Part 20

Then Jesus knew their thoughts and said: "What logic ye command! If Satan cast out Satan, then His kingdom cannot stand."

The Storm on Galilee.

AND as the multitudes increased, And thronged about the Lord, He said: "I other towns must seek, And in them preach the word."

So He commandment forthwith gave That His disciples go, And get a ship in readiness, Across the lake to row.

Then a certain scribe said: "Master, I'll follow Thee to-day, By land or water, wheresoe'er Thou goest or shalt stay."

And Jesus answered: "Foxes can Run into holes for rest, And every bird of air can fly Into a pleasant nest;

"But no place hath the Son of Man Whereof it can be said: 'That is His home, where He may lay In peace His weary head.'"

The scribe had nothing more to say; He, doubtless, did not care The fortunes of so poor a man To follow and to share.

Another said: "Lord, let me go My father's grave to make." Said Jesus: "Let the world do that, Come thou, my portion take."

And now the followers of Christ Were all aboard the ship, And He, o'ercome with weariness, Lay down and fell asleep.

And the disciples, in alarm, Their Master woke from sleep; "Lord, we must have thine instant help Or perish in the deep;"

When He, in calm and gentle voice, Said: "Wherefore do ye fear, O ye of little faith and trust. While I, your Lord, am here?"

Then He arose in dignity, And spoke His sovereign will, Commanding both the winds and sea To hearken and be still.

And instantly all nature's face A tranquil aspect wears, Hushed is the tempest, and the sky Again serene appears.

The men each to the others, said, In awe and great amaze: "What kind of man is this, whose word The fearful storm obeys?"

The Legion of Devils.

NOW when they reached the other side, All fright and danger o'er, The country of the Gadarenes Received them to its shore.

But many steps they have not gone To reach the city near, When suddenly two unclad men From 'mongst the tombs appear.

By unclean spirits sorely vexed, No firm restraints could hold Their demon-strengthened limbs, or keep Their frantic souls controlled.

And in the mountains and the tombs, With cries, both night and day, They cut themselves, and caused such fear, None dared to pass that way.

But when the Lord approached, a change Came o'er these men possessed; One fled--the other, falling down In worship, sore distressed,

Cried: "What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God? Torment me not, nor banish me To my most drear abode."

Then Jesus said: "Come out of him, Thou unclean spirit, vile, And let thy presence ne'er again His tortured soul defile."

And then He asked: "What is thy name?" "Legion," the man did say, For many, many devils bold Within him had held sway.

The devils, knowing they no more In this poor man could dwell, Imploringly besought the Lord To drive them not to hell;

And seeing a great herd of swine Upon the mountain side, Begged His consent to enter them, With which the Lord complied.

But though there were two thousand swine They could not fight nor flee, The legion entered them, and all Rushed headlong in the sea.

And they that fed the swine, alarmed, Ran hastily away, And told in town and country round The wonders of that day.

Then every one went out to see What wondrous things were done, And still and calm the country lay, And all the swine were gone.

And he who long had raged around, A terror to mankind, Sat peacefully at Jesus' feet, Clothed, and of rightful mind.

And they who saw the miracle, With eager tongues revealed How he of legion once possessed So suddenly was healed.

Then the whole multitude from all The country round appear, And beg the Lord to leave their coasts For they were filled with fear.

Now, as the Lord took ship again, The man thus saved from woe, Prayed that he might be with the Christ, Wherever He should go.

But Jesus answered: "Nay, return To thine own house, and tell What God hath done for thee, and hence With thine own kindred dwell."

And the man did as Jesus said, And told to great and small Of his most glad deliverance From Satan's dreadful thrall.

The Daughter of Jarius.

IT came to pass as Jesus thence Returned, across the sea, Many He found awaiting Him-- The men of Galilee.

And behold, Jarius, ruler of The synagogue, drew near, And knelt at Jesus' feet, and prayed, In great distress and fear,

That Jesus to his house would go And heal his dying child-- A little daughter, twelve years old, In manners sweet and mild.

