Volume 2

228 Life of Jesus Christ
riages, no longer related to Jesus. There was only one old
woman who could still claim relationship. She was dropsical
and bedridden. Her usual companion was a little
blind boy, who sat by her bedside. Jesus prayed with the
old woman, making her repeat after Him. He laid His
hand for an instant on her head, then on the region of the
stomach. She began to grow faint, remained unconscious
for about a minute, and then found herself quite relieved.
Jesus ordered her to rise. The dropsy had not entirely
disappeared, but the woman could walk, and soon after,
without difficulty, through copious perspiration and the
healthful action of nature, she was entirely freed fronl her
trouble. She interceded with Jesus for the blind boy. He
was about eight years old, and had never seen nor
spoken, although he could hear. The old woman praised
his piety and obedience. Jesus put His forefinger into the
child's mouth, then breathing upon His thumbs or
moistening them with saliva, He held them upon the
closed eyes of the boy while He prayed, His eyes raised
to Heaven. Suddenly the child opened his eyes, and the
first object he beheld was Jesus His Redeemer! Out of
himself with joy and amazement, he threw himself into
Jesus' arms, stammering his thanks, and then fell weeping
at His feet. Jesus admonished him affectionately to be
obedient and to love his parents. He told him that if,
when blind, he had exercised those virtues, he should
more faithfully practice them now that he could see, and
never use his eyes to sin. Then in came the parents and
the whole family, and there were intense joy and
thanksgiving.
Jesus did not always operate His cures in the same
manner, though performing them in much the same way
as the Apostles, the saints, and the priests after them
down to our own day. He laid hands upon and prayed
with the sick, but His action was quicker than that of the
Apostles. He performed His cures and other miracles as