,illustration3 ,front ,cover ,illustration3 ,,little ,,ones ,,should ,,be ,,brought ,,to ,,him4 ,,mother ,,stories ,,from ,,the ,,new ,,testament ,a ,book of the ,best ,stories from the ,new ,testament ,that ,mothers ,can ,tell ,their ,children ,with ,forty-five ,illustrations ,,philadelphia ,,henry ,,altemus ,,company ,,altemus' ,,mother ,,stories ,,series 99 99 99 99 99 ,,mother ,,stories ,a ,book of the ,best ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,nursery ,,rhymes ,,and ,,tales ,a ,book of the ,best ,nursery ,rhymes and ,tales that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,fairy ,,tales ,a ,book of the ,best ,fairy ,tales that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,nature ,,stories ,a ,book of the ,best ,nature ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,stories ,,from ,,the ,,old ,,testament ,a ,book of the ,best ,old ,testament ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,stories ,,from ,,the ,,new ,,testament ,a ,book of the ,best ,new ,testament ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,bedtime ,,stories ,a ,book of the ,best ,bedtime ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,animal ,,stories ,a ,book of the ,best ,animal ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,bird ,,stories ,a ,book of the ,best ,bird ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,,mother ,,santa ,,claus ,,stories ,a ,book of the ,best ,santa ,claus ,stories that ,mothers can tell their ,children ,profusely illustrated and handsomely bound in cloth1 with ornamentation in colors #a4jj ,,per ,,volume ,,copyright #aijf ,,by ,,howard ,e4 ,,altemus ,,printed ,,in ,,the ,,united ,,states ,,of ,,america ,,contents4 ,,page ,,the ,,wise ,,men',s ,,visit #g ,,the ,,angel',s ,,tidings #aj ,,jesus ,,in ,,the ,,temple #ab ,,the ,,wonderful ,,draught ,,of ,,fishes #ad ,,the ,,house ,,built ,,upon ,,the ,,sand #af ,,healing ,,the ,,centurion',s ,,servant #ah ,,anointing ,,the ,,feet ,,of ,,jesus #bj ,,the ,,rich ,,fool #bb ,,the ,,unfruitful ,,tree #bd ,,sowing ,,the ,,seed #bf ,,the ,,enemy ,,sowing ,,tares #bh ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,leaven #cj ,,seeking ,,for ,,hidden ,,treasure #cb ,,the ,,pearl ,,of ,,great ,,price #cd ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,net #cf ,,the ,,man ,,possessed ,,by ,,devils #ch ,,curing ,,the ,,incurable #dj ,,jairus' ,,daughter #db ,,the ,,two ,,blind ,,men #dd ,,feeding ,,five ,,thousand #df ,,christ ,,walking ,,on ,,the ,,sea #dh ,,the ,,woman ,,of ,,canaan #ej ,,peter ,,and ,,the ,,tribute ,,money #eb ,,the ,,good ,,samaritan #ed ,,importunity ,,rewarded #ef ,,the ,,unmerciful ,,servant #eh ,,the ,,good ,,shepherd #fj ,,the ,,lost ,,piece ,,of ,,money #fb ,,the ,,prodigal ,,son #fd ,,peter',s ,,wife',s ,,mother ,,cured #ff ,,the ,,unjust ,,steward #fh ,,the ,,rich ,,man ,,and ,,the ,,beggar #gj ,,avenge ,,me ,,of ,,my ,,adversary #gb ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,tax-,,gatherer #gd ,,the ,,laborers ,,in ,,the ,,vineyard #gf ,,the ,,barren ,,fig ,,tree #gh ,,the ,,wicked ,,husbandman #hj ,,without ,,the ,,wedding ,,garment #hb ,,the ,,foolish ,,virgins #hd ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,talents #hf ,,man ,,with ,,the ,,withered ,,hand #hh ,,jesus ,,ascends ,,to ,,heaven #ij ,,the ,,philippian ,,jailer #ib ,,timothy ,,and ,,his ,,mother ,,eunice #id ,,christ ,,blessing ,,the ,,children #if ,illustration ,,new ,,testament ,,stories ,,the ,,wise ,,men',s ,,visit4 ,the birth of ,jesus ,christ was announced by two remarkable events3 the coming of wise men from the ,east1 and the appearance of angels to some shepherds at ,bethlehem4 ,the wise men were probably astronomers2 and in watching the stars they had seen one that had led them to leave their own country1 and take a long journey to ,jerusalem4 ,most likely they rode on camels1 and their journey was a tedious one4 ,but at last they reached ,jerusalem1 where they inquired saying1 ,where is ,he that is born ,king of the ,jews8 for we have seen ,his star in the ,east and are come to worship ,him4 ,tidings of these inquiries were brought to ,king ,herod1 and when he heard them he was much troubled4 ,he was a wicked king2 and feared that if another king had been born1 he would grow up and take the crown away4 ,herod was also cruel and treacherous1 and while pretending to act rightly1 often did many evil things4 ,and now he intended to destroy the infant ,king1 who might one day take his sceptre away4 ,so he first sent for the learned men of the ,jews1 the chief priests and scribes1 and demanded of them where ,christ should be born2 and when they had replied that it was to be in ,bethlehem1 he secretly called the wise men before him1 and inquired of them what time the star appeared4 ,after getting the information he needed1 he dismissed the wise men1 bidding them to go to ,bethlehem and search diligently for the young child2 and when ye have found ,him1 said ,herod1 bring me word again1 that ,i may come and worship ,him also4 ,so the wise men left ,king ,herod and ,jerusalem1 and journeyed onward towards ,bethlehem2 and the star which they had seen in the ,east went before them1 till it came and stood over where the young child lay4 ,and when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy1 for they knew they had found ,him whom they had come so far to seek4 ,but the wise men did not bring ,herod word where ,jesus was2 and he was so angry that shortly afterwards he sent his soldiers1 and slew all the children under two years of age that were in ,bethlehem and its neighbourhood4 ,he thought by so doing to kill ,jesus among them1 but ,god prevented him from doing so4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,wise ,,men ,,before ,,the ,,king4 ,,the ,,angel',s ,,tidings4 ,it was night4 ,in the fields near ,bethlehem a company of shepherds kept watch over their flocks4 ,probably they were holy men1 and often thought of ,god in the stillness of the early morn4 ,and now they may have been thinking of the coming of the promised ,messiah4 ,while watching their flocks1 the angel of the ,lord came to these shepherds1 and a dazzling light shone round about them4 ,they were much afraid2 but the angel said1 ,fear not2 for behold ,i bring you good tidings of great joy1 which shall be to all people4 ,for unto you is born this day in the city of ,david a ,saviour1 which is ,christ the ,lord4 ,and suddenly there was with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host praising ,god and saying1 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace1 good will toward men4 ,when the angels had departed1 the shepherds returned to ,bethlehem2 and there1 in a stable1 they found the infant ,jesus1 lying in a manger1 watched over and cared for by ,his mother ,mary and ,joseph4 ,and so great was the surprise and joy of the shepherds that they went out and told all they met of the wondrous things which they had seen4 ,shortly after the visit of the shepherds1 the wise men from the ,east reached ,bethlehem1 and in a house they found ,joseph1 and ,mary1 and ,jesus4 ,then they fell down and worshipped ,jesus1 opening the treasures they had brought1 and offering ,him precious gifts1 gold and frankincense and myrrh4 ,but ,god warned them not to go back to ,herod1 to tell him where the new-born ,king of the ,jews was1 and they returned to their own country another way4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,shepherds ,,worshipping ,,the ,,infant ,,jesus4 ,,jesus ,,in ,,the ,,temple4 ,when ,jesus was twelve years of age1 ,his parents took ,him with them to ,jerusalem to the feast of the ,passover4 ,great numbers journeyed from different parts to keep this feast2 and travelled in companies or caravans1 the women and old men riding on asses or mules1 and the rest going on foot4 ,thus ,joseph and ,mary1 with ,jesus1 left ,nazareth1 and with many others journeyed to ,jerusalem1 where they kept the ,passover4 ,when the feast was ended1 as they returned homewards1 ,joseph and ,mary discovered that ,jesus was missing2 but supposing ,him to have been somewhere among the company1 they continued their first day's short journey4 ,when1 however1 evening came1 and the caravan halted1 and ,jesus was nowhere to be found1 ,his parents sorrowfully returned to ,jerusalem seeking ,him4 ,at last1 on the third day1 they went to the ,temple1 and found ,jesus sitting in the midst of the aged and learned ,jewish doctors1 both hearing them and asking them questions4 ,and all that heard ,him were astonished at ,his understanding and answers4 ,his parents were amazed when they saw ,jesus in such company4 ,but ,mary1 while she rejoiced at finding ,him1 gently said1 ,son1 why hast ,thou thus dealt with us8 ,behold ,thy father and ,i have sought ,thee sorrowing4 ,jesus replied1 ,how is it that ye sought ,me8 ,wist ye not that ,i must be about ,my ,father's business8 ,jesus was the ,son of ,god1 and doing ,god's work was being about ,his ,father's business4 ,years afterwards ,he said1 ,i came not to do ,mine own will1 but the will of ,him that sent ,me4 ,illustration3 ,,son1 ,,why ,,hast ,,thou ,,thus ,,dealt ,,with ,,us8 ,,the ,,wonderful ,,draught ,,of ,,fishes ,one day1 as the crowds pressed round ,him to hear the ,word of ,god1 ,jesus came to the ,lake of ,gennesaret and saw two boats drawn up on the shore4 ,now one of these belonged to a man named ,simon ,peter1 who was at the water's edge washing his nets4 ,jesus entered into this boat and asked ,simon to push it off from the land a little4 ,then ,he sat down and taught the people from the boat4 ,and when ,he had done speaking to them ,he said to ,simon1 ,launch out into the deep1 and let down your nets for a draught of fishes4 ,simon1 answering ,him1 said1 ,master1 we have toiled all through the night and have taken nothing1 but as you wish it ,i will let down the net again4 ,and they let down the net into the sea1 but it enclosed so great a multitude of fishes that they could not draw them up2 and the net brake4 ,then ,simon beckoned to his partners1 ,james and ,john1 who were in the other boat1 that they should come and help them4 ,and they came and