Then Jesus, whose glad work it was To cheer each broken heart, Went with him, followed by the crowd, Who would not from Him part.

And a poor woman, suffering From a severe disease, Who, for twelve years, her money all Had spent in doctors' fees;

When told that He was passing by Came in the crowd, behind, And said: "If I may touch His clothes, I sure relief shall find."

And, stooping down, she gently touched His garment's hem: when, lo! She felt the fountain of her plague Had ceased at once to flow.

When He, perceiving in Himself Some loss of power Divine, Turned and demanded of the crowd: "Who touched this robe of mine?"

Then His disciples said to Him: "The people throng round Thee, They closely press on every side, And sayest Thou: "Who touched me?'"

But He still looked around, when she, Knowing she was not hid, Came, trembling, fell down at His feet, And told Him what she did.

But He said, kindly: "Daughter, thou This act must not deplore, Thy faith hath healed thee, go in peace; No plague shall vex thee more!"

And while He spoke, from Jairus' house Came messengers, who said: "Trouble the Master now no more; The little maid is dead."

But Jesus to the ruler turned, And said: "You need not grieve; All shall be well with thee and thine, If only thou believe."

Before He reached the ruler's house, He told the rest to wait, And none but Peter, James and John, Went with Him through the gate.

And when He entered in the house, He found it full of grief, Nor did the mourning company Expect from Him relief.

Then He said gently to the friends: "Why make this noise, and weep? The damsel is not truly dead, But taketh rest in sleep."

And they all laughed--a laugh of scorn-- Well knowing she was dead, When He turned out the sneering crowd, And calmly onward led.

The father and the mother, who No doubting did betray, And His believing followers, To where the maiden lay;

Then took her gently by the hand, And said, with pitying eyes: "Talitha Cumi; damsel, I Now say to thee arise."

Then instantly the maid arose, And walked upon her feet, When He in kindness ordered that They give her food to eat.

Two Blind Men Healed.

NOW when the Lord departed thence, Two blind men followed close, And, "Oh! Thou Son of David," cried, "Have mercy upon us."

And when He reached His lodging house, The blind men entered too; Then Jesus asked: "Do ye believe That I this thing can do?"

They said: "Yea, Lord;" then did he touch Their eyes, with fingers kind, And said: "According to your faith, Be ye no longer blind."

Forthwith they saw, and Jesus charged That they let no man know; But they went out and spread His fame Wherever they did go.

The Disciples Sent Forth.

STRAIGHTWAY the Lord departed thence, And came to His own home, And in the synagogue He taught When Sabbath-day had come.

The people wondered at His words, And asked: "How can it be That this man has such power gained As we both hear and see?

"For is not this the carpenter? We know his mother well; His brethren and his sisters, too, All here among us dwell."

And so they took offence at Him, And Jesus said: "In vain A prophet much esteemed abroad At home would honor gain."

And He could do no mighty works-- Save healing a few sick, And teaching in the villages-- Because their faith was weak.

But looking on the people with Compassion in His heart, As scattered sheep, and ignorant-- He called the twelve apart,

And sent them forth, through all the land, To preach, by two and two, To the lost sheep of Israel, The Gospel, pure and true.

Death of John the Baptist.

HEROD, the king, his birthday kept, And festive supper spread, For lords, high captains and chief men, Of Galilee the head.

And with the flowing of rich wines, And strains of music sweet, The daughter of Herodias danced On light and airy feet;

Which dancing so much pleased the king He promised, with an oath, That whatsoever she would ask He'd give her--nothing loth.

The daughter of her mother asked: "What gift shall I desire?" The wicked woman answered her: "John Baptist's head require."

Straightway the brazen damsel came, And, with petition bold, Demanded John the Baptist's head, Just as she had been told.

Although the king was sorely grieved, He would not break his word, In honor of the company By whom the oath was heard.

Now, soon as John's disciples knew Of his most cruel doom, They took his body, tenderly, And laid it in a tomb;

And to the Master straightly told What had befallen John-- The deed which at the king's command His servile guard had done.

