1 ^-O •"ho^ \^ ^^ .<^'' A>' ■^.. \' ^-^ "" : ^ ■%'^'^ ^A V -- #'"\ ^^^ .a. <^^ ^:- "-^^' ,<^ .^:^ ^y. V -^'^ .-^^ "e,. * . K O ' V-V v-V 'f' > V jC< ^4^ ?/Zz^,' ■^^ ,.N ^ x-?-' '^^' .0,-^ -^^ vNJ> '">.. "^. V' ,^X ,/ ^. aN ,x^- -^^^ a\ . \ I » o 0^ ,'\' .:^^ ■-^ vOo^ ,^^ -^^^ ■^^^ V^ \^ S^^.. "b o'^ *-* r O '^ "^ a "<^ ^ - .0 c •^ .<< %^ ■v^ .^^' .."'^^ k'^' °/- * o s o > \^^^ * .0 N ^ . '^■>"" \> .^^ l'v-' v>^! %%' -s C' o- \, \^ .tV^ iv ■■;; o 4.-7' ' ■ Wi " \^ cc-. ^,^' ,.3^ '^'^., ,^> '^.s %• .^^'^ .■^\' -/>. o^^ jV. * <^' .^ x^^ -'t. OQ .x^^ ^v •':■>,. : ,v.^- '■ * ^^^ fk \'' .\^ rP' '/• ^ ^ ,^ .^^* 4^ -C- '' & -S ,<^'- ^ ■%.^ 'V- ci- V ^ .v\^ .^^"«* '^< .^^' s O. SCENES IN THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. SCENES LIVES or THE APOSTLES. y EDITED BY Hf^HASTINGS WELD. Oh Antioch, thou teacher of the world!— From out thy portals passed the feet of those, Who, banished and despised, have made thy name The next in rank to proud Jerusalem. Within thy gates the persecuted few. Who dared to rally round the Holy Cross, And worship Him whose sacred form it bore. Were first called Christians. In thy sad conceit. Thou niad'st a stigma of reproach and shame This noblest title of the sons of earth: While, save for this, thy name were scarcely known. Except among the mouldering vestiges Of dim antiquity. So doth our God Make all man's fnlly ever praise His Name. Julian Cramer PHILADELPHIA: LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. C U'^'o-D jl m^ / i^j — if^" Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, By Lindsay and Blakiston, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. ? IP z r C. SHEKMAN, PRINTER, 19 St James Street. ^ ? PREFACE, Commencing with the Ministry of John the Baptist and Forerunner, this volume iUustrates some of the most striking incidents in the Lives of the Apostles, as Disciples of John and of Jesus, and then as his Ministers and Witnesses. No other restriction has been placed upon the choice of themes, than the avoidance, as far as possible, of those illustrated in the " Scenes in the Life of the Saviour," that this book may be at once a companion for that, and still complete in itself, as treating both of The True Vine and its Branches. 1* ILLUSTRATIONS, ENGRAVED ON STEEL, JOHN SARTAIN, PHILADELPHIA. ^ THE REDEEMER DEC AIME.. .Frontispiece. " I am the Vine, ye are the branches." John xv. 5. ^ ANTIOCH IN SYRIA HARDING. Vignette Title. " And the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts xi. 26. v/ J OHN REPROVING HEROD LE BRUN 25 "Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy." Mark vi. 29. / CHRIST WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM.. BEGAS 75 " And when he was come near he beheld the city and wept over it." Luke ix. 41. V CHRIST'S CHARGE TO PETER RAPHAEL 119 "Feed my Lambs." John xxi. 15. viii ILLUSTRATIONS. HEALING THE LAME RAPHAEL 147 "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Acts iii. 6. j PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA SARTAIN, ,187 "Then Paul stretched forth the hand and answered for himself." Acts xxvi. 1. >i JOHN ON THE ISLE OF PATMOS DECAIME 229 " And I turned to see the voice that spake with me." Rev. i. 12. CONTENTS. PROEM. THE FIKST AND SECOND COMING HEBER 13 SCENES IN THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS JOHNSON 17 THE WAY OF LIFE LOWELL 28 THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES EDITOR 29 THE TRUE BROTHERLY LOVE KEBLE 39 INFANT ST. JOHN GOULD 42 NATHANAEL KEBLE 44 Jacob's well clarke 48 the miraculous draught east 50 the fool of bethesd a barton 52 christ in the storm brown 55 little children blessed huntington 58 THE ruler's FAITH SIGOURNEY 61 THE TRANSFIGURATION NORRIS 64 THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT BRYANT 66 THE RAISING OF LAZARUS ANONYMOUS 68 THE ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM ANONYMOUS 71 THE widow's MITE LANDON 73 WHO GAZES FROM MOUNT OLIVET ? TAPPAN 75 X CONTENTS. the memorial of mary hemans 77 blessing the bread dale 78 invocation herrick 80 the peace of god clarke 82 the prayer of jesus tappan 85 sleeping for sorrow mitchell 87 gethsemane anonymous 90 Christ's look to peter barrett 92 the passion of christ davison 94 it is finished barton 96 the resurrection mitchell 99 mary at the sepulchre hankinson 102 the sabbath evening walk cowper 104 christ appearing to his disciples keble 106 unbelieving thomas dale 108 DIVINE LOVE BO WRING Ill CHRIST OUR REDEEMER GASCOIGNE 114 THE LORD MY SHEPHERD DAVISON 116 HYMN SANDYS 118 LOVEST THOU ME? CRAMER 119 THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST HEBER 121 THE LAST COMMAND ANONYMOUS 124 WHAT SHALL THIS MAN DO ? KEBLE 127 THE ASCENSION DRUMMOND 129 THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH ANONYMOUS 133 THE GIFT OF TONGUES JENNER 135 THE CALL OF THE GENTILES MAD AN 143 THE LAME MAN HEALED PATTERSON 147 CHRISTIAN OBEDIENCE HAYES 151 THE DEATH OF STEPHEN CROSSWELL 154 THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL KEBLE 155 THE PREACHING OF ST. PAUL LETTICE 160 THE GOSPEL TRIAD BURGESS 164 PURE RELIGION WILCOX 166 CONTENTS. xi ST. Peter's release keble 169 PAUL AND BARNABAS AT LYSTRA HOYLE 173 PAUL AND SILAS AT PHILIPPI PIERPONT 179 PAUL PREACHING AT ATHENS LYNCH 181 THE RESURRECTION BOLLAND 184 PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA SIGOURNEY 187 MIRACLES BOLLAND 189 CHRISTIAN WARFARE ELIZABETH 191 THE SONG OF THE REDEEMED ALFORD 193 THE GOSPEL OF PEACE BOWRING 196 CHARITY PETER 198 THE POOR PERCIVAL 200 PEACE IN BELIEVING GOULD 202 THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES EDITOR 205 BLESSED ARE THE DEAD LONGFELLOW 229 THE APOSTLE PAUL EDITOR 231 l'eNVOI BOWLES 240 PROEM. THE FIRST AND SECOND COMING. RE&INALD HEBER. Bright beaming through the sky, Burst in full blaze the dayspring from on high ; Earth's utmost isles exulted at the sight, And crowding nations drank the orient light. Lo, star-led chiefs Assyrian odours bring, And bending Magi seek their infant King ! Marked ye, where hovering o'er His radiant head. The dove's white wings celestial glory shed ? Daughter of Sion ! virgin queen ! rejoice ! Clap the glad hand, and lift th' exulting voice ! He comes, — but not in regal splendour drest. The haughty diadem, the Tyrian vest ; Not armed in flame, all-glorious from afar. Of hosts the chieftain, and the lord of war : 2 14 THE FIRST AND SECOND COMING. Messiah comes ! — let furious discord cease ; Be peace on earth before the Prince of Peace ! Disease and anguish feel His blest control, And