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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a998c58 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53795 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53795) diff --git a/old/53795-0.txt b/old/53795-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 282b0fc..0000000 --- a/old/53795-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9428 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Prince of the House of David, by J. H. Ingraham - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Prince of the House of David - -Author: J. H. Ingraham - -Release Date: December 23, 2016 [EBook #53795] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID *** - - - - -Produced by Demian Katz and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy -of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - - - - - New Sabbath Library. Vol. 1. No. 7. October, 1898. Single Copy, 5 Cents. - Monthly, 60 cents per year. - - - The PRINCE of the - HOUSE of DAVID - - [Illustration] - - BY - - REV J. H. INGRAHAM - - DAVID C. COOK Publishing Co. - 36 WASHINGTON ST. CHICAGO ELGIN ILL - - - [Entered at the Post Office at Elgin, Ill., as Second Class Mail Matter.] - - - - -FAMOUS BOOKS AT POPULAR PRICES - - - The New Sabbath Library. - A MONTHLY PUBLICATION. - - Subscription Price, 60 Cents a Year. Single Copies, 5 Cents. - -[Illustration: Titus: a Comrade of the Cross] - -[Illustration: The Wrestler of Philippi] - -To meet the growing demand for pure literature at popular prices, we -began in April, 1898, the issue of a monthly publication entitled the -=New Sabbath Library=. The success of these issues has proved to be -unprecedented, and they have attained an almost world-wide celebrity. -Although appealing particularly to young people, they will interest all -lovers of good and wholesome literature, whether young or old. - -Each issue of the =New Sabbath Library= contains a complete story, -most of them written expressly for us and copyrighted. The books are -of uniform style and size (6½×8½), each containing 96 large pages in -double column. They are in large, clear type, handsomely printed on -good book paper, and fully illustrated with fine half-tone engravings. -The covers are of heavy, white enameled paper, with beautifully -engraved designs. - -=Prices.=--Those who wish to procure this Library regularly, as it is -published each month, may remit =60 cents= for a year's subscription, -being particular to state with which issue the subscription is to -commence. Single copies may be ordered of any or all of the books at -the rate of =5 cents= each, or any number of copies of any one book -will be sent at same rate. We prepay postage. - -=Cloth Editions.=--We have also prepared special editions of all -these books, printed on very heavy paper, beautifully bound in heavy -covers, cloth backs and corners, ornamented sides. They are specially -adapted for presentation purposes, and are the largest and best books -ever offered for so low a price. Sent postpaid to any address, in any -quantities desired, on receipt of price, =25 cents= per copy. - -Following is a list of books already issued, or about to be issued: - - -No. 1. April, 1898. - -A Devotee and a Darling - -BY BECCA MIDDLETON SAMSON. - -This book received the second prize of $500 from manuscripts submitted -to the publishers in competition during the year 1897. - -Fannie, an impulsive girl of sixteen, bereft of her mother, becomes -devotedly attached to Church work and to the study of her Bible. She -makes many blunders and is severely tried at home. At last, in a manner -both strange and startling, Fannie's eyes are opened to see her own -mistaken life. - - -No. 2. May, 1898. - -The Wrestler of Philippi - -BY FANNIE E. NEWBERRY. - -A tale of the times of the early followers of Jesus, and how they lived -the "Christ-life" in the first century. As "Titus" gave the reader a -picture of the life and times of Christ, so this book is intended to -portray the life and times of the early Church. - -The plot is fascinating--a story for both young and old. Its Oriental -setting, description of quaint customs, manners, beliefs, etc., give it -a peculiar interest and attractiveness all its own. - - -No. 3. June, 1898. - -Titus: a Comrade of the Cross - -BY FLORENCE M. KINGSLEY. - -The publishers of this book, desiring to secure a life of Christ of -superior merit and special character, offered a prize of $1,000 for the -best manuscript submitted. The committee decided in favor of "TITUS." -It was an immediate success, over one million copies having been sold. -It is one of the grandest books of the century, and has attracted -greater attention than any other book published in this country during -the past twenty years. - - -No. 4. July, 1898. - -Out of the Triangle - -BY MARY E. BAMFORD. - -This is a story of the days of persecution of Christians under the -Emperor Septimius Severus. The scene is mainly laid in Alexandria and -the Libyan Desert. The Egyptian gods were worshiped under the form of -a small triangular stone. The book relates in a vivid and intensely -interesting manner the narrow escapes of an Egyptian lad who has become -a Christian, and the manner in which his family accept his faith and -escape from Alexandria. - -(CONTINUED ON THIRD PAGE COVER) - - - - -THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. - -_By REV. J. H. INGRAHAM._ - - -Copyright, 1898, by David C. Cook Publishing Company. - - -David C. Cook Publishing Company, Elgin, Ill., and 36 Washington St., -Chicago. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PREFACE. - LETTER I. - LETTER II. - LETTER III. - LETTER IV. - LETTER V. - LETTER VI. - LETTER VII. - LETTER VIII. - LETTER IX. - LETTER X. - LETTER XI. - LETTER XII. - LETTER XIII. - LETTER XIV. - LETTER XV. - LETTER XVI. - LETTER XVII. - LETTER XVIII. - LETTER XIX. - LETTER XX. - LETTER XXI. - LETTER XXII. - LETTER XXIII. - LETTER XXIV. - LETTER XXV. - LETTER XXVI. - LETTER XXVII. - LETTER XXVIII. - LETTER XXIX. - LETTER XXX. - LETTER XXXI. - LETTER XXXII. - LETTER XXXIII. - LETTER XXXIV. - LETTER XXXV. - LETTER XXXVI. - LETTER XXXVII. - LETTER XXXVIII. - LETTER XXXIX. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The "Prince of the House of David," written by Rev. Mr. Ingraham, -needs no recommendation. Its fame has been, long since, established, -and its fascination has already held sway over multitudes of delighted -readers. Recognizing fully its merits, the publishers of this edition -decided to put it in the way of a still greater circulation; and in -order to facilitate this, it has been thoroughly revised and in parts -re-written, all unnecessary repetition appearing in the original -edition of the book being omitted. - -Adina, the suppositious writer of the following letters, is the -daughter of a Jew who resides in Alexandria, Egypt. She has come to -Jerusalem during the most stirring period of earth's history, and, from -thence, for the period of three years, she keeps her father apprized of -the marvelous events occurring about her during that time. - - THE PUBLISHERS. - - - - -LETTERS FROM ADINA. - - - - -LETTER I. - - -My Dear Father: - -My first duty, as it is my highest pleasure, is to comply with your -command to write you as soon as I should arrive at Jerusalem, and this -letter, while it conveys intelligence of my arrival, will confirm to -you my filial obedience. - -My journey hither occupied many days. When we traveled in sight of -the sea, which we did for three days, I enjoyed the majesty of the -prospect, it seemed so like the sky stretched out upon the earth. -I also had the good fortune to see several ships, which the Rabbi -informed me were Roman galleys, bound some to Sidon, and others into -the Nile; and after one of these latter, as it was going to you, I sent -a prayer and a wish. Just as we were leaving the sea-shore to turn off -into the desert, I saw a wrecked vessel. It looked so helpless and -bulky, with its huge black body all out of the water, that it seemed -to me like a great sea-monster, stranded and dying; and I felt like -pitying it. How terrible a tempest must be upon the sea! I was in hopes -to have seen a Leviathan, but was not gratified in the wish. The good -Rabbi, who seemed to know all about these things, told me that they -seldom appear now in the Middle Sea, but are seen beyond the pillar of -Hercules at the world's end. - -At Gaza we stopped two days, and from thence we proceeded over-land to -our destination. - -The morning of the last day of our journey but one, having lost our way -and wandered many hours eastwardly, we caught sight of the Sea of Sodom -and Gomorrah, at a great distance to the east. How my pulse quickened -at beholding that fearful spot! I seemed to see in imagination the -heavens on fire above it, and the flames and smoke ascending as from a -great furnace, as on that fearful day when they were destroyed, with -all that beautiful surrounding plain, which we are told was one vast -garden of beauty. How calm and still lay now that sluggish sea beneath -a cloudless sky! We held it in sight many hours, and once caught a -glimpse of the Jordan north of it, looking like a silver thread; yet -near as it appeared to be, I was told it was a good day's journey for a -camel to reach its shores. - -After losing sight of this melancholy lake, our way lay along a narrow -valley for some time, and the next day, on reaching an eminence, -Jerusalem appeared, as if risen out of the earth. - -I cannot, my dear father, describe to you my emotions on beholding the -Holy City! They have been experienced by millions of our people--they -were similar to your own as you related them to me. All the past, -with its mighty men who walked with Jehovah, rushed to my memory, and -compelled me to bow my head, and worship and adore at the sight of the -Temple, where God once (alas, why does he no longer visit earth and his -holy house?) dwelt in the flaming Shechinah, and made known the oracles -of his will. - -We entered the city just before the sixth hour of the evening, and were -soon at the house of our relative, Amos, the Levite. I was received as -if I had a daughter's claim to their embraces; and with the luxuries -with which they surrounded me in my gorgeously furnished apartments. -I am sure my kinsfolk here mean to tempt me to forget the joys of the -dear home I have left. - -The Rabbi Amos and his family all desire to be commended to you. He -seems to be a man of piety and benevolence, and greatly loves his -children. I have been once to the Temple. Its outer court seemed like -a vast caravanserai or market-place, being thronged with the men who -sell animals for sacrifice, which crowded all parts. Thousands of doves -in large cages were sold on one side, and on another were stalls for -lambs, sheep, calves and oxen, the noise and bleating of which, with -the confusion of tongues, made the place appear like anything else than -the Temple of Jehovah. It appears like desecration to use the Temple -thus, dear father, and seems to show a want of that holy love of God's -house that once characterized our ancestors. On reaching the women's -court I was sensible of being in the Temple, by the magnificence -which surrounded me. With what awe I bowed my head in the direction -of the Holy of Holies! I never felt before so near to God! Clouds of -incense floated above the heads of the multitude, and rivers of blood -flowed down the marble steps of the altar of burnt offering. Alas! how -many innocent victims bleed every morning and evening for the sins -of Israel! What a sea of blood has been poured out in ages that have -passed! What a strange, fearful mystery, that the blood of an innocent -lamb should atone for sins I have done! There must be some deeper -meaning in these sacrifices, dear father, yet unrevealed to us. - -As I was returning from the Temple I met many persons, who seemed to be -crowding out of the gate on some unusual errand. I have since learned -that they were going to see a very extraordinary man--a true prophet of -God, it is believed by many, who dwells in the wilderness eastward near -Jordan, and who preaches with power unknown in the land since the days -of Elijah and Elisha. I hope he is a true prophet of heaven, and that -God is once more about to remember Israel, but the days of the Prophets -have long passed away, and I fear this man is only an enthusiast. - -Farewell, dear father, and let us ever pray for the glory of Israel. - - Your affectionate, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER II. - - -My Dear Father: - -The street in which we dwell is elevated, and from the roof of the -house, where I love to walk in the evening, watching the stars that -hang over Egypt, there is commanded a wide prospect of the Holy City. - -Yesterday morning I was early on the house-top, to behold the first -cloud of the day-dawn sacrifice rise from the bosom of the Temple. -When I had turned my gaze towards the sacred summit, I was awed by -the profound silence which reigned over the vast pile that crowned -Mount Moriah. The sun was not yet risen; but the east blushed with a -roseate purple, and the morning star was melting into its depth. Night -and silence still held united empire over the city and the altar of -God. I was awe-silent. I stood with my hands crossed upon my bosom -and my head reverently bowed, for in the absence of man and his voice -I believed angels were all around in heavenly hosts, the guardian -armies of this wondrous city of David. Lances of light now shot upward -and across the purple sea in the East, and fleeces of clouds, that -reposed upon it like barks, catching the red rays of the yet unrisen -sun, blazed like burning ships. Each moment the darkness fled, and the -splendor of the dawn increased; and when I expected to see the sun -appear over the battlemented heights of Mount Moriah, I was thrilled by -the startling peal of the trumpets of the priests; a thousand silver -trumpets blown at once from the walls of the Temple, and shaking the -very foundations of the city with their mighty voice. Instantly the -house-tops everywhere around were alive with worshipers. Jerusalem -started, as one man, from its slumbers, and, with their faces towards -the Temple, a hundred thousand men of Israel stood waiting. A second -trumpet peal, clear and musical as the voice of God when he spake to -our father Moses in Horeb, caused every knee to bend, and every tongue -to join in the morning song of praise. The murmur of voices was like -the continuous roll of the surge upon the beach, and the walls of -the lofty Temple echoed it back. Simultaneously with the billow-like -swell of the adoring hymn, I beheld a pillar of black smoke ascend -from the midst of the Temple, and spread itself above the court like a -canopy. It was accompanied by a blue wreath of lighter and more misty -appearance, which threaded in and out and entwined about the other, -like a silvery strand woven into a sable cord. This latter was the -smoke of the incense which accompanied the burnt sacrifice. As I saw it -rise higher and higher, and finally overtop the heavy cloud, which was -instantly enlarged by volumes of dense smoke that rolled upward from -the consuming victim, and slowly disappeared, melting into heaven, I -also kneeled, remembering that on the wings of the incense went up the -prayers of the people; and ere it dissolved wholly, I entrusted to it, -dear father, prayers for thee and me. - -The evening sacrifice is, if possible, more imposing than that of -the morning. Just as the sun dips beyond the hill of Gibeah, there -is heard a prolonged note of a trumpet blown from one of the western -watch-towers of Zion. Its mellow tones reach farthest ear within the -gates of the city. All labor at once ceases. Every man raises his face -towards the summit of the house of God. A deep pause, as if all held -their breath in expectation, succeeds. Suddenly the very skies seem -to be riven and shaken with the thunder of the company of trumpeters -that rolls wave on wave of sound, from the battlements of the Temple. -The dark cloud of sacrifice ascends in solemn grandeur, and, sometimes -heavier than the evening air, falls like a descending curtain around -the Mount, till the whole is veiled from sight; but above it is seen to -soar the purer incense to the invisible Jehovah, followed by a myriad -eyes, and the utterance of a nation's prayers. As the daylight faded, -the light of the altar, hidden from us by the lofty walls of the outer -court of the Temple, blazed high and beacon-like, and lent a wild -solemnity to the towers and pinnacles that crowned Moriah. - -[Illustration: PANORAMA OF JERUSALEM] - -There was, however, my dear father, last evening, one thing which -painfully marred the holy character of the sacred hour. After the -blast of the silver trumpets of the Levites had ceased, and while all -hearts and eyes were ascending to Jehovah with the mounting wreaths -of incense, there came from the Roman castle adjoining the city of -David, a loud martial clangor of brazen bugles, and other barbarian -war instruments of music, while a smoke, like the smoke of sacrifice, -rose from the heights of David's fortified hill. I was told that it was -the Romans engaged in worshiping Jupiter. Alas! How truly now are the -prophecies fulfilled, which are to be found in the Lamentations: "The -Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath given up into the hands of the -enemy the walls of her palaces: they have made a noise in the house of -the Lord, as in the day of a solemn feast." For these things I weep, my -dear father. - -Nearly three hundred years have passed since we have had a -prophet--that divine and youthful Malachi. Since his day, Rabbi Amos -confesses that Jehovah has made no sign of having heard the prayers -or heeded the sacrifices that have been offered to him in his time. -I inquired of the intelligent Rabbi if it would always be thus. He -replied that when Shiloh came, there would be a restoration of all -things--that the glory of Jerusalem then would fill the whole earth -with the splendor of the sun, and that all nations should come up from -the ends of the world to worship in the Temple. - -My conversation with Rabbi Amos, dear father, led me to examine the -Book of the Prophet Malachi. I find that after plainly alluding to our -present shame, and reproaching the priests "for causing the people to -stumble," he thus prophesies: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and -he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord whom ye seek shall -suddenly come to his Temple, and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier -of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as -gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in -righteousness. Behold," adds the divine seer, "I will send you Elijah -the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the -Lord." - -These words I read to-day to Rabbi Amos--indeed I was reading them -when Rabbi Ben Israel came in to say that he departs to-morrow. -The excellent Amos looked grave. I feared I had offended him by my -boldness, and, approaching him, was about to embrace him, when I saw -tears were sparkling in his eyes. He took my hand, and smiling, while -a glittering drop danced down his snow-white beard and broke into -liquid diamonds upon my hand, he said, "You have done no wrong, child; -sit down by me and be at peace with thyself. It is too true, in this -day, what the Prophet Malachi writeth, O Ben Israel," he said sadly to -the Alexandrian Rabbi. "The priests of the Temple have indeed become -corrupt, save a few here and there. It must have been at this day the -prophet aimed his words. Save in the outward form, I fear the great -body of our Levites have little more true religion and just knowledge -of the one God Jehovah, than the priests of the Roman idolatry. Alas, I -fear me, God regards our sacrifices with no more favor than he looks -upon theirs. To-day, while I was in the Temple, and was serving at the -altar with the priests, these words of Isaiah came into my thoughts -and would not be put aside: 'To what purpose is the multitude of your -sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings -of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of -bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. Bring no more vain oblations; -incense is an abomination unto me; I am weary to bear them; yea, when -ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye -make many prayers I will not hear; your hands are full of blood. Wash -you; make you clean. Cease to do evil; learn to do well.'" - -"I have noticed," said Ben Israel, "that there is less reverence now in -the Temple than when I was in Jerusalem a young man; but I find that -the magnificence of the ceremonies is increased." - -"Yes," responded Rabbi Amos, with a look of sorrow, "yes, as the soul -of piety dies out from within, they gild the outside. The increased -richness of the worship is copied from the Romans. So low are we -fallen! Our worship, with all its gorgeousness, is as a sepulchre -white-washed to conceal the rottenness within!" - -You may be convinced, my dear father, that this confession, from such a -source, deeply humbled me. If, then, we are not worshiping God, what do -we worship? Naught! We are worse off than our barbarian conquerors, for -we have no God; while they at least have gods many and lords many, such -as they are. - -Since writing the last line I have been interrupted by Mary, who has -brought to see me a youth, nephew of a noble Jewish ruler, who was -slain by the Romans for his patriotic devotion to his country. He -dwells near the Gaza gate, with his widowed mother, who is a noble -lady, honored by all. Between this young man, whose name is John, and -Mary, there exists a beautiful attachment, which is each day ripening -into the deepest emotion. He has just returned from the vicinity -of Jericho, where he has been for some days past, drawn thither by -curiosity to see and hear the new prophet, who is drawing thousands -into the wilderness, to listen to the eloquence that flows from his -mouth. The young man had been giving Mary so interesting an account of -him that she desired me also to be a listener. In my next I will write -you all I heard. - - Your affectionate and devoted daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER III. - - -My Dear Father: - -This morning, as I was coming from the Temple, I noticed a vast pile -of edifices crowning the opposite rock, which I was told was the Tower -of Antonia. It seemed to frown sternly upon the Temple; and upon its -battlements glittered, at intervals, numerous Roman eagles. I had so -often heard you relate historical events connected with this celebrated -castle, that I regarded it with peculiar interest. You seemed to stand -by my side as I gazed upon it. The insolence and power of the Roman -garrison have made the beautiful walk about the base of the tower -almost deserted; but of this I was not aware; and, attended only by -my Ethiopian slave, Onia, I lingered to admire the splendor of the -cloister once surrounding the treasure-house of the Temple, with its -terraces supported by white marble pillars, fifteen cubits high, when -two Roman soldiers approached. It was then that I saw I was alone. I -drew my veil closely, and would have passed them rapidly, when one of -them placed himself in my path, and catching hold of my veil, tried -to detain me. I left it in his grasp and was flying, when the other -soldier arrested me. This was in full view of the castle, and at my -shrieks the barbarians in the castle laughed aloud. At this crisis -appeared a young centurion, who was on horseback, coming down the -rocky path that ascends the Rock of Zion, and shouting to them, he -galloped forward, and with his sword put the men to immediate flight -and rescued me. In order to escort me safely to the streets below, he -alighted from his horse, and leading him by the rein, walked by my -side. I confess to you, dear father, I had not reached the house of my -relative before my prejudices against the Romans were greatly modified. -I had found in one of them as courteous a person as I had ever met with -among my own countrymen, and for his sake I was willing to think better -of his barbaric land and people. - -[Illustration: TOWER OF ANTONIA] - -While I was writing the above, a commotion without drew me to the -lattice, which overlooks the street that goes out of the gate to -Bethany, one of the most frequented thoroughfares in the city. The -sight that met my eyes was truly imposing, but made my heart sink with -shame. It was a pageant, with banners, eagles, trumpets and gilded -chariots, but not the pageant of a king of Israel, like those which -dazzled the streets of Jerusalem in the days of Solomon and King -David; not the triumphant passage of an Israelitish prince, but of the -Roman governor. Preceded by a cohort of horse, he rode in a gilded -war-chariot, lolling at his ease beneath a silken shade of blue silk, -fringed with gold. The horses were snowy-white, and covered with silver -mail, and adorned with plumes. He was followed by another body of -cavalry, and at the head of them, looking more like a ruler and prince -than did the indolent Pilate, I beheld the generous centurion who had -aided my escape from the two soldiers. His eye sought the lattice at -which I stood, and I drew back, but not before he had seen me and -saluted me. Certainly, father, this youth is noble and courteous enough -to be a Jew, and should any providence cause us to meet again, I shall -try to convert him from his idolatry to serve the living Jehovah. - -You will remember, dear father, that I alluded to an excitement that is -increasing every day, in reference to a new prophet, who is preaching -in the wilderness of Jericho. For three weeks past several parties of -citizens have been to the valley of Jordan to see and hear him, and -have so far been carried away by him as to have been baptized of him -in Jordan, confessing their sins. Among them is John, the cousin and -betrothed of Mary. Upon his return we saw that his countenance was -animated beyond its wont, for he is usually of a sad and gentle aspect, -and that his fine eyes beamed with an ardent hope, that seemed new-born -to his soul. He thus recounted to us his visit to the prophet of Jordan: - -"After leaving the gate of the city I soon reached the pretty town of -Bethpage, where, at the inn, I beheld several horsemen just mounting, -to go in the direction of Jericho. On joining the cavalcade, I learned -they were for the most part drawn out of Jerusalem on the same errand -with myself. One of them, a wealthy young noble of Arimathea, was -actuated by the same holy desire that burned in my bosom, a desire -that we might, in the prophet who was called John, discover a man sent -from God. The others were bent on commerce, on pleasure, or mere idle -curiosity. As Joseph of Arimathea and I rode together, we conversed -about the man we expected to see. My companion seemed to believe that -he was a true prophet, for being very well read in the Scriptures, he -said that the seventy weeks of Daniel were now about completed, when -the Messiah was to come! I then asked him if he believed that the -Messiah, who was to be a 'Prince and king and have dominion from the -sea to the ends of the earth,' would come in the wilderness, clad in -the skin of wild beasts? To this he replied that he could not regard -this prophet as the Messiah, for when the Christ should come, he was -'suddenly to come to the Temple,' and that we should doubtless first -see him there; but that he was greatly in hopes that the prophet we -were going to see would prove to be the forerunner, foretold by Malachi. - -"'Those who heard him,' said Joseph, as we rode into the village of -Bethany, 'say that he publicly proclaims himself the forerunner of the -Messiah. The opinion of the more ignorant who have listened to him, is -that it is Elijah himself, returned to the earth. Others assert that -it is Enoch come down from heaven, and not a few believe him to be -Isaiah.'" - -At this point of the narrative of the cousin of Mary, dear father, I -will close this letter. In my next I will resume his narrative, for -when I have given it to you wholly, I have many things to ask you to -which it gives rise in my mind. May the blessing of the God of Israel -be upon thee, my dearest father! - - Adina. - - - - -LETTER IV. - - -My Dear Father: - -I have had the pleasure to-day, not only of hearing from you, but of -being assured of your continued welfare. The messages of parental -affection contained in your letter are cherished in my heart. - -You need not fear, my dear father, that I shall be carried away from -the faith of Israel by any strange doctrines. I will take counsel by -your wisdom, and be cautious how I venture in my inquiries upon sacred -ground. - -In my last letter I commenced giving you the narrative of John, with -which I shall now proceed. - -"Having passed out of the city of Jericho, my friend of Arimathea and -myself crossed the plain toward Jordan. The morning was balmy; the sun -made all nature glad. The dew reflected a myriad lesser suns, and the -earth appeared strewn with diamonds. For a little way the road lay -between fields of corn and gardens, but soon it crossed the open plain, -on which were droves of wild asses, which lifted their small, spirited -heads on our approach, eyed us with timid curiosity, and then bounded -off to the wilderness southward with the speed of antelopes. As the -great body of the people took their way obliquely across the plain, -we knew the prophet must be in that direction. We at length found him -on the banks of Jordan, below the landing and ford, which is opposite -Jericho, on the great caravan road to Balbec. - -"We drew near a dark mass of human beings which we had beheld afar -off, assembled around a small eminence near the river. Upon it, raised -a few cubits taller than their heads, stood a man upon whom all eyes -were fixed, and to whose words every ear was attentive. His clear, -rich, earnest tones had reached us as we approached, before we could -distinguish what he said. He was a young man not above thirty, with -a countenance such as the medallions of Egypt give to Joseph of our -nation, once their prince. His hair was long, and wildly free about his -neck; he wore a loose sack of camel's hair, and his right arm was naked -to the shoulder. His attitude was as free and commanding as that of a -Caucasian warrior, yet every gesture was gentle and graceful. With all -his ringing and persuasive eloquence there was an air of the deepest -humility upon his countenance, combined with an expression of the -holiest enthusiasm. His theme was the Messiah. - -"'Oh, Israel, return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by -thine iniquity,' he was saying as we came up, as if in continuation of -what had gone before. 'Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord, -and say unto him: Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. -Behold, he cometh who will heal your backsliding, and will love you -freely. And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name -of the Lord shall be delivered, for beside him there is no Savior.' - -"'Of whom speaketh the prophet these things?' asked one who stood near -me. - -"'Of Messiah--listen!' answered him a Scribe near, as if not pleased to -have his attention interrupted by this side talk. 'His words are plain. -Hear him.' - -"'Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, for the day of the Lord cometh,' -continued the prophet, in a voice like that of a silver trumpet; 'for, -behold, the day is at hand when I will bring again the captivity of -Judah. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. The day is at -hand when the Lord shall roar out of Zion and utter his voice from -Jerusalem.' - -"'Art thou not Elias?' asked one aloud. - -"'I am he of whom it is written. The voice of one crying in the -wilderness, make straight a highway for our God. The day of the Lord is -at hand. I am but the herald who is sent before to prepare the way of -the Lord.' - -"'Art thou not the Messiah?' asked a woman who stood near him, and -seemed to worship his very lips. - -"'He who cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not -worthy to bear,' he responded, in an exultant tone, strangely at -variance with his words. 'Therefore, repent ye, repent ye, take words -and return unto the Lord our God. Repent and be baptized for the -remission of your sins.' Then he added, turning to some of the priests, -'Behold, even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees; every -tree, therefore, that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and -cast into the fire.' - -"'Master,' said a Levite, 'dost thou speak these things to us, who are -of Israel, or to these Gentiles and Samaritans?' for there were not a -few Roman soldiers among the multitude, drawn hither by curiosity, and -also many people from Samaria. - -"'Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saith the Lord, for my people -have committed two evils; they have forsaken me, the fountain of living -waters, and hewn them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold -no water. And yet thou sayest, O Israel, thou hast not sinned. Thine -own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backsliding shall reprove -thee. Repent and do works meet for repentance, every one of you, for -ye have polluted the land; neither say, Where is the Lord that brought -us up out of the land of Egypt? Trust not to lying words, saying, The -Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord! Ye -have made it a den of robbers. Your sacrifices therein are become an -abomination.' - -"'This would touch us who are priests, master,' said a priest, with a -crimson brow. 'We are not robbers.' - -"'Thus saith the Lord,' answered the youthful prophet, as if it were -God himself speaking from Horeb, so that we trembled: 'Woe be unto -the pastors that destroy my sheep. How is the gold become dim! how is -the most fine gold changed! The precious sons of Zion, comparable to -fine gold, how are they esteemed? Woe unto you, ye priests, for ye -have transgressed. My people have transgressed for lack of knowledge. -Therefore doth the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein -languisheth. Therefore do swearing and lying, and killing and stealing, -and committing adultery, break out in the land, because there is no -truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. Woe unto you, ye -priests!' - -"Many of the Levites then turned and left him and went away greatly -murmuring; and they would gladly have done the prophet a mischief, but -they feared the multitude, who said he had spoken only the truth of -them. - -"'But the elders of Israel, who are not priests, who spring from -Abraham, shall be saved by Abraham, master?' asserted, or rather -inquired, a rich ruler of our city, after the tumult caused by the -withdrawal of the Levites had a little subsided. The youthful prophet -rested his dark eyes, like two suns, upon the old man's face, and said -impressively, 'Begin not to say within yourself, We have Abraham to -our father; for I say unto you,' he added, pointing to the pebbles at -his feet, 'that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto -Abraham. He is of Abraham who doth righteousness; therefore repent, and -bring forth fruits meet for repentance.' - -"Here was heard some murmuring among a group of many Pharisees and -Sadducees at these words, when, sending his lightning glance towards -them, as if he could read their very hearts, he cried: - -"'O generation of vipers! Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to -come? The day cometh when he who is to come shall sit as a purifier by -his furnace. Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance. Turn -thy heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. Repent ye, for -the kingdom of heaven is at hand. - -"'Hear, O Israel! Am I a God at hand and not a God afar off? saith the -Lord. Hear ye the message of the Most High, for the day hath come when -Jehovah shall once more visit the earth and talk face to face with his -creatures. Behold, the day hath come, saith the Lord, that I will raise -unto David a righteous branch, and a king to reign and prosper, who -shall execute judgment and justice on the earth. - -"'Behold, the day hath come, saith the Lord, in which Judah shall be -saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; when I will set up shepherds over -them, which shall feed them, and they shall lack nothing. - -"'Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is -risen upon thee! Darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the -people, as saith Esaias; but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and his -glory shall be seen upon thee. The Gentiles shall come to his light, -and kings to the brightness of his rising. He shall be called the Lord -of our righteousness, and shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the -Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. The Spirit of the Lord -is upon me to proclaim the acceptable year of his coming. He hath set -me a watchman upon thy walls, O Israel, and I may neither hold my peace -day nor night, nor keep silence, nor seek rest, till he come, who hath -sent me forth his messenger before his face. How can I refrain from my -message of joy? How shall I not speak of his fame? Incline your ear and -come unto him. Hear, and your soul shall live. - -"'Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the ends of the -earth; for thus saith God the Lord, I have put my spirit upon him; a -bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not -quench. I, the Lord, saith Jehovah, addressing the Only Begotten, I -have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand and keep -thee, and will give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of -the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from -the prison. I have made him, my first-born, higher than the kings of -the earth. Look unto him, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. -The Lord of Hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.' - -"All this was spoken with an enthusiasm and fire that made every pulse -bound. - -"Such," said John, "was the extraordinary style of this mighty -prophet's preaching. I fancied I had only to look around to behold -the Messiah. The immense multitude stood awed and silent when he had -ceased. Leaving the eminence, he said, and I thought he fixed his eyes -upon me, 'Ye who desire to be baptized for the remission of sins, that -your hearts may be cleansed for the visitation of this Holy One of -God, follow me to the river side.' Thousands obeyed, and I one of the -first. I trembled all over with a sweet pleasure, when he took me by -the hand, and asked me if I believed in him who was to come, and would -prepare the way for his abode in my heart by being baptized, which rite -also was to be a sign and pledge that when I should behold the Shiloh -rising, I should acknowledge him. Not less than one thousand were -baptized by him that day in Jordan, confessing their sins, and hopes of -pardon through the name of the Unknown One, who was soon to come. - -"After the baptism, the whole company dispersed in groups, and the -prophet returned into the wilderness till the cool of the evening, -where his repast was locusts and the wild honey of the desert." - -With this, dear father, I close my long letter. I make no comments. I -will only say that my expectations are actively awake, and that I am -looking, with thousands of others, for the near advent of the Messiah. - - Your daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER V. - - -My Dear Father: - -"After the prophet had ended his second discourse, and baptized full -two hundred more in the sparkling waters of Jordan," resumed the -eloquent cousin of Mary, "he sent them away to the city to lodge -and buy meat; for few, in their eagerness to hear him, had brought -provisions with them. Many, before leaving him, drew near to receive -his blessing of love, and it was touching to see venerable men, with -locks shining like silver, and leaning upon the staff, bend their aged -heads before the youthful Elias, as if in acknowledgment of his divine -commission. Mothers also brought their infants, that he might bless -them; and youths and maidens knelt reverently at his feet in tears of -love and penitence. Calmly he stood upon the green shores, like an -angel alighted upon earth, and blessed them in words all new to our -ears, but which thrilled to our hearts with some secret power that -agitated us with trembling joy. - -"'In the name of the Lamb of God I bless thee!' - -"'What can be the meaning of these words?' asked Mary, with her gentle -earnestness. Her betrothed could only reply that he knew not. - -"At length, one after another, the multitude departed, save a few who -encamped beneath trees on the banks of the river. Joseph of Arimathea -and I were left almost alone standing near the prophet, and regarding -him with reverential curiosity. The sun was just disappearing over the -distant towers of Jericho, and painting with the richest purple the -hills between the river and Jerusalem. Jordan, catching its reddening -radiance, rolled past like a river of liquid gold embanked in emerald. -The brow of the prophet, lighted up by a sun-ray that shone between -the branches of a pomegranate tree, seemed like the face of Moses -when he came down from Sinai, a glory of light. He appeared rapt in -heavenly meditation, and we stood silent and gazed upon him, not daring -to speak. At length he turned towards us, smiled, and, saluting us, -grasped the crook or staff on which he had been leaning--for he was -weary and pale with his labors of the day--and slowly walked down the -shore in the direction of the wilderness. He had not advanced many -steps when I felt an irresistible impulse to follow him. I therefore -said to my companion: - -"'Let us follow him, and learn more of these great things which we have -this day heard.' - -"We proceeded slowly after him, as he moved in a contemplative mood -along the desert path. The sun had already gone down, and the full moon -rose on the opposite shore, and the prophet stopped as if to gaze upon -its autumnal beauty. We drew near to him. He beheld us, but did not -avoid us; seeing which, I advanced with timid confidence, and said: - -"'Holy prophet of the Most High God, wilt thou permit two young men of -Israel to speak to thee? for our hearts yearn towards thee with love. -And chiefly would we inquire of thee touching the advent of the mighty -Personage whose near coming thou dost foretell?' - -"'Friends,' said the prophet, in a calm and serene manner, 'I am a -dweller in the desert, and alone, from choice. I approach men only to -proclaim my message. The delights of earth are not for me. My mission -is one. Its duration is short. Its aim worthy the greatest prophet of -God, yet am I, the least of them, not worthy to be called a prophet; -and before the splendor of him whom I announce to the world, I am the -dust of the balance. If thou hast sought me to search after knowledge, -come and sit down with me upon this rock, and let me hear what thou -hast to ask of me, that I may answer thee and go my way.' - -"This was said softly, gently, almost sadly, and in a tone that made -me love him more and more. I could have cast myself upon his bosom and -wept there. We seated ourselves, one on either side of him. The scene -and the hour were well fitted for such a converse as we were about -to hold. The broad disc of the moon poured a flood of orange-tinted -radiance full upon us, and lent a hallowed softness to the divine -countenance of the youthful prophet. The Jordan, dark as India's dye, -darted swiftly past at our feet, between its deeply-shaded banks, -sending up to our ears the faintest murmur of its pebbly passage. Above -our heads swelled the vaulted arch of the Temple of Jehovah, with its -myriad of altar fires. Behind us stretched the desert waste, cheerless -and yet grand in its desolate distances. - -"Afar off rose upon the air, and was borne to us at intervals, the -voice of a singer in one of the camps; and near us, upon an acacia -tree, sat a solitary bulbul, which ceaselessly sang its sweet and -varied hymn to the listening moon. - -"'All things praise God; shall we be silent?' said the prophet. 'Let -us sing the evening hymn of the Temple.' He then commenced, in a rich, -melodious chant, such as I have never heard from the priests, our -sacred psalm to the whole creation of God. We joined our voices with -his, and the tide of praise floated over the waters, and echoed and -re-echoed from the opposing shores, as if the banks and stream, trees, -hills and sky had found voice as well as we: - - "'Praise! praise! praise ye the Lord! - Praise him in the heights! Praise him in the seas! - Praise him, men of Israel! Praise ye the Lord! - For he exalteth high his people, - And reigneth evermore! - - "'Praise him, all ye angels! Praise him, all ye hosts! - Praise him, sun and moon, and all ye stars of light! - Praise him, fire and hail! Praise him, storm and snows! - For he judgeth the earth in righteousness, - And reigneth evermore! - - "'Praise! praise! praise ye the Lord! - Praise him, winged fowl, and herds, cattle, and all beasts! - Praise him, kings and people, princes, priests and judges! - Praise him, youths and maidens, old men and children! - - "'Praise the name, let them praise the name, - Praise the name of the Lord God of Hosts! - For his name alone is excellent, - His glory above the heavens; - Israel is his first-born--a people well-beloved! - Praise! let Israel, therefore, praise him! - Praise him evermore, - Evermore, - Ever, evermore!' - -"Never shall I forget the effect produced upon my inmost being by this -hymn. The prophet sang as if he were leading a choir of angels. My -heart leaped at the chorus, as if it would break out, take wing and -leave the earth. When we called on the winds and the fowls of the air -to praise Jehovah with us, the thrilling voice of the bulbul seemed -to pour from its throat a wilder, richer, more joyous tide of song, -and the audible wind bent the adoring trees, and mingled its mystic -whispers with the psalm of men. Surely, thought I, it is good for me to -be here, for this is none other than the gate of Paradise! - -"After a few moments' silence, the prophet spoke and said: - -"'You sought me, brethren of Israel; can I do aught for you?' - -"'We would hear more, great prophet, touching this mighty One who is -to come after thee,' said Joseph. - -"'I can tell thee but little, my brethren, save what thou hast heard -from me this day. The future is veiled. I bear a message, indeed, but -I may not break the seal and read. To you it will be given to know -what is now unknown to me. If it be permitted me to see him, it will -be but for a brief space, for when he cometh I depart--my errand is -done. Blessed are those who live to witness his glory, and to hear the -gracious voice of God that proceeds from his anointed lips.' - -"'And when will be his advent, and with what form and power cometh this -divine Being?' I asked. - -"'As a man, but not with comeliness of form that men should desire him. -His appearance will be humble, lowly and meek.' - -"'Yet you said to-day, Rabbi,' I continued, 'that his power should be -infinite, and that of his kingdom there should be no end. You spoke -of the glory of his dominions, and the humiliation of Gentile kings -beneath his sceptre.' - -"'This I cannot explain--it is a mystery to me. I speak as God, by whom -I am sent, gives me utterance. I know that he who cometh after me is -greater than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose.' - -"'You taught us this evening, holy prophet, that he would be the Lord -from heaven; and yet that Esaias saith he will be despised and rejected -of men, wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities.' - -"'The spirit of God teaches me that these words apply to Shiloh; but -I cannot comprehend how these things can be,' he answered, with deep -sadness. - -"'May I remind you, good Rabbi,' said Joseph, 'that you taught us how -this Divine Personage should die, though Lord of life, and be numbered -in his death with transgressors, though the Holy One of God?' - -"'And such will be the events that are to happen; but seek not to know -what no man hath had revealed to him. The divine Messiah himself must -be his own interpreter. Blessed will be the eyes that behold him, and -listen to the wisdom of his mouth, and keep the law of his lips.' - -"'May I ask you, holy prophet of the Lord,' said Joseph, 'how is -it that he whom you are sent by God to bear witness to can be the -Deliverer of Israel, when you predict for him so sad a fate? Messiah is -to restore Jerusalem and the glory of the Temple, so saith Esaias, so -say Ezra and Jeremiah. We therefore, in the Messiahs of the prophets, -have looked for a powerful potentate, who shall reign in Jerusalem over -the whole earth and subdue all nations.' - -"'His kingdom is not of this earth,' answered the prophet, impressively. - -"'How then can we interpret the prophet David, who maketh the Lord to -say: "I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion"? Also, how shall -we interpret those sayings of Esaias who, prophesying of the blessed -Christ of God, hath these words: "Of the increase of his government -and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon -his kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with -justice, from henceforth, even forever"?' - -"'I know not. These secrets are with God. This I know, that the least -child and the lowliest hireling that liveth in the day of Messias is -greater than I. I am the last of the prophets. It is for me to open the -last door that leads out from the night of prophecy into the glorious -dawn of the day of fulfillment; but I am not permitted to enter beyond -the threshold, or share in its blessings. All who come after me will be -preferred before me. But let me rejoice that the day-star is about to -rise, though his beams shine on all the earth but me!' This was said -with the most touching pathos. - -"We were both deeply moved, I myself even to tears. I sank on my knees, -and kissing his hand, bathed it with my tears. - -"He gently raised me, and said in a sweet voice: - -"'Brother beloved, thou shalt see him to whom I bear witness, and he -will love thee, and thou shalt repose in his bosom!' I burst into -tears, and, rising, I walked a little ways apart, and lifting up my -eyes toward heaven, I prayed the God of our fathers that I might be -found worthy of this blessed honor. - -"'And shall I also behold this mighty Son of God?' asked Joseph, with -solicitude. - -"The prophet took his hand in his, and fixing upon him his eyes of -prophetic brightness, said slowly, and in tones awe-inspiring and -painfully sorrowful: - -"'Thou shalt one day bear him in thine arms, and lay him upon a couch -which thou hast prepared for thine own repose. Thou knowest not now -what I say, but thou shalt remember it when it cometh to pass!' - -"When he had thus spoken, he arose, and waving his hand to us both, he -walked rapidly away towards the darkening desert. - -"'Didst thou hear him?' at length, after some minutes' pause, asked -Joseph of me. 'What can his words mean? They are prophetic of some -fearful event. His eyes betrayed some terrible meaning. My heart is -troubled.' - -"'And mine rejoiceth.' I answered. 'We shall see him! I shall be near -him! Oh, if he be like this sweet prophet of God, I shall love him with -all my soul's being! How wonderful that we are to be thus associated -with this Divine Person! Welcome the hour of his blessed advent!' - -"'Wilt thou welcome the advent of a sufferer?' said a voice so near -that it startled us by its abruptness, and, looking round, we saw, -standing within the shadow of a wild olive tree, a young man who was a -stranger, but to whom I afterwards became deeply attached. His face was -pale and intellectual, and his form slight but of the most symmetrical -elegance. His question at once made me sorrowful, for it recalled the -sad prophecy of Esaias. - -"'He is also to be king and monarch of the world, and infinitely -holy and good,' I said. 'If thou hast been near, thou hast heard the -glorious things the prophet has spoken of him.' - -"'I have been near--I was reclining beneath this tree when you seated -yourselves there. Be not deceived; the divine Man who is to come is to -be a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He is to be rejected by -Israel and despised by Judah. Those whom he comes to bless will despise -him for his lowliness and obscurity. His life will be a life of tears, -and toil, and heaviness of heart, and he will at last be cut off from -among the living, with the ignominy due only to a transgressor. Dost -thou welcome the advent of a sufferer?' - -"'But how knowest thou this? Art thou a prophet?' I asked with surprise -and admiration. - -"'No, brother, but I have read the prophets. I heard, moreover, the -words of this holy man sent from God, and he dwells more on the -humility of the Christ than on his kingly grandeur. Believe me, the -kingdom of Shiloh is not of this world. It cannot be of this world, if -such is to be his life and death; and that it is to be his life, Esaias -clearly states. Let me read to you his words.' He then took a roll of -parchment from his bosom, and read by the clear tropical moonlight, -that mysterious and inexplicable passage which beginneth with the -words: 'Who hath believed our report?' When he had ended, he resumed: -'This is not the history of a prosperous earthly monarch, but rather -the painful record of a life of humiliation, of shame, and of contempt.' - -"'But thou dost not say, brother,' said Joseph, with some warmth, 'that -the sacred Person borne witness to by this prophet is to be an object -of contempt?' - -"'Does not Esaias say that he will be despised, beaten with stripes, -rejected of men, imprisoned, and put to death like a transgressor of -the law?' - -"'There can be no question but that Esaias speaks of the Messiah,' I -remarked. - -"'This prophet of Jordan now bears full testimony to Esaias, and -plainly maketh application of his words to him whom he has come -beforehand to proclaim,' answered the young man, with singularly -graceful eloquence in all he said. 'Let us who have been baptized this -day for the remission of our sins, expect a Messiah of sorrows, not a -conquering prince. Let us behold one who is to humble himself beneath -the yoke of human infirmities, that he may be exalted, and draw all men -after him to a kingdom in the heavens.' - -"'But the throne of David--' objected Joseph. - -"'Is at the right hand of God.' - -"'But Jerusalem, and its rule over the nations--' - -"'Jerusalem that is above, will be over all.' - -"'But his kingdom that is to be everlasting--' - -"'Is where life is everlasting. How can he rule an everlasting realm -here on earth without living forever, and his subjects also? Read not -the prophets so? As Adam fell and lost paradise, so Messias, like -a second Adam, must, as man, humble himself, in human nature, to -repurchase the kingdom of paradise for the race of man. It is this -kingdom which this prophet proclaims as being at hand. He being the -bearer of our iniquities, we shall thereby escape their chastisement. -Healed by his stripes, we shall be free from our sins. Laid upon him -will be the transgressions of the world; and by one mighty sacrifice -of himself, thus laden, as a sin-offering, he shall offer an atonement -to make one with Jehovah the great family of Adam. Such is to be our -looked-for Messiah. Alas, while we look for him, let us mingle tears -with our gladness, that one so holy and excellent should be destined to -endure these things for our sakes; and when we behold him, let us sink -at his feet in grateful adoration of his love.' - -"When the young man had spoken, he walked away. Impelled by an -unconquerable impulse, I followed, and took him in my arms, and -embracing him, said: 'Of a truth thou art a prophet! Thy words come -home to my heart like the echo of ancient prophecy.' - -"'Nay. I have learned these things from the study of the Scripture,' -he said, with angelic candor and modesty. 'But I have been aided, how -much I have no words to tell thee, by one who hath wisdom and truth -abiding in him above all men, and whom it is my happiness to have my -bosom friend, as he is near my own age. If I am wise, or virtuous, or -good, or know the Scriptures, it is that he hath been my counselor and -teacher.' - -"'What is his name?' I asked, 'for I also would go and learn of him.' - -"'He withdraws from the public eye, and hath little converse but with -few, and shuns all notice. Without his permission I could not take thee -to him.' - -"'What is his appearance, and where doth he dwell?' I inquired, more -deeply interested. - -"'He abides at present at Bethany, my own city. He is so beloved by -us, that we detain him as our guest. But he dwelleth at other times -with his mother, a holy widow of great sanctity and matronly dignity, -living at Nazareth in humble condition, and he contributes by labor -to her support, with the most exemplary filial piety. No person ever -approaches and speaks with him without leaving a wiser and better man.' - -"'Verily,' said Joseph and I together, 'you have only increased our -desire to behold him. His appearance must be noble.' - -"'There sits upon his brow a serene dignity, tempered with mildness, -that commands the respect of age, and wins the confiding love of -childhood. His eyes beam with a light, calm and pure, as if shining -from interior holy thoughts, and they rest upon you, when he speaks, -with a tenderness that is like the dewy light of the young mother's -gaze, when she bends in silent happiness and tears over the face of her -first-born. His face is one soft sunshine of smiling rays, tempered -in an indescribable manner with a settled look of sadness, an almost -imperceptible shade of permanent sorrow, that seems to foreshadow a -life of trial and suffering.' - -"'He must be another prophet,' said Joseph, with deep earnestness. - -"'He does not prophesy, nor preach,' answered the young man. - -"'What is his name?' I asked. - -"'Jesus, the Nazarene.' - -"As the young man was then about to move away, I asked him his name, -as he had greatly drawn out my heart towards him, and I felt that if I -could be his friend, and the friend of the wise young man of Nazareth, -I should be perfectly happy and have no other desire--save, indeed, to -live till the Messiah came, that I might behold him, and lay my head -upon his sacred bosom. - -"'My name is Lazarus, the Scribe,' he answered." - -"What?" interrupted Mary. "Then I know him well. He is the brother of -Mary and Martha, my friends at Bethany, where I passed a week last -year, just before the Passover." - -"The next day," continued John, "we renewed our acquaintance, and -after three days departed together homeward. Upon arriving at Bethany, -Lazarus learned that his friend had gone to Cana, in Galilee, on a -visit with his mother, to the house of one of her kinfolk, whose -daughter is soon to be married." - -Having now, my dear father, communicated to you all that John related -to us, you will see what grounds there are to look upon the prophet of -Jordan as a man sent from God, or to believe that he is the true Elias, -whom Malachi hath foretold, and who, as the most learned of the Scribes -say, must first come to proclaim the approach of the Prince of Peace, -the Shiloh of Israel's hopes. - -The account brought by John has set Rabbi Amos to studying the -Prophets, and indeed all men are looking into them with interest -unknown before. May God be indeed about to bless his people, and -remember his inheritance! - - Your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER VI. - - -My Dear Father: - -Your letter, dear father, commands me to banish this "novelty" from -my mind, and continue humbly to worship Jehovah after the manner of -our fathers. I trust this I shall ever do, my dear father; and did -I discover in this prophet any disposition to bring in a new faith, -opposed to the ancient faith of Abraham, I should tremble to entertain -it for a moment. You say that this man must be "a false and base -prophet," or he would not herald a master so low and despised as he -professes will be the Christ he bears witness to. "The kingdom of -Messias is not a kingdom of repentance and humiliation," you add, "but -one of victory, of glory and dominion." - -[Illustration: The TEMPLE of HEROD in the Time of CHRIST. This cut is -designed after the model prepared by the student and traveler, Sir -James Ferguson.] - -How can I write to you, my dear father, that which is now rushing to -my pen, after such an expression of your sentiments as you have made -in this extract from your letter? But I know you are wise, and will -not evade truth, in whatever form it may offer itself to you, and I, -therefore, with confidence in your justice and wisdom, will faithfully -make known to you the events relating to the prophet which have -transpired. - -You will remember how that John, Mary's cousin, stated that many -priests and others were offended at the plain preaching of the prophet -whom they went out into the wilderness to see. When they returned to -Jerusalem, and made known to the other members of the House of the -Priests what had been spoken against them, by the application to them -of the words of Esaias and Jeremias, and other prophets, there arose at -once a great outcry against him. At length Annas, who is High Priest -with Caiaphas, sent two of the most learned men of the Temple, Levites -of weight of character, to invite the prophet to Jerusalem; for Annas -is a wise man, and not easily carried away by popular feeling; and, as -Rabbi Amos hath told me, he is disposed to look upon the preaching of -this John with a serious and reverential eye. The messengers returned -after the fifth day, and made their report openly in the Court of the -Temple, where the High Priests sat to receive them. At length, the -assembly being convened, the two learned and venerable Levites both -rose up, and declared that they had delivered the message to John, the -son of Zacharias, the prophet of Jordan, and that his answer was given -with the reverence due to the station of the High Priest who had sent -to him. - -"'Go and say to the noble High Priest,' said he, 'that I am the voice -of one crying in the wilderness, as it is written in the book of the -words of Esaias the prophet, who, foreseeing my day, saith, "The voice -of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make -his paths straight." He who would hear my testimony to him who is to -come after me, let him seek me in the wilderness, whence only I am -commanded to lift up my voice till Shiloh come.'" - -When the priests heard this answer they were greatly enraged, and many -fiercely cried one thing and many another; some that he should be -sought out and stoned to death for defying the High Priest; others, -that he should be accused to the Procurator, Pontius Pilate, Governor -of Judea, as a seditious and dangerous person, and fermenter of -insurrections. Caiaphas was of the latter opinion. But the milder Annas -viewed the whole matter in a different light, and said: - -"Men and brethren, let nothing be done hastily. If this man be a false -prophet, he will soon perish, and we shall hear no more of him. If, -peradventure, as it would appear, he is sent from God, let us not -make haste to do him a mischief, lest, haply, we be found contending -against the Lord of Hosts." - -This moderation found favor with but few, and of these few, Rabbi Amos -was one. But if the priests who thronged the outer court, in presence -of the High Priest, were deeply moved at the report of the prophet's -answer, their excitement became well-nigh uncontrollable when both -Melchi and Heli, their messengers, rose up, waving their hands for -silence, and declared that, after having listened to the prophet to -whom they had been sent, they were convinced of the truth of his words, -and of his divine commission, and had been baptized of him in Jordan, -confessing their sins! - -Only the sanctity of the Temple prevented the five hundred priests -rushing upon them and smiting them when they heard this. They were at -once placed under arrest by order of the High Priest, Caiaphas, for -acting in a manner unbecoming a priest of the Most High God. The people -who had heard John preach, however, were only prevented from rescuing -the two priests by the presence of a guard of Roman soldiers, for which -Caiaphas promptly sent. - -From this account, my dear father, you can form some idea of the -excitement which the preaching of this new prophet is producing among -all classes. - -If the Prince of Glory should, indeed, suddenly appear, there could be -scarcely more excitement, though it would be of a different nature. - -As next week Rabbi Amos does not serve in his course in the Temple, and -as he will have some affairs that take him to Gilgal, he has yielded -to the desire of his daughter Mary and myself to accompany him; for -he does not conceal from us that he shall make it a point to visit -and hear the prophet, as it will be but two hours' travel from Gilgal -to the place where he preaches. You will, I fear me, object to this -journey. But if the worship of our fathers has nothing to fear from -falsehood, it surely has naught to fear from truth; and in either case -I, as a true daughter of Israel, have nothing to fear. If the prophet -teach what is false, I shall remain true; and if he teach that which is -true, shall I not be the gainer? - -One thing is clear--if the Christ that John prophesies be the true Son -of the Highest, and is in reality to make his appearance ere long, in -humiliation and poverty, his rejection by the High Priests, and by -the rich and powerful of Judah, is certain. May God, then, remove -blindness from our eyes, that, if this be the very Messias indeed, -Israel may recognize their king when he cometh, and not do so fearful a -thing in their pride as to reject him openly. - -You will remember the young Roman centurion, to whose courtesy I was -indebted for rescuing me from the rudeness of the two Gentile soldiers. -He has preserved, since then, acquaintance with Rabbi Amos, who speaks -of him with respect; and as he has of late expressed some interest in -knowing what the studies are which occupy the Rabbi so constantly when -he calls to see him, the Rabbi sent for me to come into the marble hall -of the corridor, where they sat by the fountain under the shade of the -acacia, which Amos says you took with your own hands from Isaiah's -grave and planted here, many years ago, and which I, therefore, call -"my father's tree." - -"Come hither, Adina," said my uncle, in his benevolent tones; "here -you behold a noble Roman youth whom you must be too generous to have -forgotten." I bowed and scarcely lifted my eyelids from the tesselated -floor, for there was a fire in the glance of the handsome youth that -they could not encounter. He said some words of salutation; but I only -heard the voice, which fell upon my heart with a strange vibration, -like the effects of music. "The Roman centurion," continued Amos, "hath -desired to know something of the sacred books of our nation, of which -he saith he hath heard much; and of the prophecies, from which he -believes the famed Sibylline books were composed." - -Then, turning to the centurion, "Here is an Egyptian maiden, who can -interpret for thee in the idiom of Grecia, or of Italia, and I will -place the sacred roll in her hands while I listen. Come Adina, open and -read the beginning of the Book of Moses." - -To this narrative the youthful warrior listened with the profoundest -respect and attention. He asked if the Messias had yet come who was -to restore all things; and, if not, when he was to be looked for. -This inquiry led to a conversation upon the preaching of John in the -wilderness and his predictions of the near advent of Shiloh. Rabbi -Amos, seeing that he was becoming deeply interested in the subject, -made me turn to the particular prophecies of Daniel, Esaias, David -and others, and read them to him; both those which described, in -golden words, the glory and dominion of his power, and those which -represented him as despised and rejected. The young man remained some -time very thoughtful. At length he said, with animation: "I can now -comprehend why men run into the wilderness. I should like to hear this -prophet." - -When Amos told him that he contemplated journeying to Gilgal the next -week, and intended to visit the desert to hear him, he at once asked -permission to be of his company, saying: - -"I will accompany you with a squadron of horse, as the roads are not -safe; for no longer ago than yesterday we received a rumor that the -celebrated robber chief, Barabbas, at the head of a large band, has -made his appearance again on the hills between Ephraim and Jericho." - -It is therefore decided, dear father, that we leave early next week for -Jericho and Gilgal. On my return I shall not fail to write you without -delay. Till then withhold your judgment, and have confidence in mine. -With holy aspirations for the coming of the kingdom of David and the -restoration of his throne in Zion, I remain, with filial love, your -daughter, - - Adina. - - - - -LETTER VII. - - -My Dear Father: - -You will recollect that in my last epistle I made mention of our -intention to go to Gilgal, where John, the betrothed of Mary, was to -meet us and accompany us to Jordan. - -It was faint dawn when we rose from our couches to prepare for the -journey. The mules upon which we were to ride were brought into the -court by the two swarthy Gibeonite serfs whom Rabbi Amos holds in -his service, and caparisoned with rich saddles covered with Persian -saddle-cloths, embroidered with gold. The two pack mules were also made -ready, on one of which was the traveling equipage of my cousin Mary and -myself, which Rabbi Amos smilingly said took up more space than the -goods and traveling wares of a Damascus merchant. At sunrise, after -we had kneeled upon the housetop, in view of the Temple, and sent up -our prayers with its sacrifices and clouds of ascending incense, we -descended to the court-yard to mount for the road. - -The morning was bright and cheerful, with the golden sun pouring its -light over temple and tower, castle and roof, wall and rampart, hill -and grove, valley and brook. As we turned the street leading to the -Sheep Gate, we passed the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, whom I -saw standing upon the marble porch of his superb palace. He was not -arrayed in his sumptuous robes, with the breast-plate of dazzling -stones, and kingly cap, as I had seen him in the Temple, but was -dressed in a flowing black robe, over which was thrown a scarf of white -linen; and upon his snow-white locks he wore a scarlet hood, a dress -common to all the priests, so that if I had not recognized him by his -tall and commanding form and flowing white hair and piercing eye, as he -surveyed us, I should have known that it was the High Priest. - -A little further on we met a party coming from the country beyond -Kedron, with large cages upon their mules, laden with turtle doves -and young pigeons, which they were carrying to the Temple, to be sold -there for sacrifices. My heart pitied the innocent things, whose blue, -pretty heads were thrust by the dozen through the rough bars of their -prison-houses, as they cast their soft eyes up at me, as if asking me -to deliver them from their bondage. As Mary was riding behind me, in -order to let the laden mules pass with their immense cages, one of the -turtle doves, affrighted by the noise of the streets, extricated itself -from between the bars, and spreading its wings, flew into the air, and -then taking its flight for the country, soared far above the city walls -and disappeared in the distance. I felt rejoiced at the innocent bird's -escape, and sent my good wishes for its safe return to its lodge in the -wilderness. Just before we reached the Sheep Gate, by which we were -to gain the Jericho road, we met a poor blind man leading a lamb, or -rather being led by a tame lamb. He also had two pigeons in his bosom. -He was asked by Rabbi Amos, who knew him, whither he was going. He -answered that he was going to the Temple to sacrifice them. "Nay," said -Amos, with surprise, "thou wilt not sacrifice thy lamb, Bartimeus?" - -"It is an offering to God, Rabbi Amos." - -"But thy lamb leadeth thee everywhere. It is eyes to thee. Thou canst -not do without it. And thy doves? Thou earnest by them many a mite in a -day, they are so well taught in cunning and pleasant tricks to please -children. If thou wilt sacrifice, spare these so needful to thee, and -here is money to buy doves and another lamb," answered my benevolent -uncle. - -"Hear what I have to say," answered Bartimeus. "My father became sick -and was likely to die. The next day my mother, who has nourished my -childhood and loved me, though I was born blind, with all her heart, -was also taken sick. The same night my little daughter, my little blind -daughter, whose face I never saw, and who never saw her father's face, -was sick nigh unto death. My father, my mother, my child, are now -restored, and in my joy I am on my way to the Temple, to offer these -gifts of God to him. It will not be hard to part with them, since, in -giving all that I have, I but show my love to God." - -With these words he went on, the lamb, obeying the string which he -held, softly moving on before; while I could see the sightless eyes -of the righteous son and pious father trickle tears, as he kissed and -kissed again the precious doves that lay in his bosom. This little -occurrence made me sad; yet I honored the resolute piety of this poor -man, whose eyes, though they saw not men, seemed to see God and feel -his presence. There is still humble piety in the land, my dear father, -and finding it not among the proud and splendid priests, we must look -for it in the hearts of the poor and humble, like Bartimeus. - -Once outside the gates, the air blew fresh from the hills of olives. -After being so long confined within the walls and narrow streets, it -seemed to me that I had just broken out of my cage, like the pretty, -blue-headed turtle dove, and I felt like winging my way, too, to the -free deserts. - -We had hardly reached the place where the two roads meet, when we heard -to the west the sound of the galloping of a large body of horse, and -the next moment the young Roman centurion came in sight, riding at the -head of a troop of horse, whose martial appearance, with the ringing of -their armor and the melody of their bugles, made my blood leap. Æmilius -looked like a prince, and his burnished armor shone in the sun like -armor of fire. At his side rode a youth who bore the eagle of his band, -but the centurion himself carried in his hand only the badge of his -rank, which was a vine-rod bound with rings of gold. He saluted us with -that courtesy which distinguishes his every motion, and then dividing -his troop into two bodies, half of whom, trotting on ahead, led the -van, and the other half, falling behind, served as a rear-guard. He -then gave the word to move forward. - -Farewell, dear father, till my next, when I will resume my narrative of -the events which have taken place since I left Jerusalem. The God of -our father Abraham be your defence and shield. - - Your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER VIII. - - -My Dear Father: - -My last letter ended with an account of the Roman escort, under -the authority of the young Roman centurion who, as I have before -written to you, with so much courtesy proffered its protection to our -little party. The day was yet early, and the air was of that buoyant -elasticity so agreeable to breathe, and which strikes me as one of -the peculiar blessings of this holy land of our fathers. As I rode -along, I felt as if I would gladly mount the Arabian of the desert and -fly across the sandy seas of Edom, with the fleetness which amazes me -whenever I see the children of the desert ride; for a band of thirty -came boldly near us from a gorge as we approached Bethany, and after -watching us a few moments, scoured away into the recesses of the hills -like the wind, as a detachment of our Roman escort was ordered to -gallop towards them. We were fortunate in having such strong protection. - -We soon afterwards reached the summit of the ridge above Bethany, from -which eminence we had a gorgeous view of the Holy City of God, with its -lofty Temple glittering in the sunbeams. The Tower of Antonia darkly -contrasted with its splendor, and the citadel of David frowned over the -walls with a warlike majesty that deeply impressed me. I drew rein, and -entreated Rabbi Amos to delay a few moments while I surveyed Jerusalem, -but he was too far ahead to hear me, and the centurion, riding up to -my side, stopped respectfully with a portion of his command, and said -he would await my leisure. I could not but thank him for his civility, -and then turning towards the city, I was soon lost to all else but the -awful contemplation of it. - -"You should see Rome," said the centurion, who had watched my emotion -evidently with surprise. "It is a city of grandeur unequalled. It -covers six times more space than this city, and it contains three -hundred and sixty-five temples, while Jerusalem contains but one!" - -"There is no God but one," I answered, impressively. - -"We believe there is one God, who is the author of a great multitude -of lesser gods, and to each we erect a temple," he said firmly, yet -respectfully. - -[Illustration: Rome] - -Upon this, touched with pity that one so noble in mind and person -should be so ignorant of the truth, I began to show him from the -Prophets that God was one, and that all things were made by him. But -he, plucking a blossom from a tree within reach, said: - -"It is beneath the dignity of the Father of the gods, the great Jove, -to descend to make a flower like this, or shape a crystal, or color -the ruby, or create that golden-eyed humming-bird which flutters among -those fragrant blossoms. He made the sun, and moon, and stars, and -earth, but left the lesser works to inferior deities. Talk to me of thy -one God, and prove to me, maiden, that he made all things, and is one, -and thy God shall be my God." - -We now rode forward through the street of Bethany, and soon came to -the house of our former friend, Rabbi Abel, who died many years ago at -Alexandria, when he went there with merchandise, and after the welfare -of whose children you desired me to make inquiries. It was a plain and -humble dwelling before which Rabbi Amos assisted me to alight; but -there was an air of neatness and sweet domestic repose about it that -at once came home to my heart, and made me love the place even before -I had seen the inmates. On hearing of my arrival, there came out a -fair young girl of twenty-two, with the most amiable expression of -affectionate welcome, and approaching me with mingled respect and love, -she embraced me, while Rabbi Amos pronounced our names to each other. -I felt immediately as if I were in a sister's arms, and that I should -love her always. Next came forth a young man of about thirty years of -age, with a countenance of an exceedingly interesting expression, full -of intellect and good will. He was pale and habitually thoughtful, but -a fine friendly light beamed in his dark, handsome eyes, as he extended -his hand to welcome me. You have already had a full description of -him, and of his character, in one of my former letters, and need not -be told that it was Lazarus, the son of your friend. At the threshold -Martha, the eldest sister, met me, but with more ceremony, and made an -apology for receiving me, the rich heiress of Alexandria, as she termed -me, into so lowly a dwelling; but I embraced her so affectionately -that this feeling passed away instantly. Martha busied herself at once -to prepare refreshments for us, and soon set before us a frugal but -agreeable repast. Mary, in the meanwhile, and Lazarus, sat on either -side of me, and asked me many questions about Alexandria. - -I cannot describe to you the loveliness of the person of Mary, and yet -not so much the perfection of features as the soul which animates them, -and lends them a charm that I cannot adequately convey to you. - -Martha, the oldest, is of a more lively disposition, yet more -commanding in her aspect, being taller and almost queenly in her mien. -Her eyes and her hair are jet black; the former mild and beaming with -intelligence, like those of her brother Lazarus, whom she resembles. -She has a winning voice, and a manner that leads you to feel strong -confidence in her friendship. She seemed to take the whole management -of our entertainment upon herself. Lazarus conversed chiefly with -Rabbi Amos, who questioned him with much interest about the prophet -John of the wilderness. After our repast, Martha showed me three -beautiful bands of embroidery, which she was working for the new vail -of the Temple to be put on next year; for the sisters live by working -needle-work for the Temple, and Lazarus makes copies of the Laws and -Psalms for the priests. He showed me his copying-table, and the rolls -of parchment upon it, some partly inscribed in beautiful characters, -some quite complete. He also showed me a copy of the book of Isaiah, -which had occupied him one hundred and seven days. It was exquisitely -executed. - -Seeing upon the table a richly worked book-cover of silk and velvet, -with the letters, "J. N." embroidered in olive leaves upon it, I asked -Mary if that, being so elegant, was not for the High Priest. - -"No," answered Martha, with brightening eyes, speaking before her -sister could reply, "that is for our friend, and the friend and brother -of Lazarus." - -"What is his name?" I asked. - -"Jesus, of Nazareth." - -"I have heard John speak of this person," said my cousin Mary, with -animation. "I should feel happy to know him also." - -"If you had been here a few days ago," replied Martha, "you would have -seen him. He left us, after being with us three weeks, to return to -Nazareth. But he requested to meet Lazarus at Bethabara, on the third -day from this, for some important reason; and my brother will go, for -he loves him so that he would cross the seas to meet him." - -"Then," said Rabbi Amos to Lazarus, "if you are to journey so soon -towards Jordan to meet your friend, you had best join our company and -share our escort." To this Lazarus consented. - -I left this blessed abode with regret, and felt that I should be -perfectly happy if I could be admitted as a fifth link in the wealth of -their mutual love. - -About noon we stopped at a caravanserai, half the way to Jericho -from Bethany. Here we overtook a friend of Rabbi Amos, the venerable -and learned scholar and lawyer, Gamaliel. Accompanying the lawyer, -Gamaliel, was a young man who was his disciple, and who went with -him as a companion by the way. His name is Saul, and I noticed him -particularly, because I overheard the venerable lawyer say that he was -the most remarkable young man who had ever sat at his feet to learn -the mysteries of the law. This young law disciple and Lazarus rode -together, and talked long and earnestly by the way, the former thinking -that nothing but mischief would come of the new prophet's preaching, -while the latter warmly defended him and his mission as divine. To -their conversation the Roman centurion listened with the closest -attention, for Saul was learned in the Prophets, and drew richly from -its stores to prove that the true Messias can never be heralded by so -mean a messenger as this preacher of repentance in the wilderness. - -I now write to thee beneath the roof of the country residence of Rabbi -Amos. To-morrow early we are going to Bethabara, a little village -beyond Jordan, but situated on its banks, near which we learn John is -now baptizing. Lazarus has gone on with Saul and the learned Gamaliel, -with many lawyers and doctors in company, who desire to see and hear -this prophet of the wilderness. - -That the hope of Israel may not be long deferred, and that we may -receive the Messias, when he cometh, in humble faith, in honor and in -love, is the prayer of - - Your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER IX. - - -My Dear Father: - -In these letters to you I hope you will pardon the details which I -enter into, for it is my earnest desire that you should see everything -with my eyes, as if you had been present with me, in order that you may -be able to judge of the remarkable events of which I have undertaken to -give you a complete history. - -After Rabbi Amos had reached the house in the wheat fields of Gilgal, -he kindly told us that he was ready to accompany my cousin Mary and -myself to the Jordan to hear the prophet. We had not ridden a great way -from the house when we overtook two men on foot, with staves in their -hands and wallets upon their shoulders. As we passed, one of them bowed -with respect to Rabbi Amos, who, from his rank as a priest and his -venerable appearance, always commands the homage of all men. - -"Whither goest thou at such a pace, friend Matthew?" said Rabbi Amos, -returning his salutation. "Canst thou leave thy tax-gathering these -busy times to go into the wilderness?" - -The person, who was a man of stout figure, with dark hair and beard -and a look of intelligence, but whose costume was plain and ill-worn, -smiled and answered: - -"If a man would find the payers of tribute nowadays, good master, he -must not stay at home, forsooth, but go into the wilderness of Jordan. -Verily, this new prophet emptieth our towns, and we publicans must -remain idle in our seat of customs or go with the tide." - -"And thinkest thou," continued my uncle, as the two men walked along by -the side of his mule, "thinkest thou this prophet is a true son of the -prophets?" - -"He works no miracles, unless indeed the power of his preaching be a -miracle," answered Matthew. - -"This man is an impostor. There can be no prophet unless he prove his -mission by miracles," suddenly said the companion of Matthew, speaking -up abruptly in a sharp and unpleasing voice. Now neither Mary nor I -liked the face of this man from the first. He was low in height, was -ill-featured, and his attire was mean; but he had a suspicious air, -combined with a cringing deference to Rabbi Amos, that made me think -he must be a hypocrite. He smiled with his mouth and teeth, but at -the same time looked sinister out of his eyes. An air of humility -seemed to me to be put on to conceal the pride and wickedness of his -character. He looked like a man who could artfully deceive to gain his -selfish ends, and who would kneel to you to overturn you. The sound of -his voice confirmed my first impression of him. Upon speaking, Rabbi -Amos fixed his eyes upon him, as if he did not like the manner of his -breaking in upon the conversation. - -"What is thy companion's name, friend Matthew?" he asked aside, as the -other walked on ahead. - -"His name is Judas, called Iscariot. He hath been engaged by me to bear -the moneys I collect in the country villages; and as we are to gather -taxes both at Gilgal and Bethabara, he cometh with me." - -At length, dear father, after hastening the speed of our mules and -riding pleasantly for two hours along the verdant banks of Jordan, we -came in sight of a square tower of stone, peering above the trees -which marked the site of the village of Bethabara. "That tower," said -Rabbi Amos, "stands over a cave in which Elijah long dwelt. From the -summit of yonder hill, at the left, the prophet was caught up and -ascended to heaven upon the chariot of fire; and near where you see the -single rock, Elisha divided Jordan with the fallen mantle left him by -the ascending prophet of God." - -While my eyes were fixed upon the hill, and my imagination presented to -me Elijah standing upon the chariot of heaven, disappearing amid the -clouds, there was an opening in the wood before us, and all at once -we beheld a scene that made my heart cease to beat, it was so new and -wonderful. Near the place the winding river takes a broad curve, and -the opposite village of Bethabara lies in the hollow of it, forming -the center of half a circle. This widely curving shore was alive with -the human heads that filled it. And of this vast multitude every eye -was concentrated upon the prophet. He was standing near the opposite -shore (the Jordan here is very narrow and can be forded), in the -water, addressing the countless assembly that stood opposite to and -half encircling him. Near him, behind, and on either side, sat his -disciples, upon the bank, at least a hundred in number, chiefly young -men. - -The clear voice of the youthful prophet of the wilderness fell -distinctly on our ears, so great was the stillness of the vast -audience. To my surprise I saw John, the cousin of Mary, standing -close to the prophet, and listening with the deepest and most reverent -attention to every syllable he uttered. The subject of the prophet's -discourse was as before, and as always, the coming of the Messias. Oh, -that I could give you, my dear father, the faintest idea of the power -and eloquence of his language! - -"Do you ask me if the blood of bulls and goats take not away sin? I -answer and say unto you, that the Lord hath said that he delighteth not -in these rivers of blood," he continued earnestly. - -"For what, then, great prophet," asked one of the chief Levites, who -stood near him, "for what, then, are the sacrifices ordained by the -law of Moses? for what then the altar in the Temple, and the daily -sacrifice of the lamb?" - -"For what?" repeated the prophet, with his eyes beaming with the -earnest light of inspiration; "for what but as types and shadows of -the real and true sacrifice appointed by God from the foundation of the -world? Think ye a man can give the lamb of his flock for himself? Nay, -men of Israel, the day has come when your eyes shall be opened. The -hour is at hand when the true meaning of the daily sacrifice shall be -understood. Lo, the Messiah cometh, and ye shall see and believe!" - -There now came several persons towards him who desired baptism. While -he was baptizing these persons, both men and women, I saw appear -on a little mound near the tower, Lazarus, the brother of Martha, -accompanied by a man of about his own years, of an indescribable -dignity and grace of aspect, combined with an air of benevolence and -peace that at once attracted me. - -He was wrapped in a vesture of dark blue cloth, which was folded about -his form; his head was bare, and his hair flowed like a Nazarene's down -about his shoulders. He seemed so unlike all other men, in a certain -majesty united with sweetness that marked his whole air, that I could -not withdraw my gaze from him. - -The prophet at the same moment rested his eyes upon him, and as he did -so, I saw a change come over his face, as if he had seen an angel. His -eyes shone with unearthly brilliancy; his lips parted as if he would -speak, yet had lost the power; and then, with his right hand stretched -forth towards the noble stranger, he stood for a moment like a statue. -All eyes followed his and the direction of his stretched-out arm. -Suddenly he exclaimed, and oh, how like the trumpet of Horeb his voice -rang!-- - -"Behold!" - -There was not a face in that vast multitude that was not directed -towards the little eminence. - -"Ye have asked wherefore is slain the daily lamb," continued the -prophet. "The day has come when the lamb of sacrifice, which can take -away no sin, shall cease. Behold!" And here he stretched forth both -arms towards the dignified stranger. "Behold him who taketh away the -transgressions of men! He it is who, coming after me, is preferred -before me. He it is to whom I bear witness, as the Messiah, the Son of -the Highest! There stands the Christ of God! the only true Lamb, whose -blood can take away the iniquities of us all. He hath dwelt among you, -he hath walked your streets, he hath sat in your homes, and I knew him -not, till I now behold on him the sign of the Messiah!" - -When the prophet had thus spoken in a voice that thrilled to every -bosom, we beheld the august stranger advance towards the prophet. -He moved on alone. Lazarus had fallen prostrate on his face. As -he continued to come forward, all was expectation in the immense -multitude. The mass of heads swayed this way and that, to get a sight -of his face, which I could see was serene, but pale and earnest. John, -the cousin of Mary, seeing him approach, lowly knelt, and bowed his -head in reverential awe and love. Those who stood between him and the -prophet moved involuntarily apart, and left an open path for him to the -water-side. He walked at a slow and even pace, with an air of humility -veiling the native dignity of his kingly port. - -The prophet, on seeing him come near, regarded him, as it seemed to me, -with far more awe than all others. - -"What wouldst thou of thy servant, O Messiah, Prophet of God, mighty -to save?" he said, in tremulous tones, as the stranger came even some -paces into the water towards him. - -"To be baptized of thee," answered the Christ, in a still, quiet voice, -that was heard to the remotest bounds of the crowd. Never, oh, never -shall I forget the sounds of that voice, as it fell upon my ears! - -"I have need to be baptized of thee; and comest thou to me?" answered -the prophet, with the lowliest humility and awe of manner and with -looks expressive of his amazement. - -"It becometh us to fulfill all righteousness," answered Messiah, -mildly; and when he had said this, the prophet, though still with a -manner of doubt, and with the holiest reverence, administered then unto -him, in the sight of all the people, the like baptism which he had -administered to his disciples. - -And now, my dear father, comes to be related the most extraordinary -thing that ever took place in Israel since the Law was given from Sinai. - -No sooner did the baptized stranger go up out of the water, than there -was heard above all our heads a noise as of rolling thunder, although -the sky was cloudless; and when in great fear we looked up, we beheld -a dazzling glory far brighter than the sun, and from the midst of this -celestial splendor there darted with arrowy velocity a ray of light -which descended and lit upon the head of the Christ. Some of the -people said it thundered, and others that it lightened, but judge of -the amazement and admiration of all, and the dread awe that shook every -soul when, amid the glory above his head, was seen the form of a dove -of fire, with outspread wings overshadowing him as it were, and from -the heavens what was supposed to be thunder shaped itself into a voice, -which uttered these words in the hearing of every ear: - -"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!" - -At hearing these words from the skies a great part of the multitude -fell on their faces. Every cheek was pale, and each man gazed on his -neighbor in wonder and fear. When the majestic, yet terrible, voice -had given utterance to these words, the light disappeared, the dove -re-ascended to the skies and was lost to sight, leaving a halo of -divine glory resting upon the head of this "Son of God." He alone -seemed unmoved and calm amid all this awful scene, and going up the -river bank, disappeared mysteriously and suddenly from my earnest -gaze. At length, when men came a little to themselves, and would gaze -on him whom all knew now to be the Christ, no one could find him, so -effectually had he withdrawn himself from their homage. - - Your affectionate, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER X. - - -My Dear Father: - -I shall now resume the narrative interrupted by the close of my last -letter. - -The excitement which the sudden disappearance of Jesus produced, led to -a universal separation of the multitude. No one knew whence he had gone -save John, Mary's cousin, and Lazarus, who reverently followed him. -The prophet John, of Jordan, appeared to me to be more surprised at -what had taken place than any others. He looked constantly around for -Jesus, and then, with his hands clasped together and uplifted, gazed -heavenward, as if satisfied, with the thousands around him, that He had -been received up into heaven. - -Rabbi Amos and our party remained standing near the water, for he -desired to speak with John, who stood alone in the midst of the water, -precisely where he had baptized Jesus. Not one of his disciples -remained with him. Rabbi Amos drew near, and said to him: - -"Holy prophet, knowest thou what man, if man he may be called, was just -baptized by thee?" - -The prophet, whose eyes had been steadfastly raised all the while, -bent his looks with tearful tenderness upon Rabbi Amos, and said, -plaintively and touchingly: - -"This is he of whom I spake, After me cometh a man which is preferred -before me, for he was before me. And I knew him not; but he that sent -me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt -see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he that -baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw the Spirit descending like a -dove; and I saw and bear record that this is the Son of God." - -"And whither, oh, holy prophet of Jordan," asked Rabbi Amos, with deep -and sacred interest, "whither has he departed?" - -"That I know not. He must increase and I must decrease, whether he -remaineth on earth or has been taken up into heaven. My mission is now -drawing to its close, for he to whom I have borne witness is come." - -Thus speaking, he turned and walked out of the water on the side -towards Bethabara, and disappeared among the trees that fringed the -bank. I now looked in the face of Rabbi Amos, upon whose arm Mary was -tearfully leaning. His face was grave and thoughtful. I said, "Uncle, -dost thou believe all that thou hast seen and heard?" - -"I know not what to say," he answered, "only that the things which -I have beheld this day are evidences that God has not forgotten his -people Israel." He said no more. We left the banks of the Jordan in -silence and awe, and remounting our mules, returned towards my uncle's -house at Gilgal. On the way we constantly passed crowds of people, all -in high talk about the wonderful events which had taken place at the -river. The impression seemed universally to be that Jesus had gone up -into heaven after he was baptized. - -But, my dear father, it is with deep joy that I am able to tell you -that this wonderful person is still on the earth. I stated that my -cousin John and Lazarus had kept their eyes upon him from the first, -and that they had seen him pass down the river, where some projecting -and overhanging trees hid him at once from view. Though they often lost -sight of him, they yet followed him by the print of his sandals in the -wet sand of the shore, and at length came in view of him, as he was -leaving the river bank, and going towards the desert, between two low -hills, which hid him from their eyes. - -They went on, but though they moved forward rapidly, they next saw -him far distant, crossing the arid plain that stretches south towards -Jericho and the desert. They ran very swiftly, and at length coming -near him, called, "Master, good master, stay for us, for we would -follow and learn of thee!" - -He stopped, and turned upon them a visage so pale and marred with -sadness and anguish, that they both stood still and gazed upon him -with amazement at beholding such a change. The glory of his beauty had -passed away, and the beaming splendor which shone upon his countenance -was wholly gone. The expression of unutterable sorrow that remained -pierced them to the heart. Lazarus, who had been so long his bosom -friend, wept aloud. "Weep not! thou shalt see me another day, my -friends," he said. "I now go to the wilderness, in obedience to the -Spirit which guideth me thither. Thou shalt, after a time, behold me -again. It is expedient for you that I go whither I go." - -"Nay, but we will go with thee," said Lazarus, earnestly. "If thou art -to endure evil, we will be with thee." - -"There must be none to help. There must be none to uphold," he said -firmly, but sadly. "I must tread the winepress of temptation alone!" - -He then left them, waving his hand for them to go back. They obeyed -sorrowfully, wondering what his words meant, and wherefore it was -needful for him to go into the desert, where certain mysterious trials -seemed to wait for him; and they wondered most of all at the change in -his countenance, which, from being lustrous with celestial light, was -now, said Lazarus, "marred more than the sons of men." From time to -time the two young men looked backward to watch the receding figure of -the Christ, till they no longer distinguished him in the distance of -the desert, towards the dreadful solitudes of which he steadfastly kept -his face. - -The two friends came on to the house of Rabbi Amos, at Gilgal, the same -night, and we sat together late at night upon the porch under the fig -trees, talking of Jesus. - -Now, my dear father, how wonderful is all this! That a great Prophet -is among us, cannot be denied. The star of John the Baptizer's fame -dwindles into a glow-worm before the glory of this Son of God! That -he will draw all men unto him, even into the wilderness, if he takes -up his abode there, cannot be questioned. But all is mystery, awe, -curiosity, wonder, and excitement just now. - -May the God of our fathers' house come forth indeed from the heavens, -for the salvation of his people! - - Your devoted and loving, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XI. - - -My Dear Father: - -In my last letter to you I spoke of our return from Jordan to Gilgal. -At the house were assembled not only John, the cousin of Mary, and the -noble Lazarus, but also Gamaliel and Saul. The court of the dwelling -was thronged with strangers, and the common people who, being far from -their homes and without food, had freely been invited to lodgings and -food by the hospitable priest. - -As we sat up late conversing with deep interest upon the remarkable -events of the day, an observation made by John, when speaking of the -change in the face of Jesus, that "His face was marred more than the -sons of men," led the venerable Gamaliel to say to us: - -"Those are the words of the prophet Esaias, and are truly spoken by him -of Messias, when he shall come." - -"Let us consult Esaias, then, and see what further he hath said," cried -Rabbi Amos. "Mary, bring hither the roll of the Prophets." - -My Cousin Mary returned, and placed the book on a small stand before -him. - -"Read aloud, worthy Rabbi," said the philosopher Gamaliel, "we will -all listen; for though I do not believe this young man who was to-day -baptized is Messias and the Christ, who is to restore all things to us, -yet I am prepared to reverence him as a great prophet." - -"And," answered Rabbi Amos, "if we find the prophecies do meet in him -that which we look for to meet in Messias when he cometh, wilt thou -believe, venerable father?" - -"I will believe and reverently adore," answered the sage, bowing his -head till his flowing white beard almost touched his knees. - -"Read Adina, for thy eyes are young," said my uncle; and I read as -follows: - -"'Behold, my Servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and -extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage -was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of -men.'" - -"How completely," said John, "those words describe his appearance on -the verge of the desert, and yet I used them unconsciously." - -"But," said Saul, Gamaliel's disciple, "if this be prophesied of the -Christ, then we are to have a Christ of humiliation, and not one of -honor and glory. Read one part which you have omitted, maiden." - -I read on as follows: "'Behold, my Servant shall be exalted and -extolled, and be very high. He shall sprinkle many nations; the kings -shall shut their mouths at him. He shall lift up his hand to the -Gentiles, and set up his standard to the people. Kings shall bow down -to him with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of his -feet!'" - -"There! Such is our Messias!" exclaimed Saul. - -"Yes, it is a Christ of power and dominion who is to redeem Israel," -added Gamaliel; "not an unknown young man, scarcely thirty years of -age, who came from whence no one knoweth, and hath gone as he came. As -for the Christ, we shall know whence he cometh!" - -At hearing this great and good man thus discourse, dear father, my -heart sank within me, for Lazarus had already told us that his friend -Jesus was of humble birth, a carpenter's son, and his mother a widow; -that he had known him from boyhood, but known him only to love him. I -now looked towards him, but I took courage when I saw that the words -of Gamaliel did not in the least dim the light of faith and confidence -which brightly sparkled in his eyes, that his friend Jesus was truly -Messias of God. But my eye fell on what follows, and as I read it I -gained more confidence: "He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we -shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him." - -"If the first part of this prophecy," said Lazarus, his fine eyes -lighting up, as he looked at Saul, "be of the Christ, as you have just -now confessed, then is this last of him; and the fact that you reject -him is but the fulfillment of this part of the prophecy." - -Hereupon arose a very warm discussion between Gamaliel and Saul on one -side, and Rabbi Amos, John and Lazarus on the other. - -"But let this be as it may," said John, after the arguments on both -sides had been mainly exhausted, "how will you, O Gamaliel, and you, -Saul, get over the extraordinary voice and fiery appearance which -distinguished the baptism?" - -"That must have been a phenomenon of nature, or done by the art of the -famed Babylonish sorcerer, whom I saw prominent in the multitude," -answered the philosopher. - -"Did you not hear the words?" asked Rabbi Amos. - -"Yes, Rabbi; nevertheless, they may have been thrown into the air from -the lungs of this sorcerer; for they do marvelous things." - -"Would you suppose that a sorcerer would be disposed to apply the -sacred words of the Lord?" asked John, earnestly. - -"By no means," he answered, reverently. - -"If Rabbi Amos will allow me, I will show you the very words in King -David's prophecies of Messias." - -All looked with interest on John, as he took from his mantle a roll of -the Psalms. He opened it and read as follows: - -"'Why do the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against -his Anointed? I will declare the decree. The Lord hath said unto me, -Thou art my Son.'" - -Upon hearing this read, Gamaliel was thoughtful. - -"It is extraordinary," answered he. "I will search the Scriptures when -I reach Jerusalem, to see if these things be so." - -"But," said Saul, with some vehemence, "listen while I read some -prophecies also." And he unrolled the book of the Prophets and read -these words: - -"'Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands -of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to -be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from -everlasting.' - -"Now, you will confess, Rabbi Amos," he added, with a look of triumph, -"that this word refers to our expected Messias?" - -"Without doubt," answered my uncle, "but--" - -"Wait, I beseech you, learned Rabbi," said Saul, "until I read you -another prophecy." And he read: "'I have made a covenant with David, -Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up thy throne to all -generations. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun -before me. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise -unto David a righteous Branch.' - -"Now, you will all admit, brethren, that these prophecies refer to -Messias. He is therefore to come of the lineage of David, and he is to -be born in Bethlehem. Show me that this Jesus, the Nazarene, fulfills -both conditions in his own person, and I will prepare to believe in -him." - -This was said haughtily, and with the air of one who cannot be answered. - -But immediately Lazarus rose to his feet and said: "Although I did not -recollect this prophecy, that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, yet I -am overjoyed to find the fact respecting Jesus fulfills it. He was born -in Bethlehem of Judah. This I have known some years, and--" - -Here, while my heart was bounding with joy, Gamaliel said sternly, "I -thought this man was born in Nazareth?" - -"He has lived," answered Lazarus, "in Nazareth from childhood only. -During the days when Cæsar Augustus issued a decree that all the world -should be taxed, his mother, and Joseph her husband, went up to the -City of David to be taxed, which is Bethlehem, and there Jesus was -born, as I have often heard from her lips." - -"Admitting, then, that he was born in Bethlehem," said Saul, "you have -to prove his lineage from David's line." - -"Wherefore did his parents go to Bethlehem, David's city, unless they -were of his royal line?" asked Rabbi Amos, "for none went to any other -city to be taxed than that of their own family. The fact that they went -there is strong evidence that they were of David's house." - -"Every one born in the city of David," remarked Gamaliel, "is not of -necessity of David's house; but it is surprising if this Jesus really -was born in Bethlehem." - -"But may not his lineage be ascertained without a doubt from the -records of the tribes, and of their families, kept by command of the -law of the Temple?" I asked of my uncle. - -"Without question. These books of the generations of our people are to -be relied on," he answered. - -"In fact," said Gamaliel, "they are kept with the greatest accuracy, -and it is so ordained by God, for the very reason that when Messias -cometh we may know whether he who claims to be such be of the house of -David or no. I will examine the book of the generations, and see if his -mother and father come of the stock and seed of David." - -"And if you find that they do," asked John, with emotion, "can you -doubt any longer whether Jesus be the Christ? Will not the fact of his -being born in Bethlehem, and of the lineage of David, not to speak of -the witness of God's own audible voice, heard by our ears this day, -will not these facts lead you to believe that he is the Christ?" - -"They will prevent me from actually rejecting him," answered the cold -philosopher. "But every child born in Bethlehem, and of the house of -David, and there are many of them in Judah, fulfills, so far, the -conditions of these two prophecies; these are not, therefore, Messiahs." - -"What more can you ask for?" asked Mary, with feeling, for she strongly -believed that Jesus was the Christ. - -"Miracles," answered the disciple of Gamaliel, glancing at the face of -his master inquiringly. - -"Yes, miracles," also answered the sage. "The Messiah is to heal the -sick by a word, restore sight to the blind, cast out devils, and even -raise the dead." - -"If he restore the blind and raise the dead, I will doubt no longer," -answered Saul. - -There was at this moment an interruption caused by noisy altercations -in the court among some of John the Baptist's disciples. Rabbi Amos, as -host, went out to put an end to these disputings, when Gamaliel retired -to his chamber, and the conversation was not renewed. - - Your daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XII. - - -My Dear Father: - -Let me resume the interesting subject of which my letters have been so -full. - -It is now eight weeks since our return from Gilgal. For five weeks -after we reached Jerusalem, we heard nothing of Jesus, until John, son -of Elisaph, reappeared. He and Lazarus came into the city together, and -to the house of Rabbi Amos. Our first inquiry was: - -"Have you seen him? Have you heard anything from him?" - -"John has seen him," answered Lazarus, seriously. "Ask him, and he will -tell you all." - -We looked at John, who sat sad and pensive, as if he were dwelling in -his mind upon some painful, yet tender, sorrow. The eyes of my Cousin -Mary, which always caught their lustre from his, were shaded with an -inquiring look of sympathy and solicitude. - -"You are not well, I fear," she said, placing her fair hand upon his -white brow, and putting back the hair from his temples. "You have been -long away, and are weary and ill." - -"Weary, Mary? I shall never complain of weariness again, after what I -have beheld." - -"What have you seen?" I asked. - -"Jesus in the desert; and when I remember him there, I shall forget to -smile more." - -"You have found him, then?" I eagerly asked. - -"Yes, after days of painful search. I found him in the very center of -the Desert of Ashes, where foot of man had never trodden before. I saw -him upon his knees, and heard his voice in prayer. I laid down the sack -of bread and fishes and the skin of water I had brought with me to -succor him, and with awe drew near where he stood. - -"As I came closer to him, I heard him groan in spirit, and he seemed to -be borne down to the earth by some mortal agony. He was, as it were, -talking to some invisible evil beings who assailed him. - -"'Rabbi, good Master,' I said, 'I have brought thee food and water. -Pardon me if I have intruded upon thy awful loneliness, which is sacred -to some deep grief; but I weep with thee for thy woes, and in all thy -afflictions I am afflicted. Eat, that thou mayest have strength to -endure thy mysterious sufferings.' - -"He turned his pale countenance full upon me, and extended towards me -his emaciated hands, while he smiled faintly, and blessed me and said: - -"'Son, thou art very dear to me. Thou shalt one day be afflicted for -me, but not now, and then understand wherefore I am now a sufferer in -the desert.' - -"'Let me remain with thee, Divine Messias,' I said. - -"'Thou believest, then, that I am he?' he answered, regarding me with -love. - -"I replied by casting myself at his desert-parched feet, and bathing -them with my tears. He raised me and said, 'Go thy way presently. When -the time of my fasting and temptation is past, I will see thee again.' - -"'Nay, I will not leave thee,' I asserted. - -"'If thou lovest me, beloved, thou wilt obey me,' he answered, with a -tone of gentle reproof. - -"'But thou wilt first eat of the bread I have brought, and drink of the -water,' I entreated. - -"'Thou knowest not what temptation thou art offering to me,' he -replied, sadly. 