many others, who ministered to him of their sub

stance.

Shortly after, we find our Lord in a vessel by the sea-shore, whence he taught the multitudes, as they stood on the land. On this occasion, as well as on many others, he adopted a mode of instruction very usual among the Jews, which was that of parables, or obscure similitudes.

Maria. What was the reason that he spake to them in parables?

Aunt. The same question was put to our Lord by his disciples, when the multitude was withdrawn, to which he answered, That it was given to them to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to others it was not given. He then explained to his disciples the parable of the sower, which you may read, with many other parables, in the 13th chapter of Matthew. Our Lord, leaving Capernaum, resolved to cross the lake, or Sea of Galilee, and ordered his disciples to prepare a vessel. When he was ready to take shipping, a certain scribe came to him, declaring that he was willing to follow him withersoever he went.

George. That was a good resolution.

Aunt. It would have been so, if his motives had been good; but Jesus, to whom all hearts are open, knowing that his principal object was to advance his temporal interests, told him plainly, that if he were one of his constant followers, he must be content to live in a destitute condition; for though the foxes had holes, and the birds of the air had nests, the Son of man had not where to lay his head.

In the evening Jesus embarked as they sailed,

he fell asleep; and there arose a storm, so violent * and tempestuous, that the ship was near being overwhelmed with the waves. The disciples, in consternation, awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish! Then Jesus arose, and, by his word, rebuked the wind and the sea; and there was a great calm. Thus he proved himself to be the sovereign Lord of universal nature, of whom it is said, Psalm lxxxix. 9, Thou 'rulest the raging of the sea; when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

Lucy. How they must feel after such a sudden transition! one moment expecting to sink in the deep; the next, to experience a perfect calm!

Aunt. They were filled with astonishment, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him! Our Lord, the next morning, landed on the east side of the lake, in Philip's dominions, in the country of the Gardarenes. Our blessed Saviour's visit here, appears to have been to rescue two poor forlorn objects, whose dwelling was among the tombs.

Maria. Why did they choose so gloomy a place for their residence?

Aunt. Because they could not rest any where; no chains or fetters could confine them; they were so furious as to become the terror of travellers. And when they saw Jesus, they cried out, and fell down at his feet, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? we beseech thee, torment us not before the time. Our Lord asked the most furious, what his name was, who answered, Legion, because such a multitude of

devils had possessed him. These infernal spirits implored our Lord, if he cast them out of the possessed person, not to send them into the abyss, but to permit them to enter into the herd of swine, feeding on the mountains.

Lucy. What could be the intention of the devils in this request?

Aunt. I have thought that their design was, that the Gardarenes might be. prejudiced against our Lord for destroying their cattle; but the Governor of the world knows how to overrule all machinations against him. Jesus readily permitted them to enter into the swine; doubtless, to shew his own authority, and the greatness of the deliverance, and perhaps to punish the owners for their contempt of the law, in keeping animals which they were forbidden to eat.

George. What effect had it on the swine?

Aunt. The whole herd ran furiously down, and cast themselves headlong into the lake, by which about two thousand perished. The keepers of the swine fled, and reported in the city the strange things they had seen. The city Gadara was inhabited by Jews, Greeks, and Syrians, multitudes of whom flocked to see this wonderful sight. When they beheld the man clothed, and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus, they were afraid, and besought our Lord to depart from them. The man begged of Jesus to permit him to go with him, but he ordered him to return to his own house and friends, and shew what great things the Lord had done for him. In most cases our Lord enjoined - silence on them who had received a cure, but this

man had a commission to publish it, which he did throughout the whole city.

Our Lord then crossed the lake, and returned to Capernaum, where the people received him gladly, for they were all waiting for him. And there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and he fell down at the feet of Jesus, beseeching him to go with him, and heal his little daughter, who was at the point of death: to this our compassionate Lord acceded, and the people followed him. As they were going along, a messenger met him from the ruler's house, who said unto his master, Thy daughter is dead. When Jesus heard this, he said unto the ruler, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, except Peter, James, and John. When they came to the house, he took the father and mother of the child, and them that were with him, and went in where the child was lying. And he took her by the hand, and said, Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise. And she arose, and walked.

Maria. How old was she?

Aunt. About twelve years of age. Her parents received their restored child with astonishment and joy. When our Lord quitted the house of the ruler, two blind men followed him, crying, Thou Son of

David, have mercy upon us. It appears our Lord did not particularly notice them, but went into a house.

Maria. Did they go away sorrowing?

Aunt. No: they followed Jesus into the house; upon which he inquired of them, if they believed he was able to do this thing for them. They an

swered, Yea, Lord. Then Jesus touched their eyes, and said, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened. Though Jesus had commanded them to be silent, yet their hearts were so full, that they went and spread it abroad. No sooner were they gone, than a dumb man, possessed with a devil, was brought. And Jesus cast out the devil, and the dumb spake; at which the multitude marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Lucy. Did our Lord ever visit his own city Nazareth again?

Aunt. Though it was but a year since they sought his life, compassion led him once more to preach the gospel amongst them; and, on the sabbath-day, he entered into their synagogues and taught the people, who were all astonished at his abilities; but their pride prevented them from receiving any benefit, for they despised him on account of the meanness of his birth, and the poverty of his relations. Jesus told them that a prophet was not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Maria. Did our Lord perform any miracles among them?

Aunt. He only cured a few sick persons, being astonished at their unbelief, and left them. This concluded the second year of our Saviour's public ministry; after which he entered the province of Galilee, preaching in the cities and villages. Our Lord then thought fit to send his twelve apostles forth, two and two, to preach the gospel, and work miracles, giving them suitable instructions.

George. To what part did they go?