CONTENTS

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CHAPTER I

   A home in the blessed land, by the sacred sea

   A Fitting Study for the Young—­The Glory of all Lands—­Divisions of
   Palestine—­Galilee—­People of Galilee—­Gennesaret and its
   Surroundings—­Comparisons—­Jewish Sayings—­McCheyne—­Towns, Villages and
   Palaces—­Fisheries—­Bethsaida 19

CHAPTER II

  Five boys of Bethsaida—­rambles about home

Five Apostles of Jesus—­Two Pair of Brothers—­Salome—­Brothers Indeed—­Views from a Hilltop—­View of the Lake—­Poetic Description—­Rambles North of the Lake—­On the West—­Keble’s Poem—­Answer to the Poet’s Question—­The Sower—­Object Lessons of the Great Teacher—­Mount of Beatitudes—­Nature’s Influence on John—­Philip 24

CHAPTER III

  John’s royal kindred

  Salome and Mary Sisters—­John and Jesus Cousins—­Visit to
  Bethsaida—­Visit to Nazareth—­A Picture of the Boy Jesus—­The Picture a
  Help—­A Phrase to Remember—­A Kinsman of John and Jesus—­Education—­The
  Messiah 31

CHAPTER IV

  The great expectation in john’s day

  Prophecy Concerning the Messiah—­Jewish Mistakes—­Roman Conquest—­Judas
  of Galilee—­The Five Bethsaidan Boys—­John and Peter 35

CHAPTER V

  Early influences on character

Special Influences on the Five—­Scripture Students—­Rabbi Like Simeon, or a Teacher—­Prophetess Like Anna—­Home Teaching—­From the Five to Two—­Salome and Her Sons—­Review—­Boyhood Traits—­Imperfections—­Perfection 39

CHAPTER VI

  First visit in Jerusalem

  Jewish Boy at Twelve—­Interest in the First Pilgrimage—­John’s
  Journey—­The Jordan Ford—­City, Temple and Altar—­John and Saul—­Silent
  Years—­Parental Thoughts Concerning John 44

CHAPTER VII

  John’s view of the coming messiah

  John’s Old Testament Studies—­First Gospel Promise—­Promises to
  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—­Promise to David—­Mary and Immanuel—­Names and
  Titles of the Messiah—­John’s Misreading of the Old Testament—­Christ’s
  Sufferings 48

CHAPTER VIII

  Jesus the hidden messiah