Volume 2

258 Life of Jesus Christ
great deal throughout the country, dealing in fishing nets,
sailcloth, and tackling. That night the house was again
full of sick persons, and separated fronl the rest were several
women afflicted with a flow of blood. Some women,
conlpletely enveloped, were brought on portable beds by
their friends. They were pale and emaciated, and had
already sighed long after Jesus' help. This time I saw that
He imposed hands on the sufferers, and blessed them.
Then He commanded those on the beds to throw off their
covers and arise. They obeyed, one helping the other.
Jesus exhorted them and bade them adieu. During the
night, He retired to pray.
The spying Pharisees had not spoken openly in
Capharnaum of the object of their mission; even the Centurion
Zorobabel had been questioned only secretly.
They had sufficient pretexts to account for their presence:
The Jews were in the habit of going from one place
to another for the celebration of the Sabbath, especially
if a distinguished Doctor was expected to preside; it was
customary, besides, for crowds to retire into the country
of Genesareth, to rest from business and enjoy the beauty
and luxuriance that everywhere abounded.
On the following day Jesus went very early to Capharnaum.
There was an innumerable concourse gathered
before the synagogue, among them crowds of sick, of
whonl He healed many. When He entered the synagogue
wherein the Pharisees were assembled, some possessed
who were present began to cry out after Him. One in
particular, more noisy than his fellows, went running
toward I-lim crying: "What have we to do with Thee,
Jesus of Nazareth? Thou hast come to destroy us! I know
that Thou art the Holy One of God!" Jesus comnlanded
the demon to be silent and to go out of the man. The latter,
tearing himself, ran back among his companions, but
the devil, uttering great cries, went out of him. The man
then became perfectly calm, and cast himself at Jesus'