That evening, when the sun was setting, they brought to Jesus all those that were ill, and many that were possessed with devils.  And He cast out the devils by His word, and healed all those that were sick.

* * * * *

    “At even, ere the sun had set,
    The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;
    Oh, in what divers pains they met,
    Oh, with what joy they went away!”

[Illustration:  Peter’s wife’s mother.]

THE UNJUST STEWARD.

    See where the steward, worldly wise,
    With wicked cunning in his eyes,
    Shows his lord’s debtors how to cheat
    His master of his oil and wheat.

    “A hundred measures dost thou owe
    Of oil?  My friend, ’tis scarcely so: 
    Here, take thy bill and quick indite
    Fifty:  that puts the matter right.”

    “A hundred measures is thy debt
    Of corn?  My friend, thou dost forget: 
    Here, take thy bill, and write fourscore;
    Surely thou owest nothing more.”

    Thus wickedly he would provide
    Houses in which he might abide,
    When for his former acts unjust
    He from his stewardship was thrust.

    And when his master heard, he smiled,
    Though of his goods he was beguiled: 
    Nor did he e’en forbear to praise
    The crafty foresight of his ways.

    The children of this world, alas! 
    The children of the light surpass,
    In planning methods to provide
    For ills from which they cannot hide.

    And so our Master bids us take
    The money which He gives, and make
    Friends with our riches for the day
    When earthly treasures flee away.

    That when we leave our house below,
    And into unknown regions go,
    Through Jesus, we may find above
    An everlasting home of love.

    Do I my little store expend
    For such a wise and prudent end;
    Or only think of my own gain,
    And not of others’ want and pain?

    Lord, by Thy Spirit, make me wise
    Above my selfishness to rise,
    And something daily give away
    To find again in Thy great day!

        RichardWilton, M.A.

[Illustration:  The unjust steward.]

THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR.

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in rich silks and fine linen, and feasted on costly food each day.  There was also a poor beggar, who was ragged and hungry, and covered with sores.  His name was Lazarus, and they laid him at the rich man’s gate, for he desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the well-supplied table.  And even the dogs had pity on him, for they came and licked his sores.

And it came to pass that the beggar died, and the angels carried him away to heaven, where he was no longer clothed in rags, but in glorious array.  Neither was he hungry, for he sat with Abraham and leaned upon his bosom.