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diff --git a/16042-h/16042-h.htm b/16042-h/16042-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3e1ec53 --- /dev/null +++ b/16042-h/16042-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7726 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> + + <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Wonderbook of Bible + Stories, by Logan Marshall.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ + <!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .author {text-align: right; margin-right: 5%;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figure, .figcenter, .figright + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + + .poem + {margin-left:5%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Wonder Book of Bible Stories +Compiled by Logan Marshall + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Wonder Book of Bible Stories + +Author: Compiled by Logan Marshall + +Editor: Logan Marshall + +Release Date: June 12, 2005 [EBook #16042] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WONDER BOOK OF BIBLE STORIES *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Thomas Hutchinson and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><a name="Page_1" + id="Page_1"></a></p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a href="./images/cover.jpg" + name="COVER_PLATE" + id="COVER_PLATE"><img src="./images/cover_th.jpg" + width="280" + title="Cover" + alt="Cover" /></a> + </div><br /> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><a name="Page_2" + id="Page_2"></a></p> + + <p><a name="THE_WONDER_BOOK" + id="THE_WONDER_BOOK"></a></p> + + <h1>THE WONDER BOOK</h1> + + <h1>OF BIBLE STORIES</h1><br /> + + <h3 class="sc">edited and arranged by</h3> + + <h2>LOGAN MARSHALL</h2> + + <p><br /> + <br /></p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="TITLE_PAGE" + id="TITLE_PAGE"><img src="./images/002.png" + title="Title Page" + alt="Title Page" /></a> + </div> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + + <h4>THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, + <span class="sc">Publishers</span></h4> + + <h4> + PHILADELPHIA + CHICAGO</h4> + + <h4>TORONTO—THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY, + <span class="sc">Limited</span></h4> + + <p><a name="Page_3" + id="Page_3"></a></p> + + <p class="center">Copyright, 1925, by<br /> + <span class="sc">The John C. Winston Co.</span><br /></p> + + <p class="center">Copyright, 1925,<br /> + in the Philippine Islands.</p> + + <p class="center">Copyright, 1904, by<br /> + <span class="sc">THE J.C.W. Co.</span></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /></p> + + <p class="center">PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.<br /> + AT THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS<br /> + <span class="sc">The John C. Winston Company, Proprietors, + Philadelphia</span><br /> + <br /></p> + + <p>Bible Stories</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><br /></p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:273px"> + <a href="./images/264.jpg" + name="THE_FINDING_OF_MOSES" + id="THE_FINDING_OF_MOSES"><img width="273" + src="./images/264_th.jpg" + title="THE FINDING OF MOSES." + alt="THE FINDING OF MOSES." /></a> + + <p><b>THE FINDING OF MOSES</b>—The daughter of + Pharaoh comes to the water's edge and finds the child. By + chance the child's mother is called as nurse, and it grew + and was brought to Pharaoh's daughter and became her + son.—(Exodus 2; 5-10).</p> + </div> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <p><br /> + <a name="Page_4" + id="Page_4"></a></p> + + <h2><a name="CONTENTS" + id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + + <p><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_ADAM_AND_EVE"><b>THE STORY OF ADAM + AND EVE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_NOAH_AND_THE_ARK"><b>THE STORY OF NOAH + AND THE ARK</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_HAGAR_AND_ISHMAEL"><b>THE STORY OF HAGAR + AND ISHMAEL</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_ABRAHAM_AND_ISAAC"><b>THE STORY OF + ABRAHAM AND ISAAC</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_JACOB"><b>THE STORY OF + JACOB</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_SALE_OF_A_BIRTHRIGHT"> <b>THE + SALE OF A BIRTHRIGHT</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_LADDER_THAT_REACHED_TO_HEAVEN"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE LADDER THAT REACHED TO HEAVEN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_JOSEPH_AND_HIS_COAT_OF_MANY_COLORS"><b>THE + STORY OF JOSEPH</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_JOSEPH_AND_HIS_COAT_OF_MANY_COLORS"> <b> + THE COAT OF MANY COLORS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_DREAMS_OF_A_KING"> <b>THE DREAMS + OF A KING</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_MONEY_IN_THE_SACKS"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE MONEY IN THE SACKS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_MYSTERY_OF_THE_LOST_BROTHER"> <b> + THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST BROTHER</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_MOSES_THE_CHILD_WHO_WAS_FOUND_IN_THE_RIVER"> + <b>THE STORY OF MOSES, THE CHILD WHO WAS FOUND IN THE + RIVER</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_GRAPES_FROM_CANAAN"><b>THE STORY OF + THE GRAPES FROM CANAAN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_GIDEON_AND_HIS_THREE_HUNDRED_SOLDIERS"><b> + THE STORY OF GIDEON AND HIS THREE HUNDRED + SOLDIERS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_SAMSON_THE_STRONG_MAN"><b>THE STORY OF + SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_RUTH_THE_GLEANER"><b>THE STORY OF RUTH, + THE GLEANER</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_DAVID_THE_SHEPHERD_BOY"><b>THE STORY OF + DAVID</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_DAVID_THE_SHEPHERD_BOY"> <b> + THE SHEPHERD BOY</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_FIGHT_WITH_THE_GIANT"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE FIGHT WITH THE GIANT</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_CAVE_OF_ADULLAM"><b>THE STORY OF THE + CAVE OF ADULLAM</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_SOLOMON_AND_HIS_TEMPLE"><b>THE STORY OF + SOLOMON AND HIS TEMPLE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_ELIJAH_THE_PROPHET"><b>THE STORY OF + ELIJAH, THE PROPHET</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_JONAH_AND_THE_WHALE"><b>THE STORY OF + JONAH AND THE WHALE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_FIERY_FURNACE"><b>THE STORY OF THE + FIERY FURNACE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_DANIEL_IN_THE_LIONS_DEN"><b>THE STORY OF + DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_ANGEL_BY_THE_ALTAR"><b>THE STORY OF + THE ANGEL BY THE ALTAR</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_JESUS_THE_BABE_OF_BETHLEHEM"><b>THE + STORY OF JESUS</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_JESUS_THE_BABE_OF_BETHLEHEM"> <b> + THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_STAR_AND_THE_WISE_MEN"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE STAR AND THE WISE MEN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_CHILD_IN_THE_TEMPLE"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE CHILD IN THE TEMPLE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_WATER_THAT_WAS_TURNED_INTO_WINE"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE WATER THAT WAS TURNED INTO WINE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_STRANGER_AT_THE_WELL"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE STRANGER AT THE WELL</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_FISHERMEN"> <b>THE + STORY OF THE FISHERMEN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_SERMON_ON_THE_MOUNT"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_MIRACLE_WORKER"> <b> + THE STORY OF THE MIRACLE WORKER</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_GOOD_SHEPHERD_AND_THE_GOOD_SAMARITAN"> <b> + THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE GOOD SAMARITAN</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_PALM_BRANCHES"> <b>THE + STORY OF THE PALM BRANCHES</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_BETRAYAL"> <b>THE + STORY OF THE BETRAYAL</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_EMPTY_TOMB"> <b>THE + STORY OF THE EMPTY TOMB</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_THE_MAN_AT_THE_BEAUTIFUL_GATE"><b>THE + STORY OF THE MAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_STORY_OF_STEPHEN_THE_FIRST_MARTYR"><b>THE STORY + OF STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR</b></a><br /></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_6" + id="Page_6"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS" + id="ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + <p><a href="#COVER_PLATE"><b>Cover Plate</b></a><br /> + <a href="#TITLE_PAGE"><b>Title Page</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_FINDING_OF_MOSES"><b>The Finding of + Moses</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THEY_WERE_DRIVEN_FORTH_BY_AN_ANGEL"><b>They were + driven forth by an angel</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CAIN_AND_ABEL"><b>Cain and Abel</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_WATER_ROSE_HIGHER_AND_HIGHER"><b>The water rose + higher and higher</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SO_NOAH_OPENED_THE_DOOR_OF_THE_ARK"><b>So Noah opened + the door of the ark</b></a><br /> + <a href="#IN_SOME_WAY_SHE_LOST_THE_ROAD"><b>In some way she + lost the road</b></a><br /> + <a href="#LEARNED_TO_SHOOT_WITH_THE_BOW_AND_ARROW"><b>Learned + to shoot with the bow and arrow</b></a><br /> + <a href="#FOR_TWO_DAYS_THEY_WALKED"><b>For two days they + walked</b></a><br /> + <a href="#GOD_WILL_PROVIDE_HIMSELF_A_LAMB_FOR_A_BURNT_OFFERING"> + <b>"God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt + offering"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SELL_ME_YOUR_BIRTHRIGHT"><b>"Sell me your + birthright"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#NOW_MY_SON_DO_WHAT_I_TELL_YOU"><b>"Now, my son, do + what I tell you"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#MAY_NATIONS_BOW_DOWN_TO_YOU"><b>"May nations bow down + to you"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#ANGELS_WERE_UPON_THE_STAIRS"><b>Angels were upon the + stairs</b></a><br /> + <a href="#JACOB_WENT_ONWARD_IN_HIS_LONG_JOURNEY"><b>Jacob went + onward in his long journey</b></a><br /> + <a href="#BACK_TO_THE_LAND_OF_CANAAN"><b>Back to the Land of + Canaan</b></a><br /> + <a href="#WALKING_NORTHWARD_OVER_THE_MOUNTAINS"><b>Walking + northward over the mountains</b></a><br /> + <a href="#FOR_TWENTY_PIECES_OF_SILVER_THEY_SOLD_JOSEPH"><b>For + twenty pieces of silver they sold Joseph</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_TWO_DREAMS_HAVE_THE_SAME_MEANING"><b>The two + dreams have the same meaning</b></a><br /> + <a href="#WHAT_WICKED_THING_IS_THIS_THAT_YOU_HAVE_DONE"><b>What + wicked thing is this that you have done?</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THEY_MADE_THE_ISRAELITES_WORK_HARD"><b>They made the + Israelites work hard</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SHE_PLACED_HER_BABY_IN_THE_ARK"><b>She placed her + baby in the ark</b></a><br /> + <a href="#MOSES_BECAME_A_SHEPHERD_IN_THE_WILDERNESS_OF_MIDIAN"><b> + Moses became a shepherd in the wilderness of + Midian</b></a><br /> + <a href="#GOD_FED_THEM_DAY_BY_DAY_WITH_MANNA"><b>God fed them + day by day with manna</b></a><br /> + <a href="#A_CLUSTER_OF_GRAPES_SO_LARGE_THAT_TWO_MEN_CARRIED_IT"> + <b>A cluster of grapes so large that two men carried + it</b></a><br /> + <a name="Page_7" + id="Page_7"></a> + <a href="#THE_ANGEL_TOUCHED_THE_OFFERING_WITH_HIS_STAFF"><b>The + angel touched the offering with his staff</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_MEN_BLEW_THEIR_TRUMPETS_WITH_A_MIGHTY_NOISE"><b>The + men blew their trumpets with a mighty noise</b></a><br /> + <a href="#HE_CARRIED_OFF_THE_GATES_OF_THE_CITY"><b>He carried + off the gates of the city</b></a><br /> + <a href="#HE_BOWED_FORWARD_WITH_ALL_HIS_MIGHT_AND_PULLED_THE_PILLARS_WITH_HIM"> + <b>He bowed forward with all his might and pulled the pillars + with him</b></a><br /> + <a href="#RUTH_WENT_OUT_INTO_THE_FIELDS_TO_GLEAN_THE_GRAIN"><b>Ruth + went out into the fields to glean the grain</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THEN_SAMUEL_POURED_OIL_ON_DAVIDS_HEAD"><b>Then Samuel + poured oil on David's head</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_GIANT_LOOKED_DOWN_ON_THE_YOUTH_AND_DESPISED_HIM"><b> + The giant looked down on the youth and despised + him</b></a><br /> + <a href="#DAVID_DREW_OUT_THE_GIANTS_OWN_SWORD"><b>David drew + out the giant's own sword</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SOLOMON_ON_HIS_THRONE"><b>Solomon on his + throne</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SUPPOSED_FORM_OF_SOLOMONS_TEMPLE"><b>Supposed form of + Solomon's Temple</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SHIP_IN_SOLOMONS_TIME"><b>Ship in Solomon's + time</b></a><br /> + <a href="#DENOUNCED_AHAB_AND_JEZEBEL"><b>Denounced Ahab and + Jezebel</b></a><br /> + <a href="#MADE_KING_WHEN_HE_WAS_ONLY_SEVEN_YEARS_OLD"><b>Made + king when he was only seven years old</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THIS_IS_THE_ARROW_OF_VICTORY"><b>"This is the arrow + of victory"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#TO_SHADE_JONAH_FROM_THE_SUN"><b>To shade Jonah from + the sun</b></a><br /> + <a href="#NEBUCHADNEZZAR_WAS_FILLED_WITH_RAGE"><b>Nebuchadnezzar + was filled with rage</b></a><br /> + <a href="#AN_ANGEL_BEFRIENDED_THEM"><b>An angel befriended + them</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THROWN_INTO_THE_DEN_OF_LIONS"><b>Thrown into the den + of lions</b></a><br /> + <a href="#DANIELS_ANSWER_TO_THE_KING"><b>Daniel's Answer to the + King</b></a><br /> + <a href="#DO_NOT_BE_AFRAID_ZACHARIAS"><b>"Do not be afraid, + Zacharias"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THEY_WERE_FILLED_WITH_FEAR"><b>They were filled with + fear</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_BABY_IN_THE_MANGER"><b>The baby in the + manger</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_SHEPHERDS_IN_THE_FIELD"><b>The Shepherds in the + Field</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_WISE_MEN_WENT_THEIR_WAY"><b>The wise men went + their way</b></a><br /> + <a href="#HE_TOOK_HIS_WIFE_AND_BABY_AND_WENT_DOWN_TO_EGYPT"><b>He + took his wife and baby and went down to Egypt</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SITTING_IN_A_COMPANY_OF_THE_DOCTORS_OF_THE_LAW"><b>Sitting + in a company of the doctors of the law</b></a><br /> + <a href="#FILL_THE_JARS_WITH_WATER"><b>"Fill the jars with + water"</b></a><br /> + <a name="Page_8" + id="Page_8"></a> <a href="#TAKE_THESE_THINGS_AWAY"><b>"Take + these things away"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_NET_CAUGHT_SO_MANY_FISHES_THEY_COULD_NOT_PULL_IT_UP"> + <b>The net caught so many fishes they could not pull it + up</b></a><br /> + <a href="#I_CAME_NOT_TO_CALL_THOSE_WHO_THINK_THEMSELVES_TO_BE_GOOD"> + <b>"I came not to call those who think themselves to be + good"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THEN_ON_THE_MOUNTAIN_HE_PREACHED"><b>Then, on the + mountain, he preached</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SPEAK_THE_WORD_AND_MY_SERVANT_SHALL_BE_CURED"><b>"Speak + the word and my servant shall be cured"</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_CHILDREN_LOVED_TO_GATHER_AROUND_HIM"><b>The + children loved to gather around him</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THEN_HE_LIFTED_HIM_UP"><b>Then he lifted him + up</b></a><br /> + <a href="#CAME_TO_BETHANY_WHERE_HIS_FRIENDS_MARTHA_AND_MARY_LIVED"> + <b>Came to Bethany where his friends Martha and Mary + lived</b></a><br /> + <a href="#SHE_WIPED_HIS_FEET_WITH_HER_HAIR"><b>She wiped his + feet with her hair</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THEY_THREW_THEIR_GARMENTS_UPON_THE_GROUND_FOR_JESUS_TO_RIDE_UPON"> + <b>They threw their garments upon the ground for Jesus to ride + upon</b></a><br /> + <a href="#THE_GREAT_CITY_WAS_DEAF_TO_HIS_PLEADINGS"><b>The + great city was deaf to his pleadings</b></a><br /> + <a href="#PETER_DENIES_CHRIST"><b>Peter Denies + Christ</b></a><br /> + <a href="#HE_HEARD_THEIR_COMPLAINTS"><b>He heard their + complaints</b></a><br /></p> + + <p><a name="Page_9" + id="Page_9"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" + id="INTRODUCTION"></a> INTRODUCTION</h2> + + <p>The Bible is one of the two or three oldest books in the + world, but unlike most of the ancient books, it is found not + only in great libraries, but in almost every home of the + civilized world; and it is not only studied by learned + scholars, but read by the common people; and its many stories + grasp and hold the attention of little children. Happy is that + child who has heard, over and over again, the Bible stories + until they have become fixed in his mind and memory, to become + the foundations of a noble life.</p> + + <p>It is with the desire of aiding parents and teachers in + telling these stories, and aiding children to understand them, + also in the hope that they may be read in many schools, that a + few among the many interesting stories in the Bible have been + chosen, brought together and as far as necessary simplified to + meet the minds of the young.</p> + + <div class="figright"> + <img width="350" + src="images/signature.png" + alt="Jesse Lyman Hurlbut" /> + + <p>Jesse Lyman Hurlbut</p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + </div> + + <p><a name="Page_10" + id="Page_10"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_ADAM_AND_EVE" + id="THE_STORY_OF_ADAM_AND_EVE"></a>THE STORY OF ADAM AND + EVE</h2> + + <p>The first man's name was Adam and his wife he called Eve. + They lived in a beautiful Garden away in the East Country which + was called Eden, filled with beautiful trees and flowers of all + kinds. But they did not live in Eden long for they did not obey + God's command, but ate the fruit of a tree which had been + forbidden them. They were driven forth by an angel and had to + give up their beautiful home.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THEY_WERE_DRIVEN_FORTH_BY_AN_ANGEL" + id="THEY_WERE_DRIVEN_FORTH_BY_AN_ANGEL"><img src="./images/figure3_th.jpg" + title="They were driven forth by an angel" + alt="They were driven forth by an angel" /></a><br /> + <i>They were driven forth by an angel</i> + </div> + + <p>So Adam and his wife went out into the world to live and to + work. For a time they were all alone, but after a while God + gave them a little child of their own, <a name="Page_11" + id="Page_11"></a>the first baby that ever came into the + world. Eve named him Cain; and after a time another baby + came, whom she named Abel.</p> + + <p>When the two boys grew up, they worked, as their father + worked before them. Cain, the older brother, chose to work in + the fields, and to raise grain and fruits. Abel, the younger + brother, had a flock of sheep and became a shepherd.</p> + + <p>While Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden, they + could talk with God and hear God's voice speaking to them. But + now that they were out in the world, they could no longer talk + with God freely, as before. So when they came to God, they + built an altar of stones heaped up, and upon it, they laid + something as a gift to God, and burned it, to show that it was + not their own, but was given to God, whom they could not see. + Then before the altar they made their prayer to God, and asked + God to forgive their sins, all that they had done was wrong; + and prayed God to bless them and do good to them.</p> + + <p>Each of these brothers, Cain and Abel, offered upon the + altar to God his own gift. Cain brought the fruits and the + grain which he had grown; and Abel brought a sheep from his + flock, and killed it and burned it upon the altar. For some + reason God was pleased with Abel and his offering, but was not + pleased with Cain and his offering. Perhaps God wished Cain to + offer something <a name="Page_12" + id="Page_12"></a>that had life, as Abel offered; perhaps + Cain's heart was not right when he came before God.</p> + + <p>And God showed that He was not pleased with Cain; and Cain, + instead of being sorry for his sin, and asking God to forgive + him, was very angry with God, and angry also toward his brother + Abel. When they were out in the field together Cain struck his + brother Abel and killed him. So the first baby in the world + grew up to be the murderer of his own brother.</p> + + <p>And the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel, your + brother?"</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="CAIN_AND_ABEL" + id="CAIN_AND_ABEL"><img src="./images/figure4_th.jpg" + title="Cain and Abel" + alt="Cain and Abel" /></a><br /> + <i>Cain and Abel</i> + </div> + + <p>And Cain answered, "I do not know; why should I take care of + my brother?"</p> + + <p>Then the Lord said to Cain, "What is this that you have + done? Your brother's blood is like a voice crying to me from + the ground. Do you see how the ground has opened, like a mouth, + to drink your brother's blood? As long as you live, you shall + be under God's curse for the murder of your brother. You shall + wander over the earth, and <a name="Page_13" + id="Page_13"></a>shall never find a home, because you have + done this wicked deed."</p> + + <p>And Cain said to the Lord, "My punishment is greater than I + can bear. Thou hast driven me out from among men; and thou hast + hid thy face from me. If any man finds me he will kill me, + because I shall be alone, and no one will be my friend."</p> + + <p>And God said to Cain, "If any one harms Cain, he shall be + punished for it." And the Lord God placed a mark on Cain, so + that whoever met him should know him and should know also that + God had forbidden any man to harm him. Then Cain and his wife + went away from Adam's home to live in a place by themselves, + and there they had children. And Cain's family built a city in + that land; and Cain named the city after his first child, whom + he had called Enoch.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_14" + id="Page_14"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_NOAH_AND_THE_ARK" + id="THE_STORY_OF_NOAH_AND_THE_ARK"></a>THE STORY OF NOAH AND + THE ARK</h2> + + <p>After Abel was slain, and his brother Cain had gone into + another land, again God gave a child to Adam and Eve. This + child they named Seth; and other sons and daughters were given + to them; for Adam and Eve lived many years. But at last they + died, as God had said they must die, because they had eaten of + the tree that God had forbidden them to eat.</p> + + <p>By the time that Adam died, there were many people on the + earth; for the children of Adam and Eve had many other + children; and when these grew up they had other children; and + these had children also. These men and women and children lived + in tents. They owned sheep and cattle, and they moved about + with them, wherever they could find pasture. The children + played around the tent doors, and sat beside the camp-fires in + the evenings, where they all sang together, and the older + people told them stories. And after a time this land where + Adam's sons lived began to be full of people.</p> + + <p>It is sad to tell that as time went on more and more of + these people became wicked, and fewer and fewer of them grew up + to become good men and women. All the people lived near + together, and few went away to other lands; so it came to + <a name="Page_15" + id="Page_15"></a>pass that even the children of good men and + women learned to be bad, like the people around them, and no + longer did what was right and good.</p> + + <p>And as God looked down on the world that he had made, he saw + how wicked the men in it had become, and that every thought and + every act of man was evil and only evil continually.</p> + + <p>But while most of the people in the world were very wicked, + there were some good people also, though they were very few. + The best of all the men who lived at that time was a man whose + name was Enoch. He was not the son of Cain, but another Enoch, + who came from the family of Seth, the son of Adam, who was born + after the death of Abel. While so many around Enoch were doing + evil, this man did only what was right. He walked with God and + God walked with him, and talked with him. And at last, when + Enoch was a very old man and weary with life, God took him away + from earth to heaven. He did not die, as all the people have + since Adam disobeyed God, but "he was not, for God took him." + This means that Enoch was taken up from earth without + dying.</p> + + <p>All the people in the time of Enoch were not shepherds. Some + of them had learned how to make rude bows and arrows and axes + and plows. And after a long time they melted iron, and they + <a name="Page_16" + id="Page_16"></a>made knives and swords and dishes to use in + their homes. They sowed grain in the fields and reaped + harvests, and they planted vines and fruit trees. But God + looked down on the earth and said:</p> + + <p>"I will take away all men from the earth that I have made; + because the men of the world are evil, and do evil + continually."</p> + + <p>But even in those bad times God saw one good man. His name + was Noah. Noah tried to do right in the sight of God. As Enoch + had walked with God, so Noah walked with God, and talked with + him. And Noah had three sons; their names were Shem, and Ham, + and Japheth.</p> + + <p>God said to Noah, "The time has come when all the men and + women on the earth are to be destroyed. Every one must die, + because they are all wicked. But you and your family shall be + saved, because you alone are trying to do right."</p> + + <p>Then God told Noah how he might save his life and the lives + of his sons. He was to build a very large boat, as large as the + largest ships that are made in our time; very long, and very + wide and very deep; with a roof over it; and made like a long, + wide house in three stories; but so built that it would float + on the water. Such a ship as this was called "an ark." God told + Noah to build this ark, and to have it ready for the time when + he would need it.</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_17" + id="Page_17"></a>For," said God to Noah, "I am going to + bring a great flood of water on the earth to cover all the + land and to drown all the people on the earth. And as the + animals on the earth will be drowned with the people, you + must make the ark large enough to hold a pair of each kind + of animals and several pairs of some animals that are needed + by men, like sheep and goats and oxen; so that there will be + animals as well as men to live upon the earth after the + flood has passed away. And you must take in the ark food for + yourself and your family, and for all the animals with you; + enough food to last for a year, while the flood shall stay + on the earth."</p> + + <p>And Noah did what God told him to do, although it must have + seemed very strange to all the people around, to build this + great ark where there was no water for it to sail upon. And it + was a long time, because this ship was so big, that Noah and + his sons were at work building the ark, which God had told them + to build, while the wicked people around wondered, and no doubt + laughed at Noah for building a great ship where there was no + sea.</p> + + <p>At last the ark was finished, and stood like a great house + on the land. There was a door on one side, and a window on the + roof, to let in the light. Then God said to Noah:</p> + + <p>"Come into the ark, you and your wife, and <a name="Page_18" + id="Page_18"></a>your three sons, and their wives with them; + for the flood of waters will come very soon. And take with + you animals of all kinds, and birds, and things that creep; + seven pairs of these that will be needed by men, and one + pair of all the rest, so that all kinds of animals may be + kept alive upon the earth."</p> + + <p>So Noah and his wife, and his three sons, Shem, Ham and + Japheth, with their wives, went into the ark. And God brought + to the door of the ark the animals, and the birds, and the + creeping things of all kinds; and they went into the ark. And + Noah and his sons put them in their places, and brought in food + enough to feed them all for many days. And then the door of the + ark was shut and no more people and no more animals could come + in.</p> + + <p>In a few days the rain began to fall, as it had never rained + before. It seemed as though the heavens were opened to pour + great floods upon the earth. The streams filled, and the rivers + rose higher and higher, and the ark began to float on the + water. The people left their houses and ran up to the hills; + but soon the hills were covered, and all the people on them + were drowned.</p> + + <p>Some had climbed up to the tops of higher mountains, but the + water rose higher and higher, until even the mountains were + covered and all the people, wicked as they had been, were + <a name="Page_19" + id="Page_19"></a>drowned in the great sea that now rolled + over all the earth where man had lived. And all the animals, + the tame animals, cattle, and sheep, and oxen, were drowned; + and the wild animals, lions, and tigers, and all the rest + were drowned also. Even the birds were drowned, for their + nests in the trees were swept away, and there was no place + where they could fly from the terrible storm. For forty days + and nights the rain kept on, until there was no breath of + life remaining outside of the ark.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_WATER_ROSE_HIGHER_AND_HIGHER" + id="THE_WATER_ROSE_HIGHER_AND_HIGHER"><img src="./images/figure5_th.jpg" + title="The water rose higher and higher" + alt="The water rose higher and higher" /></a><br /> + <i>The water rose higher and higher</i> + </div> + + <p>After forty days the rain stopped, but the water stayed upon + the earth for more than six months, and the ark with all that + were in it floated over the great sea that covered the land. + Then God sent a wind to blow over the waters, and to dry them + up; so by degrees the waters grew less and less. First + mountains rose above the waters, <a name="Page_20" + id="Page_20"></a>then the hills rose up, and finally the ark + ceased to float and lay aground on a mountain which is + called Mount Ararat.</p> + + <p>But Noah could not see what had happened on the earth, + because the door was shut, and the only window was up in the + roof. But he felt that the ark was no longer moving, and he + knew that the water must have gone down. So, after waiting for + a time, Noah opened a window, and let loose a bird called a + raven. Now the raven has strong wings; and this raven flew + round and round until the waters had gone down, and it could + find a place to rest, and it did not come back to the ark.</p> + + <p>After Noah had waited for it awhile, he sent out a dove; but + the dove could not find any place to rest, so it flew back to + the ark, and Noah took it into the ark again. Then Noah waited + a week longer, and afterward he sent out the dove again. And at + the evening, the dove came back to the ark, which was its home; + and in its bill was a fresh leaf which it had picked off from + an olive tree.</p> + + <p>So Noah knew that the water had gone down enough to let the + trees grow again. He waited another week, and sent out the dove + again; but this time the dove flew away and never came back. + And Noah knew that the earth was becoming dry again. So he took + off a part of the roof, and looked out, and saw that there was + dry land all <a name="Page_21" + id="Page_21"></a>around the ark, and the waters were no + longer everywhere.</p> + + <p>Noah had now lived in the ark a little more than a year, and + he was glad to see the green land and the trees once more. And + God said to Noah:</p> + + <p>"Come out of the ark, with your wife, and your sons, and + their wives, and all the living things that are with you in the + ark."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SO_NOAH_OPENED_THE_DOOR_OF_THE_ARK" + id="SO_NOAH_OPENED_THE_DOOR_OF_THE_ARK"><img src="./images/figure6_th.jpg" + title="So Noah opened the door of the Ark" + alt="So Noah opened the door of the Ark" /></a><br /> + <i>So Noah opened the door of the Ark</i> + </div> + + <p>So Noah opened the door of the ark, and with his family came + out, and stood once more on the ground. And the animals, and + birds, and creeping things in the ark, came out also, and began + again to bring life to the earth.</p> + + <p>The first thing that Noah did when he came out of the ark, + was to give thanks to God for saving all his family when the + rest of the people on <a name="Page_22" + id="Page_22"></a>the earth were destroyed. He built an + altar, and laid upon it an offering to the Lord, and gave + himself and his family to God and promised to do God's + will.</p> + + <p>And God was pleased with Noah's offering, and God said:</p> + + <p>"I will not again destroy the earth on account of men, no + matter how bad they may be. From this time no flood shall again + cover the earth; but the seasons of spring and summer and fall + and winter, shall remain without change. I give to you the + earth; you shall be the rulers of the ground and of every + living thing upon it."</p> + + <p>Then God caused a rainbow to appear in the sky, and he told + Noah and his sons that whenever they or the people after them + should see the rainbow, they should remember that God had + placed it in the sky and over the clouds as a sign of his + promise, that he would always remember the earth, and the + people upon it, and would never again send a flood to destroy + man from the earth.</p> + + <p>So as often as we see the beautiful rainbow, we are to + remember that it is the sign of God's promise to the world.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_23" + id="Page_23"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_HAGAR_AND_ISHMAEL" + id="THE_STORY_OF_HAGAR_AND_ISHMAEL"></a>THE STORY OF HAGAR + AND ISHMAEL</h2> + + <p>After the great flood the family of Noah and those who came + after him grew in number, until, as the years went on, the + earth began to be full of people once more. But there was one + great difference between the people who had lived before the + flood and those who lived after it. Before the flood, all the + people stayed close together, so that very many lived in one + land, and no one lived in other lands. After the flood families + began to move from one place to another, seeking for themselves + new homes. Some went one way, and some another, so that as the + number of people grew, they covered much more of the earth than + those who had lived before the flood.</p> + + <p>Part of the people went up to the north and built a city + called Nineveh, which became the ruling city of a great land + called Assyria, whose people were called Assyrians.</p> + + <p>Another company went away to the west and settled by the + great river Nile, and founded the land of Egypt, with its + strange temples and pyramids, its sphinx and its monuments.</p> + + <p>Another company wandered northwest until they came to the + shore of the great sea which <a name="Page_24" + id="Page_24"></a>they called the Mediterranean Sea. There + they founded the cities of Sidon and Tyre, where the people + were sailors, sailing to countries far away, and bringing + home many things from other lands to sell to the people of + Babylon, and Assyria, and Egypt, and other countries.</p> + + <p>Among the many cities which the people built were two called + Sodom and Gomorrah. The people in these cities were very wicked + and were nearly all destroyed. One good man named Lot and his + family escaped. There was another good man named Abraham who + did not live in these cities. He tried to do God's will and was + promised a son to bring joy into his family.</p> + + <p>After Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, Abraham moved his + tent and his camp away from that part of the land, and went to + live near a place called Gerar, in the southwest, not far from + the Great Sea. And there at last, the child whom God had + promised to Abraham and Sarah, his wife, was born, when + Abraham, his father, was a very old man.</p> + + <p>They named this child Isaac, as the angel had told them he + should be named. And Abraham and Sarah were so happy to have a + little boy, that after a time they gave a great feast and + invited all the people to come and rejoice with them, and all + in honor of the little Isaac.</p> + + <p>Now Sarah had a maid named Hagar, an<a name="Page_25" + id="Page_25"></a> Egyptian woman, who ran away from her + mistress, and saw an angel by a well, and afterward came + back to Sarah. She, too, had a child and his name was + Ishmael. So now there were two boys in Abraham's tent, the + older boy, Ishmael, the son of Hagar, and the younger boy, + Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah.</p> + + <p>Ishmael did not like the little Isaac, and did not treat him + kindly. This made his mother Sarah very angry, and she said to + her husband:</p> + + <p>"I do not wish to have this boy Ishmael growing up with my + son Isaac. Send away Hagar and her boy, for they are a trouble + to me."</p> + + <p>And Abraham felt very sorry to have trouble come between + Sarah and Hagar, and between Isaac and Ishmael; for Abraham was + a kind and good man, and he was friendly to them all.</p> + + <p>But the Lord said to Abraham, "Do not be troubled about + Ishmael and his mother. Do as Sarah has asked you to do, and + send them away. It is best that Isaac should be left alone in + your tent, for he is to receive everything that is yours. I the + Lord will take care of Ishmael, and will make a great people of + his descendants, those who shall come from him."</p> + + <p>So the next morning Abraham sent Hagar and her boy away, + expecting them to go back to the land of Egypt, from which + Hagar had come. He gave them some food for the journey, and + <a name="Page_26" + id="Page_26"></a>a bottle of water to drink by the way. The + bottles in that country are not like ours, made of glass. + They are made from the skin of a goat. One of these + skin-bottles Abraham filled with water and gave to + Hagar.</p> + + <p>And Hagar went away from Abraham's tent, leading her little + boy. But in some way she lost the road, and wandered over the + desert, not knowing where she was, until all the water in the + bottle was used up; and her poor boy in the hot sun and the + burning sand had nothing to drink. She thought that he would + die of his terrible thirst; and she laid him down under a + little bush; and then she went away, for she said to + herself:</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="IN_SOME_WAY_SHE_LOST_THE_ROAD" + id="IN_SOME_WAY_SHE_LOST_THE_ROAD"><img src="./images/figure7_th.jpg" + title="In some way she lost the road" + alt="In some way she lost the road" /></a><br /> + <i>In some way she lost the road</i> + </div> + + <p>"I cannot bear to look at my poor boy suffering and dying + for want of water."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_27" + id="Page_27"></a>And just at that moment, while Hagar was + crying, and her boy was moaning with thirst, she heard a + voice saying to her:</p> + + <p>"Hagar, what is your trouble? Do not be afraid. God has + heard your cry and the cry of your child. God will take care of + you both, and will make of your boy a great nation of + people."</p> + + <p>It was the voice of an angel from heaven; and then Hagar + looked, and there, close at hand, was a spring of water in the + desert. How glad Hagar was as she filled the bottle with water + and took it to her suffering boy under the bush!