CHRIST AND THE CENTU-

 RION.


 Do you see what a look of compassion is shown in
the face of Jesus as he speaks to the man kneeling before
him? Do you see his hands stretched out as if to show
that they were ever ready to help and bless all who asked
his mercy? These are only pictures and words by which
we try to show how we think he looked in his earthly
form; no pen and no picture can show his face or his
heart of love, because his beauty and goodness are so far
above our poor hearts and thoughts. This picture will
help us to imagine how he looked and spoke to the
soldier who came to him.
 WVe do not know the man's name: he was called a
Centurion, because he had command of a hundred soldiers.
He was brave and strong, and knew how to govern, and
how to obey; for he himself was bound to obey his
higher officers, just as his own soldiers had to obey him.
He was generous, for he loved the Jews and had built
them a synagogue where they could worship God. He