JESUS spoke the following parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a pharisee, and the other a publican. The pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." a

On another occasion his disciples came to him, and asked him, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it

a Luke xviii. 10-14.

ON HUMILITY.

must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."b

After this, as Jesus was one day in the temple at Jerusalem teaching the people, he said unto them, "Beware of the scribes, who love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation."

And Jesus was sitting over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."

25.

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS.

:

Not long before Jesus set out on his last journey to Jerusalem, he took with him three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, and led them up into a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them: and his face shone as the sun, and his raiment was white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Moses and Elias in glory, and talked with Jesus of the decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep and when they awoke, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. Then said Peter unto Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias:" not knowing what he said; for they were sore afraid. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and there came a voice out of the cloud which said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Arise, be not afraid." And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, “Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead." a

After this Jesus went up again with his disci

a Matt. xvii. 1-9; Luke ix. 28-36.

THREE VISITS OF JESUS TO BETHANY.

ples to Jerusalem; and he began to tell them what things should happen unto him, saying," Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death. And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him and the third day he shall rise again.” And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

26. THREE VISITS OF JESUS TO BETHANY. ABOUT an hour's journey from Jerusalem, on the other side of the Mount of Olives, lay the little town of Bethany, where two pious sisters, Martha and Mary, and their brother Lazarus lived. Jesus loved them, and often came to their house. Upon one occasion he went there, and all the family were delighted with his visit, each sister showing her love to him in her own way. Mary sat at his feet, and listened to his words. But Martha was very busy in serving him; and she came to Jesus, and said, "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me." And Jesus answered and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." a

a Luke x. 38-42.

On his last journey to Jerusalem, Jesus received this message from Bethany: "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." When he heard that, he said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." After this he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, "Let us go into Judæa again." His disciples say unto him, "Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?" Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.”

And after that he saith unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." Howbeit Jesus spake of his death but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.” Then when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had lain in the grave four days already.

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother. And Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it.thee." Jesus saith unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha saith unto him, "I know that he shall rise again