UC-NRLF 
 
 B 3 Sfll 532 
 
Ladv le Fleming, 
 
 Rydal Hall, 
 
TRADITIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 PALESTINE. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 HARRIET MARTINEAU, 
 
 LONDON : 
 LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, 
 
 PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 1830. 
 
PRINTED afV G, SMALLFIELD, HACKNEY. 
 

 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW .... 1 
 
 LIFE IN DEATH 2/ 
 
 SONGS OF PRAISE 51 
 
 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED .... 73 
 
 BEHOLD THY SON ! 95 
 
 THE HOUR OF REST 115 
 
 alas! that MIGHTY CITY! 135 
 
 MGor?^-^'^ 
 
 i o,*-^ 
 
THE 
 
 HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 The ruddy dawn was breaking over the 
 summits of the mountains which inclose the 
 Lake of Genesareth on the eastern side^ when 
 Sadoc and his sister Michal came forth from 
 Capernaum to walk on the beach, which was 
 yet as silent as it had been during the night. 
 They Avalked quickly and were mute till the 
 city was hidden from them by the projection 
 of a hill, whose base was washed by the waves. 
 They then paused and gazed on a scene which 
 they were wont to behold, but which now ap- 
 peared in more than ordinary beauty. The 
 deep vale in which the lake lay embosomed 
 was yet reposing in a grey shadow, while the 
 radiance of the morning streamed through the 
 clefts of the opposite mountains, and crim- 
 soned the tops of the western hills. The 
 
 B 
 
2 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 cedar groves which were scattered on the up- 
 lands, and the palms which were grouped 
 among the recesses of the hills, waved their 
 tops in the light cool breeze. The stork 
 winged her slow flight above the groves, while 
 the eagle arose from the highest summit of 
 the rocks, like a dark speck in the sunlight. 
 An aromatic scent spread among the flowering 
 reeds on the borders of the lake, except where 
 a sandy promontory jutted out into the waters, 
 affording an advantageous station for the fish- 
 ers, whose boats were seen, here and there, 
 floating on the rippled surface, and whose 
 nets were spread to dry in the morning sun. 
 
 Sadoc and his sister directed their steps to 
 one of these promontories, whence they could 
 gain an extensive view of the shores, and 
 could even discern the issue of Jordan from 
 the southern end of the lake. The few habi- 
 tations which were distinctly visible, presented 
 no sign of life without or within. No human 
 being was in sight ; and if the maiden looked 
 around her in search of such a form, her search 
 was vain. 
 
 " He cannot yet have passed," said Michal, 
 " though it is said that he sometimes departs 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 3 
 
 by night. It was full late when he dismissed 
 the people, and perhaps he will yet remain 
 another day." 
 
 " I would we could speak with him," re- 
 plied her brother, " or at least that we could 
 hear his teachings once again." 
 
 " My father fears lest we should do so," 
 said Michal, ^' except in the synagogue. If 
 he would return on the next sabbath we might 
 hear him again without blame ; and I surely 
 believe that no man besides can explain the 
 law and the prophets with such truth and 
 power as he." 
 
 '' His words alone would have awakened 
 me as I am now awakened," said Sadoc ; 
 " but his works also shew that he is a pro- 
 phet from on high." 
 
 " Yet our father will not behold nor be- 
 lieve." 
 
 " He will not see nor listen, because he is 
 sure that no prophet can arise out of Naza- 
 reth. How this may be, I know not; but I 
 know that by Jehovah alone can such a power 
 of healing be given." 
 
 " My father says also, that in the Temple, 
 B 2 
 
4 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 with great power and grandeur, must the 
 Deliverer appear." 
 
 " So have we always believed, and so it 
 may be. This Teacher may be but a fore- 
 runner of the Mighty One, and not the Mes- 
 siah himself, as some say. We must know 
 more before we can reason with our father; 
 but I believe and will declare this Teacher to 
 be a Prophet." 
 
 " He comes 1" exclaimed Michal, as she 
 saw the figure of a man advancing from the 
 hill which hid the city from them. " But, 
 no ! he would not depart alone." 
 