filled both boats with the fishes1 so that they began to sink4 ,when ,simon ,peter saw it he fell down before ,jesus1 saying1 ,depart from me1 for ,i am a sinful man1 ,o ,lord4 ,for he and all that were with him were astonished at the marvellous draught of fishes which they had taken4 ,and ,jesus said unto ,simon1 ,fear not1 ,simon ,peter2 from henceforth thou shalt be a fisher of men4 ,meaning that he was to go about winning souls for ,god1 instead of being a fisherman4 ,and when they had brought their boats to land1 they forsook all they had and followed ,christ4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,wonderful ,,draught ,,of ,,fishes4 ,,the ,,house ,,built ,,upon ,,the ,,sand4 ,what a foolish man the builder of the house shown in our picture must have been6 ,of course1 when the wind blew and the waves dashed against his house1 it would fall4 ,look how the sea has washed the foundation away1 and how the roof is falling in6 ,and the people2 see how they are fleeing to save their lives6 ,and all this calamity because he built his house upon the sand4 ,but the other house1 shown in the distance3 how firmly that stands6 ,what a bold front it offers to the waves1 and how safely it resists the fury of the storm4 ,its foundations are sure1 because they rest upon the solid rock4 ,jesus had been teaching the people4 ,he had taught them many wonderful truths1 which you will find written in the fifth1 sixth1 and seventh chapters of ,matthew2 and in closing ,he said1 ,whosoever heareth these sayings of mine1 and doeth them1 ,i will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock4 ,and the rain descended1 and the floods came1 and the winds blew1 and beat upon that house2 and it fell not1 for it was founded upon a rock4 ,and every one that heareth these sayings of mine1 and doeth them not1 shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand4 ,and the rain descended1 and the floods came1 and the winds blew1 and beat upon that house1 and it fell1 and great was the fall of it4 ,the lesson ,jesus sought to impress upon the people by this parable was1 that it is not enough simply to hear what ,he says4 ,many will do that2 but it is only those who remember ,christ's commandments and keep them1 whose work will stand when the time of trial comes4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,house ,,built ,,upon ,,the ,,sand4 ,,healing ,,the ,,centurion',s ,,servant4 ,jesus entered into ,capernaum1 a city by the ,sea of ,galilee1 and while ,he was there a certain ,centurion1 or captain in the ,roman army1 had a favourite servant who was sick of the palsy and in great pain4 ,when this ,roman heard of ,jesus1 he sought the ,jewish elders and implored them to go to ,christ and beseech ,him to cure the sick servant4 ,and the elders came to ,jesus and besought ,him urgently to do this miracle1 saying1 ,he is a worthy man1 this ,roman captain1 for he loveth the ,jews and hath built us a synagogue4 ,so ,jesus went with them1 and when ,he had come near the house1 the ,centurion himself came to meet ,him1 saying1 ,lord1 trouble not ,thyself1 for ,i am not worthy that ,thou shouldest enter my house4 ,speak the word only1 and this sickness shall depart and my servant be made whole4 ,for ,i am a man under authority of the ,emperor1 having many soldiers under me1 and ,i say unto this man1 ',go1' and he goeth2 to another1 ',come1' and he cometh1 and to my servant1 ',do this1' and he doeth it4 ,wherefore1 if ,i can so readily command my servants to do my bidding1 ,i know that if ,thou biddest this sickness to go out from my servant it will surely go4 ,jesus marvelled at the man's words1 and said to ,his followers1 ,verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,i have not found so great faith1 no1 not in all ,israel4 ,and to the ,centurion ,he said1 ,go thy way2 and as thou hast believed1 so be it done unto thee4 ,and his servant was healed in the selfsame hour1 and when those that had been sent returned to the house1 they found the servant whole that had been sick4 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,and ,,the ,,centurion4 ,,anointing ,,the ,,feet ,,of ,,jesus4 ,on one occasion1 a proud ,pharisee1 whose name was ,simon1 invited ,jesus to eat with him4 ,but the invitation was a cold one4 ,there was no kiss of welcome1 no water to bathe ,his hot and dusty feet1 no perfumed ointment for ,his head3 nothing but a bare admission to a vacant place at the table was granted to ,jesus4 ,but there ,he reclined1 ,his left elbow resting on a cushion1 and ,his feet projecting beyond the edge of the couch4 ,now it happened that a poor1 sinful woman was passing1 who1 discovering that ,jesus was in the house1 timidly entered1 and stood behind ,him4 ,she had an alabaster box of ointment1 and1 as she looked on ,jesus1 she wept4 ,her tears fell upon ,his feet2 so1 stooping down1 she tenderly wiped them away with her long hair2 then she kissed the ,saviour's feet1 and anointed them with the fragrant ointment4 ,this was done as a token of respect and love4 ,but an evil eye had noted the kindly act2 and the proud ,pharisee thought within himself1 if ,jesus were the prophet ,he professes to be1 ,he would certainly have known that the woman was a great sinner1 and would not have allowed her to touch ,him4 ,but ,jesus came to save sinners4 ,he loves them1 though ,he hates their sins4 ,he rebuked the haughty ,simon2 and showed him how he had neglected the commonest rites of hospitality towards his guest1 while this poor woman had treated ,jesus with the greatest reverence4 ,then ,jesus said1 ,her sins which are many are forgiven1 for she loved much2 and ,he bade her go in peace4 ,illustration3 ,,anointing ,,the ,,feet ,,of ,,jesus4 ,,the ,,rich ,,fool4 ,there was a certain rich man who owned much land4 ,and his fields and vineyards were so productive that when the time of harvest came1 he had not room enough to store his corn and fruits4 ,so after much thought he said1 ,this will ,i do4 ,i will pull down my barns and build greater ones1 and there will ,i store all my fruits and my goods4 ,then ,i can say to myself1 ',i have great store of goods laid up1 enough for many years2 now ,i can take mine ease1 eat1 drink1 and be merry4' ,but ,god said unto him1 ,thou fool1 this night thy soul shall be required of thee2 then whose shall those things be which thou hast hoarded8 ,jesus says it shall be so with all those who set their minds upon storing up riches in this world1 rather than laying up treasures in heaven by pleasing ,god and working in ,his service4 ,death will come when they least expect it1 and they will have to leave all their earthly riches1 and go where no treasure has been laid up for them4 ,and ,he said unto ,his disciples1 ,take no thought for your life1 what ye shall eat2 neither for the body1 what ye shall put on2 for the life is more than meat1 and the body more than raiment4 ,for all these things do the nations of the world seek after1 and your ,father knoweth that ye have need of these things4 ,but rather seek ye the kingdom of ,god2 and all these things shall be added unto you4 ,fear not1 for it is the ,father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom4 ,sell what ye have and give alms2 provide yourselves a treasure in the heavens that faileth not1 where no thief approacheth1 or moth corrupteth4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,rich ,,fool4 ,,the ,,unfruitful ,,tree4 ,a certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard1 and he came and sought fruit thereon1 but found none4 ,then he called to the gardener who attended to his vineyard1 and said to him1 ,behold these three years ,i come seeking fruit on this fig-tree1 and find none4 ,cut it down4 ,why does it encumber the ground8 ,the gardener answered him and said1 ,lord1 let it alone this year also1 till ,i shall dig about it and manure it4 ,and if it bear fruit then1 it is well2 but if not1 then1 after that1 thou shalt cut it down4 ,in this parable the vineyard means the world1 and the fig-tree ungodly people whose lives do not produce good works--do not produce fruit in the service of ,god4 ,the ,lord of the vineyard1 that is1 ,god1 would destroy such people1 but ,christ intercedes in their behalf1 that time for repentance may be given4 ,he is not willing that any should perish1 but that all should come to repentance4 ,christ came and sought to change men's hearts1 and make their lives fruitful for ,god4 ,the warning has been given1 and when the ,lord of the vineyard comes again to seek good fruit the unfruitful trees shall be destroyed4 ,am ,i a barren tree1 dear ,lord8 ,a cumberer of the ground4 ,oh6 give me grace to fruitful be1 ,and in ,thy work abound4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,unfruitful ,,tree4 ,,sowing ,,the ,,seed4 ,a sower went out to sow his seed1 and as he sowed some fell by the wayside and was trodden down1 and birds came and devoured it4 ,and some fell upon a rocky place1 where there was not much soil1 and as soon as it sprang up it withered away1 because it lacked moisture4 ,and some fell among thorns and weeds1 and they sprang up with it and choked it4 ,but other fell on good ground1 and sprang up bearing ears1 some with thirty1 some sixty1 some a hundred seeds4 ,when ,jesus had told this parable1 ,his disciples asked ,him to explain it to them4 ,he said that the seed is the ,word of ,god4 ,the wayside signifies the people who hear the ,word but do not understand it1 and ,satan comes and takes all thought of it out of their hearts as quickly as the birds devour the seeds4 ,the rocky places without much earth denote those who1 when they hear the ,word1 receive it with great joy and profession of faith2 but it never takes deep root in their hearts1 and when they are tempted they fall away and the good seed in their hearts is withered up4 ,the thorns and weeds are the pleasures and riches of this life1 which root so deeply and strongly in men's hearts that the good seed has no chance1 and is soon killed off4 ,but the good ground is the hearts of good people1 who remember ,god's ,word and try1 every day of their lives1 to do as ,he wishes us to do1 and to live holy