A life of St. Peter for the young

Front matter

ALIFEOFST.PETERll FOR THE YOUNG

GEORGE-L-WEED

Class _£lS_S -51B

Prefatory Note

This Life of St. Peter is the fourth of a series of Christian Biographies for the Young. The former volumes are the lives of Christ, of St. Paul, and of St. John. The life of Peter is, in some respects, a complement of that of the Beloved Disciple.

In treating of them the aim has been to discriminate and emphasize in each case what is peculiar, avoiding repetition, except where necessary for historic connection, or fulness of narrative, or independent unity.

Since Mark is the acknowledged organ and interpreter of Peter, his Gospel having manifestly been written under the direction or dictation of the Apostle, oftentimes thoughts and expressions are credited directly to Peter without repeated reference to his relation to Mark, whose Gospel may be called the Gospel of Peter. Quotations from it and other books of the Bible are from the Revised Version, sometimes the marginal references being used.

Like the previous volumes this one is limited in scope, language, subject and general treatment, by adaptation to the young, including especially those in their teens;

4 Prefatory Note

for whom it is believed no life of Peter, at least of recent date, has been prepared.

In the preparation of this one, encouragement has been found in the assurance of many educators, and of young readers themselves, that in the former volumes these conditions of adaptation have been met. A special aid in writing has been the pleasing memories of days spent in places made memorable by the labors of the Chief Apostle.

Grateful acknowledgment is hereby made of indebtedness to writers, especially to Edersheim, Macduff and Farrar, whose writings have been helpful in furnishing facts and valuable suggestions.

G. L. W.

Philadelphia, Pa., June i, 1901.

Contents

Page

Chapter I

God's Chosen Sea — Consecrated by Christ — Bethsaida — Fisherman and Sons — Home Life — Two Pairs of Brothers — Young Fishermen — Pleasant Task — Roman Herod — Jewish Longings — Judas of Galilee and Simon — Pious Jews — Old Testament Stories and Prophecies — Synagogue School — School of Gamaliel — The Boy and the Man — Simon's Boyhood Ways — Affection and its Object 15

Chapter II A Disciple Of John The Baptist

Jordan Ford — Zacharias — Elizabeth and Her John — John in the Wilderness — Change in Nature — Preacher and Hearers — The Great Message — Kingdom Misunderstood — Messiah's Rule — Bethsaidan Disciples of John the Baptist — Baptism of Jesus — Temptation and Victory — An Interruption — Two Disciples of the Baptist — " Simon" and " Peter " 25

Chapter III Brought To Jesus

John of Galilee and Andrew — " Andrew, Simon Peter's Brother " — Brotherly Feelings — Finding Brothers — Peter Brought to Jesus — Peter's Thoughts — "Jesus Beheld Him" — "Cephas, by Interpretation Peter" — The Rock-Symbol — The New Name — Bethsaidan Band at Home 33

Chapter IV Peter The Fisherman, A Fisher Of Men

Jesus' Farewell to Nazareth— Peter's Royal Guest — Autumnal Beauty — A Morning Scene — Simon's Pulpit-Boat — Surprising Command — Obedience Rewarded — Peter's Feelings and Conduct— Prophecy of Peter's Future — Following Christ . . 41

o

Chapter V The Synagogue And The Home In Capernaum

Synagogue of Capernaum — Insane Man Healed — Wide-spread Rumor — House of Simon and Andrew — Friendship Long and Beautiful — Afflicted Mother — Magical Remedy — Miracle in Peter's Home — Grateful Ministry — Suffering Multitudes — Joyful News — Precious Burdens — Homeward Scenes — Matthew — Golden Text for Peter— Wonderful Contrasts — Whither Bound ? — Waiting Greetings — Broken Solitude — Request and Reply — Jesus again " in the House " — Palsied Man Healed — Peter's Memories 48

