The little town of Bethany was situated in a narrow valley at the foot of the Mount of Olives.

There was a large house there belonging to a man who had been ill for many years; formerly he had been filled with despair, but since he had become an adherent of the Nazarene, he was resigned and cheerful.

His incurable disease became almost a blessing, for it destroyed all disquieting worldly desires and hopes, and also all fears.

In peaceful seclusion he gave up his heart to the Kingdom of God.

When he sat in his garden and looked out over the quiet working of Nature, he hardly remembered that he was ill.