LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE r THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID; OR, THREE YEARS IN THE HOLY CITY. SERIES OF THE LETTERS OF ADINA, A JEWESS OF ALEXANDRIA, SUPPOSED TO BE SOJOURNING IN JERUSALEM IN THE DAYS OF HEitOD, ADDRESSED TO HER FATHER, A WEALTHY JEW IX EGYPT, AND RELATING, AS IF BY AN EYE-WITNESS, ALL THE SCENES AND WONDERFUL INCIDENTS Df THE LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH, FROM HIS BAPTISM IN JORDAN TO HIS CRUCIFIXION ON CALVARY. BY REV. J. H. INGRAHAM. at CHICAGO: M. A. DONOHUE & Co. 407-429 DEARBORN ST. P7 M. A. DONOH UE &. COMPANY PRINTERS AND BINDERS 4O7.42B DEARBORN STREET CHICAGO -LETTERS FROM ADINA. LETTER I. My Dear Father: My first duty, as It is my highest pleasure, is to comply with your com- mand to write you as soon as I arrived at Jeru- salem ; and this letter, while it conveys to you in- telligence of my arrival, will confirm to you my filial obedience. I will not fail to write you by every caravan that leaves here monthly for Cairo; and if there are more frequent opportunities, my love for you, dear father, and sympathy for you in your separation from me, will prompt me to avail my- self of them. My jouney hither occupied many days, Rabbi Ben Israel says seventeen, but although I kept the number up to ten, I soon became too weary to keep the account. When we travelled in sight of the sea, which we did for three days, I 14 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 barges, which the Rabbi, who was always ready to grat- ify my thirst for information, 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 seashore to turn off into the desert, I saw a wrecked vessel. It looked EO helpless and bulky, with its huge black bodyall out of the water, that it seemed to me like a great sea-monster, the Behemoth, stranded and dying; and I felt like pitying it. The Rabbi gave me to understand that it had come from Alexandria, laden with wheat, bound for Italia, and been cast ashore in a storm. 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 things, told me that they seldom appear now in the Mid- dle Sea, but are seen beyond the pillar of Her- cules at the world's end. At Gaza we stopped two days. We entered the gateway of which Samson ca.ried away the gates, and I was shown the hill two miles to the south-east where he left them. Many other places of interest were shown me, especially the field, which our path led across, where he put to flight the Philistine hosts with much slaughter. A lion's cave was also pointed out to me, out of which came the lion which Samson slew, andj upon which he made his famous riddles. THE PRINCE OF *K1E HOUSE OP DAVID. 15 The dry well into which the ten Patriarchs lowered the Prince Joseph, their brother, was also shown me by our Arab guide, and the rock on which the Ishmaelites told down the pieces of silver. I fancied the old Arab related the oc- currence with more elation than was needful, as if he took pride in perpetrating the fact that our noble ancestor had once been the purchased slave of theirs. I noticed, several times during the journey, that the Ishmaelites of Edom in our caravan took every occasion to elevate their own race to the disparagement of the sons of Israel; indeed, Aben Hussuff, our white-bearded chief of the caravan, in a wordy discussion with Rabbi Ben Israel at Isaac's well, where we encamped, would have it that Isaac was the son of the bond- woman, and Ishmael the true heir, but disinher- ited and cast out through the wiles of the bond- woman, who would have her own son the inheritor. But, of course, I was too well instructed in the history of my fathers to give heed to such a fable; though the Arabs all took part with their chief, and contended for the truth of what he asserted as warmly and zealously as the learned Rabbi did for the truth of his own side. The morning of the last day of our journey we caught sight of the Sea of Sodom and Gomor- rah, at a great distance to the east. How my pulse quickened at beholding that fearful spot so marked by the wrath of Jehovah! I seemed to see in imagination the heavens on fire above it, and the flames and smoke ascending as from a 16 THS PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. I great furnace, as on that fearful day when they were destroyed, with all that beautiful surround- ing 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, the glassy sepulchre of cities and their countless dwellers, our way lay along a narrow valley for sometime, when, all at once, on reaching an eminence, Jerusalem appeared, like a city risen out of the earth, it stood before us so unexpect- edly; for we were still, as it were, in the desert; yet so near on the side of our approach does the desert advance to its walls, that it was not two miles off when we beheld it. 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, came up to my mind, overpowering me with the amazing weight. The whole history of the sacred place 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 17 \ oracles of His will. I could see the smoke of the evening sacrifice ascending to the skies, and I inwardly prayed Jehovah to accept it for thee and me. As we approached the city several interesting spots were pointed out to me, and I was bewildered with the familiar and sacred localities which I had known hitherto only by reverential reading of the Prophets. It seemed to me that I was living in the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah, as places associated with their names were shown me, rather than in the generation to which I properly belong. Indeed, I have lived only in the past the three days I have been in Jerusalem, constantly consulting the sacred historians to compare places and scenes with their accounts, and so verify each with a holy awe and inward delight that must be felt to be understood; but, dear father, you have yourself experienced all this, and therefore can under- stand my emotions. 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 surround- ed me in my gorgeously furnished apartments, I yam sure they meant to tempt me to forget the joys of the dear home I had left. The Rabbi Amos and his family all desire to be commended to you. As it is his course to serve in the Temple, I do not see much of him, but he seems to be a man of piety and benevolence, and) 18 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. greatly loves his children. I have been once to the Temple. Its outer court seemed like a vast caravansera or market-place, being thronged with the men who sell animals for sacrifice, which crowded all parts. Thousands of doves an 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 awe of God's house that once characterized our ancestors. I was glad to get safely through the Bazaar, which, on the plea of selling to sacri- ficers victims for the altar, allows, under color thereof, every other sort of traffic. 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 in- nocent victims bleed every morning and evening for the sins of Israel! What a sea of blood has been poured out in the 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 19 many persons walking and riding, who seemed to be crowded out of the gate on some unusual errand. I have since learned that there is a very extraordinary man a true prophet of God, it is believed by many, who dwells in the wilderness, fifteen miles eastward, near Jordan, and who preaches with power unknown in the land since the days of Elijah and Elisha. It is to see and listen to this prophet that so many persons are daily going out from Jerusalem. He lives in a cave, feeds on plants or wild honey, and drinks only water, while his clothing is the skin of a lion; at least, such is the report. 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; but his influence over all who listen to him is so remarkable, that it would seem, and one has almost the courage to believe, that he is really endowed with the Spirit of the Prophets. Farewell, dear father, and let us ever pray for th-s glory of Israel. .Your affectionate ADINA. LETTER IT. My Dear Father: The excellent Rabbi, Ben Israel, has just made known to me his intention of returning to Egypt to-morrow, and has wait- ed upon me, to inquire if I had any commands to entrust him with, for my friends in Alexan- dria. Instead of this letter, which he will be the bearer of to you, I would rather commit myself a second time to his care, and instead of placing this parchment in your hand, let him lay your child again upon your bosom. But it is by your wish, dear father, that I am here, and th&ugh I sigh to behold you once more, I will try to be content in my absence from you, knowing that my discontent would cause sorrow to bow down your gray hairs. So far as a daughter can be happy from the home of her youth, I have everything to render me so. The good Rabbi Amos in his kindness recalls your own mild and dignified countenance, and Rebecca, his noble wife, my cousin, is truly; THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 21 a mother in Israel. Her daughter Mary, my younger cousin, in her affectionate attachment to me, shows me how much love I have lost in never having had a sister. It is altogether a lovely household, and I am favored by the God of our fathers in having my lot, during my exile from my home on the banks of the beautiful Nile, cast in so peaceful and holy a domestic sanctuary. The strget 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. The stupendous Temple, with its terraces piled on terraces of dazzling marble, with its glittering fountains shooting upward like palm trees of liquid silver, with its massive yet beautiful walls and towers, is ever in full sight. The golden arc, that spans the door which leads into the Holy of Holies, as it catches the sunbeams of morning, burns like a celestial cor- onet with an unearthly glory. I dare not gaze steadily upon that holy place, or imagine the blinding splendor within, of the visible presence of Jehovah, in the Shechinah once present there. 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 \vhich reigned over the vast pile that crowned iMount Moriah. The sun was not yet risen; but the east blushed with a roseate purple, and the 22 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. morning star was melting into its depths. Not a sound broke the stillness of the hundred streets within the walls of Jerusalem. Night and si- lence 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 nty 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 upwards 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 un- risen sun, blazed like burning ships. Each moment the darkness fled, and the splendor of the dawn increased; and when each instant I ex- pected to see the sun appear over the battl&- mented 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 foundation 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 thous- 1 , and men of Israel stood waiting. A secondi 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF UAVID. 28 upon the beach, and the walls of the lofty Tem- ple, like the cliff, echoed it back. Unused to this scene, for we have nothing like this majesty of worship in Alexandria, I stood rather as a spectator than a sharer, as it became thy daughter to have been, dear father. Simul- taneously 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 over- top the heavy cloud, which was instantly en- larged 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! How wonderful is our religion! How mys- terious this daily sacrifice, so many hundreds of years offered up for the sins of our fathers and of ourselves! How, I have often asked myself since I have been here, how can the blood of a heifer, of a lamb, or of a goat, take away sins? What is the mysterious relation existing be- tween us and these dumb and innocent brutes? 24 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. How can a lamb stand for a man before God? The more I reflect upon this awful subject, the more I am lost in wonder. I have spoken to Rabbi Amos of these things, but he only smiles, and bids me think about my embroidery; for cousin Mary and I are working a rich gold border in the phylactery of his next New Year's garment. The evening sacrifice, which I witnessed yes- terday, is, if possible, more imposing than that of the morning. Just as the sun dips beyond the hill of Gibeah, overhanging the valley of Aijalon, there is heard a prolonged note of a trumpet blown from one of the western watch-towers of Zion. Its mellow tones reach the farthest ear within the gates of the city. All labor at once ceases! Every man drops the instrument of his toil, and raises his face towards the summit of the house of God. A deep pause, as if all held their breath in expectation, succeeds. Sud- denly the very skies seem to be riven, and shak- en with the thunder of the company of trumpet- ers that rolls, wave on wave of sound, from the battlements of the Temple. The dark cloud of sacrifice ascends in solemn grandeur, and some- times 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 Jeho- vah, followed by a myriad eyes, and the utter- ance of a nation's prayers. As the daylight faded, the light of the altar, hidden from us by the lofty walls of the outer <:ourt of the Temple, THE IRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 25 blazed high and beacon-like, and lent a wild sub- limity to the towers and pinnacles that crowned Moriah. There was, however, my dear father, last even- ing 1 , 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-instrunrents of music, while a smoke, like the smoke of sacrifice, rose from the height of David's fortified hill. I was told that it was the Romans engaged in wor- shiping Jupiter, their idol God! Oh, when, when shall the Holy City be freed from the re- proach of the stranger! Alas, for Israel! Her inheritance "is turned to strangers, and her houses to aliens." Well said Jeremiah the Prophet, "The kings of the earth and all the in- habitants of the world would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem." 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; even now, while I write, my tears drop on the parchment. Why is it so? Why does Jehovah suffer the adversary to dwell' 26 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. within his holy walls, and the smoke of his abom- inable sacrifices to mingle with that of the offer- ings of the consecrated priests of the Most High? Surely, Israel has sinned, and we are punished for our transgressions. It becomes the land/'' search and try its ways and turn unto God,'' .x perhaps He will return and have mercy, and, store the glory of Israel. Our kings are the $<:: vants of the Gentiles. Our laws are no moie. Our prophets no longer see visions. God,jias gone up in anger, and no longer holds disco with his chosen people. The very smoke of, daily sacrifice seems to hang above the Tempi like a cloud of Jehovah's wrath. Nearly three hundred years have passed since we have had a prophet that divine and youth- ful Malachi! Since his day, Rabbi Amos con- fesses that Jehovah has ceased from all known intercourse with his people and holy house; nor has He made any sign of having heard the pray- ers or heeded the sarifices that have been offered to Him in His time! I inquired of the intelli- gent Rabbi, if this would always be thus? He icplied, that when Shiloh came there would be a restoration of all things that the glory of Jeru- "salem 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. He acknowledges that we ar. now under a cloud for our sins; but that a brighter day is coming when Zion shall be the joy of the whole earth. , s My conversation with' Rabbi Amos/ clear THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 27 father, a conversation which grew out of the sub- ject of the Roman garrison occupying the cita- del of David, and offering their pagan sacrifices by the side of our own smoking altars, 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," and thus making them- selves "contemptible and base before all na- " : ons," he thus prophesies: "Behold, I will ;Vend my messenger, and he will prepare the way "before me, and the Lord whom ye seek shall sud- denly 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, graver than I had ever seen him look. I feared that I had offended him by my boldness, and, approaching him, was about to embrace him, when I saw tears were sparkling in his eyes. This discovery deeply affected me, you may be assured, dear father; and, troubled more to have grieved than displeased him, I was about to ask his forgive- ness for intruding these sacred subjects upon his notice, when he took my hand, nnd smiling, 28 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 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, Ben Israel," he said, sadly, to the Alexandrian Rabbi: "The priests of the Temple have indeed become corrupt, save the 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 Romish 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 obla- tions; 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! ' "These terrible words of the prophet," added Rabbi Amos, addressing the amazed Ben Israel, "were not out of my mind while I was in the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 29 Temple. They seemed to be thundered in my ears by a voice from heaven. Several of the younger priests, whose levity during the sacrifice had been reproved by me, seeing me sad, asked the cause. In reply, I repeated, with a voice that seemed to myself to be inspired, the words of the prophet. They turned pale and trembled, and thus I left them." "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 Ben Amos, with a look of sorrow; "y es > as the soul of piety dies out from within, they gild the outside. The increased richness of the worship is copied from the Roman. 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? If Jehovah of Hosts, the God of our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, hides his face from our sacrifices, and is weary with our incense, whom does Israel wor- ship? NOUGHT! 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! Alas, alas, the time of the judgment of Jerusalem seems to be at hand. The Lord must suddenly come to his Temple, and as a refiner! I am deeply impressed with. 30 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. the conviction that the day is very near at hand! Perhaps we shall see it in our lifetime, dear father! Since writing the last line I have been inter- rupted by Mary, who has brought to see me a youth, son 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, hon- ored by all lips that discourse of her. Between this young man and Mary there exists a beauti- ful attachment, not ardent enough to be love, but sincere enough for the purest friendship; yet each day their friendship is 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, alluded to by me at the close of my last letter, whose fame has spread far and wide, and who is drawing thous- ands into the wilderness, to listen to the elo- quence 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 ; and I, trust, dear father, you will patiently bear with me in all things; and believe that, however I may, from the investigating character of my mind, venture upon sacred mysteries, I shall never be less a lover of the God of our Father Abraham, nor less the affectionate and devoted iAdina to thee! Adieu. ADINA. LETTER III. My Dear Father: This morning, as I was coming from the Temple, whither I had gone to worship and witness the imposing ceremony of the presentation of the First Fruits, 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 down 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, who had so frequently de- scribed it to me, seemed to stand by my side as I gazed upon it. The four towers, one at each corner, are still as they stood when you fought from the northernmost one, and defended it single-handed against the Romans. But now these barbarians throng its courts', and their bugles, which have sounded from the conquered walls of every land on earth, are even heard in the ears of the citizens of Jerusalem. The inso- lence and power of the Roman garrison have 82 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 coming from one of the city gates, approached me on their vray back to the castle. It was then that I saw I was alone, the company who had left the temple with me being gone far in advance of me. I drew my veil closely, and would have passed them with a rapid step, 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 bar- barians 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 calling aloud to them, he galloped forward, and with his sword put the men, who were drunk with wine, to immediate flight, and rescued me, at the same lime sending the two soldiers under arrest into the castle. He then addressed me in the gen- tlest manner, and apologized for the rudeness I had met with at the hands of his men, saying that they should be severely dealt with. I was struck with his manly beauty, his civility, and his air of patrician command, although he could not have been more than eight and twenty, In order to THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 33> 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 hottse of my relativ* 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. He saw through my prejudices, and how I shrunk from him as he walked by me ; and while we descended the height, he spoke elo- quently in defence of his native land, of its fair daughters, of its wise men, its brave chiefs, its power and glory, and its dominion over the whole earth! When I heard him use these last words, I sighed deeply, for Judah, it is prophesied, should have dominion over the whole earth, and*these Romans, therefore, hold the dominion that right- fully belongs to our people. How is this, dear father? How is it that these barbaric men are permitted by Jehovah to hold the sceptre that is the rightful heritage of the Lion of the tribe of Judah? How many times in a day, since I have been in Jerusalem, have I been reminded of the degradations of my people? How is it that these enemies of Jehovah, these worshipers of false gods, stand in the Holy place, and usurp the power that God has given to us? I put these questions to Amos, the good priest, after I had returned home; for my ac- count of my adventure naturally led to a conver- 34 THE PRINCE Of THE HOUSE OF DAVID. sation upon the Roman dominion over the earth. It appears that this noble Centurion is not un- known to Rabbi Amos, who speaks of him as one of the most popular Roman officers in com- mand in the city. I am glad to hear this. He also gave me warning not to approach again near the garrison points of the town, as the sol- diers take pleasure in giving annoyance to the citizens. While I was writing the above, a commotion without, as if something unusual was occurring; 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 dazzkd the streets of Jerusalem in the days of Solomon and King David ! not the triumphant passage of an Israel- itish prince, but of the Roman governor! Pre- ceded by a cohort of horses, 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 sil- ver mail, and adorned with plumes. He was followed b.y another body of cavalry, chiefly composed of richly attired young men, and at the head of them, looking more like a ruler and prince than the indolent Pilate, I beheld the gen- erous Centurion who had aided my escape from the two soldiers. His eye sought the lattice at THE FRIXCH- OF THE HOB'SE OF DAVID. 35 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 DC a Jew, and should any providence cause us to meet again, I shall try and convert him from his idolatry to serve the living Jehovah. I was not pleased with the appearance of the governor. He is a dark, handsome man, but too fleshy, and \vith the countenance of a man given to much wine; and I learn that he is naturally indolent and luxurious, and deficient in decision of char- acter. He is a particular friend of the Roman Emperor, and to his partiality he owes the gov- ernorship here. It is, however, better to have a table-lover and idle man for our master, than a cruel and active tyrant like his predecessor, in an insurrection against whom was slain that emi- nent man, the father of John, the cousin of Mary, of whom I spoke to you in my last letter. And this reminds me that I had something to relate to you. 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, and whose life is as austere as was that of Elijah ! For three w r eeks 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, con- fessing their sins. Among these is John, the cousin and betrothed of Mary, who, having heard much said of the power with which this man spoke, by those who had returned, also 36 THE PRINCE OF TEE HOUSE OF DAVID. went to satisfy his curiosity, and, as he says, with' a secret hope that God had again remembered Israel, and sent to us a prophet of reconciliation. 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 in his soul. He thus recounted to us his visit to the prophet of Jordan: "After leaving the gate and crossing the brook and valley of Kedron, I encountered a large company, who were ascending the road that winds over the south side of Olivet. These were men, women and children, and they were pro- vided with food in baskets, and travel as our people do, when they come up to the Feast ot the Passover. I found on joining them that they were directing their steps also towards the wilderness, in order to hear the great prophet, whose fame was in all men's mouths. Among them were priests and judges, Sadducees, and Pharisees, and Esenes, and even men of no faith ; for even in Judah we have many ten thousands who believe in no God, so long has it been since Jehovah hath visited his people! "Passing on ahead of this company, I being well-mounted, and they travelling slowly, I at length reached the summit of the hill, from which I obtained a distant view of the valley of the Jordan, and even thought I could make out the town of Jericho, though the distance was thirty or more miles. I looked back to take a parting glance at the city, How like the " THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 37 of God" it crowned its lordly hills! All the glory of Jerusalem, of the past, came before my mem- ory, and I sighed that that glory had departed, not in the destruction of its edifices, for Jerusa- lem is still magnificent and imposing, but in the downfall of its power. I heard, distant as I was, the strains of the Roman bugles, echoing over the valleys where the prophets, priests and kings lay buried, and reverberating from the Temple walls, the sacred echoes of which, aforetime, had been awakened by the voice of God! Geth- semane, the fair garden of Solomon, where he tried to create a second Eden, lay at my feet, its walls broken, and its walks wild and overgrown; here and there a fig or an olive, or a palm tree only, remaining to tell the passing traveller that here was 'the delight of gardens, the abode of pleasure and of mirth, from which were excluded all who were sorrowful, that no tears might fall upon its enameled floors, dedicated to voluptuous joy.' This description of it, given by our poets, passed through my mind, as I beheld its melan- choly and deserted aspect looking more like a place of tears than joy, as if its shades would invite the sorrowful to weep in them, rather than the silvery feet of the dancer! "I soon reached the pretty town of BethpLge, v.-here, at the inn, I beheld several horsemen just mounting to go in the direction of Jericho. Sev- eral of them I knew, and, on joining the caval- cade, learned they were for the most part drawn out of Jerusalem on the .same errand of curiosity with myself. But one of them, however, a 38 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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, on mere idle curiosity, to see one of whom every one talked in all the land of Judea. As Joseph of Arimathea and I rode together, we conversed about the man we expected to see, and the different reports which were noised abroad respecting him. 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 com- pleted, 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 domi- nion from the sea to the ends of the earth,' would come in the wilderness, clad in the skins 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. Having a roll of the Prophet Daniel with me, for I took the prophets along to compare what I should hear the preacher of Jordan proclaim with them, I saw to my surprise, that not only the seventy weeks had about reached their com- pletion, but that the expiration of the 'thousand two hundred and ninety days' drew presently THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 39 nigh! We were both surprised at this coinci- dence with the advent of this new prophet; and joy and fear trembled in our hearts, tempered with hopes we dared not utter. " 'Those who have heard him,' said Joseph, as \ve 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 him- self, risen to life! while others assert that it is Enoch, come down from heaven; and not a few believe him to be Isaiah.' "In this manner, conversing, we crossed the hill of Bethany, where, tradition says, stood the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and also, where rested the foot of Jacob's ladder; and from which place, it is believed by many, all good men after the resurrection shall ascend into the third heaven ; for it is the common belief that the throne of Jehovah is directly above it. "At length, after a long day's ride, during which we had overtaken and passed many large companies hurrying forward to hear the prophet, also meeting many returning, spreading wonderful accounts of his eloquence, wisdom and power, we came in sight of Jericho. The city is very stately, with its Roman towers and palaces, it being the favorite summer resort of the governors. Its situation, in a green valley, was refreshing to the eyes, after our dreary ride all day over the broken and barren hills. On our left, a mile before you come to the town, we passed the ruins of the tower and house of Kiel, 40 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. who rebuilt Jericho in the days of the Kings. To the right was the field where the Chaldean army defeated our fathers in battle, and took King Zedekiah captive; it was now covered with beautiful gardens, and smiled as if peace had ever dwelt in its sweet shades. On an emi- nence, to the north of us, about half a league oiT, Joseph, who had often travelled this way, made me take notice of the ruins of Ai, and of the hill of ambush, where lay the warriors of Joshua, who surprised and cut off the city. As we approached the city, I could not but recall the period when Israel's hundred thousands, shod with the sandals they had worn forty years in the wilderness, marched seven times around it. In imagination I heard their martial tread shaking the very earth, and beheld the princely Joshua, standing aloof on an eminence near, directing the solemn march. I heard again the thunder of the trumpets of the hosts of God seven times sounded, and saw the proud wall of the city fall, darkening the whole heavens with the clouds of dust that rolled over the heads of awe- struck Israel. But how different was the reality! The setting sun was gilding the firmly standing towers, turrets, pinnacles and battlements of the Roman city, lending to it a splendor that moved the soul to admiration; and the blue sky bent serenely without a cloud above it; and the circl- ing vale, instead of echoing to the tread of an armed host, for whom Jehovah fought, was now filled with Roman knights and ladies on gay par- ties of pleasure, and processions of maidens THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE Of DAVID. 41 moving to the cemetery of the tombs, clad in snow-white vestments, casting flowers in their path, and chanting sacred songs; for it was the day in which the daughters of Jericho celebrate the hapless fate of the lovely daughter of Jephtha, by visiting her sepulchre; for she was born and buried in this city, where Jephtha long dwelt. "At the gate we were stopped by a Roman soldier, who demanded our passports and the traveller's tribute, which humiliating affair settled, we rode into the city; for it was our intention to pass the night there, and early in the morning walk to the banks of the Jordan, where we understood the prophet was teaching and baptizing." At this point of the narrative of the cousin of Mary, dear father, I will close this letter. We had all listened with the deepest attention, not so much for the interest it contained in itself, as on account of the admirable manner in which he re- cited what he had seen; his face being calmly beautiful, his eyes soft and expressive, his voice musical, and his whole aspect the true and expressive manifestation .of the intelligence, gentleness, amiability, and noble ardor of piety which belong to his whole character. In my next I will resume his narrative, dear father, 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 dear 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. The costly gifts of your generous love, sent by you with the letter, and which were safely delivered from your hand into mine, by your faithful servant Elec, will be worn by me with all a daughter's pride. I regret to hear of the death of Rabbi Israel, while I rejoice that the high office he held with so much dignity has been bestowed upon you by the Pro-consul ; for though you may not need its emoluments, dear father, such selection is a flat- tering proof of the estimation in which you are held by the Roman Governor. 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 adventure in my THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 43 inquiries upon too sacfed ground. I have freely written to you for your advice, and I trust that you will not look upon my inquiries as expres- sions of doubt, but as searchings after what is true. I know you are read in the law above all Jews, and that any difficulties I may meet with in observing things here in Jerusalem, especially in the worship and ceremonies of the Temple, you will remove for me. In my last letter, which will not reach your hands for some days yet, I commenced giving you the narrative of John, the cousin of Mary, who went down into the wilderness to see and hear the prophet of Jordan. I will not take it upon myself to decide or form an opinion upon anything yet, dear father, but state facts, and let your wisdom instruct me into the truths that may grow out of them. One thing which your letter states gratifies me, and gives me confi- dence; it is these words: "Do not fear that the integrity of the laws of Moses, or of the worship of the Temple, or the predictions of the Proph- ets, can be moved by any investigations that man can make into them. They are founded in truth, and will abide forever. The worship of Israel fears nothing from inquiry. But while you ask and question about sacred things, remember that they belong to God, and must be inquired into with awful reverence and profound humility. Any inquiries made into the prophecies with an eye to search out their day of fulfilment, are proper and useful; and as this day seems to be that of fulfilment rather than that of prediction. 44 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE ut DAVID. your studies may be suggested and directed by heavenly wisdom, and, if so, they will be guided to their true issue. As I am so far removed from you, I cannot judge concerning this prophet your first letter named as being in the wilder- ness ; yet I should not be surprised if the fullness of time indicated by Isaiah were near at hand, for the events you enumerated seem to proclaim its approach, such as the lax worship in the Temple; the worship of the Roman idols on Mount Zion ; the profanation of the altar; and the rule of the heathen over the empire of David. Let us fer- vently pray, my child, for the fulfilment of the prophecies, which promise Messiah to our stricken people! Let us supplicate for the rising of the Star of Jacob, the Prince of Peace, who shall erect his throne on Mount Zion, and whose sceptre shall be a sceptre of righteousness; under whose wide dominion Israel shall lift up her head and rule the nations. My daily prayer, with my face towards Jerusalem, is, that I may live to behold the hope of Israel, and with my eyes see the splendor of the glory of Shiloh." These words of yours, my dear father, give me courage. I believe, with you, that the day of fulfilment of the Prophets is dawning; and per- haps is nearer than we believe. When I have completed the history of John's journey to Jor- dan to hear the prophet, you will understand why I speak with such hopeful confidence; and you will agree with me that this preacher of repent- ance is not one of the class of false prophets, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 4& against whose chimeras your letter so properly cautions me. "We arose at dawn," said Mary's cousin, in continuation of his interesting narrative, "and, leaving the inn, we took our way out of the city by the eastern gate, which we easily found, inas- much as a quarter of the city was in motion, and moving in the same direction. Here we were detained by the Gentile guards for full half-an- hour, till the multitude had become so immense as to tread one upon another, and fill the whole street. Nevertheless, we had to wait tit! the indolent Captain of the Gate chose to be dis- turbed in his morning repose, and then bathe his dainty limbs, and then break his fast, all which he did very deliberately, before he would suffer the gate to be opened! Such slaves are we to such masters! Oh, when shall arrive the day when, as saith Isaiah, 'our gates shall be opened continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought captives to our feet.' "Having passed out of the gate, my friend of Aramathea and myself separated a little from the crowd, and crossed the plain towards Jordan, which was about a mile and a half off. The morn- ing 1 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 48 THE PBINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. their small, spirited heads on our approach, eyed us with timid curiosity, and then bounded off to the wilderness southward with the speed of ante- lopes. As the great body of the people took their way obliquely across the plain, we knew the prophet must be in that direction, as it proved; for we at length found him on the banks of the Jordan, full half a league below the landing and ford, which is opposite Jericho, on the great car- avan road to Balbec and Assyria, that long and weary road so often travelled by our forefathers when they have been led into captivity the road which so many kings have watered with their tears! We gazed upon it with emotion of sad- ness, and with tearful prayers that Jehovah would return and visit once more the remnant of his people, and not be angry with us forever! After we had approached the Jordan some dis- tance above the ford, we beheld the multitude listening to the prophet far to the south of us, on the edge of the desert, which approaches in this quarter very near Jericho. As we traversed the banks of the flowing stream, we came all at once upon a pillar of stones partly in the water. 'This/ said my companion, stopping, 'is the Mount of Twelve Stones, which Israel set up to commemorate the passage of Jordan. Here they crossed on dry ground.' "I counted them, and found but nine of them remaining. What Vicissitudes, I reflected, had not Israel passed through since the hands of our fathers placed that heap together! Generations of judges and long lines of kings; captivities sue- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 47 ceeding captivities; wars, conquests and defeats, and subjection, finally, till we are no longer a people; having a king, indeed, but whose sceptre is a mockery a Herod, holding his crown at the courtesy of the Imperial Monarch of Rome. Alas, with the end of the reign of such a king, the sceptre will forever depart from Judah!" he added, bitterly. "Then will Shiloh come!" exclaimed my cousin Mary, with animation. "Yes; Judah must be abased to the lowest step, before she can rise, and with Shiloh king, her glory will fill the whole earth," responded John, with hope once more beaming in his eyes. "At length we drew near the dark mass of human beings which we had beheld afar off, as- sembled 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 atten- tive. 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 on his countenance, combined; Ja THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. with an expression of the holiest enthusiasm. The people listened eagerly to him, for he spake like the Prophets of old, and chiefly in their prophetic words! 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 come 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 backslid- ing, and will love you freely! He will be as the dew unto Israel ! He shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon! His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his fruit shall be for the healing of the nations! They that dwell under his shadow shall return and dwell evermore; and it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered, for besides him there is no Savior.' " 'Of whom speaketh the prophet these things?' asked one who stood near me, of his neighbor, and then of me, for by this time we had taken places as close to the prophet as we were able; for I did not wish to lose one word that should fall from the lips of a man who could thus empty cities, and people the wilderness with their inhabitants. " 'Of Messiah listen!' answered him, a Scribe never lifted up at any time, nor ever heard in the streets.' " 'He must be another prophet/ said Joseph, with deep earnestness. " 'He does not prophecy, nor preach,' an- swered the young man. " 'What is his name?' I asked. " 'Jesus, the Nazarene!' "We both promised to remember this name; and as our way to Jerusalem lay through Bethany, we wished much to call and see him} but this step the young man mildly objected to, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 75 until, he, having made known our wishes to him, he then might, if he desired to see us, send into Jerusalem for us to go to Bethany. "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, who sojourned with him, I should be perfectly happy, and have no- other desire save, indeed, to live till the Mes- siah came, that I might behold him, and lay my head upon his sacred bosom. " 'My name is Lazarus, the Scribe,' he answered, as he took his leave." "What," interrupted Mary, when her cousin had spoken this name, "then I know him well. It is the brother of Mary and Martha, both my friends at Bethany, where I passed a week last year, just before the Passover." "I arn glad to hear that," said John, "for this will be a closer bond of friendship between us. The next day we renewed our acquaintance, and after three days, departed together homeward. Upon arriving at Bethany, he learned that his friend had gone to Cana, in Galilee, on a visit with his mother, to the house of one of her kins- folk, whose daughter is in a few weeks 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 76 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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. My emotions, my ideas, my opinions, at present, are conflicting and full of indecision. On one hand, I am ready to become one of John of Jordan's disciples, and be bap- tized of him, looking with faith unto Him who is to come after. On the other hand, I tremble lest all should be a delusion, for it does not seem pos- sible that it is my lot to live in that blessed age when Messiah cometh, a period toward which all the patriarchs and prophets have looked, desir- ing to see His day, but died without possessing the promise, beholding it only afar off. The , infinite greatness of this privilege is all that causes me to doubt. Instruct me, dear father; open to me the treasures of your wisdom. Thou art read in the prophets. Doth the youthful prophet of the wilderness truly use their predic- tions in their application to Messias? Is it that the intellectual Lazarus truly drew the sad por- traiture of His dark career on earth? How are the opposing prophecies to be reconciled in another manner than the young man of Bethany has unfolded them? Explain to me one other interpretation, dear father, how he can be both king and a prisoner! Lord of life, yet suffer death ! With a kingdom .boundless as the world, yet despised and contemned of men ! The account brought by John has set Rabbi Amos to studying the Prophets, and, indeed, all men are looking into them with interest TI1E PRINCE OF THE TTOTTSE OF DAVID. 77 unknown before; for the multitudes that go away from the new prophet, noise his predictions abroad, throughout all the land. May God be, indeed, about to bless his people, and remember his inheritance! ADINA. LETTER VI My dear Father: Health and peace to thet, and all my friends honored and beloved in Alex- andria! I have again seen the excellent Ben Israel, with whom, four months ago, I came from Egypt, to sojourn in Jerusalem. He not only delivered to me your letters, with the acceptable gifts you kindly sent by him, but also assured me of your welfare in all things. He is at present absent at Damascus, whither he went soon after his arrival here, in order to buy the celebrated Syrian blades of that city, which he? takes down to Egypt at a great profit, with other merchandise. He assures me that he is gaining much wealth by his caravans of commerce, at which I rejoice, for he is an amiable and worthy man. His entreaties, that I would return to Alexandria with him, would nearly have over- come my resolutions of remaining here, but for the commands you have laid upon me to avail myself of the peculiar privileges which Jerusalem THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 79 affords for improving the mind; and were it not I am deeply interested in the issue of. the great expectation of Israel. 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. "There have been many false Christs and false prophets, my child,'* you add, "and Israel has run after them, as they now run after this John of Jordan, and the result has been, that they have either perished in the wilderness or been cut to pieces, with their deceiver, by the jealousy of the Roman Gover- nors, who looked upon such assemblies as seditious. Hold fast, my child, to the religion of our fathers, and be not carried away, as I fear /ou are in danger of being, by this wild preacher of repentance. The kingdom of Messias is not a kingdom of repentance and of humiliation, but one of victory, of glory, and dominion. Touch- ing those prophecies of humility and abasement which this prophet of Jordan applies to Messias, they have no application to our expected Shiloh and Prince. They either apply to some lesser prophet, who will be the forerunner of the true Christ (for that he will have a forerunner, the 80 THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Scriptures speak too plainly for doubting), or, as some say and believe, especially do the Pharisees, there are to be two Messiahs, one who shall come in humiliation and suffering to the Gentiles, as an atonement for the expiation of their sins, and one to come to us in regal power, and in circum- stances of glory and splendor, such as no poten- tate hath ever manifested, and who shall make Jerusalem the metropolis of the globe, and the kings of the earth tributary at his feet. Such is our Messias, whom the Lord of Hosts send us speedily, to lift Judah from the dust of her humiliation! If the base person this prophet of the desert heralds be a Messias, he is one to the Gentiles only, whose great iniquities need the self immolation and humiliation of one come from God, in atonement herefor; but he is not a Messiah to Israel, nor the mighty Prince who shall sit in David's seat on the throne of Zion. Therefore, my child, you, as a daughter of Israel, have no interest in this novelty that cometh out of the wilderness, and after which half the land hath foolishly run mad. Wait, be patient, the day of Israel's glory shall truly arise and shine, and all nations shall see it and rejoice. Think no more of what thy cousin hath told thee. When Messias cometh, He will be heralded by a more glorious and eminent person than a young man of thirty, clothed in skins, and for food eat- ing locusts and wild honey, whose origin and authority no man knoweth. Believing that your good sense and sound judgment, my Adina, will at once lead you to adopt my views, I shall not THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 81 urge them further, as if I seriously feared your defection from the house of your fathers, an event which would bring my gray hairs down with sorrow to the grave. It is my belief that this prophet preaches only himself, and, under the mysterious and deceitful notions of another to come after him, is but gathering an expectant multitude around him, to wield them as instru- ments for his own ambitious ends; and by the time you write me again, I expect to learn from you that he openly proclaims himself the Christ, after all; or that he, with all who are led by him, will be destroyed by the swords of the Roman legions." 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 what- ever form it may offer itself to you, and I there- fore, with confidence in your justice and wisdom, will faithfully make known to you the events relating to the prophet which have transpired, and may take place in Judea during my abode here. Hear me always with candor, and judge without partiality; for this is, without doubt, a day of wonderful revelations. I fancy that I can now see your brow darken, and that you say, "enough of this. Are we to have more of this new prophet?" Yes, my dear father, more still, and more extraordinary circumstances I am about to relate than I have yet written; for the &2 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. very priests of the Temple have become believers in the youthful Seer. 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. Many of the Levites even forgot their duties in the Temple, in holding discourse with the Scribes and Phari- sees, and others, in the streets, in the arches of the gates, and in the market-places, touching this new prophet, and his bold denunciations of them, being so much the more grieved at them because they were, alas, but too well merited by the looseness of their lives. 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 John, for sucfi is his name, with a serious and reverential eye. The messen- gers returned after the fifth day, and made their report openly in tHe Court of the Temple, where the High Priests sat to receive them, expecting to behold the prophet in their comoanv. At length, the assembly being convened, the two THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 83 learned and venerable Levites both rose up, and declared that they had delivered the message to John, the son of Zacharias, the prophet of Jor- dan, 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.' All flesh will soon behold the salvation of God. My errand is not to city nor temple, nor into any house of Israel will I enter. 