heart. He began to speak softly, but clearly. Not in the even
tone of a preacher, but quickly and eagerly, often hesitating a moment
while collecting His thoughts for a pregnant saying. It was not as if
He had thought out His speech beforehand, or learned it out of books.
What His own individual temperament had originated, what time had
matured in Him, He poured forth in the rush of the Holy Spirit.

"I am sent to make appeal to you. I come to all, but especially to the
poor. I come to the afflicted, to the distressed, to the sick, to the
imprisoned, to the cast down. I come with glad tidings from the
Heavenly Father."

After this introduction He, in His humility, looked out into the great
world of Nature, as if she would supply Him with words. But Nature was
silent; indeed, at that hour, all creatures were silent and listened.

Then Jesus lifted His eyes to the crowd, and began to speak as men had
never heard any one speak before.

"Brothers! Rejoice! Again I say, Rejoice! A good Father lives in
heaven. His presence is everywhere, His power is boundless, and we are
His children whom He loves. He makes His sun to shine over all; He
overlooks no one. He sees into the dark recesses of all hearts, and no
one can move a hair's breadth without His consent. He places freely
before men happiness and eternal life. Listen to what I say to you in
His name:

"All ye children of men who seek salvation, come to Me. I bless the
poor, for no earthly burden can keep them from the Kingdom of Heaven.
I bless the suffering, the afflicted, disappointed--abandoned by the
world they take refuge in life in God. I bless the kind-hearted and
the peace-loving. Their hearts are not troubled with hate and guilt;
they live as happy children of God. I bless those who love justice,
for they are God's companions, and shall find justice. I bless the
pure in heart. No bewildering desire obscures the face of God from
them. I bless the merciful. Sympathetic love gives strength, brings
compassion where it is needed. And blessed, thrice blessed, are you
who suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness. Yours is the
Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice and be glad, all of you--no eye hath yet
seen, no ear hath yet heard the joys that are laid up for you in
heaven. Now hear My mission. Many say I wish to change the old laws.
That is not so. I come to fulfil the old laws, but according to the
spirit, not according to the letter. T