</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="LEARNED_TO_SHOOT_WITH_THE_BOW_AND_ARROW" + id="LEARNED_TO_SHOOT_WITH_THE_BOW_AND_ARROW"><img src="./images/figure8_th.jpg" + title="Learned to shoot with the bow and arrow" + alt="Learned to shoot with the bow and arrow" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Learned to shoot with the bow and arrow</i> + </div> + + <p>After this Hagar did not go down to Egypt. She found a place + where she lived and brought up her son in the wilderness, far + from other people. And Ishmael grew up in the desert and + learned to shoot with the bow and arrow. He became + <a name="Page_28" + id="Page_28"></a>a wild man, and his children after him grew + up to be wild men also. They were the Arabians of the + desert, who even to this day have never been ruled by any + other people, but wander through the desert, and live as + they please. So Ishmael came to be the father of many + people, and his descendants, the wild Arabians of the + desert, are living unto this day in that land.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_29" + id="Page_29"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_ABRAHAM_AND_ISAAC" + id="THE_STORY_OF_ABRAHAM_AND_ISAAC"></a>THE STORY OF ABRAHAM + AND ISAAC</h2> + + <p>You remember that in those times of which we are telling, + when men worshipped God, they built an altar of earth or of + stone, and laid an offering upon it as a gift to God. The + offering was generally a sheep, or a goat, or a young + ox—some animal that was used for food. Such an offering + was called "a sacrifice."</p> + + <p>But the people who worshipped idols often did what seems to + us strange and very terrible. They thought that it would please + their gods if they would offer as a sacrifice the most precious + living things that were their own; and they would take their + own little children and kill them upon their altars as + offerings to the gods of wood and stone, that were no real + gods, but only images.</p> + + <p>God wished to show Abraham and all his descendants, those + who should come after him, that he was not pleased with such + offerings as those of living people, killed on the altars. And + God took a way to teach Abraham, so that he and his children + after him would never forget it. Then at the same time he + wished to see how faithful and obedient Abraham would be to his + <a name="Page_30" + id="Page_30"></a>commands; how fully Abraham would trust in + God, or, as we would say, how great was Abraham's faith in + God.</p> + + <p>So God gave to Abraham a command which he did not mean to + have obeyed, though this he did not tell to Abraham. He + said:</p> + + <p>"Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love so + greatly, and go to the land of Moriah, and there on a mountain + that I will show you, offer him for a burnt-offering to + me."</p> + + <p>Though this command filled Abraham's heart with pain, yet he + would not be as surprised to receive it as a father would in + our day; for such offerings were very common among all those + people in the land where Abraham lived. Abraham never for one + moment doubted or disobeyed God's word. He knew that Isaac was + the child whom God had promised, and that God had promised, + too, that Isaac should have children, and that those coming + from Isaac should be a great nation. He did not see how God + could keep his promise with regard to Isaac, if Isaac should be + killed as an offering; unless indeed God should raise him up + from the dead afterward.</p> + + <p>But Abraham undertook at once to obey. God's command. He + took two young men with him and an ass laden with wood for the + fire; and he went toward the mountain in the + north,<a name="Page_31" + id="Page_31"></a> Isaac, his son, walking by his side. For + two days they walked, sleeping under the trees at night in + the open country. And on the third day Abraham saw the + mountain far away. And as they drew near to the mountain + Abraham said to the young men:</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="FOR_TWO_DAYS_THEY_WALKED" + id="FOR_TWO_DAYS_THEY_WALKED"><img src="./images/figure9_th.jpg" + title="For two days they walked" + alt="For two days they walked" /></a><br /> + <i>For two days they walked</i> + </div> + + <p>"Stay here with the ass, while I go up yonder mountain with + Isaac to worship; and when we have worshipped, we will come + back to you."<a name="Page_32" + id="Page_32"></a> For Abraham believed that in some way God + would bring back Isaac to life. He took the wood from the + ass and placed it on Isaac, and they two walked up the + mountain together. As they were walking, Isaac said:</p> + + <p>"Father, here is the wood, but where is the lamb for the + offering?"</p> + + <p>And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide himself a Lamb + for a burnt offering."</p> + + <p>And they came to the place on the top of the mountain. There + Abraham built an altar of stones and earth heaped up; and on it + he placed the wood. Then he tied the hands and the feet of + Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on the wood. And Abraham + lifted up his hand, holding a knife to kill his son. Another + moment longer and Isaac would be slain by his own father's + hand.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="GOD_WILL_PROVIDE_HIMSELF_A_LAMB_FOR_A_BURNT_OFFERING" + id="GOD_WILL_PROVIDE_HIMSELF_A_LAMB_FOR_A_BURNT_OFFERING"><img src="./images/figure10_th.jpg" + title="God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering" + alt="God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering" /> + </a><br /> + <i>"God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt + offering"</i> + </div> + + <p>But just at that moment the angel of the<a name="Page_33" + id="Page_33"></a> Lord out of heaven called to Abraham, and + said:</p> + + <p>"Abraham! Abraham!"</p> + + <p>And Abraham answered, "Here I am, Lord." Then the angel of + the Lord said:</p> + + <p>"Do not lay your hand upon your son. Do no harm to him. Now + I know that you love God more than you love your only son, and + that you are obedient to God, since you are ready to give up + your son, your only son, to God."</p> + + <p>What a relief and a joy these words from heaven brought to + the heart of Abraham! How glad he was to know that it was not + God's will for him to kill his son! Then Abraham looked around, + and there in the thicket was a ram caught by his horns. And + Abraham took the ram and offered him up for a burnt-offering in + place of his son. So Abraham's words came true when he said + that God would provide for himself a lamb.</p> + + <p>The place where this altar was built Abraham named + Jehovah-jireh, words in the language that Abraham spoke + meaning, "The Lord will provide."</p> + + <p>This offering, which seems so strange, did much good. It + showed to Abraham, and to Isaac also, that Isaac belonged to + God, for to God he had been offered; and in Isaac all those who + should come from him, his descendants, had <a name="Page_34" + id="Page_34"></a>been given to God. Then it showed to + Abraham and to all the people after him, that God did not + wish children or men killed as offerings for worship; and + while all the people around offered such sacrifices, the + Israelites, who came from Abraham and from Isaac, never + offered them, but offered oxen and sheep and goats + instead.</p> + + <p>These gifts, which cost so much toil, they felt must be + pleasing to God, because they expressed their thankfulness to + him. But they were glad to be taught that God does not desire + men's lives to be taken, but loves our living gifts of love and + kindness.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_35" + id="Page_35"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_JACOB" + id="THE_STORY_OF_JACOB"></a>THE STORY OF JACOB</h2> + + <p>After Abraham died, his son Isaac lived in the land of + Canaan. Like his father, Isaac had his home in a tent; around + him were the tents of his people, and many flocks of sheep and + herds of cattle feeding wherever they could find grass to eat + and water to drink.</p> + + <p>Isaac and his wife Rebekah had two children. The older was + named Esau and the younger Jacob.</p> + + <p>Esau was a man of the woods and very fond of hunting; and he + was rough and covered with hair.</p> + + <p>Jacob was quiet and thoughtful, staying at home, dwelling in + a tent, and caring for the flocks of his father.</p> + + <p>Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, because Esau brought to + his father that which he had killed in his hunting; but Rebekah + liked Jacob, because she saw that he was wise and careful in + his work.</p> + + <p>Among the people in those lands, when a man dies, his older + son receives twice as much as the younger of what the father + has owned. This was called his "birthright," for it was his + right as the oldest born. So Esau, as the older, had a + "birthright" to more of Isaac's possessions + than<a name="Page_36" + id="Page_36"></a> Jacob. And besides this, there was the + privilege of the promise of God that the family of Isaac + should receive great blessings.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_SALE_OF_A_BIRTHRIGHT" + id="THE_SALE_OF_A_BIRTHRIGHT"></a>THE SALE OF A + BIRTHRIGHT</h2> + + <p>Now Esau, when he grew up, did not care for his birthright + or the blessing which God had promised. But Jacob, who was a + wise man, wished greatly to have the birthright which would + come to Esau when his father died. Once, when Esau came home, + hungry and tired from hunting in the fields, he saw that Jacob + had a bowl of something that he had just cooked for dinner. And + Esau said:</p> + + <p>"Give me some of that red stuff in the dish. Will you not + give me some? I am hungry."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SELL_ME_YOUR_BIRTHRIGHT" + id="SELL_ME_YOUR_BIRTHRIGHT"><img src="./images/figure11_th.jpg" + title="Sell me your birthright" + alt="Sell me your birthright" /></a><br /> + <i>"Sell me your birthright"</i> + </div> + + <p><a name="Page_37" + id="Page_37"></a>And Jacob answered, "I will give it to you, + if you will first of all sell to me your birthright."</p> + + <p>And Esau said, "What is the use of the birthright to me now, + when I am almost starving to death? You can have my birthright + if you will give me something to eat."</p> + + <p>Then Esau made Jacob a solemn promise to give to Jacob his + birthright, all for a bowl of food. It was not right for Jacob + to deal so selfishly with his brother; but it was very wrong in + Esau to care so little for his birthright and God's + blessing.</p> + + <p>Some time after this, when Esau was forty years old, he + married two wives. Though this would be very wicked in our + times, it was not supposed to be wrong then; for even good men + then had more than one wife. But Esau's two wives were women + from the people of Canaan, who worshipped idols, and not the + true God. And they taught their children also to pray to idols; + so that those who came from Esau, the people who were his + descendants, lost all knowledge of God, and became very wicked. + But this was long after that time.</p> + + <p>Isaac and Rebekah were very sorry to have their son Esau + marry women who prayed to idols and not to God; but still Isaac + loved his active son Esau more than his quiet son Jacob. But + Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_38" + id="Page_38"></a>Isaac became at last very old and feeble, + and so blind that he could see scarcely anything. One day he + said to Esau:</p> + + <p>"My son, I am very old, and do not know how soon I must die. + But before I die, I wish to give to you, as my older son, God's + blessing upon you, and your children, and your descendants. Go + out into the fields, and with your bow and arrows shoot some + animal that is good for food, and make for me a dish of cooked + meat such as you know I love; and after I have eaten it I will + give you the blessing."</p> + + <p>Now Esau ought to have told his father that the blessing did + not belong to him, for he had sold it to his brother Jacob. But + he did not tell his father. He went out into the fields + hunting, to find the kind of meat which his father liked the + most.</p> + + <p>Now Rebekah was listening, and heard all that Isaac had said + to Esau. She knew that it would be better for Jacob to have the + blessing than for Esau; and she loved Jacob more than Esau. So + she called to Jacob and told him what Isaac had said to Esau, + and she said:</p> + + <p>"Now, my son, do what I tell you, and you will get the + blessing instead of your brother. Go to the flocks and bring to + me two little kids from the goats, and I will cook them just + like the meat which Esau cooks for your father. And you will + <a name="Page_39" + id="Page_39"></a>bring it to your father, and he will think + that you are Esau, and will give you the blessing; and it + really belongs to you."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="NOW_MY_SON_DO_WHAT_I_TELL_YOU" + id="NOW_MY_SON_DO_WHAT_I_TELL_YOU"><img src="./images/figure12_th.jpg" + title="Now, my son, do what I tell you" + alt="Now, my son, do what I tell you" /></a><br /> + <i>"Now, my son, do what I tell you"</i> + </div> + + <p>But Jacob said, "You know that Esau and I are not alike. His + neck and arms are covered with hairs, while mine are smooth. My + father will feel of me, and he will find that I am + not<a name="Page_40" + id="Page_40"></a> Esau; and then, instead of giving me a + blessing, I am afraid that he will curse me."</p> + + <p>But Rebekah answered her son, "Never mind; you do as I have + told you, and I will take care of you. If any harm comes it + will come to me; so do not be afraid, but go and bring the + meat."</p> + + <p>Then Jacob went and brought a pair of little kids from the + flocks, and from them his mother made a dish of food, so that + it would be to the taste just as Isaac liked it. Then Rebekah + found some of Esau's clothes, and dressed Jacob in them; and + she placed on his neck and hands some of the skins of the kids, + so that his neck and his hands would feel rough and hairy to + the touch.</p> + + <p>Then Jacob came into his father's tent, bringing the dinner, + and speaking as much like Esau as he could, he said:</p> + + <p>"Here I am, my father."</p> + + <p>And Isaac said, "Who are you, my son?"</p> + + <p>And Jacob answered, "I am Esau, your oldest son; I have done + as you bade me; now sit up and eat the dinner that I have made, + and then give me your blessing as you promised me."</p> + + <p>And Isaac said, "How is it that you found it so + quickly?"</p> + + <p>Jacob answered, "Because the Lord your God showed me where + to go and gave me good success."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_41" + id="Page_41"></a>Isaac did not feel certain that it was his + son Esau, and he said, "Come near and let me feel you, so + that I may know that you are really my son Esau."</p> + + <p>And Jacob went up close to Isaac's bed, and Isaac felt of + his face, and his neck, and his hands, and he said:</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="MAY_NATIONS_BOW_DOWN_TO_YOU" + id="MAY_NATIONS_BOW_DOWN_TO_YOU"><img src="./images/figure13_th.jpg" + title="May nations bow down to you." + alt="May nations bow down to you." /></a><br /> + <i>"May nations bow down to you."</i> + </div> + + <p>"The voice sounds like Jacob, but the hands are the hands of + Esau. Are you really my son Esau?"</p> + + <p>And Jacob told a lie to his father, and said, "I am."</p> + + <p>Then the old man ate the food that Jacob had + <a name="Page_42" + id="Page_42"></a>brought to him; and he kissed Jacob, + believing him to be Esau; and he gave him the blessing, + saying to him:</p> + + <p>"May God give you the dew of heaven, and the richness of the + earth, and plenty of grain and wine. May nations bow down to + you and peoples become your servants. May you be the master + over your brother, and may your family and descendants that + shall come from you rule over his family and his descendants. + Blessed be those that bless you, and cursed be those that curse + you."</p> + + <p>Just as soon as Jacob had received the blessing he rose up + and hastened away. He had scarcely gone out, when Esau came in + from hunting, with the dish of food that he had cooked. And he + said:</p> + + <p>"Let my father sit up and eat the food that I have brought, + and give me the blessing."</p> + + <p>And Isaac said, "Why, who are you?"</p> + + <p>Esau answered, "I am your son; your oldest son, Esau."</p> + + <p>And Isaac trembled, and said, "Who then is the one that came + in and brought to me food? and I have eaten his food and have + blessed him; yes, and he shall be blessed."</p> + + <p>When Esau heard this, he knew that he had been cheated; and + he cried aloud, with a bitter cry, "O, my father, my brother + has taken away <a name="Page_43" + id="Page_43"></a>my blessing, just as he took away my + birthright! But cannot you give me another blessing, too? + Have you given everything to my brother?"</p> + + <p>And Isaac told him all that he had said to Jacob, making him + the ruler over his brother.</p> + + <p>But Esau begged for another blessing; and Isaac said:</p> + + <p>"My son, your dwelling shall be of the riches of the earth + and of the dew of heaven. You shall live by your sword and your + descendants shall serve his descendants. But in time to come + they shall break loose and shall shake off the yoke of your + brother's rule and shall be free."</p> + + <p>All this came to pass many years afterward. The people who + came from Esau lived in a land called Edom, on the south of the + land of Israel, where Jacob's descendants lived. And after a + time the Israelites became rulers over the Edomites; and later + still, the Edomites made themselves free from the Israelites. + But all this took place hundreds of years afterward.</p> + + <p>It was better that Jacob's descendants, those who came after + him, should have the blessing, than that Esau's people should + have it; for Jacob's people worshipped God, and Esau's people + walked in the way of the idols and became + wicked.<a name="Page_44" + id="Page_44"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_LADDER_THAT_REACHED_TO_HEAVEN" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_LADDER_THAT_REACHED_TO_HEAVEN"></a>THE + STORY OF THE LADDER THAT REACHED TO HEAVEN</h2> + + <p>After Esau found that he had lost his birthright and his + blessing, he was very angry against his brother Jacob; and he + said to himself, and told others:</p> + + <p>"My father Isaac is very old and cannot live long. As soon + as he is dead, then I shall kill Jacob for having robbed me of + my right."</p> + + <p>When Rebekah heard this, she said to Jacob, "Before it is + too late, do you go away from home and get out of Esau's sight. + Perhaps when Esau sees you no longer, he will forget his anger, + and then you can come home again. Go and visit my brother + Laban, your uncle, in Haran, and stay with him for a little + while."</p> + + <p>We must remember that Rebekah came from the family of Nahor, + Abraham's younger brother, who lived in Haran, a long distance + to the northeast of Canaan, and that Laban was Rebekah's + brother.</p> + + <p>So Jacob went out of Beersheba, on the border of the desert, + and walked alone, carrying his staff in his hand. One evening, + just about sunset, he came to a place among the mountains, more + than sixty miles distant from his home.<a name="Page_45" + id="Page_45"></a> And as he had no bed to lie down upon, he + took a stone and rested his head upon it for a pillow, and + lay down to sleep.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="ANGELS_WERE_UPON_THE_STAIRS" + id="ANGELS_WERE_UPON_THE_STAIRS"><img src="./images/figure14_th.jpg" + title="Angels were upon the stairs" + alt="Angels were upon the stairs" /></a><br /> + <i>Angels were upon the stairs</i> + </div> + + <p>And on that night Jacob had a wonderful dream. In his dream + he saw stairs leading from the earth where he lay up to heaven; + and angels were going up and coming down upon the stairs. And + above the stairs, he saw the Lord God standing. And God said to + Jacob:</p> + + <p>"I am the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac + your father; and I will be your God, too. The land where you + are lying all alone, shall belong to you and to your children + after you; and your children shall spread abroad over the + lands, east and west, and north and south, like the dust of the + earth; and in your family all the world shall receive a + blessing. And I am with you in your journey, and I will keep + you where you are going, and will bring you back to this land. + I will never leave you, and I will surely keep my promise to + you."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_46" + id="Page_46"></a>And in the morning Jacob awakened from his + sleep, and he said:</p> + + <p>"Surely, the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it! I + thought that I was all alone, but God has been with me. This + place is the house of God; it is the gate of heaven!"</p> + + <p>And Jacob took the stone on which his head had rested, and + he set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on it as an offering + to God. And Jacob named that place Bethel, which in the + language that Jacob spoke means "The House of God."</p> + + <p>And Jacob made a promise to God at that time, and said:</p> + + <p>"If God really will go with me and will keep me in the way + that I go, and will give me bread to eat and will bring me to + my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God: and + this stone shall be the house of God, and of all that God gives + me I will give back to God one-tenth as an offering."</p> + + <p>Then Jacob went onward in his long journey. He walked across + the river Jordan in a shallow place, feeling his way with his + staff; he climbed mountains and journeyed beside the great + desert on the east, and at last came to the city of Haran. + Beside the city was the well, where Abraham's servant had met + Jacob's mother, Rebekah; and there, after Jacob had waited for + <a name="Page_47" + id="Page_47"></a>a time, he saw a young woman coming with + her sheep to give them water.</p> + + <p>Then Jacob took off the flat stone that was over the mouth + of the well, and drew water and gave it to the sheep. And when + he found that this young woman was his own cousin Rachel, the + daughter of Laban, he was so glad that he wept for joy. And at + that moment he began to love Rachel, and longed to have her for + his wife.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="JACOB_WENT_ONWARD_IN_HIS_LONG_JOURNEY" + id="JACOB_WENT_ONWARD_IN_HIS_LONG_JOURNEY"><img src="./images/figure15_th.jpg" + title="Jacob went onward in his long journey" + alt="Jacob went onward in his long journey" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Jacob went onward in his long journey</i> + </div> + + <p>Rachel's father, Laban, who was Jacob's uncle, gave a + welcome to Jacob, and took him into his home.</p> + + <p>And Jacob asked Laban if he would give his daughter, Rachel, + to him as his wife; and Jacob said, "If you give me Rachel, I + will work for you seven years."</p> + + <p>And Laban said, "It is better that you should have her, than + that a stranger should marry her."</p> + + <p>So Jacob lived seven years in Laban's house, caring for his + sheep and oxen and camels; but his love for Rachel made the + time seem short.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_48" + id="Page_48"></a>At last the day came for the marriage; and + they brought in the bride, who, after the manner of that + land, was covered with a thick veil, so that her face could + not be seen. And she was married to Jacob, and when Jacob + lifted up her veil he found that he had married, not Rachel, + but her older sister, Leah, who was not beautiful, and whom + Jacob did not love at all.</p> + + <p>Jacob was very angry that he had been deceived,—though + that was just the way in which Jacob himself had deceived his + father and cheated his brother Esau. But his uncle Laban + said:</p> + + <p>"In our land we never allow the younger daughter to be + married before the older daughter. Keep Leah for your wife, and + work for me seven years longer, and you shall have Rachel + also."</p> + + <p>For in those times, as we have seen, men often had two + wives, or even more than two. So Jacob stayed seven years more, + fourteen years in all, before he received Rachel as his + wife.</p> + + <p>While Jacob was living at Haran, eleven sons were born to + him. But only one of these was the child of Rachel, whom Jacob + loved. This son was Joseph, who was dearer to Jacob than any + other of his children, partly because he was the youngest, and + because he was the child of his beloved Rachel.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_49" + id="Page_49"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_JOSEPH_AND_HIS_COAT_OF_MANY_COLORS" + id="THE_STORY_OF_JOSEPH_AND_HIS_COAT_OF_MANY_COLORS"></a>THE + STORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS COAT OF MANY COLORS</h2> + + <p>After Jacob came back to the land of Canaan with his eleven + sons, another son was born to him, the second child of his wife + Rachel, whom Jacob loved so well. But soon after the baby came, + his mother Rachel died, and Jacob was filled with sorrow. Even + to this day you can see the place where Rachel was buried, on + the road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Jacob named the child + whom Rachel left, Benjamin; and now Jacob had twelve sons. Most + of them were grown-up men; but Joseph was a boy seventeen years + old, and his brother Benjamin was almost a + baby.<a name="Page_50" + id="Page_50"></a></p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="BACK_TO_THE_LAND_OF_CANAAN" + id="BACK_TO_THE_LAND_OF_CANAAN"><img src="./images/figure16_th.jpg" + title="Back to the Land of Canaan" + alt="Back to the Land of Canaan" /></a><br /> + <i>Back to the Land of Canaan</i> + </div> + + <p>Of all his children, Jacob loved Joseph the best, because he + was Rachel's child; because he was so much younger than most of + his brothers; and because he was good, and faithful, and + thoughtful. Jacob gave to Joseph a robe or coat of bright + colors, made somewhat like a long cloak with wide sleeves. This + was a special mark of Jacob's favor to Joseph, and it made his + older brothers envious of him.</p> + + <p>Then, too, Joseph did what was right, while his older + brothers often did very wrong acts, of which Joseph sometimes + told their father; and this made them very angry at Joseph. But + they hated him still more because of two strange dreams he had, + and of which he told them. He said one day: "Listen to this + dream that I have dreamed. I dreamed that we were out in the + field binding sheaves, when suddenly my sheaf stood up, and all + your sheaves came around it and bowed down to my sheaf!"</p> + + <p>And they said scornfully, "Do you suppose that the dream + means that you will some time rule over us, and that we shall + bow down to you?"</p> + + <p>Then, a few days after, Joseph said, "I have dreamed again. + This time, I saw in my dream the sun, and the moon, and eleven + stars, all come and bow to me!"</p> + + <p>And his father said to him, "I do not like you + <a name="Page_51" + id="Page_51"></a>to dream such dreams. Shall I, and your + mother, and your brothers, come and bow down before you as + if you were a king?"</p> + + <p>His brothers hated Joseph, and would not speak kindly to + him; but his father thought much of what Joseph had said.</p> + + <p>At one time, Joseph's ten brothers were taking care of the + flock in the fields near Shechem, which was nearly fifty miles + from Hebron, where Jacob's tents were spread. And Jacob wished + to send a message to his sons, and he called Joseph, and said + to him:</p> + + <p>"Your brothers are near Shechem with the flock. I wish that + you would go to them, and take a message, and find if they are + well, and if the flocks are doing well; and bring me word from + them."</p> + + <p>That was quite an errand, for a boy to go alone over the + country, and find his way, for fifty miles, and then walk home + again. But Joseph was a boy who could take care of himself, and + could be trusted; so he went forth on his journey, walking + northward over the mountains, past Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, + and Bethel—though we are not sure those cities were then + built, except Jerusalem, which was already a strong city.</p> + + <p>When Joseph reached Shechem, he could not find his brothers, + for they had taken their flocks <a name="Page_52" + id="Page_52"></a>to another place. A man met Joseph + wandering in the field, and asked him, "Whom are you + seeking?"</p> + + <p>Joseph said, "I am looking for my brothers; the sons of + Jacob. Can you tell me where I will find them?"</p> + + <p>And the man said, "They are at Dothan; for I heard them say + that they were going there."</p> + + <p>Then Joseph walked over the hills to Dothan, which was + fifteen miles further. And his brothers saw him afar off coming + toward them. They knew him by his bright garment; and one said + to another: "Look, that dreamer is coming! Come, let us kill + him, and throw his body into a pit, and tell his father that + some wild beast has eaten him; and then we will see what + becomes of his dreams."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="WALKING_NORTHWARD_OVER_THE_MOUNTAINS" + id="WALKING_NORTHWARD_OVER_THE_MOUNTAINS"><img src="./images/figure17_th.jpg" + title="Walking northward over the mountains" + alt="Walking northward over the mountains" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Walking northward over the mountains</i> + </div> + + <p>One of his brothers, whose name was Reuben, felt more kindly + toward Joseph than the others. He said:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_53" + id="Page_53"></a>Let us not kill him, but let us throw him + into this pit, in the wilderness, and leave him there to + die."</p> + + <p>But Reuben intended, after they had gone away, to lift + Joseph out of the pit, and take him home to his father. The + brothers did as Reuben told them; they threw Joseph into the + pit, which was empty. He cried, and begged them to save him; + but they would not. They calmly sat down to eat their dinner on + the grass, while their brother was calling to them from the + pit.</p> + + <p>After the dinner, Reuben chanced to go to another part of + the field; so that he was not at hand when a company of men + passed by with their camels, going from Gilead, on the east of + the river Jordan, to Egypt, to sell spices and fragrant gum + from trees to the Egyptians.</p> + + <p>Then Judah, another of Joseph's brothers, said, "What good + will it do us to kill our brother? Would it not be better for + us to sell him to these men, and let them carry him away? After + all, he is our brother, and we would better not kill him."</p> + + <p>His brothers agreed with him; so they stopped the men who + were passing, and drew up Joseph from the pit, and for twenty + pieces of silver they sold Joseph to these men; and they took + him away with them down to Egypt.</p> + + <p>After a while, Reuben came to the pit, where + <a name="Page_54" + id="Page_54"></a>they had left Joseph, and looked into it; + but Joseph was not there. Then Reuben was in great trouble; + and he came back to his brothers, saying: "The boy is not + there! What shall I do!"</p> + + <p>Then his brothers told Reuben what they had done; and they + all agreed together to deceive their father. They killed one of + the goats, and dipped Joseph's coat in its blood; and they + brought it to their father, and they said to him: "We found + this coat out in the wilderness. Look at it, father, and tell + us if you think it was the coat of your son."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="FOR_TWENTY_PIECES_OF_SILVER_THEY_SOLD_JOSEPH" + id="FOR_TWENTY_PIECES_OF_SILVER_THEY_SOLD_JOSEPH"><img src="./images/figure18_th.jpg" + title="For twenty pieces of silver they sold Joseph" + alt="For twenty pieces of silver they sold Joseph" /> + </a><br /> + <i>For twenty pieces of silver they sold Joseph</i> + </div> + + <p>And Jacob knew it at once. He said: "It is my son's coat. + Some wild beast has eaten him. There is no doubt that Joseph + has been torn in pieces!"</p> + + <p>And Jacob's heart was broken over the loss of Joseph, all + the more because he had sent Joseph <a name="Page_55" + id="Page_55"></a>alone on the journey through the + wilderness. They tried to comfort him, but he would not be + comforted. He said: "I will go down to the grave mourning + for my poor lost son."</p> + + <p>So the old man sorrowed for his son Joseph; and all the time + his wicked brothers knew that Joseph was not dead; but they + would not tell their father the dreadful deed they had done to + their brother, in selling him as a slave.<a name="Page_56" + id="Page_56"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr /> + + <h2><a name="THE_DREAMS_OF_A_KING" + id="THE_DREAMS_OF_A_KING"></a>THE DREAMS OF A KING</h2> + + <p>The men who bought Joseph from his brothers were called + Ishmaelites, because they belonged to the family of Ishmael, + who, you remember, was the son of Hagar, the servant of Sarah. + These men carried Joseph southward over the plain which lies + beside the great sea on the west of Canaan; and after many days + they brought Joseph to Egypt. How strange it must have seemed + to the boy who had lived in tents to see the great river Nile, + and the cities thronged with people, and the temples, and the + mighty pyramids!</p> + + <p>The Ishmaelites sold Joseph as a slave to a man named + Potiphar, who was an officer in the army of Pharaoh, the king + of Egypt. Joseph was a beautiful boy, and cheerful and willing + in his spirit, and able in all that he undertook; so that his + master Potiphar became very friendly to him, and after a time, + he placed Joseph in charge of his house, and everything in it. + For some years Joseph continued in the house of Potiphar, a + slave in name, but in reality the master of all his affairs, + and ruler over his fellow-servants.</p> + + <p>But Potiphar's wife, who at first was very <a name="Page_57" + id="Page_57"></a>friendly to Joseph, afterward became his + enemy, because Joseph would not do wrong to please her. She + told her husband falsely, that Joseph had done a wicked + deed. Her husband believed her, and was very angry at + Joseph, and put him in the prison with those who had been + sent to that place for breaking the laws of the land. How + hard it was for Joseph to be charged with a crime, when he + had done no wrong, and to be thrust into a dark prison among + wicked people!</p> + + <p>But Joseph had faith in God, that at some time all would + come out right; and in the prison he was cheerful, and kind, + and helpful, as he had always been. The keeper of the prison + saw that Joseph was not like the other men around him, and he + was kind to Joseph. In a very little while, Joseph was placed + in charge of all his fellow-prisoners, and took care of them, + just as he had taken care of everything in Potiphar's house. + The keeper of the prison scarcely looked into the prison at + all; for he had confidence in Joseph, that he would be faithful + and wise in doing the work given to him. Joseph did right, and + served God, and God blessed Joseph in everything.</p> + + <p>While Joseph was in the prison, two men were sent there by + the king of Egypt, because he was displeased with them. One was + the king's chief <a name="Page_58" + id="Page_58"></a>butler, who served the king with wine; the + other was the chief baker, who served him with bread. These + two men were under Joseph's care; and Joseph waited on them, + for they were men of rank.</p> + + <p>One morning, when Joseph came into the room where the butler + and the baker were kept, he found them looking quite sad. + Joseph said to them:</p> + + <p>"Why do you look so sad today?" Joseph was cheerful and + happy in his spirit; and he wished others to be happy also, + even in prison.</p> + + <p>And one of them said, "Each one of us dreamed last night a + very strange dream, and there is no one to tell us what our + dreams mean."</p> + + <p>For in those times, before God gave the Bible to men, he + often spoke to men in dreams; and there were wise men who could + sometimes tell what the dreams meant.</p> + + <p>"Tell me," said Joseph, "what your dreams are. Perhaps my + God will help me to understand them."</p> + + <p>Then the chief butler told his dream. He said, "In my dream + I saw a grape-vine with three branches; and as I looked, the + branches shot out buds; and the buds became blossoms; and the + blossoms turned into clusters of ripe grapes. And I picked the + grapes, and squeezed <a name="Page_59" + id="Page_59"></a>their juice into king Pharaoh's cup, and it + became wine; and I gave it to king Pharaoh to drink, just as + I used to do when I was beside his table."</p> + + <p>Then Joseph said, "This is what your dream means. The three + branches mean three days. In three days, king Pharaoh shall + call you out of prison and shall put you back in your place; + and you shall stand at his table, and shall give him his wine, + as you have given it before. But when you go out of prison, + please to remember me, and try to find some way to get me, too, + out of this prison. For I was stolen out of the land of Canaan, + and sold as a slave; and I have done nothing wrong to deserve + being put in this prison. Do speak to the king for me, that I + may be set free."</p> + + <p>Of course, the chief butler felt very happy to hear that his + dream had so pleasant a meaning. And the chief baker spoke, + hoping to have an answer as good:</p> + + <p>"In my dream," said the baker, "there were three baskets of + white bread on my head, one above another, and on the topmost + basket were all kinds of roasted meat and food for Pharaoh; and + the birds came, and ate the food from the baskets on my + head."</p> + + <p>And Joseph said to the baker:</p> + + <p>"This is the meaning of your dream, and I am + <a name="Page_60" + id="Page_60"></a>sorry to tell it to you. The three baskets + are three days. In three days, by order of the king you + shall be lifted up, and hanged upon a tree; and the birds + shall eat your flesh from your bones as you are hanging in + the air."</p> + + <p>And it came to pass just as Joseph had said. Three days + after that, king Pharaoh sent his officers to the prison. They + came and took out both the chief butler and the chief baker. + The baker they hung up by his neck to die, and left his body + for the birds to pick in pieces. The chief butler they brought + back to his old place, where he waited at the king's table, and + handed him his wine to drink.</p> + + <p>You would have supposed that the butler would remember + Joseph, who had given him the promise of freedom, and had shown + such wisdom. But in his gladness, he forgot all about Joseph. + And two full years passed by, while Joseph was still in prison, + until he was a man thirty years old.</p> + + <p>But one night, king Pharaoh himself dreamed a dream—in + fact, two dreams in one. And in the morning he sent for all the + wise men of Egypt, and told to them his dreams; but there was + not a man who could give the meaning of them. And the king was + troubled, for he felt that the dreams had some meaning which it + was important for him to know.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_61" + id="Page_61"></a>Then suddenly the chief butler who was by + the king's table remembered his own dream in the prison two + years before, and remembered, too, the young man who had + told its meaning so exactly. And he said:</p> + + <p>"I do remember my faults this day. Two years ago king + Pharaoh was angry with his servants, with me and the chief + baker; and he sent us to the prison. While we were in the + prison, one night each of us dreamed a dream; and the next day + a young man in the prison, a Hebrew from the land of Canaan, + told us what our dreams meant; and in three days they came + true, just as the young Hebrew had said. I think that if this + young man is in the prison still, he could tell the king the + meaning of his dreams."