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 (which he did not do, as it was for him to obey God rather than man); others, that he should be accused to the Procurator, Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea, as a seditious and dangerous person, and fomentor of insur- rections. Caiaphas was of the latter opinion, and wrote, from his tribunal, an epistle to the Roman ruler, making accusation hereof against the prophet of the desert, and recommending him to secure his person, lest further mischief 84 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. should come of it; adding, that Tiberius Caesar, hearing of the matter, would conceive it to be a movement of the whole Jewish nation, desirous of casting off the Roman rule, under a new chief ; and thus bring down an army upon the land, utterly to destroy it. 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 with his lies, 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 fighting against the Lord of Hosts." This moderation found favor with but few, but of these few, Rabbi Amos was one. But if the priests who thronged the outer court, in pres- ence of the High Priest, were deeply moved at the report of the prophet's answer, their excite- ment 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 com- mission, and 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 unbe- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 85 coming a priest of the Most High God: "For," said he, "this is to degrade the Temple to the feet of a wandering imposter, and is an open acknow- ledgment that virtue hath left the worship of Zion, and must be sought for in the deserts of Jordan. Which," he called aloud, "which, men of Israel, is the greatest, the altar of the Lord, or the waters of Jordan? the Priest of the Most High, or he of the wilderness? Away with these recreant blasphemers, to be tried and adjudged according to our sacred laws." The people who had heard John preach, hereupon 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. The poorer sort of people are his advocates, and the rich and the rulers, the priests and the great men of the nation, oppose him, save a few among the best and the wisest. Of these few is Rabbi Amos, who is engaged all the time he is not on duty in the Temple, in searching the Scriptures, to see if these things are so; and at every prophecy he reads, he is more and more convinced that the day of Messias is at hand, and that this prophet is, without doubt, he who was to be sent from God in the "spirit and power of Elias," to prepare the way before him. Every evening there are assembled at our house from twelve to eighteen of the chief men of the Jews, who often pass half 86 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. the night in warm discussions upon these great things ; those among them who have heard John, being disposed to give him the high rank he claims, as forerunner of Shiloh. Among these is Stephen, a man whose father was High Priest, and who is himself a lawyer and student of no mean repute. He has not yet heard John, the prophet, but he openly said last night that, after the most careful examination of all the Prophets, he was firmly of the opinion that the day of their fulfilment was close at hand; and that, for his part, he was willing to hail the prophet of Jordan ,as the true herald of Messias. Hereupon, two- ,thirds of the company said the same thing, but the others doubted, and cautioned the rest not ito be too rash ; that it was time enough to believe in Messias when he himself should come in his own person. Such, my dear father, is the present condition of the mind of the people of Jerusalem. If the Prince of Glory should, indeed, suddenly appear, there could be scarcely more excitement, though it would be of a different nature. There is some- thing sublime to see a young man, who dwelleth alone in the wilderness, poor and unknown, thus moving the great heart of a nation; surely, his power must be divinely derived. You ask me, and so is the question constantly put by the Scribes, and Pharisees, and Priests, to the disciples of John: "Does he perform miracles r Show me a miracle, and I will believe in him ; for this is the only test of a true prophet's Divine commission." No, dear father, he has per- JTHE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 87 .ormed no miracle, unless it be one continuous miracle, whereby he keeps in the wilderness a multitude, daily enlarged, from the outpouring gates of every city in Judah, listening to his words, and bowing their heads to the sacred waters of his penetential baptism. As next week Rabbi Amos does not serve in his course in the Temple, and as he will have some affairs that will take him to Gilgal, where he has three fields now ripe for the sickle, he has yielded to the desire of his daughter Mary and myself to accompany him; for he does not con- ceal 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 nought 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 what is true, shall I not be the gainer? I hear you say this is but feeble and womanly argumentation. But as you have given me the credit of, more than once, declaring it to be your belief, that I am old and wise enough to judge for myself in most matters, I beg you will suffer me to hear the prophet with my own ears, in order that I may decide whether I ought to give heed to his predictions, or reject them as the visions of a dreamer. One thing is clear if the Christ that John prophesies be the true Son of the Highest, and is, in reality, to 88 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 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, and not do so fearful a thing in their pride as to reject him openly! In this case, who will stand between God and our ill-fated race? Therefore, my dear father, it behooves every man in Israel to examine this matter with a sober and humble mind, and move with caution in opposition to what may prove the dearest hopes of ouv people. When I shall have returned from the desert, whither we are to travel on litters and inu.os, I will write you all that I have heard. You will remember the young Roman Cen- turion, to whose courtesy I was indebted in rescuing me from the rudeness of the two Gen- tile 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, which he has done frequently, a copy of the Prophets was placed in his hands ; but as he professed he was not learned enough to read Hebrew, the good Rabbi, who believed he saw in him a hopeful convert to the faith of Judah, called in Mary to read and interpret to him. But her knowledge of the Roman tongue did not prove sufficient, and at her request, the Rabbi sent for me, to come into the marble hall THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 89 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 vibra- tion like the effects of music. Surely, these barbarians of Italia have the richest language of all men ; compared with it, our Hebrew is harsh, and strangely gutteral. "The Roman Centu- rion," 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." "I have studied the sacred books of Etruria, of Gaul, and those of the Goths and the Druids, of Egypt, and of Persia, as well as of my own people," said the Centurion, modestly, " but in all these I find rites and ceremonies, doctrines and laws, that are unworthy to emanate from the supreme Jove of so vast a universe. We, Romans, in the multiplicity of our Gods, in deify- ing everything, in reality deify nothing! Every thing we call God, but -we realize God nowhere." 90 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. "Then thou hast well directed thy inquiries touching this book," answered Amos, with warmth, and loking on the Roman with respect- ful compassion. "Here is to be found the true and only revelation of Jehovah to men. Here is developed a divine character, worthy of the Creator of the universe. Here are laid down laws and ceremonies, rites and doctrines, com- mands and precepts, that are worthy to emanate from the Father and God of all men. Thou shalt hear and judge for thyself. I am but im- perfectly skilled in the Roman tongue, save for daily intercourse, but here is an Egyptian maiden who can interpret for thee in the idiom of Grecia, or of Italia, and I will place the sacred scroll in her hands, while I listen. Come, Adina, open and read the beginning of the Book ot Moses." I obeyed, as I would have obeyed you, dear father, and, seated at the feet of Amos, I read and translated aloud into Greek, which the Roman youth had said was even more familiar to him than his native tongue (as it is to all educated persons in the world), the first five hundred lines. These, as you know, give an account of the creation of the world, and of man, of his defection, and his expulsion from Para- dise; of the promise of Messias to restore what he had lost; of the curse denounced upon the. creation, and the slaying of the Patriarch Abel, with the population of the earth, its wickedness, and destruction by the flood. THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 91 To this the youthful warrior listened with the profoundest respect and attention; and when he had thanked me, and asked permission to come and be further taught from pages which he said seemed, indeed, to be written with the finger of the Supreme Lord of the universe, he asked if the Messias had yet come who was to restore all things? and if not, when was he to be looked for? This inquiry led to a conversation upon the preaching of John in the wi-lderness, and his pre- dictions of the near advent of Shiloh. Rabbi Amos, seeing that he became 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 goxlen \vords, the glory and domin- ion of his powe.-, and those which represented him as despised and rejected. After I had read all which the Rabbi directed me to read, 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; but when I remarked that Mary and I were also to go, his dark eyes beamed with pleasure, and he imme- diately said : "I wifl accompany you with a squadron of horse, as the roads are not safe, for no longer 92 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. than yesterday we received a rumor that the cele- brated robber chief, Barabbas, at the head of a large band, has made his appearance again on the hills, between Ephraim and Jericho, and had robbed not only two caravans, but many of those who were travelling to hear this prophet. I will make an expedition against him, after seeing you safely in Jericho." When we heard of this robber, we were not a little disposed to decline our journey; but Rabbi Amos thanked him, and said he would gladly accept his escort, "inasmuch," he added, smiling, "as I know you Roman knights here in garrison have but little to employ your time, and would esteem it a privilege to have an excursion of this kind. Moreover, you say you must go against this bandit; so we do not so much draw on your courtesy as take shelter under your duty." It is, therefore, decided, dear father, that we leave early next week for Jericho and Gilgal, and go also into the wilderness, to see and hear the prophet. 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. [John, cousin to Mary, who I erroneously told you in my second letter was the son of the rich THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 95 matron whose husband was slain by the Romans, and is only her nephew, as, doubtless, you are aware, has gone to the Lake of Galilee, where his father and brother have ships, and many ser- vants, engaged in fishing, in order to look after their welfare. He may meet us at Gilgal.] LETTER VTL My Dear Father: My trembling fingers -scarcely hold the light read with which I am about to write you concerning the extraordinary things I have seen and heard; but they tremble only with joy. Oh, my father, my dear, dear father, Messias has come! I have seen him! I have heard his voice! He has truly come! Oh, joy, joy! My eyes have beheld him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write! But let me not anticipate. la order that you may believe as I believe, though you have seen Him not, I will give to you an account of those events which have happened since my last letter was sent to you. I will try to write free from emotion, and keep my bounding heart still, and my hand calm, while I set in order all that has taken place, that your understanding may judge of them with that candor and wisdom which makes men see in you the wisest Israelite in the land of Egypt. You will recollect that in my last epistle, which THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. fr werft by the Cairo caravan, I mentioned that Rabbi Amos, taking advantage of the recess in his duties at the Temple, the course of the ven- erable Elihud being now waiting upon the altar, made up his mind to pay his annual visit to the wheat fields which he has in charge, near Jericho, and which, as you know, are not his own lands, but are in trust to him for the heirs of Manasseh, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was slain in trying to rescue Jericho from the Romans. Rabbi Amos also felt no little curi- osity to hear John of Jordan, as he is called, whose fame has spread far and wide. At the request of Mary and myself, he consented that we should accompany him. John, the young man who is betrothed to my cousin, having gone to the sea of Galilee to see about certain ships tvhich were there in charge of his brother James and his father, was to meet us at Gilgal, and accompany us to Jordan; for he thinks and speaks of nothing now but the prophet of the wilderness, from whom he feels that he suffers great loss to be absent, even for a day. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho had become recently unsafe, on account of the bold- ness of an insurrectionary chief called Barabbas, who a year ago made insurrection against the Romans, but was defeated, and his band dis- persed into the mountains south o-f the sea of Sodom; but, at last, driven to famine, he has taken to robbing caravans; and since the number of travellers has increased so much between Jer- usalem and Jordan, to hear John, and be bap- *>0 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. tized of him, he has fallen upon large parties of them, and taken from them all their goods and money. On this account Rabbi Amos accepted the courteous offer of the escort of the young Centurion, who had been ordered by the Pro- curator, Pontius Pilate, to keep the road open between Jerusalem and Jericho; for even the Roman couriers were stopped by this fearless robber and slain by him. The pride of Rabbi Amos shrunk from this dependence upon a Roman arm, in making a peaceful journey through his own land; but there is, alas! dear father, no one now among the seed of Abraham to assert their rights. ' We can only bow our heads to the yoke the Lord God has placed upon our necks. 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 comparisoned 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 travelling equipage of my cousin Mary and myself, which Rabbi Amos smilingly said, took up more space than the goods and travelling wares of a Damascus mer- chant. At sunrise, after we had kneeled upon the house-top, 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. There was a stout THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 97 mule for good Rabbi Amos, though the Centu- rion sent him a handsome Persian horse to ride; but my uncle said that he had never trusted him- self on so uncertain an animal as a horse in his youth, and he thought he should scarcely adven- ture such a feat in his old age ; so he preferred his mule. Having got ourselves seated upon our cush- ioned saddles, and our veils ready to draw over our faces, we expected each moment the arrival of the Centurion and his cohort of horse; but a Numidian slave came running, and, bowing to the ground before Rabbi Amos, said that the Centurion would meet us at the corner of the two ways, beyond the walls, at Absalom's Pillar. Whereupon we all mounted, and took our way towards the East Gate. We were five persons in all, Rabbi Amos, my cousin Mary and myself, and the two Gibeonites, both of whom were young men, whose fathers for many centuries had been servants in the family of Amos, even from the time of Joshua, when this people deceived him by their craftiness, and were doomed to perpetual servitude. I am much struck with the appearance of this singular race of men. They have very dark faces, eagle- beaked noses, flashing black eyes, and slender, lithe forms. They look cunning and treacher- ous, but seem to be cowardly, and easily con- trolled by firmness. They are incapable of any attachments, and gratitude seems to be thrown away upon them. I heard a singular tradition about them from one of the Levites, who often $8 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. visits Rabbi Amos; which is, that they are de- scended from the servants of Noah, which were saved with him in the ark, but who, as being of an inferior rank, were not included in the record of Noah's family. But, doubtless, you have "heard the same tradition. 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, one and all of which were lighted up with the glory of his morning Learns. 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 flow- ing white hair, and piercing eye, as he surveyed us, I should not have known that it was the High Priest. He spoke to Rabbi Amos, who did him reverence, and lowly did I bend my own head before the majesty of the representative of God on earth. 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 99 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. And when I reflected that they were to offer up their innocent lives for the sins of the men and women of Israel, my cheek burned with the blush of shame, that we were so guilty before the Lord God, that the innocent must die for us. As Mary was rid- ing 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 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!" "I have promised them to God, Rabbi Amos, and I may not break my promise without sin." 100 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. ' A "But thy lamb leadeth thee everywhere. It is eyes to thee. Thou canst not do without it." "God will provide me another lamb," he answered, his face beaming with hope. "But thy doves? Thou earnest by them many a mite in a day, they are so well taught in cun- ning and pleasant tricks to please children. If thou must sacrifice according to thy vow, 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 Barti- meus. "My father became sick, and was likely to die, and I vowed a vow to God that if he would heal the old man, my father, I would sac- rifice unto him one of my doves. 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. I then vowed my other pigeon. 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. Then it was that I vowed all that remained to me, even the lamb of my bosom, whom I love next to my child! My father, my mother, my child, are restored, and in my joy I am on my way to the Temple to offer these gifts of God to him. It will be hard, sir, to part with them, I shall miss them so much; but shall I not perform my vow? It will be hard but God will not let blind Bartimeus suffer, since He will see that he offereth, in offering his two little doves and his lamb, all that he hath." THE PRINCE Of THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 101 With these words he moved 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 father trickle tears, as he kissed, and kissed again, the 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. Upon reaching the Sheep Gate, we were not detained by the Roman captain, who kept others, examing their passports, and taking gate-money from those who were without them; for though foot passengers may pass in and out free, yet from those who ride horses or mules is exacted money, unless they have passes signed by the Procurator. But the captain of the gate no sooner saw us, than he, with great civility, made us pass through the gate in advance of others who were ready to go through, saying that the young Centurion, whose name, I think, I have not told you, is ^milius, had given him orders not to detain us. The stern, iron-cased Roman soldiers that stood about the gate, struck me as having just the aspect and forms of men who would conquer the world. When I reflected that there was not a city on the earth, at whose gates did not stand just such men as these, armed, and clad, and bearded like them, I could 102 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. not but respect the universal power of the Roman empire, while I feared it. Once outside of the gates, the air blew fresh from the hills of olives, laden with fragrance. 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, if wings of a dove, so ardently longed for by King David, could only have been given me. On our right, not far from the gate, Rabbi Amos pointed out to me the pool of Bethesda, and turning my eyes towards it, I beheld a most touching spectacle. All the five porches were filled with sick and impotent folk, the lame, halt, blind, and withered, waiting, as my uncle told us, for the moving of the waters; for, at certain seasons, he said that God sends an angel down into the pool to trouble the water, when, whosoever steps in first, is made whole of whatever disease he may have. I could not but stop my mule to regard so remarkable a sight as this congregation of miserable people, of whom there must have been no less than four hundred; some leaning, pale and haggard, against the columns, some creeping about in helplessness, like brutes trying to get nigher the pool, from which the stronger thrust them back ; some reclining patiently upon their beds, in humble waiting for God's time; and others being borne hither on the shoulders of men. Sud- denly, as I was about to ride on, and shut out this painful sight, one of the most extraordinary THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 103 scenes that human eyes could witness took place. The surface of the pool, which was hitherto per- fectly placid, all at once became agitated, as if it were boiling, and began to swell, rush, or rather swing from side to side, in a remarkable manner. No sooner \vas this seen, then there arose from the throng of wretched invalids who crowded iti\ steps, a cry of four hundred voices all at once, shrieks of joy, shouts of wonder, words of amazed exclamation, while a simultaneous move- ment took place of the whole mass of human bodies, which became as wildly tossed to and fro as were the waters. Those nearest plunged madly in, while those behind rushed down, some wildly shrieking in their agonizing haste, and some uttering the most fearful curses, as they found their way obstructed by the impenetrable masses before them. The most weak and impo- tent being most eager, and being farthest off, made superhuman exertions to gain the pool, howling, and climbing with hands and feet, over the backs of others, to be hurled to the ground and trampled upon by others who were behind them. Some strong men who tried to open the way for one they were carrying, drew their knives, and proceeded to cut their way throuerh the haggard and mouthing wretches who crowded the way, which violence being seen by the Romans from the gate, they went down, some score of them, with drawn swords, to quell the tumult; for the whole pool was in an uproar. Unable to endure the dreadful scene, we rode rapidly on, but I afterwards heard that before 104 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. quiet was restored, several men were slain, and that five of those who had got into the pool were drowned beneath the feet of those who recklessly leaped in, over the heads of others, upon them. "Is it possible," I asked Rabbi Amos, after we had reached the borders of Kedron, "that it is the act of an angel that can produce all this confusion and outbreak of the worst of human passions?" "There is no doubt that the troubling of the waters is a miracle," he answered. "The act of the angel is good. His touch gives a healing power that cures diseases; and shall his benevo- lence be answerable for these dreadful and dis- gusting consequences which we have just witnessed?" I was silent; but I sighed for the wickedness of man, that can make even God's gifts curses in the reception of them. We now turned a little to the right, for as the bridge by which the road of Jericho is usually gained was being solidly rebuilt by the Romans, we had to follow the brookside till we came near Absalom's Pillar, at the sight of which, the whole history of that misguided young prince came before me. How wonderful, that the glorious head of golden hair, of which he was vain, and of which the poets of that day speak more than once, should have been the instrument of his death! There were ancient oak trees in sight, which the Rabbi said were old enough to be part of the forest through which he rode so fatally, and, doubtless, were. He showed me the pit THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 105 into which the ten young men who slew Absa- lom cast him, heaping great stones upon him. It is close beside the pillar. This prince must have been as brave as he was beautiful and diso- bedient, that when hanging by his hair in the oak, and incapable of doing them harm, it should require "ten young men to compass him and smite him." How interesting to me is every spot about Jerusalem! I seem to live in the ancient days, when I see the scenes where have been enacted the great events which constitute the history and glory of our nation. 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 Centu- rion came in sight, by the road from the Horse Gate, 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 ler.p; and I am sure, if I could have seen my eyes, I should have discovered in them a martial fire, ^milius 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 Centu- rion himself carried in his hand only the badge of his rank, which was a vine-rod bouird 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 J06 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. then gave the word to move forward. The Cen- turion himself rode either by the side of Rabbi Amos, or near our bridles, but he did not so far occupy himself with us as to forget his duty as captain, which he fulfilled with the utmost vigi- lance, especially after we passed the village, and entered upon the desert space that lies beyond Bethany. 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: The very kind manner in which you have received my communications respecting the extraordinary prophet now draw- ing all Judea a>fter him into the wilderness, and the assurance that I can obtain from your wis- dom, learning and piety, a solution of all diffi- culties, and a true guide to the truth, prompt me to continue freely, and in detail, the relation of events that have passed under my experience. I shall, in my accounts of the marvellous occur- rences that I have witnessed, and may yet wit- ness, not only convey to you the impressions made upon my own mind, but upon the minds of many others, of the wise, and learned, and great, who also have heard and seen these things. Thus you will have the weight of many testi- monies, which you will doubtless hold in respect In proportion to the dignity, and wisdom, and rank of the persons. My last letter ended with an account of the 108 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Roman escort, under the authority of the young Roman Centurion, who, as I have before written to you, with so much courtesy proffered its pro- tection to our little party. The day was yet early, the sun not having got more than an hour and a half high above the Arabian hills, 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. In Egypt there is a want of life in the torrid air at this season, that we do not here experience,' and 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 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 a score of our Roman escort was ordered to gallop towards them. Upon this, Rabbi Amos said that we were fortunate in hav- ing such strong protection, for this party of the children of Esau would otherwise have attacked and plundered us, as they are wont to do every party of Israelites they fall in with; and the recent concourse of so many people to Jordan, has drawn them boldly near Jerusalem, says the Roman Centurion, in great numbers, to lay in wait for, and rob them. Thus, the hostility which began between the patriarch Jacob and the patriarch Esau, has never yet been healed, but rankles in the bosoms of their descendants THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 10 ev*n to this day; and still, "Esau hateth Jacob, because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed htm." The Romans greatly admired the horsemanship of these children of Esau, and, upon their heavy horses, armed with their iron armor, it would have been vain to have followed them to their retreats. We soon afterwards reached Bethany, from which we had a gorgeous view of the Holy City of God, with its lofty Temple glittering in the sunbeams, like a mountain of architectural sil- ver. 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. Ah, how could I gaze upon the scene, my dear father, without emotions of awe, wonder, adoration, and grati- tude! I drew rein, and entreated Rabbi Amos to delay a few moments, while I surveyed Jerusa- lem, which, familiar as it might be to him, and to all the rest of our cavalcade, was new to me; but he was too far ahead to hear me, for I had already been lingering for some seconds ; and the Centurion, riding up to my side, stopped respect- fully, 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 to the city, I was soon lost to all else but the awful contemplation of it. Irresistibly, as I gazed, I went back, in memory, to the time when our father Abraham was met before its gates by Mel- chisedek, its king, who received regal homage from him. I saw again, David coming forth 110 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. from its lofty portals, at the head of armies, to conquer the surrounding nations. I beheld the splendid trains of oriental monarchs, of the kings of the South, and the kings of the North, and of Sheba, the queen of happy Arabia, winding through its pleasant valley, and entering in to prostrate themselves before Solomon, the prince of wisdom, glory, and power, the fame of whose \visdom and greatness filled the whole earth. Alas ! the whole earth is now filled with the story of the shame and bondage of Israel! But the (lay cometh, dear father, when she shall lift up her face from the dust, and put on regal gar- ments, and God shall place a crown upon her head, and her glory and dominion shall be with- out end. This certainty quenched the tears that burst into my eyes, as I contrasted the present with the past. In memory, as I continued to gaze, I saw the armies of the Assyrians, and the armies of the Chaldeans, the armies of Egypt, and of Persia, of Cyrus, and of Greece, all, each in its turn, encompassing the Holy City, and conquering it, even though God dwelt therein in the mysterious fire of the Shechinah. But the presence of Jehovah, in a city or in a heart, will not save it from its foes, if the city or the heart be not with God ; and we know from the Proph- ets that the hearts of our fathers were far from God; and, therefore, were they delivered up to their enemies to be scourged. Oh, my dear father, that our people of to-day would learn the fearful lesson that the past teacheth them! "You should see Rome," said the Centurion, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Ill 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 that there is one God, who is the author of a great multitude of lesser gods, and to each we erect a temple." 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 which was 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-dyed humming-bird which nutters 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." It was then no time for me to endeavor to combat this error, but I have reserved to myself the first convenient opportunity to endeavor to instruct him in the truth as it is revealed from Heaven to our favored people. He has already manifested an inquiring spirit into our holy faith, and Rabbi Amos has taught him many things 112 THE PRINCE OK THE HOUSE OF DAVID. from the books of Moses, but sufficient only tAVID. 12$ "I have curiosity to see a man whom multi- tudes resort to from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from all Judea, and from beyond Jordan." "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 imposter. There can be no prophet unless he proves his mission by mira- cles," 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 of good height, he was well-featured, and his attire was rich ; but he had a haughty 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. He had an air of humility which 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 sel- fish ends, and who would kneel to you to over- turn you. The sound of his voice confirmed my first impression of him. Upon his speaking, Rabbi Amos fixed his eyes upon him, as if he did not like the manner of his breaking in upon the conversation, and then mildly replied: "Moses performed no miracles. Aaron, or 124 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Aaron's rod was the instrument whereby these were done before Pharaoh. This prophet may be as Aaron to the great Prophet he foretelleth. What is thy companion's name, friend Mat- thew?" 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 col- lect in the country villages; and as we are to gather taxes both at Gilgal and Bethabara, he cometh with me." We now came in sight of the Jordan, but could discover no crowd upon its banks. While we were wondering at not beholding any signs of the multitude, we met a stranger who was riding a horse, and coming from the northward, who, seeing us apparently in perplexity, inquired with courtesy, if we were not seeking John the proph- et. Upon Rabbi Amos replying in the affirma- tive, the horseman informed us that he had re- moved up the river, some two hours' ride, and was then baptizing at the little village of Betha- bara, on the east bank of Jordan ; and he added, that not less than eight thousand people must be thronging the shore. "Dost thou know this stranger?" asked of Matthew Rabbi Amos, who had gratefully thanked him for his intelligence, looking back after him, as he rode on. "I saw thee salute him." "He is an officer of Herod the Tetrarch's household," was the response, "a Hebrew of great wealth, and he payeth more tribute-money; THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 125 to the emperor from his lands than any Israelite between Jericho and Jerusalem." 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, and in which Isaiah at one time concealed himself from his enemies. It is now called the 'Tower of Elijah/ 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." All these places, with many others, which the intelligent Rabbi Amos pointed out to us, were very interesting to me, for nothing commands my atention so profoundly as allusions to the scenes of the olden days of the prophets and kings of Israel. While my eyes were fixed upon the hill, and my imagination presented to me Elijah 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. At that place the river takes a broad curve, and the opposite village of Bethabara lies in the hollow of it, forming the centre of half a circle. This wide curving: shore was alive with the human heads that filled it. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Not a place could be seen where some one did not stand. And of this vast multitude every eye was concentrated upon the prophet, as from the crescent tiers of the amphitheatre in Alexandria, all gaze at once upon the scenes passing in the arena. He was standing upon the opposite shore (for Jordan here was very narrow, and can be forded), on the verge of the water, addressing the countless assembly that stood opposite and half encircling him. Near him, behind, and on either side, sat his disciples, at least a hundred in num- ber, chiefly young men. Behind, rose the Tower of Elijah, and receding farther from the shore lay the sweet village of Bethabara, with its green gardens and snow-white walls. The clear voice of the youthful prophet of the wilderness fell distinctly on our ears, so great \vas the stillness of the vast audience. We could not approach very near on our mules, and, dis- mounting on the outskirts of the throng, we left them with the two servants, and on foot drew as near to the place where the prophet stood as we could. Many of the people, seeing and recog- nizing Rabbi Amos, made way for him, so that at length we stood directly opposite the speaker, with a full view of him, so that we could hear every word. 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 word he uttered. The subject of the prophet's discourse was as before, and as always, the coming of the Messias. Oh, that I THE PKIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 127 could, give you, my dear father, the faintest idea of the power and eloquence of his words! "There is no remission of sin without shedding of blood," he said earnestly. 'The baptism of water with which I baptize you is unto repent- ance; but there must be blood outpoured ere sin can be washed away! 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.'' "For what, then, great prophet," asked one of the chief Levites who stood near us, "For what, then, are the sacrifices ordained by the Law of Moses? For what, then, the altar and the Temple, and the daily sacrifice of the Lamb?" "For what," repeated the prophet, with his eyes beaming with the earnest light of inspira- tion, "For what, but as types and shadows of the true blood of the real and true sacrifice appointed by God from the foundation of the world! Think ye I can slay the lamb- of my flock for the sin of my soul? If God demands thy life, shall he accept the life of a brute? 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 under- stood. 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 the little mound near the tower from. v;hich Rabbi Amos had said Elijah ascended,, 128 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Lazarus, the brother of Martha, accompanied by a man of about his own years, of an indescrib- able dignity and grace of aspect, combined with an air of benevolence and peace that at once attracted me. "It must be the friend of Lazarus," said Mary to me; for she had discovered them at the same time. "See with what calm serenity he gazes upon the multitude, yet retiring in his manner, as if he shrank from the common eye!" He was wrapped in a vesture of dark blue cloth, which was folded about his form; his head was bare, and his dark hair flowed down about his should- ers. 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. Sud- denly, he exclaimed, and oh, how like the trumpet of Horeb his voice rung: "Behold!" There was not a face in that vast multitude that was not directed towards the little eminence, where Lazarus, evidently amazed at the attitude THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 12& and words of the prophet, and the ga2e of all that way, stood by his friend. "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 the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. 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! Behold the only true Lamb, whose blood can wash away the iniquities of us all! He hath stood among you He hath walked your streets He hath sat in your homes, and I knew him not, till I now behold above Him the sign of the Messiah, and, therefore, know I that it is He who is to redeem Israel !" 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 pros- trate on his face when he heard that it was the Messiah with whom he had thus been on terms of friendship. As he continued to corne for- ward, all was expectation in the immense multi- tude. 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 430 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. prophet moved 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 more> awe than all others. "What wouldst thou of thy servant, oh, Messiah, Prophet of God, mighty to save?" he said, in tremulous tones, as the Messian 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 re- motest bounds of the crowd. Never, oh, never shall I forget the sounds of that voice, ~3 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 fulfil 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, adminis- tered unto Him, in the sight of all the people, the same 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, and before human eyes, and which it must be clear to you bears unquestion- .able testimony, that Jesus of Nazareth, the noble THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 131 stranger baptized in Jordan, and to whom John bore Witness, is truly Messias, the Son of God. No sooner did the baptized stranger go up out of the water, than there was heard above all our heads a noise of rolling thunder, although the sky was cloudless; and when we looked up we beheld a dazzling light, though it was noon-day, brighter than the sun; and from the midst of this celestial splendor there darted with arrowy velocity a ray of light, which descended upon the head of the Christ. Some of the people said it thundered; and others that it lightened; but judge 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 overshadow- ing Him as it were, and from the heavens, what was supposed to be thunder, shaped itself into the voice of God, which uttered these words in the hearing of every ear: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him." At hearing these words, a great part of the multitude fell on their faces. Every cheek was pale, and each man gazed on his neighbor m wonder and fear. When the majestic, yet ter- rible voice had given utterance to these words, the light disappeared, the dove reascended to the skies, and was lost to the sight; and Messias, who alone seemed unmoved and calm amid all this awful scene, went up from the river, and dis- appeared suddenly from my earnest gaze. At length, when men came a little to themselves,. 132 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. and would gaze on Him whom all knew now to be the Christ, no one could find Him, so effectu- ally had he withdrawn himself from their Jiomage. affectionate ADINA. LETTER X. My Dear Father: I will commence this letter by asking your dispassionate perusal of my pre- ceding epistle, and entreating you not to let any prejudice unworthy of the wisdom and liberality by which you are distinguished among men, lead you to reject, without examination, belief of the events which have formed the subject of my recent letters to you, and to close your mind to tiie convictions to which they may give rise. Please, my honored and beloved father, please to consider impartially the things of which I have written, the preaching of John, and his baptism of Jesus, whom, before ten thousand people, he declared to be Messias, to whom he bore witness, and how the voice of God, as audible in the ears of all as that w r hich shook Horeb, pro- claimed from heaven that he was "His beloved son!" Think of all this, and ask yourself seri- ously, "Is not this the Christ?" This question need not pass far on its way ere 134 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. it finds a response from my lips and heart: "Yes, it is the Christ, and I will believe in Him!" I can see your face, my dear father, change its expression of mild benignity, as you read this confession from my pen! I can see you look both displeased and grieved. But you have no reason to fear that I shall do or believe aught that will bring shame on your gray hairs, or your name. If thou art a Jew, and proud of being descended from the lineage of the Patriarchs who walked with the Lord, I am also equally proud of my nation and of my faith. In believ- ing Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messias of God, I do not make myself less a Jewess; but, with- out believing it, my dear father, I could not be completely a Jewess. Has not the Messias of our nation been the burden of Judah's prayer, and of Israel's hope, for ages? Does not the belief that Messias cometh, constitute one of the great characteristics of the Jewish race? Do the Gentiles look for the Christ? If not, then, and we alone look for him, and every mother in Israel hopes, tremblingly, with joy and doubt, that he may be found in her first-born son, is it that I am less a Jewess, or rather, that I am only a true Jewess, when I believe Jesus to be the Messias, seeing in Him all that a Messias could bring, even the voice of God, in testimony of Hie Mission? But I sincerely trust, my dear father. that I am defending my belief unnecessarily, and that when you come to read and compare, and examine well, you will rejoice with me that God THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 135 "has remembered Israel, and that He is about to take away her reproach among the nations. I shall wait for your next parcel of letters with the deepest solicitude, in order that I may know what your decision is in reference to these extra- ordinary things which are coming to pass.- You. will not hear them only from my letters, dear father, for the report of these wonders is broad- cast over the land, and men who witnessed the baptism of Jesus, will, no doubt, report in Egypt what then took place, especially the voice of God rolling like articulate thunder along the cloud- less sky, and the descent of the fiery dove upon the head of the new Prophet. Merchants of Damascus and of Cairo were present, leaving their trains of camels a little way off; and Arab horsemen sat in their saddles on the outside of the crowd; while Roman soldiers, strangers from Persia and Edom, and even the merchants from Media, with numerous people, Gentiles, as well as Jews, were seen mingled with the multitude. This thing, therefore, was not done in a corner. The voice I plainly heard, and understood every word! It seemed to me to come from the far blue depths of Heaven, at an immeasurable dis- tance, but with the clearness of a trumpet, and the sonorous majesty of thunder. But the light \vhich descended was the most dazzling that human eyes ever encountered; and though when descending with the velocity of lightning, it seemed like a lance of fire; yet, upon reaching the bared head of Jesus, as He came forth out of the water, it assumed, as I before stated, the 136 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. shape of a dove; and, resting upon Him, over- shadowed Him with its wings of light, and cast over his whole person a glittering splendor, like the sun. This lasted for full a minute, so that ail eyes beheld it, and then came the voice from heaven! The brilliancy of the light from the dove was so resplendent that I could not behold it; and when I looked again it had disappeared; but a halo of softened lustre shone still around the head of Jesus, and his face, like that of Moses, emitted rays of glory. While thousands either stood stupefied, or fell upon their faces in adoration and fear, He withdrew himself from the multitude, no one knew how, save two per- sons, whose eyes never wander from him. These were the cousin of Mary, John, and Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. The people, after recovering a little from their amazement and awe, were looking for Him, and inquiring whither he had gone, some gazing into the water, some towards the wilderness, some even gazing upwards into heaven, of which I was one, as if they expected to behold Him ascending upon a chariot of dazzling clouds towards the throne of his God and Father, who had acknow- ledged Him to be his Son. The general impres- sion was, that He was taken up into Heaven; and some wept that a Prophet was sent to be taken so soon: while others rejoiced that the Lord had not forgotten to be gracious unto the house of Israel; some doubted, and called it magic and sorcerv: and others, who were doubt- less filled with their own wickedness, mocked. x THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 137 and said the voice was thunder, and the light lightning. But here they were disputed against, for said hundreds, "There is no cloud in the sky, then whence could come thunder and light- ning?" But the majority believed, and greatly rejoiced at what they had seen and heard. 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 re- ceived up into Heaven. The excitement which the sudden disappear- ance of Jesus produced, led to "a. universal sepa- ration of the multitude, who dispersed in all directions, some to seek for Him, some to spread the news of what they had seen, and all forget- ting John, whom they had hitherto followed, in the greater splendor of the new Prophet, whose advent had been so remarkably accompanied by fire and voice from the sky. Rabbi Amos and our party remained stand- ing near the water, for he did not wish us to be lost in the retiring throngs, and 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 138 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. raised all the while, bent his looks with tearful tenderness upon Rabbi Amos, and said, plain- tively and touchingly : "This is He of whom I said After me comcth 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 baptizes with the Holy Ghost. And I saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and I saw and bear record this is the Son of God!" "And whither, oh, holy prophet of Jordan," asked Rabbi Amos, with deep and sacred inter- est, ''whither has He departed?" "That I know not! He must increase and I must decrease, whether He remaineth on earth, or be taken up into Heaven! My mission is now drawing to its close: for He to whom I have borne witness is come." "And is He come to depart so soon forever?" I asked, with deep interest; "shall we behold Him no more?" "The hidden things belong to God. I know not whence He came, for I knew Him not until the Spirit descendeth and abode upon Him, nor whither He goeth. Ye have heard my testi- mony that this is the Messias, the Christ, the Son of God!" 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, THE PRINCE OF THB HOUSE OF DAVID 189 upon whose arm Mary was tearfully leaning, still tinder the influence of the terror which the scenes she had been a spectator of, had produced in her soul. 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, which the two Gibeonite slaves held for us in waiting, under a palm tree not far off, we returned towards my uncle's house at Gilgal. On the way, we constantly passed crowds of people who were riding and walking; and all were in high talk about what had taken place at the river. The impression seemed to be that Jesus had gone up into Heaven. 