Oh Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are
sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
On another occasion, it is said, "Then began he to upbraid the cities,
wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.
Wo unto thee, Chorazin; wo unto thee, Bethsaida; for if the mighty works
which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And thou Capernaum, which art
exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty
works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would
have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for thee."
Thus it appears that the All-wise Saviour thought it proper to devote
much of his ministry to cities and large towns.

II. _Christ, in his instructions to his disciples, particularly directs
their attention to cities and large towns._

"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Into
whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and
there abide till ye go thence. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor
hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the
dust of your feet. Verily, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for
that city." How solemn, yet well defined were these instructions. How
strongly must the twelve have been impressed with the importance of
special exertion in large towns and cities. "After these things, the
Lord appointed seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face,
into every city and place, whither he himself would come. And he said
unto them, Into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such
things as are set before you, and heal the sick that are therein, and
say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into
whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out
into the streets of the same, and say, even the very dust of your city,
which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you. But I say unto you, it
shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom and Gomorrah, than for
that city." Wherefore should so much stress be laid upon cities, unless
it was peculiarly