howling fiends release the tortured soul ! The beams of gladness hell's dark caves illume, And Mercy broods above the distant gloom. Thou palsied earth, with noonday night o'erspread ! Thou sickening sun, so dark, so deep, so red ! Ye hovering ghosts, that throng the starless air. Why shakes the earth 1 why fades the light ? declare ! Are those His limbs, with ruthless scourges torn ] His brows, all bleeding with the twisted thorn ? His the pale form, the meek forgiving eye Raised from the cross in patient agony ? Be dark, thou sun, — thou noonday night arise, And hide, oh hide, the dreadful sacrifice ! Ye faithful few, by bold aflection led. Who round the Saviour's cross your sorrows shed. Not for His sake your tearful vigils keep ; — Weep for your country, for your children weep ! Yet shall she rise ; but not by war restored ; Not built in murder, — planted by the sword ; Yes, Salem, thou shalt rise : thy Father's aid Shall heal the wound His chastening hand has made ; Shall judge the proud oppressor's ruthless sway, And burst his brazen bonds, and cast his cords away ; Then on your tops shall deathless verdure spring, Break forth, ye mountains, and, ye valleys, sing ! THE FIRST AND SECOND COMING. 15 No more your thirsty rocks shall frown forlorn, The unbeliever's jest, the heathen's scorn ; The sultry sands shall tenfold harvests yield. And a new Eden deck the thorny field. E'en now, perchance, wide-waving o'er the land. That mighty Angel lifts his golden wand. Courts the bright vision of descending power, Tells every gate, and measures every tower ; And chides the tardy seals that yet detain Thy Lion, Judah, from his destined reign. And who is He 1 the vast, the awful form, Girt with the whirlwind, sandal'd with the storm ? A western cloud around His limbs is spread. His crown a rainbow, and a sun His head. To highest Heaven He lifts his kingly hand. And treads at once the ocean and the land ; And, hark ! His voice amid the thunder's roar. His dreadful voice, that time shall be no more ! Lo ! cherub hands the golden courts prepare, Lo ! thrones arise, and every saint is there ; Earth's utmost bounds confess the awful sway. The mountains worship, and the isles obey ; Nor sun nor moon they need, — nor day, nor night ; — God is their temple, and the Lamb their light : And shall not Israel's sons exulting come. Hail the glad beam, and claim their ancient home 1 On David's throne shall David's offspring reign, And the dry bones be warm with life again. 16 THE FIRST AND SECOND COMING. Hark ! white-robed crowds their deep hosannas raise, And the hoarse flood repeats the sound of praise ; Ten thousand harps attune the mystic song, Ten thousand thousand saints the strain prolong ; — " Worthy the Lamb ! omnipotent to save, Who died, who lives, triumphant o'er the grave !" SCENES THE LIVES OF THE APOSTLES. THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. C. H. JOHNSON. The voice of him that crictli in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in tlie desert a highway for our God.— Isaiah xl. 3. Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. — Malachi iv. 5, G. He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord, as saith the prophet Esaias. — St. John i. 23. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. * * * And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. — St. Matthew xi. 10, 34. John stood, and two of his disciples: and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. — St. John i. 35-38. Hark ! through the desert wilds, what awful voice Swells on the gale, and bids the world rejoice 1 What Prophet form, in holy raptures led, The gray mists hov'ring o'er his sacred head, Prepares on earth Messiah's destined way. And hastes the mighty Messenger of Day 1 2* 18 THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. Lo ! echoing skies resound the gladsome strain : " Messiah comes ! ye rugged paths, be plain ; The Shiloh comes ! ye tow'ring cedars, bend ; Swell forth, ye valleys ; and, ye rocks, descend ; The wither'd branch, let balmy fruits adorn. And clust'ring roses 'twine the leafless thorn ; Burst forth, ye vocal groves, your joy to tell — The God of Peace redeems his Israel." How beauteous are the feet of those who bear Mercy to man, glad tidings to despair ! Far from the mountain's top they lovelier seem Than moonlight dews, or morning's rosy beam ; Sweeter the voice than spell or hymning sphere, And list'ning angels hush their harps to hear. Roused at the solemn call, from all her shores, Her eager tribes, behold, Judaea pours! Though scarce the morn asserts her doubtful sway, And doubtful darkness still contends with day, I see them rush, like rolling surges driv'n. Or night-clouds riding o'er the glooms of heav'n. There waves the white robe through the dusky glade. Here passing helms gleam dreadful through the shade, Faint o'er the cliffs the fading torchlight plays. And dying watch-fires fling their sullen blaze ; Fly the scared panthers from their pierced retreats, While Salem, wondering, mourns her desert streets. Why crowd ye cities forth ? some reed to find. Some vain reed trembling to the careless wind ? THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. 19 Or throng ye here to view, vi^ith doting eye, Some chieftain stand in purple pageantry ? Such dwell in kingly domes — no silken form Woos the stern cliff, and braves the mountain storm. What rush ye there to seek? some Prophet-Seer? One mightier than the Prophets find ye here — The loftiest bard that waked the sacred lyre, To him in rapture pour'd his lips of fire ; Attuned to him the voice of Sion fell — Thy name, Elias, closed the mystic shell. Alas ! how dark a flood of woes and crimes, Since that dread hour, has whelm'd the fateful times ! How oft has Israel's Ark, by tempests toss'd. Sent forth her raven's wing, and found no coast ! Now fairer scenes her kindling eye discerns, With hope's green branch the welcome dove returns, And, gladly soaring past the prospect drear, Hails the bright star* that tells the dayspring near. Yes ! surely born to more than mortal power. Glory hath marked him from his earliest hour; Offspring of age, on wings of radiance borne, A warning Angel told his natal morn ; Hailed by prophetic matrons to the earth. The speechless spake, to bless him at his birth ; Sweet was the strain, when first, with fond surprise, The hoary parent kissed his infant eyes ; From his rapt lips the spell of silence broke, And Inspiration thrill'd him as he spoke. * St. John is called the Morning Star to the Sun of Ri<;hteousnes3. 