_CHAPTER II_

_Five Boys of Bethsaida--Rambles About Home_

"Walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brethren, Simon who is
called Peter, and Andrew his brother."--_Matt._ iv. 18.

"And going on from thence, He saw other two brethren, James the son
of Zebedee, and John his brother."--_v._ 21.

"Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and
Peter."--_John_ i. 44.


Bethsaida was honored as being the home of five of the Apostles of
Jesus. We know nothing definitely concerning them until their manhood.
We wish we knew of their childhood. It is only because of their relation
to Jesus that they have been remembered. Had it not been for this they
would, like many other boys of Galilee, have lived on the shores of
Gennesaret, fished in its waters, died, and been forgotten. These five
Bethsaidan boys were two pairs of brothers and a friend. The names of
one pair were Andrew and Peter. They were the sons of Jonas, a
fisherman. As they grew up they were engaged with him in casting the net
and gathering fish, by day or by night, and thus securing a livelihood
without thought of change of occupation. It was a Jewish custom for
boys to learn a trade or business, which was generally that of their