</p> + + <p>You notice that the butler spoke of Joseph as "a Hebrew." + The people of Israel, to whom Joseph belonged, were called + Hebrews as well as Israelites. The word Hebrew means, "One who + crossed over," and it was given to the Israelites because + Abraham, their father, had come from a land on the other side + of the great river Euphrates, and had crossed over the river on + his way to Canaan.</p> + + <p>Then king Pharaoh sent in haste to the prison for Joseph; + and Joseph was taken out, and he was dressed in new garments, + and was led in to Pharaoh in the palace. And Pharaoh said:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_62" + id="Page_62"></a>I have dreamed a dream; and there is no one + who can tell what it means. And I have been told that you + have power to understand dreams and what they mean."</p> + + <p>And Joseph answered Pharaoh:</p> + + <p>"The power is not in me; but God will give Pharaoh a good + answer. What is the dream that the king has dreamed?"</p> + + <p>"In my first dream," said Pharaoh, "I was standing by the + river: and I saw seven fat and handsome cows come up from the + river to feed in the grass. And while they were feeding, seven + other cows followed them up from the river, very thin, and + poor, and lean—such miserable creatures as I had never + seen before. And the seven lean cows ate up the seven fat cows; + and after they had eaten them up, they were as lean and + miserable as before. Then I awoke.</p> + + <p>"And I fell asleep again, and dreamed again. In my second + dream, I saw seven heads of grain growing up on one stalk, + large, and strong, and good. And then seven heads came up after + them, that were thin, and poor, and withered. And the seven + thin heads swallowed up the seven good heads; and afterward + were as poor and withered as before.</p> + + <p>"And I told these two dreams to all the wise men, and there + is no one who can explain them. Can you tell me what these + dreams mean?"</p> + + <p><a name="Page_63" + id="Page_63"></a>And Joseph said to the king:</p> + + <p>"The two dreams have the same meaning. God has been showing + to king Pharaoh what he will do in this land. The seven good + cows mean seven years, and the seven good heads of grain mean + the same seven years. The seven lean cows and the seven thin + heads of grain also mean seven years. The good cows and the + good grain mean seven years of plenty, and the seven thin cows + and thin heads of grain mean seven poor years. There are coming + upon the land of Egypt seven years of such plenty as have never + been seen; when the fields shall bring greater crops than ever + before; and after those years shall come seven years when the + fields shall bring no crops at all. And then for seven years + there shall be such need, that the years of plenty will be + forgotten, for the people will have nothing to eat.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_TWO_DREAMS_HAVE_THE_SAME_MEANING" + id="THE_TWO_DREAMS_HAVE_THE_SAME_MEANING"><img src="./images/figure19_th.jpg" + title="The two dreams have the same meaning" + alt="The two dreams have the same meaning" /> + </a><br /> + <i>The two dreams have the same meaning</i> + </div> + + <p>"Now, let king Pharaoh find some man who is + <a name="Page_64" + id="Page_64"></a>able and wise, and let him set this man to + rule over the land. And during the seven years of plenty, + let a part of the crops be put away for the years of need. + If this shall be done, then when the years of need come, + there will be plenty of food for all the people, and no one + will suffer, for all will have enough."</p> + + <p>And king Pharaoh said to Joseph: "Since God has shown you + all this, there is no other man as wise as you. I will appoint + you to do this work, and to rule over the land of Egypt. All + the people shall be under you; only on the throne of Egypt I + will be above you."</p> + + <p>And Pharaoh took from his own hand the ring which held his + seal, and put on Joseph's hand, so that he could sign for the + king, and seal in the king's place. And he dressed Joseph in + robes of fine linen, and put around his neck a gold chain. And + he made Joseph ride in a chariot which was next in rank to his + own. And they cried out before Joseph, "Bow the knee." And thus + Joseph was ruler over all the land of Egypt.<a name="Page_65" + id="Page_65"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_MONEY_IN_THE_SACKS" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_MONEY_IN_THE_SACKS"></a>THE STORY OF + THE MONEY IN THE SACKS</h2> + + <p>When Joseph was made ruler over the land of Egypt, he did + just as he had always done. It was not Joseph's way to sit + down, to rest and enjoy himself, and make others wait on him. + He found his work at once, and began to do it faithfully and + thoroughly. He went out over all the land of Egypt, and saw how + rich and abundant were the fields of grain, giving much more + than the people could use for their own needs. He told the + people not to waste it, but to save it for the coming time of + need.</p> + + <p>And he called upon the people to give him for the king one + bushel of grain out of every five, to be stored up. The people + brought their grain, after taking for themselves as much as + they needed, and Joseph stored it up in great storehouses in + the cities; so much at last that no one could keep account of + it.</p> + + <p>The king of Egypt gave a wife to Joseph from the noble young + women of his kingdom. Her name was Asenath; and to Joseph and + his wife God gave two sons. The oldest son he + named<a name="Page_66" + id="Page_66"></a> Manasseh, a word which means "Making to + Forget."</p> + + <p>"For," said Joseph, "God has made me to forget all my + troubles and my toil as a slave."</p> + + <p>The second son he named Ephraim, a word that means + "Fruitful." "Because," said Joseph, "God has not only made the + land fruitful; but he has made me fruitful in the land of my + troubles."</p> + + <p>The seven years of plenty soon passed by, and then came the + years of need. In all the lands around people were hungry, and + there was no food for them to eat; but in the land of Egypt + everybody had enough. Most of the people soon used up the grain + that they had saved; many had saved none at all, and they all + cried to the king to help them.</p> + + <p>"Go to Joseph!" said king Pharaoh, "and do whatever he tells + you to do."</p> + + <p>Then the people came to Joseph, and Joseph opened the + storehouses, and sold to the people all the grain that they + wished to buy. And not only the people of Egypt came to buy + grain, but people of all the lands around as well, for there + was great need and famine everywhere. And the need was as great + in the land of Canaan, where Jacob lived, as in other lands. + Jacob was rich in flocks and cattle, and gold and silver, but + his fields gave no grain, and there was danger + <a name="Page_67" + id="Page_67"></a>that his family and his people would + starve. And Jacob—who was now called Israel + also—heard that there was food in Egypt and he said to + his sons: "Why do you look at each other, asking what to do + to find food? I have been told that there is grain in Egypt. + Go down to that land, and take money with you, and bring + grain, so that we may have bread, and may live."</p> + + <p>Then the ten older brothers of Joseph went down to the land + of Egypt. They rode upon asses, for horses were not much used + in those times, and they brought money with them. But Jacob + would not let Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother, go with them, + for he was all the more dear to his father, now that Joseph was + no longer with him; and Jacob feared that harm might come to + him.</p> + + <p>Then Joseph's brothers came to Joseph to buy food. They did + not know him, grown up to be a man, dressed as a prince, and + seated on a throne. Joseph was now nearly forty years old, and + it had been almost twenty-three years since they had sold him. + But Joseph knew them all, as soon as he saw them. He wished to + be sharp and stern with them, not because he hated them; but + because he wished to see what their spirit was, and whether + they were as selfish, and cruel, and wicked as they had been in + other days.</p> + + <p>They came before him, and bowed, with their + <a name="Page_68" + id="Page_68"></a>faces to the ground. Then, no doubt, Joseph + thought of the dream that had come to him while he was a + boy, of his brothers' sheaves bending down around his sheaf. + He spoke to them as a stranger, as if he did not understand + their language, and he had their words explained to him in + the language of Egypt.</p> + + <p>"Who are you? And from what place do you come?" said Joseph, + in a harsh, stern manner.</p> + + <p>They answered him very meekly: "We have come from the land + of Canaan to buy food."</p> + + <p>"No," said Joseph, "I know what you have come for. You have + come as spies, to see how helpless the land is, so that you can + bring an army against us, and make war on us."</p> + + <p>"No, no," said Joseph's ten brothers. "We are no spies. We + are the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan; and + we have come for food, because we have none at home."</p> + + <p>"You say that you are the sons of one man, who is your + father? Is he living? Have you any more brothers? Tell me all + about yourselves."</p> + + <p>And they said: "Our father is an old man in Canaan. We did + have a younger brother, but he was lost; and we have one + brother still, who is the youngest of all, but his father could + not spare him to come with us."</p> + + <p>"No," said Joseph. "You are not good, honest + <a name="Page_69" + id="Page_69"></a>men. You are spies. I shall put you all in + prison, except one of you; and he shall go and bring that + youngest brother of yours; and when I see him, then I will + believe that you tell the truth."</p> + + <p>So Joseph put all the ten men in prison, and kept them under + guard for three days; then he sent for them again. They did not + know that he could understand their language, and they said to + each other, while Joseph heard, but pretended not to hear: + "This has come upon us because of the wrong that we did to our + brother Joseph, more than twenty years ago. We heard him cry, + and plead with us, when we threw him into the pit, and we would + not have mercy on him. God is giving us only what we have + deserved."</p> + + <p>And Reuben, who had tried to save Joseph, said: "Did I not + tell you not to harm the boy? and you would not listen to me. + God is bringing our brother's blood upon us all."</p> + + <p>When Joseph heard this, his heart was touched, for he saw + that his brothers were really sorry for the wrong that they had + done to him. He turned away from them, so that they could not + see his face, and he wept. Then he turned again to them and + spoke roughly as before, and said:</p> + + <p>"This I will do, for I serve God. I will let you + <a name="Page_70" + id="Page_70"></a>all go home, except one man. One of you I + will shut up in prison; but the rest of you can go home and + take food for your people. And you must come back and bring + your youngest brother with you, and I shall know then that + you have spoken the truth."</p> + + <p>Then Joseph gave orders, and his servants seized one of his + brothers, whose name was Simeon, and bound him in their sight + and took him away to prison. And he ordered his servants to + fill the men's sacks with grain, and to put every man's money + back into the sack before it was tied up, so that they would + find the money as soon as they opened the sack. Then the men + loaded their asses with the sacks of grain, and started to go + home, leaving their brother Simeon a prisoner.</p> + + <p>When they stopped on the way to feed their asses, one of the + brothers opened his sack, and there he found his money lying on + the top of the grain. He called out to his brothers: "See, here + is my money given again to me!" And they were frightened, but + they did not dare to go back to Egypt and meet the stern ruler + of the land. They went home and told their old father all that + had happened to them, and how their brother Simeon was in + prison, and must stay there until they should return, bringing + Benjamin with them.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_71" + id="Page_71"></a>When they opened their sacks of grain, + there in the mouth of each sack was the money that they had + given; and they were filled with fear. Then they spoke of + going again to Egypt and taking Benjamin, but Jacob said to + them:</p> + + <p>"You are taking my sons away from me. Joseph is gone, and + Simeon is gone, and now you would take Benjamin away. All these + things are against me!" Reuben said: "Here are my own two boys. + You may kill them, if you wish, in case I do not bring Benjamin + back to you." But Jacob said: "My youngest son shall not go + with you. His brother is dead, and he alone is left to me. If + harm should come to him, it would bring down my gray hairs with + sorrow to the grave."</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_72" + id="Page_72"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_MYSTERY_OF_THE_LOST_BROTHER" + id="THE_MYSTERY_OF_THE_LOST_BROTHER"></a>THE MYSTERY OF THE + LOST BROTHER</h2> + + <p>The food which Jacob's sons had brought from Egypt did not + last long, for Jacob's family was large. Most of his sons were + married and had children of their own; so that the children and + grandchildren were sixty-six, besides the servants who waited + on them, and the men who cared for Jacob's flocks. So around + the tent of Jacob was quite a camp of other tents and an army + of people.</p> + + <p>When the food that had come from Egypt was nearly eaten up, + Jacob said to his sons:</p> + + <p>"Go down to Egypt again, and buy some food for us."</p> + + <p>And Judah, Jacob's son, the man who years before had urged + his brothers to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites, said to his + father: "It is of no use for us to go to Egypt, unless we take + Benjamin with us. The man who rules in that land said to us, + 'You shall not see my face, unless your youngest brother be + with you'."</p> + + <p>And Israel said, "Why did you tell the man that you had a + brother? You did me great harm when you told him."</p> + + <p>"Why," said Jacob's sons, "we could not help telling him. + The man asked us all about our <a name="Page_73" + id="Page_73"></a>family, 'Is your father yet living? Have + you any more brothers?' And we had to tell him, his + questions were so close. How should we know that he would + say, 'Bring your brother here, for me to see him'?"</p> + + <p>And Judah said, "Send Benjamin with me, and I will take care + of him. I promise you that I will bring him safely home. If he + does not come back, let me bear the blame forever. He must go, + or we shall die for want of food; and we might have gone down + to Egypt and come home again, if we had not been kept + back."</p> + + <p>And Jacob said, "If he must go, then he must. But take a + present to the man, some of the choicest fruits of the land, + some spices, and perfumes, and nuts, and almonds. And take + twice as much money, besides the money that was in your sacks. + Perhaps that was a mistake, when the money was given back to + you. And take your brother Benjamin, and may the Lord God make + the man kind to you, so that he will set Simeon free, and let + you bring Benjamin back. But if it is God's will that I lose my + children, I cannot help it."</p> + + <p>So ten brothers of Joseph went down a second time to Egypt, + Benjamin going in place of Simeon. They came to Joseph's + office, the place where he sold grain to the people; and they + stood before their brother, and bowed as + before.<a name="Page_74" + id="Page_74"></a> Joseph saw that Benjamin was with them, + and he said to his steward, the man who was over his + house:</p> + + <p>"Make ready a dinner, for all these men shall dine with me + today."</p> + + <p>When Joseph's brothers found that they were taken into + Joseph's house, they were filled with fear. They said to each + other:</p> + + <p>"We have been taken here on account of the money in our + sacks. They will say that we have stolen it, and then they will + sell us all for slaves."</p> + + <p>But Joseph's steward, the man who was over his house, + treated the men kindly; and when they spoke of the money in + their sacks, he would not take it again, saying:</p> + + <p>"Never fear; your God must have sent you this as a gift. I + had your money."</p> + + <p>The stewards received the men into Joseph's house, and + washed their feet, according to the custom of the land. And at + noon, Joseph came in to meet them. They brought him the present + from their father, and again they bowed before him, with their + faces on the ground.</p> + + <p>And Joseph asked them if they were well, and said: "Is your + father still living, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he + well?"</p> + + <p>And they said, "Our father is well and he is living." And + again they bowed to Joseph.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_75" + id="Page_75"></a>And Joseph looked at his younger brother + Benjamin, the child of his own mother Rachel, and said:</p> + + <p>"Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God + be gracious unto you, my son."</p> + + <p>And Joseph's heart was so full that he could not keep back + the tears. He went in haste to his own room, and wept there. + Then he washed his face, and came out again, and ordered the + table to be set for dinner. They set Joseph's table for + himself, as the ruler, and another table for his Egyptian + officers, and another for the eleven men from Canaan; for + Joseph had brought Simeon out of the prison, and had given him + a place with his brothers.</p> + + <p>Joseph himself arranged the order of the seats for his + brothers, the oldest at the head, and all in order of age down + to the youngest. The men wondered at this, and could not see + how the ruler of Egypt could know the order of their ages. And + Joseph sent dishes from his table to his brothers, and he gave + to Benjamin five times as much as to the others. Perhaps he + wished to see whether they were as jealous of Benjamin as in + other days they had been toward him.</p> + + <p>After dinner, Joseph said to his steward: "Fill the men's + sacks with grain, as much as they can carry, and put each man's + money in his <a name="Page_76" + id="Page_76"></a>sack. And put my silver cup in the sack of + the youngest, with his money."</p> + + <p>The steward did as Joseph had said; and early in the morning + the brothers started to go home. A little while afterward, + Joseph said to his steward:</p> + + <p>"Hasten, follow after the men from Canaan, and say, 'Why + have you wronged me, after I had treated you kindly? You have + stolen my master's silver cup, out of which he drinks'."</p> + + <p>The steward followed the men, and overtook them, and charged + them with stealing. And they said to him:</p> + + <p>"Why should you talk to us in this manner? We have stolen + nothing. Why, we brought back to you the money that we found in + our sacks; and is it likely that we would steal from your lord + his silver or gold? You may search us, and if you find your + master's cup on any of us, let him die, and the rest of us may + be sold as slaves."</p> + + <p>Then they took down the sacks from the asses, and opened + them; and in each man's sack was his money, for the second + time. And when they came to Benjamin's sack, there was the + ruler's silver cup! Then, in the greatest sorrow, they tied up + their bags again, and laid them on the asses, and came back to + Joseph's palace.</p> + + <p>And Joseph said to them:</p> + + <p>"What wicked thing is this that you have <a name="Page_77" + id="Page_77"></a>done? Did you not know that I would surely + find out your deeds?"</p> + + <p>Then Judah said, "O, my lord, what can we say? God has + punished us for our sins; and now we must all be slaves, both + we that are older, and the younger in whose sack the cup was + found."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="WHAT_WICKED_THING_IS_THIS_THAT_YOU_HAVE_DONE" + id="WHAT_WICKED_THING_IS_THIS_THAT_YOU_HAVE_DONE"><img src="./images/figure20_th.jpg" + title="What wicked thing is this that you have done?" + alt="What wicked thing is this that you have done?" /> + </a><br /> + <i>"What wicked thing is this that you have done?"</i> + </div> + + <p>"No," said Joseph. "Only one of you is guilty; the one who + has taken away my cup. I will hold him as a slave, and the rest + of you can go home to your father.</p> + + <p>Joseph wished to see whether his brothers were still + selfish, and were willing to let Benjamin suffer, if they could + escape.</p> + + <p>Then Judah, the very man who had urged his <a name="Page_78" + id="Page_78"></a>brothers to sell Joseph as a slave, came + forward, and fell at Joseph's feet, and pleaded with him to + let Benjamin go. He told again the whole story, how Benjamin + was the one whom his father loved the most of all his + children, now that his brother was lost. He said:</p> + + <p>"I promised to bear the blame, if this boy was not brought + home in safety. If he does not go back it will kill my poor old + father, who has seen much trouble. Now let my youngest brother + go home to his father, and I will stay here as a slave in his + place!"</p> + + <p>Joseph knew now, what he had longed to know, that his + brothers were no longer cruel nor selfish, but one of them was + willing to suffer, so that his brother might be spared. And + Joseph could not any longer keep his secret, for his heart + longed after his brothers; and he was ready to weep again, with + tears of love and joy. He sent all of his Egyptian servants out + of the room, so that he might be alone with his brothers, and + then he said:</p> + + <p>"Come near to me; I wish to speak with you." And they came + near, wondering. Then Joseph said:</p> + + <p>"I am Joseph; is my father really alive?"</p> + + <p>How frightened his brothers were, as they heard these words + spoken in their own language by the ruler of Egypt and for the + first time knew <a name="Page_79" + id="Page_79"></a>that this stern man, who had their lives in + his hand, was their own brother whom they had wronged! Then + Joseph said again:</p> + + <p>"I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But do + not feel troubled because of what you did. For God sent me + before you to save your lives. There have been already two + years of need and famine, and there are to be five years more, + when there shall neither be plowing of the fields nor harvest. + It was not you who sent me here, but God; and he sent me to + save your lives. God has made me like a father to Pharaoh and + ruler over all the land of Egypt. Now I wish you to go home, + and to bring down to me my father and all his family."</p> + + <p>Then Joseph placed his arms around Benjamin's neck, and + kissed him, and wept upon him. And Benjamin wept on his neck. + And Joseph kissed all his brothers, to show them that he had + fully forgiven them; and after that his brothers began to lose + their fear of Joseph and talked with him more freely.</p> + + <p>Afterward Joseph sent his brothers home with good news, and + rich gifts, and abundant food. He sent also wagons in which + Jacob and his sons' wives and the little ones of their families + might ride from Canaan down to Egypt. And Joseph's brothers + went home happier than they had been for many years.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_80" + id="Page_80"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2> + <a name="THE_STORY_OF_MOSES_THE_CHILD_WHO_WAS_FOUND_IN_THE_RIVER" + id="THE_STORY_OF_MOSES_THE_CHILD_WHO_WAS_FOUND_IN_THE_RIVER"></a>THE + STORY OF MOSES, THE CHILD WHO WAS FOUND IN THE RIVER</h2> + + <p>The children of Israel stayed in the land of Egypt much + longer than they had expected to stay. They were in that land + about four hundred years. And the going down to Egypt proved a + great blessing to them. It saved their lives during the years + of famine and need. After the years of need were over, they + found the soil in the land of Goshen, that part of Egypt where + they were living, very rich, so that they could gather three or + four crops every year.</p> + + <p>Then, too, the sons of Israel, before they came to Egypt, + had begun to marry the women in the land of Canaan who + worshipped idols, and not the Lord. If they had stayed there, + their children would have grown up like the people around them + and soon would have lost all knowledge of God.</p> + + <p>But in Goshen they lived alone and apart from the people of + Egypt. They worshipped the Lord God, and were kept away from + the idols of Egypt. And in that land, as the years went on, + from being seventy people, they grew in number until they + became a great multitude. Each of <a name="Page_81" + id="Page_81"></a>the twelve sons of Jacob was the father of + a tribe, and Joseph was the father of two tribes, named + after his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.</p> + + <p>As long as Joseph lived, and for some time after, the people + of Israel were treated kindly by the Egyptians, out of their + love for Joseph, who had saved Egypt from suffering by famine. + But after a long time another king began to rule over Egypt, + who cared nothing for Joseph or Joseph's people. He saw that + the Israelites (as the children of Israel were called) were + very many, and he feared that they would soon become greater in + number and in power than the Egyptians.</p> + + <p>He said to his people: "Let us rule these Israelites more + strictly. They are growing too strong."</p> + + <p>Then they set harsh rules over the Israelites, and laid + heavy burdens on them. They made the Israelites work hard for + the Egyptians, and build cities for them, and give to the + Egyptians a large part of the crops from their fields. They set + them at work in making brick and in building storehouses. They + were so afraid that the Israelites would grow in number that + they gave orders to kill all the little boys that were born to + the Israelites; though their little girls might be allowed to + live.</p> + + <p>But in the face of all this hate, and wrong, and + <a name="Page_82" + id="Page_82"></a>cruelty, the people of Israel were growing + in number, and becoming greater and greater.</p> + + <p>At this time, when the wrongs of the Israelites were the + greatest, and when their little children were being killed, one + little boy was born.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THEY_MADE_THE_ISRAELITES_WORK_HARD" + id="THEY_MADE_THE_ISRAELITES_WORK_HARD"><img width="473" + src="./images/082.png" + title="They made the Israelites work hard" + alt="They made the Israelites work hard" /></a><br /> + <i>They made the Israelites work hard</i> + </div> + + <p>He was such a lovely child that his mother kept him hid, so + that the enemies did not find him. When she could no longer + hide him, she formed a plan to save his life; believing that + God would help her and save her beautiful little boy.</p> + + <p>She made a little box like a boat and covered it with + something that would not let the water into it. Such a boat as + this covered over was called "an ark." She knew that at certain + times the daughter of king Pharaoh—all the kings of Egypt + were called Pharaoh, for Pharaoh means <a name="Page_83" + id="Page_83"></a>a king—would come down to the river + for a bath. She placed her baby boy in the ark, and let it + float down the river where the princess, Pharaoh's daughter, + would see it. And she sent her own daughter, a little girl + named Miriam, twelve years old, to watch close at hand. How + anxious the mother and the sister were as they saw the + little ark floating away from them on the river!</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SHE_PLACED_HER_BABY_IN_THE_ARK" + id="SHE_PLACED_HER_BABY_IN_THE_ARK"><img src="./images/figure22_th.jpg" + title="She placed her baby in the ark" + alt="She placed her baby in the ark" /></a><br /> + <i>She placed her baby in the ark</i> + </div> + + <p>Pharaoh's daughter, with her maids, came down to the river, + and they saw the ark floating on the water, among the reeds. + She sent one of her maids to bring it to her so that she might + see what was in the curious box. They opened it, and there was + a beautiful little baby, who began to cry to be taken up.</p> + + <p>The princess felt kind toward the little one, and loved it + at once. She said: "This is one of the Hebrews' children." You + have heard how the children of Israel came to be called + Hebrews.<a name="Page_84" + id="Page_84"></a> Pharaoh's daughter thought that it would + be cruel to let such a lovely baby as this die out on the + water. And just then a little girl came running up to her, + as if by accident, and she looked at the baby also, and she + said: "Shall I go and find some woman of the Hebrews to be a + nurse to the child for you and take care of it?"</p> + + <p>"Yes," said the princess. "Go and find a nurse for me."</p> + + <p>The little girl—who was Miriam, the baby's + sister—ran as quickly as she could and brought the baby's + own mother to the princess. Miriam showed in this act that she + was a wise and thoughtful little girl. The princess said to the + little baby's mother: "Take this child to your home and nurse + it for me, and I will pay you wages for it."</p> + + <p>How glad the Hebrew mother was to take her child home! No + one could harm her boy now, for he was protected by the + princess of Egypt, the daughter of the king.</p> + + <p>When the child was large enough to leave his mother + Pharaoh's daughter took him into her own house in the palace. + She named him "Moses," a word that means "drawn out," because + he was drawn out of the water.</p> + + <p>So Moses, the Hebrew boy, lived in the palace among the + nobles of the land, as the son of the princess. There he + learned much more than he <a name="Page_85" + id="Page_85"></a>could have learned among his own people; + for there were very wise teachers. Moses gained all the + knowledge that the Egyptians had to give. There in the court + of the cruel king who had made slaves of the Israelites, + God's people, was growing up our Israelite boy who should at + some time set his people free!</p> + + <p>Although Moses grew up among the Egyptians, and gained their + learning, he loved his own people. They were poor and were + hated, and were slaves, but he loved them, because they were + the people who served the Lord God, while the Egyptians + worshipped idols and animals. Strange it was that so wise a + people as these should bow down and pray to an ox, or to a cat, + or to a snake, as did the Egyptians.</p> + + <p>When Moses became a man, he went among his own people, + leaving the riches and ease that he might have enjoyed among + the Egyptians. He felt a call from God to lift up the + Israelites and set them free. But at that time he found that he + could do nothing to help them. They would not let him lead + them, and as the king of Egypt had now become his enemy, Moses + went away from Egypt into a country in Arabia, called + Midian.</p> + + <p>He was sitting by a well, in that land, tired from his long + journey, when he saw some young women come to draw water for + their flocks of <a name="Page_86" + id="Page_86"></a>sheep. But some rough men came, and drove + the women away, and took the water for their own flocks. + Moses saw it, and helped the women and drew the water for + them.</p> + + <p>These young women were sisters, the daughters of a man named + Jethro, who was a priest in the land of Midian. He asked Moses + to live with him, and to help him in the care of his flocks. + Moses stayed with Jethro and married one of his daughters. So + from being a prince in the king's palace in Egypt, Moses became + a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="MOSES_BECAME_A_SHEPHERD_IN_THE_WILDERNESS_OF_MIDIAN" + id="MOSES_BECAME_A_SHEPHERD_IN_THE_WILDERNESS_OF_MIDIAN"><img src="./images/figure23_th.jpg" + title="Moses became a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian" + alt="Moses became a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Moses became a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian</i> + </div> + + <p><a name="Page_87" + id="Page_87"></a>But Moses did not remain a shepherd. While + he was tending his sheep God appeared to him in a burning + bush and told him that he should return to Egypt and become + the leader of his people. The Lord told him that the wicked + Egyptians would be punished for the ill-treatment they were + giving the Israelites. In your Bible you will find in the + book of Exodus how God wonderfully fulfilled his promise. + The Egyptians were punished by many plagues, and finally + allowed the Israelites to go. They crossed the Red Sea in a + wonderful way, and traveled for a long time through a + wilderness, <a name="Page_88" + id="Page_88"></a>where God fed them day by day with manna + from heaven. God also gave them rules as a guide for their + daily living; these rules we call the Ten Commandments; yet + they forgot the Lord so far as to make images and worship + them.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="GOD_FED_THEM_DAY_BY_DAY_WITH_MANNA" + id="GOD_FED_THEM_DAY_BY_DAY_WITH_MANNA"><img src="./images/figure24_th.jpg" + title="God fed them day by day with manna." + alt="God fed them day by day with manna." /></a><br /> + <i>God fed them day by day with manna</i> + </div> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_89" + id="Page_89"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_GRAPES_FROM_CANAAN" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_GRAPES_FROM_CANAAN"></a>THE STORY OF + THE GRAPES FROM CANAAN</h2> + + <p>The Israelites stayed in their camp before Mount Sinai + almost a year, while they were building the Tabernacle and + learning God's laws given through Moses. At last the cloud over + the Tabernacle rose up, and the people knew that this was the + sign for them to move. They took down the Tabernacle and their + own tents, and journeyed toward the land of Canaan for many + days.</p> + + <p>At last they came to a place just on the border between the + desert and Canaan, called Kadesh, or Kadesh-barnea. Here they + stopped to rest, for there were many springs of water and some + grass for their cattle. While they were waiting at + Kadesh-barnea and were expecting soon to march into the land + which was to be their home, God told Moses to send onward some + men who should walk through the land and look at it, and then + come back and tell what they had found; what kind of a land it + was, and what fruits grew in it, and what people were living in + it. The Israelites could more easily win the land if these men, + after walking through it, could act as their guides and point + out the best places in it and the best plans of making war upon + it.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_90" + id="Page_90"></a></p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="A_CLUSTER_OF_GRAPES_SO_LARGE_THAT_TWO_MEN_CARRIED_IT" + id="A_CLUSTER_OF_GRAPES_SO_LARGE_THAT_TWO_MEN_CARRIED_IT"><img src="./images/figure25_th.jpg" + title="A cluster of grapes so large that two men carried it." + alt="A cluster of grapes so large that two men carried it." /> + </a><br /> + <i>A cluster of grapes so large that two men carried + it.</i> + </div> + + <p>So Moses chose out some men of high rank among the people, + one ruler from each tribe, twelve men in all. One of these was + Joshua, who was the helper of Moses in caring for the people, + and another was Caleb, who belonged to the <a name="Page_91" + id="Page_91"></a>tribe of Judah. These twelve men went out + and walked over the mountains of Canaan and looked at the + cities and saw the fields. In one place, just before they + came back to the camp, they cut down a cluster of ripe + grapes which was so large that two men carried it between + them, hanging from a staff. They named the place where they + found this bunch of grapes Eshcol, a word which means "a + cluster." These twelve men were called "spies," because they + went "to spy out the land"; and after forty days they came + back to the camp, and this was what they said:</p> + + <p>"We walked all over the land and found it a rich land. There + is grass for all our flocks, and fields where we can raise + grain, and trees bearing fruits, and streams running down the + sides of the hills. But we found that the people who live there + are very strong and are men of war. They have cities with walls + that reach almost up to the sky; and some of the men are + giants, so tall that we felt that we were like grasshoppers + beside them."</p> + + <p>One of the spies, who was Caleb, said, "All that is true, + yet we need not be afraid to go up and take the land. It is a + good land, well worth fighting for; God is on our side, and he + will help us to overcome those people."</p> + + <p>But all the other spies, except Joshua, + said,<a name="Page_92" + id="Page_92"></a> "No, there is no use in trying to make war + upon such strong people. We can never take those walled + cities, and we dare not fight those tall giants."</p> + + <p>And the people, who had journeyed all the way through the + wilderness to find this very land, were so frightened by the + words of the ten spies that now, on the very border of Canaan, + they dared not enter it. They forgot that God had led them out + of Egypt, that he had kept them in the dangers of the desert, + that he had given them water out of the rock, and bread from + the sky, and his law from the mountain.</p> + + <p>All that night, after the spies had brought back their + report, the people were so frightened that they could not + sleep. They cried out against Moses, and blamed him for + bringing them out of the land of Egypt. They forgot all their + troubles in Egypt, their toil and their slavery, and resolved + to go back to that land. They said:</p> + + <p>"Let us choose a ruler in place of Moses, who has brought us + into all these evils, and let us turn back to the land of + Egypt!"</p> + + <p>But Caleb and Joshua, two of the spies, said, "Why should we + fear? The land of Canaan is a good land; it is rich with milk + and honey. If God is our friend and is with us, we can easily + conquer the people who live there. Above all <a name="Page_93" + id="Page_93"></a>things, let us not rebel against the Lord, + or disobey him, and make him our enemy."</p> + + <p>But the people were so angry with Caleb and Joshua that they + were ready to stone them and kill them. Then suddenly the + people saw a strange sight. The glory of the Lord, which stayed + in the Holy of Holies, the inner room of the Tabernacle, now + flashed out, and shone from the door of the Tabernacle.</p> + + <p>And the Lord, out of this glory, spoke to Moses, and said, + "How long will this people disobey me and despise me? They + shall not go into the good land that I have promised them. Not + one of them shall enter in, except Caleb and Joshua, who have + been faithful to me. All the people who are twenty years old + and over it shall die in the desert; but their little children + shall grow up in the wilderness, and when they become men they + shall enter in and own the land that I promised to their + fathers. You people are not worthy of the land that I have been + keeping for you. Now turn back into the desert and stay there + until you die. After you are dead, Joshua shall lead your + children into the land of Canaan. And because Caleb showed + another spirit and was true to me, and followed my will fully, + Caleb shall live to go into the land, and shall have his choice + of a home there. To-morrow, turn back into the desert by the + way of the Red Sea."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_94" + id="Page_94"></a>And God told Moses that for every day that + the spies had spent in Canaan, looking at the land the + people should spend a year in the wilderness; so that they + should live in the desert forty years, instead of going at + once into the promised land.</p> + + <p>When Moses told all God's words to the people they felt + worse than before. They changed their minds as suddenly as they + had made up their minds.