men was by his patient endurance of suffering; and he rejected the thought of miraculously supplying his own necessities. This was his first victory, his first exertion of inward power over himself after receiving his divine commission. If he willed could he not subdue all the nations of the world, by means of the power given him? Would it not be the shortest way to the accomplishment of his great purpose? Would it not be a glorious thing to see all the world at his feet? But was earthly greatness, however wisely and beneficently used, the means appointed by God? No: and he put aside the thought as evil. He would not fall down and worship the spirit of battles, slaughter, and desolation. He would worship the Lord his God, and serve him only. This was the second victory, the second proof of his inward power. But might he not still succeed by means of men's wonder? Might he not do any thing, regardless of consequences to himself, and would he not be protected and upheld by God? Might he not despise danger, lay aside caution, and set his enemies at defiance? No: not in such a spirit would God be served. He was not to try God's pro

tection to the uttermost. He was never to shrink from duty, but never to forget prudence. He was to take all possible care of himself, consistent with the discharge of his office. He remembered the words, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.' This was his third victory, his third proof of inward power. He now knew his divine gifts, his holy duties, the end to be accomplished, and his fitness for his work through his entire submission to the Father's will. He was tried in spirit and found perfect. He was the faithful servant of God, and the humble master of himself.

4

CHAPTER V.

THE OPENING OF THE MISSION.

AFTER the events related in the preceding chapter, John continued to preach and baptize, for Jesus did not at once rush eagerly forth and proclaim that John's mission was ended and his own more glorious mission begun. People still inquired of John whether he was the Messiah, and he still denied, declaring that there was one among them, though they knew him not, who was immeasurably superior to himself. The next day after he made this declaration, he saw Jesus coming to him, pointed him out, and said, 'Behold the lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!' He declared also that Jesus was the person whom he himself came to announce, and that he knew him by the circumstance of the Holy Spirit descending on him in the manner of a dove. The day following, looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, 'Behold the lamb of God!'

When he had the second day made use of this remarkable expression, two of John's disciples were moved with desire to know more of Jesus, and spoke to him. He invited them to his house, and they held much conversation with him. Andrew, who was one of them, was so much struck with what he heard and saw, that, having found his brother Simon, he told him that the Messiah was come, and took him to Jesus. When Jesus saw him he gave him the name of Peter, which means a rock, because he knew the strength of his character, and foresaw how vigorously he would fulfill his apostolic office: but he did not at once cause him to quit his occupation, he left him to think on what he had heard and seen.

The next day Jesus determined to go into Galilee, and finding Philip he said unto him, 'Follow me,' and gave him such proofs of his divine mission as made him follow without hesitation. Philip told Nathaniel that they had found the Messiah predicted by the prophets of their nation, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathaniel could not at first

believe that the Messiah should be a Nazarene, and he expressed his doubt in very pointed

language: 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' showing that he thought it most unlikely that the Messiah should come out of so mean and despised a town. Philip did not grow angry because his judgment was doubted, as so many people do, but calmly answered, " Come and see.' He was himself so firmly convinced, that he did not for a moment doubt what effect would be produced upon Nathaniel's mind by an interview with Jesus. And he was right: Nathaniel became as firmly convinced as he was.

By this time Jesus had drawn around himself a number of persons who regarded him as the Messiah, and who were called his disciples, that is, learners. On the day after Nathaniel's coming to Jesus, he and his disciples were invited to a marriage feast. They went and entered into the festivities usual on such an occasion, for Jesus felt that every place was proper for the fulfilling of his mission. An incident occurred at this feast which shows that Jesus had made his mother, the good and pious Mary, acquainted with both his powers and his office. We may without impropriety imagine that they had held long, serious, and inter