 " It is our friend Paltiel," said Sadoc, as 
 the man approached. " He is come for the 
 same purpose as ourselves. Didst thou ob- 
 serve how he listened to the words of the 
 Teacher?" 
 
 " I observed nothing," replied Michal. 
 
 Paltiel seated himself on a stone beside his 
 friends, and their discourse was still of the 
 Teacher. In answer to the question whether 
 he believed the man of Nazareth to be the 
 Messiah, Paltiel replied, 
 
 " He hath not plainly said whether such 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 5 
 
 be his office or no. But we hear nothing, we 
 see ]iothing of preparation to deliver us from 
 the Romans. It was but yesternight that 
 Aram prayed him to be allowed to follow him 
 to the war, and he answered by a blessing on 
 the lovers of peace." 
 
 ^' My father objects," said Sadoc, " that 
 he can have no commission to deliver our 
 nation, as he has neither wealth nor power; 
 and his very works, of which the fame has 
 spread so far, have brought him no followers 
 but those who are as poor as himself." 
 
 " From Jehovah cometh the power," said 
 Michal. "He raiseth the poor, and bringeth 
 down princes to nothing."' 
 
 " I have pondered the w^ords of prophecy 
 much of late," said Paltiel, *' and have com- 
 pared them with the words of the Teacher ; 
 and 1 will not fear to tell my friends the 
 thoughts that are in my mind." 
 
 Sadoc and Michal turned eagerly to listen. 
 
 " I have thought that the office of the Christ 
 might not consist only in the performance of 
 one great deliverance. That he will restore 
 us as a nation, cannot be doubted ; but may 
 he not cause other changes also ?" 
 
6 THE HOPE OP THE HEBREW. 
 
 " His words are ever in favour of peace and 
 brotherly love ; and I know of something of 
 which you have not heard. He refuses not to 
 discourse and to eat with Samaritans." 
 
 Sadoc and Michal looked at one another with 
 surprise and sorrow. 
 
 " It is but a few days/* continued Paltiel, 
 *' since he told a woman of Sychar that neither 
 at Jerusalem nor on Gerizim should men here- 
 after worship the Father. Whether his mean- 
 ing can be understood, judge for yourselves. 
 For my part, I suppose that he may reconcile 
 the Samaritans unto us, and bring us together 
 within a greater temple than hath yet been 
 builded." 
 
 " It cannot be I" exclaimed Michal. "The 
 Samaritans ! Our foes, who opposed the build- 
 ing of our holy temple !" 
 
 " Who corrupted the law !'* added Sadoc. 
 *' The vengeance of Jehovah shall swallow 
 them up." 
 
 " Nay, Sadoc, beware,'' said Paltiel. " Re- 
 member that the wrath of man cannot avenge 
 the Lord. Hold thy peace against this peo- 
 ple." 
 
 " Thou hast given thy judgment, Paltiel. 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 7 
 
 If I did not believe thee wrong, I would follow 
 no more after this man." 
 
 " O ! why/' asked Michal, " did he talk 
 with a woman of Sychar ?'' 
 
 " Moreover," said Paltiel, " he abode in 
 Sychar two days." 
 
 " What would our father say, Sadoc ?" 
 
 " What he now says, that this Jesus is a 
 false prophet, Paltiel, what other changes 
 may be wrought, as thou believest ?'* 
 
 " I can scarcely say that I believe or expect 
 such changes," replied he 5 " but this man is 
 like no other, inasmuch as he regards some of 
 our customs, and strangely violates others. 
 By his teaching, he confirms the law and the 
 prophets 5 and yet some of his thoughts are not 
 those of a Hebrew. He worships in the tem- 
 ple, and goes up to the feast ; yet he has said 
 that the temple shall be destroyed. He enters, 
 as ye know, into the synagogue, on the Sab- 
 bath, and yet he keeps not the day altogether 
 holy. He condemns extortion, yet eats with 
 publicans. He is pure, and he teaches righte- 
 ousness, while he discourses with some sinners 
 so polluted that all good men avoid them. No 
 prophet hath done thus of old." 
 