20 THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. Such was his birth ! nor less august appears The wondrous fate that led his rising years ; For lo ! sequester'd from the haunts of men, Deep to the stillness of some shaggy glen, Where vice and folly faded from his view. The lonely youth, impelled by Heav'n, withdrew — There, near some brook, that dashed in murmurs by, The rock his pillow, and his roof the sky, Clad in such savage robes as deserts yield, His food the wild sweets of the flowery field. Grave, pensive, bold, majestic, undefiled. To holy manhood dwelt Devotion's child ; Descending angels blest his rude abode, He drank the hallowing flame, he felt the inspiring God. Oft, ere the dawn had tinged the tallest steep, And man and nature still were hushed in sleep, High o'er yon ridge, in darkness would he stray, To muse and wonder till returning day. Watch-tower sublime ! There, as the morning bright Swell'd from dim chaos into life and light. Threw its broad beams o'er waste and misty wood, While rock and fortress, lake and ghst'ning flood, Burst in full blaze of splendour to the skies — To loftiest thoughts his kindling soul would rise ; Till, proudly soaring past this world of man, The mortal sunk, and Heaven itself began, — So rapt he stood, that oft revolving night Found him, unconscious, on the mountain's height ; In vain the tempest, round his 'fenceless head, Flung all its fires, its wildest torrents shed ; THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. 21 The shelt'ring robber saw his clouded form, And fled — to shun the Genius of the Storm. Past are those hours ! Along the silent dews His lonely walk no more the sage pursues ; With gesture wild, rude garb, and speaking eye, An air of strange and dreadful majesty, See ! forth he comes, his holy office giv'n. Herald of Christ, high harbinger of Heav'n, Hark ! how the rocks his warning voice resound. And Jordan's caverns tell the strain around ; While poor and rich, the soldier and the sage. The bloom of youth, and hoary locks of age. In gathering crowds, Messiah's name adore, And rush, all trembling, to the sacred shore. How changed the scene ! Are these the realm.s of dread. Which wand'ring footsteps scarcely dared to tread? Where midnight lions roamed the forests rude. And all was wild and frightful solitude ? Now, lone no more, where'er it winds along, The lucid stream reflects a list'ning throng ; True to the life their grouping shadows glide, And ev'ry passion paints the breathing tide. See ! young Amazement starting, as if light. Just glanced from Heaven, had caught his dazzled sight, While Faith's full eyes their tranquil homage raise. And ev'ry feature fixes into praise. There kindling Hope with ardent look appears ; Here softened Sorrow smiling through her tears ; 22 THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. While timid Shame, as if herself address'd, Blushes to hear, and sinks behind the rest. But yet, not all unfeigned. Devotion brings To drink of life at Jordan's hallowed springs ; Haggard and pale, their limbs all torn and bare. Not such yon Essens from their caves repair ; A gloomy race, attempting Heaven in vain. By wanton griefs, and voluntary pain : Their sullen breasts no gleam of sunshine cheers, Blaspheming Mercy by eternal tears. And base the joy yon Sadducees can know, Sense all their bliss, and pain their only wo : Worms of a day, and fettered to the dust, They own no future dread, no heav'nly trust. But vacant come the passing scene to scan. And steal his bright pre-eminence from man. Far other those, by solemn mien confest, Broad scrolls of scripture blazon'd o'er the breast, Who throng around the Seer, with fiendlike joy, List'ning to mock, and tempting to destroy — Saints in the crowd, a heavenward look they wear, But Mammon mingles with their purest prayer ; Theirs the proud hope to sway Religion's rod, Zealots of form, yet traitors to their God. "And is it ye," the indignant Prophet cries, Bright lambent terrors streaming from his eyes. THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. 23 " Oh race of vipers, ye ! who timely come, To fly the thunders of impending doom ? — Repent, repent ; now think no more to plead Your sacred race, and Abraham's chosen seed. Behold, He comes ! in power and judgment, forth. Who looks with equal eye on all the earth ; Whose piercing glance can read the soul within, And wind the darkest labyrinths of sin : He comes ! see ! stooping from the realms of day. The Lamb of God, to wash your crimes away. I lave with water ; but his hands inspire The Holy Spirit, and baptize with fire." The Sage hath ceased — and mark, how pale to hear Mute Expectation stands, and Awe, and Fear ! Guilt starts confessed, and looks, with hopeless eye. To view descend some vengeful deity. But who is He, majestic, mournful, mild, Bright as a god, yet lowly as a child, Who meekly comes the sacred rite to crave. And add fresh pureness to the crystal wave 1 Well mayst thou tremble, Baptist ; well thy cheek. Now flushed, now pale, thy lab'ring soul bespeak ! 'Tis He, the Christ, by every bard foretold ! Hear him, ye nations, and, ye heav'ns, behold! " The Virgin-born, to bruise the Serpent's head. The Paschal Lamb, to patient slaughter led. The King of kings, to crush the gates of Hell, Messiah, Shiloh, Jah, Emmanuel !" See ! o'er his head, soft sinking from above. With hov'ring radiance hangs the mystic Dove : 24 THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. Dread from the cloud Jehovah's voice is know^n, This is my Son, my own, my well-loved Son !" Baptist, rejoice ! thy gifted eyes have seen The brightest hour of man, since time hath been; By thee anointed for the ghostly fight. Heaven's Warrior-Son assumed his arms of light, Stern marches forth, his deadly foe to find. And w^age th' immortal battle of mankind. And thou, oh saint of floods ! w^hose wave hath rolled. Pregnant with wonder, from the days of old ; Scene of the hero's deeds, and prophet's song, Still Jordan, flow, exulting sweep along ; Bright as the morn from ocean's wavy bed. From thee Messiah raised his spotless head, Called all his glories forth, and passed sublime, To pour his light o'er ev'ry darkhng clime. 'Tis done ; and vanished, like an airy dream, The list'ning crowds from Jordan's hallowed stream ; Primeval Solitude her reign resumes, And Silence saddens o'er the slumbering glooms — And, Prophet, where art thou ? I hear no more Thy footsteps rustle on the reedy shore, Nor view thee sit upon the moonlight stone. Like the pale spirit of the wilds, alone. Alas ! far other scenes await him now ; Far heavier cares oppress his weary brow : Mid Salem's court he stands, in virtue's pride. And guilty Grandeur dwindles at his side. THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. 