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, and doubtless permitted to remain for some great purpose. I stated that my cousin John, and Lazarus, the Secretary of the Scribes, had kept their eyes upon Him frorvi the first, and that they had seen Him pass down the river, where some projecting and overhang- ing 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 hills, which hid 140 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. Him from their eyes. But one of the young men said to the other, while both were burning vrith wonder and love: "Let us not fail to overtake Him, and follow Him, whithersoever He goeth; for with Him must be the well of life, as He is the highly favored of God." So they went on; but though they moved on tapidly, 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 overtook Him, calling "Master, good master, stay for us, for we would follow and learn of thee !" He stopped, and turned upon them a look so pale, and marred with sadness and anguish, that they both stood still and gazed on Him with amazement at such a change. The glory of his beauty had passed away, and the beaming splen- dor which shone from 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 go now to the wilderness in obedience to the Spirit which gliideth me thither. Thou 'shalt, after a time, behold me again. It is expedient 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 TIIE PKINCE OF TliE HOUSE OF DAVID. l4l be none to uphold," He said firmly, but sadly. "I must tread the wine-press of temptation alone!" He then left them, waving his hand for them to go back, which they did sorrowfully, wondering \vhat his words meant, and wherefore it was needful for Him to go into the desert, where cer- tain 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 which He steadfastly kept his face. The two friends then came to the house of Rabbi Amos, at Gilgal, the same night, and there Lazarus made known to us what I had just re- lated. It affected us all deeply; and we sat together late at night upon the porch under the fig trees, talking of Jesus, and the things that had transpired concerning Him that day; and though ive all rejoiced that He was on earth, we wept to think that He was driven by some destiny un- known and unfathomable by us, to dwell alone in the wilderness. Now, my dear father, how wonderful is all this! That a great Prophet is among us cannot be denied. The sun of John the Baptizer's fame dwindles into a star before this Son of God! That He will draw all men unto Him, even into 142 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. the wilderness, if He takes up His abode there, cannot be questioned. But all is mystery, awe, curiosity, wonder, and excitement just now. No one has settled upon any opinion as to what will be the end of these things. Rabbi Amos advises all persons to wait patiently the issue, for if God has sent a Prophet, He must have a mission which in due time He will come forth from the wilderness to deliver. In my next I may be able to write you something further touching the development of that which remains so much enveloped in mystery. May the God of our father's house come forth indeed from the Heav- ens, for the salvation of His People. your devoted and loving ADINA, LETTER XL My Dear Father: In my last letter to you, I spoke of our return from Jordan, to Gilgal, to the country house in the wheat fields of Peniel, where Rabbi Amos sojourns during the two weeks of harvest. At the house were assembled, not only John, the cousin of Mary, and the noble Lazarus, but also Gamaliel, and Saul, his disciple, of whom I have before spoken, who were invited to partake of my uncle's hospitality for the night; besides, 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 upon the re- markable events of the day, an observation made by John, when speaking of the change in the face of Jesus, that "His visage was marred more than the sons of men," led the venerable Gamaliel to say to us : 144 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. "Those are the words of Esaias, and are truly spoken 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 it on a small stand before him, for, as I said in my last, \ve were all seated in the porch, where the even- ing breeze was cool. A lamp then being brought, I held it above the roll of parchment, while my uncle found the part of the Prophet to which the words belonged. "Read aloud, worthy Rabbi," said the philoso- pher Gamaliel, "we will all listen; for though I do not believe this young man who was to-day baptized is Messias and Christ, who is to restore all things to us, yet I am prepared to reverence Him as a Prophet." "And," answered Rabbi Amos, "if we find the prophecies do meet in him which we look 'or to meet in Messias when He cometh, wilt thou be- lieve, venerable father?" "I will believe and reverently adore," answered the sage, bowing his head till his flowing white beard touched his knees. "Read, Adina, for thy eyes are young," said my uncle; and obedient, though embarrassed be- fore such an audience, 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," THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 145 "How completely," said John, "these words described his appearance on the verge of the desert." "But," said Saul, Gamaliel's disciple, "if this be prophesied of the Christ, then we are to have a Christ of dishonor, and not one of honor and glory. Read one part that you have omitted, and you will see that there are words that import a higher condition than that of this unknown person, whom John the Baptizer himself con- fessed he did not know, nor ever beheld before." I read on, as follows: "Behold my servant shall be exalted and extolled, arid 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 dis- course, dear father, my heart sank within me; for I could not but confess that these prophecies of honor could not apply to the humble person John had baptized ; 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 146 THE PRINCE OF TUB HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 his faith and confidence, which 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 Laz- arus, his fine eyes lighting up, as he looked at Saul, "be of the Christ, as you have confessed, then is tlais last of him; and the fact that you reject him, is but the fulfilment of this part of the prophecy." Hereupon arose a very warm discussion be- tween Gamaliel and Saul on one side, and Rabbi Amos, John, and Lazarus, on the other, the for- mer contending that the prophecies referred to two distinct Christs, one of whom was to be lowly and a sufferer, and the other honorable and a conqueror; while the latter maintained, that the seemingly opposite predictions referred to but one Christ in two different periods and circumstances of his life. "But let this be as it may," said John, after the arguments on both sides had been exhausted, "how will you, O Gamaliel, and you, Saul, get over the extraordinary voice and fiery appear- ance which distinguished the baptism?" "That must have been a phenomenon of na- ture, or done by the art of a Babylonish sorcerer, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 147 whom I saw 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 the sor- cerer; for they do marvellous 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 read as follows, looking at Gamaliel : "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 ; this day have I be- gotten thee.' " Upon hearing this read, Gamaliel was thoughtful. Rabbi Amos said: "Of a truth, we Jews believe these words were to be spoken to our Christ by the Lord Jehovah. Have we not heard this prophecy fulfilled this very day in our ears?" " "It is extraordinary," answered Gamaliel. "I will search the Scriptures when I reach Jerusa- lem, to see if these things be so." "And the light in the form of a dove! Dost 148 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. thou find an explanation for that?" asked Rabbi Amos. "No," answered he; "and I will withhold all further opinion for the present." "It becomes you, O Gamaliel," said Rabbi Amos, "who art a father and teacher in Israel, to know whether these things be so, that thou mayest teach thy disciples." "But," said Saul, with some vehemence, "listen while I read some prophecies also." And he un- rolled a 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 the Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been ever of old, from everlasting." "Now, you will confess, Rabbi Amos," he added, with a look of triumph, "that this refers to our expected Mes- sias." "Without doubt," answered my uncle "but" "Wait," said Saul, "until I read you another prophecy: 'I have made a covenant with David, Thy seed will I establish forever, and build up thy throne to all generations. His seed shall en- dure 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, come of the lineage of David, and he is to be born in Bethlehem. Show me that this Jesus, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 149 the Nazarene, fulfils 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 before know of this prophecy, that Christ was to be born in Bethle- hem, yet I am overjoyed to find the fact respect- ing Jesus fulfills it. He was born in Bethlehem of Judah. This I have known some years; and" Here, while my heart was bounding witn joy, Gamiliel said sternly, "I thought this man was born in Nazareth?" "He has lived," answered Lazarus, in "Naza- reth from childhood only. During the ' days when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that ail the \vorld 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. But it is on the records in the proper office of the Tem- ple, and can be referred to there." "Admitting, then, that he was born in Bethle- hem," said Saul, who appeared to be much given to argument, "you have to prove his lineage from David's line." "Wherefore did his parents go to Bethlehem, David's city, unless they were of the 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. 150 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. "Everyone born in the city of David," re- marked Gamaliel, "is not of necessity of David's house; but it is surprising if this Jesus was born in Bethlehem." "But may not his lineage be ascertained with- out a doubt from the records of the tribes, and of their families, kept by the command of the law in the Temple?" I asked of my uncle. "Without question. These books of the gen- erations of our people are to be relied on," he answered. "In fact," said Gamaliel, "they are kept with the greatest accu v acy, and so ordained by God, for the very reason that whn 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 line- age 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 Betblehem, and of the house of D*wid, and there are many in Judah, fulfills, so far, the conditions of these two prophecies; they are not, therefore, Messias." THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 151 "What more can you ask for?" asked Mary, with feeling, for she as strongly believed that Jesus was the Christ as I did, and she was pained by so many doubts, and such subtlety of objec- tion from those who were so learned in the Phrophets. But men reason and reason, while women simply believe. "Miracles?" answered the disciple of Gamaliel, and glancing at the face of his master inquiringly. ''Yes, miracles," answered the sage. "The Messiah is to heal the sick by a word, restore sight to the blind, cast out devils, and raise even the dead." And here he desired Saul to read the particular prophecy giving the power of miracles to the Christ. "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 a noisy dispute in the court among some of John the Baptist's disciples, some of whom were disposed to acknowledge fully the superiority of Jesus; while others, still indulging the full fervor of their first conversion, stoutly contended for the transcendent greatness of him whom they regarded as their own Prophet. 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. Thus, you see, my dear father, that even on the very day of these events by eye-witnesses themselves, there is much difference of opinion concerning who Jesus is; and, therefore, I do not 12 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. expect you, who are so remote from the scene, and who know them only by report, to believe all at once, as I myself do. Will you write me, and tell me what view you take of all this subject, and what can be brought from the Scriptures to prove that Messias has not yet come? The next morning, early, the people departed from the court where they had lodged; and when the sun was about an hour high, we also took saddle and rode to Jericho, where we passed the day with Miriam, the daughter of Joel, who was cousin to my mother. W,e found them in very great affliction, and they could not be comforted by any consolations which we could administer. It seems thut her daughter Marah, or Mary, as they call her, had been so unfortunate, from her extraordinary beauty, as to attract the notice of yEmilius Lepldus, the Prefect of the Legion, who did honorably, though a Roman, and one of our conquerors, ask her in marriage of her parents. But they, being Hebrews, could not consent to such a union with a Gentile, and kept her with great strictness, so that he might never behold her again. But Marah, being very much devoted to the love of the noble Roman, and he being also attached to her, they met by strata- gem, and she fled with him to the town of Mag- dala, where he has a villa. She is, therefore, lost forever, to the faith of her fathers, by this simple flight with a Gentile lover, who, though he marry her according to the Roman laws, doth not make her an honorable wife according to our own. This event was the cause of our finding THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 153 the house of Miriam a house of mourning. It has produced great indignation among the Jews against the Romans. Alary was, I am told, the most beautiful maiden of the tribe of Benjamin, with golden brown hair that flowed to her very feet, and she was beloved by all who knew her. Thus am I disappointed in seeing her, as I hoped to have done; and the pearl armlet which you wished me to bestow upon her, I still retain in my possession, a sorrowful memorial of the loved and lost. Lazarus has returned to Bethany, where his oc- cupation demands his attendance; but his friend John remained with us, having agreed, with Laz- arus, that he would go into the desert and not give up his search for the Divine Prophet, Jesus, until he had found him; for both young men feel as sad as if they had lost a beloved and honored brother. Your daughter, ADINA. LETTER XII. My Dear Father: How shall I thank you for your forbearance with me, and your kind answers to all my letters, filled, as they are, with so many inquiries and opinions, which must sur- prise, and perhaps, displease you. You say that you have read all that I have written with impar- tiality, and that you do not marvel that "one whom you are pleased to call so imaginative and full of sensibility as myself, should be affected by what has passed under my observation in Judea." You nevertheless refuse, on your part, my dear father, to listen, with the least proximation to belief, to the extraordinary recital I have given you. You are pleased to question the reality of the voice at Jordan, and the presence of the dove of fire, and to refer it, as many others try to do who actually witnessed it, to an illusion of the senses. You are willing to admit that Jesus may be born at Bethlehem, for many whom you know "who are not prophets, neither sons of prophets, THE PHINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 155 were born there." You are willing to admit that he "may be of the lineage of David, for David's descendants are as numerous as they are poor and obscure, yet they are not Messias, nor pre- tend to be Christ's." You are content with doubting the accuracy of the memory of the mother of Lazarus, as to the scene in the Temple, though acknowledging you have often seen both Simeon and Anna in the Temple, and about the time stated by her. But your main objection to receiving John's evidence that this is the Christ, is, ''that he is poor, of humble station, destitute of influence, received baptism of a man, when the Messias was to be the baptized of God." "Who," you ask, "of the wise and the venerated, and the learned, and the aged, with years and experience; who of the doctors, and lawyers, and priests; who of the Scribes, and who of the Pharisees, and of the great men of Israel, are to unite in acknowledging as Him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write, as the central sun, around which all the dazzling prophecies of Esaias revolve; as the end and crown of the law; as the Lion of the tribe of Judah ; as the Shiloh of the nations; as the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the mighty God and the Prince of Peace; as the glory of Israel, and the Joy of the whole Earth an obscure young man, of thirty, unlearned in let- ters, the son of a carpenter, a citizen of Nazareth, a city proverbially mean, without name, charac- ter, power, rank, wealth, influence, or talents, and the last that was heard of whom was, that he had fled into the desert." You add, dear 156 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. father, that this mere enumeration of what the true Christ ought to be, with the enumeration of what is wanting in this man, should be sufficient to convince rne that I have given my sympathies and faith to one who has no claim to them. You say, further, "that you do not call my Messias an imposter, because, so far as you can learn, he has professed nothing, declared nothing, respecting himself. In silence he appeared, and in silence disappeared, none knowing whence or whither;" and you close your review of my history by say- ing, "that you shall wait for further development before you can give the subject your serious con- sideration." In your next letter, where you again allude to the theme, you say, that if this prophet reap- pears, and from his own lips declares himself sent from God, and by an appeal to undisputed miracles, gives proof of his divine mission, de- . claring himself to be the Christ, you will then believe in Him, provided the whole of the proph- k ecies can be shown to meet in his person. On this ground, I am willing that the issue should be met, dearest father; and you add, with your usual candor, "that you will not hesitate to acknowledge as the Christ a man who fulfills all prophecy in his own person, though he come in a state and condition contrary to your precon- ceived notions of the character of the Messias; for that it would be safer for you to question the correctness of your own interpretation of the Messiac prophecies hitherto, than the identity of one, in whom, without question, do meet all the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 157 golden threads of the predictions relating to the Christ." Here I am content, my dear father, to let it remain, being fully persuaded that though this humble young man, Jesus, hath come lowly and obscure, yet He will prove himself to the world that He is the true Messias, Christ of God. Now, my dear father, let me resume the inter- esting subject, of which my letters have been so full ; and, moreover, as you have desired me still to keep you informed of all that transpires touch- ing Jesus of Nazareth, and as no theme upon which I can write is so pleasing to me, I will nar- rate all that I have heard since I last wrote to you. It is now eight weeks since our return from Gilgal. For five weeks after we reached Jerusa- lem, we heard nothing of Jesus until John reap- peared. 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 any- thing 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: 158 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 found him, then?" I eagerly asked. "Yes, after days of painful search. I found him in the very centre of the de'sert of Ashes, where foot of man had never trod 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." "How did you find him there?" I asked, with that painful interest which exacts all details. "By his footsteps in the sand and ashes. I saw where He sat down to rest, and where two nights he reposed upon the ground. I expected to find him perished, but each day I discovered his progressing footsteps, and followed them. As I now drew near him, I heard him groan in spirit, and He seemed to be borne down to the earth by some mortal agony. He seemed to be talking to some invisible evil beings who assailed him. "Master, 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 159 afflicted. Eat, that them 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 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, John, 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, for which I was led by the Spirit hither!' "I once more cast myself at his feet, and He lifted me up, kissed me, and sent me away. You would not have known him. Worn to a skele- ton by long abstinence, weak through suffering, He looked but the shadow of himself. He could 160 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. not have lived if there had not been a divine power within to sustain him. His existence so long, for He had been at the desert five weeks without food, when I found him, was a miracle, 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 is still alive?" I asked, with anxious fears. * "Yes," answered John; "I am come to tell you He was sustained through all, and after forty days He came forth from the wilderness, and suddenly presented himself on the banks of Jor- dan, among John's disciples. I was standing near John, discoursing of the Christ, and mar- velling when his exile to the desert would ter- minate, when the Prophet, lifting up his eyes, cried with a loud voice full of joy: " 'Behold the Lamb of God, upon whom the Spirit descended ! He hath come forth from the furance, like gold seven times tried in the fire! He it is who taketh away the sins of the world.' "I turned, and beheld Jesus advancing. He was pale, and wore an expression of gentle, un- complaining suffering, on his benign counte- nance. His calm, chastened, dignified aspect, the serene composure and peace of his looks, awed me, while they caused me to love him. 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 fol- low me?' THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 161 1 ''Whithersoever thou goest, I answered. 'Where dwellest thou, Divine Master?' then asked one of John's disciples, Andrew by name, who was with me. " 'Come and see/ he answered; and we went after him with joy unutterable, that we had at length found him." "What passed between him an3 the Baptizer," asked Rabbi Amos, "at the river side, on this meeting?" "Not a word. They met and parted like strangers, John going away across Jordan into the wilderness, as Jesus entered the village of Bethabara; and, approaching the house of a widow, where he abode, He went in, and .we fol- lowed him, and 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 to Nazareth, where his mother dwelleth; and, as I had made up my mind to follow him as his disciple hence- forth, I have only come hither to make known my purpose to Mary, to arrange my affairs in the city. To-morrow I leave again, to join this, my dear Lord, at Cana of Galilee" "Oh. happy, and to be envied, friend and brother," said Lazarus. "How gladly would I go also, and be one of his disciples! but the care of my mother and sisters cometh upon me, and I Kiust deny myself the happiness of being ever 162 THE PRINCE OF THE H3USE OF DAVID. near this divine man, and listening to the heav- enly wisdom that flows from his lips. How blind I have been, not to have discovered, under his gentle and loving character, and unobstrtisive wisdom, the Messias. Truly, he was among us, and we knew him not." "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 altogether burst forth into a voice of thanksgiving, and sang this hymn of praise : " O sing unto the Lord a new song : for he hath done mar- vellous things : his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten the victory. "The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteous- ness 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 '.he earth have seen the salva- 1 tion of our God. " Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth : make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing his praise. "Sing unto the Lord with the harp: with the harp and the voice of a psalm. " With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 168 " Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein. " Let the floods clap their hands : let the hills be joyful to- gether. " Before the Lord; for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity." There was this morning 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 Gov- ernor, "to place him under arrest, inasmuch as we understand the Jewish Messias is to declare himself king!" Upon this, there was a tumultu- ous 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. They were led to this the more urgently, inasmuch as they feared an arrest of Jesus would give the Romans occasion for arresting other Jews, and so bring on the nation great troubles; just as, a few years ago, when a certain impostor rose up and called himself the Christ, the Romans were not satisfied with taking and destroying him, but they punished with -fines every city in Judah. Therefore, the Priests both denied to the Procurator any knowledge of Jesus, and entreated him not to pay any attention to him, till, indeed, he should find that he openly iook the lead of armed men. What Pilate will 164 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. conclude to do, I know not. Rabbi Amos in- formed us that the Procurator had got some news by a courier that morning, that Jesus, on his way to Cana, had been followed by full a thousand people, who, having recognized him as having seen him baptized of John in Jordan, hailec 1 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. The dvelopments of his power are daily taking place; and although He has yet performed no such miracle as would be deemed by you a test of his divine mission, yet I have no doubt that in due time He will give this proof, and all other needful manifestations, that He is the Christ of God. lYour loving ADINA. LETTER XIII. My Dear Father: I have received your last letter by the Cairo merchant, Heber, the son of Malaohial, and having read it to Rabbi Amos, he said, after careful reflection thereupon, that he could not agree with you in your opinion touch- ing the undimmed glory of Messiah, viz. : "that he is to come as a King, and Mighty Leader of Hosts, and reign ad prosper, and rule the earth, King of the kings of the earth." He desires me to ask you what is meant by "Messias being a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," as prophesied of him; and how you interpret, dear father, other than as referring to a violent end, the words of the wise Daniel, "And after three- score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself?" Uncle also desires me to ask you to examine into the time mamed by Daniel, when Messiah, the Prince, is to come, and take note that we live in the day of the close of the threescore and two weeks, whereof the 166 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. prophet writeth and saith, "Know, therefore, and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks and threescore and two weeks." Rabbi Amos says, the time for the appearing of Christ is come, as all must confess who read the Prophets ; and the only reason Jesus is not believed to be he, is that he comes in poverty and humility, fasting and suffering. But, my dear father, may it not be ordained that He shall come in lowli- ness and end in power? Oh, that you could have the faith in Jesus of Nazareth, that He is Messias, that I have, dearest and most honored 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." A miracle He has performed, dear father, and one, the genuineness of which is not disputed by anyone. 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 : for John has joined himself to him, and become his disciple. "Upon reaching Nazareth," says the letter, "I was guided to the humble dwelling occupied by the mother of Jesus, by a large concourse of THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 167 people gathered aoout it, of whom inquiring, I learned that it was to see the new Prophet they had assembled. 'What new prophet?' I asked, \vishing to know what the multitude thought of Jesus. " The One John of the wilderness foretold,' answered one. " They say he is Messias/ replied another. " 'He is the Christ/ boldly asserted the third. "Hereupon, a Levite, standing by, said scorn- 1 fully, 'Does Christ come out 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 of Bethlehem; and verily Jesus, though he dwelleth in this place, was born in Bethle- hem.' 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 here, 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 is mother. There were two doors, one of which led into a work-shop, where I noticed the bench and tools of the occupation at which he toiled to support himself and his mother. This sight made me half question whether lie who was an humble artisan, whose tools and 158 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. shop I saw before me, could in truth be the Christ of God, the Prince Messias whom all the patriarchs and prophets looked forward to with the eye of faith, desiring to see his day! and it required the recalling of the wonderful scenes of his baptism, the holy dove and voice of God, and his miraculous preservation in the wilderness, to revive my assurance; 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 in- structions, beheld the dignity of his aspect, and 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 was. as well as myself, John's disciple, and we were talking with him when Jesus came forth out of the wil- derness. Another was Andrew's brother, whose name is Simon, who, hearing his brother speak of Jesus as the Christ, had gone with him to see him; and had no sooner beheld him than he joined himself to him; and Jesus, from the firm- ness and immovable zeal of his character, which He seemed to understand, called him also Peter, or Stone. The fourth disciple was of Bethsaida, THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 169 the city of Andrew and Peter. His name was Philip, and he followed Jesus from having been prepared by John the Baptist to receive him. He was, however, so overjoyed at finding the Christ, that he ran to the house of his brother Nathaniel, and finding him in his garden, be- neath 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 brother, 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 ap- proaching, 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 divinity, 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 170 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 ascend- ing and descending upon the Son of M-an.' "These four, Andrew and Peter, Philip and Nathaniel, were then present in the house with him; and, to my surprise and joy, with them stood my own brother James, whom Jesus had seen on the lake in his boat, and called him, when James left all and followed him. Thus we were six disciples in all, bound to him by ties of con- fidence and love. The mother of Jesus, a noble and matronly woman, still beautiful, and with a face of the holiest serenity, was present, and gazed with love and tenderness upon her Son, listening to his words, as if she also would learn of him that wisdom which hath descended upon him from above. The next day James and I went to the sea of Tiberias, but two hours' dis- tant, 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 f calling us, we left our ships with our father, and joined him. His mother, and many of her kins- folk were of the company, all going to a mar- riage of the cousin of the family. Upon our arrival at Cana, we were ushered into the guest- chamber, and Jesus, in particular, was received with marked respect by the Hebrew master of the house, though he was an officer in the service of the Romans, We here met Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptizer, who is a relative THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. ITT of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The meeting be- tween them was very touching. " 'Ah,' said the mother of the prophet, as she looked upon Jesus, who was talking with the governor of the feast, 'How blessed art thou, O Mary, to have thy son ever with thee ! while I am a mother, and yet no mother. The son whom God gr.ve me He hath taken from me to be his prophet, and he is to me as if he were dead! Since his twelfth year he has been in the wilderness, knowing no man, until six months ago he came forth to proclaim the advent of thy holy Son!' "The marriage feast at length commenced. The wine which should have come from Damas- cus, had not arrived, the caravan having been delayed by the insurrection near Cesarea. The guests had, therefore, but little wine, and the chief ruler of the town presiding at the feast, see- ing' that the wine had given out, bade the ser- vants to place more upon the board. The mother of Jesus, who knew that the wine was out, turning to him, said, 'They have no wine!' for it seems that she knew the power that was within him, though he had not yet manifested it openly. I sat next to him, and heard her when she whispered to Jesus. He looked grave, and said with a slight tone of respectful reproof, and applying to her that title, which we in Judea be- lieve most honorable of all others, 'Woman,' he sald ; 'what have I to do with thy private requests for the exercise of my power? You wish me to perform a miracle before this noble company, that they may behold and believe on me. Mine 172 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. hour for manifesting my glory to men is not yet come, nevertheless, in obedience to thy wish, my honored mother, I will do what thou desirest me to do.' "She then thanked him with deep emotion, and turned to the servants and beckoned to them, while her cheek borrowed a rich color from her hidden joy, and her eyes, kindled with the feel- ings of a mother about to see her son display powers such as only come by the gift of God, and which were to seal Him as a Prophet, before the eyes of Jew and Gentile. For mys Mary, not anticipating, or suspecting what was to take place, I regarded the nervous emotions of the joyful mother with marvel. When two or three of the servants approached, she said to them: " 'Whatsoever He saith to you, do it.' "They then fixed their regards upon him, awaiting his commands, as little suspecting what they would be as I did. The face of Jesus, ever calm and dignified, now seemed to express a cer- tain consciousness of power within, that awed me. Casting his eyes upon several stone vases, which stood by the door, empty, he said to them : " 'Fill the water-pots with water.' "In the court, in full sight from the table, was a well, to which the servants went with jars, which I saw them fill with water, bear in upon their heads, and pour it out into the water-pots, until they had filled them all, six in number. WTiile this was going on, the governor of the feast was relating to the guests, and fixing their attention, as well as his own, how Herod and THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 173 Pontius Pilate had recently become enemies, be- cause the latter, on his way from Cesarea Phil- ippi to Jerusalem, to be present with his forces during the weeks of the Passover, having come to a caravansera at night, which was occupied by Herod and his body-guard, turned them out to make room for his own, saying that a Roman Piocurator was. more honorable than a Jewish King of Galilee. 'It will be long,' added the governor, as the last water-pot was filled, 'before this quarrel will be made up between them. But we talk, my friends, and forget our wine.' " 'Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast,' said Jesus to the servants. "They obeyed, and pouring rich, blood-red wine into the jars which I and others had seen filled up with 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 biidegroom, 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, and that when they drew out, behold, it flowed forth wine in- stead of water. Upon this there was a general 174 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. exclamation of surprise ; and the governor of the feast crying out, 'A Prophet hath been among us, and we knew it not,' rose to approach and do honor to Jesus; but he had already conveyed himself away, rising, and passing out through the door, and sought the solitude of the garden. Thither I followed him, and worshiping him, sat at his feet and listened to him, while he unfolded to me wonderful things concerning himself, showing that he is truly the Son of God, and the very Christ. But these things I cannot speak to thee of now, for I do not clearly understand all that he is to be, save that I know he is destined to suffer, and to be exalted. Doubt not," con- crudes the letter to Mary, "doubt not that Jesus is the Christ. His miracle at Cana, of turning water into wine, is a public display of his divine power. All men at the feast have believed on Him, and his fame is spreading abroad through- out Galilee and Samaria. He has told me pri- vately that he must soon visit Jerusalem, and he will there openly proclaim his mission as the Christ of God." ' In this manner, my dear father, writes the be- trothed husband of my cousin Mary; and I have given you the extract from this letter, in order that you may see that Jesus is already attracting great attention, that he has disciples, and that he is by no means poor, who has the power to con- vert wells of water into wine. From this letter, you must perceive that Jesus is, at least, a Prophet, equal to Elijah, who kept full the cruse of the widow of Zarephath. If, therefore, you ac- THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 175 knowledge this much, you must confess that he is a good man. Now, a good man will not lie. Yet, Jesus hath said to John, that He is the Christ! How, then, dear father, can any one deny, who believes him to be a prophet, that he is more than a prophet, even Mes- sias? Pardon your daughter for thus pre- suming to reason with you, but I am so earnest that you should believe, that I some- times forget the daughter in the disciple of Jesus. As for my uncle, the good and learned Rabbi Amos, he is more than half his disciple; and I have no doubt that when Jesus shall present him- self in Jerusalem, and he can see him, and hear his divine teachings, he will cast off all prejudice and become his follower. 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 A.mos, on his return from sacrifice, a few minutes ago, said that he saw more than thirty priests, with rolls of the Prophets in their hands, en- gaged in looking up the prophecies of Christ. So, my dear father, you see that the young man "who came," as you remarked, "no one knew whence, and went no one knew whither," is already taking hold of the attention of Israel, and stirring up the minds of all men to investigate his claim to be the Christ. Your affectionate daughter, ADINA. LETTER XIV. My Dear Father: You will not require th( testimony of my letters to enable you to appre- ciate the fame of the wonderful young man of Nazareth, Jesus, who is daily proving himself a Prophet, indeed, and mighty before God, show- ing all the people that God is with Him. Not a stranger cometh into Jerusalem who does not bring report of some new miracle which He hath done, some wonderful manifestation of his power. He still delays coming to Jerusalem, but is engaged in preaching the coming of the king- dom of David and of God on earth, teaching in the sinagogues, and showing from the Prophets that He is truly the Messias. And 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 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 177" devils, lunatic, or having the palsy. His foot- steps are attended by thousands, wheresoever he goes, and even the Governor of Philippi, in his chariot, hath mingled in the throng, and kneel- ing at his feet, asked the health of his son, who was palsied; and his son was healed by him, by a word, though many leagues distant. While I now write, a company is passing by the open window, bearing upon beds two wealthy men of Jerusalem, who have been given over by their physicians, who are going to him to be cured; for all Jerusalem talks of nothing else than the wonderful miracles of Christ. There was a man who wove baskets, who has occupied a stall op- posite our house for many years. He had lost entirely the use of his legs, for twelve years, and had to be carried to and fro. Hearing of the fame of Jesus, he was seized with a strong desire to have him perform a miracle upon him. For this purpose he begged money from the priests, as they went by to the Temple, but though some gave, all laughed, saying that he could not be cured, inasmuch as one of his limbs was with- ered. But the man had faith, and having begged money enough for his journey from the benevo- lent, hired two men to convey him five days' journey into Galilee. At' the end of three weeks he returned, walking upright, and well in body and limbs! All the city flocked to behold him; and he related that how when he had reached Capernaum, where Jesus was, the crowd was so great that his bearers could not for some time get near him. At length, Jesus moved on, heal- 178 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. ing the files of sick as he passed through them, at a word. "Seeing me," said the man, "he fixed his eyes upon me, and said, calling me by name: " 'Great is thy faith. As thou hast believed, be it done unto thee.' "Immediately my legs and ankle-bones re- ceived strength; I leaped from the litter to the giound, and found that I was whole, without pain or illness. I would have fallen at his feet in ecstasy of joy, but the crowds which pressed him separated me from the sight of him. But I filled the air with shouts and hallelujahs to the Son of David!" This man, my dear father, I now see daily, moving about, sound in limb and health; but this one instance is but one of a thousand. John, who follows Jesus everywhere he goes, and is a witness of all that he does and teaches, writes to Mary, that "the sick and afflicted from all parts of the land of Galilee, from Decapolis, from Jeru- salem, from beyond Jordan, even from Lesser Asia, come to him. When my beloved master," he writes, "comes forth from a synagogue, where he has been reading the Prophets to the people, who hear him gladly, I have beheld two hundred persons, the lame, the palsied, the withered, the blind, the possessed of devils, and persons afflicted with all manners of diseases, laid in rows before the gate of the synagogue, awaiting his coining forth. Those who bore them were standing in eager, expectant groups near them. It was a painful, yet sublime spectacle, to behold the hollow eyes of those wretched sufferers. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 179 turned towards the door as the people came run- ning forth, shouting, 'He comes! He comes!' The writhing torments of the possessed with devils ceased for the moment, and groans gave way to expecting silence. Jesus at length ap- pears, and upon seeing his face, that ever expresses holy benignity and innate power, they set up touching cries of the most thrilling appeal for his aid, and such appeals are never uttered in vain. Going through the rows of beds and lit- ters, He lays his hand upon some, speaks a word to others, touches the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, lays his hand gently upon the head of the lunatic, and commands in tones of authority, the devils to leave the bodies of the possessed. And what is extraordinary," contin- ues John, "the devils always conduct with more terrific violence as he draws near, and while they leave the man with curses, they confess loudly that Jesus is 'the Son of David the Son of God!' and implore him, in the most abject man- ner, not utterly to destroy them! So great is the multitude which everywhere follows him, 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 imme- diate followers, have the benefit of his teaching and private instructions. But he cannot remain long away from the people. They soon pene- trate his retirement, and he never can refuse their appeals to his miraculous powers to do them good. How wonderful is he who thus holds in 180 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. his hand divine power! The power 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 towards him. His engaging manners, his patience with our ignorance, his forbearance with our grossness, his ready excuses for us when we are in fault, ere we have time to exculpate our- selves, all have bound us to him with ties that can never be sundered. When I next write to you," continues John, "I will relate to you, so far as they are understood by me and my fellow-dis- ciples, the things which he reveals respecting himself and the object of his mission on earth. Some things, however, are not comprehended by us, but he promises that we shall by and by understand what now appears obscure tc us." Such, my dear father, is the tenor of the letters which my cousin Mary receives from John, the disciple of Jesus. They are all filled with ac- counts of his miracles, of his teachings, and of his journeyings. When we shall see Jesus at Jeru- salem, I shall be able, from personal observation, to write to you more particularly concerning his doctrines and miracles. That He is the Christ, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 181 thousands now believe; for they ask, very natu- rally, how could he do these things unless God were with him? What is also of importance, it has been proven by the results of the examina- tion 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 lineally descended 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 Giecian 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 differ- ent gates, each unknowing 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. The king hearing that these three strangers had arrived in Jerusalem, he sent to know wherefore they had honored his kingdom with a visit. "They answered," says Phineas, as he yesterday related the narrative in the presence of Caiaphas, and many of the rulers and Pharisees, '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, 182 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 'we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him!' " " 'How know you the star you have seen indi- cates the birth of a Prince of Judea?' demanded King Herod, greatly troubled at what he heard. " 'It had a motion towards this city/ they an- swered, 'and we have been led by a heavenly im- pulse to follow it, and lo, it has led us to Jerusa- lem, over which, were it now night, you would see it suspended, burning with the glory of a planet; and it hath been revealed to us that it is the star of the birth of one who is to reign King of Judah ! Tell us, therefore, oh king, where this august Prince is now to be found, that we may 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 of 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, oh, king, to all who are Jews, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 188 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, re- ffring to his own private room, sent to the three princes of the East to inquire of them what time the star appeared. And when they had named the very day and hour on which they had first seen it, he was thereby enabled to arrive at the probable age of the infant. 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 \vor-d again, that I may come and worship him also; for it is but meet that we should pay all possible honors to a Prince of our realm, whose birth is heralded in so unusual a manner, and to worship whom even the East sends forth her wise men.' They then 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 fol- lowed it until it left Jerusalem by the Bethlehem, gate, and it led them on to the town of Bethle- hem, and stopped above an humble dwelling therein. When they were come into the house, they saw a ray of the star resting upon the head 18 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. of an infant in the arms of its mother, Alary, tfie wife of Joseph. They at once acknowledged and hailed him as Prince and King of Israel, and fall- ing down, worshiped him; and opening their treasures they presented unto him gold, frankin- cense, 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 He- brew captain, now stricken in years, who can testify to the slaughter, by Herod's command, of the infants of Bethlehem; for this captain Jere- mias led on the soldiers." "And wherefore this slaughter?" asked Caia- phas. "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 1 him where they had found the child, departed by another way; and when Herod found that they were gone, he became so enraged, that he sent out a party of troops, under Jeremias, their THE PRINCE OF THE I1OUSE OF DAVID 185 I captain, who now liveth to testify, ordering them to slay every child under two years of age in Bethlehem, hoping, as I have said, to kill the in- fant Jesus among the number. But the child escaped, doubtless, by God's powerful protec- tion; and his fame in his manhood this day fills the ears of all Israel. The adoration of these three men, who were sons of Shem, Ham, and Japhet, represents the homage of the whole race of mankind that shall yet be paid to Him!" "Dost thou- believe in him, also?" asked Caia- phas, with angry surprise, looking sternly on Phineas. "I will first see, and hear him speak ; and if he appear to me to be Messias, I will gladly worship him." "Hereupon," said Rabbi Amos, who gave me the details of the foregoing interview between Caiaphas and Phineas, "there arose a great up- roar, some crying that Jesus was the Christ, and others, that Phineas should be stoned to death." Thus, you see, my dear father, how the evi- dence increases in value and importance, proving Jesus to be the Messiah. His very cradle bears testimony to his divine character; and, surely, do his miracles now confirm the pledge given by the remarkable circumstances attending his childhood. The captain Jeremias, now a gray- headed old soldier, having been called upon, tes- tifies that he obeyed such an order of Herod, and that it was given within three days after the three Princes of the East quitted Jerusalem for Bethle- hem. Now, my dear father, let me sum up the 186 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. evidences that Jesus is the Messiah. First, his presentation in the Temple, when holy Simeon. and Anna worshiped and prophesied of him. Secondly, the star which led the wise men to Betlehem. Thirdly, their adoration of him in his cradle. Fourthly, the testimony of John the Baptist. Fifthly, the voice of God at his bap- tism. Sixthly, the descent of the Holy Ghost upon him in the form of a dove. Seventhly, his miracle at Cana of Galilee. And, lastly, the glit- tering coronet of miracles that now encircles his brow, shedding a light and glory upon his path that blinds and dazzles the eye steadfastly to be- hold. Tell me, dear father, 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 John of Jordan, since the fame of Jesus hath so far eclipsed his own?" I can answer, but with sad- ness. Your inquiry seems to infer that he would feel envious of the power and the miracles that distinguish his Successor. But, on the contrary, John always plainly declared in his preaching, that " he was not worthy to unloose the shoe latchet of Him who was to come after him;" and he distinctly said many times to all, that "He to whom I bear witness must increase, but I must decrease!" The mission on which John came terminated when Jesus came. Soon afterwards he left the wilderness, and entered Jericho, where Herod was then dwelling. Here he preached in the public places, and in the market, and on the very steps of the palace, that God's judgments were coming upon the earth, and that men must, by repentance, appease his wrath ; and that Christ 188 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. would be the Judge of men! 