to him. One of these was Andrew, and the other is mentioned in such a way by the Evangelist John, as to render it probable that it was himself. Jesus, perceiving their intention, turned to them and kindly invited them to his lodgings. It was "about the tenth hour,"-nearly evening; and they remained with him that day. We cannot help wishing that we had an account of this interview. How interesting it would be to know what passed between the young Messiah, and the first two persons who joined themselves to him! The consequence was, that they were persuaded that this indeed was he; and Andrew, desirous that his brother Simon should partake of his own satisfaction, brought him at once and introduced him to Jesus. Jesus immediately gave proof of his wonderful knowledge of men, by saying to him, "Thou art Simon; thou shalt be called Cephas,' or Peter, that is, a rock; for he knew the energy of his character, and that his labors would be the foundation of the church.

د,

These three persons, all of the same place, Bethsaida, a small town near the lake of Galilee, were the first to whom was given the honor of joining themselves to the new prophet. They, as well as he, were at a distance from their homes. They had come to Bethabara, a distance of at least seventy miles, on account of the baptism of John. By his preaching, their minds had been in

some measure prepared to embrace the Saviour, and they readily became his disciples. There were others there also, from the same part of the country. Philip, a townsman of Andrew and Peter, was invited to join them. No sooner had he done this, than he sought to draw a friend of his, Nathanael, into the company. Whether he too was a townsman, we do not know; but he was a sincere man, who, with all his goodness of heart, had much of the common prejudice against Nazareth. And when he heard that the person whom his friend was so anxious to have him see, was from that despised village, he asked with a sneer, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip, instead of reasoning with him, simply replied, "Come and see;"-the most sensible answer he could have given, and the best answer to be given to all who pretend to doubt whether any thing good can come from Christ's religion. Jesus knew the character and heart of Nathanael, and as soon as he saw him, uttered the memorable eulogium, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." When Nathanael expressed surprise at finding himself known, Jesus astonished him by still another proof of unexpected knowledge. By this he was convinced, and exclaimed,

Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel." In this reply we have the earliest profession of faith in Christ which is recorded

"

in the Gospels. Jesus received it graciously, and assured Nathanael in reply, that he should see greater things yet; that he should witness the most incontestable supernatural proofs of his intercourse with heaven;-"Ye shall see the heavens open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of man." Here we observe that our Lord, at the very beginning of his ministry, used that striking figurative language for which he was always remarkable. It had an emphasis and grandeur suited to the greatness of him who spake it; it drew attention, and dwelt in the memory of those who heard it; and, though sometimes hard to be understood, was yet accommodated to the habits of the people whom he addressed, and was venerable in their eyes from its resemblance to the manner of their prophets.

Thus speedily did the Messiah collect the first adherents to his cause; Andrew, John, Simon Peter, Philip, and Nathanael,-five honored and immortal names. They united themselves to the fortunes of Jesus of Nazareth, notwithstanding their prejudices against his town, and the humbleness of his appearance, because they had seen him, conversed with him, and judged for themselves of his pretensions.

And now, accompanied by this little band of friends, certainly by Philip, most probably by all, he left the banks of the Jordan, and turned his

face homeward.

We are left to imagine the meeting between him and his mother, when she saw the son of her hopes returned from his baptism, wearing at length the character she had so long waited for him to assume, and accompanied by followers who were pledged to him as their Lord.

Three days after his return, there was a marriage at the neighboring village of Cana, three miles distant, at which Jesus was present with his mother and disciples. Here Mary was desirous that he should make proof of his miraculous power, which as yet he had never done; a power, which she, with a feeling very natural in a mother, was impatient to have exhibited. A Jewish marriage was an occasion of great publicity and pomp. It lasted seven days. Mary seems to have had a peculiar interest in the present occasion, not improbably was occupied in superintending the celebration. She perceived that the supply of wine was insufficient. It seemed to her to offer a fit occasion for the exercise of her son's

miraculous power. She suggested it to him. His reply intimates, that this was a matter in which he could not allow her to interfere or advise; that he should do miracles when the proper time came, but that no one must presume to con

John ii.

trol him. Yet, as he perceived it to be a case of real embarrassment to the parties, who were probably poor, and he was always ready, in his overflowing good-will, to do any kindness which was not inconsistent with his religious duty, he did what his mother had suggested, and signalized the festival by the first of those miracles whose power has converted the world. With beautiful simplicity the Evangelist relates all the particulars as they took place, and how the master of the ceremonies praised the wine as better than any that had been drunk before. Thus, he adds, did Jesus manifest his glory, and his disciples believed on him; they were certain now, since they were witnesses of the divine power he possessed, that he was indeed the long expected prophet.

From Cana he went down, with his mother, brothers, and disciples, to Capernaum, a village about eighteen miles distant on the western border of the lake. He remained there but a few days. The Passover was near at hand, and they were preparing to go, probably all in company, to join in its celebration at Jerusalem.