</p> + + <p>"No," they all said, "we will not go back to the wilderness; + we will go straight into the land, and see if we are able to + take it, as Joshua and Caleb have said."</p> + + <p>"You must not go into the land," said Moses.</p> + + <p>But the people would not obey. They marched up the mountain + and tried to march at once into the land. But they were without + leaders and without order—a mob of men, untrained and in + confusion. And the people in that part of the land, the + Canaanites and the Amorites, came down upon them and killed + many of them and drove them away. Then, discouraged and beaten, + they obeyed the Lord and Moses, and went once more into the + desert.</p> + + <p>And in the desert of Paran, on the south of the land of + Canaan, the children of Israel stayed nearly forty years; and + all because they would not trust in the Lord.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_95" + id="Page_95"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2> + <a name="THE_STORY_OF_GIDEON_AND_HIS_THREE_HUNDRED_SOLDIERS" + id="THE_STORY_OF_GIDEON_AND_HIS_THREE_HUNDRED_SOLDIERS"></a>THE + STORY OF GIDEON AND HIS THREE HUNDRED SOLDIERS</h2> + + <p>At last the people of Israel came into the promised land, + but they did evil in the sight of the Lord in worshipping Baal; + and the Lord left them to suffer for their sins. Once the + Midianites, living near the desert on the east of Israel, came + against the tribes. The two tribes that suffered the hardest + fate were Ephraim, and the part of Manasseh on the west of + Jordan. For seven years the Midianites swept over their land + every year, just at the time of harvest, and carried away all + the crops of grain, until the Israelites had no food for + themselves, and none for their sheep and cattle. The Midianites + brought also their own flocks and camels without number, which + ate all the grass of the field.</p> + + <p>The people of Israel were driven away from their villages + and their farms, and were compelled to hide in the caves of the + mountains. And if any Israelite could raise any grain, he + buried it in pits covered with earth, or in empty winepresses, + where the Midianites could not find it.</p> + + <p>One day, a man named Gideon was threshing <a name="Page_96" + id="Page_96"></a>out wheat in a hidden place, when he saw an + angel sitting-under an oak-tree. The angel said to him: "You + are a brave man, Gideon, and the Lord is with you. Go out + boldly, and save your people from the power of the + Midianites." Gideon answered the angel:</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_ANGEL_TOUCHED_THE_OFFERING_WITH_HIS_STAFF" + id="THE_ANGEL_TOUCHED_THE_OFFERING_WITH_HIS_STAFF"><img src="./images/figure26_th.jpg" + title="The angel touched the offering with his staff." + alt="The angel touched the offering with his staff." /> + </a><br /> + <i>The angel touched the offering with his staff.</i> + </div> + + <p>"O, Lord, how can I save Israel? Mine is a poor family in + Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."</p> + + <p>And the Lord said to him: "Surely I will be With you, and I + will help you drive out the Midianites."</p> + + <p>Gideon felt that it was the Lord who was talking with him, + in the form of an angel. He <a name="Page_97" + id="Page_97"></a>brought an offering, and laid it on a rock + before the angel. Then the angel touched the offering with + his staff. At once, a fire leaped up and burned the + offering; and then the angel vanished from his sight. Gideon + was afraid when he saw this; but the Lord said to him: + "Peace be unto you, Gideon, do not fear, for I am with + you."</p> + + <p>On the spot where the Lord appeared to Gideon, under an oak + tree, near the village of Ophrah, in the tribe-land of + Manasseh, Gideon built an altar and called it by a name which + means: "The Lord is peace." This altar was standing long + afterward in that place.</p> + + <p>Then the Lord told Gideon that before setting his people + free from the Midianites, he must first set them free from the + service of Baal and Asherah, the two idols most worshipped + among them. Near the house of Gideon's own father stood an + altar to Baal, and the image of Asherah.</p> + + <p>On that night, Gideon went out with ten men, and threw down + the image of Baal, and cut in pieces the wooden image of + Asherah, and destroyed the altar before these idols. And in its + place he built an altar to the God of Israel; and on it laid + the broken pieces of the idols for wood, and with them offered + a young ox as a burnt-offering.</p> + + <p>On the next morning, when the people of the + <a name="Page_98" + id="Page_98"></a>village went out to worship their idols, + they found them cut in pieces, the altar taken away; in its + place an altar of the Lord, and on it the pieces of the + Asherah were burning as wood under a sacrifice to the Lord. + The people looked at the broken and burning idols; and they + said: "Who has done this?"</p> + + <p>Some one said: "Gideon, the son of Joash, did this last + night."</p> + + <p>Then they came to Joash, Gideon's father, and said:</p> + + <p>"We are going to kill your son because he has destroyed the + image of Baal, who is our god."</p> + + <p>And Joash, Gideon's father, said: "If Baal is a god, he can + take care of himself, and punish the man who has destroyed his + image. Why should you help Baal? Let Baal help himself."</p> + + <p>And when they saw that Baal could not harm the man who had + broken down his altar and his image, the people turned from + Baal, back to their own Lord God.</p> + + <p>Gideon sent messengers through all Manasseh on the west of + Jordan, and the tribes near on the north; and the men of the + tribes gathered around him, with a few swords and spears, but + very few, for the Israelites were not ready for war. They met + beside a great spring on Mount Gilboa, called "the fountain of + Harod." Mount Gilboa is one of the three mountains on the east + of the <a name="Page_99" + id="Page_99"></a>plain of Esdraelon, or the plain of + Jezreel, where once there had been a great battle. On the + plain, stretching up the side of another of these mountains, + called "the Hill of Moreh," was the camp of a vast Midianite + army. For as soon as the Midianites heard that Gideon had + undertaken to set his people free, they came against him + with a mighty host.</p> + + <p>Gideon was a man of faith. He wished to be sure that God was + leading him, and he prayed to God and said:</p> + + <p>"O Lord God, give me some sign that thou wilt save Israel + through me. Here is a fleece of wool on this threshing floor. + If to-morrow morning the fleece is wet with dew, while the + grass around it is dry, then I shall know that thou art with + me; and that thou wilt give me victory over the + Midianites."</p> + + <p>Very early the next morning, Gideon came to look at the + fleece. He found it wringing wet with dew, while all around the + grass was dry. But Gideon was not yet satisfied. He said to the + Lord:</p> + + <p>"O Lord, be not angry with me; but give me just one more + sign. To-morrow morning let the fleece be dry, and let the dew + fall all around it, and then I will doubt no more."</p> + + <p>The next morning, Gideon found the grass, and the bushes wet + with dew, while the fleece of <a name="Page_100" + id="Page_100"></a>wool was dry. And Gideon was now sure that + God had called him, and that God would give him victory over + the enemies of Israel.</p> + + <p>The Lord said to Gideon: "Your army is too large. If Israel + should win the victory, they would say, 'we won it by our own + might.' Send home all those who are afraid to fight."</p> + + <p>For many of the people were frightened, as they looked at + the host of their enemies, and the Lord knew that these men + would only hinder the rest in the battle. So Gideon sent word + through the camp:</p> + + <p>"Whoever is afraid of the enemy may go home." And twenty-two + thousand people went away, leaving only ten thousand in + Gideon's army. But the army was stronger though it was smaller, + for the cowards had gone, and only the brave men were left.</p> + + <p>But the Lord said to Gideon: "The people are yet too many. + You need only a few of the bravest and best men to fight in + this battle. Bring the men down the mountain, past the water, + and I will show you there how to find the men whom you + need."</p> + + <p>In the morning Gideon, by God's command called his ten + thousand men out, and made them march down the hill, just as + though they were going to attack the enemy. And as they were + beside the water, he noticed how they drank, and + <a name="Page_101" + id="Page_101"></a>set them apart in two companies, according + to their way of drinking.</p> + + <p>When they came to the water, most of the men threw aside + their shields and spears, and knelt down and scooped up a draft + of the water with both hands together like a cup. These men + Gideon commanded to stand in one company.</p> + + <p>There were a few men who did not stop to take a large draft + of water. Holding spear and shield in the right hand, to be + ready for the enemy if one should suddenly appear, they merely + caught up a handful of the water in passing and marched on, + lapping up the water from one hand. God said to Gideon:</p> + + <p>"Set by themselves these men who lapped up each a handful of + water. These are the men whom I have chosen to set Israel + free."</p> + + <p>Gideon counted these men, and found that there were only + three hundred of them, while all the rest bowed down on their + faces to drink. The difference between them was that the three + hundred were earnest men, of one purpose; not turning aside + from their aim even to drink, as the others did. Then, too, + they were watchful men, always ready to meet their enemies.</p> + + <p>So Gideon, at God's command, sent back to the camp on Mount + Gilboa all the rest of his army, nearly ten thousand men, + keeping with himself only his little band of three hundred.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_102" + id="Page_102"></a>Gideon's plan did not need a large army; + but it needed a few careful, bold men, who should do exactly + as their leader commanded them. He gave to each man a lamp, + a pitcher, and a trumpet, and told the men just what was to + be done with them. The lamp was lighted, but was placed + inside the pitcher, so that it could not be seen. He divided + his men into three companies, and very quietly led them down + the mountain in the middle of the night, and arranged them + all in order around the camp of the Midianites.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_MEN_BLEW_THEIR_TRUMPETS_WITH_A_MIGHTY_NOISE" + id="THE_MEN_BLEW_THEIR_TRUMPETS_WITH_A_MIGHTY_NOISE"><img src="./images/figure27_th.jpg" + title="The men blew their trumpets with a mighty noise." + alt="The men blew their trumpets with a mighty noise." /> + </a><br /> + <i>The men blew their trumpets with a mighty noise.</i> + </div> + + <p>Then at one moment a great shout rang out in the darkness, + "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon," and after it came a + crash of breaking pitchers, and then a flash of light in every + direction. The three hundred men had given the shout, and + broken their pitchers, <a name="Page_103" + id="Page_103"></a>so that on every side lights were shining. + The men blew their trumpets with a mighty noise; and the + Midianites were roused from sleep, to see enemies all round + them, lights beaming and swords flashing, while everywhere + the sharp sound of the trumpets was heard.</p> + + <p>They were filled with sudden terror, and thought only of + escape, not of fighting. But wherever they turned, their + enemies seemed to be standing with swords drawn. They trampled + each other down to death, flying from the Israelites. Their own + land was in the east, across the river Jordan, and they fled in + that direction, down one of the valleys between the + mountains.</p> + + <p>Gideon had thought that the Midianites would turn toward + their own land, if they should be beaten in the battle, and he + had already planned to cut off their flight. The ten thousand + men in the camp he had placed on the sides of the valley + leading to the Jordan. There they slew very many of the + Midianites as they fled down the steep pass toward the river. + And Gideon had also sent to the men of the tribe of Ephraim, + who had thus far taken no part in the war, to hold the only + place at the river where men could wade through the water. + Those of the Midianites who had escaped from Gideon's men on + either side of the valley were now met by the Ephraimites at + the river, and many more of them were slain.<a name="Page_104" + id="Page_104"></a> Among the slain were two of the princes + of the Midianites, named Oreb and Zeeb.</p> + + <p>A part of the Midianite army was able to get across the + river, and to continue its flight toward the desert; but Gideon + and his brave three hundred men followed closely after them, + fought another battle with them, destroyed them utterly, and + took their two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, whom he killed. After + this great victory the Israelites were freed forever from the + Midianites. They never again ventured to leave their home in + the desert to make war on the tribes of Israel.</p> + + <p>After this, as long as Gideon lived, he ruled as Judge in + Israel. The people wished him to make himself a king.</p> + + <p>"Rule over us as king," they said, "and let your son be king + after you, and his son king after him."</p> + + <p>But Gideon said:</p> + + <p>"No, you have a king already; for the Lord God is the King + of Israel. No one but God shall be king over these tribes."</p> + + <p>Of all the fifteen men who ruled as Judges of Israel, + Gideon, the fifth Judge, was the greatest, in courage, in + wisdom, and in faith in God.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_105" + id="Page_105"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_SAMSON_THE_STRONG_MAN" + id="THE_STORY_OF_SAMSON_THE_STRONG_MAN"></a>THE STORY OF + SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN</h2> + + <p>Now we are to learn of three judges who ruled Israel in + turn. Their names were Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. None of these + were men of war, and in their days the land was quiet.</p> + + <p>But the people of Israel again began to worship idols; and + as a punishment God allowed them once more to pass under the + power of their enemies. The seventh oppression, which now fell + upon Israel, was by far the hardest, the longest and the most + widely spread of any, for it was over all the tribes. It came + from the Philistines, a strong and warlike people who lived on + the west of Israel upon the plain beside the Great Sea. They + worshipped an idol called Dagon, which was made in the form of + a fish's head on a man's body.</p> + + <p>These people, the Philistines, sent their armies up from the + plain beside the sea to the mountains of Israel and overran all + the land. They took away from the Israelites all their swords + and spears, so that they could not fight; and they robbed their + land of all the crops, so that the people suffered for want of + food. And as <a name="Page_106" + id="Page_106"></a>before, the Israelites in their trouble, + cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard their prayer.</p> + + <p>In the tribe-land of Dan, which was next to the country of + the Philistines, there was living a man named Manoah. One day + an angel came to his wife and said:</p> + + <p>"You shall have a son, and when he grows up he will begin to + save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. But your son must + never drink any wine or strong drink as long as he lives. And + his hair must be allowed to grow long and must never be cut, + for he shall be a Nazarite under a vow to the Lord."</p> + + <p>When a child was given especially to God, or when a man gave + himself to some work for God, he was forbidden to drink wine, + and as a sign, his hair was left to grow long while the vow or + promise to God was upon him. Such a person as this was called a + Nazarite, a word which means "one who has a vow"; and Manoah's + child was to be a Nazarite, and under a vow, as long as he + lived.</p> + + <p>The child was born and was named Samson. He grew up to + become the strongest man of whom the Bible tells. Samson was no + general, like Gideon or Jephthah, to call out his people and + lead them in war. He did much to set his people free; but all + that he did was by his own strength.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_107" + id="Page_107"></a>When Samson became a young man he went + down to Timnath, in the land of the Philistines. There he + saw a young Philistine woman whom he loved, and wished to + have as his wife. His father and mother were not pleased + that he should marry among the enemies of his own people. + They did not know that God would make this marriage the + means of bringing harm upon the Philistines and of helping + the Israelites.</p> + + <p>As Samson was going down to Timnath to see this young woman, + a hungry lion came out of the mountain, roaring against him. + Samson seized the lion, and tore him in pieces as easily as + another man would have killed a little kid of the goats, and + then went on his way. He made his visit and came home, but said + nothing to any one about the lion.</p> + + <p>After a time Samson went again to Timnath for his marriage + with the Philistine woman. On his way he stopped to look at the + dead lion; and in its body he found a swarm of bees, and honey + which they had made. He took some of the honey and ate it as he + walked, but told no one of it.</p> + + <p>At the wedding-feast, which lasted a whole week, there were + many Philistine young men, and they amused each other with + questions and riddles.</p> + + <p>"I will give you a riddle," said Samson. "If + <a name="Page_108" + id="Page_108"></a>you answer it during the feast, I will + give you thirty suits of clothing; and if you cannot answer + it then you must give me the thirty suits of clothing." "Let + us hear your riddle," they said. And this was Samson's + riddle:</p> + + <p>"Out of the eater came forth meat, And out of the strong + came forth sweetness."</p> + + <p>They could not find the answer, though they tried to find it + all that day and the two days that followed. And at last they + came to Samson's wife and said to her:</p> + + <p>"Coax your husband to tell you the answer. If you do not + find it out, we will set your house on fire, and burn you and + all your people."</p> + + <p>And Samson's wife urged him to tell her the answer. She + cried and pleaded with him and said:</p> + + <p>"If you really loved me, you would not keep this a secret + from me."</p> + + <p>At last Samson yielded, and told his wife how he had killed + the lion and afterward found the honey in its body. She told + her people, and just before the end of the feast they came to + Samson with the answer. They said:</p> + + <p>"What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a + lion?" And Samson said to them:</p> + + <p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"If you had not plowed with + my heifer,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">You had not found out my + riddle."</span><br /> + <br /></p> + + <p><a name="Page_109" + id="Page_109"></a>By his "heifer,"—which is a young + cow,—of course Samson meant his wife. Then Samson was + required to give them thirty suits of clothing. He went out + among the Philistines, killed the first thirty men whom he + found, took off their clothes, and gave them to the guests + at the feast. But all this made Samson very angry. He left + his wife and went home to his father's house. Then the + parents of his wife gave her to another man.</p> + + <p>But after a time Samson's anger passed away, and he went + again to Timnath to see his wife. But her father said to + him:</p> + + <p>"You went away angry, and I supposed that you cared nothing + for her. I gave her to another man, and now she is his wife. + But here is her younger sister; you can have her for your wife, + instead."</p> + + <p>But Samson would not take his wife's sister. He went out + very angry; determined to do harm to the Philistines, because + they had cheated him. He caught all the wild foxes that he + could find, until he had three hundred of them. Then he tied + them together in pairs, by their tails; and between each pair + of foxes he tied to their tails a piece of dry wood which he + set on fire. These foxes with firebrands on their tails he + turned loose among the fields of the Philistines when the grain + was ripe. They ran wildly over the <a name="Page_110" + id="Page_110"></a>fields, set the grain on fire, and burned + it; and with the grain the olive trees in the fields.</p> + + <p>When the Philistines saw their harvests destroyed, they + said, "Who has done this?"</p> + + <p>And the people said, "Samson did this, because his wife was + given by her father to another man."</p> + + <p>The Philistines looked on Samson's father-in-law as the + cause of their loss; and they came and set his home on fire, + and burned the man and his daughter whom Samson had married. + Then Samson came down again, and alone fought a company of + Philistines, and killed them all, as a punishment for burning + his wife.</p> + + <p>After this Samson went to live in a hollow place in a split + rock, called the rock of Etam. The Philistines came up in a + great army, and overran the fields in the tribe-land of + Judah.</p> + + <p>"Why do you come against us?" asked the men of Judah, "what + do you want from us?"</p> + + <p>"We have come," they said, "to bind Samson, and to deal with + him as he has dealt with us."</p> + + <p>The men of Judah said to Samson:</p> + + <p>"Do you not know that the Philistines are ruling over us? + Why do you make them angry by killing their people? You see + that we suffer through your pranks. Now we must bind you and + give you to the Philistines, or they will ruin us all."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_111" + id="Page_111"></a>And Samson said, "I will let you bind me, + if you will promise not to kill me yourselves; but only to + give me safely into the hands of the Philistines."</p> + + <p>They made the promise; and Samson gave himself up to them, + and allowed them to tie him up fast with new ropes. The + Philistines shouted for joy as they saw their enemy brought to + them, led in bonds by his own people. But as soon as Samson + came among them, he burst the bonds as though they had been + light strings; and picked up from the ground the jawbone of an + ass, and struck right and left with it as with a sword. He + killed almost a thousand of the Philistines with this strange + weapon. Afterward he sang a song about it, thus:</p> + + <p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"With the jawbone of an ass, + heaps upon heaps,</span><br /> + <span style="margin-left: 2em;">With the jawbone of an ass, + have I slain a thousand men."</span><br /> + <br /></p> + + <p>After this Samson went down to the chief city of the + Philistines, which was named Gaza. It was a large city; and + like all large cities, was surrounded with a high wall. When + the men of Gaza found Samson in their city, they shut the + gates, thinking that they could now hold him as a prisoner. But + in the night Samson rose up, went to the gates, pulled their + posts out of <a name="Page_112" + id="Page_112"></a>the ground, and put the gates with their + posts upon his shoulder. He carried off the gates of the + city and left them on the top of a hill not far from the + city of Hebron.</p> + + <p>After this Samson saw another woman among the Philistines, + and he loved her. The name of this woman was Delilah. The + rulers of the Philistines came to Delilah and said to her:</p> + + <p>"Find out, if you can, what it is that makes Samson so + strong, and tell us. If you help us to get control of him, so + that we can have him in our power, we will give you a great sum + of money."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="HE_CARRIED_OFF_THE_GATES_OF_THE_CITY" + id="HE_CARRIED_OFF_THE_GATES_OF_THE_CITY"><img src="./images/figure28_th.jpg" + title="He carried off the gates of the city" + alt="He carried off the gates of the city" /> + </a><br /> + <i>He carried off the gates of the city</i> + </div> + + <p>And Delilah coaxed and pleaded with Samson to tell her what + it was that made him so strong. Samson said to her:</p> + + <p>"If they will tie me with seven green twigs + <a name="Page_113" + id="Page_113"></a>from a tree, then I shall not be strong + any more."</p> + + <p>They brought her seven green twigs, like those of a willow + tree; and she bound Samson with them while he was asleep. Then + she called out to him:</p> + + <p>"Wake up, Samson, the Philistines are coming against + you!"</p> + + <p>And Samson rose up and broke the twigs as easily as if they + had been charred in the fire, and went away with ease.</p> + + <p>And Delilah tried again to find his secret. She said:</p> + + <p>"You are only making fun of me. Now tell me truly how you + can be bound." And Samson said:</p> + + <p>"Let them bind me with new ropes that have never been used + before; and then I cannot get away."</p> + + <p>While Samson was asleep again, Delilah bound him with new + ropes. Then she called out as before:</p> + + <p>"Get up, Samson, for the Philistines are coming!" And when + Samson rose up, the ropes broke as if they were thread. And + Delilah again urged him to tell her; and he said:</p> + + <p>"You notice that my long hair is in seven locks. Weave it + together in the loom, just as if it were the threads in a piece + of cloth."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_114" + id="Page_114"></a>Then, while he was asleep, she wove his + hair in the loom, and fastened it with a large pin to the + weaving-frame. But when he awoke, he rose up, and carried + away the pin and the beam of the weaving-frame; for he was + as strong as before.</p> + + <p>And Delilah, who was anxious to serve her people, said:</p> + + <p>"Why do you tell me that you love me, as long as you deceive + me and keep from me your secret?" And she pleaded with him day + after day, until at last he yielded to her and told her the + real secret of his strength. He said:</p> + + <p>"I am a Nazarite, under a vow to the Lord, not to drink + wine, and not to allow my hair to be cut. If I should let my + hair be cut short, then the Lord would forsake me, and my + strength would go from me, and I would be like other men."</p> + + <p>Then Delilah knew that she had found the truth at last. She + sent for the rulers of the Philistines, saying:</p> + + <p>"Come up this once, and you shall have your enemy; for he + has told me all that is in his heart."</p> + + <p>Then while the Philistines were watching outside, Delilah + let Samson go to sleep, with his head upon her knees. While he + was sound asleep, they took a razor and shaved off all his + hair. Then she called out as at other times.</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_115" + id="Page_115"></a>Rise up, Samson, the Philistines are upon + you."</p> + + <p>He awoke, and rose up, expecting to find himself strong as + before; for he did not at first know that his long hair had + been cut off. But the vow to the Lord was broken, and the Lord + had left him. He was now as weak as other men, and helpless in + the hands of his enemies. The Philistines easily made him their + prisoner; and that he might never do them more harm, they put + out his eyes. Then they chained him with fetters, and sent him + to prison at Gaza. And in the prison they made Samson turn a + heavy millstone to grind grain, just as though he were a beast + of burden.</p> + + <p>But while Samson was in prison, his hair grew long again; + and with his hair his strength came back to him; for Samson + renewed his vow to the Lord.</p> + + <p>One day, a great feast was held by the Philistines in the + temple of their fish-god, Dagon. For they said:</p> + + <p>"Our god has given Samson, our enemy, into our hand. Let us + be glad together and praise Dagon."</p> + + <p>And the temple was thronged with people, and the roof over + it was also crowded with more than three thousand men and + women. They sent for Samson, to rejoice over him; and Samson + <a name="Page_116" + id="Page_116"></a>was led into the court of the temple, + before all the people, to amuse them. After a time, Samson + said to the boy who was leading him:</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="HE_BOWED_FORWARD_WITH_ALL_HIS_MIGHT_AND_PULLED_THE_PILLARS_WITH_HIM" + id="HE_BOWED_FORWARD_WITH_ALL_HIS_MIGHT_AND_PULLED_THE_PILLARS_WITH_HIM"> + <img src="./images/figure29_th.jpg" + title="He bowed forward with all his might and pulled the pillars with him" + alt="He bowed forward with all his might and pulled the pillars with him" /> + </a><br /> + <i>He bowed forward with all his might and pulled the + pillars with him</i> + </div> + + <p>"Take me up to the front of the temple, so that I may stand + by one of the pillars, and lean against it."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_117" + id="Page_117"></a>And while Samson stood between the two + pillars, he prayed:</p> + + <p>"O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and give me strength, + only this once, O God: and help me, that I may obtain vengeance + upon the Philistines for my two eyes!"</p> + + <p>Then he placed one arm around the pillar on one side, and + the other arm around the pillar on the other side; and he said: + "Let me die with the Philistines."</p> + + <p>And he bowed forward with all his might, and pulled the + pillars over with him, bringing down the roof and all upon it + upon those that were under it. Samson himself was among the + dead; but in his death he killed more of the Philistines than + he had killed during his life.</p> + + <p>Then in the terror which came upon the Philistines the men + of Samson's tribe came down and found his dead body, and buried + it in their own land. After that it was years before the + Philistines tried again to rule over the Israelites.</p> + + <p>Samson did much to set his people free; but he might have + done much more, if he had led his people, instead of trusting + alone to his own strength; and if he had lived more earnestly, + and not done his deeds as though he was playing pranks. There + were deep faults in Samson, but at the end he sought God's + help, and found it, and God used Samson to set his people + free.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_118" + id="Page_118"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_RUTH_THE_GLEANER" + id="THE_STORY_OF_RUTH_THE_GLEANER"></a>THE STORY OF RUTH, + THE GLEANER</h2> + + <p>In the time of the Judges in Israel, a man named Elimelech + was living in the town of Bethlehem, in the tribe of Judah, + about six miles south of Jerusalem. His wife's name was Naomi, + and his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. For some years the + crops were poor, and food was scarce in Judah; and Elimelech + with his family went to live in the land of Moab, which was on + the east of the Dead Sea, as Judah was on the west.</p> + + <p>There they stayed ten years, and in that time Elimelech + died. His two sons married women of the country of Moab, one + named Orpah, the other named Ruth. But the two young men also + died in the land of Moab; so that Naomi and her two + daughters-in-law were all left widows.</p> + + <p>Naomi heard that God had again given good harvests and bread + to the land of Judah, and she rose up to go from Moab back to + her own land and her own town of Bethlehem. The two + daughters-in-law loved her, and both would have gone with her, + though the land of Judah was a strange land to them, for they + were of the Moabite people.</p> + + <p>Naomi said to them: "Go back, my daughters, + <a name="Page_119" + id="Page_119"></a>to your own mothers' homes. May the Lord + deal kindly with you, as you have been kind to your husbands + and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you may yet find + another husband and a happy home."</p> + + <p>Then Naomi kissed them in farewell, and the three women all + wept together. The two young widows said to her:</p> + + <p>"You have been a good mother to us, and we will go with you, + and live among your people."</p> + + <p>"No, no," said Naomi. "You are young, and I am old. Go back + and be happy among your own people."</p> + + <p>Then Orpah kissed Naomi, and went back to her people; but + Ruth would not leave her. She said:</p> + + <p>"Do not ask me to leave you, for I never will. Where you go, + I will go; where you live, I will live; your people shall be my + people; and your God shall be my God. Where you die, I will + die, and be buried. Nothing but death itself shall part you and + me."</p> + + <p>When Naomi saw that Ruth was firm in her purpose, she ceased + trying to persuade her; so the two women went on together. They + walked around the Dead Sea, and crossed the river Jordan, and + climbed the mountains of Judah, and came to Bethlehem.</p> + + <p>Naomi had been absent from Bethlehem for <a name="Page_120" + id="Page_120"></a>ten years, but her friends were all glad + to see her again. They said:</p> + + <p>"Is this Naomi, whom we knew years ago?"</p> + + <p>Now the name Naomi means "pleasant." And Naomi said:</p> + + <p>"Call me not Naomi; call me Mara, for the Lord has made my + life bitter. I went out full, with my husband and two sons; now + I come home empty, without them. Do not call me 'Pleasant,' + call me 'Bitter.'"</p> + + <p>The name "Mara," by which Naomi wished to be called means + "bitter." But Naomi learned later that "Pleasant" was the right + name after all.</p> + + <p>There was living in Bethlehem at that time a very rich man + named Boaz. He owned large fields that were abundant in their + harvests; and he was related to the family of Elimelech, + Naomi's husband, who had died.</p> + + <p>It was the custom in Israel when they reaped the grain not + to gather all the stalks, but to leave some for the poor + people, who followed after the reapers with their sickles, and + gathered what was left. When Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem, + it was the time of the barley harvest; and Ruth went out into + the fields to glean the grain which the reapers had left. It so + happened that she was gleaning in the field that belonged to + Boaz, this rich man.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_121" + id="Page_121"></a>Boaz came out from the town to see his men + reaping, and he said to them, "The Lord be with you"; and + they answered him, "The Lord bless you."</p> + + <p>And Boaz said to his master of the reapers: "Who is this + young woman that I see gleaning in the field?"</p> + + <p>The man answered: "It is the young woman from the land of + Moab, who came with Naomi. She asked leave to glean after the + reapers, and has been here gathering grain since + yesterday."</p> + + <p>Then Boaz said to Ruth: "Listen to me, my daughter. Do not + go to any other field, but stay here with my young women. No + one shall harm you; and when you are thirsty, go and drink at + our vessels of water."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="RUTH_WENT_OUT_INTO_THE_FIELDS_TO_GLEAN_THE_GRAIN" + id="RUTH_WENT_OUT_INTO_THE_FIELDS_TO_GLEAN_THE_GRAIN"><img src="./images/figure30_th.jpg" + title="Ruth went out into the fields to glean the grain" + alt="Ruth went out into the fields to glean the grain" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Ruth went out into the fields to glean the grain</i> + </div> + + <p>Then Ruth bowed to Boaz, and thanked him for his kindness, + all the more kind because she was a stranger in Israel. Boaz + said: "I have heard how true you have been to your + <a name="Page_122" + id="Page_122"></a>mother-in-law Naomi, in leaving your own + land and coming with her to this land. May the Lord, under + whose wings you have come, give you a reward!"</p> + + <p>And at noon, when they sat down to rest and to eat, Boaz + gave her some of the food. And he said to the reapers:</p> + + <p>"When you are reaping, leave some of the sheaves for her; + and drop out some sheaves from the bundles, where she may + gather them."</p> + + <p>That evening, Ruth showed Naomi how much she had gleaned, + and told her of the rich man Boaz, who had been so kind to her. + And Naomi said:</p> + + <p>"This man is a near relation of ours. Stay in his fields, as + long as the harvest lasts." And so Ruth gleaned in the fields + of Boaz until the harvest had been gathered.</p> + + <p>At the end of the harvest, Boaz held a feast on the + threshing-floor. And after the feast, by the advice of Naomi, + Ruth went to him, and said to him:</p> + + <p>"You are a near relation of my husband and of his father, + Elimelech. Now will you not do good to us for his sake?"</p> + + <p>And when Boaz saw Ruth, he loved her; and soon after this he + took her as his wife. And Naomi and Ruth went to live in his + home; so that Naomi's life was no more bitter, but + pleasant.<a name="Page_123" + id="Page_123"></a> And Boaz and Ruth had a son, whom they + named Obed; and later Obed had a son named Jesse; and Jesse + was the father of David, the shepherd boy who became king. + So Ruth, the young woman of Moab, who chose the people and + the God of Israel, became the mother of kings.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_124" + id="Page_124"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_DAVID_THE_SHEPHERD_BOY" + id="THE_STORY_OF_DAVID_THE_SHEPHERD_BOY"></a>THE STORY OF + DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY</h2> + + <p>Living at Ramah, in the mountains of Ephraim, there was a + man whose name was Elkanah. He had two wives, as did many men + in that time. One of these wives had children, but the other + wife, whose name was Hannah, had no child.</p> + + <p>Every year Elkanah and his family went up to worship at the + house of the Lord in Shiloh, which was about fifteen miles from + his home. And at one of these visits Hannah prayed to the Lord, + saying:</p> + + <p>"O Lord, if thou wilt look upon me, and give me a son, he + shall be given to the Lord as long as he lives."</p> + + <p>The Lord heard Hannah's prayer, and gave her a little boy, + and she called his name Samuel, which means "Asked of God"; + because he had been given in answer to her prayer.</p> + + <p>Samuel grew up to be a good man and a wise Judge, and he + made his sons Judges in Israel, to help him in the care of the + people. But Samuel's sons did not walk in his ways. They did + not try always to do justly.</p> + + <p>The elders of all the tribes of Israel came + to<a name="Page_125" + id="Page_125"></a> Samuel at his home in Ramah; and they + said to him: "You are growing old, and your sons do not rule + as well as you ruled. All the lands around us have kings. + Let us have a king also; and do you choose the king for + us."</p> + + <p>This was not pleasing to Samuel. He tried to make the people + change their minds, and showed them what trouble a king would + bring them.</p> + + <p>But they would not follow his advice. They said: "No; we + will have a king to reign over us."</p> + + <p>So Samuel chose as their king a tall young man named Saul, + who was a farmer's son of the tribe of Benjamin. When Saul was + brought before the people he stood head and shoulders above + them all. And Samuel said:</p> + + <p>"Look at the man whom the Lord has chosen! There is not + another like him among all the people!"</p> + + <p>And all the people shouted, "God save the king! Long live + the king!"</p> + + <p>Then Samuel told the people what should be the laws for the + king and for the people to obey. He wrote them down in a book, + and placed the book before the Lord. Then Samuel sent the + people home; and Saul went back to his own house at a place + called Gibeah; and with Saul went a company of men to whose + hearts God had given a love for the king.