8 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 " What dost thou therefore believe ?" 
 " I scarcel}^ know : but when I behold how- 
 pure he is while doing thus, I inquire whether 
 we might not also be more holy in our minds 
 ■while less strait in our external observances. 
 Many of us are shiful in our lives, while out- 
 wardly sanctified : and may not this be in some 
 degree the case with us all ?" 
 
 " I fear to listen further," said Michal ; 
 " and I now fear to meet the Teacher. I will 
 return whence I did wrong to come forth." 
 
 She raised her head which had sunk on her 
 knees, and drew her veil around her face to 
 conceal the tears which had sprung to her eyes. 
 Grief had succeeded to hope, and she wished 
 to avoid the mysterious Teacher who could 
 not have been sent by the God of the Hebrews, 
 since he had tarried two days at Sychar, boded 
 evil to the Temple, and entered the dwelling 
 of a publican. 
 
 Her brother and his friend accompanied her 
 to the city, and then proceeded along the 
 shore of the lake to the southward, still hop- 
 ing to see and hear more of him who filled 
 their thoughts. 
 
 They walked slowly, conversing earnestly 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 concerning the expectation of their people, 
 and the predictions of their Scriptures respect- 
 ing it. They revived in each other's memory 
 the words of grace and truth which they had 
 heard in the synagogue from him who had 
 expounded the law with an authority which 
 none could resist. The remembrance at length 
 awed them into silence, and they stood, leaning 
 each against a palm, and gazing on the waters 
 which were now gleaming in the full light of 
 day. After a while, the breeze brought to 
 their ears the voices of men, and as expectation 
 was powerful within them, they, with one 
 consent, pursued their way. They presently 
 reached a little bay, where many boats were 
 riding the waters. In those most distant from 
 the beach, fishermen were busy at their toil ; 
 but those near the margin of the lake w^ere 
 deserted, and the men were collected in groups 
 along the shore. Sadoc approached a man 
 who stood musing apart, with his nets, which 
 he had prepared, hanging over his arm. 
 
 " The fair morning calls thee to thy occu- 
 pation, Lemuel," said Sadoc. " Hasten, lest 
 the heat of the day come on." 
 jj3 
 
10 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 The man looked up, only replying, " The 
 Teacher hath passed this way." 
 
 " Hath passed !" exclaimed Sadoc. " And we 
 have lingered behind. Whither is he gone ?" 
 
 " We know not," replied Lemuel, " but he 
 hath called away some of our companions. 
 Simon and Andrew have left their boat and 
 followed him, and others also." 
 
 « Wherefore?" 
 
 " I know not; but Simon and Andrew had 
 seen and heard him at Bethabara; and they 
 tell such wonderful sayings of him, that they 
 cannot but follow him when he calls." 
 
 " In what manner did he call them ?" 
 
 "He said somewhat to them which made 
 Simon cast down his nets in haste, and gird 
 himself as if for a journey." 
 
 " Moreover, with great joy," said one who 
 stood by ; " the Teacher promised that they 
 should be fishers of men. The meaning of the 
 promise they will tell us when they return." 
 
 ^' What thinkest thou of him, Lemuel ?" 
 
 " That he is a mighty one sent of God." 
 
 *' Why then art thou here ? Why didst 
 thou not follow him also ?" 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 11 
 
 " I feared to do so ; but when our compa- 
 nions return, we shall learn more of the glad 
 tidings he is said to bring." 
 
 " Let us follow/' said Sadoc to his friend, 
 " lest these men return not again." 
 
 One who was a Nazarene offered to join 
 them, as he also sought the Prophet. He had 
 heard him in the synagogue at Nazareth two 
 sabbath-days before. He now related how this 
 Prophet had read and applied to himself the 
 saying, " The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 
 because he hath appointed me to preach glad 
 tidings to the poor ; he hath sent me to heal 
 the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to 
 the captives, and recovering of sight to the 
 blind ; to preach the acceptable year of the 
 Lord." The Nazarene told how this promise 
 appeared to be fulfilled by the works of won- 
 der and of love now daily witnessed in those 
 parts which saw this great and long-promised 
 light. He described the contempt with which 
 the Mighty One was regarded in Nazareth, 
 because he had dwelt there in a humble station 
 while following an ordinary occupation. " They 
 remember not," he continued, " that David 
 was once but a stripling who tended his fa- 
 
12 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 ther's sheep, and that Solomon was descended 
 from Ruth the Moabitess." 
 