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, for he had heard much of John, and had long a desire to hear him. The prophet no sooner beheld him, than he boldly addressed him, and sternly re- proved him for the sin of having married the widow of his brother Philip, contrary to law. Now, Herod, it is said, did not show resentment at this plain dealing, and inviting the prophet into his hall, talked much with him, and in part- ing, offered him gifts, which John refused to touch. The next day he sent for him again, to V through the streets by an innumerable multitude,* such as was never known in Jerusalem before.! 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, the voices of which are still to be heard, for my next letter, which I shall write this even- ing; for now, that all events are so interesting connected with the great Prophet Christ, I shall write to you almost daily, that I may keep you advised of all things that come to pass, even as you desired me to do. This request, dear father, filled me with joy. It was an assurance to me that you have begun to take an interest in these wonderful things concerning Messias, and it leads me secretly to hope that you may yet be- lieve in Him, and accept Him as the Anointed One of God, which, without doubt, he is, as both his words and his mighty works do testify. When I get a package of letters made up, I shall send them by Israel Ben Judah, with the caravan that leaves eight days after the Passover. May the God of our Fathers be with you, and bless you, and all the holy people of the Promise. L Your loving daughter, ADINA. BETTER XVII. My Dear Father: The last letter which I settf to you, was written during an extraordinary tumult which prevailed in the city, an account of which I promised to give you in the present one. I will do so now. 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 the houses and shops poured forth crowds, which turned their steps in that direction. Mary and I went upon the house-top, hoping to see some- thing; 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 lieard, at length, an immense shout, as of one voice, which was fol- 210 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. lowed 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 took the way round the foot of Mount Zion, and 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, and the people, while they walked near him, yet left him a little space. The nighest one to him, Mary said, was her cousin John, though at the distance I could not have recognized him ; but the eyes of maidenly affec- tion, though mild as the dove's, are as piercing as the eagle's. The head of the multitude dis- appeared 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 his 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 211 own hands. As this was an act of kindness only, to a stranger, dear father, I know you will not disapprove of it; though being done for an idola- ter may not please you. But I am full of hope, dear father, that this noble and excellent youth may yet become a Jew; for he loves to listen to my teachings from the Prophets, and last week he told me that he could never weary hearing me read to him from the books of Moses, and from the sublime Psalms of King David; which, he says, surpass any poems, either in his own tongue, or the Greek. Thus, by attention and forbearance I assuredly believe that he may be led to renounce his idolatrous faith, and become a worshiper of the God of Hosts. The multitude, as many as could gain admis- sion, 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 be- held those nighest the walls retreat down the hill- side in terrified confusion, while, to increase the tumult, the Roman horse charged up the hill, seeking to penetrate through the masses, to reach the gate out of which the people poured like a living and tempest-tossed river, before 212 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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, who knew both her father, and her cousin and betrothed were exposed to whatsoever danger was threatening those who had gone into the Temple, became overcome by her apprehensions of evil to them, and, burying her face in her hands, she sunk down almost in- sensible by my side. My attention was then drawn to her, away from the scene on Mount Moriah, and, leading her down into the apart- ments of the house, I saw no more of what fol- lowed. But a quarter of an hour had not passed, when Samuel Ben Azel, who had, the day before, come up from Nain, to the Passover, with his mother, who is a distant relative of Rabbi Amos, entered, and explained to us the cause of the scene I had witnessed, assuring Mary, at the same time, of the safety, both of her cousin and her father. His account was thus: "The Prophet Jesus having entered into the Temple, with the multitudes following him to see what he would do, 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 thous- ands of sheep and cattle were stalled; and be- tween almost every two colunms of the vast por- tico, sat at their tables, men, whose business it was to change the foreign money brought by the Jews from Greece, Egypt, Elam, Parthia, and THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 213 Africa, who had come up to the Passover, for Jerusalem and Roman coin, which only the sell- ers of the cattle and sheep will receive for what they sell. 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 round them, and often 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 calm, terrible eye (for it was terribb then, mild as it was before), 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 di- rected their gaze, as by a sort of fascination, not unmingled with a strange awe and fear, 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 nearest him was John, his disciple. The uproar of buying and selling suddenly subsided, and even the loud lowing of the cattle, and the bleeting of the sheep, stopped, as if a supernat- ural 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, but a moment before a scene of oaths, cries, shouts, running to and fro, buying and selling, 214 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. the ringing of money, and the buzz of ten thous- and 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 dread- ful! 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. I thought of the world hereafter to be assembled before the tribunal of Jehovah, awaiting their sentence. The step of the Temple upon which he stood seemed to be a throne, and the people before him expecting judgment. Suddenly, the silence, which had become op- pressive, was broken by a young man near me, who gave vent to his feelings by 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 interrup- tion. That one intense shriek had spoken for us all, given expression and outlet to what we all felt. Suddenly, the voice of the Prophet was heard, clear, authoritative, and ringing like the trumpet that shook Sinai when the Law was given, and made all the people to quake: " '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 him fled the changers of money, priest, and Levite, sellers of oxen, sellers THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 215 t>f sheep, and sellers of doves, escaping in such haste from the terrible displeasure of his counte- nance, that they left their property to its fate, seeking only their personal safety. " Take these things hence/ he cried, 'make not my Father's house a house of merchandise!' "Such a scene of confusion and flight was never witnessed as now followed! The whole mass was in retrograde motion. I was borne along with the current. Money-tables were overturned on all sides; but not the most avari- cious thought, at that moment, of stopping to gather any of the gold and silver which the rush- ing 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 his presence! We were driven like chaff before him. To the eyes of all, the little whip seemed to blaze and flash above their heads, as if it were the fiery sword of the destroying angel. Nothing but terror, flight, escape, was thought of. In a few moments, the Priest's Court of the Temple was cleared of every soul, and we were driven across the Court of Israel, and the broader Court of the Gentiles, towards the south gate. On looking back, I saw that the prophet no longer pursued, but stood alone, Master and Lord of the Temple. The whip was no longer in his hand; and his whole attitude and expres- sion of face was changed from that of their late terrible power, to an air of the profoundest com- passion, as he looked after us, still flying from his presence. 216 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. "But I had no time to marvel at this extraor- dinary change, for the multitude still sought to escape, and bore me onward, and I lost sight of him. At the gate we were met by a cohort of Pilate's cavalry, and pressed backward into the Temple. The scene now became appalling. What, with the Roman spears in front, and the Prophet behind, the multitude fearing to go either way, trode one upon another, trampled the weak under foot, and filled the air with curses, shrieks, and horrible outcries, of mingled pain, rage and terror. How I escaped, I know not," added Samuel, as he completed his narration, "but, on finding myself outside of the gate, I at once, with hundreds, sought shelter in the city, and happy am I to have reached this place of security; for the Romans are scouring the streets, driving all the people into their houses." When Samuel had ended, and we were won- idering at this new exhibition of the mighty power of the Prophet Jesus, the street in front of pur dwelling was filled with persons seeking their homes. Some cried, "the terrible Prophet!" others, "the Romans!" and some, by their out- cries, seemed to fly from equal fear of both. In the midst of this tumult, dear father, I sat down to write you my last letter, while the events were fresh, and lest other events should come in and crowd these from my mind. Ah, my dear father, Jesus of Nazareth must be, indeed, invested with powers divine! He, who, with a word and a look, for the whip in his hand could not, says Rabbi Amos, have hurt a child* THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 217 can thus impel thousands of men before him, could make the whole world fly from the terrible majesty of his presence! My uncle, Rabbi Amos, who, on his return from the Temple, cor- roborated what Samuel had stated, added, that as Jesus stood alone, possessor of the gold-strewn tloors 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, seeing that he took upon himself to purify the Temple. His answer was, "My Father's House must not be made a house of merchandise. Zeal for the glory of His Temple hath caused me to do these things." "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." "When Christ shall come, he will restore all things," answered the High Priest. "And I have begun this restoration by expel- ling from the Temple those who defile it, and restoring it to be a House of Prayer, according as my father hath ordained." "And who is thy father?" asked Caiaphas. "God is my Father; and to do His will am I sent into the world. I came not of myself, but my Father sent me. It is written of me, 'He shall suddenly come to His Temple, and be as a purifier and refiner of silver.' "What sign showest thou that thou art sent, and hast authority to do what thou doest here to-day within the Temple?" 218 THE PRINCE Otf >TflE HODSE OP DAVID. "Hast thou not had proof of my power from heaven," answered Jesus, stretching forth his hand towards the still terror-stricken multitude. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up! Be this to you, and 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 drew near to hear. "He cannot be a just man," said Annas, "nor doth he honor God, it he would have us destroy the Temple!" "Yet, if he be not sent of God, whence hath he tliis 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; but the most part asserting their belief that Jesus was a just man and divine prophet. Caiaphas at length obtained silence, and said to him: "Tell us plainly Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed, that we may believe in Thee?" "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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 219 lifted up his voice in an exclamation of horror, and, rending his clothes, he cried out: "Hear ye this blasphemer! Let us cast him forth from the Temple, which he pollutes !" But no man dareth approach the Prophet, whose mighty power had so recently been ex- pressed in the expulsion of the merchants and buyers from that sacred place. "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 to my Father's name, on every hill, and in every valley of the earth, holy temples, wherein he shall de- light to dwell; and men shall no longer need to 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 thrown down, till not one stone remaineth stand- ing upon another; and ye shall be scattered, be- cause ye knew not the time of your visitation?" 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. Rabbi Amos, who saw and heard all this, says that nothing could have been more striking than the contrast presented between the two men, the High Priest and Jesus 220 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. (if it be lawful to call him a man, dear father), as they talked with each other; the one clothed in magnificent garments, with a glittering tiara upon his brows, his port lofty and proud, his hair and beard white as snow, and his whole appear- ance majestic and splendid with outward rich- ness! the other, youthful, clad in coarse garments, with a gray Galilean mantle folded about him, sandals much worn upon his feet, and his whole garb mean and covered with the dust of his jour- ney on foot from Bethany; while the severe sad- ness of his face, which seemed beautifully, and touchingly chastened by prayer and suffering, contrasted strongly with the stern, harsh face of Caiaphas, flushed with anger and envious hostility. "He passed out of the Temple with an even pace, neither looking back at his enemies, nor followed by them. I beheld John join him, and hastened to ask him to invite him to my house, to sojourn and eat the Passover with me, but he dis- appeared, and I lost sight of him. But, at the gate, I encountered a man, leaping and singing, whom the Prophet had healed by a touch, as he passed out, though the man had been paralytic for thirty-one years. Thus does this mighty per- son never cease to do good." 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. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 221 Adieu, dearest father. The servants are bring- ing in boughs for the booths, and I must close this letter, with prayers to our father's God for your peace and welfare. ADINA. LETTER XVIII. My Dear Father: The last letter, which I re- ceived by the hands of the Roman courier, filled me with gratitude, at learning from it your recov- ery. When I heard from Ben Israel of your ill health, I felt like flying with the wings of a dove to reach your pillow, and administer to the com- fort of the venerated and loved author of my being. The God of our fathers be praised in raising you up; and that He may preserve you long to me, shall be my daily prayer. You say in your letter, dear father, that you have read with interest all my letters, and more especially those which relate to Jesus of Galilee, the mighty Prophet now vouchsafed to Israel. You say that you are ready to acknowledge him as a prophet sent from God, "for evidently no man could do such great works, except God be with him." "But," you add, "while I am ready, my child, to recognize him as a prophet of the Lord, I am far from seeing in him the Messias THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 223 promised to our people! Aside from the lowli- ness of his parentage, and his humility of condi- tion, travelling on foot, and without retinue (while Messias is to be a Prince and King), he can have no claim to be the Christ, because he comes out from Galilee. Doth Messias come out of Galilee? Let Rabbi Amos, who seems ready, I perceive, to acknowledge him as the Christ, let him examine the writings of the Prophets, and see! Hath not the Scripture said that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Beth- lehem, where David was? Search and look, for no prophet, much less Messias, cometh out of Galilee." To this objection, dear father, also made, I believe, in a previous letter, 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, yester- day, 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 ths Messiah." "What is it? Let me hear all that can strengthen!" I asked earnestly; not, dear father, 224 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. that my confidence in him needs confirmation, but I wish others to believe. "You will find it in the Prophet Hoseas," an- swered Nicodemus, "and thus it readeth: 'I have called my son out of Egypt/ These words refer to Messias, without question, as say all the doctors of the law." "It is a new argument for Jesus, then," answered Rabbi Amos. My heart bounded with joy, dear father, at hearing this prophecy named; but judge my emotions when Nicodemus, taking the roll of the Prophet Isaiah in his hand, read the words that follow, and applied them to Jesus, "Beyond Jor- dan, in Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness have seen a great light!" This changes the objections to his coming from Egypt and from Galilee, into additional proofs of his claims to be the Messias. I hear you now ask, dear father, with many of the rich and influential citizens of Jerusalem, "Have the rulers begun to believe in him?" Yes, Nicodemus does begin to believe that He is the Christ, being more and more assured of it the more he examines the divine Scriptures. O, my dear father, that you could see Jesus, and hear him discourse, as I have done! All your doubts would then be dissipated, and you would be will- ing to sit at his feet, and learn of him the words of life. How shall I describe him how shall I cause you to hear and see him, as I have heard and seen? In my last letter, I informed you that Rabbi THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 225 Amos had invited him to sojourn with us during the Passover. John, the cousin of Mary, con- veyed to him the invitation of my uncle, and he graciously accepted it, and came hither yester- day, after he had quitted the Temple, from which he had with such commanding power driven forth the merchants and money-changers. Hearing the rumor flying along the streets, "The Prophet comes! the Prophet ccmes!" uttered by hundreds of voices of men and chil- dren, I hastened to the house-top, which com- manded a view of the street, to the foot of the Temple. The whole way was a sea of heads. The multitude came rolling onward, like a mighty river; as I have seen the dark Nile when pouring its freshening floods along its confined banks. Mary stood by my side. We tried to single out, amid the advancing throng, the central per- son around whom undulated the sea of heads, and whose progress gave occasion to so mighty a commotion. But all was so wildly confused with the waving of palm branches that we could dis- tinguish nothing clearly. While I was straining my gaze to make out the form of the Prophet, Mary touched me, and bac[e me look in the oppo- site direction. As I did so, 1 beheld jEmilius Tullius, the young Roman Centurion, of whom I have before spoken, now Prefect of Pilate's Le- gion, advancing at the head of two hundred horses, at full spur, in order to meet and turn back the advancing column of people. As he came opposite the house, he looked tip, 226 THE PRTOOfi OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. and seeing us upon the parapet, he gracefully waved his gleaming sword, saluting 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 hitherward 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 collision with the people. If thou wilt withdraw them a little, thou wilt see that when the Prophet crosses my father's threshhold, 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 draw up my troop ; especially, as I see that the people are unarmed." The Centurion gave orders to his horsemen to draw up in a line opposite the house. The mul- titude now drew near; but many of those in ad- vance, seeing the Roman horse, stopped or fell back, so that I now beheld Jesus appear in front, walking at an even, calm pace, John at his side, and also Rabbi Amos was with him. As he came nigher, the people, for fear of the long Roman spears, fell back, and he advanced, almost alone. I saw John point out to him the house. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 227 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 dark, brown hair was mingled with gray, and in his finely-shaped, oval face were carved, evi- dently by care and sorrow, deep lines. His beard was black, mingled with gray, and fell upon his breast. His large, hazel eyes, appeared to be fixed on us both for an instant, with benig- nity 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 unite both awe and love, in those who saw him, to command our homage and sympathy. As he drew near where the Roman Prefect sat upon his horse, the Prophet inclined his body slightly, but with a courtesy indescribable, to the young chief, who bent low to his saddle-bow in acknowledgment, as if to a monarch. We were both surprised, as well as gratified, dear father, at this act of homage from the Roman knight to our Prophet, and I thought more kindly than ever of yEmilius. Passing the horsemen, John and Rabbi Amos cond-cted 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 228 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. that they proceeded from several of the priests, headed by Annas, who were pressing forward through the crowd. "We call upon you, O Prefect, to arrest this man! Shame on thee, Rabbi Amos! Hast thou also believed in the imposter? 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 JEmilius. "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 commo- tions arise in the city, Pilate will make you accountable. All the rest of the people are peaceable, save only yourselves." "We will take our complaint before the Pro- curator, 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 gov- ernor. I looked my gratitude to ^milius, for taking; part with the Prophet. The multitude now began to retire, as the Ro- man horse slowly moved up the street, and Jesus being received into the house by Mary, who de- scended to open the door, quiet was soon in a measure restored; though at one time a large THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 229 concourse of persons, whose money-tables had been cast down, came to complain of their losses, and would have attacked the house but for Rabbi Amos, who went forth and civilly addressed them showing them that if they had sold and bought in the Temple, contrary to law, and that if Jesus had driven them forth alone, he must be a prophet, for only a prophet could make a thous- and men flee before him; "and if he be a phophet, my friends, he has acted by command of God; and take heed, lest in avenging yourselves against him, you be found fighting against God." With such words he caused them to retire, though many sick, lame, halt, and blind, and in- firm, as well as a group of lepers, stood a long time, without calling upon the prophet to come forth, and touch them and heal them. In the meanwhile, Jesus was taken into the inner hall, and water being brought, Rabbi Amos himself removed his sandals, and washed his feet; while Mary, to do him all honor, dried them with a rich veil, which she had just worked in antici- pation of her coming bridal with her cousin John. It was at this moment I entered the hall. Desirous as I had been to behold and speak with the Prophet, now that I could behold him face to face, I shrunk with awe. He raised bis eyes, and beholding me, said: "Daughter, come thou also, and bid me wel- come with these dear friends; for I know thou be- lievest in me, and wouldst that thy father also ^should believe. Be patient, and hope; for thou 230 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. shall yet behold him whom thou lovest, my disci- ple!" As thus he spake, he extended to me his hand, upon which I let fall a rain of tears of joy. I knew that he knew my heart and theughts, and that his words would prove true. Yes, dear father, you also will believe, as we all believe. You also are to acknowledge Him as the Christ. They 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, as John said, were his disciples. One of them was a short, compactly-made man, with high, energetic fea- tures, a bold brow and an eagle eye, with an air of singular determination, like a soldier. His name was Simon Peter. Another was a tall, in- tellectual person, with a calm, thoughtful air, who seemed to hang on every word his master uttered, as if he were listening to the very oracles of God. His name was Andrew, and he is a brother to Simon. . But I had no eye or ear for any one but Jesus. I saw that he seemed weary and pale, and for the first time I noticed a wound oozing blood upon his temple, from which he seemed to suffer, as from time to time he raised his hand to it. Desirous of serving so holy a person, I hastened to prepare liniment, with which, bringing it into the hall, I was about to bind up his wound, which John said had been caused by a stne thrown by some wicked hand. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 231 But the Priest Elias put me rudely back, and said, "Nay, maiden, let us witness a miracle!" He then turned to the Prophet and said, "Mas- ter, we have heard much of thy power to do mir- acles, but have seen none done by thee! If thou wilt presently show me a miracle, I will believe, I and all my house! Thou hast a wound gaping in the temple; heal it with a touch, and I will ac- knowledge thee the Christ, the Son of the blessed!" Jesus turned his eyes upon him and said, "Elias, thou readest the Prophets, and should know whether he who speaketh unto thee be the Christ or no! Search the Scriptures, that thou mayest know the time of his visitation is come, and that I am He! One prophecy fulfilled is of more value than many miracles. But I do no miracles to relieve my own sufferings. 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. Ye believe that I am a prophet, and come out from God. It is well. Shall a prophet, then, de- ceive? If I am a prophet (and ye doubt it not), and I say that I am the Christ, why will ye not believe me? If I am a true prophet, come out from God, I cannot lie. Yet ye believe me when I say I am a prophet, and ye are displeased if I say I am the Christ. If ye believe me at all, then believe what I say unto you, that I am the Christ." "But, master," said the aged Levite, Asher, "we know whence thou art even from Galilee. 232 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 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. I have told you plainly I am the Christ." When he had thus spoken with great dignity and power, there were many present who weri offended, and some voices murmured againi-t him. Then Rabbi Amos led him forth to thi apartment he had prepared for him; but the pec- pie remained warmly discussing the subject, and were greatly divided about him, some saying that he was Christ, and others denying it; while others cried aloud that he did his miracles by Beelze- bub, Prince of the devils. "And so," said my cousin John, bitterly, "and so it is wherever my beloved master goes. Detraction and envy, malice and unbelief, fol- low his footsteps, and daily his life is menaced, and no place is a place of shelter for his aching head." In going to his apartment, the Prophet had to cross the court, and as I was watching his retir- ing footsteps, I saw four men who had climbed to the house-top from the street, the doors being THV. irJtfCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 233 shut, let down a. fifth in a blanket at the very feet of Jesus. It was a man afflicted with the palsy, and grievously tormented, and their own father. Jesus, seeing their filial love, stopped and said, kindly: "Young men, what would you have me to do?" "Heal our aged father, holy Rabbi." "Believe ye that I can do this?" he asked, fix- ing 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 arose 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 did the same, while all the people who witnessed the miracle shouted, "glory to God, who hath given such power unto men!" Jesus then withdrew himself from the grateful group, who, embracing their father, wept upon his neck, and then the whole four escorted him, two on each side, with their arms about him, and about each other, into the street, where they were received by the multitude with loud cries of gratulation; for the old man had been well known in the city by all men, as palsied and un- able to walk for thirty years. 234 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. Such, my dear father, are the increasing testi- monies 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. Dear Father: The visit of the Prophet Jesus to the city has produced results of the most amazing character. His numerous miracles, performed in the open day by a word, or a look, or a touch, or a command, the power of his preaching, the excellency of his doctrines, which are evidently divine, his clear assertions that he is the very Christ, have all contributed to bring the first men of Israel, rulers as well as people, to believe in him! During the four days he re- mained at the house of my uncle Amos, the chief men of the city came to hear him, and, if possible, to see some miracle performed by him. The priesthood is divided. Caiaphas has pub- licly recognized him as a prophet, while Annas has publicly declared that he is an imposter; and thus two parties are formed in the city, headed by the two priests, and all men have taken sides with one or the other. But the majority of the common people are in favor of Jesus, believing 1 236 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. him to be the Christ. The Pharisees most oppose him, because he boldly reproves their sins and hypocrisies; and though they fear him, they hate and would destroy him, for he preaches so plainly against their wickedness, that the people have ceased to respect them. Even Nicodemus, who at first was inclined to accept Jesus as a Prophet, finding the Pharisees against him, and being un- willing 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 result of these interviews was, I can only tell you from Mary's account. She overheard their conversation, her window opening up on the cor- ridor, where Jesus had been 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, and as cold, when Rabbi Amos came and announced the ruler Nicodemus, as desirous to speak with him. "Bid him come in and see me, if he has ought to say to me," answered the Prophet, turning towards him. "Nicodemus," added my cousin Mary, "then came to the corridor, carefully wrapped in his mantle; and looking about to see if he were un- observed, he dropped it from his face, and, bow- ing reverently, said to the Prophet: "Pardon me, O Rabbi, that I come to thee by THE PRINCE OF THE HODSE OP DAVID. 237 night; but by day thy time is taken up with healing and with 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 ex- cept God be with him. That thou art a mighty Prophet, I believe, as do all men: but art thou the Messias? Tell us plainly!" "If I tell thee, Nicodemus, thou wilt not be- lieve," answered Jesus, mildly. "I will ask you one question. Whence cometh Christ?" "He is the son of David, and cometh out of Bethlehem." "Thou hast well answered. Rabbi Amos, here, will tell thee that he has examined the records. Ask him whose son he is who speaketh unto thee." "The son of Joseph and Mary, of the lineage of David's house," answered Rabbi Amos. "The record of his birth I have seen, O Nicodemus, and also have Caiaphas and many others. Thou canst examine for thyself, if thou wilt come to the Temple with me to-morrow." "Thy word suffices, O Rabbi Amos; for who ever knew thy lips to utter falsehood?" "The same record shows that the great Prophet, now here among us, was born in Beth- lehem, in the days of the taxation," answered Rabbi Amos. 238 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. "Thence whence is it, O Prophet, that thou cometh out of Nazareth of Galilee?" asked Nic- odemus, doubtingly. "I will tell thee, Nicodemus," answered Jesus. "My parents dwelt in Nazareth, and as they so- journed at Bethlehem, to be registered in their own family town, David's town, I was born! Thus am I of the line of David, of the town of Bethlehem, and also as it was prophesied of me, a Nazarene. Dost thou ask more? Dost thou believe?" "Yea, Lord; but how read the Prophets that Messias is to be a king, and to 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 all earthly kingdoms, has no end; and those who become its subjects must be born again, or they cannot see it!" "Born again?" answered Nicodemus, with surprise, "How can a man be a second time born after he is grown to manhood? O Rabbi, thou speakest in parables." "Art thou a wise man of the Pharisees, and a master in Israel, and knowest not what I say?" answered the Prophet. "Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter my kingdom. He who is born of Adam is of the flesh, and of Satan's kingdom, of which Adam was; but he that is born again is born a spiritual man, and is of my kingdom; for I come to build up a king- TflE PKIXCK OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 1C 9- dom on the ruins of Satan's seat. Marvel not, then, that I say that the sons of Adam must be born again to the sons of God. If ye would enter into my kingdom and live forever, ye must be born again, even of water and of the Spirit." "How can these things be? Pray, master, explain, that I may know what this mystery meaneth. How can a man be born when he is old?" "What! dost thou stumble at the very thres- hold of the doctrine of my kingdom, O Pharisee? If ye cannot believe earthly things, how shall ye understand the heavenly things, which ye seek to know? He that would be my disciple must be born again ! Your first birth is under Satan's power, which rules the world as it now is in bondage; your second birth is into His kingdom, who has come to destroy Satan's and build up His own. This birth is spiritual." Upon this Nicodemus rose and said, with a shake of the head: "I will hear thee again, O Rabbi, of this matter touching the new birth, of which thou speakest." 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. "And shall all nations pay us tribute?" "Thou knowest not what thou sayest, O Rabbi. But the veil shall be removed from thine eyes when thou seest the Son of man lifted Z4U THE FKJNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. up on his throne, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness." "Where will be thy throne, O Messias? Wilt thou expel Romans from the city of David, and reigm there?" "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 Mount Calvary, and the ends of the earth shall look unto me, and acknowledge my empire. But 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 as- signed him, and Mary remained wondering at his sayings. Thus, dear father, it is made certain from his own words, that Jesus is the Christ; that he is to establish a kingdom; that he will stand on ''a throne high and lifted up," as saith the Prophet, and all the earth shall acknowledge him. But why his throne should be on Calvary instead of Mount Zion, Rabbi Amos wonders greatly, in conversing with us to-day; 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! And yet it is more mysterious still, his saying that we must be born again. But John THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 241 remarked that there are many things which he says to him and his disciples, which Jesus plainly tells them they cannot yet understand, but will by and by remember; and that he tells them now that then, when they see these things fulfilled, they may remember that he told them of them and believe in him; and have confidence that other sayings and prophecies of his, yet further in the future, will come to pass. Jesus, in all that he says, in all that he does, proves that he is omniscient and omnipotent! Whatever he wills to do, he doeth. Never man had power such as dwells in him. This morn- ing, as he was going forth from the house to depart into the country, a man lame from his youth, seated upon the threshold, caught him by his robe, saying, "Master, heal me!" "Sort, thy sins be forgiven thee," answered Jesus, and then passed on; but the Scribes and Pharisees who stood about, when they heard this, 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, who has not walked for twelve years, and whose legs and arms are withered, as you see, Thy sins be for- given thee,' or to say, 'Rise and walk?' If I can bid him rise and walk as aforetime, and he does so before your eyes, is it not proof to you that I have power to forgive his sins also? For who could make him to rise and walk but the power of God alone, who also forgiveth men's sins? 242 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. But that ye may know that the Son of God hath power on earth to forgive sins, Behold!" The Prophet then said in a loud voice 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 kins- folk, 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 both came equally from God. Does not this 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. Mary and I fell at his feet and bathed them with our tears, Rabbi Amos, and even Nicodemus, kneeled before him, with many others, asking his blessing; mothers came with their infants, that he might lay his hands on them ; and the sick and impotent were placed by their friends in his path, that his shadow in passing by might heal them. Hundreds brought handkerchiefs, amulets, and sprigs of cypress torn from the booths, in order that they might bring them in contact with his garments. 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 243 \vhere 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 were assembled a large company of Levites and priests, among whom were mingled some of the most desperate characters in Jerusalem. Knowedge of this fact reached Rabbi Amos, who at once sent a message to ^milius, our Roman friend, informing him that he appre- hended that there would be an attempt made to assassinate Jesus at the going out of the gate, and asking his aid. yEmilius placed himself at the head of fifty horse, and reaching the gate, pressed the crowd back and took possession of it. When Jesus passed through the armed guard beneath the arch the young Roman courteously offered him an escort to the next village. Jesus, graciously looking on him, said: "Young man, I need not thy help. My hour is not yet come. They cannot harm me till my hour arrives. I am not yet given by my father into their hands! Take my blessing, and one day thou shalt know to whom thou hast offered the aid of thy troop?" The Levites and their hired murderers now pressed forward, and broke through the cohort to reach Jesus, uttering wild and fearful cries; but ^milius charging them, routed them, and put several to the sword. He then rode to the side of the Prophet, offering him the best horse in his company. This accommodation Jesus 244 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSr, OF DAVID. refused, but walked by the Roman soldier, who insisted on escorting him, affably conversing with him, and teaching him wonderful things touching the kingdom of God. yEmilius, 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, though his disciple Peter would have bidden the lepers to hold their peace, as it was late, and his Master was weary; but Jesus, who never wearies doing good, called the lepers to approach. As they did so, the whole com- pany 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 yEmilius saw this miracle, he dis- mounted from his horse, and falling at Jesus' feet, cried, worshiping him: "Thou art Mercury or Jupiter, O mighty God! Give me wisdom and power from the skies!" "Rise, young man," answered Jesus, sadly looking upon him ; "thou shalt have wisdom and THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 245 grace, but not from thy gods; there is but one God, even the Father; worship him, and he will reward thee!" ^Emilius said to me that his heart thrilled at these words, with others he had spoken in the way, and he promised me that he would hence- forth "cast aside his gods and believe in the God of Israel, and in Jesus, his holy Prophet." Is not this blessed news? *'Lo! he proclaims," s.s saith the prophet, "liberty to the Gentiles." Now, my dear father, I have thus far faithfully written all that I have heard and witnessed respecting Jesus, as you desired. You must see that he is more than a Prophet, and is the very Christ, the son of the Blessed. Withhold, oh, withhold not, your belief longer. Thousands believe in him, love and reverence him, as Messias. Daily his power over the hearts and minds of men is increasing. The common peo- ple worship the very dust of his sandals. The priests believe and tremble; but, like Herod, when he was an infant in Bethlehem, would destroy him, lest he should supplant them. They say the daily sacrifice will cease, the Temple fall to ruins, and the faith of Israel depart, if Jesus be suffered to live and preach, and do these mighty signs and wonders among the people. But all this establishes his claims! Did not David prophesy of Messias, that when he should come, "The kings of the earth would set themselves, and the rulers take council to- gether against the Lord and against his anointed? But he that sitteth in the heavens 246 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DA\il>. shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in deri- sion." Thus, dear father, all things more and more go to prove Jesus of Nazareth to be the Christ of God. Your affectionate and loving daughter, ADINA. LETTER XX. My Dear Father: It is many months since you have received a letter from me, written with my own hand; and I rejoice that I am so far restored to health as to resume my correspond- ence with you. I cannot speak to you too warmly in praise of my uncle Amos and cousin Mary, during my ' illness. By their care and nursing, under the blessing of God, I am now nearly well. The pure air of the mountains of Galilee being recommended to me, they jour- neyed with me thither, and, at the foot of Mount Tabor, in the lovely village of Nain, I have passed many weeks, reviving each day. We are now at the humble abode of a widow, whose husband has been lost on the Great Sea, on which he was a seaman, in one of the mer- chant ships of Cesarea. The cottage of the widow stands in a garden, from which is a sub- lime view of Tabor, in all the majesty of his mountain grandeur. One day, while I Was in 2*5 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. the garden walking, two men, dusty and travel- worn, stopped at the half-open gate, and, salut- ing us, said: "Peace be to this house, maiden, and all who dwell here." "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 them- selves; 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 Messias is come!" At hearing these words, Mary and I both ex- claimed with joy that we had both seen and heard Jesus at Jerusalem, and believed on him. Upon this they looked greatly pleased; and answered our inquiries respecting the P'ophet; that he was in Samaria, preaching and working miracles, and proclaiming his kingdom. When we heard this we rejoiced exceedingly, for we had not heard of him for a long time. From them we learned that he had chosen twelve apostles, who always went with him, and were daily taught of him: and also, more recently, seventy others, whom he sent, two and two, into every city, to herald his approach. "Will he, then, come to Nain?" said 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!" THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 249 "Yes, he will come hither," answered the men; "and when we shall report to him your hospi- tality 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, calling the peace of God upon our abode. They had not been gone many minutes, before we heard a great commo- tion 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, and calling upon all who heard them to repent of their evil deeds, and lead a godly life; for Jesus would one day judge them according to the deeds done in the body. 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 re- main upon you, as I return to you again the dust of your city." They then departed, followed by Levites, and men of the baser sort, who fairly drove them from the town. This hostility, we found, was caused by an order from the Great Sanhedrim, to all the synagogues and priests in the land, that they should denounce all who preach Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ. While we were grieving at his enmity against a Prophet sent from God, whose life was a series of good deeds, there entered hastily a fair young 250 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 influ- ence in the town. She was artless, unsuspecting, and very interesting in all her ways. "What good news, dear Ruth?" asked Mary, smiling at her bright smiles. "A letter from whom?" "For Sarah," answered the pretty maid, blush- ing so timidly and consciously, that we half sus- pected the truth. "But, that is not telling us from whom," per- severed 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, 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 over-joyed girl, quite forgetful of our presence. But we had long known the story of her pure love for the widow's son, and she had made us confidants of all her hopes and fears, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVIIK A and read to us all the letters that came from hinr on the seas, for he went down to trade in the sea in ships, like his father before him. We knew, too, that the youthful wanderer loved her with as much devotion, as she loved him, and our hearts sympathized with her in her true affection. "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. Is the letter to me, or thee, child?" "To to me, dear Sarah," answered the maiden, with a momentary embarrassment. "Likely likely; it is most natural that thott shouldst get the best part of the epistles. But so I hear and know he is well, it is the same, writeth he to me or thee!" Ruth then cast a bright look upon us, and thus read aloud from the letter from over the sea: "Dearest Ruth: I fear you have been impa- tient at my long silence ; but I love you not less, though you do not often hear from me. Now that I am safe, I will write to you, which I would not do in a state of uncertainty. Know, that after our ship left Cesarea for Crete, we were caught by a north wind, and, in striving to make the east end of the island, we lost way, and were driven upon Africa, where we were wrecked, los- ing all our cargo, and the lives of many who sailed with us. With others, I was taken by the barbarians, and carried inland to a country of rocky mountains, and there became a bondman.' 252 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DATED. to one of the chief men of the nation wherein I was captivated. At length, inspired by a con- sciousness of the anguish you and my beloved mother must suffer, should you never more hear tidings from me, I resolved to effect my escape. After great perils, I reached the seaside, and, at the expiration of many days, by following the coast, I was taken on board by a small ship of Cyprus, and conveyed to Alexandria. The vessel was owned by a rich merchant of my own people, Manassah Benjamin Ben Israel, who, finding me sick and destitute of all things, just as I escaped, took me home to his hospitable house, and treated me as a son, till I recovered my health and strength; saying that he had a daughter far away in Judea, and he hoped that if she ever needed the aid of strangers, God would repay him by making them kind to her." Here Mary and I looked at each other with agitation and pleased surprise. ''It was my father," I exclaimed, with emo- tion; "I rejoice that his house became thy son's home, O lady. Blessed be my father!" When Sarah heard that it was at your house, dear father, her son had been so hospitably enter- tained, she embraced me again and again, and entreated me to convey to you her heartfelt grat- itude; which I do herewith. And it is, dearest father, because you know and love this young man, so providentially thrown upon your care, that I shall be so particular in recounting what I am about to do concerning him. Ruth ended the reading of the letter, which THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 253 fold that he should 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. Sarah seemed now to be drawn closer to me in affection, and also so did Ruth, since they have learned that I am the daughter of the noble Jew who did so much for Samuel in a strange land. At length, as the day drew near for me to leave, to return to Jerusalem, my health being quite invigorated, we were all taken with de- lighted 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 man- ner. We could not but agree that the pretty Ruth had shown fine taste. He gave to me the package which you desired him to forward to Jerusalem, and thus, we all round had reason to rejoice at his coming. But alas! my dear father, our joy was short-lived ! Little did we anticipate how speedily our rejoicings were 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 to you the anguish of the mother; the heart-rending distress \>f his betrothed, as they bent over his couch, and '254 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. saw the fierce plague burning him, as if he were ;in a furnace. Unconscious of their presence, he raved wildly; and sometimes fancied himself suffering; thirst on the burning sands of Africa; and now, oattling with the barbarians for his life. All that physicians could do, and his friends could do for he was greatly beloved as well for his own. sake as for his mother's and Ruth's all was of no avail. This morning, the third day after his return, he expired, amid the most distressing agonies. Poor Ruth! She cast herself, in per- fect abandonment of grief, upon his lifeless and disfigured corpse; and, now that they have re- moved her from the chamber of death, her shrieks fill the house. His mother sits by him, aJie image of despair, holding his cold hand in hers, and uttering wails of woe sad enough to rend a Roman's heart: "My son! my son! lost and found, to be torn from me forever! Oh, that I had died for thee! Thou and Ruth would then be happy. Would to God I had died for thee, oh, my son, Samuel, any son!" It is like David bewailing Absolom. I write this sad news to you, dear father, knowing how deeply you will mourn his death; for your letters show me that you have formed for him almost a paternal attachment, carried so far as a promise to provide him with a ship to trade in Egypt, after his marriage with Ruth shall have taken place. Alas ! instead of a bridal, behold a funeral. Already the bearers are at the .4oor, and in a few minutes he will be borne forth THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE CP DAVID. 