A Sympathetic Physician
Baxendale's Anecdotes
Luke 4:38-39
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever…


The pious, good-natured Dr. Helm had no time, as he was wont to say, "to get ill." Always busy, ever pleased to visit the cottage of the poorest as the mansions of the rich, all classes of Berlin joined to do honour to the good old man on the jubilee of his fiftieth year of service. The festivities lasted three days. The constant noise and excitement had made the doctor more than usually tired. Late at night a poor woman came to beg him to visit her child, who was taken suddenly ill. The servants had orders to send all applications away, as the doctor felt he needed rest; but the woman, knowing the house, managed to get to the doctor's private room to plead her cause. Still Dr. Heim said he could not go. After all had retired to rest Madame Heim said to her husband, "What is the matter with you, doctor? Why don't you sleep?" "Because I can't," he said; "it's a curious thing with my conscience; I must go and see that child." He rang the bell, and forgetting his fatigue, ran to the sick child, whom he was the means of restoring to health. After the visit he returned and slept soundly.

(Baxendale's Anecdotes.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.

WEB: He rose up from the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they begged him for her.




The Fame of Jesus
Top of Page
Top of Page