Gergesenes, he was met by two men possessed with devils, who asked him if he had come to torment them before their time? And singular to say, the devils also, from the interior, entered into conversation with Jesus, asking as a favour, that if they were cast out, they might be allowed to go into a herd of swine which were feeding some distance off. Why they should choose such an abode is not apparent; but having permission to go, they at once entered into possession, much to the astonishment of the poor porkies, who took fright and ran violently down a steep hill into the sea, and all, to the number of 2,000, perished in the waters. O unhappy pigs! O miserable devils! the Son of man, whom you had never injured, worked your speedy destruction. "And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts." They had more desire to save their bacon than to see miracles worked at the expense of their pigs. Jesus entered into a ship and came over to his own city, where a certain ruler came and worshipped him, saying that his daughter was dead, but making the request that she should be raised to life again. When Jesus entered the ruler's house, he said, "Give place, for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth." And they laughed him to scorn. But when the house was cleared he took the girl by the hand, and the maid arose. This was regarded as a miracle, but it could not be, because Jesus said the girl only slept, and it is not possible that a perfect God could tell an untruth.

After this Jesus called together his twelve disciples, and gave them instructions what to do. He said:—"Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go hence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that city." But it is doubtful if he meant the land of Sodom and Gomorrha, or Tyre and Sidon. However, though we may overlook this uncertainty, we cannot the fact, that a threat of destroying cities is held out if his disciples are not received and fed by people upon whom they have not the slightest claim. This advice would justify the order of 'Mendicant Friars in their lazy habit of living upon all who are willing to support them. He also added—"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Have not the Jesuits carried out this advice? And then he gave utterance to this painful truth to which the blood-stained pages of history can testify:—"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than, me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me." There has been no peace, and there can be none, in the world, so long as the contradictory and impossible doctrines of Jesus of Nazareth are taught as infallible truth. House has been divided against house, the father's hand lifted against the child, and the mother's loving tenderness turned to bitterest hate, because of differences of opinion upon Christian dogmas.

While Jesus was making one of his incoherent speeches, somebody told him that his mother and brothers were without, desiring to speak with him. "But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren." There is here manifested a want of natural affection unbecoming any man, and which justifies M. Rénan in saying, notwithstanding his great reverence for Jesus, that he was more loved than loving. There is scarcely a trace of affection throughout his life, from his childhood to his death. He was mystical and fanatical, like all who seek to set themselves up as inspired teachers.

One day Jesus sat by the sea-side and talked to the people in parables. He is answerable for the following:—"For whosoever hath to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." He says immediately after, as a sort of apology, "Therefore speak I to then in parables, because they seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand."

It would be a miracle greater than that worked among the pigs, if anyone did understand. This sort of talk must have been indulged in for amusement—it could not have had any serious purport, or if it had, it is too profound to be understood.

When Jesus learnt the execution of John the Baptist, he departed into a desert place, but the multitude heard of him, and followed him out of the cities. And when evening came, the disciples asked him to send the multitude away, that they might go into the villages and buy themselves victuals. We do not usually find villages in desert places; but that was quite as possible in this case as what followed. Jesus said they need not go, and told the disciples to give to the people to eat. They said, We have here but five loaves and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And then looking up to heaven, he blessed and brake, and distributed to the multitude. Now out of this very small commissariat, about five thousand men, besides women and children, ate and were filled, and left twelve baskets full of fragments at the end of the feast. All we can deplore is, that the age of miracles is past. If anyone could do this now, what a number of attached followers be would have, no matter what his speculative opinions might be. He might believe in the eternity of punishments; in three Gods in one, or one in three; in election, predestination, or transmigration of souls—in short, in anything or nothing; if he could only feed his flock by casting his eyes up to heaven, he would soon empty all the churches and chapels in the kingdom. As Rénan very powerfully points out, no miracle ever yet took place under scientific conditions; and till one of this description is wrought under such conditions, we must be allowed to suspend our judgment. We do not say it did not take place, but we don't believe it. It is true it does not say what kind of fishes the two were which served to fill five thousand men, besides women and children, who probably ran the number up to eight thousand. Perhaps the fishes were whales, as the whole story is so "very like a whale" that any suggested solution of the astounding tale is legitimate. This miracle was once discussed by a society in Chicago, and the 'cute American intellect found a key to the mystery, for they resolved—"That the multitude must certainly have made their repast off multiplication tables!"

After this stupendous feat, Jesus constrained his disciples to get into the ship and go across the water, whilst he remained behind to get rid of his well fed friends. And when night came, the ship was tossed by the storm. And in the fourth watch Jesus went unto them walking on the sea. When his disciples saw him they said he was a spirit, and cried out for fear. But Jesus said, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Then the enthusiastic Peter said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Jesus said, Come; to which Peter responded by stepping out of the ship; but he could not float, and began to sink rapidly, and would