 " Hast thou known, — didst thou ever dis- 
 course with Jesus before he was baptized?" 
 asked Sadoc with eagerness. 
 
 " I have broken bread and drank of the same 
 cup with him," replied the Nazarene, '' and 
 heard many words of wisdom from him. I 
 have often marvelled that my heart burned 
 within me while we discoursed of the hope of 
 our nation. And when I have beheld how the 
 eyes of his mother were fixed on him with 
 deep and tender love, I have thought that she 
 was blessed among women." 
 
 " And his brethren are also favoured of the 
 Lord!" 
 
 " Nay, but they believe not on him. Mary, 
 his mother, hideth her hopes in her heart; but 
 liis brethren marvel that the world is gone 
 after him. Yet they were in much fear lest 
 he should be dashed to pieces when his towns- 
 men were full of wrath against him." 
 
 ^* Wherefore were they angry ?" 
 
 " Because he restrained his hand from doing 
 the mighty works which they sought. He 
 rebuked them for their unbelief, and refused 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 13 
 
 to put forth his power, lest they should scoff 
 at the Most High. Then they thrust him 
 forth to the ridge of the hill, and I verily 
 thought that his last hour was come." 
 ^' And was his countenance calm ?" 
 '' He did not strive nor cry, but looked 
 mournfully on the rebellious crowd. Presently 
 he was gone, no one knew whither. 1 came to 
 Capernaum, trusting to find him there, and I 
 will not henceforth cease from following 
 him." 
 
 " Paltiel," said Sadoc, turning to his friend, 
 " in this thing hath Jehovah again testified 
 that his ways are not as our ways. This man 
 cometh not with power and an outstretched 
 arm, as we supposed. He is mild and calm ; 
 and I cannot look upon him as the champion 
 of Israel and the conqueror of our conquerors. 
 When T have hitherto thought of the day of 
 our deliverance, my spirit has risen while the 
 horses and chariots of the mighty, the bands 
 of armed men, and the tents of a host, were 
 before me ; while the trumpets sounded to the 
 battle, and Israel was led forth by such an one 
 as Joshua or Gideon, or as Maccabaeus, — but 
 with a brighter glory and a stronger arm. 
 
14 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 Thinkest thou that this Jesus will be to us 
 such a leader ? To me it seems that such can 
 never be his office." 
 
 The Nazarene interrupted him by saying, 
 " Doubt not thou the word of Jehovah. — 
 Hath he not said that freedom shall be brought 
 by his mighty one ? Remember, too, the dig- 
 nity of the Prophet and the authority of his 
 words. When he shall cast off his garments 
 of peace and gird on his armour, who shall 
 stand before him?" 
 
 Sadoc mused instead of replying, and they 
 went on in silence, except that one or other, 
 from time to time, repeated some promise or 
 uttered some prayer from their scriptures, 
 which the events of the time revived in their 
 hearts with unwonted power. " O that thou 
 wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst 
 come down, to make thy name known to thine 
 adversaries, that the nations may tremble at 
 thy presence !" "As the earth bringeth forth 
 her bud, and as the garden causeth the things 
 that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord 
 God will cause righteousness and praise to 
 spring forth before all the nations." " Ask 
 of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 15 
 
 thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of 
 the earth for thy possession." 
 
 The noon-day heats became oppressive : 
 the way was now stony and sandy ; the glare 
 of the sun, reflected from the transparent lake, 
 wearied the eye, and the travellers began to 
 look around for a place of repose. Paltiel re- 
 membered that at the distance of two furlongs 
 from the spot where they now were, a cluster 
 of palm-trees grew in a recess of the hills, 
 where a fountain of cool water gushed from a 
 rocky cleft. As soon as they arrived within 
 sight of the trees, they perceived, by the mo- 
 tion of garments, that some one was already 
 at the spring. On approaching nearer, they 
 saw an aged man couched on the ground as if 
 asleep, while a maiden watched over him. She 
 had spread her veil to shade his face from the 
 light ; but when she heard the sound of foot- 
 steps and perceived that strangers were draw- 
 ing near, she hastily replaced her veil, and 
 bent over the old man, as if speaking to him. 
 He arose and surveyed the three companions, 
 placing his hand above his eyes, as if even the 
 softened light beneath the palm-branches was 
 painful. Seeing that they paused, as if wish- 
 
16 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 ing yet fearing to join company with him, he 
 courteously invited them to repose and drink. 
 Before accepting his oflfer, Sadoc uttered the 
 inquiry which was ever uppermost in his mind, 
 whether the Teacher had passed that way. 
 
