Jesus often told the people little stories when he was teaching them to be good. These little stories he called parables. Here is one of the parables:--
THE STORY OF THE SOWER
And Jesus said, "Behold the sower went forth to sow; and, as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them: and others fell upon the rocky places, where they had not much earth; and straightway they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth, and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And others fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them: and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty."
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THRESHING IN THE LANDS OF THE BIBLE:
From a photograph taken by Mrs. Louise Seymour Houghton, and used by her kind permission.
What a strange company of animals we have here! A camel, two oxen, and a little white donkey! And is this not a hard way to thresh out the grain? This field, with its beasts at work, does not much resemble a great wheat field in the western states of America, with its wonderful machinery. It shows how little progress has been made in the East, to find the same methods employed now as in Bible times.
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Then Jesus explained the story to his disciples in this way. He said, "When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and s.n.a.t.c.heth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the wayside. And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty."
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SOME THINGS WHICH JESUS TAUGHT THE PEOPLE
At one time Jesus went up the slopes of a mountain, and many people gathered about him and he taught them these words, which are called
THE BEAt.i.tUDES.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see G.o.d.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of G.o.d.
"Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness" sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
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THE BOY WHO CAME WHEN HE WAS CALLED
Wax To grow.
Ark of G.o.d A box of wood which was kept in the temple, and which the Jews thought was very precious and sacred.
There was once a woman who lived in the Bible land, and her name was Hannah. She had a little boy named Samuel. When Samuel was a baby, his mother made up her mind that she would give him to G.o.d, to serve in the temple. So she took him to the temple, and as soon as he was old enough he helped the good priest Eli about his work. Every year Hannah made a little coat for her boy, and gave it to him, when she came to see him at the temple. It was very hard for Hannah to have her dear little boy away from home, but she was very happy when she came to see him every year, and heard what a good boy he was. The old priest Eli was very fond of him. His own sons were very bad men, and that made him love Samuel all the more. Here is a story about Samuel and Eli, which shows what a good and obedient boy he was. Samuel grew up to be a very wise and a very great man, and served his country and G.o.d faithfully all his life.
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A DRUSE FAMILY
From a photograph taken by Mrs. Louise Seymour Houghton, and used by her kind permission.
The Druses are a remarkable people living on the mountains of Lebanon in the northern part of Palestine. For a thousand years they have been a separate people, preserving many of the customs and manners of living of Bible times. This makes them a very interesting people to us. Most of them are well to do, but there is occasionally a poor family like the one shown in our picture. You will notice the cow shed at the front door, and the family dog, but can you see the donkey? What looks like a great brush heap in the middle of the picture is really a little donkey loaded with brush! If you look sharply you may see his little feet. At the left of the picture, on the hilltop, are the ruins of an old castle built by the Crusaders.
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And it came to pa.s.s at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; and ere the lamp of G.o.d went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of G.o.d was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; that the Lord called Samuel; and he answered:--
"Here am I."
And he ran unto Eli and said, "Here am I; for thou calledst me."
And he said, "I called not; lie down again."
And he went and lay down.
And the Lord called yet again, "Samuel."
And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me."
And he answered, "I called not, my son; lie down again."
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time.
And he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me." And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel:--
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"Go, lie down: and it shall be if he call thee, that thou shalt say, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.""
So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel."
Then Samuel answered, "Speak, for thy servant heareth."
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