For this almost righteous manifestation of fire in their natures, it is thought that James and John were called Boanerges, or "sons of Thunder." [Sidenote: Little Recorded of His Labors.] But if he had an impetuous nature or quick temper, he controlled it, and through his faithfulness and devotion won the favor of his Lord. It is thought that he traveled a great deal, preaching the Gospel, it is said, to all the dispersed tribes of Israel. But of his labors, there is scarcely any record. [Sidenote: The First Martyr.] About forty-two or forty-four years after Christ, Herod Agrippa, as you have already learned, commenced a bitter persecution against the Saints. James was among the first to be arrested. [Sidenote: Officer Converted.] Sentence was passed upon him very soon after he was apprehended, yet, so remarkable were his faith and his courage during the trial that the officer who guarded him, (who, some say, was his accuser) repented of his sins, became converted, and declared his faith in Christianity. As James was being led to the place of execution, this officer threw himself at the apostle's feet, and humbly begged forgiveness for what he had said against him. Putting his arm around the penitent man, James answered, "Peace, my son, peace be unto thee, and pardon of thy faults." [Sidenote: Execution.] Both were then executed by order of the cruel Herod. Thus James, the first martyr apostle, partook of the cup of which he had said to his Lord many years before he was willing to drink. Footnotes: 1. Luke 9:52. PART THREE--JOHN LESSON 19 WITH THE REDEEMER "Modesty is a shining light; it prepares the mind to receive knowledge, and the heart for truth." "Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues." [Sidenote: Modesty.] In the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, we read that two disciples of John the Baptist heard their master bear witness to the divinity of Jesus. Said the Baptist, referring to Jesus walking alone in the distance, "Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." One of the two disciples who heard this testimony is named; he was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. [1] The other is not named. Indeed throughout the entire book, which undoubtedly, was written by St. John, himself, the name of John, son of Zebedee, is never once written. In the account of the Last Supper, we read of a "disciple whom Jesus loved," who sat so near the Lord that his head could rest on Jesus' bosom. These two instances, and others that might be named indicate to us a prominent trait in St. John's character; viz., an unassumed modesty that won him the respect and love of all who knew him. [Sidenote: Fearlessness.]