'Thou hast not enough for thine own needs. Go, and -leave me to gain the victory over Satan, the prince of this world, for -which I was led by the Spirit thither.' - -"I once more cast myself at his feet, and he lifted me up, kissing me, -and sent me away. Oh, you would not have known him! Worn and emaciated -by long abstinence, weak through suffering, he looked but the shadow of -himself. He could not have lived thus if there had not been a divine -power within to sustain him! His existence so long, for he had been in -the desert five weeks without food when I found him, was a miracle in -itself, proving the power of God to be in him." - -"For what mighty work among men is God preparing him?" said Rabbi Amos, -with emotion. "Surely he is a prophet come from God." - -"Think you he still lives?" I asked, with anxious fears, scarcely -trusting my voice above a whisper. - -"Yes," answered John. "I am come to tell you he was divinely sustained -through all; and after forty days he came forth from the wilderness, -and suddenly presented himself on the banks of Jordan, among John's -disciples. I was standing near the Baptizer, discoursing of the Christ, -and marvelling when his exile to the desert would terminate, when the -prophet, lifting his eyes, cried with a loud voice full of joy: - -"'Behold again the Lamb of God, upon whom the Spirit of God descended! -He hath come from the furnace like gold seven times tried in the fire! -He it is who alone taketh away the sins of the world!' - -"I turned and beheld Jesus advancing. He was pale and wore an -expression of gentle, uncomplaining suffering on his benign and -spiritualized countenance. I hastened to meet him, and was kneeling in -joy at his feet, when he embraced me as a brother and said, 'Faithful, -and full of love, wilt thou follow me?' - -"'I will nevermore leave thee,' I answered. - -"'Where dwellest thou, divine Master?' then asked one of John's -disciples, Andrew by name, who was with me. - -"'Come, my friends, and see,' he answered; and we went after him with -joy unutterable. - -"He entered the village of Bethabara, and, approaching the house of a -widow, where he abode, went in. We followed him, and by his request -took up our abode with him. Oh, how shall I be able to make known by -words," added John, "the sweet expression of his discourse! In one day -in his presence I grew wise; his words filled the soul like new wine -and made the heart glad. The next day he wished to go into Galilee, and -so on to Nazareth, where his mother dwelleth; and as I have made up my -mind to follow him as his disciple henceforth, I have only come hither -to make known my purpose to Mary, and to arrange my affairs in the -city. To-morrow I will leave again, to join this, my dear Lord, at Cana -of Galilee." - -"Canst thou divine at all his purpose?" asked Rabbi Amos of John, -"whether he intends to found a school of wisdom, to preach like the -prophets, to reign like David, or to conquer like his warrior namesake, -Joshua?" - -"I know not, save that he said he came to redeem that which was lost, -and to establish a kingdom that shall have no end." - -Upon hearing this, all our hearts bounded with hope and confidence in -him, and we all together burst forth into a voice of thanksgiving, and -sang this hymn of praise: - - "O sing unto the Lord a new song. He hath done marvelous things; his - right hand and his holy arm hath gotten the victory. - - "The Lord hath made known his salvation; his righteousness hath he - openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. - - "He hath remembered his mercy and his truth towards the house of - Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." - -There was this morning, dear father, no little excitement produced -among the chief priests by a formal inquiry sent by Pilate to -Caiaphas, the High Priest, asking whether this new prophet was to be -acknowledged by them as their Messiah, "for, if he is to be, it will -be my duty," said the Governor, "to place him under arrest, inasmuch -as we understand the Jewish Messias is to declare himself king." -Upon this there was a tumultuous assembling together of the priests -in the porch of the Temple, and with many invectives they agreed to -send answer to Pilate that they did not acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth -to be the Christ. What Pilate will conclude to do, I know not. Rabbi -Amos informed us that the Procurator had got some news by courier that -morning that Jesus, on his way to Cana, had been followed by a full -thousand people, who hailed him as the Christ. - -Thus you see, my dear father, that this divine person is already taking -hold of the hearts of the people, and arousing the jealousy of our -enemies. Be assured that the day will come when he will lift up his -standard to the Gentiles, and draw all men unto him. - - Your loving, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XIII. - - -My Dear Father: - -Since I last wrote you, my faith has been confirmed by the testimony -which in one of your letters you demanded. You said, "Let me hear that -he has done an authentic miracle in attestation of the divinity of his -mission--such a miracle as was prophesied Messias shall do, as healing -the sick by a word, restoring the blind to sight, and raising the -dead--and I will prepare to believe in him." - -Miracle he has performed, dear father, and one the genuineness of which -is not disputed by any one. I can give you the particulars best by -extracting from a letter written by John to Mary, a few days after his -departure to join Jesus at Nazareth: - -"Upon reaching Nazareth," says the letter, "I was guided to the humble -dwelling occupied by the mother of Jesus, by a large concourse of -people gathered about it, of whom inquiring, I learned that it was to -see the new Prophet they had thus assembled. 'What new Prophet?' I -asked, wishing to know what the multitude thought of Jesus. - -"'The one of whom John of the wilderness foretold,' answered one. - -"'They say he is Messias,' replied another. - -"'He is the Christ,' boldly asserted a third. - -"Hereupon a Levite standing by, said scornfully, 'Does Christ come out -of the country of Galilee? You read the Prophets to little purpose, -if you see therein any Christ prophesied to come out of Nazareth -of Galilee.' Hereupon, seeing the faith of many staggered, I said, -'Brethren, Christ is truly to be of Bethlehem, and verily Jesus, though -now he dwelleth in this place, was born in Bethlehem.' - -"'Thou canst not prove it, man!' said the Levite angrily. - -"'The stranger speaketh truly,' spoke up both an old man and a -gray-haired woman in the crowd. 'We know that he was not born here, and -that when his parents moved hither, when he was an infant, they then -said he was born in Bethlehem. We all remember this well.' - -"Hereupon the Levite, seeing that he had not the people with him, -passed on his way, while I went to the door of the house where Jesus -dwelt with his mother. There were two doors, one of which led into a -workshop, where I noticed the bench and tools of the occupation at -which he had toiled to support himself and his mother. But when, as I -entered the dwelling, I saw him standing, teaching those who hung on -his lips, and listened to his calm voice, and heard the sublime wisdom -of his instructions, beheld the dignity of his aspect, and felt the -heavenly benignity of his manner, I forgot the carpenter, I forgot the -man, and seemed to behold in him only Messiah the Prince, the Son of -God. - -"Upon beholding me, he extended his hand, and received me graciously, -and said, pointing to five men who stood near him, regarding him with -mingled love and reverence, 'These are thy brethren, who have also come -out of the world to follow me.' - -"Of these, one was Andrew, who had been, as well as myself, John's -disciple. Another was Andrew's brother, whose name is Simon, whom -Jesus, from the firmness and immovable zeal of his character, which -he seemed to understand, called also Peter, or Stone. The fourth -disciple was of Bethsaida. His name was Philip, and he followed Jesus -from having been prepared by John the Baptist to receive him. He was, -moreover, so overjoyed at finding the Christ, that he ran to the house -of his kinsman, Nathaniel, and finding him in his garden, beneath a fig -tree, at prayer, exclaimed: - -"'We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did -write, the Messias of God!' - -"'Where is he, that I may behold him?' asked his relative, rising. - -"'It is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,' Philip answered. - -"Upon hearing this answer, the countenance of Nathaniel fell, and he -replied: - -"'Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?' - -"'Come thou and see for thyself,' answered Philip. - -"Nathaniel then went with him where Jesus was. When Jesus saw him -approaching, he said to those about him: - -"'Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!' - -"'Whence knowest thou me?' asked Nathaniel, with surprise, for he had -heard the words which were spoken. Jesus answered and said: - -"'Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw -thee.' - -"Upon hearing this Nathaniel, who knew that he was all alone in his -garden and unseen at prayer when his brother came, regarded the serene -face of Jesus steadfastly, and then, as if he beheld therein the -expression of omnipresence, he cried before all the people: - -"'Rabbi, thou art the Son of God! Thou art the King of Israel!' - -"Jesus looked upon him as if pleased at his confession, and said: - -"'Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest -thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. Verily, verily, I say -unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God -ascending and descending upon the Son of man.' - -"The next day James, my brother, and I went to the sea of Tiberias, -but two hours distant, to see our father Zebedee, and transfer our -interests to him; and, during the afternoon, Jesus passed near the -shore on his way to Cana, when, calling us, we forever left our ships -and our father and joined him. His mother and many of her kinsfolk were -of the company, all going to a marriage of the cousin of the family. -Upon our arrival at Cana, we were ushered into the guest chamber. - -"The marriage feast at length commenced. The wine which should have -come from Damascus had not arrived, the caravan having been delayed -by the insurrection near Cesarea, and the chief ruler of the town, -presiding at the feast, seeing that the wine had given out, bade the -servants to place more upon the board. The mother of Jesus, who knew -that the wine was out, and that, looking upon this as an ill omen, the -family of the bride were in great distress, turned to Jesus and said, -'They have no wine.' - -"The holy Prophet of God looked grave and said, applying to her the -title which we deem most honorable of all others, 'Woman, what have I -to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.' - -"She must have understood his words, all mysterious as they were to me, -for, turning to the servants, she beckoned to them, while her cheek -borrowed a rich color from her hidden joy, and her eyes kindled with -loving sympathy for those about to be relieved in their distress. When -two or three of the servants had approached, she said to them: - -"'Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.' - -"The face of Jesus, ever calm and dignified, now seemed to assume -a look of majesty inexpressible, and his eyes to express a certain -consciousness of power within, that awed me. Casting his glance upon -several stone vases, which stood by the door empty, he said to the -servants: - -"'Fill the water pots with water.' - -"In the court, in full sight from the table, was a well to which the -servants forthwith went with jars, which I saw them fill with water, -bear it in upon their heads, and pour it out into the water pots, until -they had filled them all to the brim. - -"In the meantime the governor of the feast and the majority of the -guests were absorbed in conversation and did not observe what was -taking place. - -"'Draw out now and bear unto the governor of the feast,' said Jesus to -the servants. - -"They obeyed, and pouring rich, blood-red wine from the jars which I -and others had seen filled up with simple water from the well, the -amazed servants bore it to the chief of the feast. He had no sooner -filled his goblet and tasted it, than he called to the bridegroom, who -sat in the middle of the table, and said: - -"'Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men -have well drunk, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good -wine until now.' - -"'Who hath brought this wine?' asked the bridegroom, drinking of the -water that was made wine. 'Whence it came, sir, I know not.' - -"Then the servants and others told that they had filled the six water -pots with water to the brim, at the command of Jesus the Prophet, and -that when they drew out, behold it flowed forth wine instead of water! -Upon this there was a general exclamation of surprise, and the governor -of the feast, crying out, 'A great prophet indeed hath been among us, -and we knew it not!' rose to approach and do honor to Jesus; but he had -already conveyed himself away, at once rising and passing out through -the door, and seeking the solitude of the gardens." - -The rumor of the miracle at Cana has reached Jerusalem since I began -this letter, and I hear that it has produced no little excitement in -the market-places and courts of the Temple. Rabbi Amos, on his return -from sacrifice, a few minutes ago, said that he saw, in the court of -the Temple, more than thirty priests with rolls of the Prophets in -their hands, engaged in looking up the prophecies of the Christ. - - Your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XIV. - - -My Dear Father: - -You will not require the testimony of my letters to enable you to -appreciate the fame of the wonderful young man of Nazareth, Jesus, of -whose works you must have heard ere this. His fame for wisdom, for -knowledge of the Scriptures, for power to teach, and for miracles, -has gone abroad through all Syria, so that they bring to him sick -persons, both rich and poor, even from Damascus, to be healed of him; -and he heals all who are brought unto him, whether possessed of devils, -lunatic, or having the palsy. While I now write, a company is passing -the open window, bearing upon beds two wealthy men of Jerusalem, given -over by their physicians, who are going to him to be cured. - -"So great is the multitude which everywhere follows Jesus," writes John -to Mary, "that he is often compelled to withdraw from them by stealth, -to get to some by-place of quiet where he can refresh his wearied -strength for a few days. At such times we, who are his immediate -followers, have the benefit of his teaching and private instructions. -But he cannot remain long away from the people. They soon penetrate -his retirement. How wonderful is he who thus holds in his hands divine -power! The authority of kings is nothing before that which he possesses -in his voice; yet he is serene, humble, oh, how humble! to our shame; -and always calm and gentle. He spends much time in private prayer to -God, whom he always addresses as his Father. Never was such a man on -earth. We, who know him most intimately, stand most in awe of him; yet -with our deep reverence for his holy character is combined the purest -affection. In one and the same breath I feel that I adore him as my -Lord, and love him even as my brother. So we all feel toward him." - -Such, my dear father, is the tenor of all John's letters. When we shall -see Jesus at Jerusalem, I shall be able from personal observation to -write to you more particularly concerning his doctrines and miracles. -What is also of importance, it has been proven by the results of the -examination made by some of the scribes of the Temple, that he was -truly born in Bethlehem, and that both his mother Mary, and Joseph -her husband, are lineal descendants of the house of David. Moreover -Phineas, the venerable priest, whom you know, hath borne testimony to -the fact that when Jesus was an infant, during the reign of the elder -Herod, there arrived in Jerusalem three eminent princes, men of wisdom -and learning. One of these came from Persia, one from the Grecian -province of Media, and one from Arabia, and brought with them gifts of -gold and spices, and were attended by retinues. These three princes -reached Jerusalem the same day by three different ways, and entered -by three different gates, each unknowing to the other's presence -or object, till they met in the city before Herod's palace. One -represented himself descended from Shem, another from Japhet, the third -from Ham. And they mysteriously, it is said, typified all the races of -the earth who by them recognized and adored the Savior of men in the -child Jesus. The king, hearing that these three strangers had arrived -in Jerusalem, sent to know wherefore they had honored his kingdom with -a visit. "They answered," says Phineas, "that they came to do homage to -the young prince, who was born king of the Jews." And when Herod asked -what prince they spoke of, they answered, "We have seen his star in the -East, and are come to worship him." - -"Hereupon," says Phineas, "the king issued an edict for all the chief -priests and scribes of the people to assemble in the council chamber of -his palace. He then addressed them: - -"'Ye to whom is given the care of the books of the Law and the -Prophets, whose study they are, and in whom lies the skill to interpret -the prophecies, search therein, and tell me truly where the Christ is -to be born. Behold here present these august and wise men who have come -from afar to do him homage; nay more, as they aver, to worship him as -God. Let us have the courtesy to give them the answer that they seek, -and let us not be found more ignorant of these things than those who -dwell in other lands.' - -"Several of the chief priests then rose and said: 'It is known, O king, -to all who are Jews, and who read the Prophets, that Messias cometh of -the house of David, of the town of Bethlehem; for thus it is written by -the prophet: "And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not least -among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a governor that -shall rule my people Israel."' - -"This question being thus decided," continued Phineas, "Herod dismissed -the council, and retiring to his own private room, secretly sent to -the three princes of the East to inquire of them what time the star -appeared. He then said to them: - -"'You have my permission, noble strangers, to go to Bethlehem, and -search for the young child: and when ye have found him, bring me word -again, that I may come and worship him also.' Then they left the -presence of Herod, and it being dark when they left the palace, they -were overjoyed to behold the star which they saw in the East, going -before them. They followed it until it left Jerusalem by the Bethlehem -gate, and it led them on to the town of Bethlehem, and stopped above -an humble dwelling therein. When they were come into the house, they -saw the rays of the star resting upon the head of an infant in the arms -of its mother Mary, the wife of Joseph. They at once acknowledged and -hailed him as Prince and King of Israel, and falling down, worshiped -him; and opening their treasures, they presented unto him gold, -frankincense and myrrh, gifts that are offered on the altar to God -alone." - -When Phineas was asked by Caiaphas how he knew this fact, he answered -that he himself, prompted by curiosity to see the prince they had come -to worship, had followed them out of the palace of Herod, out of -the gate, and even into Bethlehem, and witnessed their prostrations -and offerings to the infant child of Mary. "And," he added, "if -this be doubted, there are many Jews now living in Jerusalem, and a -certain Hebrew captain, now stricken in years, who can testify to the -slaughter, by Herod's command, of the infants of Bethlehem; for this -captain, Jeremias, led on the soldiers." - -"And wherefore this slaughter?" asked Caiaphas. "It is not on record." - -"Kings do not record their deeds of violence," answered Phineas. "Herod -kept it hushed up when he found that he gained nothing by it but -hatred. He slew them in order that the infant Jesus might be destroyed -among them; for the three wise men, instead of returning through -Jerusalem to their own country, and informing him where they had found -the child, departed by another way. But the child escaped, doubtless by -God's powerful protection." - -"Dost thou believe in him also?" asked Caiaphas, with angry surprise, -looking sternly on Phineas. - -"I will first see and hear him speak, and if he be proven to me to be -Messias, I will gladly worship him." - -"Hereupon," said Rabbi Amos, "there arose a great uproar, some crying -that Jesus was the Christ, and others that Phineas should be stoned to -death." - -Thus you see, my dear father, how the evidence increases in value and -importance, proving Jesus to be the Messiah. Tell me, is not this the -Christ? - - Your affectionate and loving, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XV. - - -My Dear Father: - -The inquiry you made in your last letter, "What hath become of the -prophet of Jordan, since the fame of Jesus hath so eclipsed his -own?" I can answer but with sadness. The mission on which John came -terminated when Jesus came. Soon afterwards he left the wilderness and -entered Jericho, where Herod chanced to be visiting. Here he preached -in the public places, and in the market, and on the very steps of the -Governor's palace. Now while he was thus speaking to the people, and -the officers and soldiers of the Tetrarch's guard, Herod himself came -forth upon the balcony to listen. The prophet no sooner beheld him -than he boldly addressed him, and sternly reproved him for the sin of -having married the wife of his brother Philip, contrary to the law. -Now Herod, it is said, did not show resentment at his plain dealings, -but, inviting the prophet into his hall, talked much with him, and in -parting offered him gifts, which John refused to touch. The next day he -sent for him again to ask him some questions touching the Messias of -whom he preached. Now Herodia, when it was reported to her, after the -return of Herod from Jericho to his Tetrarchy, how that the prophet had -publicly spoken against her marriage with Herod, became very angry; and -when she found that John was still favored by her husband, she sent for -Herod and said that if he would please her he must throw the prophet -of Jordan into prison. At length Herod yielded, against his own will, -and gave orders for the arrest of the prophet; who, the same night, was -thrown into the ward of the castle. For some weeks this holy man, whose -only offense was that he had the courage to reprove sin in high places, -remained in bonds, while Herod each day sought to find some excuse for -releasing him without displeasing Herodia, of whose anger he stood -in great fear, being an abject slave to his love for her. At length -the birthday of Herod arrived, and he conveyed word to John that in -honor of the day he would send and fetch him out of prison as soon as -he should obtain the consent of his wife, which he believed she would -accord to him on such an anniversary. - -Now, after the feast, Philippa, the daughter of Herodia, and of her -former husband Philip, came in and danced before Prince Herod; and -being beautiful in person and full of grace in every motion, she so -pleased her step-father that he made a great oath, having drunk much -wine with his guests, that he would give her whatsoever she would -ask, were it the half of his kingdom. Her mother then called her, and -whispered to her imperatively. - -"Give me," said the maiden, turning towards Herod, "the head, now, of -John the Baptist in a charger." - -The Tetrarch no sooner heard this request than he turned pale, and said -fiercely: - -"Thy mother hath been tampering with thine ears, girl. Ask half of -my kingdom and I will give it thee, but let me not shed blood on my -birthday." - -"Wilt thou falsify thine oath?" asked his wife, scornfully. - -"For mine oath's sake, and for those who have heard it, I will -grant thy desire," he at length answered, with a sigh of regret and -self-reproach. He then turned to the captain of the guard and commanded -him to slay John Baptist in prison, and bring presently there his head -upon a charger. - -At the end of a quarter of an hour, which was passed by Herod in great -excitement, walking up and down the floor, and by his guests in silent -expectation, the door opened, and the captain of the guard entered, -followed by the executioner, who carried a brazen platter upon which -lay the gory head of the eloquent forerunner of Christ. - -"Give it to her!" cried Herod, sternly, waving him towards the -beautiful maiden who stood near the inner door. The executioner placed -the charger in her hands; and, with a smile of triumph, she bore it to -her mother, who had retired to an inner room. - -All the disciples of the murdered prophet then went where Jesus was -preaching and healing, and told him what had been done to John. "When -Jesus heard of the death of John, he was very sorrowful," writes John -to Mary, "and went away into a desert place apart." In the meanwhile -the disciples of John Baptist fled, some into the deserts, while -others sought Jesus to protect and counsel them. At length he found -himself surrounded by a great multitude, chiefly of John's disciples, -besides many who had come to hear him preach and be healed of him. The -place was a desert and far from any town. Forgetful of all else, save -following Jesus, they were without food. "Which," says John, writing -to Rabbi Amos, "we who were his disciples seeing, suggested that Jesus -should send them away to the villages to buy themselves victuals. But -Jesus answered us, and said quietly: - -"'They need not go away; give ye them to eat.' - -"And Simon said, 'Master, where can we get bread for so many? We have -among us but five loaves and two small fishes.' - -"Upon hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is enough; bring them hither to me.' - -"We collected the bread and fishes, and I, myself, laid them upon a -rock before Jesus. He then said to us, 'Command the multitude to sit -down on the grass.' And when they were all seated, he took the five -loaves and laying his hands upon them and upon the two fishes, he -looked up to heaven and blessed them, and then, breaking them into -fragments, he gave them to us his disciples, and bade us distribute to -the people. As often as we would return for more, we found the loaves -and the fishes undiminished, and I saw with wonder how, when this -Prophet of God would break off a piece of one of the fishes or of a -loaf, the same part would immediately be seen thereon as if it had not -been separated; and in this manner he continued to break and distribute -to us for nearly an hour, until all ate as much as they would. When no -one demanded more, he commanded us to gather up the fragments which lay -by his side, and there were twelve baskets full over and above what -was needed. The number that was thus miraculously fed was about five -thousand men, besides nearly an equal number of women and children. And -this mighty Prophet, who could thus feed an army, voluntarily suffered -forty days and nights the pangs of hunger in the desert! He seems a man -in suffering, a God in creating!" - -This wonderful miracle, my dear father, is one that has too many -witnesses to be denied. Not a day passes that we do not hear of some -still more extraordinary exhibition of his power than the preceding. -Every morning, when men meet in the market places, or in the corridors -of the Temple, the first inquiry is, "What new wonder has he performed? -Have you heard of another miracle of this mighty Prophet?" The priests -alone are offended, and speak evil of him through envy. - -They even have gone so far as to assert that he performs his miracles -by magic, or by the aid of Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. "If -we suffer him to take men's minds as he doth," said Caiaphas to Rabbi -Amos yesterday, when he heard that Jesus had walked on the sea to join -his disciples in their ship, and stilled a tempest with a word, "the -worship in the Temple will be at an end, and the sacrifice will cease. -He draweth all men unto him." - -You have asked, dear father, in your letter, "Where is Elias, who is to -precede Messias, according to the prophet Malachi?" This question Jesus -himself has answered, says John, when a rabbi put it to him. He replied -thus: - -"Elias has come already, and ye have done unto him whatsoever ye -listed." - -"Dost thou speak of John the Baptist?" asked those about him, when -they heard this. - -"John came in the spirit and power of Elias, and therefore was he thus -called by the prophet," was the answer of Jesus. - -I did not tell you that besides the six disciples whom I have named, -he has chosen six others, which twelve he keeps near his person as his -more favored followers, and whom he daily instructs in the doctrines -he came down from heaven to teach. Of the thousands who never weary of -going from place to place in his train, he has also selected seventy -men, whom he has despatched by twos into every city and village of -Judea, commanding them to proclaim the kingdom of God is at hand, and -that the time when men everywhere should repent and turn to God, has -come. - -It is now commonly reported that he will be here at the Passover. I -shall then behold him, and, like the wise men, I shall worship him with -mingled awe and love. I will again write you, dear father, after I see -and hear him. Till then, believe me your affectionate daughter, - - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XVI. - - -My Dear Father: - -While I write, the city is agitated like a tumultuous sea. The loud -murmurs of the multitudes in the streets, and even in the distant -market-place, reach my startled ears. A squadron of Roman cavalry has -just thundered past towards the Temple, where the uproar is greatest; -for a rumor of an insurrection begun among the people has come to -Pilate the Procurator. - -I will relate to you the circumstance in detail. - -Yesterday Mary's cousin, John, returned and came unexpectedly into -the hall of the fountain, in the rear of the house, where we were all -seated in the cool of the vines. Uncle Amos was in the act of reading -to us from the Prophet Jeremiah, a prophecy relating to the Messias -that is to come (nay, that is come, dear father), when John appeared. -Mary's blushes welcomed him and showed how dear he was to her. Uncle -Amos embraced and kissed him and seated him by us, and called for a -servant to bathe his feet, for he was dusty and travel-worn. From him -we learned that his beloved Master, Jesus, had reached Bethany, and -was reposing from his fatigues at the hospitable though humble house -of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. When we heard this, we were all very -glad; and Uncle Amos particularly seemed to experience the deepest -satisfaction. - -"If he come into Jerusalem," said he warmly, "he shall be my guest. Bid -him to my roof, O John, that my household may be blessed in having a -prophet of God step across its threshold." - -"I will tell my beloved Master thy wish, Rabbi Amos," answered John. -"Doubtless, as he has no home nor friends in the city, he will remain -under your roof." - -"Say not no friends!" I exclaimed. "We are all his friends here, and -fain would be his disciples." - -"What! Rabbi Amos also?" cried John, with a glance of pleasure and -surprise at the venerable priest of God. - -"Yes, I am ready, after all that I have seen and heard, I am ready to -confess him a prophet sent from God." - -"He is far more than a prophet, O Rabbi Amos," answered John. "Never -prophet did the works Jesus does. It seems that all power is at his -command. If you witnessed what I witness daily, as he traverses Judea, -you would say that he was Jehovah descended to earth in human form." - -"Nay, do not blaspheme, young man," said Rabbi Amos, with some severity -of reproof. - -John bowed his head in reverence to the rebuke of the Rabbi, but -nevertheless answered respectfully and firmly. "Never man did like him. -If he be not God in the flesh, he is an angel in flesh invested with -divine power." - -"If he be the Messiah," I said, "he cannot be an angel, for are not the -prophecies clear that the Messiah shall be 'a man of sorrows'? Is he -not to be 'the seed of the woman'? a man and not an angel?" - -"Yes," answered John, "you remember well the prophecies. I firmly -believe Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Yet, what he is more -than man, what he is less than God, is incomprehensible to me and to my -fellow-disciples. We wonder, love and adore! At one moment we feel like -embracing him as a brother dearly beloved; at another, we are ready to -fall at his feet and worship him. I have seen him weep at beholding the -miseries of the diseased wretches which were dragged into his presence, -and then with a touch--with a word, heal them; and they would stand -before him in the purity and beauty of health and strong manhood." - -"And yet," said Nicodemus, a rich Pharisee, who entered as John was -first speaking, and listened without interrupting, "and yet, young man, -I heard you say that Jesus, of whom you and all men relate such mighty -deeds, has remained at Bethany to recover from his fatigue. How can a -man who holds all sickness in his power, be subject to mere weariness -of body? I would say unto him, Physician, heal thyself!" - -This was spoken with a tone of incredulity by this learned ruler of the -Jews, and, stroking his snowy beard, he waited of John a reply. - -"So far as I can learn the character of Jesus," replied John, "his -healing power over diseases is not for his own good. He uses his -power to work miracles for the benefit of others through love and -compassion. Being a man with this divine power dwelling in him for us, -he is subject to infirmities as a man; he hungers, thirsts, wearies, -suffers, as a man. I have seen him heal a nobleman's son by a word, -and the next moment seat himself, supporting his aching head upon his -hand, looking pale and languid, for his labors of love are vast, and he -is often overcome by them. Once Simon Peter, seeing him ready to sink -with weariness, after healing all day, asked him and said, 'Master, -thou givest strength to others; why suffer thyself, when all health and -strength are in thee as in a living well, to be weary?' - -"'It is not my desire to escape human infirmities by any power my -Father hath bestowed upon me for the good of men. Through suffering -only can I draw all men after me!' he replied." - -John said this so sadly, as if he were repeating the very tones in -which Jesus had spoken it, that we all remained silent for a few -moments. I felt tears fill my eyes, and I was glad to see that the -proud Pharisee, Nicodemus, looked moved. After a full minute's serious -pause, he said: - -"This man is doubtless no common prophet. When he comes into the city, -I shall be glad to hear from his own mouth his doctrines, and to -witness some potent miracle." - -"Prophet he is, without doubt," answered Amos. "It is not the question -now whether he be a prophet or not; for the hundreds he has healed are -living witnesses that he has the spirit and power of the old prophets, -and is truly a prophet. The question that remains is, whether he be the -Messiah or not." - -Nicodemus slowly and negatively shook his head, and then answered: - -"Messias cometh not out of Galilee." - -At this moment a sudden wild, joyful cry from Mary thrilled our nerves, -and looking towards the door, we saw her folded in the arms of a young -man whom I had never seen before. My surprise had not time to form -itself into any definite explanation of what I saw, when I beheld the -young man, who was exceedingly handsome and the picture of health, -after kissing the clinging Mary upon her cheeks, leave her to throw -himself into the arms of Rabbi Amos, crying: - -"My father, my dear father!" - -My uncle, who had stood amazed and wonderingly gazing on him, as if -he could not believe what his eyes beheld, now burst into profound -expressions of grateful joy, and as he clasped the young stranger -to his heart, fell upon his neck and wept, with scarcely power to -articulate the words: - -"My son! My son! Lost, but found again! This is the Lord's doing and is -marvelous in our eyes!" - -John also embraced the new-comer, and the ruler stood silent with -wonder. While I was looking bewildered upon the scene, Mary ran and -said to me, with tears of gladness shining in her dark, fine eyes: - -"It is Benjamin, my lost brother, beloved Adina!" - -"I did not know you had a brother," I answered in surprise. - -"We have long regarded him as dead," she replied with mingled emotions. -"Seven years ago he became lunatic, and fled to the tombs without the -city, where he has long dwelt with many others who were possessed -with devils. For years he has neither spoken to nor known us. But oh, -now--now behold him! It seems a vision! See how manly, noble, like -himself he is, with the same intelligent, smiling eyes." - -She then flew to take him by the hand and lead him toward me, all eyes -being fixed upon him, as if he had been a spirit. - -When he saw their wondering gaze, he said: - -"It is I, both son and brother to those dearest to me. I am in my right -mind and well." - -"Who has effected this change, so extraordinary, oh, my son?" inquired -Rabbi Amos, with trembling lips, and keeping his hand on Benjamin's -shoulder, as if he feared he would vanish away. - -"It was Jesus, the Prophet of the Highest!" answered he, with solemn -gratitude. - -"Jesus!" we all exclaimed in one voice. - -"I could have said so," answered John, calmly. "Rabbi Nicodemus, thou -knowest this young man well. Thou hast known him in childhood, and -beheld him in the madness of his lunacy among the tombs. Dost thou -doubt now whether Jesus be the very Christ?" - -Nicodemus made no reply, but I saw from the expression of his face that -he believed. - -"How was this done to thee, young man?" he asked, with deep and visible -emotion. - -"I was wandering near Bethany this morning," answered the restored -one, with modesty, "when I beheld a crowd which I madly followed. -As I drew near I beheld in their midst a man, whom I had no sooner -cast my eyes upon than I felt seize me an ungovernable propensity to -destroy him. The same fury possessed seven others, my comrades in -madness, and together we rushed upon him, with great stones and knives -in our hands. The crowd gave way and fell back aghast, and called him -to save himself. But he moved not, but, left alone in a wide space, -stood calmly awaiting us. We were within a few feet of him, and I was -nearest, ready to strike him to the earth, when he quietly lifted one -finger and said, 'Peace!' We stood immovable, without power to stir a -foot, while our rage and hatred increased with our inability to harm -him. We howled and foamed at the mouth before him, for we then knew -that he was the Son of God, come to destroy us. - -"'Come out of the men and depart quickly!' he said, in a tone of -command as if to us, but really to the demons within us. At this word -I fell at his feet in a dreadful convulsion, and my whole body writhed -as if it had been wrestling with an invisible demon. Jesus then stooped -and laid his hand upon my brow and said, 'Son, arise. Thou art made -whole!' - -"At these words a black cloud seemed to be lifted from my mind. The -glory of a new existence appeared to dawn upon my soul, while his voice -melted my heart within me. Bursting into tears, the first I have shed -for seven years, I fell at his feet and kissed and embraced them." - -When Benjamin had done speaking, we all gave glory to God, who had -given him back to us, and who had sent so great a Prophet among men. - -I commenced this letter, dearest father, by an allusion to a great -commotion which is agitating the whole city, but as I have taken up -so much of this letter in relating what passed yesterday in the hall -of the fountain, I will leave the account of the tumult for my next -letter, which I shall write this evening. - -May the God of our fathers be with you, and bless you and the holy -people of the promise. - - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XVII. - - -My Dear Father: - -When, on the morning of the Passover, it was noised abroad that the -Prophet of Galilee was entering the city by the gate of Jericho, the -whole city was stirred, and from houses and shops poured forth crowds -which turned their steps in that direction. Mary and I went upon the -house-top, hoping to see something; but far and near was visible only -a sea of heads, from which a deep murmuring arose, like the ceaseless -voice of the ocean chafing upon a rocky shore. The top of the gate-way -was visible from the place where we stood, but it was black with the -people who had crowded upon it to look down. There was heard at length -an immense shout, as of one voice, which was followed by a swaying and -onward pressure of the crowds. - -"The Prophet must have entered the gate," said my Cousin Mary, -breathlessly. "How they do him honor! It is the reception of a king!" - -We were in hopes he would pass by our house, as we were on one of the -chief thoroughfares, but were disappointed, as he ascended the hill of -Moriah to the Temple. A part of the ascent to the house of the Lord -is visible from our roof, and we had the satisfaction of seeing the -Prophet at a distance. We knew him only because he was in advance. -The nighest one to him, Mary said, was her Cousin John, though -at that distance I could not have recognized him. The head of the -multitude disappeared beneath the arch of the Temple, and thousands -upon thousands followed after; and in the rear rode the young Roman -centurion, whom I have before spoken of, at the head of four hundred -horse, to keep order in the vast mass. Mary could not recognize him, -saying it was too far to tell who he was; but I knew him, not only by -his air and bearing, but by the scarlet pennon that fluttered from his -iron lance, and which I had bestowed upon him, for he told me he had -lost one his fair Roman sister, Tullia, had given him, and as he so -much regretted its loss, I supplied its place by another, worked by my -own hands. - -[Illustration: STREET IN JERUSALEM] - -The multitude, as many as could gain admission, having entered the -great gate of the Temple, for a few minutes there was a profound -stillness. Mary said: - -"He is worshiping or sacrificing now." - -"Perhaps," I said, "he is addressing the people, and they listen to his -words." - -While I was speaking there arose from the bosom of the Temple a loud, -irregular, strange outcry of a thousand voices, pitched to high -excitement. The people without the gate responded by a universal shout, -and then we beheld those nighest the walls retreat down the hillside -in terrified confusion, while, to increase the tumult, the Roman horse -charged up the hill, seeking to penetrate the masses to reach the -gate out of which the people poured like a living and tempest-tossed -river, before which the head of the cohort recoiled or was overwhelmed -and down-trodden! I held my breath in dreadful suspense, not knowing -the cause of the fearful scene we beheld, nor to what it might lead. -Mary sank, almost insensible, by my side. A quarter of an hour had not -passed when young Samuel Ben Azel, who had the day before come up from -Nain to the Passover with his mother, entered and explained to us the -cause of the scene I had witnessed. - -"The Prophet Jesus, having entered into the Temple, found all the -courts filled with merchants, changers of money, and sellers of cattle -to the sacrificers. Portions of the sacred place were divided off by -fences, in which hundreds of sheep and cattle were stalled. On his -way to the inner Temple the Prophet found his path so obstructed by -the stalls and the tables of the brokers, that he had to go around -them, and often to turn back and take a less hedged-up avenue. At -length finding, upon the very lintel of the Court of the Priests, -a priest himself engaged at a table as a money-changer, and near -him a Levite keeping a stall for selling doves and sparrows to the -worshipers, he stopped upon the step, and turning round, cast his eye, -which now beamed with an awful majesty and power, over the scene of -noisy commerce and bartering. Every face was turned towards him in -expectation. The half-completed bargain was suspended, and buyer and -seller directed their gaze, as by a sort of fascination, not unmingled -with a strange fear and awe, upon him. Those who had crowded about him -drew back farther and farther, slowly but irresistibly widening the -space between them and him, they knew not by what impulse, till he -stood alone, save near him remained John, his disciple. The uproar of -the buying and selling suddenly subsided, and the loud lowing of the -cattle and the bleating of the sheep stopped as if a supernatural awe -had seized even the brute creation at his presence, and only the soft -cooing of doves stirred the vast, death-like stillness of the place, a -moment before a scene of oaths, cries, shouts, of running to and fro, -buying and selling, the ringing of money, and the buzz of ten thousand -voices! It was as if a hurricane, sweeping with deafening uproar of -the elements over the lashed ocean, had been suddenly arrested and -followed by a great calm. The silence was dreadful! It stopped the very -beating of my heart. Every eye of the vast multitude seemed to fasten -itself on the Prophet in expectation of some dread event. The step of -the Temple upon which he stood seemed to be a throne, and the people -before him expecting judgment. Suddenly the silence was broken by a -young man near me who gave a piercing shriek, and fell insensible upon -the marble floor. There was a general thrill of horror, yet the same -awful stillness succeeded this startling interruption. That one intense -shriek had spoken for us all. Suddenly the voice of the Prophet was -heard, clear, authoritative, and ringing like the trumpet that shook -Sinai when the Law was given. - -"'It is written, My Father's house shall be called a house of prayer; -but ye have made it a den of thieves!' - -"He then picked up from the pavement at his feet a small cord, which -some one had thrown down, and doubling it in the form of a scourge, he -advanced. Before his presence fled the changers of money, priests and -Levites, sellers of oxen, sellers of sheep, sellers of doves, leaving -their property to its fate. - -"'Take these things hence,' cried the Prophet; 'make not my Father's -house a house of merchandise!' - -"Such a scene of confusion and flight was never witnessed as now -followed! In the moment of panic I was borne along with the current. -Money tables were overturned on all sides, but not the most avaricious -one present thought, at that moment, of stopping to gather any of -the gold and silver which the rushing thousands trampled beneath -their feet. It was not the whip of small cords before which we fled, -for he touched no man therewith, but it was from the majesty of his -countenance. To the eyes of all the little whip seemed to blaze and -flash above their heads, as if it were the fiery sword of a destroying -angel. In a few moments the Priests' Court of the Temple was cleared of -every soul, as we fled towards the South gate. On looking back, I saw -that the Prophet pursued not, but stood alone, Master and Lord of the -Temple. The whip was no longer in his hand, and his whole attitude and -expression of face seemed changed from their late impress to an air of -the profoundest compassion, as he looked after us, still flying from -his presence." - -My uncle, Rabbi Amos, who, on his return from the Temple, corroborated -what Samuel had stated, added that as Jesus stood alone, possessor of -the gold-strewn floors of the courts of the Temple, the High Priest -advanced towards him, and with awe, not unmixed with anger, demanded of -him by what authority he did these things. - -His answer was, "My Father's house must not be made a house of -merchandise." - -"Art thou the Christ?" asked the High Priest, still standing some -distance off from him. - -"If I tell thee that I am, ye will not believe." - -"What sign showest thou that thou art sent, and hast authority to do -what thou doest here to-day within the Temple?" - -"Hast thou not had proof of my power from heaven?" answered Jesus, -stretching forth his hand towards the still terror-stricken multitude; -and then laying it upon his breast, he added: "Destroy this temple, and -in three days I will raise it up! Be this to you, O priest, and to all -Judea, the sign that I am sent by my Father who is in heaven. As he -hath given me commandment, so I do!" - -At this there was a great murmuring, said Rabbi Amos, for many of the -priests, with Annas also, had got boldness and drawn near to hear. - -"He cannot be a just man," said Annas, "nor doth he honor God, if he -would have us destroy the Temple." - -"Yet if he be not sent of God, whence hath he this power over men?" -answered another. - -"He doeth this by Beelzebub, whose prophet he doubtless is," said -Annas, in a loud tone, "for a true prophet would not seek the -destruction of God's holy house." - -Thereupon there was a multitude of voices, some crying one thing, and -some another. Caiaphas at length obtained silence, and said to him with -awe: - -"Art thou that Christ of the Prophets?" - -"I am!" calmly and firmly answered the Prophet; and, raising his eyes -to heaven, he added impressively, "I am come down from God." - -When, adds my uncle, Annas heard this, he lifted up his voice in an -exclamation of horror, and cried out: - -"Hear ye this blasphemer! Let us cast him forth from the Temple which -he pollutes!" - -But no man dared approach the Prophet. - -"Bear witness," then said he, sorrowfully, rather than in anger, "that -I have come unto my own, and ye have received me not! This Temple of -my Father, from which you would drive me forth, shall no longer be -the dwelling place and altar of Jehovah. The day cometh when your -priesthood shall be taken away and given to others, and among the -Gentiles shall arise my Father's name, on every hill and in every -valley of the earth, holy temples, wherein he shall delight to dwell; -and men shall no longer need to worship God in Zion, but in all places -shall prayer and praise be offered to the Most High. This Temple, which -ye have polluted, shall be overthrown, and ye shall be scattered among -the nations." - -Thus speaking, the Prophet quitted the Temple, leaving the High Priest -and priests and Levites standing gazing after him, without power to -utter a word. - -Such, my dear father, is the account given by Rabbi Amos of what passed -in the Temple. That Jesus is the Christ is now beyond question, for he -has openly acknowledged it to the High Priest. - -Adieu, dearest father. The servants are bringing in boughs for the -booths, and I must close this letter, with prayers to our fathers' God -for your peace and welfare. - - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XVIII. - - -My Dear Father: - -You say in your letter, which I received from the hands of the Roman -courier, that you have read with interest all my letters, and more -especially those which relate to Jesus of Galilee. You say that you are -ready to acknowledge him as a prophet sent from God. But you add, "He -can have no claim to be the Christ, because he comes out of Galilee." - -To this objection, dear father, Rabbi Amos desires me to say that he -has investigated the records of births kept in the Temple, and finds, -as I have before named to you, that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He -afterwards removed with his parents to Egypt, and thence returning to -Judea, settled in Galilee, where he was brought up. Of these facts -in his history not only Rabbi Amos is satisfied, but Nicodemus also, -whose learning you will not gainsay; and the latter, very much to our -surprise, and my own delight, added yesterday, when we were talking -over the subject at supper, "There is a prophecy, O Rabbi Amos, which -strengthens this mighty Prophet's claim to be the Messias." - -"What is it? Let me hear all that can strengthen!" I asked earnestly; -not, dear father, that my confidence in him needs confirmation, but I -wish others to believe. - -"You will find it in the Prophet Hoseas," answered Nicodemus, "and thus -it readeth: 'I have called my son out of Egypt.'" - -My heart bounded with joy, dear father, at hearing this prophecy named; -but judge my emotion when Nicodemus, taking the roll of the Prophet -Isaiah in his hand, read the words that follow, and applied them to -Jesus: "Beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat -in darkness have seen a great light!" This changes the objection to -his coming from Galilee into additional proof of his claim to be the -Messias. - -In my last letter I informed you that Rabbi Amos had invited him -to sojourn with us during the Passover. He graciously accepted the -invitation, and came hither yesterday, after he had quitted the Temple, -from which he had with such commanding power driven forth the merchants -and money-changers. - -Hearing, while expecting him, the rumor flying along the streets, "The -Prophet comes! The Prophet comes!" uttered by hundreds of voices of -men and children, I hastened to the house-top. The whole way was a sea -of heads. The multitude came rolling onward, like a mighty river; as I -have seen the dark Nile flow when pouring its freshening floods along -its confined banks. - -Mary stood by my side. We tried to single out the central person around -whom undulated the sea of heads; but all was so wildly confused with -the waving of palm branches that we could distinguish nothing clearly. -While I was straining my gaze to make out the form of the Prophet, -Mary touched me, and bade me look in the opposite direction. As I did -so I beheld Æmilius Tullius, the young Roman centurion, now Prefect of -Pilate's Legion, advancing at the head of two hundred horsemen at full -spur, in order to meet and turn back the advancing column of people. - -As he came opposite the house he looked up, and seeing us upon the -parapet, he gracefully waved his gleaming sword, saluted us, and was -dashing past, when Mary cried out: - -"Noble sir, there is no insurrection, as some of the people have -doubtless told thee, but this vast crowd moving hitherwards is only an -escort to the Prophet of Nazareth, who cometh to be my father's guest." - -"I have orders from Pilate to arrest him, lady, as a disturber of the -peace of the capital." - -"Shall a prophet suffer because his mighty deeds draw crowds after his -footsteps, noble Roman? If thy troops advance there will be a collision -with the people. If thou wilt withdraw them a little, thou wilt see -that when the Prophet crosses my father's threshold, they will go away -in peace." - -The prefect said nothing, but seemed to look at me for some words; -which seeing, I earnestly entreated him to do the Prophet no violence. - -"For thy wishes' sake, lady, I will here halt my troop, especially as I -see that the people are unarmed." - -The centurion then gave orders to his horsemen to draw up in line -opposite the house. The multitude now came near, but many of those in -advance, seeing the Roman horse, stopped or fell into the rear, so -that I beheld Jesus appear in front, walking at an even, calm pace, -John at his side; also Rabbi Amos was with him. As he came nigher, the -people, for fear of the long Roman spears, kept back, and he advanced -almost alone. I saw John point out to him our house. The Prophet -raised his face and gazed upon it an instant. I saw his features -full. His countenance was not that of a young man, but of a person -past the middle age of life, though he is but thirty. His hair was -mingled with gray, and in his finely shaped, oval face were carved, -evidently by care and sorrow, deep lines. His flowing beard fell upon -his breast. His eyes appeared to be fixed upon us both for an instant -with benignity and peace. Deep sadness, gentle, not stern, seemed to be -the characteristic expression of his noble and princely visage. There -was an air of manly dignity in his carriage and mien, and as he walked -amid his followers he was truly kingly, yet simplicity and humility -qualified this native majesty of port. He seemed to draw out both the -awe and love of those who saw him--to command equally our homage and -sympathy. - -Passing the troop of horse, John and Rabbi Amos conducted Jesus to our -door; but before they reached it there was a loud cry from several -harsh voices to the Roman to arrest him. On looking from whence these -shouts came, I saw that they proceeded from several of the priests, -headed by Annas, who were pressing forward through the crowd, crying -menacingly: - -"We call upon you, O prefect, to arrest this man! Shame on thee, Rabbi -Amos! Hast thou also believed in the impostor? We charge this Galilean, -O Roman, with having made sedition. He has taken possession of the -Temple, and unless you see to it he will have the citadel out of your -hands. If you arrest him not, we will not answer for the consequences -that may befall the city and the people." - -"I see nothing to fear from this man, O ye Jews," answered Æmilius. "He -is unarmed and without troops. Stand back; keep ye to your Temple! It -is from your outcries comes all the confusion! Back to your altars! If -commotions arise in the city, Pilate will make you accountable. All the -rest of the people are peaceable save yourselves." - -"We will take our complaint before the Procurator!" cried Annas, who -was the chief speaker; and, followed by a large company of angry -priests and Levites, with staves in their hands, he took his way -towards the palace of the Roman Governor. - -I looked my gratitude to Æmilius for so fearlessly taking part with the -Prophet. - -The multitude now began to retire as the Roman horse slowly moved up -the street. Jesus was received into the house by Mary, and taken into -the inner hall, where, water being brought, Rabbi Amos himself removed -the sandals of the Prophet and reverently washed his feet, while Mary, -to do him all honor, dried them with a rich veil, which she had just -worked in anticipation of her coming bridal with her Cousin John. It -was at this moment I entered the hall. - -There were in the room not only Amos, and John, and Mary, but the -Priest Elias, cousin to Caiaphas, who, desirous of hearing from the -lips of the Prophet his sublime teachings, had come in with him. There -were also present five men whom I never saw before, but who, John said, -were his disciples. I, however, had no eye or ear for any one but -Jesus. I saw that he seemed very weary and pale, and for the first time -I noticed he seemed to suffer, as from time to time he raised his hand -to his temples. Desirous of serving so holy a person, I hastened to -prepare a restorative which, bringing it into the hall, I was about to -give to him, when the Priest Elias put me rudely back and said, "Nay, -maiden, let us witness a miracle!" He then turned to the Prophet and -said, "Master, we have heard much of thy power to do miracles, but have -seen none by thee. If thou wilt presently show me a miracle, I will -believe, I and all my house. Thou hast a pain in thy forehead; heal it -with a touch, and I will acknowledge thee the Christ, the Son of the -Blessed!" - -Jesus turned his eyes upon him and said, "Elias, thou readest the -Prophets, and shouldest know whether he who speaketh unto thee be the -Christ or no. Search the Scriptures, that thou mayest know that the -time of his visitation is come, and that I am he. I do no miracles to -relieve my own suffering. I came into this world to suffer. Isaiah -wrote of me as a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Blessed are -they who, not seeing, shall believe!" - -"But, Master," said the aged Levite, Asher, "we know whence thou -art--even from Galilee. But when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence -he is." - -"It is true, O man of Israel, ye both know me and whence I am. Yet ye -know not him who sent me. Ye do not understand the Scriptures or ye -would indeed know me, whence I am, and who hath sent me. But ye know -neither me nor him that sent me, for I am come out from God. If ye had -known him, ye would know me also. The time cometh when ye shall know -whence I am and believe in me; but now your hearts are darkened through -ignorance and unbelieving." - -When he had thus spoken with great dignity and power, there were many -present who were offended, and some voices murmured against him. Then -Rabbi Amos led him forth to the apartment he had prepared for him. - -In going to it the Prophet had to cross the court, and as I was -watching his retiring footsteps, I saw four men, who had climbed to -the house-top from the side street, the doors being closed, let down a -fifth in a blanket at the very feet of Jesus. It was a man afflicted -with the palsy, and their own father. Jesus, seeing their filial love, -stopped and said kindly: - -"Young men, what would ye have me to do?" - -"Heal our aged father, holy Rabbi." - -"Believe ye that I can do this?" he asked, fixing his gaze earnestly on -them. - -"Yes, Lord, we believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living -God! All things are possible unto thee!" - -Jesus looked benignantly upon them, and then taking the venerable man -by the hand, he said to him in a loud voice, so that all who were -looking on heard him: - -"Aged father, I say unto thee, arise and walk!" - -The palsied man instantly rose to his feet, whole and strong, and after -casting a glance around upon himself, he threw himself at the Prophet's -feet and bathed them in tears. The four sons followed their father's -example, while all the people who witnessed the miracle shouted, "Glory -to God, who hath given such power unto men!" - -Such, my dear father, are the increasing testimonies Jesus bears, by -miracles as well as by words, to his being Messias. - -The God of our fathers keep you in health. - - Your loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XIX. - - -My Dear Father: - -The visit of the Prophet Jesus to the city has produced results of -the most amazing character. The priesthood is divided. Caiaphas has -publicly recognized him as a prophet, while Annas has publicly declared -that he is an impostor; and thus two parties are formed in the city, -headed by the two priests, and most men have taken sides with one or -the other. But the majority of the common people are in favor of Jesus, -believing him to be the Christ. The Pharisees most oppose him, because -he boldly reproves their sins and hypocrisies. - -Even Nicodemus, who at first was inclined to accept Jesus as a prophet, -finding the Pharisees against him, and being unwilling to lose his -popularity with them, kept away from the house where Jesus was by -day; but his curiosity to learn more of him led him to visit the holy -Prophet secretly by night. This he did twice, coming alone in the -darkness, and being let in by his friend Rabbi Amos. What the results -of these interviews was I can only tell you from Mary's account. She -overheard their conversation, her window opening upon the corridor, -where Jesus was seated after supper, alone in the moonlight, for full -an hour, gazing meditatively heavenward. His pale and chiseled features -in the white moonlight seemed radiant as marble, when Rabbi Amos came -and announced the ruler, Nicodemus, as desirous of speaking with him. - -"Bid him come in and see me, if he has aught to say to me," answered -the Prophet, turning towards him. - -"Nicodemus," added my Cousin Mary, "then came to the corridor, -wrapped carefully in his mantle, and, looking about to see if he was -unobserved, he dropped it from his face, and, bowing reverently, said -to the Prophet: - -"'Pardon me, O Rabbi, that I come to thee by night, but by day thy time -is taken up with healing and teaching. I am glad to find thee alone, -great Prophet, for I would ask thee many things.' - -"'Speak, Nicodemus, and I will listen to thy words,' answered the -Prophet. - -"'Rabbi,' said the ruler of the Pharisees, 'I know thou art a teacher -come from God, for no man can do these things that thou doest except -God be with him. That thou art a mighty prophet I believe, as do all -men; but art thou Messias? Tell us plainly. We read that Messias is to -be a king who will rule the whole earth!' - -"'My kingdom, O ruler of the Pharisees, is not of this world. I am -indeed a king, but of a spiritual kingdom. My kingdom, unlike earthly -kingdoms, has no end, and those who enter it must be born again. If -not, they cannot see or desire this kingdom.' - -"'Born again!' answered Nicodemus, with surprise: 'how can a man be -born a second time? O Rabbi, thou speakest in parables!' - -"'Verily, verily, I say unto thee,' answered the Prophet, 'except a man -be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter my kingdom. He that -is born again is born a spiritual man and of my kingdom. Marvel not, -then, that I say unto thee, ye must be born again.' - -"When Nicodemus left him, Rabbi Amos said, 'Is it indeed true, O -Master, that thou art to establish a kingdom?' - -"'Yes, Rabbi Amos, a kingdom in which dwelleth righteousness,' answered -the Prophet. 'Thou shalt yet behold me on my throne, O Amos, raised -above the earth, and drawing all men unto me.' - -"'Wilt thou have thy throne in the clouds of heaven, O Master, that -thou shalt be raised above the earth upon it?' asked Rabbi Amos. - -"'My throne shall be set on Calvary, and the ends of the earth shall -look unto me and acknowledge my empire. Thou knowest not these things -now, but hereafter thou shalt remember that I told thee of them.'" - -Jesus then rose and, bidding his host good-night, retired to the -apartment which was assigned him, and Mary remained wondering on his -sayings. - -Thus, dear father, it is made certain from his own words that Jesus -is the Christ and that he is to establish a kingdom. But why his -throne shall be on Calvary instead of Mount Zion, Rabbi Amos wonders -greatly, for Calvary is a place of skulls and of public executions, -and is covered with Roman crosses, where every week some malefactor is -crucified for his crimes. - -This morning, as Jesus was going forth from the house to depart into -the country, a man lame from his youth, seated upon the threshold, -caught him by the robe, saying, "Master, heal me!" - -"Son, thy sins be forgiven thee!" answered Jesus, and then passed on; -but the scribes and Pharisees who stood about cried, "This man, be he -prophet or no, blasphemeth, for God alone can forgive sins!" - -Jesus stopped and, turning to them, said: - -"Which is easier, to say to this man, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee?' or -to say, 'Rise and walk'? That ye may know that the Son of God hath -power on earth to forgive sins--behold!" - -Then in a loud voice the Prophet said to the lame man, "Arise, take up -thy bed, and go to thine house!" - -Immediately the man rose to his feet, leaping and praising God, and -taking up the mattress upon which they had brought him to the door, he -ran swiftly away to show himself to his kinsfolk, while all the people -shouted and praised God. - -Thus did Jesus publicly show men that he could forgive sins, if he -could heal, as the power to do either came equally from God. Does not -this power prove that he is the Son of God? - -You should have seen him, dear father, as he left our house to go away -into Galilee! The street was lined with all the afflicted of Jerusalem, -and as he moved on between the rows of wretched sufferers, whose hollow -eyes and shrivelled arms were turned imploringly towards him, he healed -by words addressed to them, as he moved on, so that where he found -disease before him, stretched on beds, he left behind him health and -empty couches. We all wept at his departure and followed him to the -Damascus Gate. Here there was assembled a large company of Levites and -priests, among whom were mingled some of the most desperate characters -in Jerusalem. Knowledge of this fact reached Rabbi Amos, who at once -sent a message to Æmilius, our Roman friend, informing him that he -apprehended that there would be an attempt made to assassinate Jesus at -the going out of the gate, and asking his aid. - -Æmilius placed himself at the head of fifty horse, and reaching the -gate, pressed the crowd back, and took possession of it. When Jesus -had passed through the armed guard beneath the arch, the young Roman -courteously offered him an escort to the next village. - -Æmilius, who informed me of these things, conducted him as far as -Ephraim, and then was about to leave him to return to the city, when -four lepers came from the cemetery of the tombs, near the village, and -crying out afar off, said: - -"Thou blessed Christ, have mercy on us!" - -Jesus stopped and called to the lepers to approach. As they obeyed, the -whole company of people, as well as the Roman soldiers, drew back to a -distance, in horror at the sight of these dead-living men. They came -timidly within twenty paces of Jesus and stood still tremblingly. - -"Fear not," said he, "I will make you whole!" - -He then advanced towards them, and laying his hand upon each of them, -they all, at the touch, were instantly changed to well men, with the -buoyant form, clear eye, and rich bloom of health. - -When Æmilius saw this miracle, he dismounted from his horse, and -falling at Jesus' feet, worshiped him. - -Now, my dear father, I have thus far faithfully written all that I have -heard and witnessed respecting Jesus, as you desire. You must see that -he is more than a prophet, and must be the very Christ, the Son of the -Blessed. Withhold, oh, withhold not your belief longer! - - Your affectionate and loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XX. - - -My Dear Father: - -We are now at the humble abode of Sarah, at Nain, whither I have come -to breathe the fresh mountain air for a time. Her cottage stands in a -garden, from which is a sublime view of Tabor, in all the majesty of -his mountain grandeur. One day while I was in the garden walking, two -men, dusty and travel-worn, stopped at the half-open gate, and saluting -us, said: - -"Peace be to this house, maiden, and all who dwell therein." - -"Enter," said the widow, overhearing them, "enter and ye shall have -water for your feet and bread for your hunger." - -The two men then entered and seated themselves, and having been -refreshed by the poor but hospitable widow, one of them rose and said: - -"'This day is salvation come to this house. We are ambassadors of Jesus -of Nazareth, and go from city to city, proclaiming the day of the Lord -at hand, for Messiah is come!'" - -"Will he, then, come to Nain?" asked the widow with emotion. "I should -be willing to die so that I could lay my eyes once upon so great and -holy a man!" - -"Yes, he will come hither," answered the men, "and when we shall report -to him your hospitality to us, he will visit your house, for he never -forgets a cup of water given to one of his disciples." - -The men then departed, again calling the peace of God upon our abode. -They had not been gone many minutes before we heard a great commotion -in the market-place near by. Upon going to the house-top, we beheld -these two men standing upon an elevation, and preaching the kingdom of -Christ at hand. Upon this, some cried out against Jesus, and others -threw stones at the two men, and when we reached the house-top, we saw -one of them remove his sandals and shake the dust from them, saying in -a loud voice: - -"As ye reject the words of life, your sins remain upon you, as I return -to you the dust of your city." - -They then departed, followed by Levites, who fairly drove them from the -town. - -While we were grieving at this enmity against a Prophet sent from -God, whose life is a series of good deeds, there entered hastily a -fair young maid whose name was Ruth. She held an open letter in her -hand, and her beautiful face glowed rosily with some secret joy, which -contrasted strangely with the present sadness of our own. We knew Ruth -well, and loved her as if she had been a sister. She was an orphan, and -dwelt with her uncle, Elihaz, the Levite, a man of influence in the -town. She was artless, unsuspecting, and very interesting in all her -ways. - -"What good news, dear Ruth?" asked Mary, smiling in response to her -bright smiles. "A letter from whom?" - -"For Sarah," answered the pretty maid, blushing so timidly and -consciously that we half suspected the truth. - -"But that is not telling us from whom," persevered Mary, with a little -playfulness. - -"You can guess," she answered, glancing over her white shoulder, as -she bounded away from us into the house. - -We were soon after her, and heard her as she cried on putting the -letter into the dear widow's hand: - -"From Samuel!" - -"God be blessed!" cried the widow. "My son liveth and is well!" - -"Read, dear Sarah!" cried the maiden. "He was at Alexandria when he -wrote this, and will soon be at home. Oh, happy, happy day!" added the -overjoyed girl, quite forgetful of our presence. - -"Nay," said the widow, "my eyes are filled with tears of gladness; I -cannot see to read. Do thou read it aloud. Let Adina and Mary also know -what he writeth." - -Ruth then cast a bright look upon us, and read aloud the letter from -over the sea, which told that the writer would return in the first ship -bound to Sidon, or Cesarea, when he hoped to behold her and his mother -face to face, and to receive as his bride the maiden he had so long -loved and cherished in his heart. - -At length, as the day drew near for me to leave, we were all filled -with delightful surprise at the appearance of the long-absent son and -lover in the midst of our happy circle. - -Mary and I had once seen him, and we were now impressed with his manly -and sun-browned beauty, his bold air, and frank, ingenuous manner. We -could not but agree that the pretty Ruth had shown fine taste. But -alas! my dear father, our joy was short-lived! Little did we anticipate -how speedily our rejoicing was to end in mourning! The very night of -his return he was seized with a malignant fever, which he had brought -from Africa with him, and we were all overwhelmed with grief. - -It would be impossible to paint the anguish of the mother, the -heart-rending distress of his betrothed. - -Unconscious of their presence, he raved wildly, and sometimes fancied -himself suffering thirst on the burning sands of Africa, and at others -battling with barbarians for his life. All that physicians could do was -of no avail. This morning, the third day after his return, he expired, -amid the most distressing agonies. - -Alas! instead of a bridal, behold a funeral! Already the bearers are -at the door, and in a few minutes he will be borne forth upon the -dead-bier to the burial-place without the city. - -"Oh!" sighs Mary near me as I write, "Oh, that Jesus, the mighty -Prophet, had been here! He could have healed him!" - -John has sent to her a message, saying that Jesus is traveling this -way, on his mission of healing and teaching, and may be here this -evening. But what will it avail, dear father? Even Jesus may not return -the dead to life! Oh, if he could have been here yesterday, his power -over disease would have enabled him to save this precious life! - -I hear the heavy tread of the dead-bearers in the court below. The -shrieks and wails of the mourning-women thrill my soul with awe. But -above all pierces the wild cry of anguish of the bereaved mother! -Ruth's voice is hushed. She has been for the last hour inanimate as -marble. Only by her pulse can it be said she lives! Poor maiden! The -blow is too terrible for her to bear. - -My Cousin Mary has at this moment received a small roll of parchment -which, from the flush on her cheek, I know to be from her betrothed. -She smiles sadly, and with tears in her eyes hands it to me. - -I have read it, dear father. It is as follows: - - "Gadara, beyond Judea. - - "The bearer, beloved, is one of the disciples of Jesus. His name is - Bartimeus. He was blind and poor, and subsisted by begging; and, as - you see, his sight is restored, and he insists now on going from - town to town where he has been known as a blind man to proclaim what - Jesus has done for him. This letter cometh beseeching thee, maiden, - that as we love one another unfeignedly, so may we soon be united in - that holy union which God hath blessed and commanded. But, having - much to say hereupon, I will not commit it to paper and ink; but by - to-morrow, or the day after, I trust to come to you, and speak with - you, dearly beloved, face to face, upon those things which now come - to my lips. Farewell, lady. Peace be with you, and all in your house. - Greet thy friends in my name, letting them know that we shall shortly - be with you." - - "Oh, that the mighty Prophet had come one day sooner!" cried Mary. - "What woe and anguish would have been spared poor Ruth and his - mother! But the will of Jehovah be done!" - -We hear now, dear father, the voice of the governor of the funeral, -bidding us come down to bury the dead. - -Farewell, my father. I know you will shed a tear to the memory of the -noble youth whose death has this day filled all Nain with mourning. As -I look from the lattice, I see the concourse of people to be immense, -filling all the street. Now, may the God of our father Abraham preserve -and keep you, and suffer us once more to meet face to face in joy and -peace. - - Your dutiful and sorrowful daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXI. - - -My Dear Father: - -I seize my pen, which I laid down an hour ago in order to follow to -his burial the son of our hostess, to recount to you one of the most -extraordinary things which ever happened. I fear my trembling fingers -will scarcely express legibly what I have to tell you. - -When the burial train of Samuel had formed to go to the grave, the -deep grief of poor Ruth overcame her wholly and I led her to her room, -where she sank insensible upon her couch. I could not leave her in her -situation, and the procession went forth from the house without me. - -As the funeral train passed the lattice, it seemed endless, but at -length it passed by, and I was left alone with the motionless Ruth. As -I gazed on the marble countenance of the bereaved maiden, I could not -but pray that she might never recover from her swoon, to revive to the -bitter realization of her loss. - -Suddenly I heard a great shout. I started and hastened to the lattice. -It was repeated louder and with a glad tone. It seemed to come from -beyond the city walls, and from a hundred voices raised in unison. I -knew that the house-top overlooked the walls, and seeing Ruth moved -not, I ascended rapidly to the parapet, the shouts and glad cries still -increasing as I went up. Upon reaching the flat roof and stepping on -the parapet, I saw coming along the street towards the house, with the -speed of the antelope, Elec, our Gibeonite slave. He was waving his -hands wildly, and crying out something which I could not distinctly -hear. Behind him I saw two youths running also, appearing to be the -bearers of some great tidings. - -I knew something wonderful must have occurred, but could not divine -what it could be. On looking towards the gate, from which direction -the shouts at intervals continued to approach, I discovered on the -hillside of the cemetery many people crowded together, and evidently -surrounding some person in their midst, for the whole order of the -procession was broken up. The bier I could not discern, nor could I -comprehend how the solemnity of the march of the funeral train was -suddenly changed to a confused multitude, rending the sky with loud -acclamations. The whole body of people was pressing back towards the -city. The persons whom I had first seen running along the street, now -made themselves audible as they drew nigher. - -"He is alive! He is alive!" shouted Elec. - -"He has risen from the dead!" cried the young man next behind him. - -"He lives, and is walking back to the city!" called the third. - -"Who--who is alive?" I eagerly demanded of Elec, as he passed beneath -the parapet. "What is this shouting, O Elec?" - -He looked up to me with a face expressive of the keenest delight, mixed -with awe, and said: - -"Young Rabbi Samuel is come to life! He is no longer dead! You will -soon see him, for they are escorting him back to the city, and -everybody is mad with joy. Where is Ruth, the maiden? I am come to tell -her the glorious news." - -With emotion that I cannot describe, hardly believing what I heard, -I hastened to Ruth, in order to prevent the effects of too sudden -joy. Upon reaching the apartment, I found that the voice of Elec, who -had shouted the news of which he was the bearer into her ears, had -aroused her from her stupor of grief. She was looking at him wildly and -incomprehensively. I ran to her, and folding her in my arms, said: - -"Dear Ruth, there is news--good news! It must be true! Hear the shouts -of gladness in all the town!" - -"Lives!" she repeated, shaking her head. "No--no--no! Yes, there!" she -said, raising her beautiful, glittering eyes to heaven and pointing -upward. - -"But on earth also!" cried Elec, with positiveness. "I saw him sit up, -and heard him speak, as well as ever he was!" - -"How was it? Let me know all!" I cried. - -"How? Who could have done such a miracle but the mighty Prophet we saw -at Jerusalem!" he answered. - -"Jesus?" I exclaimed, with joy. - -"Who else could it be. Yes, he met the bier just outside the-- But here -they come!" - -Elec was interrupted in his narrative by the increased noise of voices -in the streets and the tramp of hundreds of feet. The next moment the -room was filled with a crowd of the most excited persons, some weeping, -some laughing, as if beside themselves. In their midst I beheld Samuel -walking, alive and well! his mother clinging to him, like a vine upon -an oak. - -"Where is Ruth?" he cried. "Oh, where is she! Let me make her happy -with my presence!" - -I gazed upon him with awe, as if I had seen a spirit. - -Ruth no sooner heard his voice than she uttered a shriek of joy. "He -lives--he indeed lives!" and springing forward, she was saved from -falling to the ground by being clasped to his manly breast. - -"Let us kneel and thank God!" he said. - -For a few minutes the scene was solemn and touching beyond any -spectacle ever exhibited on earth. - -When he had performed this first sacred duty, he rose to his feet and -received all our embraces. Hundreds came in to see his face, and every -tongue was eloquent in praise of the power of Jesus. - -"And where is the holy Prophet?" I asked of Mary. "Shall he be -forgotten amid all our joy!" - -"We thanked him there with all our hearts, and bathed his hands with -tears of gratitude," she answered, "but when they would have brought -him into the city in triumph he conveyed himself away in the confusion, -and no one could see aught of him. But John, who was with him, told me -he would come into the city after quiet was restored, by and by, and he -would bring him to our abode." - -"Oh, I shall then behold him and thank him also!" I cried. "Make known -to me, Mary, the particulars of this wonderful miracle." - -"As we went weeping forth," said Mary, "slowly following the bier, and -had passed the gate, we saw coming along the path through the valley -leading to Tabor, a party of twelve or thirteen men on foot. They were -followed by a crowd of men, women and children from the country, and -were so journeying that they would meet us at the crossing of the stone -bridge. Hearing some one say aloud, 'It is the Prophet of Nazareth, -with his disciples,' I looked earnestly forward, and joyfully -recognized Jesus at their head, with John walking by his side. - -"'Oh, that Jesus had been in Nain when thy son was sick!' I said to the -widow, pointing him out to her, as he and his company stopped at the -entrance to the bridge. Recollecting how he might have prevented her -son's dying had he been in Nain, the poor lady could no longer command -her grief, and covering her face with her veil, she wept so violently -that all eyes were piteously fastened upon her. I observed that the -holy Prophet's gaze rested upon her with compassion, and as she came -opposite where he stood, he advanced towards us and said, in a voice of -thrilling sympathy: - -"'Weep not, mother. Thy son shall live again!' - -"'I know it, O Rabboni, at the last day,' she answered. 'Oh, if thou -hadst been here my son need not have died! Thy word would have healed -him! But now he is dead! dead! dead!' - -"'Woman, weep not! I will restore thy son!' - -"'What saith he?' cried some Pharisees who were in the funeral. 'That -he will raise a dead man? This is going too far. God only can raise the -dead.' And they smiled and scoffed. - -"But Jesus laid his hand upon the pall over the body, and said to those -who bore the corpse: - -"'Rest the bier upon the ground.' - -"They instantly stood still and obeyed him. He then advanced amid a -hushed silence, and uncovering the marble visage, touched the hand of -the dead young man, and said, in a loud and commanding voice: - -"'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise!' - -"There was a moment's painful stillness through the vast multitude. -Every eye was fixed upon the bier. The voice was heard by the spirit -of the dead and it came back to his body. There was at first visible -a living, trembling emotion of the hitherto motionless corpse! Color -flushed the livid cheek; the eyelids opened and he fixed his eyes on -Jesus; then he raised his hand and his lips moved! The next moment he -sat up on the bier, and spake aloud in his natural voice, saying: - -"'Lo, here I am!' - -"Jesus then took him by the hand, and assisting him to alight upon his -feet from the bier, led him to his mother, and delivered him to her, -saying: - -"'Woman, behold thy son!' - -"Upon seeing this miracle the people shouted with joy and wonder, 'God -has indeed visited his people Israel! A great Prophet is risen up among -us! The Messias is come, and Jesus is the very Christ, with the keys of -death and hell!' - -"I sought out Jesus to cast myself at his feet, but he shrunk from the -homage and gratitude which his mercy to us had awakened. Thus humility -is an element of all power." - -Such, my dear father, is the narrative of the restoration to life again -of Samuel, the son of Sarah, widow of Nain. This miracle has caused -hundreds this day to confess his name, and to believe in Jesus as the -anointed Shiloh of Israel. - -Many of the doctors have been to see Samuel through the day, and have -put profound questions to him touching the state of the soul out of the -body, but he could give them no satisfaction, all appearing to him like -shining fragments of a gorgeous vision. - -Mary is to-morrow to become the bride of John, and Jesus will be -present at the wedding, for while he severely rebukes sin and folly, he -sanctifies by his presence the holy rite of marriage. - -On the eve of the eighth day from this I shall depart hence, with John -and Mary, for Jerusalem, whence I will write you again. - - Your loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXII. - - -Once more, my dear father, I address a letter to you from this holy -city. This morning when I awoke at the sound of the silver trumpets -of the priests, ringing melodiously from the top of Mount Moriah, I -experienced anew that profound devotion which the children of Abraham -must always feel in the city of God and in the presence of his very -Temple. - -It was a joyous morning to me, dear father, for Æmilius, the noble -Roman Prefect, was this day voluntarily to present himself at the -Temple to be made a proselyte to the holy faith of Israel. - -The morning was, therefore, additionally lovely to me. I thought I had -never seen the olive groves on the hillside beyond the king's gardens -so green, nor the harvest so yellow, as they undulated in the soft -breeze of the opening morn. The lofty palms everywhere appeared to -bend and wave their verdant fans with joyous motion. The birds in the -palace gardens sang sweeter and louder, and Jerusalem itself seemed -more beautiful than ever. - -While I was gazing upon the scene and adoring God, and thanking him -for the conversion of Æmilius, Rabbi Amos came and said that he would -take us to the Temple. We were soon on our way, climbing the paved -pathway to Moriah. Oh, how sublimely towered the divine Temple above -our heads, seemingly lost in the blue of the far heaven! The great -gates opening north and south, to the east and west, were thronged -with the multitude pressing through; while from the galleries above -each gate pealed forth continually the clear-voiced trumpets of God in -ceaseless reverberation. My uncle pointed out to me the massive doors, -all overlaid with sheets of beaten gold, and the floor of green marble -on which we trod. He bade me notice the costly entablature of colored -stones, exquisitely worked with the Grecian's chisel, and especially -the roof of fretted silver, set with precious stones, the onyx, beryl, -sapphire, carbuncle and jasper. I was dazzled by the magnificence, -and awed by the vast extent of the space of splendor surrounding me, -while ten thousands of people were to be seen moving towards the -altar of sacrifice. From that superb court I was led into a hall -nearly a hundred cubits in length, its ceiling of pure gold sustained -by a thousand and one columns of porphyry and white marble, ranged -alternately. - -I was not permitted to approach the sacred chamber, where stood the -four thousand vessels of gold of Ophir, used in the sacrifices on great -days; and this being a high day, I saw no less than six hundred priests -standing about the altar, each with a golden censer in his hand. Beyond -is the holy ark of the covenant, over which the cherubim hover, their -wings meeting, and between them is the mercy-seat. As this was the Holy -of Holies I was not permitted to see it; but its position was pointed -out to me within the veil, which conceals from all eyes but that of the -High Priest once a year the place of God's throne on the earth, alas -now left vacant since the glory of the Shechinah departed from the Holy -of Holies! - -The air of the vast Temple was delicious with the fragrance of burning -frankincense. As the victims bled and the smoke ascended, the people -fell on their faces and worshiped God. After a few moments' silence, a -startling trumpet note thrilled every soul in the countless multitude. -It was followed by a peal of music that shook the air, from a choir -of two thousand singers, male and female, of the sons and daughters -of Levi, who served in the Temple. Entering from the southern court, -they advanced in long procession, singing sacred chants, and playing -on sacbut and harp, psalter and nebble, chinna and tympana. As they -ascended to the choir their voices, mingling with the instruments, -filled all the Temple. I never heard before such sublime harmony; -especially when on reaching the elevated choir, a thousand Levites with -manly voices joined them, and the whole company chanted one of the -sublimest of the Psalms of David. - -When the chant was concluded, the whole multitude responded, "Amen -and Amen!" like the deep voice of a mighty wind suddenly shaking the -foundations of the Temple. - -At length I beheld a train of priests following the High Priest, as -he marched thrice around the altar. In that procession I discovered -a company of proselytes, escorted by twelve aged Levites, with long, -snowy beards, and clad in vestments of the purest white. Among the -proselytes I discerned the tall and noble figure of the Roman Æmilius. -He was robed in a black garment from head to foot. But upon approaching -the baptismal basin two young priests removed this outer sable dress -and robed him in white. I then saw him baptized into the family of -Abraham and a new name given him, that of Eleazer. I heard the silver -trumpets proclaim the conversion and the multitude shouting their joy. - -Of the rest of the ceremony I have no recollection, as after the -baptism of Æmilius, I was too happy to see or think of anything else. - -While I was lifting up my heart in gratitude for the happy conversion -of Æmilius, and while the Jews were crowding about him to extend to him -the hand of fellowship, rejoicing that so noted a person should embrace -our faith, Uncle Amos drew my attention by exclaiming with gladness: - -"Behold, there is Jesus, the Prophet!" - -We at once made our way, but with difficulty, towards the spot where we -had discovered him. The rumor that the Christ was in the Temple rapidly -spread, and the whole multitude pressed towards the same point. At -length we obtained our object so as to get within a few feet of him. -Here a tall, richly-attired Greek addressed Rabbi Amos, saying: - -"Sir, tell me who that youthful Jew is, whose countenance is stamped -with firmness and benevolence so finely combined in its expression; -whose air possesses such dignity and wisdom; whose noble eyes seem -filled with a holy sadness, and whose glance is full of innocence and -sweetness. He seems born to love men and to command them. All seek to -approach him. Pray, sir, who is he?" - -"That, O stranger, is Jesus of Nazareth, the Jewish Prophet," answered -Uncle Amos, delighted to point him out to a foreigner. - -"Then I am well rewarded for my journey in turning aside to Jerusalem," -answered the Grecian. "I have even heard of his fame in Macedonia, and -am rejoiced to behold him. Think you he will do some great miracle?" - -"He performs miracles not to gratify curiosity but to bear testimony to -the truths he teaches, that they are delivered to him of God. Hark! He -speaks!" cried my uncle. - -Every voice was hushed as that of Jesus rose clear and sweet, and -thrilling like a celestial clarion speaking. And he preached, dear -father, a sermon so full of wisdom, of love to man, of love to God, of -knowledge of our hearts, of divine and convincing power, that thousands -wept; thousands were chained to the spot with awe and delight, and all -were moved as if an angel had addressed them. They cried, "Never man -spake like this man!" - -The priests, seeing that he had carried the hearts of all the people, -were greatly enraged, and, not being able to vent their hatred and fear -in any other way, they hired a vile person by the name of Gazeel, a -robber who, taking one of the blood-stained sacrificing knives by the -altar, crept towards him behind the column, and, securing a favorable -position to execute the deed, raised his hand to strike the Prophet -from behind, when Jesus, turning his head, arrested the hand of the -assassin in mid-air by a look. Unable to move a muscle, Gazeel stood -betrayed to all eyes in this murderous attitude, like a statue of stone. - -"Return to those who hired thee. My hour is not yet come, nor can they -yet have any power over me." - -The assassin bowed his head in abject shame and terror; the knife -dropped from his hand and rang upon the marble floor, and he sank at -Jesus' feet imploring forgiveness. The people would instantly have torn -Gazeel in pieces, but Jesus said: - -"Let him depart in peace. The day shall come when he will be willing -to lay down his life to save mine. Ye priests go about to kill me," -he added, fixing his clear gaze upon the group which had sent Gazeel. -"For what do ye seek my life? I have come to my own, and to my Temple, -and ye receive me not. The day cometh when this Temple shall be thrown -down, and not one stone left upon another; and some who hear me shall -behold and mourn in that day. Oh, Jerusalem, thou that killest the -prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how oft would I -have gathered thy children together as a hen gathereth her chickens -under her wings, and ye would not. Thou shalt be left desolate and cast -out among cities, because thou knewest not the day of thy visitation. -Fly ye to the Jerusalem which is above, and which is above all, whose -foundation is eternal, and whose Temple is the Lord God Almighty, who -is also the light and glory thereof." - -Upon hearing these words, there arose a great cry from ten thousand -voices: - -"Hail to Jesus, the king of Israel and Judah! Hosanna to the Prince of -David! We will have no king but Jesus!" - -At this shout, which was caught up and repeated beyond the four -gates of the Temple, the priests cried aloud that the people were in -insurrection. - -Pilate, who was, with his guard, just leaving the Court of the -Gentiles, hearing it, turned to ask what it meant. One of the priests, -desirous of having Jesus slain, quickly answered, "That the people had -proclaimed Jesus, the Nazarene, king." - -Hearing this, Pilate sent off messengers to the Castle of David for -soldiers, and with his body-guard turned back to the Temple gate, -charging the people sword in hand. - -The tumult was now fearful, and the bloodshed would have been great, -but Jesus suddenly appeared before him--none saw how he had reached the -place--and said: - -"O Roman, I seek no kingdom but such as my Father hath given me. My -kingdom is not of this world." - -Pilate was seen to bend his proud head with low obeisance before the -Prophet, and said graciously: - -"I have no wish to arrest thee. Thy word, O Prophet, is sufficient for -me. Of thee I have hitherto heard much. Wilt thou come with me to my -palace, and let me hear thee, and see some miracle?" - -"Thou shalt see me in thy palace, but not to-day; and thou shalt behold -a miracle, but not now." - -When Jesus had thus said, he withdrew himself from Pilate's presence; -and those who would have sought him to make him a king could nowhere -discover him. - -The result of this attempt of the people to make the Prophet their -king, and under his direction to overthrow the Roman power, is that -the Roman authorities, instigated by Annas and the priests, look upon -Jesus with eyes of jealousy, and Pilate this morning told a deputation -of priests, who waited on him to petition him to arrest and imprison -the Prophet, that on the first proof they could bring him of his -hostility to Cæsar he would send soldiers to take him. To-day Jesus was -refreshing himself in our house, when several Scribes and Pharisees -came in. I saw by their dark looks they meditated evil, and secretly -sent Elec with a message to Æmilius (now Eleazer) asking him to be at -hand to protect Jesus; for Æmilius is devoted to him, as we are, and -Jesus takes delight in teaching him the things of the kingdom of God. - -Jesus, knowing the hearts of these bad men, said to them, after they -had seated themselves and remained some minutes in silence: - -"Wherefore are ye come?" - -"Master," said Zadoc, a Levite of great fame among the people, "we have -heard how boldly thou speakest at all times; that not even Pilate, nor -Herod, yea, nor Cæsar, could make thee refrain from what thou choosest -to utter. Is it lawful for us Jews, the peculiar nation of God, to pay -tribute to Cæsar, who is an idolater? Is it lawful for us to obey the -laws of Pilate, rather than of Moses? We ask this as Jews to a Jew. -Tell us frankly." - -Jesus looked fixedly upon them, as if he read their wicked designs, and -said: - -"Show me the tribute money." - -Zadoc handed him a penny, the Roman coin sent into Judea by Cæsar, as -our currency, and which we return to Rome again in tribute. When Jesus -had taken the money, he looked at the head of Augustus stamped upon one -side, and then turning to them, said: - -"Whose image and whose name is here impressed?" - -"Cæsar's," eagerly answered the whole party. - -"Then render unto Cæsar the things that be Cæsar's, and unto God the -things that be God's," was his calm and wonderful answer. - -I breathed again, for I feared he would answer openly that tribute -ought not to be paid, which they hoped he would do, when they would -immediately have accused him to Pilate as teaching that we ought not to -pay tribute to Rome, and so fomenting rebellion. - -But the divine wisdom of his answer relieved all our minds; while the -Scribes and Levites, his enemies, looked upon him with amazement, -interchanged glances of conscious defeat, and left the house. - - I remain your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXIII. - - -My Dear Father: - -I have received with joy your letter, in which you say you shall leave -Egypt with the next Passover caravan, in order to visit Jerusalem. My -happiness is augmented to know that you will be here while Jesus is in -the city; for it is said, and John, Mary's husband, asserts, that he -will certainly be at the Passover. - -Last week Eli, the paralytic, whom you knew, a scribe of the Levites, -whose hand has been withered nine years, so that he had been dependent -on the alms of the worshipers in the Temple for his bread, hearing of -the power of Jesus, sought him at the house of Uncle Amos, where he was -abiding. - -Jesus was reclining with our family at the evening meal, at the close -of the day on which the uproar had taken place in the Temple, when -Eli came and stood within the door. Humble and doubting, his knees -trembled, and he timidly and wistfully looked towards Jesus, but -did not speak. I knew at once what the afflicted man came for, and -approached him, saying, "Fear not, Eli; ask him, and he will make thee -whole!" - -Jesus did not see the poor man, his face being turned towards Rabbi -Amos; but leaving this conversation, he said in a gentle voice, without -turning round: - -"Come to me, Eli, and ask what is in thy heart. And fear not; for if -thou believest, thou shalt receive all thy wish." - -At this Eli ran forward, and casting himself at Jesus' feet, kissed -them and said, "Rabboni, I am a poor, sinful man; I believe that thou -art the Christ, the Son of the Blessed!" - -"Dost thou believe, Eli, that I have power to make thee whole?" asked -Jesus, looking steadily upon him. - -"I believe, my Lord," answered Eli, bowing his face to the ground. - -"Thy sins, then, be forgiven thee. Rise and go to thy house; and sin no -more, lest a worse thing come upon thee." - -"This man! forgiveth he sins also?" cried a venerable priest, Manasses, -who was at the table. "He is a blasphemer! for God alone forgiveth -sins. Will he call himself God?" And he rose quickly up and rent his -robe, and spat upon the floor in detestation. - -"Manasses," said Jesus mildly, "tell me whether it is an easier thing -to do--to say unto this man kneeling here, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee?' -or to say, 'Stretch forth thine hand whole as the other'?" - -"It would be more difficult to do the latter," answered Manasses, -surprised at the question. "God alone, who made him, can do that." - -Jesus turned to the paralytic. "I say unto thee, Eli, stretch forth thy -hand whole!" - -The man, looking upon Jesus' face, and seeming to derive confidence -from its expression of power, made a convulsive movement with his arm, -which was bared to the shoulder, exhibiting all its hideous deformity, -and stretched it forth at full length. Immediately the arm was -rounded with flesh and muscles; the pulse filled and leaped with the -warm life-blood, and it became whole as the other. The change was so -instantaneous that it was done before we could see how it was done. The -amazed and wonderingly delighted Eli bent his elbow, and expanded and -contracted the fingers, felt the flesh and pressed it with his other -hand, before he could realize he was healed. Then, casting himself at -the feet of the Prophet, he cried: - -"Thou art not a man, but Gabriel, the angel of God!" - -"Thou art now healed, Eli," said Jesus impressively. "Worship God, and -go and sin no more." - -Who, dear father, but Messias could do this miracle? My mind is -overwhelmed--I am filled with astonishment and awe, when I reflect -upon the might, power and majesty of Jesus, and I fear to ask myself. -Who more than man is he? Is he verily the awful and terrible Jehovah -of Sinai, visible in the human form? Oh, wondrous and incomprehensible -mystery! I dare not trust my thoughts to penetrate the mystery in which -he walks among us in the veiled Godhead of his power. His beloved -disciple, John, said that Jesus has told him the day is not far off -when this veil will be removed, and when we shall then know him, who he -is, and wherefore he has come into the world, and the infinite results -to men of his mission. - - Your devoted daughter, - Adina. - -[Illustration: BETHANY] - - - - -LETTER XXIV. - - -My Dear Father: - -As I was closing my last letter to you, intelligence reached my Uncle -Amos that Lazarus, the amiable brother of Martha and Mary, was very -ill. The message was brought by Elec, the Gibeonite slave, who, with -tears in his eyes, communicated to us the sad news. My Cousin Mary and -I at once set out to Bethany with him. - -"Knowest thou, Elec, the disease that has so suddenly seized my -cousin?" asked Mary, as we wound slowly up the path that leads around -the steepest side of Olivet. - -"Ah, dear me, noble lady, I know not," answered Elec, shaking his head. -"He had just returned from the city, where he had been staying night -and day for a week, laboring industriously to complete a copy of the -five books of the blessed Moses for the Procurator's chief captain, for -which he was to receive a large sum in Roman gold." - -"What was the name of this captain who seeks to obtain our holy books?" -I asked, hope half answering the question in my heart. - -"Æmilius, the brave knight, they say, who was made a proselyte at the -last Passover." - -I was rejoiced to hear this proof of the steady desire of the princely -Roman knight to learn our sacred laws, you may be assured, dearest -father. But Elec went on speaking and said: - -"It was his hard work to complete this copy which made him ill; for he -slept not, nor ceased to toil until he had completed it, and when he -came home with the silver-bound roll in his hand, and laid it upon the -table before his sisters, he fell at the same moment fainting to the -ground." - -"Alas, poor Lazarus!" we both exclaimed, and urged our mules forward at -a faster pace, our hearts bleeding for the sorrow of his sisters and -for his sad condition. - -At length, half an hour after leaving the gate of the city, we drew -near to Bethany, and beheld the roof of the house of Lazarus. Upon it, -watching the road towards Jerusalem for us, we discovered the graceful -form of Mary. In a few moments we were in her arms, mingling our tears -together. - -"Does he yet live?" I asked, scarcely daring to inquire, as she led us -into the house. - -"Yes, lives, but fails hourly," answered Mary, with forced composure. -"God bless you both for hastening to me." - -At this moment Martha's pale and suffering face, beautiful even in -its pallor, appeared in the door of the inner room. Upon seeing us -she advanced, and taking both our hands in hers, said in a touching -whisper, "You have come, sweet friends, to see my brother die!" - -She then led us into the room, where lay upon a couch the form of the -invalid. - -"He has slept a little," said Martha softly to me, "but his fever is -consuming him. He has now closed his eyes again and seems heavy, but -his slumbers are restless, as you see, and he seems to think his dear -friend, Jesus the Prophet, is by him; or he talks of Rachel as if she -were not present." - -"And who is Rachel, dear Martha?" I asked, as I was about to follow her -out of the room, leaving her brother to his weary repose. - -"Alas! It was for Rachel's gentle love's sake he now lies there," she -answered. "There is the sweet maiden kneeling on the other side of his -couch, her tearful face buried in the folds of the curtains." - -I turned and regarded with tender interest the graceful and -half-concealed form of the young girl as she bent over his pillow, her -hand clasped by his. At this moment she looked up and directed her gaze -towards me. Her face was inexpressibly lovely, bathed as it was in its -glittering tear-dews, and her large, glorious eyes shone like starry -heavens of tenderness and love. Her hair would have been raven black, -save that rays of golden bronze enriched its waving masses with every -play of the light upon it. As our eyes met, she seemed to receive me -into her soul, and my heart to embrace hers. Lazarus now moved and -murmured her name, when she dropped her eyes and bent like an angel -over him. - -"Who is this marvelously lovely maiden?" I asked of Martha, as we went -into the court of the hall. - -"The betrothed bride of our beloved brother," answered she. "Sit with -me here in the shade beneath this vine, and I will tell thee their sad -story. Lazarus, you know, dearest Adina, is a writer in the Temple, and -by his labors has surrounded us all with many comforts, nay, luxuries. -His attachment to us led him to forego the pleasure of all other -society, as he said he found in our sweet bond of sisterly love all -that he required to render him happy. - -"But a few weeks ago, as he was engaged late and alone in the -copying-room of the Temple upon a roll which the noble Æmilius had -ordered, he was startled by the sudden entrance of a young girl in -great terror, who seemed to be flying from pursuit. Upon beholding him -she bounded towards him, and casting herself at his feet, implored his -protection. Amazed and interested, he promptly promised it, but had -hardly spoken the words before Annas entered and advanced towards her. -His face was flushed with rage, and his voice was loud and fierce as he -demanded her at the hand of my brother. - -"'Nay, my Lord Annas,' answered Lazarus, boldly, 'were a dove to -seek shelter from a hawk in my bosom I would protect it, much more a -distressed maiden of the daughters of Abraham!' and he placed himself -before the fugitive. - -"'Darest thou protect from me? She is my child, a wicked and -disobedient daughter of Belial! Resign her to me, young scrivener, or I -will have thee sent to the lowest dungeon of the Castle of David!' - -"'Oh, save me! save me!' cried the young girl, as Annas advanced to -seize her. 'I am not his child! I am the orphan of Rabbi Levi, who left -me and my estate to this false priest as a sacred charge. He would now -sell me in unholy marriage to a Greek captain in the Roman legion, who -offers him large bribes in gold for me. Rather than be given into the -hands of this fierce and terrible Grecian, I will cast myself down from -the height of the Temple!' - -"And to the surprise and horror of Lazarus, she bounded from the -lattice and stood upon the edge of the rock, which looks sheer three -hundred feet down into the valley beneath. - -"'Thou seest, O Annas, to what thy cupidity for gold will drive this -maiden. Has the land of Israel sunk so low that its chief priest will -sell the daughters of the land for gold to the lust of the Gentiles? Is -this the way thou givest protection to orphans? Leave her, and until I -find a protector for her, she shall be a sacred guest with my sisters -in their humble abode!' - -"'Thy life shall pay for this arrogance, young man!' answered the -priest. 'I have power and will exercise it.' - -"'Not to the danger and wrong of this maiden, my Lord Annas, whom -Jehovah will protect, since she has trustingly sought the sheltering -wing of his altars,' answered my brother firmly. 