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_126" + id="Page_126"></a>So after three hundred years under the + fifteen Judges, Israel now had a king. But among the people + there were some who were not pleased with the new king, + because he was an unknown man from the farm. They said:</p> + + <p>"Can such a man as this save us?"</p> + + <p>They showed no respect to the king, and in their hearts + looked down upon him. But Saul said nothing, and showed his + wisdom by appearing not to notice them. But in another thing he + was not so wise. He forgot to heed the old prophet's advice and + instructions about ruling wisely and doing as the Lord said. It + was not long before Samuel told him that he had disobeyed God + and would lose his kingdom.</p> + + <p>When Samuel told Saul that the Lord would take away the + kingdom from him, he did not mean that Saul should lose the + kingdom at once. He was no longer God's king; and as soon as + the right man in God's sight should be found, and should be + trained for his duty as king, then God would take away Saul's + power, and would give it to the man whom God had chosen. But it + was years before this came to pass.</p> + + <p>The Lord said to Samuel: "Do not weep and mourn any longer + over Saul, for I have refused him as king. Fill the horn with + oil, and go to Bethlehem in Judah. There find a man named + Jesse, for I have chosen a king among his sons."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_127" + id="Page_127"></a>But Samuel knew that Saul would be very + angry, if he should learn that Samuel had named any other + man as king. He said to the Lord:</p> + + <p>"How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me."</p> + + <p>The Lord said to Samuel: "Take a young cow with you; and + tell the people that you have come to make an offering to the + Lord. And call Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. I will tell + you what to do, and you shall anoint the one whom I name to + you."</p> + + <p>Samuel went over the mountains southward from Ramah to + Bethlehem, about ten miles, leading a cow. The rulers of the + town were alarmed at his coming, for they feared that he had + come to judge the people for some evil-doing. But Samuel + said:</p> + + <p>"I have come in peace to make an offering and to hold a + feast to the Lord. Prepare yourselves and come to the + sacrifice."</p> + + <p>And he invited Jesse and his sons to the service. When they + came, he looked at the sons of Jesse very closely. The oldest + was named Eliab, and he was so tall and noble-looking that + Samuel thought:</p> + + <p>"Surely this young man must be the one whom God has + chosen."</p> + + <p>But the Lord said to Samuel:</p> + + <p>"Do not look on his face, nor on the height of + <a name="Page_128" + id="Page_128"></a>his body, for I have not chosen him. Man + judges by the outward looks, but God looks at the + heart."</p> + + <p>Then Jesse's second son, named Abinadab, passed by. And the + Lord said: "I have not chosen this one." Seven young men came + and Samuel said:</p> + + <p>"None of these is the man whom God has chosen. Are these all + your children?"</p> + + <p>"There is one more," said Jesse. "The youngest of all. He is + a boy, in the field caring for the sheep."</p> + + <p>And Samuel said:</p> + + <p>"Send for him; for we will not sit down until he comes." So + after a time the youngest son was brought in. His name was + David, a word that means "darling," and he was a beautiful boy, + perhaps fifteen years old, with fresh cheeks and bright + eyes.</p> + + <p>As soon as the young David came, the Lord said to + Samuel:</p> + + <p>"Arise, anoint him, for this is the one whom I have + chosen."</p> + + <p>Then Samuel poured oil on David's head, in the presence of + all his brothers. But no one knew at that time the anointing to + mean that David was to be the king. Perhaps they thought that + David was chosen to be a prophet like Samuel.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_129" + id="Page_129"></a>From that time the Spirit of God came upon + David, and he began to show signs of coming greatness. He + went back to his sheep on the hillsides around Bethlehem, + but God was with him.</p> + + <p>David grew up strong and brave, not afraid of the wild + beasts which prowled around and tried to carry away his sheep. + More than once he fought with lions, and bears, and killed + them, when they seized the lambs of his flock. And David, alone + all day, practiced throwing stones in a sling, until he could + strike exactly the place for which he aimed. When he swung his + sling, he knew that the stone would go to the very spot at + which he was throwing it.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THEN_SAMUEL_POURED_OIL_ON_DAVIDS_HEAD" + id="THEN_SAMUEL_POURED_OIL_ON_DAVIDS_HEAD"><img src="./images/figure31_th.jpg" + title="Then Samuel poured oil on David's head" + alt="Then Samuel poured oil on David's head" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Then Samuel poured oil on David's head</i> + </div> + + <p>And young as he was, David thought of God, + <a name="Page_130" + id="Page_130"></a>and talked with God, and God talked with + David, and showed to David His will.</p> + + <p>After Saul had disobeyed the voice of the Lord, the Spirit + of the Lord left Saul, and no longer spoke to him. And Saul + became very sad of heart. At times a madness would come upon + him, and at all times he was very unhappy. The servants of Saul + noticed that when some one played on the harp and sang, Saul's + spirit was made more cheerful; and the sadness of soul left + him. At one time Saul said: "Find some one who can play well, + and bring him to me. Let me listen to music; for it drives away + my sadness."</p> + + <p>One of the young men said: "I have seen a young man, a son + of Jesse in Bethlehem, who can play well. He is handsome in his + looks, and agreeable in talking. I have also heard that he is a + brave young man, who can fight as well as he can play, and the + Lord is with him."</p> + + <p>Then Saul sent a message to Jesse, David's father. He said: + "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep. Let him come + and play before me."</p> + + <p>Then David came to Saul, bringing with him a present for the + king from Jesse. When Saul saw him, he loved him, as did + everybody who saw the young David. And David played on the + harp, and sang before Saul. And David's music<a name="Page_131" + id="Page_131"></a> cheered Saul's heart, and drove away his + sad feelings.</p> + + <p>Saul liked David so well that he made him his armorbearer; + and David carried the shield and spear, and sword for Saul, + when the king was before his army. But Saul did not know that + David had been anointed by Samuel.</p> + + <p>After a time, Saul seemed well; and David returned to + Bethlehem and was once more among his sheep in the field. + Perhaps it was at this time that David sang his shepherd song, + or it may have been long afterward, when David looked back in + thought to those days when he was leading his sheep. This is + the song, which you have heard often:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.</p> + + <p>He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;</p> + + <p>He leadeth me beside the still waters,</p> + + <p>He restoreth my soul;</p> + + <p>He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his + name's sake.</p> + + <p>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow + of death,</p> + + <p>I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;</p> + + <p>Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.</p> + + <p>Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of + mine enemies;</p> + + <p>Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth + over.</p> + + <p>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the + days of my life:</p> + + <p>And I will dwell in the house of the Lord + forever."<a name="Page_132" + id="Page_132"></a></p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_FIGHT_WITH_THE_GIANT" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_FIGHT_WITH_THE_GIANT"></a>THE STORY OF + THE FIGHT WITH THE GIANT</h2> + + <p>All through the reign of Saul, there was constant war with + the Philistines, who lived upon the lowlands west of Israel. At + one time, when David was still with his sheep, a few years + after he had been anointed by Samuel, the camps of the + Philistines and the Israelites were set against each other on + opposite sides of the valley of Elah. In the army of Israel + were the three oldest brothers of David.</p> + + <p>Every day a giant came out of the camp of the Philistines, + and dared some one to come from the Israelites' camp and fight + with him. The giant's name was Goliath. He was nine feet high; + and he wore armor from head to foot, and carried a spear twice + as long and as heavy as any other man could hold; and his + shield bearer walked before him. He came every day and called + out across the little valley:</p> + + <p>"I am a Philistine, and you are servants of Saul. Now choose + one of your men, and let him come out and fight with me. If I + kill him; then you shall submit to us; and if he kills me, then + we will give up to you. Come, now, send out your man!"</p> + + <p><a name="Page_133" + id="Page_133"></a>But no man in the army, not even King + Saul, dared to go out and fight with the giant. Forty days + the camps stood against each other, and the Philistine giant + continued his call.</p> + + <p>One day, old Jesse, the father of David, sent David from + Bethlehem to visit his three brothers in the army. David came, + and spoke to his brothers; and while he was talking with them, + Goliath the giant came out as before in front of the camp + calling for some one to fight with him.</p> + + <p>They said one to another:</p> + + <p>"If any man will go out and kill this Philistine, the king + will give him a great reward and a high rank; and the king's + daughter shall be his wife."</p> + + <p>And David said:</p> + + <p>"Who is this man that speaks in this proud manner against + the armies of the living God? Why does not some one go out and + kill him?"</p> + + <p>David's brother Eliab said to him:</p> + + <p>"What are you doing here, leaving your sheep in the field? I + know that you have come down just to see the battle."</p> + + <p>But David did not care for his brother's words. He thought + he saw a way to kill this boasting giant; and he said:</p> + + <p>"If no one else will go, I will go out and fight with this + enemy of the Lord's people."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_134" + id="Page_134"></a>They brought David before King Saul. Some + years had passed since Saul had met David, and he had grown + from a boy to a man, so that Saul did not know him as the + shepherd who had played on the harp before him in other + days.</p> + + <p>Saul said to David:</p> + + <p>"You cannot fight with this great giant. You are very young; + and he is a man of war, trained from his youth."</p> + + <p>And David answered King Saul:</p> + + <p>"I am only a shepherd, but I have fought with lions and + bears, when they have tried to steal my sheep. And I am not + afraid to fight with this Philistine."</p> + + <p>Then Saul put his own armor on David—a helmet on his + head, and a coat of mail on his body, and a sword at his waist. + But Saul was almost a giant, and his armor was far too large + for David. David said:</p> + + <p>"I am not used to fighting with such weapons as these. Let + me fight in my own way."</p> + + <p>So David took off Saul's armor. While everybody in the army + had been looking on the giant with fear, David had been + thinking out the best way for fighting him; and God had given + to David a plan. It was to throw the giant off his guard, by + appearing weak and helpless; and while so far away that the + giant could not reach him with sword or spear, to strike him + down <a name="Page_135" + id="Page_135"></a>with a weapon which the giant would not + expect and would not be prepared for.</p> + + <p>David took his shepherd's staff in his hand, as though that + were to be his weapon. But out of sight, in a bag under his + mantle, he had five smooth stones carefully chosen, and a + sling,—the weapon that he knew how to use. Then he came + out to meet the Philistine.</p> + + <p>The giant looked down on the youth and despised him, and + laughed.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_GIANT_LOOKED_DOWN_ON_THE_YOUTH_AND_DESPISED_HIM" + id="THE_GIANT_LOOKED_DOWN_ON_THE_YOUTH_AND_DESPISED_HIM"><img src="./images/figure32_th.jpg" + title="The giant looked down on the youth and despised him" + alt="The giant looked down on the youth and despised him" /> + </a><br /> + <i>The giant looked down on the youth and despised him</i> + </div> + + <p>"Am I a dog?" he said, "that this boy comes to me with a + staff? I will give his body to the birds of the air, and the + beasts of the field."</p> + + <p>And the Philistine cursed David by the gods of his people. + And David answered him:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_136" + id="Page_136"></a>You come against me with a sword, and a + spear, and a dart; but I come to you in the name of the Lord + of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel. This day will the + Lord give you into my hand. I will strike you down, and take + off your head, and the host of the Philistines shall be dead + bodies, to be eaten by the birds and the beasts; so that all + may know that there is a God in Israel, and that He can save + in other ways besides with sword and spear."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="DAVID_DREW_OUT_THE_GIANTS_OWN_SWORD" + id="DAVID_DREW_OUT_THE_GIANTS_OWN_SWORD"><img src="./images/figure33_th.jpg" + title="David drew out the giant's own sword" + alt="David drew out the giant's own sword" /> + </a><br /> + <i>David drew out the giant's own sword</i> + </div> + + <p>And David ran toward the Philistine, as if to fight him with + his shepherd's staff. But when he was just near enough for a + good aim, he took out his sling, and hurled a stone aimed at + the giant's forehead. David's aim was good; the stone struck + the Philistine in his forehead. It stunned him, and he fell to + the ground.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_137" + id="Page_137"></a>While the two armies stood wondering, and + scarcely knowing what had caused the giant to fall so + suddenly, David ran forward, drew out the giant's own sword, + and cut off his head. Then the Philistines knew that their + great warrior in whom they trusted was dead. They turned to + flee to their own land; and the Israelites followed after + them, and killed them by the hundred and the thousand, even + to the gates of their own city of Gath.</p> + + <p>So in that day David won a great victory and stood before + all the land as the one who had saved his people from their + enemies.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_138" + id="Page_138"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_CAVE_OF_ADULLAM" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_CAVE_OF_ADULLAM"></a>THE STORY OF THE + CAVE OF ADULLAM</h2> + + <p>Now Saul had a son, Jonathan, near David's own age. He and + David became fast friends and loved one another as brothers. + Saul the king became very jealous of David because the people + praised him after his fight with Goliath. He even threatened to + take David's life. He tried to catch him in his own house, but + David's wife let him down from a window by a rope and he + escaped. He met his friend Jonathan, who told him that he + should flee. They renewed their promises of friendship, which + they kept ever afterward.</p> + + <p>From his meeting with Jonathan, David went forth to be a + wanderer, having no home as long as Saul lived. He found a + great cave, called the cave of Adullam, and hid in it. Soon + people heard where he was, and from all parts of the land, + especially from his own tribe of Judah, men who were not + satisfied with the rule of King Saul gathered around David.</p> + + <p>Saul soon heard that David, with a band of men, was hiding + among the mountains of Judah, and that among those who aided + him were certain priests.</p> + + <p>This enraged King Saul, and he ordered his + <a name="Page_139" + id="Page_139"></a>guards to kill all the priests. The guards + would not obey him, for they felt that it was a wicked thing + to lay hands upon the priests of the Lord.</p> + + <p>But he found one man whose name was Doeg, an Edomite, who + was willing to obey the king. And Doeg, the Edomite, killed + eighty-five men who wore the priestly garments.</p> + + <p>All through the land went the news of Saul's dreadful deed, + and everywhere the people began to turn from Saul, and to look + toward David as the only hope of the nation.</p> + + <p>When Saul died he was followed by David, the shepherd boy, + now grown to manhood and greatly loved by the people. He had + many battles to fight with the Philistines and was nearly + always victorious. He was a warrior king; but he was more than + a warrior. He played on his harp and composed many beautiful + hymns and songs, which are collected in the book of Psalms. He + was a good king and tried to obey God's command. He had a long + reign and his people were happy and prosperous. He had many + sons and daughters and beautiful palaces for them to live + in.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_140" + id="Page_140"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_SOLOMON_AND_HIS_TEMPLE" + id="THE_STORY_OF_SOLOMON_AND_HIS_TEMPLE"></a>THE STORY OF + SOLOMON AND HIS TEMPLE</h2> + + <p>During the later years of David's reign, he laid up great + treasure of gold and silver, and brass, and iron, for the + building of a house to the Lord on Mount Moriah. This house was + to be called "The Temple"; and it was to be made very + beautiful, the most beautiful building, and the richest in all + the land. David had greatly desired to build this house while + he was king of Israel, but God said to him:</p> + + <p>"You have been a man of war, and have fought many battles, + and shed much blood. My house shall be built by a man of peace. + When you die, your son Solomon shall reign, and he shall have + peace, and shall build my house."</p> + + <p>So David made ready great store of precious things for the + temple; also stone and cedar to be used in the building. And + David said to Solomon, his son: "God has promised that there + shall be rest and peace to the land while you are king; and the + Lord will be with you, and you shall build a house, where God + shall live among His people."</p> + + <p>But David had other sons who were older than Solomon; and + one of these sons, whose name was<a name="Page_141" + id="Page_141"></a> Adonijah, formed a plan to make himself + king. David was now very old; and he was no longer able to + go out of his palace, and to be seen among the people.</p> + + <p>Adonijah gathered his friends; and among them were Joab, the + general of the army, and Abiathar, one of the two high-priests. + They met at a place outside the wall, and had a great feast, + and were about to crown Adonijah as king, when word came to + David in the palace. David, though old and feeble, was still + wise. He said:</p> + + <p>"Let us make Solomon king at once, and thus put an end to + the plans of these men."</p> + + <p>So at David's command they brought out the mule on which no + one but the king was allowed to ride; and they placed Solomon + upon it; and with the king's guards, and the nobles, and the + great men, they brought the young Solomon down to the valley of + Gihon, south of the city.</p> + + <p>And Zadok, the priest, took from the Tabernacle the horn + filled with holy oil, that was used for anointing or pouring + oil on the head of the priests when they were set apart for + their work. He poured oil from this horn on the head of + Solomon, and then the priests blew the trumpets, and all the + people cried aloud, "God save King Solomon."</p> + + <p>All this time Adonijah and Joab, and their friends were not + far away, almost in the same <a name="Page_142" + id="Page_142"></a>valley, feasting and making merry, + intending to make Adonijah king. They heard the sound of the + trumpets, and the shouting of the people. Joab said: "What + is the cause of all this noise and uproar?"</p> + + <p>A moment later, Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, came running + in. Jonathan said to the men who were feasting:</p> + + <p>"Our lord King David has made Solomon king, and he has just + been anointed in Gihon; and all the princes, and the heads of + the army, are with him, and the people are shouting, 'God save + King Solomon!' And David has sent from his bed a message to + Solomon, saying, 'May the Lord make your name greater than mine + has been! Blessed be the Lord, who has given me a son to sit + this day on my throne!'"</p> + + <p>When Adonijah and his friends heard this they were filled + with fear. Every man went at once to his house, except + Adonijah. He hastened to the altar of the Lord, and knelt + before it, and took hold of the horns that were on its corners + in front. This was a holy place, and he hoped that there + Solomon might have mercy on him. And Solomon said:</p> + + <p>"If Adonijah will do right, and be faithful to me as the + king of Israel, no harm shall come to him; but if he does + wrong, he shall die."</p> + + <p>Then Adonijah came and bowed down before<a name="Page_143" + id="Page_143"></a> King Solomon, and promised to obey him, + and Solomon said, "Go to your own house."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SOLOMON_ON_HIS_THRONE" + id="SOLOMON_ON_HIS_THRONE"><img src="./images/figure34_th.jpg" + title="Solomon on his throne" + alt="Solomon on his throne" /></a><br /> + <i>Solomon on his throne</i> + </div> + + <p>Not long after this David sent for Solomon, and from his bed + he gave his last advice to Solomon. And soon after that David + died, an old man, having reigned in all forty years, seven + years over the tribe of Judah, at Hebron, and thirty-three + years over all Israel, in Jerusalem. He was buried in great + honor on Mount Zion, and his tomb remained standing for many + years.</p> + + <p>The great work of Solomon's reign was the building of the + House of God. It was generally called the Temple. It was built + on Mount Moriah, one of the hills of Jerusalem. King David had + prepared for it by gathering great stores of silver, stone and + cedar-wood. The walls were made of stone and the roof of cedar. + Solomon had great ships which visited other lands and brought + precious stones and fine woods for the + building.<a name="Page_144" + id="Page_144"></a> Seven years were spent in building the + Temple, and it was set apart to the worship of God with + beautiful ceremonies in which Solomon, in his robes of + state, took part.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SUPPOSED_FORM_OF_SOLOMONS_TEMPLE" + id="SUPPOSED_FORM_OF_SOLOMONS_TEMPLE"><img src="./images/figure35_th.jpg" + title="Supposed form of Solomon's temple" + alt="Supposed form of Solomon's temple" /></a><br /> + <i>Supposed form of Solomon's temple</i> + </div> + + <p>Solomon was indeed a great king, and it was said that he was + also the wisest man in all the world. He wrote many of the wise + sayings in the Book of Proverbs, and many more that have been + lost.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SHIP_IN_SOLOMONS_TIME" + id="SHIP_IN_SOLOMONS_TIME"><img src="./images/figure36_th.jpg" + title="Ship in Solomon's time" + alt="Ship in Solomon's time" /></a><br /> + <i>Ship in Solomon's time</i> + </div> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_145" + id="Page_145"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_ELIJAH_THE_PROPHET" + id="THE_STORY_OF_ELIJAH_THE_PROPHET"></a>THE STORY OF + ELIJAH, THE PROPHET</h2> + + <p>One of the greatest of all the kings of the Ten Tribes was + Jeroboam the second. Under him the kingdom of Israel grew rich + and strong. He conquered nearly all Syria, and made Samaria the + greatest city of all those lands.</p> + + <p>But though Syria went down, another nation was now rising to + power—Assyria, on the eastern side of the river Tigris. + Its capital was Nineveh, a great city, so vast that it would + take three days for a man to walk around its walls. The + Assyrians were beginning to conquer all the lands near them, + and Israel was in danger of falling under their power.</p> + + <p>One of the kings who ruled over Israel was named Ahab. He + provoked the anger of the Lord. His wife, Jezebel, who was a + worshiper of Baal, persuaded him to build an altar to the false + god.</p> + + <p>Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, was sent to him and proposed + a test. Two altars were built; one to Jehovah and one to Baal. + The priests of Baal called upon their god to send down fire; + but there was no answer. Then Elijah called upon the Lord God + of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and fire came down and burnt up + the offering.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_146" + id="Page_146"></a>The people turned upon the priests of Baal + and killed them all. Later the wicked queen, Jezebel, + coveted a vineyard for Ahab, and she caused Naboth, the + owner of the vineyard, to be placed in front of the battle. + When he was slain Ahab took the vineyard.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="DENOUNCED_AHAB_AND_JEZEBEL" + id="DENOUNCED_AHAB_AND_JEZEBEL"><img src="./images/figure37_th.jpg" + title="Denounced Ahab and Jezebel" + alt="Denounced Ahab and Jezebel" /></a><br /> + <i>Denounced Ahab and Jezebel</i> + </div> + + <p><a name="Page_147" + id="Page_147"></a>Once more Elijah came and denounced Ahab + and Jezebel, telling them that they had done wickedly, and + that the Lord would punish them.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="MADE_KING_WHEN_HE_WAS_ONLY_SEVEN_YEARS_OLD" + id="MADE_KING_WHEN_HE_WAS_ONLY_SEVEN_YEARS_OLD"><img src="./images/figure38_th.jpg" + title="Made king when he was only seven years old" + alt="Made king when he was only seven years old" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Made king when he was only seven years old</i> + </div> + + <p>In a little while the prophet's words came true, for Ahab + was slain in battle and Jezebel was put to death by order of + King Jehu. Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of + fire.</p> + + <p>There was another prophet, a companion of Elijah, whose name + was Elisha, a brave and courageous man who did not fail to + deliver God's message.</p> + + <p>It happened that when Elisha was an old man there can to him + King Joash, who had been made king when he was only seven years + old. Joash was now a young man and was trying to do right in + the sight of the Lord. But he felt the need of the prophet's + aid, and he came to Elisha and said:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_148" + id="Page_148"></a>My father, my father, you are more to + Israel than its chariots and horsemen."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THIS_IS_THE_ARROW_OF_VICTORY" + id="THIS_IS_THE_ARROW_OF_VICTORY"><img src="./images/figure39_th.jpg" + title="This is the arrow of victory" + alt="This is the arrow of victory" /></a><br /> + <i>This is the arrow of victory</i> + </div> + + <p>Elisha, though weak in body, was yet strong in soul. He told + Joash to bring him a bow and arrows, and to open the window to + the east, looking toward the land of Syria. Then Elisha caused + the king to draw the bow; and he placed his hands on the king's + hands. And as the king shot an arrow, Elisha said:</p> + + <p>"This is the arrow of victory; of victory over Syria; for + you shall smite the Syrians in Aphek and shall destroy + them."</p> + + <p>It happened as Elisha had foretold and the Syrians were + defeated and their cities taken.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_149" + id="Page_149"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_JONAH_AND_THE_WHALE" + id="THE_STORY_OF_JONAH_AND_THE_WHALE"></a>THE STORY OF JONAH + AND THE WHALE</h2> + + <p>At this time another prophet, named Jonah, was giving the + word of the Lord to the Israelites. To Jonah the Lord spoke, + saying:</p> + + <p>"Go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it; for its + wickedness rises up before me."</p> + + <p>But Jonah did not wish to preach to the people of Nineveh; + for they were the enemies of his land, the land of Israel. He + wished Nineveh to die in its sins, and not to turn to God and + live. So Jonah tried to go away from the city where God had + sent him. He went down to Joppa and took a ship for + Tarshish.</p> + + <p>But the Lord saw Jonah on the ship; and the Lord sent a + great storm upon the sea, so that the ship seemed as though it + would go to pieces. The sailors threw overboard everything on + the ship; and when they could do no more, every man prayed to + his god to save the ship and themselves. Jonah was now lying + fast asleep, and the ship's captain came to him, and said:</p> + + <p>"What do you mean by sleeping in such a time as this? Awake, + rise up, and call upon your God. Perhaps He will hear you and + save our lives."</p> + + <p>But the storm continued to rage around the ship; and they + said:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_150" + id="Page_150"></a>There is some man on this ship who has + brought upon us this trouble. Let us cast lots and find who + it is."</p> + + <p>Then they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. They said to + him, all at once:</p> + + <p>"Tell us, who are you? From what country do you come? What + is your business? To what people do you belong? Why have you + brought all this trouble upon us?"</p> + + <p>Then Jonah told them the whole story, how he came from the + land of Israel, and that he had fled away from the presence of + the Lord. And they said to him:</p> + + <p>"What shall we do to you, that the storm may cease?"</p> + + <p>Then said Jonah:</p> + + <p>"Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the storm will + cease and the waters will be calm; for I know that for my sake + this great tempest is upon you."</p> + + <p>But the men were not willing to throw Jonah into the sea. + They rowed hard to bring the ship to the land, but they could + not. Then they cried unto the Lord, and said:</p> + + <p>"We pray thee, O Lord, we pray thee, let us not die for this + man's life; for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased + thee."</p> + + <p>At last, when they could do nothing else to save themselves, + they threw Jonah into the sea.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_151" + id="Page_151"></a>At once the storm ceased, and the waves + became still. Then the men on the ship feared the Lord + greatly. They offered a sacrifice to the Lord, and made + promises to serve him.</p> + + <p>And the Lord caused a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and + Jonah was alive within the fish for three days and three + nights. In the fish Jonah cried to the Lord; and the Lord + caused the great fish to throw up Jonah upon the dry land.</p> + + <p>Notice all through this story that, although Jonah was God's + servant, he was always thinking about himself. God protected + Jonah and saved him, not because he was such a good man, but + because he wanted to teach him a great lesson.</p> + + <p>By this time Jonah had learned that some men who worshipped + idols were kind in their hearts, and were dear to the Lord. + This was the lesson that God meant Jonah to learn; and now the + call of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:</p> + + <p>"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it + what I command you." So Jonah went to the city of Nineveh; and + as he entered into it, he called out to the people:</p> + + <p>"Within forty days shall Nineveh be destroyed."</p> + + <p>And he walked through the city all day crying out only + this:</p> + + <p>"Within forty days shall Nineveh be destroyed."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_152" + id="Page_152"></a>And the people of Nineveh believed the + word of the Lord as spoken by Jonah. They turned away from + their sins and fasted and sought the Lord, from the greatest + of them even to the least. The king of Nineveh arose from + his throne, and laid aside his royal robes, and covered + himself with sack-cloth and sat in ashes, as a sign of his + sorrow. And the king sent out a command to his people that + they should fast, and seek the Lord, and turn from sin.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="TO_SHADE_JONAH_FROM_THE_SUN" + id="TO_SHADE_JONAH_FROM_THE_SUN"><img src="./images/figure40_th.jpg" + title="To shade Jonah from the sun" + alt="To shade Jonah from the sun" /></a><br /> + <i>To shade Jonah from the sun</i> + </div> + + <p>And God saw that the people of Nineveh were sorry for their + wickedness, and he forgave them, and did not destroy their + city. But this made Jonah very angry. He did not wish to have + Nineveh spared, because it was the enemy of his own land; and + also he feared that men would call him a false prophet when his + word did not come to pass. And Jonah said to the Lord:</p> + + <p>"O Lord, I was sure that it would be thus, that thou + wouldest spare the city; and for that reason I tried to flee + away; for I know that thou <a name="Page_153" + id="Page_153"></a>wast a gracious God, full of pity, slow to + anger, and rich in mercy. Now, O Lord, take away my life, + for it is better for me to die than to live."</p> + + <p>And Jonah went out of the city, and built a little hut on + the east side of it, and sat under its roof, to see whether God + would keep the word that he had spoken. Then the Lord caused a + plant with thick leaves to grow up, and to shade Jonah from the + sun; and Jonah was glad, and sat under its shadow. But a worm + destroyed the plant; and the next day a hot wind blew, and + Jonah suffered from the heat; and again Jonah wished that he + might die. And the Lord said to Jonah:</p> + + <p>"You were sorry to see the plant die, though you did not + make it grow, and though it came up in a night and died in a + night. And should not I have pity on Nineveh, that great city, + where are more than a hundred thousand little children, and + also many cattle,—all helpless and knowing nothing?"</p> + + <p>And Jonah learned that men, and women, and little children, + are all precious in the sight of the Lord, even though they + know not God.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_154" + id="Page_154"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_FIERY_FURNACE" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_FIERY_FURNACE"></a>THE STORY OF THE + FIERY FURNACE</h2> + + <p>There was in the land of Judah a wicked king-named + Jehoiakim, son of the good Josiah. While Jehoiakim was ruling + over the land of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, a great conqueror of + the nations, came from Babylon with his army of Chaldean + soldiers. He took the city of Jerusalem, and made Jehoiakim + promise to submit to him as his master. And when he went back + to his own land he took with him all the gold and silver that + he could find in the Temple; and he carried away as captives + very many of the princes and nobles, the best people in the + land of Judah.</p> + + <p>When these Jews were brought to the land of Chaldea or + Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to the prince, who had + charge of his palace, to choose among these Jewish captives + some young men who were of noble rank, and beautiful in their + looks, and also quick and bright in their minds; young men who + would be able to learn readily. These young men were to be + placed under the care of wise men, who should teach them all + that they knew, and fit them to stand before the king of + Babylon, so that they might be his helpers to carry out his + <a name="Page_155" + id="Page_155"></a>orders; and the king wished them to be + wise, so that they might give him advice in ruling his + people.</p> + + <p>Among the young men thus chosen were four Jews, men who had + been brought from Judah. By order of the king the names of + these men were changed. One of them, named Daniel, was to be + called Belteshazzer; the other three young men were called + Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. They were taught in all the + knowledge of the Chaldeans; and after three years of training + they were taken into the king's palace.</p> + + <p>King Nebuchadnezzar was pleased with them, more than with + any others who stood before him. He found them wise and + faithful in the work given to them, and able to rule over men + under them. And these four men came to the highest places in + the kingdom of the Chaldeans.</p> + + <p>At one time King Nebuchadnezzar caused a great image to be + made, and to be covered with gold. This image he set up, as an + idol to be worshipped, on the plain of Dura, near the city of + Babylon. When it was finished, it stood upon its base or + foundation almost a hundred feet high; so that upon the plain + it could be seen far away. Then the king sent out a command for + all the princes, and rulers, and nobles in the land, to come to + a great gathering, when the image was to be set apart for + worship.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_156" + id="Page_156"></a>The great men of the kingdom came from far + and near and stood around the image. Among them, by command + of the king, were Daniel's three friends, the young Jews, + Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. For some reason, Daniel + himself was not there. He may have been busy with the work + of the kingdom in some other place.</p> + + <p>At one moment in the service before the image, all the + trumpets sounded, the drums were beaten, and music was made + upon musical instruments of all kinds, as a signal for all the + people to kneel down and worship the great golden image. But + while the people were kneeling, there were three men who stood + up, and would not bow down. These were the three young Jews, + Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. They knelt down before the + Lord God only.</p> + + <p>Many of the nobles had been jealous of these young men, + because they had been lifted to high places in the rule of the + kingdom; and these men who hated Daniel and his friends, were + glad to find that these three men had not obeyed the command of + King Nebuchadnezzar. The king had said that if any one did not + worship the golden image he should be thrown into a furnace of + fire. These men who hated the Jews came to the king and + said:</p> + + <p>"O king, may you live for ever! You gave <a name="Page_157" + id="Page_157"></a>orders that when the music sounded, every + one should bow down and worship the golden image; and that + if any man did not worship, he should be thrown into a + furnace of fire. There are some Jews, whom you have made + rulers in the land, who have not done as you commanded. + Their names are Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. They do not + serve your gods, nor worship the golden image that you have + set up."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="NEBUCHADNEZZAR_WAS_FILLED_WITH_RAGE" + id="NEBUCHADNEZZAR_WAS_FILLED_WITH_RAGE"><img src="./images/figure41_th.jpg" + title="Nebuchadnezzar was fitted with rage" + alt="Nebuchadnezzar was fitted with rage" /></a><br /> + <i>Nebuchadnezzar was fitted with rage</i> + </div> + + <p>Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage and fury at knowing + that any one should dare to disobey his words. He sent for + these three men and said to them:</p> + + <p>"O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, was it by purpose that + you did not fall down and <a name="Page_158" + id="Page_158"></a>worship the image of gold? The music shall + sound once more, and if you then will worship the image, it + will be well. But if you will not, then you shall be thrown + into the furnace of fire, to die."</p> + + <p>These three young men were not afraid of the king. They + said:</p> + + <p>"O King Nebuchadnezzar, we are ready to answer you at once. + The God whom we serve is able to save us from the fiery + furnace, and we know that he will save us. But if it is God's + will that we should die, even then you may understand, O king, + that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden + image."