, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister
hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And
Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful
and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary
hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from
her.--_St. Luke x: 38-42._

* * * * *

_NOTE BY THE ARTIST_

_Bethany is situated on the southern slope of the Mount of Olives,
about two miles from Jerusalem. The house of his friends, Martha,
Mary, and Lazarus, the only place which, during the latter part of
his ministry, Jesus could call a home, was probably that of people in
easy circumstances, and as such is here represented. In the vineyards
of Palestine the vine is cultivated bushlike on the ground; but in
gardens, the plant is occasionally trained erect, as in Europe and
America, or, as in the present instance, for the purposes of shade,
upon a pergola. In the middle of the village of Bethany are the ruins
of an important house. Here some years ago a French explorer
discovered on the base the remains of an ancient chapel This seems to
point with probability to a valid tradition of the site of the house
of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus_.

JESUS BLESSETH LITTLE CHILDREN

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them:
and _his_ disciples rebuked those that brought _them_. But when Jesus
saw _it_, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is
the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter
therein. And he took them up in his arms, put _his_ hands upon them,
and blessed them.--_St. Mark x: 13-16._

* * * * *

_NOTE BY THE ARTIST_

_In the Hebrew Bible--the Talmud--it is stated that, according to
pious custom, parents brought their little children to the synagogue
that they might receive the benefit of the prayers and blessings of
the elders. Rabbis also, of recognized sanctity, were frequently
appealed to in a like manner; and his fame as a prophet and
benefactor having preceded him into Peraea, infants were now brought
to Jesus, that he might lay his hands upon them in supplication and
blessing. The architectural setting of the picture is adapted from
that of a small square near the Damascus Gate of Jerusale