Once upon a time, there was a man named Jairus. He was a very important man among the Jews. He was one of the rulers of the synagogue; that means that he was one of those who had charge of the worship in the synagogue or church of the town. This man had a dear little daughter. This little girl was twelve years old, and her father and her mother loved her very much. One day she was taken sick. Her parents were very anxious about her, for each day she seemed to be growing worse. Then her father remembered that Jesus could cure people who were sick. So he went to find Jesus, and ask him if he would come and make his little girl well. Jesus was very busy when Jairus found him. He was talking to a great multitude of people. Jairus pushed through the crowd, and fell down at Jesus' feet, and begged him to come and make his little girl well. Jesus was very glad to come, but there were so many people about him that he had to walk very slowly. He stopped to heal a poor sick woman on the way. At last he drew near Jairus' house, but people came out of the house and said it was too late, for the little girl was dead. How badly the poor father felt then! But Jesus told him not to be afraid, just to have faith in him. Here is the whole story, as it is told in the Bible:-- {111}{112} [Illustration] JESUS AND THE LITTLE GIRL By Gustav Richter (1823-1884) "The healing of His seamless dress Is by our beds of pain; We touch Him in life's throng and press, And we are whole again. "Through Him the first fond prayers are said Our lips of childhood frame, The last low whispers of our dead Are burdened with His name." --_John Greenleaf Whittier_ [End illustration] {113} One day a great multitude was gathered about Jesus as he taught by the sea. And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet, and beseecheth him much, saying:-- "My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray thee, that thou come and lay hands on her, that she may be made whole, and live." And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him. As he approached the house, people came out, who said to Jairus:-- "Thy daughter is dead; why troublest thou the Master any further?" But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue:-- "Fear not, only believe." And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and many weeping and wailing greatly. And when he had entered in, he saith unto them:-- {114} "Why make ye a tumult, and weep? The child is not dead but sleepeth." And they laughed him to scorn. But he, having put them all forth, taketh the father of the child and her mother and them that were with him, and goeth in where the child was. And taking the child by the hand, he saith unto her:-- "Talitha cumi," which means in the language of the country, "Little girl, I say unto thee, Arise."