25 Yet, Jordan, oft shall Mem'ry's eye review Thy willowed banks, and hills of distant blue : There, if the wastes no kingly pomp display, No festive pleasures crown the jocund day. Yet Pride, and Avarice, and guilty Fear, Ambition wild, and dark Revenge are here, — Passions and Appetites, a fiercer train Than e'er rushed howling o'er the desert plain. Still shrinks he not : in conscious virtue bold, No dangers daunt him, and no toils withhold. Where yon proud dome the sons of riot calls, And Salem's nobles crowd the gorgeous halls ; Where every charm that wealth and arts supply. In bright profusion meet the wondering eye ; See, stern, unmoved, in native grandeur great, The Prophet tow'rs, and breathes the words of fate. Yes, as he boldly brands each dark oflfence. Truth all his arms, his shield but innocence ; See Herod, 'mid his guards, enthroned on high. In pride of power, in regal panoply. Shrinks 'neath the Hermit's gaze, by conscience stung, A paler Ahab, from a bolder tongue. Oh Salem ! 'mid the storms that round thee roll. Frequent and loud, to warn thy slumb'ring soul ; Dashed from thy hand when Judah's sceptre falls. And the stern stranger rules thy captive walls; When now, more thrilling than the trumpet's blast, Elias stands, the mightiest and the last 3 26 THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. Of all the sons of prophecy, to tell That fate comes rushing on thee, Israel ; Say, canst thou still the wing of mercy spurn, Hearing, be deaf, and seeing, not discern ? Sunk as thou art, and stained with holy blood. Still wouldst thou madly swell thy guilt's dark flood ? Yet, Baptist, go exulting to thy doom — Though Rage condemn thee to the dungeon's gloom, Yon dreary vault, where mom can never break. Nor evening zephyr fan thy fevered cheek. Nor Friendship's voice, in sorrow doubly dear. Pour its fond music in thy lonely ear — Yet thine are joys the tyrant never knew ; — Hope's fairest flowers thy rugged couch shall strew ; Thy nights in blissful visions glide away, And holy musings steal its length from day. For thee, oh king, to drown corroding care, Command the feast, and bid the dance be there ; Still 'mid thy blazing halls, in trappings proud, Afiect the god, and awe the flattering crowd. Yet though the lute and shell and horn prolong The burst of melody, and swell the song ; Though witching beauty tries each wily art. And woos and wins and rules thy powerless heart ; What though to heaven thy guilty revels swell. Far brighter raptures cheer the captive's cell — Glad is the song consenting tongues record : " Messiah reigns, high deeds proclaim the Lord. THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. The deaf can hear, the bhnd receive their sight, And wither'd Palsy springs with new dehght ; On Pain's pale cheek reviving roses bloom, And shrouded Death starts wond'ring from the tomb." Enrapt'ring thought ! what now demands him more 1 His task is done, his holy cares are o'er ! Messiah reigns, believed, confessed, adored, And earth's remotest climes shall own his word. Then, tyrant, yield ; thy fatal vow fulfil ; Rush, fell enchantress, — glut thy vengeful will ; Exhaust th' inventive cruelty of hate, And learn how virtue triumphs o'er its fate. Backward he looks with self-approving eye; Before him smiles bright Immortality : Forgiving, fearless, calm, he yields his breath. And mounts to glory on the wings of death. THE WAY OF LIFE. JAMES KUSSELL LOWELL. I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. — St. John xiv. 6. I SAW a gate : a harsh voice spake and said, " This is the gate of Life ;" above was writ, " Leave hope behind, all ye who enter it." Then shrank my heart within itself for dread ; But softer than the summer rain is shed, Words dropped upon my soul, and they did say, " Fear nothing, Faith shall save thee ; watch and pray !" So, without fear I lifted up my head. And lo ! that writing was not ; one fair word Was written in its stead, and it was " Love." Then rained, once more, those sweet tones from above, With healing on their wings : I humbly heard, *' I am the Life, ask and it shall be given ! I am the Way, by me ye enter Heaven !" THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? — St. John vi. 70. I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go forth and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. — St. John xv. 16. " He must increase, but I must decrease." Thus spake John the Baptist of that mightier than he, the latchet of whose shoes the humble herald declared himself unworthy to unloose. The fulfilment of this prophecy was almost instant with its utter- ance. In the lifetime of the Baptist, and while he yet continued his public ministry, Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John; and when the Sun of Righteousness was fully risen, the lesser glory of the Morning Star was lost in the brightness of his beams. The hermit of the wilderness, to whom all men repaired, to quail and tremble before the warning voice which called them to repentance, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand, was the living miracle who bore witness that Jesus was the Son of God. Nor could the Sanhedrim, in their boasted knowledge and spiritual tyranny, gainsay his testimony, for when they were asked whether his baptism was from Heaven or of men, they dared not impeach the holiness of him whom all the people counted as a prophet. Thus did he prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight, exalting the valleys of the humility of the people, and bringing low the mountains of the ritual pride of the priests 30 THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. and rulers, and the spiritual haughtiness of the Scribes and Pharisees. And as we examine the narrative of the ministry of John and the coming of the Prince of Peace, we perceive how, in another and a nearer sense, he prepared the way ; for when first we read of the disciples of Jesus, we read of them as the disciples of John. It was upon the exclamation of John, " Behold the Lamb of God," that two of his disciples, who had probably witnessed the baptism of Jesus, and had heard their master and teacher bear often witness of him, turned and followed Christ. One of these disciples was Andrew ; the other was the narrator of the incident, John the