But fear's dread torment soon drew near, When Herod heard the news Of the wonder working Jesus, Now preaching to the Jews.

And he, with pale and trembling lips, Unto his servants said: "This is the Baptist whom I slew, Arisen from the dead.

"Therefore do wondrous works in him Show forth themselves, to prove That he a mighty prophet was, Appointed from above."

Feeding the Multitude.

THE twelve apostles, when the time For their return had come, Betook themselves with one accord To Jesus, at His home;

And told Him all things that befell While they had been away; What they had done, what they had taught, And how they fared each day.

Then Jesus at Bethsaida Was with compassion moved, To see the people crowd around-- The sheep He so much loved.

He talked to them of God and heaven-- The land above all lands-- And healed as many as had need Of healing at His hands.

Then said the twelve: "Lord do Thou send The multitude away, That they some victuals may procure Before the close of day."

But Jesus knew that poverty Oppressed the multitude, And kindly to His followers said: "Can ye not give them food?"

"Two hundred pennyworth of bread," Philip at once replied, "Would not a little food for each Of this great crowd provide."

Then Andrew, Peter's brother, spoke: "Here is a lad," he said, "Who two small fishes has, beside Five loaves of barley bread.

"But, what are they to such a crowd?" The Lord said: "Bring them here. Then seat the people on the grass, By fifties, far and near."

And taking in His hands the bread And fish, He looked toward heaven And blest it in the name of Him From whom all bread is given;

Then brake, and the disciples passed The broken food around To all the multitude, who sat Expectant on the ground.

Then Jesus said: "Go, gather up The fragments careless tossed Upon the ground, in wanton waste, That nothing may be lost."

And the disciples--patient men, Went, stooping, o'er the field, And fragment of the late repast Twelve baskets full did yield.

And when the Lord perceived that they Did meditate to bring United force with the intent That they might crown Him king,

He urged that His disciples should Take ship and cross the sea, While He dispersed the multitudes, And followed secretly.

Jesus Walks Upon the Sea.

WHEN Jesus, up the mountain side Ascended all alone, To spend some hours in peaceful prayer Before His Father's throne.

Meanwhile the twelve were toiling hard In rowing o'er the lake, But 'gainst the stormy winds they could But little progress make.

And Jesus, on the mountain high, Engaged in fervent prayer, Looks on the lake and sees his friends, And feels their toil and care.

Now comes the fourth watch of the night; The tired men still row Against a rising, boisterous sea, While angry tempests blow.

But now, amid the wild uproar, And darkness of the storm, They saw approaching, o'er the waves, Their Master's much loved form.

They failed to recognize their Lord, With storm and darkness near, Supposed He was a spirit form, And cried aloud for fear.

Then straightway Jesus hushed their cries; "Be of good cheer," He said; They knew the kind, assuring voice: "'Tis I, be not afraid."

Then Peter, warm, impulsive, bold, Said: "Lord, if it be Thou, Bid me and let me come to Thee Upon the waters now."

Jesus said: "Come." Then Peter stepped Over the vessel's side, And walked securely and alone Upon the stormy tide.

His eyes were on the Master fixed, But, looking on the wave, At once he did begin to sink, And cried out: "Lord! Oh, save!"

Then Jesus quickly stretched His hand And raised the sinking man, Said: "Wherefore did'st thou doubt?" and placed Him on his feet again.

And when they step aboard the ship, There is a sudden peace, The wind is still, the stars are bright, The waves their motion cease.

And the disciples, bending low, Their spirits deeply awed, Said: "Of a truth we now are sure Thou art the Son of God."

Then comes to pass another thing, They cannot understand; The ship, so lately out at sea, Is now quite close to land.

And, resting from their hours of toil, And filled with wonder deep, The twelve around their Master's feet Lie down in peaceful sleep.

The Bread from Heaven.

THE next day, for the absent Lord, The people searched around, Near to the place where He had fed Five thousand on the ground.