Chapter VI

The Mountain of Prayer — World's Great Teachers — Not Angels but Men Chosen by Christ — A Reason for Choice — A Second Reason — A Third Reason — " All Night in Prayer " — Gathering of Disciples — A Great Purpose Revealed — The First Four Named Apostles — The Lord's Foreknowledge of Peter — Great Change in Peter's Life — His Readiness to Endure . 61

Chapter VII With Christ In The Home Of Jairus

Outer Circle and Inner of the Disciples — Why Three Chosen? Preference Shown — Call of Matthew, and His Feast — From the House of Feasting to that of Mourning — Peter and His Lord — An Interruption — Outward Appearance of Jesus — A Suffering Woman's Thoughts and Feelings — Her Touch of Timid Faith — The Lord's Question and Peter's Reply — The Healer and the Healed — Anxious Delay and Sad Message — The Inner Circle — Peter a Witness 70

Chapter VIII A Mission Of Preaching And Healing

Herald and Heralds — Shepherd and Under Shepherds — Peter's Companion — Instructions — Following Peter to a Home — Miracles by Peter — A Cup of Cold Water — Paralytic Healed and Dead Raised — Mission of the Disciples, and of their Lord 79

Chapter IX Memories Of John The Baptist

" Increase " and " Decrease " — John the Baptist in Prison — His Former Disciples — His Later Disciples and their Sad Story — Comfort in Sorrow — Peter and His Former Master .... 85

Chapter X

WITH CHRIST SEEKING REST BUT FINDING LABOR Return of the Twelve — No Minute Report — Response of Jesus — A Following Multitude — Family Reunion — Imagined Thoughts and Words of Jesus — " The Boat " — Two Bethsaidas — A Sacred Picture — What Peter Saw and Heard — A Saying of Andrew — " Simon Peter's Brother " — Thoughts of Andrew and of Jesus — A Miracle — An Attendant of Jesus — Two Scenes Compared — Ready to Crown Jesus — Constrained Disciples — Not Rest, but Labor 89

Chapter XI

WITH JESUS ON THE SEA On the Mountain and on the Sea — Troubled Disciples — " In the Fourth Watch " — Help at the Dawn — An Apparition Changed — Blessed Words and Thoughts — Responses of Eleven and of One — The Lord's Answer to Peter — Peter in the Sea, and on the Sea — Sinking Peter's Despairing Cry — The Hand of Jesus — The Lord's Reproof — Peter and His Fellow- Apostles — New View of Jesus — Patriarch's Song . . 97

Chapter XII

PETERS FIRST GREAT CONFESSION Calm After Storm — An Excited Throng — Motives for Following Jesus — A Question, a Rebuke, and a Lesson — Mistaken Request — Sayings of Jesus — Murmurings — Living Bread — A Crisis— A Sad Sight for Jesus — Rejecters of Blessings — Jesus' Appeal to His Apostles — Their Loyalty to Him — Peter's Response to Jesus — A Startling Declaration 105

CHAPTER XIII peter's second great confession

Wonders of Jesus — His Glory — Change of Scenes — Grotto of Pan — Jesus and His Disciples— A Momentous Question — Wild Rumors — Peter's Two Masters — What Peter Well Knew — Second Momentous Question — Peter's Second Great

Confession — Former Expressions Concerning Christ — Chrysostom and Farrar— Christ's Reply to Peter — " Priest of Pan," and Peter — " Called Peter " — " Art Peter " — Proved Worthy of the Name — Living Stones in a Temple — No Claim by Peter of Superiority — Christ the Stone — Church Built on Christ— A Prayer 112

Chapter XIV

THE REBUKING DISCIPLE REBUKED Jesus' Thoughts Concerning Himself — Unknown to the Apostles — Their Mistaken Views— Galilee and Jerusalem — A Sad Declaration — Reception of it by the Disciples — By Peter — His Possible Thoughts — His Rebuke of Jesus — Jesus' Rebuke of Peter — Peter's Error — Yet a Chosen One 122