Evangelist. To this opinion we are led from the modesty and humility of the " disciple whom Jesus loved," and from his uniform suppression of his name, and indeed of all mention of himself, except when his duty as an inspired historian demanded it of him. These two disciples, Andrew and John, inquired of Jesus, "Master, where dwellest thou?" The Saviour answered, " Come and see ;" and as it was now near eventide, they abode with him during the remainder of that day and the night fol- lowing. During these precious hours, while they dwelt upon the words which fell from the lips of him, who spake as never man spake, such were the evidences that they received of his mission, that they were ready at once to claim him as the Christ. Andrew then, with a brotherly affection worthy of all imitation, sought first his brother Simon, and announced to him, " We have found the Messias !" Willingly was Simon led to Jesus, and the Saviour discern- ing his character, prophetically addressed him in the remark- able words : " Thou art Simon, the son of Jona ; thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a stone." Jona is, THE CALLINCx OF THE APOSTLES. 31 by interpretation, a dove, and the new designation which he who read the hearts of men apphed to his ardent and impetuous follower, is in strong contrast with the tame appellative which was Simon's by inheritance. On the next day Jesus, when he would go forth into Galilee, met Philip, who being of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, had undoubtedly heard of the Saviour from his towns- men ; and when Jesus bade him " Follow me," he not only himself complied, but called Nathanael Bartholomew, or the son of Tholomew, who, in all the Gospels except John, is called by his patronymic Bartholomew, instead of his individual name. What reason existed for this departure from custom, is not now ascertained. To Bartholomew, Philip said, " We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Bartholomew, with an open and honest expression of doubt, in keeping with the character which Jesus so soon after pronounced of him, answered this announcement with the query, " Can any good thing come out of Nazareth V Philip, confident that the proofs which he had received would not be lost upon his friend, answered, " Come and see." Judge for yourself, and you will soon determine, with me, that this is the Christ which should come into the world. Jesus met the new-comer with the greeting : " Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile !" Nathanael, astonish- ed at this praise from one whom he had regarded as a stranger. or thinking perhaps that the good report of his friend, Philip, had possessed Jesus in his favour, answered, " Whence knowest thou me ?" The guileless character of Nathanael prevented his counterfeiting modesty, or disclaiming a character which his friends had attributed to him, and to which his conscience bore 32 THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. him witness. His artless and unhesitating answer, while it is characteristic of the man, is one of the thousands of beautifully simple evidences of the veracity of the plain narrative of the Gospels ; incidents which continually recur to the careful reader, witnessing with his thoughts that Jesus is the Son of God, and that the Gospel is his Testament. Jesus answered by referring to a fact which Nathanael sup- posed known in none of its circumstances to any save himself and Philip ; and it is doing no violence to the sacred narrative to infer that there was implied in the conversation, a corre- spondence of thought and knowledge between Jesus and Na- thanael, to which even Philip was a stranger. There were in those days, so distinctly pointed out by the prophets, many just and devout men, waiting, like pious Simeon, for the consolation of Israel, and hoping that they might not see death, before they had seen the liord's Christ. The close shade of the fig-tree, so favourable for that devotion which withdraws itself from the world, was often chosen by the pious Hebrews as their place of secret worship; our Saviour himself countenancing the custom. When, therefore, he said to Nathanael, " Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee," — the awe-struck Israelite, who found thus revealed what he had supposed known only to the All-seeing Eye, greeted, in a voice of reverential triumph, him who was thus the answer and the hearer of his secret prayer : " Rabbi ! thou art the Son of God ; thou art the King of Israel !" Jesus answered : " Be- cause I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. Verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see Heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." This was a beautiful allusion to the vision of Jacob, THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. 33 which Nathanael could not fail to apply, and its introduction still farther strengthens our interpretation of the interview. " Hast thou faith in the Son of Man because he reads thy secret thoughts 1 Verily, hereafter ye shall see greater things than these : I am the way and the truth and the life : no man Cometh unto the Father but by me, neither is there salvation in any other ; and through me shall be verified to you the vision of the Patriarch." Shortly after this conversation with Nathanael, the Saviour was present at the wedding in Cana, with his disciples, Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, and probably John, as in his gospel alone occurs the narrative of this beginning of miracles in Cana of Galilee. As all of these disciples had been hearers, and perhaps disciples of John, it is probable that many more among the guests assembled, on account of the miracle which attended the baptism of Christ, and the strong testimony which the hermit had borne on many occasions to the divine mission and character of Jesus, were prepared to find in Him, so warmly approved by their master, a still more ascetic prophet than he whose raiment was camel's hair, and whose meat was locusts and wild honey. Jesus was ready now to mark by his conduct the distinction between himself and his herald, to which he afterward alluded when he said, " John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine," but " the Son of Man is come eating and drinking." Thus early did the Saviour vouchsafe a practical lesson to his followers, of the truth which he afterward declared by his own mouth and by his disciples, that it is not what is eaten and drunk that defileth a man, for he that eateth and he that