'If thou continue to -persecute her, I will appeal to the Procurator, Pontius Pilate, against -thee.' - -"The result was," continued Martha, "that the wicked priest, alarmed by -the threat of appeal to Pilate, relinquished his present purpose and -left them, breathing menaces against my brother. The same day Lazarus -conducted the maiden, whom you already guess to be Rachel, to our -house. She has since then been our guest, and has won all our hearts, -as well as our dear brother's." - -"Is there no hope for him?" I asked, after listening to her touching -narrative. - -"None; the physicians say that he will never rise again." - -"There is one hope left," I said eagerly. - -"What is that?" demanded Martha. - -"Jesus!" I answered. "Send to him, O Martha, and he will yet save him, -and raise him up to life and health." - -I had no sooner spoken than Mary, who overheard me, uttered a cry of -joy. - -"Yes, Jesus has the power to heal him, and Jesus loves him! He will -come and save him the moment he hears of his danger." - -Immediately Mary wrote on a slip of parchment these brief and touching -words: - -"Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. Hasten to come to us, that -he may live; for nothing is impossible with thee." - -This message was forthwith despatched by the hands of a young friend to -Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where we learned Jesus at present abides. We -have, therefore, no hope for our dear relative but in the power of the -Prophet. I will write as soon as we hear. I remain, dear father, - - Your attached daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXV. - - -My Dear and Honored Father: - -It is with emotions of the deepest grief that I convey to you the sad -intelligence of the death of Lazarus. The hand of the Lord hath fallen -heavily upon this household and stricken down its prop; smitten the -oak around which clung these vine-like sisters, vine-like in their -dependence upon him and confiding trust in his wisdom and love. Now -prostrate in the dust they lie stunned by the sudden and mysterious -stroke of God's providence. - -I have told you, dear father, something of this family; what a happy -household I have seen it when Jesus completed the number; for he -stayed so much with them when not preaching, or when wishing to rest -a day or two from his weary toil, that they came to regard him as one -of their family. Martha seemed ever to be thinking what and how she -should administer to his comfort, by providing every delicacy for her -table; but so that Jesus could find listeners to his words of truth and -wisdom, like Mary--who loved to sit at his feet and hear the golden -language fall from his sacred lips--he thought not of meat or drink. - -One day when I, with Mary and Lazarus, was listening to his heavenly -teachings, wrapt in wonder and absorbing interest, Martha, who was -preparing the meal, came and desired Mary to come and assist her; but -the dear, pious girl heeded not nor heard her, feeding, forgetful of -all else, upon the celestial food that fell from the lips of Jesus. -At length Martha, finding that Mary had not heard, appealed to Jesus, -saying somewhat sharply: - -"Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? -Bid her, therefore, that she help me." - -We turned with surprise to hear her, who was usually so gentle and -good, thus forget what was due to the presence of the Prophet, and -Lazarus was about to speak and excuse his sister, who looked as if she -were much worried with her domestic troubles, when Jesus said kindly to -her: - -"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But -one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall -not be taken away from her. While thou carest much for the wants of the -body, she careth for those of the spirit. Think not, beloved Martha, of -sumptuous living for me, who have no earthly goods, nor even where to -lay my head." - -"Say not thus, oh, say not so, dear Lord!" cried Martha, suddenly -bursting into tears at Jesus' touching words, and casting herself -impulsively at his feet. "This house is thy home--ever beneath its -roof, while I have one above me, shalt thou have where to lay thy head; -say not so, my Lord!" - -We were all moved at Martha's pathetic earnestness. Jesus raised her up -and said gently: - -"It is thy love for me, I well know, that maketh thee so careful and -troubled to provide for me at thy bountiful table. But I have meat to -eat that ye know not of. To teach the truths of God, as thou findest -me doing to these, is to me meat and drink, for therein I am doing my -Father's will, who sent me." - -My last letter closed with informing you of the departure of the -messenger to Jesus. After he had gone out of sight from the door, -and the last echo of his horse's hoofs ceased to be heard by the -long-listening ears of his sister Martha, I re-entered the room where -Lazarus lay. He was as white as marble. His large black eyes seemed to -be twice their usual size and brilliancy. He breathed with difficulty, -and every few moments he would be compelled to have his head raised -in order to free his mouth from the welling blood that was constantly -bubbling up from the broken fountains of his life. Mary's tender -privilege it was, assisted by Rachel, to render him this service of -love. As she bent over him, looking downward with anxious fondness -into his pale, intellectual face, watching every shadow of the change -that the sable wing of advancing Death cast over it, I thought I had -never gazed on a more lovely being. I forgot for the moment the dying -young man about whose form her snow-white arms were entwined, his head -reclining upon her bosom, her raven tresses, bronzed with a changing -light, all unbound and floating above him and over his pillow, like a -rich veil interwoven of sable silken floss and threads of gold. - -I commenced this letter by informing you of the departure of the good -and generous and pious Lazarus. He fell asleep in death as an infant -sinks to slumber in its mother's arms. - -All too late was Jesus sent for! To-morrow his burial will take place. -Alas, how suddenly has perished the noblest young man in Judea! - -Farewell, dear father. My heart is full. I can now write no more. The -God of Abraham preserve you in your journey, and bring you in safety to -the embraces of - - Your loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXVI. - - -My Dear Father: - -In my last letter I told you that Lazarus was dead. I write this to -say that he who was dead is alive! Lazarus lives! He whom I saw dead -and buried, and sealed up within the rocky cave of the tomb, is alive -again from the dead; and at this moment, while I am penning this -extraordinary account, I hear his voice from the porch. - -How, my dear father, how shall I find adequate language to tell you all -that has happened here within the last twenty-four hours! - -The funeral procession was so very long that strangers, pausing, asked -what great master in Israel, or person of note, was being taken to the -sepulchre. - -Some answered, "Lazarus, the industrious scribe;" others said, "A young -man who has devoted his life to honor his mother." Others answered, as -Lazarus himself, were he alive, would have had them: - -"It is Lazarus, the friend of Jesus." - -The place where they were to lay him was the cave in which his father -and mother were entombed. It was in a deep, shady vale, thickly shaded -by cypress, palm and pomegranate trees, and a large tamarind grew, with -its stately branches, overclasping the summit of the secluded place of -sepulchre. The remote swell of a Roman bugle from the head of a cohort, -which was just issuing from a defile, came softly and musically to our -ears, as we stood in silence about the grove wherein we were to place -the dead. Æmilius, my betrothed, was also present, wearing a white -scarf above his silver cuirass, in token of grief, for he also loved -Lazarus. Of him, dear father, I have not of late spoken, for should I -begin to write of him I should have no room in my letters for any other -theme. - -The sacred observances at the grove being over, they raised the body of -the dead young man from the bier, and four youths, aided by Æmilius at -the head to support it, conveyed it into the yawning cavern. A moment -they lingered on the threshold, that Mary and Martha might take one -more look, imprint upon its icy cold lips one last kiss, press once -more his unconscious head to their loving and bursting hearts. - -The young men moved slowly forward into the gloom of the cave. Mary -rushed in, and with disheveled hair, cried: - -"Oh, take him not away forever from the sight of my eyes! Oh, my -brother, my brother, would that I had died for thee! for I am willing -to lie down with the worm and call it my sister, and sleep in the -arms of death, as on the breast of my mother, so thou couldst live! Oh, -brother, brother, let them not take thee forever from the sight of my -eyes! Without thee, how shall life be life!" - -[Illustration: Rolling stone, closing a sepulchre.] - -Æmilius entered the tomb and, tenderly raising her from the body, on -which she had cast herself in the eloquent abandonment of her wild -grief, he led her forth, and beckoning to me, placed her in my arms. - -The body, being placed in a niche hollowed out in the rock, was -decently covered with a grave mantle, all but the calm face, which was -bound about by a snow-white napkin. Maidens of the village advanced and -cast flowers upon his head, and many, many were the sincere tears, both -from beneath manly lids and those of virgins, which bore tribute to his -worth. - -The burial ceremonies being ended, five strong men replaced the -ponderous stone door closely fitting the entrance to the cave, and so -secured it, by letting it into a socket, that it would require a like -number to remove it. - -As they were retiring with heavy hearts from performing this last duty -to the beloved dead, the sun sank beyond the blue hills of Ajalon in -the west in a lake of gold. To enjoy the sunset, and to relieve our -emotions of sadness, I walked apart with Mary to the top of the hill, -from which I beheld the sun gilding the pinnacle of the Temple, and -making it appear like a gigantic spear elevated into the sky. From the -Levites at evening sacrifice came, mellowed by distance, the deep chant -of the Temple service, uttered by a thousand voices. The cloud from -the altar sacrifice ascended slowly into the still air, and catching -the splendor of the sun's last beams, shone as if the pillar of cloud -and of fire which stood above the tabernacle in the wilderness. The -laborers in the harvest were hastening towards the gates, ere they -should be shut out for the night by the Roman guards, and dwellers in -the village were hurrying forth, lest they should be held in the city -over night. - -There was a sacred hush in the sleepy atmosphere that seemed in -sympathy and touching harmony with the scene in which we had just borne -a part. With Mary leaning sobbing upon my shoulder, I sat upon a rock -giving my heart up to the sweet influences of the hour. We were alone, -save Æmilius, who had ridden after us, anxious for our safety, and who -sat upon his horse near by, gazing upon the beauty of the evening scene. - -"I am calmer now," said Mary, after a while, raising her head and -looking into my face, her splendid eyes glittering brimful with tears. -"The peace of the sweet, holy skies seems to have descended and entered -my heart. The spirit of Lazarus pervades all and hallows all I see. I -will weep no more. He is happy now, very happy, and let us try to be -holy and go to him, for he cannot come back to us." - -At this moment we heard the tramp of horses' hoofs. Æmilius, startled -thereby from his reverie, recovered his seat and laid his hand upon -his sword. The next moment, around a rock projecting from the shoulder -of Olivet, appeared a horseman in the wild, warlike costume of an -Ishmaelite of the desert, brandishing a long spear in the air; then -another and another similarly clad and armed, and mounted on superb -horses of the desert, dashed in sight. These were immediately followed -by a tall, daring-looking young man, in a rich costume, half Grecian, -half Arabic, though his dark, handsome features were decidedly -Israelitish. He rode a superb Abyssinian charger, and sat upon his -back like the heathen centaur I have read of in the Latin books which -Æmilius has given me to read. Upon seeing us he drew rein and smiled, -and waved his jewelled hand with splendid courtesy; but at the sight -of Æmilius his dark eyes flashed, and leaping to his feet in his -stirrups he shook his glittering falchion towards him, and rode with a -trumpet-like cry full upon him. - -The brave Roman soldier received the charge by turning his horse -slightly, and catching the point of the weapon upon the blade of his -short sword. - -"We meet at last, O Roman!" cried this wild, dashing chief, as -he wheeled his horse like lightning, and once more rode upon the -iron-armed Roman knight. - -"Ay, Barabbas, and with joy I hail thee!" responded Æmilius, placing a -bugle to his lips. - -At hearing the clear voice of the bugle awaking the echoes of Olivet, -the dread robber chief said haughtily and with a glance of contempt: - -"Thou, a knight of the tribune, and commander of a legion, call for -aid, when I offer thee equal battle, hand to hand, and ask not for aid -of my own men's spears?" - -"I know no equal battle with a robber. I would hunt thee as I would -do the wolf and the wild beasts of thy deserts," answered Æmilius, -pressing him closely. At a signal from the robber chief his four men, -who had reined up a short distance off, near the tomb of Lazarus, sent -up a shrill, eaglelike scream, that made my blood stand still, and then -rode down like the wind to overcome Æmilius. - -Hitherto I had remained as one stupefied at being an involuntary -spectator of a sudden battle, but on seeing his danger, I was at his -side, scarce knowing how I reached the place. - -"Retire, dear Adina," he said authoritatively. "I shall have to defend -both thee and myself, and these barbarians will give both my hands -enough to do." - -As he spoke he turned his horse's head to meet the forefold shock, and -I escaped, I know not how, with the impulse to hasten to Bethany for -succor. But heaven interposed its aid. A detachment of the body-guard -of Pilate, hearing the recall of their chief's bugle, came now -cantering up the hill. At the sight Barabbas and his party fled, like -wild pigeons pursued by a cloud of Iturean hawks. Barabbas, however, -turned more than once to fling back defiance to his foes. Æmilius soon -reached his side, seized the crimson sash which encircled his waist, -and held him thus, both fighting as they rode. The Roman troop came -up, and after a desperate battle the celebrated chief was taken alive, -though bleeding with many wounds, and bound with his own sash to the -column of one of the tombs. - -Æmilius says that Barabbas will assuredly be crucified for his numerous -crimes. Dreadful punishment! and for one so young as this desert robber -to come to such an ignominious and agonizing death; doomed to hang for -hours under the sunbeams by his lacerated hands and feet, till death -at last comes from slow exhaustion of all the powers of nature. I am -amazed that so polite and humane a nation as the Roman can inflict such -a cruel and agonizing death, even upon their malefactors. Ignominious, -indeed, must the life of a man have been, for him to be doomed justly -to suffer such a death. - -In this letter, dearest father, I intended to relate to you how Lazarus -has been restored to life, but it is already taken up with so much, -that I defer it to my next. Suffice it for me to tell you at the close -of this letter that it was Jesus who raised him from the dead. And will -you say that he is an impostor? That he has done this wonderful thing -is alone evidence enough to me that he is indeed the Messias of the -Prophets, the Son of God. - - Your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXVII. - - -My Dear Father: - -Your letter has filled me with joy that I can poorly express by my -pen. It assures me that you are certain to leave at the new moon, and -after a few days' delay at Gaza, that you will be with me not many days -afterward. This letter I shall send to meet you at Gaza. - -In it I shall make known to you the particulars of the greatest miracle -of power and love above all those wonders which Jesus has done. - -When Mary and Martha had despatched the message to Jesus, as I have -already stated, they began to be more cheerful with new-born hope, -saying: - -"If our dear Rabbi, the holy Prophet, comes, he will heal him with a -word, as he has done so many of the sick." - -"Yes, many whom he knew not he has restored to health by a touch," -remarked Martha, "how much more Lazarus, whom he loves as a brother! -Oh, that the messenger may press forward with all haste!" - -"If Lazarus should die ere he come," hesitatingly remarked my gentle -cousin, the wife of John the disciple, "he could bring him to life -again, even as he did the Son of the widow of Nain." - -"Yes, without doubt, unless it were too late," remarked Martha, -shrinking at the thought that her brother should die; "but if he be -long dead it will be impossible." - -"Nothing is impossible with Jesus," answered Mary, her eyes brightening -with trusting faith. - -Thus the hours passed between mingled hopes and fears; but ere Jesus -came, lo! the mantle of death was laid over the face of their dead -brother. "Lazarus is dead, and Jesus is far away!" was the bitter and -touching cry made by the bereaved sisters, as they wept in each other's -arms. - -The next day the burial took place, and yet no messenger came from -Jesus. The morning of the third day the man returned, and said that he -had found the Prophet on the farther bank of Jordan, where John had -baptized, abiding in a humble cottage in the suburbs of Bethabara with -his disciples. - -The bearer of the sad tidings from the two sisters delivered his simple -and touching message: - -"Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is sick!" - -"And what said he--how did his countenance appear?" asked Martha of the -man. - -"He betrayed no surprise, but said calmly to me, 'Son, I know it! This -sickness shall not be unto death. It shall be for the glory of God; for -hereby will my Father permit me to be glorified, that men may see and -believe truly that I came out from God.'" - -"Alas! He knew not how ill his friend was," said Mary, "or he would not -have said it was not unto death, and would surely have hastened with -you." - -"He has forgotten us," answered Martha. "He should be here to console -us in our deep affliction, though he came not to heal our brother." - -"Nay, sister, do not think hardly of the blessed friend of Lazarus," -said Mary, with soothing tones, as she caressed her elder sister. "I -feel that if he had seen fit he could have raised up our brother, -even speaking the word from Bethabara. It was not needful he should -see him to heal him, for dost thou remember how he healed Lucius, the -centurion's son? Yet at the time he was a day's journey distant from -him." - -"Then why, oh, why, did he not save Lazarus?" exclaimed Martha bitterly. - -"In that he did not, sweet sister," answered Mary gently, "it was for -the best. Did he not say to the messenger his sickness should be to the -glory of his power?" - -"But not his death, Mary, not his death! He is dead four days already, -and how can the grave give glory to the power of Jesus? Will he raise -him up, since corruption hath begun, nay, begun ere we laid him in -the cold sepulchre? Oh, speak not to me of the Prophet! He loved not -Lazarus, or he had not the power to save him! Nay, leave me, Mary, to -the bitterness of my grief." - -"Ah, dear Martha, how soon is thy faith in Jesus, when tried, become -naught!" said Mary, bending upon her, from her dark, earnest eyes, -looks of sad reproach. "Shall one day overturn your years of holy -friendship for him? Because he answered not our prayer to come to -Lazarus, think you he loved him not, and is indifferent to our anguish? -He is wronged by your reproof, and injured by your want of confidence -in his love and care for us." - -While they were thus discoursing, one came running swiftly towards the -house, and breathless with haste, cried to them and to the Jews sitting -there, who had come to comfort them concerning their brother: - -"The Prophet! The Nazarene! He comes!" - -Almost at the same moment Elec, the Gibeonite, entered and said: - -"Jesus, Messias of God, is at hand! He already entereth the village -followed by his disciples." - -At this intelligence the mourners who sat with Mary and Martha in the -vine porch, rose up to go and meet him; but Martha, shrieking with the -reaction of sudden joy, sprang up and, more quickly than they, reached -the street, and flying with great speed, came where Jesus was. - -Mary, who had received the news without betraying any other emotion -than the secret and holy joy of a heart that had confidence all along -in her Lord, instead of hastening to meet him rending her hair with -grief, like her sister, proceeded to prepare a room for the hospitable -entertainment of the beloved Prophet, when he should come in, thus -taking Martha's usual place; and when she had arranged all, she sat -down with me in the house, her heart filled with joy and her face -expressive of calm and quiet happiness. - -When Martha had come near Jesus, whom she met just entering Bethany, -walking with four of his disciples along the dusty road, and looking -weary and travel-worn, she ran and threw herself at his feet, crying: - -"Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died!" - -Jesus taking her hand raised her up, and said with emotion, for he -seemed deeply moved by her grief: - -"Death to those whom my Father loveth is sleep. The good die not! -Lazarus is not dead, but sleepeth, and he shall rise again!" - -"I know, O Rabboni, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the -last day." - -Jesus then said to her, lifting his celestial glances towards heaven: - -"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he -were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me -shall never die! Believest thou this, daughter?" - -"Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which -should come into the world. I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of -God, God will give it thee, and that even now thou couldst bring -Lazarus back again!" - -"Corruption and the worm have begun their work," said a proud and -unbelieving Pharisee near, on hearing this. "Whatever may have been the -state of the ruler's daughter, and of the son of her of Nain, Lazarus -the scribe, at least, is dead!" - -To this speech Jesus made no reply, but turning to Martha, said softly: - -"This day my Father shall be glorified, and the world shall truly know -that I am come from Him who is life and the giver of life. Go thou, and -tell thy sister that I am here, and would have her come and speak with -me." - -Martha, then, overjoyed and wondering that Jesus should have known her -thoughts, so as to reproach her for her little faith as he had done, -hastened to her sister, and entering, cried: - -"I have seen the Lord! He calleth for thee, Mary. Come and see him as -he sits by Isaiah's fountain, near the market-place." - -Mary rose quickly and went out. Certain of her Jewish friends from -Jerusalem at that moment met her at the door, and began to comfort her, -and to ask her if they also should go with her to weep at the grave of -Lazarus, for they said one to another: - -"She goes unto the grave to weep there!" - -"She goes to see Jesus, the friend of Lazarus, for he calleth her," -answered Martha, smiling with eagerness, and speaking with an animation -that presented a singular contrast to her late deep grief. - -Mary hastened to where Jesus sat by the fountain bathing his dusty and -wounded feet. - -"Lord," she said, in her sister's words, and with deep emotion, "if -thou, Lord, hadst been here, my brother had not died!" - -Then bowing her head to the edge of the marble basin, she wept very -heavily. The Jews, men and women, who stood about, being touched with -her sorrow, also wept, while glittering tears coursed their way down -the face of the beloved John, his disciple, who stood near. - -Jesus sighed deeply and groaned in spirit as he beheld her grief and -their mourning with her. His sacred countenance was marred with the -anguish of his soul. - -"Rise, let us go to the grave where he lieth," he said to them. "Where -have ye laid him?" - -"Come, dear Lord, and see," answered Mary, holding him reverently by -the sleeve of the robe, and gently yet eagerly drawing him towards the -place of the tombs in the vale of Olivet. - -In the meanwhile, at home, Martha had been diligently, and with strange -cheerfulness, getting in readiness the room of Lazarus. She swept and -dusted it, and garnished it with fresh flowers, which she gathered in -the little garden. - -"This is the rose he set out and loved. This is the violet which blooms -immortal. I will place it upon his pillow," she said, with a joyous -hilarity softened by the most lovely look of peace, while hope shone in -her eyes like twin morning stars ushering in a glorious day. She spoke -scarcely above her breath and moved on tiptoe. - -"For whom is this preparation, dearest Martha? For Jesus?" I asked. - -"Oh, no. The holy Prophet's own room is ready. Mary has prepared that. -This is Lazarus' room, and I am decorating it for him." - -"Dost thou truly believe that he is coming back from the dead?" I -asked, between doubt and strange fear. - -"Believe? Oh, yes! I know that nothing is impossible with Jesus! -I doubt no more! My faith trembles no longer! He will raise up my -brother, and this day he shall sit down at our table with us again, and -this night rest his head in peaceful slumber upon this pillow which I -am strewing with his favorite flowers. Never had house two such guests -as we shall have this day--the Messias of God, and one come back alive -from the dead!" - -At this moment we heard the noise of the multitude passing by, and it -being told us that Jesus was going to the grave, Martha, embracing me -with a heavenly smile, drew me gently after her to follow the blessed -Prophet to the tomb. All Bethany was in his footsteps. - -How shall I describe Jesus as he then appeared? He wore a blue robe, -woven without seam throughout, the affectionate work and gift of the -two sisters. His face was very pale and sad, yet a certain divine -majesty rested thereon, so that his calm, high forehead looked as if it -were a throne. His holy, earnest eyes were full of sorrow. His mouth, -compressed, betrayed the effort he made to suppress the outbursting of -his heart's deep grief. - -Slowly he moved onward and, entering the cemetery, he soon stood before -the tomb of his beloved friend. - -For a few moments he stood gazing upon the closed stone door of the -cave in silence. There reigned an expectant hush among the vast throng. -Mary knelt at his feet, gazing up into his countenance with a sublime -expression of hope and trust. Martha drew softly near and fell upon her -knees by the side of her sister. Jesus looked tenderly upon them and, -resting his eyes upon the tomb, wept. Large, glittering tears rolled -down his cheeks and glanced from his flowing beard to the ground. I -knelt by the side of the sisters. - -"Behold how he loved him!" whispered the Jews present with surprise. - -Others said, "Could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind, -have caused that even this man should not have died?" - -Jesus, heaving a deep sigh, now came nearer the grave. With a slight -movement of his right hand to those who stood by, he said in a tone -that, though low, was heard by the whole people, so solemn was the -surrounding stillness: - -"Take ye away the stone!" - -"Lord," said Martha, "by this time the body is offensive, for he hath -been dead four days." - -"Daughter," said Jesus, looking on her, "believe, and thou shalt behold -the power of God." - -The men then with some difficulty took away the stone from the door -of the sepulchre and stood upon one side. The dark vault yawned with -gloomy horrors, and, so corrupt was the air that rushed out, all fell -back from it, save Jesus and Mary, retiring several steps from the -entrance. - -Jesus stood looking into the cave where, as our eyes became accustomed -to the darkness within, we could discern the corpse of Lazarus, covered -with the grave mantle, and his face bound with a napkin which was -already discolored with the sepulchral damp of the grave. - -Raising his hands towards heaven and lifting up his spiritual -eyes, which were yet moist with tears, Jesus spoke in a voice of -indescribable pathos and earnestness of appeal, and with a manner of -the most awful reverence, as follows: - -"Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I know that thou -hearest me always, but because of the people which stand by do I offer -unto thee this prayer, that they may believe that the power I have -cometh from thee, and that they may believe that thou hast sent me. -And now, O holy Father, may I glorify thee on the earth with the power -which thou hast given me." - -He then turned towards the tomb, and stretching forth his hand, he -cried with a loud voice that made every heart quake: - -"Lazarus, come forth!" - -My blood stood still in my veins. Scarcely daring to behold, I looked -and beheld what all eyes also saw, the corpse rise and stand up within -the vault, turn round with its face towards us, and come forth, wrapped -hand and foot with the grave-clothes, and his face bound about with a -napkin. His countenance was like marble for whiteness, and his eyes, -which were open, beamed supernaturally brilliant. - -At beholding him a simultaneous shriek burst from the lips of the -people, and there was a terrified backward rush of all who were nighest -the cave. - -Martha, wildly uttering her brother's name, fell forward upon her face -insensible. - -"Loose him and let him go free!" said Jesus calmly, addressing the -petrified and amazed men who had taken away the stone. - -Mary was the first one who had the firmness to approach him, and as she -began removing the napkin from the sides of his face, others, taking -courage by her example, hastened to unswathe his arms and feet. In a -few moments he was free from his outer grave-clothes, and the healthful -color of his cheeks coming to him, his lips flushed brilliantly with -red, his eyes looked natural, beaming with wonder and love as he gazed -about him. Perceiving Jesus, he was about to cast himself at his feet -in gratitude (for he seemed to have consciousness of all that had -happened), but the mighty Prophet drew him to his embrace and kissed -him. - -But my pen refuses to find language to express the unspeakable emotions -of joy and gratitude, words of love and praise, that filled all hearts. -Now the great Prophet, now Lazarus, and now Jesus again received the -plaudits of the vast throng of people. Hymns were chanted to Jehovah as -we passed through the streets, and so many fell down to worship Jesus -that it was long before we crossed the threshold of the dwelling, which -Jesus did indeed enter with Lazarus by his side! And Martha did see -her brother sit at the table, and that night his head rested in deep -slumber upon the flower-strewn pillow which her faith and love had -prepared for him. - -With the hope of soon embracing you, I remain as ever, - - Your loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXVIII. - - -My Dear Father: - -Like all my letters, the theme of this will be Jesus, whose claims -to be the Messiah I unspeakably rejoice to hear you are beginning to -regard with more favorable eyes. - -Now Jesus, whose power to work miracles you yourself, my dear father, -have confessed must be conferred by Jehovah alone, asserts distinctly -and everywhere that he is Messias, the Son of God, the Shiloh of -Israel, of whom Moses and the prophets so eloquently wrote. Besides -claiming for himself this high character, he was heard, by both my -Uncle Amos and myself, in the synagogue at Bethany, two days after he -raised Lazarus from the dead, to read from Esaias the words following, -and apply them to himself, which he had done before at Nazareth: - -"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me -to preach the gospel to the poor. He hath sent me to heal the -broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering -of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised; to -preach the acceptable year of the Lord." - -The synagogue was thronged, so that people trod upon one another. All -eyes were now intent, and all ears were ready to hear what he should -speak. He then said unto them: - -"This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. Ye ask me, O -scribes and men of Israel, to tell you plainly who I am--whether I am -the Christ or no. What saith the prophet of Messias when he shall come? -Ye have just heard his words. If such works as he prophesieth do show -forth themselves in me, know ye not who I am?" - -Here a voice cried out in the assembly: - -"Tell us plainly, art thou the Christ, the Son of the Highest?" - -At this direct inquiry there was intense interest shown to hear the -reply. - -Jesus seemed about to answer, when a man, who stood near the reading -desk, in whom was an unclean spirit, cried out, with a shrieking voice -of mingled terror and awe: - -"Let me alone! Leave me as I am, thou Jesus of Nazareth! Art thou come -hither to destroy me? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God!" - -Jesus rebuked the devil which possessed the man and said, in the voice -of a master commanding a bond slave: - -"Hold thy peace, Satan! The Son of man needeth not, though thou givest -it, thy testimony. Hold thy peace, and come out of the man!" - -At this word the man uttered a fearful cry of despair and rage, and -foaming at the mouth cast himself, or rather was thrown down by the -devil within him, to the ground; where, after a moment's terrific -struggle, with contortions of bodily anguish, he lay senseless as if -dead. Jesus took him by the hand, and he stood up and, looking in the -face of the Prophet with earnestness and wonder, burst into tears of -gratitude, exclaiming: - -"I am escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is -broken, and I am escaped. God hath delivered me out of the hand of my -enemy!" He then sat at the feet of Jesus, calm, grateful, happy, and in -his right mind! All gazed on him with wonder, while from the great mass -of the people rose a great shout, for they were all amazed, saying: - -"This is none other than the Christ, the Son of David! This is the -King of Israel!" while the loud shouts of "Hosanna! hosanna! hosanna!" -cheered by a thousand voices, "Hosanna to our King!" shook like a -passing storm the synagogue. - -When the noise had a little subsided, some of the Scribes and Pharisees -said, reproving him for not rebuking these cries: - -"Who is this that suffereth himself to be hailed as king? This is -treason to the emperor!" - -Jesus then said in a loud, clear voice: - -"My kingdom is not of this world! I seek not an earthly throne or -earthly sceptre. My kingdom is from above. Ye say truly, I am king," he -added, with indescribable majesty, "and hereafter ye shall behold me -sitting upon the throne of heaven." - -When he had thus far spoken he could not proceed farther, on account of -the sudden and immense uproar which his words produced. Some shouted, -"Hosanna!" others said he blasphemed; one cried for the Roman guard, -another for the priests, to eject him from the tribune; many rushed -towards him to cast themselves at his feet, while many, putting their -fingers in their ears, hurried forth from the synagogue, crying: - -"His blasphemies will cause the house to fall upon us and crush us!" - -Never was such an uproar heard. In the midst of it Jesus conveyed -himself away, none knew whither; and when I returned to the house of -Martha I heard his low, earnest, touching voice in prayer to God in his -little chamber. He had sought its sacred quiet to be alone with his -Father in heaven. At times I could hear him praying and supplicating, -in tones of the most heart-breaking pathos; at others the silence of -his room was only broken at intervals by sighs and pitiful groans that -seemed to come from a breaking and crushed heart. Oh, what hand may -remove the veil and reveal what passed there in that holy retirement -between the Prophet and his God! - -It was late in the day when he came forth, Martha having softly tapped -at his door to say that the evening meal was prepared and alone waited -for him. When he appeared his face was colorless and bore traces of -weeping, and though he smiled kindly upon us all, as he was wont to do, -there was a deep-seated sorrow upon his countenance that brought tears -to my eyes. Æmilius joined us at the table, and with dear Lazarus and -with Uncle Amos, we passed a sacred hour; for the Prophet ate not, but -talked to us much and sweetly of the love of God, and as all listened -the viands were forgotten. - -Pardon me, dearest father, if I am too warm and urgent in my efforts to -bring you to accept Jesus as the Christ. Convinced, as I am, that he -is Messias, I cannot but ardently desire that you, also, should come -to the knowledge of this truth. What he is yet to be, how he is yet -to develop his majesty and power, is unknown to us all. Some do think -that he will enter Jerusalem ere long, attended by tens of thousands -of his followers, and that before him Pilate will peaceably vacate his -Procuratorial chair, and retire, not only from the Holy City but from -Judea, with his legions; that Jesus will ascend the throne of David, -and the glory of the age of Solomon be revived under his rule. - -Such, dear father, is the future of the Prophet, as looked for by all -his disciples save one, and this is John, the husband of my Cousin -Mary. John, on hearing our views of the coming glory of the Prophet, -looks compassionate and says: - -"His kingdom is not of this world. He has naught to do with the -splendors of earth. His glory you will behold, but it is a glory of the -spirit. Ere perceiving it fully we may first pass through the valley of -darkness, the gate of the tomb. He has distinctly said to me, 'I must -first suffer many things at the hands of men before I enter upon my -reign of glory. The Jews will seek me to kill me, and I shall be taken -from among you; but let not sorrow fill your hearts. Death can have no -power over me save such as I permit it to hold. I lay down my life and -I take it again. Through much tribulation and sorrow must the Son of -God win the sceptre of this earth--the hearts of men. I shall conquer, -but to do so I must fall. Yet fear not. My death shall be the gateway -to Paradise for you all!'" - -Thus, dear father, do we discourse together about this wonderful -Prophet, whose future life is all a mystery, save that, from the -prophecies, we know it is to be inconceivably glorious; from his own -lips, to be inconceivably sorrowful. But whether on a throne, giving -laws to the world, or in the dust, borne down by the deepest woe, I -shall still love, honor, reverence him and trust in him as my Savior, -my Prince, and the Holy One of God! - - Your devoted and loving, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXIX. - - -My Dearest Father: - -With what emotions of grief and amazement I commence this letter you -can form no just conception. Jesus, the Prophet of God, is a prisoner -to the Roman power! - -But I fear not the issue! He cannot be holden of his foes, save by his -own free will. He can, with a word, turn his chains into bands of sand, -and by a glance render his guards dead men. He will, therefore, escape -their bonds. They can have no power over him. - -It seems that to-day, after eating the Passover with his twelve chosen -friends, and instituting a new and peculiar feast with wine and bread, -which he told them impressively would be his last supper with them, he -went forth towards Olivet, and there, seating himself beneath the shade -of a tree, he talked with them very sadly, saying that "his hour was -come, that he had ended his work, and that he was about to be delivered -into the hands of sinful men." - -John gave the following narrative: "It was evening, and the south side -of Olivet lay in deep shadow. We were all sorrowful. We felt, each -one of us, as if some grievous evil was pending over us. The tones of -our beloved Master's voice moved us to tears, quite as much as his -words, which latter were full of mystery. We were all present except -Iscariot, who had remained in the city to discharge the costs--he being -our purse-bearer--of the Passover supper and pay for the hire of the -room. At that supper Jesus had said very plainly that one of our number -would betray him into the hands of the priests. At hearing our Lord say -these strange words in accents of touching reproach, we were all deeply -moved, and Peter and the rest at once questioned him individually, if -it were they. 'Lord, is it I?' and another, 'Lord, is it I?' I was -resting, at the moment, with my face on the shoulder of Jesus, and said -softly, 'Lord, who is it that betrayeth thee? I will forthwith lay -hands upon him and prevent his doing thee harm.' Jesus shook his head -and smiling gently, said: - -"'My beloved brother, thou knowest not what thou would do. The Son of -man must needs be betrayed by his own friends, but woe unto him who -betrayeth me! Mark which of the twelve dippeth bread with me into the -dish!' - -"I looked and saw Judas reach forward and dip into the dish at the same -instant with Jesus; but in his eagerness, or from conscious guilt, -his hand trembled, he spilled the salt over the board, and the sop -fell from his grasp into the bowl; upon which Jesus gave him the piece -he held, saying to him, with a remarkable expression in his clear, -piercing eyes: - -"'Judas, that thou doest, do quickly!' - -"Instantly Judas rose from the table, and without a reply or casting a -look at any of us, went out. - -"For a few moments after his footsteps had ceased to be heard, there -prevailed a heavy silence in the chamber, for a strange fear had -fallen upon us; why, we could not tell; and looking into one another's -faces, and then into our dear Master's, we seemed to await some dread -event. His face was placid and full of affection as he looked upon us. -The momentary cloud which shaded the noble profile when he spoke to -Judas had all passed off, and there was the serenity of a cloudless sky -in his face." - -"What was the mysterious feast which he instituted?" asked Mary, -interrupting John here. - -"You may properly call it mysterious," he answered. "As we were eating -the Passover, Jesus took up bread and, blessing it by a solemn act of -consecration, broke it with his hands and gave a portion to each of us, -saying with it, 'Take, eat; this is my body!' - -"Awed and impressed by his manner and the act, we all received and -ate it as he commanded us to do, as reverently as if it were the holy -shew-bread of the Temple, dedicated to God's use. When we had eaten in -silence what we perceived was the inauguration of a new and most sacred -feast by his own hand, he took up the cup of wine, and consecrated it -also by giving thanks and blessing. The hallowed cup he now offered to -each one of us. We all drank of it with deep devotion, for he said to -us, 'I will drink no more with you the fruit of the vine until that day -that I drink it new in the kingdom of God!' He also said of the wine, -'This is my blood!'" - -"And how do you understand these words, that the bread consecrated was -his body, and the wine was his blood?" I asked of the disciple. - -"That is an inquiry I cannot answer," said John. "It is a mystery. But -the Lord says it shall be made clear to us by and by. - -"We then sang the Passover hymn to God, and went out at his command to -go to Olivet. As we went he discoursed with us: - -"'My children,' he said. 'I am to be with you but a little while -longer. The hour of my departure is at hand. Remember my last -words--love one another. In this shall all men know that ye are my -disciples.' - -"'Lord,' cried Peter, 'we will go with thee! Thou shalt not leave us -nor go without us!' - -"Thus we all, eagerly and tearfully, gathered around him, alarmed and -grieved at the words he had said. He regarded us lovingly and said: - -"'Little children, I must leave you. Whither I go you cannot come!' - -"'Though thou wentest to the uttermost parts of the sea, I will follow -thee, my Master and Lord!' exclaimed Peter. 'Whither goest thou, that -we may not follow? I will lay down my life for thee; and so will all -these!' - -[Illustration: AN ORIENTAL SUPPER SCENE.] - -"'Wilt thou die for me, Peter?' asked Jesus, gazing on him with a sad, -sweet look. 'Verily, verily, Peter, thou little knowest thyself. The -cock shall not crow twice ere thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest -me.' - -"'Deny thee, Lord!' repeated Peter, with amazed grief and horror in his -looks. - -"'Yes, Peter,' answered Jesus, firmly but kindly, 'deny that thou ever -knewest me; for the time draweth near when there shall be safety only -in confessing ignorance of Jesus the Nazarene. And all ye,' he added, -while his voice grew tremulous, and tears glistened in his eyes, 'all -ye shall be offended because of me this night; ye shall be ashamed -that ye are my disciples, and ye will think me a deceiver and will be -displeased at me. Yea, every one of you shall desert me; for thus it -is written: "The shepherd shall be smitten, and the sheep shall be -scattered!"' - -"When he saw that our hearts were troubled and that we were sad, and -that the faithful Philip sobbed aloud at being supposed capable of -abandoning his Master, he added, 'Let not your hearts be troubled; I go -to prepare a place for you in my Father's house!' - -"'Thy father, Lord, no longer liveth in Nazareth; and, were he alive, -there are but two small apartments in his humble house,' said Thomas. -'How sayest thou that we are all to lodge there?' - -"'Thomas, thou canst understand only what thine eyes see. I speak of my -Father who is in heaven. In his house are many mansions.' - -"Jesus then, as we drew near Cedron, began plainly to tell us that he -was to die, and that by his death we should be admitted into a heavenly -paradise and live forever. We could not understand all he said, but we -knew that he was soon to be taken from us and sorrow filled all our -hearts. After discoursing with us in the most touching words, he at -length said: - -"'Come, let us go over Cedron to the side of Olivet, into the garden we -so much love to walk in.' - -"We went with him, inclosing him as a guard, to conceal his person -from the Jewish spies, as well as to defend him. Peter and James went -before. The full moon shone brightly, and by its light glancing on the -face of Jesus, by whom I walked, I saw that it was sadder than its -wont, while he spoke but little. - -"We at length crossed the brook and entered the dark groves of Olivet. -Familiar with all the paths, we advanced to a central group of -venerable olive trees, beneath which, tradition says, Abraham used to -sit; and there Jesus, turning to us, said in a voice of the deepest woe: - -"'Friends, the hour of my time of trial is come! My work is ended. I -would be alone. Remain you here and watch, for we shall be sought for. -Come with me, Peter, and you also, James. I am going to pray yonder.' - -"'Take me, also, dear Lord!' I said, sorrowfully. - -"'Yes, thou art always with me, beloved!' he answered. 'I will not -leave thee now.' - -"So leaving the eight friends to keep watch against the intrusion of -his enemies, who were known to be everywhere seeking him, he walked -away to the most secluded recesses of the garden. He stopped at the -place near the rock where Adam is said to have hidden from Jehovah, and -saying to us in a sorrowful tone, 'Tarry ye here, while I go apart and -pray to my Father,' he went from us about a stone's cast and kneeled -down, where a thick olive branch hanging low to the ground concealed -him from our view. I was so solicitous lest he should leave us and we -should see him no more, that I soon softly advanced near to the spot -and beheld him prostrate on the ground, while deep groans broke from -his heart. I heard his voice murmuring, but could not distinguish the -words broken by grief; only the tones were those of strange horror and -dread. - -"As he prayed thus in great agony, I suddenly beheld a swift light -pass by me, as if from the skies, and lo! an angel stood by the side -of Jesus, bending over him and raising him up from the ground. A -soft, bright glory shone around the spot, so that Peter, seeing it, -advanced towards me, supposing some one had entered the garden bearing -a torch. I beckoned to Peter to be motionless, and he gazed with me in -speechless astonishment and admiration upon the form of the angel, from -whose glorious face was emitted the radiance which illumined the place -where Jesus was. As the angel raised Jesus from the ground, we saw that -his divine countenance was convulsed with anguish, and upon his brow -stood great shining drops of sweat, mingled with blood, which oozed -from his pallid temples and, rolling down his marble cheeks, dropped to -the ground. Never had we beheld a human visage so marred by sorrow, so -deeply graven with the lines of agony. - -"The angel seemed to utter soothing words, and pointed with his shining -hand towards heaven, as if to encourage him with hope and give him -strength. The face of Jesus grew more serene; he raised his eyes -heavenward with a divine expression of holy love, and cried in a strong -voice: - -"'Thy will, not mine, O God, be done!' - -"The angel then embraced him, as if strengthening him, and soaring -upward, disappeared like a star returning into the blue depths of -heaven, while Peter and I stood by wondering and full of awe at what we -beheld. - -"We remained for some time conversing together upon the wonderful -vision we had seen, which confirmed us in the certainty that Jesus -came from God, and was in truth the Messias that should come; but -at length, wearied with our day's excitements, we must have fallen -asleep, for we were suddenly startled by the voice of our dear Master -saying: - -"'Why sleep ye, children? But the hour is past for watching. Ye may -sleep on now, for though your flesh is weary, your spirit is willing. I -need your aid no longer!' - -"While he was speaking, we saw many torches gleaming through the trees, -along King David's walk, and the tramp of feet fell on our ears. We -soon saw a large party advancing into the midst of the garden, who -walked rapidly and spoke only in undertones. We at once took the alarm -and said to Jesus: - -"'Fly, dear Master! Let us ascend the hill, and escape by the way of -Bethany, for these are enemies!' - -"'Nay,' answered our dear Master. 'It must needs be that I deliver -myself into the hands of these men. How else shall the Scriptures be -fulfilled? Seek safety in flight for yourselves, but I must go whither -they will lead me.' - -"'Not so, Lord,' answered Peter. 'There is time for thee to escape; or, -if not, we will stand by thee and defend thee.' - -"So said all the disciples. Jesus shook his head and said, with a sad -smile, 'Ye know not what ye say or would do. Mine hour is come!' - -"While he yet spake the multitude drew nearer, and those who had the -lead, raising their torches high above their heads, discovered us, -with Jesus in the midst. To my surprise I beheld Judas acting as their -guide, for he alone knew where his Master was to be found at that hour. -Upon discovering Jesus this wicked man ran forward, with expressions of -friendship in his face, and kissed Jesus on the cheek, saying: - -"'Hail, Master! I am glad I have found thee!' - -"'Judas,' said Jesus, 'betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?' - -"When Judas heard this he turned to the multitude, at the head of which -I recognized some of the chief priests, and of the most learned scribes -of the Temple, and cried aloud: - -"'This is he! Seize him, and hold him fast!' - -"Thereupon the crowd, to the number of full ten score men, among whom -were the vilest sort of people, rushed forward to lay hands upon Jesus, -the moon and torches together shedding almost the bright light of day -into the garden upon the whole group. - -[Illustration: MOUNT OF OLIVES.] - -"At seeing them advance so furiously, with spears and clubs and swords, -Peter and James placed themselves before Jesus to defend him, while I, -being unarmed, cast myself across his breast, to shield his heart with -my body. The more bold men in the crowd coming too near, Peter smote -one of them with his sword, as he was reaching out his arm to grasp -Jesus by the shoulder, and clave off his ear. At seeing this the crowd -uttered a fierce shout, and were pressing upon us, when Jesus raised -the palm of his hand and said quietly: - -"'Whom seek ye?' - -"Instantly the whole mass rolled backward, like a receding billow -rebounding from the face of an immovable rock, and every man thereof -fell with his forehead to the ground, where they all lay for a minute -stunned. We twelve alone stood, for Judas had not been struck down, -and now remained gazing with amazement and terror upon the prostrate -enemies of Jesus. - -"'Lord,' cried Peter, astonished, 'if thou canst thus repel thy foes, -thou needest not fear them more. Shall I smite Judas also?' - -"'Nay, put up thy sword, Peter! Let him remain to witness my power, -that he may know that he nor his have any power over me save that I -give them.' - -"While he was thus speaking the people and soldiers rose to their -feet, and, instead of flying, they seemed to be infuriated at their -discomfiture; and the chief priests crying out that it was by sorcery -that they had been thus stricken down, they rushed madly forward and -laid their hands upon Jesus and upon us all. In vain I contended -against numbers to rescue Jesus; overpowered, we were defeated and -driven from the garden, leaving Jesus in the hands of his enemies." - -When John had gone thus far in his relation, dear father, our tears and -his were mingled. But we try and comfort ourselves with the word of his -promise: - -"Ye know not now, but ye shall know by and by, and shall believe truly -that I came out from God. What now seems to you mysterious shall be -made clear as light. Wait and have faith, and all shall be made known -which now you understand not. Let no trials and degradations ye see me -pass through cause your faith to fail. I am come into this world to -conquer; but if I stoop, it is to raise up the world with me when I -rise again!" - -I have omitted to mention to you what more John related as wonderful -touching the arrest of the Prophet. "As the chief priests bound and -laid their hands on him, there was," he said, "heard in the air the -sound of myriads of rushing wings, and notes like the gathering -signal of a trumpet, echoing and re-echoing in the skies, as if a -countless host of invisible beings were marshaling, armies by armies, -in mid-heaven! At these fearful and sublime sounds all raised their -heads but could behold nothing. Then Jesus said, with a majestic and -commanding look, such as I had never before beheld upon his face: - -"'Ye hear that I am not without heavenly friends! I have only to pray -to my Father which is in heaven, and he will bid twelve legions of his -angels, now hovering in the air and yearning to defend me from my foes, -descend to my aid! But I desire not to use my powers for myself.'" - -Thus, dear father, was Jesus borne away by a fierce multitude and -dragged into the city. - -John, whose interest in and affection for Jesus led him to follow them, -heard all this; but Jesus made no answer, only walking quietly along, -patiently enduring all they said and did. - -As they entered the city gate the Roman guard, seeing the immense crowd -and uproar, stopped them to learn the cause of the commotion. - -"'We have here a traitor and conspirator, O captain of the guard,' -answered Eli, the chief priest: 'a pestilent fellow, who calls -himself Christ, a king! We have, therefore, with this band of hired -soldiers, taken him, as he was met secretly with twelve of his -fellow-conspirators, plotting to overthrow the government of Cæsar and -make himself king of Judea.' - -"'Long live Cæsar! Long live the emperor!' shouted the Roman soldiers. -'We have no king but Augustus Imperator!' - -"Upon this many of the soldiers cried, 'Take him before the Procurator! -He will give him his deserts, who would take his procuratorship away -from him! To Pilate! To Pilate!' - -"'To Annas!' shouted the Jews. 'First to Annas!' - -"Then, with some shouting one thing and others another thing, he was -hurried towards the house of Annas. - -"When Annas knew that the prisoner was Jesus, he uttered a fearful oath -expressive of his joy and wicked satisfaction, and, hastily robing and -coming down into the court, he bade them bring the prisoner in. But the -calm majesty of Jesus abashed him, and checked the course of insulting -questions he began putting to him. At length finding that the Prophet -would make no reply, he caused him to be bound still more closely with -more cords, lest he should, like Samson, rend his bonds and escape on -the way, and sent him to Caiaphas, the High Priest, saying to him: - -"'Caiaphas will find voice for thy tongue, O Prophet! So, thou wouldst -destroy the Temple, and callest thyself the Son of the Lord Jehovah! -Out, blasphemer! Away with him, or the house will be swallowed up -with the presence of one so impious! Away with the man! By the crown -of David! Pilate will make thee king in truth, and give thee a Roman -throne, to which, so that thou mayest not presently fall from it, he -will nail thee foot and hand!' - -"At this the cruel crowd shouted their approbation, and many cried: - -"'Ay, to the cross! to the cross with him!' - -"But others said, 'Nay, but to Caiaphas!' - -"The captain of the Roman soldiers resolved that he should be taken -before Pilate, and led the way thither, Jesus bound in the midst." - -With renewed uproar they tumultuously pressed forward, their way -lighted by the red glare of a hundred torches, insulting the Roman -soldiers with seditious cries. John followed, but being recognized as -one of his disciples by a soldier in Æmilius' legion, he was seized and -only escaped by leaving his apparel in the grasp of the rude Roman. -Five of the disciples who have escaped arrest, are now in this house, -whither John fled also, on eluding the grasp of the soldier, leaving -his linen garment in his hand. We are all so sad and anxious! To move -in favor of Jesus is only to share his fate and do him no service. - -Yet through all, dear father, I do trust in him and hope! Oh, I cannot -doubt his truth and power! I have seen him bring Lazarus up from -the grave, and I will not believe but that he can save himself, and -will save himself, from their hands. It is only when I shall behold -him really no more--see him really dead--that my faith in his divine -mission will waver. - -With eyes blinded with tears, I can scarcely subscribe myself, - - Your sad but loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXX. - - -My Dear Father: - -I know not how to write--I know not what to say! Dismay and sorrow fill -my heart! I feel as if life were a burden too heavy to hear! They have -crucified him! - -Verily fear and a snare are come upon us--desolation and destruction, -O my father! We know not which way to turn. He in whom we trusted has -proved as one of us, weak and impotent, and has suffered death without -power to save himself. He that saved others could not escape the death -of the Roman cross! While I write, I hear the priest Abner, in the -court below, mocking my Uncle Amos in a loud voice: - -"Your Messias is dead! A famous great prophet, surely, you Nazarenes -have chosen--born in a manger and crucified as a thief! Said I not -that he who could speak against the Temple and the priesthood was of -Beelzebub?" - -Rabbi Amos makes no reply. Shame and despair seal his lips. Thus our -enemies triumph over us, and we answer only with confusion of face. - -This unexpected, this unlooked-for, startling result has stupefied me, -and not only me but all who have been so led by fascination as to trust -in him. Even John, the beloved disciple, I hear now pacing the floor of -the adjoining room, sobbing as if his noble heart would burst. Mary, my -cousin's sweet voice, I catch from time to time trying to soothe him, -although she is stricken like us all to the very earth. The unhappy -John I hear despairingly answer her: - -"Do not try to comfort me, Mary! There is no ground for hope more! He -is dead--dead! All is lost! We who trusted in him have only to fly, if -we would save our wretched lives, into Galilee, and return once more -to our nets! The sun which shone so dazzlingly has proved a phantom -light and gone out in darkness! He whom I could not but love, I see -that I loved too well, since he proves not what I believed him to -be! Oh, how could he be so like the Son of God and yet not be! Yet I -loved and adored him as if he were the very Son of the Highest! But I -have seen him die as a man--I have gazed on his lifeless body! I have -beheld the deep wound made into his very heart by the Roman spear! -I cast myself upon him, when he was taken down from the cross, and -implored him, by his love for me, to give some sign that he was not -holden by death! I placed my trembling hands over his heart. It was -still--still--motionless as stone, like any other dead man's! He was -dead--dead! With him die all our hopes--the hopes of Israel!" - -"He may live again," said Mary, softly and hesitatingly, as if she -herself had no such hope. "He raised Lazarus, thou dost remember!" - -"Yes, for Jesus was living to do it," answered John, stopping in his -walk; "but how can the dead raise the dead? No, he will never move, -speak, nor breathe again!" - -But I will not further delay the account of his trial and condemnation, -for you will be anxious to know how such a man could be condemned to -a malefactor's death. In my last letter I spoke of his arrest through -the traitorous part enacted by Judas. Led by his captors, bound by the -wrists with a cord, Jesus was taken from the dark groves of Olivet, -where he had been found at prayer, and conducted with great noise into -the city by Cæsar's gate. It is near this archway that Rabbi Amos -lives. I will copy for you my Cousin Mary's account of it to Martha of -Bethany, just written by her, instead of adding any more to my own. - -"I went out upon the basilica, which overlooked the streets," says -Mary, "and beheld a multitude advancing with torches flashing, and -soon they came opposite the house, at least two hundred men in number, -half clad and savage looking, with fierce eyes and scowling looks. -Here and there among them was a Levite urging them on, and I also -beheld Abner the priest firing their passions by loud oratory and eager -gesticulations. Behind rode five Roman horsemen, with levelled spears, -guarding a young man who walked with a firm step. I burst into tears. -It was Jesus! His locks were dishevelled, his beard torn, his face -marred, and his garments rent. He was pale and suffering, yet walked -with a firm step. I burst into tears, and so did Adina, who had come -out to see what was passing. He looked up and said touchingly, 'Mourn -not for me.' - -"He would have said more, but the priest smote him rudely upon the -mouth, and the crowd, following his example, would have done him -further insult but for the Roman soldiers, who turned their spears -every way to guard him from violence, for they had rescued him from -the terrible rage of the Jews by their centurion's orders, and were -commanded to bring him safely before Pilate. So, thus guarded and -escorted by the men who thirsted for his blood, he was led onward -to the Pretorium, where the Roman Procurator resided. Gradually the -whole multitude disappeared in the distance when silence, a dread and -unearthly silence, succeeded. I turned and looked in Adina's face. She -was leaning, as colorless as marble, against one of the columns of the -basilica. - -"'What can all this mean?' she said, with emotion. 'Can it be possible -he has suffered himself to be taken--he who could destroy or make alive -with a word? What means this dreadful scene we have just witnessed?' - -"I could not answer. All I knew was what my eyes just beheld--that -Jesus our Prophet, our King, our Messias, on whom all our hopes and -the joy of Israel rested, was dragged a prisoner through the streets, -helpless and without a helper. I trembled with I knew not what unknown -forebodings. Suddenly Adina cried: - -"'He cannot be harmed! He cannot die! He is a mighty Prophet, and -has power that will strike his enemies dead. Let us not fear. He has -yielded himself only the more terribly to defeat and destroy his foes. -We will not fear what Pilate or the priests will do! They cannot harm -the Anointed Shiloh of the Lord!' - -"While we were yet talking, dear Martha, a dark figure passed -stealthily along beneath the basilica, and seemed to court the shadows -of the house. At this moment my father, Rabbi Amos, opened the outer -gate, with a torch in his hand, to follow, at our request, the crowd of -people, and see what should befall Jesus. The light glared full upon -the tall, spare form of Peter, the Galilean fisherman. His dark, stern -features wore an expression of earnest anxiety. - -"'Is it thou, Peter?' exclaimed my father. 'What is all this? Who has -ordered the arrest of Jesus? What has he done?' - -"'That hateful and envious man, Caiaphas, seeks to destroy him, and -has bribed with large lures of gold the baser Jews to do this thing. -Come with me, Rabbi, and let us die with him!' and the Galilean pressed -eagerly forward at a pace with which my father could not keep up. - -"And this was an hour ago, and yet no news has come from the Pretorium; -but from time to time a dreadful shout from the hill on which the -palace of Caiaphas stands, breaks upon my ears, and the glare of unseen -torches illumines the atmosphere high above the towers of the palace. -It is a fearful night of agony and suspense. Adina, in her painful -uncertainty, but for my entreaties would go forth alone towards the -Pretorium to hear and know all. I can keep myself calm only by writing -to you. Adina has also commenced a letter to her father, recording -these sad things, but she drops her pen to start to the balcony at -every sound. When will this fearful night end! What will the morrow -reveal! - -"It is an hour since I wrote the last line. The interval has been one -of agony. Rumors have reached us that the priests insist on Pilate's -passing sentence of death on the Prophet. The cries, 'Crucify him! -Crucify him!' have distinctly reached our ears. John is now here. -About half an hour after Jesus passed he reached our house nearly -destitute of apparel, his clothing having been torn from off him by -the Jews, in their efforts to make him their prisoner also. He is calm -and confiding, saying that his beloved Master can never be injured by -them, and that he will ere many hours deliver himself from his foes, -and proclaim himself king of Israel with power such as man never had -before. May the God of Jacob defend him! John has just gone up to the -Temple to get news, in disguise of a priest, wearing my father's robes. - -"I have just seen a messenger passing in great haste along the street, -and his horse falling, cast him almost upon our threshold. It was the -page of Æmilius, the noble Roman knight, who is betrothed to my Cousin -Adina. She hastened to his aid. He was but stunned, and soon was able -to say that he bore a message from Lucia Metella, the fair and youthful -bride of Pilate, urging him to have nothing to do with the Prophet, but -to give him his liberty, for she had just awakened from an impressive -dream in which she saw him sitting on the throne of the universe, -crowned with the stars of heaven, the earth a footstool beneath his -feet, and all nations assembled and doing him homage. - -"This report of the page has filled our hearts with joy and hope -inexpressible. Confident that Jesus is the Son of God, we will not fear -what man can do unto him. - -"My father has returned. It is day. He says nothing can save Jesus but -his own divine power. The Jews are in number many thousands, and cry -for his blood. Pilate has but a cohort of soldiers and fears to use -force, lest the exasperated people break into open revolt and take the -city from his hands, which they can with ease do if they will unite. -'He trembles,' said my father, 'between fear to condemn the innocent -and dread of the vengeance of the Jews if he let him go. Nothing can -save the Prophet but his own mighty miracle-working power. He who has -saved others will surely save himself.' - -"While my father was speaking a man rushed into our presence. He was -low in stature, broad-chested, with a stiff, reddish beard, narrow -eyes, and sharp, unpleasant visage. His attire was ragged and mean, as -was his whole aspect. He grasped in his right hand a small bag, which -rung with coin as his shaking fingers held it. He trembled all over, -and seizing my father by the arm with the quick, nervous grasp of a -lunatic, cried hoarsely: - -"'Will he let them? Will he? Will he?' - -"'Will he what, Iscariot? Of whom do you speak? Art thou crazed? Thou -shouldst well be, after thy deed to-night!' - -"'Will he let them kill him? Will he die? Will he die? Think you he -will escape? He can if he will! Cords to him are ropes of sand!' - -"'No, no. He is bound hand and foot!' answered my father, sadly. 'He -makes no defense. I fear he will let them do as they will with him. He -makes no effort to save his life.' - -"At this Judas, for it was that wicked man, beat his knitted forehead -in a frenzied manner with the bag of silver, and with a look of -horrible despair rushed forth, crying as he went: - -"'I will save him! The priests shall have their money again! He shall -not die! If I had believed he would not do some miracle to escape them, -I never would have sold him! I hoped to get their money, and trusted, -if they bound him, for him to escape by his own power. I did not dream -that he would not exert it to save himself. I will save thee, innocent -man of God, for I, not thou, alone am guilty! Oh, if I had suspected -this--but he shall not die!' - -"With these ravings he disappeared towards the Pretorium, leaving us -all amazed at what we had heard. - -"The sun is up. The fate of Jesus is sealed! The Procurator has -signed the sentence of death and he is to be crucified to-day. But, -with Judas, I believe that he cannot die, and that he will signalize -the hour by some wonderful miracle of personal deliverance. Thus, -tremblingly, we hope and wait." - -Here terminates, my dear father, what my cousin has written to Martha -and Lazarus. - - Your sorrowing but loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXI. - - -Dearest Father: - -I have only terminated my last letter to take up my pen for the -beginning of another, for I find relief only in writing to you from the -deep affliction which has struck me to the earth. If anything can add -to my mortification at the death of the Nazarene, Jesus, it is that I -shall have endeavored so earnestly to make you believe in him also. -Oh, I shall never have confidence in a human being again; and the more -lovely, the more holy, the more heavenly the character of any one, the -wiser and purer their teachings, the more distrustful shall I be of -them. - -But I will turn from these painful thoughts and, as I promised in my -last, will give you an account of what passed at his trial. - -It is now the morning following the crucifixion, and I am calmer -than I was yesterday and will be able to write with more coherency. -Twenty-four hours have passed since he was nailed to the cross. His -followers have been, since his arrest, hunted like wild beasts of the -wilderness. Annas has hired and filled with wine fierce Roman soldiers, -and sent them everywhere to seize the fugitive Nazarenes. John was -especially sought out, and the emissaries of Annas came at midnight -last night to the house to take him, but we assisted him in making -his escape by means of the subterranean passage that leads from the -dwelling of Rabbi Amos to the catacombs beneath the Temple. - -Æmilius, though only recently a convert from the paganism of Rome, is -firm in his faith that Jesus will rise again to life; and, instead of -giving up all, as we do, he says that he should not be amazed to be -suddenly told by the soldiers, whom he left to guard his tomb, that he -had burst forth alive from the dead! - -But I have forgotten that I am to narrate to you, dear father, the -particulars of his accusation, trial and condemnation. As I was not -present in the Pretorium, I am indebted for the further details which I -shall give, in part to John and in part to Rabbi Amos. - -"As soon as the mob of Jews who had Jesus under arrest, and which I -saw pass the house, reached the abode of Rabbi Annas, he asked them -whom they had in custody, and when they answered that it was the great -Nazarene Prophet, he said with joy: - -"'Bring him into the lower court, that I may see him. By the rod of -Aaron, I would have him do some notable miracle for me.' - -"And thus speaking, the white-headed old man hastened down to the -court, which, on reaching, he found thronged with the infuriated -multitude. It was with difficulty he made a passage to where Jesus -stood, both imprisoned and defended by a glittering lattice of Roman -spears. After regarding him attentively he said, with curiosity yet -with sarcasm: - -"'Art thou, then, the King of the Jews? Hast thou come to reign on the -throne of David? Show me a sign from heaven, and I will acknowledge -thee, O Nazarene!' - -"But Jesus stood calm and dignified, making no answer. Annas then -angrily plucked him by the beard, and a messenger at the same moment -arrived to say to him that Caiaphas, the High Priest, demanded to have -Jesus brought before him. Upon this he said in a loud voice: - -"'Lead him to the palace! Caiaphas, my son-in-law, would see the man -who would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days!' - -"There now arose a dreadful shout from the priests and people, who, -rushing upon Jesus, cried, 'Crucify him!' and attempted to grasp his -person, as they guarded him along the streets; but in protecting him, -as they had been commanded to do, the Romans wounded several of the -Jews. Hereupon there was a great cry of sedition and shouts of: - -"'Down with the Roman eagles! Down with the barbarians! Death to the -Gentiles!' - -"These cries were followed up by a fearful rush of the mass of men -upon the handful of guards. They were forced back, their spears broken -like straws or turned aside, and Jesus successfully wrested from their -power. But in the height of the battle Æmilius appeared with a portion -of the legion of which he was Prefect, and instantly charging the -people, who fled before the breasts of his horses, rescued the Prophet. - -"'Rabbi,' said Æmilius to the Prophet, with compassionate respect, -'I know thou hast power from God to disperse as chaff this rabble of -fiends. Speak, and let them perish at thy divine command!' - -"'Nay, my son. I am come into the world for this hour,' answered Jesus. -'This, also, is a part of my mission from my Father. It becomes me to -endure all things, even death.' - -"'You cannot die, my Lord,' said Æmilius warmly. 'Did I not see thee -raise Lazarus from the tomb?' - -"'To die I came into this world, but not for myself. I lay down my -life, and I can take it again. These men could have no power over me -except my Father did grant it to them. And what my Father willeth I -will also. Seek not, my son, to deliver me.' - -"These words passed between them beneath the portico, as Æmilius was -loosing the sharp cords from the bleeding wrists of the youthful -Prophet. - -"'To Caiaphas! To Caiaphas!' now cried the multitude, who had been -for a moment awed by the bold charge of the Roman horse, but now grew -bolder as some men removed the dead and wounded out of sight. 'To the -palace with the blasphemer! for he who calls himself God is, by our -law, to be punished with death! To the High Priest with him!' - -"'I can rescue you, great Prophet!' said Æmilius resolutely. 'Give me -the word, and you are mounted on my horse and safe in the castle of -David.' - -"'The High Priest has sent for me. He must be obeyed,' answered Jesus; -and Æmilius, surprised at his refusal to escape, reluctantly escorted -him to the palace. The windows already glared with torches, and the -superb Hall of Aaron was alight with a hundred flambeaux. Caiaphas -was already upon his throne, although it was long past the hour of -midnight--an unwonted time for him to sit in the council chamber; -but his desire to have Jesus brought before him led him to hold an -extraordinary court. A score of the elders and chief priests were -standing about him, their dark, eager faces earnestly watching the -entrance to get a look at the approaching Prophet. As Jesus serenely -entered, led by the sorrowful Æmilius, Caiaphas bent his tall, gaunt -form forward, thrust his neck and huge head in advance, and with keen -eyes and sharp, scrutinizing glances, surveyed him whom he jealously -looked upon as his foe. - -"The multitude, pressing in, soon filled the vast hall and even crowded -upon the rostrum, upon which were seated the scribes, elders and many -of the principal priests. The Roman soldiers, with clanging steel, -marched in, and arrayed themselves on either side of the High Priest's -throne, leaving Jesus standing alone before its footstool. - -"Contrasting with the brilliancy of the gorgeous hall and the -glittering robes of the priests, surged and heaved and moved below the -dark masses of the people, in their gray and brown caps and cloaks, for -the night was cold and they wore their winter garments; and all this -wild ocean of human forms gleamed with ten thousand eyes, flashing like -the phosphorescent stars that glitter on the surface of the upheaving -sea when the shadow of the storm-cloud hangs above it, and the winds -are about to be unbound to lash it into fury. So seemed this terrible -sea of human heads--Jesus the center of their looks and of their hate. -He alone, of all that countless host, he alone was calm, serene, -fearless! Caiaphas now waved his hand, with a gesture for silence, and -addressed Jesus: - -"'So, then,' he spoke, with haughty irony, 'thou art Jesus, the -far-famed Galilean prophet! Men say thou canst raise the dead! We -would fain behold a miracle. Thinkest thou, if we put thee to death -presently, thou canst raise thyself?' - -"'Jesus,' saith Rabbi Amos, who stood near him and saw all, 'Jesus -remained unmoved. His bearing was marked by a certain divine dignity, -while an expression of holy resignation sat upon his features. He -looked like Peace, incarnate in the form of man! A soft influence -seemed to flow from his presence, producing a universal but momentary -emotion of sympathy. Caiaphas perceived it, and cried in his harsh, -stern voice: - -"'You have brought this man before me, men of Jerusalem; of what do you -accuse him? Let those who have accusations come forward and make them. -He is a Jew, and shall have justice by our laws.' - -"'Ye Jews have no power to try a man for his life, most noble -Caiaphas,' said Æmilius. 'The lives of all your nation are in the hand -of Cæsar and of his tribunals. You can put no man to death.' - -"Æmilius had spoken in hopes that if Jesus could be brought before -Pilate, the Procurator, he might be by him released, for he knew Pilate -had no envy or feeling against the Prophet. - -"'Thou sayest well, noble Roman,' answered Caiaphas, 'but for the crime -of blasphemy against the Temple we are permitted by Cæsar to judge our -people by the laws of Moses. And this man, if rumor comes nigh the -truth, has been guilty of blasphemy. But we will hear the witnesses.' - -"Hereupon several of the chief priests and scribes who had been going -in and out among the crowd, brought forward certain men whose very -aspect showed them to be of the baser sort. One of these men testified -that he had heard Jesus say that he would destroy the Temple and could -again in three days rebuild it more magnificently than it was in the -days of Solomon the Mighty. - -"Upon this testimony all the priests shouted, 'Blasphemer!' and called -for Jesus to be stoned to death. - -"A second witness was now produced by Abijah, the most passionate of -the scribes, who testified that Jesus had taught in Samaria that men -would soon no longer worship in the Temple, but that the whole earth -would be a temple for Jews and Gentiles. - -"This was no sooner heard than some of the men gnashed at Jesus with -their teeth, and but for the gestures and loud voice of the High -Priest, they would have made an attempt to get him into their power. - -"A third witness, a man who had been notorious for his crimes, now came -up. He carried on his wrist a cock, with steel gaffs upon the spurs, -as if he had just been brought up from the cock-pit to bear testimony, -for such were the sort of fellows suborned by the priests. He testified -that Jesus said that the day would soon come when not one stone should -be left upon another of the Temple; that he had called it 'a den of -thieves,' the priests 'blind guides' and 'deceivers,' the scribes -'foxes,' and the Pharisees 'hypocrites.' - -"But the fourth and fifth witnesses contradicted each other, as also -did others. - -"Such opposite testimony perplexed and irritated Caiaphas and -confounded the chief priests and scribes. The High Priest now began to -perceive that Jesus would have to be released for want of testimony -against him. - -"'What! Galilean and blasphemer of God and his Temple, answerest thou -nothing?' cried the High Priest; 'hearest thou not what these witness -against thee?' - -"But Jesus remained silent. Caiaphas was about to break the silence by -some fierce words, when a voice was overheard the other side of the -columns, on the left of the throne, where was a fireplace in which was -burning a large fire, about which stood many persons. Rabbi Amos at -once recognized in the violent speaker Peter, who had come in with him -and John, the latter of whom, in the disguise of a priest, stood not -far from Jesus, gazing tenderly upon him, and listening with the most -painful interest to all that they testified against him; but Peter -stood farther off, by the fire, yet not less eagerly attending to all -that passed. - -"'Thou art one of the Nazarene's followers!' cried the voice of a maid, -who brought wood to feed the fire. 'Thou needest not to deny it. I am -of Galilee, and knew thee when thou wert a fisherman. Seize him, for he -is one of them!' - -"'Woman, I swear by the altar and ark of God, and by the sacred Tables. -I know not the fellow! I never saw Galilee!' - -"'Thy speech betrayeth thee, now thou hast spoken!' cried the woman; -'thou art a Galilean, and thy name is Simon Bar-Jona. I know thee well, -and how, three years ago, you and your brother Andrew left your nets -to follow this Nazarene!' - -"'May the thunders of Horeb and the curse of Jehovah follow me, if what -thou sayest be true, woman. Thou mistakest me for some other man. I -swear to you, by the head of my father, men and brethren, that I never -saw his face before! I know not the man!' - -"As he spoke," said John, "he cast his angry looks towards the place -where Jesus stood. He caught his Master's eyes bent upon him, with a -tender and reproving gaze, so full of sorrowing compassion, mingled -with forgiveness, that I saw Peter start as if smitten with lightning. -He then pressed his two hands to his face and, uttering a cry of -anguish and despair that made the High Priest look, and which went -to every heart, he rushed out by the open door into the darkness and -disappeared. As he did so the cock, which was held tied upon the wrist -of the third witness, crowed twice in a loud tone. I then remembered -the words of Jesus to Peter, spoken but twelve hours before: 'This -night, even before the cock crow the first watch of the morning, thou -shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me!' Upon this," added John, "my -confidence in my Master came back full and strong, and I felt that he -would not, could not be harmed, for he foreknew all things that could -happen to him, and would yet escape death. - -"At length, after great excitement and dissension among the elders, -chief priests and scribes, Caiaphas placed Jesus before their great -council, at their demand. Their hall adjoined his own. Here they, as -well as Caiaphas, questioned him closely, and said: - -"'Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? I adjure thee by the -living God, tell us plainly.' - -"Jesus then elevated his princely form, and bending his eyes upon -the face of the High Priest, with a look so brightly celestial that -Caiaphas involuntarily dropped his eyelids to the ground, answered and -said: - -"'Ye have said that which I am!' The expression of his countenance," -says John, "seemed to shine as he had seen it in the Mount, when he was -transfigured before him. - -"'Men of Israel and Judah, ye hear his words!' cried the High Priest, -rending down the blue lace from his ephod. 'Hear ye his blasphemy! What -think ye? Need we any further witness than his own mouth?' - -"'He is guilty of death!' cried Abner, in a hoarse voice, his eyes, -red with being up all the night, glaring like a leopard's; and -advancing to where Jesus stood bound and bleeding, he spat in his face -thrice. - -"This was followed by a loud outcry for his death, and several vile -fellows also spat upon him and pulled him by the beard. - -"'Is this Jewish justice?' cried Æmilius indignantly to Caiaphas. 'Do -you condemn and kill a man without witness? Stand back, for Romans are -not used to see men condemned without law. Back, fellows, or your blood -will flow sooner than his for which you thirst!' - -"At this determined attitude they gave back for a moment, and left -Jesus standing in the midst, sad but serene. - -"John ran to him and wiped the blood and uncleanness from his lips -and cheeks and beard, and gave him water, which the woman who had -recognized Peter compassionately brought in a ewer. - -"'Master, use thy power and escape from them!' whispered John. - -"'Nay, tempt me not, beloved!' he answered. 'My power is not for my -deliverance, but for that of the world. For you I can do mighty works, -but for myself I do nothing. I came not to save my life, but to lay it -down. Mine hour is at hand!' - -"'Let not a handful of Romans frighten you, men of Jerusalem!' cried -Abner. 'There is not a legion in all the city. Here we are masters, if -we will it! To the rescue! Let me hear the lion of Judah roar in his -might, and the eagle of Rome will shriek and fly away! To the rescue!' - -"'Hold, men and brethren!' cried Caiaphas, who had judgment enough to -see that the first blow would be the beginning of a revolution that -would bring down upon the city the Roman army quartered in Syria and -end in the destruction of the nation. 'Hold, madmen!' - -"But his voice was drowned amid the roar of the human tempest. Æmilius -and his men were borne away on the crest of the surge and so pressed by -the bodies of the Jews that they could not make use of their weapons. -In the wild confusion Jesus was carried by fierce hands to the opposite -end of the council chamber, while Caiaphas strove to appease the wrath -of Æmilius, who insisted that the fate of Jesus should be left with -Pilate the Procurator. - -"When Æmilius, aided by the authority of Caiaphas, at length came where -Jesus had been dragged, they found him standing blindfolded among a -crowd of the basest fellows of Jerusalem, who were diverting themselves -by slapping his cheeks, and asking him to tell, by his divine knowledge -of all things, who did it. They would also hold money before his -blinded eyes, and ask him to name its value or inscription, and when he -still kept silence they struck him. - -"'We will let thee go, Nazarene,' said one, 'if thou wilt tell how many -hairs I have in my beard.' - -"'Nay, let him divine,' cried another, 'what I gave for my Passover -lamb in the market, and the name of the Samaritan of whom I bought it!' - -"'Out with your lambs, Kish!' shouted a third fellow, thrusting himself -forward; 'let me hear him prophesy! What, Galilean! silent and sullen! -I will make thee speak!' and he let a blow of his staff fall upon the -head of Jesus which would have struck him to the earth, but for the -voice of Caiaphas, which had arrested in part its force. - -"'Men of Israel!' he cried aloud, 'that this pestilent Nazarene is a -blasphemer we have heard with our ears, and by our law he ought to die, -because he hath made himself the Son of God. But Cæsar hath taken the -power of life and death out of our hands! We Jews can put no man to -death, but the Romans only. That he hath spoken against Cæsar, and is -a seditionist, can be proved. Let us take him before Pilate with this -accusation!' - -"This speech pleased the people, and, having rebound Jesus more -securely, they cried all with one voice, 'To Pilate! To the Pretorium!'" - -The multitude then poured out of the gates of the palace, like a -foaming and chafing river which hath overflowed its banks, and with -terrible cries, which we heard even in our house, took the direction -towards the Pretorium. - -It was with difficulty that Æmilius could protect the Prophet in safety -up the hill and to the entrance of the Pretorium, which he entered -with his prisoner just as the sun gilded the loftiest pinnacles of the -Temple. - -In another letter, dear father, I will continue the account of his -trial, the remembrance of which, while I now write of it, almost -rekindles again all my love, faith, devotion and confidence in him, for -who but a man God-sustained could have borne so meekly all this pain, -insult, ignominy and shame? - - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXII. - - -My Dear Father: - -This is the evening of the Great Day of the Feast, and the second day -since the ignominious execution of him whom we all believed to have -been the Christ, the Son of the Blessed. Yet he still lies dead in the -tomb! Alas, that one so good and noble and wise should have been a -deceiver! Henceforth I have no faith in goodness. I have wept till I -can weep no more. - -It is now the close of the High Day of the Feast. The slanting rays of -the setting sun linger yet upon the gilded lances that terminate the -lesser pinnacles of the holy house of the Lord. The smoke of incense -curls lazily up from the sky from its unseen altar, and the deep voices -of the choir of Levites, increased by those of the tens of thousands of -Judah, who crowd all the courts of the Temple, fall upon my ears like -muffled thunder. I never heard anything so solemn. Above the Temple has -hung, since the crucifixion yesterday, the cloud of the smoke of the -sacrifices, and it immovably depends over all the city like a pall. -The sun does not penetrate it, though its light falls upon the earth -outside of the city, but all Jerusalem remains in shadow. This cloud -is a fearful sight, and all men have been watching it and talking of -it and wondering. It seems to be in the form of black, gigantic wings, -spreading a league broad over Jerusalem. - -There it now hangs, visible from my window, but we are in some sort -used to its dreadful presence and cease to fear; but we are lost in -wonder. This morning when a high wind arose, blowing from the Great -Sea eastward, every one expected and hoped to see the cloud sail away -before it in the direction of the desert. But the only effect the wind -produced was to agitate its whole surface in tumultuous billows, while -the mass still retained its position above the city. The shadow it -casts is supernatural and fearful, like the dread obscurity which marks -an eclipse of the sun. - -And this reminds me, my dear father, to mention what, in the -multiplicity of subjects that rush to my pen for expression, I have -omitted to state to you; and what is unaccountable unless men have, in -truth, crucified in Jesus the very Son of God. At the time of his death -the sun disappeared from the mid-heavens, and darkness, like that of -night, followed over all the earth, so that the stars became visible, -and the hills on which Jerusalem stands shook as if an earthquake had -moved them, and many houses were thrown down; and where the dead are -buried outside of the city, the earth and rocks were rent, tombs broken -up, and many bodies of the dead were heaved to the surface and exposed -to all eyes! These bodies have lain all to-day, for the Jews dare not -touch them to re-bury them for fear of being defiled. All this is -fearful and unaccountable. It is known, too, that as Jesus expired, the -vail of the Temple was rent in twain and exposed the Holy of Holies to -every common gaze! What will be the end of these things is known only -to the God of Abraham. Never was so fearful a Passover before. Men's -faces are pale and all look as though some dread calamity had befallen -the nation. - -My last letter, my dear father, closed with the termination of the -examination of Jesus before Caiaphas. - -Guarded by Æmilius, who was his true friend to the last, he was led to -the house of Pilate. - -The Pretorian gates were shut by the Roman guards as the tumultuous -crowd advanced, for Pilate believed the Jews were in insurrection, and -was prepared to defend his palace; for so few are the troops with him -in the city that he has for some weeks held only the name of power -rather than the reality. But when Æmilius explained to the captain -of the guard that the Jews desired to accuse Jesus, the Nazarene, of -sedition before the Procurator, he was admitted, with the chief men -of the city, into the outer court of Antiochus, and at their call -Pilate came forth to them. When he saw the vast concourse of people -with Caiaphas and the chief priests, and many rich Sadducees, with -the leading men of Jerusalem in the advance, and Jesus, bound and -disfigured by the insults he had undergone, and Æmilius and his few -soldiers enclosing him with their protecting spears, and heard the -loud voices of the multitude, as of wolves baying for the blood of a -defenceless lamb, he stood with amazement for a few moments surveying -the scene. - -"What means this, Æmilius?" he demanded of the young Prefect. "Who is -this captive?" - -"It is Jesus, called the Christ, my lord, the Prophet of Galilee. The -Jews desire his death, accusing him of blaspheming their God, and--" - -"But I have no concern with their religion or the worship of their God. -Let them judge him after their own way," said Pilate, indifferently, -and with an indolent air. - -"But, most noble Roman," said Caiaphas, advancing to the portico on -which the Procurator stood, "by our law he should suffer death, and -thou knowest, though we can condemn, as we now have done this Galilean, -we have no power to execute sentence of death." - -"This is well said; but would you have me put one of your nation to -death for blaspheming your God? So far as that is concerned, O priest," -added Pilate, smiling contemptuously, "we Romans blaspheme him daily, -for we worship him not and will have naught to do with your faith. Let -the man go! I see no cause of death in him!" - -He then spoke to Æmilius, and desired him to lead Jesus to the spot -where he stood. Pilate regarded him with mingled pity and interest. -After surveying him a moment, he turned to one of his officers and said -aside: "A form divine and fit for Apollo, or any of the greater gods! -His bearing is like a hero! Mehercule! The chisel of Praxiteles nor of -Phidias ne'er traced the outlines of limbs and neck like these. He is -the very incarnation of human symmetry and dignity!" - -The courtiers nodded assent to these cool criticisms of the indolent -and voluptuous Italian. Jesus, in the meanwhile, stood motionless -before his judge, his eyes downcast and full of a holy sadness, and his -lips compressed with immovable patience. Pilate now turned to him and -said: - -"Thou art, then, that Jesus of whom men talk so widely. Men say, O -Jesus, that thou art wiser than ordinary men; that thou canst do works -of necromancy and art skilled in the subtle mysteries of astrology. I -would question thee upon these things. Wilt thou read my destiny for me -in the stars? If thou answerest well I will befriend thee, and deliver -thee from thy countrymen who seem to howl for thy blood." - -"My lord!" cried Caiaphas, furiously, "thou must not let this man go! -He is a deceiver and traitor to Cæsar. I charge him and formally accuse -him, before thy tribunal, with making himself king of Judea!" - -To this the whole multitude assented, in one deep voice of rage and -fierce denunciation that shook the very walls of the Pretorium. - -"What sayest thou?" demanded Pilate, "art thou a king? Methinks -if thou wert such, these Jews have little need to fear thee." And -the Roman cast a careless glance over the mean and torn apparel and -half-naked limbs of the Prophet. - -Before Jesus could reply, which he seemed about to do, there was heard -a sudden commotion in the lower part of the court of Gabbatha, and a -loud, hoarse voice was heard crying: - -"Make way! Give back! He is innocent!" - -All eyes turned in the direction of the archway, when a man was seen -forcing his path towards the door of the Judgment Hall, in front of -which Pilate was standing, with Jesus a step or two below. - -"What means this madman?" cried the Procurator. "Some of you arrest -him!" - -"I am not mad! He is innocent! I have betrayed the innocent blood!" -cried Iscariot, for it was he, leaping into the space in front of the -portico. "Take back thy money, and let this holy Prophet of God go -free! I swear to you by the altar he is innocent, and if thou harm him -thou wilt be accursed with the vengeance of Jehovah! Take back thy -silver, for he is innocent!" - -"What is that to us? See thou to that!" answered Abner the priest, -haughtily, while the eyes of Caiaphas, falling under the withering -glance of the Roman Procurator, betrayed his guilt. - -"Wilt thou not release him if I give thee back the pieces?" cried -Judas, in accents of despair, taking Caiaphas by the mantle and then -kneeling to him imploringly. - -But Caiaphas angrily shook him off. At last, in a frenzied manner, he -threw himself at the knees of Jesus, and cried in the most thrilling -accents: - -"Oh, Master! Master! Thou hast the power! Release thyself!" - -"No, Judas," answered the Prophet, shaking his head and gazing down -compassionately upon his betrayer, and without one look of resentment -at his having betrayed him, "mine hour is come! For this hour I came -into the world!" - -"I believed surely thou wouldst not suffer thyself to be arrested. It -is my avarice that hath slain thee! Oh, God! Oh, God! I see now it is -too late!" Thus crying in a voice of despair, he arose and rushed, with -his face hid in his cloak, forth from the presence of all, towards the -outer gate. - -This extraordinary interruption produced a startling effect upon all -present, and a few moments elapsed before Pilate could resume his -examination of Jesus, which he did by entering the Judgment Hall and -taking his seat on the throne. He then repeated his question, but with -more deference than before: "Art thou a king, then?" - -"Thou sayest that which I am--a king," Jesus answered, with a dignity -truly regal in its bearing; for all the time, bound and marred as he -was by the hands of his enemies, pale with suffering and with standing -a sleepless and fearful night upon his feet, exposed to cold and to -insults, yet he had a kingly air, and there seemed to float about his -head a divine glory, as if a sunbeam had been shining down upon him. - -"Thou thyself hearest him!" exclaimed Caiaphas, standing upon the -threshold of the Judgment Hall of the Gentile governor, which he would -not enter for fear of defilement. - -"He has everywhere publicly proclaimed that he has been ordained of God -to re-establish the kingdom of Judah and overthrow the power of Cæsar -in Jerusalem," added the governor of the Temple, lifting his voice so -as to be heard above the voices of the priests and scribes, who, all -speaking together, vehemently accused him of many other things. - -Pilate at length obtained comparative silence, and then said to Jesus: - -"Hearest thou these accusations? Hast thou no answer to make? Behold -how many things they witness against thee!" - -Pilate spoke as if he had taken a deep interest in Jesus, and would -give him an opportunity of defending himself. - -"He hath perverted the nation; a most pestilent and dangerous fellow!" -exclaimed Caiaphas. "He is a blasphemer above all men!" - -"I have nothing to do with your religion. If he hath blasphemed your -gods, take ye him and judge him according to your laws," answered -Pilate. - -"Thou knowest, O noble Roman, that we have no power to execute to the -death, therefore do we accuse him before thee." - -"I am no Jew, priest! What care I for your domestic and religious -quarrels? He hath done nothing that I can learn for which the laws of -Imperial Rome, which now prevail here, can adjudge him to death. I, -therefore, command his release." - -Upon this the Jews sent up a cry of unmingled ferocity and -vindictiveness. Caiaphas, forgetting his fear of defilement, advanced -several steps into the Judgment Hall, and shaking his open hands at -Pilate, cried: - -"If thou lettest this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend. Thou art -in league with him. He that sets himself up as a king in all the wide -bounds of Cæsar's dominions, wars against Cæsar, as well at Jerusalem -as at Rome. If thou release this man, I and my nation will accuse thee -to thy master, Tiberius, of favoring this Galilean's sedition." - -When Pilate heard the name of Galilee, he asked if the prisoner were -a Galilean. Upon being answered in the affirmative by the excited -priests, he said to Æmilius: - -"Hold! Loose not his bonds just now! Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, -last night came up to the Passover feast of the Hebrew God, and is now -at the old Maccabean Palace, with his retinue. Conduct your prisoner to -him, and let Herod judge his own subjects!" - -The chief priests and scribes now shouted with approbation at this -decision, for they began to fear that Pilate would release Jesus, and -they knew that the vacillating and reckless Herod would do whatsoever -would gain popular applause. - -"To Herod! To the Tetrarch of Galilee with him!" arose the cry. - -But Caiaphas, frowning and dissatisfied, remained behind; and Pilate, -glad to get rid of the delicate affair of condemning an innocent man, -smilingly came out and spoke to the gloomy High Priest: - -"Thou knowest I can condemn men only for crimes committed against the -laws of the empire. This Jesus hath done nothing worthy of death." - -"Noble Governor," answered Caiaphas, stopping in his angry strides up -and down the porphyry floor of the outer portico, "thou forgettest that -I brought him not before thee on this charge of blasphemy alone, but -for sedition! By the altar of God, this is a crime known to thy laws, I -wot!" - -"True. You charge a young, defenceless, quiet, powerless man, destitute -of money, men or arms, an obscure fisherman or carpenter of Galilee, -with setting up a throne and kingdom against that of Tiberius Cæsar, -the ruler of the earth! The idea is absurd! It should be treated only -with ridicule. So will Herod say, when he understands the affair." - -"So will not Cæsar say, my lord!" answered Caiaphas, with a sneer upon -his curled lip. "If you let this man go, the Jewish nation will draw -up a memorial, accusing you to the emperor of protecting treason. -You will be summoned by the senate to answer the charge; and though -you should succeed in clearing yourself, you will have lost your -government, given to another, and for your fair name, you will live, -ever after, under Cæsar's suspicion." - -Pilate turned pale, and bit his lips with vexation. - -"My lord priest, thou art bent, I see, on this innocent man's death. -I am no Jew, to understand how he has drawn upon himself thy terrible -wrath and that of thy nation. I will see what Herod will say, who, -being a Jew, is familiar with your customs." - -Pilate now reseated himself upon his throne to give hearing to other -complaints. - -After the lapse of half an hour a youth threw himself from his horse, -at the door of the court, and drew near the Procurator. - -"What aileth thee, Alexander?" demanded Pilate, on seeing blood on his -temples and that he seemed faint. - -"But a trifle now, my lord. I was thrown from my horse, who was -startled at a burning torch lying on the ground, and was detained at a -hospitable house until I was able to remount, which brings me hither -late." - -"And why come at all? What news sends my fair wife, that she should -despatch you from my house in Bethany at this early hour? No evil -tidings, boy?" - -"None, my lord, save this note." - -The Greek page then handed his master a small roll of parchment, tied -with scarlet thread. He cut the knot with his dagger and reading the -contents became deadly pale. Caiaphas watched him closely, as if he -would read, reflected in his eyes, the contents of the note which had -so deeply moved him. - -"Caiaphas," said the Procurator, "this prisoner must be released!" - -[Illustration: JESUS BEFORE PILATE.] - -"It is either his destruction, proud Roman, or thine!" answered the -High Priest, turning and walking haughtily away. - -Pilate looked after him with a troubled air, and then re-entered the -Hall of Judgment, and seating himself upon his throne, again read the -parchment. - -"'Have nothing to do with this just man,' he read half aloud, 'for I -have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him!' The very -gods seem to take sides with this extraordinary young prisoner!" he -exclaimed. "Would to Jove that Herod may have sense enough to release -him and relieve me of this unpleasant business." - -While he was yet speaking and musing with himself, unconsciously -aloud, there was heard a great noise of voices in the direction of -the Maccabean Palace, and as it grew nearer and more distinct, Pilate -started up and cried: - -"It is as I feared--Herod gives them no satisfaction and they come -again to me! Oh, that the gods would give me wisdom and nerve for this -trying hour, so that I condemn not the innocent nor bring myself into -the power of an accusation to Cæsar from these wicked Jews!" - -At this moment the multitude, increased if it were possible in numbers -and in vindictiveness, reappeared, pressing Jesus before them. This -time he was alone, Æmilius having been separated from him in the palace -and kept by the crowd from rejoining him. He was now unbound, and upon -his head was a crown of thorns, piercing the tender temples till the -blood trickled all down his face; upon his shoulders was clasped an old -purple robe, once worn by Herod in his state of petty king, and his -hand held a reed as a scepter; and as he walked along, the bitterest -among the priests, as well as the vilest of the common fellows, -mockingly bent the knee before him, crying: - -"Hail, King Jesus! Hail, royal Nazarene! All hail!" - -Others went before him carrying mock standards, while still others -acting as heralds ran shouting: - -"Make way for the King of the Jews! Do homage, all men, to Cæsar! This -is the great Tiberius, Emperor of Nazareth! Behold his glittering -crown! Mark his royal robes and see his dazzling sceptre! Bend the -knee, bend the knee, men of Judah, before your king!" - -When Pilate saw this spectacle and heard these words, he trembled and -was heard to say: - -"Either this man or I must perish! These Jews are become madmen with -rage and demand a sacrifice. One of us must fall!" - -Oh, that I could write all I feel! But I am compelled, my dear father, -to end here. - - Your affectionate child, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXIII. - - -My Dear Father: - -In this letter will be continued my account of the trial, if such it -can be called, of Jesus. - -John, the faithful and yet trusting disciple whom Jesus loved, still -kept near his captive Master, and sought to cheer him by affectionate -looks and, where he could do it with safety, by kind acts. More than -once he was rudely thrust aside by the fiercer Jews, and once several -men seized upon him and would have done him violence, if Caiaphas, -to whom John is remotely related and who knows him well, had not -interposed. And while John was thus doing all that he could to soften -the asperity of his friend's treatment, we at home were exerting -ourselves to soothe the maternal solicitude of Mary of Nazareth, his -noble and heartbroken mother. - -Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, was breaking his fast with fruit and -wine, at a table overlooking by a window the Street of the Gentiles, -when the noise of the advancing thousands of the Jews reached his ear. -He started from the table and said: - -"These people are surely up in insurrection against Pilate!" - -"No, great prince," answered the lad Abel, his cupbearer, who is -related to John, and has told me many of these things. "They have taken -the Nazarene Prophet, Jesus, and are trying him for sedition." - -"This uproar proceeds from no trial, but from a wild mob in motion, and -they seem to be approaching," was his answer to him. - -As Herod spoke he went to the lattice of his basilica, and beheld the -head of the multitude just emerging into the street. - -"There are spears and Romans in the van, and I see priests and peasants -mixed together. I now see the cause of all the tumult--a mere youth, -bound and soiled and pale as marble. What, sirs! this is not the great -Prophet, of whose fame I have heard?" he said, turning to his officers. -"What mean they by bringing him hither? Yet, Per Baccho! I am glad to -get a sight of him!" - -The crowd, like the swelling Nile, flowed towards the gates, roaring -and chafing like its mighty cataracts, so that there was something -fearfully sublime in this display of the power of human passions. -Æmilius with difficulty succeeded in getting his prisoner into the -piazza of the palace. - -"Most royal prince," said Æmilius, kneeling before Herod and presenting -a signet, "I am sent by his excellency, Pontius Pilate, the Roman -Procurator of Judea, to bring before you this person accused of -blasphemy. Ignorant of your customs and faith, the Governor desires -that you, who are of his nation, would examine him; and moreover, -Pilate, learning that he is a Galilean and a subject of your -jurisdiction, courteously declines interfering with your authority." - -When Herod Antipas heard delivered so courteous a message from the -Procurator, with whom he had been some time at enmity, he was pleased. - -"Say thou, Sir Knight, to his excellency, the most noble and princely -Governor of Judea, that I appreciate his extraordinary civility, -and that nothing will give me more pleasure, in return for such -distinguished courtesy, than to be considered by him his friend, and -that I regret any occurrence that has hitherto estranged us." - -Æmilius, upon receiving this answer, arose and bowed, and then said -with the boldness which characterizes him: - -"Most gracious and royal Tetrarch, I pray you heed not the charges of -these Jews touching this prisoner. They have conceived against him a -bitter hatred without just cause. He has done nothing worthy of death. -Pilate could find nothing whatsoever in him deserving of the attention -of the dignity of a Roman tribunal." - -"Let the prisoner fear not," answered Herod, at the same time regarding -Jesus attentively as he stood before him in the calm majesty of -innocence. "I will not take Pilate's prerogative of judgment out of his -hand, so handsomely tendered to me. If he hath blasphemed--Mehercule! -the High Priest and priests of the Temple itself," he added, laughing, -"do that every day of their lives, for religion is at a low ebb among -the hypocritical knaves! I have nothing to do with their charge of -blasphemy, or I would have them all stoned to death without mercy. I -will first see some miracles wrought by thy far-famed prisoner, noble -Æmilius, and then send him back to my illustrious friend Pontius, whom -his gods prosper in all things." - -Herod, then, fixing his eyes curiously upon Jesus, who had stood -silently before him, seemingly the only unmoved person in the vast -concourse, said to the soldiers: - -"Unbind him! By the staff of Jacob, he hath been roughly handled! Men -of Israel, it becomes not such as you to do violence to a man before he -is condemned." - -While he was speaking John arranged Jesus' mantle about his form. -Herod regarded with interest and looks of compassion, the pale and -divinely-serene countenance of the prisoner, and seemed struck with the -indescribable majesty of his aspect and bearing. - -"Art thou the Nazarene Jesus, of whom I have heard so much?" he asked -in deferential tones. - -"I am he," was the quiet answer. - -"Then gladly do I meet thee, for I have long time desired to see thee; -and I would fain behold thee do some miracles. Does rumor belie thy -powers? What! art thou silent? Dost thou not know who it is that speaks -to thee? Come hither, fellow!" he called to a Samaritan muleteer who -stood in the crowd, whose oval face and Jewish eyes showed him to -be both of Assyrian and Israelitish descent, and whose arm had been -taken off by a sword in a contest with Barabbas and his robbers; "come -hither, and let this Prophet prove his power and mission by restoring -thy arm whole like as the other!" - -The man alertly came forward, and all eyes were directed eagerly upon -him and upon Jesus; but he thrust the stump of his arm, by Herod's -order, in vain before Jesus. The eyes of the Prophet moved not from -their meditative look upon the ground. - -"Art thou mocking us, thou false Christ?" cried the Tetrarch angrily. -"Wilt thou neither speak nor act? If thou art not an impostor, do a -miracle before us all, and we will believe in thee!" - -Jesus remained motionless, yet preserved a firm and majestic -countenance. - -"He is a deceiver! He performed his works through Beelzebub, who has -now deserted him!" cried the priests. - -"Nazarene," said Herod, "I am a Jew also. If thou wilt prove to me by a -sign that I will name, that thou art the Christ, I will not only become -thy follower, but will let thee go free. Thy silence is an insult to my -power. Thou seest yonder marble statue of Judas Maccabeus. Command the -sword in its hand to wave thrice above its helmeted head, and I will -bend the knee to thee. Nay, wilt not? I will give thee then, something -easier to do. Seest thou the carved pomegranates in the entablature of -the wall? Bid the one which hangs over this column become ripe, natural -fruit, and fall at my feet. No?" - -"He has no power--his friend Beelzebub hath given him up into our -hands! Death to the necromancer!" were the terrible words which now -made the hall tremble. - -"See the whirlwind thou hast raised, O Nazarene!" cried Herod, rising. -"If thou art a prophet, no harm can they do thee; and if thou art an -impostor, if they kill thee thou deservest thy fate! I give thee up -into their hands! Save thyself, if thou be the Christ!" - -Scarcely had Herod spoken these words, relinquishing Jesus into the -hands of his foes, than with a savage cry, as the famished jackals in -the desert rush upon their prey, they rushed upon their victim. Æmilius -could not protect him; nay, some of Herod's soldiers, whom the Jews -had half intoxicated with wine, joined them as soon as they saw their -master Antipas had cast him off, and began to scoff and mock him, and -one of them thrust a helmet on his head and pulled the visor down over -his eyes. - -"Nay," said Herod on seeing this. "As he calls himself a king, remove -the helmet and crown him, and robe him royally, and place a sceptre in -his hand; and lo, yonder block will make him a proper throne! We must -show Pilate how we Jews serve men who usurp the power of his master, -Cæsar!" - -One of his men of war brought a cast-off robe of purple which belonged -to Herod and, with loud shouts of laughter and coarse jests, they robed -him in it, unresisting as the lamb wreathed for the sacrifice. Some -one then twined the creeping thorn, which grew on the outer wall, and, -twisting it into the shape of a crown, handed it over the heads of the -men to Abner. - -When Abner saw the crown he smiled with malicious gratification and, -nodding approvingly to the man said: - -"This is what we needed! Nothing could have done better!" and with his -two hands he placed it upon the head of Jesus, pressing cruelly the -sharp thorns into his temples till the blood trickled from a dozen -wounds. Jesus made no complaint, but the pain forced large bright tears -from his eyes, which rolled down his cheeks and fell among the purple -robe like glittering pearls. - -"Here is also a sceptre for our king!" exclaimed the Samaritan with -one arm, using the one to reach a piece of reed, from which a Passover -lamb had been slung, to those who were arraying Jesus. This was thrust -into the Prophet's grasp, and he held it patiently. His submission, -his silence, his endurance of pain, his constant dignity, and the -majestic submission which he seemed to manifest to all their insults -and tortures, brought tears into the eyes of Æmilius. Even Herod stood -amazed at such God-like forbearance, and said to his chief captain: - -"If this man is not the Son of God, he is worthy to be deified! Such -sublime patience is more than human--it is divine! You Romans, Æmilius, -would make a hero of such a man, and when he died worship him as a god!" - -"Then, mighty prince, why suffer him to be thus treated?" asked Æmilius. - -"It is his own choice. I have entreated him fairly. I asked of him but -one of those miracles men say he works, as proof of his Messiahship, -and he works me none--shows me no sign. The inference is that he can do -none, and therefore he is an impostor." - -"Most royal prince," said Abner aloud, "thou now beholdest the King of -the Jews, crowned, robed and sceptred!" and he pointed to Jesus. - -"Hail! most puissant and potent sovereign of Galilee! Hail! King of -fishermen!" cried Herod, mocking him, and seemingly greatly amused at -the jest. "Hail! powerful king! What, fellows, men-at-arms and all ye -gapers! bend ye not the knee before this royal personage? Do homage to -your king!" - -Upon this many who were around him kneeled, and some mockingly even -prostrated themselves before the Prophet; but he stood so very like a -monarch that others, who were about to mock him, refrained, while Herod -turned away with a troubled look, saying abruptly: - -"Take him back to the Procurator!" - -Once more the vast multitude were in motion, and with cries and insults -escorted Jesus from the presence of Herod back to the Pretorium. - -When Pilate beheld their return in this manner he was greatly vexed. -When once more Jesus stood before him, arrayed as I have described in -the gorgeous robe and crown, Pilate, turning towards Caiaphas and the -priests, said angrily: - -"What more will ye have? Why bring this man again before me? Behold, I -have examined him before you and have found no fault in him. Ye proved -nothing by your witnesses touching those things whereof ye accuse him. -I then sent you with him to Herod, and lo! the Tetrarch of Galilee, one -of your own nation, finds naught in him worthy of death! Doubtless he -has said something about not paying tribute, and deserves for this a -light punishment, but not death. I will chastise him, charge him that -he be more cautious, and let him go." - -"If thou let this man go, thou art an enemy of Tiberius!" answered -Caiaphas. "Seest thou what a commotion he has raised in the city? If he -is released there will be a revolution." - -"In the name of Olympian Jove, O Nazarene, what hast thou done to -incense these Jews? If thou art their king, prove it to them or to me," -demanded Pilate, greatly troubled. - -"My kingdom is not of the earth," answered Jesus. "If my kingdom were -an earthly one, then would my servants fight, that I should not be -delivered to the Jews; but my kingdom is not of this world." - -"Then thou confessest thyself a king?" exclaimed Pilate, with surprise. - -"Thou sayest that which I am--a King. To this end was I born, and for -this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness to the -truth." - -"Truth? What is truth?" asked the Roman; but, without waiting for Jesus -to reply, and seeing that the Jews outside of the hall were becoming -more and more impatient, he hurriedly went out to them and said: - -"I find in the prisoner no fault at all. But ye have a custom that I -should at the Passover pardon a criminal out of prison, as an act of -clemency, in honor of the day. Will ye, therefore, that I pardon and -release unto you this 'King of the Jews'?" - -No sooner had Pilate made this proposal than they all with one voice -and furious gestures cried: - -"No! No! Not this man! We will not have him released!" - -"Barabbas! Barabbas!" was echoed and re-echoed by ten thousand voices. - -This Barabbas, dear father, is the same fierce bandit of whom I have -spoken, who was that day to have been crucified, with two of his -lieutenants. But, at the loud demand of the people, Pilate was forced -to send to the officer of the wards to let him go free. - -Pilate, therefore, finding that the Jews would be content with nothing -less than the blood of Jesus, returned sorrowfully into the Judgment -Hall. - -The residue of my narrative of the condemnation and crucifixion, I will -give in the morning, dear father. - - Your loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXIV. - - -My Dearest Father: - -Jesus had from very weakness sunk upon the steps of the throne of the -Hall of Judgment. John knelt by him, bathing the wounds in his temples, -from off which he had boldly taken the crown of thorns. When Pilate, -after giving the order to release the robber chief Barabbas, came again -where Jesus was, he stopped and regarded him attentively, and with an -expression of sorrow and admiration. At length he spoke: - -"If thou be indeed a god, O heroic young man, as thy patience would -seem to prove thee to be, thou needest not to fear these bloodhounds, -that bay so fiercely for thy blood. If thou art an impostor and a -seditionist, thou verily meritest death. I regard thee but as a -youthful enthusiast, and would let thee go free; but I cannot protect -thee. If I release thee, not only thou, but also all my troops, will be -massacred, for we are but a handful in their grasp. Tell me truly, art -thou a son of the divine Jupiter?" - -When Jesus, instead of replying, remained silent, the Procurator said -sternly: - -"What! speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to -crucify thee as a malefactor, and power, if I choose to meet the risk, -to release thee?" - -Jesus looked up and calmly said: - -"Thou couldst have no power against me except it were given thee from -above. Therefore he that delivered me into thy hands hath the greater -sin!" - -And as Jesus said these words in an impressive tone, he glanced fixedly -at Caiaphas, who was looking in at the door, as if designating the High -Priest. Upon this Pilate pressed his hands against his forehead and -paced several times to and fro before the judgment seat, as if greatly -troubled. Caiaphas, seeing his irresolution, cried harshly: - -"If thou lettest this self-styled king go, O Governor, thou art not -Cæsar's friend!" - -Pilate's brow grew dark. He took Jesus by the hand, and leading him to -the portal, pointed to him, and said aloud: - -"Behold your king! What will you that I should do with him? Looks he -like a man to be feared?" - -"We have no king but Cæsar!" - -"Crucify him!" - -"To the cross with the false prophet!" - -"Death to the usurper! Long live Cæsar! Death to the Nazarene! To the -cross! To the cross with him! Let him be crucified!" - -These were the various cries from ten thousand throats that responded -to the Procurator's address. Remembering the warning message sent him -by his young and beautiful wife, who held great influence over him, he -trembled with indecision. - -"Why will you compel me to crucify an innocent man? What evil hath he -done?" - -"Crucify him! Crucify him!" was the deafening response. - -"I will chastise him and let him go!" - -"At your peril release him, O Roman!" exclaimed Caiaphas, in a menacing -tone. "Either he or you must die this day for the people! Blood must -flow to appease this tempest!" - -When the Procurator saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather -the tumult increased, he called for water, which was brought to him -in a basin by his page, and in the presence of the whole multitude he -washed his hands, saying: - -"I am innocent of the blood of this just person! See ye to it, O Jews, -ye and your High Priest!" - -"His blood be upon us, and on our children!" answered Caiaphas; and all -the people re-echoed his language. - -"Ay, on us and on our children rest the guilt of his blood!" - -"Be it so," answered the Procurator, with a dark brow and face as pale -as the dead. "Take ye him and crucify him; and may the God he worships -judge you, not me, for this day's deed!" - -Pilate then turned away from them and said to Jesus: - -"Thou art, I feel, an innocent man, but thou seest that I cannot save -thee! I know thou wilt forgive me, and that death can have no terrors -for one of fortitude like thine!" - -Jesus made him no answer; and Pilate, turning from him with a sad -countenance walked slowly away and left the Judgment Hall. As he did so -one of his captains said to him: - -"Shall I scourge him, my lord, according to the Roman law, which -commands all who are sentenced to die to be scourged?" - -"Do as the law commands," answered the weak-minded Roman. - -His disappearance was the signal for a general rush towards Jesus, -chiefly by the rabble, who, indifferent about Gentile defilement, -crossed the threshold into the hall, which the chief priests had -refrained from doing. These base fellows seized Jesus and, aided by the -men-at-arms, dragged him forth into the outer or common hall. Here they -stripped him, and, by order of the chief captain, a soldier scourged -him with forty stripes, save one. - -All this Jesus still bore with God-like majesty. Not a murmur escaped -his lips; not a glance of resentment kindled the holy depths of his -eyes, which, from time to time, were uplifted to heaven, as if he -sought for help and strength from thence. - -Not only Æmilius but John was now separated from him; but my uncle, the -Rabbi stood near, in order to see what would follow, and to use his -influence, if possible, to induce the chief priests to abandon the idea -of killing him. - -"Good Rabbi," said Jesus to him, "let them do with me what they list. -My Father hath given me into their hands. I die, but not for myself. I -can keep or yield up my life, as I will." - -"Oh, then, dear Master!" cried my uncle, "why not save thyself? Why -shouldst thou suffer all this, and death also, if thou hast the power -over thy life?" - -"If I die not, then were ye all dead. The Scripture must be fulfilled -which spoke of me. 'He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.'" - -Here Rabbi Amos could speak no more to him, for the crowd dragged him -off out of the Court of Gabbatha, and so down the steep street in the -direction of the gate of the kings that leads out to Calvary, the -public place of execution. - -Rabbi Amos accompanied the multitude, keeping as nigh to Jesus as the -Roman soldiers, who marched on each side of him, would permit. On the -way, as they crossed the open space where once stood the palace and -statue of Antiochus Seleucus, the eyes of the Rabbi were attracted by -the cries and pointed fingers of many of the people to the body of a -man lying dead at the foot of a withered fig tree. Upon drawing nearer, -he recognized the features of the man Judas, who had so basely betrayed -his Master. The spectacle which he exhibited was revolting and horrid -to look upon! About his neck was wound a fragment of his girdle, the -other half being still secured to a limb of the tree, showing how he -had met his fate. - -By this time the people who were dragging Jesus to death were got well -beyond the gate, when a cross of heavy cypress was obtained by the -centurion from a yard near the lodge. Two others were also brought out, -and laid upon the shoulders of two men, the lieutenants of Barabbas, -who were also that day to be crucified. - -By the time the great crowd had passed the gate, it was known -throughout all Jerusalem that Pilate had given orders for the -crucifixion of the Nazarene Prophet; and, with one mind, all who had -known him and believed in him or loved him left their houses to go -out after him to witness the crucifixion; for I forgot to say that -Caiaphas had promised, if Jesus were delivered up, that his followers -should not be molested. Therefore every person went out of the gate -towards Calvary. Mary his mother, my Cousin Mary, Martha and her -sister, Lazarus, John, Peter and Thomas, and some women, relatives -from Galilee, and many others, also went. When we got without the -walls, we seemed to leave a deserted city behind us. As far as the eye -could embrace there was a countless multitude. Jesus was borne in -front, where we could now and then catch the gleam of a Roman spear. -We hastened to get near him and, with difficulty, made our way to the -head of the throng, both foes and friends giving back when they saw his -weeping mother among us. - -At the approach to Calvary we found that, from some cause, the course -of the mighty current of human beings was checked. We soon learned the -reason. Jesus had sunk to the ground under the weight of the wooden -beams on which he was to die, and fainted. - -"He is dead!" was the cry of those about him; but, as we drew near, he -was just reviving, some one having offered wine to his lips and poured -water upon his brow. He stood up, looking mildly around, when meeting -his mother's gaze, he said touchingly: - -"Weep not, my mother! Remember what I have often told thee of this -hour, and believe. Mine hour is come!" - -Thus speaking he smiled upon his mother and upon us, with a certain -look of divine peace illuminating his countenance. - -Barabbas, the robber chief, who had in some degree taken the lead of -the mob, now, with the aid of three men, raised the cross again to -the shoulders of Jesus, and the soldier ordered him to move on. But -the young victim sank at once beneath the insupportable load. Upon -this they were at a loss what to do, for it is ignominious for Jew or -Gentile to aid in bearing a malefactor's cross, and not a Roman would -touch it. At this crisis they discerned a Syro-PhÅ“nician merchant, -Simon of Cyrene, a venerable man, well known to all in Jerusalem. This -man was for some reason particularly obnoxious to Abner, and, on seeing -him, he pointed him out to the centurion as "one of the Nazarenes," and -suggested that he should be compelled to bear the cross after Jesus. - -The Cyrenian merchant was at once dragged from his mule and led to -the place where the cross lay, believing he was about to be himself -executed. But when he beheld Jesus standing, pale and bleeding, by the -fallen cross, and knew what was required of him, he burst into tears -and, kneeling at his feet, said: - -"If they compel me to do this, Lord, think not that I aid thy death! I -know that thou art a prophet come from God." - -"We brought thee not here to prate, old man, but to work. Thou art -strong-bodied. Up with this end of the cross and go on after him!" -cried the chief priests. - -Simon, who is a powerful man, though threescore years of age, raised -the extremity of the beam, and Jesus essayed to move under the weight -of the other; but he failed. - -"Let me bear it alone, Master," answered the stout Simon. "I am the -stronger. Thou hast enough to bear the weight of thine own sorrow. If -it be a shame to bear a cross after thee, I glory in my shame, as would -my two sons, were they here this day." - -Thus speaking, he lifted the cross and bore it on his shoulders after -Jesus, who, weak from loss of blood and sleep, and weary unto death, -had to lean for support against one arm of the instrument of death. - -Ah, my dear father, what a place was this across which we moved! -Skulls lay scattered beneath our footsteps, and everywhere human bones -bleached in the air, and we trod in heaps of ashes where the Romans had -burned the bodies of many of those whom they crucified. - -The crosses carried by the thieves were now thrown down by them; by one -with an execration, by the other with a sigh, as he anticipated the -anguish he was to suffer upon it. - -The larger cross of the three was that for Jesus. It was taken by -three soldiers from the back of the old Cyrenian merchant and cast -heavily upon the earth. It was now that a crisis approached of the -most painful interest. The centurion ordered his soldiers to clear -a circle about the place where the crosses were to be planted with -their spears. The Jews who had crowded near, in eager thirst for their -victim's blood, gave back slowly and reluctantly before the sharp -points of the Roman lances pushed against their breasts, for the -centurion had with him full threescore men-at-arms, besides a part -of Herod's guard. John, however, held his place close by his Master. -He relates that Jesus continued to evince the same sublime composure -when the centurion commanded the crucifiers to advance and nail the -malefactors to their crosses. The robber-lieutenant, Ishmerai, who was -an Edomite, upon seeing the man approach with the basket containing the -spikes and hammers, scowled fiercely upon him and looked defiance. He -was instantly seized by four savage-looking Parthian soldiers of the -Roman guard, and stripped and thrown upon his back upon the cross. His -struggles, for he was an athletic man, were so violent that it took six -persons to keep him held down upon the arms of the cross and his palms -spread open to receive the entering nail, which one of the crucifiers, -with naked and brawny arms, pressing one knee upon the wrist, drove in -through the flesh and wood, by three quick and powerful blows with his -short, heavy-headed hammer. - -Thus secured he was left, bleeding and writhing, by the six crucifiers; -for there are four to bind the victim, one to hold the spikes, and the -sixth to drive them home with his hammer, and from the glance I caught -of their half-naked and blood-stained figures, they were worthy to -hold the dreadful office which made all men shun them as if they were -leprous. - -They now approached Omri, the other robber, who was a young man with -a mild look, and a face whose noble lineaments did not betray his -profession. He was the son of a wealthy citizen in Jericho, and had by -riotous living, spent his patrimony and joined Barabbas. He had heard -Jesus preach in the wilderness of Jordan, and had once asked him with -deep interest many things touching the doctrines he taught. - -When the crucifiers, with their cords, basket, nails and iron hammer, -drew near him, he said: - -"I will not compel you to throw me down. I can die as I have lived, -without fear. As I have broken the laws, I am ready to suffer the -penalty of the laws." - -Thus speaking, he stretched himself upon his cross and, extending his -palms along the transverse beam, he suffered them to nail him to the -wood, uttering not a moan. He glanced towards Jesus at the same time -with an expression of courage, as if he sought to show him that the -pain could be borne by a brave man. And perhaps, indeed, Jesus looked -as if he needed an heroic example before him to show him how to die -without shrinking, for his cheek was like the marble of Paros in its -whiteness, and he seemed ready to drop to the earth from weakness. His -youth, his almost divine beauty, which not even his tangled hair and -torn beard and blood-streaked countenance could wholly hide, the air -of celestial innocence that beamed from his eyes, drew upon him many -glances of sympathy even from some of his foes. The centurion, who was -a tall man with a grizzly beard, and with the hardy exterior of an old -Roman warrior, looked upon him with a sad gaze and said: - -"I do not see what men hate thee for, for thou seemest more to be a -man of love; but I must do my duty, and I hope thou wilt forgive me -what I do. A soldier's honor is to obey." - -Jesus smiled forgiveness upon him so sweetly that the stern Roman's -eyes filled with tears, and he placed his gauntleted hand to his face -to conceal his emotion. - -But, my dear father, I can go on no longer now with my sad narrative. -I am weary weeping at the recollections it calls before me, and at -our present affliction. In my next I will complete my account of the -unhappy crucifixion of the Prophet of Nazareth. - - Your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXV. - -_Jerusalem--Third Morning after the Crucifixion._ - - -My Dear Father: - -As I resume my pen by the faint light of the dawn, to continue the -particulars of the crucifixion of the unhappy son of Mary, who, widowed -and childless, still remains with us, mourning over her dead son, my -heart involuntarily shrinks from the painful subject and bleeds afresh. -But there is a fascination associated with all that concerns him, even -now that he is dead and has proved himself as weak a mortal as other -men, which urges me to write of him and which fills my thoughts only -with him. - -I have just alluded to his grief-smitten mother. Alas, there is no -consolation for her! Her loss is not like that of other mothers. -Her son has not only been taken from her by death, but has died -ignominiously on a Roman cross, executed between two vile malefactors, -as if he himself were the greatest criminal of the three; and not only -this, but executed as a false prophet--as a deceiver of Israel. - -Yet her love for her son--that deathless, maternal love, which seems -immortal in its nature--is not buried with him. She, with dearest Mary -and Martha, has just gone out secretly, before the Jews are astir, to -pay the last duties to his dead body, ere we all depart for an asylum -in Bethany. Until they return from this sad mission of love I will -continue my subject--the crucifixion. - -When the centurion to whom was committed by Pilate the charge of -conducting the crucifixion of Jesus, gave orders to bind him also to -the cross, which lay upon the ground like an altar awaiting its victim, -the four Parthian soldiers, his brutal crucifiers, laid hold upon him -and began to strip him of his garments, for his enemies had put again -on him his own clothes when they led him out of the hall of Pilate. He -wore a mantle woven without seam by Mary and Martha, and which had been -a present to him by the sisters, as a token of their gratitude, for -raising from the dead their brother Lazarus. - -His mother, supported by John, could no longer gaze upon her son, and -was borne afar off, crying thrillingly: - -"Oh, let me not hear the crashing of the nails into his feet and hands! -My son! My son! Oh, that thou wouldst now prove to thy mother that thou -art a true Prophet!" - -"What means this wailing?" cried the fierce Abner. "Who is this woman?" - -"The mother of Jesus," I answered, indignantly. - -"The mother of the blasphemer! Let her be accursed!" he cried, in a -savage tone. "Thou seest, woman, what is the end of bringing up an -impostor, to blaspheme Jehovah and the Temple. Thy hopes and his, O -wretched woman, have this day miserably perished! So die all false -Christs and false prophets!" - -Mary buried her face in her hands and wept on my shoulder. I could not -look towards the place where Jesus stood. I dreaded to hear the first -blow upon the dreadful nails, and as she stopped her ears I would have -closed mine also, but that my hands supported her. I could hear the -awful preparations--the rattling of the hard cord, as they bound him -to the cross, and the low, eager voices of the four busy Parthians, -and then the ringing of the spikes, and then silence like that of the -grave! Suddenly a blow of a hammer broke the moment of suspense! A -shriek burst from the soul of the mother that echoed far and wide among -the tombs of Golgotha! - -I could see, hear no more! - -John having left the stricken mother with me, he and Lazarus had gone -back to where they were unrobing the Prophet in order to bind him to -the wood. They caught the eyes of their Master, said Lazarus, who -gazed upon them calmly and affectionately. They said they had never -beheld him appear so majestic and great. He looked, as the centurion -afterwards said, "Like a god surrendering himself to death for the -safety of his universe!" - -"Nothing but the ferocious madness of the chief priests and Jews," -added John, "could have prevented them from being awed by the majesty -of his presence. And, besides, there sat upon his brow heroic courage, -with a certain divine humility and resignation. Not the rough hands -of the barbaric soldiers, nor the indignity of being stripped before -the eyes of thousands, not the sight of the cross, nor of the thieves, -nailed and writhing on theirs, moved him to depart, by look or bearing, -from that celestial dignity which, through all, had never left him. - -"He made no resistance," continued John, who told me what follows, -"when bound upon the cross, but resigned himself passively into the -hands of his executioners, like a lamb receiving its death. 'Father,' -he said, raising his holy eyes to heaven, 'forgive them, for they know -not what they do.' - -"Great drops of sweat, when they nailed his feet to the wood, stood -upon his forehead," added John, who remained near to see his Master -die, and to comfort and strengthen him; "and when the four men raised -him and the cross together from the earth and let the end into a hole a -foot deep, the shock, bringing his whole weight upon the nails in his -hands, tore and lacerated them, nearly dislocating the shoulders at the -same time, while every sinew and muscle of his arms and chest was drawn -out like cords to sustain this unwonted weight upon them. The first -thief fainted from pain, at the shock caused by the setting of his own -cross; and the second, cool and defiant as he had been, uttered a loud -outcry of agony. But Jesus made no moan, though the unearthly pallor of -his countenance showed how inexpressible was his torture." - -Ah, my dear father, I would draw a veil over this scene--for it is too -painful for me to dwell upon. To the last John believed his Master -would not die--that he would not suffer! But when he saw how that pain -and anguish seized heavily upon him, and how that he suffered like -other men, without power to prevent it, he greatly wondered, and began -to believe that all the miracles that he had seen him perform must have -been illusions. He could not reconcile the calmness and dignity, the -heroic composure and air of innocence with which he came to the cross, -with imposture; yet his death would assuredly seal as imposture all -his previous career. - -With his mother we all drew as near the cross as we were permitted to -come. Jesus then turned his head towards his mother, and, looking down -with the profoundest tenderness and love upon her, committed her to the -filial care of the weeping John, who stood supporting her. - -There we waited, in expectation of seeing him do some mighty miracle -from the cross and descend unharmed, showing to the world thereby his -title to be the Messias of God. - -The centurion, having placed a guard about the crosses, to keep the -friends of the crucified from attempting their rescue, stood watching -them. The soldiers who had nailed Jesus to the tree now began to -divide, with noisy oaths, his garments among themselves, as well as -those of the two thieves, these being by the Roman law the fee of the -executioner. This division being made after some time, but not without -high talking and drawing of their long Syrian knives upon each other, -they were at a loss what to do with the large mantle without seam, -which the sisters of Lazarus had woven for the friend of their once -dead brother. A group of the Roman guard being seated near, astride -upon the four arms of a fallen cross, playing at dice, suggested that -the Parthians should decide by lot whose it should be. This the latter -consented to and, taking the dice-box in their bloody hands, each of -them threw the dice. The highest number fell to the most ferocious of -the four fellows, who proposed to sell the cloak, which John joyfully -purchased of him at a great price, by means of the jewels of several -of the women, who gladly took rings from their ears and bracelets from -their arms, I giving, dear father, the emerald which you bought for -me at Cairo. But I could not see the robe which Jesus had worn thus -desecrated. - -After Jesus had hung about an hour upon the cross, Æmilius came from -Pilate, and bore the inscription, which it is usual to place above the -heads of malefactors, showing their name, and the crime for which they -are crucified. - -Above the head of Jesus, by means of a small ladder, was placed this -inscription, in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: - - THIS IS JESUS, - THE KING OF THE JEWS. - -When the wicked Abner read this, he turned angrily to the centurion, -and to Æmilius, who stood sadly near the cross. - -"Write not, O Roman, that he is 'King of the Jews,' but that he said he -was King of the Jews!" - -"I have placed above him what Pilate has ordered to be written," -answered the centurion. - -Abner, upon this, mounted a mule and hastened into the city to the -Procurator, and laid his complaint before him. - -"What I have written, I have written, sir priest," we have heard that -the Procurator coldly answered. - -"But you, then, have crucified this man for being our king, which we -deny!" retorted Abner. - -"I will take his word, before that of all the Jews in Cæsar's empire!" -answered Pilate angrily. "He said he was a king; and if ever a king -stood before a human tribunal, I have had a true and very king before -me to-day--and I have signed the warrant for his execution. But his -blood be on your heads! Leave my presence, Jew!" - -Abner left his presence abashed, and returned to the place of -crucifixion. The Jews, in the meanwhile, mocked Jesus, and wagged their -heads at him, and reminded him of his former miracles and prophecies. - -"Thou that raisedst Lazarus, save thyself from death!" said a Pharisee. - -"If thou art the Son of God, prove it by coming down from the cross!" -cried the leader of the Sadducees, Eli. - -"Thou who saidst if a man kept thy sayings he should never see -death--let us see if thou canst avoid death thyself!" said Iddo, the -chief of the Essenes. - -"He saved others--himself he cannot save!" mocked Ezekias, one of the -chief priests. - -Æmilius, finding it impossible to save the Prophet from crucifixion, -had come out to guard him from the usual insults of the rabble, while -he was dying. He had now lost faith in Jesus as a Jewish Prophet, -but he loved him still as a man, and pitied him for his sufferings. -He talked with him, and earnestly prayed him, as he hung, if he were -indeed a god, to show his power! Jesus at first made no reply; but he -shortly said, in a faint voice: - -"I thirst." - -The generous knight ran and filled a sponge with the preparation of -sour wine and hyssop, usually given to malefactors, after they have -suffered awhile, in order to stupefy them, and render them insensible -to their sufferings. While Æmilius was affixing a sponge, dipped in -this vessel of vinegar, upon a reed, split at the end to hold it -firmly, Ishmerai, the robber, who all the while, as he hung, had -uttered execrations upon his crucifiers, and upon Pilate, called, -howling fiercely, to Jesus: - -"If thou be the Son of God, save thyself and us! If thou didst raise a -man once from the dead, thou canst surely keep us from dying! Thou art -a vile wretch if thou hast power as a prophet, and will not use it for -me, when thou seest how heavy I am of body, and how my great weight -tortures me, with infernal racking and rending of every joint." - -But Omri, rebuking his fellow, said: - -"Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? We -suffer justly for our crimes, and to-day do receive the due reward of -our transgressions; but this young man hath done nothing amiss, save to -preach against the wickedness of the priests, and for being holier than -they. Lord, I believe that thou art the Son of God! None but the Christ -could do the works that thou hast done, or suffer patiently as thou art -doing. Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." - -Jesus turned his bleeding head towards him, and, with a smile of -ineffable glory radiating his pale face, said: - -"Verily, I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." - -Omri, upon this, looked inexpressibly happy, and seemed to rise -superior to his sufferings. The other cursed the Prophet aloud, and -gnashed at him with his teeth, with looks of demoniacal hatred. - -At this moment Æmilius came near with his dripping sponge, and -presented the reed upwards to the parched lips of the suffering Jesus. -When he tasted it, he would not drink, for he perceived it was the -opiate which was usually administered in compassion, to shorten the -anguish of the crucified. - -The robber, Ishmerai, now eagerly cried for the oblivious sponge, and -the Prefect giving the reed to a soldier, the latter placed it to the -mouth of the robber, whose swollen tongue protruded! He drank of it -with a sort of mad thirst. The other man, also, gladly assuaged his -burning fever with it, and soon afterwards both of them sunk into -insensibility. - -All at once, just as the sixth hour was sounded from the Temple, by -the trumpets of the Levites, the cloud which, formed by the smoke of -the numerous sacrifices, had hung all day above the Temple, was seen -to become suddenly of inky blackness, and to advance towards Calvary, -spreading and expanding in the most appalling manner, as it approached -us; and in a few minutes, not only all Jerusalem, but Calvary, the -Valley of Kedron, the Mount of Olives, and all the country, were -involved in its fearful darkness. The sun, which had before been -shining with noonday brilliancy, became black as sackcloth of hair, -and a dreadful, unearthly, indescribable night overshadowed the world! -Out of the center of the cloud, above the crosses, shot forth angry -lightnings in every direction. But there was no thunder attending -it--only a dead, sepulchral, suffocating silence! - -Of the thousands who had been gazing upon the crucifixion, every one -was now fallen prostrate upon the earth in terror! Jerusalem was -blotted out from our view; only an angry spot of fire-red light, as it -were the terrible eye of God itself, was visible above the Temple, over -the place of the Holy of Holies. The crosses were no longer visible, -save by the fearful shine of the lightnings, flashing fiercely from the -dread and silent cloud. The form of Jesus, amid the universal gloom, -shone as if divinely transfigured, and a soft halo of celestial light -encircled his brow like a crown of glory; while the dark bodies of the -two robbers could scarcely be discerned, save by the faint radiance -emanating from his own. - -Men talked to each other in whispers. An indefinable dread was upon -each mind; for the sudden overspreading of the darkness was as -unaccountable as it was frightful. Mary, his mother, and Lazarus, -exclaimed with awe, both speaking together: - -"This is his power. He has produced this miracle!" - -"And we shall behold him next descend from the cross," cried Rabbi -Amos. "Let us take courage!" - -Three hours--three long and awful hours, this supernatural light -continued--and all that while the vast multitude remained fixed, and -moaning, waiting they knew not what! At length the cloud parted above -the cross, with a loud peal of thunder, while a shower of terrible -lightning fell, like lances of fire, all around the form of Jesus, -which immediately lost its halo and its translucent radiance, His face, -at the same time, became expressive of the most intense sorrow of soul. - -A hundred voices exclaimed, with horror: - -"See! he is deserted, and punished by the Almighty!" - -We ourselves were amazed and appalled. Our rising hopes were blasted -by the livid lightnings, which seemed to blast him! Heaven, as well as -man, seemed to war against him! His mother gave utterance to a groan -of agony, and sank upon the ground, satisfied that her son was truly -accursed of God. At this moment, as if to confirm all our fears, he -cried, in the Hebrew tongue: - -"Eloi! Eloi! My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" - -Upon this, some, pitying his sufferings, ran to give him wine and -hyssop, to deaden them. - -"Nay, let him live--let us see if Elias will save him!" answered Abner. -"He calleth for Elisha the prophet!" - -Suddenly the darkness, which had filled all the air, seemed now to -concentrate and gather about the cross, so that he who hanged thereon, -became invisible. From the midst of it his thrilling voice was once -more heard, as clear and strong as it rang over the waters of Galilee -when he preached from a boat to the thousands thronging the shore: - -"It is finished! Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!" - -As he uttered these words, a supernatural glory shone around him, and, -with a deep sigh, he bowed his head upon his breast and gave up the -ghost! - -The general exclamation of surprise that followed these clear -trumpet-tones, was suddenly checked by a terrible trembling of the -earth beneath our feet, so that vast numbers of people were cast down; -the rocks of Calvary were rent, and thrown upwards, while the whole -city shook with the convulsive throes of an earthquake. The Temple -seemed on fire, and above its pinnacle appeared a flaming sword, which -seemed to us to cleave the walls to their foundations; and while we -looked, the sword changed into the shape of a cross of dazzling light, -standing high in the air, over the altar; and from its golden beams -poured rays so bright, that all Jerusalem, and the hill country for a -wide extent, became as light as noon-day. The ground still continued -to rock, and the sepulchres of the kings, with the tombs of ancient -prophets, were riven by vast chasms, and the green earth was strewn -with the bones and bodies of the dead. The dark cloud, which had begun -to form first with the smoke of the sacrifices of the Temple, was now -dissipated by the light of the fiery cross, and the sun reappeared. -Before it the glorious vision over the Temple gradually faded out and -disappeared. The natural order of things gradually returned; and men, -smiting their breasts, began to move towards the city, filled with awe -and dread at what they had witnessed. The centurion, who stood watching -these fearful things, said, aloud, to Æmilius: - -"This man spake the truth. He was a god!" - -"Truly," responded Æmilius, "this was none other than the Son of -God--the very Christ of the Jewish Prophets. All things in the air and -on the earth sympathize with his death, as if the God of nature had -expired." - -Sad and weeping, we left the dismal scene, hanging our heads in -despondency; having, even while wondering at these mighty events -connected with his crucifixion, abandoned, forever, all hope that this -was he who should have redeemed our nation and restored the royal -splendor of Judah and the throne of the house of David. - - I am, my dear father, your loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXVI. - -_Jerusalem--Third Morning after the Crucifixion._ - - -My Dear Father: - -On the day on which the wonderful events took place which I have -detailed at large in my last letter, the chief priests, at the head -of whom was Annas, met Pilate as he was riding forth from the city, -attended by a score of men-at-arms, to survey the deep rents made by -the earthquake, and to hear from the mouths of all the people the -particulars of the marvels which attended the crucifixion of Jesus. -When they came near him, they besought him that he would command his -soldiers to take down the bodies, as the next day was a high-day, and -that it was contrary to their customs to have criminals executed or -left hanging on that day. - -"What think ye?" demanded Pilate, reining up and soothing his Syrian -war-horse, which, startled at the dead bodies that lay near (for they -were crossing the place of the opened tombs), had for some time -tramped and plunged madly. "What think ye, priests! Have ye crucified -a man or a god? We think these mighty wonders tell us that he was more -than a man!" - -The priests looked troubled, and seemed unable to answer. But Terah, -chief priest of the house of Mariah, answered and said: - -"My lord, these were wonderful phenomena, but they would have happened -if this Nazarene had not died! Here is a famous astrologer from Arabia, -who studies the skies, who says that this darkness was caused by an -eclipse of the sun! The dark cloud was but the smoke of the sacrifices, -while the earthquake was but a natural and usual occurrence!" - -"Stay, sir priest," answered Pilate; "we at Rome, though called -barbarians by you polished Jews, have some scholarship in astrology. -We know well that an eclipse of the sun can take place only when the -moon is new! It is to-day, on this eve of the high-day, at its full, -and will to-night rise nearly opposite the sun! It was no eclipse, sir -priest, and thy Arabian is a false astrologer. These events occurred -because that divine man, your king, has been executed." - -Thus speaking, the Roman Procurator spurred on towards the place, -followed by his body-guard; now avoiding an open grave, now leaping one -of the freshly opened chasms, now turning aside from some body cast up -by the earthquake. When he came in front of the crosses, he saw that -Jesus hung as if dead, while the thieves still breathed and from time -to time heaved groans of anguish, although partly insensible from the -effects of the opiate which had been administered to them. - -"Think you, Romulus, that he has any life in him?" asked Pilate, -in a subdued tone of voice, gazing sorrowfully, and with looks of -self-reproach, upon the drooping form of his victim. - -"He is dead an hour ago," answered the centurion. "He expired when the -earthquake shook the city, and the flaming sword was unsheathed in -the air above the Temple! It was a fearful sight, sir, and the more -wonderful to see it change in the shape of a cross of fire. I fear, -sir, we have crucified one of the gods in the shape of a man." - -"It would appear so, centurion," answered Pilate, shaking his head. "I -would it had not been done! But 'tis past! The Jews desire their bodies -to be removed before their great Sabbath. Let them have their desire." - -Pilate then turned his horse and rode slowly and sadly away from the -spot. Romulus gave orders to his soldiers to remove the bodies. When -the soldiers came to Jesus they saw that he was already dead. - -"Let us not break his legs," said one to the other; "it were sacrilege -to mar such a manly form." - -"Yet we must insure his death, ere he can be taken away," responded the -other. "I will pierce him to make sure!" - -Thus speaking, the soldier directed his spear to the side of Jesus, -and cleaved the flesh to his heart. John, who stood near, and saw and -heard all, upon seeing this done bowed his head to the earth in total -abandonment of hope! - -When he raised his head to gaze upon his crucified Master, he saw -flowing from the rent in his side two fountains together, one of -crimson blood, and lo! the other of crystal water! He could not believe -what he saw, until the soldiers and the centurion expressed aloud their -wonder at such a marvel. - -"Never was such a man crucified before," exclaimed the centurion. - -In the meanwhile, Rabbi Joseph, the counsellor of Arimathea, who stands -high in favor with Pilate, met the Governor as he was skirting the wall -of the city with his cohort, and asked him if, after Jesus should be -pronounced dead, he might take down the body and give it sepulchre. - -"Go and receive the body of this wonderful man," said Pilate. "Methinks -thou art one who knew him well. What thinkest thou of him, Rabbi?" -Joseph perceived that Pilate asked the question with deep interest, -seemingly very greatly troubled in mind, and he answered him boldly: - -"I believe that he was a Prophet sent from God, your excellency, and -that to-day has died on Calvary the most virtuous, the wisest, and the -most innocent man in Cæsar's empire." - -"My conscience echoes your words," answered Pilate, gloomily; and -putting spurs to his horse, he galloped forward in the direction of the -Gethsemane Gardens. - -Proceeding to the cross, Joseph, by the aid of Lazarus, Simon Peter, -Mary, Martha, and Rabbi Amos, took it out of the socket in the rock, -with its precious burden, and gently laid it upon the ground with the -body still extended upon it. - -In the still, holy twilight of that dread day, the west all shadowy -gold and mellow light, the air asleep, and a sacred silence reigning -in heaven and on earth, they bore away from the hill of death the body -of the dead Prophet. The shoulders of Nicodemus, of Peter, of Lazarus, -and of John, gently sustained the loving weight of Him they once -honored above all men, and whom, though proved by his death, as they -believed, to have fatally deceived himself as to his divine mission as -the Christ, they still loved for his sorrows so patiently borne, for -his virtues so vividly remembered. - -Slowly the little group wound their way along the rocky surface of -Golgotha, the last to leave that fearful place in the coming darkness. -Their measured tread, their low whispers, the subdued wail of the women -who followed the rude bier of branches, the lonely path they trod, -all combined to render the spectacle one of touching solemnity. The -shades of evening were gathering thick around them. They took secret -ways for fear of the Jews. But some that met them turned aside with awe -when they knew what corpse was borne along, for the impression of the -appalling scenes of the day had not yet wholly passed away from their -minds. At length they reached a gate in the wall of the garden attached -to the noble abode of the wealthy Rabbi Joseph, who went before, and -with a key unlocked it, and admitted them into the secluded enclosure. -Here the thickness of the foliage of olive and fig trees created -complete darkness; for by this time the evening star was burning like -a lamp in the roseate west. They rested the bier upon the pavement -beneath the arch, and awaited in silence and darkness the appearance -of torches which Rabbi Joseph had sent for to his house. The servants -bearing them were soon seen advancing, the flickering light from the -flambeaux giving all things visible by it a wild aspect, in keeping -with the hour. - -"Follow me," said Joseph, in a low voice, that was full charged with -deep sorrow, as the servants preceded him with their torches. - -The sad bearers of the dead body of Jesus raised their sacred burden -from the ground, and trod onward, their measured foot-falls echoing -among the aisles of the garden. At its farther extremity, where the -rock hangs beetling over the valley, and forms at this place the -wall of the garden, was a shallow flight of stone steps leading to a -new tomb hewn out of the rock. It had been constructed for the Rabbi -himself, and had just been completed, and in it no man had ever been -laid. - -The servants, by command of Joseph, rolled back the stone, and exposed -the dark vault of the gaping sepulchre. - -"How is it, most worthy Rabbi," said a Roman centurion, suddenly -apprizing them of his presence by his voice, "that you bury thus with -honor a man who has proved himself unable to keep the dazzling promises -he has allured so many of you with?" - -All present turned with surprise at seeing not only the centurion, but -half a score of men-at-arms, on whose helmets and cuirasses the torches -brightly gleamed, marching across the grass towards the spot. - -"What means this intrusion, Roman?" asked Rabbi Joseph. - -"I am sent hither by command of the Procurator," answered the -centurion; "the chief Jews have had an interview with him, informing -him that the man whom he had crucified had foretold that after three -days he would rise again. They, therefore, asked a guard to be given -them to place over the sepulchre, till the third day, lest his -disciples secretly withdraw the body, and report that their master is -risen. Pilate, therefore, has commanded me to keep watch to-night with -my men." - -"We bury him with this deference and respect, centurion," answered -Rabbi Joseph, "because we believe him to have been deceived, not a -deceiver. He was gifted by God with vast power, and therefore doubtless -believed he could do all things. He was too holy, wise, and good to -deceive. He has fallen a victim to his own wishes for the weal of -Israel which were impossible by man to be realized." - -The body of Jesus, wrapped in its shroud of spotless linen, and -surrounded by the preserving spices of Arabia, was then borne into the -tomb, and laid reverently upon the table of stone which Joseph had -prepared for his own last resting-place. Simon Peter was the last to -quit the side of the body, by which he knelt as if he would never leave -it, shedding all the while great tears of bitter grief. John only, at -last, drawing him gently forth, enabled the centurion and soldiers to -close the heavy door of the tomb. Having secured it evenly by revolving -it in its socket, the signet-bearer of the Procurator, who had come -with the soldiers, placed a mass of wax, melted by a torch, upon each -side of it over the crevices, and stamped each with the Imperial -signet, which to break is death! - -The Jews who were present, seeing that the sepulchre was thus made sure -by the sealing of the stone, and by the setting of the vigilant Roman -watch of eighteen men, took their departure. Rabbi Joseph, Nicodemus, -and the rest of the friends of Jesus, then slowly retired, leaving a -sentinel pacing to and fro before the tomb, and others grouped about -beneath the trees or on the steps of the sepulchre, playing at their -favorite game of dice, or gazing upon the broad moon, conversing, or -singing their native Italian airs; yet with their arms at hand, ready -to spring to their feet at the least alarm or word of alert. - -(Something fearful must this instant have happened, for the house has -just shaken as if with an earthquake. What can be the meaning of these -wonders?) - -This morning Mary and Martha, with others, have gone to visit Jesus' -tomb in Joseph's garden (as I have already said), for the purpose of -embalming the body, and on their return we are to go to Bethany for -a few days, until the violent hostility of the Jews to his followers -subsides. - -I hear now the voices of Mary and Martha, in the court of the street, -returning from the tomb. They are pitched to a wild note of joy! What -can mean the commotion--the exclamations--the running, and shouting, -all through the corridors and court? I must close, and fly to learn -what new terror or wonder has occurred. - - In haste, your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXVII. - -_Jerusalem--First Day of the week._ - - -My Dear Father: - -How shall I make known to you, in words, the marvelous, joyous, happy, -happy, and most wonderful news which I have to tell! My heart beats, -my hand trembles with rapture, while a sense of profound awe impresses -all my soul! Jesus is alive! Jesus has risen from the dead! Jesus has -proved himself to be the Son of God! - -I can scarcely hold my pen for joy and wonder, or collect my thoughts, -for very amazement, at what has transpired. - -Upon hearing my name called by Mary, and others, in eager, -joy-trembling tones, I hastened to go down. On reaching the staircase -I met my cousin ascending, almost flying. Wonder, love, and happiness -inexpressible, beamed from her beautiful countenance. Meeting me, she -threw her arms about my neck and essayed to utter something! But her -heart was too full, and, bursting into sobs, she wept convulsively upon -my bosom, in an ecstasy of delirious joy. - -Amazed and confounded, not knowing what had happened, I held her to my -heart, and tried to soothe her emotion. - -"What--oh, what hath happened? Speak, dear Mary!" I asked, unable to -wait longer in suspense. - -She raised her head, and through her tears and smiles, at length said, -brokenly: - -"He--he--is--risen--oh, he is risen from the tomb!" - -"Who?" I cried, half believing, yet doubting. - -"The Lord! Our Mighty Master--Jesus--the very Son of God, the Blessed! -He is alive, Adina! Come--delay not! I have flown into the city to tell -thee, and Mary has told Peter and John, whom she met at the door, and -who, doubting, as thou hast done, have run to see if these things be -so. They will find the sepulchre empty! Haste to go with us!" - -While, overwhelmed with wonder, and trembling with joy, I was preparing -to accompany her, Martha appeared, her face radiant with celestial -happiness. - -"You have heard the tidings of great joy, O Adina?" - -"Can they be true, Martha?" I asked, earnestly. - -"Yes, for I have seen him walking, heard his voice, and touched him! -You, also, shall see him, for he hath sent us to tell his disciples!" - -I wept for joy! - -At the gateway we met Mary of Bethany, and we three now hastened -together towards the garden of Joseph, I wishing my feet wings, that -I might reach the sepulchre sooner, fearing that the vision of Jesus -would be vanished ere I arrived. As we were going out of the gate, we -were met by four or five Roman soldiers, who, with aspects stamped with -fear, were running past us into the city. - -"What means this flight and terror, men?" cried the captain of the -gate. "You fly as if you were in full retreat from an enemy. Speak, -Marius! You seem to have your senses!" he demanded of the youngest of -the soldiers, an officer under a centurion. - -We paused to hear what he said. - -"Per Dian, captain! we have been terrified beyond measure," answered -the soldier. "My heart beats yet, as if it were an alarum-drum. You -see, we were a part of the guard left in charge of the sepulchre -of this Jewish Prophet, crucified three days ago. Before dawn this -morning, as I was pacing to and fro before the tomb, there suddenly -shone round about us a light, like a descending meteor, accompanied -by a rushing as if of a legion of wings. The men started to their -feet in amazement! On looking about us I saw a dazzling form, in the -mid-heavens, with broad wings of gold, sparkling with myriads of stars, -every feather a star, and clad in raiment white and gleaming as the -summer's lightning. This terrible presence, like that of one of the Dii -Immortales, made us fear exceedingly, beyond any terror we had before -experienced. But when we saw this mighty being descend straight towards -the tomb, and beheld the resplendent majesty of his celestial visage, -which blinded us, our hearts failed within us. The angel, or god, -alighted amid a blaze of radiance at the door of the sepulchre; and as -his foot touched the earth it trembled, as if with a great earthquake. -The soldiers shook with terror, and fell to the ground, before his -presence, as dead men. I stood, unable to move, frozen by fear to a -statue. He touched the great stone door with one of his fingers, and it -rolled outward at his feet, as if a catapult had struck it, and, like -Jove taking his throne, he sat upon it! - -"But one thing more," continued the soldier, "was wanting to fill my -cup of terror to the full. And it followed. I saw the crucified Prophet -rise up from the slab on which he was laid, and stand upon his feet, -and walk forth alive, with the tread of some mighty conqueror! The -celestial being, so terrible in his majestic splendor, veiled his face -with his wings before his presence, and prostrated himself at his feet, -as if in homage to one greater than himself! - -"I saw no more, but fell, insensible with terror, to the earth. When, -at length, I came to myself, the tomb was filled with dazzling forms -of resplendent beauty; the air rang with music, such as mortals never -before heard; and I fled, pursued by my fears, the rest of the soldiers -rising and following me, each man fearing to look back, but bewildered -we lost our way." - -The soldiers hurried forward into the city; while, confirmed now in the -certainty that Jesus was risen, I hastened, with Martha and Mary, in -the direction of the garden. - -"How and where did you behold him, Mary?" I interrogated, as we drew -near to the steep path leading to the gate of Joseph's garden. - -"When we reached the tomb, with our spices and precious ointments, to -embalm the body, we found it open, and the soldiers, who had guarded -it, lying about upon the ground like dead men. Upon the stone sat the -archangel, but the resplendent light of his apparel and countenance was -so tempered to our eyes, that, although we believed it was an angel, we -were not terrified, for his looks were serene, and the aspect of his -face divinely beautiful, combined with a terrible and indescribable -majesty. We shook with fear, and stood still, unable to move, gazing on -him in silent expectation. - -"'Fear not,' said he in a voice that seemed to fill the air about us -with undulating music, 'fear not, daughters of Abraham. I know that ye -seek Jesus, which was crucified! He is not here, but is risen, as he -foretold. Lo! see the place where the Lord of Life, and Conqueror of -Death, hath lain!' - -"We then timidly approached, and looked in, and saw the sepulchre -empty; but a soft light filled the whole place. - -"'Go and tell his disciples that the Lord is risen,' added the angel, -'and that he will go before them into Galilee. There shall they see him -not many days hence!' - -"When the angel had thus spoken to us," continued Mary, "we departed -quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and ran to go into -the city, to bring his disciples word, according to the command of the -angel. But I had not advanced so far as the gate of the garden, being -behind the rest, when I beheld Jesus himself standing in my path. I -stopped, between terror and joy. - -"'All hail! daughter of Israel,' he said. 'Be not afraid. I am living, -that was dead! Go, Mary, and tell my mother and my brethren, and Peter, -and John, and Lazarus, that I am risen, and that I have spoken with -you. Be not afraid! I am the resurrection and the life!' - -"I then cast myself at his feet, and worshiped him with awe; and when I -looked up, he was gone. - -"The others did not see him. We now continued on to the city, as if we -had wings. But see! we are now at the gate of the garden," added Mary -of Bethany, in a low tone of awe. "He must be near us." - -But we approached the tomb without seeing any man, having arrived -before Peter and John, who had been delayed some time at the Jaffa -gate. We, therefore, found no one at the sepulchre. It was open, and -empty. The stone in front, on which the archangel sat, was vacant. As -we drew near, a bright light suddenly shone out from the tomb; and upon -going higher I beheld two angels, clothed in white robes, and with -countenances of divine radiance, seated, one at the head and the other -at the foot of the slab of marble, on which the body of Jesus had lain. - -"Be not afraid, daughters of Jerusalem," said one of the angels, -speaking to us in the Hebrew tongue; "He whom ye seek, liveth! He -is risen from the tomb, which could not hold him but through his -consent; for Jesus is Lord of Life, and Victor over Death and Hell, for -evermore! Go your way, and tell his disciples that he awaits them by -the seaside." - -The angels then vanished from our sight; and at the same moment John -and Peter came running, and seeing the stone rolled away, John stooped -down, and looked in, and said that he saw the linen clothes in which -the body of Jesus had been wrapped, lying folded together, and also -the napkin which had been bound about his head. Peter, now coming up, -breathless with eagerness and haste, no sooner saw the tomb open, than -he went boldly in, and carefully examined all for himself. When we -made known to them what the angels had said to us, that Jesus would go -before and meet them in Galilee, they rejoiced greatly, and shortly -afterwards departed, to hasten into Galilee. I also returned with them, -to convey the news to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who had scarcely left -her couch, in her great sorrow, since the day of the crucifixion. Mary -of Bethany, however, remained, lingering near the tomb, hoping that -Jesus had not yet left the garden, and that she might once more behold -him. - -Seated upon the steps of the tomb, weeping for joy at his resurrection, -and wishing once more to behold him, she heard a footstep behind her, -and, turning round, saw a man standing near her. It was Jesus himself, -and kneeling, she was about to clasp his feet, when he said to her: - -"Touch me not, Mary. I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go and -tell Lazarus, and my brethren, and my mother, that I ascend ere many -days, unto my Father and your Father, and unto my God and your God." - -Jesus then vanished out of her sight; and she came and told all these -things to us, and to the disciples. - -But what pen can describe, my dear father, the amazement and -consternation of Caiaphas, and the chief priests, and the rest of his -enemies! - -Caiaphas, hearing the uproar of the soldiers, sprang from his couch to -inquire the cause, and on being assured by his servants that "Jesus had -burst his tomb and risen alive from the dead!" he quaked, and became -deadly pale. - -When Pilate received the account from the centurion of the guard, he -said: - -"We have crucified a god, as I believed! Henceforth I am accursed!" and -leaving his Hall of Judgment, he went and shut himself up in his own -room, which he has not since left. - -Caiaphas and the chief priests and scribes, in the meanwhile assembled -together in full Sanhedrim, and hearing the testimony of the centurion, -were convinced that the fact could not be concealed of Jesus' -resurrection. - -"Who has seen him alive?" demanded the High Priest. - -"I have seen him, my lord," answered the centurion. "I saw his pierced -feet and hands as he walked past me; and the morning breeze blew aside -his mantle and exposed to my eyes the open wound made by the spear of -my soldier, Philippus. He was alive, and in full strength of limb!" - -"Thou sawest a vision, Roman!" answered Caiaphas. "Come aside with us, -and let us talk with thee." - -In a few minutes afterwards the centurion left the court of the High -Priest's palace, followed by a Gibeonite slave, bearing after him a -vase of Persian gold. He has told every one since, that he must have -seen a spirit, for "the disciples of Jesus came by night and stole away -the body of their master, while they slept, overcome with watching." -His soldiers have also been bribed to tell the same tale! - -Such is the false version that now goes about the city, my dear father; -but there are few that give it credence, even of our enemies. As -Æmilius, who is filled with great joy at the resurrection of Jesus, -to-day very justly says: - -"If these soldiers slept on guard, they merited death therefor, by the -military laws of the empire. If, while sleeping, their charge--the -dead body of Jesus--was taken away, they deserve death for failing -to prevent it. Why then are they not placed under arrest by Pilate's -orders, if this story be true? Because Pilate well knows that it is not -true! He knows, because he has privately examined many of the soldiers, -that Jesus did burst his tomb, and that angels rolled away the stone -without breaking his seals, which could not have been left unmarred but -by a miracle. He knows that Jesus has arisen--for it is believed that -he has also beheld him--at least such is the rumor at the Pretorium. -It was the form of Jesus visible before him, doubtless, that drove -him in such amazement from his Hall to his secret chamber; for it was -remarked that he started, turned deadly pale, and essayed to address -the invisible space before him, as if he saw a spirit." - -Besides the facts which I have stated, is the increasing testimony -of the thousands who, to-day, have gone out of the city to see the -sepulchre where He was laid. They say, both enemies of Jesus as well as -our friends, that it was impossible for the door to have been opened by -any human being, not by Pilate himself, without marring the seals. They -also assert that, to remove the stone by night, which would require -four men, and to bear forth the body, would have been impossible, if -the guard had been present; and if they had been asleep, they must have -been awakened with the heavy noise made by rolling the massive door -along the hollow pavement outside the sepulchre. - -"If," say the common people, "the watch slept, why does not the -Procurator put them to death?" - -This question remains unanswered, and the watch go about the streets -unharmed! My dear father, remember no more my unbelief, but with me -believe in Jesus, that he is the Son of God, the Savior of Israel, the -immortal Christ of the Prophets. - - Your affectionate daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXVIII. - -_Bethany, House of Mary and Martha, a Month after the Passover._ - - -I deeply regret, my dearest father, the delays which have detained you -so long from arriving at Jerusalem, but trust that, ere many days, -the caravan for which you wait will reach Gaza, and that you will be -enabled to resume your journey to the Holy City. I am now at Bethany, -where I have been some time making my home. - -Uncle Amos has retired, for the present, to his farm, near Jericho, -but will be here to-morrow to remain with us. Therefore, when you come -near to Jerusalem, instead of going directly into the city, turn aside -by the road leading past the king's gardens, and go up the brook of -Kedron, into the way to Bethany. I pray that God may preserve you in -safety, and soon permit me the happiness of once more embracing you, -after three long years of separation. - -And what events have transpired in these three years! Once more, my -dear father, read carefully over the whole narrative, and answer to -yourself this inquiry: Is not this man the Son of God? Is not he the -very Christ, the long-looked-for Messias? - -Isaias prophesied of the Christ whom he saw afar off, that he should be -"a man of sorrows;" that he should be "despised and rejected of men;" -that he should be "taken from prison and judgment, and cut off from -the land of the living;" that he should be "numbered with the wicked -in his death, and make his grave with the rich!" How light, how clear, -how plain, all these prophecies now are to me, and to us all! How -wonderfully in their minuteness they have been fulfilled, you already -know. - -His resurrection, also, was foretold by himself, but we did not -understand his words until now. When he spoke of destroying the temple, -and raising it in three days, he spoke of the tabernacle of his body! -Oh, how many sayings, which, when spoken by his sacred lips, we -understood not, now rush upon us in all their meaning, proving to us -that every step of his life was foreknown to him; that he went forward -to his death aware of all things whatsoever that were going to befall -him! - -But his resurrection was also foretold by the holy David, when he -said, "Thou wilt not leave his soul in hell, nor suffer thy Holy One -to see corruption;" and his arraignment before Pilate, Caiaphas, and -Herod, was foretold by David, when he said: "The kings of the earth set -themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and -against his Anointed;" yet the Lord saith, "Thou art my Son, this day -have I begotten thee." Also, my dear father, turn to the Psalms (22) of -King David, and compare the following words, which speak of Messias, -with what I have described in my previous letters: - -"They shoot out the lip at me; they shake the head; they laugh me to -scorn. They say, He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver him. Thou -hast brought me into the dust of death." - -Read the same psalm of the holy king a little farther, and you will see -these words, which were put by the royal prophet into the lips of his -future Messias: - -"The assembly of the wicked have enclosed me. They pierced my hands and -my feet. They part my garments among them, and upon my vesture cast -lots!" - -Read and compare these prophecies of Messias, with the accounts in my -letters, dear father, and you will not only be convinced that Jesus is -the Messias, but you will perceive that his humiliation and sufferings -before Pilate and Caiaphas, his agony on the cross, his death and -burial, instead, as we ignorantly conceived, of being evidences that -he was not the Christ, are proof that he was the very Son of the -Highest--the Shiloh of Jehovah foretold by the prophets--the Anointed -King of Israel. - -Oh, wonderful is all this! How marvelous these things passing before -our eyes! Now all is dazzlingly clear! The Prophets are unveiled to -our sight, and we see that these things must have happened to him. Oh, -our darkness, our blindness, to have seen in the prophecies of Messias -only the passages which speak of his glory and power! Read the Prophets -no longer, my dearest father, with a veil before your eyes! See, in -all you read, Jesus as the end of the Prophets, the goal of all their -far-seeing prophecies, the veritable and sure realization of their -prophetic visions. - -Thus, my dear father, has Jesus in all particulars proved himself to be -the subject of all prophecy--the King of Israel. But you will now ask, -"Is he to re-establish the throne of David, and live forever?" - -Yes, but not a Jerusalem of earthly splendor. Oh, how clear are all -things to my apprehension now! The Jerusalem in which his throne is to -be placed, is heavenly, and the true Jerusalem, of which the present -one is but the material type--what the body is to the soul of man. - -Jesus has talked with me since his resurrection, and explained all this -to me, and much more that is wonderful and full of joy. - -It is now four weeks since he arose, and in that time he has been not -only seen by all the disciples, but by hundreds of his followers. The -only change in his usual appearance, dear father, to the eye, is a -transparent paleness, which gives a soft radiance to his whole aspect, -and a certain majestic reserve, which awes all who draw near to him; -so that men speak in his presence in subdued whispers. His mother, -happiest of women now, as she was before the most wretched, ever sits -at his feet, and silently enjoys his sacred presence, seldom speaking, -and looking up to him rather as a worshiper to her God, than a mother -upon her son. That he is in the flesh in reality, and not a spirit, he -has proven to his disciples, by eating with them; and in a remarkable -way to an incredulous disciple, called Thomas, who, not believing that -Jesus was risen in his real body from the dead, was told by the divine -Lord to place his fingers into his hands, and his hand into his side; -which Thomas, convinced, with awe refused to do; but, falling at his -feet in amazement and adoration, worshiped him as God. - -To-day his disciples are with him in the gardens of David, at -Bethlehem, where he is holding daily a solemn council with the -eleven, unfolding to them the glory of his kingdom, and opening their -understandings to the clear apprehension of all which the prophets -have written concerning him. John, who is a member of this divine -council, says that the power of Jesus, the extent and majesty of his -kingdom, the infinite results of his death and resurrection, are not -to be conceived of by those who have not listened to these sublime -revelations of his own lips. - -"He hath shown us," said John, "how that his true office as Son of God, -and Son of Man, is to be a mediator. He showed us that he himself was -the High Priest, and how that the cross was the veritable altar of this -great world's sacrifice, and its Temple the whole earth and heavens!" - -How wonderful, dear father, is all this! He further teaches his -disciples that he will shortly ascend from the earth, to enter upon his -celestial reign, and that his subjects there are to be all who love -him and keep his commandments. It is to be a kingdom of holiness, and -none will enter there but the pure in heart. He says, further, that as -we do now confess our sins over the blood of the victim we sacrifice -for ourselves in the Temple, so henceforth we must look to him (by -faith when we shall see him no longer), slain a sacrifice for us, and -confess our sins to the Father for his sake. Jesus has moreover taught -his disciples that the Gentiles are to share equally with the children -of Abraham the benefits of his death and resurrection; that this good -news shall be proclaimed to them by his disciples, and that they will -gladly hear it and believe. - -"The fountain of my everlasting kingdom," saith he, "truly shall be -laid upon earth in the hearts of men; but the building is with God, -eternal in the heavens. The tomb through which I have passed is its -gate, and all who would come after me, and enter in, must follow in my -footsteps." - -Thomas then asked his Lord whither he would go, and the way; how he -would leave the earth, since he could die no more. - -"Thou shalt see for thyself ere many days pass," answered Jesus. "In -that I have risen, all whom my Father giveth me shall rise also from -the dead; and those whom I raise up, I will take with me the way I go; -for where I am, they shall evermore be with me also." - -Such, dear father, is a brief account of what John has told us, -touching the divine teaching of Messias, the Son of God, respecting his -kingdom. Yet much is still mysterious; but we know enough to be willing -to trust ourselves to him for this life, and for that which is to come. -We know that all power is given into his hands, and that he can save -all men who believe in and accept him. - -What is remarkable, dear father, notwithstanding the Jews have heard -that Jesus walks everywhere through Jewry, yet no efforts are made -to lay hands on him. At his presence, crowds of his enemies fly like -the stricken multitude before the advancing sirocco. His presence in -Judea is a present dread, like some great evil, to those who fear -him; but like a celestial blessing to more who love him. Pilate, on -the eve of making a journey last week to Bethel, before quitting the -city dispatched couriers in advance to ascertain "whether Jesus the -Crucified was on the line of his route!" Caiaphas, having occasion to -go to Jericho, a few days after the Passover, hearing that Jesus had -been seen with his disciples on the road, made a circuit round by Luz -and Shiloh, in order not to meet him. The gates of the city are kept -constantly shut, lest he should enter within the walls; some of the -chief priests fearing greatly to behold his face, while others imagine -that he is engaged in raising an army, to advance upon and take -Jerusalem from the Romans. - -I rejoice to see by your last letter, that you may be expected to reach -here the week after next. Oh that you were here now, that you might -be taken by John to see Jesus! for from what he says he will not long -remain visible among us. Whither he goeth or how he goeth away, no man -can say. - - Faithfully, your loving daughter, - Adina. - - - - -LETTER XXXIX. - -_Bethany, Forty Days after the Resurrection._ - - -My Dearest Father: - -With emotions that nearly deprive me of the power to hold my pen, and -with trembling fingers that make the words I write almost illegible, I -sit down to make known to you the extraordinary event which will mark -this day in all future time as the most worthy to be noted among men. - -On the fortieth day after the resurrection, my dear father, early in -the morning, Jesus left the house of Mary and Lazarus, where he had sat -up with us all night speaking to us of the glories of the life above, -and the excellency of heart and purity of life required of all who -should enter it. - -"Lord," said Martha, as he went forth, "whither goest thou?" - -"Come and see," he answered. "Whither I go ye shall know, and the way -ye shall know: for where I am ye shall also be, and all those who -believe in me." - -"Lord," said Mary, kneeling at his feet, "return at noon, and remain -with us during the heat of the day." - -"Mary," said Jesus, laying his hand gently upon her forehead, "I am -going to my Father's house! There thou shalt dwell with me in mansions -not made with hands." - -Thus speaking, he walked slowly onward towards the hill of Bethany, -not far from the place where Lazarus was buried. He was followed not -only by Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and John, my Cousin Mary, and myself, -but by all the disciples. There were at least five hundred persons -in all, moving on with him ere he reached the green hillside beyond -the village; for all followed him, expecting to hear more glorious -revelations from his lips. - -"He goes to the hill to pray," said one of his disciples. - -"Nay, he goeth to show us some mighty miracle, from the expression of -power and majesty in his aspect," said Thomas to me, gazing upon the -Lord with awe; for each moment as he ascended the hill, his countenance -grew more glorious with a certain God-like majesty, and shone as the -face of Moses descending from Mount Sinai. We all hung back with -adoring awe, and alone he proceeded onward, a wide space being left -by us between ourselves and him. Yet there was no terror in the glory -which surrounded and shined out from him, but rather a holy radiance, -that seemed to be the very light of holiness and peace. - -"So looked he," said John to us, "when we beheld him transfigured in -the mount with Elias and Moses." - -The hill, which is not lofty, was soon surmounted by his sacred feet. -He stood upon its apex alone. We kept back near the brow of the hill, -for his raiment shone now like the sun, while his countenance was as -lightning. We shaded our eyes to behold him. All was now expectation, -and a looking for some mighty event--what, we knew not! John drew -nearest to him, and upon his knees, with clasped hands, looked towards -him earnestly; for he knew, as he afterwards told us, what would take -place. Joy and yet tears were on his face, as he gazed with blinded -eyes, as one gazes on the noonday sun, upon his divine Master. It was -a scene, dear father, impressive beyond expression. Jesus seemed for -a moment to survey the scenes of his sufferings, of his ignominy and -death, with the look of a divine conqueror. He then turned to his -disciples and said: - -"Ye have been with me in my sorrows, and you shall now begin to behold -my glory. Remember all things which I have taught you concerning my -kingdom. Go forth and teach the glad tidings of salvation to all men, -and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and -of the Holy Ghost; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of -the world." - -Thus speaking, in a voice that thrilled every bosom with emotions -indescribable, he extended his hands above their heads and blessed -them, while we all fell upon our faces to the ground also, to receive -his blessing. - -He then lifted up his eyes to the calm blue depths of heaven, and said -in the same words he had spoken on the night of the Passover, as John -had told me: - -"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory -which I had with thee before the world was!" - -As he spoke, we raised our faces from the ground, to behold him -leaving the earth, rising from the hilltop into the air, with a slow -and majestic ascension, his hands outspread over us who were beneath, -as if shedding down blessings upon us all. The loud burst of surprise -which rose from five hundred voices at seeing him soar away into the -atmosphere, was followed by a profound and awful silence, as we watched -him rise and still rise, ascending and still ascending, into the upper -air, his whole form growing brighter and brighter, as the distance -widened between his feet and the earth! - -Upon our knees, in speechless wonder, we followed his ascent with our -amazed eyes, not a word being spoken by any soul; nay, hearts might -have been heard beating in the intense expectation of the moment! - -Lo! in the far-off height of heaven, we beheld suddenly appear a bright -cloud, no larger than a man's hand, but each instant it expanded -and grew broader and brighter, and, swift as the winged lightning, -descended through the firmament downward, until we beheld it evolve -itself into a glittering host of angels, which no man could number, -countless as the stars of heaven. As these shining legions descended, -they parted into two bands, and sweeping along the air, met the -ascending Son of God in mid-sky! The rushing of their ten thousand -times ten thousand wings, was heard as the sound of many waters. -Surrounding Jesus, like a shining cloud, they received him into their -midst, and hid him from our eyes amid the glories of their celestial -splendor! - -Now came to our ears the sounds of heavenly song, a sublimer chorus -than earth ever heard before. From the squadrons of Seraphim and -Cherubim encircling with their linked wings the Son of God, came, like -the unearthly music one hears in the dreams of night, these words, -receding, as they mounted upward with the Conqueror of Death and Hell: - - "Lift up your heads, O ye gates! - And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; - And the King of Glory shall come in!" - -This chorus seemed to be answered from the inmost heavens, as if an -archangel were standing at its portals, keeping watchful guard over the -entrance facing the earth. - - "Who is the King of Glory?" - - "The Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle against - principalities and powers," - -was chanted back from the ascending escort of Jesus, in the sublimest -strains of triumphant joy. - - "Lift up your heads, O ye gates! and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting - doors, and the King of Glory shall come in!" - -Upon this we heard a mighty voice, as it were in heaven, accompanied -by the sound of a trumpet, and ten thousand voices about the throne of -Jehovah seemed to say: - - "God is coming up with a shout. He rideth upon the heavens! He - ascendeth on high! He hath led captivity captive, and received - gifts for men. O clap your hands, all ye people of earth! Shout his - triumph, ye hosts of heaven! - - "Fling wide your gates, O City of God! Be ye lifted up, ye - everlasting doors, for the King of Glory enters in!" - -Ascending and still ascending, receding and still receding, fainter -and fainter, came down to earth the angelic choruses, when at length -the brightest cloud of angels faded away into the upper heaven, the -Son of God shining in their midst, like a central sun, surrounded by a -luminous halo; till finally, like a star, they remained a few moments -longer, and then the heavens received him out of our sight. - -While we stood gazing up into the far skies, hoping, expecting, yet -doubting if we should ever behold him again, two bright stars seemed -to be descending from the height of heaven above us. In a few seconds -we saw that they were angels. Alighting on the place where Jesus had -left, they said to the eleven, "Why gaze ye up into heaven, ye men of -Galilee? This same Jesus, whom ye have seen go into heaven, shall so -come in like manner as ye have now seen him ascend!" Thus speaking, -they vanished out of our sight! - -Such, my dear father, is the appropriate crowning event of the -extraordinary life of Jesus, both Lord and Christ! - -His kingdom is, therefore, my dear father, clearly not of this world, -as he said to Pilate, the Procurator; but it is Above. - -Doubt, then, no longer, dearest father! Jesus, the Son of Mary -in his human nature, was the Son of God in his divine nature; an -incomprehensible and mysterious union, whereby he had brought together -in harmony the two natures, separated far apart by sin, by giving his -own body as an offering, to reconcile both in one immaculate body upon -the cross. There is now no more condemnation to them who believe in him -and accept him. - -But I cannot write all I would say to you, dearest father. When we -meet--which you rejoice me in saying, will be on the first day of -the week, at Jerusalem--I will unfold to you all that the divine and -glorified Jesus has taught me. Doubt not that he is Messias. Hesitate -not to accept him; for he is the end of Moses, and of the Law, and of -the Prophets, the very Shiloh who should come and restore all things; -to whom be glory, power, dominion, majesty, and excellency, evermore. - - Your loving daughter, - Adina. - -[Illustration: THE END.] - - - - -=The New Sabbath Library=--(Continued from second page cover.) - - -No. 5. August, 1898. - -=The Days of Mohammed= - -BY ANNA MAY WILSON. - -Selected as being the best manuscript offered during the contest of -1897, and awarded the prize of $1,000. - -Yusuf, a Persian of the fire-worshiping sect, has, at his first -sacrifice of a human life, revolted against the horror of his religion, -and he decides to leave Persia in search of Truth. In his travels he -meets that strangest character of ancient or medieval times, Mohammed. -The scene is confined almost entirely to Arabia. - - -No. 6. September, 1898. - -=CHONITA= - -BY ANNIE MARIA BARNES. - -The gifted author of this book has here produced a vivid and intensely -interesting story of the Mexican Mines. It first appeared in the YOUNG -PEOPLE'S WEEKLY, and its publication in book form is in response to -numerous requests from its many thousands of delighted readers. A -number of short but interesting stories are added at the end of the -book. - - -No. 7. October, 1898. - -=The Prince of the House of David= - -BY REV. J. H. INGRAHAM. - -The fame of this book has been long since established, and its -fascination has already held sway over multitudes of delighted readers. -The scene is laid in Jerusalem, during the most stirring period of -earth's history. This edition has been thoroughly revised and in parts -rewritten, all unnecessary repetition appearing in the original edition -of the book being omitted. - - -No. 8. November, 1898. - -=A Star in a Prison= - -A TALE OF CANADA. - -BY ANNA MAY WILSON. - -The central figure of the story is a young man who, being placed in the -penitentiary on circumstantial evidence, there learns to understand the -spirit of Christ's self-giving, and is finally set free through the -instrumentality of a Christian doctor. - - -No. 9. December, 1898. - -=Ten Nights in a Bar-Room= - -BY T. S. 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Every effort possible is put forth to make it not only the =most -attractive= paper for young people but also the =most helpful=. - -The times demand that our intelligent boys and girls of the -Sunday-school should be provided with the best literature reliable -workers can supply. - - -SERIAL STORIES. - -Believing that a judicious use of serial stories of the highest -character is to be heartily commended, but believing also that the -greatest care must be exercised lest in seeking to quicken interest and -chain attention, we foster sensational tastes, we allow only our most -trusted workers to prepare SERIAL STORIES. - -Besides Serial Stories, there will be Short Stories, illustrated; -Educational Articles in series; Helpful Incidents from the personal -experience of the world's best workers. - -[Illustration: Young People's Weekly] - - -YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES. - -_Christian Endeavor_, _Epworth League_, _Baptist Young People's Union_, -_In His Name_, _Young Men's Christian Association_, _Boys' Brigade_, -are all given prominent place. 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We have -in this introduced something which has never before been approached, -and it is our intention to make this feature pleasing and artistic in -the highest degree. Young people, far and near, are expressing great -delight over our "=Young People's Weekly=" in colors. - - -SUBSCRIPTION PRICE. - -Single subscriptions, =60 cents= a year; to schools and societies, in -lots of three or more =to one address, 50 cents= a year each. - -=SPECIMEN COPIES FREE.= - - ADDRESS: - DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING CO., 36 WASHINGTON STREET, CHICAGO. - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - - -As noted in the introduction, this is an abridged edition of the -original text, or, as the editors put it, it has "been thoroughly -revised and in parts re-written, all unnecessary repetition appearing -in the original edition of the book being omitted." - -Italics are represented with _underscores_, bold with =equal signs=. - -Added table of contents. - -Inside front cover, added missing second e to "entitled." - -Some inconsistent hyphenation (e.g. gate-way vs. gateway) has been -retained from the original. - -Page 1, moved copyright notice higher on page for smoother flow. - -Page 3, changed comma to period after "worshiping Jupiter." - -Page 6, added missing double quote after "not a few believe him to be -Isaiah." - -Page 7, added missing quote before "Therefore, repent ye." - -Page 12, changed double quote to single quote after "grateful adoration -of his love." - -Page 13, changed double quote to single quote after "foreshadow a life -of trial and suffering." - -Page 16, changed "innocent's bird's escape" to "innocent bird's escape." - -Page 27, added missing comma after "Your loving" in signature of LETTER -XII. - -Page 45, added missing open quote before "But Jesus laid his hand upon -the pall." Corrected double to single quote after "son was sick!" - -Page 47, added missing quote before "I have even heard of his fame." - -Page 50, added missing quote after "folds of the curtains." - -Page 51, corrected double to single quotes after "Pilate, against thee" -and "Castle of David!" - -Page 52, changed comma to period after "departure of the messenger to -Jesus." - -Page 67, corrected "youthfuf" to "youthful" in "youthful bride of -Pilate." - -Page 70, added missing single quote before "What! Galilean and -blasphemer." - -Page 71, removed unnecessary single quote after "spat in his face -thrice." - -Page 92, added missing close quote after "as if he saw a spirit." - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Prince of the House of David, by J. H. 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Ingraham. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%} -hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - - .tdr {text-align: right;} - .tdc {text-align: center;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - -.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} - -.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} - -.bbox {border: solid 2px;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.figleft { - float: left; - clear: left; - margin-left: 0; - margin-bottom: 1em; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-right: 1em; - padding: 0; - text-align: center; -} - -.figright { - float: right; - clear: right; - margin-left: 1em; - margin-bottom: - 1em; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-right: 0; - padding: 0; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Poetry */ -.poem { - margin-left:10%; - margin-right:10%; - text-align: left; -} - -.poem br {display: none;} - -.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i8 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} -img { border: 0; } -.huge { font-size: 200%; } -.large { font-size: 150%; } -.medium { font-size: 125%; } -.small { font-size: 75%; } -.sig { text-align: right; margin-right: 1.5em; } -.sig0 { text-align: right; margin-right: 2.5em; } - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Prince of the House of David, by J. H. Ingraham - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Prince of the House of David - -Author: J. H. Ingraham - -Release Date: December 23, 2016 [EBook #53795] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID *** - - - - -Produced by Demian Katz and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images courtesy -of the Digital Library@Villanova University -(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/)) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/coverlarge.jpg"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="524" alt="Cover" /></a> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<table summary="header" style="min-width: 60%;"> -<tr><td class="medium">New Sabbath Library.</td><td class="tdc small">Vol. 1. No. 7. October, 1898.<br /> -Monthly, 60 cents per year.</td><td class="tdr medium"> -Single Copy, 5 Cents.</td></tr></table> - - -<h1>The <span class="smcap">Prince</span> of the<br /> -<span class="smcap">House</span> of <span class="smcap">David</span></h1> - -<p class="center large"><span class="smcap">By</span></p> - -<p class="center huge"><span class="smcap">Rev J. H. Ingraham</span></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="medium center">DAVID C. COOK Publishing Co.<br /> -36 WASHINGTON ST. CHICAGO ELGIN ILL</p> - - -<p class="center small">[Entered at the Post Office at Elgin, Ill., as Second Class Mail Matter.]</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="Famous_Books_at_Popular_Prices" id="Famous_Books_at_Popular_Prices"><span class="smcap">Famous Books at Popular Prices</span></a></h2> - - -<p class="bbox center"> -<span class="huge">The New Sabbath Library.</span><br /> -A MONTHLY PUBLICATION.<br /> -</p> -<p class="center"> -Subscription Price, 60 Cents a Year. Single Copies, 5 Cents.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 150px;"> -<a href="images/i01large.jpg"><img src="images/i01.jpg" width="150" height="179" alt="Titus: a Comrade of the Cross" /></a> -</div> - -<div class="figright" style="width: 150px;"> -<a href="images/i02large.jpg"><img src="images/i02.jpg" width="150" height="176" alt="The Wrestler of Philippi" /></a> -</div> - -<p>To meet the growing demand for pure literature at popular -prices, we began in April, 1898, the issue of a monthly publication -entitled the <b>New Sabbath Library</b>. The -success of these issues has proved to be unprecedented, and -they have attained an almost world-wide celebrity. Although -appealing particularly to young people, they will interest all -lovers of good and wholesome literature, whether young or old.</p> - -<p>Each issue of the <b>New Sabbath Library</b> contains a -complete story, most of them written expressly for us and copyrighted. -The books are of uniform style and size (6½×8½), each -containing 96 large pages in double column. They are in large, -clear type, handsomely printed on good book paper, and fully -illustrated with fine half-tone engravings. The covers are of -heavy, white enameled paper, with beautifully engraved designs.</p> - -<p><b>Prices.</b>—Those who wish to procure this Library regularly, as it is published each month, may remit <b>60 -cents</b> for a year's subscription, being particular to state with which issue the subscription is to commence. -Single copies may be ordered of any or all of the books at the rate of <b>5 cents</b> each, or any number of copies of -any one book will be sent at same rate. We prepay postage.</p> - -<p><b>Cloth Editions.</b>—We have also prepared special editions of all these books, printed on very heavy paper, -beautifully bound in heavy covers, cloth backs and corners, ornamented sides. They are specially adapted for -presentation purposes, and are the largest and best books ever offered for so low a price. Sent postpaid to any -address, in any quantities desired, on receipt of price, <b>25 cents</b> per copy.</p> - -<p>Following is a list of books already issued, or about to be issued:</p> - -<table summary="list" border="1" cellpadding="5"><tr><td style="width: 50%;"> - -<p class="center small">No. 1. April, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>A Devotee and a Darling</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By BECCA MIDDLETON SAMSON.</span></p> - -<p>This book received the second prize of $500 from -manuscripts submitted to the publishers in competition -during the year 1897.</p> - -<p>Fannie, an impulsive girl of sixteen, bereft of her -mother, becomes devotedly attached to Church work -and to the study of her Bible. She makes many -blunders and is severely tried at home. At last, in a -manner both strange and startling, Fannie's eyes are -opened to see her own mistaken life.</p> - -</td><td> - -<p class="center small">No. 3. June, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>Titus: a Comrade of the Cross</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By FLORENCE M. KINGSLEY.</span></p> - -<p>The publishers of this book, desiring to secure a life -of Christ of superior merit and special character, offered -a prize of $1,000 for the best manuscript submitted. -The committee decided in favor of "<span class="smcap">Titus</span>." It was an -immediate success, over one million copies having -been sold. It is one of the grandest books of the -century, and has attracted greater attention than -any other book published in this country during the -past twenty years.</p> - -</td></tr><tr><td> - -<p class="center small">No. 2. May, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>The Wrestler of Philippi</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By FANNIE E. NEWBERRY</span>.</p> - -<p>A tale of the times of the early followers of Jesus, and -how they lived the "Christ-life" in the first century. -As "Titus" gave the reader a picture of the life and -times of Christ, so this book is intended to portray the -life and times of the early Church.</p> - -<p>The plot is fascinating—a story for both young and -old. Its Oriental setting, description of quaint customs, -manners, beliefs, etc., give it a peculiar interest and -attractiveness all its own.</p> - -</td><td> - -<p class="center small">No. 4. July, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>Out of the Triangle</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By MARY E. BAMFORD.</span></p> - -<p>This is a story of the days of persecution of Christians -under the Emperor Septimius Severus. The -scene is mainly laid in Alexandria and the Libyan -Desert. The Egyptian gods were worshiped under the -form of a small triangular stone. The book relates in a -vivid and intensely interesting manner the narrow -escapes of an Egyptian lad who has become a Christian, -and the manner in which his family accept his -faith and escape from Alexandria.</p> - -</td></tr></table> - -<p class="center">(CONTINUED ON <a href="#The_New_Sabbath_Library_Continued_from_second_page_cover">THIRD PAGE COVER</a>)</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="The_Prince_of_the_House_of_David" id="The_Prince_of_the_House_of_David"><span class="smcap">The Prince of the House of David.</span></a></h2> - -<p class="center medium"><i>By REV. J. H. INGRAHAM.</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="center">Copyright, 1898, by David C. Cook Publishing Company.</p> - -<p class="center">David C. Cook Publishing Company, Elgin, Ill., and 36 Washington St., Chicago.</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> - - -<p class="center"> -<a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_I">LETTER I.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_II">LETTER II.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_III">LETTER III.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_IV">LETTER IV.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_V">LETTER V.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_VI">LETTER VI.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_VII">LETTER VII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_VIII">LETTER VIII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_IX">LETTER IX.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_X">LETTER X.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XI">LETTER XI.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XII">LETTER XII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XIII">LETTER XIII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XIV">LETTER XIV.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XV">LETTER XV.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XVI">LETTER XVI.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XVII">LETTER XVII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XVIII">LETTER XVIII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XIX">LETTER XIX.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XX">LETTER XX.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXI">LETTER XXI.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXII">LETTER XXII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXIII">LETTER XXIII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXIV">LETTER XXIV.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXV">LETTER XXV.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXVI">LETTER XXVI.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXVII">LETTER XXVII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXVIII">LETTER XXVIII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXIX">LETTER XXIX.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXX">LETTER XXX.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXI">LETTER XXXI.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXII">LETTER XXXII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXIII">LETTER XXXIII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXIV">LETTER XXXIV.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXV">LETTER XXXV.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXVI">LETTER XXXVI.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXVII">LETTER XXXVII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXVIII">LETTER XXXVIII.</a><br /> -<a href="#LETTER_XXXIX">LETTER XXXIX.</a><br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE">PREFACE.</a></h2> - - -<p>The "Prince of the House of David," written -by Rev. Mr. Ingraham, needs no recommendation. -Its fame has been, long since, established, -and its fascination has already -held sway over multitudes of delighted -readers. Recognizing fully its merits, the -publishers of this edition decided to put it in -the way of a still greater circulation; and in -order to facilitate this, it has been thoroughly -revised and in parts re-written, all -unnecessary repetition appearing in the -original edition of the book being omitted.</p> - -<p>Adina, the suppositious writer of the following -letters, is the daughter of a Jew who -resides in Alexandria, Egypt. She has come -to Jerusalem during the most stirring period -of earth's history, and, from thence, for the -period of three years, she keeps her father -apprized of the marvelous events occurring -about her during that time.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -THE PUBLISHERS.<br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="LETTERS_FROM_ADINA" id="LETTERS_FROM_ADINA">LETTERS FROM ADINA.</a></h2> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_I" id="LETTER_I">LETTER I.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>My first duty, as it is my highest pleasure, -is to comply with your command to write -you as soon as I should arrive at Jerusalem, -and this letter, while it conveys intelligence -of my arrival, will confirm to you -my filial obedience.</p> - -<p>My journey hither occupied many days. -When we traveled in sight of the sea, which -we did for three days, I enjoyed the majesty -of the prospect, it seemed so like the sky -stretched out upon the earth. I also had the -good fortune to see several ships, which the -Rabbi informed me were Roman galleys, -bound some to Sidon, and others into the -Nile; and after one of these latter, as it was -going to you, I sent a prayer and a wish. -Just as we were leaving the sea-shore to -turn off into the desert, I saw a wrecked vessel. -It looked so helpless and bulky, with -its huge black body all out of the water, -that it seemed to me like a great sea-monster, -stranded and dying; and I felt like -pitying it. How terrible a tempest must be -upon the sea! I was in hopes to have seen a -Leviathan, but was not gratified in the -wish. The good Rabbi, who seemed to know -all about these things, told me that they seldom -appear now in the Middle Sea, but are -seen beyond the pillar of Hercules at the -world's end.</p> - -<p>At Gaza we stopped two days, and from -thence we proceeded over-land to our destination.</p> - -<p>The morning of the last day of our journey -but one, having lost our way and wandered -many hours eastwardly, we caught sight of -the Sea of Sodom and Gomorrah, at a great -distance to the east. How my pulse quickened -at beholding that fearful spot! I seemed -to see in imagination the heavens on fire -above it, and the flames and smoke ascending -as from a great furnace, as on that fearful -day when they were destroyed, with all -that beautiful surrounding plain, which we -are told was one vast garden of beauty. -How calm and still lay now that sluggish -sea beneath a cloudless sky! We held it in -sight many hours, and once caught a glimpse -of the Jordan north of it, looking like a silver -thread; yet near as it appeared to be, I -was told it was a good day's journey for a -camel to reach its shores.</p> - -<p>After losing sight of this melancholy lake, -our way lay along a narrow valley for some -time, and the next day, on reaching an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -eminence, Jerusalem appeared, as if risen -out of the earth.</p> - -<p>I cannot, my dear father, describe to you -my emotions on beholding the Holy City! -They have been experienced by millions of -our people—they were similar to your own -as you related them to me. All the past, -with its mighty men who walked with Jehovah, -rushed to my memory, and compelled -me to bow my head, and worship and adore -at the sight of the Temple, where God once -(alas, why does he no longer visit earth and -his holy house?) dwelt in the flaming -Shechinah, and made known the oracles of -his will.</p> - -<p>We entered the city just before the sixth -hour of the evening, and were soon at the -house of our relative, Amos, the Levite. I -was received as if I had a daughter's claim -to their embraces; and with the luxuries -with which they surrounded me in my -gorgeously furnished apartments. I am sure -my kinsfolk here mean to tempt me to forget -the joys of the dear home I have left.</p> - -<p>The Rabbi Amos and his family all desire -to be commended to you. He seems to be a -man of piety and benevolence, and greatly -loves his children. I have been once to -the Temple. Its outer court seemed like -a vast caravanserai or market-place, being -thronged with the men who sell animals -for sacrifice, which crowded all parts. -Thousands of doves in large cages were -sold on one side, and on another were -stalls for lambs, sheep, calves and oxen, -the noise and bleating of which, with -the confusion of tongues, made the place -appear like anything else than the Temple -of Jehovah. It appears like desecration -to use the Temple thus, dear father, -and seems to show a want of that holy love -of God's house that once characterized our -ancestors. On reaching the women's court -I was sensible of being in the Temple, by -the magnificence which surrounded me. -With what awe I bowed my head in the -direction of the Holy of Holies! I never -felt before so near to God! Clouds of incense -floated above the heads of the multitude, -and rivers of blood flowed down the -marble steps of the altar of burnt offering. -Alas! how many innocent victims bleed -every morning and evening for the sins of -Israel! What a sea of blood has been poured -out in ages that have passed! What a -strange, fearful mystery, that the blood of an -innocent lamb should atone for sins I have -done! There must be some deeper meaning -in these sacrifices, dear father, yet unrevealed -to us.</p> - -<p>As I was returning from the Temple I met -many persons, who seemed to be crowding -out of the gate on some unusual errand. I -have since learned that they were going to -see a very extraordinary man—a true -prophet of God, it is believed by many, who -dwells in the wilderness eastward near Jordan, -and who preaches with power unknown -in the land since the days of Elijah and -Elisha. I hope he is a true prophet of -heaven, and that God is once more about to -remember Israel, but the days of the -Prophets have long passed away, and I fear -this man is only an enthusiast.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear father, and let us ever pray -for the glory of Israel.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_II" id="LETTER_II">LETTER II.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>The street in which we dwell is elevated, -and from the roof of the house, where I -love to walk in the evening, watching the -stars that hang over Egypt, there is commanded -a wide prospect of the Holy City.