In the strength of his testimony, and in a somewhat resigned attitude to the fate that sooner or later was to befall his Master, Peter continued to ask many questions, pertaining to the vital aspects of Christ's mission. One of these which the apostles asked themselves as they came down towards the crowd at the foot of the hill, was, What did the Master mean when He said the Son of Man would rise from the dead? While the Savior was answering this question, and explaining prophecies relating to it, they came to the place where, the evening before, they had left the other disciples. A great multitude had gathered about them, and the scribes were questioning them. [Sidenote: The Afflicted Boy.] In the midst of this crowd was a little boy sorely afflicted by an evil spirit. When he was "possessed," he fell to the ground, foamed at the mouth, gnashed his teeth, and pined away. The father met Jesus, and begged Him to relieve his poor boy, and added that the disciples had tried but could not. "How long a time is it," asked Jesus, "since this came unto him?" "When a child," the father said; "and ofttimes it hath cast him into fire and into the waters, to destroy him, but if thou canst, I ask thee to have compassion on us, and help us." Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, and the little boy was healed. [Sidenote: A Contrast.] To Peter, James, and John what a contrast was this scene to the one they beheld the night before on the Mount! Here was manifest the power of the evil one, causing suspicions, pain, agony, death; _there_ was manifest the power of the Holy One, proclaiming happiness, peace, glory, and immortality! Such have been the results of these two powers as they have influenced the lives of men in all ages. Such is the result today. A vital question for us is, Shall we hover around the foothills of sin where the evil one is triumphant, or shall we at least show a willingness to climb the mount of Holiness and let God transform our lives? "'Tis not for man to trifle; life is brief, And sin is here. Our age is but the falling leaf, A dropping tear. We have no time to sport away the hours, All must be earnest in a world like ours." Footnotes: 1. Weed. 2. Matt. 16:24-26. 3. Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:1-6. 4. Peter 1:7. LESSON 8 Lessons in True Leadership. "Character is built out of circumstances. From exactly the same materials one man builds palaces, while another builds hovels."