Chapter XV

AN EYE-WITNESS OF CHRIST'S MAJESTY Tabor and Hermon — Tabor and the Transfiguration — Hermon the Lofty Peak — The Holy Mount — The Chosen Three — Apart by Themselves — The Ascent of Hermon — Christ's Prayer and its Answer — " Heavy with Sleep " — Vision of the Transfiguration — Marvelous Change — " Two Men " — Honored Names — Moses — Elijah— The Talking Group and their Theme — Peter's Thoughts — His Confusion and Proposal — Reading Peter's Thoughts — The Shekinah and Moses — Peter's Story — The Father's Voice — Artists' Pictures — Fear and Adoration — The Cloud and Heavenly Visitors — Jesus Only — A Hymn of the Transfiguration 127

Chapter XVI

AN EYE-WITNESS OF MAJESTIC POWER The Transfiguration Ended — Farewell to Hermon — Command to Secrecy — Sudden Transition — Mark's Description — Gathered Crowd — An Agonized Father — A Cause for Amazement — The Father's Plea — Divine Helper's Assurance — Faith Rewarded — Twofold Majesty — Peter and the Transfiguration — Christ's Death and Resurrection again Foretold . . . 139

CHAPTER XVII WITH CHRIST IN GALILEE AND PARy£A

The Lone Walk — The Temple Tax — The Eleven " in the Way "

— Jesus " in' the House " — A Solemn Question — Actions and

Words of Jesus — An Object Lesson — Peter and Childhood —

Three Lessons — Forgiveness — Farewell to Galilee — Children

Brought to Jesus — Rebuking Disciples — Disciples Rebuked — Jesus' Treatment of Children — Lesson Partly Learned — Rich, Young Ruler — Peter's Exclamation and Question, and the Lord's Blessed Answer — Another Prophecy of Death . . . 144

Chapter XVIII

MEMORIES OF OLIVET Shadow of the Cross — Two Disciples and the Needed Colt — The Happy Escorts and Two Glad Processions — Contrasted Scene — " He Hungered " — Barren Fig-tree — A Disappointment and a Curse — Peter's Remembrance — An Illustration — Farewell to the Temple — Its Admirers — Jesus Beholding it in Sadness — Last Ascent of Olivet — Evening View — Jesus and the Bethsaidan Band 156

Chapter XIX

WITH CHRIST IN THE UPPER ROOM An Earnest Desire — A Secret Place — Two Messengers — Question and Answer — "My Guest-chamber," and "the Goodman of the House" — From Olivet to the Upper Room — Family Meeting — Sad Incident — An Object Lesson — Peter's Feelings, and His Words to Christ — Judas Unlike Peter — Christ an Example — Positions at the Table — Startling Announcement — " Is it I ? " — Judas' Question — Peter and John — Sop Given to Judas in Mercy — Judas and Satan — " Little Children " — Peter's Boast Rebuked — A Warning and a Gracious Word — Farewell to the Upper Room — Sad Prophecy, Especially Concerning Peter 163

Chapter XX

WITH CHRIST IN GETHSEMANE Gethsemane and its Trees — The Eight Disciples and the Three — The Cup of Sorrow — Angel of the Garden — Awakening Call to Peter — Second and Third Prayer and Victory — Short Slumber — Judas and His Band — Peter's Sword — Last Miracle of Healing — The Captive and His Fleeing Disciples . . 177

CHAPTER XXI Peter and John Following Jesus from Gethsemane — High-Priestly

Palace — The Captors at the Palace — John and Peter at the

Palace — John and Jesus in the Judgment-Hall — Peter's Fear

of Recognition — Peter with the Fire-Group — The Portress io Contents

and Peter — The First Denial — The Second Denial — Peter's Conflicting Emotions and Fears — The Lord's Look Upon Peter — Mrs. Browning's Words — What Peter Saw — Judas and Peter 1S3

Chapter XXII

Words of Angels and of Christ — Meeting of Peter and John — Disappointment and Sorrow — A Visit in Thought — The Angel of the Tomb-, and Peter — The Women and the Angel — Mary Magdalene the Messenger to Peter — Her Meeting with John and Peter — Memorable Words — Hastening to the Tomb — John's Look into the Tomb — Peter's Entrance and Discovery of the Napkin — The Return — Christ's Appearance to Peter — Easter-evening Meeting — A Joyful Interruption — Peter's Welcome 191