</p> + + <p>This answer made the king more furious than before. He said + to his servants:</p> + + <p>"Make a fire in the furnace hotter than ever it has been + before, as hot as fire can be made; and throw these three men + into it."</p> + + <p>Then the soldiers of the king's army seized the three young + Jews, as they stood in their loose robes, with their turbans on + their heads. They tied them with ropes, and dragged them to the + mouth of the furnace, and threw them into the fire. The flames + rushed from the opened door with such fury that they burned + even to death the soldiers who were holding these men; and the + men themselves fell down bound into the middle of the fiery + furnace.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_159" + id="Page_159"></a>But an angel befriended them and they were + unhurt.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="AN_ANGEL_BEFRIENDED_THEM" + id="AN_ANGEL_BEFRIENDED_THEM"><img src="./images/figure42_th.jpg" + title="An angel befriended them" + alt="An angel befriended them" /></a><br /> + <i>An angel befriended them</i> + </div> + + <p>King Nebuchadnezzar stood in front of the furnace, and + looked into the open door. As he looked, he was filled with + wonder at what he saw; and he said to the nobles around + him:</p> + + <p>"Did we not throw three men bound into the + <a name="Page_160" + id="Page_160"></a>fire? How is it then that I see four men + loose walking in the furnace; and the fourth man looks as + though he were a son of the gods?"</p> + + <p>And the nobles who stood by could scarcely speak, so great + was their surprise.</p> + + <p>"It is true, O king," at last they said to Nebuchadnezzar, + "that we cast these men into the flames, expecting them to be + burned up; and we cannot understand how it happens that they + have not been destroyed."</p> + + <p>The king came near to the door of the furnace, as the fire + became lower; and he called out to the three men within it:</p> + + <p>"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye who serve the Most + High God, come out of the fire, and come to me."</p> + + <p>They came out and stood before the king, in the sight of all + the princes, and nobles, and rulers; and every one could see + that they were alive.</p> + + <p>Their garments had not been scorched, nor their hair singed, + nor was there even the smell of fire upon them.</p> + + <p>Then King Nebuchadnezzar said before all his rulers:</p> + + <p>"Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who + has sent his angel, and has saved the lives of these men who + trusted in him. <i>I</i> make a law that no man in all my + kingdoms <a name="Page_161" + id="Page_161"></a>shall say a word against their God, for + there is no other god who can save in this manner those who + worship him. And if any man speaks a word against their God, + the Most High God, that man shall be cut in pieces, and his + house shall be torn down."</p> + + <p>After King Nebuchadnezzar died, his kingdom became weak, and + the city of Babylon was taken by the Medes and Persians, under + Cyrus, a great warrior.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_162" + id="Page_162"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_DANIEL_IN_THE_LIONS_DEN" + id="THE_STORY_OF_DANIEL_IN_THE_LIONS_DEN"></a>THE STORY OF + DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN</h2> + + <p>The lands which had been the Babylonian or Chaldean empire, + now became the empire of Persia; and over these Darius was the + king. King Darius gave to Daniel, who was now a very old man, a + high place in honor and in power. Among all the rulers over the + land, Daniel stood first, for the king saw that he was wise and + able to rule. This made the other princes and rulers very + jealous, and they tried to find something evil in Daniel, so + that they could speak to the king against him.</p> + + <p>These men saw that three times every day Daniel went to his + room and opened the window that was toward the city of + Jerusalem, and looking toward Jerusalem, made his prayer to + God. Jerusalem was at that time in ruins, and the Temple was no + longer standing; but Daniel prayed three times each day with + his face toward the place where the house of God had once + stood, although it was many hundreds of miles away.</p> + + <p>These nobles thought that in Daniel's prayers they could + find a chance to do him harm, and perhaps cause him to be put + to death. They came to King Darius, and said to him:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_163" + id="Page_163"></a>All the rulers have agreed together to + have a law made that for thirty days no one shall ask + anything of any god or of any man, except from you, O king; + and that if any one shall pray to any god, or shall ask + anything from any man during the thirty days, except from + you, O king, he shall be thrown into the den where the lions + are kept. Now, O king, make the law, and sign the writing, + so that it cannot be changed, for no law among the Medes and + the Persians can be altered."</p> + + <p>The king was not a wise man; and being foolish and vain, he + was pleased with this law which would set him even above the + gods. So without asking Daniel's advice, he signed the writing; + and the law was made, and the word was sent out through the + kingdom, that for thirty days no one should pray to any + god.</p> + + <p>Daniel knew that the law had been made, but every day he + went to his room three times, and opened the window that looked + toward Jerusalem, and offered his prayers to the Lord, just as + he had prayed in other times. These rulers were watching near + by, and they saw Daniel kneeling in prayer to God. Then they + came to the king, and said:</p> + + <p>"O King Darius, have you not made a law, that if any one in + thirty days offers a prayer, he shall be thrown into the den of + lions?"</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_164" + id="Page_164"></a>It is true," said the king. "The law has + been made, and it must stand."</p> + + <p>They said to the king: "There is one man who does not obey + the law which you have made. It is that Daniel, one of the + captive Jews. Every day Daniel prays to his God three times, + just as he did before you signed the writing of the law."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THROWN_INTO_THE_DEN_OF_LIONS" + id="THROWN_INTO_THE_DEN_OF_LIONS"><img src="./images/figure43_th.jpg" + title="Thrown into the den of lions" + alt="Thrown into the den of lions" /></a><br /> + <i>Thrown into the den of lions</i> + </div> + + <p>Then the king was very sorry for what he had done, for he + loved Daniel, and knew that no one could take his place in the + kingdom. All day, until the sun went down, he tried in vain to + find some way to save Daniel's life; but when evening came, + these men again told him of the law that he had made, and said + to him that it must be kept. Very unwillingly the king sent for + Daniel, and gave an order that he should be thrown into the den + of lions. He said to Daniel:<a name="Page_165" + id="Page_165"></a> "Perhaps your God, whom you serve so + faithfully, will save you from the lions."</p> + + <p>They led Daniel to the mouth of the pit where the lions were + kept, and they threw him in; and over the mouth they placed a + stone; and the king sealed it with his own seal, and with the + seals of his nobles; so that no one might take away the stone + and let Daniel out of the den.</p> + + <p>Then the king went again to his palace; but that night he + was so sad that he could not eat, nor did he listen to music as + he was used to listen. He could not sleep, for all through the + night he was thinking of Daniel. Very early in the morning he + rose up from his bed and went in haste to the den of lions. He + broke the seal and took away the stone, and in a voice full of + sorrow he called out, scarcely hoping to have an answer:</p> + + <p>"O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able + to save you from the lions?"</p> + + <p>And out of the darkness in the den came the voice of Daniel, + saying:</p> + + <p>"O king, may you live forever! My God has sent his angel and + has shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, + because my God saw that I had done no wrong. And I have done no + wrong toward you, O king!"</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:400px"> + <a href="./images/265.jpg" + name="DANIELS_ANSWER_TO_THE_KING" + id="DANIELS_ANSWER_TO_THE_KING"><img width="400" + src="./images/265_th.jpg" + title="DANIEL'S ANSWER TO THE KING" + alt="DANIEL'S ANSWER TO THE KING" /></a> + + <p><b>DANIEL'S ANSWER TO THE KING</b>—Then said + Daniel unto the King, O King, live forever. My God hath + sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they + have not hurt me.—(Daniel 6: 21-22.)</p> + </div> + + <p>Then the king was glad. He gave to his servants orders to + take Daniel out of the den. Daniel <a name="Page_166" + id="Page_166"></a><a name="Page_167" + id="Page_167"></a>was brought out safe and without harm, + because he had trusted fully in the Lord God. Then by the + king's command, they brought those men who had spoken + against Daniel, and with them their wives and their + children, for the king was exceedingly angry with them. They + were all thrown into the den, and the hungry lions leaped + upon them, and tore them in pieces, so soon as they fell + upon the floor of the den.</p> + + <p>After this king Darius wrote to all the lands and the + peoples in the many kingdoms under his rule:</p> + + <p>"May peace be given to you all abundantly! I make a law that + everywhere among my kingdoms men fear and worship the Lord God + of Daniel; for he is the living God, above all other gods, who + only can save men."</p> + + <p>And Daniel stood beside king Darius until the end of his + reign, and afterward while Cyrus the Persian was king over all + the lands.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_168" + id="Page_168"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_ANGEL_BY_THE_ALTAR" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_ANGEL_BY_THE_ALTAR"></a>THE STORY OF + THE ANGEL BY THE ALTAR</h2> + + <p>At the time when the story of the New Testament begins, the + land of Israel, called also the land of Judea, was ruled by a + king named Herod. He was the first of several Herods, who at + different times ruled either the whole of the land, or parts of + it. But Herod was not the highest ruler. Many years before this + time, the Romans, who came from the city of Rome in Italy, had + won all the lands around the Great Sea, the sea which we call + the Mediterranean; and above king Herod of Judea was the great + king of Rome, ruling over all the lands, and over the land of + Judea among them. So Herod, though king of Judea, obeyed his + overlord, the emperor at Rome. At the time when this story + begins, the emperor at Rome was named Augustus Cæsar.</p> + + <p>At this time, the land where the Jews lived was full of + people. Jerusalem was its largest city, and in Jerusalem was + standing the Temple of the Lord, which king Herod had lately + built anew, taking the place of the old Temple built very many + years before, which had long needed repair. There were also + many other <a name="Page_169" + id="Page_169"></a>large cities besides Jerusalem. In the + south was Hebron among the mountains; on the shore of the + Great Sea were Gaza, and Joppa, and Cæsarea; in the middle + of the land were Shechem and Samaria; and in the north were + Nazareth, and Cana; down by the shore of the Sea of Galilee + were Tiberias, and Capernaum, and Bethsaida. Far up in the + north, at the foot of snowy Mount Hermon, was another + Cæsarea; but so that it might not be confused with Cæsarea + upon the seacoast this city was called Cæsarea-Philippi, or + "Philip's Cæsarea," from the name of one of Herod's + sons.</p> + + <p>One day, an old priest named Zacharias was leading the + service of worship in the Temple. He was standing in front of + the golden altar of incense, in the Holy Place, and was holding + in his hand a censer, or cup, full of burning coals and + incense; while all the people were worshipping in the court of + the Temple, outside the court of the Priests, where the great + altar of burnt-offering stood.</p> + + <p>Suddenly, Zacharias saw an angel from the Lord, standing on + the right side of the altar of incense. He felt a great fear + when he saw this strange being with shining face; but the angel + said to him:</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="DO_NOT_BE_AFRAID_ZACHARIAS" + id="DO_NOT_BE_AFRAID_ZACHARIAS"><img src="./images/figure45_th.jpg" + title="Do not be afraid, Zacharias" + alt="Do not be afraid, Zacharias" /></a><br /> + <i>"Do not be afraid, Zacharias"</i> + </div> + + <p>"Do not be afraid, Zacharias; for I have come from the Lord + to bring good news. Your wife<a name="Page_170" + id="Page_170"></a> Elizabeth shall have a son, and you shall + name him John. You shall be made glad, for your son John + shall bring joy and gladness to many. He shall be great in + the sight of the Lord; and he shall never taste wine nor + strong drink as long as he lives; but he shall be filled + with God's Holy<a name="Page_171" + id="Page_171"></a> Spirit. He shall lead many of the people + of Israel to the Lord, for he shall go before the Lord in + the power of Elijah the prophet, as was promised by Malachi, + the last of the old prophets. He shall turn the hearts of + the fathers to the children, and those who are disobeying + the Lord to do his will."</p> + + <p>As Zacharias heard these words, he was filled with wonder, + and could hardly believe them true. He was now an old man, and + his wife Elizabeth was also old; so that they could not expect + to have a child. He said to the angel:</p> + + <p>"How shall I know that your words are true, for I am an old + man, and my wife is old?"</p> + + <p>"I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God," said the + angel. "And I was sent from the Lord to speak to you, and to + bring you this good news. But because you did not believe my + words, you shall become dumb, and shall not be able to speak, + until this which I have said comes to pass."</p> + + <p>All this time the people outside in the court were wondering + why the priest stayed so long in the Temple. When at last he + came out, they found that he could not speak a word; but he + made signs to them, to tell them that he had seen a vision in + the Temple.</p> + + <p>After the days of his service were over, Zacharias went to + his own home, which was near<a name="Page_172" + id="Page_172"></a> Hebron, a city of the priests, among the + mountains in the south of Judea. When his wife Elizabeth + found that God was soon to give her a child, she was very + happy, and praised the Lord.</p> + + <p>About six months after Zacharias saw the vision in the + Temple, the same angel Gabriel was sent from the Lord to a city + in the part of the land called Galilee, which was in the north. + The city to which the angel was sent was Nazareth. There the + angel found a young girl named Mary, who was a cousin to + Elizabeth. Mary was soon to be married to a good man who had + sprung from the line of king David, though he was not himself a + king, nor a rich man. He was a carpenter, living in Nazareth, + and his name was Joseph. The angel came into the room where + Mary was, and said to her: "Hail, woman favored by the Lord; + the Lord is with you!"</p> + + <p>Mary was surprised at the angel's words, and wondered what + they could mean. Then the angel spoke again, and said: "Do not + be afraid, Mary. The Lord has given to you his favor, and has + chosen you to be the mother of a son whose name shall be Jesus, + which means 'salvation,' because he shall save his people from + their sins. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of + God; and the Lord shall give to him the throne of his father + David. He shall be a king, and <a name="Page_173" + id="Page_173"></a>shall reign over the people of God + forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."</p> + + <p>But Mary could not see how all this was to come to pass. And + the angel said to her:</p> + + <p>"The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the + Most High God shall be over you; and the child which you shall + have shall be called holy, the Son of God."</p> + + <p>Then the angel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was soon + to have a child, through the power of the Lord. And when Mary + heard all this, she said: "I am the servant of the Lord, to do + his will. Let it be to me as you have said."</p> + + <p>When the angel had given his message and had gone away, Mary + rose up in haste and made a journey to the home of Zacharias + and Elizabeth. When Elizabeth saw Mary, she was filled with the + Spirit of the Lord, and said:</p> + + <p>"Blessed are you among women, and blessed among men shall be + your son! And why is it that the mother of my Lord comes to + visit me? Blessed is the woman who believed that the promise of + the Lord to her shall be made true!"</p> + + <p>Then Mary was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and broke + out into a song of praise. She stayed with Elizabeth for nearly + three months, and then went again to her own home at + Nazareth.</p> + + <p>As the angel had said, to the aged woman<a name="Page_174" + id="Page_174"></a> Elizabeth was given a son. They were + going to name him Zacharias, after his father. But his + mother said: "No, his name shall be John."</p> + + <p>"Why," they said, "none of your family have ever been named + John!"</p> + + <p>They asked his father Zacharias, by signs, what name he + wished to be given to the child. He asked for something to + write upon; and when they brought it, he wrote, "His name is + John." Then all at once, the power to hear and to speak came + back to Zacharias. He spoke, praising and blessing God; and he + sang a song of thanks to God, in which he said:</p> + + <p>"You O child, shall be called a prophet of the Most High; to + go before the Lord, and to make ready his ways."</p> + + <p>When John was growing up, they sent him out into the desert + on the south of the land, and there he stayed until the time + came for him to preach to the people; for this child became the + great prophet John the Baptist.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_175" + id="Page_175"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_JESUS_THE_BABE_OF_BETHLEHEM" + id="THE_STORY_OF_JESUS_THE_BABE_OF_BETHLEHEM"></a>THE STORY + OF JESUS, THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM</h2> + + <p>Soon after the time when John the Baptist was born, Joseph + the carpenter of Nazareth had a dream. In his dream he saw an + angel from the Lord standing beside him. The angel said to + him:</p> + + <p>"Joseph, sprung from the line of king David, I have come to + tell you, that Mary, the young woman whom you are to marry, + will have a son, sent by the Lord God. You shall call his name + Jesus, which means 'salvation,' because he shall save his + people from their sins."</p> + + <p>God's people had had several kings. Some of them had been + selfish and cruel, but Jesus was to be a new kind of king, one + who would save, not destroy men.</p> + + <p>Soon after Joseph and Mary were married in Nazareth, a + command went forth from the emperor Augustus Cæsar through all + the lands of the Roman empire, for all the people to go to the + cities and towns from which their families had come, and there + to have their names written down upon a list, for the emperor + wished a list to be made of all the people under his rule. As + both Joseph and Mary had come from the family + <a name="Page_176" + id="Page_176"></a>of David the king, they went together from + Nazareth to Bethlehem, there to have their names written + upon the list. For you remember that Bethlehem in Judea, six + miles south of Jerusalem, was the place where David was + born, and where his father's family had lived for many + years.</p> + + <p>It was a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem; down the + mountains to the river Jordan, then following the Jordan almost + to its end, and then climbing the mountains of Judah to the + town of Bethlehem. When Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem they + found the city full of people who, like themselves, had come to + have their names enrolled or written upon the list. The inn or + hotel was full, and there was no room for them; for no one but + themselves knew that this young woman was soon to be the mother + of the Lord of all the earth. The best that they could do was + to go to a stable where the cattle were kept. There the little + baby was born, and was laid in a manger, where the cattle were + fed.</p> + + <p>On that night, some shepherds were tending their sheep in a + field near Bethlehem. Suddenly, a great light shone upon them, + and they saw an angel of the Lord standing before them. They + were filled with fear, as they saw how glorious the angel was. + But the angel said to them:</p> + + <p>"Be not afraid; for behold I bring you news of + <a name="Page_177" + id="Page_177"></a>great joy, which shall be to all the + people; for there is born to you this day in Bethlehem, the + city of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord, the + anointed king. You may see him there; and you may know him + by this sign: He is a new-born baby, lying in a manger, at + the inn."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THEY_WERE_FILLED_WITH_FEAR" + id="THEY_WERE_FILLED_WITH_FEAR"><img src="./images/figure46_th.jpg" + title="They were filled with fear" + alt="They were filled with fear" /></a><br /> + <i>They were filled with fear</i> + </div> + + <p>And then they saw that the air around and the sky above them + were filled with angels, praising God and singing:</p> + + <p>"Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace among men + in whom God is well pleased."</p> + + <p>While they looked with wonder, and listened, + <a name="Page_178" + id="Page_178"></a>the angels went out of sight as suddenly + as they had come. Then the shepherds said one to + another:</p> + + <p>"Let us go at once to Bethlehem, and see this wonderful + thing that has come to pass, and which the Lord has made known + to us."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_BABY_IN_THE_MANGER" + id="THE_BABY_IN_THE_MANGER"><img src="./images/002.png" + title="The baby in the manger" + alt="The baby in the manger" /></a><br /> + <i>The baby in the manger</i> + </div> + + <p>Then as quickly as they could go to Bethlehem, they went, + and found Joseph, the carpenter of<a name="Page_179" + id="Page_179"></a> Nazareth, and his young wife Mary, and + the little baby lying in the manger. They told Mary and + Joseph, and others also, how they had seen the angels, and + what they had heard about this baby. All who heard their + story wondered at it; Mary, the mother of the child, said + nothing. She thought over all these things, and silently + kept them in her heart. After their visit, the shepherds + went back to their flocks, praising God for the good news + that he had sent to them.</p> + + <p>When the little one was eight days old, they gave him a + name; and the name given was "Jesus," a word which means + "salvation," as the angel had told both Mary and Joseph that he + should be named. So the very name of this child told what he + should do for men; for he was to bring salvation to the + world.<a name="Page_180" + id="Page_180"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_STAR_AND_THE_WISE_MEN" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_STAR_AND_THE_WISE_MEN"></a>THE STORY OF + THE STAR AND THE WISE MEN</h2> + + <p>For some time after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary stayed + with him in Bethlehem. The little baby was not kept long in the + stable sleeping in a manger; for after a few days they found + room in a house; and there another visit was made to Jesus by + strange men from a land far away.</p> + + <p>In a country east of Judea, and many miles distant, were + living some very wise men who studied the stars. One night they + saw a strange star shining in the sky, and in some way they + learned that the coming of this star meant that a king was soon + to be born in the land of Judea. These men felt a call of God + to go to Judea, far to the west of their own home, and there to + see this new-born king. They took a long journey, with camels + and horses, and at last they came to, the land of Judea, just + at the time when Jesus was born at Bethlehem. As soon as they + were in Judea, they supposed that every one would know all + about the king, and they said:</p> + + <p>"Where is he that is born king of the Jews? In the east we + have seen his star, and we have come to worship him."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_181" + id="Page_181"></a></p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:400px"> + <a href="./images/267.jpg" + name="THE_SHEPHERDS_IN_THE_FIELD" + id="THE_SHEPHERDS_IN_THE_FIELD"><img width="400" + src="./images/267_th.jpg" + title="THE SHEPHERDS IN THE FIELD" + alt="THE SHEPHERDS IN THE FIELD" /></a> + + <p><b>THE SHEPHERDS IN THE FIELD</b>—And there were + in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping + watch over their flock by night.... And the angel said unto + them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of + great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is + born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is + Christ the Lord.'—(Luke 2: 8-10-11.)</p> + </div> + + <p><a name="Page_182" + id="Page_182"></a>But no one of whom they asked had ever + seen this king, or had heard of him. The news of their + coming was sent to Herod the king, who was now a very old + man. He ruled the land of Judea, as you know, under the + emperor at Rome, Augustus Cæsar. Herod was a very wicked + man, and when he heard of some one born to be a king, he + feared that he might lose his own kingdom. He made up his + mind to kill this new king.</p> + + <p>He sent for the priests and scribes, the men who studied and + taught the books of the Old Testament, and asked them about + this Christ for whom all the people were looking. He said: "Can + you tell me where Christ, the king of Israel, is to be born?" + They looked at the books of the prophets, and then they said: + "He is to be born in Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written + by the prophet, 'And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah are + not the least among the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall + come forth one who shall rule my people Israel.'"</p> + + <p>Then Herod sent for the wise men from the east, and met them + alone, and found from them at what time the star was first + seen. Then he said to them:</p> + + <p>"Go to Bethlehem; and there search carefully for the little + child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, so + that I also may come and worship him."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_183" + id="Page_183"></a></p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_WISE_MEN_WENT_THEIR_WAY" + id="THE_WISE_MEN_WENT_THEIR_WAY"><img src="./images/figure49_th.jpg" + title="The wise men went their way" + alt="The wise men went their way" /></a><br /> + <i>The wise men went their way</i> + </div> + + <p>Then the wise men went on their way toward Bethlehem; and + suddenly they saw the star again shining upon the road before + them. At this they were glad, and followed the star until it + led them to the very house where the little child was. They + came in, and there they saw the little one, with Mary, its + mother. They knew at once that this was the king; and they fell + down <a name="Page_184" + id="Page_184"></a>on their faces and worshipped him as the + Lord. Then they brought out gifts of gold and precious + perfumes, frankincense and myrrh, which were used in + offering sacrifices; and they gave them as presents to the + royal child.</p> + + <p>That night God sent a dream to the wise men, telling them + not to go back to Herod, but to go home at once to their own + land by another way. They obeyed the Lord, and found another + road to their own country without passing through Jerusalem + where Herod was living. So Herod could not learn from those men + who the child was that was born to be a king.</p> + + <p>And very soon after these wise men had gone away, the Lord + sent another dream to Joseph, the husband of Mary. He saw an + angel, who spoke to him, saying:</p> + + <p>"Rise up quickly; take the little child and his mother, and + go down to the land of Egypt, for Herod will try to find the + child to kill him."</p> + + <p>Then at once Joseph rose up in the night, without waiting + even for the morning. He took his wife and her baby, and + quietly and quickly went with them down to Egypt, which was on + the southwest of Judea. There they all stayed in safety, as + long as the wicked king Herod lived, which was not many + months.</p> + + <p>King Herod waited for the wise men to come back to him from + their visit to Bethlehem; but <a name="Page_185" + id="Page_185"></a>he soon found that they had gone to their + home without bringing to him any word. Then Herod was very + angry. He sent out his soldiers to Bethlehem. They came, and + by the cruel king's <a name="Page_186" + id="Page_186"></a>command they seized all the little + children in Bethlehem who were three years old, or younger, + and killed them all. What a cry went up to God from the + mothers in Bethlehem, as their children were torn from their + arms and slain!</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="HE_TOOK_HIS_WIFE_AND_BABY_AND_WENT_DOWN_TO_EGYPT" + id="HE_TOOK_HIS_WIFE_AND_BABY_AND_WENT_DOWN_TO_EGYPT"><img src="./images/figure50_th.jpg" + title="He took his wife and baby and went down to Egypt" + alt="He took his wife and baby and went down to Egypt" /> + </a><br /> + <i>He took his wife and baby and went down to Egypt</i> + </div> + + <p>But all this time, the child Jesus whom they were seeking + was safe with his mother in the land of Egypt.</p> + + <p>Soon after this king Herod died, a very old man, cruel to + the last. Then the angel of the Lord came again and spoke to + Joseph in a dream, saying: "You may now take the young child + back to his own land, for the king who sought to kill him is + dead."</p> + + <p>Then Joseph took his wife and the little child Jesus, and + started to go again to the land of Judea. Perhaps it was his + thought to go again to Bethlehem, the city of David, and there + bring up the child. But he heard that in that part of the land + Archelaus, a son of Herod, was now ruling, and who was as + wicked and cruel as his father.</p> + + <p>He feared to go under Archelaus' rule, and instead took his + wife and the child to Nazareth, which had been his own home and + that of Mary his wife before the child was born. Nazareth was + in the part of the land called Galilee, which at that time was + ruled by another son of king Herod, a king named Herod Antipas. + He was <a name="Page_187" + id="Page_187"></a>not a good man, but was not so cruel nor + bloody as his wicked father had been.</p> + + <p>So again Joseph the carpenter and Mary his wife were living + in Nazareth. And there they stayed for many years while Jesus + was growing up. Jesus was not the only child in their house, + and he had many other playmates among the boys of + Nazareth.<a name="Page_188" + id="Page_188"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_CHILD_IN_THE_TEMPLE" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_CHILD_IN_THE_TEMPLE"></a>THE STORY OF + THE CHILD IN THE TEMPLE</h2> + + <p>Jesus was brought to Nazareth when he was a little child not + more than three years old; there he grew up as a boy and a + young man, and there he lived until he was thirty years of age. + We should like to know many things about his boyhood, but the + Bible tells us very little. As Joseph was a working man, it is + likely that he lived in a house with only one room, with no + floor except the earth, no window except a hole in the wall, no + pictures upon the walls, and neither bedstead, nor chair, nor + looking-glass. They sat upon the floor or upon cushions; they + slept upon rolls of matting, and their meals were taken from a + low table not much larger than a stool.</p> + + <p>Jesus may have learned to read at the village school, which + was generally held in the house used for worship, called the + "synagogue." The lessons were from rolls on which were written + parts of the Old Testament; but Jesus never had a Bible of his + own. From a child he went with Joseph to the worship in the + synagogue twice every week. There they sat on the floor and + heard the Old Testament read and explained, <a name="Page_189" + id="Page_189"></a>while Mary and the younger sisters of + Jesus listened from a gallery behind a lattice-screen. The + Jewish boys of that time were taught to know almost the + whole of the Old Testament by heart.</p> + + <p>It was the custom of the Jews from all parts of the land to + go up to Jerusalem to worship at least once every year, at the + feast of the Passover, which was held in the spring. Some + families also stayed to the feast of Pentecost, which was fifty + days after Passover; and some went again in the fall to the + feast of Tabernacles, when for a week all the families slept + out of doors, under roofs made of green twigs and bushes.</p> + + <p>When Jesus was a boy twelve years old, he was taken up to + the feast of the Passover, and there for the first time he saw + the holy city Jerusalem, and the Temple of the Lord on Mount + Moriah. Young as he was, his soul was stirred, as he walked + among the courts of the Temple and saw the altar with its + smoking sacrifice, the priests in their white robes, and the + Levites with their silver trumpets. Though a boy, Jesus began + to feel that he was the Son of God, and that this was his + Father's house.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SITTING_IN_A_COMPANY_OF_THE_DOCTORS_OF_THE_LAW" + id="SITTING_IN_A_COMPANY_OF_THE_DOCTORS_OF_THE_LAW"><img src="./images/figure51_th.jpg" + title="Sitting in a company of the doctors of the law" + alt="Sitting in a company of the doctors of the law" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Sitting in a company of the doctors of the law</i> + </div> + + <p>His heart was so filled with the worship of the Temple, with + the words of the scribes or teachers whom he heard in the + courts, and with his own <a name="Page_190" + id="Page_190"></a>thoughts, that when it was time to go home + to Nazareth, he stayed behind, held fast by his love for the + house of the Lord. The company of people who were traveling + together was large, and at first he was not missed. But when + night came and the boy Jesus could not be found, his mother + was alarmed. The next day Joseph and Mary left their company + and hastened back to Jerusalem. They did not at first think + to go to the Temple. They sought him among their friends and + kindred who were living in the city, but could not find + him.</p> + + <p>On the third day, they went up to the Temple with heavy + hearts, still looking for their boy. And there they found him + sitting in a company <a name="Page_191" + id="Page_191"></a>of the doctors of the law, listening to + their words and asking them questions. Everybody who stood + near was surprised to find how deep was the knowledge of + this boy in the word of the Lord.</p> + + <p>His mother spoke to him a little sharply, for she felt that + her son had not been thoughtful of his duty. She said: "Child, + why have you treated us in this way? Do you not know that your + father and I have been looking for you with troubled + hearts?"</p> + + <p>"Why did you seek for me," said Jesus. "Did you not know + that I must be in my Father's house?"</p> + + <p>They did not understand these words; but Mary thought often + about them afterward; for she felt her son was no common child, + and that his words had a deep meaning. Though Jesus was wise + beyond his years, he obeyed Joseph and his mother in all + things. He went with them to Nazareth, and lived contented with + the plain life of their country home.</p> + + <p>As the years went on, Jesus grew from a boy to a young man. + He grew, too, in knowledge, and in wisdom, and in the favor of + God. He won the love of all who knew him, for there was + something in his nature that drew all hearts, both young and + old.</p> + + <p>Jesus learned the trade of a carpenter + with<a name="Page_192" + id="Page_192"></a> Joseph; and when Joseph died, while Jesus + was still a young man, Jesus worked as a carpenter, and + helped his mother take care of the family. And so in the + carpenter shop, and the quiet life of a country village, and + the worship of the synagogue, the years passed until Jesus + was thirty years of age.<a name="Page_193" + id="Page_193"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_WATER_THAT_WAS_TURNED_INTO_WINE" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_WATER_THAT_WAS_TURNED_INTO_WINE"></a>THE + STORY OF THE WATER THAT WAS TURNED INTO WINE</h2> + + <p>A few days after Jesus met his followers or disciples at the + river Jordan, he came with these men to a town in Galilee + called Cana, to be present at a wedding. In those lands a feast + was always held at a wedding, and often the friends of those + who were married stayed several days, eating and drinking + together.</p> + + <p>The mother of Jesus was at this wedding as a friend of the + family; for Nazareth, where she lived, was quite near to Cana. + Before the wedding feast was over, all the wine had been used, + and there was no more for the guests to drink. The mother of + Jesus knew that her son had power to do whatever he chose; and + she said to him; "They have no wine."</p> + + <p>Jesus said to her: "O woman, what have I to do with thee? My + hour is not yet come."</p> + + <p>But his mother knew that Jesus would in some way help the + people in their need, and she said to the servants who were + waiting at the table:</p> + + <p>"Whatever he tells you to do, be sure to do it."</p> + + <p>In the dining hall were standing six large stone jars, each + about as large as a barrel, holding twenty-five gallons. These + jars held water <a name="Page_194" + id="Page_194"></a>for washing, as the Jews washed their + hands before every meal, and washed their feet as often as + they came from walking in the street, since they wore no + shoes, but only sandals. Jesus said to the servants:</p> + + <p>"Fill the jars with water."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="FILL_THE_JARS_WITH_WATER" + id="FILL_THE_JARS_WITH_WATER"><img src="./images/figure52.png" + title="Fill the jars with water" + alt="Fill the jars with water" /></a><br /> + <i>"Fill the jars with water"</i> + </div> + + <p>The servants obeyed Jesus, and filled the jars up to the + brim. Then Jesus spoke to them again, and said:</p> + + <p>"Now draw out some of the water, and take it to the ruler of + the feast."</p> + + <p>They drew out water from the jars, and saw that it had been + turned into wine. The ruler did not know from what place the + wine had come; <a name="Page_195" + id="Page_195"></a>but he said to the young man who had just + been married, the bridegroom:</p> + + <p>"At a feast everybody gives his best wine at the beginning, + and afterward, when his guests have drunk freely, he brings on + wine that is not so good; but you have kept the good wine until + now."</p> + + <p>This was the first time that Jesus used the power that God + had given him, to do what no other man could do. Such works as + these were called "miracles"; and Jesus did them as signs of + his power as the Son of God. When the disciples saw this + miracle, they believed in Jesus more fully than before.</p> + + <p>After this Jesus went with his mother and his younger + brothers to a place called Capernaum, on the shore of the Sea + of Galilee. But they stayed there only a few days, for the + feast of the Passover was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem + to attend it. You remember that the feast of the Passover was + held every year, to keep in mind how God had led the people of + Israel out of Egypt long before.