who saw it were amazed, so that his fame spread abroad throughout all Galilee. And, going out of the synagogue, he went into the house of Simon and Andrew, together with James and John. But the mother of Simon's wife lay sick of a fever, and Jesus rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now, when the sun was setting, they brought unto them many diseased persons, on whom laying his hands, Jesus healed them. Thus, was fulfilled the word of Isaiah, saying, "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."

And in the morning, rising up long before day, he departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon, and they who were with him, followed Jesus; and he went into the towns and villages of Galilee, curing all manner of sicknesses. So that the fame of his mighty works went throughout all Syria; and multitudes of people followed him from Galilee, from Jerusalem, and from beyond Jordan.

QUESTIONS.

What testimony did John the Baptist give to our Saviour's authority, when the priests sent to inquire who he was? Whom did Jesus first call to be his disciples? What proof of supernatural knowledge did Jesus exhibit at that time? What treatment did Christ experience from the people of Nazareth? What actions did Jesus perform at the first Passover which he attended? What was the noble conduct of John the Baptist towards Herod; and what were its consequences? What was the conduct of our Saviour towards the woman of Samaria; and what reception did he meet with from the inhabitants of Sychar? What reception did the Galileans give Jesus? What miracles did he perform

in Galilee; and what effects did they produce? What words of the prophet Isaiah were fulfilled by the residence of Christ at Zabulon, and by his curing all manner of discases?

CHAP. IV.

AND Jesus continued to perform many wonderful works. Near the lake of Gennesaret he preached unto the people, and procured for his disciples, James and John, the sons of Zebedee; Simon, and Andrew, his brother, a miraculous draught of fishes, so that their vessels were filled. He cleansed lepers of their dreadful disorder, and restored the use of their limbs to paralytics, and to many who were disabled by disease. But the Pharisees, consulting with the Herodians, to destroy him, by rendering him obnoxious to the Roman government, Jesus again withdrew to the borders of the lake Gennesaret, and great multitudes followed him from Idumea, and from Tyre and Sidon, hearing what wonderful things he did. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus retired to a mountain, and continued in prayer to God all night. And afterwards, calling to him his disciples, he chose twelve from among them, as apostles, or messengers, that he might send them forth to preach, and might give them power to heal all sicknesses. These were, Simon Peter; James and John; Andrew and Philip; Bartholomew and Matthew; Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus; Thaddeus, and Simon, the Canaanite, called Zelotes; and Judas Iscariot, who afterwards betrayed him.

And Jesus stood in the plain, with the company of his disciples, and a vast multitude from Jerusalem, from various parts of Judea, and from the sea coast, who came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And the sick sought to draw nigh unto, and touch him, for there went. powerful influence out of him, which cured them. Then Jesus, seeing the multitudes gathered together, retired to the mountain, and having found a convenient place, he seated himself agreeably to the custom of the Jewish teachers, and delivered unto his disciples, and the multitude that had followed him, lessons of heavenly wisdom.

And Jesus returned to Capernaum, and there he healed the servant of a centurion, a Roman officer, of a palsy. And on the day after, he went to a town called Nain, with his discples, and a great multitude. When, behold! as he drew near to the gate, a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, who was a widow, and many people of the city were with her. And when the Lord saw her, he was moved with compassion. He came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, arise!" Then he that had been dead, sat up, and began to speak; and Jesus restored him thus unto his mother. Then came great fear on all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great Prophet is risen up among us, and God hath visited his people." And he continued to go through the cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve accompanied him, and certain women, whom he had

healed of their infirmities. These administered unto him.

Now, it came to pass, on a certain day, when the evening was come, that Jesus went into a ship with his disciples, and they launched forth to pass to the other side of the lake. And as they sailed on, he fell asleep. But a great storm of wind coming down upon the lake, the ship was covered with the waves, while Jesus remained asleep in the hinder part of the vessel. And the disciples awakened him, crying, "Master, master, we perish." Then Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the waters, saying, "Peace! be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said, Why are ye so fearful? Why have ye so little faith?" And the men feared exceedingly, and said one to another, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

And it came to pass, when Jesus had passed over the lake again, the people gladly received him. And there came a man, named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell at the feet of Jesus, and besought him to come unto his house, to heal his daughter, who was dying. Jesus went with him; and when they came to the house, he suffered no one to accompany him, but Peter, James, and John, with the father and mother of the young damsel. And all were weeping and bewailing her. But Jesus witnessing the tumult, and the minstrels mourning aloud, said, "Why make ye this disturbance, and weep thus? the maiden is not dead, but sleeping." And they derided him, knowing that

she was dead. But when Jesus had put them all out, he led the father and mother, and those who were with him, into the chamber where the damsel lay and, taking her by the hand, he said unto her, "Arise." And life returned unto her, and she arose immediately, and walked, and did eat food. Then were all filled with astonishment; and the fame of this went throughout all that land.

And when Jesus was departing thence, two blind men followed him, crying, "Thou Son of David, have mercy upon us. And when they came unto him, Jesus said, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" And they replied, "Yea, Lord, we believe." Then touched he their eyes, saying, "According to your faith, be it unto you." Then were their eyes opened immediately. But Jesus strictly charged them that no man should know it. And they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Then Jesus called together the twelve apostles, and imparting to them power to heal the sick, and cure all manner of diseases, sent them forth, by two and two, to preach the kingdom of heaven.

He commanded them freely to give, what they had freely received; to use for benevolent purposes the supernatural powers bestowed on them; to make no provision for their journey, but to trust to God for their support. And they departing, healed many sick, and preached the word of the kingdom.

Now Herod the king heard of the fame of Jesus; and he said unto his servants, "This is John the Baptist risen from the dead, and