future." From this parable the word Lazarus has furnished, in modified forms, certain common nouns to all European languages. It is the only parable containing a personal name. Was not Jesus thinking of his friend. just deceased at Bethany? A foreshadow of the coming event is the proposal of the suffering Dives that Lazarus be raised from the dead to convince the unbelieving.

The noonday repast is ended. Many of the company return homeward; for after the halt we hear no more of the multitude, but only of the disciples and then of the apostles. These spent the night at Bethabara, and next day, Monday, pursued their way southward. To them Jesus, alluding to recent scenes, said:

"It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come; but woe to him through whom they come. It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea."

Perhaps from some rising ground their eyes were then resting on the Dead Sea, stretching darkly towards the southern horizon.98

Yet they are to abound, he tells them, in forgiveness to the erring and repenting. Finding it hard, they humbly pray, Increase our faith. His reply is spirited, and apparently tinged with impatience.

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye would say unto this sycamine tree," pointing to one by the roadside, "Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea yonder; and it would have obeyed you."

That afternoon they crossed the Jordan ford to Jericho. Having tarried there over night, they proceed on Tuesday to climb afoot the steep road leading to Jerusalem,

twenty miles distant, and in the wane of day reach the suburb of the village of Bethany of Judea. What there took place that evening may fairly be included as the culmination and close of his Peræan ministry.

T

XXII

THE GREAT MIRACLE

HE village of Bethany lay nearly two miles east

of Jerusalem, and more than a mile beyond the intervening ridge of Olivet. Being some distance aside from the highway, the situation was admirably fitted for seclusion and repose. To-day it is represented by a hamlet of about twenty families, and is known as El Azariah, a corruption of the word Lazarus. The name Bethany means house of dates. As dates are fruit of the palm, we may suppose that formerly the village nestled in a grove of palms. Its name has become a synonym for calm retirement, peace, purity, and fraternal love.

In the last days of February, A. D. 30, the family at Bethany, two sisters and a brother, was in distress. Lazarus was sick. How they longed for their friend, the Healer! In his first recorded visit, he had probably, as was his wont, healed all the sick in the village. Why not send for him now? They hesitate, because they knew his danger, and did not rate the cure of Lazarus higher than the safety of Jesus. But soon the deepening malady brought the gentle sisters to despair of natural recovery, and in dread of a fatal calamity, they send word at last. How exquisitely feminine is the message!

"Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."

The phrase, whom thou lovest, is delicately solicitous and hopeful of help. But there is no direct request for