Chapter XXIII

Familiar Scenes — Waiting Disciples — Lone Figure and Miraculous Draught — Peter and His Lord — Two Fires — Strange Reunion — Prepared Meal, and Invitation-r-Words of Jesus and Peter — Mission to Childhood — Legend of Moses — Peter a Shepherd — Prophecy Concerning Peter — Peter and John — On Olivet — The Ascension — Angels at the Ascension . . . 199

Chapter XXIV The Day Of Pentecost

" The Upper-Chamber " — Praying Circle — The Virgin Mary — Peter and Matthias — Pentecost — Wind and Tongues of Fire — Proclaiming the Messiah — Peter's Pentecostal Sermon — Effect of Peter's Sermon — The Changed Peter 208

Chapter XXV

Wonders and Signs — An Early Miracle — Temple in Glory — Beautiful Gate — The Temple of Interest to the Apostles — Peter and John Going to Prayer — Lame Man at the Gate — Passers-by — Lame Man Healed — After Evening Prayer — Jealous for God's Honor — Despised Name of the Son of God

— Peter's Address — Arrest of the Apostles — Effect of Miracle and Speech — Assembly for Trial — Healed Man in the Judgment-Hall — Angry Question and Bold Answer — Secret Session — Peter's Bold Words — The Released Disciples — Response to Prayer 215

Chapter XXVI The Valiant Leader Of The Apostolic Band In Jerusalem

Forebodings — Christian Union in Love — Death of Ananias and Sapphira — Lessons of the Miracle — Solomon's Porch — The Wonder- working Apostle — The Apostle Prisoners — First Prison-opening Angel — The Release from Prison — The Sanhedrin Council — From Scene to Scene — Unholy Command and Holy Boldness — Gamaliel's Plea — Scourging 227

Chapter XXVII In Samaria

Persecution — Jews and Samaritans — Philip in Samaria — Apostles in Jerusalem — Roman Highway — Historic Association — Remembered Scenes — Tomb and Well — City of Samaria — " The Gift of God " — Simon the Pretended Convert — His Bribe — " Thy Silver Perish with Thee " — A Word of Hope — A Tradition 234

Chapter XXVIII A Memorable Visit

Two Chiefs — Saul's Great Change — The Fugitive in Arabia — His Return to Jerusalem — Distrusted Convert — Meeting of Saul and Peter — Fifteen Days' Visit — Peter to Saul — Saul to Peter — Peter's Reflections — Visit Ended — " His Name " . . 241

Chapter XXIX

ON THE PLAIN OF SHARON — LYDDA AND JOPPA The Plain of Sharon — Prophecy by Isaiah — Peter Fulfilling Prophecy — Rose of Sharon — yEneas — Possible Thoughts — Healing by Peter — Effect of the Miracle — Joppa — Tabitha or Dorcas — A Disciple — Her Illness and Death — A Mourning Church — Widows — Messengers to Peter — From Lydda to Joppa — Garments — Peter's Thoughts, Prayer and Command — Returning Life — Effect of Miracle 247

Chapter XXX

PETER AND CORNELIUS Jews and Gentiles — Mistake of Jewish Christians — Peter an Instrument — Cornelius — His Wonder — Angel Messenger of Peace — Angelic Knowledge and Interest — Messengers — Peter's Vision on the House-top — Animals, Clean and Unclean — " Kill and Eat " — Messengers and Peter — Departure for Cassarea — Kinsmen and Near Friends — Meeting of Peter and Cornelius — Private Talk — Peter's Salutation — Cornelius' Reply — Peter's Address — Pentecost Repeated — Displeasure of the Church in Jerusalem — Peter's Defense— Satisfied Church 257

Chapter XXXI

THIRD IMPRISONMENT Martyrdom of James — Broken Bands — Peter and James — Peter's Remembered Boast — Imprisonment of Peter — The Prison and its Guard — "Alone, but not Alone" — Sleeping — A Place of Prayer — Barnabas and Paul — Earnest Prayers — Immediate Answers — Asleep and Awake — Peter's Street Thoughts — At Mary's Door — Rhoda — Two Tombstones — Rhoda in the Christian Home — Her Service — Rhoda Disbelieved — Peter's Angel — Continued Knocking and Joyful Meeting — Messengers of Joy — Peter's Departure 267

Chapter XXXII

PETER AND ANTIOCH Church in Antioch — Jewish Christians — Paul and Peter — Members of Council in Jerusalem — Peter's Speech — Speeches by Three Others — Result of Council — Peter in Antioch — Erring but Repentant Apostle — His Treatment of Gentile Converts — Reproved by Paul — Reproof Kindly Received 280

Chapter XXXIII

LAST YEARS AND DAYS Story Incomplete — Division of Labor — John and Peter — Peter in Babylon — Tradition and Legend — A Prophecy Recalled — Nero's Crimes — Burning of Rome — Nero's Charge Against Christians — Peter in Rome — " Domine, Quo Vadis " — Mamertine Prison — Apostle Prisoners — Death of Peter's Wife — Approaching Death — Parting of Peter and Paul — Peter's Death — St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome — Noble Course . 286

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

St. Peter

Alexanare Bida . Frontispiece.

Facing page

Map of Palestine

Consider the Lilies

Lejeune

Studying the Scriptures

Zacharias in the Temple

Old Print

Behold the Lamb of God

Jesus by the Sea

Christ Preaching from a Boat

II. Hofinann

Christ and the Fisherman

E. Zimmerman ?i

5 1

Christ Teaching in the Synagogue

Healing the Paralytic

The Mount of Beatitudes

From Photograph

A Test of Faith ....

Peace Be to this House

John the Baptist in Prison

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes Alexandre Bida

• 94

Jesus Walking on the Water

. IOI

Mount Hermon

Old Print

. 108

Moses with the Law

Artist Unknown

• 131

The Transfiguration

Gustave Dore

• 133

Healing the Lunatic

Gustave Dore

. 140

The Tribute Money

. 142

The Child in the Midst

. 147

Christ Blessing Little Children

H. Hofmann

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Alexandre Bida

. 154

Christ on Olivet

Artist Unknown

. 158

Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet

• 165

The Last Supper

. 172 13

H

List of Illustrations c acing page

The Three Sleeping Disciples . H. Hofmann

. 181

Judas, the Guide . . H. Hofnann

• 184

St. Peter's Denial . . . Old Engraving

. 188

The Angel of the Resurrection . Alexander Ender

• 195

Christ and the two Disciples of Emmaus H. Hofmann

• 197

From the Boat to the Shore to meet ) , , , n . , y V Alexandre Bida

. 204

The Ascension . . . . G. Biermann

. 206

Matthias Chosen in the place of Judas Old Engraving

. 211

The Apostles Preaching . . Gustave Dork

• 213

At the Beautiful Gate . . Old Engraving

. 220

St. Peter and St. John sent to Prison Old Engraving

. 222

The Death of Ananias . . . Raphael

. 229

The City of Samaria . . From Photograph

. 236

St. Peter and St. Paul . Cima da Conegliano

. 245

Modern Joppa . . . From Photograph

. 252

The Angel Appears to Cornelius . Old Engraving

St. Peter in the House of Cornelius Gtistave Dore

. 268

St. Peter Delivered from Prison . Gustave Dore

• 277

The Appian Way — Rome . . From Photograph

. 284

St. Peter's in Rome , , From Photograph

CHAPTER I Early Days

" Bethsaida, . . . the city of Andrew and Peter." — John i: 44.

" It was on the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret, under the humble roof of the poor, ignorant fishermen, that the expectation of the Messiah had been preserved in the greatest purity ; . . . there the piety of mothers kindled that of their sons." — Pressense.