 " He hath, — blessed be his name, and the 
 name of Jehovah who sent him !" 
 
 " Thou belie vest on him !" said Sadoc with 
 
 joy- 
 
 " I must needs believe on him,'* replied the 
 old man, " for he hath wrought a great work 
 of mercy on me. When yonder sun had been 
 an hour above the mountains, all was dark as 
 night to me, as it hath been for years past. I 
 now see." 
 
 " And the Prophet hath done this !" 
 '^ He laid his hands on me, and the blessed 
 light returned to me. I have seen the face of 
 my child. The sparkling of the waters also, 
 and the fruit and leaves of these trees, greener 
 and faiier than they were in my remembrance, 
 — have gladdened my heart. Yet will they 
 be more beautiful unto me to-morrow ; for my 
 sense is yet weak, and I can scarce even look 
 upon you, though the face of man has been 
 long as a dream unto me, and this hour is like 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 17 
 
 a pleasant waking. Blessed be he who hath 
 gladdened my age with light !" 
 
 " Amen, Amen," murmured the maiden, as 
 she sat with her head bowed on her knees. 
 
 "But the Teacher," exclaimed Sadoc. " How 
 came he unto thee, and where ?" 
 
 " We rested beneath this tree,'* replied the 
 old man. " I heard the steps of men, and 
 knew that a company approached. My 
 daughter believed that the Prophet was among 
 them, and therefore I went forth and bowed 
 before him. He asked if I believed on his 
 words, and looked to him for the salvation of 
 Israel; and then he removed darkness from 
 me. 
 
 Again the maiden spoke in a low voice, 
 
 " ^ According to thy faith be it done unto 
 thee.' — Those words shall be hidden in my 
 heart evermore." 
 
 *^ Wherefore have ye not followed him ?" 
 inquired the Nazarene. 
 
 " I hastened to do so, when I should have 
 bestowed my child in safety ; but the Teacher 
 saw that my spirit trembled within me, and 
 he took my hand and led me hither, and de- 
 sired me to abide, till the heat of noon should 
 
18 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 be overpast. And he gave us his blessing, 
 and went on his way." 
 
 '^ Didst thou not fear before him ?" 
 
 '' I feared before the manifest power of Je- 
 hovah. But this man I fear not. On his 
 countenance my opened sight first rested, and 
 I gazed without confusion. It seems to me 
 that whether men fear him or no, they cannot 
 but love also. My heart has followed him, 
 and if it please the Lord, I will offer my 
 thanksgivings at the feet of his prophet once 
 again." 
 
 When Sadoc had heard all that the old man 
 could relate, he was impatient to pursue his 
 journey. Paltiel reminded him of his home, 
 his family, and occupation ; but Sadoc ear- 
 nestly replied, 
 
 " Shall Jehovah put forth his wonders in 
 our land, and shall mine eyes not see and 
 mine ears not hear ? I go not back till I have 
 learned of his doctrine and sought to be his 
 disciple." 
 
 He retired to a solitary place to pour out 
 his spirit before Jehovah in thanksgivings that 
 the long-desired year of salvation had opened 
 gloriously, and in prayer that Israel might be 
 
THE HOPE OP THE HEBREW. 19 
 
 exalted over other nations, and that all the 
 power and prosperity of the earth might be 
 concentered in the people of God. Not doubt- 
 ing of the holiness of his petition, he set forth 
 once again with a glowing heart and a coun- 
 tenance of joy. 
 
