The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 164

A quiet year in Joseph's house. The miraculous healing of the Negro family's possessed boy through James at the Infant Jesus' behest. 12 March 1844

01] From this period onwards, things became very quiet in Joseph's house and nothing miraculous occurred.

02] And this quiet state continued for one full year, as the Infant could walk by Himself and talk and play with the other eight children.

03] During this time, a negro family with a very sick child came to Joseph's house.

04] For this family had heard in the city that there was a miracle doctor in this house who could cure all illnesses.

05] The sick child was a ten-year-old boy and was wretchedly tormented by an evil spirit.

06] The spirit did not leave the boy in peace either by day or by night, threw him around and made his stomach swell up, thereby causing him excruciating pain.

07] Every now and then the spirit drove the boy into the water and sometimes into the fire.

08] But when this spirit was in Joseph's house, it was quiet and did not stir.

09] Joseph asked the boy's father, who understood Greek, about the reason for the boy's condition.

10] And the father gave a faithful account of the boy's state right from the beginning.

11] Hereupon Joseph called James, who as a sixteen-year-old youth was busy with the Infant as usual, and told him about the distress of this negro family.

12] James turned to the Infant and hugged Him and spoke to Him in his heart.

13] The Infant, however, loudly spoke in Hebrew:

14] "My brother! It will not be My time for yet a while; but go to the sick boy whose race carries the sign of Cain!

15] Touch his chest cavity with the forefinger of the left hand, and the evil spirit will instantly and eternally depart from the boy!"

16] And James immediately went to the boy and did as the Infant had ordered.

17] Then the evil spirit tore at the boy for the last time and shouted:

18] "What do you, dreadful spirit, want with me? Where shall I go now, as you have prematurely driven me out of my house?!"

19] And James spoke: "It is the Lord's will! – The sea is not far; you will live at the bottom of the sea, at the spot where it is deepest, and sludge will be your dwelling place henceforth, Amen!"

20] Here the spirit left the boy, and the boy was instantly restored to health.

21] Hereupon the family wanted to reward Joseph; but Joseph did not accept anything and let the family depart in peace and praised God for this miraculous healing of the boy.