and useful lives4 ,the seed falling upon their hearts becomes strongly rooted and grows up vigorously1 bearing good fruit4 ,what shall be said of your heart1 my young friend8 ,is it like the wayside8 the rocky place8 the thorny ground8 or like a good field that has been well prepared for the seed8 ,illustration3 ,,sowing ,,the ,,seed4 ,,the ,,enemy ,,sowing ,,tares4 ,a certain man sowed good seed in his field1 but in the night1 whilst men slept1 his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat1 and went his way4 ,when the wheat-blade had sprung up and showed the ear1 then appeared the tares also4 ,so the servants of the householder came to him and said1 ,sir1 didst not thou sow good seed in thy field8 ,whence then come these tares8 ,he said unto them1 ,an enemy hath done this4 ,then the servants asked1 ,shall we go1 then1 and gather them up8 ,but he said1 ,nay1 lest whilst you gather up the tares1 you root up the wheat with them4 ,let both grow together until the harvest1 and in that time ,i will say to the reapers1 ',gather ye together first the tares and bind them into bundles to burn them1 but gather the wheat into my barn4' ,jesus' disciples asked ,him to explain this parable to them1 and ,he said3 ,the field represents the world1 and ,he that sowed the good seed is ,christ ,himself4 ,the good seed is the ,word ,he preached2 the wheat plants are the good people who believe in ,christ and do as ,he teaches4 ,the enemy who sows the bad seed is ,satan1 and the tares that spring from them are wicked people who follow the promptings of the evil one in their hearts4 ,the harvest is the end of the world1 and the reapers are the angels of ,god4 ,as therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire1 so shall it be in the end of this world with wicked people4 ,christ shall send forth ,his angels1 and they shall gather out of ,his ,kingdom all things that offend and them that do evil1 and shall cast them into a furnace of fire2 there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth4 ,then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their ,father4 ,for the ,lord our ,god shall come1 ,and shall take ,his harvest home2 ,from ,his field shall in that day ,all offences purge away2 ,give ,his angels charge at last ,in the fire the tares to cast1 ,but the fruitful grain to store ,in ,his garner evermore4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,enemy ,,sowing ,,tares4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,leaven4 ,christ said that the kingdom of heaven could be likened unto leaven 7or yeast71 which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour1 till the whole was leavened4 ,now1 this leaven1 or yeast1 is composed of tiny little plants1 each one so small that it cannot possibly be seen by the sharpest eye except through a very powerful microscope4 ,so small are they that it would require three thousand of them1 placed close together1 side by side1 to make up the length of one inch4 ,like all other plants they require food1 and they find this in the dough they are placed in4 ,you know that all things are made up of atoms of chemical substances so wonderfully blended together that only the chemist can separate them1 and when he has separated them they appear very different4 ,well1 in flour there are certain things so blended1 and the yeast-plant takes one kind of substance as food1 and in doing so sets free another substance called carbonic acid gas4 ,this gas bubbles up and makes the heavy dough spongy and light4 ,if it were not for these tiny bubbles of gas your bread would be as heavy and close as suet pudding4 ,this is the reason why yeast is put into dough for making bread or cake4 ,one of the most remarkable things about this yeast is1 that when it gets into any substance that contains its food1 it at once begins to give off buds1 which1 in a few moments1 become full-sized and break away4 ,so rapid is this increase1 that if a single yeast-plant were to be put into a great mass of dough it would very quickly leaven the whole mass4 ,and so it is with the love of ,god4 ,when once it gets into our hearts it will keep on growing until all our life is filled with it1 and we try in all things to please ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,leaven4 ,,seeking ,,for ,,hidden ,,treasure4 ,the people of ,canaan1 both in ancient and modern days1 have made a practice of hiding their treasures4 ,this they have done to secure them in times of danger4 ,when invaders flocked into the land1 the people buried their gold and jewels1 and fled4 ,and often they died1 or were overtaken by their enemies and killed1 so that they were unable to return and regain their buried riches4 ,earthquakes also have taken place1 destroying towns and villages1 and burying all the riches in them beneath their ruins4 ,thus there is much hidden treasure in ,canaan1 and numbers of the inhabitants spend their time seeking diligently and anxiously for it4 ,our artist shows us a man who is thus seeking4 ,he has heard that in old times a great treasure was hidden in a particular field4 ,so he digs away patiently in various places until1 at last1 he finds out that what he heard is quite true4 ,he is sure the treasure is there2 and his desire is to become possessed of the field1 so that he may obtain the buried riches4 ,he is willing to sell all that he has if by so doing he may buy that field4 ,so he hastens home1 and gathers together the whole of his property and sells it4 ,then he takes his money to the man who has the land for sale1 and buys the field of him4 ,thus he becomes possessed of the treasure he has sought after4 ,jesus says that the ,kingdom of ,heaven is like that treasure4 ,it is so precious1 that when a man finds out its value1 and knows how it can be obtained1 he will be willing to give up everything he has for it--all his companions1 pleasures1 sins1 riches--indeed everything he possesses1 in order to gain this great treasure4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,treasure ,,hid ,,in ,a ,,field4 ,,the ,,pearl ,,of ,,great ,,price4 ,very similar to the parable of the ,hidden ,treasure is this one of the merchant seeking goodly pearls4 ,the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls1 who1 when he had found one pearl of great price1 went and sold all that he had1 and bought it4 ,in the picture we see the merchant on the sea-shore1 where he has waited for the landing of these sailors from another country4 ,he asks them if they have any goodly pearls for sale1 and one man opens his box and takes out this pearl of great price4 ,it is just the kind of pearl the merchant had been seeking1 so he quickly produces his two bags of gold and offers them to the man for his pearl4 ,but the man smiles4 ,what6 part with so large and so beautiful a pearl for two bags of gold8 ,he could not think of it4 ,the pearl is again placed in its box1 and the merchant has to go away disappointed4 ,but the longing to have that pearl is too great4 ,a thought occurs to him4 ,he will go home and sell all that is his1 and the money he shall thus obtain1 added to his two bags of gold1 will surely buy the precious jewel4 ,and so it is with men when they seek that pearl of pearls1 the forgiveness of ,god4 ,they will give up a great deal in order to obtain it1 but they find that ,god requires them to give up everything that is sinful or worldly4 ,and if their hearts are really set upon obtaining it1 they will do as this merchant did1 and part with everything that would hinder them from coming to ,god1 or walking in the way that leads to heaven4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,merchant ,,seeking ,,goodly ,,pearls4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,net4 ,these fishermen have just returned to shore with their net full of fish4 ,now this is not a casting-net1 which is thrown out from the boat and drawn in again1 but a drag-net which is of great length1 and which is drawn constantly through the water until it is well filled with fish4 ,it is then hauled up to the shore1 and the fishermen sit around it1 and take out the fish4 ,many of these1 of course1 are unfit for food1 or not liked4 ,they cast those into the sea again1 but the good fish which they can sell for food are carefully placed in vessels brought for the purpose4 ,christ said1 ,the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net1 that was cast into the sea1 and gathered every kind 7of fish73 which1 when it was full1 they drew to shore1 and sat down1 and gathered the good into vessels1 but cast the bad away4 ,so shall it be at the end of the world3 the angels shall come forth1 and sever the wicked from among the just1 and cast them into the furnace of fire4 ,there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth4 ,at another time ,jesus taught ,his disciples the same truth2 when ,he spake of ,his coming and of the gathering of all nations before ,him1 the good entering into eternal life1 but the wicked being cast away4 ,when the ,son of ,man shall come in ,his glory1 said ,jesus1 and all the holy angels with ,him1 then shall ,he sit upon the throne of ,his glory4 ,and before ,him shall be gathered all nations2 and ,he shall separate them one from another1 as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats4 ,and ,he shall set the sheep on ,his right hand1 but the goats on the left4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,net4 ,,the ,,man ,,possessed ,,by ,,devils4 ,one day ,jesus came with ,his disciples in a boat to the country of the ,gadarenes1 near ,galilee4 ,they landed near the tombs1 that is1 caverns cut into the rock1 where the dead were buried4 ,and there met them a man1 who1 for a long time1 had been possessed by many unclean spirits4 ,he lived in the tombs and wore no clothes4 ,he had been so fierce and wild that his friends had been obliged to chain him up1 but he had burst his fetters1 and the devils had driven him out to the tombs4 ,jesus bade the unclean spirits to come out of the man4 ,and when the man caught sight of ,jesus1 he cried out1 and fell down before ,him1 saying1 ,what have ,i to do with ,thee1 ,jesus1 ,thou ,son of ,god most