255 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; lie could have healed him!" John had sent to her a message, saying that he is travelling this \vay, on his message of healing and teaching, and may be here this evening. But what will it avail, dear father? Even Jesus cannot return the dead to life! It was never known that the 'dead rose again. Oh, if he could have been here yesterday, his power over diseases would have enabled him to save his precious life! But regrets are useless. The noble young man is dead, and will live again only in the resurrection of the just. 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, sitting, with a glazed eye and rigid features, gaz- ing on vacancy. 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, this moment, received a small roll of parchment, which, from the flush in 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 reads as fol- 256 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. lows, if I have time to transcribe it before the call to follow the dead forth to burial is given: '' 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. He takes this to you. J write to say that I wish thou mayest prosper in all things, and find the health for which thou and thy cousin sought the air of Mount Tabor. I have no greater joy than to hear of your wel- fare. This letter cometh, beseeching thee, lady, that as we love one another unfeignedly, so may we soon be united in that holy union which God hath blessed and commanded. I would have thee bear in remembrance that thou gavest thy promise hereto when last we met at Nazareth. 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, those things which now come to my lips. Fare- well, lady, and 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, with Amos, your father, now our dear brother in the Lord. There are many things which I have seen and heard, touching my holy Master, Jesus, and his holy mission to the world, which I will declare unto you when v/e meet, that you also THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 257 may have fellowship with us in those things which we know and believe concerning him. 'My Master saluteth thee, and all in your house; Amos, also, greeteth thee with a kiss. This is the second epistle I have written unto you from this place." "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, dearest father. I know you will shed a tear to the memory of the noble youth, whose death has this day rilled 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 Dearest 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, and which fills us all with such joy and wonder, that I fear my trembling fingers will scarcely express legibly what I have to tell you. As I told you in my letter just finished, I was called away to accompany the weeping mother to the burial place outside of the gates. But when I reached the courtyard, where the body of her son lay upon a bier, which the bearers had already raised upon their shoulders, 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; Mary, as she walked, sup- porting upon her arm the bereaved mother, chd in her mourning weeds. THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 25S As the funeral train passed the lattice, it seemed endless, so vast a number of people ac- companied the body, to do honor to a widow in Israel. At length it passed by, and I was left alone with the motionless Ruth. She seemed to sleep, though every few moments she would murmur the name of the dead. I sat by her, reflecting upon the mysterious ways of God in bringing this widow's son safely home from the thousand dangers to which he had been exposed, from shipwreck and bondage, to gladden her soul with his presence for a few hours, and then to die in her arms! As I gazed on the marble countenance of the bereaved maiden, I could not but pray that she might not recover from her swoon, to revive to the bitter realization of her loss, and to the renewal of her grief. Suddenly, I heard a very great shout. I started, and hastened to the lattice. It was re- peated louder, and with a glad tone, that showed me it was a shout of joy. 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 that Ruth moved not, I ascended rapidly to the parapet, the shouts and glad cries still increasing as I went up, and exciting my wonder and curiosity. Upon reaching the flat roof, and stepping upon the parapet, I saw coming along the street, towards the house, with the speed of the ante- lope, Elec, our Gibeonite slave. He was waving; his hands wildly, and crying out something which I could not distinctly hear. Behind him J. 2CO THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. saw two youths running also, appearing to be the bearers of some great tidings. I knew something wonderful must have oc- curred, but could not divine what it could be. On looking towards the gate, from which direc- tion the shouts, at intervals, continued to approach, I discovered, on the hill-side 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 so 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 been raised from the dead !" cried the young man next behind him. "He lives, and is walking back to the city!" called the third, to those who, like me, had ran to their house-tops to know the meaning of the uproar we heard. "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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Zt are escorting him back to the city; and every*, body 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, in her ears, had roused her from her stupor of grief. She was looking at him wildly and incomprehensibly. 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 positive- ness. "I saw him sit up, and heard him speak, as well as ever he was!" "How was it? Let me know," 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 But here they come!" Elec was interrupted in his narrative by the in- creased noise of voices in the streets, and the tramp of hundreds of feet. The next moment 262 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 cling- ing to him, like a vine about an oak. "Where is Ruth?" he cried. "Oh! where is she? Let me make her happy with my presence." "I gazed upon him wi^Ai awe, as if I had seen a spirit. Ruth no sooner heard his voice than she littered a shriek of joy. "He lives he indeed lives!" and springing forward, she was s?ved from falling to the ground by being clasped to his manly breast. "Let us kneel and thank God!" he said. For a few moments the scene was solemn and touching, beyond any spectacle ever exhibited on earth. The newly-risen from the dead knelt in the midst of the floor, with his mother on his right, leaning her head upon his shoulder, and Ruth clasped in his left arm, and fast embracing him as if he were an angel, who would else spread his wings and ascend, leaving her behind. Mary and I knelt by her side, while all the people "bowed their heads in worship, as he lifted up his voice in grateful acknowledgments to the Giver of life and health, for restoring both to him. "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. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 263 "And where is this 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 con- veyed 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," I asked of her; for though I saw Samuel now seated, and eating in the room, served by his glad mother and the happy Ruth, while all looked on, to see if he really ate, and though I believed in the power of Jesus to do all things, yet I could hardly realize that he whom I had seen carried out a dead man on his bier, I beheld now seated at table, partaking of food, alive and well. "I will tell thee all," answered Mary, 'whose face shone with a holy light, radiating from her intense happiness; and, leading me apart, she said : "As we went weeping forth, slowly following the bier, and had passed the gate, we saw, com- ing- 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 mov - ing that they would meet us at the crossing of 264 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. the stone bridge. Hearing some one say, 'It is the Prophet of Nazareth, with his disciples/ I looked earnestly forward, and joyfully recog- nized 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 the Prophet and his company stopped at the entrance to the bridge, and drew to one side, for the way was too narrow for both parties to cross at the same time. Upon looking up and seeing him, and marking his benign countenance, and how sorrowfully he gazed upon her, and recollecting how he might have prevented her son's dying, had he been in Nain, the poor lady could no longer command her grief, which broke forth afresh ; and covering her face with her veil, she wept so violently that all eyes were piteously fastened upon her. I ob- served that the holy Prophet's rested upon her with compassion; and, as the widow came oppo- site where he stood, he advanced a step 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. 'He was so noble so young he was all to me, and had been so long absent in far lands, only to come home to die. I know that thou art a Prophet come from God, and that all good works follow thee. Oh, if thou hadst been here, my son need not have died. Thy word THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 265 would have healed him. But now he is d "And who is Ruth, dear Martha?" I asked, as I was about to follow her out of the room, leav- ing her brother to his weary repose. "Alas! it was for Ruth's gentle love's sake he now lies there," she answered; "there is the sweet maiden kneeling by the other side of his couch, her tearful face buried in the folds of the cur- tains of his couch. She leaves him not a mo- ment; nay, though he does not seem to be sen- sible of her presence, yet, when she has once or twice left the room, he awakes directly and calls for her." 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 in- expressibly lovely, bathed, as it was, in its glitter- ing tear-dew, and her large, glorious eyes seemed like heavens of tenderness and love. Her hair would have been raven black, save that a golden bronze enriched its waving masses at 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 moved and murmured her name, and she dropped her eyes, and bent like an angel over him. "Who is this marvellously 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 296 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. story. Lazarus, you know, dearest Adina, is a writer in the Temple, and by his labors has lived in humble competence, and surrounded us all with many comforts, nay, luxuries; for all we have, our mother and we owe to his filial and fraternal love. His attachment to us led him to forego the pleasure of all other cociety; for he said he found in our sweet bond of sisterly love, all that he required to render him happy. He was, therefore, insensible to all the attractions of the maidens who are our acquaintances and friends; and, when, a few months since, our mother was gathered to her fathers, he said he felt more than ever his duty to devote his life to our happiness. We would fain have induced him to seek a companion for life, knowing his noble nature, and how he possessed in an emi- nent degree those amiable qualities which would render, as his wife, happy and honored, any daughter of Israel. But when urged by us, he would smile, and playfully say, that he had but a very little heart, and that it would hold no more love than mine and Mary's. "A few weeks ago, as he was engaged late and alone in the copying-room of the Temple, upon a roll which the noble jEmilius had ordered, and which he desired to have completed on a certain day, and for which he was to give him a large sum, he was startled by the sudden entrance of a young girl in great terror, who seemed to be fly- ing from pursuit. Upon beholding him, she bounded towards him, and, casting herself at his feet, implored his protection. Amazed and in- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 297 terested he promptly promised it, but had hardly spoken the words, before Annas entered, and ad- vanced towards her. His face was flushed with rage, arid 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 1* 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 ; and, having done, I know not what, with my inheritance, he would sell me in unholy mar- riage to a Greek captain in the Roman Legion, who offers him large bribes in gold for me. And when but now he would have delivered me up to him, I fled to the altars of my God for the protec- tion which man denied me; and, ignorant of the way, and lost in the labyrinth of the Temple, I found myself here. Rather than be given into the hands of this fierce and terrible Grecian, whom I have seen only to dread, I will cast my- self down from the height.of the Temple!' "And, to the surprise and horror of Lazarus, she bounded from the lattice, and stood upon the 298 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. edge of the rock, which looks sheer three hun- dred feet down into the valley beneath. " 'Thou seest, oh 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 pro- tection 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 over both, 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 you continue to persecute her, I will appeal to the Procurator, Pontius Pilate, against thee. Thou already knowest, that Roman justice knows how to punish Jewish guilt with terrible severity.' "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 Ruth, to our house; and she has since then been our guest, and has won all our hearts, as well as our dear brother's. Pilate, to whom Lazarus appealed, has placed the shield of his protection between them and Annas. It was to obtain money, to be THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 209 able soon to wed Ruth, that our brother has at length fallen a victim to his arduous toils, and now lies on the brink of the grave." "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" I answered; "send to him, oh Marth?. 9 and he will yet save him, and raise him up to life and health." I had no sooner spoken, than Mary, who over- heard me, uttered a scream 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 parch- ment, these brief and touching words: "Lord, behold he whom thou lovest is sick! Hasten to come to us, that he may live; for noth- ing is impossible with thee." This message was forthwith despatched by the hands of a young friend to Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where we learn Jesus at present abides. We have, therefore, no hope for our dear rela- tive, but in the power of the Prophet. I will write as soon as we hear. 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. It is amid the low sounds of the plaintive moans of his bereaved sisters over his lifeless form, and with my tears almost blinding my overflowing eyes, that I write to you. 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 mysteri- ous stroke of God's providence. I have spoken to you of the noble character of Lazarus, in a former letter, dear father, how that by writing in the Scribe's room in the Temple, he supported his venerable mother and sisters, while they, in their affection, labored with the needle in embroidery work, wherein they had THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 30V very delicate skill, in order to lighten his labors. To the young men of Israel, Lazarus was held up by the Elders, as a pattern of filial and brotherly virtue, and honest industry; and to his sisters, Mary and Martha, other maidens were directed to look for examples of maidenly piety and diii-i gent household thrift. Their humble dwelling was the home of hospitality and kindness, and thither the Prophet of God, Jesus, loveth to resort whensoever his great labors will permit him. Nearly of the same age, a holy friendship had sprung up between him and Lazarus, who so ioved the Blessed Anointed One of God, that he would readily have laid down his life for him. I have told you, dear father, what a happy house- hold 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. Mary would devise ways to do him honor, and show her respect and affection, by working for him silken covers for the Books of the Prophets, which Lazarus would copy and present to his beloved friend; while 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 meats or drinks. One day, when I, with Mary and Lazarus, was 802 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVTO. 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, she was feeding, so forgetful of all else, upon the celestial food that fell from the lips of Jesus, who was talking to us oi the kingdom of God and the glories of heaven, and the necessity of holiness to dwell there. At length, Martha, finding that Mary heard not, ap- pealed to Jesus, saying something 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, blushing, was about to speak and excuse his sister, who looked as if she were much worried with her domestic troubles ; but Jesus said kindly tc her: "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; thy household takes up too much of thy time and thoughts. In this world, but one care is truly worthy of the regard of men, which is to provide sustenance for the soul; for the body perisheth. Mary hath chosen more wisely than thyself. While thou carest much for the wants of the body, she careth for those of the spirit, and thus has that good part which shall not be taken away from her. Think not, beloved Martha, of sumptuous living THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 303 for me, who have no earthly goods, not 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 im- pulsively 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 ear- nestness. Jesus raised her up, and said to her, 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. Thus, to teach the truths of God, as thou findest me doing to these, is to me meat and drink, for herein I am doing my Father's will, who sent me." I have been particular in giving you, dear father, these details of the domestic relations ex- isting in the abode of Lazarus, and the sweet friendship that resided in their bosoms towards Jesus, and his familiar, brotherly love for them. You can now understand why, when Lazarus was taken ill, after his laborious vigils to copy the manuscript for the Roman Centurion, a mes- sage was at once sent to Jesus, who was in Beth- abara beyond Jordan; for a physician of Jerusa- lem, whom the noble Caiaphas had sent out to Bethany, on. hearing of the sudden sickness of the youthful Secretary, to whom he was greatly attached, for all people did love him who knew 804 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. him this physician had at once pronounced him in danger of sudden death from inward bleeding of the lungs. "Why, then," you may ask dear father, "should they send for Jesus, when death was certain. Jesus," you add, "was no physician, or if he had been, he could not reverse the fate of the dying young man!" . The fact, dear father, that under these circum- stances they did send to Jesus to come and heal him, shows that it was not as a human physician they desired his presence, but as the miracle- working Prophet of God! It proves, and will, I trust, prove to you, dearest father, that they who should best know his power, believe as- suredly that he could save their brother. It is testimony irresistible towards sustaining his claim to have come down from God! It is those who are most intimate with others who do know them best. Now, that the sisters of Lazarus sent a message presently to Jesus to interpoee between death and his life, shows that they plainly believed he had not only the power of miracles, but had power over death; and that they had witnessed instances of his power suffi- cient to give them faith in his ability to save their brother; while they knew that his love for him would certainly prompt him to exert it. In my last letter I closed with informing you of the departure of the messenger. 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- THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 305 ; 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 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! Who, in beholding the seraphic beauty of her face, the brilliant light of her dark eyes, which were now glittering with sisterly grief, the graceful expres- sion of her proud, Rebecca-like head, and the superb outline of her figure, where love and majesty seemed blent to mould a second Eve who, in the admiration of her person, could read within and beneath all the secret sorrow of her soul! Who would believe that a dark cloud rested on her spirit, and that her happiness was no longer on earth! As I gazed upon her, I forgot, for the moment, the dying young man, about whose form her snow-white arms were en- Iwined, his head reclining upon her bosom, her raven tresses bronzed with a golden light, all unbound and floating above him, and far over his pillow, like a rich veil interwoven of sable silken gloss and threads of gold. I could not gaze upon that abundant hair without recalling 306 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 4fe the day not long before, when, at the dwelling of Rabbi Joseph Solomon, she drew near suddenly to Jesus, who was his guest, and bathed his feet with her fast flowing tears, mingling therewith her kisses, and then dried them with her shining hair! And wherefore did she weep upon the feet of Jesus? you may ask, dear father. They were tears of gratitude and penitence. Her history you know, at least as rumor had it three years ago, with evil additions thereto. It is true, Mary sinned, and should not be exculpated; but her sin was in leaving her 'maternal roof, yielding, in her unsuspecting innocence, to the dazzling temptations of the young prince Herod. It is not true that she was tempted by ambition and power. She has poured into my ear all her sad and touching story. Prince Herod had but re- cently returned with his father Antipas, from Rome, and was a youth comely in person, well skilled in the fascinations that easiest win the hearts of the guileless. By accident he saw Mary one morning at the palace of Pilate the Procura- tor, whither she had gone to deliver the wife of the Governor a piece of embroidery-work which she had done at her command. It would seem, that having made inquiries touching her condi- tion in life, he feigned to be a writer of parch- ments, and thus readily making the acquaintance of the unsuspecting Lazarus, was readily intro- duced beneath his roof. Here, as an humble scribe, dressed in plain and coarse apparel, he often came, and succeeded in winning the heart THE PRIXCE Of THE HOUSE OF DAVjTD. 807 of the lovely girl. At length, in an evil hour, she listened to his temptation secretly to elope with him, to be united to him at his mother's house, he having urged to her that his open marriage would estrange from him the regards of his uncle, a wealthy scribe, who desired, if he mar- ried not for seven years, to enrich him with his wealth. To this tale she listened. But instead of being taken by him to the roof of the mother, of whom he had falsely spoken to her, she found herself seized, and her mouth stopped by the leader of a party of horsemen, who suddenly came up the path, and who, dismounting, placed her on be- fore him. The young scribe, mounting a led horse, headed the band, and the whole escort galloped northward at rapid speed. Ignorant in whose power she was, and fearing for her be- trothed husband as well as for herself, supposing that he was forcibly in their hands also, she tried by listening to ascertain what was to be done with her, and who her captors were. To her surprise she heard the voice of her lover giving directions to the horsemen from time to time, which she could hardly believe; but when the moon rose, she succeeded so far in removing her veil as to enable her to recognize him as the leader of the troop. After riding all night, they stopped at a well, near Samaria, at dawn of day. Here refresh- ments were offered her, but she refused them, and begged to be permitted to speak to her lover. But he did not come near her. After an hour's 808 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. rest in the caravansera, they once more pro- ceeded on their route in a northerly course. Leaving Mount Gerizim in the rear, with the Jordan on their right, they at noon reached the ba^e of Mount Tabor. After three hours' re- pose, they crossed the eastern shoulder of the mountain, from which was a magnificent view of the sea of Galilee. Descending the mountain, they reached, just as the sun set, the gate of a castle that overlooks the town of Nazareth. This they entered, and the portals closed upon her. But I will not be weary with too minute a nar- rative, dear father; my object is only to vindicate my cousin Mary from intentional guilt. Ushered into superb apartments, her lover, attired in all the splendor of a prince, soon appeared before her, and acknowledged he had been deceiving her; that he was Herod Valerius, the son of the Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee, and that she was now in one of the palaces of his family. Who can describe the horror, shame, and grief of this cruelly deceived and erring girl! Bitterly did her tears flow at the too trusting step she had taken, thus sinning against God. But tears and repentance, implorations and entreaties for per- mission to return to her humble home, were in vain. As she had sown, she had reaped. At the expiration of three months, she suc- seeded in making her escape, and flr.d to the feet of Mary of Nazareth, the mother ot the Prophet Jesus. To her she made known all, and received ,THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 809 v~ he* sympathy while she bowed her penitent head Deneath her reproofs. Here it was that she first beheld the holy Prophet, and received from him the consolations of the forgiveness of heaven for her sin. Led by his noble mother, she bent her steps back again to her father's house. All Bethany knew of her shame that is, knew that she had fled with the dissolute prince .Valerius, and was living with him in sin at his castle in Galilee; but they knew not any extenuating cir- cumstances. So she entered Bethany closely veiled and with hurried step sought the shelfeer of her mother's arms, if, peradventure, they would be open to receive her. At length, after many weeks, all who knew her were acquainted with the truth, and their cold censure was softened into pity; and as she went about doing good, as she visited, like an angel, the sick and sorrowing, she won back all hearts, and was loved and honored as before. But the cold world still looked upon her as a guilty one as a sinner; but had they known how deep her sorrow was for all the past, they would also have removed the barbs from the sharp arrows of their tongues. Since then, all the generous care of Lazarus and Martha, and of their friends, has been to make her forget the past: and as it is three years since what I have described happened, the pre- vailing gentle sadness that now shades her coun- tenance, alone shows to the loving gaze of those around her what she has suffered. It was Jesus 810 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. who reconciled her to her brother and sister, and hence her deep gratitude to him, which she has shown, not once, but many times, when he has jbeen their guest, by bathing his feet with her tears, and wiping them with the hairs of her ttiead. Her place is ever at his feet. Lovely and guilty one, her tears are her daily offering to heaven, and will atone for deeper guilt than hers, if tears do wash away sins ; but she says nothing has given consolation to her heart like the voice of Jesus, when he said to her, "Daughter, thy sins be forgiven thee!" "The words," she added to me, "penetrated my heart, and illuminated the darkness of my soul with ineffable, unspeakable peace!" 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 in- fant sinks to slumber in its mother's arms, grad- ually sinking from the joss of blood, growing fainter and fainter till his eyes closed, his pulse ceased to throb, and his noble heart to flutter, 1'ke an escaping bird beneath the hand's light pressure. All too late was Jesus sent for! He is dead! To-morrow his burial will take place. Alas! how suddenly has perished the noblest young man in Jndea! Farewell, dear father! My heart is full; I can write no more. The day after to-morrow I re- turn to Jerusalem, when I will write you again. You said in your last letter you would soon leave THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 811 Egypt for Judea, for the purpose of taking me back to my dear native valley of the Nile. 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 that was dead is alive! Lazarus lives! He whom I saw dead and buried, and sealed up within the rocky cave of the tomb, he is alive again from the dead; and at this moment, while I am penning this extraordinary account, I hear his voice upon the porch, as he is engaged in re- lating what has transpired respecting himself to a crowd of wondering^ people from Jerusalem. Even Pilate, the Roman Procurator, stopped his chariot at the door this morning, to see Lazarus, and have speech of him. How, my dear father, how shall I find ade- quate language to tell you all that has happened within the last twenty-four hours! How shall I make you fully believe the marvellous recital which I have taken up my pen to make! I know not how to begin the wonderful narrative, for the joy that prevents me from arranging my 1-HE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 313 thoughts and presenting the facts intelligently to you. God has indeed remembered his chosen people Israel once more, and shown his power among us! You have already been informed by me how rapidly Lazarus failed after his sudden attack of hemorrhage of the chest, and that he soon died ; and that, in hopes that he might avert death, Jesus was sent for at the first to come to him. But Bethabara was a day's journey, and ere the messenger reached him the soul of his friend had fled. The next day he was buried; a very large concourse of people from the town of Bethany, and from Jerusalem, coming to his burial ; for he was greatly beloved; even the chariot of the noble lady, Lucia Metella, the good and virtuous wife of Pilate, was present to do honor to the obsequies of him who had no other renown than his virtues. 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!" This living, was his proudest title; and dead, lie would have desired no other. Ah, dear father, may the day yet come when you shall deem such a title greater honor than the gold oi 314 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Egypt, or all the glory of your proud descent from Abraham and David! The place where they were to lay him was the cave in which both his father and mother were entombed. It was in a deep, shady vale, that opened into the valley of the Kedron. It was thickly shaded by cypress, palm, and pomegran- ate trees; and a large tamarind grew, with its stately branches, overclasping the summit of the secluded place of sepulchre, while an abrupt cliff of Olivet hung impending down, like the shaggy brow of a giant looking down upon the spot. .Above the tree-tops, in the direction of Kedron, were visible the majestic heights of the distant Temple, and the warlike battlements of the city of David, while the sunlight, glancing upon the dazzling shield of a sentinel who was standing upon its loftiest watch-tower, caused it to gleam like a lesser sun. The remote swell of a Roman bugle from the head of a cohort, which was just issuing from the gate of Damascus, came softly and musically to our ears, as we stood in silence about the grove wherein we were to place the dead, ^milius, the Centurion, was also pres- ent, wearing a white scarf above his silver cuir- ass, 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. You will soon see him, and judge for yourself how worthy he is of your confidence, and all the love of my heart. I am too grateful to you, dearest father, for not refusing your consent to THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 315 our union, but only withhold it until you reach Jerusalem. The blessed winds waft your bark swiftly to Jaffa, that I may soon embrace you, and present to you the noble yEmilius, who is as faithful a worshiper of our God as if he were a son of Abraham by birth rather than by adop- tion. 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 ^milius at the head to support it, - jnveyed 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 un- conscious head to their loving and bursting hearts. 1 also gazed upon him, weeping at their sorrow, and sorrowing to behold so noble a face, beautiful as chiseled alabaster, about to be con- signed to the loathsome worm of the charnel- house. Pie was so good, and excelling all his companions in all things great and pure, and lofty in character; my tears flowed, and I felt that had I not loved ^Emilius, I should have loved Lazarus. The young men moved forward into the gloom *f 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. mother! Thou wert happy and honored, anr should have lived! I am wretched and heart- broken, and such only should die! Oh, brother, brother, let them not take thee orever from the sight of my eyes! Without x hee, how shall life be life!" ^milius entered the tomb, and cenderly rais- ing her from the body, on which ^he had cast herself in the eloquent abandonment of her wild grief, he led her forth, and beckoning to me, placed her in my arms. Martha bore her own griefs with more com- posure, but her face expressed how deeply she was moved within, thus to say adieu for ever to her only brother, to her beloved Lazarus, who had been the strong rock which had presented ever ito front to the shock of the stormy billows of this life, as they threatened her and Mary, and was a tower of strength to them in the day of trouble; as well as an exhaustless fountain of holy domestic joy! 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 vir- gins, 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- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 317 secured it by letting it into a socket that it would require a like number to remove it. As we 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, 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 ;he dis- tance the deep chant of the Temple service, uttered by two thousand voices. The cloud from the altar sacrifice ascended slowly into the still air, and catching .he splendor of the sun's last beams, shone like 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 for the night by the Roman guards; and Dwellers in the village were hurrying forth, lest they should by chance be held in the city over night. There was a sacred hush in the sleepy atmos- phere 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 near the tomb, giving my heart up to the sweet influence of the hour. We were alone, save ^milius, who sat upon his horse near by, and seemed to be gazing- upon the beauty of the evening scene. Martha and my cousin, with John, had returned to the now desolate home of which Lazarus had been the light and the honor. 318 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID* "I am calmer now," said Mary, after a while raising her head, and looking into my face, her splendid eyes glittering brimfull with tears: *'I am better now! The peace of the sweet holy skies seems to have descended, and entered my heart. The heavens of my soul are as clear and pure, and peaceful, as those above me! The spirit of Lazarus pervades all, and hallows all I see! I will weep no more. He is happy, very happy, and I will try to be holy and go to him, for he cannot come to me!" At this moment we heard the tramp of horses' hoofs, and ^milius, startled thereby from his reverie, recovered his seat and laid his hand upon his sword; for though the Romans have the mastery in our land, as conquerors, they are not loved; and scarcely a week passes without some conflict between the soldiers of the Legion and the common people among the Jews; and even the officers have been attacked when riding abroad from Jerusalem not sufficiently attended. vEmilius, therefore, who had with him only his white-haired Celtic servant,. Frwynn, prepared to receive a foe or welcome his friends. The next moment, around a rock projecting from the shoulder of Olivet, appeared first, one 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; then dashed in sight alone, a tall, daring- looking young man, in a rich costume, half Grecian, half Arabic, though his dark, handsome THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 31? features were decidedly Israelitish. He rode a superb Abyssinian charger, and sat upon his- back like the heathen centaur I have read of in Latin books, which ^milius has given me to read. Upon seeing me, he drew rein and smiled, and waved his jeweled hand with splendid cour- tesy; but at the sight of ^Emilius, 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, oh Roman!" cried this wild, dashing chief, as he wheeled his horse like light- ning, and once more rode upon the iron-armed Roman knight. "Ay, Barabbas, and with joy I hail thee,"- re- sponded ^Emilius, placing a bugle to his lips. At hearing the clear voice of the bugle awak- ing the echoes of Olivet, the dread robber chief, of whom you have heard me speak before, dear father, said haughtily, and with a glance of con- tempt : "Thou, a knight of the tribune, and com- mander of a legion, call for aid, when I offer thee equal battle, hand to hand, and ask not my own men's swords." "I know no equal battle with a robber. I would hunt thee as I would do the wolf and the wild beasts of thy desert," answered ^Emilius, pressing him closely. At a signal from the 320 THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. her chief, his four men, who had reigned up a short distance off, near the tomb of Lazarus, sent up a shrill, eagle-like scream, that made my blood stand still, and rode down like the wind to overcome /Emilius. Hitherto I had remained like one stupefied at being an involuntary spectator of a sudden bat- tle; but on seeing his danger, I was at his side, scarce knowing how I reached the place. ''Retire, dear Adina," he said, "I shall have to defend both thee and myself, and these barbar- ians will give my both hands enough to do." As he spoke, he turned his horse's head to meet the four-fold shock, and I escaped, I know not how, with the impulse to hasten to Bethany for succor. But heaven interposed its aid a de- tachment of the body guard of Pilate, which yEmilius had left in an olive grove to bivouac and refresh themselves and horses, hearing the recalf of their chief's bugle, came now threading up the hill, a score strong of armed men, bearded Gauls, who had served in Britain against the Picts. At the sight, Barabbas and his party fled, like wild pigeons pursued by a cloud of Iturean hawks. Barabbas, however, turned more thj. 1 once, to fling back defiance to his foes. JEmilius by this means came up with him, seized the crim- son sash which encircled his waist, and held him thus, both fighting as they rode. The troops soon came up with them, and after a desperate tattle the celebrated robber chief was taken alive, though bleeding with many wounds, and THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 321 bound with his own sash to the column of one of the tombs. ^Emilius was but slightly hurt; and I never saw such bright joy as sparkled in his eyes, that he had at length captured the bold bandit leader, who had so frequently before es- caped him, and to get possession of whom he had made so many attempts. There lay at length in his power the terror of all the country between Jericho and Jerusalem, a bound captive. He smiled still proudly defiant, and looked haughty and wildly noble, even in his bonds. His men were also taken; and giving them, with their chief, into the charge of his soldiers, to convey to the prisons of Jerusalem, ^milius rejoined Mary and I, and accompanied us to the house of the two sisters. It appears that Barabbas, emboldened by the rumor that a rich company of merchants were to leave Jerusalem at day-break, for Damascus, had advanced near the city with a few followers, to lie in wait for their coming out, and hang on their path until they should have entered a defile in the mountains of Bethel, where his troop were lying in ambush; and it was while seeking a shelter from notice among the tombs in the vale of Olivet that he came suddenly upon us, ymil- ius says that he will assuredly be crucified for his numerous crimes. Dreadful punishment! and for one so young and prepossessing as this desert robber to come to such an ignominious and agonizing death; to hang for hours under the sun-beams by lacerated hands and feet, till 822 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. death 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. Last week, as I was walking with my Uncle Amos among the sepulchres of the kings outside of the north gate, being pre- vented from re-entering the gate by the passage of a Roman Legion to suppress an insurrection in Samaria, we passed round by the western gate, to reach which we had to pass the foot of the Hill of Calvary, upon which two srosses were erected, on one of which hung the still living body of a seditious Jew, executed by order of the Procurator. He writhed fearfully, while his groans penetrated my heart. I covered my eyes and my ears, and begged Rabbi Amos to hurry with me from such a fearful spectacle. Yet it was in full sight of the city, of the road; and many spectators, both of women and men, lin- gered to gaze. Ignominious, indeed, must the life of a man have been, for him to be justly doomed to suffer such a death. In this letter, dearest father, I intended to re- late 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. But, believe me, that Lazarus is living and well, and thousands are crowding into Bethany, and thronging the house, to see this great thing that hath happened. Suffice for me to tell you, at the close of this let- ter, that it was Jesus who raised him from the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 323 dead, the Prophet of God of whom you are yet in doubt whether he be the Messias or no! Ah, is he who raised the widow's son of Nain who walked on the sea a league to his disciples' boats who stilled the tempest by the word of his power who fed five thousand men with five pounds weight of bread who healed the noble- man Hadad's son who raised the dead daughter of the Galilean ruler, Jarius who restores the deaf, the blind, the dumb, by a word, a touch, a look around whose path and life are gathered together such a multitude of testimonies to his superhuman power, in prophecies, in mighty works, and in glittering miracles ah, my dear father, is he only a common man; is he an im- poster? Oh, is he not, is he not the Son of God the Messias of the Prophets the Lion of the tribe of Judah the Deliverer and future glory of Israel? Is he not He whose day of splendor Abraham saw afar off, and was glad? Is He not Shiloh, whom the patriarch Jacob beheld rise up to wield the sceptre of Israel? Is He not the mighty Son of God, whom the burning pen of Esaias records in these words of inspiration: "Unto us a child is born unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders : and his name shall be called Wonder- ful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace; who shall sit upon the throne of David, and establish it with justice and judgment from henceforth, even forever!" Think of these things, dear father, ponder J i ikS PKINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. them well, and let not the poverty of Jesus b stumbling-block to your faith in Him as Messiaa. That he has raised Lazarus from the dead, is alone proof to me that He is the Son of God. Your affectionate daughter, ADINA. LETTER XXVII. Dear Father: Your letter has filled me with joy that I can poorly express by my pen. It was received this morning by the courier from Egypt, with the package, both being safely placed in my hands, nine days only after they quitted your own. I kissed them, and pressed them again and again to my heart, at the thought that they were so lately touched by your fingers. The letter assures me that you are certainly to leave at the new moon, and after a few day's de- lay at Gaza, will be with me not many days after- wards. This letter I shall send so as to meet you at Gaza. Three years, three long years, dearest father, have passed since I last saw your venerable and kind face. Ah, when you come, how I shall love you. and hang upon you, and watch every look, and catch your every word! It is true, my Uncle Amos has been next to a father to me, all affec* 326 THE PKIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. tion and goodness; but no love or care can hold the place of a father's to a daughter. When I review the interesting scenes I have passed through, the wonderful events which I have witnessed since I first came to Jerusalem, nearly three years ago, with the caravan of Rabbi Ben Israel, I do not regret my long absence from you, dear father; for to have been in Jerusalem during the period I have named, is a privilege thatAbraham and all the patriarchs and prophets of God would have coveted. During that period the Messias has walked the earth, clothed with divine power, and familiarly gone in and out of Jerusalem before all eyes, performing miracles, and doing mighty works which never man did. I have learned to love and honor that blessed Prophet as the Son of the Highest, and the An- ointed of the Lord; I have sat at his feet, and listened to his heavenly teachings, and the wis- dom of his sacred lips has made me wise. But I have not yet made known to you the particulars of the greatest miracle of power and love of all those wonders which he has done, viz., the raising up of Lazarus from the dead, and I will here recount them as they occurred. When Mary and Martha, finding Lazarus given over by the physicians as past possible re- covery from his grievous illness, had dispatched 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, THE PRINCB OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 327 he will heal him with a word, as he has done so many of the sick." "Yes; many whom he knew not, he has re- stored to health by a touch," remarked Martha, "how much more, Lazarus, whom he loveth as a brother! O that the messenger may press for- ward with all haste!" "If Lazarus should die ere he come," hesita- tingly remarked my gentle cousin, the betrothed of John the disciple, "he could bring him to life again, even as he did the son of the widow at 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; and ere Jesus came, the mantle of death was laid over the face of their dead brother. "Lazarus is dead, and Jesus is 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, as I have described already to you, dear father, in my last letter, and yet no messenger came from Jesus. The morning of the third day the messenger re- turned, and said that he had found the Prophet on the farther bank of the Jordan, where John had baptized, and that he abode in an humble cottage in the suburbs of Bethabara, with his dis- ciples, and was engaged in teaching the things of 328 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. the kingdom of God, and unfolding the proph- ecies to many who resorted unto him. The bearer of the sad tidings from the two sis- ters 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.' " "What said he more?" asked Martha, sorrow- fully and doubting. "Nothing more, lady; and having given my message, I departed," answered the man. "Alas! he knew not how ill his friend was," said Mary, "or he would not have said it was not unto death, and would have hastened with you." "Thy Lord should know all things, daugher," said a priest who stood by. "This ignorance of the danger of Lazarus, and his assertion that he would not die, shows that he is an imposter. Is not Lazarus dead and buried?" At this, Martha's faith seemed for a moment shaken, but Mary eloquently defended her broth- er's absent friend, and holy Prophet, saying, "That when Jesus should come and speak in per- son for himself, he would make his words plain, and show them to have been spoken with wisdom." With what deep sorrow they mourned theu- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 32ft brother ; and their tears fell the faster in that they felt assured he would not have died had Jesus been there. Their faith and confidence in him underwent a. sore trial as day after day passed, and nothing more was heard from him. "He has forgotten us," answered Martha. "He should be near to console us in our deep affliction, though he came not to heal our brother." "Nay, sister, do no 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. "And 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 has begun, nay, began ere we laid him in the cold sepulchre? Oh, speak not to me of the cruel prophet. He loved not Lazarus, or he had not the power to save him. Nay; leave me, Mary, to the bitterness of my grief." 330 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. "Ah, dear Martha, how soon is thy faith in Jesus, when proven, become nought!" 