been exchanged,* they informed Jesus that they had come to him to ask a favor in behalf of a friend. This friend was a centurion, an officer in the Roman army, at the head of a hundred soldiers; yet he had built them a synagogue, and was greatly attached to their nation. He had a favorite servant lying ill with the palsy; the physicians could do him no good, and his life was despaired off. His master was grieved to the heart at the thought of losing one so faithful and devoted to his service, and, as a last resort, determined to apply to the prophet of Nazareth to heal him.

In the hope that the elders might prevail upon him to grant his request, he had sent them in his stead. Having delivered the message, they besought Jesus that he would go with them, for they said he was worthy for whom he should do this. He replied, "I will come and heal him,” and he went with them.

As they passed through the streets, many persons joined them; for, as our Saviour walked in the cities and villages of the land, he continually attracted to him such as were glad to listen to his words, or desired relief from their maladies. Nor were they ever driven from him by his indifference, or repelled by severity. No weariness of body or anguish of mind for a moment induced him to be insensible to their wants. However frequent their appeals, they never ceased to find in him the same infinite condescension and compassion that first brought him to the world.

When they drew near the house of the centurion, some persons were seen coming from the porch, and advancing to meet them. They also had a message for Jesus. The centurion, fearing he had asked too great a favor in desiring him to enter beneath his roof, sent other friends to say that

*Peace be unto you.

he was not worthy to receive him, nor was he worthy to go to him, but, if he would speak the word, he knew his servant would be healed.

For he was a man under authority, and had others under him, who obeyed his slightest command; and he was sure that Jesus had the same power over diseases, that he could bid them depart and they would obey him.

To all this our Lord listened with pleasure and surprise; and, turning to the people who followed, he said, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel!"

Here was a Roman who trusted in him, believed in his power to save, and openly avowed his belief, while many of his own countrymen rejected and persecuted him.

Then he bade the centurion's friends return to him, for, as he had believed, so it should be done unto him.

At these words they left him, and, entering the house, found the sick man restored to health.

CHAPTER VII.

Widow of Nain. - John the Baptist sends to Jesus from prison. --Jesus reproves the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida. - At the house of Simon

is anointed with spikenard. — Jesus again goes through Galilee with the twelve. Heals the demoniac. -The scribes and Pharisees seek a sign. His mother and brethren seek Jesus. -- Jesus at the table of a Pharisee, Luke 11. - Discourses to the multitude. - Relates many parables at the sea-side. Jesus crosses the lake. The tempest

THE next day Jesus left Capernaum with his disciples, and many of the people followed them. Their way led to Nain, a city a day's journey distant, near the foot of Mt. Tabor. As they approached the place towards evening, they met a funeral procession passing from the gates.

The burial-places among the Jews were usually remote from their dwellings; sometimes in the midst of fields or gardens, and sometimes in the sides of rocks. They frequently had private sepulchres, where only a particular family and their kindred were interred.

Upon this occasion the funeral was that of a young man, the only son of his mother, and she a widow.

He seems to have been much beloved, and his death to have awakened unusual sympathy in behalf of the desolate parent, for many of the inhabitants of Nain walked in the train of mourners.

As they moved on their way to the graves, sounds of grief filled the air; for, besides the sorrow of the mother, there were some hired for the purpose, who uttered loud

lamentations, while others carried musical instruments that sent forth wailing notes.

Now and then these sounds were hushed to silence, and the minstrels rehearsed the virtues and loveliness of the deceased, until fresh peals of mourning overpowered their voices.

In the midst of these signs of woe, our Saviour saw the poor widow, childless and heart-broken, bowed down with grief. Touched with compassion, he drew near, and said to her, "Weep not!"

Moved by the kindness and sweetness of the Saviour's voice, she raised her tearful eyes, and looked upon a face full of pity, the face of Jesus, and was comforted.

Then turning to the bier whereon the body of the young man lay, wrapped in folds of linen, he touched it, and the bearers stood still, while all around looked on in wonder and silence.

They had heard of the cures which Jesus had performed; some of them, perhaps, had been present when he had performed them; and they awaited some new display of his power.

In deep and clear tones a voice arose and fell upon every ear, especially those that lay cold in death, "Young man, I say unto thee, arise!" In the stillness of that moment, the bystanders could hear their own hearts beating, and with eager gaze they watched the scene.

The young man, but an instant before on his way to the grave, now responded to that call. He sat up, and began to speak; and Jesus gave him to his mother, while mingled feelings of joy and fear took possession of every heart.

They were now sure they had seen a prophet, and the rumor of this miracle, the first in which the dead had been

raised to life, spread throughout the country. Soon it reached the ears of John's disciples, and they went to their master with the report.

More than a year had now passed since he was shut up within the walls of the fortress of Machærus, and still they continued to minister to his wants, and cheer him with their visits.

John listened to the story, and, perhaps to convince them that it was the true Messiah, who alone could do such things, he sent them to Jesus, to ask if he was really the Saviour so long expected.

They set out upon their errand, and when they reached Capernaum joined the crowd who had collected to listen to the great Teacher. They watched him as he healed the sick, and spoke words of truth and comfort to the poor, and when they had opportunity they delivered their master's message.

Jesus told them to return and tell John what they had seen; how the sick were made well, the dead restored to life, and that the poor had the gospel preached unto them.

After they had departed, our Lord conversed with his hearers about the character of John the Baptist; of his mission to the Jews, and of his own object in coming into the world. He told them they were like children playing in the market-place, difficult to please: for when John came to them fasting and self-denying in his life, they would not join him, but complained of his severity; and, when he himself came, mingling with them, sitting at their feasts, and social in all his habits, they called him a friend of publicans and sinners.

Then he grew more earnest as he proceeded, and spoke of the wickedness of Chorazin and Bethsaida, cities near