And so He went from Nazareth; His home was there no more; But in Capernaum He dwelt, And showed His grace and power.
ONE day the Lord stood by the shore Of lake Gennesaret; And watched the fishermen, as there They pulled the outspread net.
And, as He stood, the people came, And pressed upon Him round, To hear Him preach the Gospel news, Which they so precious found.
Then Jesus, seeing Simon's ship Was anchored close at hand, Stepped quick aboard, and gave command To push a space from land.
And, sitting down, He taught the throng Who crowded on the shore, And heard, with joy, such heavenly truth As ne'er was preached before.
The sermon ended, then He bade Simon launch out for fish; And Simon answered that he would, If 'twere the Master's wish.
But added: "We have toiled all night, Nor sleep nor rest have sought, But through the water dragged out nets, And yet no fish have caught."
Still, while he spoke, he launched the ship Out on the waters wide, And let the net down in the sea, The vessel's' rail beside.
And lo! at once, with fish 'twas filled, A multitude so great That the strong net came wide apart, So heavy was their weight.
The fishermen their partners called To bring another ship; And soon both vessels were quite full, And sinking in the deep.
Then Simon Peter, in amaze, At Jesus' knees fell down; And said: "O Lord, depart from me, My sins to Thee are known."
But Jesus gently said to him: "Thou need'st not be afraid; From henceforth thou shalt sinners catch, By my Almighty aid."
And when they brought their ships to land, They--Peter, James and John-- Forsook their vessels and their friends And followed Christ alone.
NEXT Sabbath, in the synagogue, When He stood forth to teach, The people wondered at His force, And mighty power to preach.
And one was there within whose breast A devil foul had sway; Who, held in bondage most unclean, Yet sought to praise and pray;
But, by the devil moved, cried out, And called the Lord by name; Declaring that he knew Him well, And also whence He came.
Then Jesus to the devil said: "Silence and come thou forth;" Who came forth, hurting not the man, But casting him to earth.
And all the people were amazed At what they saw that day, And said, "With power doth He speak, And spirits vile obey."