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 in- different to our anguish? He is wronged by your reproof, and injured by your want of confi- dence in his love and care for us." "He can heal a proud and rich ruler's son, but he heeds not the cry of the poor and lowly," per- severingly answered Martha, expressing in her looks the intensity of her feelings against Jesus. "The death of Lazarus be upon his head!" "Ah, sister, God forgive thee, and let thy grief excuse thy words. Though he slay me, I will trust in him," exclaimed Mary, laying her hand on her sister's shoulder, while holy firmness and a resolute light beamed in her shining and tear- ful eyes. \Vhile they were thus discoursing, one came running swiftly towards the house, and, breath- less 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, Melee, the Gib- eonite, entered and said: "Jesus, the Messias of God, is at hand! He already entereth the village with his disciples." At this intelligence, the mourners who sat with Mary and Martha in the vine porch rose up to THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 331 go and meet him; but Martha, shrieking with sudden joy, sprang up, and more quickly than they reached the street, and, running with great speed, came where Jesus was. Mary, who had received the news without be- traying 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, pro- ceeded to prepare a room for the hospitable en- tertainment of the beloved Prophet, when he should come in, thus taking Martha's 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 her calm and quiet happiness. "I knew he would come! I knew he would not leave or forsake us in our deep sorrow, Adina," she said, two or three times ; and, as the confused noise of advancing footsteps fell upon our ears, her heart beat quicker, and, with the glow that joy and expectation made to enrich her face, I thought she looked more beautiful than ever before. When Martha came 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 her- self 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 was deeply moved : 332 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. "Lazarus sleepeth, Martha. I am now come to awake him out of his sleep." "Lord, if my brother slept only, he would not have been buried. He is dead, and hath been dead four days." "I spoke of his death, Martha! Lazarus is dead ; but death to those whom my Father loveth is sleep. The good die not, only the wicked. Their death is eternal, where the worm dieth not. 1 say unto thce, Lazarus is not dead but sleepeth ; and he shall rise again!" "I know, O Rauboni, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus then said unto her, lifting his celestial glances towards heaven: "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, 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 turn- ing to Martha, said softly: "I am rejoiced that thy faith in me hath come THE riuscK or THE HOCSE OP DAVID. back into thine heart, for thou hast doubted, oh daughter of little faith, in that I came not at thy call. It was needful that thy brother should die, that I might display the power of God in me by raising him up. This day my Father shall be glorified, and the world shall truly know that I* 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 ; for he hath said he will not enter our house until he crosses the threshold with Lazarus by his side!" Her words made my heart bound with an in- describable thrill! Lazarus to come again into the house alive, walking with Jesus! I buried my face in my hands, overcome with an idea so full of joy, terror, wonder, and supernatural awe. Mary lose quickly, and went out, scarcely sup- porting herself upon her failing limbs for tremb- ling joy, and a sweet, undefined hope of she knew not what immeasurable and unbearable happiness about to come upon her. Certain of her Jewish friends from Jerusalem at that mo- ment met her at the door, not knowing that Jesus had entered Bethany; and began to com- fort her, and to ask her if they also should go 334 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. with her to weep at the grave of Lazarus; for they said: "She goeth 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 foun- tain, bathing his dusty and wounded feet, and discoursing to those about him upon the resur- rection of the dead. Upon seeing Mary, he ex- tended his hand, but she sank at his feet, and bathing them with her tears, wiped them with her gleaming black hair. "Lord," she said, in her sister's words, with great 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 glitter- ing 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, taking him by the sleeve of the robe, and draw- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 885 ing 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 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 tip-toe. "For whom is this preparation, dearest Mar- tha? For Jesus?" I asked. "Oh, no! The Lord's own room is ready. Mary has prepared that. This is Lazarus's 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 him ! 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 Mes- sias of God, and one come back alive from the dead!" 836 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUS3 OF DAVID. 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. Wonder and eager expectation were on every face. There was no outcry ; no lawless uproar in the vast con- course, but rather a subdued unde. -current mur- mur of awe and curiosity. How shall I describ^ Jesus, as he then ap- peared! He wore upon one shoulder, from which it was almost dragged by the eager hand of Martha, a blue garment, woven without seam throughout, the affectionate work and gift of the two sisters. Plis face ,vas pale and sad, yet a certain divine majesty seemed resting thereon, so that his calm, high forehead looked like a throne. His large, earnest eyes, richly brown in hue, and darkly shaded by sable lashes, were full of sorrow. His chiseled mouth was compressed, but the swelling of the nether lip betrayed the effort he made to suppress the outbursting cf his heart's deep grief. Slowly he moved onward, and entering the cemetery, he stood before the tomb of his be- loved friend. For a few moments he stood gazing upon the 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 337 by the side of her sister. Jesus looked tenderly upon them, and then resting his eyes upon the tomb, he wept. Large, glittering tears rolled down his cheeks, and glanced from his flowing beard to the ground. One of the precious drops struck upon the back of my hand, as I knelt by the side of the sisters. "Behold how he loved him!" whispered the Jews present. Others said: "Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Jesus, uttering a deep sigh, now came nearer the grave. It was, as I have before said, a cave, and a stone lay upon it. With a slight move- ment 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 he is offen- sive, for he hath been dead four days." "Daughter," said Jesus, looking on her, "said I not to thee a little while since, if thou wilt be- lieve that I can raise up thy brother, thou shalt see him alive again. Believe, and thou shalt behold the glory and power of God!" The men, then, with some difficulty took away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, and stood it upon one side. The dark vault yawned with gloomy horror, and so corrupt was the air 838 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. that rushed out, all fell back from it, save Jesus and Mary, several steps. 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 the napkin which was already dis- colored with the sepulchral damp of the grave. Raising his hands towards heaven, and lifting up his holy eyes, which were yet moist with tears, Jesus said in a voice of indescribable pathos and earnestness of appeal, and with a manner of the most awful reverence : "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I know that thou nearest me always; but because of the people which stand by do I offer tmto thee this prayer, that they may believe that the power I have cometh from thee, and that they may believe thou hast sent me. And now, oh Holy Father, may I glorify thee on the earth with the power which thou hast given me!" He then turned towards the tomb, and stretch- ing forth his hand, he cried with a loud voice, that made every heart quake: "Lazarus, Come Forth!" My blood stood still in my heart. Scarcely daring to look, I looked and beheld what all eyes also saw, the corpse stand up within the vault, and turning round with its face towards us, came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face bound about with a napkin. His countenance was like marble for whiteness, and THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 339 his eyes, which were open, looked supernaturally brilliant. At beholding him, a simultaneous shriek burst from the bosoms of the people, and a backward rush of ail who were nighest the cave. Martha, uttering her brother's name, fell for- ward upon her face, and lay insensible. "Loose him and let him go free!" said Jesus, calmly, to the petrified and amazed men who had taken away the stone. Mary was the first one who had the firmness to approach him, and re- move the napkin from the sides of his face, while others, taking courage by her example, hastened to unswathe his arms and feet. In a few mo- ments he was free from his outer grave clothes, and the color of his cheeks came to him, his lips flushed brilliantly with red, his eyes looked natu- ral, and beamed with wonder and love as he gazed about him. Seeing Jesus, he was about to cast himself at his feet in gratitude (for he seemed to know all that had happened), but the mighty Prophet drew him to his embrace and kissed him. Mary, at first shrinking from awe, now threw herself, blind with tears of joy, into his arms, and Martha was raised up by him to his manly breast, and his loved voice, breathed tenderly into her ear, recalled her to the con- sciousness of her happiness. 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. Lazarus, the new-born from the dead, blooming in the rich hues of complete health, walked 340 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. homeward by the side of Jesus, while the sisters hung upon him with deep thankfulness over- flowing their happy hearts. Now the great Prophet, now Lazarus, and now Jesus again, re- ceived 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 him sit at the same table, and that night saw his head rest in deep slumber upon the flower- strewn pillow which her faith and love had prepared for him. Thus, my dear father, have I given you a re- cital of the particulars of this mighty miracle, the report of which has filled all Jerusalem with amazement, and must lead the priests and the people to acknowledge Jesus to be the Messias of God, him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write. Do you doubt longer, my dear father? This letter will meet you at Gaza. With the hope of soon embracing you, I remain as ever, Your loving daughter, ADINA, LETTER XXVIII. My Dear Father: Your letter from Gaza came safely to my hand? this morning, by the courtesy of the Roman courier of the Procurator. I read it with deep grief and feelings of the sad- dest disappointment. Instead of a letter, I ex- pected to see you in person, and when I heard Melee call out that a horseman had alighted at the gate, I ran down into the court, crying, "My father, my dearest father!" and when, instead of rushing into your ^mbrace, I was met by the mailed and helmeted figure of an armed Roman, you may judge of the reaction upon my heart. 1 read your letter with tears; but you have taught me to bear patiently what cannot be re- voked, and I have schooled my impatience till the God of our fathers shall bring you, in his own good time, to your loving and longing daughter. I trust that the two Arabian merchants, from Eziongeber, whom you are delaying to see, will not be long journeying to Gaza, and that on 842 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. their arrival you will speedily conclude the com- merce, which you write it is so important to your interests should be effected. In the meanwhile I will try and wait with serenity and peace the day of your coming, and continue to write to you as the only solace which can compensate for not be- holding and speaking with you. Like all my letters, dearest father, the theme of this wfll be Jesus, whom I unspeakably rejoice to hear you are beginning to regard with more favorable eyes, saying in your last letter, these words, which made my heart bound with joy : "Were I to resist the testimony of the miracles which this wonderful Nazarine Prophet hath evi- dently done, especially that of raising Lazarus, the scribe, from the dead, I fear I should be fight- ing against God; for who can restore life and soul to the dead but Jehovah alone! The fame of the raising of Lazarus, as well as many of the other miracles which he has done, has reached me by other channels than your letters, and the accounts fully corroborate all you have so en- thusiastically written. Nay, there is now here in Gaza, on his return from Damascus, to Alex- andria, my friend, Abraham Gehazi, the silk mer- chant, who was passing through Bethany at the moment, and, halting with his party, witnessed the miracle. He spoke with Lazarus, and con- fesses to me that Jesus is evidently a mighty Prophet, sent from God ! This I am ready to be- lieve, also, my daughter; and when I behold him I am ready to do him the homage I would offer to Isaiah or Daniel, were they now alive. That THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 343 he is the Christ, I cannot yet believe; for Christ is to be a prince and king, and to sit on the throne of David, and give laws to the nations: before whom every crowned head shall fall pros- trate, every knee bow in reverence, and at whose feet the sceptres of the earth shall be laid in sub- mission! A humble carpenter's son, prophet of God though he may be, cannot realize the idea of the person of the Messias! Turn to Esaias, and behold how his language glitters with the splendor of the prophesies he enunciates of the power, glory, and dominion on earth, of the Son of David! How can these prophetic words ap- ply to the prophet whom you love to honor? That the hand of the Lord is upon him, and that mighty works show forth themselves in him, doubtless cannot be disputed; but that he is the Shiloh of Jacob, the kingly Lion of the tribe of Judah, I cannot, for a moment, entertain the idea; for if I accept him as Messias, neither have I, nor my countrymen at large in Israel, nor the scribes, nor the fathers in Jerusalem, read the Prophets aright, but rather with eyes blind- folded; for to Jesus they do not, cannot aim, else we have altogether misunderstood what is writ- ten in Moses and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning the Christ." Such, my dear father, is a part of your letter, which I quote, in order to reply to it, if I may do so, without presumption.- You confess, dearest father, that you are at length convinced that Jesus is a Prophet, and that God is with him, for he could not do such 344 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. great miracles, except the power of God was upon him. Now, if God co-operates with Jesus ; if God, so to speak, lends him his power, endows him with his own attributes, so that, like God, he heals, stills tempests, restores lost limbs, raises the dead from their graves alive again, it is be- cause God has chosen him from among men, in order to clothe him with his mighty and divine attributes. Now, that he chose him, and invested him therewith, it is evident that he did so because he delights in him; because he loves him, and would greatly honor him. To be the chosen re- cipient, by the Lord God Jehovah, of such mighty powers, Je: r us must be good, must be holy, pious, and full of those holy virtues in which the Al- mighty delirhts ; in a word, God must approve of his character and be content with whatsoever is done by him. Now Jesus, thus favored by God, whose power to work miracles you yourself, my dear father, have confessed must be conferred by Jehovah alone, distinctly and everywhere asserts 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, both by 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 also before at Nazareth: "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUS OF DAVID. 345 poor: he hath sent me to heal the broken- hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind: to set at liberty them that are bruised: to preach the ac- ceptable year of the Lord." When he had read this prophecy, which all our people, dear father, do acknowledge to refer to Messias, when he cometh, he closed the book, and gave it again to the officiating scribe, and sat down. The synagogue was thronged, so that people trod upon one another; for the fame of his miracles had brought people to hear and see him, not only from Jerusalem, but from all Judea, and Decapolis, and beyond Jordan; nay, his fame, it seemeth, is spread abroad in all the world. All eyes are now intent, and all ears are ready to hear what he should speak. He then said unto them, "This day is this Scripture ful- filled in your ears. Ye ask me, oh scribes and men of Israel, to tell you plainly who I am, whether I am the Christ or no. What saith the Prophet of the Messias when he shall come? Ye have just heard his words. If such works as he prophesieth do show forth themselves in me, ye know who I am." Here a voice crkd out in the assembly: "Tell us plainly, art thou Christ, the Son of the Highest?" At this direct inquiry there was intense in- terest shown to hear the reply. Jesus was about to answer, when a man, who stood near the reading desk, in whom was an un- 346 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. clean 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?" Upon this Jesus turned to the multitude, and said: "The very devils bear witness to me, who I am! and if these should hold their peace, these walls would find voices, and speak." Then Jesus rebuked the devil which possessed the man (who was Jaius, a Roman proselyte of the gate, who had long spread terror in the suburbs, by his ex- ceeding madness and ferocity), and said to the devil, in a voice of a master commanding a bond slave: "Hold thy peace, Satan! The Son of Man needeth not, though thou givest it, thy testi- mony. 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 mo- ment'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 earn - estness and wonder, he burst into tears of grati- tude, exclaiming: "I am escaped as a bkd 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 847 enemy!'' He then sat at the feet of Jesus calm, grateful, happy, and in his right mind, while 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 syna- gogue. At this, when the noise had a little subsided, some of the Scribes and Pharisees said, reprov- ing him for not rebuking the c e cries-. "Who is this that suffereth himself to be hailed as king! This is treason to the emperor!" At this moment, yEmilius, the Roman knight, appeared at the door of the synagogue, attended by half a dozen soldiers, he happening to be pass- ing at the moment on some duty, and stopped to listen. No sooner did the eyes of these wicked Jews catch the gleam of his helmet, and behold his tall plume rising above the head of his people, than they cried out, with eager loyalty, to their conquerors, at the same time looking at yEmilius, to get his approbation: "We have no king but Caesar! Down with the traitor! He who maketh himself king rebels against our most mighty emperor. Away with him! Arrest him, most noble Roman! Drag him before the Procurator Pilate!" ^milius who well understands these envious Jews, and who is wise in the knowledge of what b'iS THE PRIKCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Jesus teaches, and who loves him as a brother, and reveres him as a father /Emilius remained quiet, giving no signs that he would do the will of these wicked enemies of the Prophet. Jesus then said, in a loud, clear voice, "My kingdom is not of this world! I seek not an earthly throne or earthly scepfere. My king- dom is from above. Ye say truly, I am king," he added, with indescribable majesty of manner; "and hereafter ye shall behold me sitting upon the throne of heaven, high and lifted up, with the earth my foot-stool, and before me every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, of things on earth, and things under the earth!" 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 "hosannas;" others said he blas- phemed; 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 where; 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVIP. 349 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, thf.re was a deep-seated sorrow upon his countenance, that brought tears to my eyes! yEmilius 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 for- gotten, notwithstanding Martha more than once ventured to remind her blessed guest that such and such a thing was before him, and that she had prepared it for him with her own hands. But, like him, we all feasted upon the heavenly food, the bread of life, which fell, like manna, from his consecrated lips. Such, then, my dear father, is the testimony, as you have seen, in what I have above related, which Jesus publicly bears to himself, that he is the very Christ who should come into the world. There can be no further doubt of the fact nowthat he has so plainly stated it, pointing to the proph- 350 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. ecies, which he is daily fulfilling by mighty works, in proof of the truth of his assertion. Now to what irresistible conclusion, to what inevitable consequence, do we arrive? Is it not that He is the Christ? This result cannot be avoided. Either Jesus is Messias, as he asserts, and his miracles prove, or he is not. Now if he is not, then he is an imposter and a falsifier, as well as a fearful blasphemer of Jehovah ! If he is these three, we then have the Almighty confer- ring upon an imposter his own Almighty attri- butes, giving him power to heal, to cast out devils, to control the elements, to raise the dead ! that is, bearing testimony to the truth of one whom He never sent, empowered, nor author- ized to be his Christ, and in whom there is no truth. Moreover, the miracles of Jesus, you admit, prove him to have come from God, while you deny his claim to be Messias. Now, if Jesus truly came from God, as, looking at his miracu- lous power, you readily admit, he cannot be a sinner: he, therefore, cannot assert of himself what is not true. Yet he asserts that he is the Christ. He, then, either did come from God, or he is a deceiver, and there is no truth in him! But you will not consent to charge such char- acter upon a man who heals with a word, who casts out demons, who raises the dead to life, and who proclaims such pure precepts, and the neces- sity of holiness in men, in order to enjoy the favor of God! We, therefore, are forced to the irresistible conclusion, that either the miracu- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID 351 lous power, with which Jesus is invested, did come from God, and that he is, as he says, the true and very Christ of the prophets and pa- triarchs, or that God has endowed a blasphemer of his name, an imposter, with his own powers, and indorses the imposture by continuing these powers to him in every miracle that he performs. Jesus is, therefore, the Christ. Do not, by any artful subterfuge, dearest father, attempt to avoid this conclusion! Jesus is the Christ, or we make both God and the Prophet liars and co-partners in an enormous imposture ! Jesus is Christ, and let God be true, though all men be found liars. Pardon me, dearest father, if I have been 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 Jeru- salem, ere long, attended by tens of thousands of his followers, and that before him Pilate will peaceably vacate his Procuratoral chair, and re- tire, not only from the Holy City, but from Judea, with his legions; and that Jesus will as- cend the throne of David; the glory of the age of Solomon be revived under his rule; and with the kingdom of Judah for the centre of his power, he will extend the sceptre of his dominion from sea to sea, and from the river of Egypt and oi the East, to the ends of the earth, till all nations shall fall down before him, emperors and kings S52 THE FRINGE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. sit at his feet, and every tongue and language and speech in the whole world acknowledge him to be the King of Israel, King of kings and Lord of Lords; while under the splendor of his reign Jerusalem and Judah will be more powerful than all the cities and kingdoms that have ever been On the earth, and to the dominion and glory of our people there will be no end. Such, dear father, is the future of Jesus, as looked for by all his disciples, save one, and this is John, the betrothed of my cousin Mary. He is more closely intimate with Jesus than any other man; and is so beloved by him that he makes known to him many things which he with- holds from the rest. John, on hearing our views of the coming glory of the Prophet, looks sadly, and says: "Not now not here not in this world! The glory of Jesus you will behold, but first, we must pass through the valley of darkness, the gate of the tomb. His kingdom is not on the earth, but in the heavens. Here, I fear, he will pass through suffering and sorrow, and, perhaps, a painful death, for he has told me that he came to suffer and die, and that he can only win, bleeding from every vein, the kingdom, over which he is hereafter to reign in endless dominion. Pre- pare your hearts, dear friends," he would say, "to be rent, and your eyes for tears, rather than fill your imaginations with pictures of glory, splen- dor and power. 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 PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 358 The Jews will seek me to kill me, and I shall be taken from among you 1 , but let not sorrow fill your hearts. Death can haye no power over me save such as I permit it to hold. I lay down my life, and I take it again. Through much tribula- tion and sorrow must the Son of God win the sceptre of this earth from him who hath the power over the nations, even from Satan, the prince of this world. I shall conquer, but I must first fall. Yet fear not! I shall make death the gateway to Paradise for you all!' "Such," says John, "are the mysterious and sorrowful words which he has often spoken to me. What they mean, or how to understand them, I know not; for I cannot comprehend how lie who can raise the dead can die, or how he who can calm a tempest can suffer himself to be taken and slain by men, the tempest of whose wrath he could as easily pacify!" 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, but from his own lips, first to be inconceivably sor- rowful. 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 Saviour, 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 Pro- phet of God, is a prisoner to the Roman power! He is accused of making himself a king, and of a conspiracy to re-establish the throne of David ! And who, think you, have accused him of this noble effort, but the Jews, our own, his own peo- ple! men who should glory in seeing the do- minion of the Caesars at an end : men who should blush longer to have Mount Zion commanded by a Roman citadel. These base, degraded, and wicked scribes and priests, whom I am ashamed to call my countrymen, have accused the divinely-gifted Jesus," before Pilate, of rebellion and treason! And at this moment, while I write, he is in the ward-room of the Procurator's pal- ace, held a close prisoner. But I fear not the issue! He cannot be holden cf his foes, save by his own free will. He can, THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 355 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. But will not the Lord God punish our nation for this sin and en- mity against His Christ? You will ask, my father, why, if he possesses such mighty power, hath he suffered himself to be taken prisoner? This question I cannot answer. It troubles me. I wonder, and am transfixed with amazement. Everyone around me asks the same question. Our house is thronged with his friends, who, midnight as it is, have come hither to hear if the rumor is true. Five of his disciples are with Uncle Amos in the court, giving an account of the manner of his arrest, which I will relate to you, although it increases the mystery. It seems that to-day, after eating the Passover with his twelve chosen friends, he went forth with them towards Olivet, and there seating him- self 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, upon being questioned by cousin Mary and myself, thus told us: 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, as much as his words, which latter were full of mystery. We were all present, excepting 356 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF T>AVID. Iscariot, who had remained in the city to dis- charge 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; who, since his triumphant entry into the Holy City, preceded and followed by the multitude, shouting hosan- nas, and proclaiming him Messias, had diligently sought his life. 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. I was resting at the moment, with my cheek 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 wouldst do. The Son of Man must needs be betrayed by his own friends, but woe unto him who betrayeth me. See thou who dippeth bread with me into the dish!" I looked, and saw Judas reach forward, and clip into the "dish at the same instant in which Jesus dipped; but in his eagerness, or from con- scious guilt, his hand trembled, he spilled the^salt on the boar'd, an'd the sop fell from his grasp into the bowl ; upon which Jesus gave him the piece he held, saying to him, with a remarkable expres- sion in his clear ,) piercineeyej^J'Judas, what thou _doest jlojq uic""**^^ THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 3< We were surprised at the tone and manner in which this was spoken, but supposed the com- mand had reference to some of Judas's duties, little suspecting what fearful thing he was to do! Instantly Judas rose from the table, and without a word, 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 look- ing into one anothers 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 passed off, and there was the serenity of a cloudless sky in his face. "My children," he said, "I am to be with you but a little while longer. The hour of my de- parture 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!" "The priests seek to kill thee, and thy foot- steps are watched!" exclaimed Andrew, earn- estly. "Yes, we will not suffer thee, dear Rabbi, to go abroad alone," said James, with enthusiasm; "our hearts and hands will defend thee!" "Whither wilt tjiou depart, Lord?" I asked, with emotion. "Thou wilt not trust thyself to the Jews?" 358 TUB PWNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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!" With one voice we asserted our devotion to our beloved Master, and secretly, I asked him whither he intended to go, and why he forbade us to go with him? "As Abraham bound Isaac his son, and laid him upon the wood, so shall my Father cause me to be bound and laid upon the wood; and shall slay me, a sacrifice for the sins of his people!" i "Not so! not so! Lord," cried Peter. "I will die for thee, ere a hair of thy head shall fall." And the warm-hearted disciple drew his sword, and placed himself by the side of Jesus, as if to defend him. "Wilt thou die for me, Peter?" said Jesus, gaz- ing on him with a sad, sweet look: "Verily, verily, Peter, thou little knowest thyself. The cock shall not crow twice, heralding the coming morning, 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 you ever knew me; for the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 359 time draweth near when there will be safety only in confessing ignorance of Jesus the Nazarene. And all of you," he added, while his voice grew tremulous, and tears glistened in his eyes, "all of you shall be offended because of me, this night; ye shall foe ashamed to confess that you 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 Shep- herd shall be smitten, and the sheep shall be scattered!" 1 At hearing these words, we knew not what to answer; but I kissed my dear Lord's hand, and said, that if danger were hanging over him, as it seemed, I would share it with him! 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 aban- doning 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, liveth at Nazareth, and hath 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 began plainly to tell us that he was to die, and that by his death we should be ad- mitted 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 860 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID*. sorrow filled all our hearts. After discoursing with us in the most touching words, he at length said: "Come, let us go over to Cedron, to the gar- den we so much loved to walk in." We went out 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 with drawn swords. In this way we passed through the gloomy streets, and forth from the gate, which Pilate suffered to be open day and night, on account of the crowds at the Passover, coming in and going out. The moon shining 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 Cedron, and entered the dark groves of Olivet. Familiar with all the paths, we advanced to a central group of the venerable Olivet trees, beneath which 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." "Not take me, also, dear Lord?" I said, sor- rowfully. "Yes, thou art always with me, beloved," he answered; "I will not leave thee now." So leaving the eight friends to keep watch ' THE I'UINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 361 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 ad- vanced near to the spot, and beheld him pros- trate 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 hor- ror and dread. As he prayed thus, in great agony, I suddenly beheld a swift light pass by me, as if from the skies, and 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 countenance was con- vulsed with anguish; and upon his brow stoo3 862 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 with a divine expression of holy submission, and said, in a strong voice: "Thy will, not mine, O God, be doni!" The angel then seemed to embrace and kiss him, and rose and disappeared, like a star return- ing into the blue depths of heaven; while Peter and I stood by wondering, and full of awe, at what we saw. "How looked the angel?" I asked of my cousin John, interrupting him in his recital. "As a young and noble youth, with a coun- tenance so dazzling I could not look upon him steadily. He seemed to be clothed in flowing raiment, silvery white; and a fragrance, more delicate and grateful than the subtlest attar of roses of India, was diffused by his presence throughout the garden, while the sound of his voice seemed to fill all the air with strange musi- cal vibrations, unlike anything heard on earth." "Had the angel wings?" asked my cousin Mary. "Nay, I could not well discern," answered John. "His robes seemed to shape themselves THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 363 into wings, as he rose from the earth ; and when he stood they flowed with living grace about his god-like form. After the departure of the angel, Jesus seemed calmer, and as we did not wish longer to intrude upon his sacred privacy, we softly returned to where James lay asleep. 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!" But we refused to sleep longer. We then ad- vanced to where the other disciples were, and found them also asleep. "Arise, let us be going!" cried Jesus, in a tone that roused them to their feet; "they are at hand who seek me!" While he was speaking, we saw many lights gleaming through the trees, along King David's walk, and thertramp 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, 364 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. and escape by the way to Bethany ; for these are enemies." "Nay," answered our dear Master; "I must submit to my Father's will. 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 now what ye say, or would do. My 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 attachment 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 multi- tude, at the head of which I recognized some of the chief priests, and 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 ten- TEE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 865 score men, among whom were the vilest sort of people, rushed forward to lay hands upon Jesus: the moon and torches shedding almost the bright light of day upon the whole group. 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 press- ing 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 fell with his forehead to the ground, where they lay for a min- ute stunned; and we twelve stood alone, save Judas, who 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 re- main to witness my power, that he may see that he nor his have any power over me, save what I give them." , While he was thus speaking, the men rose to their feet, and instead of flying, they seemed to 366 THE PRIftCE Ofr THE HOUSE OF DAVID, be infuriated at their discomfiture; and as the chief priests cried out that it was by sorcery they had been stricken down, they rushed madly for- ward, and laid their hands upon Jesus, and upon us all. In vain I contended against numbers to rescue Jesus! in vain the sword of the valiant Peter flashed in the torchlight, and fell upon the heads of the captors; overpowered by numbers, we were defeated, and driven from the field of contest, leaving Jesus in the hands of his ene- mies! When John had gone thus far in his relation, dear father, our tears and his were mingled. We wondered that Jesus, who could, as he 'had shown, destroy his enemies with a wave of his hand, should suffer them to make him their prisoner; for in their hands he knew he must die! This amazes and bewilders us. At one moment we are tempted to lose our confidence in him, and believe, as many now begin to say, that we have been following a deceiver, and in the next to trust fully in him, and that he will yet over- come his enemies, and be restored to us. Every step we hear at the door makes our blood bound, for we think it may be our beloved Lord escaped from the hands of his captors. We must wait the issue with hope and faith! To-morrow will, perhaps, reveal all. The mystery that envelops this great Prophet is inscrutable. The seeming contradictions that make up his character, be- wilder us. 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 367 God! What seems to you mysterious, shall be made clear as light. Wait, and have faith, and all shall be made known which now you under- stand 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 it is expe- dient first that I humble myself; but if I stoop, it is to raise up the world with me, when I rise again!" Ah, it is stooping, indeed, for this Prince of the Prophets to suffer himself to be led away bound by his foes! But we hope with trembling, dear father, remembering his words! I have omitted to mention to you what more John related, touching the arrest of the Prophet. As the chief priests bound and laid their hands on him, there was heard above in the air the sound of myriads of rushing wings, and the gathering signal of a trumpet echoing in the skies, as if a countless host of invisible beings were marshalling, armies by armies, in the mid- heaven. At this fearful and sublime sound, all raised their heads, but saw nothing; and Jesus said, with a majestic and commanding look, such as I never before beheld upon his face: "Ye hear," he said to us, " that I am not with- out heavenly friends! I have only to pray my Father, which is in heaven, and He will bid twelve legions of his angels, now hovering, sword-armed, in the air, and yearning to defend me, descend to my aid! But I may not use my powers for myself. I came on earth to suffer. As a man, I must submit to all things that come upon me; nor make use of more means in my 868 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. behalf than a man can do ! For this I came into the world. Lead on, I go with you !" Thus, dear father, was Jesus borne away by a fierce multitude, and dragged into the city, fol- lowed by a shouting and insulting crowd, who, seeing that, notwithstanding his miraculous powers, they could secure and hold him, mocked him only the more, making light of powers which could not prevent the capture of his per- son. Some even reviled him on the way, and asked him to call down the twelve legions of angels; while others said they were hungry and thirsty, and would have him turn water into wine for them, and give them bread by another miracle of loaves. John, whose interest in, and affection for Jesus, led him to follow them, disguised in a Roman soldier's cloak, heard all this ; but Jesus made no answer, only walking quietly along, patiently en- during all they said and did. As they entered the Damascus gate, the Ro- man guard, seeing the immense crowd and up- roar, 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 Caesar, and make himself king of Judea." "Long live Caesar! Long live the emperor!" THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 369 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 from him! To Pilate! To Pilate!" "To Annas!" shouted the Jews. "First, to Annas !" Then, with some shouting one thing, and others another thing, and with vast numbers of those who had come up to the Passover pressing to get sight of the Prophet, he was hurried towards the house of Annas, who is the most popular man among our people, and whose in- fluence over them is unbounded. On reaching, with great uproar of voices, and by the light of torches, the dwelling of the High Priest's son-in- law, they called him to the roof of the house, to which he came in his night apparel ; for it was by this time near the hour of midnight. When Annas'knew that the prisoner was Jesus, he uttered a fearful oath of joy and wicked satis- faction, and coming down into the court, bade them bring the prisoner in. The calm majesty of Jesus abashed him, and checked the course of insulting questions he began to put to him. At length, finding that the Prophet would make him no reply, he caused him to be bound still more closely, 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 calles-t thyself the Lord Jehovah! Out, blas- phemer! Away with him, or the house will be 370 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. swallowed up with the presence of one so im- pious. Away with the blasphemer! Pilate will make thee king in truth, and give thee a Roman throne, to which, so that thou mayest not pres- ently fall from it, he will nail thee, foot and hand!" At this the crowd shouted their approbation, and many cried: "To the cross! to the cross with him!" But others said: "Nay, but to Caiaphas!" While the Roman soldiers asserted that he should be taken before Pilate. With renewed uproar, they tumultuously pressed forward, their way lighted by the red glare of a hundred torches. John followed, but being recognized as one of his disciples, by a soldier in ^imilius's legion, he was seized, and only escaped by leaving his cloak in the hands of the rude Roman; for such was the prevalent hatred to Jesus, that they called for his followers, and would have taken them also had it been in their power. Five of the disciples, who have es- caped arrest, are now in this house, whither John fled on eluding the grasp of the soldier. We are all sad and anxious. To move in favor of Jesus is only to share his fate, and do him no service; besides, I am pained to say, two or three of his disciples begin to doubt whether he is Messias, since, instead of establishing his promised king- dom, he is now a prisoner, and menaced with death. Yet, through all, dear father, I trust in him, and hope. I cannot doubt his truth and power. I have seen him bring Lazarus from the grave, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVI1>. 371 and I will not believe but that He can save him- self, 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 mis- sion will waver. If he should be slain, then, alas! not only will perish forever all my hopes, and those of his trembling, weeping disciples, but the hopes ot the restoration and glory of Judah ; for verily we have believed that it is He which should have redeemed Israel! 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 bear. Disappointment and regrets are all that remain to me. He, in whom I trusted He, whom thousands in Judah had begun to look upon as the hope of the nation He who, as his now wretched disciples trusted, would have re- deemed Israel Jesus, has been delivered, this morning, by the Roman Procurator, to be con- demned to death, and they have crucified him! Tears of grief unutterable fall upon the parch- ment as I write, and, more eloquently than any words, tell you how I am smitten by this heavy, heavy blow! Jesus the noble, mild, courteous, and wise Prophet, who taught with such grace and wisdom, and whom we believed to be sent from God to be the Saviour of our people, and the Prince who should sit on the throne of David, to restore the former splendor of our nation is THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID, 373 (lead! With him have perished all our hopes! When he bowed his bleeding head on the cross, the necks of weeping Judah bent once more to the dust, to receive the yoke of Rome, from which they believed he would have delivered them. With him has been quenched the rising light of the sun of the Messias, who we hoped and believed that he was. But we hope no more! The daughters of Israel may now sit in the dust, and cover themselves with veils of woe; for he in whom they trusted is dead! Confounded and dismayed, his followers wander in the fields, or hide themselves from the multitude who seek their lives also. Alas! I cannot refrain from weeping bitter, bitter tears. How hath the Lord covered the daughters of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from Heaven unto eartli the beauty of Israel. "All they that pass by," as saith the Prophet, "will clap their hands at us, who trusted in him, and wag their heads at the daughters of Jerusalem: Is this the man the mighty Prophet, whom men called the Son of the Highest, the Messias of God the Prince of David the excellency of wisdom and the joy of the earth? The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O Daughter of Zion!" Thus do I weep, and thus do I complain; for verily fear and a snare is come upon us, desola- tion 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 874 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 stable, and crucified as a thief! Said I not that he who could speak against the Temple and the priesthood was of the devil?" 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. Even the disciples are outlawed, and a re- ward offered by Caiaphas for their arrest ; and all those who, two days ago, were so full of hope, and proud to sit at the feet of Jesus, and to follow him whithersoever he went, now fear to confess that they have ever known or seen him. It is only the high rank, as a priest, of my Uncle Amos, which protects him or his household from arrest. But, my dear father, to whom I have ever con- fided all my feelings and thoughts, shall we pro- nounce Jesus an impostor! Oh, can he whose very countenance was stamped with celestial dig- nity, whose lips dispensed truths such as the wisest philosophers and holiest prophets have loved to study and teach; whose vhole life has been blameless, and who has lived only to do good can he be, must he be pronounced a deceiver? When I re- call the sick he has cured, the indigent he has re- lieved, the mourners he has comforted, the igno- rance he has enlightened, the dead he has up- raised, the sublime truths he has taught, his lore of God, his respect for the worship of the Temple, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 875 the perfect morality of his daily life, the sincerity of all he said, and the universal sympathy which seemed to fill his bosom for all who were in sor- row I cannot, oh, I cannot bring my pen to write the word "impostor," in association with his name. But what shall I substitute? Alas! I feel desolate and miserable, like those who, con- fiding all their heart's treasures to another's keeping, whom they believed good and true, find that he was unworthy of confidence and betrays their trust. Jesus asserted that he came on earth to establish a kingdom, and sit on the throne of David; and that all nations would receive their laws from Jerusalem. Where, now, is his power? Where his throne? Where his laws? His power is ended in death! His throne is the Roman cross, placed between thieves; and the Roman laws, or rather power, which he was to destroy, have condemned himself to death! This unexpected, this unlooked-for, startling result has stupefied me! And not only me, but all who have been so led by fascination to trust in him. Even John, the beloved disciple, I hear now pacing the floor of the adjoining room, sob- bing 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; for she trusted in Jesus, if possible, with more faith than I did; and hence her dismay at his death, at the sudden termination of all her hopes in him, and of his restoration of Israel is in proportion. We have wept to-night in each other's arms, till we had no more tears to she4; and I have left her to 376 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. pour out my griefs to you. The unhappy John despairingly answers her: "Do not try to comfort me, Mary! There is no ground for hope more! He is dead 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 was 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 him as if he were the very Son of the Highest! But I have seen him die like a man I have gazed on his lifeless body! I have beheld the deep wound made in his very heart by the Roman spear! I cast myself upon him, 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! The flesh of his corpse was cold and clammy! 