It is a well-known saying of the ancient Jews that, of all the seven seas which God created, His chosen one was that of Gennesaret. It is the gem of Palestine. Its plain on the west is a pleasing contrast to the mountains bordering on the east; and to Hermon in the distance, towering as a king over sea and land. It is an emerald with beautiful setting of white sandy beach and shores with richness of verdure.

The Jewish legend contains a truth concerning this work of the Creator's hands. "The Lord hath.made all things for Himself." This sea is His and He made it for a purpose. When He "by whom all things were made" "came to His own" land — in a sense which none other can claim — Galilee was His chosen home, and Gennesaret His chosen sea. Consecrated by His presence, He seems still there to abide. The hills echo His words of teaching and prayer. The multitudes who came for healing and instruction seem to have departed but an hour ago from the lonely beach and more lonely mountains. A still small voice yet bids the pilgrim, " Behold the lilies," which bloom as they did two thousand years ago. The undying song of the birds is of the Father's care. The tempest-waves are the stepping-stones of Him who trod them; and the smooth waters are obeying His command, "Peace be still." The whole region is alive with His wondrous deeds.

It was from the village homes of Gennesaret that the Lord gathered about Him most of the band chosen to be witnesses of His power and teachers of His truth. Five of them were from the sheltered nook of Bethsaida on the northwestern shore. There in boyhood they learned of the coming Messiah, whom at last they found in Jesus of Nazareth.

Among the fishermen of Bethsaida was one named Joanes, who is chiefly remembered because of his sons. One of them was named Andrew. The other, probably older, was Simon, by which name we shall call him until it is changed to Peter. We do not know the date of his birth, but it is supposed to have been about that of the birth of Jesus, and of John the Baptist, with each of whom he was to have much to do. From what we know of customs in ancient Jewish homes, we can picture something of the childhood of Simon. We may think of him as a useful boy, helping his mother in the labors of the house — carefully bringing the little red clay lamps for trimming, or the corn to be parched, or the fish his father had caught, or the charcoal on which it was to be cooked, or the bread from the oven, and the oil and honey-cakes to be eaten with it, or water from the stream that flowed from the hill behind their home into the lake, or filling the water-jars at the door. Was he not his mother's joy when for the first time he shook the olives from the trees and brought them to her as a part of their frugal meal; or when he spread the maze and hemp to dry on the flat roof in the summer sun. Was he not his father's pride the first time he handled the oar, and dipped it aright in the wave, and helped to spread the net, and counted the fish they had caught. He watched the flight of the sparrows and gathered the flowers — poppies, daisies and anemones — like those from which the Great Teacher, whom now he knew not, would teach him lessons of wisdom and love. Childlike he gathered shells upon the seashore, and dug in the white sand of the beach with a rude stick, with delight equal to that of the boy of to-day with his finished toy-shovel and little painted pail.

As Gospel history becomes silent concerning Joanes, it has been imagined that he died when his sons were yet young. It is also suggested that Andrew and Simon, left orphans, came under the care and protection of another fisherman of Bethsaida, named Zebedee, and his wife Salome. However this may be, they found companions in two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. That companionship, probably close in boyhood, became closer in partnership in the business of fishing, and closest in the Apostleship of Jesus Christ. Theirs was a lifelong fellowship, becoming stronger and stronger as they shared the same hopes, labors, trials and rewards. The history of any one of them is incomplete without that of the others. This is especially true of Simon the oldest and John the youngest of the four. In this volume we shall have occasion to notice their endearing and enduring friendship.

We think of the four as fisher-boys, and youth and young men; toughened by toil, and bronzed by the winds that swept over the lake and by the sun reflected from its waters. Faithful in their labors by day or night, in storm or calm, they spread their nets and gathered fish for the homes on the seashore or perhaps distant Jerusalem. Listening we hear their cheerful song; —

" Our pleasant task we ply, Where all along our glistering wake,

The softest moonbeams lie, When rippling wave and dashing oar

Our midnight chant attend, Or whispering palm-branches from the shore

With midnight silence bend.

