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when all men in all lands have received the tidings which they spread.

To the mind of Jesus only was the full grandeur of this undertaking known. He alone knew that he was commencing an enterprise, never before imagined by man,-the regeneration and salvation of the human race. It was the consciousness of this, and his knowledge of the resolution,, faith, and self-sacrifice, requisite for the task, which imparted such solemn earnestness to the warnings and appeals with which he introduced the Twelve to their share of the work; and which, we may believe, had led him to consecrate the previous night to solitary prayer on the mountain.

In

This important step having been taken, Jesusproceeded on his second tour through Galilee. what direction he went, through what places he passed, how long he was thus occupied, and what were the works he did, are matters which have not been recorded by the Evangelists.

It seems to have been during this tour, that he received a message from John the Baptist. John had been now for some time in prison; and, hearing there a report of the wonderful things done by Jesus, seems to have thought it strange that he, the Messiah, should not do something for his deliverance. He not improbably expected

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that he would come and rescue him.

Perhaps,

too, he wondered that he continued peaceably to preach, without assuming the state and power of his office.

As he brooded over these thoughts in the confinement of his dungeon, he might even come to doubt whether after all this was the real Messiah. At any rate, he wished to convey to him a rebuke for leaving his forerunner to suffer when he could so easily deliver him. He therefore sent to him two of his disciples to put the question to him plainly;—" Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?"

The two disciples came, and delivered their message. It happened, that at that time Jesus was occupied with the people who attended him, and he went on doing his mighty works without replying to what had been said. When he had finished, he turned to the messengers, and bade them go back and tell John what they had seen him do;-this would be a sufficient answer to his inquiry; and he added, with something of reproof, that it would be happy for him if he did not allow his own personal feelings of disappointment to create doubt in his mind concerning him:

But though he thought it necessary to send to John a message somewhat severe, no sooner had the disciples departed, than he turned to the people, and in earnest language pronounced a eulogy upon him; praising his firmness and self

denial, and declaring him the greatest of the prophets. From this, he passed to censure the inconsistency of the people, who rejected John for his austerity, and yet condemned himself for his indulgence. He then uttered his severe and thrilling denunciation against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, because, having witnessed so much of his miracles and his ministry, they yet had not repented and reformed. But his compassionate mind could not pause here. He burst forth in loud praise to God for the gracious wisdom with which he had revealed himself, not to the wise of this world, but to the simple; and he ended with that affectionate invitation to receive him and his doctrine, which it is impossible in certain states of mind to read without tears. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

In these labors and excursions, the autumn was now far advanced, and the feast of Dedication was approaching. This was not an appointed festival of the law, and therefore it was not binding on the people to attend it. Our Lord, however, proposed to be present at its celebration; and therefore, instead of returning home to Caperna

um, he took the road to Jerusalem.

At this time

it probably was, that he went through Samaria, and fell in with the ten lepers near a certain town, who besought him to heal them, and only one of whom, a Samaritan, returned to express his gratitude. The exclamation which Jesus made on the occasion, is eminently characteristic and touching. "Were there not ten cleansed?" said he; "but where are the nine? There are none returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." The nine Jews made no acknowledgment for the blessing.

Now also it probably was, that, when arrived at Bethany, within about two miles of Jerusalem, he visited the family of Martha and Mary. Martha, little understanding his true character, made great exertions to provide an entertainment for the distinguished guest; and when she found Mary wholly taken up with listening to his conversation, she went so far as even to complain to him, that she was left to attend to the family concerns alone, and begged him to direct her sister to help her. Our Lord replied in those memorable words, so often quoted since," 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." It

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was attention to his instructions, not to himself, which he desired.

From Bethany he proceeded to Jerusalem, and arrived there in the midst of the Feast of the Dedication. This festival occurred in the beginning of winter. It was instituted by Judas Maccabæus in commemoration of the cleansing of the Temple, after it had been profaned by Antiochus Epiphanes. It seems to have become one of the favorite solemnities of the nation; being kept with great pomp for eight days, during which time the sacrifices were multiplied, the houses were illuminated, and the rejoicing of the people was testified by a variety of diversions and music. It was sometimes called the Feast of Lights.

The people thronged the courts of the Temple, as at the other festivals; and there Jesus appeared amongst them, walking in Solomon's porch,the piazza, it is thought, which extended along the eastern side of the Court of the Gentiles. It was about ten weeks since he had last been seen there. Then he had been beset by enemies, and driven from the Temple in fear of his life. Since that time he had been in a distant part of the country, active in teaching the people, gathering his followers, appointing his assistants, seeming to claim the Messiahship, yet not openly declaring

John x. 22.

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