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." Thus, dear father, are we left to mourn with shame at our delusion, and with utterly wrecked hopes. I candidly acknowledge that I have been THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 877 too hasty to confess Jesus as Messias of God ; but, oh, what could I do but believe in one who seemed so like an angel from heaven a celestial Prince! There is a dreadful and deep mystery in it all. To the last we believed he would free himself, and escape death! For our sins God has suffered this great disappointment to come upon us all. I try to seek some consolation in recalling all that he was, good and holy; but this retrospect only darkens the cloud of the present; for I irres- istibly argue: How could he, who was so good, prove so great a deceiver? I live and breathe, while he, who taught me that he had life in him- self, and who I believed could raise me from the dead, if I died, he is now dead and laid in the tomb; and yet I Live! He, over whom, we fondly believed, Death could have no power, since the doors of sepulchres opened at his voice, and let forth their re-living tenants, he has been conquered by death, and proved himself only the mortal son of Joseph, and the widowed Mary. She is inconsolable. Her distress is heartrend- ing to witness. Not only has she lost her only son, about whom all her maternal sympathies were entwined, as the vine encircles the lofty palm, but she is humiliated in the very ashes of shame, that he has died, leaving the thousands who trusted to his word, fugitives for his name's sake, and disappointed in all they expected from him. Even now I hear her heavy sighs, from the couch where she lies, broken-hearted, in my aunt's chamber, to which John led her, after the execution of Jesus, at his request. She asks to 878 THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. be left alone, and I forget my own sorrows when I think upon hers, which are greater than she can bear; for, all at once, her son has been hurled from the position in which he drew all eyes up after him, and has died an ignominious death, leaving behind him the stigma of an impostor's fame. This pierces her heart more keenly, than that she has been made childless. "Oh," I heard her say to Rabbi Amos, when she came into the house, "oh, that he could have deceived me thus he whom I believed to be the soul of truth. Alas! my son my son better hadst thou remained in thy humble shop, leading a lowly and useful life, than, for the temporary popularity of a Prophet's name, have held out hopes and promises to thy followers, that thou couldst never realize, and meet with such a death ! This has made my heart bleed indeed! My gray hairs will go down to the grave with shame, that I am the mother of him who has deceived Israel." But I will not dwell on this universal sorrow sorrow mingled with mortification for the pride of all has been humbled to the dust. I will give you a description, dear father, of what occurred after the arrest; for I wish you to be acquainted with every particular respecting him, that you may see how perfectly he sustained the lofty character, which drew all men after him, to the last standing before his judges, like a man sub- lime in the consciousness of innocence, and com- manding even the involuntary respect and admi- ration of his foes. Oh, how could he have been a deceiver? Yet he is dead, and in that he is dead, be has failed in all the glorious things THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 379 which he promised concerning himself. "His death," says his disciple Peter, who was here to- night, to ask John what should now be done by them, "his death is his infamy!" But I will not further delay the account of his trial and condemnation; for you will be earnest to know how such a man could so fall as to be condemned to a malefactor's death! In my last letter I spoke of his arrest through the traitor- ous part enacted by Judas. Led by his captors, bound by the wrists with a cord, he was taken from the dark groves of Olivet, wherein he had been found at prayer, and conducted with great noise into the city by Caesar's gate. It is near this archway that Rabbi Amos lives. It was the third hour of the night, and I had just gone to my room, which overlooked the street of David, \vhen I was startled by the suddenly-heard out- cries of fierce men, breaking the night's stillness. Then I heard the quick challenges of the Roman sentinels, the galloping of several horsemen, and a confused tumult; the cries, in the meanwhile,, increasing. But I will copy for you Mary's ac- count of it to Martha, just written by her, instead of adding any more to my own. "I went out upon the basilica, which over- looked the street," says Mary to her sister, in her letter, "and beheld a multitude advancing, with torches flashing; and soon they came opposite the house, at least two hundred men, half-clad and savage-lookiner, with flashing 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 low} 580 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. oratory and eager gesticulations. Behind rode five Roman horsemen, with levelled spears, guarding a young man, who walked in front of their horses' heads. It was Jesus. His rich auburn locks were dishevelled, his beard torn, his face marred, and his garments rent. He was pale and suffering, but 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, 'Weep not for me, daughters of Jerusalem, but weep for yourselves.' "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 Pro- curator resided. Gradually, the whole multi- tude, horsemen, Jews, priests, torch-bearers, and captive, disappeared in the distance; and silence, a dread and unearthly silence, succeeded. I turned and looked in Adina's face. She was leaning, colorless as marble, against one of the columns of the basilica. " *What can all this mean?' she said, with emo- tion. '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?' THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 381 "*I could not answer. It was inexplicable, in- comprehensible to me. 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, un- known 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 de- feat 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, dearest Martha, a dark figure passed steathily 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 peo- ple, and see what should befall Jesus. The light glared full upon the tall, spare form of Peter, the Galilee fisherman. His dark, stern features wore an expression of earnest anxiety. In his hand he carried a naked sword, on which were visible drops s of blood. "'Is it thou, Peter!' exclaimed my father. 'What is 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!* 882 THE PKINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVn>. A , 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 sus- pense. 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 re- veal! Adina is confident nothing can befall the holy Prophet, for he who could raise your brother Lazarus from the dead cannot fear death. Besides, has he not promised that he has come from God, to be king of Israel? If he enters the Pretorium a bound captive to-night, it will be to sit upon the Roman throne within it to-morrow, | \vith Pilate in chains at his feet! I write this, to send to you by Elec at dawn, that you and Laza- rus may hasten to come into the city to us. . . . "It is an hour since I wrote the last line. The interval has been one of agony. Rumors have reachtd us that the priests insist on Pilate's pass- ing 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 the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 383 house, nearly destitute of apparel, his clothing having been torn off from him by the Jews, in their efforts to make him 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 tremble lest he be discovered, and taken; for the Jews are as bitter against the followers as against their Master. ****** "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 ^milius, the noble Roman knight who is be- trothed to my cousin Adina. She hastened to my aid. Pie was but stunned, and soon was able to say, that he bore a message from Lucia Me- tella, the fair and youthful bride of Pilate, urging him to have nothing to do with the Prophet, but give him his liberty; for she had just awaked from an impressive dream, in which she saw him sitting on the Throne of the Universe, crowned with the stars of heaven, the earth the footstool beneath his feet, and all nations assembled, and doing him homage, while the gods and goddesses of high Olympus cast their glittering crowns and sceptres at his feet, and hailed him God! "Such was the account given by the page to Adina; and remounting his horse, he has con* 884 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVIW tinued rapidly on his way towards the Pretorium. 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. "It is now three hours past midnight, and the dawn is chilly and cold, so that I cannot longer hold my pen. I shall send this as soon as the city gates are opened. Come at once to our comfort; for this is no time for the friends of Jesus to be out of Jerusalem. "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 exasper- ated people break into open revolt, and take the city from his hands, which they can do if they will unite. 'He trembles/ said my father, 'be- tween fear to condemn the innocent, and fear 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 like coin, as his shaking hand held it. He trembled all over, and seizing my father by the arm with the quick, nervous grasp of a lunatic, cried hoarsely: THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 385- " 'Will he let them! will he! will he?' "'Will he what, Judas? 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 not escape? He can if he will! Cords, to him, are ropes of sand!' " 'No, no he is bound hand and foot/ an- swered my father, sadly. 'He makes no defence ! 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 knotted forehead, in a frenzied manner, with a bag of silver, and, with a look of horrible despair, rushing forth, he cried 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 took him, for him to escape by his 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. ( 'Yes/ said my father, 'I see it now. Judas hoped to secure the money and cheat the chief priests, trusting to his divine power to get away out of their hands. See the force of conscience! He is now beside himself, with horror and re- 386 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. morse; for lie knows that he whom he has be- trayed is a man of God, without sin or guile!' * * "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, trem- blingly, we hope and wait." Here terminates, my dear father, what my -cousin has written to Martha and Lazarus, and, as it is very minute, please to receive it as if written by myself; for, during the night, I was too greatly unnerved to write with the composure she had done. But now, that all is over now, that Jesus lies dead in the tomb and forever at rest I have been able to resume my pen. In my next I will give you an account of his trial, as it was related to me by my Uncle Amos, and by John, one of whom was present to the last. This evening I am going to see the sepul- chre, where they have laid him ; for, although he has in his death so sorely crushed all our hopes in him, and proved that he was not what he pro- fessed to be, yet my heart and affections hover about his memory, and irresistibly draw my foot- steps towards his last resting-place. Though we are deceived, I cannot hate his memory. Oh no! I cannot I dare not trust mvself to say all that I feel. I only wish I could forget him for evermore, and regret that I have ever tried to convince yon that he was the Shiloh of the Prophets. Yet never man spake like this man, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 387 my dear father! and if Shiloh in truth come, he can do no greater works than he has done. In all things he was the Son of God but in his death! This event dashes all our hopes and our faith in him forever. iTour 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 mortifica- tion at the death of tke Nazarene, Jesus, it is that I should have endeavored so earnestly to make you believe in him also. Forgive me, my dear father; your wisdom, your knowledge of the Prophets, your judgment, were far above my own. But who could have believed that he was less than he claimed to be the very Son and Messias of God. Oh! I shall never have confi- dence in a human being again; and the more lovely, the more holy, the more heavenly the character of anyone, the wiser and purer their teachings, the more distrustful shall I be of them. In the grave with Jesus is buried, henceforth and forever, all trust in human virtue even when ac- companied by amazing miracles. I perceive that THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 389 a man may teach divine truths, nay, wear upon his lineaments the very impress of an angel, may heal the sick by a touch, walk the sea, raise the dead, and cast out devils, and yet prove in the end a deceiver. Alas for human truth! Alas for poor Israel! which has thus been blinded! They have beheld their idolized Shiloh nailed to a Gentile cross, without power in himself to pre- vent this ignominy. 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, as you will be desirous of knowing on what accusation his con- demnation was founded. It is now the morning following his cruci- fixion, and I am calmer than'1 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 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 espe- cially 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 subterraneous passage, that leads from the dwelling of Rabbi Amos into the catcombs beneath the Temple. Mary of Naza- reth, the mother of Jesus, accompanied him, and they got safely out of the city, and are now at Bethany with Martha, whence they will go to John's new home, near Gennesaret. Even Lazarus, whom Jesus raised, has been made pri.s 390 TLuS FSraCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. oner, but was released by the influence of ./Emr- lius, the Roman knight, who has conducted him hither, where he now is in safety; and ^Emilius has also placed a guard about our house, for fear of further Jewish violence. I therefore can write to you undisturbed. /Emilius is the only one who has any confidence left, since Jesus died, in liis promises. He says that Jesus plainly fore- told his death, and also that if he died, he would rise again! Peter, also, recollects Jesus' saying this; but Uncle Amos has no confidence, and says: "It is easy for any man to foretell that he will die, and quite as easy for him to add that he will rise again! But let us see Jesus rise again, and we will believe in him indeed!" But yEmiliug though only recently a convert from the Paganism of Rome, is firm in his faith, that he will rise again to life; and, instead of giv- ing 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! The confidence of yEmilius has almost inspired me with hope again! But, my dear father, I saw his cleaved side, the torrent of blood and water flow forth from the horrid wound, and saw his lifeless head hang down upon his breast. If he had not been pierced through, I might have hoped that he could yet revive! But that he was pierced, re- moves all hope that he can be restored. He did not swoon, and thus appear like one dead, or we* might trust to his restoration; but he was slain, and I saw him lie a mangled corpse at the foot THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 891 of the cross, bleeding from five wounds, one of which was through and through his heart. I should rejoice to have the faith of dear ^milius; but I tell him that I have hitherto believed too well, and that when Jesus expired, all faith in my bosom expired with him. But I have forgotten that I am to narrate to you, dear father, the particulars of his accusa- tion, trial, and condemnation. As I was not present at the Pretorium, I am indebted, for the details which I shall give, in part to John, and in part to Rabbi Amos, who were both there a por- tion of the night; Peter, and other disciples, as well- as -#Lmilius, have given me additional facts. As soon as the mob of Jews, who had -Jesus under arrest, and which I saw pass the housa> reached the house of Rabbi Annas, he, from his window, asked them whom they had in custody; and when they answered that it was the "Naza- rene Prophet," he said, with great 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 to the court, which, on reaching, he found thronged with the infuriated multitude, mingled with the Roman soldiers. It was with difficulty he made a passage to where Jesus stood, both imprisoned and defended by a glitter- ing 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? 392 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Show me a sign from heaven, and I will ac- knowledge 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 that Caiaphas, the High Priest, who had married the beautiful and haughty Miriam, the daughter of Annas, 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 re-build it in three days." There now arose a dreadful shout from the priests and people who, rushing upon Jesus, at- tempted to grasp his person; and in protecting him, as they had been commanded to do, the Romans wounded several of the Jews. Here- upon there was a great cry 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, TEmilius, who had heard the tumult from the castle, 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, but not without the sacrifice of the lives of three of the foremost. "Rabbi," said yEmilius to the Prophet, with THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 393 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 ^Emilius, 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 doth, I do also. Seek not. my son, to deliver me. This day was seen by Esaias, who wrote of me. I must fulfil the Prophets. There remains only that I be de- livered to judgment and to death !" These words passed between them beneath the portico, as ^Emilius 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 wlh him '." "I can rescuefyou, Great Prophet!" said ^mil- ius, resolutely. "Give me the word, and you 394 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 yEmilius, sur- prised at his refusal to escape, reluctantly es- corted him to the palace. The windows already glared with the torches; and the superb Hall of Aaron, within the Palace, was alight with a hun- dred flambeaux. The Romans entered, guard- ing their prisoner, and followed by a tumultuous throng, which, each moment, fearfully increased in numbers. Caiaphas was already upon his throne, although it was the hour of midnight, an unwonted time for him to sit in the council- chamber; but his desire to have Jesus brought before him, of whose arrest in Olivet he had been an hour before apprised by one of his emis- saries, 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. Among the most eager of all these was Caiaphas himself, who re- garded the eloquent Nazarene as his rival in the eyes of the whole people, and had, therefore, long thirsted for his destruction. As Jesus serenely entered, led by the sorrowful .^Emilius, Caiaphas bent his tall, gaunt form forward, thrust his neck and huge black head in advance, and, with keen eyes, and sharp, scrutinizing glances, surveyed his youthful rival. The multitude, pressing in, soon filled all the vast hall, and even crowded upon the rostrum, upon which were seated the scribes, elders, and THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 895 many of the principal priests. The Roman sol- diers, with clanging steel, marched in, and ar- rayed themselves on either side of the High- Priest's throne, leaving Jesus standing alone before its foot-stool. The scene must have been striking, and full of painful interest, to the most unconcerned present. The arched ceiling of the chamber, supported by seventy columns of por- phyry, represented the deep blue heavens, studded with glittering constellations in starry gold. The walls were of jasper, superbly col- ored, with precious stones inlaid, representing every variety of fruit and flower, in all their native tints and varied forms of grace and beauty. The hundred flambeaux reflected a thousand times from the polished surfaces of the columns, shed a magnificent light over all. The gorgeous robes of the High-Priest, his dazzling tiara and priceless breast-plate, refracted the radiant beams with indescribable prismatic splendor. The steel spear-heads and polished cuirasses of the Roman guard, catching the light upon points and bosses, gleamed like flames of fire; while the silver crest of the helmet of ^Emilius shone among all this glory like a lesser sun. Contrasting this brilliancy, 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 dark ocean of human forms gleamed with ten thousand eves, flashing like the phosphorescent stars, that glitter on the surface of the up-heaving sea, when the shadow of the storm-cloud hangs above it, and the winds 396 THE PRINCE Of THE HOUSE OF DAVID. are about to be unbound, to lash it into fury. So seemed this terrible sea of human heads Jesus, the centre of their looks and of their hate, the Pharos at whose feet these foaming billows of passion broke with terrific power. He alone, of all that countless host, he alone was calm serene fearless! Caiaphas gazed upon him, as he stood before his foot-stool, betraying admira- tion mingled with resentment. The scribes and priests also gazed and talked together, with looks of unusual interest. Caiaphas now waved his hand, with a gesture for silence, and ad- dressed Jesus: "So, then," he said, with haughty irony, "thou art Jesus, the far-famed Galilean Prophet! Men say thou canst raise the dead! We would fain see a miracle. Thinkest thou if we put thee to death presently, thou canst raise thyself?" '* 'Jesus,' said Rabbi Amos, who just entered, and stood near, and saw all, 'Jesus remained un- moved. His bearing was marked by a certain divine dignity, and an expression of holy resig- nation sat upon his features. He looked like Peace, incarnate in the form of man! A soft in- fluence seemed to flow from his presence, anc. produce 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 ye accuse him?' " 'He is a malefactor, or we would not have brought him," responded a fierce voice from the multitude. "'Let those who have accusations come for- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 397 ward 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 ^Emilius. 'The lives of all your nation are in the hands of Caesar, and of his tribunals. You can put no man to death!' "This said ^Emilius, in hopes that if Jesus could be brought before Pilate, the Roman Pro- curator, 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 crimes of blasphemy against the Temple, we are permitted by Csesar to judge our people by the laws of Moses. And this man, if rumor conies 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 mag- nificently than it was in the days of Solomon the Mighty. "Upon this testimony all the priests shouted, 'Blasphemer!' and called for him to be stoned to death; and the passionate Abijah, the most viru- lent of the scribes, cast his iron ink-horn vio- lently at him, but one of the soldiers turned it aside with his lance; at which there was a deep 398 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. murmur against the Romans, which Caiaphas^ with difficulty, silenced. "A second witness was now produced by Abi- jah, who testified, that Jesus had taught in Samaria, that men would soon no longer wor- ship in the Temple, but that the whole earth would be the 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. The noise of their rage is described as having been like the roaring of all the wild beasts of the wilderness, rushing to the banquet of a fresh battle-field. "A third witness, a man who had been notor- ious for his crimes, now came up. He carried on his wrist a cock, with steel gaffs upon the spurs, as if just 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,' and the priests 'blind guides' and deceivers; the scribes 'foxes'; and the pharisees 'hypocrites!' "But the fourth and fifth witnesses contrar- dicted each other; neither did the testimony of two others agree; one, who asserted that he heard him call himself 'the Son of God,' was con- tradicted by others, who asserted that it was only 'the Son of Man;' and, in another instance, one said he heard him say, that he and God were One, while the other testified that what he said THE FRINGE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 399 was, that God was greater than he. Neither did other witnesses agree together. "Such opposite testimony perplexed and irri- tated 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. All the while the prisoner had remained standing before him bound, with his hands tied across his body, his countenance mild, but heroic 'the firmness and composure of innocence/ as yEmilius described his bearing to be. '''What! Galilean and blasphemer of God and His Temple! answereth thou nothing?' cried the High-Priest; 'hearest thou not what these witnesses say 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 fire-place, 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 attend- ing 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 400 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 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!' "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 stand, 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 start, 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 so loud a tone, that it caused some persons in the gross crowd to burst into laughter, and to imitate him, greatly to the annoyance of Caiaphas, who for some time could not still the confusion. I then remem- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 401 tiered 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, that he foreknew all things that could happen to him, and would escape danger of death. "At length, when order was restored, so that Caiaphas could be heard, he again addressed Jesus, saying, but with more respect than before: " 'Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? I adjure thee, by the living God, tell us plainly 1' "Jesus then elevated his princely form, and bending his eyes upon the face of the High- Priest, with a look so brightly-celestial that Caia- phas involuntarily dropped his eyelids to the ground, answered, and said: " 'If I tell you, O Caiaphas, ye will not believe! If I prove it to you from the prophets, and by my works, ye will not listen? If I say that I am Christ, ye will not then acknowledge me, nor let me go free! I have spoken openly to the world, in the Temple, and in the synagogue. I have concealed nothing. Ask them which heard me, what I have said. Nevertheless, I say unto you what I have before taught, that I am the Christ, the Son of the Blessed; and hereafter ye shall behold me sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.' " 'Art thou the Son of God?' cried several of 402 THE PRINCE OP TflE HOD8E OF DAVID. the priests at once, while Caiaphas held up his h.ands in horror. " 'Ye have said that which I am/ answered the Prophet, without changing, except to a sub- linier look, the expression of his countenance, which," 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 wordsl' cried the High Priest, rending down the blue lace from his ephod. 'Hear ye his blasphemy?' " 'Said I not, son of Aaron, that you would neither believe me nor let me go, if I told you who I am?' said Jesus, firmly. 'I tell you the truth, and ye call it blasphemy!' " 'Answerest thou the High-Priest so!' cried Abner, furiously, 'the chief officer of the Temple!' striking him with the palm of his hand across the mouth. "Jesus calmly answered, with the blood trick- ling from his lips: 'If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, and judge me by our law; but if well, why smitest thou me?' " 'Ye have heard the blasphemy,' said Caia- phas, extending his hands towards the people. '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 THE PlilNCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 4C3 him, and pulled him by the beard, and for some minutes it seemed to be the only thought of all, who were any ways near him, to do him some ignominy; and, but for the protection of yEmilius and his soldiers, they would have torn him in pieces. " 'Is this Jewish justice?' cried ^milius, in- dignantly, to Caiaphas. 'Do you condemn and kill a man without witness? Stand back, hounds, for Romans are not used to see men condemned without law. Back, fellows or your blood shall 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' wipecl the blood and imcleanness 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 404 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. of Rome will shrink 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 destruc- tion of the nation. 'Hold, madmen!' "But his voice was drowned amid the roar oi the human tempest. ^Emilius 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 con- fusion, Jesus was carried, by fierce hands, to the opposite end of the council-chamber; while Caia- phas strove to appease the wrath of ^milius, who insisted that the fate of Jesus should be left with Pilate, the Procurator. After brief consul- tation with the chief-priests, elders, and scribes, Caiaphas consented; though knowing that Pilate, being a Pagan, would not heed a charge of blasphemy, he resolved with the rest, that nothing should be said of that before him, but that he should be accused to him of sedition, and setting up a kingdom in opposition to the universal empire of Csesar. "When ^Emilius, 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 Jerusa- lem, who were amusing 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, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 405 and ask him to name its value or inscription; and when he still kept silence, they struck him, beat him with their hands, and cruelly smote him with their staves to make him respond. " '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 prophecy! It is a rare quail, a prophet, in these dull times. What, Galilean, silent and sullen! I will make thee speak, and sing, too!' and he let a blow of his staff fall upon the head of Jesus, which would have felled him to the earth, but for the voice of Caiaphas, which ar- rested, 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 Caesar hath taken the power of life and death out of our hands! We can put no man to death, but the Romans only. That he has spoken against Caesar, and is a seditionist, can be proved. Let us take him before Pilate with this accusation; and if he be found guilty of death, as he will be, unless the Procurator wink at a usurper's rising up in his government, which he will not dare to do, we shall have the Nazarene hanged on a Roman cross, ere the sun 406 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. reaches the mark of noon on the dial of the Temple.' "This speech pleased the people, and having re-bound 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 ter- rible cries which we heard, startling the dawn, even in our house, took the direction towards the Pretorium. Of the hundreds of thousands of Jews from the country, who crowd Jerusalem like a bee-hive at this holy season, not one slept that night, or was absent from that scene; and the noise of the tramp of that multitude shook the very foundations of Mount Zion, while the murmur of voices was like the sound of many waters. It was with difficulty that JEmtiins could pro- tect the Prophet in safety up the hill, and to the entrance of the Pretorium, while he entered with his prisoner, just as the sun gilded the loftiest pinnacle of the Temple, and the trumpets of the Levites sounded to prayers. 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 his pain, insult, igno- miny, 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 a Prophet sent from God nay, more than a prophet, Christ, the Son of the Blessed! Yet he still lies dead in the tomb, and his splendid prophecies of his future glory, as King of Israel, have perished with him. 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. I will now resume my narrative of his trial; for I would, by showing you how like a true prophet he bore himself, even before his judges, in some degree excuse myself to you, for being carried away by him, and accepting him for all that he professed to be the very Messias of Jehovah. It is now the close of the High Day c f the 408 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Feast. The slanting rays of the setting sunj linger yet upon the gilded lances that terminate 1 the hundred lesser pinnacles of the Holy House of the Lord. The smoke of incense curls lazily up the sky from its unseen altar, and the deep voices of the choir of Le . Ites, 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 neve heard anything so solemn. Above the Tempiv. 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; and, shooting over the cloud, the setting sun- beams, catching the lofty pinnacles, make the gloom beneath only seem the more sombre. The cloud is a fearful sight, and all men have been watching it, and talking of it, and wonder- ing. It seems to be in the form of a pair of black gigantic wings, spreading a league broad over Jerusalem. There it 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, everyone 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 sur- face in tumultuous billows, while the mass still retained its position over the city. The shadow THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 409 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 men- tion 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 very truth, crucified, in Jesus, the very Son of God. At the time of his death, the sun disappeared from the mid heavens, and dark- ness, 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 the bodies of the dead were heaved to the surface, and exposed to all eyes; and some arose, and went alive into the city, where many saw them, and on all sides shrank away from them in terror. Others of the dead bodies have lain all to-day, for the Jews dare not touch them to rebury them, for fear of being defiled. All this is fearful and unaccount- able. 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 if some dread calamity had befallen the nation. Can the death of Jesus be the cause of all these things? if so, he was the Son of God, and men have done unto him what- soever they listed. If he be the' Blessed Christ, whom Caiaphas and the priests have had crucified, the retribution of God's vengeance upon our city and nation is but just begun. But 410 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAYID. if he were the Christ, why did he not save him- self? My last letter, my dear father, closed with the termination of the examination of Jesus before Caiaphas, the High-Priest, who, not being able to convict him of anything save alleged blas- phemy, and not having the power in his hands to condemn him to death on this charge, re- solved, in order unfailingly to secure his execu- tion, to charge him before Pilate, the procurator, of sedition and treason against Caesar. But for the fact, that the Romans had taken the power of death from the Jewish nation, Jesus would have been then stoned to death for blasphemy, by order of Caiaphas; but a more ignominious death, as a revolutionist and usurper of Caesar's crown, was in reserve for him, at the hands of the Roman law. Guarded by ^milius, who was his true friend to the last, and followed by the envious Caia- phas, the fierce Abner, the captains of the Tem- ple, Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and a mixed rabble of the Jews, artisans, peas- ants, robbers, beggars, and all the off-scourings of the nation that pour into the city at the Pass- over season, he was led to the house of Pilate. The Praetorian gates were shut by the Roman gruards, 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 yEmilius ex- plained to the captain of the guard, that the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 411 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 ; but none passed beyond the statue of Caesar, lest they should defile them- selves; and, at their call, Pilate came forth to them. When he saw the vast concourse of peo- ple with Caiaphas and the chief priests, and many rich Sadducees, and the leading men of Jerusa- lem in the advance, and Jesus bound, and dis- figured by the insults he had undergone, and yEmilius 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, ^milius?" 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, ad- vancing to the portico on which the Procurator stood, "by our law he should suffer death; and thou knovvest 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 412 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID one of your nation to death for blaspheming your God? So far as that is concerned, O priest," added Pilate, smiling contemptuously, "we Ro- mans blaspheme him daily; for we worship him not, and will have nought to do with your faith. Let the man go! I see no cause of death in him!" He then spoke to ^Emilius, and desired him to lead Jesus to the spot where he stood. Pilate then regarded him with mingled pity and inter- est. 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. Me- hercule! The chisel of Praxiteles, nor of Phid- ias, 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 immov- able patience. Pilate now turned to him, and said: "Thou art, then, that Jesus of whom men talk so widely. I have had curiosity to see thee; and thanks, Caiaphas, to thee, for this privilege. Men say, O Jesus, that thou art wiser than ordi- nary men; that thou canst do works of necro- mancy, 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 413 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 Caesar. I charge him and formally ac- cuse him, before thy tribunal, of making himself king of JudeaJ" 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, for his lips parted as if to speak, there -was heard a sudden commotion in the lower part of the court of Gabbatha (for thus the outer court of the Pretorium, where they were, Is called by the Jews), and a loud, hoarse voice was heard crying: "Make way give back!" He is innocent." All eyes turned in the direction of the arch- way, 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 him. "What means this madman!" cried the Pro- curator. "Some of you arrest him!" "I am not mad lre is innocent. I have be- traved the innocent blood!" cried Iscariot, for it was he, leaping into the space in front of the 414 THE PRINCE Ot THE HOCSE OF DAVID. portico. "Caiaphas, I have sought thee every- where!" he exclaimed, on seeing the High- Priest. "Take back thy money, and let this holy Prophet of God go free! I swear to you he is innocent; and if thou harm him, thou wilt be ac- cursed with the vengeance of Jehovah! Take back thy silver, for he is innocent!" "What is that to us? See thou to that," an- swered Abner, the priest, haughtily; for Caia- phas was too much surprised at this open ex- posure of his bribery of Judas to speak, his eyes falling under the withering glance of the Roman Procurator. "Wilt thou not release hir ^ if I give thee back the pieces?*' cried Judas, in accents of Despair, taking Caiaphas by the mantle, and then Kneel- ing to him imploringly. But Caiaphas shook him off; Abner and the chief-priests also spurned him from them, as he approached them, when, at last, in a fren- zied 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 him, without one look c' resentment at his having betrayed him, "mine hour is come. I may not escape. For this I came into the world/' "I believed thou wouldst not suffer thysc'f to be arrested, when they should find thee in Olivet, my Master, or I would not have taken their money. It is my avarice that hath slain th^c! TIIE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 415 Oh God! Oh God! it is too late!" Thus crying, he rose and rushed, with his face hid in his cloak, forth from the presence of all, the crowd of men giving back hastily, as he advanced through their midst towards the outer gate. This extraordinary interruption produced a startling effect upon all present ; and it was a few moments before Pilate could resume his exam- ination of Jesus, which he did by entering the Judgment-Hall, and taking his seat on his 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," he answered, with a digmtv truly regal in its bear- ing; for all the time, bound and marred as he was by the hands of his enemies, pale with suffer- ing, and with standing a sleepless and fearful night upon his feet, exposed to cold and to in- sults, yet he had a kingly air, and there seemed to float about his head a divine glory, as if a sun- beam had been shining down upon him; yet no sunshine that day penetrated the dark-winged cloud, that hung suspended low above the city. "Thou, thyself, hearest him!" exclaimed Caia- phas, standing upon the threshold of the Judg- ment-Hall of the Gentile governor, which he would not enter for fear of defilement. "He hath, also, sought to prevent the people from paying tribute to Csesar!" cried Abner, shouting through an open window, for he also would not, on account of the holy feast, be pro- faned by entering a Gentile house. "He has everywhere publicly proclaimed that 416 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. he has been ordained of God, to re-establish the kingdom of Judah, and overthrow the power of Caesar 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, which we all knew not to be true. Pilate at length obtained comparative silence, and then said to Jesus: "Hearest thou these accusations? Hast thou no answer to make? What defense hast thou, Sir Prophet? Answerest thou nothing? Be- hold 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 pesti- lent and dangerous fellow!" exclaimed Caiaphas. "He is a blasphemer, above all men." "I have nothing to do with your religion. If he has 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 v*e 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 ad- judge him to death. I, therefore, command his release, as having done nothing worthy of cap- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 417 ifal punishment, ^milius, unbind thy prisoner, and let him go. I find no fault in him, that he should be longer held in bonds." Upon this the Jews sent up a cry of unmingled ferocity and vindictiveness. Caiaphas, forget- ting his fear of defilement, advanced several steps into the Judgment-Hall, and shaking his open kands at Pilate, cried: "If .thou lettest this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend. Thou art in league with him. He that sets himself up as a king, in the wide bounds of Caesar's dominions, wars against Caesar, as well at Jerusalem as at Rome. If thou re- lease this man, I and my nation will accuse thee to thy master, Tiberius, of favoring this Gali- lean's sedition. He hath stirred up all Jewry, from Galilee to this place, and yet thou findest no fault with him!" When Pilate heard the name of Galilee, he asked if the prisoner were a Galilean? Upon being answered in the affirmative by the excited priest, he said to /Emilius: "Hold loose not his bonds just now! Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, last night came up to the Passover feast of his God, and is now at the old Maccabean palace, with his retinue. Con- duct your prisoner to him, and let Herod judge his own subjects. Present him with this signet in token of amity. Tell him I will not interfere with his privileges, and that I desire he would take and judge the man as if he were in his own tetrarchate." The chief priests and scribes now shouted with approbation at this decision, for they began to 418 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVIDt. fear that Pilate would release him; and they knew that the vacillating and reckless Herod would do whatsoever would gain popular applause. "If he sends us to Herod with him," said the priest Abner, "his doom is sealed his blood is ours!" And the multitude without hailed the reappearance of ^Emilius, and his unresisting captive, from the Judgment-Hall, and followed them across the marble pavement of Gabbatha, into the street, crying: "To Herod! to the Tetrarch of Galilee with him!" But Caiaphas, frowning and dissatisfied, re- mained behind, and Pilate, glad to get rid of the delicate affair of condemning an innocent man, to gratify the envy of the Jews, by sending him to his enemy, Herod, smilingly came out, and spoke to the gloomy High-Priest: "Thou wert something sharp upon me just now, my lord Caiaphas. Thou knowest I can condemn men only for crimes committed against the laws of the Empire. This Jesus has done nothing worthy of death, were he called before a tribunal in the capital of the world itself, Caesar his judge." "Noble Governor," answered Caiaphas, stop- ping in his angry strides up and down the por- phyry 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, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 419 or arms, an obscure fisherman or carpenter of Galilee, of setting up a throne and kingdom against that of Tiberius Caesar, 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 Caesar say, my lord," answered Caiaphas, with a sneer upon his curled lip; "if you let this man go (for Herod will not, surely, accept your courtesy, and judge him within your jurisdiction), the Jewish nation will draw up a memorial, accusing you to the Emperor, of pro- tecting 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 Caesar's suspicions!" Here the High Priest, said my Uncle Amos, who heard all that passed, looked with concen- trated maliciousness into the eyes of the Italian ruler, who turned pale, and bit his lips with vex- ation. "My lord priest, thou art bent, I see, on this innocent man's death. I am no Jew, to under- stand how he has drawn upon himself thy terrible wrath, and that of thy nation. It must have been something I am incapable of comprehend- ing. I will see what Herod will say, who, being a Jew, is familiar with your customs. But it seems to me, O Priest, that the testimony of the wretched man whom, I see, you bribed to betray his master into your power, would now release him!" 420 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Pilate now reseated himself upon his throne. While he spoke, 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 good lord. I was thrown from my horse, who was startled at a burning torch, lying on the ground ; and was de- tained 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 %vife, 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 rose-tinted parchment, tied with scarlet thread. He cut the knot with his dagger, and reading the contents became deathly 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 !" "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 seat- ing himself upon his throne, again read the parchment, " 'Have thou nothing to . and calmly said: ^ "Thou couldst have no power against me ex- cept it were given thee from above. Therefore, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 489 he that delivered me into thy hand hath the greater sin!" And as Jesus said these words in an impres- sive 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 i greatly troubled. Caiaphas seeing his irresolu- tion, cried, harshly: "If thou let this self-styled king go, O Gover- nor, thou art not Caesar's friend! Our whole nation charges him, before you, with setting him- self up to be our king over us, when Tiberius is the only king to whom we can owe allegiance. Release the Usurper, if thou darest, and I would not give two brass mites for thy head!" Pilate's brow grew dark. He took Jesus by the hand, and leading him to the portal, and pointing to him, 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 Caesar!" "Crucify him!" "To the Cross with the false Prophet!" "Death to the Usurper! Long live Caesar! Long live Tiberius! Death to the Nazarene! To the Cross! to the Cross with him! Let him be crucified!" These were the various cries from ten thou- sand throats, that responded to the Procurator's address. Impressed, as he has since said, with the innocence of Jesus, and remembering the 440 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 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 inno- cent man? What evil hath he done?" "Crucify him! Crucify him!" was the deafen- ing response. "I will chastise him, and let him go!" "At your peril, release him, O Roman!" ex- claimed Caiaphas, in a menacing tone. "Either he or you must die this day for the people. Blood must flow to appease this tempest!" The tumult was now appalling. The voices of the chief priests and people kept up a cease- less uproar, calling for his crucifixion; and in vain Pilate appealed to their humanity and jus- tice. They drowned his voice with their own; and his gesticulations for silence only increased the roar of the human whirlwind. When the Procurator saw that he could pre- vail 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 per- son. See ye to it, oh 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: "Aye: on us and on our children, rest the guilt of Ms' blood!" "Pe it so," answered the Procurator, with a dark brow, nnd face pale as the dead. "Take ye THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAT1D. 441 him and crucify him, and may the God he wor- ships judge you, not me, for this day's deeds." Pilate then turned away from them, and said to Jesus, who stood unmoved, with the same heroic and celestial serenity which he had mani- fested throughout the storm raging about him: "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, 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 of the rabble, who, in- different about Gentile defilement, crossed the threshold into the hall, which Caiaphas and 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, scourged him with forty stripes, save one. They then re-arrayed his lacerated and bleeding form in the torn, kingly robe, which John had removed when he had taken off his crown ; but now they replaced both the crown and the robe, and once more went 442 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. through the mockery of homage, kneeling, and hailing him, "King of the Jews." All this Jesus still bore with godlike 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 strengta from thence. Not only ^milius, but John, was now sepa- rated 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 his off out of the court of Gabbatha, and so down the steep street, in the direction of the gate of the kings, that leads to the Hill of Calvary, the public place of execution, where the Romans, since they have been masters of Jerusalem, have executed crimi- nals by their cruel mode of crucifying. At the gate, a Roman Centurion took him into custody, THE 1-mJSCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. under arms, and escorted him, followed by the vast multitude. Rabbi Amos accompanied the multitude, keep- ing as nigh to Jesus as the Roman soldiers, who inarched on each side of him, would let him. On the way, as they crossed the open space where once stood the palace and statue of Antio- chus Seleucus, the eyes of the Rabbi were at- tracted 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 Judas, who had so basely betrayed his Master. The spec- tacle which he exhibited was revolting, and hor- rid 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. The cord had broken by his weight, and being a fleshy man, he had, most dreadful to relate, in the fall burst asunder, and the hungry dogs that infest the suburbs, were feeding upon his bowels. With cries of horror, several of the Jews drove them away, and the Roman Centurion, whom Pilate had ordered to crucify Jesus for the Jews, directed four of his soldiers to convey the hideous corpse from sight, and see that it was either burned or buried. "If," said Rabbi Amos to John, who now re- joined him, "if the accusers of Jesus are to be punished like this man, this will be a fearful day for the men of Jerusalem. Judas, the betrayer, dies before his victim dies, and by his own hand. This looks like Divine retribution, and, as if 44:4 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Jesus were, in truth, the favored Prophet of the Highest." By this time, the people, who were dragging Jesus to death, were got out of the gate, where a cross of heavy cypress was obtained by the Cen- turion, from a yard near the lodge, wherein stood several new crosses, awaiting whatsoever victims Roman justice might, from day to day, condemn -to death. Two others were also brought out, and laid upon the shoulders of two men, the lieu- tenants of Barabbas, who were also that day to be crucified. The released Barabbas was himself present, and the most active, in laying the cross upon the back of the already faint and drooping Jesus. 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 his crucifixion; for, I forgot to say, that Caiaphas had promised, if Jesus were de- livered up, 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, and Peter, and Thomas, and some women, his rela- tives from Galilee, and many others also went. When we had got without the walls, we seemed to leave a deserted city behind us. As far as the eye could embrace, there was a countless multi- tude moving along the vast space, between the : Gate of the Kings and Mount Calvary. Jesus THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 445* was borne in front, where we could now and then catch the gleam of a Roman spear. We hast- ened 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 ascent of 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, at length, 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 reviving, some one having offered wine to his lips, and poured water upon his brow. He stood up, and looking mildly around, and meeting his mother's gaze, he said, touchingly: "Weep not! Remember what I have often told thee of this hour, and believe! The sword pierces through thy soul, but it is held in my Father's hand. 