</p> - -<p>Yesterday morning I was early on the -house-top, to behold the first cloud of the -day-dawn sacrifice rise from the bosom of -the Temple. When I had turned my gaze -towards the sacred summit, I was awed by -the profound silence which reigned over the -vast pile that crowned Mount Moriah. The -sun was not yet risen; but the east blushed -with a roseate purple, and the morning star -was melting into its depth. Night and silence -still held united empire over the city -and the altar of God. I was awe-silent. -I stood with my hands crossed upon my -bosom and my head reverently bowed, for in -the absence of man and his voice I believed -angels were all around in heavenly hosts, -the guardian armies of this wondrous city -of David. Lances of light now shot upward -and across the purple sea in the East, and -fleeces of clouds, that reposed upon it like -barks, catching the red rays of the yet unrisen -sun, blazed like burning ships. Each -moment the darkness fled, and the splendor -of the dawn increased; and when I expected -to see the sun appear over the battlemented -heights of Mount Moriah, I was thrilled by -the startling peal of the trumpets of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -priests; a thousand silver trumpets blown at -once from the walls of the Temple, and -shaking the very foundations of the city -with their mighty voice. Instantly the -house-tops everywhere around were alive -with worshipers. Jerusalem started, as one -man, from its slumbers, and, with their -faces towards the Temple, a hundred thousand -men of Israel stood waiting. A second -trumpet peal, clear and musical as the voice -of God when he spake to our father Moses -in Horeb, caused every knee to bend, and -every tongue to join in the -morning song of praise. The -murmur of voices was like -the continuous roll of the -surge upon the beach, and the -walls of the lofty Temple -echoed it back. Simultaneously -with the billow-like -swell of the adoring hymn, I -beheld a pillar of black smoke -ascend from the midst of the -Temple, and spread itself -above the court like a canopy. -It was accompanied by a blue -wreath of lighter and more -misty appearance, which -threaded in and out and entwined -about the other, like a -silvery strand woven into a -sable cord. This latter was -the smoke of the incense -which accompanied the burnt -sacrifice. As I saw it rise -higher and higher, and finally -overtop the heavy cloud, which was instantly -enlarged by volumes of dense smoke -that rolled upward from the consuming victim, -and slowly disappeared, melting into -heaven, I also kneeled, remembering that on -the wings of the incense went up the prayers -of the people; and ere it dissolved wholly, I -entrusted to it, dear father, prayers for thee -and me.</p> - -<p>The evening sacrifice is, if possible, more -imposing than that of the morning. Just as -the sun dips beyond the hill of Gibeah, -there is heard a prolonged note of a trumpet -blown from one of the western watch-towers -of Zion. Its mellow tones reach farthest -ear within the gates of the city. All labor -at once ceases. Every man raises his face -towards the summit of the house of God. -A deep pause, as if all held their breath in -expectation, succeeds. Suddenly the very -skies seem to be riven and shaken with the -thunder of the company of trumpeters that -rolls wave on wave of sound, from the battlements -of the Temple. The dark cloud of -sacrifice ascends in solemn grandeur, and, -sometimes heavier than the evening air, -falls like a descending curtain around the -Mount, till the whole is veiled from sight; -but above it is seen to soar the purer incense -to the invisible Jehovah, followed by a -myriad eyes, and the utterance of a nation's -prayers. As the daylight faded, the light of -the altar, hidden from us by the lofty walls -of the outer court of the Temple, blazed high -and beacon-like, and lent a wild solemnity -to the towers and pinnacles that crowned -Moriah.</p> - -<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i03large.jpg"><img src="images/i03.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Panorama of Jerusalem" /></a> -</div> - -<p>There was, however, my dear father, last -evening, one thing which painfully marred -the holy character of the sacred hour. After -the blast of the silver trumpets of the -Levites had ceased, and while all hearts and -eyes were ascending to Jehovah with the -mounting wreaths of incense, there came -from the Roman castle adjoining the city of -David, a loud martial clangor of brazen -bugles, and other barbarian war instruments -of music, while a smoke, like the -smoke of sacrifice, rose from the heights of -David's fortified hill. I was told that it was -the Romans engaged in worshiping Jupiter. -Alas! How truly now are the prophecies -fulfilled, which are to be found in the Lamentations: -"The Lord hath cast off his -altar, he hath given up into the hands of the -enemy the walls of her palaces: they have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> -made a noise in the house of the Lord, as in -the day of a solemn feast." For these things -I weep, my dear father.</p> - -<p>Nearly three hundred years have passed -since we have had a prophet—that divine and -youthful Malachi. Since his day, Rabbi -Amos confesses that Jehovah has made no -sign of having heard the prayers or heeded -the sacrifices that have been offered to him -in his time. I inquired of the intelligent -Rabbi if it would always be thus. He replied -that when Shiloh came, there would be a -restoration of all things—that the glory of -Jerusalem then would fill the whole earth -with the splendor of the sun, and that all -nations should come up from the ends of the -world to worship in the Temple.</p> - -<p>My conversation with Rabbi Amos, dear -father, led me to examine the Book of the -Prophet Malachi. I find that after plainly -alluding to our present shame, and reproaching -the priests "for causing the people to -stumble," he thus prophesies: "Behold, I -will send my messenger, and he shall prepare -the way before me; and the Lord whom -ye seek shall suddenly come to his Temple, -and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of -silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, -and purge them as gold and silver, that they -may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. -Behold," adds the divine seer, "I -will send you Elijah the prophet before the -coming of the great and dreadful day of the -Lord."</p> - -<p>These words I read to-day to Rabbi Amos—indeed -I was reading them when Rabbi -Ben Israel came in to say that he departs to-morrow. -The excellent Amos looked grave. -I feared I had offended him by my boldness, -and, approaching him, was about to embrace -him, when I saw tears were sparkling in his -eyes. He took my hand, and smiling, while -a glittering drop danced down his snow-white -beard and broke into liquid diamonds -upon my hand, he said, "You have done no -wrong, child; sit down by me and be at -peace with thyself. It is too true, in this -day, what the Prophet Malachi writeth, O -Ben Israel," he said sadly to the Alexandrian -Rabbi. "The priests of the Temple -have indeed become corrupt, save a few -here and there. It must have been at this -day the prophet aimed his words. Save in -the outward form, I fear the great body of -our Levites have little more true religion and -just knowledge of the one God Jehovah, -than the priests of the Roman idolatry. -Alas, I fear me, God regards our sacrifices -with no more favor than he looks upon -theirs. To-day, while I was in the Temple, -and was serving at the altar with the -priests, these words of Isaiah came into my -thoughts and would not be put aside: 'To -what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices -unto me? saith the Lord. I am full of -the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of -fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of -bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. Bring -no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination -unto me; I am weary to bear them; -yea, when ye spread forth your hands I will -hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye -make many prayers I will not hear; your -hands are full of blood. Wash you; make -you clean. Cease to do evil; learn to do -well.'"</p> - -<p>"I have noticed," said Ben Israel, "that -there is less reverence now in the Temple -than when I was in Jerusalem a young man; -but I find that the magnificence of the ceremonies -is increased."</p> - -<p>"Yes," responded Rabbi Amos, with a look -of sorrow, "yes, as the soul of piety dies -out from within, they gild the outside. The -increased richness of the worship is copied -from the Romans. So low are we fallen! -Our worship, with all its gorgeousness, is as -a sepulchre white-washed to conceal the rottenness -within!"</p> - -<p>You may be convinced, my dear father, -that this confession, from such a source, -deeply humbled me. If, then, we are not -worshiping God, what do we worship? -Naught! We are worse off than our barbarian -conquerors, for we have no God; -while they at least have gods many and -lords many, such as they are.</p> - -<p>Since writing the last line I have been interrupted -by Mary, who has brought to see -me a youth, nephew of a noble Jewish -ruler, who was slain by the Romans for his -patriotic devotion to his country. He dwells -near the Gaza gate, with his widowed -mother, who is a noble lady, honored by all. -Between this young man, whose name is -John, and Mary, there exists a beautiful attachment, -which is each day ripening into -the deepest emotion. He has just returned -from the vicinity of Jericho, where he has -been for some days past, drawn thither by -curiosity to see and hear the new prophet, -who is drawing thousands into the wilderness, -to listen to the eloquence that flows -from his mouth. The young man had been -giving Mary so interesting an account of -him that she desired me also to be a listener.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -In my next I will write you all I -heard.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate and devoted daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_III" id="LETTER_III">LETTER III.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>This morning, as I was coming from the -Temple, I noticed a vast pile of edifices -crowning the opposite rock, which I was told -was the Tower of Antonia. -It seemed to -frown sternly upon the -Temple; and upon its -battlements glittered, at -intervals, numerous -Roman eagles. I had -so often heard you relate -historical events -connected with this -celebrated castle, that I -regarded it with peculiar -interest. You -seemed to stand by my -side as I gazed upon it. -The insolence and -power of the Roman -garrison have made the -beautiful walk about -the base of the tower -almost deserted; but of -this I was not aware; -and, attended only by -my Ethiopian slave, -Onia, I lingered to admire -the splendor of the -cloister once surrounding -the treasure-house -of the Temple, with its -terraces supported by white marble pillars, -fifteen cubits high, when two Roman soldiers -approached. It was then that I saw -I was alone. I drew my veil closely, and -would have passed them rapidly, when one -of them placed himself in my path, and -catching hold of my veil, tried to detain me. -I left it in his grasp and was flying, when -the other soldier arrested me. This was in -full view of the castle, and at my shrieks -the barbarians in the castle laughed aloud. -At this crisis appeared a young centurion, -who was on horseback, coming down the -rocky path that ascends the Rock of Zion, -and shouting to them, he galloped forward, -and with his sword put the men to immediate -flight and rescued me. In order to escort -me safely to the streets below, he alighted -from his horse, and leading him by the rein, -walked by my side. I confess to you, dear -father, I had not reached the house of my -relative before my prejudices against the -Romans were greatly modified. I had found -in one of them as courteous a person as I -had ever met with among my own countrymen, -and for his sake I was willing to -think better of his barbaric land and people.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i04large.jpg"><img src="images/i04.jpg" width="400" height="596" alt="TOWER OF ANTONIA" /></a> -</div> - -<p>While I was writing the above, a commotion -without drew me to the lattice, which -overlooks the street -that goes out of the gate -to Bethany, one of the -most frequented thoroughfares -in the city. -The sight that met my -eyes was truly imposing, -but made my heart -sink with shame. It -was a pageant, with -banners, eagles, trumpets -and gilded chariots, -but not the pageant of a -king of Israel, like those -which dazzled the -streets of Jerusalem in -the days of Solomon -and King David; not -the triumphant passage -of an Israelitish prince, -but of the Roman governor. -Preceded by a -cohort of horse, he rode -in a gilded war-chariot, -lolling at his ease beneath -a silken shade of -blue silk, fringed with -gold. The horses were -snowy-white, and covered -with silver mail, and adorned with -plumes. He was followed by another body -of cavalry, and at the head of them, -looking more like a ruler and prince than -did the indolent Pilate, I beheld the generous -centurion who had aided my escape from -the two soldiers. His eye sought the -lattice at which I stood, and I drew -back, but not before he had seen me and -saluted me. Certainly, father, this youth is -noble and courteous enough to be a Jew, -and should any providence cause us to meet -again, I shall try to convert him from his -idolatry to serve the living Jehovah.</p> - -<p>You will remember, dear father, that I alluded -to an excitement that is increasing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> -every day, in reference to a new prophet, -who is preaching in the wilderness of -Jericho. For three weeks past several -parties of citizens have been to the valley of -Jordan to see and hear him, and have so far -been carried away by him as to have been -baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their -sins. Among them is John, the cousin and -betrothed of Mary. Upon his return we saw -that his countenance was animated beyond -its wont, for he is usually of a sad and gentle -aspect, and that his fine eyes beamed -with an ardent hope, that seemed new-born -to his soul. He thus recounted to us his -visit to the prophet of Jordan:</p> - -<p>"After leaving the gate of the city -I soon reached the pretty town of Bethpage, -where, at the inn, I beheld several -horsemen just mounting, to go in the direction -of Jericho. On joining the cavalcade, I -learned they were for the most part drawn -out of Jerusalem on the same errand with -myself. One of them, a wealthy young -noble of Arimathea, was actuated by the -same holy desire that burned in my bosom, -a desire that we might, in the prophet who -was called John, discover a man sent from -God. The others were bent on commerce, -on pleasure, or mere idle curiosity. As -Joseph of Arimathea and I rode together, -we conversed about the man we expected to -see. My companion seemed to believe that -he was a true prophet, for being very well -read in the Scriptures, he said that the seventy -weeks of Daniel were now about completed, -when the Messiah was to come! I -then asked him if he believed that the -Messiah, who was to be a 'Prince and king -and have dominion from the sea to the ends -of the earth,' would come in the wilderness, -clad in the skin of wild beasts? To this he -replied that he could not regard this prophet -as the Messiah, for when the Christ should -come, he was 'suddenly to come to the -Temple,' and that we should doubtless first -see him there; but that he was greatly in -hopes that the prophet we were going to see -would prove to be the forerunner, foretold -by Malachi.</p> - -<p>"'Those who heard him,' said Joseph, as -we rode into the village of Bethany, 'say -that he publicly proclaims himself the -forerunner of the Messiah. The opinion of -the more ignorant who have listened to him, -is that it is Elijah himself, returned to the -earth. Others assert that it is Enoch come -down from heaven, and not a few believe -him to be Isaiah.'"</p> - -<p>At this point of the narrative of the -cousin of Mary, dear father, I will close this -letter. In my next I will resume his narrative, -for when I have given it to you -wholly, I have many things to ask you -to which it gives rise in my mind. May -the blessing of the God of Israel be upon -thee, my dearest father!</p> - -<p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_IV" id="LETTER_IV">LETTER IV.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>I have had the pleasure to-day, not only of -hearing from you, but of being assured of -your continued welfare. The messages of -parental affection contained in your letter -are cherished in my heart.</p> - -<p>You need not fear, my dear father, that I -shall be carried away from the faith of -Israel by any strange doctrines. I will -take counsel by your wisdom, and be cautious -how I venture in my inquiries upon -sacred ground.</p> - -<p>In my last letter I commenced giving you -the narrative of John, with which I shall -now proceed.</p> - -<p>"Having passed out of the city of Jericho, -my friend of Arimathea and myself crossed -the plain toward Jordan. The morning was -balmy; the sun made all nature glad. The -dew reflected a myriad lesser suns, and the -earth appeared strewn with diamonds. For a -little way the road lay between fields of corn -and gardens, but soon it crossed the open -plain, on which were droves of wild asses, -which lifted their small, spirited heads on -our approach, eyed us with timid curiosity, -and then bounded off to the wilderness -southward with the speed of antelopes. As -the great body of the people took their way -obliquely across the plain, we knew the -prophet must be in that direction. We at -length found him on the banks of Jordan, -below the landing and ford, which is opposite -Jericho, on the great caravan road to -Balbec.</p> - -<p>"We drew near a dark mass of human -beings which we had beheld afar off, assembled -around a small eminence near the -river. Upon it, raised a few cubits taller -than their heads, stood a man upon whom -all eyes were fixed, and to whose words -every ear was attentive. His clear, rich, -earnest tones had reached us as we approached, -before we could distinguish what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> -he said. He was a young man not above -thirty, with a countenance such as the medallions -of Egypt give to Joseph of our nation, -once their prince. His hair was long, -and wildly free about his neck; he wore a -loose sack of camel's hair, and his right arm -was naked to the shoulder. His attitude -was as free and commanding as that of a -Caucasian warrior, yet every gesture was -gentle and graceful. With all his ringing -and persuasive eloquence there was an air -of the deepest humility upon his countenance, -combined with an expression of the -holiest enthusiasm. His theme was the Messiah.</p> - -<p>"'Oh, Israel, return unto the Lord thy -God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity,' -he was saying as we came up, as if in continuation -of what had gone before. 'Take -with you words, and turn unto the Lord, -and say unto him: Take away all iniquity, -and receive us graciously. Behold, he -cometh who will heal your backsliding, and -will love you freely. And it shall come to -pass that whosoever shall call on the name -of the Lord shall be delivered, for beside -him there is no Savior.'</p> - -<p>"'Of whom speaketh the prophet these -things?' asked one who stood near me.</p> - -<p>"'Of Messiah—listen!' answered him a -Scribe near, as if not pleased to have his attention -interrupted by this side talk. 'His -words are plain. Hear him.'</p> - -<p>"'Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, for the -day of the Lord cometh,' continued the -prophet, in a voice like that of a silver -trumpet; 'for, behold, the day is at hand -when I will bring again the captivity of -Judah. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest -is ripe. The day is at hand when the Lord -shall roar out of Zion and utter his voice -from Jerusalem.'</p> - -<p>"'Art thou not Elias?' asked one aloud.</p> - -<p>"'I am he of whom it is written. The voice -of one crying in the wilderness, make -straight a highway for our God. The day of -the Lord is at hand. I am but the herald -who is sent before to prepare the way of -the Lord.'</p> - -<p>"'Art thou not the Messiah?' asked a -woman who stood near him, and seemed to -worship his very lips.</p> - -<p>"'He who cometh after me is mightier -than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to -bear,' he responded, in an exultant tone, -strangely at variance with his words. 'Therefore, -repent ye, repent ye, take words and return -unto the Lord our God. Repent and be -baptized for the remission of your sins.' -Then he added, turning to some of the -priests, 'Behold, even now is the axe laid -unto the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, -that bringeth not forth good fruit is -hewn down and cast into the fire.'</p> - -<p>"'Master,' said a Levite, 'dost thou speak -these things to us, who are of Israel, or to -these Gentiles and Samaritans?' for there -were not a few Roman soldiers among the -multitude, drawn hither by curiosity, and -also many people from Samaria.</p> - -<p>"'Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, -saith the Lord, for my people have committed -two evils; they have forsaken me, -the fountain of living waters, and hewn -them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can -hold no water. And yet thou sayest, O -Israel, thou hast not sinned. Thine own -wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backsliding -shall reprove thee. Repent and do -works meet for repentance, every one of -you, for ye have polluted the land; neither -say, Where is the Lord that brought us up -out of the land of Egypt? Trust not to -lying words, saying, The Temple of the Lord, -the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the -Lord! Ye have made it a den of robbers. -Your sacrifices therein are become an abomination.'</p> - -<p>"'This would touch us who are priests, -master,' said a priest, with a crimson brow. -'We are not robbers.'</p> - -<p>"'Thus saith the Lord,' answered the -youthful prophet, as if it were God himself -speaking from Horeb, so that we trembled: -'Woe be unto the pastors that destroy my -sheep. How is the gold become dim! how -is the most fine gold changed! The precious -sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how -are they esteemed? Woe unto you, ye -priests, for ye have transgressed. My people -have transgressed for lack of knowledge. -Therefore doth the land mourn, and every -one that dwelleth therein languisheth. -Therefore do swearing and lying, and killing -and stealing, and committing adultery, -break out in the land, because there is no -truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in -the land. Woe unto you, ye priests!'</p> - -<p>"Many of the Levites then turned and -left him and went away greatly murmuring; -and they would gladly have done the prophet -a mischief, but they feared the multitude, -who said he had spoken only the truth of -them.</p> - -<p>"'But the elders of Israel, who are not -priests, who spring from Abraham, shall be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> -saved by Abraham, master?' asserted, or -rather inquired, a rich ruler of our city, -after the tumult caused by the withdrawal -of the Levites had a little subsided. The -youthful prophet rested his dark eyes, like -two suns, upon the old man's face, and said -impressively, 'Begin not to say within -yourself, We have Abraham to our father; -for I say unto you,' he added, pointing to -the pebbles at his feet, 'that God is able of -these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. -He is of Abraham who doth righteousness; -therefore repent, and bring forth -fruits meet for repentance.'</p> - -<p>"Here was heard some murmuring among -a group of many Pharisees and Sadducees -at these words, when, sending his lightning -glance towards them, as if he could read -their very hearts, he cried:</p> - -<p>"'O generation of vipers! Who hath -warned you to flee from the wrath to come? -The day cometh when he who is to come -shall sit as a purifier by his furnace. Bring -forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance. -Turn thy heart from wickedness, that thou -mayest be saved. Repent ye, for the kingdom -of heaven is at hand.</p> - -<p>"'Hear, O Israel! Am I a God at hand -and not a God afar off? saith the Lord. -Hear ye the message of the Most High, for -the day hath come when Jehovah shall once -more visit the earth and talk face to face -with his creatures. Behold, the day hath -come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto -David a righteous branch, and a king to -reign and prosper, who shall execute judgment -and justice on the earth.</p> - -<p>"'Behold, the day hath come, saith the -Lord, in which Judah shall be saved, and -Israel shall dwell safely; when I will set up -shepherds over them, which shall feed them, -and they shall lack nothing.</p> - -<p>"'Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and -the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee! -Darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness -the people, as saith Esaias; but the -Lord shall rise upon thee, and his glory -shall be seen upon thee. The Gentiles shall -come to his light, and kings to the brightness -of his rising. He shall be called the Lord of -our righteousness, and shall be a crown of -glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal -diadem in the hand of thy God. The Spirit -of the Lord is upon me to proclaim the acceptable -year of his coming. He hath set -me a watchman upon thy walls, O Israel, -and I may neither hold my peace day nor -night, nor keep silence, nor seek rest, till he -come, who hath sent me forth his messenger -before his face. How can I refrain from my -message of joy? How shall I not speak of -his fame? Incline your ear and come unto -him. Hear, and your soul shall live.</p> - -<p>"'Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his -praise from the ends of the earth; for thus -saith God the Lord, I have put my spirit -upon him; a bruised reed shall he not break, -and the smoking flax shall he not quench. -I, the Lord, saith Jehovah, addressing the -Only Begotten, I have called thee in righteousness, -and will hold thy hand and keep -thee, and will give thee for a covenant of -the people, for a light of the Gentiles, to -open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners -from the prison. I have made him, my -first-born, higher than the kings of the earth. -Look unto him, and be ye saved, all the ends -of the earth. The Lord of Hosts is his name, -the Holy One of Israel.'</p> - -<p>"All this was spoken with an enthusiasm -and fire that made every pulse bound.</p> - -<p>"Such," said John, "was the extraordinary -style of this mighty prophet's preaching. -I fancied I had only to look around to behold -the Messiah. The immense multitude -stood awed and silent when he had ceased. -Leaving the eminence, he said, and I thought -he fixed his eyes upon me, 'Ye who desire -to be baptized for the remission of sins, that -your hearts may be cleansed for the visitation -of this Holy One of God, follow me to -the river side.' Thousands obeyed, and I one -of the first. I trembled all over with a -sweet pleasure, when he took me by the -hand, and asked me if I believed in him who -was to come, and would prepare the way for -his abode in my heart by being baptized, -which rite also was to be a sign and pledge -that when I should behold the Shiloh rising, -I should acknowledge him. Not less than -one thousand were baptized by him that day -in Jordan, confessing their sins, and hopes -of pardon through the name of the Unknown -One, who was soon to come.</p> - -<p>"After the baptism, the whole company -dispersed in groups, and the prophet returned -into the wilderness till the cool of the -evening, where his repast was locusts and -the wild honey of the desert."</p> - -<p>With this, dear father, I close my long letter. -I make no comments. I will only say -that my expectations are actively awake, -and that I am looking, with thousands of -others, for the near advent of the Messiah.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_V" id="LETTER_V">LETTER V.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>"After the prophet had ended his second -discourse, and baptized full two hundred -more in the sparkling waters of Jordan," -resumed the eloquent cousin of Mary, "he -sent them away to the city to lodge and buy -meat; for few, in their eagerness to hear -him, had brought provisions with them. -Many, before leaving him, drew near to receive -his blessing of love, and it was touching -to see venerable men, with locks shining -like silver, and leaning upon the staff, bend -their aged heads before the youthful Elias, -as if in acknowledgment of his divine commission. -Mothers also brought their infants, -that he might bless them; and youths and -maidens knelt reverently at his feet in tears -of love and penitence. Calmly he stood -upon the green shores, like an angel alighted -upon earth, and blessed them in words all -new to our ears, but which thrilled to our -hearts with some secret power that agitated -us with trembling joy.</p> - -<p>"'In the name of the Lamb of God I bless -thee!'</p> - -<p>"'What can be the meaning of these -words?' asked Mary, with her gentle earnestness. -Her betrothed could only reply that -he knew not.</p> - -<p>"At length, one after another, the multitude -departed, save a few who encamped -beneath trees on the banks of the river. -Joseph of Arimathea and I were left almost -alone standing near the prophet, and regarding -him with reverential curiosity. The sun -was just disappearing over the distant towers -of Jericho, and painting with the richest -purple the hills between the river and Jerusalem. -Jordan, catching its reddening -radiance, rolled past like a river of liquid -gold embanked in emerald. The brow of the -prophet, lighted up by a sun-ray that shone -between the branches of a pomegranate tree, -seemed like the face of Moses when he came -down from Sinai, a glory of light. He appeared -rapt in heavenly meditation, and we -stood silent and gazed upon him, not daring -to speak. At length he turned towards us, -smiled, and, saluting us, grasped the crook -or staff on which he had been leaning—for -he was weary and pale with his labors of -the day—and slowly walked down the shore -in the direction of the wilderness. He had -not advanced many steps when I felt an -irresistible impulse to follow him. I therefore -said to my companion:</p> - -<p>"'Let us follow him, and learn more of -these great things which we have this day -heard.'</p> - -<p>"We proceeded slowly after him, as he -moved in a contemplative mood along the -desert path. The sun had already gone -down, and the full moon rose on the opposite -shore, and the prophet stopped as if to gaze -upon its autumnal beauty. We drew near to -him. He beheld us, but did not avoid us; -seeing which, I advanced with timid confidence, -and said:</p> - -<p>"'Holy prophet of the Most High God, -wilt thou permit two young men of Israel to -speak to thee? for our hearts yearn towards -thee with love. And chiefly would we inquire -of thee touching the advent of the -mighty Personage whose near coming thou -dost foretell?'</p> - -<p>"'Friends,' said the prophet, in a calm -and serene manner, 'I am a dweller in the -desert, and alone, from choice. I approach -men only to proclaim my message. The delights -of earth are not for me. My mission -is one. Its duration is short. Its aim -worthy the greatest prophet of God, yet am -I, the least of them, not worthy to be called -a prophet; and before the splendor of him -whom I announce to the world, I am the -dust of the balance. If thou hast sought me -to search after knowledge, come and sit -down with me upon this rock, and let me -hear what thou hast to ask of me, that I -may answer thee and go my way.'</p> - -<p>"This was said softly, gently, almost -sadly, and in a tone that made me love him -more and more. I could have cast myself -upon his bosom and wept there. We seated -ourselves, one on either side of him. The -scene and the hour were well fitted for such -a converse as we were about to hold. The -broad disc of the moon poured a flood of -orange-tinted radiance full upon us, and lent -a hallowed softness to the divine countenance -of the youthful prophet. The Jordan, -dark as India's dye, darted swiftly past at -our feet, between its deeply-shaded banks, -sending up to our ears the faintest murmur -of its pebbly passage. Above our heads -swelled the vaulted arch of the Temple of -Jehovah, with its myriad of altar fires. -Behind us stretched the desert waste, cheerless -and yet grand in its desolate distances.</p> - -<p>"Afar off rose upon the air, and was -borne to us at intervals, the voice of a singer -in one of the camps; and near us, upon an -acacia tree, sat a solitary bulbul, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> -ceaselessly sang its sweet and varied hymn -to the listening moon.</p> - -<p>"'All things praise God; shall we be silent?' -said the prophet. 'Let us sing the -evening hymn of the Temple.' He then commenced, -in a rich, melodious chant, such as -I have never heard from the priests, our sacred -psalm to the whole creation of God. We -joined our voices with his, and the tide of -praise floated over the waters, and echoed -and re-echoed from the opposing shores, as -if the banks and stream, trees, hills and sky -had found voice as well as we:</p> - -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">"'Praise! praise! praise ye the Lord!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise him in the heights! Praise him in the seas!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise him, men of Israel! Praise ye the Lord!<br /></span> -<span class="i2">For he exalteth high his people,<br /></span> -<span class="i4">And reigneth evermore!<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">"'Praise him, all ye angels! Praise him, all ye hosts!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise him, sun and moon, and all ye stars of light!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise him, fire and hail! Praise him, storm and snows!<br /></span> -<span class="i2">For he judgeth the earth in righteousness,<br /></span> -<span class="i4">And reigneth evermore!<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">"'Praise! praise! praise ye the Lord!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise him, winged fowl, and herds, cattle, and all beasts!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise him, kings and people, princes, priests and judges!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise him, youths and maidens, old men and children!<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">"'Praise the name, let them praise the name,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise the name of the Lord God of Hosts!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">For his name alone is excellent,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">His glory above the heavens;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Israel is his first-born—a people well-beloved!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Praise! let Israel, therefore, praise him!<br /></span> -<span class="i2">Praise him evermore,<br /></span> -<span class="i4">Evermore,<br /></span> -<span class="i8">Ever, evermore!'<br /></span> -</div></div> - -<p>"Never shall I forget the effect produced -upon my inmost being by this hymn. The -prophet sang as if he were leading a choir -of angels. My heart leaped at the chorus, -as if it would break out, take wing and -leave the earth. When we called on the -winds and the fowls of the air to praise Jehovah -with us, the thrilling voice of the bulbul -seemed to pour from its throat a wilder, -richer, more joyous tide of song, and the -audible wind bent the adoring trees, and -mingled its mystic whispers with the psalm -of men. Surely, thought I, it is good for me -to be here, for this is none other than the -gate of Paradise!</p> - -<p>"After a few moments' silence, the prophet -spoke and said:</p> - -<p>"'You sought me, brethren of Israel; can -I do aught for you?'</p> - -<p>"'We would hear more, great prophet, -touching this mighty One who is to come -after thee,' said Joseph.</p> - -<p>"'I can tell thee but little, my brethren, -save what thou hast heard from me this day. -The future is veiled. I bear a message, indeed, -but I may not break the seal and read. -To you it will be given to know what is now -unknown to me. If it be permitted me to see -him, it will be but for a brief space, for -when he cometh I depart—my errand is -done. Blessed are those who live to witness -his glory, and to hear the gracious voice of -God that proceeds from his anointed lips.'</p> - -<p>"'And when will be his advent, and with -what form and power cometh this divine -Being?' I asked.</p> - -<p>"'As a man, but not with comeliness of -form that men should desire him. His appearance -will be humble, lowly and meek.'</p> - -<p>"'Yet you said to-day, Rabbi,' I continued, -'that his power should be infinite, and that -of his kingdom there should be no end. -You spoke of the glory of his dominions, and -the humiliation of Gentile kings beneath his -sceptre.'</p> - -<p>"'This I cannot explain—it is a mystery -to me. I speak as God, by whom I am sent, -gives me utterance. I know that he who -cometh after me is greater than I, the -latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to -unloose.'</p> - -<p>"'You taught us this evening, holy -prophet, that he would be the Lord from -heaven; and yet that Esaias saith he will be -despised and rejected of men, wounded for -our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities.'</p> - -<p>"'The spirit of God teaches me that these -words apply to Shiloh; but I cannot comprehend -how these things can be,' he answered, -with deep sadness.</p> - -<p>"'May I remind you, good Rabbi,' said -Joseph, 'that you taught us how this Divine -Personage should die, though Lord of life, -and be numbered in his death with transgressors, -though the Holy One of God?'</p> - -<p>"'And such will be the events that are to -happen; but seek not to know what no man -hath had revealed to him. The divine -Messiah himself must be his own interpreter. -Blessed will be the eyes that behold him, -and listen to the wisdom of his mouth, and -keep the law of his lips.'</p> - -<p>"'May I ask you, holy prophet of the -Lord,' said Joseph, 'how is it that he whom -you are sent by God to bear witness to can -be the Deliverer of Israel, when you predict -for him so sad a fate? Messiah is to restore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> -Jerusalem and the glory of the Temple, -so saith Esaias, so say Ezra and Jeremiah. -We therefore, in the Messiahs of the -prophets, have looked for a powerful potentate, -who shall reign in Jerusalem over the -whole earth and subdue all nations.'</p> - -<p>"'His kingdom is not of this earth,' answered -the prophet, impressively.</p> - -<p>"'How then can we interpret the prophet -David, who maketh the Lord to say: "I -have set my King upon my holy hill of -Zion"? Also, how shall we interpret those -sayings of Esaias who, prophesying of the -blessed Christ of God, hath these words: -"Of the increase of his government and -peace there shall be no end, upon the throne -of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it -and to establish it with judgment and with -justice, from henceforth, even forever"?'</p> - -<p>"'I know not. These secrets are with -God. This I know, that the least child and -the lowliest hireling that liveth in the day -of Messias is greater than I. I am the last -of the prophets. It is for me to open the -last door that leads out from the night of -prophecy into the glorious dawn of the day -of fulfillment; but I am not permitted to -enter beyond the threshold, or share in its -blessings. All who come after me will be -preferred before me. But let me rejoice that -the day-star is about to rise, though his -beams shine on all the earth but me!' This -was said with the most touching pathos.</p> - -<p>"We were both deeply moved, I myself -even to tears. I sank on my knees, and -kissing his hand, bathed it with my tears.</p> - -<p>"He gently raised me, and said in a sweet -voice:</p> - -<p>"'Brother beloved, thou shalt see him to -whom I bear witness, and he will love thee, -and thou shalt repose in his bosom!' I -burst into tears, and, rising, I walked a little -ways apart, and lifting up my eyes -toward heaven, I prayed the God of our -fathers that I might be found worthy of this -blessed honor.</p> - -<p>"'And shall I also behold this mighty Son -of God?' asked Joseph, with solicitude.</p> - -<p>"The prophet took his hand in his, and -fixing upon him his eyes of prophetic -brightness, said slowly, and in tones awe-inspiring -and painfully sorrowful:</p> - -<p>"'Thou shalt one day bear him in thine -arms, and lay him upon a couch which thou -hast prepared for thine own repose. Thou -knowest not now what I say, but thou shalt -remember it when it cometh to pass!'</p> - -<p>"When he had thus spoken, he arose, and -waving his hand to us both, he walked rapidly -away towards the darkening desert.</p> - -<p>"'Didst thou hear him?' at length, after -some minutes' pause, asked Joseph of me. -'What can his words mean? They are prophetic -of some fearful event. His eyes betrayed -some terrible meaning. My heart is -troubled.'</p> - -<p>"'And mine rejoiceth.' I answered. 'We -shall see him! I shall be near him! Oh, if -he be like this sweet prophet of God, I shall -love him with all my soul's being! How -wonderful that we are to be thus associated -with this Divine Person! Welcome the hour -of his blessed advent!'</p> - -<p>"'Wilt thou welcome the advent of a sufferer?' -said a voice so near that it startled -us by its abruptness, and, looking round, we -saw, standing within the shadow of a wild -olive tree, a young man who was a stranger, -but to whom I afterwards became deeply -attached. His face was pale and intellectual, -and his form slight but of the most -symmetrical elegance. His question at once -made me sorrowful, for it recalled the -sad prophecy of Esaias.</p> - -<p>"'He is also to be king and monarch of -the world, and infinitely holy and good,' I -said. 'If thou hast been near, thou hast -heard the glorious things the prophet has -spoken of him.'</p> - -<p>"'I have been near—I was reclining beneath -this tree when you seated yourselves -there. Be not deceived; the divine Man who -is to come is to be a man of sorrows and acquainted -with grief. He is to be rejected -by Israel and despised by Judah. Those -whom he comes to bless will despise him for -his lowliness and obscurity. His life will be -a life of tears, and toil, and heaviness of -heart, and he will at last be cut off from -among the living, with the ignominy due -only to a transgressor. Dost thou welcome -the advent of a sufferer?'</p> - -<p>"'But how knowest thou this? Art thou -a prophet?' I asked with surprise and admiration.</p> - -<p>"'No, brother, but I have read the -prophets. I heard, moreover, the words of -this holy man sent from God, and he dwells -more on the humility of the Christ than on -his kingly grandeur. Believe me, the kingdom -of Shiloh is not of this world. It cannot -be of this world, if such is to be his life -and death; and that it is to be his life, -Esaias clearly states. Let me read to you -his words.' He then took a roll of parchment -from his bosom, and read by the clear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -tropical moonlight, that mysterious and inexplicable -passage which beginneth with -the words: 'Who hath believed our report?' -When he had ended, he resumed: 'This is -not the history of a prosperous earthly monarch, -but rather the painful record of a life -of humiliation, of shame, and of contempt.'</p> - -<p>"'But thou dost not say, brother,' said -Joseph, with some warmth, 'that the sacred -Person borne witness to by this prophet is -to be an object of contempt?'</p> - -<p>"'Does not Esaias say that he will be despised, -beaten with stripes, rejected of men, -imprisoned, and put to death like a transgressor -of the law?'</p> - -<p>"'There can be no question but that -Esaias speaks of the Messiah,' I remarked.</p> - -<p>"'This prophet of Jordan now bears full -testimony to Esaias, and plainly maketh -application of his words to him whom he -has come beforehand to proclaim,' answered -the young man, with singularly graceful -eloquence in all he said. 'Let us who have -been baptized this day for the remission of -our sins, expect a Messiah of sorrows, not a -conquering prince. Let us behold one who -is to humble himself beneath the yoke of -human infirmities, that he may be exalted, -and draw all men after him to a kingdom in -the heavens.'</p> - -<p>"'But the throne of David—' objected -Joseph.</p> - -<p>"'Is at the right hand of God.'</p> - -<p>"'But Jerusalem, and its rule over the nations—'</p> - -<p>"'Jerusalem that is above, will be over -all.'</p> - -<p>"'But his kingdom that is to be everlasting—'</p> - -<p>"'Is where life is everlasting. How can -he rule an everlasting realm here on earth -without living forever, and his subjects -also? Read not the prophets so? As Adam -fell and lost paradise, so Messias, like a second -Adam, must, as man, humble himself, -in human nature, to repurchase the kingdom -of paradise for the race of man. It is this -kingdom which this prophet proclaims as -being at hand. He being the bearer of our -iniquities, we shall thereby escape their -chastisement. Healed by his stripes, we -shall be free from our sins. Laid upon him -will be the transgressions of the world; and -by one mighty sacrifice of himself, thus -laden, as a sin-offering, he shall offer an -atonement to make one with Jehovah the -great family of Adam. Such is to be our -looked-for Messiah. Alas, while we look -for him, let us mingle tears with our gladness, -that one so holy and excellent should -be destined to endure these things for our -sakes; and when we behold him, let us sink -at his feet in grateful adoration of his -love.'</p> - -<p>"When the young man had spoken, he -walked away. Impelled by an unconquerable -impulse, I followed, and took him in my -arms, and embracing him, said: 'Of a -truth thou art a prophet! Thy words come -home to my heart like the echo of ancient -prophecy.'</p> - -<p>"'Nay. I have learned these things from -the study of the Scripture,' he said, with -angelic candor and modesty. 'But I have -been aided, how much I have no words to -tell thee, by one who hath wisdom and truth -abiding in him above all men, and whom it -is my happiness to have my bosom friend, -as he is near my own age. If I am wise, or -virtuous, or good, or know the Scriptures, it -is that he hath been my counselor and -teacher.'</p> - -<p>"'What is his name?' I asked, 'for I also -would go and learn of him.'</p> - -<p>"'He withdraws from the public eye, and -hath little converse but with few, and shuns -all notice. Without his permission I could -not take thee to him.'</p> - -<p>"'What is his appearance, and where doth -he dwell?' I inquired, more deeply interested.</p> - -<p>"'He abides at present at Bethany, my -own city. He is so beloved by us, that we -detain him as our guest. But he dwelleth -at other times with his mother, a holy -widow of great sanctity and matronly dignity, -living at Nazareth in humble condition, -and he contributes by labor to her -support, with the most exemplary filial -piety. No person ever approaches and -speaks with him without leaving a wiser -and better man.'</p> - -<p>"'Verily,' said Joseph and I together, -'you have only increased our desire to behold -him. His appearance must be noble.'</p> - -<p>"'There sits upon his brow a serene dignity, -tempered with mildness, that commands -the respect of age, and wins the confiding -love of childhood. His eyes beam with -a light, calm and pure, as if shining from -interior holy thoughts, and they rest upon -you, when he speaks, with a tenderness that -is like the dewy light of the young mother's -gaze, when she bends in silent happiness and -tears over the face of her first-born. His -face is one soft sunshine of smiling rays,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -tempered in an indescribable manner with -a settled look of sadness, an almost imperceptible -shade of permanent sorrow, that -seems to foreshadow a life of trial and suffering.'</p> - -<p>"'He must be another prophet,' said -Joseph, with deep earnestness.</p> - -<p>"'He does not prophesy, nor preach,' answered -the young man.</p> - -<p>"'What is his name?' I asked.</p> - -<p>"'Jesus, the Nazarene.'</p> - -<p>"As the young man was then about to -move away, I asked him his name, as he had -greatly drawn out my heart towards him, -and I felt that if I could be his friend, and -the friend of the wise young man -of Nazareth, I should be perfectly -happy and have no other desire—save, -indeed, to live till the Messiah -came, that I might behold -him, and lay my head upon his -sacred bosom.</p> - -<p>"'My name is Lazarus, the -Scribe,' he answered."</p> - -<p>"What?" interrupted Mary. -"Then I know him well. He is the -brother of Mary and Martha, my -friends at Bethany, where I -passed a week last year, just before -the Passover."</p> - -<p>"The next day," continued -John, "we renewed our acquaintance, -and after three days departed -together homeward. Upon -arriving at Bethany, Lazarus -learned that his friend had gone -to Cana, in Galilee, on a visit -with his mother, to the house of -one of her kinfolk, whose daughter -is soon to be married."</p> - -<p>Having now, my dear father, communicated -to you all that John related to us, you -will see what grounds there are to look upon -the prophet of Jordan as a man sent from -God, or to believe that he is the true Elias, -whom Malachi hath foretold, and who, as -the most learned of the Scribes say, must -first come to proclaim the approach of the -Prince of Peace, the Shiloh of Israel's -hopes.</p> - -<p>The account brought by John has set -Rabbi Amos to studying the Prophets, and -indeed all men are looking into them with -interest unknown before. May God be indeed -about to bless his people, and remember -his inheritance!</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_VI" id="LETTER_VI">LETTER VI.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>Your letter, dear father, commands me to -banish this "novelty" from my mind, and -continue humbly to worship Jehovah after -the manner of our fathers. I trust this I -shall ever do, my dear father; and did I discover -in this prophet any disposition to -bring in a new faith, opposed to the ancient -faith of Abraham, I should tremble to entertain -it for a moment. You say that this -man must be "a false and base prophet," -or he would not herald a master so low and -despised as he professes will be the Christ -he bears witness to. "The kingdom of Messias -is not a kingdom of repentance and -humiliation," you add, "but one of victory, -of glory and dominion."</p> - -<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i05large.jpg"><img src="images/i05.jpg" width="400" height="304" alt="The Temple of Herod in the Time of CHRIST." /></a> -<div class="caption"><p> -This cut is designed after the model prepared by the student and -traveler, Sir James Ferguson.</p></div> -</div> - -<p>How can I write to you, my dear father, -that which is now rushing to my pen, after -such an expression of your sentiments as -you have made in this extract from your letter? -But I know you are wise, and will not -evade truth, in whatever form it may offer -itself to you, and I, therefore, with confidence -in your justice and wisdom, will -faithfully make known to you the events relating -to the prophet which have transpired.</p> - -<p>You will remember how that John, Mary's -cousin, stated that many priests and others -were offended at the plain preaching of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -prophet whom they went out into the wilderness -to see. When they returned to -Jerusalem, and made known to the other -members of the House of the Priests what -had been spoken against them, by the application -to them of the words of Esaias and -Jeremias, and other prophets, there arose at -once a great outcry against him. At length -Annas, who is High Priest with Caiaphas, -sent two of the most learned men of the -Temple, Levites of weight of character, to -invite the prophet to Jerusalem; for Annas -is a wise man, and not easily carried away -by popular feeling; and, as Rabbi Amos -hath told me, he is disposed to look upon the -preaching of this John with a serious and -reverential eye. The messengers returned -after the fifth day, and made their report -openly in the Court of the Temple, where the -High Priests sat to receive them. At length, -the assembly being convened, the two -learned and venerable Levites both rose up, -and declared that they had delivered the -message to John, the son of Zacharias, the -prophet of Jordan, and that his answer -was given with the reverence due to the -station of the High Priest who had sent to -him.</p> - -<p>"'Go and say to the noble High Priest,' -said he, 'that I am the voice of one crying -in the wilderness, as it is written in the -book of the words of Esaias the prophet, -who, foreseeing my day, saith, "The voice of -one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the -way of the Lord, make his paths straight." -He who would hear my testimony to him -who is to come after me, let him seek me in -the wilderness, whence only I am commanded -to lift up my voice till Shiloh -come.'"</p> - -<p>When the priests heard this answer they -were greatly enraged, and many fiercely -cried one thing and many another; some that -he should be sought out and stoned to death -for defying the High Priest; others, that he -should be accused to the Procurator, Pontius -Pilate, Governor of Judea, as a seditious -and dangerous person, and fermenter -of insurrections. Caiaphas was of the latter -opinion. But the milder Annas viewed -the whole matter in a different light, and -said:</p> - -<p>"Men and brethren, let nothing be done -hastily. If this man be a false prophet, he -will soon perish, and we shall hear no more -of him. If, peradventure, as it would appear, -he is sent from God, let us not make -haste to do him a mischief, lest, haply, we -be found contending against the Lord of -Hosts."</p> - -<p>This moderation found favor with but few, -and of these few, Rabbi Amos was one. -But if the priests who thronged the outer -court, in presence of the High Priest, were -deeply moved at the report of the prophet's -answer, their excitement became well-nigh -uncontrollable when both Melchi and Heli, -their messengers, rose up, waving their -hands for silence, and declared that, after -having listened to the prophet to whom they -had been sent, they were convinced of the -truth of his words, and of his divine commission, -and had been baptized of him in -Jordan, confessing their sins!</p> - -<p>Only the sanctity of the Temple prevented -the five hundred priests rushing upon them -and smiting them when they heard this. -They were at once placed under arrest by -order of the High Priest, Caiaphas, for acting -in a manner unbecoming a priest of the -Most High God. The people who had heard -John preach, however, were only prevented -from rescuing the two priests by the presence -of a guard of Roman soldiers, for -which Caiaphas promptly sent.</p> - -<p>From this account, my dear father, you -can form some idea of the excitement which -the preaching of this new prophet is producing -among all classes.</p> - -<p>If the Prince of Glory should, indeed, suddenly -appear, there could be scarcely more -excitement, though it would be of a different -nature.</p> - -<p>As next week Rabbi Amos does not serve -in his course in the Temple, and as he will -have some affairs that take him to Gilgal, -he has yielded to the desire of his daughter -Mary and myself to accompany him; for he -does not conceal from us that he shall make -it a point to visit and hear the prophet, as -it will be but two hours' travel from Gilgal -to the place where he preaches. You will, I -fear me, object to this journey. But if the -worship of our fathers has nothing to fear -from falsehood, it surely has naught to fear -from truth; and in either case I, as a true -daughter of Israel, have nothing to fear. If -the prophet teach what is false, I shall remain -true; and if he teach that which is -true, shall I not be the gainer?</p> - -<p>One thing is clear—if the Christ that John -prophesies be the true Son of the Highest, -and is in reality to make his appearance ere -long, in humiliation and poverty, his rejection -by the High Priests, and by the rich -and powerful of Judah, is certain. May God,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> -then, remove blindness from our eyes, that, -if this be the very Messias indeed, Israel -may recognize their king when he cometh, -and not do so fearful a thing in their pride -as to reject him openly.</p> - -<p>You will remember the young Roman centurion, -to whose courtesy I was indebted for -rescuing me from the rudeness of the two -Gentile soldiers. He has preserved, since -then, acquaintance with Rabbi Amos, who -speaks of him with respect; and as he has of -late expressed some interest in knowing -what the studies are which occupy the -Rabbi so constantly when he calls to see -him, the Rabbi sent for me to come into the -marble hall of the corridor, where they sat -by the fountain under the shade of the -acacia, which Amos says you took with your -own hands from Isaiah's grave and planted -here, many years ago, and which I, therefore, -call "my father's tree."</p> - -<p>"Come hither, Adina," said my uncle, in -his benevolent tones; "here you behold a -noble Roman youth whom you must be too -generous to have forgotten." I bowed and -scarcely lifted my eyelids from the tesselated -floor, for there was a fire in the -glance of the handsome youth that they -could not encounter. He said some words of -salutation; but I only heard the voice, which -fell upon my heart with a strange vibration, -like the effects of music. "The Roman -centurion," continued Amos, "hath desired -to know something of the sacred books of -our nation, of which he saith he hath heard -much; and of the prophecies, from which he -believes the famed Sibylline books were -composed."</p> - -<p>Then, turning to the centurion, "Here is -an Egyptian maiden, who can interpret for -thee in the idiom of Grecia, or of Italia, and -I will place the sacred roll in her hands -while I listen. Come Adina, open and read -the beginning of the Book of Moses."</p> - -<p>To this narrative the youthful warrior -listened with the profoundest respect and -attention. He asked if the Messias had yet -come who was to restore all things; and, if -not, when he was to be looked for. This inquiry -led to a conversation upon the preaching -of John in the wilderness and his predictions -of the near advent of Shiloh. -Rabbi Amos, seeing that he was becoming -deeply interested in the subject, made me -turn to the particular prophecies of Daniel, -Esaias, David and others, and read them to -him; both those which described, in golden -words, the glory and dominion of his power, -and those which represented him as despised -and rejected. The young man remained -some time very thoughtful. At length he -said, with animation: "I can now comprehend -why men run into the wilderness. I -should like to hear this prophet."</p> - -<p>When Amos told him that he contemplated -journeying to Gilgal the next week, and intended -to visit the desert to hear him, he at -once asked permission to be of his company, -saying:</p> - -<p>"I will accompany you with a squadron of -horse, as the roads are not safe; for no -longer ago than yesterday we received a rumor -that the celebrated robber chief, Barabbas, -at the head of a large band, has made -his appearance again on the hills between -Ephraim and Jericho."</p> - -<p>It is therefore decided, dear father, that -we leave early next week for Jericho and -Gilgal. On my return I shall not fail to -write you without delay. Till then withhold -your judgment, and have confidence in -mine. With holy aspirations for the coming -of the kingdom of David and the restoration -of his throne in Zion, I remain, with filial -love, your daughter,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_VII" id="LETTER_VII">LETTER VII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>You will recollect that in my last epistle -I made mention of our intention to go to -Gilgal, where John, the betrothed of Mary, -was to meet us and accompany us to Jordan.</p> - -<p>It was faint dawn when we rose from our -couches to prepare for the journey. The -mules upon which we were to ride were -brought into the court by the two swarthy -Gibeonite serfs whom Rabbi Amos holds in -his service, and caparisoned with rich saddles -covered with Persian saddle-cloths, embroidered -with gold. The two pack mules -were also made ready, on one of which was -the traveling equipage of my cousin Mary -and myself, which Rabbi Amos smilingly -said took up more space than the goods and -traveling wares of a Damascus merchant. -At sunrise, after we had kneeled upon the -housetop, in view of the Temple, and sent up -our prayers with its sacrifices and clouds of -ascending incense, we descended to the -court-yard to mount for the road.</p> - -<p>The morning was bright and cheerful,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -with the golden sun pouring its light over -temple and tower, castle and roof, wall and -rampart, hill and grove, valley and brook. -As we turned the street leading to the Sheep -Gate, we passed the house of Caiaphas, the -High Priest, whom I saw standing upon the -marble porch of his superb palace. He was -not arrayed in his sumptuous robes, with the -breast-plate of dazzling stones, and kingly -cap, as I had seen him in the Temple, but -was dressed in a flowing black robe, over -which was thrown a scarf of white linen; -and upon his snow-white locks he wore a -scarlet hood, a dress common to all the -priests, so that if I had not recognized him -by his tall and commanding form and flowing -white hair and piercing eye, as he surveyed -us, I should have known that it was -the High Priest.</p> - -<p>A little further on we met a party coming -from the country beyond Kedron, with large -cages upon their mules, laden with turtle -doves and young pigeons, which they were -carrying to the Temple, to be sold there for -sacrifices. My heart pitied the innocent -things, whose blue, pretty heads were -thrust by the dozen through the rough bars -of their prison-houses, as they cast their soft -eyes up at me, as if asking me to deliver -them from their bondage. As Mary was riding -behind me, in order to let the laden -mules pass with their immense cages, one of -the turtle doves, affrighted by the noise of -the streets, extricated itself from between -the bars, and spreading its wings, flew into -the air, and then taking its flight for the -country, soared far above the city walls and -disappeared in the distance. I felt rejoiced -at the innocent bird's escape, and sent my -good wishes for its safe return to its lodge -in the wilderness. Just before we reached -the Sheep Gate, by which we were to gain -the Jericho road, we met a poor blind man -leading a lamb, or rather being led by a -tame lamb. He also had two pigeons in his -bosom. He was asked by Rabbi Amos, who -knew him, whither he was going. He answered -that he was going to the Temple to -sacrifice them. "Nay," said Amos, with -surprise, "thou wilt not sacrifice thy lamb, -Bartimeus?"</p> - -<p>"It is an offering to God, Rabbi Amos."</p> - -<p>"But thy lamb leadeth thee everywhere. -It is eyes to thee. Thou canst not do without -it. And thy doves? Thou earnest by -them many a mite in a day, they are so well -taught in cunning and pleasant tricks to -please children. If thou wilt sacrifice, spare -these so needful to thee, and here is money -to buy doves and another lamb," answered -my benevolent uncle.</p> - -<p>"Hear what I have to say," answered Bartimeus. -"My father became sick and was -likely to die. The next day my mother, who -has nourished my childhood and loved me, -though I was born blind, with all her heart, -was also taken sick. The same night my -little daughter, my little blind daughter, -whose face I never saw, and who never saw -her father's face, was sick nigh unto death. -My father, my mother, my child, are now restored, -and in my joy I am on my way to -the Temple, to offer these gifts of God to -him. It will not be hard to part with them, -since, in giving all that I have, I but show -my love to God."</p> - -<p>With these words he went on, the lamb, -obeying the string which he held, softly -moving on before; while I could see the -sightless eyes of the righteous son and -pious father trickle tears, as he kissed and -kissed again the precious doves that lay in -his bosom. This little occurrence made me -sad; yet I honored the resolute piety of this -poor man, whose eyes, though they saw not -men, seemed to see God and feel his presence. -There is still humble piety in the land, -my dear father, and finding it not among -the proud and splendid priests, we must look -for it in the hearts of the poor and humble, -like Bartimeus.</p> - -<p>Once outside the gates, the air blew fresh -from the hills of olives. After being so long -confined within the walls and narrow -streets, it seemed to me that I had just -broken out of my cage, like the pretty, blue-headed -turtle dove, and I felt like winging -my way, too, to the free deserts.</p> - -<p>We had hardly reached the place where -the two roads meet, when we heard to the -west the sound of the galloping of a large -body of horse, and the next moment the -young Roman centurion came in sight, riding -at the head of a troop of horse, whose -martial appearance, with the ringing of -their armor and the melody of their bugles, -made my blood leap. Æmilius looked like a -prince, and his burnished armor shone in the -sun like armor of fire. At his side rode a -youth who bore the eagle of his band, but -the centurion himself carried in his hand -only the badge of his rank, which was a -vine-rod bound with rings of gold. He -saluted us with that courtesy which distinguishes -his every motion, and then dividing -his troop into two bodies, half of whom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -trotting on ahead, led the van, and the other -half, falling behind, served as a rear-guard. -He then gave the word to move forward.</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear father, till my next, when I -will resume my narrative of the events -which have taken place since I left Jerusalem. -The God of our father Abraham be -your defence and shield.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_VIII" id="LETTER_VIII">LETTER VIII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>My last letter ended with an account of -the Roman escort, under the authority of the -young Roman centurion -who, as I have before -written to you, with so -much courtesy proffered -its protection to our little -party. The day was yet -early, and the air was of -that buoyant elasticity -so agreeable to breathe, -and which strikes me as -one of the peculiar blessings -of this holy land of -our fathers. As I rode -along, I felt as if I would -gladly mount the Arabian -of the desert and fly -across the sandy seas of -Edom, with the fleetness -which amazes me whenever -I see the children of -the desert ride; for a -band of thirty came -boldly near us from a -gorge as we approached Bethany, and after -watching us a few moments, scoured away -into the recesses of the hills like the wind, as -a detachment of our Roman escort was -ordered to gallop towards them. We were -fortunate in having such strong protection.</p> - -<p>We soon afterwards reached the summit -of the ridge above Bethany, from which -eminence we had a gorgeous view of the -Holy City of God, with its lofty Temple glittering -in the sunbeams. The Tower of -Antonia darkly contrasted with its splendor, -and the citadel of David frowned over the -walls with a warlike majesty that deeply impressed -me. I drew rein, and entreated -Rabbi Amos to delay a few moments while -I surveyed Jerusalem, but he was too far -ahead to hear me, and the centurion, riding -up to my side, stopped respectfully with a -portion of his command, and said he would -await my leisure. I could not but thank him -for his civility, and then turning towards the -city, I was soon lost to all else but the awful -contemplation of it.</p> - -<p>"You should see Rome," said the centurion, -who had watched my emotion evidently -with surprise. "It is a city of -grandeur unequalled. It covers six times -more space than this city, and it contains -three hundred and sixty-five temples, while -Jerusalem contains but one!"</p> - -<p>"There is no God but one," I answered, -impressively.</p> - -<p>"We believe there is one God, who is the -author of a great multitude of lesser gods, -and to each we erect a temple," he said -firmly, yet respectfully.</p> - -<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i06large.jpg"><img src="images/i06.jpg" width="400" height="267" alt="Rome" /></a> -</div> - -<p>Upon this, touched with pity that one so -noble in mind and person should be so ignorant -of the truth, I began to show him from -the Prophets that God was one, and that all -things were made by him. But he, plucking -a blossom from a tree within reach, said:</p> - -<p>"It is beneath the dignity of the Father of -the gods, the great Jove, to descend to make -a flower like this, or shape a crystal, or -color the ruby, or create that golden-eyed -humming-bird which flutters among those -fragrant blossoms. He made the sun, and -moon, and stars, and earth, but left the -lesser works to inferior deities. Talk to me -of thy one God, and prove to me, maiden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> -that he made all things, and is one, and thy -God shall be my God."</p> - -<p>We now rode forward through the street -of Bethany, and soon came to the house of -our former friend, Rabbi Abel, who died -many years ago at Alexandria, when he -went there with merchandise, and after the -welfare of whose children you desired me to -make inquiries. It was a plain and humble -dwelling before which Rabbi Amos assisted -me to alight; but there was an air of neatness -and sweet domestic repose about it that -at once came home to my heart, and made -me love the place even before I had seen the -inmates. On hearing of my arrival, there -came out a fair young girl of twenty-two, -with the most amiable expression of affectionate -welcome, and approaching me with -mingled respect and love, she embraced me, -while Rabbi Amos pronounced our names to -each other. I felt immediately as if I were -in a sister's arms, and that I should love her -always. Next came forth a young man of -about thirty years of age, with a countenance -of an exceedingly interesting expression, -full of intellect and good will. He was -pale and habitually thoughtful, but a fine -friendly light beamed in his dark, handsome -eyes, as he extended his hand to welcome -me. You have already had a full description -of him, and of his character, in one -of my former letters, and need not be told -that it was Lazarus, the son of your friend. -At the threshold Martha, the eldest sister, -met me, but with more ceremony, and made -an apology for receiving me, the rich heiress -of Alexandria, as she termed me, into so -lowly a dwelling; but I embraced her so affectionately -that this feeling passed away -instantly. Martha busied herself at once to -prepare refreshments for us, and soon set -before us a frugal but agreeable repast. -Mary, in the meanwhile, and Lazarus, sat on -either side of me, and asked me many questions -about Alexandria.</p> - -<p>I cannot describe to you the loveliness of -the person of Mary, and yet not so much the -perfection of features as the soul which animates -them, and lends them a charm that I -cannot adequately convey to you.</p> - -<p>Martha, the oldest, is of a more lively disposition, -yet more commanding in her aspect, -being taller and almost queenly in her -mien. Her eyes and her hair are jet black; -the former mild and beaming with intelligence, -like those of her brother Lazarus, -whom she resembles. She has a winning -voice, and a manner that leads you to feel -strong confidence in her friendship. She -seemed to take the whole management of -our entertainment upon herself. Lazarus -conversed chiefly with Rabbi Amos, who -questioned him with much interest about the -prophet John of the wilderness. After our -repast, Martha showed me three beautiful -bands of embroidery, which she was working -for the new vail of the Temple to be put -on next year; for the sisters live by working -needle-work for the Temple, and Lazarus -makes copies of the Laws and Psalms for the -priests. He showed me his copying-table, -and the rolls of parchment upon it, some -partly inscribed in beautiful characters, -some quite complete. He also showed me a -copy of the book of Isaiah, which had occupied -him one hundred and seven days. It -was exquisitely executed.</p> - -<p>Seeing upon the table a richly worked -book-cover of silk and velvet, with the letters, -"J. N." embroidered in olive leaves -upon it, I asked Mary if that, being so elegant, -was not for the High Priest.</p> - -<p>"No," answered Martha, with brightening -eyes, speaking before her sister could reply, -"that is for our friend, and the friend and -brother of Lazarus."</p> - -<p>"What is his name?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Jesus, of Nazareth."</p> - -<p>"I have heard John speak of this person," -said my cousin Mary, with animation. "I -should feel happy to know him also."</p> - -<p>"If you had been here a few days ago," -replied Martha, "you would have seen him. -He left us, after being with us three weeks, -to return to Nazareth. But he requested to -meet Lazarus at Bethabara, on the third day -from this, for some important reason; and -my brother will go, for he loves him so that -he would cross the seas to meet him."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Rabbi Amos to Lazarus, "if -you are to journey so soon towards Jordan -to meet your friend, you had best join our -company and share our escort." To this -Lazarus consented.</p> - -<p>I left this blessed abode with regret, and -felt that I should be perfectly happy if I -could be admitted as a fifth link in the -wealth of their mutual love.</p> - -<p>About noon we stopped at a caravanserai, -half the way to Jericho from Bethany. Here -we overtook a friend of Rabbi Amos, the -venerable and learned scholar and lawyer, -Gamaliel. Accompanying the lawyer, Gamaliel, -was a young man who was his disciple, -and who went with him as a companion -by the way. His name is Saul, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -I noticed him particularly, because I overheard -the venerable lawyer say that he was -the most remarkable young man who had -ever sat at his feet to learn the mysteries of -the law. This young law disciple and Lazarus -rode together, and talked long and earnestly -by the way, the former thinking that -nothing but mischief would come of the new -prophet's preaching, while the latter warmly -defended him and his mission as divine. To -their conversation the Roman centurion -listened with the closest attention, for Saul -was learned in the Prophets, and drew -richly from its stores to prove that the true -Messias can never be heralded by so mean -a messenger as this preacher of repentance -in the wilderness.</p> - -<p>I now write to thee beneath the roof of -the country residence of Rabbi Amos. To-morrow -early we are going to Bethabara, a -little village beyond Jordan, but situated on -its banks, near which we learn John is now -baptizing. Lazarus has gone on with Saul -and the learned Gamaliel, with many lawyers -and doctors in company, who desire to -see and hear this prophet of the wilderness.</p> - -<p>That the hope of Israel may not be long -deferred, and that we may receive the Messias, -when he cometh, in humble faith, in -honor and in love, is the prayer of</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_IX" id="LETTER_IX">LETTER IX.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>In these letters to you I hope you will pardon -the details which I enter into, for it is -my earnest desire that you should see everything -with my eyes, as if you had been present -with me, in order that you may be able -to judge of the remarkable events of which -I have undertaken to give you a complete -history.</p> - -<p>After Rabbi Amos had reached the house -in the wheat fields of Gilgal, he kindly told -us that he was ready to accompany my -cousin Mary and myself to the Jordan to -hear the prophet. We had not ridden a great -way from the house when we overtook two -men on foot, with staves in their hands and -wallets upon their shoulders. As we passed, -one of them bowed with respect to Rabbi -Amos, who, from his rank as a priest and -his venerable appearance, always commands -the homage of all men.</p> - -<p>"Whither goest thou at such a pace, -friend Matthew?" said Rabbi Amos, returning -his salutation. "Canst thou leave thy -tax-gathering these busy times to go into the -wilderness?"</p> - -<p>The person, who was a man of stout -figure, with dark hair and beard and a look -of intelligence, but whose costume was plain -and ill-worn, smiled and answered:</p> - -<p>"If a man would find the payers of -tribute nowadays, good master, he must not -stay at home, forsooth, but go into the wilderness -of Jordan. Verily, this new prophet -emptieth our towns, and we publicans must -remain idle in our seat of customs or go with -the tide."</p> - -<p>"And thinkest thou," continued my uncle, -as the two men walked along by the side of -his mule, "thinkest thou this prophet is a -true son of the prophets?"</p> - -<p>"He works no miracles, unless indeed the -power of his preaching be a miracle," answered -Matthew.</p> - -<p>"This man is an impostor. There can be -no prophet unless he prove his mission by -miracles," suddenly said the companion of -Matthew, speaking up abruptly in a sharp -and unpleasing voice. Now neither Mary -nor I liked the face of this man from the -first. He was low in height, was ill-featured, -and his attire was mean; but he had a suspicious -air, combined with a cringing deference -to Rabbi Amos, that made me think he -must be a hypocrite. He smiled with his -mouth and teeth, but at the same time -looked sinister out of his eyes. An air of -humility seemed to me to be put on to conceal -the pride and wickedness of his character. -He looked like a man who could artfully -deceive to gain his selfish ends, and -who would kneel to you to overturn you. -The sound of his voice confirmed my first -impression of him. Upon speaking, Rabbi -Amos fixed his eyes upon him, as if he did -not like the manner of his breaking in upon -the conversation.</p> - -<p>"What is thy companion's name, friend -Matthew?" he asked aside, as the other -walked on ahead.</p> - -<p>"His name is Judas, called Iscariot. He -hath been engaged by me to bear the moneys -I collect in the country villages; and as we -are to gather taxes both at Gilgal and Bethabara, -he cometh with me."</p> - -<p>At length, dear father, after hastening the -speed of our mules and riding pleasantly for -two hours along the verdant banks of Jordan, -we came in sight of a square tower of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -stone, peering above the trees which marked -the site of the village of Bethabara. "That -tower," said Rabbi Amos, "stands over a -cave in which Elijah long dwelt. From the -summit of yonder hill, at the left, the -prophet was caught up and ascended to -heaven upon the chariot of fire; and near -where you see the single rock, Elisha divided -Jordan with the fallen mantle left him -by the ascending prophet of God."</p> - -<p>While my eyes were fixed upon the hill, -and my imagination presented to me Elijah -standing upon the chariot of heaven, disappearing -amid the clouds, there was an opening -in the wood before us, and all at once -we beheld a scene that made my heart cease -to beat, it was so new and wonderful. Near -the place the winding river takes a broad -curve, and the opposite village of Bethabara -lies in the hollow of it, forming the center -of half a circle. This widely curving shore -was alive with the human heads that filled -it. And of this vast multitude every eye -was concentrated upon the prophet. He was -standing near the opposite shore (the Jordan -here is very narrow and can be forded), -in the water, addressing the countless assembly -that stood opposite to and half encircling -him. Near him, behind, and on -either side, sat his disciples, upon the bank, -at least a hundred in number, chiefly young -men.</p> - -<p>The clear voice of the youthful prophet of -the wilderness fell distinctly on our ears, -so great was the stillness of the vast audience. -To my surprise I saw John, the cousin -of Mary, standing close to the prophet, and -listening with the deepest and most reverent -attention to every syllable he uttered. The -subject of the prophet's discourse was as -before, and as always, the coming of the -Messias. Oh, that I could give you, my dear -father, the faintest idea of the power and -eloquence of his language!</p> - -<p>"Do you ask me if the blood of bulls and -goats take not away sin? I answer and say -unto you, that the Lord hath said that he delighteth -not in these rivers of blood," he continued -earnestly.</p> - -<p>"For what, then, great prophet," asked -one of the chief Levites, who stood near -him, "for what, then, are the sacrifices ordained -by the law of Moses? for what then -the altar in the Temple, and the daily sacrifice -of the lamb?"</p> - -<p>"For what?" repeated the prophet, with -his eyes beaming with the earnest light of -inspiration; "for what but as types and -shadows of the real and true sacrifice appointed -by God from the foundation of the -world? Think ye a man can give the lamb -of his flock for himself? Nay, men of -Israel, the day has come when your eyes -shall be opened. The hour is at hand when -the true meaning of the daily sacrifice shall -be understood. Lo, the Messiah cometh, and -ye shall see and believe!"</p> - -<p>There now came several persons towards -him who desired baptism. While he was -baptizing these persons, both men and -women, I saw appear on a little mound near -the tower, Lazarus, the brother of Martha, -accompanied by a man of about his own -years, of an indescribable dignity and grace -of aspect, combined with an air of benevolence -and peace that at once attracted -me.</p> - -<p>He was wrapped in a vesture of dark blue -cloth, which was folded about his form; his -head was bare, and his hair flowed like a -Nazarene's down about his shoulders. He -seemed so unlike all other men, in a certain -majesty united with sweetness that marked -his whole air, that I could not withdraw my -gaze from him.</p> - -<p>The prophet at the same moment rested -his eyes upon him, and as he did so, I saw a -change come over his face, as if he had seen -an angel. His eyes shone with unearthly -brilliancy; his lips parted as if he would -speak, yet had lost the power; and then, -with his right hand stretched forth towards -the noble stranger, he stood for a moment -like a statue. All eyes followed his and the -direction of his stretched-out arm. Suddenly -he exclaimed, and oh, how like the trumpet -of Horeb his voice rang!—</p> - -<p>"Behold!"</p> - -<p>There was not a face in that vast multitude -that was not directed towards the little -eminence.</p> - -<p>"Ye have asked wherefore is slain the -daily lamb," continued the prophet. "The -day has come when the lamb of sacrifice, -which can take away no sin, shall cease. -Behold!" And here he stretched forth both -arms towards the dignified stranger. "Behold -him who taketh away the transgressions -of men! He it is who, coming after -me, is preferred before me. He it is to -whom I bear witness, as the Messiah, the -Son of the Highest! There stands the Christ -of God! the only true Lamb, whose blood can -take away the iniquities of us all. He hath -dwelt among you, he hath walked your -streets, he hath sat in your homes, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -knew him not, till I now behold on him the -sign of the Messiah!"</p> - -<p>When the prophet had thus spoken in a -voice that thrilled to every bosom, we beheld -the august stranger advance towards -the prophet. He moved on alone. Lazarus -had fallen prostrate on his face. As he continued -to come forward, all was expectation -in the immense multitude. The mass of -heads swayed this way and that, to get a -sight of his face, which I could see was serene, -but pale and earnest. John, the cousin -of Mary, seeing him approach, lowly knelt, -and bowed his head in reverential awe and -love. Those who stood between him and the -prophet moved involuntarily apart, and left -an open path for him to the water-side. He -walked at a slow and even pace, with an air -of humility veiling the native dignity of his -kingly port.</p> - -<p>The prophet, on seeing him come near, regarded -him, as it seemed to me, with far -more awe than all others.</p> - -<p>"What wouldst thou of thy servant, O -Messiah, Prophet of God, mighty to save?" -he said, in tremulous tones, as the stranger -came even some paces into the water -towards him.</p> - -<p>"To be baptized of thee," answered the -Christ, in a still, quiet voice, that was heard -to the remotest bounds of the crowd. Never, -oh, never shall I forget the sounds of that -voice, as it fell upon my ears!</p> - -<p>"I have need to be baptized of thee; and -comest thou to me?" answered the prophet, -with the lowliest humility and awe of manner -and with looks expressive of his amazement.</p> - -<p>"It becometh us to fulfill all righteousness," -answered Messiah, mildly; and when -he had said this, the prophet, though still -with a manner of doubt, and with the holiest -reverence, administered then unto him, in -the sight of all the people, the like baptism -which he had administered to his disciples.</p> - -<p>And now, my dear father, comes to be related -the most extraordinary thing that ever -took place in Israel since the Law was given -from Sinai.</p> - -<p>No sooner did the baptized stranger go up -out of the water, than there was heard -above all our heads a noise as of rolling -thunder, although the sky was cloudless; -and when in great fear we looked up, we -beheld a dazzling glory far brighter than -the sun, and from the midst of this celestial -splendor there darted with arrowy velocity a -ray of light which descended and lit upon -the head of the Christ. Some of the people -said it thundered, and others that it lightened, -but judge of the amazement and admiration -of all, and the dread awe that shook -every soul when, amid the glory above his -head, was seen the form of a dove of fire, -with outspread wings overshadowing him as -it were, and from the heavens what was supposed -to be thunder shaped itself into a -voice, which uttered these words in the -hearing of every ear:</p> - -<p>"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am -well pleased!"</p> - -<p>At hearing these words from the skies a -great part of the multitude fell on their -faces. Every cheek was pale, and each man -gazed on his neighbor in wonder and fear. -When the majestic, yet terrible, voice had -given utterance to these words, the light -disappeared, the dove re-ascended to the -skies and was lost to sight, leaving a -halo of divine glory resting upon the head -of this "Son of God." He alone seemed unmoved -and calm amid all this awful scene, -and going up the river bank, disappeared -mysteriously and suddenly from my earnest -gaze. At length, when men came a little to -themselves, and would gaze on him whom -all knew now to be the Christ, no one could -find him, so effectually had he withdrawn -himself from their homage.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_X" id="LETTER_X">LETTER X.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>I shall now resume the narrative interrupted -by the close of my last letter.</p> - -<p>The excitement which the sudden disappearance -of Jesus produced, led to a universal -separation of the multitude. No one -knew whence he had gone save John, Mary's -cousin, and Lazarus, who reverently followed -him. The prophet John, of Jordan, -appeared to me to be more surprised at -what had taken place than any others. He -looked constantly around for Jesus, and -then, with his hands clasped together and -uplifted, gazed heavenward, as if satisfied, -with the thousands around him, that He had -been received up into heaven.</p> - -<p>Rabbi Amos and our party remained standing -near the water, for he desired to speak -with John, who stood alone in the midst of -the water, precisely where he had baptized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -Jesus. Not one of his disciples remained -with him. Rabbi Amos drew near, and said -to him:</p> - -<p>"Holy prophet, knowest thou what man, -if man he may be called, was just baptized -by thee?"</p> - -<p>The prophet, whose eyes had been steadfastly -raised all the while, bent his looks -with tearful tenderness upon Rabbi Amos, -and said, plaintively and touchingly:</p> - -<p>"This is he of whom I spake, After me -cometh a man which is preferred before me, -for he was before me. And I knew him not; -but he that sent me to baptize with water, -the same said unto me, Upon whom thou -shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining -on him, the same is he that baptizeth -with the Holy Ghost. And I saw the Spirit -descending like a dove; and I saw and bear -record that this is the Son of God."</p> - -<p>"And whither, oh, holy prophet of Jordan," -asked Rabbi Amos, with deep and -sacred interest, "whither has he departed?"</p> - -<p>"That I know not. He must increase and -I must decrease, whether he remaineth on -earth or has been taken up into heaven. My -mission is now drawing to its close, for he to -whom I have borne witness is come."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, he turned and walked out -of the water on the side towards Bethabara, -and disappeared among the trees that -fringed the bank. I now looked in the face -of Rabbi Amos, upon whose arm Mary was -tearfully leaning. His face was grave and -thoughtful. I said, "Uncle, dost thou believe -all that thou hast seen and heard?"</p> - -<p>"I know not what to say," he answered, -"only that the things which I have beheld -this day are evidences that God has not forgotten -his people Israel." He said no more. -We left the banks of the Jordan in silence -and awe, and remounting our mules, returned -towards my uncle's house at Gilgal. -On the way we constantly passed crowds of -people, all in high talk about the wonderful -events which had taken place at the river. -The impression seemed universally to be -that Jesus had gone up into heaven after he -was baptized.</p> - -<p>But, my dear father, it is with deep joy -that I am able to tell you that this wonderful -person is still on the earth. I stated -that my cousin John and Lazarus had kept -their eyes upon him from the first, and that -they had seen him pass down the river, -where some projecting and overhanging -trees hid him at once from view. Though -they often lost sight of him, they yet followed -him by the print of his sandals in the -wet sand of the shore, and at length came in -view of him, as he was leaving the river -bank, and going towards the desert, between -two low hills, which hid him from -their eyes.</p> - -<p>They went on, but though they moved forward -rapidly, they next saw him far distant, -crossing the arid plain that stretches south -towards Jericho and the desert. They ran -very swiftly, and at length coming near him, -called, "Master, good master, stay for us, -for we would follow and learn of thee!"</p> - -<p>He stopped, and turned upon them a visage -so pale and marred with sadness and -anguish, that they both stood still and gazed -upon him with amazement at beholding such -a change. The glory of his beauty had -passed away, and the beaming splendor -which shone upon his countenance was -wholly gone. The expression of unutterable -sorrow that remained pierced them to the -heart. Lazarus, who had been so long his -bosom friend, wept aloud. "Weep not! -thou shalt see me another day, my friends," -he said. "I now go to the wilderness, in -obedience to the Spirit which guideth me -thither. Thou shalt, after a time, behold -me again. It is expedient for you that I go -whither I go."</p> - -<p>"Nay, but we will go with thee," said -Lazarus, earnestly. "If thou art to endure -evil, we will be with thee."</p> - -<p>"There must be none to help. There -must be none to uphold," he said firmly, but -sadly. "I must tread the winepress of -temptation alone!"</p> - -<p>He then left them, waving his hand for -them to go back. They obeyed sorrowfully, -wondering what his words meant, and -wherefore it was needful for him to go into -the desert, where certain mysterious trials -seemed to wait for him; and they wondered -most of all at the change in his countenance, -which, from being lustrous with celestial -light, was now, said Lazarus, "marred more -than the sons of men." From time to time -the two young men looked backward to -watch the receding figure of the Christ, till -they no longer distinguished him in the distance -of the desert, towards the dreadful -solitudes of which he steadfastly kept his -face.</p> - -<p>The two friends came on to the house of -Rabbi Amos, at Gilgal, the same night, and -we sat together late at night upon the porch -under the fig trees, talking of Jesus.</p> - -<p>Now, my dear father, how wonderful is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -all this! That a great Prophet is among us, -cannot be denied. The star of John the Baptizer's -fame dwindles into a glow-worm before -the glory of this Son of God! That he -will draw all men unto him, even into the -wilderness, if he takes up his abode there, -cannot be questioned. But all is mystery, -awe, curiosity, wonder, and excitement just -now.</p> - -<p>May the God of our fathers' house come -forth indeed from the heavens, for the salvation -of his people!</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your devoted and loving,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XI" id="LETTER_XI">LETTER XI.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>In my last letter to you I spoke of our return -from Jordan to Gilgal. At the house -were assembled not only John, the cousin of -Mary, and the noble Lazarus, but also Gamaliel -and Saul. The court of the dwelling -was thronged with strangers, and the common -people who, being far from their homes -and without food, had freely been invited to -lodgings and food by the hospitable priest.</p> - -<p>As we sat up late conversing with deep interest -upon the remarkable events of the -day, an observation made by John, when -speaking of the change in the face of Jesus, -that "His face was marred more than the -sons of men," led the venerable Gamaliel to -say to us:</p> - -<p>"Those are the words of the prophet -Esaias, and are truly spoken by him of Messias, -when he shall come."</p> - -<p>"Let us consult Esaias, then, and see -what further he hath said," cried Rabbi -Amos. "Mary, bring hither the roll of the -Prophets."</p> - -<p>My Cousin Mary returned, and placed the -book on a small stand before him.</p> - -<p>"Read aloud, worthy Rabbi," said the -philosopher Gamaliel, "we will all listen; -for though I do not believe this young man -who was to-day baptized is Messias and the -Christ, who is to restore all things to us, yet -I am prepared to reverence him as a great -prophet."</p> - -<p>"And," answered Rabbi Amos, "if we find -the prophecies do meet in him that which we -look for to meet in Messias when he cometh, -wilt thou believe, venerable father?"</p> - -<p>"I will believe and reverently adore," answered -the sage, bowing his head till his -flowing white beard almost touched his -knees.</p> - -<p>"Read Adina, for thy eyes are young," -said my uncle; and I read as follows:</p> - -<p>"'Behold, my Servant shall deal prudently, -he shall be exalted and extolled, and -be very high. As many were astonished at -thee; his visage was so marred more than -any man, and his form more than the sons -of men.'"</p> - -<p>"How completely," said John, "those -words describe his appearance on the verge -of the desert, and yet I used them unconsciously."</p> - -<p>"But," said Saul, Gamaliel's disciple, "if -this be prophesied of the Christ, then we are -to have a Christ of humiliation, and not one -of honor and glory. Read one part which -you have omitted, maiden."</p> - -<p>I read on as follows: "'Behold, my Servant -shall be exalted and extolled, and be -very high. He shall sprinkle many nations; -the kings shall shut their mouths at him. -He shall lift up his hand to the Gentiles, -and set up his standard to the people. Kings -shall bow down to him with their faces to -the earth, and lick up the dust of his feet!'"</p> - -<p>"There! Such is our Messias!" exclaimed -Saul.</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is a Christ of power and dominion -who is to redeem Israel," added Gamaliel; -"not an unknown young man, scarcely -thirty years of age, who came from whence -no one knoweth, and hath gone as he -came. As for the Christ, we shall know -whence he cometh!"</p> - -<p>At hearing this great and good man thus -discourse, dear father, my heart sank within -me, for Lazarus had already told us that his -friend Jesus was of humble birth, a carpenter's -son, and his mother a widow; that he -had known him from boyhood, but known -him only to love him. I now looked towards -him, but I took courage when I saw that the -words of Gamaliel did not in the least dim -the light of faith and confidence which -brightly sparkled in his eyes, that his friend -Jesus was truly Messias of God. But my -eye fell on what follows, and as I read it -I gained more confidence: "He hath no form -nor comeliness; and when we shall see him -there is no beauty that we should desire -him."</p> - -<p>"If the first part of this prophecy," said -Lazarus, his fine eyes lighting up, as he -looked at Saul, "be of the Christ, as you -have just now confessed, then is this last of -him; and the fact that you reject him is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -but the fulfillment of this part of the -prophecy."</p> - -<p>Hereupon arose a very warm discussion -between Gamaliel and Saul on one side, and -Rabbi Amos, John and Lazarus on the -other.</p> - -<p>"But let this be as it may," said John, -after the arguments on both sides had been -mainly exhausted, "how will you, O Gamaliel, -and you, Saul, get over the extraordinary -voice and fiery appearance which distinguished -the baptism?"</p> - -<p>"That must have been a phenomenon of -nature, or done by the art of the famed -Babylonish sorcerer, whom I saw prominent -in the multitude," answered the philosopher.</p> - -<p>"Did you not hear the words?" asked -Rabbi Amos.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Rabbi; nevertheless, they may have -been thrown into the air from the lungs of -this sorcerer; for they do marvelous things."</p> - -<p>"Would you suppose that a sorcerer would -be disposed to apply the sacred words of the -Lord?" asked John, earnestly.</p> - -<p>"By no means," he answered, reverently.</p> - -<p>"If Rabbi Amos will allow me, I will show -you the very words in King David's prophecies -of Messias."</p> - -<p>All looked with interest on John, as he -took from his mantle a roll of the Psalms. -He opened it and read as follows:</p> - -<p>"'Why do the rulers take counsel together -against the Lord, and against his Anointed? -I will declare the decree. The Lord hath -said unto me, Thou art my Son.'"</p> - -<p>Upon hearing this read, Gamaliel was -thoughtful.</p> - -<p>"It is extraordinary," answered he. "I -will search the Scriptures when I reach -Jerusalem, to see if these things be so."</p> - -<p>"But," said Saul, with some vehemence, -"listen while I read some prophecies also." -And he unrolled the book of the Prophets -and read these words:</p> - -<p>"'Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou -be little among the thousands of Judah, yet -out of thee shall he come forth unto me that -is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth -have been from of old, from everlasting.'</p> - -<p>"Now, you will confess, Rabbi Amos," he -added, with a look of triumph, "that this -word refers to our expected Messias?"</p> - -<p>"Without doubt," answered my uncle, -"but—"</p> - -<p>"Wait, I beseech you, learned Rabbi," said -Saul, "until I read you another prophecy." -And he read: "'I have made a covenant with -David, Thy seed will I establish forever, -and build up thy throne to all generations. -His seed shall endure forever, and his throne -as the sun before me. Behold, the days -come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto -David a righteous Branch.'</p> - -<p>"Now, you will all admit, brethren, that -these prophecies refer to Messias. He is -therefore to come of the lineage of David, -and he is to be born in Bethlehem. Show me -that this Jesus, the Nazarene, fulfills both -conditions in his own person, and I will prepare -to believe in him."</p> - -<p>This was said haughtily, and with the air -of one who cannot be answered.</p> - -<p>But immediately Lazarus rose to his feet -and said: "Although I did not recollect this -prophecy, that Christ was to be born in -Bethlehem, yet I am overjoyed to find the -fact respecting Jesus fulfills it. He was -born in Bethlehem of Judah. This I have -known some years, and—"</p> - -<p>Here, while my heart was bounding with -joy, Gamaliel said sternly, "I thought this -man was born in Nazareth?"</p> - -<p>"He has lived," answered Lazarus, "in -Nazareth from childhood only. During the -days when Cæsar Augustus issued a decree -that all the world should be taxed, his -mother, and Joseph her husband, went up to -the City of David to be taxed, which is -Bethlehem, and there Jesus was born, as I -have often heard from her lips."</p> - -<p>"Admitting, then, that he was born in -Bethlehem," said Saul, "you have to prove -his lineage from David's line."</p> - -<p>"Wherefore did his parents go to Bethlehem, -David's city, unless they were of his -royal line?" asked Rabbi Amos, "for none -went to any other city to be taxed than that -of their own family. The fact that they -went there is strong evidence that they were -of David's house."</p> - -<p>"Every one born in the city of David," -remarked Gamaliel, "is not of necessity of -David's house; but it is surprising if this -Jesus really was born in Bethlehem."</p> - -<p>"But may not his lineage be ascertained -without a doubt from the records of the -tribes, and of their families, kept by command -of the law of the Temple?" I asked -of my uncle.</p> - -<p>"Without question. These books of the -generations of our people are to be relied -on," he answered.</p> - -<p>"In fact," said Gamaliel, "they are kept -with the greatest accuracy, and it is so ordained -by God, for the very reason that -when Messias cometh we may know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -whether he who claims to be such be of the -house of David or no. I will examine the -book of the generations, and see if his -mother and father come of the stock and -seed of David."</p> - -<p>"And if you find that they do," asked -John, with emotion, "can you doubt any -longer whether Jesus be the Christ? Will -not the fact of his being born in Bethlehem, -and of the lineage of David, not to speak -of the witness of God's own audible voice, -heard by our ears this day, will not these -facts lead you to believe that he is the -Christ?"</p> - -<p>"They will prevent me from actually rejecting -him," answered the cold philosopher. -"But every child born in Bethlehem, -and of the house of David, and there -are many of them in Judah, fulfills, so far, -the conditions of these two prophecies; these -are not, therefore, Messiahs."</p> - -<p>"What more can you ask for?" asked -Mary, with feeling, for she strongly believed -that Jesus was the Christ.</p> - -<p>"Miracles," answered the disciple of Gamaliel, -glancing at the face of his master inquiringly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, miracles," also answered the sage. -"The Messiah is to heal the sick by a word, -restore sight to the blind, cast out devils, -and even raise the dead."</p> - -<p>"If he restore the blind and raise the -dead, I will doubt no longer," answered -Saul.</p> - -<p>There was at this moment an interruption -caused by noisy altercations in the -court among some of John the Baptist's disciples. -Rabbi Amos, as host, went out to -put an end to these disputings, when Gamaliel -retired to his chamber, and the conversation -was not renewed.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XII" id="LETTER_XII">LETTER XII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>Let me resume the interesting subject of -which my letters have been so full.</p> - -<p>It is now eight weeks since our return -from Gilgal. For five weeks after we -reached Jerusalem, we heard nothing of -Jesus, until John, son of Elisaph, reappeared. -He and Lazarus came into the city -together, and to the house of Rabbi Amos. -Our first inquiry was:</p> - -<p>"Have you seen him? Have you heard -anything from him?"</p> - -<p>"John has seen him," answered Lazarus, -seriously. "Ask him, and he will tell you -all."</p> - -<p>We looked at John, who sat sad and pensive, -as if he were dwelling in his mind -upon some painful, yet tender, sorrow. The -eyes of my Cousin Mary, which always -caught their lustre from his, were shaded -with an inquiring look of sympathy and solicitude.</p> - -<p>"You are not well, I fear," she said, placing -her fair hand upon his white brow, and -putting back the hair from his temples. -"You have been long away, and are weary -and ill."</p> - -<p>"Weary, Mary? I shall never complain -of weariness again, after what I have beheld."</p> - -<p>"What have you seen?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Jesus in the desert; and when I remember -him there, I shall forget to smile more."</p> - -<p>"You have found him, then?" I eagerly -asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, after days of painful search. I -found him in the very center of the Desert -of Ashes, where foot of man had never -trodden before. I saw him upon his knees, -and heard his voice in prayer. I laid down -the sack of bread and fishes and the skin of -water I had brought with me to succor him, -and with awe drew near where he stood.</p> - -<p>"As I came closer to him, I heard him -groan in spirit, and he seemed to be borne -down to the earth by some mortal agony. -He was, as it were, talking to some invisible -evil beings who assailed him.</p> - -<p>"'Rabbi, good Master,' I said, 'I have -brought thee food and water. Pardon me if -I have intruded upon thy awful loneliness, -which is sacred to some deep grief; but I -weep with thee for thy woes, and in all thy -afflictions I am afflicted. Eat, that thou -mayest have strength to endure thy mysterious -sufferings.'</p> - -<p>"He turned his pale countenance full upon -me, and extended towards me his emaciated -hands, while he smiled faintly, and blessed -me and said:</p> - -<p>"'Son, thou art very dear to me. Thou -shalt one day be afflicted for me, but not -now, and then understand wherefore I am -now a sufferer in the desert.'</p> - -<p>"'Let me remain with thee, Divine Messias,' -I said.</p> - -<p>"'Thou believest, then, that I am he?' he -answered, regarding me with love.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I replied by casting myself at his desert-parched -feet, and bathing them with my -tears. He raised me and said, 'Go thy way -presently. When the time of my fasting -and temptation is past, I will see thee -again.'</p> - -<p>"'Nay, I will not leave thee,' I asserted.</p> - -<p>"'If thou lovest me, beloved, thou wilt -obey me,' he answered, with a tone of gentle -reproof.</p> - -<p>"'But thou wilt first eat of the bread I -have brought, and drink of the water,' I entreated.</p> - -<p>"'Thou knowest not what temptation -thou art offering to me,' he replied, sadly. -'Thou hast not enough for thine own needs. -Go, and leave me to gain the victory over -Satan, the prince of this world, for which I -was led by the Spirit thither.'</p> - -<p>"I once more cast myself at his feet, and -he lifted me up, kissing me, and sent me -away. Oh, you would not have known him! -Worn and emaciated by long abstinence, -weak through suffering, he looked but the -shadow of himself. He could not have lived -thus if there had not been a divine power -within to sustain him! His existence so -long, for he had been in the desert five -weeks without food when I found him, was -a miracle in itself, proving the power of God -to be in him."</p> - -<p>"For what mighty work among men is -God preparing him?" said Rabbi Amos, with -emotion. "Surely he is a prophet come -from God."</p> - -<p>"Think you he still lives?" I asked, with -anxious fears, scarcely trusting my voice -above a whisper.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered John. "I am come to -tell you he was divinely sustained through -all; and after forty days he came forth from -the wilderness, and suddenly presented himself -on the banks of Jordan, among John's -disciples. I was standing near the Baptizer, -discoursing of the Christ, and marvelling -when his exile to the desert would terminate, -when the prophet, lifting his eyes, cried -with a loud voice full of joy:</p> - -<p>"'Behold again the Lamb of God, upon -whom the Spirit of God descended! He hath -come from the furnace like gold seven times -tried in the fire! He it is who alone taketh -away the sins of the world!'</p> - -<p>"I turned and beheld Jesus advancing. He -was pale and wore an expression of gentle, -uncomplaining suffering on his benign and -spiritualized countenance. I hastened to -meet him, and was kneeling in joy at his -feet, when he embraced me as a brother -and said, 'Faithful, and full of love, wilt -thou follow me?'</p> - -<p>"'I will nevermore leave thee,' I answered.</p> - -<p>"'Where dwellest thou, divine Master?' -then asked one of John's disciples, Andrew -by name, who was with me.</p> - -<p>"'Come, my friends, and see,' he answered; -and we went after him with joy -unutterable.</p> - -<p>"He entered the village of Bethabara, -and, approaching the house of a widow, -where he abode, went in. We followed him, -and by his request took up our abode with -him. Oh, how shall I be able to make -known by words," added John, "the sweet -expression of his discourse! In one day in -his presence I grew wise; his words filled -the soul like new wine and made the heart -glad. The next day he wished to go into -Galilee, and so on to Nazareth, where his -mother dwelleth; and as I have made up my -mind to follow him as his disciple henceforth, -I have only come hither to make -known my purpose to Mary, and to arrange -my affairs in the city. To-morrow I will -leave again, to join this, my dear Lord, at -Cana of Galilee."</p> - -<p>"Canst thou divine at all his purpose?" -asked Rabbi Amos of John, "whether he intends -to found a school of wisdom, to preach -like the prophets, to reign like David, or to -conquer like his warrior namesake, Joshua?"</p> - -<p>"I know not, save that he said he came to -redeem that which was lost, and to establish -a kingdom that shall have no end."</p> - -<p>Upon hearing this, all our hearts bounded -with hope and confidence in him, and we all -together burst forth into a voice of thanksgiving, -and sang this hymn of praise:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"O sing unto the Lord a new song. He hath -done marvelous things; his right hand and his -holy arm hath gotten the victory.</p> - -<p>"The Lord hath made known his salvation; -his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the -sight of the heathen.</p> - -<p>"He hath remembered his mercy and his -truth towards the house of Israel; all the ends -of the earth have seen the salvation of our -God."</p></blockquote> - -<p>There was this morning, dear father, no -little excitement produced among the chief -priests by a formal inquiry sent by Pilate to -Caiaphas, the High Priest, asking whether -this new prophet was to be acknowledged -by them as their Messiah, "for, if he is to -be, it will be my duty," said the Governor, -"to place him under arrest, inasmuch as we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -understand the Jewish Messias is to declare -himself king." Upon this there was a tumultuous -assembling together of the priests -in the porch of the Temple, and with many -invectives they agreed to send answer to -Pilate that they did not acknowledge Jesus -of Nazareth to be the Christ. What Pilate -will conclude to do, I know not. Rabbi -Amos informed us that the Procurator had -got some news by courier that morning that -Jesus, on his way to Cana, had been followed -by a full thousand people, who hailed -him as the Christ.</p> - -<p>Thus you see, my dear father, that this -divine person is already taking hold of the -hearts of the people, and arousing the jealousy -of our enemies. Be assured that the -day will come when he will lift up his -standard to the Gentiles, and draw all men -unto him.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your loving,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XIII" id="LETTER_XIII">LETTER XIII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>Since I last wrote you, my faith has been -confirmed by the testimony which in one of -your letters you demanded. You said, "Let -me hear that he has done an authentic miracle -in attestation of the divinity of his -mission—such a miracle as was prophesied -Messias shall do, as healing the sick by a -word, restoring the blind to sight, and raising -the dead—and I will prepare to believe -in him."