 Now, wherever they passed, they heard the 
 name of the Prophet. All who had been re- 
 stored to health and pleasure by his hand and 
 voice, praised him openly, or adored, in the 
 depth of their hearts, the power by which he 
 wrought ; but many who had learned of the 
 scribes, many who were in esteem for wisdom, 
 many whose faith was spoken of in the syna- 
 gogue, and whose outward sanctity pointed 
 them out as men of God, refused to hear or see 
 a prophet who came from Nazareth, and 
 warned those who followed, that the word of 
 the Lord cannot be removed for ever. Already 
 families were divided. Some who had seen 
 could not but believe ; others who had not 
 seen were grieved in spirit that a false prophet 
 should draw a multitude after him. Many 
 voices of warning, remonstrance, and conten- 
 tion, were heard in the dwellings of men ; 
 many secret tears were shed in the solitude of 
 
20 THE HOPE OP THE HEBREW. 
 
 their chambers; many humble and fervent 
 prayers ascended that Jehovah would be pleased 
 to reveal his truth, to help wavering belief, to 
 guard from impious delusion. Songs of joy 
 were also heard to arise from the roofs of 
 many dwellings, while the glad hearts of those 
 who firmly believed caused them to open their 
 dooi-s to the way-farers who sought the Pro- 
 phet, or the followers who spoke of the won- 
 ders which he did. 
 
 There was, however, one dwelling where 
 the name of the new Teacher had not yet been 
 heard. It stood so far apart from the way- 
 side, that no sounds bad reached it from the 
 busy throngs which had passed since sun-rise 
 on that memorable day. It was overshadowed 
 by trees, and nearly hidden from the passers 
 by. An aged woman abode there with her 
 son, whose occupation prevented his mingling 
 in the world, though he was careful to exercise 
 hospitality, and was ever ready to open his 
 gate to the weary traveller. He walked on 
 the roof of his house at sun-set, and looked 
 abroad on the deep valley where the sha- 
 dows of evening had already fallen, when he 
 perceived Sadoc and his companions, at a little 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 21 
 
 distance, travelling slowly as if they were 
 wearied and in need of some place of rest. 
 He descended and went forth to invite them 
 to pass the night in his dwelling. They gladly 
 followed him, and received the greetings of his 
 mother with respect, as she offered her house 
 for their home as long as they chose to abide. 
 Before the first rites of hospitality were paid, 
 before their feet were washed, and the couches 
 placed for the evening repast, the eager Sadoc 
 had spoken on the subject nearest his heart, 
 and heard with astonishment that no tidings 
 of the excitement which prevailed elsewhere 
 had yet reached this retired abode. So many 
 inquiries were to be answered, so many details 
 of surpassing interest were to be given, that it 
 was late before the guests received the blessing 
 of the night from their hostess : and even then, 
 Sadoc did not retire immediately to his couch. 
 He entered the Alijah, and in that still ora- 
 tory, lighted only by the pale stars, and visited 
 only by the night breeze, he poured out the 
 thanksgivings with which his soul overflowed, 
 and strove, by the awful offices of devotion, to 
 lay to rest the stirring thoughts which had be- 
 come too exciting for his repose. 
 
22 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 By break of day all was prepared for their 
 departure. The meal was spread, the hostess 
 was ready with her parting blessing, and her 
 son took his staff in his hand, that he might 
 accompany his guests to the verge of the plahi 
 which they desired to traverse before noon. 
 
 " Return hither, my sons," said the hostess, 
 '^ that if Jehovah be indeed about to establish 
 the glory of our nation for ever, we may rejoice 
 together. If our hope is vain, let us comfort 
 each other with the words of promise. Let us 
 not be as strangers henceforth. And now, my 
 sons, God be with you on the way, and his 
 angel lead you 1" 
 
