He, in the synagogue, stood up, To read the holy Book; And the writings of Isaias, When handed Him, He took; And opened it, and found the place Wherein the prophet spake Of Israel's Messiah, Who should their bondage break. He read the text, distinct and clear, Then closed the Book again, And took His seat, while on Him gazed The eyes of all the men. And He began to say to them: "This day, in all your ears, This holy Scripture is fulfilled, After so many years." And they, in awe and wonder, heard His words of grace and truth, And said: "Is not this Joseph's son, Whom we have known from youth?" But soon their kind and gentle mood Began to disappear, Because He told them homely truths They did not wish to hear. At last, the fickle people rose In wild and wicked wrath, Seized Him, and roughly led Him up The sloping, hillside path; That, in their raging anger, they Might cast Him headlong down The precipice, one side the hill, On which was built their town. But He passed through their very midst, An unfelt, spirit shape; And left them, standing wonder-struck At this most strange escape. And so He went from Nazareth; His home was there no more; But in Capernaum He dwelt, And showed His grace and power. The Draught of Fishes. ONE day the Lord stood by the shore Of lake Gennesaret; And watched the fishermen, as there They pulled the outspread net. And, as He stood, the people came, And pressed upon Him round, To hear Him preach the Gospel news, Which they so precious found. Then Jesus, seeing Simon's ship Was anchored close at hand, Stepped quick aboard, and gave command To push a space from land. And, sitting down, He taught the throng Who crowded on the shore, And heard, with joy, such heavenly truth As ne'er was preached before. The sermon ended, then He bade Simon launch out for fish; And Simon answered that he would, If 'twere the Master's wish. But added: "We have toiled all night, Nor sleep nor rest have sought, But through the water dragged out nets, And yet no fish have caught." Still, while he spoke, he launched the ship Out on the waters wide, And let the net down in the sea, The vessel's' rail beside. And lo! at once, with fish 'twas filled, A multitude so great That the strong net came wide apart, So heavy was their weight. The fishermen their partners called To bring another ship; And soon both vessels were quite full, And sinking in the deep. Then Simon Peter, in amaze, At Jesus' knees fell down; And said: "O Lord, depart from me, My sins to Thee are known." But Jesus gently said to him: "Thou need'st not be afraid; From henceforth thou shalt sinners catch, By my Almighty aid."