ot read the Bible in the
original Hebrew, but in its Greek translation. They loved it and
searched its pages eagerly, as they realized that all its words spoke
of Christ!

But about the time that St. Paul was imprisoned at Rome we think that
the Gospel according to St. Mark was written.

Most of you know that Mark was a young Jew who began his work for God
by travelling with Paul and Barnabas (Acts xii. 25), but who left them
when the work grew dangerous. (Acts xiii. 13.) Paul was so grieved at
his failure, that for a while he refused to trust him again; but
Barnabas, who believed in his repentance, gave him another trial.
(Acts xv. 37-39.) That Mark proved himself even to Paul we find from
the Apostle's last Epistle to Timothy, when he writes: '_Take Mark, and
bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry._' (2
Timothy iv. 11.)

Before that time, however, Mark had lived and worked for many years
with the Apostle Peter, who in his letter written from Babylon speaks
of him as '_Marcus my son_.' (1 Peter v. 13.)

Now a Christian writer, named Papias, who lived about sixty years after
this time, tells us that Mark wrote his Gospel story from what Peter
had told him about Christ; so we think this Gospel writing is really
the Apostle Peter's account of our Lord's life on earth.

Very likely, as Mark journeyed with the Apostle from place to place,
and heard him tell and retell the wonderful story of His Master's life
on earth, the thought came into the young man's mind, 'Why not write
down what Peter says, so that his words shall not be forgotten?'

And so fresh and vivid are the words of Mark's Gospel, so full of
little natural touches, that most people agree that old Papias must
have been right. The very things St. Peter would have noticed are
mentioned by Mark.

Matthew, the writer of the Gospel which comes the first in our New
Testament, was a Levite; that is, he belonged to the tribe of Levi, and
this tribe was specially chosen in the time of Moses to learn the Law
and serve God in His Temple. Matthew, therefore, was very learned in
the books of the Law, and in the writings of the old prophets. As you
all know, the Lord Jesus chose Matthew to be one of His special
companions; and as Matthew followed his Master day by day, he saw more
and more clearly how all the old prophecies which he knew so well
pointed to the coming of Christ.

[Illustration: A FRAGMENT OF PAPYRUS-PAPER WITH ANCIENT