obeyed." And Jesus hearing, marvelled, and, turning to them that followed Him, said:
"Amen, I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel."
The faith and frankness of this Roman soldier delighted Him:
"Go," He said, "and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee."
And the servant was healed at the same hour.
We should like to know what became of one whose faith won the admiration of the Son of God. This at least we know, that the Church sets him before us as a model. In the solemn moment when we are receiving Jesus Christ into our hearts, she puts upon our lips as our most fitting preparation the Domine, non sum dignus of the centurion.
One evening our Lord, attended by the Twelve and by the vast crowd that always followed Him now, began to climb the hill on which stood the little city of Nain. As He neared the gate a sad procession streamed out—first, women weeping and wailing and beating their breasts; then, flute players with their mournful music; then, a bier on which lay the body of a young man wound round and round with linen cloths. A great throng of people followed, not only because the Jews held it to be a religious duty to accompany the dead to the grave, but also because this was "the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." Our Lord saw her among the hired mourners, and His heart was filled with pity. Making His way through the crowd, He came to her and said:
"Weep not."
She looked up bewildered, and her red eyes met the