</p> - -<p>Miracle he has performed, dear father, -and one the genuineness of which is not disputed -by any one. I can give you the particulars -best by extracting from a letter -written by John to Mary, a few days after -his departure to join Jesus at Nazareth:</p> - -<p>"Upon reaching Nazareth," says the letter, -"I was guided to the humble dwelling -occupied by the mother of Jesus, by a large -concourse of people gathered about it, of -whom inquiring, I learned that it was to see -the new Prophet they had thus assembled. -'What new Prophet?' I asked, wishing -to know what the multitude thought of -Jesus.</p> - -<p>"'The one of whom John of the wilderness -foretold,' answered one.</p> - -<p>"'They say he is Messias,' replied another.</p> - -<p>"'He is the Christ,' boldly asserted a -third.</p> - -<p>"Hereupon a Levite standing by, said -scornfully, 'Does Christ come out of the -country of Galilee? You read the Prophets -to little purpose, if you see therein any -Christ prophesied to come out of Nazareth -of Galilee.' Hereupon, seeing the faith of -many staggered, I said, 'Brethren, Christ -is truly to be of Bethlehem, and verily -Jesus, though now he dwelleth in this place, -was born in Bethlehem.'</p> - -<p>"'Thou canst not prove it, man!' said the -Levite angrily.</p> - -<p>"'The stranger speaketh truly,' spoke up -both an old man and a gray-haired woman -in the crowd. 'We know that he was not -born here, and that when his parents moved -hither, when he was an infant, they then -said he was born in Bethlehem. We all remember -this well.'</p> - -<p>"Hereupon the Levite, seeing that he had -not the people with him, passed on his way, -while I went to the door of the house where -Jesus dwelt with his mother. There were -two doors, one of which led into a workshop, -where I noticed the bench and tools of the -occupation at which he had toiled to support -himself and his mother. But when, as I entered -the dwelling, I saw him standing, -teaching those who hung on his lips, and listened -to his calm voice, and heard the -sublime wisdom of his instructions, beheld -the dignity of his aspect, and felt the heavenly -benignity of his manner, I forgot the -carpenter, I forgot the man, and seemed to -behold in him only Messiah the Prince, the -Son of God.</p> - -<p>"Upon beholding me, he extended his -hand, and received me graciously, and said, -pointing to five men who stood near him, -regarding him with mingled love and reverence, -'These are thy brethren, who have -also come out of the world to follow me.'</p> - -<p>"Of these, one was Andrew, who had -been, as well as myself, John's disciple. -Another was Andrew's brother, whose name -is Simon, whom Jesus, from the firmness -and immovable zeal of his character, which -he seemed to understand, called also Peter, -or Stone. The fourth disciple was of Bethsaida. -His name was Philip, and he followed -Jesus from having been prepared by -John the Baptist to receive him. He was, -moreover, so overjoyed at finding the Christ, -that he ran to the house of his kinsman, -Nathaniel, and finding him in his garden, -beneath a fig tree, at prayer, exclaimed:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>"'We have found him of whom Moses in -the law and the prophets did write, the Messias -of God!'</p> - -<p>"'Where is he, that I may behold him?' -asked his relative, rising.</p> - -<p>"'It is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of -Joseph,' Philip answered.</p> - -<p>"Upon hearing this answer, the countenance -of Nathaniel fell, and he replied:</p> - -<p>"'Can there any good thing come out of -Nazareth?'</p> - -<p>"'Come thou and see for thyself,' answered -Philip.</p> - -<p>"Nathaniel then went with him where -Jesus was. When Jesus saw him approaching, -he said to those about him:</p> - -<p>"'Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom -there is no guile!'</p> - -<p>"'Whence knowest thou me?' asked -Nathaniel, with surprise, for he had heard -the words which were spoken. Jesus answered -and said:</p> - -<p>"'Before Philip called thee, when thou -wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.'</p> - -<p>"Upon hearing this Nathaniel, who knew -that he was all alone in his garden and unseen -at prayer when his brother came, regarded -the serene face of Jesus steadfastly, -and then, as if he beheld therein the expression -of omnipresence, he cried before all the -people:</p> - -<p>"'Rabbi, thou art the Son of God! Thou -art the King of Israel!'</p> - -<p>"Jesus looked upon him as if pleased at -his confession, and said:</p> - -<p>"'Because I said unto thee, I saw thee -under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou -shalt see greater things than these. Verily, -verily, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see -heaven open, and the angels of God ascending -and descending upon the Son of man.'</p> - -<p>"The next day James, my brother, and -I went to the sea of Tiberias, but two hours -distant, to see our father Zebedee, and transfer -our interests to him; and, during the afternoon, -Jesus passed near the shore on his -way to Cana, when, calling us, we forever -left our ships and our father and joined -him. His mother and many of her kinsfolk -were of the company, all going to a marriage -of the cousin of the family. Upon our -arrival at Cana, we were ushered into the -guest chamber.</p> - -<p>"The marriage feast at length commenced. -The wine which should have come from -Damascus had not arrived, the caravan having -been delayed by the insurrection near -Cesarea, and the chief ruler of the town, -presiding at the feast, seeing that the wine -had given out, bade the servants to place -more upon the board. The mother of Jesus, -who knew that the wine was out, and that, -looking upon this as an ill omen, the family -of the bride were in great distress, turned to -Jesus and said, 'They have no wine.'</p> - -<p>"The holy Prophet of God looked grave -and said, applying to her the title which we -deem most honorable of all others, 'Woman, -what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is -not yet come.'</p> - -<p>"She must have understood his words, all -mysterious as they were to me, for, turning -to the servants, she beckoned to them, while -her cheek borrowed a rich color from her -hidden joy, and her eyes kindled with -loving sympathy for those about to be relieved -in their distress. When two or three -of the servants had approached, she said to -them:</p> - -<p>"'Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.'</p> - -<p>"The face of Jesus, ever calm and dignified, -now seemed to assume a look of -majesty inexpressible, and his eyes to express -a certain consciousness of power -within, that awed me. Casting his glance -upon several stone vases, which stood by the -door empty, he said to the servants:</p> - -<p>"'Fill the water pots with water.'</p> - -<p>"In the court, in full sight from the table, -was a well to which the servants forthwith -went with jars, which I saw them fill with -water, bear it in upon their heads, and pour -it out into the water pots, until they had -filled them all to the brim.</p> - -<p>"In the meantime the governor of the -feast and the majority of the guests were -absorbed in conversation and did not observe -what was taking place.</p> - -<p>"'Draw out now and bear unto the governor -of the feast,' said Jesus to the servants.</p> - -<p>"They obeyed, and pouring rich, blood-red -wine from the jars which I and others had -seen filled up with simple water from the -well, the amazed servants bore it to the -chief of the feast. He had no sooner filled -his goblet and tasted it, than he called to the -bridegroom, who sat in the middle of the -table, and said:</p> - -<p>"'Every man at the beginning doth set -forth good wine, and when men have well -drunk, then that which is worse; but thou -hast kept the good wine until now.'</p> - -<p>"'Who hath brought this wine?' asked -the bridegroom, drinking of the water that -was made wine. 'Whence it came, sir, I -know not.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Then the servants and others told that -they had filled the six water pots with water -to the brim, at the command of Jesus the -Prophet, and that when they drew out, behold -it flowed forth wine instead of water! -Upon this there was a general exclamation -of surprise, and the governor of the feast, -crying out, 'A great prophet indeed hath -been among us, and we knew it not!' rose to -approach and do honor to Jesus; but he had -already conveyed himself away, at once rising -and passing out through the door, and -seeking the solitude of the gardens."</p> - -<p>The rumor of the miracle at Cana has -reached Jerusalem since I began this letter, -and I hear that it has produced no little excitement -in the market-places and courts of -the Temple. Rabbi Amos, on his return -from sacrifice, a few minutes ago, said that -he saw, in the court of the Temple, more -than thirty priests with rolls of the Prophets -in their hands, engaged in looking up the -prophecies of the Christ.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XIV" id="LETTER_XIV">LETTER XIV.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>You will not require the testimony of my -letters to enable you to appreciate the fame -of the wonderful young man of Nazareth, -Jesus, of whose works you must have heard -ere this. His fame for wisdom, for knowledge -of the Scriptures, for power to teach, -and for miracles, has gone abroad through -all Syria, so that they bring to him sick persons, -both rich and poor, even from Damascus, -to be healed of him; and he heals all -who are brought unto him, whether possessed -of devils, lunatic, or having the palsy. -While I now write, a company is passing the -open window, bearing upon beds two -wealthy men of Jerusalem, given over by -their physicians, who are going to him to be -cured.</p> - -<p>"So great is the multitude which everywhere -follows Jesus," writes John to Mary, -"that he is often compelled to withdraw -from them by stealth, to get to some by-place -of quiet where he can refresh his -wearied strength for a few days. At such -times we, who are his immediate followers, -have the benefit of his teaching and private -instructions. But he cannot remain long -away from the people. They soon penetrate -his retirement. How wonderful is he who -thus holds in his hands divine power! The -authority of kings is nothing before that -which he possesses in his voice; yet he is -serene, humble, oh, how humble! to our -shame; and always calm and gentle. He -spends much time in private prayer to God, -whom he always addresses as his Father. -Never was such a man on earth. We, who -know him most intimately, stand most in -awe of him; yet with our deep reverence for -his holy character is combined the purest -affection. In one and the same breath I feel -that I adore him as my Lord, and love him -even as my brother. So we all feel toward -him."</p> - -<p>Such, my dear father, is the tenor of all -John's letters. When we shall see Jesus at -Jerusalem, I shall be able from personal observation -to write to you more particularly -concerning his doctrines and miracles. What -is also of importance, it has been proven by -the results of the examination made by -some of the scribes of the Temple, that he -was truly born in Bethlehem, and that both -his mother Mary, and Joseph her husband, -are lineal descendants of the house of David. -Moreover Phineas, the venerable priest, -whom you know, hath borne testimony to -the fact that when Jesus was an infant, during -the reign of the elder Herod, there arrived -in Jerusalem three eminent princes, -men of wisdom and learning. One of these -came from Persia, one from the Grecian -province of Media, and one from Arabia, and -brought with them gifts of gold and spices, -and were attended by retinues. These three -princes reached Jerusalem the same day by -three different ways, and entered by three -different gates, each unknowing to the -other's presence or object, till they met in -the city before Herod's palace. One represented -himself descended from Shem, another -from Japhet, the third from Ham. -And they mysteriously, it is said, typified -all the races of the earth who by them -recognized and adored the Savior of men in -the child Jesus. The king, hearing that these -three strangers had arrived in Jerusalem, -sent to know wherefore they had honored -his kingdom with a visit. "They answered," -says Phineas, "that they came to do homage -to the young prince, who was born king of -the Jews." And when Herod asked what -prince they spoke of, they answered, "We -have seen his star in the East, and are come -to worship him."</p> - -<p>"Hereupon," says Phineas, "the king<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -issued an edict for all the chief priests and -scribes of the people to assemble in the council -chamber of his palace. He then addressed -them:</p> - -<p>"'Ye to whom is given the care of the -books of the Law and the Prophets, whose -study they are, and in whom lies the skill to -interpret the prophecies, search therein, and -tell me truly where the Christ is to be born. -Behold here present these august and wise -men who have come from afar to do him -homage; nay more, as they aver, to worship -him as God. Let us have the courtesy to -give them the answer that they seek, and let -us not be found more ignorant of these -things than those who dwell in other lands.'</p> - -<p>"Several of the chief priests then rose and -said: 'It is known, O king, to all who are -Jews, and who read the Prophets, that Messias -cometh of the house of David, of the -town of Bethlehem; for thus it is written by -the prophet: "And thou, Bethlehem, in the -land of Judah, art not least among the -princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come -a governor that shall rule my people -Israel."'</p> - -<p>"This question being thus decided," continued -Phineas, "Herod dismissed the council, -and retiring to his own private room, -secretly sent to the three princes of the East -to inquire of them what time the star appeared. -He then said to them:</p> - -<p>"'You have my permission, noble -strangers, to go to Bethlehem, and search for -the young child: and when ye have found -him, bring me word again, that I may come -and worship him also.' Then they left the -presence of Herod, and it being dark when -they left the palace, they were overjoyed to -behold the star which they saw in the East, -going before them. They followed it until -it left Jerusalem by the Bethlehem gate, -and it led them on to the town of Bethlehem, -and stopped above an humble dwelling -therein. When they were come into the -house, they saw the rays of the star resting -upon the head of an infant in the arms of its -mother Mary, the wife of Joseph. They at -once acknowledged and hailed him as Prince -and King of Israel, and falling down, worshiped -him; and opening their treasures, -they presented unto him gold, frankincense -and myrrh, gifts that are offered on the altar -to God alone."</p> - -<p>When Phineas was asked by Caiaphas -how he knew this fact, he answered that he -himself, prompted by curiosity to see the -prince they had come to worship, had followed -them out of the palace of Herod, out -of the gate, and even into Bethlehem, and -witnessed their prostrations and offerings to -the infant child of Mary. "And," he added, -"if this be doubted, there are many Jews -now living in Jerusalem, and a certain -Hebrew captain, now stricken in years, who -can testify to the slaughter, by Herod's command, -of the infants of Bethlehem; for this -captain, Jeremias, led on the soldiers."</p> - -<p>"And wherefore this slaughter?" asked -Caiaphas. "It is not on record."</p> - -<p>"Kings do not record their deeds of violence," -answered Phineas. "Herod kept it -hushed up when he found that he gained -nothing by it but hatred. He slew them in -order that the infant Jesus might be destroyed -among them; for the three wise -men, instead of returning through Jerusalem -to their own country, and informing him -where they had found the child, departed by -another way. But the child escaped, doubtless -by God's powerful protection."</p> - -<p>"Dost thou believe in him also?" asked -Caiaphas, with angry surprise, looking -sternly on Phineas.</p> - -<p>"I will first see and hear him speak, and -if he be proven to me to be Messias, I will -gladly worship him."</p> - -<p>"Hereupon," said Rabbi Amos, "there -arose a great uproar, some crying that Jesus -was the Christ, and others that Phineas -should be stoned to death."</p> - -<p>Thus you see, my dear father, how the evidence -increases in value and importance, -proving Jesus to be the Messiah. Tell me, -is not this the Christ?</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate and loving,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XV" id="LETTER_XV">LETTER XV.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>The inquiry you made in your last letter, -"What hath become of the prophet of Jordan, -since the fame of Jesus hath so eclipsed his -own?" I can answer but with sadness. The -mission on which John came terminated -when Jesus came. Soon afterwards he left -the wilderness and entered Jericho, where -Herod chanced to be visiting. Here he -preached in the public places, and in the -market, and on the very steps of the Governor's -palace. Now while he was thus -speaking to the people, and the officers and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -soldiers of the Tetrarch's guard, Herod himself -came forth upon the balcony to listen. -The prophet no sooner beheld him than he -boldly addressed him, and sternly reproved -him for the sin of having married the wife -of his brother Philip, contrary to the law. -Now Herod, it is said, did not show resentment -at his plain dealings, but, inviting the -prophet into his hall, talked much with him, -and in parting offered him gifts, which John -refused to touch. The next day he sent for -him again to ask him some questions touching -the Messias of whom he preached. Now -Herodia, when it was reported to her, after -the return of Herod from Jericho to his -Tetrarchy, how that the prophet had publicly -spoken against her marriage with -Herod, became very angry; and when she -found that John was still favored by her -husband, she sent for Herod and said that -if he would please her he must throw the -prophet of Jordan into prison. At length -Herod yielded, against his own will, and -gave orders for the arrest of the prophet; -who, the same night, was thrown into the -ward of the castle. For some weeks this -holy man, whose only offense was that he -had the courage to reprove sin in high -places, remained in bonds, while Herod each -day sought to find some excuse for releasing -him without displeasing Herodia, of -whose anger he stood in great fear, being an -abject slave to his love for her. At length -the birthday of Herod arrived, and he conveyed -word to John that in honor of the day -he would send and fetch him out of -prison as soon as he should obtain the -consent of his wife, which he believed -she would accord to him on such an anniversary.</p> - -<p>Now, after the feast, Philippa, the daughter -of Herodia, and of her former husband -Philip, came in and danced before Prince -Herod; and being beautiful in person and -full of grace in every motion, she so pleased -her step-father that he made a great oath, -having drunk much wine with his guests, -that he would give her whatsoever she -would ask, were it the half of his kingdom. -Her mother then called her, and whispered -to her imperatively.</p> - -<p>"Give me," said the maiden, turning -towards Herod, "the head, now, of John the -Baptist in a charger."</p> - -<p>The Tetrarch no sooner heard this request -than he turned pale, and said fiercely:</p> - -<p>"Thy mother hath been tampering with -thine ears, girl. Ask half of my kingdom -and I will give it thee, but let me not shed -blood on my birthday."</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou falsify thine oath?" asked his -wife, scornfully.</p> - -<p>"For mine oath's sake, and for those who -have heard it, I will grant thy desire," he at -length answered, with a sigh of regret and -self-reproach. He then turned to the captain -of the guard and commanded him to -slay John Baptist in prison, and bring presently -there his head upon a charger.</p> - -<p>At the end of a quarter of an hour, which -was passed by Herod in great excitement, -walking up and down the floor, and by his -guests in silent expectation, the door opened, -and the captain of the guard entered, followed -by the executioner, who carried a brazen -platter upon which lay the gory head of -the eloquent forerunner of Christ.</p> - -<p>"Give it to her!" cried Herod, sternly, -waving him towards the beautiful maiden -who stood near the inner door. The executioner -placed the charger in her hands; and, -with a smile of triumph, she bore it to her -mother, who had retired to an inner room.</p> - -<p>All the disciples of the murdered prophet -then went where Jesus was preaching and -healing, and told him what had been done to -John. "When Jesus heard of the death of -John, he was very sorrowful," writes John -to Mary, "and went away into a desert -place apart." In the meanwhile the disciples -of John Baptist fled, some into the -deserts, while others sought Jesus to protect -and counsel them. At length he found -himself surrounded by a great multitude, -chiefly of John's disciples, besides many who -had come to hear him preach and be healed -of him. The place was a desert and far -from any town. Forgetful of all else, save -following Jesus, they were without food. -"Which," says John, writing to Rabbi -Amos, "we who were his disciples seeing, -suggested that Jesus should send them away -to the villages to buy themselves victuals. -But Jesus answered us, and said quietly:</p> - -<p>"'They need not go away; give ye them -to eat.'</p> - -<p>"And Simon said, 'Master, where can -we get bread for so many? We have among -us but five loaves and two small fishes.'</p> - -<p>"Upon hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is -enough; bring them hither to me.'</p> - -<p>"We collected the bread and fishes, and I, -myself, laid them upon a rock before Jesus. -He then said to us, 'Command the multitude -to sit down on the grass.' And when -they were all seated, he took the five loaves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -and laying his hands upon them and upon -the two fishes, he looked up to heaven and -blessed them, and then, breaking them into -fragments, he gave them to us his disciples, -and bade us distribute to the people. As -often as we would return for more, we found -the loaves and the fishes undiminished, and -I saw with wonder how, when this Prophet -of God would break off a piece of one of the -fishes or of a loaf, the same part would immediately -be seen thereon as if it had not -been separated; and in this manner he continued -to break and distribute to us for -nearly an hour, until all ate as much as they -would. When no one demanded more, he -commanded us to gather up the fragments -which lay by his side, and there were twelve -baskets full over and above what was -needed. The number that was thus miraculously -fed was about five thousand men, -besides nearly an equal number of women -and children. And this mighty Prophet, -who could thus feed an army, voluntarily -suffered forty days and nights the pangs of -hunger in the desert! He seems a man in -suffering, a God in creating!"</p> - -<p>This wonderful miracle, my dear father, is -one that has too many witnesses to be -denied. Not a day passes that we do not -hear of some still more extraordinary exhibition -of his power than the preceding. -Every morning, when men meet in the market -places, or in the corridors of the Temple, -the first inquiry is, "What new wonder has -he performed? Have you heard of another -miracle of this mighty Prophet?" The -priests alone are offended, and speak evil of -him through envy.</p> - -<p>They even have gone so far as to assert -that he performs his miracles by magic, or -by the aid of Beelzebub, the prince of the -devils. "If we suffer him to take men's -minds as he doth," said Caiaphas to Rabbi -Amos yesterday, when he heard that Jesus -had walked on the sea to join his disciples -in their ship, and stilled a tempest with a -word, "the worship in the Temple will be at -an end, and the sacrifice will cease. He -draweth all men unto him."</p> - -<p>You have asked, dear father, in your letter, -"Where is Elias, who is to precede Messias, -according to the prophet Malachi?" -This question Jesus himself has answered, -says John, when a rabbi put it to him. He -replied thus:</p> - -<p>"Elias has come already, and ye have -done unto him whatsoever ye listed."</p> - -<p>"Dost thou speak of John the Baptist?" -asked those about him, when they heard -this.</p> - -<p>"John came in the spirit and power of -Elias, and therefore was he thus called by -the prophet," was the answer of Jesus.</p> - -<p>I did not tell you that besides the six disciples -whom I have named, he has chosen -six others, which twelve he keeps near his -person as his more favored followers, and -whom he daily instructs in the doctrines he -came down from heaven to teach. Of the -thousands who never weary of going from -place to place in his train, he has also selected -seventy men, whom he has despatched -by twos into every city and village -of Judea, commanding them to proclaim the -kingdom of God is at hand, and that the -time when men everywhere should repent -and turn to God, has come.</p> - -<p>It is now commonly reported that he will -be here at the Passover. I shall then behold -him, and, like the wise men, I shall worship -him with mingled awe and love. I will -again write you, dear father, after I see and -hear him. Till then, believe me your affectionate -daughter,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XVI" id="LETTER_XVI">LETTER XVI.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>While I write, the city is agitated like a -tumultuous sea. The loud murmurs of the -multitudes in the streets, and even in the -distant market-place, reach my startled ears. -A squadron of Roman cavalry has just -thundered past towards the Temple, where -the uproar is greatest; for a rumor of an insurrection -begun among the people has come -to Pilate the Procurator.</p> - -<p>I will relate to you the circumstance in -detail.</p> - -<p>Yesterday Mary's cousin, John, returned -and came unexpectedly into the hall of the -fountain, in the rear of the house, where we -were all seated in the cool of the vines. -Uncle Amos was in the act of reading to us -from the Prophet Jeremiah, a prophecy relating -to the Messias that is to come (nay, -that is come, dear father), when John appeared. -Mary's blushes welcomed him and -showed how dear he was to her. Uncle -Amos embraced and kissed him and seated -him by us, and called for a servant to bathe -his feet, for he was dusty and travel-worn. -From him we learned that his beloved Master,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -Jesus, had reached Bethany, and was reposing -from his fatigues at the hospitable -though humble house of Lazarus, Mary and -Martha. When we heard this, we were all -very glad; and Uncle Amos particularly -seemed to experience the deepest satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"If he come into Jerusalem," said he -warmly, "he shall be my guest. Bid him -to my roof, O John, that my household may -be blessed in having a prophet of God step -across its threshold."</p> - -<p>"I will tell my beloved Master thy wish, -Rabbi Amos," answered John. "Doubtless, -as he has no home nor friends in the -city, he will remain under your roof."</p> - -<p>"Say not no friends!" I exclaimed. "We -are all his friends here, and fain would be -his disciples."</p> - -<p>"What! Rabbi Amos also?" cried John, -with a glance of pleasure and surprise at -the venerable priest of God.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am ready, after all that I have -seen and heard, I am ready to confess him -a prophet sent from God."</p> - -<p>"He is far more than a prophet, O Rabbi -Amos," answered John. "Never prophet -did the works Jesus does. It seems that all -power is at his command. If you witnessed -what I witness daily, as he traverses Judea, -you would say that he was Jehovah descended -to earth in human form."</p> - -<p>"Nay, do not blaspheme, young man," said -Rabbi Amos, with some severity of reproof.</p> - -<p>John bowed his head in reverence to the -rebuke of the Rabbi, but nevertheless answered -respectfully and firmly. "Never man -did like him. If he be not God in the flesh, -he is an angel in flesh invested with divine -power."</p> - -<p>"If he be the Messiah," I said, "he cannot -be an angel, for are not the prophecies -clear that the Messiah shall be 'a man of -sorrows'? Is he not to be 'the seed of the -woman'? a man and not an angel?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered John, "you remember -well the prophecies. I firmly believe Jesus -to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Yet, -what he is more than man, what he is less -than God, is incomprehensible to me and to -my fellow-disciples. We wonder, love and -adore! At one moment we feel like embracing -him as a brother dearly beloved; at another, -we are ready to fall at his feet and -worship him. I have seen him weep at beholding -the miseries of the diseased -wretches which were dragged into his presence, -and then with a touch—with a word, -heal them; and they would stand before him -in the purity and beauty of health and -strong manhood."</p> - -<p>"And yet," said Nicodemus, a rich Pharisee, -who entered as John was first speaking, -and listened without interrupting, "and yet, -young man, I heard you say that Jesus, of -whom you and all men relate such mighty -deeds, has remained at Bethany to recover -from his fatigue. How can a man who -holds all sickness in his power, be subject -to mere weariness of body? I would say -unto him, Physician, heal thyself!"</p> - -<p>This was spoken with a tone of incredulity -by this learned ruler of the Jews, and, -stroking his snowy beard, he waited of -John a reply.</p> - -<p>"So far as I can learn the character of -Jesus," replied John, "his healing power -over diseases is not for his own good. He -uses his power to work miracles for the -benefit of others through love and compassion. -Being a man with this divine power -dwelling in him for us, he is subject to infirmities -as a man; he hungers, thirsts, -wearies, suffers, as a man. I have seen him -heal a nobleman's son by a word, and the -next moment seat himself, supporting his -aching head upon his hand, looking pale and -languid, for his labors of love are vast, and -he is often overcome by them. Once Simon -Peter, seeing him ready to sink with weariness, -after healing all day, asked him and -said, 'Master, thou givest strength to others; -why suffer thyself, when all health and -strength are in thee as in a living well, to be -weary?'</p> - -<p>"'It is not my desire to escape human -infirmities by any power my Father hath -bestowed upon me for the good of men. -Through suffering only can I draw all men -after me!' he replied."</p> - -<p>John said this so sadly, as if he were repeating -the very tones in which Jesus had -spoken it, that we all remained silent for a -few moments. I felt tears fill my eyes, and -I was glad to see that the proud Pharisee, -Nicodemus, looked moved. After a full -minute's serious pause, he said:</p> - -<p>"This man is doubtless no common -prophet. When he comes into the city, I -shall be glad to hear from his own mouth his -doctrines, and to witness some potent -miracle."</p> - -<p>"Prophet he is, without doubt," answered -Amos. "It is not the question now whether -he be a prophet or not; for the hundreds he -has healed are living witnesses that he has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -the spirit and power of the old prophets, -and is truly a prophet. The question that -remains is, whether he be the Messiah or -not."</p> - -<p>Nicodemus slowly and negatively shook -his head, and then answered:</p> - -<p>"Messias cometh not out of Galilee."</p> - -<p>At this moment a sudden wild, joyful cry -from Mary thrilled our nerves, and looking -towards the door, we saw her folded in the -arms of a young man whom I had never -seen before. My surprise had not time to -form itself into any definite explanation of -what I saw, when I beheld the young man, -who was exceedingly handsome and the picture -of health, after kissing the clinging -Mary upon her cheeks, leave her to throw -himself into the arms of Rabbi Amos, crying:</p> - -<p>"My father, my dear father!"</p> - -<p>My uncle, who had stood amazed and wonderingly -gazing on him, as if he could not believe -what his eyes beheld, now burst into -profound expressions of grateful joy, and as -he clasped the young stranger to his heart, -fell upon his neck and wept, with scarcely -power to articulate the words:</p> - -<p>"My son! My son! Lost, but found again! -This is the Lord's doing and is marvelous in -our eyes!"</p> - -<p>John also embraced the new-comer, and -the ruler stood silent with wonder. While I -was looking bewildered upon the scene, -Mary ran and said to me, with tears of gladness -shining in her dark, fine eyes:</p> - -<p>"It is Benjamin, my lost brother, beloved -Adina!"</p> - -<p>"I did not know you had a brother," I answered -in surprise.</p> - -<p>"We have long regarded him as dead," -she replied with mingled emotions. "Seven -years ago he became lunatic, and fled to the -tombs without the city, where he has long -dwelt with many others who were possessed -with devils. For years he has neither -spoken to nor known us. But oh, now—now -behold him! It seems a vision! See how -manly, noble, like himself he is, with the -same intelligent, smiling eyes."</p> - -<p>She then flew to take him by the hand and -lead him toward me, all eyes being fixed -upon him, as if he had been a spirit.</p> - -<p>When he saw their wondering gaze, he -said:</p> - -<p>"It is I, both son and brother to those -dearest to me. I am in my right mind and -well."</p> - -<p>"Who has effected this change, so extraordinary, -oh, my son?" inquired Rabbi -Amos, with trembling lips, and keeping his -hand on Benjamin's shoulder, as if he feared -he would vanish away.</p> - -<p>"It was Jesus, the Prophet of the Highest!" -answered he, with solemn gratitude.</p> - -<p>"Jesus!" we all exclaimed in one voice.</p> - -<p>"I could have said so," answered John, -calmly. "Rabbi Nicodemus, thou knowest -this young man well. Thou hast known him -in childhood, and beheld him in the madness -of his lunacy among the tombs. Dost -thou doubt now whether Jesus be the very -Christ?"</p> - -<p>Nicodemus made no reply, but I saw from -the expression of his face that he believed.</p> - -<p>"How was this done to thee, young man?" -he asked, with deep and visible emotion.</p> - -<p>"I was wandering near Bethany this -morning," answered the restored one, with -modesty, "when I beheld a crowd which I -madly followed. As I drew near I beheld in -their midst a man, whom I had no sooner -cast my eyes upon than I felt seize me an -ungovernable propensity to destroy him. -The same fury possessed seven others, my -comrades in madness, and together we -rushed upon him, with great stones and -knives in our hands. The crowd gave way -and fell back aghast, and called him to save -himself. But he moved not, but, left alone -in a wide space, stood calmly awaiting us. -We were within a few feet of him, and I -was nearest, ready to strike him to the -earth, when he quietly lifted one finger and -said, 'Peace!' We stood immovable, without -power to stir a foot, while our rage and -hatred increased with our inability to harm -him. We howled and foamed at the mouth -before him, for we then knew that he was -the Son of God, come to destroy us.</p> - -<p>"'Come out of the men and depart -quickly!' he said, in a tone of command as -if to us, but really to the demons within us. -At this word I fell at his feet in a dreadful -convulsion, and my whole body writhed as -if it had been wrestling with an invisible -demon. Jesus then stooped and laid his -hand upon my brow and said, 'Son, arise. -Thou art made whole!'</p> - -<p>"At these words a black cloud seemed to -be lifted from my mind. The glory of a new -existence appeared to dawn upon my soul, -while his voice melted my heart within me. -Bursting into tears, the first I have shed for -seven years, I fell at his feet and kissed -and embraced them."</p> - -<p>When Benjamin had done speaking, we all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> -gave glory to God, who had given him back -to us, and who had sent so great a Prophet -among men.</p> - -<p>I commenced this letter, dearest father, by -an allusion to a great commotion which is -agitating the whole city, but as I have taken -up so much of this letter in relating what -passed yesterday in the hall of the fountain, -I will leave the account of the tumult -for my next letter, which I shall write this -evening.</p> - -<p>May the God of our fathers be with you, -and bless you and -the holy people of -the promise.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XVII" id="LETTER_XVII">LETTER XVII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>When, on the morning -of the Passover, -it was noised abroad -that the Prophet of -Galilee was entering -the city by the gate -of Jericho, the whole -city was stirred, and -from houses and -shops poured forth crowds which turned -their steps in that direction. Mary and I -went upon the house-top, hoping to see -something; but far and near was visible only -a sea of heads, from which a deep murmuring -arose, like the ceaseless voice of the -ocean chafing upon a rocky shore. The top -of the gate-way was visible from the place -where we stood, but it was black with the -people who had crowded upon it to look -down. There was heard at length an immense -shout, as of one voice, which was -followed by a swaying and onward pressure -of the crowds.</p> - -<p>"The Prophet must have entered the -gate," said my Cousin Mary, breathlessly. -"How they do him honor! It is the reception -of a king!"</p> - -<p>We were in hopes he would pass by our -house, as we were on one of the chief -thoroughfares, but were disappointed, as he -ascended the hill of Moriah to the Temple. -A part of the ascent to the house of the -Lord is visible from our roof, and we had -the satisfaction of seeing the Prophet at a -distance. We knew him only because he -was in advance. The nighest one to him, -Mary said, was her Cousin John, though at -that distance I could not have recognized -him. The head of the multitude disappeared -beneath the arch of the Temple, and thousands -upon thousands followed after; and -in the rear rode the young Roman centurion, -whom I have before spoken of, at the head -of four hundred horse, to keep order in the -vast mass. Mary could not recognize him, -saying it was too far to tell who he was; -but I knew him, not only by his air and -bearing, but by the scarlet pennon that fluttered -from his iron -lance, and which I -had bestowed upon -him, for he told me -he had lost one his -fair Roman sister, -Tullia, had given -him, and as he so -much regretted its -loss, I supplied its -place by another, -worked by my own -hands.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i07large.jpg"><img src="images/i07.jpg" width="400" height="326" alt="STREET IN JERUSALEM" /></a> -</div> - -<p>The multitude, as -many as could gain -admission, having -entered the great -gate of the Temple, -for a few minutes -there was a profound stillness. Mary said:</p> - -<p>"He is worshiping or sacrificing now."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," I said, "he is addressing the -people, and they listen to his words."</p> - -<p>While I was speaking there arose from the -bosom of the Temple a loud, irregular, -strange outcry of a thousand voices, pitched -to high excitement. The people without the -gate responded by a universal shout, and -then we beheld those nighest the walls retreat -down the hillside in terrified confusion, -while, to increase the tumult, the Roman -horse charged up the hill, seeking to penetrate -the masses to reach the gate out of -which the people poured like a living and -tempest-tossed river, before which the head -of the cohort recoiled or was overwhelmed -and down-trodden! I held my breath in -dreadful suspense, not knowing the cause of -the fearful scene we beheld, nor to what it -might lead. Mary sank, almost insensible, -by my side. A quarter of an hour had not -passed when young Samuel Ben Azel, who -had the day before come up from Nain to -the Passover with his mother, entered and -explained to us the cause of the scene I had -witnessed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The Prophet Jesus, having entered into -the Temple, found all the courts filled with -merchants, changers of money, and sellers -of cattle to the sacrificers. Portions of the -sacred place were divided off by fences, in -which hundreds of sheep and cattle were -stalled. On his way to the inner Temple -the Prophet found his path so obstructed by -the stalls and the tables of the brokers, that -he had to go around them, and often to turn -back and take a less hedged-up avenue. At -length finding, upon the very lintel of the -Court of the Priests, a priest himself engaged -at a table as a money-changer, and -near him a Levite keeping a stall for selling -doves and sparrows to the worshipers, he -stopped upon the step, and turning round, -cast his eye, which now beamed with an -awful majesty and power, over the scene of -noisy commerce and bartering. Every face -was turned towards him in expectation. -The half-completed bargain was suspended, -and buyer and seller directed their gaze, as -by a sort of fascination, not unmingled with -a strange fear and awe, upon him. Those -who had crowded about him drew back -farther and farther, slowly but irresistibly -widening the space between them and him, -they knew not by what impulse, till he stood -alone, save near him remained John, his disciple. -The uproar of the buying and selling -suddenly subsided, and the loud lowing -of the cattle and the bleating of the sheep -stopped as if a supernatural awe had seized -even the brute creation at his presence, and -only the soft cooing of doves stirred the vast, -death-like stillness of the place, a moment -before a scene of oaths, cries, shouts, of -running to and fro, buying and selling, the -ringing of money, and the buzz of ten thousand -voices! It was as if a hurricane, -sweeping with deafening uproar of the elements -over the lashed ocean, had been suddenly -arrested and followed by a great -calm. The silence was dreadful! It stopped -the very beating of my heart. Every eye of -the vast multitude seemed to fasten itself -on the Prophet in expectation of some dread -event. The step of the Temple upon which -he stood seemed to be a throne, and the people -before him expecting judgment. Suddenly -the silence was broken by a young -man near me who gave a piercing shriek, -and fell insensible upon the marble floor. -There was a general thrill of horror, yet the -same awful stillness succeeded this startling -interruption. That one intense shriek -had spoken for us all. Suddenly the voice of -the Prophet was heard, clear, authoritative, -and ringing like the trumpet that shook -Sinai when the Law was given.</p> - -<p>"'It is written, My Father's house shall be -called a house of prayer; but ye have made -it a den of thieves!'</p> - -<p>"He then picked up from the pavement at -his feet a small cord, which some one had -thrown down, and doubling it in the form -of a scourge, he advanced. Before his presence -fled the changers of money, priests and -Levites, sellers of oxen, sellers of sheep, -sellers of doves, leaving their property to its -fate.</p> - -<p>"'Take these things hence,' cried the -Prophet; 'make not my Father's house a -house of merchandise!'</p> - -<p>"Such a scene of confusion and flight was -never witnessed as now followed! In the -moment of panic I was borne along with the -current. Money tables were overturned on -all sides, but not the most avaricious one -present thought, at that moment, of stopping -to gather any of the gold and silver -which the rushing thousands trampled beneath -their feet. It was not the whip of -small cords before which we fled, for he -touched no man therewith, but it was from -the majesty of his countenance. To the -eyes of all the little whip seemed to blaze -and flash above their heads, as if it were the -fiery sword of a destroying angel. In a few -moments the Priests' Court of the Temple -was cleared of every soul, as we fled -towards the South gate. On looking back, I -saw that the Prophet pursued not, but stood -alone, Master and Lord of the Temple. The -whip was no longer in his hand, and his -whole attitude and expression of face -seemed changed from their late impress to -an air of the profoundest compassion, as he -looked after us, still flying from his presence."</p> - -<p>My uncle, Rabbi Amos, who, on his return -from the Temple, corroborated what Samuel -had stated, added that as Jesus stood alone, -possessor of the gold-strewn floors of the -courts of the Temple, the High Priest advanced -towards him, and with awe, not unmixed -with anger, demanded of him by -what authority he did these things.</p> - -<p>His answer was, "My Father's house must -not be made a house of merchandise."</p> - -<p>"Art thou the Christ?" asked the High -Priest, still standing some distance off from -him.</p> - -<p>"If I tell thee that I am, ye will not believe."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What sign showest thou that thou art -sent, and hast authority to do what thou -doest here to-day within the Temple?"</p> - -<p>"Hast thou not had proof of my power -from heaven?" answered Jesus, stretching -forth his hand towards the still terror-stricken -multitude; and then laying it upon -his breast, he added: "Destroy this temple, -and in three days I will raise it up! Be this -to you, O priest, and to all Judea, the sign -that I am sent by my Father who is in -heaven. As he hath given me commandment, -so I do!"</p> - -<p>At this there was a great murmuring, said -Rabbi Amos, for many of the priests, with -Annas also, had got boldness and drawn -near to hear.</p> - -<p>"He cannot be a just man," said Annas, -"nor doth he honor God, if he would have -us destroy the Temple."</p> - -<p>"Yet if he be not sent of God, whence -hath he this power over men?" answered -another.</p> - -<p>"He doeth this by Beelzebub, whose -prophet he doubtless is," said Annas, in a -loud tone, "for a true prophet would not -seek the destruction of God's holy house."</p> - -<p>Thereupon there was a multitude of -voices, some crying one thing, and some another. -Caiaphas at length obtained silence, -and said to him with awe:</p> - -<p>"Art thou that Christ of the Prophets?"</p> - -<p>"I am!" calmly and firmly answered the -Prophet; and, raising his eyes to heaven, he -added impressively, "I am come down from -God."</p> - -<p>When, adds my uncle, Annas heard this, -he lifted up his voice in an exclamation of -horror, and cried out:</p> - -<p>"Hear ye this blasphemer! Let us cast -him forth from the Temple which he pollutes!"</p> - -<p>But no man dared approach the Prophet.</p> - -<p>"Bear witness," then said he, sorrowfully, -rather than in anger, "that I have come -unto my own, and ye have received me not! -This Temple of my Father, from which you -would drive me forth, shall no longer be the -dwelling place and altar of Jehovah. The -day cometh when your priesthood shall be -taken away and given to others, and among -the Gentiles shall arise my Father's name, -on every hill and in every valley of the -earth, holy temples, wherein he shall delight -to dwell; and men shall no longer need to -worship God in Zion, but in all places shall -prayer and praise be offered to the Most -High. This Temple, which ye have polluted, -shall be overthrown, and ye shall be scattered -among the nations."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, the Prophet quitted the -Temple, leaving the High Priest and priests -and Levites standing gazing after him, -without power to utter a word.</p> - -<p>Such, my dear father, is the account given -by Rabbi Amos of what passed in the Temple. -That Jesus is the Christ is now beyond -question, for he has openly acknowledged it -to the High Priest.</p> - -<p>Adieu, dearest father. The servants are -bringing in boughs for the booths, and I -must close this letter, with prayers to our -fathers' God for your peace and welfare.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XVIII" id="LETTER_XVIII">LETTER XVIII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>You say in your letter, which I received -from the hands of the Roman courier, that -you have read with interest all my letters, -and more especially those which relate to -Jesus of Galilee. You say that you are -ready to acknowledge him as a prophet sent -from God. But you add, "He can have no -claim to be the Christ, because he comes out -of Galilee."</p> - -<p>To this objection, dear father, Rabbi Amos -desires me to say that he has investigated -the records of births kept in the Temple, -and finds, as I have before named to you, -that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He -afterwards removed with his parents to -Egypt, and thence returning to Judea, -settled in Galilee, where he was brought up. -Of these facts in his history not only Rabbi -Amos is satisfied, but Nicodemus also, whose -learning you will not gainsay; and the latter, -very much to our surprise, and my own delight, -added yesterday, when we were talking -over the subject at supper, "There is a -prophecy, O Rabbi Amos, which strengthens -this mighty Prophet's claim to be the Messias."</p> - -<p>"What is it? Let me hear all that can -strengthen!" I asked earnestly; not, dear -father, that my confidence in him needs confirmation, -but I wish others to believe.</p> - -<p>"You will find it in the Prophet Hoseas," -answered Nicodemus, "and thus it readeth: -'I have called my son out of Egypt.'"</p> - -<p>My heart bounded with joy, dear father, -at hearing this prophecy named; but judge -my emotion when Nicodemus, taking the roll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -of the Prophet Isaiah in his hand, read the -words that follow, and applied them to -Jesus: "Beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the -Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness -have seen a great light!" This -changes the objection to his coming from -Galilee into additional proof of his claim to -be the Messias.</p> - -<p>In my last letter I informed you that -Rabbi Amos had invited him to sojourn -with us during the Passover. He graciously -accepted the invitation, and came hither yesterday, -after he had quitted the Temple, -from which he had with such commanding -power driven forth the merchants and -money-changers.</p> - -<p>Hearing, while expecting him, the rumor -flying along the streets, "The Prophet -comes! The Prophet comes!" uttered by -hundreds of voices of men and children, I -hastened to the house-top. The whole way -was a sea of heads. The multitude came -rolling onward, like a mighty river; as I -have seen the dark Nile flow when pouring -its freshening floods along its confined -banks.</p> - -<p>Mary stood by my side. We tried to single -out the central person around whom undulated -the sea of heads; but all was so wildly -confused with the waving of palm branches -that we could distinguish nothing clearly. -While I was straining my gaze to make out -the form of the Prophet, Mary touched me, -and bade me look in the opposite direction. -As I did so I beheld Æmilius Tullius, the -young Roman centurion, now Prefect of -Pilate's Legion, advancing at the head of two -hundred horsemen at full spur, in order to -meet and turn back the advancing column -of people.</p> - -<p>As he came opposite the house he looked -up, and seeing us upon the parapet, he -gracefully waved his gleaming sword, saluted -us, and was dashing past, when Mary -cried out:</p> - -<p>"Noble sir, there is no insurrection, as -some of the people have doubtless told thee, -but this vast crowd moving hitherwards is -only an escort to the Prophet of Nazareth, -who cometh to be my father's guest."</p> - -<p>"I have orders from Pilate to arrest him, -lady, as a disturber of the peace of the capital."</p> - -<p>"Shall a prophet suffer because his mighty -deeds draw crowds after his footsteps, noble -Roman? If thy troops advance there will be -a collision with the people. If thou wilt -withdraw them a little, thou wilt see that -when the Prophet crosses my father's threshold, -they will go away in peace."</p> - -<p>The prefect said nothing, but seemed to -look at me for some words; which seeing, I -earnestly entreated him to do the Prophet no -violence.</p> - -<p>"For thy wishes' sake, lady, I will here -halt my troop, especially as I see that the -people are unarmed."</p> - -<p>The centurion then gave orders to his -horsemen to draw up in line opposite the -house. The multitude now came near, but -many of those in advance, seeing the Roman -horse, stopped or fell into the rear, so that I -beheld Jesus appear in front, walking at an -even, calm pace, John at his side; also Rabbi -Amos was with him. As he came nigher, -the people, for fear of the long Roman -spears, kept back, and he advanced almost -alone. I saw John point out to him our -house. The Prophet raised his face and -gazed upon it an instant. I saw his features -full. His countenance was not that of a -young man, but of a person past the middle -age of life, though he is but thirty. His hair -was mingled with gray, and in his finely -shaped, oval face were carved, evidently by -care and sorrow, deep lines. His flowing -beard fell upon his breast. His eyes appeared -to be fixed upon us both for an instant -with benignity and peace. Deep sadness, -gentle, not stern, seemed to be the -characteristic expression of his noble and -princely visage. There was an air of manly -dignity in his carriage and mien, and as he -walked amid his followers he was truly -kingly, yet simplicity and humility qualified -this native majesty of port. He seemed to -draw out both the awe and love of those -who saw him—to command equally our -homage and sympathy.</p> - -<p>Passing the troop of horse, John and -Rabbi Amos conducted Jesus to our door; -but before they reached it there was a loud -cry from several harsh voices to the Roman -to arrest him. On looking from whence -these shouts came, I saw that they proceeded -from several of the priests, headed -by Annas, who were pressing forward -through the crowd, crying menacingly:</p> - -<p>"We call upon you, O prefect, to arrest -this man! Shame on thee, Rabbi Amos! -Hast thou also believed in the impostor? -We charge this Galilean, O Roman, with -having made sedition. He has taken possession -of the Temple, and unless you see to -it he will have the citadel out of your hands. -If you arrest him not, we will not answer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> -for the consequences that may befall the -city and the people."</p> - -<p>"I see nothing to fear from this man, O ye -Jews," answered Æmilius. "He is unarmed -and without troops. Stand back; keep ye -to your Temple! It is from your outcries -comes all the confusion! Back to your -altars! If commotions arise in the city, -Pilate will make you accountable. All the -rest of the people are peaceable save yourselves."</p> - -<p>"We will take our complaint before the -Procurator!" cried Annas, who was the chief -speaker; and, followed by a large company -of angry priests and Levites, with staves in -their hands, he took his way towards the -palace of the Roman Governor.</p> - -<p>I looked my gratitude to Æmilius for so -fearlessly taking part with the Prophet.</p> - -<p>The multitude now began to retire as the -Roman horse slowly moved up the street. -Jesus was received into the house by Mary, -and taken into the inner hall, where, water -being brought, Rabbi Amos himself removed -the sandals of the Prophet and reverently -washed his feet, while Mary, to do him all -honor, dried them with a rich veil, which -she had just worked in anticipation of her -coming bridal with her Cousin John. It was -at this moment I entered the hall.</p> - -<p>There were in the room not only Amos, -and John, and Mary, but the Priest Elias, -cousin to Caiaphas, who, desirous of hearing -from the lips of the Prophet his sublime -teachings, had come in with him. There -were also present five men whom I never -saw before, but who, John said, were his -disciples. I, however, had no eye or ear for -any one but Jesus. I saw that he seemed -very weary and pale, and for the first time -I noticed he seemed to suffer, as from time -to time he raised his hand to his temples. -Desirous of serving so holy a person, I hastened -to prepare a restorative which, bringing -it into the hall, I was about to give to -him, when the Priest Elias put me rudely -back and said, "Nay, maiden, let us witness -a miracle!" He then turned to the -Prophet and said, "Master, we have heard -much of thy power to do miracles, but have -seen none by thee. If thou wilt presently -show me a miracle, I will believe, I and all -my house. Thou hast a pain in thy forehead; -heal it with a touch, and I will -acknowledge thee the Christ, the Son of the -Blessed!"</p> - -<p>Jesus turned his eyes upon him and said, -"Elias, thou readest the Prophets, and -shouldest know whether he who speaketh -unto thee be the Christ or no. Search the -Scriptures, that thou mayest know that the -time of his visitation is come, and that I am -he. I do no miracles to relieve my own suffering. -I came into this world to suffer. -Isaiah wrote of me as a man of sorrows, and -acquainted with grief. Blessed are they -who, not seeing, shall believe!"</p> - -<p>"But, Master," said the aged Levite, -Asher, "we know whence thou art—even -from Galilee. But when Christ cometh, no -man knoweth whence he is."</p> - -<p>"It is true, O man of Israel, ye both know -me and whence I am. Yet ye know not him -who sent me. Ye do not understand the -Scriptures or ye would indeed know me, -whence I am, and who hath sent me. But -ye know neither me nor him that sent me, -for I am come out from God. If ye had -known him, ye would know me also. The -time cometh when ye shall know whence I -am and believe in me; but now your hearts -are darkened through ignorance and unbelieving."</p> - -<p>When he had thus spoken with great dignity -and power, there were many present -who were offended, and some voices murmured -against him. Then Rabbi Amos led -him forth to the apartment he had prepared -for him.</p> - -<p>In going to it the Prophet had to cross the -court, and as I was watching his retiring -footsteps, I saw four men, who had climbed -to the house-top from the side street, the -doors being closed, let down a fifth in a -blanket at the very feet of Jesus. It was a -man afflicted with the palsy, and their own -father. Jesus, seeing their filial love, stopped -and said kindly:</p> - -<p>"Young men, what would ye have me to -do?"</p> - -<p>"Heal our aged father, holy Rabbi."</p> - -<p>"Believe ye that I can do this?" he asked, -fixing his gaze earnestly on them.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Lord, we believe that thou art the -Christ, the Son of the living God! All things -are possible unto thee!"</p> - -<p>Jesus looked benignantly upon them, and -then taking the venerable man by the hand, -he said to him in a loud voice, so that all -who were looking on heard him:</p> - -<p>"Aged father, I say unto thee, arise and -walk!"</p> - -<p>The palsied man instantly rose to his feet, -whole and strong, and after casting a glance -around upon himself, he threw himself at -the Prophet's feet and bathed them in tears.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> -The four sons followed their father's example, -while all the people who witnessed -the miracle shouted, "Glory to God, who -hath given such power unto men!"</p> - -<p>Such, my dear father, are the increasing -testimonies Jesus bears, by miracles as well -as by words, to his being Messias.</p> - -<p>The God of our fathers keep you in health.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XIX" id="LETTER_XIX">LETTER XIX.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>The visit of the Prophet Jesus to the city -has produced results of the most amazing -character. The priesthood is divided. Caiaphas -has publicly recognized him as a -prophet, while Annas has publicly declared -that he is an impostor; and thus two parties -are formed in the city, headed by the two -priests, and most men have taken sides with -one or the other. But the majority of the -common people are in favor of Jesus, believing -him to be the Christ. The Pharisees -most oppose him, because he boldly reproves -their sins and hypocrisies.</p> - -<p>Even Nicodemus, who at first was inclined -to accept Jesus as a prophet, finding the -Pharisees against him, and being unwilling -to lose his popularity with them, kept away -from the house where Jesus was by day; but -his curiosity to learn more of him led him to -visit the holy Prophet secretly by night. -This he did twice, coming alone in the darkness, -and being let in by his friend Rabbi -Amos. What the results of these interviews -was I can only tell you from Mary's account. -She overheard their conversation, -her window opening upon the corridor, -where Jesus was seated after supper, alone -in the moonlight, for full an hour, gazing -meditatively heavenward. His pale and -chiseled features in the white moonlight -seemed radiant as marble, when Rabbi Amos -came and announced the ruler, Nicodemus, -as desirous of speaking with him.</p> - -<p>"Bid him come in and see me, if he has -aught to say to me," answered the Prophet, -turning towards him.</p> - -<p>"Nicodemus," added my Cousin Mary, -"then came to the corridor, wrapped carefully -in his mantle, and, looking about to see -if he was unobserved, he dropped it from -his face, and, bowing reverently, said to the -Prophet:</p> - -<p>"'Pardon me, O Rabbi, that I come to -thee by night, but by day thy time is taken -up with healing and teaching. I am glad to -find thee alone, great Prophet, for I would -ask thee many things.'</p> - -<p>"'Speak, Nicodemus, and I will listen to -thy words,' answered the Prophet.</p> - -<p>"'Rabbi,' said the ruler of the Pharisees, -'I know thou art a teacher come from God, -for no man can do these things that thou -doest except God be with him. That thou -art a mighty prophet I believe, as do all -men; but art thou Messias? Tell us plainly. -We read that Messias is to be a king -who will rule the whole earth!'</p> - -<p>"'My kingdom, O ruler of the Pharisees, -is not of this world. I am indeed a king, but -of a spiritual kingdom. My kingdom, unlike -earthly kingdoms, has no end, and those who -enter it must be born again. If not, they cannot -see or desire this kingdom.'</p> - -<p>"'Born again!' answered Nicodemus, with -surprise: 'how can a man be born a second -time? O Rabbi, thou speakest in parables!'</p> - -<p>"'Verily, verily, I say unto thee,' answered -the Prophet, 'except a man be born -of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter -my kingdom. He that is born again is born -a spiritual man and of my kingdom. Marvel -not, then, that I say unto thee, ye must -be born again.'</p> - -<p>"When Nicodemus left him, Rabbi Amos -said, 'Is it indeed true, O Master, that thou -art to establish a kingdom?'</p> - -<p>"'Yes, Rabbi Amos, a kingdom in which -dwelleth righteousness,' answered the -Prophet. 'Thou shalt yet behold me on my -throne, O Amos, raised above the earth, and -drawing all men unto me.'</p> - -<p>"'Wilt thou have thy throne in the clouds -of heaven, O Master, that thou shalt be -raised above the earth upon it?' asked Rabbi -Amos.</p> - -<p>"'My throne shall be set on Calvary, and -the ends of the earth shall look unto me -and acknowledge my empire. Thou knowest -not these things now, but hereafter -thou shalt remember that I told thee of -them.'"</p> - -<p>Jesus then rose and, bidding his host good-night, -retired to the apartment which was -assigned him, and Mary remained wondering -on his sayings.</p> - -<p>Thus, dear father, it is made certain from -his own words that Jesus is the Christ and -that he is to establish a kingdom. But why -his throne shall be on Calvary instead of -Mount Zion, Rabbi Amos wonders greatly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> -for Calvary is a place of skulls and of public -executions, and is covered with Roman -crosses, where every week some malefactor -is crucified for his crimes.</p> - -<p>This morning, as Jesus was going forth -from the house to depart into the country, -a man lame from his youth, seated upon the -threshold, caught him by the robe, saying, -"Master, heal me!"</p> - -<p>"Son, thy sins be forgiven thee!" answered -Jesus, and then passed on; but the -scribes and Pharisees who stood about -cried, "This man, be he prophet or no, blasphemeth, -for God alone can forgive sins!"</p> - -<p>Jesus stopped and, turning to them, said:</p> - -<p>"Which is easier, to say to this man, 'Thy -sins be forgiven thee?' or to say, 'Rise and -walk'? That ye may know that the Son of -God hath power on earth to forgive sins—behold!"</p> - -<p>Then in a loud voice the Prophet said to -the lame man, "Arise, take up thy bed, and -go to thine house!"</p> - -<p>Immediately the man rose to his feet, leaping -and praising God, and taking up the -mattress upon which they had brought him -to the door, he ran swiftly away to show -himself to his kinsfolk, while all the people -shouted and praised God.</p> - -<p>Thus did Jesus publicly show men that he -could forgive sins, if he could heal, as the -power to do either came equally from God. -Does not this power prove that he is the Son -of God?</p> - -<p>You should have seen him, dear father, as -he left our house to go away into Galilee! -The street was lined with all the afflicted of -Jerusalem, and as he moved on between the -rows of wretched sufferers, whose hollow -eyes and shrivelled arms were turned imploringly -towards him, he healed by words -addressed to them, as he moved on, so that -where he found disease before him, -stretched on beds, he left behind him health -and empty couches. We all wept at his departure -and followed him to the Damascus -Gate. Here there was assembled a large -company of Levites and priests, among -whom were mingled some of the most desperate -characters in Jerusalem. Knowledge -of this fact reached Rabbi Amos, who at -once sent a message to Æmilius, our Roman -friend, informing him that he apprehended -that there would be an attempt made to -assassinate Jesus at the going out of the -gate, and asking his aid.</p> - -<p>Æmilius placed himself at the head of fifty -horse, and reaching the gate, pressed the -crowd back, and took possession of it. -When Jesus had passed through the armed -guard beneath the arch, the young Roman -courteously offered him an escort to the next -village.</p> - -<p>Æmilius, who informed me of these things, -conducted him as far as Ephraim, and then -was about to leave him to return to the city, -when four lepers came from the cemetery of -the tombs, near the village, and crying out -afar off, said:</p> - -<p>"Thou blessed Christ, have mercy on us!"</p> - -<p>Jesus stopped and called to the lepers to -approach. As they obeyed, the whole company -of people, as well as the Roman soldiers, -drew back to a distance, in horror at -the sight of these dead-living men. They -came timidly within twenty paces of Jesus -and stood still tremblingly.</p> - -<p>"Fear not," said he, "I will make you -whole!"</p> - -<p>He then advanced towards them, and laying -his hand upon each of them, they all, at -the touch, were instantly changed to well -men, with the buoyant form, clear eye, and -rich bloom of health.</p> - -<p>When Æmilius saw this miracle, he dismounted -from his horse, and falling at Jesus' -feet, worshiped him.</p> - -<p>Now, my dear father, I have thus far -faithfully written all that I have heard and -witnessed respecting Jesus, as you desire. -You must see that he is more than a prophet, -and must be the very Christ, the Son of the -Blessed. Withhold, oh, withhold not your -belief longer!</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate and loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XX" id="LETTER_XX">LETTER XX.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>We are now at the humble abode of Sarah, -at Nain, whither I have come to breathe the -fresh mountain air for a time. Her cottage -stands in a garden, from which is a sublime -view of Tabor, in all the majesty of his -mountain grandeur. One day while I was in -the garden walking, two men, dusty and -travel-worn, stopped at the half-open gate, -and saluting us, said:</p> - -<p>"Peace be to this house, maiden, and all -who dwell therein."</p> - -<p>"Enter," said the widow, overhearing -them, "enter and ye shall have water for -your feet and bread for your hunger."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<p>The two men then entered and seated -themselves, and having been refreshed by -the poor but hospitable widow, one of them -rose and said:</p> - -<p>"'This day is salvation come to this house. -We are ambassadors of Jesus of Nazareth, -and go from city to city, proclaiming the day -of the Lord at hand, for Messiah is come!'"</p> - -<p>"Will he, then, come to Nain?" asked the -widow with emotion. "I should be willing -to die so that I could lay my eyes once upon -so great and holy a man!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, he will come hither," answered the -men, "and when we shall report to him -your hospitality to us, he will visit your -house, for he never forgets a cup of water -given to one of his disciples."</p> - -<p>The men then departed, again calling the -peace of God upon our abode. They had not -been gone many minutes before we heard a -great commotion in the market-place near -by. Upon going to the house-top, we beheld -these two men standing upon an elevation, -and preaching the kingdom of Christ at -hand. Upon this, some cried out against -Jesus, and others threw stones at the two -men, and when we reached the house-top, -we saw one of them remove his sandals and -shake the dust from them, saying in a loud -voice:</p> - -<p>"As ye reject the words of life, your sins -remain upon you, as I return to you the dust -of your city."</p> - -<p>They then departed, followed by Levites, -who fairly drove them from the town.</p> - -<p>While we were grieving at this enmity -against a Prophet sent from God, whose life -is a series of good deeds, there entered -hastily a fair young maid whose name was -Ruth. She held an open letter in her hand, -and her beautiful face glowed rosily with -some secret joy, which contrasted strangely -with the present sadness of our own. We -knew Ruth well, and loved her as if she had -been a sister. She was an orphan, and -dwelt with her uncle, Elihaz, the Levite, a -man of influence in the town. She was artless, -unsuspecting, and very interesting in -all her ways.</p> - -<p>"What good news, dear Ruth?" asked -Mary, smiling in response to her bright -smiles. "A letter from whom?"</p> - -<p>"For Sarah," answered the pretty maid, -blushing so timidly and consciously that we -half suspected the truth.</p> - -<p>"But that is not telling us from whom," -persevered Mary, with a little playfulness.</p> - -<p>"You can guess," she answered, glancing -over her white shoulder, as she bounded -away from us into the house.</p> - -<p>We were soon after her, and heard her as -she cried on putting the letter into the dear -widow's hand:</p> - -<p>"From Samuel!"</p> - -<p>"God be blessed!" cried the widow. "My -son liveth and is well!"</p> - -<p>"Read, dear Sarah!" cried the maiden. -"He was at Alexandria when he wrote -this, and will soon be at home. Oh, happy, -happy day!" added the overjoyed girl, quite -forgetful of our presence.</p> - -<p>"Nay," said the widow, "my eyes are -filled with tears of gladness; I cannot see to -read. Do thou read it aloud. Let Adina -and Mary also know what he writeth."</p> - -<p>Ruth then cast a bright look upon us, and -read aloud the letter from over the sea, -which told that the writer would return in -the first ship bound to Sidon, or Cesarea, -when he hoped to behold her and his mother -face to face, and to receive as his bride the -maiden he had so long loved and cherished -in his heart.</p> - -<p>At length, as the day drew near for me to -leave, we were all filled with delightful surprise -at the appearance of the long-absent -son and lover in the midst of our happy -circle.</p> - -<p>Mary and I had once seen him, and we -were now impressed with his manly and -sun-browned beauty, his bold air, and frank, -ingenuous manner. We could not but agree -that the pretty Ruth had shown fine taste. -But alas! my dear father, our joy was short-lived! -Little did we anticipate how speedily -our rejoicing was to end in mourning! -The very night of his return he was seized -with a malignant fever, which he had -brought from Africa with him, and we were -all overwhelmed with grief.</p> - -<p>It would be impossible to paint the anguish -of the mother, the heart-rending distress of -his betrothed.</p> - -<p>Unconscious of their presence, he raved -wildly, and sometimes fancied himself suffering -thirst on the burning sands of Africa, -and at others battling with barbarians for -his life. All that physicians could do was of -no avail. This morning, the third day after -his return, he expired, amid the most distressing -agonies.</p> - -<p>Alas! instead of a bridal, behold a funeral! -Already the bearers are at the door, and in -a few minutes he will be borne forth upon -the dead-bier to the burial-place without the -city.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh!" sighs Mary near me as I write, -"Oh, that Jesus, the mighty Prophet, had -been here! He could have healed him!"</p> - -<p>John has sent to her a message, saying that -Jesus is traveling this way, on his mission of -healing and teaching, and may be here this -evening. But what will it avail, dear -father? Even Jesus may not return the dead -to life! Oh, if he could have been here yesterday, -his power over disease would have -enabled him to save this precious life!</p> - -<p>I hear the heavy tread of the dead-bearers -in the court below. The shrieks and wails -of the mourning-women thrill my soul with -awe. But above all pierces the wild cry of -anguish of the bereaved mother! Ruth's -voice is hushed. She has been for the last -hour inanimate as marble. Only by her -pulse can it be said she lives! Poor maiden! -The blow is too terrible for her to bear.</p> - -<p>My Cousin Mary has at this moment received -a small roll of parchment which, -from the flush on her cheek, I know to be -from her betrothed. She smiles sadly, and -with tears in her eyes hands it to me.</p> - -<p>I have read it, dear father. It is as follows:</p> - -<blockquote> -<p> -"Gadara, beyond Judea.<br /> -</p> - -<p>"The bearer, beloved, is one of the disciples -of Jesus. His name is Bartimeus. -He was blind and poor, and subsisted by -begging; and, as you see, his sight is restored, -and he insists now on going from -town to town where he has been known as -a blind man to proclaim what Jesus has -done for him. This letter cometh beseeching -thee, maiden, that as we love one another -unfeignedly, so may we soon be united -in that holy union which God hath blessed -and commanded. But, having much to say -hereupon, I will not commit it to paper and -ink; but by to-morrow, or the day after, I -trust to come to you, and speak with you, -dearly beloved, face to face, upon those -things which now come to my lips. Farewell, -lady. Peace be with you, and all in -your house. Greet thy friends in my name, -letting them know that we shall shortly be -with you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that the mighty Prophet had come -one day sooner!" cried Mary. "What woe -and anguish would have been spared poor -Ruth and his mother! But the will of Jehovah -be done!"</p></blockquote> - -<p>We hear now, dear father, the voice of the -governor of the funeral, bidding us come -down to bury the dead.</p> - -<p>Farewell, my father. I know you will -shed a tear to the memory of the noble youth -whose death has this day filled all Nain -with mourning. As I look from the lattice, -I see the concourse of people to be immense, -filling all the street. Now, may the God of -our father Abraham preserve and keep you, -and suffer us once more to meet face to face -in joy and peace.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your dutiful and sorrowful daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXI" id="LETTER_XXI">LETTER XXI.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>I seize my pen, which I laid down an hour -ago in order to follow to his burial the son -of our hostess, to recount to you one of the -most extraordinary things which ever happened. -I fear my trembling fingers will -scarcely express legibly what I have to tell -you.</p> - -<p>When the burial train of Samuel had -formed to go to the grave, the deep grief of -poor Ruth overcame her wholly and I led -her to her room, where she sank insensible -upon her couch. I could not leave her in her -situation, and the procession went forth -from the house without me.</p> - -<p>As the funeral train passed the lattice, it -seemed endless, but at length it passed by, -and I was left alone with the motionless -Ruth. As I gazed on the marble countenance -of the bereaved maiden, I could not but -pray that she might never recover from her -swoon, to revive to the bitter realization of -her loss.</p> - -<p>Suddenly I heard a great shout. I started -and hastened to the lattice. It was repeated -louder and with a glad tone. It seemed to -come from beyond the city walls, and from -a hundred voices raised in unison. I knew -that the house-top overlooked the walls, and -seeing Ruth moved not, I ascended rapidly -to the parapet, the shouts and glad cries -still increasing as I went up. Upon reaching -the flat roof and stepping on the parapet, -I saw coming along the street towards the -house, with the speed of the antelope, Elec, -our Gibeonite slave. He was waving his -hands wildly, and crying out something -which I could not distinctly hear. Behind -him I saw two youths running also, appearing -to be the bearers of some great tidings.</p> - -<p>I knew something wonderful must have -occurred, but could not divine what it could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -be. On looking towards the gate, from -which direction the shouts at intervals continued -to approach, I discovered on the hillside -of the cemetery many people crowded -together, and evidently surrounding some -person in their midst, for the whole order of -the procession was broken up. The bier I -could not discern, nor could I comprehend -how the solemnity of the march of the -funeral train was suddenly changed to a confused -multitude, rending the sky with loud -acclamations. The whole body of people -was pressing back towards the city. The -persons whom I had first seen running along -the street, now made themselves audible as -they drew nigher.</p> - -<p>"He is alive! He is alive!" shouted Elec.</p> - -<p>"He has risen from the dead!" cried the -young man next behind him.</p> - -<p>"He lives, and is walking back to the -city!" called the third.</p> - -<p>"Who—who is alive?" I eagerly demanded -of Elec, as he passed beneath the parapet. -"What is this shouting, O Elec?"</p> - -<p>He looked up to me with a face expressive -of the keenest delight, mixed with awe, and -said:</p> - -<p>"Young Rabbi Samuel is come to life! He -is no longer dead! You will soon see him, -for they are escorting him back to the city, -and everybody is mad with joy. Where is -Ruth, the maiden? I am come to tell her the -glorious news."</p> - -<p>With emotion that I cannot describe, -hardly believing what I heard, I hastened to -Ruth, in order to prevent the effects of too -sudden joy. Upon reaching the apartment, -I found that the voice of Elec, who had -shouted the news of which he was the -bearer into her ears, had aroused her from -her stupor of grief. She was looking at him -wildly and incomprehensively. I ran to her, -and folding her in my arms, said:</p> - -<p>"Dear Ruth, there is news—good news! -It must be true! Hear the shouts of gladness -in all the town!"</p> - -<p>"Lives!" she repeated, shaking her head. -"No—no—no! Yes, there!" she said, raising -her beautiful, glittering eyes to heaven and -pointing upward.</p> - -<p>"But on earth also!" cried Elec, with positiveness. -"I saw him sit up, and heard him -speak, as well as ever he was!"</p> - -<p>"How was it? Let me know all!" I cried.</p> - -<p>"How? Who could have done such a miracle -but the mighty Prophet we saw at Jerusalem!" -he answered.</p> - -<p>"Jesus?" I exclaimed, with joy.</p> - -<p>"Who else could it be. Yes, he met the -bier just outside the— But here they -come!"</p> - -<p>Elec was interrupted in his narrative by -the increased noise of voices in the streets -and the tramp of hundreds of feet. The -next moment the room was filled with a -crowd of the most excited persons, some -weeping, some laughing, as if beside themselves. -In their midst I beheld Samuel walking, -alive and well! his mother clinging to -him, like a vine upon an oak.</p> - -<p>"Where is Ruth?" he cried. "Oh, where -is she! Let me make her happy with my -presence!"</p> - -<p>I gazed upon him with awe, as if I had -seen a spirit.</p> - -<p>Ruth no sooner heard his voice than she -uttered a shriek of joy. "He lives—he indeed -lives!" and springing forward, she was -saved from falling to the ground by being -clasped to his manly breast.</p> - -<p>"Let us kneel and thank God!" he said.</p> - -<p>For a few minutes the scene was solemn -and touching beyond any spectacle ever exhibited -on earth.</p> - -<p>When he had performed this first sacred -duty, he rose to his feet and received all -our embraces. Hundreds came in to see his -face, and every tongue was eloquent in -praise of the power of Jesus.</p> - -<p>"And where is the holy Prophet?" I asked -of Mary. "Shall he be forgotten amid all -our joy!"</p> - -<p>"We thanked him there with all our -hearts, and bathed his hands with tears of -gratitude," she answered, "but when they -would have brought him into the city in triumph -he conveyed himself away in the confusion, -and no one could see aught of him. -But John, who was with him, told me he -would come into the city after quiet was restored, -by and by, and he would bring him -to our abode."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I shall then behold him and thank -him also!" I cried. "Make known to me, -Mary, the particulars of this wonderful miracle."</p> - -<p>"As we went weeping forth," said Mary, -"slowly following the bier, and had passed -the gate, we saw coming along the path -through the valley leading to Tabor, a party -of twelve or thirteen men on foot. They -were followed by a crowd of men, women -and children from the country, and were so -journeying that they would meet us at the -crossing of the stone bridge. Hearing some -one say aloud, 'It is the Prophet of Nazareth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> -with his disciples,' I looked earnestly -forward, and joyfully recognized Jesus at -their head, with John walking by his side.</p> - -<p>"'Oh, that Jesus had been in Nain when -thy son was sick!' I said to the widow, -pointing him out to her, as he and his company -stopped at the entrance to the bridge. -Recollecting how he might have prevented -her son's dying had he been in Nain, the -poor lady could no longer command her -grief, and covering her face with her veil, -she wept so violently that all eyes were -piteously fastened upon her. I observed -that the holy Prophet's gaze rested upon her -with compassion, and as she came opposite -where he stood, he advanced towards us and -said, in a voice of thrilling sympathy:</p> - -<p>"'Weep not, mother. Thy son shall live -again!'</p> - -<p>"'I know it, O Rabboni, at the last day,' -she answered. 'Oh, if thou hadst been here -my son need not have died! Thy word would -have healed him! But now he is dead! -dead! dead!'</p> - -<p>"'Woman, weep not! I will restore thy -son!'</p> - -<p>"'What saith he?' cried some Pharisees -who were in the funeral. 'That he will -raise a dead man? This is going too far. -God only can raise the dead.' And they -smiled and scoffed.</p> - -<p>"But Jesus laid his hand upon the pall over -the body, and said to those who bore the -corpse:</p> - -<p>"'Rest the bier upon the ground.'</p> - -<p>"They instantly stood still and obeyed -him. He then advanced amid a hushed silence, -and uncovering the marble visage, -touched the hand of the dead young man, -and said, in a loud and commanding voice:</p> - -<p>"'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise!'</p> - -<p>"There was a moment's painful stillness -through the vast multitude. Every eye was -fixed upon the bier. The voice was heard -by the spirit of the dead and it came back -to his body. There was at first visible a -living, trembling emotion of the hitherto -motionless corpse! Color flushed the livid -cheek; the eyelids opened and he fixed his -eyes on Jesus; then he raised his hand and -his lips moved! The next moment he sat up -on the bier, and spake aloud in his natural -voice, saying:</p> - -<p>"'Lo, here I am!'</p> - -<p>"Jesus then took him by the hand, and -assisting him to alight upon his feet from -the bier, led him to his mother, and delivered -him to her, saying:</p> - -<p>"'Woman, behold thy son!'</p> - -<p>"Upon seeing this miracle the people -shouted with joy and wonder, 'God has indeed -visited his people Israel! A great -Prophet is risen up among us! The Messias -is come, and Jesus is the very Christ, with -the keys of death and hell!'</p> - -<p>"I sought out Jesus to cast myself at his -feet, but he shrunk from the homage and -gratitude which his mercy to us had awakened. -Thus humility is an element of all -power."</p> - -<p>Such, my dear father, is the narrative of -the restoration to life again of Samuel, the -son of Sarah, widow of Nain. This miracle -has caused hundreds this day to confess his -name, and to believe in Jesus as the anointed -Shiloh of Israel.</p> - -<p>Many of the doctors have been to see -Samuel through the day, and have put profound -questions to him touching the state -of the soul out of the body, but he could give -them no satisfaction, all appearing to him -like shining fragments of a gorgeous vision.</p> - -<p>Mary is to-morrow to become the bride of -John, and Jesus will be present at the wedding, -for while he severely rebukes sin and -folly, he sanctifies by his presence the holy -rite of marriage.</p> - -<p>On the eve of the eighth day from this I -shall depart hence, with John and Mary, for -Jerusalem, whence I will write you again.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXII" id="LETTER_XXII">LETTER XXII.</a></h2> - - -<p>Once more, my dear father, I address a -letter to you from this holy city. This -morning when I awoke at the sound of the -silver trumpets of the priests, ringing melodiously -from the top of Mount Moriah, I experienced -anew that profound devotion -which the children of Abraham must always -feel in the city of God and in the presence of -his very Temple.</p> - -<p>It was a joyous morning to me, dear -father, for Æmilius, the noble Roman Prefect, -was this day voluntarily to present -himself at the Temple to be made a proselyte -to the holy faith of Israel.</p> - -<p>The morning was, therefore, additionally -lovely to me. I thought I had never seen -the olive groves on the hillside beyond the -king's gardens so green, nor the harvest so -yellow, as they undulated in the soft breeze<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> -of the opening morn. The lofty palms everywhere -appeared to bend and wave their -verdant fans with joyous motion. The birds -in the palace gardens sang sweeter and -louder, and Jerusalem itself seemed more -beautiful than ever.</p> - -<p>While I was gazing upon the scene and -adoring God, and thanking him for the conversion -of Æmilius, Rabbi Amos came and -said that he would take us to the Temple. -We were soon on our way, climbing the -paved pathway to Moriah. Oh, how sublimely -towered the divine Temple above our -heads, seemingly lost in the blue of the far -heaven! The great gates opening north and -south, to the east and west, were thronged -with the multitude pressing through; while -from the galleries above each gate pealed -forth continually the clear-voiced trumpets -of God in ceaseless reverberation. My uncle -pointed out to me the massive doors, all -overlaid with sheets of beaten gold, and the -floor of green marble on which we trod. -He bade me notice the costly entablature of -colored stones, exquisitely worked with the -Grecian's chisel, and especially the roof of -fretted silver, set with precious stones, the -onyx, beryl, sapphire, carbuncle and jasper. -I was dazzled by the magnificence, and -awed by the vast extent of the space of -splendor surrounding me, while ten thousands -of people were to be seen moving -towards the altar of sacrifice. From that -superb court I was led into a hall nearly a -hundred cubits in length, its ceiling of pure -gold sustained by a thousand and one columns -of porphyry and white marble, ranged -alternately.</p> - -<p>I was not permitted to approach the sacred -chamber, where stood the four thousand -vessels of gold of Ophir, used in the sacrifices -on great days; and this being a high -day, I saw no less than six hundred priests -standing about the altar, each with a golden -censer in his hand. Beyond is the holy ark -of the covenant, over which the cherubim -hover, their wings meeting, and between -them is the mercy-seat. As this was the -Holy of Holies I was not permitted to see -it; but its position was pointed out to me -within the veil, which conceals from all eyes -but that of the High Priest once a year -the place of God's throne on the earth, alas -now left vacant since the glory of the Shechinah -departed from the Holy of Holies!</p> - -<p>The air of the vast Temple was delicious -with the fragrance of burning frankincense. -As the victims bled and the smoke ascended, -the people fell on their faces and -worshiped God. After a few moments' silence, -a startling trumpet note thrilled -every soul in the countless multitude. It was -followed by a peal of music that shook the -air, from a choir of two thousand singers, -male and female, of the sons and daughters -of Levi, who served in the Temple. Entering -from the southern court, they advanced -in long procession, singing sacred chants, -and playing on sacbut and harp, psalter and -nebble, chinna and tympana. As they ascended -to the choir their voices, mingling -with the instruments, filled all the Temple. -I never heard before such sublime harmony; -especially when on reaching the elevated -choir, a thousand Levites with manly -voices joined them, and the whole company -chanted one of the sublimest of the Psalms -of David.</p> - -<p>When the chant was concluded, the whole -multitude responded, "Amen and Amen!" -like the deep voice of a mighty wind suddenly -shaking the foundations of the Temple.</p> - -<p>At length I beheld a train of priests following -the High Priest, as he marched -thrice around the altar. In that procession -I discovered a company of proselytes, escorted -by twelve aged Levites, with long, -snowy beards, and clad in vestments of the -purest white. Among the proselytes I discerned -the tall and noble figure of the -Roman Æmilius. He was robed in a black -garment from head to foot. But upon approaching -the baptismal basin two young -priests removed this outer sable dress and -robed him in white. I then saw him baptized -into the family of Abraham and a new name -given him, that of Eleazer. I heard the silver -trumpets proclaim the conversion and -the multitude shouting their joy.</p> - -<p>Of the rest of the ceremony I have no -recollection, as after the baptism of -Æmilius, I was too happy to see or think of -anything else.</p> - -<p>While I was lifting up my heart in gratitude -for the happy conversion of Æmilius, -and while the Jews were crowding about -him to extend to him the hand of fellowship, -rejoicing that so noted a person should embrace -our faith, Uncle Amos drew my attention -by exclaiming with gladness:</p> - -<p>"Behold, there is Jesus, the Prophet!"</p> - -<p>We at once made our way, but with -difficulty, towards the spot where we had -discovered him. The rumor that the Christ -was in the Temple rapidly spread, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> -whole multitude pressed towards the same -point. At length we obtained our object so -as to get within a few feet of him. Here a -tall, richly-attired Greek addressed Rabbi -Amos, saying:</p> - -<p>"Sir, tell me who that youthful Jew is, -whose countenance is stamped with firmness -and benevolence so finely combined in -its expression; whose air possesses such dignity -and wisdom; whose noble eyes seem -filled with a holy sadness, and whose glance -is full of innocence and sweetness. He -seems born to love men and to command -them. All seek to approach him. Pray, sir, -who is he?"</p> - -<p>"That, O stranger, is Jesus of Nazareth, -the Jewish Prophet," answered Uncle Amos, -delighted to point him out to a foreigner.</p> - -<p>"Then I am well rewarded for my journey -in turning aside to Jerusalem," answered the -Grecian. "I have even heard of his fame in -Macedonia, and am rejoiced to behold him. -Think you he will do some great miracle?"</p> - -<p>"He performs miracles not to gratify -curiosity but to bear testimony to the truths -he teaches, that they are delivered to him of -God. Hark! He speaks!" cried my uncle.</p> - -<p>Every voice was hushed as that of Jesus -rose clear and sweet, and thrilling like a -celestial clarion speaking. And he preached, -dear father, a sermon so full of wisdom, of -love to man, of love to God, of knowledge of -our hearts, of divine and convincing power, -that thousands wept; thousands were -chained to the spot with awe and delight, -and all were moved as if an angel had addressed -them. They cried, "Never man -spake like this man!"</p> - -<p>The priests, seeing that he had carried the -hearts of all the people, were greatly enraged, -and, not being able to vent their -hatred and fear in any other way, they hired -a vile person by the name of Gazeel, a robber -who, taking one of the blood-stained sacrificing -knives by the altar, crept towards -him behind the column, and, securing a -favorable position to execute the deed, raised -his hand to strike the Prophet from behind, -when Jesus, turning his head, arrested the -hand of the assassin in mid-air by a look. -Unable to move a muscle, Gazeel stood betrayed -to all eyes in this murderous attitude, -like a statue of stone.</p> - -<p>"Return to those who hired thee. My -hour is not yet come, nor can they yet have -any power over me."</p> - -<p>The assassin bowed his head in abject -shame and terror; the knife dropped from -his hand and rang upon the marble floor, -and he sank at Jesus' feet imploring forgiveness. -The people would instantly have -torn Gazeel in pieces, but Jesus said:</p> - -<p>"Let him depart in peace. The day shall -come when he will be willing to lay down -his life to save mine. Ye priests go about to -kill me," he added, fixing his clear gaze upon -the group which had sent Gazeel. "For -what do ye seek my life? I have come to -my own, and to my Temple, and ye receive -me not. The day cometh when this Temple -shall be thrown down, and not one stone left -upon another; and some who hear me shall -behold and mourn in that day. Oh, Jerusalem, -thou that killest the prophets, and -stonest them that are sent unto thee, how oft -would I have gathered thy children together -as a hen gathereth her chickens under -her wings, and ye would not. Thou shalt be -left desolate and cast out among cities, because -thou knewest not the day of thy -visitation. Fly ye to the Jerusalem which is -above, and which is above all, whose foundation -is eternal, and whose Temple is the -Lord God Almighty, who is also the light -and glory thereof."</p> - -<p>Upon hearing these words, there arose a -great cry from ten thousand voices:</p> - -<p>"Hail to Jesus, the king of Israel and -Judah! Hosanna to the Prince of David! -We will have no king but Jesus!"</p> - -<p>At this shout, which was caught up and repeated -beyond the four gates of the Temple, -the priests cried aloud that the people were -in insurrection.</p> - -<p>Pilate, who was, with his guard, just leaving -the Court of the Gentiles, hearing it, -turned to ask what it meant. One of the -priests, desirous of having Jesus slain, -quickly answered, "That the people had -proclaimed Jesus, the Nazarene, king."</p> - -<p>Hearing this, Pilate sent off messengers -to the Castle of David for soldiers, and with -his body-guard turned back to the Temple -gate, charging the people sword in hand.</p> - -<p>The tumult was now fearful, and the -bloodshed would have been great, but Jesus -suddenly appeared before him—none saw -how he had reached the place—and said:</p> - -<p>"O Roman, I seek no kingdom but such as -my Father hath given me. My kingdom is -not of this world."</p> - -<p>Pilate was seen to bend his proud head -with low obeisance before the Prophet, and -said graciously:</p> - -<p>"I have no wish to arrest thee. Thy word, -O Prophet, is sufficient for me. Of thee I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -have hitherto heard much. Wilt thou come -with me to my palace, and let me hear thee, -and see some miracle?"</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt see me in thy palace, but not -to-day; and thou shalt behold a miracle, but -not now."</p> - -<p>When Jesus had thus said, he withdrew -himself from Pilate's presence; and those -who would have sought him to make him a -king could nowhere discover him.</p> - -<p>The result of this attempt of the people to -make the Prophet their king, and under his -direction to overthrow the Roman power, is -that the Roman authorities, instigated by -Annas and the priests, look upon Jesus with -eyes of jealousy, and Pilate this morning -told a deputation of priests, who waited on -him to petition him to arrest and imprison -the Prophet, that on the first proof they -could bring him of his hostility to Cæsar -he would send soldiers to take him. To-day -Jesus was refreshing himself in our house, -when several Scribes and Pharisees came in. -I saw by their dark looks they meditated -evil, and secretly sent Elec with a message -to Æmilius (now Eleazer) asking him to be -at hand to protect Jesus; for Æmilius is devoted -to him, as we are, and Jesus takes -delight in teaching him the things of the -kingdom of God.</p> - -<p>Jesus, knowing the hearts of these bad -men, said to them, after they had seated -themselves and remained some minutes in -silence:</p> - -<p>"Wherefore are ye come?"</p> - -<p>"Master," said Zadoc, a Levite of great -fame among the people, "we have heard -how boldly thou speakest at all times; that -not even Pilate, nor Herod, yea, nor Cæsar, -could make thee refrain from what thou -choosest to utter. Is it lawful for us Jews, -the peculiar nation of God, to pay tribute to -Cæsar, who is an idolater? Is it lawful for -us to obey the laws of Pilate, rather than of -Moses? We ask this as Jews to a Jew. -Tell us frankly."</p> - -<p>Jesus looked fixedly upon them, as if he -read their wicked designs, and said:</p> - -<p>"Show me the tribute money."</p> - -<p>Zadoc handed him a penny, the Roman -coin sent into Judea by Cæsar, as our currency, -and which we return to Rome again -in tribute. When Jesus had taken the -money, he looked at the head of Augustus -stamped upon one side, and then turning to -them, said:</p> - -<p>"Whose image and whose name is here -impressed?"</p> - -<p>"Cæsar's," eagerly answered the whole -party.</p> - -<p>"Then render unto Cæsar the things that -be Cæsar's, and unto God the things that -be God's," was his calm and wonderful answer.</p> - -<p>I breathed again, for I feared he would -answer openly that tribute ought not to -be paid, which they hoped he would do, -when they would immediately have accused -him to Pilate as teaching that we ought not -to pay tribute to Rome, and so fomenting rebellion.</p> - -<p>But the divine wisdom of his answer relieved -all our minds; while the Scribes and -Levites, his enemies, looked upon him with -amazement, interchanged glances of conscious -defeat, and left the house.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -I remain your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXIII" id="LETTER_XXIII">LETTER XXIII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>I have received with joy your letter, in -which you say you shall leave Egypt with -the next Passover caravan, in order to visit -Jerusalem. My happiness is augmented to -know that you will be here while Jesus is in -the city; for it is said, and John, Mary's -husband, asserts, that he will certainly be at -the Passover.</p> - -<p>Last week Eli, the paralytic, whom you -knew, a scribe of the Levites, whose hand -has been withered nine years, so that he -had been dependent on the alms of the worshipers -in the Temple for his bread, hearing -of the power of Jesus, sought him at the -house of Uncle Amos, where he was abiding.</p> - -<p>Jesus was reclining with our family at the -evening meal, at the close of the day on -which the uproar had taken place in the -Temple, when Eli came and stood within -the door. Humble and doubting, his knees -trembled, and he timidly and wistfully -looked towards Jesus, but did not speak. -I knew at once what the afflicted man came -for, and approached him, saying, "Fear -not, Eli; ask him, and he will make thee -whole!"</p> - -<p>Jesus did not see the poor man, his face -being turned towards Rabbi Amos; but leaving -this conversation, he said in a gentle -voice, without turning round:</p> - -<p>"Come to me, Eli, and ask what is in thy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> -heart. And fear not; for if thou believest, -thou shalt receive all thy wish."</p> - -<p>At this Eli ran forward, and casting himself -at Jesus' feet, kissed them and said, -"Rabboni, I am a poor, sinful man; I believe -that thou art the Christ, the Son of the -Blessed!"</p> - -<p>"Dost thou believe, Eli, that I have power -to make thee whole?" asked Jesus, looking -steadily upon him.</p> - -<p>"I believe, my Lord," answered Eli, bowing -his face to the ground.</p> - -<p>"Thy sins, then, be forgiven thee. Rise -and go to thy house; and sin -no more, lest a worse thing -come upon thee."</p> - -<p>"This man! forgiveth he -sins also?" cried a venerable -priest, Manasses, who was at -the table. "He is a blasphemer! -for God alone forgiveth -sins. Will he call himself -God?" And he rose quickly -up and rent his robe, and spat -upon the floor in detestation.</p> - -<p>"Manasses," said Jesus -mildly, "tell me whether it is -an easier thing to do—to say -unto this man kneeling here, -'Thy sins be forgiven thee?' -or to say, 'Stretch forth -thine hand whole as the -other'?"</p> - -<p>"It would be more difficult -to do the latter," answered -Manasses, surprised at the -question. "God alone, who made him, can -do that."</p> - -<p>Jesus turned to the paralytic. "I say unto -thee, Eli, stretch forth thy hand whole!"</p> - -<p>The man, looking upon Jesus' face, and -seeming to derive confidence from its expression -of power, made a convulsive movement -with his arm, which was bared to the -shoulder, exhibiting all its hideous deformity, -and stretched it forth at full length. -Immediately the arm was rounded with -flesh and muscles; the pulse filled and leaped -with the warm life-blood, and it became -whole as the other. The change was so instantaneous -that it was done before we -could see how it was done. The amazed -and wonderingly delighted Eli bent his elbow, -and expanded and contracted the fingers, -felt the flesh and pressed it with his -other hand, before he could realize he was -healed. Then, casting himself at the feet of -the Prophet, he cried:</p> - -<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i08large.jpg"><img src="images/i08.jpg" width="400" height="288" alt="BETHANY" /></a> -</div> - -<p>"Thou art not a man, but Gabriel, the -angel of God!"</p> - -<p>"Thou art now healed, Eli," said Jesus -impressively. "Worship God, and go and -sin no more."</p> - -<p>Who, dear father, but Messias could do -this miracle? My mind is overwhelmed—I -am filled with astonishment and awe, -when I reflect upon the might, power -and majesty of Jesus, and I fear to ask myself. -Who more than man is he? Is he -verily the awful and terrible Jehovah of -Sinai, visible in the human form? Oh, wondrous -and incomprehensible mystery! I -dare not trust my thoughts to penetrate -the mystery in which he walks among us in -the veiled Godhead of his power. His beloved -disciple, John, said that Jesus has told -him the day is not far off when this veil will -be removed, and when we shall then know -him, who he is, and wherefore he has come -into the world, and the infinite results to -men of his mission.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your devoted daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXIV" id="LETTER_XXIV">LETTER XXIV.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>As I was closing my last letter to you, intelligence -reached my Uncle Amos that Lazarus, -the amiable brother of Martha and -Mary, was very ill. The message was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> -brought by Elec, the Gibeonite slave, who, -with tears in his eyes, communicated to us -the sad news. My Cousin Mary and I at -once set out to Bethany with him.</p> - -<p>"Knowest thou, Elec, the disease that has -so suddenly seized my cousin?" asked Mary, -as we wound slowly up the path that leads -around the steepest side of Olivet.</p> - -<p>"Ah, dear me, noble lady, I know not," -answered Elec, shaking his head. "He had -just returned from the city, where he had -been staying night and day for a week, -laboring industriously to complete a copy of -the five books of the blessed Moses for the -Procurator's chief captain, for which he was -to receive a large sum in Roman gold."</p> - -<p>"What was the name of this captain who -seeks to obtain our holy books?" I asked, -hope half answering the question in my -heart.</p> - -<p>"Æmilius, the brave knight, they say, who -was made a proselyte at the last Passover."</p> - -<p>I was rejoiced to hear this proof of the -steady desire of the princely Roman knight -to learn our sacred laws, you may be assured, -dearest father. But Elec went on -speaking and said:</p> - -<p>"It was his hard work to complete this -copy which made him ill; for he slept not, -nor ceased to toil until he had completed it, -and when he came home with the silver-bound -roll in his hand, and laid it upon the -table before his sisters, he fell at the same -moment fainting to the ground."</p> - -<p>"Alas, poor Lazarus!" we both exclaimed, -and urged our mules forward at a faster -pace, our hearts bleeding for the sorrow of -his sisters and for his sad condition.</p> - -<p>At length, half an hour after leaving the -gate of the city, we drew near to Bethany, -and beheld the roof of the house of Lazarus. -Upon it, watching the road towards -Jerusalem for us, we discovered the graceful -form of Mary. In a few moments we -were in her arms, mingling our tears together.</p> - -<p>"Does he yet live?" I asked, scarcely daring -to inquire, as she led us into the house.</p> - -<p>"Yes, lives, but fails hourly," answered -Mary, with forced composure. "God bless -you both for hastening to me."</p> - -<p>At this moment Martha's pale and suffering -face, beautiful even in its pallor, appeared -in the door of the inner room. Upon -seeing us she advanced, and taking both our -hands in hers, said in a touching whisper, -"You have come, sweet friends, to see my -brother die!"</p> - -<p>She then led us into the room, where lay -upon a couch the form of the invalid.</p> - -<p>"He has slept a little," said Martha softly -to me, "but his fever is consuming him. He -has now closed his eyes again and seems -heavy, but his slumbers are restless, as you -see, and he seems to think his dear friend, -Jesus the Prophet, is by him; or he talks of -Rachel as if she were not present."</p> - -<p>"And who is Rachel, dear Martha?" I -asked, as I was about to follow her out of -the room, leaving her brother to his weary -repose.</p> - -<p>"Alas! It was for Rachel's gentle love's -sake he now lies there," she answered. -"There is the sweet maiden kneeling on the -other side of his couch, her tearful face -buried in the folds of the curtains."</p> - -<p>I turned and regarded with tender interest -the graceful and half-concealed form of -the young girl as she bent over his pillow, -her hand clasped by his. At this moment -she looked up and directed her gaze towards -me. Her face was inexpressibly lovely, -bathed as it was in its glittering tear-dews, -and her large, glorious eyes shone like -starry heavens of tenderness and love. Her -hair would have been raven black, save that -rays of golden bronze enriched its waving -masses with every play of the light upon it. -As our eyes met, she seemed to receive me -into her soul, and my heart to embrace hers. -Lazarus now moved and murmured her -name, when she dropped her eyes and bent -like an angel over him.</p> - -<p>"Who is this marvelously lovely maiden?" -I asked of Martha, as we went into the court -of the hall.</p> - -<p>"The betrothed bride of our beloved -brother," answered she. "Sit with me here -in the shade beneath this vine, and I will -tell thee their sad story. Lazarus, you know, -dearest Adina, is a writer in the Temple, -and by his labors has surrounded us all with -many comforts, nay, luxuries. His attachment -to us led him to forego the pleasure of -all other society, as he said he found in our -sweet bond of sisterly love all that he required -to render him happy.</p> - -<p>"But a few weeks ago, as he was engaged -late and alone in the copying-room of the -Temple upon a roll which the noble Æmilius -had ordered, he was startled by the sudden -entrance of a young girl in great terror, -who seemed to be flying from pursuit. -Upon beholding him she bounded towards -him, and casting herself at his feet, implored -his protection. Amazed and interested,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> -he promptly promised it, but had -hardly spoken the words before Annas entered -and advanced towards her. His face -was flushed with rage, and his voice was -loud and fierce as he demanded her at the -hand of my brother.</p> - -<p>"'Nay, my Lord Annas,' answered Lazarus, -boldly, 'were a dove to seek shelter -from a hawk in my bosom I would protect -it, much more a distressed maiden of the -daughters of Abraham!' and he placed himself -before the fugitive.</p> - -<p>"'Darest thou protect from me? She is -my child, a wicked and disobedient daughter -of Belial! Resign her to me, young scrivener, -or I will have thee sent to the lowest -dungeon of the Castle of David!'</p> - -<p>"'Oh, save me! save me!' cried the young -girl, as Annas advanced to seize her. 'I am -not his child! I am the orphan of Rabbi -Levi, who left me and my estate to this -false priest as a sacred charge. He would -now sell me in unholy marriage to a Greek -captain in the Roman legion, who offers -him large bribes in gold for me. Rather -than be given into the hands of this fierce -and terrible Grecian, I will cast myself -down from the height of the Temple!'</p> - -<p>"And to the surprise and horror of Lazarus, -she bounded from the lattice and stood -upon the edge of the rock, which looks sheer -three hundred feet down into the valley beneath.</p> - -<p>"'Thou seest, O Annas, to what thy -cupidity for gold will drive this maiden. -Has the land of Israel sunk so low that its -chief priest will sell the daughters of the -land for gold to the lust of the Gentiles? Is -this the way thou givest protection to -orphans? Leave her, and until I find a protector -for her, she shall be a sacred guest -with my sisters in their humble abode!'</p> - -<p>"'Thy life shall pay for this arrogance, -young man!' answered the priest. 'I have -power and will exercise it.'</p> - -<p>"'Not to the danger and wrong of this -maiden, my Lord Annas, whom Jehovah will -protect, since she has trustingly sought the -sheltering wing of his altars,' answered my -brother firmly. 'If thou continue to persecute -her, I will appeal to the Procurator, -Pontius Pilate, against thee.'</p> - -<p>"The result was," continued Martha, -"that the wicked priest, alarmed by the -threat of appeal to Pilate, relinquished his -present purpose and left them, breathing -menaces against my brother. The same day -Lazarus conducted the maiden, whom you -already guess to be Rachel, to our house. -She has since then been our guest, and has -won all our hearts, as well as our dear -brother's."</p> - -<p>"Is there no hope for him?" I asked, after -listening to her touching narrative.</p> - -<p>"None; the physicians say that he will -never rise again."</p> - -<p>"There is one hope left," I said eagerly.</p> - -<p>"What is that?" demanded Martha.