eateth not, may both give God thanks — and that the letter of ceremony without sincerity killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 34 THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. We next find the Saviour accompanied by his disciples to Jerusalem, where, during the feast of the Passover, he caused his followers to remember and apply to him the prophetic saying of David, " The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up." Here also he uttered the prophecy relative to the temple of his body, which the Jews misapplied, and even his disciples did not understand, until he had risen from the dead. Removing the scene of his labours from Jerusalem into Judea, the numbers of proselytes whom his disciples baptized, awakened the jealousy of some of the more ardent followers of John, whose querulous complaints the Baptist answered by repeating in stronger terms than at first, his testimony to the Light of the World. At length, admonished by the increasing enmity of the Pharisees, who, inasmuch as Jesus made more disciples than John, were watch- ing the new teacher with redoubled hate ; and warned also by the imprisonment of John by Herod Antipas, he departed from Judea, and returned to Galilee. On his way he must needs pass through Samaria, and upon this journey occurred the remarkable conference with the woman at the Well of Sychar. His disciples marvelled that he talked with the woman, but none, such was their awe of him, questioned his motives or his conduct; though he abode two days in Samaria, an act most remarkable in a Hebrew. Returning to Galilee, he now commenced his public ministry, as the fulfil- ment or consummation of the preaching of his herald, John, who was imprisoned, as we have noted, by order of Herod. At this passage in his life he performed his second and most wonderful miracle in Cana, healing the centurion's son who lay sick at Capernaum. From Cana Jesus passed to Nazareth, where his childhood had been spent, and where he had been subject unto his parents, THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. 35 increasing in wisdom and in stature, in favour with God, and in favour with man ; since among the Jews fiUal duty took precedence in honour, of all other virtues. Jesus entered into the synagogue, and was called upon by the minister to read the portion of the prophets appointed for that day. He stood up to read, as was the reverential usage of the Jews, and when he had finished reading, as was the custom of the Jewish teachers, he sat down, and the eyes of all the synagogue were fastened upon him, to hear what he should say. He proceeded to apply to himself the words of the prophet : " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor: he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." " This day," said the Saviour, " is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." And while they all bear him witness, and won- dered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, they asked, doubting his authority : " Is not this the carpenter's son ?" Jesus, discerning their thoughts, perceived that though they had heard of his miracles in Capernaum, those among whom the carpenter's son had passed the irreproachable years of his childhood and youth, refused to admit his testimony of himself, unless whatsoever he had done in Capernaum, he would do in Nazareth also. He reminded them of the proverb that " No prophet is accepted in his own country," and cited the cases of Elias and Eliseus. The first performed a miracle in behalf of the Sidonian woman, the second in that of the Syrian leper. The Jews knew each as a prophet, if they would believe ; but the proof of miracles was reserved for strangers. The 36 THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. dwellers in Nazareth knew Jesus from his youth up, and if they did not receive him, no miracles would move their unbelief. Stung with the revelation of their secret thoughts which Jesus thus presented to them, and unable to reply or to deny its truth, they thrust him out of the synagogue and of the city, and would have thrown him headlong from the brow of the hill whereon Nazareth was built, but that he, passing through the midst of them, went his way. Thence Jesus went and dwelt at Capernaum, which is upon the coast of the sea of Galilee. Walking by the seaside he found Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother, who had not yet abandoned their employment as fishers, mending their nets. Taking advantage of Peter's boat to avoid the press, he sat down and taught the people ; and closed his instructions with a miracle, which evinced his power to make the sons of Jona and of Zebedee, whom he now took from their nets, hence- forth " fishers of men." The next disciple of whose calling we hear is Matthew ; and he is the only one, besides those of whom we have spoken, the circumstances of whose election are related in the Gospels. In one of his walks near Capernaum, Jesus saw Matthew, or, as he is sometimes called, Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom, for he was a publican. Upon hearing the invitation, " Follow me," Matthew instantly left all, and followed Jesus. The calling of Matthew is placed by harmonists at or near the close of the first year of the public ministry of Jesus, and not long before the second Passover, upon which he went up to Jerusalem. Early in the next year, or after the second Passover, Jesus having remained all night upon a mountain in prayer, when it was day, called his disciples to him. Of these he chose twelve, THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. 