</p> + + <p>When Jesus came to Jerusalem, he found in the courts of the + Temple men who were selling oxen and sheep and doves for the + sacrifices, and other men sitting at tables changing the money + of Jews who came from other lands into the money of Judea. All + this made the courts <a name="Page_196" + id="Page_196"></a>around the Temple seem like a market, and + not a place for the worship of God.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="TAKE_THESE_THINGS_AWAY" + id="TAKE_THESE_THINGS_AWAY"><img src="./images/figure53_th.jpg" + title="Take these things away" + alt="Take these things away" /></a><br /> + <i>"Take these things away"</i> + </div> + + <p>Jesus picked up some cord and made from it a little whip. + With it he began to drive out of the Temple all the buyers and + sellers. He was but one, and they were many; but such power was + in his look, that they ran before him. He <a name="Page_197" + id="Page_197"></a>drove the men and the sheep and the oxen; + he overturned the tables and threw on the floor the money, + and to those who were selling the doves he said: "Take these + things away; make not my Father's house a house for selling + and buying!"</p> + + <p>The acts of Jesus were not pleasing to the rulers of the + Jews, for many of them were making money by this selling of + sacrifices and changing of money. Some of the rulers came to + Jesus and said to him: "What right have you to come here and do + such things as these? What sign can you show that God has given + to you power to rule in this place?"</p> + + <p>Jesus said to them: "I will give you a sign. Destroy this + house of God, and in three days I will raise it up."</p> + + <p>Then said the Jews, "It has taken forty-six years to build + this Temple, and it is not finished yet. Will you raise it up + in three days?"</p> + + <p>But Jesus did not mean that Temple on Mount Moriah. He was + speaking of himself, for in him God was dwelling as in a + temple, and he meant that when they should put him to death, he + would rise again in three days. Afterward, when Jesus had died + and risen again, his followers, the disciples, thought of what + he had said, and understood these words.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_198" + id="Page_198"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_STRANGER_AT_THE_WELL" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_STRANGER_AT_THE_WELL"></a>THE STORY OF + THE STRANGER AT THE WELL</h2> + + <p>While Jesus was teaching in Jerusalem and in the country + places near it, John the Baptist was still preaching and + baptizing. But already the people were leaving John and going + to hear Jesus. Some of the followers of John the Baptist were + not pleased as they saw that fewer people came to their master, + and that the crowds were seeking Jesus. But John said to them: + "I told you that I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before + him. Jesus is the Christ, the king. He must grow greater, while + I must grow less; and I am glad that it is so."</p> + + <p>Soon after this, Herod Antipas, the king of the province or + land of Galilee, put John in prison. Herod had taken for his + wife a woman named Herodias, who had left her husband to live + with Herod, which was very wicked. John sent word to Herod, + that it was not right for him to have this woman as his wife. + These words of John made Herodias very angry. She hated John, + and tried to kill him. Herod himself did not hate John so + greatly, for he knew that John had spoken the truth. But he was + weak, and <a name="Page_199" + id="Page_199"></a>yielded to his wife Herodias. To please + her, he sent John the Baptist to a lonely prison among the + mountains east of the Dead Sea; for the land in that region, + as well as Galilee, was under Herod's rule. There in prison + Herod hoped to keep John safe from the hate of his wife + Herodias.</p> + + <p>Soon after John the Baptist was thrown into prison, Jesus + left the country near Jerusalem with his disciples, and went + toward Galilee, the province in the north. Between Judea in the + south and Galilee in the north, lay the land of Samaria, where + the Samaritans lived, who hated the Jews. They worshipped the + Lord as the Jews worshipped him, but they had their own Temple + and their own priests. And they had their own Bible, which was + only the five books of Moses; for they would not read the other + books of the old Testament. The Jews and the Samaritans would + scarcely ever speak to each other, so great was the hate + between them.</p> + + <p>When Jews went from Galilee to Jerusalem, or from Jerusalem + to Galilee, they would not pass through Samaria, but went down + the mountains to the river Jordan, and walked beside the river, + in order to go around Samaria. But Jesus, when he would go from + Jerusalem to Galilee, walked over the mountains straight + through Samaria. One morning while he was on his journey, + <a name="Page_200" + id="Page_200"></a>he stopped to rest beside an old well at + the foot of Mount Gerizim, not far from the city of Shechem, + but nearer to a little village that was called Sychar. This + well had been dug by Jacob, the great father or ancestor of + the Israelites, many hundreds of years before. It was an old + well then in the days of Jesus; and it is much older now; + for the same well may be seen in that place still. Even now + travelers may have a drink from Jacob's well.</p> + + <p>It was early in the morning, about sunrise, when Jesus was + sitting by Jacob's well. He was very tired, for he had walked a + long journey; he was hungry, and his disciples had gone to the + village near at hand to buy food. He was thirsty, too; and as + he looked into the well he could see the water a hundred feet + below, but he had no rope with which to let down a cup or a jar + to draw up some water to drink.</p> + + <p>Just at this moment a Samaritan woman came to the well, with + her water-jar upon her head, and her rope in her hand. Jesus + looked at her, and in one glance read her soul, and saw all her + life.</p> + + <p>He knew that Jews did not often speak to Samaritans, but he + said to her:</p> + + <p>"Please to give me a drink?"</p> + + <p>The woman saw from his looks and his dress that he was a + Jew, and she said to him:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_201" + id="Page_201"></a>How is it that you, who are a Jew, ask + drink of me, a Samaritan woman?"</p> + + <p>Jesus answered her:</p> + + <p>"If you knew what God's free gift is, and if you knew who it + is that says to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would ask him to + give you living water, and he would give it to you."</p> + + <p>There was something in the words and the looks of Jesus + which made the woman feel that he was not a common man. She + said to him: "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the + well is deep. Where can you get that living water? Are you + greater than our father Jacob, who drank from this well, and + who gave it to us?"</p> + + <p>"Whoever drinks of this water," said Jesus, "shall thirst + again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him, + shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall + be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting + life."</p> + + <p>"Sir," said the woman, "give me some of this water of yours, + so that I will not thirst any more, nor come all the way to + this well."</p> + + <p>Jesus looked at the woman, and said to her, "Go home, and + bring your husband, and come here."</p> + + <p>"I have no husband," answered the woman.</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Jesus, "you have spoken the + truth.<a name="Page_202" + id="Page_202"></a> You have no husband. But you have had + five husbands, and the man whom you now have is not your + husband."</p> + + <p>The woman was filled with wonder as she heard this. She saw + that here was a man who knew what others could not know. She + felt that God had spoken to him, and she said:</p> + + <p>"Sir, I see that you are a prophet of God. Tell me whether + our people or the Jews are right. Our fathers have worshipped + on this mountain. The Jews say that Jerusalem is the place + where men should go to worship. Now, which of these is the + right place?"</p> + + <p>"Woman, believe me," said Jesus, "there is coming a time + when men shall worship God in other places besides on this + mountain and in Jerusalem. The time is near; it has even now + come, when the true worshippers everywhere shall pray to God in + spirit and in truth; for God himself is a Spirit."</p> + + <p>The woman said: "I know that the Anointed one is coming, the + Christ. When he comes, he will teach us all things."</p> + + <p>Jesus said to her:</p> + + <p>"I that speak to you now am he, the Christ!"</p> + + <p>Just at this time the disciples of Jesus came back from the + village. They wondered to see Jesus talking with this Samaritan + woman, but they said nothing.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_203" + id="Page_203"></a>The woman had come to draw water, but in + her interest in this wonderful stranger, she forgot her + errand. Leaving her water-jar, she ran back to her village, + and said to the people:</p> + + <p>"Come, see a man who told me everything that I have done in + all my life! Is not this man the Christ whom we are looking + for?"</p> + + <p>Soon the woman came back to the well with many of her + people. They asked Jesus to come to their town, and to stay + there and teach them. He went with them, and stayed there two + days, teaching the people, who were Samaritans. And many of the + people in that place believed in Jesus, and said:</p> + + <p>"We have heard for ourselves; now we know that this is + indeed the Saviour of the world."<a name="Page_204" + id="Page_204"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_FISHERMEN" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_FISHERMEN"></a>THE STORY OF THE + FISHERMEN</h2> + + <p>When Jesus began to teach the people by the river Jordan, a + few young men came to him as followers, or disciples. Some of + these men were Andrew and John, Peter and Philip and Nathanael. + While Jesus was teaching near Jerusalem and in Samaria, these + men stayed with Jesus; but when he came to Galilee, they went + to their homes and work, for most of them were fishermen from + the Sea of Galilee.</p> + + <p>One morning, soon after Jesus came to Capernaum, he went out + of the city, by the sea, followed by a great throng of people, + who had come together to see him and to hear him. On the shore + were lying two fishing boats, one of which belonged to Simon + and Andrew, the other to James and John and their father + Zebedee. The men themselves were not in the boats, but were + washing their nets near by.</p> + + <p>Jesus stepped into the boat that belonged to Simon Peter and + his brother Andrew, and asked them to push it out a little into + the lake, so that he could talk to the people from it without + being crowded too closely. They pushed it out, and then Jesus + sat in the boat, and spoke to the people, as they stood upon + the beach. After he had <a name="Page_205" + id="Page_205"></a>finished speaking to the people, and had + sent them away, he said to Simon Peter:</p> + + <p>"Put out into the deep water and let down your nets to catch + some fish."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_NET_CAUGHT_SO_MANY_FISHES_THEY_COULD_NOT_PULL_IT_UP" + id="THE_NET_CAUGHT_SO_MANY_FISHES_THEY_COULD_NOT_PULL_IT_UP"> + <img src="./images/figure54_th.jpg" + title="The net caught so many fishes they could not pull it up" + alt="The net caught so many fishes they could not pull it up" /> + </a><br /> + <i>The net caught so many fishes they could not pull it + up</i> + </div> + + <p>"Master," said Simon, "we have been fishing all night, and + have caught nothing; but if it is your will, I will let down + the net again."</p> + + <p>They did as Jesus bade them; and now the net caught so many + fishes that Simon and Andrew could not pull it up, and it was + in danger of breaking. They made signs to the two brothers, + James and John, who were in the other boat, for them to come + and help them. They came, and lifted the net, and poured out + the fish. There <a name="Page_206" + id="Page_206"></a>were so many of them that both the boats + were filled, and began to sink.</p> + + <p>When Simon Peter saw this, he was struck with wonder, and + felt that it was by the power of God. He fell down at the feet + of Jesus, saying: "Oh Lord, I am full of sin, and am not worthy + of all this! Leave me, O Lord."</p> + + <p>But Jesus said to Simon, and to the others, "Fear not; but + follow me, and I will make you from this time fishers of + men."</p> + + <p>From that time these four men, Simon and Andrew, James and + John, gave up their nets and their work, and became disciples + of Jesus.</p> + + <p>On the Sabbath, after this, Jesus and his disciples went + together to the synagogue, and spoke to the people. They + listened to him and were surprised at his teaching; for while + the scribes always repeated what other scribes had said before, + Jesus never spoke of what the men of old time had taught, but + spoke in his own name, and by his own power, saying, "I say + unto you," as one who had the right to speak. Men felt that + Jesus was speaking to them as the voice of God.</p> + + <p>On one Sabbath, while Jesus was preaching, a man came into + the synagogue who had in him an evil spirit; for sometimes evil + spirits came into men, and lived in them and spoke out from + them. The evil spirit in this man cried out, saying:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_207" + id="Page_207"></a>Let us alone, thou Jesus of Nazareth! What + have we to do with thee? Hast thou come to destroy us? I + know thee; and I know who thou art, the Holy one of + God!"</p> + + <p>Then Jesus spoke to the evil spirit in the man:</p> + + <p>"Be still; and come out of this man!"</p> + + <p>Then the evil spirit threw the man down, and seemed as if he + would tear him apart; but he left the man lying on the ground, + without harm.</p> + + <p>Then wonder fell upon all the people. They were filled with + fear, and said: "What mighty word is this? This man speaks even + to the evil spirits, and they obey him!"</p> + + <p>After the meeting in the synagogue, Jesus went into the + house where Simon Peter lived. There he saw lying upon a bed + the mother of Simon's wife, who was very ill with a burning + fever. He stood over her, and touched her hand. At once the + fever left her; she rose up from her bed and waited upon + them.</p> + + <p>At sunset, the Sabbath day was over; and then they brought + to Jesus from all parts of the city those that were sick, and + some that had evil spirits in them. Jesus laid his hands upon + the sick, and they became well; he drove out the evil spirits + by a word, and would not allow them to speak.<a name="Page_208" + id="Page_208"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_SERMON_ON_THE_MOUNT" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_SERMON_ON_THE_MOUNT"></a>THE STORY OF + THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT</h2> + + <p>Among the Jews there was one class of men hated and despised + by the people more than any other. That was "the publicans." + These were the men who took from the people the tax which the + Roman rulers had laid upon the land. Many of these publicans + were selfish, grasping, and cruel. They robbed the people, + taking more than was right. Some of them were honest men, + dealing fairly, and taking no more for the tax than was + needful; but because so many were wicked, all the publicans + were hated alike; and they were called "sinners" by the + people.</p> + + <p>One day, when Jesus was going out of Capernaum, to the + seaside, followed by a great crowd of people, he passed a + publican, or tax-gatherer, who was seated at his table taking + money from the people who came to pay their taxes. This man was + named Matthew, or Levi; for many Jews had two names. Jesus + could look into the hearts of men, and he saw that Matthew was + one who might help him as one of his disciples. He looked upon + Matthew, and said:</p> + + <p>"Follow me!"</p> + + <p><a name="Page_209" + id="Page_209"></a>At once, the publican rose up from his + table, and left it to go with Jesus. All the people + wondered, as they saw one of the hated publicans among the + disciples, with Peter, and John, and the rest. But Jesus + believed that there is good in all kinds of people. Most of + the men who followed him were poor fishermen. None of them, + so far as we know, was rich. And when he called Matthew he + saw a man with a true and loving heart, whose rising up to + follow Jesus just as soon as he was called showed what a + brave and faithful friend he would be. The first of the four + books about Jesus bears Matthew's name.</p> + + <p>A little while after Jesus called him, Matthew made a great + feast for Jesus at his house; and to the feast he invited many + publicans, and others whom the Jews called sinners. The + Pharisees saw Jesus sitting among these people, and they said + with scorn to his disciples:</p> + + <p>"Why does your Master sit at the table with publicans and + sinners?"</p> + + <p>Jesus heard of what these men had said, and he said:</p> + + <p>"Those that are well do not need a doctor to cure them, but + those that are sick do need one. I go to these people because + they know that they are sinners and need to be saved. I came + not to call those who think themselves to be good, but those + who wish to be made better."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_210" + id="Page_210"></a>One evening Jesus went alone to a mountain + not far from Capernaum. A crowd of people and his disciples + followed him; but Jesus left them all, and went up to the + top of the mountain, where he could be alone. There he + stayed all night, praying to God, his Father and our Father. + In the morning, out of all his followers, he chose twelve + men who should walk with him and listen to his words, so + that they might be able to teach others in turn. Some of + these men he had called before; but now he called them + again, and others with them. They were called "The Twelve," + or "the disciples"; and after Jesus went to heaven, they + were called "The Apostles," a word which means "those who + were sent out," because Jesus sent them out to preach the + gospel to the world.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="I_CAME_NOT_TO_CALL_THOSE_WHO_THINK_THEMSELVES_TO_BE_GOOD" + id="I_CAME_NOT_TO_CALL_THOSE_WHO_THINK_THEMSELVES_TO_BE_GOOD"> + <img src="./images/figure55_th.jpg" + title="I came not to call those who think themselves to be good" + alt="I came not to call those who think themselves to be good" /> + </a><br /> + <i>"I came not to call those who think themselves to be + good"</i> + </div> + + <p><a name="Page_211" + id="Page_211"></a>The names of the twelve disciples, or + apostles, were these: Simon Peter and his brother Andrew; + James and John, the two sons of Zebedee; Philip of + Bethsaida, and Nathanael, who was also called Bartholomew, a + name which means "the son of Tholmai"; Thomas, who was also + called Didymus, a name which means "a twin," and Matthew the + publican, or tax-gatherer; another James, the son of + Alpheus, who was called "James the Less," to keep his name + apart from the first James, the brother of John; and + Lebbeus, who was also called Thaddeus. Lebbeus was also + called Judas, but he was a different man from another Judas, + whose name is always given last. The eleventh name was + another Simon, who was called "the Cananean" or "Simon + Zelotes"; and the last name was Judas Iscariot, who was + afterward the traitor. We know very little about most of + these men, but some of them in later days did a great work. + Simon Peter was a leader among them, but most of them were + common sort of men of whom the best we know is that they + loved Jesus and followed him to the end. Some died for him, + and some served him in distant and dangerous places.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THEN_ON_THE_MOUNTAIN_HE_PREACHED" + id="THEN_ON_THE_MOUNTAIN_HE_PREACHED"><img src="./images/figure56_th.jpg" + title="Then, on the mountain, he preached" + alt="Then, on the mountain, he preached" /></a><br /> + <i>Then, on the mountain, he preached</i> + </div> + + <p>Before all the people who had come to hear him, Jesus called + these twelve men to stand by his side. Then, on the mountain, + he preached to these disciples and to the great company of + <a name="Page_212" + id="Page_212"></a>people. The disciples stood beside him, + and the great crowd of people stood in front, while Jesus + spoke. What he said on that day is called "The Sermon on the + Mount." Matthew wrote it down, and you can read it in his + gospel, in the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters. Jesus + began with these words to his disciples:</p> + + <p>"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom + of heaven.</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_213" + id="Page_213"></a>Blessed are they that mourn: for they + shall be comforted.</p> + + <p>"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.</p> + + <p>"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after + righteousness: for they shall be filled.</p> + + <p>"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.</p> + + <p>"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.</p> + + <p>"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the + children of God.</p> + + <p>"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' + sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</p> + + <p>"Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute + you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for + my sake.</p> + + <p>"Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward + in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were + before you.</p> + + <p>"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his + savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for + nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of + men.</p> + + <p>"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an + hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it + under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto + all that <a name="Page_214" + id="Page_214"></a>are in the house. Let your light so shine + before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify + your Father which is in heaven."</p> + + <p>It was in this Sermon on the Mount that Jesus told the + people how they should pray, and he gave them the prayer which + we all know as the Lord's Prayer.</p> + + <p>And this was the end of the Sermon:</p> + + <p>"Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and + doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his + house upon a rock:</p> + + <p>"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds + blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was + founded upon a rock.</p> + + <p>"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth + them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his + house upon the sand:</p> + + <p>"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds + blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the + fall of it."<a name="Page_215" + id="Page_215"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_MIRACLE_WORKER" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_MIRACLE_WORKER"></a>THE STORY OF THE + MIRACLE WORKER</h2> + + <p>There was at Capernaum an officer of the Roman army, a man + who had under him a company of a hundred men. They called him + "a centurion," a word which means "commanding a hundred"; but + we should call him "a captain." This man was not a Jew, but was + what the Jews called "a Gentile," "a foreigner"; a name which + the Jews gave to all people outside their own race. All the + world except the Jews themselves were Gentiles.</p> + + <p>This Roman centurion was a good man, and he loved the Jews, + because through them he had heard of God, and had learned how + to worship God. Out of his love for the Jews, he had built for + them with his own money a synagogue, which may have been the + very synagogue in which Jesus taught on the Sabbath days.</p> + + <p>The centurion had a young servant, a boy whom he loved + greatly; and this boy was very sick with a palsy, and near to + death. The centurion had heard that Jesus could cure those who + were sick; and he asked the chief men of the synagogue, who + were called its "elders," to go to Jesus and ask him to come + and cure his young servant.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SPEAK_THE_WORD_AND_MY_SERVANT_SHALL_BE_CURED" + id="SPEAK_THE_WORD_AND_MY_SERVANT_SHALL_BE_CURED"><img src="./images/figure57_th.jpg" + title="Speak the word and my servant shall be cured" + alt="Speak the word and my servant shall be cured" /> + </a><br /> + <i>"Speak the word and my servant shall be cured"</i> + </div> + + <p>The elders spoke to Jesus, just as he came again to + Capernaum, after the Sermon on the Mount. They asked Jesus to + go with them to the centurion's house; and they said:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_217" + id="Page_217"></a>He is a worthy man, and it is fitting that + you should help him, for, though a Gentile, he loves our + people, and he has built for us our synagogue."</p> + + <p>Then Jesus said, "I will go and heal him."</p> + + <p>But while he was on his way—and with him were the + elders, and his disciples, and a great crowd of people, who + hoped to see the work of healing—the centurion sent some + other friends to Jesus with this message:</p> + + <p>"Lord, do not take the trouble to come to my house; for I am + not worthy that one so high as you are should come under my + roof; and I did not think that I was worthy to go and speak to + you. But speak only a word where you are, and my servant shall + be made well. For I also am a man under rule, and I have + soldiers under me; and I say to one 'Go,' and he goes; and to + another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' + and he does it. You, too, have power to speak and to be obeyed. + Speak the word, and my servant shall be cured."</p> + + <p>When Jesus heard this, he wondered at this man's faith. He + turned to the people following him, and said:</p> + + <p>"In truth I say to you, I have not found such faith as this + in all Israel!"</p> + + <p>Then he spoke to the friends of the centurion who had + brought the word from him:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_218" + id="Page_218"></a>Go and say to this man, 'As you have + believed in me, so shall it be done to you.'"</p> + + <p>Then those who had been sent, went again to the centurion's + house, and found that in that very hour his servant had been + made perfectly well.</p> + + <p>On the day after this, Jesus with his disciples and many + people went out from Capernaum, and turned southward, and came + to a village called Nain. Just as Jesus and his disciples came + near to the gate of the city, they were met by a company who + were carrying out a dead man to be buried. He was a young man, + and the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.</p> + + <p>When the Lord Jesus saw the mother in her grief, he pitied + her, and said, "Do not weep."</p> + + <p>He drew near, and touched the frame on which they were + carrying the body, wrapped round and round with long strips of + linen. The bearers looked with wonder on this stranger, and set + down the frame with its body, and stood still. Standing beside + the body, Jesus said:</p> + + <p>"Young man, I say to you, Rise up!"</p> + + <p>And in a moment the young man sat up and began to speak. + Jesus gave him to his mother, who now saw that her son who had + been dead, was alive again.</p> + + <p>And Jesus went through all that part of Galilee, working + miracles and preaching and teaching <a name="Page_219" + id="Page_219"></a>in all the villages, telling the people + everywhere the good news of the kingdom of God.</p> + + <p>The children loved to gather around him, and when his + disciples would have driven them away he said, "Suffer the + little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of + such is the kingdom of heaven."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_CHILDREN_LOVED_TO_GATHER_AROUND_HIM" + id="THE_CHILDREN_LOVED_TO_GATHER_AROUND_HIM"><img src="./images/figure58_th.jpg" + title="The children loved to gather around him" + alt="The children loved to gather around him" /> + </a><br /> + <i>The children loved to gather around him</i> + </div> + + <p><a name="Page_220" + id="Page_220"></a>One Sabbath day, as Jesus and his + disciples were walking in Jerusalem, they met a blind man + begging. This man in all his life had never seen; for he had + been born blind. The disciples said to Jesus as they were + passing him: "Master, whose fault was it that this man was + born blind? Was it because he has sinned, or did his parents + sin?"</p> + + <p>For the Jews thought that when any evil came, it was caused + by some one's sin. But Jesus said:</p> + + <p>"This man was born blind, not because of his parents' sin, + nor because of his own, but so that God might show his power in + him. We must do God's work while it is day, for the night is + coming when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am + the light of the world."</p> + + <p>When Jesus had said this, he spat on the ground, and mixed + up the spittle with earth, making a little lump of clay. This + clay Jesus spread on the eyes of the blind man; and then he + said to him: "Go wash in the pool of Siloam."</p> + + <p>The pool of Siloam was a large cistern, or, reservoir, on + the southeast of Jerusalem, outside the wall, where the valley + of Gihon and the valley of Kedron come together. To go to this + pool, the blind man, with two great blotches of mud on his + face, must walk through the streets of the city, out of the + gate, and into the valley. He went, and felt his way down the + steps into the <a name="Page_221" + id="Page_221"></a>pool of Siloam. There he washed, and then + at once his life-long blindness passed away, and he could + see.</p> + + <p>When the man came back to the part of the city where he + lived, his neighbors could scarcely believe that he was the + same man. They said: "Is not this the man who used to sit on + the street begging?"</p> + + <p>"This must be the same man," said some; but others said: + "No, it is some one who looks like him."</p> + + <p>But the man said, "I am the very same man who was + blind!"</p> + + <p>"Why, how did this come to pass?" they asked. "How were your + eyes opened?"</p> + + <p>"The man, named Jesus," he answered, "mixed clay, and put it + on my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and + wash,' and I went and washed, and then I could see."</p> + + <p>"Where is this man?" they asked him.</p> + + <p>"I do not know," said the man.</p> + + <p>Some of the Pharisees, the men who made a show of always + obeying the law, asked the man how he had been made to see. He + said to them, as he had said before:</p> + + <p>"A man put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and my sight came + to me."</p> + + <p>Some of the Pharisees said:</p> + + <p>"The man who did this is not a man of God, + <a name="Page_222" + id="Page_222"></a>because he does not keep the Sabbath. He + makes clay, and puts it on men's eyes, working on the + Sabbath day. He is a sinner!"</p> + + <p>Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such + wonderful works?"</p> + + <p>And thus the people were divided in what they thought of + Jesus. They asked the man who had been blind: "What do you + think of this man who has opened your eyes?"</p> + + <p>"He is a prophet of God," said the man.</p> + + <p>But the leading Jews would not believe that this man had + gained his sight, until they had sent for his father and his + mother. The Jews asked them:</p> + + <p>"Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How is it + that he can now see?"</p> + + <p>His parents were afraid to tell all they knew; for the Jews + had agreed that if any man should say Jesus was the Christ, the + Saviour, he should be turned out of the synagogue, and not be + allowed to worship any more with the people. So his parents + said to the Jews:</p> + + <p>"We know that this is our son, and we know that he was born + blind. But how he was made to see, we do not know; or who has + opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age; ask him, and let + him speak for himself."</p> + + <p>Then again the rulers of the Jews called the man who had + been blind; and they said to him:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_223" + id="Page_223"></a>Give God the praise for your sight. We + know that this man who made clay on the Sabbath day is a + sinner."</p> + + <p>"Whether that man is a sinner, or not, I do not know," + answered the man; "but one thing I do know, that once I was + blind, and now I see. We know that God does not hear sinners; + but God hears only those who worship him, and do his will. + Never before has any one opened the eyes of a man born blind. + If this man were not from God, he could not do such works as + these!"</p> + + <p>The rulers of the Jews, these Pharisees, then said to the + man: "You were born in sin, and do you try to teach us?"</p> + + <p>And they turned him out of the synagogue, and would not let + any one worship with him. Jesus heard of this; and when Jesus + found him, he said to him:</p> + + <p>"Do you believe on the Son of God?"</p> + + <p>The man said:</p> + + <p>"And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?"</p> + + <p>"You have seen him," said Jesus, "and it is he who now talks + with you!"</p> + + <p>The man said, "Lord, I believe."</p> + + <p>And he fell down before Jesus, and worshipped + him.<a name="Page_224" + id="Page_224"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_GOOD_SHEPHERD_AND_THE_GOOD_SAMARITAN" + id="THE_GOOD_SHEPHERD_AND_THE_GOOD_SAMARITAN"></a>THE GOOD + SHEPHERD AND THE GOOD SAMARITAN</h2> + + <p>Soon afterward Jesus gave to the people in Jerusalem the + parable or story of "The Good Shepherd."</p> + + <p>"Verily, verily (that is, 'in truth, in truth'), I say to + you, if any one does not go into the sheepfold by the door, but + climbs up some other way, it is a sign that he is a thief and a + robber. But the one who comes in by the door is a shepherd of + the sheep. The porter opens the door to him, and the sheep know + him, and listen to his call, for he calls his own sheep by name + and leads them out to the pasture-field. And when he has led + out his sheep, he goes in front of them, and the sheep follow + him, for they know his voice. The sheep will not follow a + stranger, for they do not know the stranger's voice."</p> + + <p>The people did not understand what all this meant, and as + Jesus explained it to them, he said: "Verily, verily, I say + unto you, I am the door that leads to the sheepfold. If any man + comes to the sheep in any other way than through me and in my + name, he is a thief and a robber; but those who are the true + sheep will not hear such. I am the door; if any man goes + <a name="Page_225" + id="Page_225"></a>into the fold through me, he shall be + saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find + pasture.</p> + + <p>"The thief comes to the fold that he may steal and rob the + sheep, and kill them; but I came to the fold that they may have + life, and may have all that they need. I am the good shepherd; + the good shepherd will give up his own life to save his sheep; + and I will give up my life that my sheep may be saved.</p> + + <p>"I am the good shepherd; and just as a true shepherd knows + all the sheep in his fold, so I know my own, and my own know + me, even as I know the Father, and the Father knows me; and I + lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which + are not of this fold; them also I must lead; and they shall + hear my voice; and there shall be one flock and one + shepherd."</p> + + <p>The Jews could not understand these words of Jesus; but they + became very angry with him, because he spoke of God as his + Father. They took up stones to throw them at him, and tried to + seize him, intending to kill him. But Jesus escaped from their + hands, and went away to the land beyond Jordan, at the place + called "Bethabara," or "Bethany beyond Jordan," the same place + where he had been baptized by John the Baptist more than two + years before. From this place Jesus wished to go out through + the land in the east of the Jordan, a land which is + <a name="Page_226" + id="Page_226"></a>called "Perea," a word that means + "beyond." But before going out through this land, Jesus sent + out seventy chosen men from among his followers to go to all + the villages, and to make the people ready for his own + coming afterward. He gave to these seventy the same commands + that he had given to the twelve disciples when he sent them + through Galilee, and sent them out in pairs, two men to + travel and to preach together. He said:</p> + + <p>"I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no + bag for food, no shoes except those that you are wearing. Do + not stop to talk with people by the way; but go through the + towns and villages, healing the sick, and preaching to the + people, 'The kingdom of God is coming,' He that hears you, + hears me; and he that refuses you, refuses me; and he that will + not hear me, will not hear him that sent me."</p> + + <p>And after a time the seventy men came again to Jesus, + saying:</p> + + <p>"Lord, even the evil spirits obey our words in thy + name!"</p> + + <p>And Jesus said to them:</p> + + <p>"I saw Satan, the king of the evil spirits, falling down + like lightning from heaven. I have given you power to tread + upon serpents and scorpions, and nothing shall harm you. Still, + do not rejoice because the evil spirits obey you; + <a name="Page_227" + id="Page_227"></a>but rejoice that your names are written in + heaven."</p> + + <p>And at that time, one of the scribes—men who wrote + copies of the books of the Old Testament, and studied them, and + taught them—came to Jesus and asked him a question, to + see what answer he would give. He said: "Master, what shall I + do to have everlasting life?"</p> + + <p>Jesus said to the scribe: "What is written in the law? You + are a reader of God's law; tell me what it says."</p> + + <p>Then the man gave this answer:</p> + + <p>"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and + with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy + mind; and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."</p> + + <p>Jesus said to the man: "You have answered right; do this, + and you shall have everlasting life."</p> + + <p>But the man was not satisfied. He asked another question: + "And who is my neighbor?"</p> + + <p>To answer this question, Jesus gave the parable or story of + "The Good Samaritan." He said: "A certain man was going down + the lonely road from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among + robbers, who stripped him of all that he had and beat him; and + then went away, leaving him almost dead. It happened that a + certain priest was going down that road; and when he saw + <a name="Page_228" + id="Page_228"></a>the man lying there, he passed by on the + other side. And a Levite, also, when he came to the place, + and saw the man, he too went by on the other side. But a + certain Samaritan, as he was going down, came where this man + was; and as soon as he saw him, he felt a pity for him. He + came to the man, and dressed his wounds, pouring oil and + wine into them. Then he lifted him up, and set him on his + own beast of burden, and walked beside him to an inn. There + he took care of him all night; and the next morning he took + out from his purse two shillings, and gave them to the + keeper of the inn, and said: 'Take care of him; and if you + need to spend more than this, do so; and when I come again I + will pay it to you.'"