</p> - -<p>"Jesus!" I answered. "Send to him, O -Martha, and he will yet save him, and raise -him up to life and health."</p> - -<p>I had no sooner spoken than Mary, who -overheard me, uttered a cry of joy.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Jesus has the power to heal him, -and Jesus loves him! He will come and save -him the moment he hears of his danger."</p> - -<p>Immediately Mary wrote on a slip of -parchment these brief and touching words:</p> - -<p>"Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is -sick. Hasten to come to us, that he may -live; for nothing is impossible with thee."</p> - -<p>This message was forthwith despatched by -the hands of a young friend to Bethabara, -beyond Jordan, where we learned Jesus at -present abides. We have, therefore, no hope -for our dear relative but in the power of the -Prophet. I will write as soon as we hear. -I remain, dear father,</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your attached daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXV" id="LETTER_XXV">LETTER XXV.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear and Honored Father:</p> - -<p>It is with emotions of the deepest grief -that I convey to you the sad intelligence of -the death of Lazarus. The hand of the Lord -hath fallen heavily upon this household and -stricken down its prop; smitten the oak -around which clung these vine-like sisters, -vine-like in their dependence upon him and -confiding trust in his wisdom and love. Now -prostrate in the dust they lie stunned by the -sudden and mysterious stroke of God's providence.</p> - -<p>I have told you, dear father, something of -this family; what a happy household I have -seen it when Jesus completed the number; -for he stayed so much with them when not -preaching, or when wishing to rest a day or -two from his weary toil, that they came to -regard him as one of their family. Martha -seemed ever to be thinking what and how -she should administer to his comfort, by providing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -every delicacy for her table; but so -that Jesus could find listeners to his words -of truth and wisdom, like Mary—who loved -to sit at his feet and hear the golden language -fall from his sacred lips—he thought -not of meat or drink.</p> - -<p>One day when I, with Mary and Lazarus, -was listening to his heavenly teachings, -wrapt in wonder and absorbing interest, -Martha, who was preparing the meal, came -and desired Mary to come and assist her; -but the dear, pious girl heeded not nor heard -her, feeding, forgetful of all else, upon the -celestial food that fell from the lips of Jesus. -At length Martha, finding that Mary had not -heard, appealed to Jesus, saying somewhat -sharply:</p> - -<p>"Lord, dost thou not care that my sister -hath left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, -that she help me."</p> - -<p>We turned with surprise to hear her, who -was usually so gentle and good, thus forget -what was due to the presence of the Prophet, -and Lazarus was about to speak and excuse -his sister, who looked as if she were much -worried with her domestic troubles, when -Jesus said kindly to her:</p> - -<p>"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and -troubled about many things. But one thing -is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good -part, which shall not be taken away from -her. While thou carest much for the wants -of the body, she careth for those of the -spirit. Think not, beloved Martha, of -sumptuous living for me, who have no -earthly goods, nor even where to lay my -head."</p> - -<p>"Say not thus, oh, say not so, dear Lord!" -cried Martha, suddenly bursting into tears -at Jesus' touching words, and casting herself -impulsively at his feet. "This house is -thy home—ever beneath its roof, while I -have one above me, shalt thou have where -to lay thy head; say not so, my Lord!"</p> - -<p>We were all moved at Martha's pathetic -earnestness. Jesus raised her up and said -gently:</p> - -<p>"It is thy love for me, I well know, that -maketh thee so careful and troubled to provide -for me at thy bountiful table. But I -have meat to eat that ye know not of. To -teach the truths of God, as thou findest me -doing to these, is to me meat and drink, for -therein I am doing my Father's will, who -sent me."</p> - -<p>My last letter closed with informing you -of the departure of the messenger to Jesus. -After he had gone out of sight from the -door, and the last echo of his horse's hoofs -ceased to be heard by the long-listening ears -of his sister Martha, I re-entered the room -where Lazarus lay. He was as white as -marble. His large black eyes seemed to be -twice their usual size and brilliancy. He -breathed with difficulty, and every few moments -he would be compelled to have his -head raised in order to free his mouth from -the welling blood that was constantly bubbling -up from the broken fountains of his -life. Mary's tender privilege it was, assisted -by Rachel, to render him this service of love. -As she bent over him, looking downward -with anxious fondness into his pale, intellectual -face, watching every shadow of the -change that the sable wing of advancing -Death cast over it, I thought I had never -gazed on a more lovely being. I forgot for -the moment the dying young man about -whose form her snow-white arms were entwined, -his head reclining upon her bosom, -her raven tresses, bronzed with a changing -light, all unbound and floating above him -and over his pillow, like a rich veil interwoven -of sable silken floss and threads of -gold.</p> - -<p>I commenced this letter by informing you -of the departure of the good and generous -and pious Lazarus. He fell asleep in death -as an infant sinks to slumber in its mother's -arms.</p> - -<p>All too late was Jesus sent for! To-morrow -his burial will take place. Alas, how -suddenly has perished the noblest young -man in Judea!</p> - -<p>Farewell, dear father. My heart is full. -I can now write no more. The God of -Abraham preserve you in your journey, and -bring you in safety to the embraces of</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXVI" id="LETTER_XXVI">LETTER XXVI.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>In my last letter I told you that Lazarus -was dead. I write this to say that he who -was dead is alive! Lazarus lives! He whom -I saw dead and buried, and sealed up within -the rocky cave of the tomb, is alive again -from the dead; and at this moment, while I -am penning this extraordinary account, I -hear his voice from the porch.</p> - -<p>How, my dear father, how shall I find -adequate language to tell you all that has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -happened here within the last twenty-four -hours!</p> - -<p>The funeral procession was so very long -that strangers, pausing, asked what great -master in Israel, or person of note, was -being taken to the sepulchre.</p> - -<p>Some answered, "Lazarus, the industrious -scribe;" others said, "A young man who has -devoted his life to honor his mother." -Others answered, as Lazarus himself, were -he alive, would have had them:</p> - -<p>"It is Lazarus, the friend of Jesus."</p> - -<p>The place where they were to lay him was -the cave in which his father and mother -were entombed. It was -in a deep, shady vale, -thickly shaded by cypress, -palm and pomegranate -trees, and a -large tamarind grew, -with its stately -branches, overclasping -the summit of the secluded -place of sepulchre. -The remote swell -of a Roman bugle from -the head of a cohort, -which was just issuing -from a defile, came -softly and musically -to our ears, as we stood -in silence about the -grove wherein we were -to place the dead. -Æmilius, my betrothed, was also present, -wearing a white scarf above his silver -cuirass, in token of grief, for he also loved -Lazarus. Of him, dear father, I have not of -late spoken, for should I begin to write of -him I should have no room in my letters for -any other theme.</p> - -<p>The sacred observances at the grove being -over, they raised the body of the dead young -man from the bier, and four youths, aided -by Æmilius at the head to support it, conveyed -it into the yawning cavern. A moment -they lingered on the threshold, that -Mary and Martha might take one more look, -imprint upon its icy cold lips one last kiss, -press once more his unconscious head to -their loving and bursting hearts.</p> - -<p>The young men moved slowly forward into -the gloom of the cave. Mary rushed in, and -with disheveled hair, cried:</p> - -<p>"Oh, take him not away forever from the -sight of my eyes! Oh, my brother, my -brother, would that I had died for thee! for -I am willing to lie down with the worm and -call it my sister, and sleep in the arms of -death, as on the breast of my mother, so -thou couldst live! Oh, brother, brother, let -them not take thee forever from the sight -of my eyes! Without thee, how shall life be -life!"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i09large.jpg"><img src="images/i09.jpg" width="400" height="344" alt="" /></a> -<div class="caption"><p>Rolling stone, closing a sepulchre.</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Æmilius entered the tomb and, tenderly -raising her from the body, on which she had -cast herself in the eloquent abandonment of -her wild grief, he led her forth, and beckoning -to me, placed her in my arms.</p> - -<p>The body, being placed in a niche hollowed -out in the rock, was decently covered with a -grave mantle, all but the calm face, which -was bound about by a -snow-white napkin. -Maidens of the village -advanced and cast flowers -upon his head, and -many, many were the -sincere tears, both from -beneath manly lids and -those of virgins, which -bore tribute to his -worth.</p> - -<p>The burial ceremonies -being ended, five strong -men replaced the ponderous -stone door -closely fitting the entrance -to the cave, and -so secured it, by letting -it into a socket, -that it would require -a like number to remove it.</p> - -<p>As they were retiring with heavy hearts -from performing this last duty to the beloved -dead, the sun sank beyond the blue -hills of Ajalon in the west in a lake of gold. -To enjoy the sunset, and to relieve our emotions -of sadness, I walked apart with Mary -to the top of the hill, from which I beheld -the sun gilding the pinnacle of the Temple, -and making it appear like a gigantic spear -elevated into the sky. From the Levites at -evening sacrifice came, mellowed by distance, -the deep chant of the Temple service, -uttered by a thousand voices. The cloud -from the altar sacrifice ascended slowly into -the still air, and catching the splendor of the -sun's last beams, shone as if the pillar of -cloud and of fire which stood above the tabernacle -in the wilderness. The laborers in -the harvest were hastening towards the -gates, ere they should be shut out for the -night by the Roman guards, and dwellers in -the village were hurrying forth, lest they -should be held in the city over night.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was a sacred hush in the sleepy atmosphere -that seemed in sympathy and -touching harmony with the scene in which -we had just borne a part. With Mary leaning -sobbing upon my shoulder, I sat upon a -rock giving my heart up to the sweet influences -of the hour. We were alone, save -Æmilius, who had ridden after us, anxious -for our safety, and who sat upon his horse -near by, gazing upon the beauty of the evening -scene.</p> - -<p>"I am calmer now," said Mary, after a -while, raising her head and looking into my -face, her splendid eyes glittering brimful -with tears. "The peace of the sweet, holy -skies seems to have descended and entered -my heart. The spirit of Lazarus pervades -all and hallows all I see. I will weep no -more. He is happy now, very happy, and -let us try to be holy and go to him, for he -cannot come back to us."</p> - -<p>At this moment we heard the tramp of -horses' hoofs. Æmilius, startled thereby -from his reverie, recovered his seat and laid -his hand upon his sword. The next moment, -around a rock projecting from the -shoulder of Olivet, appeared a horseman in -the wild, warlike costume of an Ishmaelite -of the desert, brandishing a long spear in -the air; then another and another similarly -clad and armed, and mounted on superb -horses of the desert, dashed in sight. These -were immediately followed by a tall, daring-looking -young man, in a rich costume, half -Grecian, half Arabic, though his dark, handsome -features were decidedly Israelitish. He -rode a superb Abyssinian charger, and sat -upon his back like the heathen centaur I -have read of in the Latin books which -Æmilius has given me to read. Upon seeing -us he drew rein and smiled, and waved his -jewelled hand with splendid courtesy; but at -the sight of Æmilius his dark eyes flashed, -and leaping to his feet in his stirrups he -shook his glittering falchion towards him, -and rode with a trumpet-like cry full upon -him.</p> - -<p>The brave Roman soldier received the -charge by turning his horse slightly, and -catching the point of the weapon upon the -blade of his short sword.</p> - -<p>"We meet at last, O Roman!" cried this -wild, dashing chief, as he wheeled his horse -like lightning, and once more rode upon the -iron-armed Roman knight.</p> - -<p>"Ay, Barabbas, and with joy I hail thee!" -responded Æmilius, placing a bugle to his -lips.</p> - -<p>At hearing the clear voice of the bugle -awaking the echoes of Olivet, the dread -robber chief said haughtily and with a -glance of contempt:</p> - -<p>"Thou, a knight of the tribune, and commander -of a legion, call for aid, when I offer -thee equal battle, hand to hand, and ask not -for aid of my own men's spears?"</p> - -<p>"I know no equal battle with a robber. I -would hunt thee as I would do the wolf -and the wild beasts of thy deserts," answered -Æmilius, pressing him closely. At a -signal from the robber chief his four men, -who had reined up a short distance off, near -the tomb of Lazarus, sent up a shrill, eaglelike -scream, that made my blood stand still, -and then rode down like the wind to overcome -Æmilius.</p> - -<p>Hitherto I had remained as one stupefied -at being an involuntary spectator of a sudden -battle, but on seeing his danger, I was -at his side, scarce knowing how I reached -the place.</p> - -<p>"Retire, dear Adina," he said authoritatively. -"I shall have to defend both thee -and myself, and these barbarians will give -both my hands enough to do."</p> - -<p>As he spoke he turned his horse's head to -meet the forefold shock, and I escaped, I -know not how, with the impulse to hasten -to Bethany for succor. But heaven interposed -its aid. A detachment of the body-guard -of Pilate, hearing the recall of their -chief's bugle, came now cantering up the -hill. At the sight Barabbas and his party -fled, like wild pigeons pursued by a cloud of -Iturean hawks. Barabbas, however, turned -more than once to fling back defiance to his -foes. Æmilius soon reached his side, seized -the crimson sash which encircled his waist, -and held him thus, both fighting as they -rode. The Roman troop came up, and after -a desperate battle the celebrated chief was -taken alive, though bleeding with many -wounds, and bound with his own sash to the -column of one of the tombs.</p> - -<p>Æmilius says that Barabbas will assuredly -be crucified for his numerous crimes. -Dreadful punishment! and for one so young -as this desert robber to come to such an -ignominious and agonizing death; doomed to -hang for hours under the sunbeams by his -lacerated hands and feet, till death at last -comes from slow exhaustion of all the -powers of nature. I am amazed that so -polite and humane a nation as the Roman -can inflict such a cruel and agonizing death, -even upon their malefactors. Ignominious,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -indeed, must the life of a man have been, -for him to be doomed justly to suffer such -a death.</p> - -<p>In this letter, dearest father, I intended to -relate to you how Lazarus has been restored -to life, but it is already taken up with so -much, that I defer it to my next. Suffice it -for me to tell you at the close of this letter -that it was Jesus who raised him from the -dead. And will you say that he is an impostor? -That he has done this wonderful -thing is alone evidence enough to me that he -is indeed the Messias of the Prophets, the -Son of God.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXVII" id="LETTER_XXVII">LETTER XXVII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>Your letter has filled me with joy that I -can poorly express by my pen. It assures me -that you are certain to leave at the new -moon, and after a few days' delay at Gaza, -that you will be with me not many days -afterward. This letter I shall send to meet -you at Gaza.</p> - -<p>In it I shall make known to you the particulars -of the greatest miracle of power -and love above all those wonders which -Jesus has done.</p> - -<p>When Mary and Martha had despatched -the message to Jesus, as I have already -stated, they began to be more cheerful with -new-born hope, saying:</p> - -<p>"If our dear Rabbi, the holy Prophet, -comes, he will heal him with a word, as he -has done so many of the sick."</p> - -<p>"Yes, many whom he knew not he has -restored to health by a touch," remarked -Martha, "how much more Lazarus, whom -he loves as a brother! Oh, that the messenger -may press forward with all haste!"</p> - -<p>"If Lazarus should die ere he come," -hesitatingly remarked my gentle cousin, the -wife of John the disciple, "he could bring -him to life again, even as he did the Son of -the widow of Nain."</p> - -<p>"Yes, without doubt, unless it were too -late," remarked Martha, shrinking at the -thought that her brother should die; "but -if he be long dead it will be impossible."</p> - -<p>"Nothing is impossible with Jesus," answered -Mary, her eyes brightening with -trusting faith.</p> - -<p>Thus the hours passed between mingled -hopes and fears; but ere Jesus came, lo! the -mantle of death was laid over the face of -their dead brother. "Lazarus is dead, and -Jesus is far away!" was the bitter and -touching cry made by the bereaved sisters, -as they wept in each other's arms.</p> - -<p>The next day the burial took place, and yet -no messenger came from Jesus. The morning -of the third day the man returned, and -said that he had found the Prophet on the -farther bank of Jordan, where John had baptized, -abiding in a humble cottage in the -suburbs of Bethabara with his disciples.</p> - -<p>The bearer of the sad tidings from the -two sisters delivered his simple and touching -message:</p> - -<p>"Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is -sick!"</p> - -<p>"And what said he—how did his countenance -appear?" asked Martha of the man.</p> - -<p>"He betrayed no surprise, but said calmly -to me, 'Son, I know it! This sickness shall -not be unto death. It shall be for the glory -of God; for hereby will my Father permit -me to be glorified, that men may see and believe -truly that I came out from God.'"</p> - -<p>"Alas! He knew not how ill his friend -was," said Mary, "or he would not have said -it was not unto death, and would surely -have hastened with you."</p> - -<p>"He has forgotten us," answered Martha. -"He should be here to console us in our -deep affliction, though he came not to heal -our brother."</p> - -<p>"Nay, sister, do not think hardly of the -blessed friend of Lazarus," said Mary, with -soothing tones, as she caressed her elder sister. -"I feel that if he had seen fit he could -have raised up our brother, even speaking -the word from Bethabara. It was not -needful he should see him to heal him, for -dost thou remember how he healed Lucius, -the centurion's son? Yet at the time he was -a day's journey distant from him."</p> - -<p>"Then why, oh, why, did he not save Lazarus?" -exclaimed Martha bitterly.</p> - -<p>"In that he did not, sweet sister," answered -Mary gently, "it was for the best. -Did he not say to the messenger his sickness -should be to the glory of his power?"</p> - -<p>"But not his death, Mary, not his death! -He is dead four days already, and how can -the grave give glory to the power of Jesus? -Will he raise him up, since corruption hath -begun, nay, begun ere we laid him in the -cold sepulchre? Oh, speak not to me of the -Prophet! He loved not Lazarus, or he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -not the power to save him! Nay, leave me, -Mary, to the bitterness of my grief."</p> - -<p>"Ah, dear Martha, how soon is thy faith -in Jesus, when tried, become naught!" said -Mary, bending upon her, from her dark, earnest -eyes, looks of sad reproach. "Shall one -day overturn your years of holy friendship -for him? Because he answered not our -prayer to come to Lazarus, think you he -loved him not, and is indifferent to our -anguish? He is wronged by your reproof, -and injured by your want of confidence in -his love and care for us."</p> - -<p>While they were thus discoursing, one -came running swiftly towards the house, -and breathless with haste, cried to them and -to the Jews sitting there, who had come to -comfort them concerning their brother:</p> - -<p>"The Prophet! The Nazarene! He -comes!"</p> - -<p>Almost at the same moment Elec, the -Gibeonite, entered and said:</p> - -<p>"Jesus, Messias of God, is at hand! He -already entereth the village followed by his -disciples."</p> - -<p>At this intelligence the mourners who sat -with Mary and Martha in the vine porch, -rose up to go and meet him; but Martha, -shrieking with the reaction of sudden joy, -sprang up and, more quickly than they, -reached the street, and flying with great -speed, came where Jesus was.</p> - -<p>Mary, who had received the news without -betraying any other emotion than the secret -and holy joy of a heart that had confidence -all along in her Lord, instead of hastening -to meet him rending her hair with grief, -like her sister, proceeded to prepare a room -for the hospitable entertainment of the beloved -Prophet, when he should come in, thus -taking Martha's usual place; and when she -had arranged all, she sat down with me in -the house, her heart filled with joy and -her face expressive of calm and quiet happiness.</p> - -<p>When Martha had come near Jesus, whom -she met just entering Bethany, walking with -four of his disciples along the dusty road, -and looking weary and travel-worn, she ran -and threw herself at his feet, crying:</p> - -<p>"Lord, if thou hadst been here, my -brother had not died!"</p> - -<p>Jesus taking her hand raised her up, and -said with emotion, for he seemed deeply -moved by her grief:</p> - -<p>"Death to those whom my Father loveth -is sleep. The good die not! Lazarus is not -dead, but sleepeth, and he shall rise again!"</p> - -<p>"I know, O Rabboni, that he shall rise -again in the resurrection at the last day."</p> - -<p>Jesus then said to her, lifting his celestial -glances towards heaven:</p> - -<p>"I am the resurrection and the life. He -that believeth in me, though he were dead, -yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and -believeth in me shall never die! Believest -thou this, daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the -Christ, the Son of God, which should come -into the world. I know that whatsoever -thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee, -and that even now thou couldst bring Lazarus -back again!"</p> - -<p>"Corruption and the worm have begun -their work," said a proud and unbelieving -Pharisee near, on hearing this. "Whatever -may have been the state of the ruler's -daughter, and of the son of her of Nain, -Lazarus the scribe, at least, is dead!"</p> - -<p>To this speech Jesus made no reply, but -turning to Martha, said softly:</p> - -<p>"This day my Father shall be glorified, -and the world shall truly know that I am -come from Him who is life and the giver of -life. Go thou, and tell thy sister that I am -here, and would have her come and speak -with me."</p> - -<p>Martha, then, overjoyed and wondering -that Jesus should have known her thoughts, -so as to reproach her for her little faith as -he had done, hastened to her sister, and entering, -cried:</p> - -<p>"I have seen the Lord! He calleth for -thee, Mary. Come and see him as he sits by -Isaiah's fountain, near the market-place."</p> - -<p>Mary rose quickly and went out. Certain -of her Jewish friends from Jerusalem at -that moment met her at the door, and began -to comfort her, and to ask her if they also -should go with her to weep at the grave of -Lazarus, for they said one to another:</p> - -<p>"She goes unto the grave to weep there!"</p> - -<p>"She goes to see Jesus, the friend of Lazarus, -for he calleth her," answered Martha, -smiling with eagerness, and speaking with -an animation that presented a singular contrast -to her late deep grief.</p> - -<p>Mary hastened to where Jesus sat by the -fountain bathing his dusty and wounded -feet.</p> - -<p>"Lord," she said, in her sister's words, -and with deep emotion, "if thou, Lord, -hadst been here, my brother had not died!"</p> - -<p>Then bowing her head to the edge of the -marble basin, she wept very heavily. The -Jews, men and women, who stood about,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -being touched with her sorrow, also wept, -while glittering tears coursed their way -down the face of the beloved John, his disciple, -who stood near.</p> - -<p>Jesus sighed deeply and groaned in spirit -as he beheld her grief and their mourning -with her. His sacred countenance was -marred with the anguish of his soul.</p> - -<p>"Rise, let us go to the grave where he -lieth," he said to them. "Where have ye -laid him?"</p> - -<p>"Come, dear Lord, and see," answered -Mary, holding him reverently by the sleeve -of the robe, and gently yet eagerly drawing -him towards the place of the tombs in the -vale of Olivet.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile, at home, Martha had -been diligently, and with strange cheerfulness, -getting in readiness the room of Lazarus. -She swept and dusted it, and garnished -it with fresh flowers, which she gathered in -the little garden.</p> - -<p>"This is the rose he set out and loved. -This is the violet which blooms immortal. I -will place it upon his pillow," she said, with -a joyous hilarity softened by the most lovely -look of peace, while hope shone in her eyes -like twin morning stars ushering in a glorious -day. She spoke scarcely above her -breath and moved on tiptoe.</p> - -<p>"For whom is this preparation, dearest -Martha? For Jesus?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no. The holy Prophet's own room is -ready. Mary has prepared that. This is -Lazarus' room, and I am decorating it for -him."</p> - -<p>"Dost thou truly believe that he is coming -back from the dead?" I asked, between -doubt and strange fear.</p> - -<p>"Believe? Oh, yes! I know that nothing -is impossible with Jesus! I doubt no more! -My faith trembles no longer! He will raise -up my brother, and this day he shall sit -down at our table with us again, and this -night rest his head in peaceful slumber upon -this pillow which I am strewing with his -favorite flowers. Never had house two such -guests as we shall have this day—the Messias -of God, and one come back alive from -the dead!"</p> - -<p>At this moment we heard the noise of the -multitude passing by, and it being told us -that Jesus was going to the grave, Martha, -embracing me with a heavenly smile, drew -me gently after her to follow the blessed -Prophet to the tomb. All Bethany was in -his footsteps.</p> - -<p>How shall I describe Jesus as he then appeared? -He wore a blue robe, woven without -seam throughout, the affectionate work -and gift of the two sisters. His face was -very pale and sad, yet a certain divine majesty -rested thereon, so that his calm, high -forehead looked as if it were a throne. His -holy, earnest eyes were full of sorrow. His -mouth, compressed, betrayed the effort he -made to suppress the outbursting of his -heart's deep grief.</p> - -<p>Slowly he moved onward and, entering the -cemetery, he soon stood before the tomb of -his beloved friend.</p> - -<p>For a few moments he stood gazing upon -the closed stone door of the cave in silence. -There reigned an expectant hush among the -vast throng. Mary knelt at his feet, gazing -up into his countenance with a sublime expression -of hope and trust. Martha drew -softly near and fell upon her knees by the -side of her sister. Jesus looked tenderly -upon them and, resting his eyes upon the -tomb, wept. Large, glittering tears rolled -down his cheeks and glanced from his flowing -beard to the ground. I knelt by the side -of the sisters.</p> - -<p>"Behold how he loved him!" whispered -the Jews present with surprise.</p> - -<p>Others said, "Could not this man which -opened the eyes of the blind, have caused -that even this man should not have died?"</p> - -<p>Jesus, heaving a deep sigh, now came -nearer the grave. With a slight movement -of his right hand to those who stood by, he -said in a tone that, though low, was heard -by the whole people, so solemn was the surrounding -stillness:</p> - -<p>"Take ye away the stone!"</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Martha, "by this time the -body is offensive, for he hath been dead four -days."</p> - -<p>"Daughter," said Jesus, looking on her, -"believe, and thou shalt behold the power -of God."</p> - -<p>The men then with some difficulty took -away the stone from the door of the sepulchre -and stood upon one side. The dark -vault yawned with gloomy horrors, and, so -corrupt was the air that rushed out, all fell -back from it, save Jesus and Mary, retiring -several steps from the entrance.</p> - -<p>Jesus stood looking into the cave where, -as our eyes became accustomed to the darkness -within, we could discern the corpse of -Lazarus, covered with the grave mantle, -and his face bound with a napkin which -was already discolored with the sepulchral -damp of the grave.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<p>Raising his hands towards heaven and lifting -up his spiritual eyes, which were yet -moist with tears, Jesus spoke in a voice of -indescribable pathos and earnestness of appeal, -and with a manner of the most awful -reverence, as follows:</p> - -<p>"Father, I thank thee that thou hast -heard me. And I know that thou hearest -me always, but because of the people which -stand by do I offer unto thee this prayer, -that they may believe that the power I have -cometh from thee, and that they may believe -that thou hast sent me. And now, O -holy Father, may I glorify thee on the earth -with the power which thou hast given me."</p> - -<p>He then turned towards the tomb, and -stretching forth his hand, he cried with a -loud voice that made every heart quake:</p> - -<p>"Lazarus, come forth!"</p> - -<p>My blood stood still in my veins. Scarcely -daring to behold, I looked and beheld what -all eyes also saw, the corpse rise and stand -up within the vault, turn round with its face -towards us, and come forth, wrapped hand -and foot with the grave-clothes, and his face -bound about with a napkin. His countenance -was like marble for whiteness, and his -eyes, which were open, beamed supernaturally -brilliant.</p> - -<p>At beholding him a simultaneous shriek -burst from the lips of the people, and there -was a terrified backward rush of all who -were nighest the cave.</p> - -<p>Martha, wildly uttering her brother's -name, fell forward upon her face insensible.</p> - -<p>"Loose him and let him go free!" said -Jesus calmly, addressing the petrified and -amazed men who had taken away the stone.</p> - -<p>Mary was the first one who had the firmness -to approach him, and as she began removing -the napkin from the sides of his -face, others, taking courage by her example, -hastened to unswathe his arms and feet. -In a few moments he was free from his -outer grave-clothes, and the healthful color -of his cheeks coming to him, his lips flushed -brilliantly with red, his eyes looked natural, -beaming with wonder and love as he gazed -about him. Perceiving Jesus, he was about -to cast himself at his feet in gratitude (for -he seemed to have consciousness of all that -had happened), but the mighty Prophet -drew him to his embrace and kissed him.</p> - -<p>But my pen refuses to find language to express -the unspeakable emotions of joy and -gratitude, words of love and praise, that -filled all hearts. Now the great Prophet, -now Lazarus, and now Jesus again received -the plaudits of the vast throng of people. -Hymns were chanted to Jehovah as we -passed through the streets, and so many fell -down to worship Jesus that it was long before -we crossed the threshold of the dwelling, -which Jesus did indeed enter with Lazarus -by his side! And Martha did see her -brother sit at the table, and that night his -head rested in deep slumber upon the flower-strewn -pillow which her faith and love had -prepared for him.</p> - -<p>With the hope of soon embracing you, I -remain as ever,</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXVIII" id="LETTER_XXVIII">LETTER XXVIII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>Like all my letters, the theme of this will -be Jesus, whose claims to be the Messiah -I unspeakably rejoice to hear you are beginning -to regard with more favorable eyes.</p> - -<p>Now Jesus, whose power to work miracles -you yourself, my dear father, have confessed -must be conferred by Jehovah alone, -asserts distinctly and everywhere that he is -Messias, the Son of God, the Shiloh of Israel, -of whom Moses and the prophets so eloquently -wrote. Besides claiming for himself -this high character, he was heard, by both -my Uncle Amos and myself, in the synagogue -at Bethany, two days after he raised -Lazarus from the dead, to read from Esaias -the words following, and apply them to himself, -which he had done before at Nazareth:</p> - -<p>"The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because -he hath anointed me to preach the -gospel to the poor. He hath sent me to heal -the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to -the captives, and recovering of sight to the -blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised; -to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."</p> - -<p>The synagogue was thronged, so that people -trod upon one another. All eyes were -now intent, and all ears were ready to hear -what he should speak. He then said unto -them:</p> - -<p>"This day is this Scripture fulfilled in -your ears. Ye ask me, O scribes and men of -Israel, to tell you plainly who I am—whether -I am the Christ or no. What saith the -prophet of Messias when he shall come? Ye -have just heard his words. If such works -as he prophesieth do show forth themselves -in me, know ye not who I am?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<p>Here a voice cried out in the assembly:</p> - -<p>"Tell us plainly, art thou the Christ, the -Son of the Highest?"</p> - -<p>At this direct inquiry there was intense -interest shown to hear the reply.</p> - -<p>Jesus seemed about to answer, when a -man, who stood near the reading desk, in -whom was an unclean spirit, cried out, with -a shrieking voice of mingled terror and -awe:</p> - -<p>"Let me alone! Leave me as I am, thou -Jesus of Nazareth! Art thou come hither to -destroy me? I know thee who thou art, the -Holy One of God!"</p> - -<p>Jesus rebuked the devil which possessed -the man and said, in the voice of a master -commanding a bond slave:</p> - -<p>"Hold thy peace, Satan! The Son of man -needeth not, though thou givest it, thy testimony. -Hold thy peace, and come out of -the man!"</p> - -<p>At this word the man uttered a fearful -cry of despair and rage, and foaming at the -mouth cast himself, or rather was thrown -down by the devil within him, to the ground; -where, after a moment's terrific struggle, -with contortions of bodily anguish, he lay -senseless as if dead. Jesus took him by the -hand, and he stood up and, looking in the -face of the Prophet with earnestness and -wonder, burst into tears of gratitude, exclaiming:</p> - -<p>"I am escaped as a bird out of the snare -of the fowler; the snare is broken, and I am -escaped. God hath delivered me out of the -hand of my enemy!" He then sat at the feet -of Jesus, calm, grateful, happy, and in his -right mind! All gazed on him with wonder, -while from the great mass of the people rose -a great shout, for they were all amazed, saying:</p> - -<p>"This is none other than the Christ, the -Son of David! This is the King of Israel!" -while the loud shouts of "Hosanna! hosanna! -hosanna!" cheered by a thousand -voices, "Hosanna to our King!" shook like a -passing storm the synagogue.</p> - -<p>When the noise had a little subsided, some -of the Scribes and Pharisees said, reproving -him for not rebuking these cries:</p> - -<p>"Who is this that suffereth himself to be -hailed as king? This is treason to the emperor!"</p> - -<p>Jesus then said in a loud, clear voice:</p> - -<p>"My kingdom is not of this world! I seek -not an earthly throne or earthly sceptre. My -kingdom is from above. Ye say truly, I am -king," he added, with indescribable majesty, -"and hereafter ye shall behold me sitting -upon the throne of heaven."</p> - -<p>When he had thus far spoken he could not -proceed farther, on account of the sudden -and immense uproar which his words produced. -Some shouted, "Hosanna!" others -said he blasphemed; one cried for the Roman -guard, another for the priests, to eject -him from the tribune; many rushed towards -him to cast themselves at his feet, while -many, putting their fingers in their ears, -hurried forth from the synagogue, crying:</p> - -<p>"His blasphemies will cause the house to -fall upon us and crush us!"</p> - -<p>Never was such an uproar heard. In the -midst of it Jesus conveyed himself away, -none knew whither; and when I returned to -the house of Martha I heard his low, earnest, -touching voice in prayer to God in his -little chamber. He had sought its sacred -quiet to be alone with his Father in heaven. -At times I could hear him praying and supplicating, -in tones of the most heart-breaking -pathos; at others the silence of his room -was only broken at intervals by sighs and -pitiful groans that seemed to come from a -breaking and crushed heart. Oh, what hand -may remove the veil and reveal what passed -there in that holy retirement between the -Prophet and his God!</p> - -<p>It was late in the day when he came forth, -Martha having softly tapped at his door to -say that the evening meal was prepared and -alone waited for him. When he appeared -his face was colorless and bore traces of -weeping, and though he smiled kindly upon -us all, as he was wont to do, there was a -deep-seated sorrow upon his countenance -that brought tears to my eyes. Æmilius -joined us at the table, and with dear Lazarus -and with Uncle Amos, we passed a sacred -hour; for the Prophet ate not, but -talked to us much and sweetly of the love of -God, and as all listened the viands were forgotten.</p> - -<p>Pardon me, dearest father, if I am too -warm and urgent in my efforts to bring you -to accept Jesus as the Christ. Convinced, -as I am, that he is Messias, I cannot but -ardently desire that you, also, should come -to the knowledge of this truth. What he is -yet to be, how he is yet to develop his -majesty and power, is unknown to us all. -Some do think that he will enter Jerusalem -ere long, attended by tens of thousands of -his followers, and that before him Pilate will -peaceably vacate his Procuratorial chair, and -retire, not only from the Holy City but from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -Judea, with his legions; that Jesus will ascend -the throne of David, and the glory of -the age of Solomon be revived under his -rule.</p> - -<p>Such, dear father, is the future of the -Prophet, as looked for by all his disciples -save one, and this is John, the husband of -my Cousin Mary. John, on hearing our -views of the coming glory of the Prophet, -looks compassionate and says:</p> - -<p>"His kingdom is not of this world. He -has naught to do with the splendors of -earth. His glory you will behold, but it is a -glory of the spirit. Ere perceiving it fully -we may first pass through the valley of -darkness, the gate of the tomb. He has distinctly -said to me, 'I must first suffer many -things at the hands of men before I enter -upon my reign of glory. The Jews will seek -me to kill me, and I shall be taken from -among you; but let not sorrow fill your -hearts. Death can have no power over me -save such as I permit it to hold. I lay down -my life and I take it again. Through much -tribulation and sorrow must the Son of God -win the sceptre of this earth—the hearts of -men. I shall conquer, but to do so I must -fall. Yet fear not. My death shall be the -gateway to Paradise for you all!'"</p> - -<p>Thus, dear father, do we discourse together -about this wonderful Prophet, whose -future life is all a mystery, save that, from -the prophecies, we know it is to be inconceivably -glorious; from his own lips, to be -inconceivably sorrowful. But whether on a -throne, giving laws to the world, or in the -dust, borne down by the deepest woe, I shall -still love, honor, reverence him and trust in -him as my Savior, my Prince, and the Holy -One of God!</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your devoted and loving,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXIX" id="LETTER_XXIX">LETTER XXIX.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dearest Father:</p> - -<p>With what emotions of grief and amazement -I commence this letter you can form -no just conception. Jesus, the Prophet of -God, is a prisoner to the Roman power!</p> - -<p>But I fear not the issue! He cannot be -holden of his foes, save by his own free will. -He can, with a word, turn his chains into -bands of sand, and by a glance render his -guards dead men. He will, therefore, escape -their bonds. They can have no power over -him.</p> - -<p>It seems that to-day, after eating the Passover -with his twelve chosen friends, and instituting -a new and peculiar feast with wine -and bread, which he told them impressively -would be his last supper with them, he went -forth towards Olivet, and there, seating himself -beneath the shade of a tree, he talked -with them very sadly, saying that "his -hour was come, that he had ended his work, -and that he was about to be delivered into -the hands of sinful men."</p> - -<p>John gave the following narrative: "It -was evening, and the south side of Olivet -lay in deep shadow. We were all sorrowful. -We felt, each one of us, as if some grievous -evil was pending over us. The tones of our -beloved Master's voice moved us to tears, -quite as much as his words, which latter -were full of mystery. We were all present -except Iscariot, who had remained in the -city to discharge the costs—he being our -purse-bearer—of the Passover supper and -pay for the hire of the room. At that supper -Jesus had said very plainly that one of our -number would betray him into the hands of -the priests. At hearing our Lord say these -strange words in accents of touching reproach, -we were all deeply moved, and -Peter and the rest at once questioned him -individually, if it were they. 'Lord, is it -I?' and another, 'Lord, is it I?' I was resting, -at the moment, with my face on the -shoulder of Jesus, and said softly, 'Lord, -who is it that betrayeth thee? I will forthwith -lay hands upon him and prevent his -doing thee harm.' Jesus shook his head and -smiling gently, said:</p> - -<p>"'My beloved brother, thou knowest not -what thou would do. The Son of man must -needs be betrayed by his own friends, but -woe unto him who betrayeth me! Mark -which of the twelve dippeth bread with me -into the dish!'</p> - -<p>"I looked and saw Judas reach forward -and dip into the dish at the same instant -with Jesus; but in his eagerness, or from -conscious guilt, his hand trembled, he spilled -the salt over the board, and the sop fell -from his grasp into the bowl; upon which -Jesus gave him the piece he held, saying to -him, with a remarkable expression in his -clear, piercing eyes:</p> - -<p>"'Judas, that thou doest, do quickly!'</p> - -<p>"Instantly Judas rose from the table, and -without a reply or casting a look at any of -us, went out.</p> - -<p>"For a few moments after his footsteps -had ceased to be heard, there prevailed a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -heavy silence in the chamber, for a strange -fear had fallen upon us; why, we could not -tell; and looking into one another's faces, -and then into our dear Master's, we seemed -to await some dread event. His face was -placid and full of affection as he looked upon -us. The momentary cloud which shaded -the noble profile when he spoke to Judas -had all passed off, and there was the serenity -of a cloudless sky in his face."</p> - -<p>"What was the mysterious feast which -he instituted?" asked Mary, interrupting -John here.</p> - -<p>"You may properly call it mysterious," he -answered. "As we were eating the Passover, -Jesus took up bread -and, blessing it by a solemn -act of consecration, broke it -with his hands and gave a -portion to each of us, saying -with it, 'Take, eat; this -is my body!'</p> - -<p>"Awed and impressed by -his manner and the act, we -all received and ate it as -he commanded us to do, as -reverently as if it were the -holy shew-bread of the -Temple, dedicated to God's -use. When we had eaten -in silence what we perceived -was the inauguration -of a new and most -sacred feast by his own -hand, he took up the cup of -wine, and consecrated it -also by giving thanks and blessing. The -hallowed cup he now offered to each one of -us. We all drank of it with deep devotion, -for he said to us, 'I will drink no more with -you the fruit of the vine until that day that -I drink it new in the kingdom of God!' He -also said of the wine, 'This is my blood!'"</p> - -<p>"And how do you understand these words, -that the bread consecrated was his body, -and the wine was his blood?" I asked of the -disciple.</p> - -<p>"That is an inquiry I cannot answer," -said John. "It is a mystery. But the Lord -says it shall be made clear to us by and by.</p> - -<p>"We then sang the Passover hymn to God, -and went out at his command to go to Olivet. -As we went he discoursed with us:</p> - -<p>"'My children,' he said. 'I am to be with -you but a little while longer. The hour of -my departure is at hand. Remember my last -words—love one another. In this shall all -men know that ye are my disciples.'</p> - -<p>"'Lord,' cried Peter, 'we will go with -thee! Thou shalt not leave us nor go without -us!'</p> - -<p>"Thus we all, eagerly and tearfully, gathered -around him, alarmed and grieved at the -words he had said. He regarded us lovingly -and said:</p> - -<p>"'Little children, I must leave you. -Whither I go you cannot come!'</p> - -<p>"'Though thou wentest to the uttermost -parts of the sea, I will follow thee, my Master -and Lord!' exclaimed Peter. 'Whither -goest thou, that we may not follow? I will -lay down my life for thee; and so will all -these!'</p> - -<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i10large.jpg"><img src="images/i10.jpg" width="400" height="256" alt=">An Oriental Supper Scene." /></a> -</div> - -<p>"'Wilt thou die for me, Peter?' asked -Jesus, gazing on him with a sad, sweet look. -'Verily, verily, Peter, thou little knowest -thyself. The cock shall not crow twice ere -thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest -me.'</p> - -<p>"'Deny thee, Lord!' repeated Peter, with -amazed grief and horror in his looks.</p> - -<p>"'Yes, Peter,' answered Jesus, firmly but -kindly, 'deny that thou ever knewest me; -for the time draweth near when there shall -be safety only in confessing ignorance of -Jesus the Nazarene. And all ye,' he added, -while his voice grew tremulous, and tears -glistened in his eyes, 'all ye shall be -offended because of me this night; ye shall -be ashamed that ye are my disciples, and -ye will think me a deceiver and will be displeased -at me. Yea, every one of you shall -desert me; for thus it is written: "The shepherd -shall be smitten, and the sheep shall be -scattered!"'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<p>"When he saw that our hearts were -troubled and that we were sad, and that the -faithful Philip sobbed aloud at being supposed -capable of abandoning his Master, he -added, 'Let not your hearts be troubled; I -go to prepare a place for you in my Father's -house!'</p> - -<p>"'Thy father, Lord, no longer liveth in -Nazareth; and, were he alive, there are but -two small apartments in his humble house,' -said Thomas. 'How sayest thou that we -are all to lodge there?'</p> - -<p>"'Thomas, thou canst understand only -what thine eyes see. I speak of my Father -who is in heaven. In his house are many -mansions.'</p> - -<p>"Jesus then, as we drew near Cedron, began -plainly to tell us that he was to die, and -that by his death we should be admitted -into a heavenly paradise and live forever. -We could not understand all he said, but we -knew that he was soon to be taken from us -and sorrow filled all our hearts. After discoursing -with us in the most touching -words, he at length said:</p> - -<p>"'Come, let us go over Cedron to the side -of Olivet, into the garden we so much love -to walk in.'</p> - -<p>"We went with him, inclosing him as a -guard, to conceal his person from the Jewish -spies, as well as to defend him. Peter and -James went before. The full moon shone -brightly, and by its light glancing on the -face of Jesus, by whom I walked, I saw that -it was sadder than its wont, while he spoke -but little.</p> - -<p>"We at length crossed the brook and entered -the dark groves of Olivet. Familiar -with all the paths, we advanced to a central -group of venerable olive trees, beneath -which, tradition says, Abraham used to sit; -and there Jesus, turning to us, said in a -voice of the deepest woe:</p> - -<p>"'Friends, the hour of my time of trial is -come! My work is ended. I would be -alone. Remain you here and watch, for we -shall be sought for. Come with me, Peter, -and you also, James. I am going to pray -yonder.'</p> - -<p>"'Take me, also, dear Lord!' I said, sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"'Yes, thou art always with me, beloved!' -he answered. 'I will not leave thee now.'</p> - -<p>"So leaving the eight friends to keep -watch against the intrusion of his enemies, -who were known to be everywhere seeking -him, he walked away to the most secluded -recesses of the garden. He stopped at the -place near the rock where Adam is said to -have hidden from Jehovah, and saying to us -in a sorrowful tone, 'Tarry ye here, while I -go apart and pray to my Father,' he went -from us about a stone's cast and kneeled -down, where a thick olive branch hanging -low to the ground concealed him from our -view. I was so solicitous lest he should -leave us and we should see him no more, -that I soon softly advanced near to the spot -and beheld him prostrate on the ground, -while deep groans broke from his heart. I -heard his voice murmuring, but could not -distinguish the words broken by grief; only -the tones were those of strange horror and -dread.</p> - -<p>"As he prayed thus in great agony, I suddenly -beheld a swift light pass by me, as if -from the skies, and lo! an angel stood by -the side of Jesus, bending over him and raising -him up from the ground. A soft, bright -glory shone around the spot, so that Peter, -seeing it, advanced towards me, supposing -some one had entered the garden bearing a -torch. I beckoned to Peter to be motionless, -and he gazed with me in speechless astonishment -and admiration upon the form of -the angel, from whose glorious face was -emitted the radiance which illumined the -place where Jesus was. As the angel raised -Jesus from the ground, we saw that his divine -countenance was convulsed with -anguish, and upon his brow stood great shining -drops of sweat, mingled with blood, -which oozed from his pallid temples and, -rolling down his marble cheeks, dropped to -the ground. Never had we beheld a human -visage so marred by sorrow, so deeply -graven with the lines of agony.</p> - -<p>"The angel seemed to utter soothing -words, and pointed with his shining hand -towards heaven, as if to encourage him with -hope and give him strength. The face of -Jesus grew more serene; he raised his eyes -heavenward with a divine expression of holy -love, and cried in a strong voice:</p> - -<p>"'Thy will, not mine, O God, be done!'</p> - -<p>"The angel then embraced him, as if -strengthening him, and soaring upward, disappeared -like a star returning into the blue -depths of heaven, while Peter and I stood by -wondering and full of awe at what we beheld.</p> - -<p>"We remained for some time conversing -together upon the wonderful vision we had -seen, which confirmed us in the certainty -that Jesus came from God, and was in truth -the Messias that should come; but at length,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> -wearied with our day's excitements, we -must have fallen asleep, for we were suddenly -startled by the voice of our dear Master -saying:</p> - -<p>"'Why sleep ye, children? But the hour -is past for watching. Ye may sleep on now, -for though your flesh is weary, your spirit -is willing. I need your aid no longer!'</p> - -<p>"While he was speaking, we saw many -torches gleaming through the trees, along -King David's walk, and the tramp of feet -fell on our ears. We soon saw a large party -advancing into the midst of the -garden, who walked rapidly and -spoke only in undertones. We at -once took the alarm and said to -Jesus:</p> - -<p>"'Fly, dear Master! Let us -ascend the hill, and escape by the -way of Bethany, for these are enemies!'</p> - -<p>"'Nay,' answered our dear Master. -'It must needs be that I deliver -myself into the hands of -these men. How else shall the -Scriptures be fulfilled? Seek safety -in flight for yourselves, but I must -go whither they will lead me.'</p> - -<p>"'Not so, Lord,' answered -Peter. 'There is time for thee to -escape; or, if not, we will stand -by thee and defend thee.'</p> - -<p>"So said all the disciples. Jesus -shook his head and said, with a -sad smile, 'Ye know not what ye -say or would do. Mine hour is come!'</p> - -<p>"While he yet spake the multitude drew -nearer, and those who had the lead, raising -their torches high above their heads, discovered -us, with Jesus in the midst. To my -surprise I beheld Judas acting as their guide, -for he alone knew where his Master was to -be found at that hour. Upon discovering -Jesus this wicked man ran forward, with -expressions of friendship in his face, and -kissed Jesus on the cheek, saying:</p> - -<p>"'Hail, Master! I am glad I have found -thee!'</p> - -<p>"'Judas,' said Jesus, 'betrayest thou the -Son of man with a kiss?'</p> - -<p>"When Judas heard this he turned to the -multitude, at the head of which I recognized -some of the chief priests, and of the most -learned scribes of the Temple, and cried -aloud:</p> - -<p>"'This is he! Seize him, and hold him -fast!'</p> - -<p>"Thereupon the crowd, to the number of -full ten score men, among whom were the -vilest sort of people, rushed forward to lay -hands upon Jesus, the moon and torches together -shedding almost the bright light of -day into the garden upon the whole group.</p> - -<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i11large.jpg"><img src="images/i11.jpg" width="400" height="311" alt="MOUNT OF OLIVES." /></a> -</div> - -<p>"At seeing them advance so furiously, -with spears and clubs and swords, Peter -and James placed themselves before Jesus -to defend him, while I, being unarmed, cast -myself across his breast, to shield his heart -with my body. The more bold men in the -crowd coming too near, Peter smote one of -them with his sword, as he was reaching -out his arm to grasp Jesus by the shoulder, -and clave off his ear. At seeing this the -crowd uttered a fierce shout, and were pressing -upon us, when Jesus raised the palm of -his hand and said quietly:</p> - -<p>"'Whom seek ye?'</p> - -<p>"Instantly the whole mass rolled backward, -like a receding billow rebounding -from the face of an immovable rock, and -every man thereof fell with his forehead to -the ground, where they all lay for a minute -stunned. We twelve alone stood, for Judas -had not been struck down, and now remained -gazing with amazement and terror -upon the prostrate enemies of Jesus.</p> - -<p>"'Lord,' cried Peter, astonished, 'if thou -canst thus repel thy foes, thou needest not -fear them more. Shall I smite Judas also?'</p> - -<p>"'Nay, put up thy sword, Peter! Let him -remain to witness my power, that he may -know that he nor his have any power over -me save that I give them.'</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> - -<p>"While he was thus speaking the people -and soldiers rose to their feet, and, instead -of flying, they seemed to be infuriated at -their discomfiture; and the chief priests crying -out that it was by sorcery that they had -been thus stricken down, they rushed madly -forward and laid their hands upon Jesus and -upon us all. In vain I contended against -numbers to rescue Jesus; overpowered, we -were defeated and driven from the garden, -leaving Jesus in the hands of his enemies."</p> - -<p>When John had gone thus far in his relation, -dear father, our tears and his were -mingled. But we try and comfort ourselves -with the word of his promise:</p> - -<p>"Ye know not now, but ye shall know by -and by, and shall believe truly that I came -out from God. What now seems to you mysterious -shall be made clear as light. Wait -and have faith, and all shall be made known -which now you understand not. Let no -trials and degradations ye see me pass -through cause your faith to fail. I am come -into this world to conquer; but if I stoop, it -is to raise up the world with me when I rise -again!"</p> - -<p>I have omitted to mention to you what -more John related as wonderful touching the -arrest of the Prophet. "As the chief priests -bound and laid their hands on him, there -was," he said, "heard in the air the sound -of myriads of rushing wings, and notes like -the gathering signal of a trumpet, echoing -and re-echoing in the skies, as if a countless -host of invisible beings were marshaling, -armies by armies, in mid-heaven! At -these fearful and sublime sounds all raised -their heads but could behold nothing. Then -Jesus said, with a majestic and commanding -look, such as I had never before beheld upon -his face:</p> - -<p>"'Ye hear that I am not without heavenly -friends! I have only to pray to my Father -which is in heaven, and he will bid twelve -legions of his angels, now hovering in the -air and yearning to defend me from my foes, -descend to my aid! But I desire not to use -my powers for myself.'"</p> - -<p>Thus, dear father, was Jesus borne away -by a fierce multitude and dragged into the -city.</p> - -<p>John, whose interest in and affection for -Jesus led him to follow them, heard all this; -but Jesus made no answer, only walking -quietly along, patiently enduring all they -said and did.</p> - -<p>As they entered the city gate the Roman -guard, seeing the immense crowd and uproar, -stopped them to learn the cause of the -commotion.</p> - -<p>"'We have here a traitor and conspirator, -O captain of the guard,' answered Eli, the -chief priest: 'a pestilent fellow, who calls -himself Christ, a king! We have, therefore, -with this band of hired soldiers, taken him, -as he was met secretly with twelve of his -fellow-conspirators, plotting to overthrow -the government of Cæsar and make himself -king of Judea.'</p> - -<p>"'Long live Cæsar! Long live the emperor!' -shouted the Roman soldiers. 'We -have no king but Augustus Imperator!'</p> - -<p>"Upon this many of the soldiers cried, -'Take him before the Procurator! He will -give him his deserts, who would take his -procuratorship away from him! To Pilate! -To Pilate!'</p> - -<p>"'To Annas!' shouted the Jews. 'First to -Annas!'</p> - -<p>"Then, with some shouting one thing and -others another thing, he was hurried towards -the house of Annas.</p> - -<p>"When Annas knew that the prisoner was -Jesus, he uttered a fearful oath expressive -of his joy and wicked satisfaction, and, -hastily robing and coming down into the -court, he bade them bring the prisoner in. -But the calm majesty of Jesus abashed him, -and checked the course of insulting questions -he began putting to him. At length -finding that the Prophet would make no reply, -he caused him to be bound still more -closely with more cords, lest he should, like -Samson, rend his bonds and escape on the -way, and sent him to Caiaphas, the High -Priest, saying to him:</p> - -<p>"'Caiaphas will find voice for thy tongue, -O Prophet! So, thou wouldst destroy the -Temple, and callest thyself the Son of the -Lord Jehovah! Out, blasphemer! Away -with him, or the house will be swallowed up -with the presence of one so impious! Away -with the man! By the crown of David! -Pilate will make thee king in truth, and give -thee a Roman throne, to which, so that thou -mayest not presently fall from it, he will -nail thee foot and hand!'</p> - -<p>"At this the cruel crowd shouted their approbation, -and many cried:</p> - -<p>"'Ay, to the cross! to the cross with him!'</p> - -<p>"But others said, 'Nay, but to Caiaphas!'</p> - -<p>"The captain of the Roman soldiers resolved -that he should be taken before Pilate, -and led the way thither, Jesus bound in the -midst."</p> - -<p>With renewed uproar they tumultuously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> -pressed forward, their way lighted by the -red glare of a hundred torches, insulting the -Roman soldiers with seditious cries. John -followed, but being recognized as one of his -disciples by a soldier in Æmilius' legion, he -was seized and only escaped by leaving his -apparel in the grasp of the rude Roman. -Five of the disciples who have escaped arrest, -are now in this house, whither John -fled also, on eluding the grasp of the soldier, -leaving his linen garment in his hand. We -are all so sad and anxious! To move in -favor of Jesus is only to share his fate and -do him no service.</p> - -<p>Yet through all, dear father, I do trust in -him and hope! Oh, I cannot doubt his truth -and power! I have seen him bring Lazarus -up from the grave, and I will not believe -but that he can save himself, and will save -himself, from their hands. It is only when -I shall behold him really no more—see him -really dead—that my faith in his divine mission -will waver.</p> - -<p>With eyes blinded with tears, I can -scarcely subscribe myself,</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your sad but loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXX" id="LETTER_XXX">LETTER XXX.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>I know not how to write—I know not what -to say! Dismay and sorrow fill my heart! -I feel as if life were a burden too heavy to -hear! They have crucified him!</p> - -<p>Verily fear and a snare are come upon -us—desolation and destruction, O my father! -We know not which way to turn. He in -whom we trusted has proved as one of us, -weak and impotent, and has suffered death -without power to save himself. He that -saved others could not escape the death of -the Roman cross! While I write, I hear the -priest Abner, in the court below, mocking -my Uncle Amos in a loud voice:</p> - -<p>"Your Messias is dead! A famous great -prophet, surely, you Nazarenes have chosen—born -in a manger and crucified as a thief! -Said I not that he who could speak against -the Temple and the priesthood was of -Beelzebub?"</p> - -<p>Rabbi Amos makes no reply. Shame and -despair seal his lips. Thus our enemies -triumph over us, and we answer only with -confusion of face.</p> - -<p>This unexpected, this unlooked-for, startling -result has stupefied me, and not only -me but all who have been so led by fascination -as to trust in him. Even John, the beloved -disciple, I hear now pacing the floor -of the adjoining room, sobbing as if his -noble heart would burst. Mary, my cousin's -sweet voice, I catch from time to time trying -to soothe him, although she is stricken -like us all to the very earth. The unhappy -John I hear despairingly answer her:</p> - -<p>"Do not try to comfort me, Mary! There -is no ground for hope more! He is dead—dead! -All is lost! We who trusted in him -have only to fly, if we would save our -wretched lives, into Galilee, and return once -more to our nets! The sun which shone so -dazzlingly has proved a phantom light and -gone out in darkness! He whom I could not -but love, I see that I loved too well, since he -proves not what I believed him to be! Oh, -how could he be so like the Son of God and -yet not be! Yet I loved and adored him as -if he were the very Son of the Highest! But -I have seen him die as a man—I have gazed -on his lifeless body! I have beheld the deep -wound made into his very heart by the -Roman spear! I cast myself upon him, when -he was taken down from the cross, and implored -him, by his love for me, to give some -sign that he was not holden by death! I -placed my trembling hands over his heart. -It was still—still—motionless as stone, like -any other dead man's! He was dead—dead! -With him die all our hopes—the hopes of -Israel!"</p> - -<p>"He may live again," said Mary, softly -and hesitatingly, as if she herself had no -such hope. "He raised Lazarus, thou dost -remember!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, for Jesus was living to do it," answered -John, stopping in his walk; "but -how can the dead raise the dead? No, he -will never move, speak, nor breathe again!"</p> - -<p>But I will not further delay the account of -his trial and condemnation, for you will be -anxious to know how such a man could be -condemned to a malefactor's death. In my -last letter I spoke of his arrest through the -traitorous part enacted by Judas. Led by -his captors, bound by the wrists with a cord, -Jesus was taken from the dark groves of Olivet, -where he had been found at prayer, and -conducted with great noise into the city by -Cæsar's gate. It is near this archway that -Rabbi Amos lives. I will copy for you my -Cousin Mary's account of it to Martha of -Bethany, just written by her, instead of adding -any more to my own.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I went out upon the basilica, which overlooked -the streets," says Mary, "and beheld -a multitude advancing with torches flashing, -and soon they came opposite the house, at -least two hundred men in number, half clad -and savage looking, with fierce eyes and -scowling looks. Here and there among them -was a Levite urging them on, and I also beheld -Abner the priest firing their passions -by loud oratory and eager gesticulations. -Behind rode five Roman horsemen, with levelled -spears, guarding a young man who -walked with a firm step. I burst into tears. -It was Jesus! His locks were dishevelled, his -beard torn, his face marred, and his garments -rent. He was pale and suffering, yet -walked with a firm step. I burst into tears, -and so did Adina, who had come out to see -what was passing. He looked up and said -touchingly, 'Mourn not for me.'</p> - -<p>"He would have said more, but the priest -smote him rudely upon the mouth, and the -crowd, following his example, would have -done him further insult but for the Roman -soldiers, who turned their spears every way -to guard him from violence, for they had -rescued him from the terrible rage of the -Jews by their centurion's orders, and were -commanded to bring him safely before -Pilate. So, thus guarded and escorted by -the men who thirsted for his blood, he was -led onward to the Pretorium, where the -Roman Procurator resided. Gradually the -whole multitude disappeared in the distance -when silence, a dread and unearthly silence, -succeeded. I turned and looked in Adina's -face. She was leaning, as colorless as -marble, against one of the columns of the -basilica.</p> - -<p>"'What can all this mean?' she said, with -emotion. 'Can it be possible he has suffered -himself to be taken—he who could destroy or -make alive with a word? What means this -dreadful scene we have just witnessed?'</p> - -<p>"I could not answer. All I knew was -what my eyes just beheld—that Jesus our -Prophet, our King, our Messias, on whom -all our hopes and the joy of Israel rested, -was dragged a prisoner through the streets, -helpless and without a helper. I trembled -with I knew not what unknown forebodings. -Suddenly Adina cried:</p> - -<p>"'He cannot be harmed! He cannot die! -He is a mighty Prophet, and has power that -will strike his enemies dead. Let us not -fear. He has yielded himself only the more -terribly to defeat and destroy his foes. We -will not fear what Pilate or the priests will -do! They cannot harm the Anointed Shiloh -of the Lord!'</p> - -<p>"While we were yet talking, dear Martha, -a dark figure passed stealthily along beneath -the basilica, and seemed to court the -shadows of the house. At this moment my -father, Rabbi Amos, opened the outer gate, -with a torch in his hand, to follow, at our request, -the crowd of people, and see what -should befall Jesus. The light glared full -upon the tall, spare form of Peter, the Galilean -fisherman. His dark, stern features -wore an expression of earnest anxiety.</p> - -<p>"'Is it thou, Peter?' exclaimed my father. -'What is all this? Who has ordered the -arrest of Jesus? What has he done?'</p> - -<p>"'That hateful and envious man, Caiaphas, -seeks to destroy him, and has bribed -with large lures of gold the baser Jews to -do this thing. Come with me, Rabbi, and -let us die with him!' and the Galilean -pressed eagerly forward at a pace with -which my father could not keep up.</p> - -<p>"And this was an hour ago, and yet no -news has come from the Pretorium; but -from time to time a dreadful shout from the -hill on which the palace of Caiaphas stands, -breaks upon my ears, and the glare of unseen -torches illumines the atmosphere high -above the towers of the palace. It is a -fearful night of agony and suspense. -Adina, in her painful uncertainty, but for -my entreaties would go forth alone towards -the Pretorium to hear and know all. I can -keep myself calm only by writing to you. -Adina has also commenced a letter to her -father, recording these sad things, but she -drops her pen to start to the balcony at every -sound. When will this fearful night end! -What will the morrow reveal!</p> - -<p>"It is an hour since I wrote the last line. -The interval has been one of agony. Rumors -have reached us that the priests insist on -Pilate's passing sentence of death on the -Prophet. The cries, 'Crucify him! Crucify -him!' have distinctly reached our ears. -John is now here. About half an hour after -Jesus passed he reached our house nearly -destitute of apparel, his clothing having -been torn from off him by the Jews, in their -efforts to make him their prisoner also. He -is calm and confiding, saying that his beloved -Master can never be injured by them, -and that he will ere many hours deliver himself -from his foes, and proclaim himself king -of Israel with power such as man never had -before. May the God of Jacob defend him! -John has just gone up to the Temple to get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> -news, in disguise of a priest, wearing my -father's robes.</p> - -<p>"I have just seen a messenger passing in -great haste along the street, and his horse -falling, cast him almost upon our threshold. -It was the page of Æmilius, the noble Roman -knight, who is betrothed to my Cousin -Adina. She hastened to his aid. He was but -stunned, and soon was able to say that he -bore a message from Lucia Metella, the fair -and youthful bride of Pilate, urging him to -have nothing to do with the Prophet, but to -give him his liberty, for she had just awakened -from an impressive dream in which she -saw him sitting on the throne of the universe, -crowned with the stars of heaven, the -earth a footstool beneath his feet, and all -nations assembled and doing him homage.</p> - -<p>"This report of the page has filled our -hearts with joy and hope inexpressible. -Confident that Jesus is the Son of God, we -will not fear what man can do unto him.</p> - -<p>"My father has returned. It is day. He -says nothing can save Jesus but his own divine -power. The Jews are in number many -thousands, and cry for his blood. Pilate has -but a cohort of soldiers and fears to use -force, lest the exasperated people break into -open revolt and take the city from his hands, -which they can with ease do if they will -unite. 'He trembles,' said my father, 'between -fear to condemn the innocent and -dread of the vengeance of the Jews if he let -him go. Nothing can save the Prophet but -his own mighty miracle-working power. He -who has saved others will surely save himself.'</p> - -<p>"While my father was speaking a man -rushed into our presence. He was low in -stature, broad-chested, with a stiff, reddish -beard, narrow eyes, and sharp, unpleasant -visage. His attire was ragged and mean, as -was his whole aspect. He grasped in his -right hand a small bag, which rung with -coin as his shaking fingers held it. He -trembled all over, and seizing my father by -the arm with the quick, nervous grasp of a -lunatic, cried hoarsely:</p> - -<p>"'Will he let them? Will he? Will he?'</p> - -<p>"'Will he what, Iscariot? Of whom do -you speak? Art thou crazed? Thou shouldst -well be, after thy deed to-night!'</p> - -<p>"'Will he let them kill him? Will he die? -Will he die? Think you he will escape? He -can if he will! Cords to him are ropes of -sand!'</p> - -<p>"'No, no. He is bound hand and foot!' -answered my father, sadly. 'He makes no -defense. I fear he will let them do as they -will with him. He makes no effort to save -his life.'</p> - -<p>"At this Judas, for it was that wicked -man, beat his knitted forehead in a frenzied -manner with the bag of silver, and with a -look of horrible despair rushed forth, crying -as he went:</p> - -<p>"'I will save him! The priests shall have -their money again! He shall not die! If I -had believed he would not do some miracle -to escape them, I never would have sold him! -I hoped to get their money, and trusted, if -they bound him, for him to escape by his -own power. I did not dream that he would -not exert it to save himself. I will save thee, -innocent man of God, for I, not thou, alone -am guilty! Oh, if I had suspected this—but -he shall not die!'</p> - -<p>"With these ravings he disappeared -towards the Pretorium, leaving us all -amazed at what we had heard.</p> - -<p>"The sun is up. The fate of Jesus is -sealed! The Procurator has signed the sentence -of death and he is to be crucified to-day. -But, with Judas, I believe that he cannot -die, and that he will signalize the hour -by some wonderful miracle of personal deliverance. -Thus, tremblingly, we hope and -wait."</p> - -<p>Here terminates, my dear father, what my -cousin has written to Martha and Lazarus.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your sorrowing but loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXI" id="LETTER_XXXI">LETTER XXXI.</a></h2> - - -<p>Dearest Father:</p> - -<p>I have only terminated my last letter to -take up my pen for the beginning of another, -for I find relief only in writing to -you from the deep affliction which has -struck me to the earth. If anything can add -to my mortification at the death of the Nazarene, -Jesus, it is that I shall have endeavored -so earnestly to make you believe -in him also. Oh, I shall never have confidence -in a human being again; and the more -lovely, the more holy, the more heavenly -the character of any one, the wiser and -purer their teachings, the more distrustful -shall I be of them.</p> - -<p>But I will turn from these painful -thoughts and, as I promised in my last, will -give you an account of what passed at his -trial.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is now the morning following the crucifixion, -and I am calmer than I was yesterday -and will be able to write with more coherency. -Twenty-four hours have passed -since he was nailed to the cross. His followers -have been, since his arrest, hunted -like wild beasts of the wilderness. Annas -has hired and filled with wine fierce Roman -soldiers, and sent them everywhere to seize -the fugitive Nazarenes. John was especially -sought out, and the emissaries of -Annas came at midnight last night to the -house to take him, but we assisted him in -making his escape by means of the subterranean -passage that leads from the dwelling -of Rabbi Amos to the catacombs beneath -the Temple.</p> - -<p>Æmilius, though only recently a convert -from the paganism of Rome, is firm in his -faith that Jesus will rise again to life; and, -instead of giving up all, as we do, he says -that he should not be amazed to be suddenly -told by the soldiers, whom he left to guard -his tomb, that he had burst forth alive from -the dead!</p> - -<p>But I have forgotten that I am to narrate -to you, dear father, the particulars of his -accusation, trial and condemnation. As I -was not present in the Pretorium, I am indebted -for the further details which I shall -give, in part to John and in part to Rabbi -Amos.</p> - -<p>"As soon as the mob of Jews who had -Jesus under arrest, and which I saw pass -the house, reached the abode of Rabbi -Annas, he asked them whom they had in -custody, and when they answered that it -was the great Nazarene Prophet, he said -with joy:</p> - -<p>"'Bring him into the lower court, that I -may see him. By the rod of Aaron, I would -have him do some notable miracle for me.'</p> - -<p>"And thus speaking, the white-headed old -man hastened down to the court, which, on -reaching, he found thronged with the infuriated -multitude. It was with difficulty -he made a passage to where Jesus stood, -both imprisoned and defended by a glittering -lattice of Roman spears. After regarding -him attentively he said, with curiosity -yet with sarcasm:</p> - -<p>"'Art thou, then, the King of the Jews? -Hast thou come to reign on the throne of -David? Show me a sign from heaven, and I -will acknowledge thee, O Nazarene!'</p> - -<p>"But Jesus stood calm and dignified, making -no answer. Annas then angrily plucked -him by the beard, and a messenger at the -same moment arrived to say to him that -Caiaphas, the High Priest, demanded to -have Jesus brought before him. Upon this -he said in a loud voice:</p> - -<p>"'Lead him to the palace! Caiaphas, my -son-in-law, would see the man who would -destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three -days!'</p> - -<p>"There now arose a dreadful shout from -the priests and people, who, rushing upon -Jesus, cried, 'Crucify him!' and attempted -to grasp his person, as they guarded him -along the streets; but in protecting him, as -they had been commanded to do, the Romans -wounded several of the Jews. Hereupon -there was a great cry of sedition and -shouts of:</p> - -<p>"'Down with the Roman eagles! Down -with the barbarians! Death to the Gentiles!'</p> - -<p>"These cries were followed up by a fearful -rush of the mass of men upon the handful -of guards. They were forced back, -their spears broken like straws or turned -aside, and Jesus successfully wrested from -their power. But in the height of the battle -Æmilius appeared with a portion of the -legion of which he was Prefect, and instantly -charging the people, who fled before -the breasts of his horses, rescued the -Prophet.</p> - -<p>"'Rabbi,' said Æmilius to the Prophet, -with compassionate respect, 'I know thou -hast power from God to disperse as chaff -this rabble of fiends. Speak, and let them -perish at thy divine command!'</p> - -<p>"'Nay, my son. I am come into the world -for this hour,' answered Jesus. 'This, also, -is a part of my mission from my Father. -It becomes me to endure all things, even -death.'</p> - -<p>"'You cannot die, my Lord,' said Æmilius -warmly. 'Did I not see thee raise Lazarus -from the tomb?'</p> - -<p>"'To die I came into this world, but not -for myself. I lay down my life, and I can -take it again. These men could have no -power over me except my Father did grant -it to them. And what my Father willeth I -will also. Seek not, my son, to deliver me.'</p> - -<p>"These words passed between them beneath -the portico, as Æmilius was loosing -the sharp cords from the bleeding wrists of -the youthful Prophet.</p> - -<p>"'To Caiaphas! To Caiaphas!' now cried -the multitude, who had been for a moment -awed by the bold charge of the Roman horse, -but now grew bolder as some men removed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -the dead and wounded out of sight. 'To the -palace with the blasphemer! for he who calls -himself God is, by our law, to be punished -with death! To the High Priest with him!'</p> - -<p>"'I can rescue you, great Prophet!' said -Æmilius resolutely. 'Give me the word, -and you are mounted on my horse and safe -in the castle of David.'</p> - -<p>"'The High Priest has sent for me. He -must be obeyed,' answered Jesus; and -Æmilius, surprised at his refusal to escape, -reluctantly escorted him to the palace. The -windows already glared with torches, and -the superb Hall of Aaron was alight with a -hundred flambeaux. Caiaphas was already -upon his throne, although it was long past -the hour of midnight—an unwonted time for -him to sit in the council chamber; but his -desire to have Jesus brought before him led -him to hold an extraordinary court. A -score of the elders and chief priests were -standing about him, their dark, eager faces -earnestly watching the entrance to get a -look at the approaching Prophet. As Jesus -serenely entered, led by the sorrowful -Æmilius, Caiaphas bent his tall, gaunt form -forward, thrust his neck and huge head in -advance, and with keen eyes and sharp, -scrutinizing glances, surveyed him whom he -jealously looked upon as his foe.</p> - -<p>"The multitude, pressing in, soon filled the -vast hall and even crowded upon the rostrum, -upon which were seated the scribes, -elders and many of the principal priests. -The Roman soldiers, with clanging steel, -marched in, and arrayed themselves on -either side of the High Priest's throne, leaving -Jesus standing alone before its footstool.</p> - -<p>"Contrasting with the brilliancy of the -gorgeous hall and the glittering robes of the -priests, surged and heaved and moved below -the dark masses of the people, in their gray -and brown caps and cloaks, for the night was -cold and they wore their winter garments; -and all this wild ocean of human forms -gleamed with ten thousand eyes, flashing -like the phosphorescent stars that glitter -on the surface of the upheaving sea when -the shadow of the storm-cloud hangs above -it, and the winds are about to be unbound -to lash it into fury. So seemed this terrible -sea of human heads—Jesus the center of -their looks and of their hate. He alone, of -all that countless host, he alone was calm, -serene, fearless! Caiaphas now waved his -hand, with a gesture for silence, and addressed -Jesus:</p> - -<p>"'So, then,' he spoke, with haughty irony, -'thou art Jesus, the far-famed Galilean -prophet! Men say thou canst raise the dead! -We would fain behold a miracle. Thinkest -thou, if we put thee to death presently, thou -canst raise thyself?'</p> - -<p>"'Jesus,' saith Rabbi Amos, who stood -near him and saw all, 'Jesus remained unmoved. -His bearing was marked by a certain -divine dignity, while an expression of -holy resignation sat upon his features. He -looked like Peace, incarnate in the form of -man! A soft influence seemed to flow from -his presence, producing a universal but momentary -emotion of sympathy. Caiaphas -perceived it, and cried in his harsh, stern -voice:</p> - -<p>"'You have brought this man before me, -men of Jerusalem; of what do you accuse -him? Let those who have accusations come -forward and make them. He is a Jew, and -shall have justice by our laws.'</p> - -<p>"'Ye Jews have no power to try a man for -his life, most noble Caiaphas,' said Æmilius. -'The lives of all your nation are in the hand -of Cæsar and of his tribunals. You can put -no man to death.'</p> - -<p>"Æmilius had spoken in hopes that if -Jesus could be brought before Pilate, the -Procurator, he might be by him released, -for he knew Pilate had no envy or feeling -against the Prophet.</p> - -<p>"'Thou sayest well, noble Roman,' answered -Caiaphas, 'but for the crime of -blasphemy against the Temple we are permitted -by Cæsar to judge our people by the -laws of Moses. And this man, if rumor -comes nigh the truth, has been guilty of -blasphemy. But we will hear the witnesses.'</p> - -<p>"Hereupon several of the chief priests and -scribes who had been going in and out -among the crowd, brought forward certain -men whose very aspect showed them to be -of the baser sort. One of these men testified -that he had heard Jesus say that he -would destroy the Temple and could again -in three days rebuild it more magnificently -than it was in the days of Solomon the -Mighty.</p> - -<p>"Upon this testimony all the priests -shouted, 'Blasphemer!' and called for Jesus -to be stoned to death.</p> - -<p>"A second witness was now produced by -Abijah, the most passionate of the scribes, -who testified that Jesus had taught in Samaria -that men would soon no longer worship -in the Temple, but that the whole earth -would be a temple for Jews and Gentiles.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> - -<p>"This was no sooner heard than some of -the men gnashed at Jesus with their teeth, -and but for the gestures and loud voice of -the High Priest, they would have made an -attempt to get him into their power.</p> - -<p>"A third witness, a man who had been -notorious for his crimes, now came up. He -carried on his wrist a cock, with steel gaffs -upon the spurs, as if he had just been -brought up from the cock-pit to bear testimony, -for such were the sort of fellows suborned -by the priests. He testified that Jesus -said that the day would soon come when not -one stone should be left upon another of the -Temple; that he had called it 'a den of -thieves,' the priests 'blind guides' and 'deceivers,' -the scribes 'foxes,' and the Pharisees -'hypocrites.'</p> - -<p>"But the fourth and fifth witnesses contradicted -each other, as also did others.</p> - -<p>"Such opposite testimony perplexed and -irritated Caiaphas and confounded the chief -priests and scribes. The High Priest now -began to perceive that Jesus would have to -be released for want of testimony against -him.</p> - -<p>"'What! Galilean and blasphemer of God -and his Temple, answerest thou nothing?' -cried the High Priest; 'hearest thou not -what these witness against thee?'</p> - -<p>"But Jesus remained silent. Caiaphas -was about to break the silence by some -fierce words, when a voice was overheard -the other side of the columns, on the left of -the throne, where was a fireplace in which -was burning a large fire, about which stood -many persons. Rabbi Amos at once recognized -in the violent speaker Peter, who had -come in with him and John, the latter of -whom, in the disguise of a priest, stood not -far from Jesus, gazing tenderly upon him, -and listening with the most painful interest -to all that they testified against him; but -Peter stood farther off, by the fire, yet not -less eagerly attending to all that passed.</p> - -<p>"'Thou art one of the Nazarene's followers!' -cried the voice of a maid, who brought -wood to feed the fire. 'Thou needest not to -deny it. I am of Galilee, and knew thee -when thou wert a fisherman. Seize him, for -he is one of them!'</p> - -<p>"'Woman, I swear by the altar and ark -of God, and by the sacred Tables. I know -not the fellow! I never saw Galilee!'</p> - -<p>"'Thy speech betrayeth thee, now thou -hast spoken!' cried the woman; 'thou art a -Galilean, and thy name is Simon Bar-Jona. -I know thee well, and how, three years ago, -you and your brother Andrew left your nets -to follow this Nazarene!'</p> - -<p>"'May the thunders of Horeb and the -curse of Jehovah follow me, if what thou -sayest be true, woman. Thou mistakest me -for some other man. I swear to you, by the -head of my father, men and brethren, that -I never saw his face before! I know not the -man!'</p> - -<p>"As he spoke," said John, "he cast his -angry looks towards the place where Jesus -stood. He caught his Master's eyes bent -upon him, with a tender and reproving gaze, -so full of sorrowing compassion, mingled -with forgiveness, that I saw Peter start as if -smitten with lightning. He then pressed his -two hands to his face and, uttering a cry of -anguish and despair that made the High -Priest look, and which went to every heart, -he rushed out by the open door into the darkness -and disappeared. As he did so the cock, -which was held tied upon the wrist of the -third witness, crowed twice in a loud tone. -I then remembered the words of Jesus to -Peter, spoken but twelve hours before: -'This night, even before the cock crow the -first watch of the morning, thou shalt thrice -deny that thou knowest me!' Upon this," -added John, "my confidence in my Master -came back full and strong, and I felt that -he would not, could not be harmed, for he -foreknew all things that could happen to -him, and would yet escape death.</p> - -<p>"At length, after great excitement and -dissension among the elders, chief priests -and scribes, Caiaphas placed Jesus before -their great council, at their demand. Their -hall adjoined his own. Here they, as well as -Caiaphas, questioned him closely, and said:</p> - -<p>"'Art thou the Christ, the Son of the -Blessed? I adjure thee by the living God, -tell us plainly.'</p> - -<p>"Jesus then elevated his princely form, -and bending his eyes upon the face of the -High Priest, with a look so brightly celestial -that Caiaphas involuntarily dropped his eyelids -to the ground, answered and said:</p> - -<p>"'Ye have said that which I am!' The -expression of his countenance," says John, -"seemed to shine as he had seen it in the -Mount, when he was transfigured before -him.</p> - -<p>"'Men of Israel and Judah, ye hear his -words!' cried the High Priest, rending down -the blue lace from his ephod. 'Hear ye his -blasphemy! What think ye? Need we any -further witness than his own mouth?'</p> - -<p>"'He is guilty of death!' cried Abner, in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> -hoarse voice, his eyes, red with being up all -the night, glaring like a leopard's; and advancing -to where Jesus stood bound and -bleeding, he spat in his face thrice.</p> - -<p>"This was followed by a loud outcry for -his death, and several vile fellows also spat -upon him and pulled him by the beard.</p> - -<p>"'Is this Jewish justice?' cried Æmilius -indignantly to Caiaphas. 'Do you condemn -and kill a man without witness? Stand -back, for Romans are not used to see men -condemned without law. Back, fellows, or -your blood will flow sooner than his for -which you thirst!'</p> - -<p>"At this determined attitude they gave -back for a moment, and left Jesus standing -in the midst, sad but serene.</p> - -<p>"John ran to him and wiped the blood -and uncleanness from his lips and cheeks -and beard, and gave him water, which the -woman who had recognized Peter compassionately -brought in a ewer.</p> - -<p>"'Master, use thy power and escape from -them!' whispered John.</p> - -<p>"'Nay, tempt me not, beloved!' he answered. -'My power is not for my deliverance, -but for that of the world. For you I -can do mighty works, but for myself I do -nothing. I came not to save my life, but -to lay it down. Mine hour is at hand!'</p> - -<p>"'Let not a handful of Romans frighten -you, men of Jerusalem!' cried Abner. -'There is not a legion in all the city. Here -we are masters, if we will it! To the rescue! -Let me hear the lion of Judah roar in -his might, and the eagle of Rome will shriek -and fly away! To the rescue!'</p> - -<p>"'Hold, men and brethren!' cried Caiaphas, -who had judgment enough to see that -the first blow would be the beginning of a -revolution that would bring down upon the -city the Roman army quartered in Syria -and end in the destruction of the nation. -'Hold, madmen!'</p> - -<p>"But his voice was drowned amid the -roar of the human tempest. Æmilius and -his men were borne away on the crest of -the surge and so pressed by the bodies of -the Jews that they could not make use of -their weapons. In the wild confusion Jesus -was carried by fierce hands to the opposite -end of the council chamber, while Caiaphas -strove to appease the wrath of Æmilius, who -insisted that the fate of Jesus should be left -with Pilate the Procurator.</p> - -<p>"When Æmilius, aided by the authority -of Caiaphas, at length came where Jesus had -been dragged, they found him standing -blindfolded among a crowd of the basest -fellows of Jerusalem, who were diverting -themselves by slapping his cheeks, and asking -him to tell, by his divine knowledge of -all things, who did it. They would also hold -money before his blinded eyes, and ask him -to name its value or inscription, and when -he still kept silence they struck him.</p> - -<p>"'We will let thee go, Nazarene,' said one, -'if thou wilt tell how many hairs I have in -my beard.'</p> - -<p>"'Nay, let him divine,' cried another, -'what I gave for my Passover lamb in the -market, and the name of the Samaritan of -whom I bought it!'</p> - -<p>"'Out with your lambs, Kish!' shouted a -third fellow, thrusting himself forward; 'let -me hear him prophesy! What, Galilean! -silent and sullen! I will make thee speak!' -and he let a blow of his staff fall upon the -head of Jesus which would have struck him -to the earth, but for the voice of Caiaphas, -which had arrested in part its force.</p> - -<p>"'Men of Israel!' he cried aloud, 'that -this pestilent Nazarene is a blasphemer we -have heard with our ears, and by our law -he ought to die, because he hath made himself -the Son of God. But Cæsar hath taken -the power of life and death out of our hands! -We Jews can put no man to death, but the -Romans only. That he hath spoken against -Cæsar, and is a seditionist, can be proved. -Let us take him before Pilate with this accusation!'</p> - -<p>"This speech pleased the people, and, having -rebound Jesus more securely, they cried -all with one voice, 'To Pilate! To the Pretorium!'"</p> - -<p>The multitude then poured out of the -gates of the palace, like a foaming and -chafing river which hath overflowed its -banks, and with terrible cries, which we -heard even in our house, took the direction -towards the Pretorium.</p> - -<p>It was with difficulty that Æmilius could -protect the Prophet in safety up the hill and -to the entrance of the Pretorium, which he -entered with his prisoner just as the sun -gilded the loftiest pinnacles of the Temple.</p> - -<p>In another letter, dear father, I will continue -the account of his trial, the remembrance -of which, while I now write of it, -almost rekindles again all my love, faith, devotion -and confidence in him, for who but a -man God-sustained could have borne so -meekly all this pain, insult, ignominy and -shame?</p> - -<p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXII" id="LETTER_XXXII">LETTER XXXII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>This is the evening of the Great Day of the -Feast, and the second day since the ignominious -execution of him whom we all believed -to have been the Christ, the Son of -the Blessed. Yet he still lies dead in the -tomb! Alas, that one so good and noble and -wise should have been a deceiver! Henceforth -I have no faith in goodness. I have -wept till I can weep no more.</p> - -<p>It is now the close of the High Day of the -Feast. The slanting rays of the setting sun -linger yet upon the gilded lances that terminate -the lesser pinnacles of the holy -house of the Lord. The smoke of incense -curls lazily up from the sky from its unseen -altar, and the deep voices of the choir of -Levites, increased by those of the tens of -thousands of Judah, who crowd all the -courts of the Temple, fall upon my ears like -muffled thunder. I never heard anything so -solemn. Above the Temple has hung, since -the crucifixion yesterday, the cloud of the -smoke of the sacrifices, and it immovably -depends over all the city like a pall. The -sun does not penetrate it, though its light -falls upon the earth outside of the city, but -all Jerusalem remains in shadow. This -cloud is a fearful sight, and all men have -been watching it and talking of it and wondering. -It seems to be in the form of black, -gigantic wings, spreading a league broad -over Jerusalem.</p> - -<p>There it now hangs, visible from my window, -but we are in some sort used to its -dreadful presence and cease to fear; but we -are lost in wonder. This morning when a -high wind arose, blowing from the Great Sea -eastward, every one expected and hoped -to see the cloud sail away before it in the -direction of the desert. But the only effect -the wind produced was to agitate its whole -surface in tumultuous billows, while the -mass still retained its position above the city. -The shadow it casts is supernatural and fearful, -like the dread obscurity which marks an -eclipse of the sun.</p> - -<p>And this reminds me, my dear father, to -mention what, in the multiplicity of subjects -that rush to my pen for expression, I -have omitted to state to you; and what is -unaccountable unless men have, in truth, -crucified in Jesus the very Son of God. -At the time of his death the sun disappeared -from the mid-heavens, and darkness, -like that of night, followed over all the -earth, so that the stars became visible, and -the hills on which Jerusalem stands shook -as if an earthquake had moved them, and -many houses were thrown down; and where -the dead are buried outside of the city, the -earth and rocks were rent, tombs broken up, -and many bodies of the dead were heaved to -the surface and exposed to all eyes! These -bodies have lain all to-day, for the Jews dare -not touch them to re-bury them for fear of -being defiled. All this is fearful and unaccountable. -It is known, too, that as Jesus -expired, the vail of the Temple was rent in -twain and exposed the Holy of Holies to -every common gaze! What will be the end -of these things is known only to the God of -Abraham. Never was so fearful a Passover -before. Men's faces are pale and all look as -though some dread calamity had befallen -the nation.</p> - -<p>My last letter, my dear father, closed with -the termination of the examination of Jesus -before Caiaphas.</p> - -<p>Guarded by Æmilius, who was his true -friend to the last, he was led to the house of -Pilate.</p> - -<p>The Pretorian gates were shut by the Roman -guards as the tumultuous crowd advanced, -for Pilate believed the Jews were in -insurrection, and was prepared to defend -his palace; for so few are the troops with -him in the city that he has for some weeks -held only the name of power rather than the -reality. But when Æmilius explained to -the captain of the guard that the Jews desired -to accuse Jesus, the Nazarene, of -sedition before the Procurator, he was admitted, -with the chief men of the city, into -the outer court of Antiochus, and at their -call Pilate came forth to them. When he -saw the vast concourse of people with Caiaphas -and the chief priests, and many rich -Sadducees, with the leading men of Jerusalem -in the advance, and Jesus, bound and -disfigured by the insults he had undergone, -and Æmilius and his few soldiers enclosing -him with their protecting spears, and heard -the loud voices of the multitude, as of -wolves baying for the blood of a defenceless -lamb, he stood with amazement for a few -moments surveying the scene.</p> - -<p>"What means this, Æmilius?" he demanded -of the young Prefect. "Who is this -captive?"</p> - -<p>"It is Jesus, called the Christ, my lord, -the Prophet of Galilee. The Jews desire his -death, accusing him of blaspheming their -God, and—"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But I have no concern with their religion -or the worship of their God. Let them -judge him after their own way," said Pilate, -indifferently, and with an indolent air.</p> - -<p>"But, most noble Roman," said Caiaphas, -advancing to the portico on which the Procurator -stood, "by our law he should suffer -death, and thou knowest, though we can -condemn, as we now have done this Galilean, -we have no power to execute sentence -of death."</p> - -<p>"This is well said; but would you have me -put one of your nation to death for blaspheming -your God? So far as that is concerned, -O priest," added Pilate, smiling contemptuously, -"we Romans blaspheme him -daily, for we worship him not and will have -naught to do with your faith. Let the man -go! I see no cause of death in him!"</p> - -<p>He then spoke to Æmilius, and desired him -to lead Jesus to the spot where he stood. -Pilate regarded him with mingled pity -and interest. After surveying him a moment, -he turned to one of his officers and -said aside: "A form divine and fit for -Apollo, or any of the greater gods! His -bearing is like a hero! Mehercule! The -chisel of Praxiteles nor of Phidias ne'er -traced the outlines of limbs and neck like -these. He is the very incarnation of human -symmetry and dignity!"</p> - -<p>The courtiers nodded assent to these cool -criticisms of the indolent and voluptuous -Italian. Jesus, in the meanwhile, stood -motionless before his judge, his eyes downcast -and full of a holy sadness, and his lips -compressed with immovable patience. Pilate -now turned to him and said:</p> - -<p>"Thou art, then, that Jesus of whom men -talk so widely. Men say, O Jesus, that thou -art wiser than ordinary men; that thou canst -do works of necromancy and art skilled in -the subtle mysteries of astrology. I would -question thee upon these things. Wilt thou -read my destiny for me in the stars? If -thou answerest well I will befriend thee, -and deliver thee from thy countrymen who -seem to howl for thy blood."</p> - -<p>"My lord!" cried Caiaphas, furiously, -"thou must not let this man go! He is a -deceiver and traitor to Cæsar. I charge him -and formally accuse him, before thy tribunal, -with making himself king of Judea!"</p> - -<p>To this the whole multitude assented, in -one deep voice of rage and fierce denunciation -that shook the very walls of the Pretorium.</p> - -<p>"What sayest thou?" demanded Pilate, -"art thou a king? Methinks if thou wert -such, these Jews have little need to fear -thee." And the Roman cast a careless -glance over the mean and torn apparel and -half-naked limbs of the Prophet.</p> - -<p>Before Jesus could reply, which he seemed -about to do, there was heard a sudden commotion -in the lower part of the court of -Gabbatha, and a loud, hoarse voice was -heard crying:</p> - -<p>"Make way! Give back! He is innocent!"</p> - -<p>All eyes turned in the direction of the -archway, when a man was seen forcing his -path towards the door of the Judgment -Hall, in front of which Pilate was standing, -with Jesus a step or two below.</p> - -<p>"What means this madman?" cried the -Procurator. "Some of you arrest him!"</p> - -<p>"I am not mad! He is innocent! I have -betrayed the innocent blood!" cried Iscariot, -for it was he, leaping into the space in -front of the portico. "Take back thy -money, and let this holy Prophet of God go -free! I swear to you by the altar he is innocent, -and if thou harm him thou wilt be -accursed with the vengeance of Jehovah! -Take back thy silver, for he is innocent!"</p> - -<p>"What is that to us? See thou to that!" -answered Abner the priest, haughtily, while -the eyes of Caiaphas, falling under the -withering glance of the Roman Procurator, -betrayed his guilt.</p> - -<p>"Wilt thou not release him if I give thee -back the pieces?" cried Judas, in accents of -despair, taking Caiaphas by the mantle and -then kneeling to him imploringly.</p> - -<p>But Caiaphas angrily shook him off. At -last, in a frenzied manner, he threw himself -at the knees of Jesus, and cried in the most -thrilling accents:</p> - -<p>"Oh, Master! Master! Thou hast the -power! Release thyself!"</p> - -<p>"No, Judas," answered the Prophet, shaking -his head and gazing down compassionately -upon his betrayer, and without one -look of resentment at his having betrayed -him, "mine hour is come! For this hour I -came into the world!"</p> - -<p>"I believed surely thou wouldst not suffer -thyself to be arrested. It is my avarice that -hath slain thee! Oh, God! Oh, God! I see -now it is too late!" Thus crying in a voice -of despair, he arose and rushed, with his face -hid in his cloak, forth from the presence of -all, towards the outer gate.</p> - -<p>This extraordinary interruption produced -a startling effect upon all present, and a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> -moments elapsed before Pilate could resume -his examination of Jesus, which he did by -entering the Judgment Hall and taking his -seat on the throne. He then repeated his -question, but with more deference than before: -"Art thou a king, then?"</p> - -<p>"Thou sayest that which I am—a king," -Jesus answered, with a dignity truly regal in -its bearing; for all the time, bound and -marred as he was by the hands of his enemies, -pale with suffering and with standing -a sleepless and fearful night upon his feet, -exposed to cold and to insults, yet he had a -kingly air, and there seemed to float about -his head a divine glory, as if a sunbeam had -been shining down upon him.</p> - -<p>"Thou thyself hearest him!" exclaimed -Caiaphas, standing upon the threshold of -the Judgment Hall of the Gentile governor, -which he would not enter for fear of defilement.</p> - -<p>"He has everywhere publicly proclaimed -that he has been ordained of God to re-establish -the kingdom of Judah and overthrow -the power of Cæsar in Jerusalem," -added the governor of the Temple, lifting -his voice so as to be heard above the voices -of the priests and scribes, who, all speaking -together, vehemently accused him of -many other things.</p> - -<p>Pilate at length obtained comparative silence, -and then said to Jesus:</p> - -<p>"Hearest thou these accusations? Hast -thou no answer to make? Behold how many -things they witness against thee!"</p> - -<p>Pilate spoke as if he had taken a deep interest -in Jesus, and would give him an opportunity -of defending himself.</p> - -<p>"He hath perverted the nation; a most -pestilent and dangerous fellow!" exclaimed -Caiaphas. "He is a blasphemer above all -men!"</p> - -<p>"I have nothing to do with your religion. -If he hath blasphemed your gods, take ye -him and judge him according to your laws," -answered Pilate.</p> - -<p>"Thou knowest, O noble Roman, that we -have no power to execute to the death, -therefore do we accuse him before thee."</p> - -<p>"I am no Jew, priest! What care I for -your domestic and religious quarrels? He -hath done nothing that I can learn for which -the laws of Imperial Rome, which now prevail -here, can adjudge him to death. I, -therefore, command his release."</p> - -<p>Upon this the Jews sent up a cry of unmingled -ferocity and vindictiveness. Caiaphas, -forgetting his fear of defilement, advanced -several steps into the Judgment Hall, -and shaking his open hands at Pilate, cried:</p> - -<p>"If thou lettest this man go, thou art not -Cæsar's friend. Thou art in league with -him. He that sets himself up as a king in -all the wide bounds of Cæsar's dominions, -wars against Cæsar, as well at Jerusalem as -at Rome. If thou release this man, I and -my nation will accuse thee to thy master, -Tiberius, of favoring this Galilean's sedition."</p> - -<p>When Pilate heard the name of Galilee, -he asked if the prisoner were a Galilean. -Upon being answered in the affirmative by -the excited priests, he said to Æmilius:</p> - -<p>"Hold! Loose not his bonds just now! -Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, last night -came up to the Passover feast of the Hebrew -God, and is now at the old Maccabean Palace, -with his retinue. Conduct your prisoner -to him, and let Herod judge his own -subjects!"</p> - -<p>The chief priests and scribes now shouted -with approbation at this decision, for they -began to fear that Pilate would release -Jesus, and they knew that the vacillating -and reckless Herod would do whatsoever -would gain popular applause.</p> - -<p>"To Herod! To the Tetrarch of Galilee -with him!" arose the cry.</p> - -<p>But Caiaphas, frowning and dissatisfied, -remained behind; and Pilate, glad to get rid -of the delicate affair of condemning an innocent -man, smilingly came out and spoke to -the gloomy High Priest:</p> - -<p>"Thou knowest I can condemn men only -for crimes committed against the laws of -the empire. This Jesus hath done nothing -worthy of death."</p> - -<p>"Noble Governor," answered Caiaphas, -stopping in his angry strides up and down -the porphyry floor of the outer portico, "thou -forgettest that I brought him not before thee -on this charge of blasphemy alone, but for -sedition! By the altar of God, this is a -crime known to thy laws, I wot!"</p> - -<p>"True. You charge a young, defenceless, -quiet, powerless man, destitute of money, -men or arms, an obscure fisherman or carpenter -of Galilee, with setting up a throne and -kingdom against that of Tiberius Cæsar, the -ruler of the earth! The idea is absurd! It -should be treated only with ridicule. So will -Herod say, when he understands the affair."</p> - -<p>"So will not Cæsar say, my lord!" answered -Caiaphas, with a sneer upon his -curled lip. "If you let this man go, the -Jewish nation will draw up a memorial, accusing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> -you to the emperor of protecting -treason. You will be summoned by the senate -to answer the charge; and though you -should succeed in clearing yourself, you will -have lost your government, given to another, -and for your fair name, you will live, -ever after, under Cæsar's suspicion."</p> - -<p>Pilate turned pale, and bit his lips with -vexation.</p> - -<p>"My lord priest, thou art bent, I see, on -this innocent man's death. I am no Jew, to -understand how he -has drawn upon -himself thy terrible -wrath and that of -thy nation. I will -see what Herod will -say, who, being a -Jew, is familiar -with your customs."</p> - -<p>Pilate now reseated -himself upon -his throne to give -hearing to other -complaints.</p> - -<p>After the lapse of -half an hour a youth -threw himself from -his horse, at the door -of the court, and -drew near the Procurator.</p> - -<p>"What aileth -thee, Alexander?" -demanded Pilate, on -seeing blood on his -temples and that he -seemed faint.</p> - -<p>"But a trifle now, -my lord. I was thrown from my horse, who -was startled at a burning torch lying on the -ground, and was detained at a hospitable -house until I was able to remount, which -brings me hither late."</p> - -<p>"And why come at all? What news sends -my fair wife, that she should despatch you -from my house in Bethany at this early -hour? No evil tidings, boy?"</p> - -<p>"None, my lord, save this note."</p> - -<p>The Greek page then handed his master a -small roll of parchment, tied with scarlet -thread. He cut the knot with his dagger and -reading the contents became deadly pale. -Caiaphas watched him closely, as if he would -read, reflected in his eyes, the contents of -the note which had so deeply moved him.</p> - -<p>"Caiaphas," said the Procurator, "this -prisoner must be released!"</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i12large.jpg"><img src="images/i12.jpg" width="400" height="466" alt="Jesus Before Pilate." /></a> -</div> - -<p>"It is either his destruction, proud Roman, -or thine!" answered the High Priest, -turning and walking haughtily away.</p> - -<p>Pilate looked after him with a troubled -air, and then re-entered the Hall of Judgment, -and seating himself upon his throne, -again read the parchment.</p> - -<p>"'Have nothing to do with this just man,' -he read half aloud, 'for I have suffered -many things this day in a dream because of -him!' The very gods seem to take sides -with this extraordinary -young prisoner!" -he exclaimed. -"Would to Jove that -Herod may have -sense enough to release -him and relieve -me of this unpleasant -business."</p> - -<p>While he was yet -speaking and musing -with himself, unconsciously -aloud, -there was heard a -great noise of voices -in the direction of -the Maccabean Palace, -and as it grew -nearer and more distinct, -Pilate started -up and cried:</p> - -<p>"It is as I feared—Herod -gives them -no satisfaction and -they come again to -me! Oh, that the -gods would give me -wisdom and nerve -for this trying hour, so that I condemn not -the innocent nor bring myself into the -power of an accusation to Cæsar from these -wicked Jews!"</p> - -<p>At this moment the multitude, increased if -it were possible in numbers and in vindictiveness, -reappeared, pressing Jesus before -them. This time he was alone, Æmilius -having been separated from him in the palace -and kept by the crowd from rejoining -him. He was now unbound, and upon his -head was a crown of thorns, piercing the -tender temples till the blood trickled all -down his face; upon his shoulders was -clasped an old purple robe, once worn by -Herod in his state of petty king, and his -hand held a reed as a scepter; and as he -walked along, the bitterest among the -priests, as well as the vilest of the common<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -fellows, mockingly bent the knee before him, -crying:</p> - -<p>"Hail, King Jesus! Hail, royal Nazarene! -All hail!"