Then Jesus said: "Ye seek me not In honor of my power, But for the bread I brake to you In hunger's helpless hour.

"Labor not so for earthly meat, Which perisheth away, But for that meat which shall endure Through everlasting day."

And then He preached to them the words Of saving, Gospel truth, Of Bread that keeps the soul in strength And in immortal youth.

He told them that He was the Bread Which had been sent from heaven, That Bread of everlasting life, To all believers given.

And some went back, and walked no more With Him--the Truth, the Way; Then to the chosen twelve He said: "Will ye, too, go away?"

Then Simon Peter answered Him: "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of endless life; From Thee doth wisdom flow.

"And we believe, and we are sure That Thou are Jesse's Rod; The promised Christ of Israel-- Son of the living God."

Jesus said: "Have I not chosen Twelve of you to believe, And witness to a sinful world The truth which ye receive;

"And one of you a devil is?" He spoke of Judas vile, Who should, by wicked treachery, The bishopric defile.

Now, when around Capernaum The Lord had done much good, He rose and traveled forth, to where Old Tyre and Sidon stood;

And entered in a house, that He Might of the crowd be rid, And rest in peace there for a day; But He could not be hid.

For a woman, whose young daughter Had an unclean spirit, heard That He was that great prophet who Could heal her with a word.

And, hast'ning to Him, she knelt down, And bowed her weeping face, Relating in His willing ear Her daughter's grievous case.

But Jesus answered not a word; The apostles wondered why, And said to Him: "Send her away, We're weary of her cry."

And then He said: "I am not sent Save to the sheep astray From Israel's fold--beloved of God-- To guide them in the way."

Now this poor woman was a Greek, And of Phœnician birth; But she believed great David's Son Was Prince of all the earth;

And that He loved all human kind, Of every degree; So, drawing near, she worshipped Him Exclaiming: "Lord, help me!"

Then He replied: "It is not meet To take the children's bread And cast it out to dogs, while they-- The children--are not fed."

But she said: "Yea, Lord, very true, Yet dogs, Thou know'st, do eat The crumbs that from the table fall, Beneath the children's feet."

"O, woman," Jesus answered then, "Great is thy trusting faith; And be it unto thee, and thine, Whatever thy heart saith."

And she went joyful to her house, And found the devil fled, And her fair daughter calm and well, And laid upon her bed.

Feeding the Hungry.

AND now, this gracious work performed The Lord returned again Unto the sea of Galilee, And through Decapolis plain.

Unto a mountain He repaired, And sought a quiet seat; But many sufferers followed Him, And crowded round His feet.

The eager multitudes brought forth The blind, and dumb, and lame, And Jesus healed them, every one, Who to His presence came.

And all the people glorified The God of Israel; And, much astonished, they exclaimed, "He hath done all things well!"

Then the Lord sent the people home, And, taking ship again, Sailed with the twelve along the sea, Unto Magdala's plain.

There Pharisees and Sadducees Came, tempting Him, and sought A sign from heaven that they might know The doctrines that He taught.

But He refused to give a sign To hypocrites so base, And leaving them, and taking ship, Sailed to another place.

Curing the Blind.

NOW, coming to Bethsaida, They bring a blind man down, Beseeching Him to touch him, But He leads him out of town.

Then, spitting, moistens the blind eyes, And asks him if he sees; And the man looks up and answers: "I see men walk, as trees."

Then Jesus put His gentle hands On the man's eyes again, Made him look up--his eyes were healed, And he saw all things plain.

The Apostle Peter.

THEN, after that, as Jesus with His twelve disciples walked To Cæsarea Philippi, And gravely with them talked,

He asked them who the people said That He, Himself, might be; They answered John, Elias, and The prophet Jeremy.

He saith: "But whom say ye am I, Who long with you have trod?" Peter exclaimed: "Thou art the Christ, Son of the living God!"

Then Jesus answered him: "How blest Simon Bar-jona, thou, For flesh and blood hath not revealed What thou, from heaven, dost know.

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter sure, And on this rock I'll build my church From gates of hell secure.