37 whom also he named Apostles : Simon, whom he surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother ; James and John the sons of Zebedee, whom he surnamed Boanerges, which signifies the sons of thunder; Philip, and Bartholomew, who is called by John, Nathanael ; Matthew and Thomas ; James and Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus and Judas, the sons of Alpheus ; Simon Zelotes, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the traitor. Judas was called by him who " knew whom he had chosen, that the scripture might be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me." We read nothing of him while he was numbered with the twelve, that leads us to suppose his deportment excited distrust of his sincerity among his brethren. He " obtained part of the ministry," and even after his " fall by transgression that he might go to his own place," he acknowledged in anguish of heart, " I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." The betrayer could not withhold his testimony to the holiness of Him whom he had sold for the price of a bond servant ; and in the hour when witnesses were suborned to testify falsehoods against the Son of Man, he whose evidence would have perfected the work of iniquity, was dumb with the anguish of guilt. Verily, the foolishness of this world is appointed to confound the wise ; for the end of Judas is a testimony to the truth of the Gospels, which no ingenuity of infidelity has been able to conceal or to set aside. To these disciples he gave authority to preach, and power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out unclean spirits ; and coming down with them into the plain, he met the great multitude who had assembled to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. After the performance of such wonderful miracles of mercy, that " the whole multitude sought to touch him, for there went 4 38 THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. virtue out of him and healed them all ;" he seated himself upon the hillside. The newly appointed Twelve, assuming their recognised place, " ordained that they should be with him ;" he lifted up his eyes upon his disciples, and taught them in that divine summary of Christian duties, virtues, and hopes, the " Sermon on the Mount." From this day forth the Twelve were in attendance upon their Master, witnessing the miracles which he did, and blessed with the hearing, not only of his public preaching, but of the private instructions which he vouchsafed to them, as to those to whom it was given " to know the mystery of the kingdom of God." Theirs was the evidence of sight ; but the humble Christian now is no less happy in the confidence of faith. " Thomas," said Jesus to that disciple, " because thou hast seen me thou hast believed : blessed are they that have not seen and yet have BEtlEVED." THE TRUE BROTHERLY LOVE. JOHN KEBLE. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed Jesus, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, "We have found the Messias," which is, being interpreted, the Cluist. And he brought him to Jesus. — St. John i. 40-42. L When brothers part for manhood's race, What gift may most endearing prove, To keep fond memory in her place, And certify a brother's love ? 11. 'Tis true, bright hours together told, And blissful dreams in secret shared, Serene or solemn, gay or bold, Shall last in fancy unimpaired. III. Even round the deathbed of the good Such dear remembrances will hover, 40 THE TRUE BROTHERLY LOVE. And haunt us with no vexing mood, When all the cares of life are over. IV. But yet our craving spirits feel We shall live on, though fancy die. And seek a surer pledge — a seal Of love to last eternally. V. Who art thou that wouldst grave thy name Thus deeply in a brother's heart 1 Look on this saint, and learn to frame Thy love-charm with true Christian art. VI. First seek thy Saviour out, and dwell Beneath the shadow of his roof. Till thou have scanned his features well, And known Him for the Christ, by proof. VII. Such proofs as they are sure to find. Who spend with Him their happier days ; Clean hands and a self-ruling mind. Ever in tune for love and praise. THE TRUE BROTHERLY LOVE. 41 VITI. Then potent with the spell of Heaven, Go, and thine erring brother gain ; Entice him home to be forgiven, Till he, too, see his Saviour plain. IX. Or, if before thee in the race. Urge him with thine advancing tread. Till, like twin stars, with even pace. Each lucid course be duly sped. X. No fading, frail memorial give, To soothe his soul when thou art gone. But wreaths of hope, for aye to live, And thoughts of good together done. XL That so, before the judgment seat, Though changed and glorified each face. Not unremembered ye may meet, For endless ages to embrace. 4« INFANT ST. J O H N. . S XAH F. &OULD. ' Tbe disciple wbom Jesns loTed." Mr soul tojk wing, and hovered round The distant scenes, the hallowed ground Where once the King of Heaven was found A form of earth to wear : The woes he bore, the love he taught, The death he slew, the life he brought. In one o'erwhekning flood of thought Rolled on, and bowed me there. n. I walked the groves of Galilee ; I stood in spirit by the sea. And mused of him, here called to be My Saviour's bosom friend : Of him who gave, among the few Who followed Christ, the flower and dew Of life to him : of things he knew. And thought, and saw, and penned. INFANT ST. JOHN. III. These glorious wonders pondering o'er, I searched the past for something more ; Around that now deserted shore, My solemn fancy roved ; Her eye grew curious now, to trace The Hneaments of peace and grace. That marked the bud — the infant face Of him whom Jesus loved. IV. When lo ! a lovely vision smiled Before me, in a beauteous child, With aspect sweet, with eye so mild. So deep, so heavenly bright. The spirit seemed, with beams divine To kindle up, and fill the shrine. As, through a dew-drop clear, will shine A ray of morning light. V. Though rude my lines, my spirit faint, And faithless here my hand to paint The beauties of that infant saint Which there my vision blessed, — I knew it was the fisher's son, By whom such mighty works were done, Who leaned on Jesus' breast. 43 NATHANAEL. JOHN KEBLE. Jesus answered and said unto him, " Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig-tree, believest thou ? Thou shalt see greater things than these. * * * Hereafter ye shall see Heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." — St. John i. 50, 51. I. Hold up thy mirror to the sun, And thou shalt need an eagle's gaze, So perfectly the polished stone Gives back the glory of his rays. 11. Turn it, and it shall paint as true The soft green of the vernal earth, And each small flower of bashful hue That closest hides its low^ly birth. III. Our mirror is a blessed book, Where out from each illumined page We see one glorious image look, All eyes to dazzle and engage. NATHANAEL. 