</p> - -<p>Others went before him carrying mock -standards, while still others acting as heralds -ran shouting:</p> - -<p>"Make way for the King of the Jews! Do -homage, all men, to Cæsar! This is the great -Tiberius, Emperor of Nazareth! Behold his -glittering crown! Mark his royal robes and -see his dazzling sceptre! Bend the knee, -bend the knee, men of Judah, before your -king!"</p> - -<p>When Pilate saw this spectacle and heard -these words, he trembled and was heard to -say:</p> - -<p>"Either this man or I must perish! These -Jews are become madmen with rage and demand -a sacrifice. One of us must fall!"</p> - -<p>Oh, that I could write all I feel! But I am -compelled, my dear father, to end here.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate child,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXIII" id="LETTER_XXXIII">LETTER XXXIII.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>In this letter will be continued my account -of the trial, if such it can be called, of -Jesus.</p> - -<p>John, the faithful and yet trusting disciple -whom Jesus loved, still kept near his -captive Master, and sought to cheer him by -affectionate looks and, where he could do it -with safety, by kind acts. More than once -he was rudely thrust aside by the fiercer -Jews, and once several men seized upon him -and would have done him violence, if Caiaphas, -to whom John is remotely related and -who knows him well, had not interposed. -And while John was thus doing all that he -could to soften the asperity of his friend's -treatment, we at home were exerting ourselves -to soothe the maternal solicitude of -Mary of Nazareth, his noble and heartbroken -mother.</p> - -<p>Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, was breaking -his fast with fruit and wine, at a table -overlooking by a window the Street of the -Gentiles, when the noise of the advancing -thousands of the Jews reached his ear. He -started from the table and said:</p> - -<p>"These people are surely up in insurrection -against Pilate!"</p> - -<p>"No, great prince," answered the lad Abel, -his cupbearer, who is related to John, and -has told me many of these things. "They -have taken the Nazarene Prophet, Jesus, and -are trying him for sedition."</p> - -<p>"This uproar proceeds from no trial, but -from a wild mob in motion, and they seem -to be approaching," was his answer to him.</p> - -<p>As Herod spoke he went to the lattice of -his basilica, and beheld the head of the multitude -just emerging into the street.</p> - -<p>"There are spears and Romans in the van, -and I see priests and peasants mixed together. -I now see the cause of all the tumult—a -mere youth, bound and soiled and -pale as marble. What, sirs! this is not the -great Prophet, of whose fame I have -heard?" he said, turning to his officers. -"What mean they by bringing him hither? -Yet, Per Baccho! I am glad to get a sight of -him!"</p> - -<p>The crowd, like the swelling Nile, flowed -towards the gates, roaring and chafing like -its mighty cataracts, so that there was -something fearfully sublime in this display -of the power of human passions. Æmilius -with difficulty succeeded in getting his -prisoner into the piazza of the palace.</p> - -<p>"Most royal prince," said Æmilius, kneeling -before Herod and presenting a signet, -"I am sent by his excellency, Pontius -Pilate, the Roman Procurator of Judea, to -bring before you this person accused of blasphemy. -Ignorant of your customs and faith, -the Governor desires that you, who are of -his nation, would examine him; and moreover, -Pilate, learning that he is a Galilean -and a subject of your jurisdiction, courteously -declines interfering with your authority."</p> - -<p>When Herod Antipas heard delivered so -courteous a message from the Procurator, -with whom he had been some time at enmity, -he was pleased.</p> - -<p>"Say thou, Sir Knight, to his excellency, -the most noble and princely Governor of -Judea, that I appreciate his extraordinary -civility, and that nothing will give me more -pleasure, in return for such distinguished -courtesy, than to be considered by him his -friend, and that I regret any occurrence that -has hitherto estranged us."</p> - -<p>Æmilius, upon receiving this answer, arose -and bowed, and then said with the boldness -which characterizes him:</p> - -<p>"Most gracious and royal Tetrarch, I pray -you heed not the charges of these Jews -touching this prisoner. They have conceived -against him a bitter hatred without just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> -cause. He has done nothing worthy of -death. Pilate could find nothing whatsoever -in him deserving of the attention of the dignity -of a Roman tribunal."</p> - -<p>"Let the prisoner fear not," answered -Herod, at the same time regarding Jesus attentively -as he stood before him in the calm -majesty of innocence. "I will not take -Pilate's prerogative of judgment out of his -hand, so handsomely tendered to me. If he -hath blasphemed—Mehercule! the High -Priest and priests of the Temple itself," he -added, laughing, "do that every day of their -lives, for religion is at a low ebb among the -hypocritical knaves! I have nothing to do -with their charge of blasphemy, or I would -have them all stoned to death without -mercy. I will first see some miracles -wrought by thy far-famed prisoner, noble -Æmilius, and then send him back to my illustrious -friend Pontius, whom his gods -prosper in all things."</p> - -<p>Herod, then, fixing his eyes curiously upon -Jesus, who had stood silently before him, -seemingly the only unmoved person in the -vast concourse, said to the soldiers:</p> - -<p>"Unbind him! By the staff of Jacob, he -hath been roughly handled! Men of Israel, -it becomes not such as you to do violence to -a man before he is condemned."</p> - -<p>While he was speaking John arranged -Jesus' mantle about his form. Herod regarded -with interest and looks of compassion, -the pale and divinely-serene countenance -of the prisoner, and seemed struck -with the indescribable majesty of his aspect -and bearing.</p> - -<p>"Art thou the Nazarene Jesus, of whom I -have heard so much?" he asked in deferential -tones.</p> - -<p>"I am he," was the quiet answer.</p> - -<p>"Then gladly do I meet thee, for I have -long time desired to see thee; and I would -fain behold thee do some miracles. Does -rumor belie thy powers? What! art thou -silent? Dost thou not know who it is that -speaks to thee? Come hither, fellow!" he -called to a Samaritan muleteer who stood in -the crowd, whose oval face and Jewish eyes -showed him to be both of Assyrian and -Israelitish descent, and whose arm had been -taken off by a sword in a contest with Barabbas -and his robbers; "come hither, and -let this Prophet prove his power and mission -by restoring thy arm whole like as the -other!"</p> - -<p>The man alertly came forward, and all -eyes were directed eagerly upon him and -upon Jesus; but he thrust the stump of his -arm, by Herod's order, in vain before Jesus. -The eyes of the Prophet moved not from -their meditative look upon the ground.</p> - -<p>"Art thou mocking us, thou false Christ?" -cried the Tetrarch angrily. "Wilt thou -neither speak nor act? If thou art not an -impostor, do a miracle before us all, and we -will believe in thee!"</p> - -<p>Jesus remained motionless, yet preserved -a firm and majestic countenance.</p> - -<p>"He is a deceiver! He performed his -works through Beelzebub, who has now deserted -him!" cried the priests.</p> - -<p>"Nazarene," said Herod, "I am a Jew -also. If thou wilt prove to me by a sign -that I will name, that thou art the Christ, -I will not only become thy follower, but will -let thee go free. Thy silence is an insult to -my power. Thou seest yonder marble -statue of Judas Maccabeus. Command the -sword in its hand to wave thrice above its -helmeted head, and I will bend the knee to -thee. Nay, wilt not? I will give thee -then, something easier to do. Seest thou the -carved pomegranates in the entablature of -the wall? Bid the one which hangs over -this column become ripe, natural fruit, and -fall at my feet. No?"</p> - -<p>"He has no power—his friend Beelzebub -hath given him up into our hands! Death to -the necromancer!" were the terrible words -which now made the hall tremble.</p> - -<p>"See the whirlwind thou hast raised, O -Nazarene!" cried Herod, rising. "If thou -art a prophet, no harm can they do thee; -and if thou art an impostor, if they kill thee -thou deservest thy fate! I give thee up into -their hands! Save thyself, if thou be the -Christ!"</p> - -<p>Scarcely had Herod spoken these words, -relinquishing Jesus into the hands of his -foes, than with a savage cry, as the famished -jackals in the desert rush upon their -prey, they rushed upon their victim. -Æmilius could not protect him; nay, some of -Herod's soldiers, whom the Jews had half -intoxicated with wine, joined them as soon -as they saw their master Antipas had cast -him off, and began to scoff and mock him, -and one of them thrust a helmet on his -head and pulled the visor down over his -eyes.</p> - -<p>"Nay," said Herod on seeing this. "As -he calls himself a king, remove the helmet -and crown him, and robe him royally, and -place a sceptre in his hand; and lo, yonder -block will make him a proper throne! We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -must show Pilate how we Jews serve men -who usurp the power of his master, Cæsar!"</p> - -<p>One of his men of war brought a cast-off -robe of purple which belonged to Herod and, -with loud shouts of laughter and coarse -jests, they robed him in it, unresisting as -the lamb wreathed for the sacrifice. Some -one then twined the creeping thorn, which -grew on the outer wall, and, twisting it into -the shape of a crown, handed it over the -heads of the men to Abner.</p> - -<p>When Abner saw the crown he smiled -with malicious gratification and, nodding approvingly -to the man said:</p> - -<p>"This is what we needed! Nothing could -have done better!" and with his two hands -he placed it upon the head of Jesus, pressing -cruelly the sharp thorns into his temples till -the blood trickled from a dozen wounds. -Jesus made no complaint, but the pain -forced large bright tears from his eyes, -which rolled down his cheeks and fell among -the purple robe like glittering pearls.</p> - -<p>"Here is also a sceptre for our king!" exclaimed -the Samaritan with one arm, using -the one to reach a piece of reed, from which -a Passover lamb had been slung, to those -who were arraying Jesus. This was thrust -into the Prophet's grasp, and he held it patiently. -His submission, his silence, his -endurance of pain, his constant dignity, and -the majestic submission which he seemed to -manifest to all their insults and tortures, -brought tears into the eyes of Æmilius. -Even Herod stood amazed at such God-like -forbearance, and said to his chief captain:</p> - -<p>"If this man is not the Son of God, he is -worthy to be deified! Such sublime patience -is more than human—it is divine! You Romans, -Æmilius, would make a hero of such -a man, and when he died worship him as a -god!"</p> - -<p>"Then, mighty prince, why suffer him to -be thus treated?" asked Æmilius.</p> - -<p>"It is his own choice. I have entreated -him fairly. I asked of him but one of those -miracles men say he works, as proof of his -Messiahship, and he works me none—shows -me no sign. The inference is that he can do -none, and therefore he is an impostor."</p> - -<p>"Most royal prince," said Abner aloud, -"thou now beholdest the King of the Jews, -crowned, robed and sceptred!" and he -pointed to Jesus.</p> - -<p>"Hail! most puissant and potent sovereign -of Galilee! Hail! King of fishermen!" -cried Herod, mocking him, and seemingly -greatly amused at the jest. "Hail! powerful -king! What, fellows, men-at-arms and -all ye gapers! bend ye not the knee before -this royal personage? Do homage to your -king!"</p> - -<p>Upon this many who were around him -kneeled, and some mockingly even prostrated -themselves before the Prophet; but -he stood so very like a monarch that others, -who were about to mock him, refrained, -while Herod turned away with a troubled -look, saying abruptly:</p> - -<p>"Take him back to the Procurator!"</p> - -<p>Once more the vast multitude were in motion, -and with cries and insults escorted -Jesus from the presence of Herod back to -the Pretorium.</p> - -<p>When Pilate beheld their return in this -manner he was greatly vexed. When once -more Jesus stood before him, arrayed as I -have described in the gorgeous robe and -crown, Pilate, turning towards Caiaphas and -the priests, said angrily:</p> - -<p>"What more will ye have? Why bring -this man again before me? Behold, I have -examined him before you and have found no -fault in him. Ye proved nothing by your -witnesses touching those things whereof ye -accuse him. I then sent you with him to -Herod, and lo! the Tetrarch of Galilee, one -of your own nation, finds naught in him -worthy of death! Doubtless he has said -something about not paying tribute, and deserves -for this a light punishment, but not -death. I will chastise him, charge him that -he be more cautious, and let him go."</p> - -<p>"If thou let this man go, thou art an -enemy of Tiberius!" answered Caiaphas. -"Seest thou what a commotion he has raised -in the city? If he is released there will be a -revolution."</p> - -<p>"In the name of Olympian Jove, O Nazarene, -what hast thou done to incense these -Jews? If thou art their king, prove it to -them or to me," demanded Pilate, greatly -troubled.</p> - -<p>"My kingdom is not of the earth," answered -Jesus. "If my kingdom were an -earthly one, then would my servants fight, -that I should not be delivered to the Jews; -but my kingdom is not of this world."</p> - -<p>"Then thou confessest thyself a king?" -exclaimed Pilate, with surprise.</p> - -<p>"Thou sayest that which I am—a King. To -this end was I born, and for this cause came -I into the world, that I should bear witness -to the truth."</p> - -<p>"Truth? What is truth?" asked the Roman; -but, without waiting for Jesus to reply,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -and seeing that the Jews outside of the hall -were becoming more and more impatient, he -hurriedly went out to them and said:</p> - -<p>"I find in the prisoner no fault at all. But -ye have a custom that I should at the Passover -pardon a criminal out of prison, as an -act of clemency, in honor of the day. Will -ye, therefore, that I pardon and release unto -you this 'King of the Jews'?"</p> - -<p>No sooner had Pilate made this proposal -than they all with one voice and furious gestures -cried:</p> - -<p>"No! No! Not this man! We will not -have him released!"</p> - -<p>"Barabbas! Barabbas!" was echoed and -re-echoed by ten thousand voices.</p> - -<p>This Barabbas, dear father, is the same -fierce bandit of whom I have spoken, who -was that day to have been crucified, with -two of his lieutenants. But, at the loud demand -of the people, Pilate was forced to -send to the officer of the wards to let him -go free.</p> - -<p>Pilate, therefore, finding that the Jews -would be content with nothing less than the -blood of Jesus, returned sorrowfully into the -Judgment Hall.</p> - -<p>The residue of my narrative of the condemnation -and crucifixion, I will give in the -morning, dear father.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXIV" id="LETTER_XXXIV">LETTER XXXIV.</a></h2> - - -<p>My Dearest Father:</p> - -<p>Jesus had from very weakness sunk upon -the steps of the throne of the Hall of -Judgment. John knelt by him, bathing the -wounds in his temples, from off which he -had boldly taken the crown of thorns. When -Pilate, after giving the order to release the -robber chief Barabbas, came again where -Jesus was, he stopped and regarded him attentively, -and with an expression of sorrow -and admiration. At length he spoke:</p> - -<p>"If thou be indeed a god, O heroic young -man, as thy patience would seem to prove -thee to be, thou needest not to fear these -bloodhounds, that bay so fiercely for thy -blood. If thou art an impostor and a seditionist, -thou verily meritest death. I regard -thee but as a youthful enthusiast, and -would let thee go free; but I cannot protect -thee. If I release thee, not only thou, but -also all my troops, will be massacred, for we -are but a handful in their grasp. Tell me -truly, art thou a son of the divine -Jupiter?"</p> - -<p>When Jesus, instead of replying, remained -silent, the Procurator said sternly:</p> - -<p>"What! speakest thou not unto me? -Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify -thee as a malefactor, and power, if I -choose to meet the risk, to release thee?"</p> - -<p>Jesus looked up and calmly said:</p> - -<p>"Thou couldst have no power against me -except it were given thee from above. -Therefore he that delivered me into thy -hands hath the greater sin!"</p> - -<p>And as Jesus said these words in an impressive -tone, he glanced fixedly at Caiaphas, -who was looking in at the door, as if -designating the High Priest. Upon this -Pilate pressed his hands against his forehead -and paced several times to and fro before -the judgment seat, as if greatly -troubled. Caiaphas, seeing his irresolution, -cried harshly:</p> - -<p>"If thou lettest this self-styled king go, -O Governor, thou art not Cæsar's friend!"</p> - -<p>Pilate's brow grew dark. He took Jesus -by the hand, and leading him to the portal, -pointed to him, and said aloud:</p> - -<p>"Behold your king! What will you that I -should do with him? Looks he like a man -to be feared?"</p> - -<p>"We have no king but Cæsar!"</p> - -<p>"Crucify him!"</p> - -<p>"To the cross with the false prophet!"</p> - -<p>"Death to the usurper! Long live Cæsar! -Death to the Nazarene! To the cross! To -the cross with him! Let him be crucified!"</p> - -<p>These were the various cries from ten -thousand throats that responded to the Procurator's -address. Remembering the warning -message sent him by his young and beautiful -wife, who held great influence over -him, he trembled with indecision.</p> - -<p>"Why will you compel me to crucify an -innocent man? What evil hath he done?"</p> - -<p>"Crucify him! Crucify him!" was the -deafening response.</p> - -<p>"I will chastise him and let him go!"</p> - -<p>"At your peril release him, O Roman!" exclaimed -Caiaphas, in a menacing tone. -"Either he or you must die this day for the -people! Blood must flow to appease this -tempest!"</p> - -<p>When the Procurator saw that he could -prevail nothing, but that rather the tumult -increased, he called for water, which was -brought to him in a basin by his page, and in -the presence of the whole multitude he -washed his hands, saying:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I am innocent of the blood of this just -person! See ye to it, O Jews, ye and your -High Priest!"</p> - -<p>"His blood be upon us, and on our children!" -answered Caiaphas; and all the people -re-echoed his language.</p> - -<p>"Ay, on us and on our children rest the -guilt of his blood!"</p> - -<p>"Be it so," answered the Procurator, with -a dark brow and face as pale as the dead. -"Take ye him and crucify him; and may the -God he worships judge you, not me, for this -day's deed!"</p> - -<p>Pilate then turned away from them and -said to Jesus:</p> - -<p>"Thou art, I feel, an innocent man, but -thou seest that I cannot save thee! I know -thou wilt forgive me, and that death can -have no terrors for one of fortitude like -thine!"</p> - -<p>Jesus made him no answer; and Pilate, -turning from him with a sad countenance -walked slowly away and left the Judgment -Hall. As he did so one of his captains said -to him:</p> - -<p>"Shall I scourge him, my lord, according -to the Roman law, which commands all who -are sentenced to die to be scourged?"</p> - -<p>"Do as the law commands," answered the -weak-minded Roman.</p> - -<p>His disappearance was the signal for a -general rush towards Jesus, chiefly by the -rabble, who, indifferent about Gentile defilement, -crossed the threshold into the hall, -which the chief priests had refrained from -doing. These base fellows seized Jesus and, -aided by the men-at-arms, dragged him forth -into the outer or common hall. Here they -stripped him, and, by order of the chief captain, -a soldier scourged him with forty -stripes, save one.</p> - -<p>All this Jesus still bore with God-like -majesty. Not a murmur escaped his lips; -not a glance of resentment kindled the holy -depths of his eyes, which, from time to time, -were uplifted to heaven, as if he sought for -help and strength from thence.</p> - -<p>Not only Æmilius but John was now separated -from him; but my uncle, the Rabbi -stood near, in order to see what would follow, -and to use his influence, if possible, to -induce the chief priests to abandon the idea -of killing him.</p> - -<p>"Good Rabbi," said Jesus to him, "let -them do with me what they list. My Father -hath given me into their hands. I die, but -not for myself. I can keep or yield up my -life, as I will."</p> - -<p>"Oh, then, dear Master!" cried my uncle, -"why not save thyself? Why shouldst thou -suffer all this, and death also, if thou hast -the power over thy life?"</p> - -<p>"If I die not, then were ye all dead. The -Scripture must be fulfilled which spoke of -me. 'He was led like a lamb to the -slaughter.'"</p> - -<p>Here Rabbi Amos could speak no more to -him, for the crowd dragged him off out of -the Court of Gabbatha, and so down the -steep street in the direction of the gate of -the kings that leads out to Calvary, the public -place of execution.</p> - -<p>Rabbi Amos accompanied the multitude, -keeping as nigh to Jesus as the Roman soldiers, -who marched on each side of him, -would permit. On the way, as they crossed -the open space where once stood the palace -and statue of Antiochus Seleucus, the eyes -of the Rabbi were attracted by the cries and -pointed fingers of many of the people to the -body of a man lying dead at the foot of a -withered fig tree. Upon drawing nearer, he -recognized the features of the man Judas, -who had so basely betrayed his Master. -The spectacle which he exhibited was revolting -and horrid to look upon! About his -neck was wound a fragment of his girdle, -the other half being still secured to a limb -of the tree, showing how he had met his -fate.</p> - -<p>By this time the people who were dragging -Jesus to death were got well beyond -the gate, when a cross of heavy cypress was -obtained by the centurion from a yard near -the lodge. Two others were also brought -out, and laid upon the shoulders of two men, -the lieutenants of Barabbas, who were also -that day to be crucified.</p> - -<p>By the time the great crowd had passed -the gate, it was known throughout all Jerusalem -that Pilate had given orders for the -crucifixion of the Nazarene Prophet; and, -with one mind, all who had known him and -believed in him or loved him left their houses -to go out after him to witness the crucifixion; -for I forgot to say that Caiaphas had -promised, if Jesus were delivered up, that -his followers should not be molested. Therefore -every person went out of the gate -towards Calvary. Mary his mother, my -Cousin Mary, Martha and her sister, Lazarus, -John, Peter and Thomas, and some -women, relatives from Galilee, and many -others, also went. When we got without the -walls, we seemed to leave a deserted city -behind us. As far as the eye could embrace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -there was a countless multitude. Jesus was -borne in front, where we could now and -then catch the gleam of a Roman spear. We -hastened to get near him and, with difficulty, -made our way to the head of the -throng, both foes and friends giving back -when they saw his weeping mother among -us.</p> - -<p>At the approach to Calvary we found that, -from some cause, the course of the mighty -current of human beings was checked. We -soon learned the reason. Jesus had sunk to -the ground under the weight of the wooden -beams on which he was to die, and fainted.</p> - -<p>"He is dead!" was the cry of those about -him; but, as we drew near, he was just reviving, -some one having offered wine to his -lips and poured water upon his brow. He -stood up, looking mildly around, when meeting -his mother's gaze, he said touchingly:</p> - -<p>"Weep not, my mother! Remember what -I have often told thee of this hour, and believe. -Mine hour is come!"</p> - -<p>Thus speaking he smiled upon his mother -and upon us, with a certain look of divine -peace illuminating his countenance.</p> - -<p>Barabbas, the robber chief, who had in -some degree taken the lead of the mob, now, -with the aid of three men, raised the cross -again to the shoulders of Jesus, and the soldier -ordered him to move on. But the young -victim sank at once beneath the insupportable -load. Upon this they were at a loss -what to do, for it is ignominious for Jew or -Gentile to aid in bearing a malefactor's -cross, and not a Roman would touch it. At -this crisis they discerned a Syro-Phœnician -merchant, Simon of Cyrene, a venerable -man, well known to all in Jerusalem. This -man was for some reason particularly obnoxious -to Abner, and, on seeing him, he -pointed him out to the centurion as "one of -the Nazarenes," and suggested that he -should be compelled to bear the cross after -Jesus.</p> - -<p>The Cyrenian merchant was at once -dragged from his mule and led to the place -where the cross lay, believing he was about -to be himself executed. But when he beheld -Jesus standing, pale and bleeding, by -the fallen cross, and knew what was required -of him, he burst into tears and, -kneeling at his feet, said:</p> - -<p>"If they compel me to do this, Lord, think -not that I aid thy death! I know that thou -art a prophet come from God."</p> - -<p>"We brought thee not here to prate, old -man, but to work. Thou art strong-bodied. -Up with this end of the cross and go on -after him!" cried the chief priests.</p> - -<p>Simon, who is a powerful man, though -threescore years of age, raised the extremity -of the beam, and Jesus essayed to move under -the weight of the other; but he failed.</p> - -<p>"Let me bear it alone, Master," answered -the stout Simon. "I am the stronger. Thou -hast enough to bear the weight of thine own -sorrow. If it be a shame to bear a cross -after thee, I glory in my shame, as would -my two sons, were they here this day."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, he lifted the cross and bore -it on his shoulders after Jesus, who, weak -from loss of blood and sleep, and weary unto -death, had to lean for support against one -arm of the instrument of death.</p> - -<p>Ah, my dear father, what a place was this -across which we moved! Skulls lay scattered -beneath our footsteps, and everywhere -human bones bleached in the air, and we -trod in heaps of ashes where the Romans -had burned the bodies of many of those -whom they crucified.</p> - -<p>The crosses carried by the thieves were -now thrown down by them; by one with an -execration, by the other with a sigh, as he -anticipated the anguish he was to suffer -upon it.</p> - -<p>The larger cross of the three was that for -Jesus. It was taken by three soldiers from -the back of the old Cyrenian merchant and -cast heavily upon the earth. It was now -that a crisis approached of the most painful -interest. The centurion ordered his soldiers -to clear a circle about the place where -the crosses were to be planted with their -spears. The Jews who had crowded near, -in eager thirst for their victim's blood, gave -back slowly and reluctantly before the sharp -points of the Roman lances pushed against -their breasts, for the centurion had with him -full threescore men-at-arms, besides a part -of Herod's guard. John, however, held his -place close by his Master. He relates that -Jesus continued to evince the same sublime -composure when the centurion commanded -the crucifiers to advance and nail the malefactors -to their crosses. The robber-lieutenant, -Ishmerai, who was an Edomite, upon -seeing the man approach with the basket -containing the spikes and hammers, scowled -fiercely upon him and looked defiance. He -was instantly seized by four savage-looking -Parthian soldiers of the Roman guard, and -stripped and thrown upon his back upon the -cross. His struggles, for he was an athletic -man, were so violent that it took six persons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> -to keep him held down upon the arms of the -cross and his palms spread open to receive -the entering nail, which one of the crucifiers, -with naked and brawny arms, pressing one -knee upon the wrist, drove in through the -flesh and wood, by three quick and powerful -blows with his short, heavy-headed -hammer.</p> - -<p>Thus secured he was left, bleeding and -writhing, by the six crucifiers; for there are -four to bind the victim, one to hold the -spikes, and the sixth to drive them home -with his hammer, and from the glance I -caught of their half-naked and blood-stained -figures, they were worthy to hold the dreadful -office which made all men shun them as -if they were leprous.</p> - -<p>They now approached Omri, the other robber, -who was a young man with a mild look, -and a face whose noble lineaments did not -betray his profession. He was the son of a -wealthy citizen in Jericho, and had by riotous -living, spent his patrimony and joined -Barabbas. He had heard Jesus preach in -the wilderness of Jordan, and had once -asked him with deep interest many things -touching the doctrines he taught.</p> - -<p>When the crucifiers, with their cords, -basket, nails and iron hammer, drew near -him, he said:</p> - -<p>"I will not compel you to throw me down. -I can die as I have lived, without fear. As -I have broken the laws, I am ready to suffer -the penalty of the laws."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, he stretched himself upon -his cross and, extending his palms along the -transverse beam, he suffered them to nail -him to the wood, uttering not a moan. He -glanced towards Jesus at the same time -with an expression of courage, as if he -sought to show him that the pain could be -borne by a brave man. And perhaps, indeed, -Jesus looked as if he needed an heroic -example before him to show him how to die -without shrinking, for his cheek was like -the marble of Paros in its whiteness, and he -seemed ready to drop to the earth from -weakness. His youth, his almost divine -beauty, which not even his tangled hair and -torn beard and blood-streaked countenance -could wholly hide, the air of celestial innocence -that beamed from his eyes, drew upon -him many glances of sympathy even from -some of his foes. The centurion, who was a -tall man with a grizzly beard, and with the -hardy exterior of an old Roman warrior, -looked upon him with a sad gaze and said:</p> - -<p>"I do not see what men hate thee for, for -thou seemest more to be a man of love; but -I must do my duty, and I hope thou wilt forgive -me what I do. A soldier's honor is to -obey."</p> - -<p>Jesus smiled forgiveness upon him so -sweetly that the stern Roman's eyes filled -with tears, and he placed his gauntleted -hand to his face to conceal his emotion.</p> - -<p>But, my dear father, I can go on no longer -now with my sad narrative. I am weary -weeping at the recollections it calls before -me, and at our present affliction. In my -next I will complete my account of the unhappy -crucifixion of the Prophet of Nazareth.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXV" id="LETTER_XXXV">LETTER XXXV.</a></h2> - -<p><i>Jerusalem—Third Morning after the Crucifixion.</i></p> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>As I resume my pen by the faint light of -the dawn, to continue the particulars of the -crucifixion of the unhappy son of Mary, who, -widowed and childless, still remains with us, -mourning over her dead son, my heart involuntarily -shrinks from the painful subject -and bleeds afresh. But there is a fascination -associated with all that concerns him, -even now that he is dead and has proved -himself as weak a mortal as other men, -which urges me to write of him and which -fills my thoughts only with him.</p> - -<p>I have just alluded to his grief-smitten -mother. Alas, there is no consolation for -her! Her loss is not like that of other -mothers. Her son has not only been taken -from her by death, but has died ignominiously -on a Roman cross, executed between -two vile malefactors, as if he himself were -the greatest criminal of the three; and not -only this, but executed as a false prophet—as -a deceiver of Israel.</p> - -<p>Yet her love for her son—that deathless, -maternal love, which seems immortal in its -nature—is not buried with him. She, with -dearest Mary and Martha, has just gone -out secretly, before the Jews are astir, to -pay the last duties to his dead body, ere we -all depart for an asylum in Bethany. Until -they return from this sad mission of love I -will continue my subject—the crucifixion.</p> - -<p>When the centurion to whom was committed -by Pilate the charge of conducting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> -the crucifixion of Jesus, gave orders to bind -him also to the cross, which lay upon the -ground like an altar awaiting its victim, the -four Parthian soldiers, his brutal crucifiers, -laid hold upon him and began to strip him -of his garments, for his enemies had put -again on him his own clothes when they led -him out of the hall of Pilate. He wore a -mantle woven without seam by Mary and -Martha, and which had been a present to -him by the sisters, as a token of their gratitude, -for raising from the dead their -brother Lazarus.</p> - -<p>His mother, supported by John, could no -longer gaze upon her son, and was borne -afar off, crying thrillingly:</p> - -<p>"Oh, let me not hear the crashing of the -nails into his feet and hands! My son! My -son! Oh, that thou wouldst now prove to -thy mother that thou art a true Prophet!"</p> - -<p>"What means this wailing?" cried the -fierce Abner. "Who is this woman?"</p> - -<p>"The mother of Jesus," I answered, indignantly.</p> - -<p>"The mother of the blasphemer! Let her -be accursed!" he cried, in a savage tone. -"Thou seest, woman, what is the end of -bringing up an impostor, to blaspheme Jehovah -and the Temple. Thy hopes and his, O -wretched woman, have this day miserably -perished! So die all false Christs and false -prophets!"</p> - -<p>Mary buried her face in her hands and -wept on my shoulder. I could not look -towards the place where Jesus stood. I -dreaded to hear the first blow upon the -dreadful nails, and as she stopped her ears I -would have closed mine also, but that my -hands supported her. I could hear the awful -preparations—the rattling of the hard cord, -as they bound him to the cross, and the low, -eager voices of the four busy Parthians, -and then the ringing of the spikes, and then -silence like that of the grave! Suddenly a -blow of a hammer broke the moment of suspense! -A shriek burst from the soul of the -mother that echoed far and wide among the -tombs of Golgotha!</p> - -<p>I could see, hear no more!</p> - -<p>John having left the stricken mother with -me, he and Lazarus had gone back to where -they were unrobing the Prophet in order to -bind him to the wood. They caught the eyes -of their Master, said Lazarus, who gazed -upon them calmly and affectionately. They -said they had never beheld him appear so -majestic and great. He looked, as the centurion -afterwards said, "Like a god surrendering -himself to death for the safety of his -universe!"</p> - -<p>"Nothing but the ferocious madness of -the chief priests and Jews," added John, -"could have prevented them from being -awed by the majesty of his presence. And, -besides, there sat upon his brow heroic courage, -with a certain divine humility and resignation. -Not the rough hands of the barbaric -soldiers, nor the indignity of being -stripped before the eyes of thousands, not -the sight of the cross, nor of the thieves, -nailed and writhing on theirs, moved him -to depart, by look or bearing, from that celestial -dignity which, through all, had never -left him.</p> - -<p>"He made no resistance," continued John, -who told me what follows, "when bound -upon the cross, but resigned himself passively -into the hands of his executioners, like -a lamb receiving its death. 'Father,' he -said, raising his holy eyes to heaven, 'forgive -them, for they know not what they -do.'</p> - -<p>"Great drops of sweat, when they nailed -his feet to the wood, stood upon his forehead," -added John, who remained near to -see his Master die, and to comfort and -strengthen him; "and when the four men -raised him and the cross together from the -earth and let the end into a hole a foot deep, -the shock, bringing his whole weight upon -the nails in his hands, tore and lacerated -them, nearly dislocating the shoulders at -the same time, while every sinew and muscle -of his arms and chest was drawn out -like cords to sustain this unwonted weight -upon them. The first thief fainted from -pain, at the shock caused by the setting of -his own cross; and the second, cool and defiant -as he had been, uttered a loud outcry of -agony. But Jesus made no moan, though -the unearthly pallor of his countenance -showed how inexpressible was his torture."</p> - -<p>Ah, my dear father, I would draw a veil -over this scene—for it is too painful for -me to dwell upon. To the last John believed -his Master would not die—that he would not -suffer! But when he saw how that pain and -anguish seized heavily upon him, and how -that he suffered like other men, without -power to prevent it, he greatly wondered, -and began to believe that all the miracles -that he had seen him perform must have -been illusions. He could not reconcile the -calmness and dignity, the heroic composure -and air of innocence with which he came to -the cross, with imposture; yet his death<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> -would assuredly seal as imposture all his -previous career.</p> - -<p>With his mother we all drew as near the -cross as we were permitted to come. Jesus -then turned his head towards his mother, -and, looking down with the profoundest -tenderness and love upon her, committed -her to the filial care of the weeping John, -who stood supporting her.</p> - -<p>There we waited, in expectation of seeing -him do some mighty miracle from the cross -and descend unharmed, showing to the -world thereby his title to be the Messias of -God.</p> - -<p>The centurion, having placed a guard -about the crosses, to keep the friends of the -crucified from attempting their rescue, stood -watching them. The soldiers who had -nailed Jesus to the tree now began to divide, -with noisy oaths, his garments among -themselves, as well as those of the two -thieves, these being by the Roman law the -fee of the executioner. This division being -made after some time, but not without high -talking and drawing of their long Syrian -knives upon each other, they were at a loss -what to do with the large mantle without -seam, which the sisters of Lazarus had -woven for the friend of their once dead -brother. A group of the Roman guard being -seated near, astride upon the four arms of a -fallen cross, playing at dice, suggested that -the Parthians should decide by lot whose it -should be. This the latter consented to and, -taking the dice-box in their bloody hands, -each of them threw the dice. The highest -number fell to the most ferocious of the four -fellows, who proposed to sell the cloak, -which John joyfully purchased of him at a -great price, by means of the jewels of several -of the women, who gladly took rings -from their ears and bracelets from their -arms, I giving, dear father, the emerald -which you bought for me at Cairo. But I -could not see the robe which Jesus had -worn thus desecrated.</p> - -<p>After Jesus had hung about an hour upon -the cross, Æmilius came from Pilate, and -bore the inscription, which it is usual to -place above the heads of malefactors, showing -their name, and the crime for which -they are crucified.</p> - -<p>Above the head of Jesus, by means of a -small ladder, was placed this inscription, in -Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:</p> - -<p class="center"> -THIS IS JESUS,<br /> -THE KING OF THE JEWS.<br /> -</p> - -<p>When the wicked Abner read this, he -turned angrily to the centurion, and to -Æmilius, who stood sadly near the cross.</p> - -<p>"Write not, O Roman, that he is 'King of -the Jews,' but that he said he was King -of the Jews!"</p> - -<p>"I have placed above him what Pilate has -ordered to be written," answered the centurion.</p> - -<p>Abner, upon this, mounted a mule and -hastened into the city to the Procurator, and -laid his complaint before him.</p> - -<p>"What I have written, I have written, sir -priest," we have heard that the Procurator -coldly answered.</p> - -<p>"But you, then, have crucified this man -for being our king, which we deny!" retorted -Abner.</p> - -<p>"I will take his word, before that of all -the Jews in Cæsar's empire!" answered -Pilate angrily. "He said he was a king; and -if ever a king stood before a human tribunal, -I have had a true and very king before me -to-day—and I have signed the warrant for -his execution. But his blood be on your -heads! Leave my presence, Jew!"</p> - -<p>Abner left his presence abashed, and returned -to the place of crucifixion. The Jews, -in the meanwhile, mocked Jesus, and -wagged their heads at him, and reminded -him of his former miracles and prophecies.</p> - -<p>"Thou that raisedst Lazarus, save thyself -from death!" said a Pharisee.</p> - -<p>"If thou art the Son of God, prove it by -coming down from the cross!" cried the -leader of the Sadducees, Eli.</p> - -<p>"Thou who saidst if a man kept thy sayings -he should never see death—let us see if -thou canst avoid death thyself!" said Iddo, -the chief of the Essenes.</p> - -<p>"He saved others—himself he cannot -save!" mocked Ezekias, one of the chief -priests.</p> - -<p>Æmilius, finding it impossible to save the -Prophet from crucifixion, had come out to -guard him from the usual insults of the rabble, -while he was dying. He had now lost -faith in Jesus as a Jewish Prophet, but he -loved him still as a man, and pitied him for -his sufferings. He talked with him, and -earnestly prayed him, as he hung, if he were -indeed a god, to show his power! Jesus at -first made no reply; but he shortly said, in a -faint voice:</p> - -<p>"I thirst."</p> - -<p>The generous knight ran and filled a -sponge with the preparation of sour wine -and hyssop, usually given to malefactors,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -after they have suffered awhile, in order to -stupefy them, and render them insensible to -their sufferings. While Æmilius was affixing -a sponge, dipped in this vessel of vinegar, -upon a reed, split at the end to hold it -firmly, Ishmerai, the robber, who all the -while, as he hung, had uttered execrations -upon his crucifiers, and upon Pilate, called, -howling fiercely, to Jesus:</p> - -<p>"If thou be the Son of God, save thyself -and us! If thou didst raise a man once -from the dead, thou canst surely keep us -from dying! Thou art a vile wretch if thou -hast power as a prophet, and will not use it -for me, when thou seest how heavy I am of -body, and how my great weight tortures me, -with infernal racking and rending of every -joint."</p> - -<p>But Omri, rebuking his fellow, said:</p> - -<p>"Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art -in the same condemnation? We suffer justly -for our crimes, and to-day do receive the due -reward of our transgressions; but this young -man hath done nothing amiss, save to preach -against the wickedness of the priests, and -for being holier than they. Lord, I believe -that thou art the Son of God! None but the -Christ could do the works that thou hast -done, or suffer patiently as thou art doing. -Lord, remember me when thou comest into -thy kingdom."</p> - -<p>Jesus turned his bleeding head towards -him, and, with a smile of ineffable glory -radiating his pale face, said:</p> - -<p>"Verily, I say unto thee, this day shalt -thou be with me in Paradise."</p> - -<p>Omri, upon this, looked inexpressibly -happy, and seemed to rise superior to his -sufferings. The other cursed the Prophet -aloud, and gnashed at him with his teeth, -with looks of demoniacal hatred.</p> - -<p>At this moment Æmilius came near with -his dripping sponge, and presented the reed -upwards to the parched lips of the suffering -Jesus. When he tasted it, he would not -drink, for he perceived it was the opiate -which was usually administered in compassion, -to shorten the anguish of the crucified.</p> - -<p>The robber, Ishmerai, now eagerly cried -for the oblivious sponge, and the Prefect -giving the reed to a soldier, the latter placed -it to the mouth of the robber, whose swollen -tongue protruded! He drank of it with a -sort of mad thirst. The other man, also, -gladly assuaged his burning fever with it, -and soon afterwards both of them sunk into -insensibility.</p> - -<p>All at once, just as the sixth hour was -sounded from the Temple, by the trumpets -of the Levites, the cloud which, formed by -the smoke of the numerous sacrifices, had -hung all day above the Temple, was seen to -become suddenly of inky blackness, and to -advance towards Calvary, spreading and expanding -in the most appalling manner, as it -approached us; and in a few minutes, not -only all Jerusalem, but Calvary, the Valley -of Kedron, the Mount of Olives, and all the -country, were involved in its fearful darkness. -The sun, which had before been shining -with noonday brilliancy, became black -as sackcloth of hair, and a dreadful, unearthly, -indescribable night overshadowed -the world! Out of the center of the cloud, -above the crosses, shot forth angry lightnings -in every direction. But there was no -thunder attending it—only a dead, sepulchral, -suffocating silence!</p> - -<p>Of the thousands who had been gazing -upon the crucifixion, every one was now -fallen prostrate upon the earth in terror! -Jerusalem was blotted out from our view; -only an angry spot of fire-red light, as it -were the terrible eye of God itself, was visible -above the Temple, over the place of the -Holy of Holies. The crosses were no longer -visible, save by the fearful shine of the lightnings, -flashing fiercely from the dread and -silent cloud. The form of Jesus, amid the -universal gloom, shone as if divinely transfigured, -and a soft halo of celestial light encircled -his brow like a crown of glory; while -the dark bodies of the two robbers could -scarcely be discerned, save by the faint radiance -emanating from his own.</p> - -<p>Men talked to each other in whispers. An -indefinable dread was upon each mind; for -the sudden overspreading of the darkness -was as unaccountable as it was frightful. -Mary, his mother, and Lazarus, exclaimed -with awe, both speaking together:</p> - -<p>"This is his power. He has produced this -miracle!"</p> - -<p>"And we shall behold him next descend -from the cross," cried Rabbi Amos. "Let -us take courage!"</p> - -<p>Three hours—three long and awful hours, -this supernatural light continued—and all -that while the vast multitude remained -fixed, and moaning, waiting they knew not -what! At length the cloud parted above the -cross, with a loud peal of thunder, while a -shower of terrible lightning fell, like lances -of fire, all around the form of Jesus, which -immediately lost its halo and its translucent -radiance, His face, at the same time, became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -expressive of the most intense sorrow -of soul.</p> - -<p>A hundred voices exclaimed, with horror:</p> - -<p>"See! he is deserted, and punished by the -Almighty!"</p> - -<p>We ourselves were amazed and appalled. -Our rising hopes were blasted by the livid -lightnings, which seemed to blast him! -Heaven, as well as man, seemed to war -against him! His mother gave utterance to -a groan of agony, and sank upon the ground, -satisfied that her son was truly accursed of -God. At this moment, as if to confirm all -our fears, he cried, in the Hebrew tongue:</p> - -<p>"Eloi! Eloi! My God, my God, why hast -thou forsaken me?"</p> - -<p>Upon this, some, pitying his sufferings, ran -to give him wine and hyssop, to deaden -them.</p> - -<p>"Nay, let him live—let us see if Elias will -save him!" answered Abner. "He calleth -for Elisha the prophet!"</p> - -<p>Suddenly the darkness, which had filled -all the air, seemed now to concentrate and -gather about the cross, so that he who -hanged thereon, became invisible. From -the midst of it his thrilling voice was once -more heard, as clear and strong as it rang -over the waters of Galilee when he -preached from a boat to the thousands -thronging the shore:</p> - -<p>"It is finished! Father, into thy hands I -commend my spirit!"</p> - -<p>As he uttered these words, a supernatural -glory shone around him, and, with a deep -sigh, he bowed his head upon his breast and -gave up the ghost!</p> - -<p>The general exclamation of surprise that -followed these clear trumpet-tones, was suddenly -checked by a terrible trembling of the -earth beneath our feet, so that vast numbers -of people were cast down; the rocks of -Calvary were rent, and thrown upwards, -while the whole city shook with the -convulsive throes of an earthquake. The -Temple seemed on fire, and above its -pinnacle appeared a flaming sword, which -seemed to us to cleave the walls to their -foundations; and while we looked, the -sword changed into the shape of a cross -of dazzling light, standing high in the -air, over the altar; and from its golden -beams poured rays so bright, that all Jerusalem, -and the hill country for a wide extent, -became as light as noon-day. The -ground still continued to rock, and the -sepulchres of the kings, with the tombs of -ancient prophets, were riven by vast -chasms, and the green earth was strewn -with the bones and bodies of the dead. The -dark cloud, which had begun to form first -with the smoke of the sacrifices of the Temple, -was now dissipated by the light of the -fiery cross, and the sun reappeared. Before -it the glorious vision over the Temple gradually -faded out and disappeared. The natural -order of things gradually returned; and -men, smiting their breasts, began to move -towards the city, filled with awe and dread -at what they had witnessed. The centurion, -who stood watching these fearful things, -said, aloud, to Æmilius:</p> - -<p>"This man spake the truth. He was a -god!"</p> - -<p>"Truly," responded Æmilius, "this was -none other than the Son of God—the very -Christ of the Jewish Prophets. All things in -the air and on the earth sympathize with -his death, as if the God of nature had expired."</p> - -<p>Sad and weeping, we left the dismal scene, -hanging our heads in despondency; having, -even while wondering at these mighty -events connected with his crucifixion, abandoned, -forever, all hope that this was he -who should have redeemed our nation and -restored the royal splendor of Judah and the -throne of the house of David.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -I am, my dear father, your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXVI" id="LETTER_XXXVI">LETTER XXXVI.</a></h2> - -<p class="sig"><i>Jerusalem—Third Morning after the Crucifixion.</i></p> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>On the day on which the wonderful events -took place which I have detailed at large in -my last letter, the chief priests, at the head -of whom was Annas, met Pilate as he was -riding forth from the city, attended by a -score of men-at-arms, to survey the deep -rents made by the earthquake, and to hear -from the mouths of all the people the particulars -of the marvels which attended the -crucifixion of Jesus. When they came near -him, they besought him that he would command -his soldiers to take down the bodies, -as the next day was a high-day, and that it -was contrary to their customs to have criminals -executed or left hanging on that day.</p> - -<p>"What think ye?" demanded Pilate, reining -up and soothing his Syrian war-horse, -which, startled at the dead bodies that lay -near (for they were crossing the place of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> -opened tombs), had for some time tramped -and plunged madly. "What think ye, -priests! Have ye crucified a man or a god? -We think these mighty wonders tell us that -he was more than a man!"</p> - -<p>The priests looked troubled, and seemed -unable to answer. But Terah, chief priest of -the house of Mariah, answered and said:</p> - -<p>"My lord, these were wonderful phenomena, -but they would have happened if -this Nazarene had not died! Here is a -famous astrologer from Arabia, who studies -the skies, who says that this darkness was -caused by an eclipse of the sun! The dark -cloud was but the smoke of the sacrifices, -while the earthquake was but a natural and -usual occurrence!"</p> - -<p>"Stay, sir priest," answered Pilate; "we -at Rome, though called barbarians by you -polished Jews, have some scholarship in astrology. -We know well that an eclipse of -the sun can take place only when the moon -is new! It is to-day, on this eve of the high-day, -at its full, and will to-night rise nearly -opposite the sun! It was no eclipse, sir -priest, and thy Arabian is a false astrologer. -These events occurred because that divine -man, your king, has been executed."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, the Roman Procurator -spurred on towards the place, followed by -his body-guard; now avoiding an open grave, -now leaping one of the freshly opened -chasms, now turning aside from some body -cast up by the earthquake. When he came -in front of the crosses, he saw that Jesus -hung as if dead, while the thieves still -breathed and from time to time heaved -groans of anguish, although partly insensible -from the effects of the opiate which had -been administered to them.</p> - -<p>"Think you, Romulus, that he has any life -in him?" asked Pilate, in a subdued tone of -voice, gazing sorrowfully, and with looks of -self-reproach, upon the drooping form of his -victim.</p> - -<p>"He is dead an hour ago," answered the -centurion. "He expired when the earthquake -shook the city, and the flaming sword -was unsheathed in the air above the Temple! -It was a fearful sight, sir, and the -more wonderful to see it change in the shape -of a cross of fire. I fear, sir, we have crucified -one of the gods in the shape of a man."</p> - -<p>"It would appear so, centurion," answered -Pilate, shaking his head. "I would it had -not been done! But 'tis past! The Jews desire -their bodies to be removed before their -great Sabbath. Let them have their desire."</p> - -<p>Pilate then turned his horse and rode -slowly and sadly away from the spot. -Romulus gave orders to his soldiers to -remove the bodies. When the soldiers came -to Jesus they saw that he was already -dead.</p> - -<p>"Let us not break his legs," said one to -the other; "it were sacrilege to mar such a -manly form."</p> - -<p>"Yet we must insure his death, ere he -can be taken away," responded the other. -"I will pierce him to make sure!"</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, the soldier directed his -spear to the side of Jesus, and cleaved the -flesh to his heart. John, who stood near, -and saw and heard all, upon seeing this -done bowed his head to the earth in total -abandonment of hope!</p> - -<p>When he raised his head to gaze upon his -crucified Master, he saw flowing from the -rent in his side two fountains together, one -of crimson blood, and lo! the other of crystal -water! He could not believe what he saw, -until the soldiers and the centurion expressed -aloud their wonder at such a marvel.</p> - -<p>"Never was such a man crucified before," -exclaimed the centurion.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile, Rabbi Joseph, the counsellor -of Arimathea, who stands high in -favor with Pilate, met the Governor as he -was skirting the wall of the city with his -cohort, and asked him if, after Jesus should -be pronounced dead, he might take down -the body and give it sepulchre.</p> - -<p>"Go and receive the body of this wonderful -man," said Pilate. "Methinks thou art -one who knew him well. What thinkest thou -of him, Rabbi?" Joseph perceived that -Pilate asked the question with deep interest, -seemingly very greatly troubled in mind, and -he answered him boldly:</p> - -<p>"I believe that he was a Prophet sent -from God, your excellency, and that to-day -has died on Calvary the most virtuous, the -wisest, and the most innocent man in -Cæsar's empire."</p> - -<p>"My conscience echoes your words," answered -Pilate, gloomily; and putting spurs -to his horse, he galloped forward in the -direction of the Gethsemane Gardens.</p> - -<p>Proceeding to the cross, Joseph, by the aid -of Lazarus, Simon Peter, Mary, Martha, and -Rabbi Amos, took it out of the socket in the -rock, with its precious burden, and gently -laid it upon the ground with the body still -extended upon it.</p> - -<p>In the still, holy twilight of that dread day, -the west all shadowy gold and mellow light,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -the air asleep, and a sacred silence reigning -in heaven and on earth, they bore away from -the hill of death the body of the dead -Prophet. The shoulders of Nicodemus, of -Peter, of Lazarus, and of John, gently sustained -the loving weight of Him they once -honored above all men, and whom, though -proved by his death, as they believed, to -have fatally deceived himself as to his -divine mission as the Christ, they still loved -for his sorrows so patiently borne, for his -virtues so vividly remembered.</p> - -<p>Slowly the little group wound their way -along the rocky surface of Golgotha, the last -to leave that fearful place in the coming -darkness. Their measured tread, their low -whispers, the subdued wail of the women who -followed the rude bier of branches, the lonely -path they trod, all combined to render the -spectacle one of touching solemnity. The -shades of evening were gathering thick -around them. They took secret ways for -fear of the Jews. But some that met them -turned aside with awe when they knew what -corpse was borne along, for the impression -of the appalling scenes of the day had not -yet wholly passed away from their minds. -At length they reached a gate in the wall of -the garden attached to the noble abode of the -wealthy Rabbi Joseph, who went before, and -with a key unlocked it, and admitted them -into the secluded enclosure. Here the thickness -of the foliage of olive and fig trees -created complete darkness; for by this time -the evening star was burning like a lamp in -the roseate west. They rested the bier upon -the pavement beneath the arch, and awaited -in silence and darkness the appearance of -torches which Rabbi Joseph had sent for -to his house. The servants bearing them -were soon seen advancing, the flickering -light from the flambeaux giving all things -visible by it a wild aspect, in keeping with -the hour.</p> - -<p>"Follow me," said Joseph, in a low voice, -that was full charged with deep sorrow, -as the servants preceded him with their -torches.</p> - -<p>The sad bearers of the dead body of Jesus -raised their sacred burden from the ground, -and trod onward, their measured foot-falls -echoing among the aisles of the garden. At -its farther extremity, where the rock hangs -beetling over the valley, and forms at this -place the wall of the garden, was a shallow -flight of stone steps leading to a new tomb -hewn out of the rock. It had been constructed -for the Rabbi himself, and had just -been completed, and in it no man had ever -been laid.</p> - -<p>The servants, by command of Joseph, -rolled back the stone, and exposed the dark -vault of the gaping sepulchre.</p> - -<p>"How is it, most worthy Rabbi," said a -Roman centurion, suddenly apprizing them -of his presence by his voice, "that you bury -thus with honor a man who has proved himself -unable to keep the dazzling promises he -has allured so many of you with?"</p> - -<p>All present turned with surprise at seeing -not only the centurion, but half a score of -men-at-arms, on whose helmets and cuirasses -the torches brightly gleamed, marching -across the grass towards the spot.</p> - -<p>"What means this intrusion, Roman?" -asked Rabbi Joseph.</p> - -<p>"I am sent hither by command of the Procurator," -answered the centurion; "the chief -Jews have had an interview with him, informing -him that the man whom he had crucified -had foretold that after three days he -would rise again. They, therefore, asked a -guard to be given them to place over the -sepulchre, till the third day, lest his disciples -secretly withdraw the body, and report that -their master is risen. Pilate, therefore, has -commanded me to keep watch to-night with -my men."</p> - -<p>"We bury him with this deference and respect, -centurion," answered Rabbi Joseph, -"because we believe him to have been deceived, -not a deceiver. He was gifted by -God with vast power, and therefore doubtless -believed he could do all things. He was -too holy, wise, and good to deceive. He has -fallen a victim to his own wishes for the -weal of Israel which were impossible by man -to be realized."</p> - -<p>The body of Jesus, wrapped in its shroud -of spotless linen, and surrounded by the preserving -spices of Arabia, was then borne into -the tomb, and laid reverently upon the table -of stone which Joseph had prepared for -his own last resting-place. Simon Peter -was the last to quit the side of the body, by -which he knelt as if he would never leave it, -shedding all the while great tears of bitter -grief. John only, at last, drawing him gently -forth, enabled the centurion and soldiers to -close the heavy door of the tomb. Having -secured it evenly by revolving it in its socket, -the signet-bearer of the Procurator, who -had come with the soldiers, placed a mass of -wax, melted by a torch, upon each side of it -over the crevices, and stamped each with the -Imperial signet, which to break is death!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Jews who were present, seeing that -the sepulchre was thus made sure by the -sealing of the stone, and by the setting of -the vigilant Roman watch of eighteen men, -took their departure. Rabbi Joseph, Nicodemus, -and the rest of the friends of Jesus, -then slowly retired, leaving a sentinel pacing -to and fro before the tomb, and others -grouped about beneath the trees or on the -steps of the sepulchre, playing at their -favorite game of dice, or gazing upon the -broad moon, conversing, or singing their native -Italian airs; yet with their arms at -hand, ready to spring to their feet at the -least alarm or word of alert.</p> - -<p>(Something fearful must this instant have -happened, for the house has just shaken as -if with an earthquake. What can be the -meaning of these wonders?)</p> - -<p>This morning Mary and Martha, with -others, have gone to visit Jesus' tomb in Joseph's -garden (as I have already said), for -the purpose of embalming the body, and on -their return we are to go to Bethany for a -few days, until the violent hostility of the -Jews to his followers subsides.</p> - -<p>I hear now the voices of Mary and Martha, -in the court of the street, returning from the -tomb. They are pitched to a wild note of -joy! What can mean the commotion—the -exclamations—the running, and shouting, all -through the corridors and court? I must -close, and fly to learn what new terror or -wonder has occurred.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -In haste, your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXVII" id="LETTER_XXXVII">LETTER XXXVII.</a></h2> - -<p class="sig"><i>Jerusalem—First Day of the week.</i></p> - - -<p>My Dear Father:</p> - -<p>How shall I make known to you, in words, -the marvelous, joyous, happy, happy, and -most wonderful news which I have to tell! -My heart beats, my hand trembles with rapture, -while a sense of profound awe impresses -all my soul! Jesus is alive! Jesus -has risen from the dead! Jesus has proved -himself to be the Son of God!</p> - -<p>I can scarcely hold my pen for joy and -wonder, or collect my thoughts, for very -amazement, at what has transpired.</p> - -<p>Upon hearing my name called by Mary, -and others, in eager, joy-trembling tones, I -hastened to go down. On reaching the -staircase I met my cousin ascending, almost -flying. Wonder, love, and happiness inexpressible, -beamed from her beautiful countenance. -Meeting me, she threw her arms -about my neck and essayed to utter something! -But her heart was too full, and, bursting -into sobs, she wept convulsively upon -my bosom, in an ecstasy of delirious joy.</p> - -<p>Amazed and confounded, not knowing -what had happened, I held her to my heart, -and tried to soothe her emotion.</p> - -<p>"What—oh, what hath happened? Speak, -dear Mary!" I asked, unable to wait longer -in suspense.</p> - -<p>She raised her head, and through her tears -and smiles, at length said, brokenly:</p> - -<p>"He—he—is—risen—oh, he is risen from -the tomb!"</p> - -<p>"Who?" I cried, half believing, yet doubting.</p> - -<p>"The Lord! Our Mighty Master—Jesus—the -very Son of God, the Blessed! He is -alive, Adina! Come—delay not! I have -flown into the city to tell thee, and Mary has -told Peter and John, whom she met at the -door, and who, doubting, as thou hast done, -have run to see if these things be so. They -will find the sepulchre empty! Haste to go -with us!"</p> - -<p>While, overwhelmed with wonder, and -trembling with joy, I was preparing to accompany -her, Martha appeared, her face -radiant with celestial happiness.</p> - -<p>"You have heard the tidings of great joy, -O Adina?"</p> - -<p>"Can they be true, Martha?" I asked, earnestly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, for I have seen him walking, heard -his voice, and touched him! You, also, shall -see him, for he hath sent us to tell his disciples!"</p> - -<p>I wept for joy!</p> - -<p>At the gateway we met Mary of Bethany, -and we three now hastened together towards -the garden of Joseph, I wishing my feet -wings, that I might reach the sepulchre -sooner, fearing that the vision of Jesus -would be vanished ere I arrived. As we were -going out of the gate, we were met by four -or five Roman soldiers, who, with aspects -stamped with fear, were running past us -into the city.</p> - -<p>"What means this flight and terror, men?" -cried the captain of the gate. "You fly as if -you were in full retreat from an enemy. -Speak, Marius! You seem to have your -senses!" he demanded of the youngest of the -soldiers, an officer under a centurion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>We paused to hear what he said.</p> - -<p>"Per Dian, captain! we have been terrified -beyond measure," answered the soldier. "My -heart beats yet, as if it were an alarum-drum. -You see, we were a part of the guard -left in charge of the sepulchre of this Jewish -Prophet, crucified three days ago. Before -dawn this morning, as I was pacing to and -fro before the tomb, there suddenly shone -round about us a light, like a descending -meteor, accompanied by a rushing as if of a -legion of wings. The men started to their -feet in amazement! On looking about us I -saw a dazzling form, in the mid-heavens, -with broad wings of gold, sparkling with -myriads of stars, every feather a star, and -clad in raiment white and gleaming as the -summer's lightning. This terrible presence, -like that of one of the Dii Immortales, made -us fear exceedingly, beyond any terror we -had before experienced. But when we saw -this mighty being descend straight towards -the tomb, and beheld the resplendent -majesty of his celestial visage, which blinded -us, our hearts failed within us. The angel, -or god, alighted amid a blaze of radiance at -the door of the sepulchre; and as his foot -touched the earth it trembled, as if with a -great earthquake. The soldiers shook with -terror, and fell to the ground, before his presence, -as dead men. I stood, unable to move, -frozen by fear to a statue. He touched the -great stone door with one of his fingers, and -it rolled outward at his feet, as if a catapult -had struck it, and, like Jove taking his -throne, he sat upon it!</p> - -<p>"But one thing more," continued the soldier, -"was wanting to fill my cup of terror -to the full. And it followed. I saw the -crucified Prophet rise up from the slab on -which he was laid, and stand upon his feet, -and walk forth alive, with the tread of some -mighty conqueror! The celestial being, so -terrible in his majestic splendor, veiled his -face with his wings before his presence, and -prostrated himself at his feet, as if in homage -to one greater than himself!</p> - -<p>"I saw no more, but fell, insensible with -terror, to the earth. When, at length, I came -to myself, the tomb was filled with dazzling -forms of resplendent beauty; the air rang -with music, such as mortals never before -heard; and I fled, pursued by my fears, the -rest of the soldiers rising and following me, -each man fearing to look back, but bewildered -we lost our way."</p> - -<p>The soldiers hurried forward into the city; -while, confirmed now in the certainty that -Jesus was risen, I hastened, with Martha -and Mary, in the direction of the garden.</p> - -<p>"How and where did you behold him, -Mary?" I interrogated, as we drew near to -the steep path leading to the gate of Joseph's -garden.</p> - -<p>"When we reached the tomb, with our -spices and precious ointments, to embalm the -body, we found it open, and the soldiers, who -had guarded it, lying about upon the ground -like dead men. Upon the stone sat the archangel, -but the resplendent light of his apparel -and countenance was so tempered to -our eyes, that, although we believed it was -an angel, we were not terrified, for his looks -were serene, and the aspect of his face -divinely beautiful, combined with a terrible -and indescribable majesty. We shook with -fear, and stood still, unable to move, gazing -on him in silent expectation.</p> - -<p>"'Fear not,' said he in a voice that seemed -to fill the air about us with undulating -music, 'fear not, daughters of Abraham. I -know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified! -He is not here, but is risen, as he foretold. -Lo! see the place where the Lord of -Life, and Conqueror of Death, hath lain!'</p> - -<p>"We then timidly approached, and looked -in, and saw the sepulchre empty; but a soft -light filled the whole place.</p> - -<p>"'Go and tell his disciples that the Lord -is risen,' added the angel, 'and that he will -go before them into Galilee. There shall -they see him not many days hence!'</p> - -<p>"When the angel had thus spoken to us," -continued Mary, "we departed quickly from -the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and -ran to go into the city, to bring his disciples -word, according to the command of the -angel. But I had not advanced so far as the -gate of the garden, being behind the rest, -when I beheld Jesus himself standing in my -path. I stopped, between terror and joy.</p> - -<p>"'All hail! daughter of Israel,' he said. -'Be not afraid. I am living, that was dead! -Go, Mary, and tell my mother and my brethren, -and Peter, and John, and Lazarus, that -I am risen, and that I have spoken with you. -Be not afraid! I am the resurrection and the -life!'</p> - -<p>"I then cast myself at his feet, and worshiped -him with awe; and when I looked up, -he was gone.</p> - -<p>"The others did not see him. We now continued -on to the city, as if we had wings. -But see! we are now at the gate of the garden," -added Mary of Bethany, in a low tone -of awe. "He must be near us."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<p>But we approached the tomb without seeing -any man, having arrived before Peter -and John, who had been delayed some time -at the Jaffa gate. We, therefore, found no -one at the sepulchre. It was open, and -empty. The stone in front, on which the -archangel sat, was vacant. As we drew -near, a bright light suddenly shone out from -the tomb; and upon going higher I beheld -two angels, clothed in white robes, and with -countenances of divine radiance, seated, one -at the head and the other at the foot of the -slab of marble, on which the body of Jesus -had lain.</p> - -<p>"Be not afraid, daughters of Jerusalem," -said one of the angels, speaking to us in the -Hebrew tongue; "He whom ye seek, liveth! -He is risen from the tomb, which could not -hold him but through his consent; for Jesus -is Lord of Life, and Victor over Death and -Hell, for evermore! Go your way, and tell -his disciples that he awaits them by the seaside."</p> - -<p>The angels then vanished from our sight; -and at the same moment John and Peter -came running, and seeing the stone rolled -away, John stooped down, and looked in, and -said that he saw the linen clothes in which -the body of Jesus had been wrapped, lying -folded together, and also the napkin which -had been bound about his head. Peter, now -coming up, breathless with eagerness and -haste, no sooner saw the tomb open, than he -went boldly in, and carefully examined all -for himself. When we made known to them -what the angels had said to us, that Jesus -would go before and meet them in Galilee, -they rejoiced greatly, and shortly afterwards -departed, to hasten into Galilee. I also returned -with them, to convey the news to -Mary, the mother of Jesus, who had scarcely -left her couch, in her great sorrow, since the -day of the crucifixion. Mary of Bethany, -however, remained, lingering near the tomb, -hoping that Jesus had not yet left the garden, -and that she might once more behold -him.</p> - -<p>Seated upon the steps of the tomb, weeping -for joy at his resurrection, and wishing once -more to behold him, she heard a footstep -behind her, and, turning round, saw a man -standing near her. It was Jesus himself, -and kneeling, she was about to clasp his -feet, when he said to her:</p> - -<p>"Touch me not, Mary. I am not yet ascended -to my Father. But go and tell Lazarus, -and my brethren, and my mother, that -I ascend ere many days, unto my Father -and your Father, and unto my God and your -God."</p> - -<p>Jesus then vanished out of her sight; and -she came and told all these things to us, and -to the disciples.</p> - -<p>But what pen can describe, my dear father, -the amazement and consternation of Caiaphas, -and the chief priests, and the rest of -his enemies!</p> - -<p>Caiaphas, hearing the uproar of the soldiers, -sprang from his couch to inquire the -cause, and on being assured by his servants -that "Jesus had burst his tomb and risen -alive from the dead!" he quaked, and became -deadly pale.</p> - -<p>When Pilate received the account from the -centurion of the guard, he said:</p> - -<p>"We have crucified a god, as I believed! -Henceforth I am accursed!" and leaving his -Hall of Judgment, he went and shut himself -up in his own room, which he has not since -left.</p> - -<p>Caiaphas and the chief priests and scribes, -in the meanwhile assembled together in full -Sanhedrim, and hearing the testimony of the -centurion, were convinced that the fact -could not be concealed of Jesus' resurrection.</p> - -<p>"Who has seen him alive?" demanded the -High Priest.</p> - -<p>"I have seen him, my lord," answered the -centurion. "I saw his pierced feet and hands -as he walked past me; and the morning -breeze blew aside his mantle and exposed to -my eyes the open wound made by the spear -of my soldier, Philippus. He was alive, and -in full strength of limb!"</p> - -<p>"Thou sawest a vision, Roman!" answered -Caiaphas. "Come aside with us, and let us -talk with thee."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes afterwards the centurion -left the court of the High Priest's palace, followed -by a Gibeonite slave, bearing after -him a vase of Persian gold. He has told -every one since, that he must have seen a -spirit, for "the disciples of Jesus came -by night and stole away the body of their -master, while they slept, overcome with -watching." His soldiers have also been -bribed to tell the same tale!</p> - -<p>Such is the false version that now goes -about the city, my dear father; but there are -few that give it credence, even of our enemies. -As Æmilius, who is filled with great -joy at the resurrection of Jesus, to-day very -justly says:</p> - -<p>"If these soldiers slept on guard, they -merited death therefor, by the military laws -of the empire. If, while sleeping, their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> -charge—the dead body of Jesus—was taken -away, they deserve death for failing to prevent -it. Why then are they not placed under -arrest by Pilate's orders, if this story be -true? Because Pilate well knows that it is -not true! He knows, because he has privately -examined many of the soldiers, that -Jesus did burst his tomb, and that angels -rolled away the stone without breaking his -seals, which could not have been left unmarred -but by a miracle. He knows that -Jesus has arisen—for it is believed that he -has also beheld him—at least such is the -rumor at the Pretorium. It was the form of -Jesus visible before him, doubtless, that -drove him in such amazement from his Hall -to his secret chamber; for it was remarked -that he started, turned deadly pale, and essayed -to address the invisible space before -him, as if he saw a spirit."</p> - -<p>Besides the facts which I have stated, is -the increasing testimony of the thousands -who, to-day, have gone out of the city to see -the sepulchre where He was laid. They say, -both enemies of Jesus as well as our friends, -that it was impossible for the door to have -been opened by any human being, not by -Pilate himself, without marring the seals. -They also assert that, to remove the stone -by night, which would require four men, and -to bear forth the body, would have been impossible, -if the guard had been present; and -if they had been asleep, they must have been -awakened with the heavy noise made by rolling -the massive door along the hollow pavement -outside the sepulchre.</p> - -<p>"If," say the common people, "the watch -slept, why does not the Procurator put them -to death?"</p> - -<p>This question remains unanswered, and -the watch go about the streets unharmed! -My dear father, remember no more my unbelief, -but with me believe in Jesus, that he -is the Son of God, the Savior of Israel, the -immortal Christ of the Prophets.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your affectionate daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXVIII" id="LETTER_XXXVIII">LETTER XXXVIII.</a></h2> - -<p class="sig"><i>Bethany, House of Mary and Martha, a Month -after the Passover.</i></p> - - -<p>I deeply regret, my dearest father, the delays -which have detained you so long from -arriving at Jerusalem, but trust that, ere -many days, the caravan for which you wait -will reach Gaza, and that you will be -enabled to resume your journey to the Holy -City. I am now at Bethany, where I have -been some time making my home.</p> - -<p>Uncle Amos has retired, for the present, to -his farm, near Jericho, but will be here to-morrow -to remain with us. Therefore, when -you come near to Jerusalem, instead of going -directly into the city, turn aside by the road -leading past the king's gardens, and go up -the brook of Kedron, into the way to -Bethany. I pray that God may preserve you -in safety, and soon permit me the happiness -of once more embracing you, after three long -years of separation.</p> - -<p>And what events have transpired in these -three years! Once more, my dear father, -read carefully over the whole narrative, and -answer to yourself this inquiry: Is not this -man the Son of God? Is not he the very -Christ, the long-looked-for Messias?</p> - -<p>Isaias prophesied of the Christ whom he -saw afar off, that he should be "a man of -sorrows;" that he should be "despised and -rejected of men;" that he should be "taken -from prison and judgment, and cut off from -the land of the living;" that he should be -"numbered with the wicked in his death, -and make his grave with the rich!" How -light, how clear, how plain, all these prophecies -now are to me, and to us all! How wonderfully -in their minuteness they have been -fulfilled, you already know.</p> - -<p>His resurrection, also, was foretold by himself, -but we did not understand his words until -now. When he spoke of destroying the -temple, and raising it in three days, he -spoke of the tabernacle of his body! Oh, how -many sayings, which, when spoken by his -sacred lips, we understood not, now rush -upon us in all their meaning, proving to us -that every step of his life was foreknown to -him; that he went forward to his death -aware of all things whatsoever that were -going to befall him!</p> - -<p>But his resurrection was also foretold by -the holy David, when he said, "Thou wilt -not leave his soul in hell, nor suffer thy Holy -One to see corruption;" and his arraignment -before Pilate, Caiaphas, and Herod, was foretold -by David, when he said: "The kings -of the earth set themselves, and the rulers -take counsel together, against the Lord, and -against his Anointed;" yet the Lord saith, -"Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten -thee." Also, my dear father, turn to the -Psalms (22) of King David, and compare the -following words, which speak of Messias,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -with what I have described in my previous -letters:</p> - -<p>"They shoot out the lip at me; they shake -the head; they laugh me to scorn. They say, -He trusted in the Lord that he would deliver -him. Thou hast brought me into the -dust of death."</p> - -<p>Read the same psalm of the holy king a little -farther, and you will see these words, -which were put by the royal prophet into the -lips of his future Messias:</p> - -<p>"The assembly of the wicked have enclosed -me. They pierced my hands and my -feet. They part my garments among them, -and upon my vesture cast lots!"</p> - -<p>Read and compare these prophecies of -Messias, with the accounts in my letters, -dear father, and you will not only be convinced -that Jesus is the Messias, but you will -perceive that his humiliation and sufferings -before Pilate and Caiaphas, his agony on the -cross, his death and burial, instead, as we ignorantly -conceived, of being evidences that -he was not the Christ, are proof that he was -the very Son of the Highest—the Shiloh of -Jehovah foretold by the prophets—the -Anointed King of Israel.</p> - -<p>Oh, wonderful is all this! How marvelous -these things passing before our eyes! Now -all is dazzlingly clear! The Prophets are unveiled -to our sight, and we see that these -things must have happened to him. Oh, our -darkness, our blindness, to have seen in the -prophecies of Messias only the passages -which speak of his glory and power! Read -the Prophets no longer, my dearest father, -with a veil before your eyes! See, in all you -read, Jesus as the end of the Prophets, the -goal of all their far-seeing prophecies, the -veritable and sure realization of their -prophetic visions.</p> - -<p>Thus, my dear father, has Jesus in all particulars -proved himself to be the subject of -all prophecy—the King of Israel. But you -will now ask, "Is he to re-establish the -throne of David, and live forever?"</p> - -<p>Yes, but not a Jerusalem of earthly splendor. -Oh, how clear are all things to my apprehension -now! The Jerusalem in which -his throne is to be placed, is heavenly, and -the true Jerusalem, of which the present one -is but the material type—what the body is -to the soul of man.</p> - -<p>Jesus has talked with me since his resurrection, -and explained all this to me, and -much more that is wonderful and full of -joy.</p> - -<p>It is now four weeks since he arose, and -in that time he has been not only seen by -all the disciples, but by hundreds of his followers. -The only change in his usual appearance, -dear father, to the eye, is a transparent -paleness, which gives a soft radiance -to his whole aspect, and a certain majestic -reserve, which awes all who draw near to -him; so that men speak in his presence in -subdued whispers. His mother, happiest of -women now, as she was before the most -wretched, ever sits at his feet, and silently -enjoys his sacred presence, seldom speaking, -and looking up to him rather as a worshiper -to her God, than a mother upon her son. -That he is in the flesh in reality, and not a -spirit, he has proven to his disciples, by eating -with them; and in a remarkable way to -an incredulous disciple, called Thomas, who, -not believing that Jesus was risen in his real -body from the dead, was told by the divine -Lord to place his fingers into his hands, and -his hand into his side; which Thomas, convinced, -with awe refused to do; but, falling -at his feet in amazement and adoration, worshiped -him as God.</p> - -<p>To-day his disciples are with him in the -gardens of David, at Bethlehem, where he is -holding daily a solemn council with the -eleven, unfolding to them the glory of his -kingdom, and opening their understandings -to the clear apprehension of all which the -prophets have written concerning him. John, -who is a member of this divine council, says -that the power of Jesus, the extent and -majesty of his kingdom, the infinite results -of his death and resurrection, are not to be -conceived of by those who have not listened -to these sublime revelations of his own -lips.</p> - -<p>"He hath shown us," said John, "how -that his true office as Son of God, and Son -of Man, is to be a mediator. He showed us -that he himself was the High Priest, and -how that the cross was the veritable altar of -this great world's sacrifice, and its Temple -the whole earth and heavens!"</p> - -<p>How wonderful, dear father, is all this! -He further teaches his disciples that he will -shortly ascend from the earth, to enter upon -his celestial reign, and that his subjects there -are to be all who love him and keep his commandments. -It is to be a kingdom of holiness, -and none will enter there but the pure -in heart. He says, further, that as we do -now confess our sins over the blood of the -victim we sacrifice for ourselves in the Temple, -so henceforth we must look to him (by -faith when we shall see him no longer), slain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> -a sacrifice for us, and confess our sins to the -Father for his sake. Jesus has moreover -taught his disciples that the Gentiles -are to share equally with the children of -Abraham the benefits of his death and resurrection; -that this good news shall be proclaimed -to them by his disciples, and that -they will gladly hear it and believe.</p> - -<p>"The fountain of my everlasting kingdom," -saith he, "truly shall be laid upon -earth in the hearts of men; but the building -is with God, eternal in the heavens. The -tomb through which I have passed is its -gate, and all who would come after me, and -enter in, must follow in my footsteps."</p> - -<p>Thomas then asked his Lord whither he -would go, and the way; how he would -leave the earth, since he could die no more.</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt see for thyself ere many days -pass," answered Jesus. "In that I have -risen, all whom my Father giveth me shall -rise also from the dead; and those whom I -raise up, I will take with me the way I go; -for where I am, they shall evermore be with -me also."</p> - -<p>Such, dear father, is a brief account of -what John has told us, touching the divine -teaching of Messias, the Son of God, respecting -his kingdom. Yet much is still -mysterious; but we know enough to be willing -to trust ourselves to him for this life, -and for that which is to come. We know -that all power is given into his hands, and -that he can save all men who believe in and -accept him.</p> - -<p>What is remarkable, dear father, notwithstanding -the Jews have heard that Jesus -walks everywhere through Jewry, yet no -efforts are made to lay hands on him. At -his presence, crowds of his enemies fly like -the stricken multitude before the advancing -sirocco. His presence in Judea is a present -dread, like some great evil, to those who -fear him; but like a celestial blessing to -more who love him. Pilate, on the eve of -making a journey last week to Bethel, before -quitting the city dispatched couriers in -advance to ascertain "whether Jesus the -Crucified was on the line of his route!" -Caiaphas, having occasion to go to Jericho, a -few days after the Passover, hearing that -Jesus had been seen with his disciples on -the road, made a circuit round by Luz and -Shiloh, in order not to meet him. The gates -of the city are kept constantly shut, lest he -should enter within the walls; some of the -chief priests fearing greatly to behold his -face, while others imagine that he is engaged -in raising an army, to advance upon -and take Jerusalem from the Romans.</p> - -<p>I rejoice to see by your last letter, that you -may be expected to reach here the week -after next. Oh that you were here now, that -you might be taken by John to see Jesus! -for from what he says he will not long remain -visible among us. Whither he goeth -or how he goeth away, no man can say.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Faithfully, your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LETTER_XXXIX" id="LETTER_XXXIX">LETTER XXXIX.</a></h2> - -<p class="sig"><i>Bethany, Forty Days after the Resurrection.</i></p> - - -<p>My Dearest Father:</p> - -<p>With emotions that nearly deprive me of -the power to hold my pen, and with trembling -fingers that make the words I write -almost illegible, I sit down to make known -to you the extraordinary event which will -mark this day in all future time as the most -worthy to be noted among men.</p> - -<p>On the fortieth day after the resurrection, -my dear father, early in the morning, Jesus -left the house of Mary and Lazarus, where -he had sat up with us all night speaking to -us of the glories of the life above, and the -excellency of heart and purity of life required -of all who should enter it.</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Martha, as he went forth, -"whither goest thou?"</p> - -<p>"Come and see," he answered. "Whither -I go ye shall know, and the way ye shall -know: for where I am ye shall also be, and -all those who believe in me."</p> - -<p>"Lord," said Mary, kneeling at his feet, -"return at noon, and remain with us during -the heat of the day."</p> - -<p>"Mary," said Jesus, laying his hand -gently upon her forehead, "I am going to -my Father's house! There thou shalt dwell -with me in mansions not made with hands."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, he walked slowly onward -towards the hill of Bethany, not far from -the place where Lazarus was buried. He -was followed not only by Mary, Martha, -Lazarus, and John, my Cousin Mary, and -myself, but by all the disciples. There were -at least five hundred persons in all, moving -on with him ere he reached the green hillside -beyond the village; for all followed him, -expecting to hear more glorious revelations -from his lips.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He goes to the hill to pray," said one of -his disciples.</p> - -<p>"Nay, he goeth to show us some mighty -miracle, from the expression of power and -majesty in his aspect," said Thomas to me, -gazing upon the Lord with awe; for each -moment as he ascended the hill, his countenance -grew more glorious with a certain -God-like majesty, and shone as the face of -Moses descending from Mount Sinai. We all -hung back with adoring awe, and alone he -proceeded onward, a wide space being left -by us between ourselves and him. Yet -there was no terror in the glory which surrounded -and shined out from him, but rather -a holy radiance, that seemed to be the very -light of holiness and peace.</p> - -<p>"So looked he," said John to us, "when -we beheld him transfigured in the mount -with Elias and Moses."</p> - -<p>The hill, which is not lofty, was soon surmounted -by his sacred feet. He stood upon -its apex alone. We kept back near the brow -of the hill, for his raiment shone now like -the sun, while his countenance was as lightning. -We shaded our eyes to behold him. -All was now expectation, and a looking for -some mighty event—what, we knew not! -John drew nearest to him, and upon his -knees, with clasped hands, looked towards -him earnestly; for he knew, as he afterwards -told us, what would take place. Joy -and yet tears were on his face, as he gazed -with blinded eyes, as one gazes on the noonday -sun, upon his divine Master. It was a -scene, dear father, impressive beyond expression. -Jesus seemed for a moment to -survey the scenes of his sufferings, of his -ignominy and death, with the look of a -divine conqueror. He then turned to his disciples -and said:</p> - -<p>"Ye have been with me in my sorrows, -and you shall now begin to behold my -glory. Remember all things which I have -taught you concerning my kingdom. Go -forth and teach the glad tidings of salvation -to all men, and baptize all nations in the -name of the Father, and of the Son, and of -the Holy Ghost; and lo, I am with you alway, -even unto the end of the world."</p> - -<p>Thus speaking, in a voice that thrilled -every bosom with emotions indescribable, -he extended his hands above their heads and -blessed them, while we all fell upon our -faces to the ground also, to receive his blessing.</p> - -<p>He then lifted up his eyes to the calm blue -depths of heaven, and said in the same -words he had spoken on the night of the -Passover, as John had told me:</p> - -<p>"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with -thine own self, with the glory which I had -with thee before the world was!"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, we raised our faces from the -ground, to behold him leaving the earth, rising -from the hilltop into the air, with a slow -and majestic ascension, his hands outspread -over us who were beneath, as if shedding -down blessings upon us all. The loud -burst of surprise which rose from five hundred -voices at seeing him soar away into -the atmosphere, was followed by a profound -and awful silence, as we watched him rise -and still rise, ascending and still ascending, -into the upper air, his whole form growing -brighter and brighter, as the distance widened -between his feet and the earth!</p> - -<p>Upon our knees, in speechless wonder, -we followed his ascent with our amazed -eyes, not a word being spoken by any -soul; nay, hearts might have been heard -beating in the intense expectation of the -moment!</p> - -<p>Lo! in the far-off height of heaven, we beheld -suddenly appear a bright cloud, no -larger than a man's hand, but each instant -it expanded and grew broader and brighter, -and, swift as the winged lightning, descended -through the firmament downward, -until we beheld it evolve itself into a glittering -host of angels, which no man could number, -countless as the stars of heaven. As -these shining legions descended, they parted -into two bands, and sweeping along the air, -met the ascending Son of God in mid-sky! -The rushing of their ten thousand times ten -thousand wings, was heard as the sound of -many waters. Surrounding Jesus, like a -shining cloud, they received him into their -midst, and hid him from our eyes amid the -glories of their celestial splendor!</p> - -<p>Now came to our ears the sounds of -heavenly song, a sublimer chorus than earth -ever heard before. From the squadrons of -Seraphim and Cherubim encircling with -their linked wings the Son of God, came, -like the unearthly music one hears in the -dreams of night, these words, receding, as -they mounted upward with the Conqueror of -Death and Hell:</p> - -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i0">"Lift up your heads, O ye gates!<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors;<br /></span> -<span class="i0">And the King of Glory shall come in!"<br /></span> -</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> -<p>This chorus seemed to be answered from -the inmost heavens, as if an archangel were -standing at its portals, keeping watchful -guard over the entrance facing the earth.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Who is the King of Glory?"</p> - -<p>"The Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord -mighty in battle against principalities and -powers,"</p></blockquote> - -<p>was chanted back from the ascending escort -of Jesus, in the sublimest strains of triumphant -joy.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"Lift up your heads, O ye gates! and be ye -lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of -Glory shall come in!"</p></blockquote> - -<p>Upon this we heard a mighty voice, as it -were in heaven, accompanied by the sound -of a trumpet, and ten thousand voices about -the throne of Jehovah seemed to say:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"God is coming up with a shout. He rideth -upon the heavens! He ascendeth on high! He -hath led captivity captive, and received gifts -for men. O clap your hands, all ye people of -earth! Shout his triumph, ye hosts of heaven!</p> - -<p>"Fling wide your gates, O City of God! Be -ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, for the King -of Glory enters in!"</p></blockquote> - -<p>Ascending and still ascending, receding -and still receding, fainter and fainter, came -down to earth the angelic choruses, when at -length the brightest cloud of angels faded -away into the upper heaven, the Son of God -shining in their midst, like a central sun, -surrounded by a luminous halo; till finally, -like a star, they remained a few moments -longer, and then the heavens received him -out of our sight.</p> - -<p>While we stood gazing up into the far -skies, hoping, expecting, yet doubting if we -should ever behold him again, two bright -stars seemed to be descending from the -height of heaven above us. In a few seconds -we saw that they were angels. Alighting on -the place where Jesus had left, they said to -the eleven, "Why gaze ye up into heaven, -ye men of Galilee? This same Jesus, whom -ye have seen go into heaven, shall so come -in like manner as ye have now seen him ascend!" -Thus speaking, they vanished out -of our sight!</p> - -<p>Such, my dear father, is the appropriate -crowning event of the extraordinary life of -Jesus, both Lord and Christ!</p> - -<p>His kingdom is, therefore, my dear father, -clearly not of this world, as he said to -Pilate, the Procurator; but it is Above.</p> - -<p>Doubt, then, no longer, dearest father! -Jesus, the Son of Mary in his human nature, -was the Son of God in his divine nature; an -incomprehensible and mysterious union, -whereby he had brought together in harmony -the two natures, separated far apart -by sin, by giving his own body as an offering, -to reconcile both in one immaculate -body upon the cross. There is now no more -condemnation to them who believe in him -and accept him.</p> - -<p>But I cannot write all I would say to you, -dearest father. When we meet—which you -rejoice me in saying, will be on the first day -of the week, at Jerusalem—I will unfold to -you all that the divine and glorified Jesus -has taught me. Doubt not that he is Messias. -Hesitate not to accept him; for he is -the end of Moses, and of the Law, and of -the Prophets, the very Shiloh who should -come and restore all things; to whom be -glory, power, dominion, majesty, and excellency, -evermore.</p> - -<p class="sig0"> -Your loving daughter,<br /> -</p><p class="sig"> -Adina.<br /> -</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i13large.jpg"><img src="images/i13.jpg" width="400" height="140" alt="The End." /></a> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="center"><a name="The_New_Sabbath_Library_Continued_from_second_page_cover" id="The_New_Sabbath_Library_Continued_from_second_page_cover"><b class="smcap">The New Sabbath Library</b></a>—(Continued from <a href="#Famous_Books_at_Popular_Prices">second page cover</a>.)</p> - - -<table summary="list" border="1" cellpadding="5"><tr><td style="width: 50%;"> - -<p class="center small">No. 5. August, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>The Days of Mohammed</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By ANNA MAY WILSON.</span></p> - -<p>Selected as being the best manuscript offered during -the contest of 1897, and awarded the prize of $1,000.</p> - -<p>Yusuf, a Persian of the fire-worshiping sect, has, at -his first sacrifice of a human life, revolted against the -horror of his religion, and he decides to leave Persia in -search of Truth. In his travels he meets that strangest -character of ancient or medieval times, Mohammed. -The scene is confined almost entirely to Arabia.</p> - -</td><td> - -<p class="center small">No. 8. November, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>A Star in a Prison</b></p> - -<p class="center"><b>A TALE OF CANADA.</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By ANNA MAY WILSON.</span></p> - -<p>The central figure of the story is a young man who, -being placed in the penitentiary on circumstantial -evidence, there learns to understand the spirit of -Christ's self-giving, and is finally set free through the -instrumentality of a Christian doctor.</p> - -</td></tr><tr><td> - -<p class="center small">No. 6. September, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>CHONITA</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By ANNIE MARIA BARNES.</span></p> - -<p>The gifted author of this book has here produced a -vivid and intensely interesting story of the Mexican -Mines. It first appeared in the <span class="smcap">Young People's -Weekly</span>, and its publication in book form is in response -to numerous requests from its many thousands -of delighted readers. A number of short but interesting -stories are added at the end of the book.</p> - -</td><td> - -<p class="center small">No. 9. December, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>Ten Nights in a Bar-Room</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By T. S. ARTHUR.</span></p> - -<p>New and complete edition of this famous work, which -has acquired a world-wide reputation as the most -thrilling and powerfully written temperance story ever -produced. The book comprises 96 large pages, with -illustrations. Printed from new type on good paper. -It is the cheapest edition ever published, and is here -produced in handsome and attractive form.</p> - -</td></tr><tr><td> - -<p class="center small">No. 7. October, 1898.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>The Prince of the House of David</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By REV. J. H. INGRAHAM.</span></p> - -<p>The fame of this book has been long since established, -and its fascination has already held sway over multitudes -of delighted readers. The scene is laid in Jerusalem, -during the most stirring period of earth's history. -This edition has been thoroughly revised and in parts -rewritten, all unnecessary repetition appearing in the -original edition of the book being omitted.</p> - -</td><td> - - -<p class="center small">No. 10. January, 1899.</p> - -<p class="center large"><b>Intra Muros; or, Within the Walls.</b></p> - -<p class="center"><b>A DREAM OF HEAVEN.</b></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By MRS. REBECCA R. SPRINGER.</span></p> - -<p>Author of "Beechwood," "Self," "Songs by the -Sea," "Leon," etc. An entertaining book, calculated -to make heaven seem nearer and more real to us, and -death far less gloomy. This remarkable work will bring -comfort and consolation to the heart of every reader.</p> - -</td></tr></table> - -<p>In addition to those mentioned above, a new book will be issued every month. It is our intention to make -this the best, cheapest and most complete Sunday-school Library in the world. Nothing so comprehensive -has ever been attempted. The exceedingly low price at which the pamphlet (5-cent) edition of this Library is -offered is regarded as a remarkable achievement, and one that no publishing house, unless fully and thoroughly -equipped with modern machinery and ample facilities, would attempt. Each book comprises a complete story -in one volume. The five-cent editions are as large and handsome as most books usually sold for twenty-five -cents. The cloth (twenty-five-cent) editions are worthy a place in any library, and are as good value as books -usually sold for fifty cents to one dollar.</p> - -<p>In literary merit they have no superiors and few equals. These books are carefully written by the best -authors, and are especially adapted for home reading. Young and old alike enjoy and appreciate them. Nothing -of an objectionable nature is admitted, and they all inculcate teachings that will strengthen noble impulses -and improve character. Although of great interest to the general reader, they are in no way sensational or -demoralizing. We have aimed in these books to furnish to the young the purest books that the best authors -are capable of writing. Some of them are prize-winners and have attained a wide reputation.</p> - -<p>The five-cent edition of these books is admirably adapted for Sunday-school use, either for the library -or as presents to classes or the whole school. Every Sunday-school in the land should subscribe regularly for -several copies of the New Sabbath Library, and thus be certain of getting promptly the new numbers as they -are published each month. Subscriptions received for an entire year or any number of months. Single copies, -or any quantity of any special book, promptly sent on receipt of price.</p> - -<p>Send 5 cents for any one of these books, examine and read it for yourself, and you will agree that we have -inaugurated a new era in publishing, and one that will be of incalculable benefit to the young as well as a help -to parents and teachers. Those who may not wish to subscribe by the year may procure one or more copies of -any book on the following terms:</p> - - -<p style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;" class="huge bb bt">PRICES:</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><b>Pamphlet Edition</b>, in quarto form, enameled paper covers, beautifully decorated. <b>5 cents</b> -per copy, postpaid, to any address in quantities to suit.</p> - -<p><b>Cloth Edition</b>, on extra heavy paper, heavy covers, cloth back and corners, ornamented sides, -<b>25 cents</b> per copy, postpaid to any address.</p></blockquote> - - -<p class="center">————————ADDRESS:————————</p> -<table summary="publisher" cellspacing="3"><tr><td class="large"> -<b>DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING COMPANY</b>,</td><td class="small tdc">36 WASHINGTON<br />STREET,</td><td class="large"> <b>CHICAGO</b>.</td></tr></table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i14large.jpg"><img src="images/i14.jpg" width="400" height="77" alt="Young People's Weekly" /></a> -</div> - -<p class="center"><b>A Religious Paper for Young People.</b></p> - -<p class="large" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"> -<b>Young People's Weekly</b><br /> -</p><p class="large" style="margin-left: 1em; float: right;"> -<b>60 Cents a Year</b><br /> -</p> - -<p>Is fast becoming known as -"<b>THE MODEL PAPER</b>" -for young people. It -contains eight pages of four wide columns each, illustrated in the most elaborate manner with beautiful and -original "half-tone" engravings. It is the best and cheapest paper for young people ever published.</p> - -<p style="float: left; margin-left: 5em;"> -<b>Consecrated Talent of Writers.</b><br /> -</p><p style="float: right; margin-right: 5em;"> -<b>Consecrated Outlay of Publishers.</b><br /> -</p><p class="center" style="clear: both;"> -<b>Consecrated Watch-care of Editors.</b><br /> -</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p><b>The Youth of To-day</b> need the best paper that -can be devised. We are the only Christian publishers -who have shown <b>the enterprise</b> that -answers to this need. <b>No other publishers</b> -of similar papers command the modern mechanical -appliances, the large corps -of paid contributors, the -special artists, that are -necessary to place a paper -in the front ranks.</p> - -<p><b>The best Christian -writers</b> of the day are constantly -at work upon it. -Every effort possible is put -forth to make it not only -the <b>most attractive</b> paper -for young people but also -the <b>most helpful</b>.</p> - -<p>The times demand that -our intelligent boys and -girls of the Sunday-school -should be provided with the -best literature reliable -workers can supply.</p> - - -<h3>SERIAL STORIES.</h3> - -<p>Believing that a judicious -use of serial stories of the -highest character is to be -heartily commended, but -believing also that the -greatest care must be exercised -lest in seeking to -quicken interest and chain -attention, we foster sensational -tastes, we allow only -our most trusted workers to -prepare <span class="smcap">Serial Stories</span>.</p> - -<p>Besides Serial Stories, -there will be Short Stories, -illustrated; Educational -Articles in series; Helpful -Incidents from the personal -experience of the world's -best workers.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<a href="images/i15large.jpg"><img src="images/i15.jpg" width="400" height="562" alt="Young People's Weekly" /></a> -</div> - - -<h3>YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES.</h3> - -<p><i>Christian Endeavor</i>, <i>Epworth League</i>, <i>Baptist Young -People's Union</i>, <i>In His Name</i>, <i>Young Men's Christian -Association</i>, <i>Boys' Brigade</i>, are all given prominent place. -Each department carefully edited by a well-known -worker connected with the society.</p> - - -<h3>SPECIAL NUMBERS.</h3> - -<p>The great pleasure our special numbers have afforded -stimulates us to still greater effort. Special numbers -will include Easter, Children's Day, Harvest Home, -Christmas, with an exceptionally -fine midsummer -Patriotic number to aid -Christian citizenship. In -fact, helpful application of -Christianity to the urgent -problems of the hour, is our -constant aim.</p> - - -<h3>CHILDREN OF OTHER LANDS.</h3> - -<p>Filled by workers abroad, -and containing letters, incidents, -stories, etc., gained -by personal experience -and observation of missionaries -and travelers, and -helpful in educating our -American boys and girls to -a better acquaintance with -children of other lands.</p> - - -<h3>OUR COLOR NUMBERS</h3> - -<p>Have received the highest -praise from competent -authorities. We have in -this introduced something -which has never before -been approached, and it is -our intention to make this -feature pleasing and artistic -in the highest degree. -Young people, far and near, -are expressing great delight -over our "<b>Young People's -Weekly</b>" in colors.</p> - - -<h3>SUBSCRIPTION PRICE.</h3> - -<p>Single subscriptions, <b>60 cents</b> a year; to schools and -societies, in lots of three or more <b>to one address, 50 -cents</b> a year each.</p> - -<p class="center"><b>SPECIMEN COPIES FREE.</b></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="center"> -ADDRESS:</p> -<table summary="publisher" cellspacing="3"><tr><td class="large"> -<b>DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING CO.</b>,</td><td class="small tdc">36 WASHINGTON<br />STREET,</td><td class="large"> <b>CHICAGO</b>.</td></tr></table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<div class="transnote"> -<h2><a name="Transcribers_Notes" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber's Notes:</a></h2> - - -<p>As noted in the introduction, this is an abridged edition of the -original text, or, as the editors put it, it has "been thoroughly -revised and in parts re-written, all unnecessary repetition appearing -in the original edition of the book being omitted."</p> - -<p>Added table of contents.</p> - -<p>Inside front cover, added missing second e to "entitled."</p> - -<p>Some inconsistent hyphenation (e.g. gate-way vs. gateway) has been retained from the original.</p> - -<p>Page 1, moved copyright notice higher on page for smoother flow.</p> - -<p>Page 3, changed comma to period after "worshiping Jupiter."</p> - -<p>Page 6, added missing double quote after "not a few believe -him to be Isaiah."</p> - -<p>Page 7, added missing quote before "Therefore, repent ye."</p> - -<p>Page 12, changed double quote to single quote after "grateful adoration of his -love."</p> - -<p>Page 13, changed double quote to single quote after "foreshadow a life of trial and suffering."</p> - -<p>Page 16, changed "innocent's bird's escape" to "innocent bird's escape."</p> - -<p>Page 27, added missing comma after "Your loving" in signature of LETTER XII.</p> - -<p>Page 45, added missing open quote before "But Jesus laid his hand upon the pall." -Corrected double to single quote after "son was sick!"</p> - -<p>Page 47, added missing quote before "I have even heard of his fame."</p> - -<p>Page 50, added missing quote after "folds of the curtains."</p> - -<p>Page 51, corrected double to single quotes after "Pilate, against thee" -and "Castle of David!"</p> - -<p>Page 52, changed comma to period after "departure of the messenger to Jesus."</p> - -<p>Page 67, corrected "youthfuf" to "youthful" in "youthful bride of Pilate."</p> - -<p>Page 70, added missing single quote before "What! Galilean and blasphemer."</p> - -<p>Page 71, removed unnecessary single quote after "spat in his face thrice."</p> - -<p>Page 92, added missing close quote after "as if he saw a spirit." -</p> -</div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Prince of the House of David, by J. H. 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