Full many a dreary, anxious hour

We watch our nets alone, In dashing spray, and driving shower,

And hear the night-bird's moan."

It is important to remember that at the time of which we are speaking, Palestine, the land of the Jews, was not governed by them as it had been before; for it had been conquered by the Romans, and was ruled by a Roman governor, Herod. He was called the Great, but was such in wickedness only. He was the cruel king who slew the infants of Bethlehem that Jesus might be destroyed, lest He should become king in his stead. This was only one of his many crimes which made him a terror to all the people of the land.

The Jews longed for some one to lead them against the Romans, and conquer them, so that the Jews might rule their land again, as it had been ruled by Jewish judges and kings. They had the Old Testament Scriptures which told them that the Messiah, whom we call Christ, would come and be a glorious King. They thought this meant that He would conquer the Romans, and make the Jews a free nation, and rule as David had done long before.

When Andrew and Simon, James and John, were boys, a man called Judas of Galilee led multitudes of Jews against the Roman army, claiming that he was the promised Messiah. But he, with his army, was slain. This caused disappointment and sorrows.

From what we know of Simon, it is easy to imagine that, had he been old enough, he would have been as ready to use his sword as we know he did on another occasion when he was older. Then might there have been no such history of him as the one we are now trying to follow. But God had other plans for him, in a warfare of another kind, whose battles were many and great, and whose victory was complete and glorious.

This disappointment concerning Judas of Galilee, the pretended Messiah, did not cause the pious Jews to cease looking for the true Messiah. Some of them at least studied more carefully than ever before the writings of Moses and the prophets, and gained clearer ideas of what He was to be. They thought of Him not only as an earthly king, but as the Lord and Saviour such as we know Him to be. They were like the aged Simeon who, after long watching for the coming One, held the infant Jesus in his arms, and said, "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation," — meaning the Messiah- King and Saviour. These pious Jews were wiser than most of their nation. They had a kind of interest and expectation which none others had.

In the homes of such we imagine the two pairs of brothers, the sons of Joanes, and of Zebedee, to have been trained; and from their early years to have had the best of Jewish teaching from the Old Testament Scriptures. They became familiar with the same stories given to the child in the Christian home of to-day—of Joseph sold into Egypt, and Moses found in the bulrushes, and Samuel in the Tabernacle, of David and Goliath, and Daniel in the den of lions. Simon's young mind received impressions of the Red Sea, and Sinai, and the wilderness through which the Israelites passed, which were fresh many years after when he taught the lessons God there gave to the Jewish nation. He sang the songs of Zion by David and others, which he was to sing again and again in places and in circumstances of which he then had no thought. He learned of the most wonderful prophecies, which he was to see fulfilled. He was taught to look for the Messiah, of whom in after years he could say, " I have found Him."

Like other Jewish boys Simon doubtless attended the school usually attached to the village synagogue. If none such was in Bethsaida, he might attend the one in the neighboring city of Capernaum. There as in his home he would study the Holy Writings. It could be said to him as it was to Timothy, " From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures."

There was a school in Jerusalem taught by a great Rabbi named Gamaliel. Many Jewish boys, like Saul of Tarsus, were sent there to be educated. But it seems certain that Simon was not one of them. When a man he was called "unlettered," by which was meant that he did not have the kind of education which boys and young men secured in the higher schools of Jerusalem.

We like to know of the boyhood of men who became great. We can generally find something in it which appeared more fully in their manhood. We judge what kind of men they will become, though we may be mistaken. Where we cannot know of the boyhood, we trace backward and imagine it from what we see in manhood. This is the case with Simon. We think we can thus find answer to the question, " What kind of a boy and youth was he?" A list of his virtues and failings seem to give him a very mixed character. Some things appear in perfect contrast with others. We seem to have two persons. But there are not two. He is the same person, sometimes showing one side of his character, sometimes another, as circumstances call out the good or the bad in him.