45 IV. The Son of God : and that indeed We see Him as He is, we know, Since in the same bright glass we read The very hfe of things below. V. Eye of God's Word ! where'er we turn, Ever upon us ! thy keen gaze Can all the depths of sin discern. Unravel every bosom's maze : VI. Who that has felt thy glance of dread Thrill through his heart's remotest cells, About his path, about his bed, Can doubt what spirit in thee dwells ? VII. " What word is this ? Whence know'st thou me ?" All wondering cries the humbled heart, To hear thee that deep mystery, The knowledge of itself, impart. VIII. The veil is raised ; who runs may read ; By its own light the truth is seen. 46 NATHANAEL. And soon the Israelite indeed Bows down to adore the Nazarene. IX. So did Nathanael, guileless man, At once, not shamefaced or afraid, Owning him God, who so could scan His musings in the lonely shade ; X. In his own pleasant fig-tree's shade. Which by his household fountain grew. Where at noonday his prayer he made. To know God better than he knew. XL Oh happy hours of heavenward thought ! How richly crowned ! how well improved In musing o'er the law he taught. In waiting for the Lord he loved. XII. We must not mar with earthly praise What God's approving hand hath sealed ; Enough, if right our feeble lays Take up the promise he revealed. XIII. " The childlike faith, that asks not sight, Waits not for wonder or for sign, NATHANAEL. 47 Believes, because it loves, aright — Shall see things greater, things divine. XIV. " Heaven to that gaze shall open wide, And brightest angels to and fro On messages of love shall glide, 'Twixt God above and Christ below." XV. So still the guileless man is blest ; To him all crooked paths are straight ; Him, on his way to endless rest. Fresh ever-growing strengths await. XVI. God's witnesses, a glorious host. Compass him daily like a cloud ; Martyrs and seers, the saved and lost, Mercies and judgments cry aloud. XVII. Yet shall to him the still small voice, That first unto his bosom found A way, and fixed his wavering choice, Nearest and dearest, ever sound. JACOB'S WELL. JAMES FREEMAN CLAKKE. The disciples marvelled that he talked with the woman. — St. John iv. 27. L Here, after Jacob parted from his brother, His daughters hngered round this well, new made ; Here, seventeen centuries after, came another, ] And talked with Jesus, wondering and afraid. Here, other centuries past, the emperor's mother Sheltered its waters with a temple's shade. Here, 'mid the fallen fragments, as of old, The girl her pitcher dips within its waters cold. n. And Jacob's race grew strong for many an hour. Then torn beneath the Roman eagle lay ; — The Roman's vast and earth-controlling power Has crumbled like these shafts and stones away ; JACOB-SWELL. 49 But still the waters, fed by dew and shower, Come up, as ever, to the light of day ; And still the maid bends downward with her urn. Well pleased to see its glass her lovely face return. III. And those few words of truth first uttered here, Have sunk into the human soul and heart ; A spiritual faith dawns bright and clear. Dark creeds and ancient mysteries depart ; The hour for God's true worshippers draws near ; Then mourn not o'er the wrecks of earthly art : Kingdoms may fall, and human works decay, Nature moves on unchanged — Truths never pass away. THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT. Now, when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." And Simon, answering, said unto him, " Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing : nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net."— St. Luke v. 4, 5. I. How long o'er the lake hung the shadows of night That fell from the brow of the mountain around ! And pale gleamed the moon in her palace of light, While scarcely was heard through the welkin a sound. II. All bootless their toil, and their sigh filled the gale, When blushed on the highlands the dawning of day ; In silence and sadness they spread their white sail, And hied on the face of the waters away. III. But who on that shore moves majestic along ? His eye beaming mercy — his arm clothed with might ! How he holds in suspense the wondering throng. While they hang on his lips, all entranced with delight ! THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT. 51 IV. How calmed are the billows ! how stilled is the breeze ! Earth, water, and winds, him their Sovereign confess ; E'en the birds hush their chorus amidst the tall trees, And the children of sorrow forget their distress. V. None lose by the Saviour ; once more at thy word The nets are extended beneath the blue sea ; The tribes of the wide weltering waves own their Lord, And hasten to pay their allegiance to thee. THE POOL OF BETHESDA. BERNARD BARTON. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity eight and thirty years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, " Wilt thou be made whole ?" The impotent man answered him, " Sir, I have no man when the water is troubled to put me into the pool ; but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me." Jesus saith unto him, " Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.— St. John v. 5-9. Pale, weary watcher by Bethesda's pool, From dewy morn, to silent, glowing eve ; While round thee play the freshening breezes cool, Why wilt thou grieve ? Listen ! and thou shalt hear the unearthly tread Of heaven's bright herald passing swiftly by, O'er the calm pool his healing wing to spread : Why wilt thou die ? At his approach, once more the troubled wave Leaps gushing into life, its torpor gone ; Once more called forth its boasted power to save, Which else had none ! THEPOOLOFBETHESDA. 53 Ah ! then his spirit feels a deeper grief, When o'er the ripphng surface healing flows ; His wasted limbs experience no relief; No help he knows ! Healing, and strength, and cure for all his wo, May linger round that sacred fountain's brim ; Yet all unable he one step to go : No cure for him ! No friend is watching there, whose anxious love For him prompt access to the pool can win ; Soon as the angel did the waters move, Others stepped in ! Oh ye ! who idly pass unheeding by, Knew ye the sickening pang of hope delayed, Your listless steps would eagerly press nigh. And give him aid. Ah ! wretched lot, of gnawing want to die. While smiling plenty mocks us all around ; Or, shipwrecked, watch, as we all helpless lie. Others home-bound ! Yet sadder far, to him who reads aright The story of our being's end and aim, The spirit darkened 'mid surrounding light, By sin and shame ! 5* 54 THEPOOLOFBETHESDA. To see the impervious clouds of prejudice, Round which the sunbeams pour their hght in vain ; The dead soul, fettered by the films of vice. Knows not its chain. Then if thy spirit freedom, knowledge drink, Bathed in that living fount which maketh pure, Oh ! aid thy brother, ere he helpless sink, To work his cure ! Hopeless, and helpless, vainly did he turn For help or pity to the busy throng ; Yet found them both in One, whose heart did burn With love, how strong ! CHRIST IN THE STORM. K. B R O W N. Ami behol