THE DISCIPLES INSTRUCTED


 AND SENT FORTH.



IT seems that about this time, Jesus made another visit to Nazareth. In Matthew 13:54, we read that, "When he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue." Since the word synagogue is in the singular number, "his own country" must mean the place where he was brought up, and not the entire country of Galilee, in which there were many synagogues. Mark, in speaking of the same thing, says, "And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue; and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

After this, Jesus continued his journeyings, making a third circuit throughout Galilee. Matthew says he "went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then said he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."

Jesus then instructed the twelve disciples, and sent them forth two by two to preach the gospel of the kingdom. Matthew's account of it is as follows: "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not; but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, 

The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; 

be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."   "And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."

"And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities."





SCENES IN THE LAND OF THE BIBLE.



A CORRESPONDENT of a Boston paper gives us this beautiful yet pathetic picture of the land our Saviour trod: "One of the most delightful mountain views that charm the traveler is the sunset glow of Lebanon. Sailing out of the harbor at Beirut a few days ago, we were entranced with the delicate, changing shades that creep over the goodly mountain and linger upon the summit of Sannin. 

Scarcely had the outlines of Cypress died away in the west, when the moon rose over the mountains to illumine our course by the shore. Our good steamer seemed like some 'waterwitch' of a beautiful lake, as we watched the sparkling waves and counted the lights on the hillsides.

"As we passed the coast of the Phoenician cities, 'in thought I saw the palace domes of Tyre' and all the ' treasures of her merchandise,' but the sandy shore is a lonely waste, where the fisher spreads his net. 

Passing Carmel, we were in the morning on the roads at Jaffa. Here at sunrise appear the flourishing gardens and orange groves, extending far to the plains of Sharon. The old hillside city is still alive. 

Already the Arabs are besieging our steamer with their usual din and scrambling for positions. Little boats are dancing over the waves, waiting for officials, and commissionaries are presenting their credentials. Near us lay a dark, old steamer, with two thousand recruits for the Balkans, and the quay was thronged with their friends bidding them farewell. 

Along the sandy beach were weeping women chanting in Arabic their piteous laments, and wringing their hands with all the intensity of Oriental grief. In long white veils, they turned their sad procession toward the city gates, and sat in despair as the steamer sailed out of sight."


--------------------

TEACHERS of the younger children cannot be too often reminded that things, which are very clear to them may not be so clear to their scholars. To the child just beginning to attend Sabbath-school, every unusual expression is a puzzle. "Why is Palestine called the Holy Land?" asked a little girl of her teacher the other day. "Is it because there is no sin there?" That was a very natural interpretation to put upon the expression. Yet the reason why Palestine is called the Holy Land was so evident to the teacher that she had used the phrase over and over again without thinking that it was necessary to explain it. 

Teachers of primary classes are more apt to err in giving too few, than in giving too many, explanations. Are you quite sure that your scholars understand all the common expressions which you use? 




S. S. Times.