He took from under his pillow something wrapped up in paper, unfolded the envelope, and showed a lump of something--I could not at first tell what. He put it in my hand, and then I saw that it was part of a bible, with nearly the upper half of it worn or cut away, and the rest partly in a state of pulp. “That’s the bible my mother gave me when I left home first,” he said. “I don’t know how I came to put it in my pocket, but I think the rope that cut through that when I was lashed to the shrouds would a’most have cut through my ribs if it hadn’t been for it.” “Very likely,” I returned. “The body of the Bible has saved your bodily life: may the spirit of it save your spiritual life.” “I think I know what you mean, sir,” he panted out. “My mother was a good woman, and I know she prayed to God for me.” “Would you like us to pray for you in church to-day?” “If you please, sir; me and Bob Fox. He’s nearly as bad as I am.” “We won’t forget you,” I said. “I will come in after church and see how you are.” I knelt and offered the prayers for the sick, and then took my leave. I did not think the poor fellow was going to die. I may as well mention here, that he has been in my service ever since. We took him with us to Marshmallows, where he works in the garden and stables, and is very useful. We have to look after him though, for his health continues delicate. CHAPTER X. THE SERMON. When I stood up to preach, I gave them no text; but, with the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of St. John open before me, to keep me correct, I proceeded to tell the story in the words God gave me; for who can dare to say that he makes his own commonest speech? “When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and therefore our elder brother, was going about on the earth, eating and drinking with his brothers and sisters, there was one family he loved especially--a family of two sisters and a brother; for, although he loves everybody as much as they can be loved, there are some who can be loved more than others. Only God is always trying to make us such that we can be loved more and more. There are several stories--O, such lovely stories!--about that family and Jesus; and we have to do with one of them now. “They lived near the capital of the country, Jerusalem, in a village they called Bethany; and it must have been a great relief to our Lord, when he was worn out with the obstinacy and pride of the great men of the city, to go out to the quiet little town and into the refuge of Lazarus’s house, where everyone was more glad at the sound of his feet than at any news that could come to them.