "Ye men of Galilee,
Why stand ye, gazing up,
As though the Lord had gone away,
And left you without hope?
"As ye have seen Him rise to heaven
In majesty sublime,
So, in like manner, shall He come,
In the allotted time."
Transcriber's Notes:
Bold type is shown as =strong=.
Italics are shown thus: _sloping_.
Small capitals have been capitalised.
Illustrations have been moved out of mid-paragraph.
Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.
Punctuation has been retained as published.
In the list of illustrations Return of the Prodigal Son 278 has been
corrected to 378