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 to the should- ers of Jesus, and ordered him to move on. But the young victim sank at once beneath the load. Upon this they were at a loss what to do; for it is ignominious for Jew or Gentile to aid in bear- ing a makfartor's cross, and not a Roman would touch it; and the Jews would not for fear of de- -446 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. filement, which would compel them to be set apart afterwards for many days' purification. Barabbas again raised Jesus to his feet, and be- gan to scourge him, to make him drag the heavy beams up the steep of Calvary. But he had no strength to advance three steps with it, though he made the effort to obey his tyrannous execu- tioners. At this crisis they discerned a Syro Fhoenician merchant, Simon of Cyrene, a vener- able man, well-known to all in Jerusalem, and father of the two young men, Rufus and Alexander, who were followers of Jesus, having* sold, the last year, all they had, in order to be- come his disciples, and sit at his feet, and listen to his Divine teachings. Their father was, for this, or some other reason, particularly obnox- ious to Caiaphas, and, on seeing him, he pointed him out to the Centurion, "as one of the Naza- renes," and suggested that he should be com- pelled to bear the cross after him. 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! If thou diest to-day, Jerusalem will have more precious blood to an- swer for than the blood of all her prophets." "We brought thee here not to prate, old man, but to work/ Thou art strong-bodied, Upwitft THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 447 > this end of the cross, and go on after him!" cried the chief priests. Simon, who is a powerful man, though three- score 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 in a courageous and bold voice, and looking as brave as if he would as gladly be mailed to the cross for his Master as carry it after him (for Simon had long believed in him, as well as his sons), he lifted the cross upon his shoulders, and ascended the steep after Jesus, who, weak from loss of blood and of 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, up which we climbed! Skulls lay scattered beneath our footsteps, and everywhere human bones bleached in the air; and we trode in heaps of ashes, where the Romans had burned the bodies of those whom they crucified. At length we reached the top of this hill of death, on which five crosses were already stand- ing. Upon one of them a criminal still hung, just alive, who had been nailed to it the noon be- fore. He called feebly for water, but some de- rided, and all passed him unheeded. There was an empty space on the summit, and here the Cen- *48 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. turion stopped, and ordered the crosses to be set in the rock, whjere deep holes had been already cut for them. 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 anti- cipated 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 thrown heavily upon the earth. It was now that a crisis approached, of the most painful interest. The Centtirion 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 three-score men-at-arms, besides a part of Herod's guard. So great was the desire of the Jews to get near, that helpless females could not be otherwise than crowded away from the immediate scene. John, however, held his place dose by his Master. He relates that Jesus con- tinued 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, cowled 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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 449 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 jbrawny arms, by pressing one knee upon the wrist, drove in, through the flesh and wood, with three quick and powerful blows, with his short, heavy-headed hammer. Ishmerai gnashed his teeth as the nail entered the quivering flesh. The other hand, in like manner, was fastened, with difficulty, to the other arm of the wood; and then, both feet being lapped together, a long, sharp spear-nail was driven through both into the timber, while a shriek, mingled with curses, bore testimony to the agony suffered by the wretched man. Thus secured, he was left, bleeding and writh- ing, 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 hiin. with deep interest, manv things touching the doctrines he taught. John, who 450 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. had seen him talking with Jesus, a few months before, at Bethabara, now recognized him, and saw him regard the Prophet with reverential looks ; and more than once heard the latter speak kind words to him as they climbed the hill. When the crucifiers, with their cords, baskets, 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 trans- verse beams, 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, per- haps, indeed, Jesus looked as if he needed a 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: "T do not see what men would hate thee for, :for thou seemest more to be a man to love; but THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 451 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 con- ceal his emotion. "Pilate would not do this crime, were there another legion or two with him. It is the few- ness of his men-at-arms that compels him to please these howling Jews." This was spoken to Jesus, who made no reply ; for, at this moment, the crucifiers drew nigh, to prepare him, by stripping, for the cross, lying at his feet. But, my dear father, I can go on no farther now with my narrative. I am weary, weeping at the sad recollections it calls before me, and at our present affliction. In my next I will give you an account of the unhappy crucifixion of the Prophet of Nazareth, and with him, the cruci- fixion and death of all our hopes in him as Mes- sias of God. Your affectionate daughter, ADINA LETTER XXXV. Jerusalem, Third Morning after the \ Crucifixion, j My Dear Father: It is now dawn, and I have arisen early, as I shall leave the city to-day, with my Uncle Rabbi Amos, and the whole family, to go to Bethany, to escape the Jews, who are dili- gently seeking the arrest of all in Jerusalem who were followers of the slain Prophet. As an hour or two will elapse before all is ready for our safe departure, I will occupy the interval in complet- ing my narrative of the crucifixion of Jesus ; es- pecially as Rabbi Amos, finding I have been so careful, heretofore, in recording all things con- cerning him, desires me not to omit any particu- lars; as my account may hereafter be convenient to refer to, and, perhaps, if necessary, be laid be- fore Csesar, in defence of such as may be sent to Rome on charges of sedition. I feel that my poor letters, dear father, are only valuable to you, and those I love; but, if they can aid in explain- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE Oi DAVID. 453 Ing anything for the exculpation of the poor iSjazarenes, who are now so despised, and vigi- lantly hunted, they are at the service even of the mighty Tiberius himself. Their only merit is ac- curacy of detail and truthfulness, so far as cir- cumstances have enabled me to ascertain the truth. As I now resume my pen, to continue the par- ticulars of the crucifixion of the unhappy son of Mary, who, widowed and childless, still remains with us, mourning over her slain son, my heart involuntarily shrinks from the painful subject, and bleeds afresh. But there is a fascination as- sociated 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 with a thousand glittering promises of Jtidea's future glory through him, on his lips ; which now, as his death proves, were vain promises, and that he made them to deceive his countrymen, for the temporary fame of draw- ing all men after him. She thus mourns, not as other mothers, and refuses to be comforted. Yet her love for her son that deathless ma- ternal lov, which seems immortal in its nature, 454 THE I'KINCK OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. is not buried with him. She, with dearest Mary and Martha, have just gone out, secretly before the Jews are astir, to pay the last duties to his dead body, ere we depart for an asylum in Bethany. They have taken spices, myrrh, and aloes, and sweet herbs, for the purpose of em- balming the body; for his mother hopes to get permission of Pilate to remove it some time to Bethlehem, to be laid in the tomb of his fathers. Until they return from this sad mission of love, I will continue my subject. When the Centurion, to whom was committed, by Pilate, the charge of conducting the crucifix- ion 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 be- gan to strip him of his garments, for his enemies had put on him his own clothes, when they led him out of the hall of Pilate. He wore a mantle of spotless white, 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. When I saw them remove this robe, which was a visible attestation of his former power over death, I could not believe that he could be him- self killed: but would yet break away, by some mighty miracle, from his foes, and, scattering- them, like dust before the wind, proclaim himself. with power, the very Son of God! But when I perceived that he stood, calmly and sorrowfully, letting them do what they would, I lost all hope, and turned away weeping. His mother, sup- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DA.TID. 455 ported 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 wouldest now prove to thy mother that thou art a true prophet!" "What means this wailing?" cried the fierce Abner; "who is the woman?" "The mother of Jesus," I answered, indig- jiantly. "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 im- postor, 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! Thou seest, if he were the Christ, he would not stand there, and be cruci- fied, like a common malefactor!" Mary buried her face in her hands, and wept on my shoulder. She felt that it was too true! 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 prepara- tions 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 rattling of the spikes: and then a silence like that of the grave! Suddenly a blow of a hammer broke the moment of suspense! A shriek burst from the soul of his mother, that echoed far and wide, among the tombs of Golgotha! 466 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. I could see hear no more! John.has told me the rest. Leaving the stricken 'mother with me, he and Lazarus drew near to where they were unrobing the Prophet, in order to bind him to the wood. They caught the eyes of their Mas- ter, who gazed upon them calmly and affection- ately. They said they had never before beheld Jiim 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, 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, not the 'ndignity of being stripped before the eyes of thousands, not the sight of his 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 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." But his heroic soul could not prevent the natural emotions of humanity at pain. The piercing nails, rending his tender flesh, made it quiver, and caused him to turn deadly pallid, while a deep sigh escaped his breast. Unlike the first robber, he did not re- THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 457 sist; unlike the second, he did not steel himself to indifference; but he met his fate like a man who fears not death, yet does not brave it! ''Great drops of sweat, when they nailed his feet to the wood, stood upon his forehead," said 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 drop 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 were drawn out like cords, to sus- tain 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 too painful for me to dwell upon. To the last, John believed his Mas- ter would not die that he could 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 458 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. cross, with imposture; yet his death would, as- suredly, seal as imposture all his previous career. The three crosses, that of Jesus in the midst r as the place of chief dishonor, being raised into the air, and fixed in the sockets of the rock, the Centurion commanded the adjacent space to- be cleared, and that the malefactors be left to die. Oh, what a fearful death for Jesus! for him whom we knew so well, and whom we still loved, although he . had deceived us. There, thought we, he might linger two or three days, dying slowly, as some have done, and exposed to the fierce sun by day, and the chilly winds of night, while about them hovered, on steady wings, the savage birds of prey, impatient for their feast. Much of the residue of the account I have from John, who remained at the last close to the cross, while we stood afar off, with his weeping mother, Mary of Bethany, Martha, Lazarus, and Mary, the mother of Salome, and other women, our friends from Galilee, who also had hope in Jesus. There we waited, in expectation of seeing him do some mighty miracle from the cross, and de- scend 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, began to divide, with noisy oaths, his gar- ments among themselves, afs well as those of the two thieves, these being, by the Roman law, the fee of the executioner. This division being THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 459 made, after some time, but not withoi t high talking, and drawing of their long Syrian knives upon each other, they were at a loss what to do> with the large white 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 upc n 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-boxes in their bloody hands, each of them threw thrice. The highest number fell to the most ferocious of the four fel- lows, who, taking the mantle, wrapped it about his huge form, and, pacing up and down before the people, called, in a loud voice, himself a great prophet, and asked, in his broken, barbarous tongue, some of the Jews if they would like to have him foretell their fortunes. At this they began to cry out upon him, and stone him, as a blasphemer and but for the interposition of the Centurion, a tumult would have been made. The soldier then proposed to sell the cloak, which John joyfully purchased of him, by means of the jewels of several of the women, who gladly took rings from their ears, and bracelets from their arms, I giving, Hear father, the emerald whicK you rJougfht for me at Cairo. But I could not see the robe, which Jesus had worn, thus desecrated; for still, oh' yes, still we love him, even in his death, which death was his and our infamy! The mother of Jesus received the robe with deep emotions of gratitude to us all. But 450 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. now, my dear father, how shall I describe tfie scenes and events that followed? After Jesus had hung about an hour upon the cross, ^milius 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 Ishmerai was written, in Syriac: "Ishmerai, the Edomite." "A Robber." Above that of Omri was inscribed, also, on a leaf of parchment, in the same tongue, his name, and the nature of his crime, which was that of robbery and blood-shedding. Above the head of Jesus, by means of a small ladder, was placed this inscription, in Greek, iatin and Hebrew : "This is Jesus, "The King of the Jews." When the wicked Abner read this, he turned angrily to the Centurion, and to ^Emilius, who stood sadly near the cross: "Write not, O Roman, that he is 'King of the Jews/ but that he said that he was King of the Jews!" "I have placed above him what Pilate has or- dered to be written," answered the Centurion. Abner, upon this, mounted a mule, and hast- cned into the city to the Procurator, and laid his complaint before him. ""What I have written, I have written, sir yriest," we have heard that the Procurator coldly answered. THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 461 "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 Caesar's empire," answered Pilate, an- grily. "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; for I was compelled to do this deed, or lose my Procuratorship ; for else you would have had me before Caesar as a traitor. Leave my presence, Jew! Have I not, against my own convictions of justice and hu- manity, consented to gratify your thirst for this innocent person's blood? What more do you demand? Is he not hanged? If you approach my presence more on this subject, by the gods of Rome, I will crucify you, and ten score more! I will pile a hecatomb to his manes!" Abner left his presence abashed, and returned to the hill of crucifixion. The Jews, in the mean- while, 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 com- ing 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. 462 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. "He saved others himself he cannot save!" mocked Ezekias, one of the chief priests. ^Emilius, 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 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 made no reply: but, 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 suf-. fered awhile, in order to stupify them, and render 1 them insensible to their sufferings. While JEmilius was affixing a sponge, dipped in this vessel of vinegar, upon a reed, split at the end to hold it firmly, Ishmerai, who all the while, as he hung, had uttered execrations upon his cruci- fiers, 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 PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 1 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 thou hast done, or suffer patiently, as thou art doing. Lord, remember me when thou com-* est into thy kingdom, for I know thou wilt go from this, thy cross, to thy throne, and ther^ reign for ever and ever. I have listened to thy* teaching on the banks of Jordan, and now be- lieve." Jesus turned his bleeding head towards him, fend, with a smile of ineffable glory radiating his pale face, said: "Verily, I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be \vith 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 demoniacal hatred. At this moment, ^Emilius came near with his dripping sponge, and presented the reed upwards to the parched lips of the suffering Jesus. When 1 he tasted it, he would not drink, for he perceived 'it was the opiate which was usually given in compassion, to shorten the anguish of the cruci- fied. The robber, Ishmerai, now eagerly cried for the sponge, and the prefect giving the reed to a soldier, the latter placed it to the mouth' of the 464 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OK DAVID. robber, whose swollen tongue protruded, and he drank of it with a sort of mad thirst. The other man, also, gladly assuaged his burning fever with it, and soon both of them sunk into insensibility, hanging unconscious of their situation, and showing no other signs of life than the heavings of their chests, arid, from time to time, the in- voluntary twitching of their muscles. But Jesus retaining his senses, in all their clearness, suffered all that such a fearful death imposes upon its victim. All at once, just as the sixth hour was sounded from the Temple, by the trumpets of the Levites, a 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 min- utes, 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 noon-day brilliancy, became black as sackcloth of hair, and a dreadful, unearthly, indescribable night overshadowed the world. Out of the centre of the cloud, above the crosses, shot forth 1 angry lightnings in every direction. But there was no thunder attending it only a dead, se- pulchral, suffocating silence. Of the thousands who had been gazing upon the crucifixion, every one was now prostrate upon the earth in terror! Jerusalem was blotted! out from our view; only an angry spot of fire-, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 465 re4 light, as it were the terrible eye of God it- self, was visible above the Temple, over the place of the Holy of Holies. The crosses soon 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 uni- versal 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. The darkness continuing, many of the multi- tude at length ceased their moans, and the beat- ing of their breasts, and rending their garments^ and arose to their feet; but moved not; for none could stir from his place, for the midnight depth of gloom. They talked to each other in whis- pers. An undefinable dread was upon each mind. The sudden overspreading of the dark- ness was unaccountable as it was frightfuL Mary, his mother, and Lazarus said, with awe, both speaking together: "This is his power. He has produced this miracle!" ''And we shall behold him next descend from the cross," said Rabbi Amos. "Let us all take courage; and let what dismays his enemies, fill us with joyful expectation." Three hours three long and awful hours, this supernatural night continued; and all that while the vast multitude remained fixed, and waiting they knew not what. At length the cloud above jthe cross parted, with a loud per>1 of thunder, 466 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. while a shower of terrible lightnings fell, like lances of fire, all around the hanging 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, and he seemed, to all eyes, to be the central point of this fierce wrath of the heavens. A hundred voices exclaimed, with horror: "See! he is deserted, and punished by the Al- mighty!" We, ourselves, were amazed and appalled. Our rising hopes were blasted by the livid light- nings, which seemed to blast 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 con- firm all our fears, he cried, in the Hebrew tongue, with a loud voice, that, in the deep silence, reached the ears even of the Roman guard on the citadel: 'Eloi! Eloi! My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me!" Upon this some ran to give him wine and hyssop. "Nay, let him live let us see if Elias will save him !" answered Abner. Jesus then turned his head, and looked affec- tionately upon his mother, and committed her to the tender care of John, who stood supporting her near the cross. Suddenly the darkness, which had filled all the air, seemed now to concentrate, and gather about the cross, so that he became invisible. . From the midst of it his thrilling voice was once more THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 467 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 com- mend 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 fol- lowed these clear, trumpet-tones, was suddenly checked by a terrible trembling of the earth be- neath our feet, so that vast numbers of people were cast down; the rocks of the hill of Calvary were rent, and thrown upwards, while the whole city shook with the convulsive throes of an earth- quake. The temple seemed on fire, and above its pinnacle appeared a flaming sword, which seemed to us to cleave the walls to their founda- tions; and while we looked, the sword changed into the shape of a cross, of dazzling light, stand- ing 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 ex- tent, became as Tight 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 Temple, was now dissi- pated by the light of the fiery cross, and the sun reappeared. Before it the glorious vision over the Temple gradually faded out and disappeared. 468 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. 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 /Emilius: "This man spake the truth. He was a God !" "Truly," responded Emilius, "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 he were the very God of nature who has expired." Sad and weeping, we left the dismal scene, hanging our heads in despondency, having, while wondering at these mighty events associated with his crucifixion, abandoned, forever, all hope that this was He, who should have redeemed our nation, and restored the royal splendor of Judah, the throne of the house of David. I am, my .dear father, your loving daughter, ADINA. LETTER XXXVI. Jerusalem^ Third Morning after the \ Crucifixion. J My Dearest Father: I closed the last letter, but to resume in another the sad narrative which I have been writing to you. It is now half an hour to sunrise, and as the party who went to the sepulchre have not yet returned, I will still continue my painfully interesting subject. The mother of Jesus, who I thought went with the two Mary's and Martha, remained at home un- able to bear the sight of her dead son. On the day on which the wonderful events took place, which I have detailed at large in my last letter, that day which can never, for its signs and wonders, be forgotten in Jerusalem, the chief priests, at the head of whom was Abijah, met Pilate as he was riding forth from the city, at- tended 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 470 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. of the marvels which attended the crucifixion of Jesus. When they came near him, they be- sought 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 cus- toms 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 open tombs), had for some time tramped and plunged madly: "What think ye, priests! Have you crucified a common man! or a God? We think these mighty won- ders tell us that he was more than a man! All nature sympathizes with his death! The sun veiled his brightness, the heavens clad them- selves in mourning, the gods sent forth angry lightnings; and the earth herself heaved and rocked as if sharing the universal woe!" The priests loked troubled, and seemed un- able to answer: but Tereh, the 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 the darkness was caused by an eclipse of the sun, and the dark cloud was but the smoke of the sacrifices, and 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 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 471 know well that an eclipse of the sun can take place only when the moon is new! It is to-day, on this thy feast day, at its full, and will to-night rise opposite the sun! It was no eclipse, sir priest, and thy Arabian is a false astrologer. These events occurred because that man, your king, has been executed." "Why not for the two robbers as well?" de- manded Abner, with an incredulous sneer on his lip. Pilate made no answer, and was riding on, when Tereh, in behalf of the chief priests, asked permission to have the bodies of the crucified removed from the crosses and buried. "He cannot be yet dead, since it is only seven hours since he was nailed to the cross," said Pilate; "I will see for myself." Thus speaking, the Roman Procurator spurred on towards the top of the hill, 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 in- sensible 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-re- proach, upon the drooping form of his victim. "He is dead, an hour ago," answered the Cen- turion. "He expired when the earthquake shook 472 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 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 Rlate, shaking his head. "I v/ould it had not- been done! But 'tis past! The Jews desire their bodies to be removed before their great Sabbath. Caesar's orders are that they shall be humored always in all things touching their re- ligion, which do not mitigate against the Im- perial laws Let them have their desire. The robbers are not yet dead!" "Nearly so. I will break their legs and re- move their bodies, your excellency," answered the Centurion. Pilate then turned his horse and rode slowly and sadly away from the spot. Romulus then gave orders to his soldiers to remove the bodies. One of them with a battle-axe approached the robber Omri, and at two blows broke his knees. With a shudder that shook the cross, he ceased to move. The first blow upon the limbs of Ish- merai caused him to open his eyes and to growl a half-intelligible execution; but at the second stroke his huge head fell upon his hairy chest, and, muitermg a curse upon his executioners, he the next moment hung there dead! When the soldiers came to Jesus they saw that He was already dead. He seemed like a Phidian statue of the whitest marble of Paros. His polished limbs \/ere shaped with celestial symmetry; his PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 473 go!3en Hair was tossed by the evening breeze about his brow and shoulders; his divine aspect death could not mar; and the contrast he pre- sented to the rough forms of the two malefactors between whom he hung, struck even the rude soldiers. "Let us not break his legs," said one to the other, "it were sacrilege to mar such a manly form." "Yet, we must ensure his death ere he be taken away," responded the other. "I will pierce him to make sure !" Thus speaking, he 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! Until that moment he had believed that Jesus would revive and descend front the cross; for to the last all our faith in his power to save himself was firm, though greatly tried when we saw him in the hands of the Roman soldiers. Even when we beheld him nailed to the cross we did not give up hope, for we had all seen him raise Lazarus dead, and felt that he could free himself from the cross alive also. And, although after the earth- quake, we left the hill and returned, sorrowing and smiting our hearts, into the city, we often lingered and looked back to where he hung, ex- pecting to see him descend from it, and proclaim himself, by such a mighty miracle, the Son of God. John, first having delivered the mother of Jesus to our care, and many of the women and others who had loved and followed him, re- 474 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVIB. mained long watching him, and expecting some great event. But when the unhappy disciple saw the Roman spear pierce his side, his own heart seemed to be pierced also. Hope perished forever! Jesus was dead dead, and thus proved a deceiver. Yet his emotions were not of anger, but of sor- .row; for he greatly loved him. When he raised his head to gaze upon his cru- cified Master, he saw flowing from the rent in his side two fountains together, one of crimson blood, the other of crystal water. He could not believe what he saw, until the soldiers and the Centurion also saw it, and expressed aloud their wonder at such a marvel. "Never was such a man crucified before," ex- claimed the Centurion. "He is without doubt one of the immortal Gods, and therefore have the heavens and earth been moved with amaze- ment at the deed!" When John saw that Jesus was indeed dead, and all hope of his restoration to life was de- stroyed, he drew near, and asked permission of the Centurion to be allowed to have the body; for he had promised the mourning mother of the dead son that he would recover it, if possible, for sacred burial. But the Centurion, though a kind and generous man, answered that he could de- liver the body to no one without an order signed by the Procurator's own hand. Upon this, John, after getting the promise of the Centurion that the body should not be taken down until his return, ran rapidly towards the city to ask the consent of Pilate. But in the THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 475 meanwhile, Rabbi Joseph, the counsellor of Arimathea, whom, my dear father, you have, many years ago, well known to be a man of probity and honor, and who stands high in favor with Pilate, met him as he was skirting the wall of the city with his cohort, and asked him if, when Jesus should be pronounced to be dead, he might take down the body and give it sepulture. Pilate did not hesitate to give his ready consent to this request, and taking from his purse a small signet engraved with his cipher, he placed it in the hands of the rich Rabbi. "Go and receive the body of this wonderful man," he said. "Methinks thou art one who knew him well. What thinkest thou of him, Rabbi?" Joseph perceived that Pilate asked the question with deep interest, and seemed 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 Caesar's empire." "My conscience echoes your words," answered Pilate, gloomily; and putting spurs to his horse, he galloped forward in the direction of the Geth- semane Gardens. John, therefore, did not see Pilate, and on re- turning from the city weary and disappointed, he met the ruler, Nicodemus, who, attended by one of his Gibeonite slaves, was hastening into town to purchase spices and linen to wrap the body in, as our manner is to bury. From him John learned, with great joy, how that Rabbi 476 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. Joseph had seen Pilate, and obtained from hin permission to take down and remove the body. When John reached the cross, he found thai Joseph, by the aid of Lazarus, Simon Peter. Mary, Martha, and Rabbi Amos, had taken i: 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. With many tears and lamentations they drew forth the cop- per spikes from the torn hands and bleeding feet, and with water from the brook Kedron, washed the enrnarbling blood away, and wrapped the alabaster limbs in the spices and white linen, which Nicodemus presently arrived with. The bodies of the robbers in the meanwhile were taken, or rather torn down by the soldiers, and cast together into one of the yawning chasms rent by the earthquake, and covered by frag- ments of stone, which the soldiers, assisted by some of the baser Jews who still lingered about the place, cast down upon them. 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 hea- ven 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, to have fatally deceived himself as to his Divine Mission as the Christ, yet they still loved for his sorrow so patiently borne, for his virtues so vividly remembered. THE PRINCE OF TB BOUSE OF DAVID. 477 Slowly the little group wound their way down the rocky sides 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 trode, all com- bined to render the spectacle one of touching solemnity. On reaching the valley between the hill and the city, 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 dead corpse was borne along; for the im- pression 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 great sorrow, as the ser- vants preceded him with their torches. The sad bearers of the dead body of Jesus 4V THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. raised their sacred burden from the ground, and trode onward, their measured foot-falls echoing among the aisles of the garden. At its farther extremity, where the rock of Moriah hangs beet- ling over the valley, and forms at this place the east 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 torches flashed brightly upon its massive door, and upon a dark cypress tree, the branches -of which drooped in majestic gloom around it. It seemed the very temple and shrine of death, .so secluded so solemn so funereal was all ! 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 Ro- man Centurion, suddenly apprising 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 Pro- curator," answered the Centurion; "the chief 3>ws have had an interview with him, informing THE QUINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 479 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 re- port that their master is risen. Pilate, therefore, has commanded me to keep watch to-night with my men." While the Centurion was speaking, several of the priests whom Joseph knew drew near, bear- ing torches; and also a company of women and relatives of Joseph and Mary, who had heard where they were entombing the body, came to see the place wherein he was laid. "We bury him with this deference and respect, Centurion," answered Rabbi Joseph, "because we believe him to have been deceived, not a de- ceiver. 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 de- ceive. He has fallen a victim to his own wishes for the weal of Israel, which were impossible by man to be realized. We do this honor to the memory of one whom to know was to love, even though we are disappointed in seeing him estab- lish the kingdom in Judah." 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 upon the table of stone which Joseph had prepared for his own last resting-place. By the light of the torches all present took a last look of the body, even the women of Galilee also, and ere they closed the tomb, Mary of Beth- 480 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF BAVTO, any, her sister Martha, and Lazarus, also ap- peared, to gaze a tearful farewell upon the im- movable features of the dead Prophet, for a Prophet since the remarkable phenomena at- tending his death, we are all now assured he must have been; and that we have misunderstood, from their divine depth, many of his sayings and prophecies concerning himself. Simon Peter was the last to quit the side of the body, by which he knelt as if he would never leave it, and. 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 sockets, he placed a mass of wax melted by a torch upon each side of it over the crevices, and stamped each with the signet of the Procurator, which to break is death. The Jews which were present, seeing that the sepulchre was thus made sure by the sealing of the stone, and by the presence of the vigilant Roman guard of eighteen men, took their de- parture. 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 and 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. The tall, mailed figure of the Centurion standing motionless, leaning upon the hilt of his long, THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 481 straight sword, in a meditative attitude above the tomb, was at length shut out from the view of the retiring disciples, by the angle in the path which turned in the direction of the gate. [Something fearful must this instant have hap- pened; for the house has just shaken as if with an earthquake. What can be the meaning of these wonders]? Such, my dear father, is the history of the arrest, trial, judgment, crucifixion, death, and burial of the mighty Nazarene Proph- et. I have been thus particular, not only to enable you to see, as if you had been present at all that passed, but also at the request of my uncle, Rabbi Amos, and to give vent to my own fulness of emotion. It was also due to myself who have believed in him so firmly, to show that, although he was crucified and is dead, the extra- ordinary events which accompanied his crucifix- ion attested that he was more than a man, if not the true Messias; and that, therefore, there is ex- cuse not only for me, for being his disciple, but for all others who followed him. You can also perceive, my dear father, from the honorable man- ner in which he was buried by the eminent coun- cillor, Rabbi Joseph, of Arimathea, that he was deemed by him innocent of any crime worthy of such a death ; and that he believed him to have been deceived, rather than a deceiver. It is this view of his character, combined with his patience, his dignity, his forbearance, his air of divine innocence on his trial, which makes us all still think and talk of him with tenderness and tears. All that remains to us of him is his body, 482 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. and to this we have paid the homage of our rever- ential affection. This morning Mary and Martha, with others, have gone to visit his tomb in Joseph's garden (as I have already said), for the purpose of embalm- ing it; and on their return we are to go to Beth- any for a few days until the violent hostility of the Jews to his followers subsides. The Pro- curator is daily looking for four legions of Ro- man soldiers from Syria as a reinforcement, when he will be able to protect us, and maintain com- pletely the supremacy of the Roman power. Oh, that these forces were here on the day of the crucifixion, for then, says Rabbi Amos, Pilate, conscious of military strength, would have acted freely, and saved Jesus from their hands. 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 corri- dors and court! I must close and fly to learn what new wonder has occurred. In haste, your affectionate daughter, ADINA. LETTER XXXVII. Jerusalem, First Day of the Week. Father, my Dear Father: How shall I make known to you in words, the marvellous, 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 im- presses all my soul. Jesus is alive! Jesws has risen from the dead! Jesus has proved himself to be the Son of God! Oh, now we know that Jesus is, indeed, the Messias who should come! Oh, that 1 could have doubted! Alas! that I should have written to you such words of dis- belief and of doubt, and have thought him in my heart a deceiver! But I have seen him, and he has forgiven me! None of us understood his words, which he spake to us before his cruci- fixion, concerning his death, and hence all our consternation and despair. But now we clearly perceive the meaning of all, and are amazed at our dullness and disbelief. HTs death, to our br- 484 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. nighted apprehensions, seemed the seal to a life of falsehood: the proof that he was a false proph- et, rather than, as we now know it to be, a proof of his being the Son of God, by his resur- rection from the dead! I can scarcely hold my pen for joy and wonder, or collect my thoughts, for very amazement, at what has transpired. But I will try, and calm my emotions, in order, my dear father, to make known to you the mighty events which have come to pass to-day. My last letter to you abruptly closed, as I was interrupted by loud exclamations of gladness, and great confusion, of running and calling, in the courts and corridors below. 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 Mary, ascending, almost flying. Wonder, love, and happiness inexpressible, beamed from her beau- tiful countenance. Meeting me, she threw her arms about my neck, and essayed to utter some- thing, but her heart was too furl, 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. The voice of Martha now reached my ears from the foot of the stairs, talking rapidly to Rabbi Amos, who answered with loud exclamations! "What what hath happened? Speak, dear Mary!" I asked, unable to wait longer in sus- nense. THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 485 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 alive and well!" "You have seen a vision, or your grief, at his death, Mary, has shaken your reason," I an- swered her. Upon this she released herself from my arm, and fixing upon me her large, earnest eyes, said: "Adina, be not faithless, but believing. Jesus is risen from the dead. He is alive, and walk- ing! I have seen Him he has spoken to Mary of Bethany, Lazarus's sister, and also to me! Oh, joy, joy! He is the very Son of the Highest, and we have not been deceived; but we have been blind, and deaf, and ignorant, not to have understood that he must die, and rise again the third day! 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, yet have run to see if these things be so. They will find the sepul- chre empty. Haste thee to go with us!" While overwhelmed wnth wonder, and tremb- ling 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!" 486 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OP DAVID. "Can they be true, Martha?" I asked, earn- estly. "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." At the gateway we met Mary of Bethany, who had been telling John and Peter the news, and Iiad also made it known to Rabbi Amos and Nicodemus. They were talking together in the court, upon the crucifixion, when she burst in upon them with the cries I had heard "He is risen He is risen!" 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 ar- rived. 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 de- manded, of the youngest of the soldiers. We paused to hear what he said. "Per Dian, captain we have been terrified be- yond 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, crucifiejl three days ago. Before dawn this morning, as I was pacing to and fro before the tomb, and my comrades were reclining about at ease, and while THE PRIXCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 487 I was idly gazing at the morning star, fading into the dawn, there suddenly shone round about us a light, like a descending meteor, accompanied by a rushing, like a legion of wings. The men started to their feet in amazement! On looking zibout 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 sum- mer'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 be- held the resplendent majesty of his celestial vis- age, which blinded us, our hearts failed within us. The angel, or god, alighted amid a blaze of radi- ance 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 with one of his fingers, and it rolled outward at his feet, as if a catapult had struck it, and like a 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 celes- tial being, so terrible in his majestic splendor, veiled his face with his wings before his presence, 488 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OP DAVID. and prostrated himself al 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 my- self, the tomb was filled with dazzling forms of resplendent beauty; the air rung with music, such as mortals never before heard; and I fled, pursued by my fears, the rest of the soldiers ris- ing, and following me, each man fearing to look back." "This is indeed marvelous," answered the cap- tain of the gate; "I saw the light, and felt the tremor of the earth; but I thought it was a thunderbolt which had struck the ground near the hill of Calvary. Go, let the Prefect ^rnilius, or Pilate himself, know what has happened." 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. "Thou believest now, Adina," said Mary of Bethany, to me, as we flew along. "Yes only let me behold him face to face, and I shall then be willing, at that hour, to meet death. How did the risen Lord look, Mary?" I asked. "There was the same benign and holy expres- sion the same divine majesty, the same loving words, and celestial dignity." ^"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 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 489 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 re- splendent light of his apparel and countenance were so tempered to our eyes, that, although we believed that it was an angel, we were not terri- fied, for his looks were kind, 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, ye,' he said, 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 w r as 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 be- fore them into Galilee. There shall they see him not many days hence!' "When the angel had thus spoken to us," con- tinued Mary, "we departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and ran to go into the city, to bring his disciples word, accord- ing 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. 490 THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. " 'All hail! daughter of Israel/ he said, 'Be not afraid. I am living, that was dead! It was needful that I should die, and rise again, that I might raise up from the dead all who die in me, to life immortal. 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. Behold my wounded hands, that it is I myself! Be not afraid! I am the resurrection and the life!' "I then cast myself at his feet, and worshiped him ; and when I looked up, he was gone. "The others did not see him. We now con- tinued on to the city, as if we had wings; yet, rapidly as we went, some of the same Roman watch whom we met coming in just now, passed us, in their flight and alarm ; for they fled at first in different parties, different ways. 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, which route they took, as being nighest: but it was not opened when they reached it, and they were detained. 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 nigher I beheld two angels, clothed in white robes, and with countenances of Divine radiance, seated, one at the head, and the other THE PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID. 491 at the foot of the slab of marble, on which the body of Jesus had lain. At the sight of these noble and beautiful beings, which we knew were sons of God, come down from heaven, we were affrighted. I sank upon the stone which had been rolled away, and remained without power of emotion. "Be not afraid, daughters of Jerusalem," said one of the angels, speaking to us in the Hebrew tongue; "He whom ye seek, liveth and dieth no more! 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, forevermore! Go your way, and tell his disciples that he awaits them at Nazareth, at the house of Mary, his mother, by the sea-side." The angels then vanished from our sight; and at the same moment John and Peter came run- ning, 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 ex- amined all for himself. He then called to John, who also went in, and both were convinced that their Lord had indeed risen from the dead; and 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 Gali- lee, no longer doubting, but believing. I also 492 THE PRINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. returned with them, to convey the news to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who had not left the house, and scarcely her bed, 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; and we all, once more, believed that Jesus was Messias and Christ, the immortal Son of the Blessed. Such joy as filled the bosoms of his friends was never before experienced by hu- man beings. Our happiness and exultation now were in proportion to our depression before his resurrection. But what pen can 3escrifre, my Hear father, the amazement and consternation of Caiaphas, and the chief priests, and the rest of his enemies! The soldiers who had kept guard of the sepul- chre had entered the city by different ways, and spread the report of the mighty miracle of the THE PRINCm OF THE HOUSE OP DATU- 495 resurrection through every principal street i* Jerusalem, as they fled through it. Caiaphas hearing the uproar, sprang from hi* couch to inquire the cause of it, and on being as- sured by his servants, "Jesus has burst his tomb and risen alive from the dead!" he quaked, and became deadly pale. But he soon rallied, and sending for two or three of the soldiers, who were describing vividly what they had witnessed to a large concourse in the street, he questioned them closely upon the facts. The soldiers' testimony agreed together, and could not be gainsayed. 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. But men say he neither eats nor sleeps, and that a dread fit of gloom has settled upon his soul. Caiaphas and the priests in the meanwhile as- sembled together in full sanhedrim, and hearing the- testimony of the Centurion, were convinced that the fact could not be concealed of Jesus' resurrection. "Who had 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 bv the spear of my soldier Philippus. He was alive, and in full strength oi limb!" - ' 494 THE PBINCE OP THE HOUSE OF DAVID. "Thou sawest a vision, Roman," answered Caiaphas. "Come then 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 Gibeonitish slave, bearing after him a vase of Persian gold. He has told every one since that he must have seen a spirit, for that 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 JEm'il- ius, who is filled with great joy at the resurrec- tion of Jesus, to-day very justly says : "If these soldiers slept on guard, they merited