Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; A good old French bishop, in paying his annual visit to his clergy, was very much afflicted by the representations they made of their extreme poverty, which indeed the appearance of their houses and families corroborated. While he was deploring the state of things which had reduced them to this sad condition, he arrived at the house of a curate, who, living amongst a poor set of parishioners, would, he feared, be in a still more awful plight than the others. Contrary, however, to his expectations, he found appearances very much improved. Everything about the house wore the aspect of comfort and plenty. The good bishop was amazed. "How is this, my friend?" said he; "you are the first man I have met with a cheerful face and a plentiful board. Have you any income in addition to the stipend of your cure?...Yes, sir," said the clergyman, "I have; my family would starve on the pittance I receive from the poor people I instruct. Come with me into the garden, and I will show you the stock that yields me an excellent interest." On going to the garden, he showed the bishop a large range of beehives. "There is the bank from which I draw an annual dividend. It never stops payment." Parallel Verses KJV: And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; |
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