high8 ,i beseech ,thee to torment me not4 ,and ,jesus asked him his name4 ,and he said1 ,legion1 because many devils were in him4 ,they besought ,jesus that ,he would not make them go into the sea1 but would let them enter into a herd of swine that were feeding on the cliffs close by4 ,he suffered them to do so1 and the devils went out of the man and entered into the pigs1 and the whole herd ran violently over the cliff into the water and were drowned4 ,and when the herdsmen saw what was done1 they fled into the city and told all the people4 ,then the people came out to ,jesus1 and they saw the man that had been possessed1 clothed and in his right mind1 sitting at the feet of ,jesus4 ,and they that had seen it told them by what means the man had been healed1 and they were afraid4 ,the man out of whom the devils had departed1 besought ,him that he might stay with ,jesus1 but ,he sent him away1 saying1 ,return to thy house1 and show what great things ,god hath done unto thee4 ,and he went his way and published throughout the city what great things ,jesus had done unto him4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,man ,,possessed ,,by ,,devils4 ,,curing ,,the ,,incurable4 ,jesus went into ,capernaum1 followed by a great crowd of people1 and among them was a woman who for twelve years had suffered from a disease which no doctor could cure1 though she had consulted many1 and spent all her wealth upon them4 ,she had said within herself1 ,if ,i could but touch ,his garment ,i should be made well4 ,so she pressed through the crowd1 and put out her arm and touched the hem of ,his garment1 and immediately she was made well4 ,then ,jesus1 turning round to ,his disciples1 said1 ,who touched ,me8 ,but they all denied that they had done so1 and ,peter and they that were with him said1 ,master1 the multitude throng ,thee and press ,thee1 and yet ,thou sayest1 ,who touched ,me6 ,they were surprised that ,jesus should make such an enquiry1 seeing that so many were crowding round ,him1 and pressing against ,him4 ,but ,jesus said1 ,somebody hath touched ,me1 for ,i perceive that healing virtue hath gone out of ,me4 ,when the woman saw that ,jesus knew what she had done1 and that she could not be hidden in the crowd1 she came trembling1 and1 falling down before ,him1 she declared unto ,him before all the people why she had touched ,him1 and how she had been healed at once4 ,and ,he said unto her1 ,daughter1 be of good comfort2 thy faith hath made thee whole4 ,go in peace1 and be healed of thy illness4 ,jesus wishes us to trust in ,him4 ,we suffer from a terrible disease--the disease of sin1 which no doctor can cure2 but ,jesus will heal us and take away our sin if we trust in ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,cured ,,by ,,touching ,,his ,,garment4 ,,jairus' ,,daughter4 ,jairus was one of the rulers of the ,jewish church1 or synagogue1 and he had a daughter who had been very ill and was now at the point of death4 ,she was an only daughter1 and was twelve years of age4 ,so hearing that ,jesus was near1 he came to ,him1 and1 falling down before ,him1 implored ,jesus to come and see her4 ,and ,jesus arose1 and followed him1 and so did ,his disciples4 ,soon there came running to them a messenger from the ruler's house1 who said to ,jairus1 ,thy daughter is already dead2 do not trouble the master4 ,but when ,jesus heard it ,he turned to ,jairus and said1 ,fear not4 ,only believe1 and she shall be restored to life4 ,when they came to the ruler's house they saw the minstrels and many people who were making much noise and lamentation for the dead girl1 as was the custom4 ,jesus said unto them1 ,make way2 weep not1 for the maiden is not dead1 but sleepeth2 but they laughed ,him to scorn1 knowing that she was dead4 ,and ,he put them all out of the room1 all but ,peter and ,james and ,john1 and the mother and father of the maiden4 ,then ,he took her by the hand1 and called to her1 saying1 ,maid1 arise4 ,and her spirit came again1 and she arose straightway2 and ,he commanded her parents to give her food4 ,her parents were astonished when they saw their daughter raised to life and able to eat1 but ,jesus charged them that they should tell no man what ,he had done4 ,but the fame of the miracle ,he had wrought went abroad unto all that land4 ,illustration3 ,,jairus' ,,daughter4 ,,the ,,two ,,blind ,,men4 ,when ,jesus had left the house of the ruler ,jairus1 there followed ,him two blind men4 ,they called out to ,him1 ,thou ,son of ,david1 have mercy upon us4 ,then ,jesus looked at them1 and asked if they really believed that ,he had power to cure them and give them back their sight4 ,and they said unto ,him1 ,yea1 ,lord4 ,then ,he touched their eyes1 and said unto them1 ,according to your faith1 so be it unto you4 ,and immediately they opened their eyes and were able to see4 ,jesus charged them to let no man know what ,he had done4 ,but when they were departed they spread ,his fame abroad over all that country4 ,another time ,christ and ,his disciples were coming away from ,jericho1 followed by a large crowd of people4 ,and there was sitting by the wayside a blind beggar1 ,bartimeus by name2 and when he heard the noise of the multitude1 he asked what it meant4 ,they answered him1 ,jesus of ,nazareth passeth by4 ,then he cried out in a loud voice1 saying1 ,jesus1 ,thou ,son of ,david1 have mercy on me4 ,the people tried to keep him from calling out1 but he would not be quiet4 ,he was determined that ,christ should see him4 ,and ,jesus stood still1 and commanded them to call him4 ,so he arose and cast away his outer garment and came to ,jesus4 ,when ,jesus asked what he would have done to him1 he answered1 ,lord1 that ,i might receive my sight4 ,and ,jesus said unto him1 ,go thy way2 thy faith hath made thee whole4 ,and he received his sight at once1 and followed ,jesus1 praising ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,two ,,blind ,,men4 ,,feeding ,,five ,,thousand4 ,one day ,jesus went on board a ship and sailed to another part of the coast1 where ,he and ,his disciples might have rest4 ,for the people in the cities crowded them so closely that they did not even have time to eat4 ,they landed1 and went into a desert place2 but the people had seen them depart1 and marked which way the ship sailed4 ,then they all flocked out of the cities and came on foot to the place where ,jesus was4 ,when ,jesus saw what a great number of people had come1 ,he had compassion on them1 and spoke to them1 and healed their sick4 ,but in the evening the disciples came to ,jesus and said1 ,this is a desert place1 and the day has gone2 send the people away1 that they may go into the villages and buy food4 ,jesus was too kind to send them away hungry like that4 ,he said1 ,they need not depart2 give ye them food to eat4 ,but they said to ,him1 ,we have here but five loaves and two fishes1 which we have just purchased of a lad4 ,he said1 ,bring them to ,me4 ,then ,he told the people to sit down on the grass2 and ,he took the five loaves and the two fishes1 and1 looking up to heaven1 blessed them and broke them into pieces4 ,the disciples carried the bread and fish to the people and they all ate and had plenty1 although there were about five thousand men1 besides women and children4 ,and yet1 when the disciples took up the fragments that were left1 these fragments filled twelve baskets4 ,how kind was ,jesus6 ,he not only taught the people and healed their sick1 but ,he fed them when out in the desert place and hungry4 ,illustration3 ,,feeding ,,five ,,thousand4 ,,christ ,,walking ,,on ,,the ,,sea4 ,when the people had seen the miracle that ,christ did in feeding so many with so few loaves1 they felt sure that ,he was one of the old prophets that had come again1 and they would have taken ,him by force to make ,him king4 ,so ,he sent ,his disciples by boat towards ,capernaum1 and ,he went1 alone1 up into a mountain to pray4 ,when it was dark1 the disciples found themselves alone upon the sea1 opposed to strong winds1 which tossed the boat upon high waves4 ,then ,jesus went out to them1 walking upon the waves2 but when the disciples saw ,him they thought it was a spirit1 and cried out with fear4 ,but ,jesus said1 ,be of good cheer3 it is ,i2 be not afraid4 ,peter answered ,him1 saying1 ,lord1 if it be ,thou1 bid me come unto ,thee on the water4 ,and ,he said1 ,come1 and ,peter stepped over the boat's side and walked on the water towards ,christ4 ,but when he saw the angry waves around him and heard the roaring of the winds1 ,peter was afraid and began to sink4 ,he cried out1 ,lord1 save me4 ,and ,jesus1 stretching out ,his hand1 caught him1 and said1 ,o thou of little faith1 why didst thou fear8 ,when ,jesus and ,peter had got into the boat1 the wind dropped1 the sea became calm and the waves still1 and immediately they were at the place where they wanted to land4 ,then they worshipped him1 saying1 ,truly ,thou art the ,son of ,god4 ,and they came into the land of ,gennesaret1 where the people knew ,him and brought to ,him all that were sick1 or blind1 or lame1 that they might touch ,his garment and be made well4 ,illustration3 ,,christ ,,walking ,,on ,,the ,,sea4 ,,the ,,woman ,,of ,,canaan4 ,jesus came unto the borders of ,tyre and ,sidon1 where the people were not ,jews1 but ,gentiles4 ,and there came to ,him a woman of ,canaan1 who cried out to ,him1 saying1 ,have mercy on me1 ,o ,lord1 ,thou son of ,david2 my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil4 ,she besought ,him to cast out this evil spirit from her daughter4 ,but ,he answered not a word1 and ,his disciples counselled ,him to send her away4 ,then ,he told her ,he was not sent unto the ,gentiles1 but unto the lost sheep of ,israel2 meaning the ,jews4 ,this was said to try her faith4 ,then she came and worshipped ,him1 saying1 ,lord1 help me4 ,but ,he said1 ,it is not meet to take the children's food and to cast it to dogs2 meaning that ,his help was due rather to the ,jews than to the ,gentiles4 ,and she said1 ,truth1 ,lord1 yet the dogs sometimes eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table2 meaning that1 though she was a ,gentile1 she believed in ,him as the ,son of ,god4 ,then ,jesus answered1 and said unto her1 ,o woman1 great is thy faith2 be it unto thee even as thou desirest4 ,go thy way2 the devil has gone out of thy daughter4 ,and when she was come to her house she found her daughter made whole and laid upon the bed4 ,jesus1 with ,his knowledge of our hearts1 knew the faith this poor woman had1 and tried it so that it might shine the brighter4 ,then ,he granted her the blessing she had asked ,him for2 and how she must have rejoiced when she reached home and found her daughter quite well and restored to her right mind4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,woman ,,of ,,canaan4 ,,peter ,,and ,,the ,,tribute-,,money4 ,it was a part of the ,jewish law that all strangers passing among the ,jews should pay to the priests of the ,temple an offering to the ,lord1 or tribute-money as it was called4 ,soon after our ,lord's ,transfiguration ,he came to ,capernaum1 together with ,his disciples4 ,when they had entered the city1 there came to them the priests who usually collected this tribute-money1 and they said unto ,peter1 ,doth not thy ,master pay tribute8 ,and he answered1 ,yes4 ,but when they had come to the house1 ,jesus said to ,peter1 ,what thinkest thou1 ,simon8 ,of whom do they take tribute2 of their own people or of strangers8 ,and ,peter answered ,him1 ,of strangers4 ,jesus saith unto him1 ,then their own people are free2 but lest we should offend them by not paying1 go thou down to the sea1 and cast in thy hook and line1 and take up the first fish that taketh the hook into his mouth4 ,and when thou hast opened his mouth1 thou shalt find a piece of money there4 ,take it and give it unto the priests as tribute for ,me and for thee4 ,and ,peter went down to the sea and cast in his line1 and took a big fish4 ,and when he had opened its mouth he found the piece of silver1 and took it to the men in payment of the tribute4 ,this tribute was collected to pay the expenses of the ,temple worship4 ,jesus sought to show that1 as ,he himself was the ,son of ,god1 the ,king for whose service the tribute was paid1 ,he might justly be exempted from paying it2 yet to save giving offence ,he miraculously provided the piece of money to pay tribute for ,himself and ,peter4 ,illustration3 ,,peter ,,and ,,the ,,tribute-,,money4 ,,the ,,good ,,samaritan4 ,as ,jesus was talking to ,his disciples1 a certain lawyer stood up and asked1 ,who is my neighbour8 ,and ,jesus answered by telling them this story3-- ,a certain man went down from ,jerusalem to ,jericho1 and fell among thieves1 who robbed him1 stripped him of his clothes1 and1 wounding him1 left him on the road half dead4 ,by chance there came a priest that way1 and1 as a teacher of religion to men1 he should have stopped to help the poor man4 ,instead of this1 he pretended not to see1 and passed by on the other side of the road4 ,then there came by a ,levite1 who also1 as an official of the church1 should have given help4 ,but he merely came and looked on the injured man1 and passed on the other side as the priest had done4 ,afterwards there came by a ,samaritan1 and1 when he caught sight of the wounded ,jew1 he went over to him and was very sorry for him4 ,now the ,jews hated the ,samaritans1 and were their enemies1 so that it would not have been surprising if he1 also1 had done as the priest and the ,levite did4 ,but1 no6 ,though it was his enemy1 he could not pass him by and leave him on the road1 perhaps to die4 ,he examined his wounds and bound them up2 doing all that he could to soothe them4 ,then he lifted him carefully on his own beast1 and brought him to the nearest inn1 and took care of him through the night4 ,the next day1 when the ,samaritan departed1 he paid the man who kept the inn1 and said to him1 ,take care of this poor man until he is well1 and whatever it may cost for his lodging and food1 that ,i will pay thee when ,i come again4 ,which of these three1 thinkest thou1 was neighbour unto him that fell among thieves8 ,the lawyer answered1 ,he that showed mercy unto him4 ,then said ,jesus1 ,go1 and do thou likewise4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,good ,,samaritan4 ,,importunity ,,rewarded4 ,one day ,jesus was asked by ,his disciples to teach them to pray4 ,so ,jesus taught them the prayer we all know so well1 beginning with ,our ,father1 which art in ,heaven1 hallowed be ,thy name4 ,but ,jesus told them it was not enough to pray3 they must not get tired of praying1 even if they failed to receive quickly the things they asked for4 ,they must keep on asking1 until ,god in ,his own time and manner should grant them what ,he saw to be good4 ,this great lesson ,jesus taught them by the following parable3-- ,which of you shall have a friend1 said ,jesus1 and shall go unto him at midnight1 and say unto him1 ,friend1 lend me three loaves1 for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me1 and ,i have nothing to set before him8 ,and he from within shall answer and say1 ,trouble me not1 the door is now shut1 and my children are with me in bed2 ,i cannot rise and give thee4 ,i say unto you1 said ,jesus1 though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend1 yet because of his importunity 7continued asking7 he will rise and give him as many as he needeth4 ,then ,jesus told ,his disciples1 and ,he tells us too1 ,ask1 and it shall be given you2 seek1 and ye shall find2 knock1 and it shall be opened unto you4 ,for1 said ,he1 every one that asketh receiveth2 and he that seeketh findeth2 and to him that knocketh it shall be opened4 ,if we ask for those things that ,god sees to be good for us1 we may certainly expect to receive them4 ,let us ask ,god to keep us every day2 and to give us such things as ,he knows will be for our good4 ,illustration3 ,,importunity ,,rewarded4 ,,the ,,unmerciful ,,servant4 ,a certain ,king took account of his servants and began to reckon what they owed him4 ,and there was brought to him one that owed him nearly ten million dollars4 ,but as he had not the money to pay1 the ,king commanded that he should be sold1 together with his wife and children and everything that he had1 that payment might be made4 ,then the servant fell down before the ,king and worshipped him1 saying1 ,lord1 have patience with me1 and ,i will pay thee all4 ,then the ,king had compassion on his servant1 and loosed him1 and forgave him his debt4 ,but when that servant had gone out from the presence of the ,king1 he found a fellow-servant who owed him a little over fifteen dollars1 and he laid hands on him and seized him by the throat1 saying1 ,pay me that which thou owest4 ,and his fellow-servant fell down at his feet and implored him1 saying1 ,have patience with me1 and ,i will pay thee all4 ,and he would not have patience1 but cast his fellow-servant into prison till he should pay the debt4 ,when his other fellow-servants saw what had been done they were very sorry1 and came to their ,king to tell him all about it4 ,then the ,king called the unmerciful servant to him1 and said1 ,o thou wicked servant2 ,i forgave thee all that debt1 because thou desiredst me4 ,shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant1 even as ,i had pity on thee8 ,and the ,king was wroth1 and delivered him up to the tormentors1 till he should pay all that was due unto him4 ,so likewise1 says ,christ1 shall our ,heavenly ,father do also unto us if from our hearts we forgive not every one that trespasses against us4 ,forgive us our trespasses1 as we forgive them that trespass against us4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,unmerciful ,,servant4 ,,the ,,good ,,shepherd4 ,in one of ,his beautiful parables1 ,jesus compares ,himself to a shepherd4 ,i am the good shepherd1 says ,he1 the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep4 ,and ,jesus tells how the hired servant who cares for nothing but his wages1 runs away when the wolf comes2 but how the faithful shepherd1 when robbers threaten his flock1 or wild beasts attack them1 defends his sheep bravely1 often laying down his life for their sake4 ,jesus also speaks of how the shepherd knows his sheep by name2 and how1 when he goes before them1 they will follow him1 because they know his voice1 but that they will not follow strangers4 ,and the ,bible1 speaking of ,jesus ,himself1 says1 ,he shall carry the lambs in ,his bosom1 or ,his arms1 like the kind shepherd is doing in our picture4 ,now1 why does ,jesus call ,himself the good shepherd1 and the ,bible speak of ,him as carrying the little lambs8 ,is it not because ,he loves us2 because ,he knows each one of us2 because ,he gave ,his life for us when ,he died on the cross1 and has gone to heaven showing us the way thither2 because ,he calls us to follow ,him2 and because ,he is so willing to lead even the tiny ones1 and shield them from harm1 just like the good shepherd carries the poor wee lamb8 ,but ,jesus asks one thing of us in return for all ,his kindness and care1 and that one thing is our love4 ,are we giving ,him our love now8 ,are we asking ,him to lead us1 and keep us safe from harm8 ,may we seek to follow ,him and to know ,his voice4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,shepherd ,,and ,,the ,,lambs4 ,,the ,,lost ,,piece ,,of ,,money4 ,jesus had been preaching to a crowd of publicans and sinners4 ,the publicans of those days were the collectors of taxes for the ,romans1 and it was a constant complaint against them that they exacted more from the people than they had any right to do4 ,so they were looked upon as wicked men1 although they were not all bad4 ,now the ,scribes and ,pharisees1 who made a great show of religion1 so far as outward forms went1 were greatly shocked at seeing ,christ sitting with publicans1 and said1 ,this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them4 ,then ,jesus asked them1 ,what man of you1 if he has a hundred sheep1 and loses one of them1 does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness1 and go after the lost one1 until he has found it8 ,and when he has found it1 he lays it upon his shoulders and takes it home1 rejoicing2 and calls together his friends and neighbours1 saying unto them1 ',rejoice with me1 for ,i have found my sheep that was lost4' ,i say unto you1 that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth1 more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance4 ,again1 what woman if she has ten pieces of money1 and loses one1 does not light a candle1 and sweep the house1 and seek diligently until she finds it8 ,and when she has found it1 she calls together her friends and neighbours1 saying1 ',rejoice with me1 for ,i have found the piece of money which ,i had lost4' ,likewise1 ,i say unto you1 there is joy in the presence of ,god's angels over one sinner that repenteth4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,lost ,,piece ,,of ,,money4 ,,the ,,prodigal ,,son4 ,a certain man had two sons1 and the younger of them said to his father1 ,father1 give me the portion of thy wealth that would fall to me at thy death4 ,he did so1 and a few days after the younger son gathered all his wealth together and journeyed into a far country4 ,there he met with evil companions1 and wasted his money in riotous living4 ,when he had spent all1 there arose a mighty famine in that land1 and he began to be in want of bread to eat4 ,so he went and hired himself to a man of that country1 who sent him into the fields to feed his pigs4 ,and he was so hungry that he would have been glad to have eaten the coarse food such as the swine eat2 but no one gave it to him4 ,his sufferings brought him to his senses1 and he thought how foolish he had been1 for he remembered that his father's servants had food enough and to spare1 whilst his father's son was perishing with hunger4 ,he said1 ,i will leave this land and go to my father and tell him how ,i have sinned against heaven and him4 ,i will tell him ,i am no longer worthy to be called his son1 and will implore him to make me one of his hired servants4 ,and he arose and went towards his father's house1 but when he was still a great way off1 his father saw him1 and was sorry for him1 and ran and embraced him4 ,then he told his father how he had sinned and had lost his title to be called the old man's son1 but the father was so glad to have his son come back repentant1 that he told his servants to bring the best clothing and a ring to put on his son4 ,and he made a great feast1 and they were merry1 for he said1 ,this is my son that was as one dead to me and is now alive again2 he was lost and is found4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,return ,,of ,,the ,,prodigal4 ,but the elder son was very angry1 and would not go in to the feast1 but said to his father1 ,lo1 these many years have ,i served thee1 and never offended or disobeyed thee1 and thou hast never made a feast for me and my friends2 but now this thy other son has come back1 that has wasted thy wealth in riotous living1 thou hast made a great feast for him4 ,and his father said1 ,son1 thou art ever with me1 and all ,i have is thine4 ,it is right that we should make merry and be glad1 for this thy brother was as one dead to us and is alive again2 he was lost and is found4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,peter',s ,,wife',s ,,mother ,,cured4 ,after ,jesus had left the ,centurion ,he went to the house of his disciple ,peter1 and there ,he saw ,peter's wife's mother1 laid on a bed1 sick with fever4 ,and ,he took her by the hand and lifted her up4 ,the fever left her and she was cured4 ,she rose up from her bed and attended upon them4 ,that evening1 when the sun was setting1 they brought to ,jesus all those that were ill1 and many that were possessed with devils4 ,and ,he cast out the devils by ,his word1 and healed all those that were sick4 99 99 99 99 99 ,at even1 ere the sun had set1 ,the sick1 ,o ,lord1 around ,thee lay2 ,oh1 in what divers pains they met1 ,oh1 with what joy they went away6 ,illustration3 ,,peter',s ,,wife',s ,,mother4 ,,the ,,unjust ,,steward4 ,see where the steward1 worldly wise1 ,with wicked cunning in his eyes1 ,shows his lord's debtors how to cheat ,his master of his oil and wheat4 ,a hundred measures dost thou owe ,of oil8 ,my friend1 'tis scarcely so3 ,here1 take thy bill and quick indite ,fifty3 that puts the matter right4 ,a hundred measures is thy debt ,of corn8 ,my friend1 thou dost forget3 ,here1 take thy bill1 and write fourscore2 ,surely thou owest nothing more4 ,thus wickedly he would provide ,houses in which he might abide1 ,when for his former acts unjust ,he from his stewardship was thrust4 ,and when his master heard1 he smiled1 ,though of his goods he was beguiled3 ,nor did he e'en forbear to praise ,the crafty foresight of his ways4 ,the children of this world1 alas6 ,the children of the light surpass1 ,in planning methods to provide ,for ills from which they cannot hide4 ,and so our ,master bids us take ,the money which ,he gives1 and make ,friends with our riches for the day ,when earthly treasures flee away4 ,that when we leave our house below1 ,and into unknown regions go1 ,through ,jesus1 we may find above ,an everlasting home of love4 ,do ,i my little store expend ,for such a wise and prudent end2 ,or only think of my own gain1 ,and not of others' want and pain8 ,lord1 by ,thy ,spirit1 make me wise ,above my selfishness to rise1 ,and something daily give away ,to find again in ,thy great day6 ,,richard ,,wilton1 ,m4,a4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,unjust ,,steward4 ,,the ,,rich ,,man ,,and ,,the ,,beggar4 ,there was a certain rich man who was clothed in rich silks and fine linen1 and feasted on costly food each day4 ,there was also a poor beggar1 who was ragged and hungry1 and covered with sores4 ,his name was ,lazarus1 and they laid him at the rich man's gate1 for he desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the well-supplied table4 ,and even the dogs had pity on him1 for they came and licked his sores4 ,and it came to pass that the beggar died1 and the angels carried him away to heaven1 where he was no longer clothed in rags1 but in glorious array4 ,neither was he hungry1 for he sat with ,abraham and leaned upon his bosom4 ,the rich man also died1 and was buried4 ,he was not carried to heaven1 but went to a place of torment1 where he lifted up his eyes1 and in the distance saw ,abraham with ,lazarus on his bosom4 ,and he cried and said1 ,father ,abraham1 have mercy on me1 and send ,lazarus1 that he may dip the tip of his finger in water1 and cool my tongue2 for ,i am tormented in these flames4 ,but ,abraham said1 ,son1 remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things1 whilst ,lazarus had only evil things2 and now he is comforted1 and thou art tormented4 ,beside all this1 between us and you there is a great gulf fixed4 ,then said the rich man1 ,i pray thee therefore1 father1 that thou wouldest send him to my father's house2 for ,i have five brethren4 ,let him go to them and testify unto them1 that they may repent1 lest they also come into this place of torment4 ,abraham said unto him1 ,they have ,moses and the prophets2 let them hear them4 ,and he said1 ,nay1 father ,abraham3 but if one went unto them from the dead1 they will repent4 ,but ,abraham said1 ,if they hear not ,moses and the prophets1 neither will they be persuaded1 though one rose from the dead4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,rich ,,man ,,and ,,the ,,beggar4 ,,avenge ,,me ,,of ,,my ,,adversary4 ,in a certain city there was a judge who neither feared ,god nor cared for man4 ,and in the same city there was a widow that had an enemy1 and he had done her an injury4 ,and she came to the judge and implored him1 saying1 ,give me justice2 avenge me of my adversary4 ,but he would not4 ,then the widow came to him every day and cried1 ,give me justice2 but still he would not for a long while4 ,at last he became wearied of her constant cry1 and he said within himself1 ,though ,i fear not ,god nor care for man1 yet1 because this widow troubleth me with her complaint1 ,i will avenge her2 lest by her continual coming she weary me4 ,and ,jesus said1 ,hear what the unjust judge saith4 ,and if he1 who was an unjust judge and a wicked man1 would grant the widow's petition1 because she asked so often1 will not ,god1 who is good and just1 give ,his children what is good and right for them8 ,shall not ,god avenge ,his own elect1 which cry day and night unto ,him1 though ,he bear long with them8 ,in this parable ,jesus impressed upon his disciples the truth that1 although great trials might come upon them1 and their lives be in peril1 yet they were not to lose faith in ,god1 or be disappointed because their prayers were not answered at once4 ,they were to keep on praying2 asking ,god for such things as were right1 and trusting that ,he would preserve them amidst all their enemies2 and in ,his own way make them to triumph over their foes4 ,whatever is best for ,his people1 ,god will give them4 ,he cares for the sparrows1 and1 even more1 for those who love ,him4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,unjust ,,judge4 ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,tax-,,gatherer4 ,the tax-gatherers in those days were called ,publicans4 ,they were reputed to be very unjust1 exacting from people more than the law required them to pay1 and other wickedness was charged against them4 ,of course1 there were good men among them2 ,st4 ,matthew was a tax-gatherer before ,jesus called him to follow ,him4 ,the ,pharisees studied the ,scriptures and explained them to the people1 but they did not follow the teachings of ,scripture4 ,they were proud1 and pretended they were more religious than other men1 but it was only pretense4 ,jesus compared them to whited sepulchres1 and said they were hypocrites1 who led the people astray4 ,a ,pharisee and a ,publican went up into the ,temple to pray4 ,the ,pharisee stood in a part of the ,temple where all could see him1 and prayed thus3 ,o ,god1 ,i thank ,thee that ,i am not like other men1 who are unjust1 and who take more than belongs to them4 ,i thank ,thee that ,i am not like this ,publican4 ,i fast twice a week2 ,i give to the priests and ,levites a tenth part of all ,i possess4 ,but the ,publican1 who knew that he was wicked1 and felt sorry for it1 stood