The Story of the Raising of the Son of the Widow of Nain. (From the 7th Chapter of ST. LUKE's Gospel.) JESUS went into a city called Nain: and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, "Weep not." And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, "Young man; I say unto thee, Arise!" And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak: and he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, "That a great prophet is risen up among us;" and, "That God hath visited his people." And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about. The Story of the First Martyr. (From the 6th and 7th Chapters of the ACTS.) STEPHEN, being full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the Synagogue disputing with Stephen, and they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake. Then they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council and set up false witnesses, which said, "This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law." And all that sat in the council looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Then said the high priest, “Are these things so?" And Stephen, answering him, showed them out of the Scriptures how that from the beginning their fathers did always persecute the prophets; and he said, "As your fathers did, so do ye. They have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One! of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers! Ye! who have received the law by the disposition of angels and have not kept it.". When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. THE END. |