the Sabbath-day, but, though the Pharisees could not resist his reasoning, they persisted in their clamour; they were particularly indignant because Jesus defended the conduct of his disciples who plucked some ears of corn on the Sabbath-day, and rubbed out the grain for food, and so inveterate were they in their rage that they resolved to put him to death. Jesus, having received notice of their wicked designs, withdrew to the sea-coast, whither he was followed by vast multitudes, to whom he extended his usual compassion, teaching them and healing their sick.

One night he withdrew himself from his followers and disciples, and went up into a mountain, where he continued in prayer until the morning. When he came down on the following day he called his disciples together and chose twelve of them as apostles or special messengers, to be the more immediate witnesses of his miracles and preachers of his doctrine. The twelve were "Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, (supposed to be the same as Nathanael,) Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, And Simon called Zelotes, (or the Canaanite,) And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which was also the traitor."

Wondering crowds flocked to hear the preaching of the new prophet, and Jesus, seeing the multitude, led them to a convenient spot, and ascending a mount preached to them a discourse which has been always celebrated among Christians for its wondrous clearness in teaching all that is necessary for the direction of conduct in this life, and for preparing to exchange this transitory existence for a blessed immortality.

After he came down from the mountain Jesus proceeded towards Capernaum, and on his road was met by some leading men of the city, who besought him to show favour to a centurion, or Roman officer, from whom they had received unusual kindness, and whose servant was now sick of the palsy. Jesus offered to go to his house, but the centurion humbly declared that he was unworthy of such an honour, saying, "Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I am also a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh ; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.”

Our Lord called the attention of his disciples to

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this remarkable example of faith and humility, declaring, "I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." He then spoke the words of power, and the servant was restored to health.

On the next day our Lord went to Nain, and as he entered the city met a large crowd bearing to the grave the body of a young man, the son of a poor widow who depended for her support on the labours of her child. Moved with compassion, Jesus commanded the bearers of the bier to stand still, laid his hand upon it and restored the young man to life. The astonished multitude spread his fame through the country, and proclaimed that he was the prophet promised and sent by God for the redemption of his people.

After one of our Lord's discourses a Pharisee, pleased with his doctrines, invited him to his house, where he had not been long before he was accosted by a woman who had formerly been of a loose character, but was now a sincere penitent. She fell at the feet of Jesus, bathed them with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head: after which she anointed them with precious perfume. The self-righteous Pharisee was indignant at this familiarity, and said within himself that his guest could not be a prophet, or else he would have known that the character of