afar off in a quiet part of the ,temple where none would see him4 ,he bowed his head and beat upon his breast1 saying1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner4 ,jesus said that this ,publican went to his home more forgiven than the ,pharisee1 for every one that is proud and thinks much of himself shall be put down1 and he that humbleth himself and is sorry for his sins1 shall be exalted4 ,blessed are the meek1 for they shall inherit the earth1 says ,jesus4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,pharisee ,,and ,,the ,,tax-,,gatherer4 ,,the ,,labourers ,,in ,,the ,,vineyard4 ,go1 work within my vineyard's bound1 ,at eve your 'penny'#a shall be found3 ,so spake the vineyard's lord1 and they ,began to toil at break of day4 ,for hours the sun had shown his face1 ,when idlers in the market-place ,once and again were sent within ,the vineyard's wall their wage to win4 ,nay1 when but one short hour remains ,before the sun its goal attains1 ,more loiterers hear the ,lord's command ,and set to work with willing hand4 ,the steward came at close of day ,their wage to reckon and to pay2 ,and they whose toil could scarcely tire1 ,received a penny for their hire4 ,but they who the day's burden bore ,and noonday heat1 expected more3 ,and murmur'd that the generous lord ,to all one penny should accord4 ,but he replied1 ,i wrong not you2 ,i give you the full wages due2 ,and why should you my bounty blame1 ,in paying these beyond their claim8 ,lord1 to ,thy vineyard ,thou dost call ,the least1 the youngest of us all3 ,to each ,thou dost assign a task1 ,from each some service ,thou dost ask4 ,how kind such feeble hands to use2 ,such pleasant work ,i needs must choose3 ,i ask no wages1 ,lord1 from thee1 ,for ,thou hast given ,thyself for me4 ,when ,i remember all ,thy grace1 ,i cannot loiter in my place3 ,and when ,i think of all my sin1 ,what wages can ,i hope to win8 ,thanks1 ,lord1 if yet my years are few1 ,and ,i retain the early dew3 ,oh1 keep me through the noonday heat1 ,and cheer me with ,thy presence sweet4 ,for if ,i have ,thy presence1 ,lord1 ',tis an exceeding great reward2 ,and if at last ,i see ,thy face1 ',tis not of merit1 but of grace4 ,and1 oh1 what will that penny be ,which ,thou wilt then bestow on me8 ,a glorious image it will bear1 ,thy own dear ,self1 ,lord1 will be there6 ,,richard ,,wilton1 ,m4,a4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,footnotes3 #a ,the penny1 or denarius1 was a silver coin1 stamped with the image of the ,roman ,emperor1 and worth about #af cents of our money4 ,it was a full ordinary day's wage at that time4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,labourers ,,in ,,the ,,vineyard4 ,,the ,,barren ,,fig-,,tree4 ,in the morning1 when ,jesus had left ,bethany and was coming towards ,jerusalem1 ,he was hungry4 ,seeing a fig-tree afar off1 covered with leaves1 ,he came to it1 hoping to find some fruit on it4 ,but the tree was a young one1 and had not yet commenced to bear fruit4 ,and ,he found thereon nothing but leaves4 ,then ,he said unto it1 ,let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever4 ,and the fig-tree withered away and was dead from the roots4 ,when the disciples saw it1 they marvelled1 saying1 ,how soon the fig-tree is withered away6 ,jesus answered1 and said unto them1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 if ye have faith and doubt not1 ye shall not only do as ,i have done to this fig-tree1 but1 also1 if ye shall say unto this mountain1 ',be thou removed and be cast into the sea1' it shall be done4 ,and all things1 whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer1 believe that ye will receive them1 and ye shall have them4 ,and when ye are praying1 forgive any that have injured you1 that your ,father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses against ,him4 ,but if ye do not forgive1 neither will your ,father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses4 ,how strange it seems that ,jesus1 who was gentle and kind1 should pronounce a curse on this fig-tree1 and cause it to wither away4 ,why did ,he do so8 ,because ,he wished to impress upon ,his disciples the terrible danger of unfruitfulness4 ,if we are the disciples of ,jesus1 we must bear good fruit2 we must be loving1 kind1 and gentle1 and try1 like ,him1 to be always doing good4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,barren ,,fig-,,tree4 ,,the ,,wicked ,,husbandmen4 ,one day when the priests and elders of the ,temple were asking questions of ,jesus1 ,he told them this parable4 ,there was a certain man who had a vineyard which was hedged or walled round1 and had a tower4 ,but he was going away into a country far off1 so he let the vineyard to a number of husbandmen1 or labourers1 who were to give him part of the fruit of the vines4 ,when the time had come that the fruit was ripe1 he sent his servants to the husbandmen that he might receive his share4 ,but the wicked husbandmen took his servants1 and slew one1 and beat another1 and stoned the third4 ,then he sent other servants1 more than before1 but the husbandmen served them as they had done the others4 ,last of all he sent his own son1 saying1 ,they will reverence my son4 ,but when those wicked men saw him coming1 they said among themselves1 ,this is the heir to all the vineyard2 come1 let us kill him and seize on his inheritance4 ,so they caught him1 and cast him out of the vineyard1 and slew him4 ,then ,jesus said to the priests and elders1 ,when the ,lord of the vineyard cometh1 what will he do unto these husbandmen8 ,and they answered1 ,he will miserably destroy those wicked men1 and will let out his vineyard to others1 who shall render him the fruits in their season4 ,in this parable the owner of the vineyard means ,god2 the vineyard ,canaan1 and the husbandmen are the ,jews1 who had promised to obey ,him1 but had not done so4 ,he had sent ,his prophets among them1 to warn them1 but these had been killed4 ,at last ,he sent ,his only ,son1 but they would not own ,him as such1 and soon they would kill ,him4 ,when the priests heard this they knew it referred to them1 and they were very angry and would have taken ,him and killed ,him1 but they were afraid of the people1 who took ,jesus to be a prophet4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,wicked ,,husbandmen4 ,,the ,,wedding ,,garment4 ,there was a certain ,king who gave a great feast upon the occasion of his son's wedding4 ,and he sent out his servants to bring in those that had been invited1 but they would not come4 ,then he sent forth other servants1 saying1 ,tell them which were bidden1 ',behold1 ,i have prepared my dinner2 my oxen and my fatlings are killed1 and all things are ready4 ,come unto the feast4' ,but they made light of the message and went their ways1 one to his farm1 another to his warehouse2 others took the servants and slew them4 ,when the ,king heard what had been done1 he was very angry1 and sent out his army to destroy the murderers1 and burn up their city4 ,then said he to the servants1 ,the wedding is ready1 but they which were bidden were not worthy4 ,go ye therefore into the highways1 and all ye shall find1 bid them come to the marriage4 ,so they gathered together as many as they could find4 ,and upon each one1 as he entered the house1 was put a beautiful marriage garment1 which the ,king had prepared4 ,but when the people were all seated1 and the ,king had entered the house1 he saw there a man that had not on a wedding garment1 and he said unto him1 ,friend1 how camest thou in hither without a wedding garment8 ,and the man was speechless1 for the garment had been offered to him at first1 but he had refused it4 ,then said the ,king to the servants1 ,bind him hand and foot1 and take him away and cast him into outer darkness4 ,in this parable1 the ,king means ,god1 who gave the feast for ,his ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,those who were first asked were the ,jews1 who refused to believe in ,christ4 ,those who were afterwards brought in1 signify the people who have since listened to ,his ,word1 and believed in ,him4 ,the one without the wedding garment is any one that pretends to accept the invitation to be one of ,god's people1 but in his heart does not believe in ,christ4 ,illustration3 ,,without ,,the ,,wedding ,,garment4 ,,the ,,foolish ,,virgins4 ,in certain parts of the ,east it is the custom for a man when he is married to bring home his bride at night1 and for his relatives and friends to go out with lamps and torches and music to meet him4 ,ten young women had been invited to meet the bridegroom with their lamps burning and to sit down with him at the wedding-feast4 ,five of them were wise and five were foolish4 ,the wise ones took a supply of oil in case their lamps should burn out before the bridegroom arrived2 the foolish five took no oil but what was in their lamps4 ,but before the bridegroom came they all fell asleep4 ,at midnight there was a cry1 ,behold1 the bridegroom cometh2 go ye out to meet him4 ,but five lamps had almost burnt out1 and the foolish virgins said unto the wise1 ,give us of your oil1 for our lamps are gone out4 ,but the wise ones answered1 ,not so2 lest there be not enough for us and for you4 ,go ye1 rather1 to them that sell1 and buy for yourselves4 ,and while they went to buy1 the bridegroom came1 and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage-feast1 and the door was shut4 ,afterwards1 came also the other virgins1 saying1 ,lord1 ,lord1 open the door to us4 ,but he answered and said1 ,verily ,i say unto you1 ,i know you not1 and would not open the door to them4 ,in this parable the bridegroom means ,jesus returning to earth1 on the ,day of ,judgment4 ,the ten virgins are the people of this world1 some of whom have their hearts full of the love of ,god and keep their lamps burning with a steady and bright light2 that is1 they fulfil ,god's commandments and obey the teachings of ,christ4 ,the others have not this love in their hearts1 and are not prepared for ,christ's coming4 ,their lamps give out a feeble light and soon will go out4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,foolish ,,virgins4 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,talents ,one day ,jesus told ,his disciples this parable or story4 ,a certain nobleman was called away to a far country to be appointed king of it1 and to return after a time4 ,and he called his servants unto him1 and charged them with the care of his goods and treasure1 giving to each man according to his ability to use the same4 ,to one servant he gave five talents1 to another two1 and to another only one4 ,and straightway he left them1 and departed upon his journey4 ,then the man that had five talents went and traded with them1 and did so well that in time the profits amounted to five talents more1 making ten altogether4 ,and he that had received two talents1 also traded with his1 and added two other talents to them by way of profit4 ,but he that had had but one talent went away and covered it up in a cloth and hid it away4 ,after a long time the nobleman came back and called his servants to him1 and asked them for the treasure he had entrusted to their keeping4 ,and he that had received five talents1 brought ten1 and said1 ,lord1 behold1 ,i have gained five other talents beside them4 ,and his lord said1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant2 thou hast been faithful over a few things1 ,i will make thee ruler over many things4 ,enter thou into the joy of thy lord4 ,and to him that had two talents1 and brought back four1 the lord said the same words4 ,then came he that had received but one talent and had hid it2 and he said1 ,lord1 ,i knew thee that thou art a hard man1 reaping where thou hast not sown1 and ,i was afraid1 and went and hid thy talent1 and lo1 here thou hast that which is thine4 ,his lord said unto him1 ,thou wicked and slothful servant4 ,thou knewest that ,i reaped where ,i had not sown2 thou oughtest therefore to have put my money in the bank1 that ,i might have received mine own with interest for its use4 ,take therefore the talent from him1 and give it unto him that hath ten2 and take the unprofitable servant and cast him into the outer darkness4 ,now the talent here mentioned was an eastern sum of money 7nearly one thousand dollars71 but it really means the powers and opportunities for doing good that ,god has given to all of us4 ,one day we shall all be called upon to give an account of the talents entrusted to our keeping1 and woe be to those who have abused their stewardship by hiding their talent away4 ,but those who have done good1 according to the power and opportunity given to them1 shall be received into everlasting joy by ,christ the ,lord4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,parable ,,of ,,the ,,talents4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,man ,,with ,,the ,,withered ,,hand4 ,one ,sabbath-day ,jesus went into the synagogue1 and there ,he saw a man that had a withered hand4 ,by some means the muscles had lost their power1 and he could neither use his hand nor stretch it out4 ,and the ,pharisees watched ,jesus1 to see if ,he would heal this man on the ,sabbath1 that they might bring a charge against ,him of breaking the law4 ,they asked ,him1 ,is it lawful to heal on the ,sabbath-day8 and ,he replied by asking who among them1 if he had a sheep which had fallen into a pit on the ,sabbath-day1 would not lay hold on it1 and lift it out4 ,how much then is a man better than a sheep8 ,wherefore it is lawful to do good on the ,sabbath-day4 ,then said ,he to the man1 ,stretch forth thine hand4 ,and he stretched it forth1 and it was made whole and healthy like the other4 ,then the ,pharisees went out and held a council against ,him1 to consider how they might destroy ,him2 but when ,jesus knew it1 ,he withdrew ,himself from that part1 and great multitudes followed ,him1 and ,he healed them all4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,withered ,,hand4 ,,jesus ,,ascends ,,to ,,heaven4 ,jesus had been cruelly put to death4 ,his hands1 which had been placed on the heads of little children when ,he blessed them1 had been nailed to a cross of wood2 and cruel nails had been driven through his feet4 ,and hanging on the cross1 ,jesus had died4 ,but on the third day ,he had risen from the tomb1 and for forty days ,he had remained upon the earth1 meeting frequently with ,his disciples4 ,at the end of that time ,jesus led the eleven apostles from ,jerusalem towards ,bethany2 and when near that village1 and away from the multitude1 ,he spoke to them1 promising that they should be made bold by the ,holy ,spirit1 and receive power to witness for ,him both to the ,jews and ,gentiles4 ,then1 the ,bible tells us1 ,he lifted up ,his hands and blessed them4 ,and it came to pass1 while ,he blessed them1 ,he was parted from them1 and carried up into heaven4 ,and as ,he went up1 a cloud received ,him out of their sight4 ,the apostles fell down and worshipped ,jesus1 looking steadfastly after ,him as ,he went up2 and as they did so1 two angels in white garments stood by them1 and said1 ,ye men of ,galilee1 why stand ye gazing up into heaven8 ,this same ,jesus1 which is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen ,him go into heaven4 ,then the apostles returned to ,jerusalem4 ,yes1 ,jesus has ascended to heaven1 and now ,he sits at the right hand of ,god2 but ,he tells us that ,he will come again1 and take those that love ,him to dwell with ,him in ,his glorious home for ever and ever4 ,i go to prepare a place for you1 ,jesus says4 ,illustration3 ,,jesus ,,ascending ,,to ,,heaven4 ,,the ,,philippian ,,jailer4 ,paul and ,silas were in prison4 ,they had done no wrong1 but wicked men had taken them before the magistrates2 and the magistrates had caused them to be severely beaten1 and afterwards had sent them to prison1 where they were securely fastened in an inner dungeon1 and their feet made fast in the stocks4 ,this was a most painful position for ,paul and ,silas4 ,but they were not unhappy4 ,they prayed to ,god1 and sang praises to ,him2 and they sang so heartily that the other prisoners heard them4 ,it was midnight1 and all was dark in the prison4 ,but suddenly there was an earthquake2 so that the foundations of the prison were shaken1 all the doors were opened1 and every one's bonds were loosed4 ,all the prisoners might have run away had they been minded to do so4 ,the keeper of the prison had been sleeping1 but the earthquake awoke him4 ,when he saw the doors open1 he supposed that all the prisoners had fled2 and knowing how severely he would be punished on that account1 he drew his sword to kill himself4 ,paul knew this1 and called out loudly1 ,do thyself no harm1 for we are all here4 ,then the keeper1 who but a little while before had cruelly treated ,paul and ,silas1 came trembling1 and fell down before them1 and said1 ,sirs1 what must ,i do to be saved8 ,he was afraid because of his sins2 and wanted to know how he might be saved from the fearful consequences of sin4 ,paul's answer was1 ,believe on the ,lord ,jesus ,christ and thou shalt be saved4 ,then ,paul and ,silas spoke to him about ,jesus4 ,he believed1 and was baptized2 and the next morning the two disciples were set at liberty4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,philippian ,,jailor ,,before ,,paul ,,and ,,silas4 ,,timothy ,,and ,,his ,,mother ,,eunice4 ,timothy was a youthful and earnest disciple of ,jesus ,christ1 whom ,paul loved dearly4 ,paul had found him during one of his missionary journeys1 and1 discovering how highly he was esteemed as a ,christian1 had selected him as his assistant4 ,afterward ,timothy became ,paul's companion in travel1 and the first bishop of ,ephesus4 ,while ,timothy was at ,ephesus1 ,paul wrote two letters to him4 ,they are contained in the ,bible1 and are called the ,epistles to ,timothy4 ,in them ,paul says many kind and wise things1 giving ,timothy directions how to act in his high ,christian office4 ,but ,paul also speaks of ,timothy's early days1 and of his mother and grandmother4 ,these were both good women1 who loved ,god1 and diligently studied the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,the mother's name was ,eunice4 ,she was a ,jewess4 ,the grandmother's name was ,lois4 ,both loved the little boy ,timothy1 or ,timotheus as he was called1 and they sought to instil into his young mind and heart the love of ,god and the knowledge of ,his holy ,word4 ,in our picture we see ,eunice teaching her son4 ,she has not a bound ,bible1 but a manuscript1 wound round small rollers4 ,from this she reads to ,timothy2 while ,lois1 the aged grandmother1 sits by4 ,paul warned ,timothy not to forget the teaching of his good mother and grandmother2 and especially to value his knowledge of the ,scriptures4 ,because1 said ,paul1 they are able to make thee wise unto salvation4 ,many young folks have good mothers and grandmothers1 who love to teach them about ,jesus4 ,are they receiving this teaching as ,timothy did1 and being made wise unto salvation8 ,illustration3 ,,lois1 ,,eunice ,,and ,,timothy4 ,,christ ,,blessing ,,the ,,children4 7,see ,frontispiece74 ,jesus had left ,galilee1 and was journeying toward ,jerusalem1 where ,he was to be put to death4 ,he was in the country beyond ,jordan1 called ,pera1 and had been speaking some very wise words to the ,pharisees1 and also to ,his disciples1 when some women came to ,him1 bringing infants and young children that ,he might put ,his hands upon them and pray for them4 ,the disciples thinking probably that ,jesus1 who had so many important things to attend to1 would not wish to be troubled by women bringing their children1 rebuked them for so doing4 ,but ,jesus loved children4 ,so1 when ,he saw the disciples about to send them away1 ,he was displeased2 and1 calling the disciples to ,him1 ,he said1 ,suffer little children to come unto ,me1 and forbid them not3 for of such is the kingdom of ,god4 ,then1 we are told1 ,jesus took them up in ,his arms1 put ,his hands upon them1 and blessed them4 ,how kind was ,jesus6 and how willing that the little ones should be brought to ,him6 ,and ,he is the same now4 ,may all our young readers learn to love ,him1 and find for themselves how willing ,he is to love and bless them4 99 99 99 99 99