</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THEN_HE_LIFTED_HIM_UP" + id="THEN_HE_LIFTED_HIM_UP"><img src="./images/figure59_th.jpg" + title="Then he lifted him up" + alt="Then he lifted him up" /></a><br /> + <i>Then he lifted him up</i> + </div> + + <p>"<a name="Page_229" + id="Page_229"></a>Which one of these three, do you think, + showed himself a neighbor to the man who fell among the + robbers?"</p> + + <p>The scribe said: "The one who showed mercy on him."</p> + + <p>Then Jesus said to him: "Go and do thou likewise."</p> + + <p>By this parable, Jesus showed that "our neighbor" is the one + who needs the help that we can give him, whoever he may + be.<a name="Page_230" + id="Page_230"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_PALM_BRANCHES" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_PALM_BRANCHES"></a>THE STORY OF THE + PALM BRANCHES</h2> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="CAME_TO_BETHANY_WHERE_HIS_FRIENDS_MARTHA_AND_MARY_LIVED" + id="CAME_TO_BETHANY_WHERE_HIS_FRIENDS_MARTHA_AND_MARY_LIVED"> + <img src="./images/figure60_th.jpg" + title="Came to Bethany where his friends Martha and Mary lived" + alt="Came to Bethany where his friends Martha and Mary lived" /> + </a><br /> + <i>Came to Bethany where his friends Martha and Mary + lived</i> + </div> + + <p>From Jericho, Jesus and his disciples went up the mountains, + and came to Bethany, where his friends Martha and Mary lived, + and where he had raised Lazarus to life. Many people in + Jerusalem heard that Jesus was there, and they went out of the + city to see him, for Bethany was only two miles from Jerusalem. + Some came also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the + dead; but the rulers of the Jews said to each other:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_231" + id="Page_231"></a>We must not only kill Jesus, but Lazarus, + also; because on his account so many of the people are going + after Jesus and are believing on him."</p> + + <p>The friends of Jesus in Bethany made a supper for Jesus, at + the house of a man named Simon. He was called "Simon the + leper"; and perhaps he was one whom Jesus had cured of leprosy. + Jesus and his disciples, with Lazarus, leaned upon the couches + around the table, as the guests; and Martha was one of those + who waited upon them. While they were at the supper, Mary, the + sister of Lazarus, came into the room, carrying a sealed jar of + very precious perfume. She opened the jar, and poured some of + the perfume upon the head of Jesus, and some upon his feet; and + she wiped his feet with her long hair. And the whole house was + filled with the fragrance of the perfume.</p> + + <p>But one of the disciples of Jesus, Judas Iscariot, was not + pleased at this. He said: "Why was such a waste of the perfume + made? This might have been sold for more than forty-five + dollars, and the money given to the poor!"</p> + + <p>This he said, but not because he cared for the poor. Judas + was the one who kept the bag of money for Jesus and the twelve; + and he was a thief, and took away for his own use all the money + that he could steal. But Jesus said:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_232" + id="Page_232"></a>Let her alone; why do you find fault with + the woman? She has done a good work upon me. You have the + poor always with you, and whenever you wish, you can give to + them. But you will have me with you only a little while. She + has done what she could; for she has come to perfume my body + for its burial. And truly I say to you, that wherever the + gospel shall be preached throughout all the world, what this + woman has done shall be told in memory of her."</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="SHE_WIPED_HIS_FEET_WITH_HER_HAIR" + id="SHE_WIPED_HIS_FEET_WITH_HER_HAIR"><img src="./images/figure61_th.jpg" + title="She wiped his feet with her hair" + alt="She wiped his feet with her hair" /></a><br /> + <i>She wiped his feet with her hair</i> + </div> + + <p>Perhaps Mary knew what others did not believe, that Jesus + was soon to die; and she showed <a name="Page_233" + id="Page_233"></a>her love for him, and her sorrow for his + coming death, by this rich gift. But Judas, the disciple who + carried the bag, was very angry at Jesus; and from that time + he was looking for a chance to betray Jesus, or to give him + up to his enemies. He went to the chief priests, and said: + "What will you give me, if I will put Jesus in your + hands?"</p> + + <p>They said, "We will give you thirty pieces of silver."</p> + + <p>And for thirty pieces of silver Judas promised to help them + take Jesus, and make him their prisoner.</p> + + <p>On the morning after the supper at Bethany, Jesus called two + of his disciples, and said to them:</p> + + <p>"Go into the next village, and at a place where two roads + cross; and there you will find an ass tied, and a colt with it. + Loose them, and bring them to me. And if any one says to you, + 'Why do you do this?' say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and + they will let them go."</p> + + <p>They went to the place and found the ass and the colt, and + were loosing them, when the owner said:</p> + + <p>"What are you doing, untying the ass?"</p> + + <p>And they said, as Jesus had told them to say:</p> + + <p>"The Lord has need of it."</p> + + <p>Then the owner gave them the ass and the colt + <a name="Page_234" + id="Page_234"></a>for the use of Jesus. They brought them to + Jesus on the Mount of Olives; and they laid some of their + own clothes on the colt for a cushion, and set Jesus upon + it. Then all the disciples and a very great multitude threw + their garments upon the ground for Jesus to ride upon. + Others cut down branches from the trees and laid them on the + ground. And as Jesus rode over the mountain toward + Jerusalem, many walked before him waving branches of palm + trees. And they all cried together:</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THEY_THREW_THEIR_GARMENTS_UPON_THE_GROUND_FOR_JESUS_TO_RIDE_UPON" + id="THEY_THREW_THEIR_GARMENTS_UPON_THE_GROUND_FOR_JESUS_TO_RIDE_UPON"> + <img src="./images/figure62.png" + title="They threw their garments upon the ground for Jesus to ride upon" + alt="They threw their garments upon the ground for Jesus to ride upon" /> + </a><br /> + <i>They threw their garments upon the ground for Jesus to + ride upon</i> + </div> + + <p>"<a name="Page_235" + id="Page_235"></a>Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he + that cometh in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the kingdom + of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord! + Hosanna in the highest!"</p> + + <p>These things they said, because they believed that Jesus was + the Christ, the Anointed King; and they hoped that he would now + set up his throne in Jerusalem. Some of the Pharisees in the + crowd, who did not believe in Jesus, said to him:</p> + + <p>"Master, stop your disciples!"</p> + + <p>But Jesus said:</p> + + <p>"I tell you, that if these should be still, the very stones + would cry out!"</p> + + <p>And when he came into Jerusalem with all this multitude, all + the city was filled with wonder. They said: "Who is this?"</p> + + <p>And the multitude answered:</p> + + <p>"This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee!"</p> + + <p>And Jesus went into the Temple, and looked around it; but he + did not stay, because the hour was late. He went again to + Bethany, and there stayed at night with his friends.</p> + + <p>These things took place on Sunday, the first day of the + week; and that Sunday in the year is called Palm Sunday, + because of the palm branches which the people carried before + Jesus.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_236" + id="Page_236"></a>Many people heard him gladly, but the + great city was deaf to his pleadings. "O Jerusalem, + Jerusalem," he cried, "thou that killest the prophets, how + often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a + hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would + not!"</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="THE_GREAT_CITY_WAS_DEAF_TO_HIS_PLEADINGS" + id="THE_GREAT_CITY_WAS_DEAF_TO_HIS_PLEADINGS"><img src="./images/figure63_th.jpg" + title="The great city was deaf to his pleadings" + alt="The great city was deaf to his pleadings" /> + </a><br /> + <i>The great city was deaf to his pleadings</i> + </div> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_BETRAYAL" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_BETRAYAL"></a>THE STORY OF THE + BETRAYAL</h2> + + <p>At the foot of the Mount of Olives, near the path over the + hill toward Bethany, there was an orchard of olive trees, + called "The Garden of Gethsemane." The word "Gethsemane" means + "oil press." Jesus often went to this place with his disciples, + because of its quiet shade. At this garden he stopped, and + outside he left eight of his disciples, saying to them, "Sit + here while I go inside and pray."</p> + + <p>He took with him the three chosen ones, Peter, James, and + John, and went within the orchard. Jesus knew that in a little + while Judas would be there with a band of men to seize him; + that in a few hours he would be beaten, and stripped, and led + out to die. The thought of what he was to suffer came upon him + and filled his soul with grief. He said to Peter and James and + John:</p> + + <p>"My soul is filled with sorrow, a sorrow that almost kills + me. Stay here and watch while I am praying."</p> + + <p>He went a little further among the trees, and flung himself + down upon the ground, and cried out:</p> + + <p>"O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from + me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou willest!"</p> + + <p><a name="Page_238" + id="Page_238"></a>So earnest was his feeling and so great + his suffering that there came out upon his face great drops + of sweat like blood, falling upon the ground. After praying + for a time, he rose up from the earth and went to his three + disciples, and found them all asleep. He awaked them, and + said to Peter: "What, could you not watch with me one hour? + Watch and pray that you may not go into temptation. The + spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."</p> + + <p>He left them, and went a second time into the woods, and + fell on his face, and prayed again, saying:</p> + + <p>"O my Father, if this cup cannot pass away, and I must drink + it, then thy will be done."</p> + + <p>He came again to the three disciples, and found them + sleeping; but this time he did not awake them. He went once + more into the woods, and prayed, using the same words. And an + angel from heaven came to him and gave him strength. He was now + ready for the fate that was soon to come, and his heart was + strong. Once more he went to the three disciples, and said to + them: "You may as well sleep on now, and take your rest, for + the hour is at hand; and already the Son of man is given by the + traitor into the hands of sinners. But rise up and let us be + going. See, the traitor is here!"</p> + + <p>The disciples awoke; they heard the noise of + <a name="Page_239" + id="Page_239"></a>a crowd, and saw the flashing of torches + and the gleaming of swords and spears. In the throng they + saw Judas standing, and they knew now that he was the + traitor of whom Jesus had spoken the night before. Judas + came rushing forward, and kissed Jesus, as though he were + glad to see him. This was a signal that he had given + beforehand to the band; for the men of the guard did not + know Jesus, and Judas had said to them:</p> + + <p>"The one that I shall kiss is the man that you are to take; + seize him and hold him fast."</p> + + <p>Jesus said to Judas, "Judas, do you betray the Son of man + with a kiss?"</p> + + <p>Then he turned to the crowd, and said, "Whom do you + seek?"</p> + + <p>They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth."</p> + + <p>Jesus said, "I am he."</p> + + <p>When Jesus said this, a sudden fear came upon his enemies; + they drew back and fell upon the ground.</p> + + <p>After a moment, Jesus said again, "Whom do you seek?"</p> + + <p>And again they answered, "Jesus of Nazareth."</p> + + <p>And Jesus said, pointing to his disciples, "I told you that + I am he. If you are seeking me, let these disciples go their + own way."</p> + + <div class="figcenter" + style="width:273px"> + <a href="./images/268.jpg" + name="PETER_DENIES_CHRIST" + id="PETER_DENIES_CHRIST"><img width="273" + src="./images/268_th.jpg" + title="PETER DENIES CHRIST" + alt="PETER DENIES CHRIST" /></a> + + <p><b>PETER DENIES CHRIST</b>—And Peter remembered + the word of Jesus, which said unto him, 'Before the cock + crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.—(Matt. 26:75.)</p> + </div> + + <p>But as they came forward to seize Jesus, Peter + <a name="Page_240" + id="Page_240"></a><a name="Page_241" + id="Page_241"></a>drew his sword, and struck at one of the + men in front, and cut off his right ear. The man was a + servant of the high-priest, and his name was Malchus. Jesus + said to Peter:</p> + + <p>"Put up the sword into its sheath; the cup which my Father + has given me, shall I not drink it? Do you not know that I + could call upon my Father, and he would send to me armies upon + armies of angels?"</p> + + <p>Then he spoke to the crowd, "Let me do this." And he touched + the place where the ear had been cut off, and it came on again + and was well. Jesus said to the rulers and leaders of the armed + men:</p> + + <p>"Do you come out against me with swords and clubs as though + I were a robber? I was with you every day in the Temple, and + you did not lift your hands against me. But the words in the + scriptures must come to pass; and this is your hour."</p> + + <p>When the disciples of Jesus saw that he would not allow them + to fight for him, they did not know what to do. In their sudden + alarm they all ran away, and left their Master alone with his + enemies. These men laid their hands on Jesus, and bound him, + and led him away to the house of the high-priest. There were at + that time two men called high-priests by the Jews. One was + Annas, who had been high-priest until <a name="Page_242" + id="Page_242"></a>his office had been taken from him by the + Romans, and given to Caiphas, his son-in-law. But Annas + still had great power among the people; and they brought + Jesus, all bound as he was, first to Annas.</p> + + <p>Simon Peter, and John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, had + followed after the crowd of those who carried Jesus away; and + they came to the door of the high-priest's house. John knew the + high-priest and went in; but Peter at first stayed outside, + until John went out and brought him in. He came in, but did not + dare to go into the room where Jesus stood before the + high-priest Annas. In the court-yard of the house, they had + made a fire of charcoal, and Peter stood among those who were + warming themselves at the fire.</p> + + <p>Annas in the inner room asked Jesus about his disciples and + his teaching. Jesus answered him:</p> + + <p>"What I have taught has been open in the synagogues and in + the Temple. Why do you ask me? Ask those that heard me; they + know what I said."</p> + + <p>Then one of the officers struck Jesus on the mouth, saying + to him:</p> + + <p>"Is this the way that you answer the high-priest?"</p> + + <p>Jesus answered the officer calmly and quietly:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_243" + id="Page_243"></a>If I have said anything evil, tell what + the evil is; but if I have spoken the truth, why do you + strike me?"</p> + + <p>While Annas and his men were thus showing their hate toward + Jesus, who stood bound and alone among his enemies, Peter was + still in the court-yard warming himself at the fire. A woman, + who was a serving-maid in the house, looked at Peter sharply, + and finally said to him:</p> + + <p>"You were one of those men with this Jesus of Nazareth!"</p> + + <p>Peter was afraid to tell the truth, and he answered her:</p> + + <p>"Woman, I do not know the man; and I do not know what you + are talking about."</p> + + <p>And to get away from her, he went out into the porch of the + house. There another woman-servant saw him and said: "This man + was one of those with Jesus!"</p> + + <p>And Peter swore with an oath that he did not know Jesus at + all. Soon a man came by, who was of kin to Malchus, whose ear + Peter had cut off. He looked at Peter, and heard him speak, and + said:</p> + + <p>"You are surely one of this man's disciples; for your speech + shows that you came from Galilee."</p> + + <p>Then Peter began again to curse and to swear, declaring that + he did not know the man.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_244" + id="Page_244"></a>Just at that moment the loud, shrill + crowing of a cock startled Peter; and at the same time he + saw Jesus, who was being dragged through the hall from Annas + to the council-room of Caiphas, the other high-priest. And + the Lord turned as he was passing and looked at Peter.</p> + + <p>Then there flashed into Peter's mind what Jesus had said on + the evening before!</p> + + <p>"Before the cock crows to-morrow morning, you will three + times deny that you have ever known me."</p> + + <p>Then Peter went out of the high-priest's house into the + street; and he wept bitterly because he had denied his + Lord.<a name="Page_245" + id="Page_245"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_EMPTY_TOMB" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_EMPTY_TOMB"></a>THE STORY OF THE EMPTY + TOMB</h2> + + <p>After Jesus was taken before the high-priest where he was + ridiculed and the people spat upon him, he was taken before the + Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, who ruled over Judea. He heard + their complaints, but did not find any cause for putting him to + death. But at last he yielded to their demands, although he + declared Jesus was innocent of all wrong.</p> + + <div class="figcenter"> + <a name="HE_HEARD_THEIR_COMPLAINTS" + id="HE_HEARD_THEIR_COMPLAINTS"><img src="./images/figure65_th.jpg" + title="He heard their complaints" + alt="He heard their complaints" /></a><br /> + <i>He heard their complaints</i> + </div> + + <p>And so Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, + <a name="Page_246" + id="Page_246"></a>gave command that Jesus should die by the + cross. The Roman soldiers then took Jesus and beat him most + cruelly; and then led him out of the city to the place of + death. This was a place called "Golgotha" in the Jewish + language, "Calvary" in that of the Romans; both words + meaning "The Skull Place."</p> + + <p>With the soldiers, went out of the city a great crowd of + people; some of them enemies of Jesus, glad to see him suffer; + others of them friends of Jesus, and the women who had helped + him, now weeping as they saw him, all covered with his blood + and going out to die. But Jesus turned to them and said:</p> + + <p>"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for + yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when + they shall count those happy who have no little ones to be + slain; when they shall wish that the mountain might fall on + them, and the hills might cover them, and hide them from their + enemies!"</p> + + <p>They had tried to make Jesus bear his own cross, but soon + found that he was too weak from his sufferings, and could not + carry it. They seized on a man who was coming out of the + country into the city, a man named Simon, and they made him + carry the cross to its place at Calvary.</p> + + <p>It was the custom among the Jews to give to men about to die + by the cross some medicine to <a name="Page_247" + id="Page_247"></a>deaden their feelings, so that they would + not suffer so greatly. They offered this to Jesus, but when + he had tasted it and found what it was, he would not take + it. He knew that he would die, but he wished to have his + mind clear, and to understand what was done and what was + said, even though his sufferings might be greater.</p> + + <p>At the place Calvary, they laid the cross down, and + stretched Jesus upon it, and drove nails through his hands and + feet to fasten him to the cross; and then they stood it upright + with Jesus upon it. While the soldiers were doing this dreadful + work, Jesus prayed for them to God, saying: "Father, forgive + them; for they know not what they are doing."</p> + + <p>The soldiers also took the clothes that Jesus had worn, + giving to each one a garment. But when they came to his + undergarment, they found that it was woven and had no seams; so + they said, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see + who shall have it." So at the foot of the cross the soldiers + threw lots for the garment of Christ.</p> + + <p>Two men who had been robbers and had been sentenced to die + by the cross, were led out to die at the same time with Jesus. + One was placed on a cross at his right side, and the other at + his left; and to make Jesus appear as the worst, his cross + stood in the middle. Over the head of<a name="Page_248" + id="Page_248"></a> Jesus on his cross, they placed, by + Pilate's order, a sign, on which was written:</p> + + <p class="center">"This is Jesus of Nazareth,<br /> + The King of the Jews."</p> + + <p>This was written in three languages; in Hebrew, which was + the language of the Jews; in Latin, the language of the Romans, + and in Greek. Many of the people read this writing; but the + chief priests were not pleased with it. They urged Pilate to + have it changed from "The King of the Jews" to "He said, I am + King of the Jews." But Pilate would not change it. He said:</p> + + <p>"What I have written, I have written."</p> + + <p>And the people who passed by on the road, as they looked at + Jesus on the cross, mocked at him. Some called out to him:</p> + + <p>"You that would destroy the Temple and build it in three + days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from + the cross!"</p> + + <p>And the priests and scribes said:</p> + + <p>"He saved others, but he cannot save himself. Come down from + the cross, and we will believe in you!"</p> + + <p>And one of the robbers, who was on his own cross beside that + of Jesus, joined in the cry, and said: "If you are the Christ, + save yourself and save us!"</p> + + <p><a name="Page_249" + id="Page_249"></a>But the other robber said to him: "Have + you no fear of God, to speak thus, while you are suffering + the same fate with this man? And we deserve to die, but this + man has done nothing wrong."</p> + + <p>Then this man said to Jesus: "Lord, remember me when thou + comest into thy kingdom!"</p> + + <p>And Jesus answered him, as they were both hanging on their + crosses: "To-day you shall be with me in heaven."</p> + + <p>Before the cross of Jesus his mother was standing, filled + with sorrow for her son, and beside her was one of his + disciples, John, the disciple whom he loved best. Other women + besides his mother were there—his mother's sister, Mary + the wife of Cleophas, and a woman named Mary Magdalene, out of + whom a year before Jesus had sent an evil spirit. Jesus wished + to give his mother, now that he was leaving her, into the care + of John, and he said to her, as he looked from her to John: + "Woman, see your son."</p> + + <p>And then to John he said: "Son, see your mother."</p> + + <p>And on that day John took the mother of Jesus home to his + own house, and cared for her as his own mother.</p> + + <p>At about noon, a sudden darkness came over the land, and + lasted for three hours. And in the <a name="Page_250" + id="Page_250"></a>middle of the afternoon, when Jesus had + been on the cross six hours of terrible pain, he cried out + aloud words which meant:</p> + + <p>"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!" words which are + the beginning of the twenty-second psalm, a psalm which long + before had spoken of many of Christ's sufferings.</p> + + <p>After this he spoke again, saying, "I thirst!"</p> + + <p>And some one dipped a sponge in a cup of vinegar, and put it + upon a reed, and gave him a drink of it. Then Jesus spoke his + last words upon the cross:</p> + + <p>"It is finished! Father, into thy hands I give my + spirit!"</p> + + <p>And then Jesus died. And at that moment, the veil in the + Temple between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, was torn + apart by unseen hands from the top to the bottom. And when the + Roman officer, who had charge of the soldiers around the cross, + saw what had taken place, and how Jesus died, he said: "Surely + this was a righteous man; he was the Son of God."</p> + + <p>After Jesus was dead, one of the soldiers, to be sure that + he was no longer living, ran his spear into the side of his + dead body; and out of the wound came pouring both water and + blood.</p> + + <p>There were even among the rulers of the Jews a few who were + friends of Jesus, though they did not dare to follow Jesus + openly. One of these <a name="Page_251" + id="Page_251"></a>was Nicodemus, the ruler who came to see + Jesus at night. Another was a rich man who came from the + town of Arimathea, and was named Joseph. Joseph of Arimathea + went boldly in to Pilate, and asked that the body of Jesus + might be given to him. Pilate wondered that he had died so + soon, for often men lived on the cross two or three days. + But when he found that Jesus was really dead, he gave his + body to Joseph.</p> + + <p>Then Joseph and his friends took down the body of Jesus from + the cross, and wrapped it in fine linen. And Nicodemus brought + some precious spices, myrrh and aloes, which they wrapped up + with the body. Then they placed the body in Joseph's own new + tomb, which was a cave dug out of the rock, in a garden near + the place of the cross. And before the opening of the cave they + rolled a great stone.</p> + + <p>And Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, and some other + women, saw the tomb, and watched while they laid the body of + Jesus in it. On the next morning, some of the rulers of the + Jews came to Pilate, and said:</p> + + <p>"Sir, we remember that that man Jesus of Nazareth, who + deceived the people, said while he was yet alive, 'After three + days I will rise again.' Give orders that the tomb shall be + watched and made sure for three days, or else his disciples may + steal his body, and then say, 'He is risen <a name="Page_252" + id="Page_252"></a>from the dead'; and thus even after his + death he may do more harm than he did while he was + alive."</p> + + <p>Pilate said to them:</p> + + <p>"Set a watch, and make it as sure as you can."</p> + + <p>Then they placed a seal upon the stone, so that no one might + break it; and they set a watch of soldiers at the door.</p> + + <p>And in the tomb the body of Jesus lay from the evening of + Friday, the day when he died on the cross, to the dawn of + Sunday, the first day of the week, when he arose from the dead + and appeared unto his disciples.</p> + + <p>But the brightest day in all the world was this Sunday + morning. For on that day the stone was rolled away from the + tomb and Jesus came forth from the dead to gladden his + disciples. This he had told them he would do. On this Sunday + morning, Mary Magdalene and another Mary, called Salome, came + to the tomb, found the stone rolled away and an angel standing + by the open tomb. He told them that Jesus was not there, but + had risen.</p> + + <p>Afterward Jesus was with his disciples for forty days, after + which he was taken up into heaven.<a name="Page_253" + id="Page_253"></a></p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_THE_MAN_AT_THE_BEAUTIFUL_GATE" + id="THE_STORY_OF_THE_MAN_AT_THE_BEAUTIFUL_GATE"></a>THE + STORY OF THE MAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE</h2> + + <p>Soon after Jesus was taken up into heaven, his disciples + began to preach, as he had told them to do. They stood up in + the streets, and in the Temple, and spoke to the people all the + words that Jesus had given to them. And although they could no + longer see Jesus, he was with them, and helped them, and gave + them great power.</p> + + <p>The two apostles, Peter and John, were one day going up to + the temple at the afternoon hour of prayer, about three + o'clock. They walked across the court of the Gentiles, which + was a large, open square paved with marble, having on its + eastern side a double row of pillars with a roof above them, + called Solomon's Porch. In front of this porch was the + principal entrance to the Temple, through a gate which was + called "The Beautiful Gate." In front of this gate they saw a + lame man sitting. He was one who in all his life had never been + able to walk; and as he was very poor, his friends carried him + every day to this place; and there he sat, hoping that some of + those who went into the Temple might take pity on him, and give + him a little money.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_254" + id="Page_254"></a>In front of this man Peter and John + stopped; and Peter said: "Look at us!"</p> + + <p>The lame man looked earnestly on the two apostles, thinking + they were about to give him something. But Peter said:</p> + + <p>"Silver and gold have I none; but what I have that I will + give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"</p> + + <p>And Peter took hold of the lame man's right hand, and raised + him up. At once the lame man felt a new power entering into his + feet and ankle-bones. He leaped up, and stood upon his feet, + and began to walk, as he had never done before in all his life. + He walked up the steps with the two apostles, and went by their + side into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. + The people who now saw him leaping up and running knew him, for + they had seen him every day sitting as a beggar at the + Beautiful Gate: and every one was filled with wonder at the + change which had come over him.</p> + + <p>After worshipping and praising God in the Temple, the man, + still holding fast to Peter and John, went out with them + through the Beautiful Gate, into Solomon's Porch. And in a very + few minutes a great crowd of people were drawn together to the + place to see the man who had been made well, and to see also + the two men who had healed him.</p> + + <p><a name="Page_255" + id="Page_255"></a>Then Peter stood up before the throng of + people, and spoke to them:</p> + + <p>"Ye men of Israel," he said, "why do you look wondering on + this man? or why do you fix your eyes upon us, as though by our + own power or goodness we had made this man to walk? The God of + Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has in this way shown the + power and the glory of his Son Jesus, whom you gave up to his + enemies, and whom you refused before Pontius Pilate, when + Pilate was determined to set him free. But you refused the Holy + One and the Righteous One, and chose a murderer, Barabbas, to + be set free in his place; and you killed the Prince of Life, + whom God raised from the dead. We who have seen him risen, + declare that this is true. And the power of Jesus, through + faith in his name, has made this man strong. Yes, it is faith + in Christ that has given him this perfect soundness before you + all. Now, my brothers, I am sure that you did not know that it + was the Son of God and your own Saviour whom you sent to the + cross. Therefore turn to God in sorrow for this great sin, and + God will forgive you, and in his own time he will send again + Jesus Christ. God, who has raised up his Son, is ready to bless + you, and turn away every one of you from his sins."</p> + + <p>While Peter was speaking, the priests, and the captain of + the Temple, and the rulers, came <a name="Page_256" + id="Page_256"></a>upon them; for they were angry as they + heard Peter speak these words. They laid hold of Peter and + John, and put them into the guardroom for the night. But + many of those who had heard Peter speaking believed on + Jesus, and sought the Lord; and the number of the followers + of Christ rose from three thousand to five thousand.</p> + + <p>On the next day the rulers came together; and Annas and + Caiphas, the high priests, were there, and with them many of + their friends. They brought Peter and John, and set them before + the company. The lame man who had been healed was still by the + side of the two apostles. The rulers asked them:</p> + + <p>"By what power, or through whom have you done this?"</p> + + <p>Then Peter spoke boldly:</p> + + <p>"Ye rulers of the people and elders, if you are asking us + about the good deed done to this man who was so helpless, how + it was that he was made well, I will tell you that by the name + of Jesus of Nazareth whom you put to death on the cross, whom + God raised from the dead; even by him this man stands here + before you all strong and well. And there is no salvation + except through Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under + heaven given among men that can save us from our sins."</p> + + <p><a name="Page_257" + id="Page_257"></a>When these rulers saw how bold and strong + were the words of Peter and John, they wondered, especially + as they knew that they were plain men, not learned in books, + and not used to speaking. They remembered that they had seen + these men among the followers of Jesus, and they felt that + in some way Jesus had given them his power. And as the man + who had been healed was standing beside them, they could say + nothing to deny that a wonderful work had been done.</p> + + <p>The rulers sent Peter and John out of the council-room, + while they talked together. They said to each other:</p> + + <p>"What shall we do to these men? We cannot deny that a + wonderful work has been done by them, for every one knows it. + But we must stop this from spreading any more among the people. + Let us command them not to speak to any man about the name of + Jesus; and let us tell them, that if they do speak, we will + punish them."</p> + + <p>So they called the two apostles into the room again, and + said to them: "We forbid you to speak about Jesus, and the + power of his name, to any man. If you do not stop talking about + Jesus, we will lay hands on you, and put you in prison, and + will have you beaten."</p> + + <p>But Peter and John answered the rulers:<a name="Page_258" + id="Page_258"></a> "Whether it is right to obey you or to + obey God, you can judge. As for ourselves we cannot keep + silent; we must speak of what we have seen and heard."</p> + + <p>The rulers were afraid to do any harm to Peter and John, + because they knew that the people praised God for the good work + that they had done; and they would be angry to have harm come + to them. For fear of the people, they let them go. And being + let go, they went to their own friends, the company who met in + the upper room, and there they gave thanks to God for helping + them to speak his word without fear.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /> + <a name="Page_259" + id="Page_259"></a></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + <h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_STEPHEN_THE_FIRST_MARTYR" + id="THE_STORY_OF_STEPHEN_THE_FIRST_MARTYR"></a>THE STORY OF + STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR</h2> + + <p>In the New Testament, in the book of Acts, you will learn + how the members of the church in Jerusalem gave their money + freely to help the poor. This free giving led to trouble, as + the church grew so fast; for some of the widows who were poor + were passed by, and their friends made complaints to the + apostles. The twelve apostles called the whole church together, + and said:</p> + + <p>"It is not well that we should turn aside from preaching and + teaching the word of God to sit at tables and give out money. + But, brethren, choose from among yourselves seven good men; men + who have the Spirit of God and are wise, and we will give this + work to them; so that we can spend our time in prayer and in + preaching the gospel."</p> + + <p>This plan was pleasing to all the church, and they chose + seven men to take charge of the gifts of the people, and to see + that they were sent to those who were in need. The first man + chosen was Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Spirit of + God; and with him was Philip and five other good men. These + seven men they brought before <a name="Page_260" + id="Page_260"></a>the apostles; and the apostles laid their + hands on their heads, setting them apart for their work of + caring for the poor.</p> + + <p>But Stephen did more than to look after the needy ones. He + began to preach the gospel of Christ, and to preach with such + power as made every one who heard him feel the truth. Stephen + saw before any other man in the church saw, that the gospel of + Christ was not for Jews only, but was for all men; that all men + might be saved if they would believe in Jesus; and this great + truth Stephen began to preach with all his power. Such + preaching as this, that men who were not Jews might be saved by + believing in Christ, made many of the Jews very angry. They + called all the people who were not Jews "Gentiles," and they + looked upon them with hate and scorn; but they could not answer + the words that Stephen spoke. They roused up the people and the + rulers, and set them against Stephen, and at last they seized + Stephen, and brought him before the great council of the + rulers. They said to the rulers:</p> + + <p>"This man is always speaking evil words against the Temple + and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that Jesus + of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the laws + that Moses gave to us!"</p> + + <p>This was partly true and partly false; but no + <a name="Page_261" + id="Page_261"></a>lie is so harmful as that which has a + little truth with it. Then the high-priest said to + Stephen:</p> + + <p>"Are these things so?"</p> + + <p>And as Stephen stood up to answer the high-priest, all fixed + their eyes upon him; and they saw that his face was shining, as + though it was the face of an angel. Then Stephen began to speak + of the great things that God had done for his people Israel in + the past; how he had called Abraham, their father, to go forth + into a new land; how he had given them great men, as Joseph, + and Moses, and the prophets. He showed them how the Israelites + had not been faithful to God, who had given them such wonderful + blessings.</p> + + <p>Then Stephen said:</p> + + <p>"You are a people with hard hearts and stiff necks, who will + not obey the words of God and his Spirit. As your fathers did, + so you do, also. Your fathers killed the prophets whom God sent + to them; and you have slain Jesus, the Righteous One!"</p> + + <p>As they heard these things, they became so angry against + Stephen, that they gnashed on him with their teeth, like wild + beasts. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up toward + heaven with his shining face; and he saw the glory of God, and + Jesus standing on God's right hand, and he said:</p> + + <p>"<a name="Page_262" + id="Page_262"></a>I see the heavens opened, and the Son of + man standing on the right hand of God!"</p> + + <p>But they cried out with angry voices, and rushed upon him, + and dragged him out of the council-room, and outside the wall + of the city. And there they threw stones upon him to kill him, + while Stephen was kneeling down among the falling stones, and + praying:</p> + + <p>"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! Lord, lay not this sin up + against them!"</p> + + <p>And when he had said this, he fell asleep in death, the + first to be slain for the gospel of Christ.</p> + + <p><br /> + <br /> + <br /></p> + <hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Wonder Book of Bible Stories +Compiled by Logan Marshall + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WONDER BOOK OF BIBLE STORIES *** + +***** This file should be named 16042-h.htm or 16042-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/0/4/16042/ + +Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Thomas Hutchinson and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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