 Their host parted not from their company 
 till they issued from the valleys, and saw be- 
 fore them the plain from the midst of which 
 rises Mount Tabor in solitary grandeur. No 
 other hill swells from the surrounding level to 
 contrast with its height or impair its appear- 
 ance of singularity. Its sides, towards the 
 summit, were verdant with groves, and its 
 rocky base rose abruptly from the plain. The 
 ascent, though steep, was not long, and at the 
 summit was a level space, whence a vast ex- 
 tent of country could be seen. Sadoc had 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 23 
 
 often reposed there while he thought on the 
 events which had taken place on this spot, or 
 in scenes on which his eye rested. While the 
 wild animals and birds were his only corapa. 
 nions, he had often remembered that he stood 
 where Barak assembled his hosts before he 
 went forth against Sisera; that Sodom and 
 Gomorrah were once visible where now dark 
 exhalations only shewed where they had been 
 built 'j that the walls of Jericho arose on the 
 horizon, before they fell at the blast of the 
 trumpets of Israel ; and that the waters of Jor- 
 dan might hence be seen, where they parted 
 to admit the passage of the Ark of the Lord. 
 Often had he gazed on the snowy peak of 
 Hermon, and on the sea of Galilee ; and often 
 had his eye rested on the town of Nazareth, as 
 it sloped from the ridge of a hill into a deep 
 vale, while he little knew that it would be 
 hereafter sanctified as the abode of the Hope 
 of Israel. Now, as the eyes of the travellers 
 turned towards the mountain, they saw that 
 its wonted stillness and solitude were disturb- 
 ed. Groups of people were hastening in 
 all directions over the plain towards Tabor; 
 and on the mountain itself, moving figures 
 
24 THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 
 
 could already be discerned. The three com- 
 panions looked at each other, while joy flashed 
 from their eyes, and they immediately quick- 
 ened their pace, regardless of the increasing 
 heat. As soon as they arrived within hearing 
 of some who were hastening in the same direc- 
 tion with themselves, they rejoiced at the 
 sound of eager voices exclaiming, "The 
 l^eacher," "The Prophet," "Jesus, the son 
 of David.'' From that moment Sadoc heard 
 and saw nothing of what passed around him. 
 His whole soul was in his eyes, and they were 
 fixed on the outlines of the Mount, where the 
 objects became every moment more distinct. 
 On the masses of rock were people seated. 
 Groups stood beneath the trees. A multitude 
 filled a shaded recess. Every moment the 
 numbers were increased. Hundreds poured 
 through every passage of the rocks. Thou- 
 sands toiled up the steep pathway. Sadoc 
 listened for voices of praise, for his own heart 
 longed to break forth into singing : but no 
 sound was heard but the rushing of busy feet 
 over the plain. He looked yet again, he 
 shaded his eyes with his hand, that he might 
 see more distinctly, and he beheld, at length, 
 
THE HOPE OF THE HEBREW. 25 
 
 one who sat apart from the assembled multi- 
 tude, and above them ; one to whom all faces 
 were turned, to whom access appeared impos- 
 sible from the throngs which surrounded him. 
 A dimness came over the sight of Sadoc as he 
 gazed. He dropped his head and covered his 
 face with his mantle, while, with his com- 
 panions, he turned towards Jerusalem, and 
 exclaimed, " Now with joy shall we draw 
 water out of the wells of salvation. Exult, O 
 Zion ! for great is the Holy One of Israel in 
 the midst of thee !" 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 The night was stormy, and rough winds 
 swept over the sea of Tiberias, raising the 
 waves and scattering their spray as if it had 
 been the sand of the desert. The moon had 
 set, and the stars were fading before the grey 
 dawn which began to open in the east, while 
 the deep shadows yet lay upon the face of the 
 waters. Even at this hour, when the wild 
 animals were couched in the caves of the rock, 
 and the birds nestled on the pine boughs which 
 were tossed by the blast, man was abroad to 
 contend with nature. In the midst of the 
 deep there were vessels rocking and pitching 
 upon the waves, and men were labouring, with 
 oar and rudder, to master the strength of the 
 elements. In one of these lay Sadoc, the son 
 of Imri. He had toiled at the oar with his 
 companions during part of the night. About 
 the fourth watch he became weary, and giving 
 his place to another, he retired to the stern, to 
 c2 
 