"Keys of authority and truth Shall unto thee be given; What thou dost bind or loose on earth Is bound and loosed in heaven."

From that time forth the Lord began To tell, and to explain To His disciples, how He should Be killed, and rise again.

But Peter said: "Nay, nay, my Lord This, surely, shall not be; Such treatment of the Prince of Life-- Were great indignity."

But Jesus turned and said to him: "Satan, get thee behind, Thou savorest not the things of God, But pride of carnal mind."

And then said Jesus to them all: "Who will my servant be, Must deny self, take up his cross, And humbly follow me.

"For whosoe'er will save his life, Shall lose it in the end; But he who yields it for my sake, To life in heaven shall tend.

"For what is a man profited If he shall gain the whole Of this world's pompous wealth and power, Yet lose his own poor soul?"

Jesus is Transfigured.

NOW Jesus tarried round these coasts Till six days passed away; Then He took Peter, James and John Up in a mount to pray.

And, as He prayed, His face was changed, And shining as the Sun; His raiment became white as snow, When glistening at noon.

And while He thus transfigured stood, In His apostles' sight, They suddenly beheld two men Appear, with Him, in light.

'Twas Moses and Elias, who Talked feelingly with Him About the death He must endure Soon at Jerusalem.

Then Peter spoke--his heart was full Of holy love and fear: "Lord, it is good," he said, "for us To dwell forever here.

"Let us three tabernacles build; The first shall be for Thee, One be for Moses, man of God, One for Elias be."

He spoke his heart's sincere desire, But ere the words were said, A bright cloud overshadowed them, And covered every head.

And from the cloud a voice was heard, "This is my Son beloved, In whom I am well pleased--hear Him, If ye would be approved!"

When the disciples heard the voice, They fell upon their face, O'ercome by fear and sore dismay, In that most awful place.

And Jesus, touching each one, said: "Arise and do not fear;" And when they looked around they saw No one but Jesus near.

And as they came down from the mount, He bade them not disclose What they had seen and heard that day, Till from the dead He rose.

And they obeyed, and of that scene No word to others said; But 'mongst themselves enquired what meant The rising from the dead.

An Only Child Healed.

THE next day, coming to the place Where they had left the nine, They found a crowd, glad to behold The Master's face, Divine.

He asked the scribes: "What question ye With my disciples here?" When one in haste approaching Him, And kneeling down in fear,

Said: "Lord, have mercy on my son-- He is my only child; And a dumb spirit tortures him, And makes him fierce and wild.

"And often in the fire he falls, And in the water too; And I spoke to Thy disciples, But they could nothing do."

Then Jesus said: "O, men perverse, Why can ye not believe? How long shall I be with you ere The faith ye will receive?"

Then to the father: "Bring to me Your son." The child was brought, When he fell, foaming, on the ground, By the foul spirit wrought.

Then Jesus asked the man: "How long Has he been troubled thus?" He answered: "From a little child; But, Lord, canst Thou help us?"

Jesus replied: "If thou hast faith, Then thou shalt have relief." The man cried out: "Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief."

Then Jesus to the demon spoke: "Deaf and dumb spirit sore, I charge thee to come out of him, And enter him no more."

The spirit cried and troubled him, Till, like one dead, he fell; But Jesus took him by the hand, And, lo! the child was well.

And now the Master and the twelve Into a house retired; And the nine came to Him and asked That which they most desired:

The twelve then asked: "Why could we not Cast out that spirit, pray?" He said: "Because your unbelief Stood boldly in the way.

"For, verily, if ye have faith As a small, mustard grain, Then shall unto this mountain say, 'Remove to yonder plain.'

"It shall remove. Nothing shall be Impossible to you; Yet these foul spirits go not, save By prayer and fasting, too."

Jesus Teaches Humility.

ONE day while Jesus sat at rest He asked the twelve to say What was it they disputed, as They walked along the way.

But they replied not, for they had Disputed which should gain The greatest rank and power, when Their Lord should come to reign.