"How can I be sure of this?" Zechariah asked the angel. "For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years."

This was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham--

(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).

"We have been hard at work all night, Sir," answered Simon, "and have not caught anything, but, at your bidding, I will throw out the nets."

Then indeed you may be glad and dance for joy, for be sure that your reward in Heaven will be great; for that is what their ancestors did to the Prophets.

So Jesus went with them. But, when he was no great distance from the house, the Captain sent some friends with the message-- "Do not trouble yourself, Sir; for I am unworthy to receive you under my roof.

"The sower went out to sow his seed; and, as he was sowing, some of the seed fell along the path and was trodden upon; and the wild birds ate it up.

So the disciples came and roused him. "Sir, Sir," they cried, "we are lost!" Jesus rose and rebuked the wind and the rushing waves, and they fell, and a calm followed.

"Who was it that touched me?" Jesus asked; and, while everyone was denying having done so, Peter exclaimed: "Why, Sir, the people are crowding round you and pressing upon you!"

And, as Moses and Elijah were passing away from Jesus, Peter exclaimed: "Sir, it is good to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what he was saying;

Thereupon John said: "Sir, we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he does not follow you with us."

'Leave it this one year more, Sir,' the man answered, 'till I have dug round it and manured it.

When once the master of the house has got up and shut the door, while you begin to say, as you stand outside and knock, 'Sir, open the door for us.' His answer will be--'I do not know where you come from.'

Presently the servant said 'Sir, your order has been carried out, and still there is room.'

Standing still, some distance off, they called out loudly: "Jesus! Sir! pity us!"

The first came up, and said 'Sir, your ten pounds have made a hundred.'

When the second came, he said 'Your ten pounds, Sir, have produced fifty.'

Another servant also came and said 'Sir, here are your ten pounds; I have kept them put away in a handkerchief.

'But, Sir,' they interposed, 'he has a hundred pounds already!'

Then he rose from praying, and came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow.