She how she went on and on, in spite of all difficulties; and so we must pray again and again for those blessings which we really desire. Sometimes God seems as if He did not hear us; but this is only to try us, whether we are really anxious for the things we ask. If we persevere, He will certainly hear us, and bless us. By-andby I shall have to tell you a parable by which Jesus teaches this. We do not hear of anything else which He did in that country.

CHAPTER XIV.

JESUS TRANSFIGURED.

EVEN the disciples did not always understand Jesus. Thy had yet a great deal to learn, and Jesus was very kind and tender to them. Once when He was walking with them, He began to tell them how many things He had to suffer; that He should be killed, and would rise again the third day. They could not bear to hear of his suffering. Peter even began to rebuke Him, saying, "Be it far from thee, Lord." Jesus treatted this as if it had been a temptation of Satan. He turned round and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me."

Jesus often chose three of his disciples to be with Him, when He could not have them all with Him. These three were Peter, James, and John. About six days after what I have just told you, He took them up into a high mountain.

There Jesus prayed, and while He prayed they saw a wonderful change pass upon Him. His face shone like the sun, and his raiment was white and bright as the light. Two men were seen talking with Him about his death. These two men were Moses and Elias, who appeared in their glorified bodies. The three disciples were so astonished and affrighted at this wonderful sight that they knew not what to say. At last Peter cried out, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us build three tents, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." While he was speaking, a cloud covered them, and they were all filled with fear as they entered the cloud. Soon a voice was heard out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The disciples fell on their faces when they heard this voice. At last Jesus came and touched them, saying to them in his own kind and gentle manner, "Arise, be not afraid." And now they ventured to look up again, but no one was to be seen except their Lord. Jesus

you think

walked down the mountain with them, aud desired them to tell no man what they had seen, until He was risen from the dead. They found the other nine disciples with a great crowd of people round them, and all talking very earnestly. As soon as the people saw Jesus, they all ran to meet Him. What do was the matter? I will tell you. A poor man was there whose son had an evil spirit. He had brought him to the disciples, while Jesus was on the mountain, but they could not cast out the devil. Why do you think? Jesus had given them power to cast out devils,-why could they not do it? When they were alone with Him afterwards, they asked Him why it was. Jesus told them it was because they had not been earnest enough in prayer, and had not had faith in God. Well, the poor father told Jesus what a dreadful state his son was in; how he was sometimes cast into the fire, and sometimes into the water. He was not quite sure that Jesus could cure him, but he said, "If thou canst do anything,

have compassion on us, and help us." Jesus told him that if only he could believe, anything was possible to him. The poor father burst into tears and cried out, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Jesus then spoke to the evil spirit. It came out of the child, and he was made quite well. All the people were filled with wonder; this will not surprise you, I am sure.

Soon after this, when Jesus was at Capernaum, they that collected the tribute-money came to Peter, and said, "Does your Master pay tribute?" "Yes," said Peter. Now Jesus had no money to buy it with. What do you think He would do? He sent Peter to the sea, told him to cast a hook, and take the very first fish that he caught. I dare say you think he was to sell this fish to pay the tribute. No; something more wonderful than that. Peter was to open his mouth, and Jesus told him he would find a piece of money. Peter did as Jesus commanded him : he caught a fish, opened his mouth, and found a piece of money,