122 THEY BROUGHT HIM TO 7ESUS.

roof or awning was moved away; there, coming slowly,
carefully down, was a mattress, and lying on it a sick
man, just as you see in the picture. Four men were
holding the ropes, one at each corner of the bed, and they
let him down right before Jesus. The man had been so
sick with palsy that he could not move, for he was just
as helpless as a little baby.
 His friends had heard of Jesus, and they felt sure if
they could only take the sick one to him, he might be made
well. He could not walk, nor sit up to ride, so they lifted
the mattress and carried him on it through the streets
and to the house where Jesus was. There they found
such a crowd they could not get through; they could not
give up, and carry him home again; they resolved what
to do. Up the outside stairs they carried their heavy
burden, then V kingg along on the flat roof, they came
where they could look down and over the crowd below.
With strong arms and careful hands they let down the
precious load.
 Think of the wonder among the people; how they
looked, and thought, "Who is this in the midst of our
meeting ?"
 But there was One among them who did not wonder.
He knew all about it, the whole story of the sick man, all
his troubles, all his pain, all his trust. When you are
sick, and the kind doctor comes, does n't he have to feel
your pulse, and look carefully at you, and ask what hurts