28 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 watch in stillness the event of the storm. He 
 was chilled by the spray which dashed over 
 him, and his soul was awed by the roaring of 
 the winds and waters. He looked towards the 
 east; the dawn was there, but it brightened 
 not ; and the dim grey light only shewed the 
 white surges as they broke against the sides of 
 the vessel. Sadoc felt as if alone in the midst 
 of the sea, when the passing gust brought to 
 his ear the voices of men, and told him that 
 others also were struggling in fear. He rose, 
 and attempting to stand firm while the stern 
 was uplifted on the wave, he gazed in the di- 
 rection whence the voices came. He saw no- 
 thing, and again sat down to wait for day ; but 
 as he turned, he beheld somewhat moving 
 amidst the showers of spray. Garments flut- 
 tered in the blast, and a form like that of a 
 man was shadowed forth to the eye of Sadoc, 
 It glided not on the wind, nor was tossed like 
 one who swims, but made for itself a path 
 among the billows, which rolled aside at its 
 approach, and in an instant closed again. It 
 passed onwards, and disappeared. Sadoc lean- 
 ed over the side of the vessel, and was well- 
 nigh swallowed up by the surge, when a hand 
 
LIFE I\ DEATH. 29 
 
 drew him back, and his companions asked 
 wherefore he despised his life, and cared not 
 for safety. 
 
 " Behold ! a spirit hath passed/' was his re- 
 ply, as he gazed once more towards the rishig 
 of the wind. His companions gazed also, and 
 they beheld a sudden light break upon the 
 waters, where a vessel like their own was cross- 
 ing the deep. Two men were at the moment 
 ascending the side of the ship, round which a 
 sudden calm was spreading. It spread ra- 
 pidly afar. The wind breathed its last sigh 
 and was hushed. The waters also were still, 
 and the foam which settled on their surface, 
 alone told that a storm had passed away. The 
 golden sunbeams shot up into the clear firma- 
 ment from behind the mountains. The palm- 
 groves were motionless ; the lightest reed on 
 the margin of the lake bowed not its head ; 
 and over the glittering radiance of morning 
 brooded the silence of night. 
 
 The boatmen gazed at each other, and at 
 Sadoc, who made a sign that they should row 
 towards the other vessel. When the splash 
 of the oars was once more heard, many tongues 
 
30 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 which had been chained through fear were 
 loosed at once, and all demanded of Sadoc, 
 
 " What spirit hast thou seen ? Whom hath 
 Jehovah sent to hush the storm ?" 
 
 " Hasten, hasten !" was his reply, as he 
 seized an oar. The vessel clave the waters 
 swiftly, but the other ship was already at Beth- 
 saida. 
 
 As soon as they approached the land, Sadoc 
 leaped forth upon the beach, and heard from 
 some who were already gathered together, that 
 the Prophet had gone with his disciples into a 
 desert place, whither the inhabitants of Beth- 
 saida would follow, that he might teach them 
 and heal their sick. 
 
 " We saw him retire to the place of prayer 
 on the mountain on the further shore so late 
 as the first watch of yesternight," said one of 
 Sadoc's companions. " And ours was the last 
 vessel which hath crossed." 
 
 " It was so," replied Sadoc : " yet the 
 Teacher is here. It was he whom I beheld as 
 a spirit. It was he who hushed the storm." 
 
 Sadoc hastened towards the desert place, 
 that he might again learn of the Prophet ; but. 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 31 
 
 by the way, he heard one calling his name. 
 He turned and beheld Elochi, the oldest ser- 
 vant of his father's house. The man bowed 
 not himself till he came so near as to lay hold 
 of Sadoc's garment, the border of which he 
 kissed and placed upon his forehead. Sadoc 
 raised him and touched his cheek, saying, 
 
 " Wherefore art thou come hither, Elochi ? 
 The court of my father's house is a fitter place 
 for thee. Thy staff will scarce uphold thine 
 age, and thy scrip is a burden to thee." 
 
 " Thy father mourneth that thou hast not 
 returned for so long ; and I came forth to seek 
 thee, Sadoc, and entreat thee to carry back 
 joy to thy habitation." 
 
 " Hath the hand of the Lord smitten any 
 whom I love ? Is all well with my father and 
 my mother ? Is it well with Michal ?" 
 
 " All is well ; and Michal, thy sister, bade 
 me tell thee that she alone hath not sorrowed 
 for thy absence, for she alone knew wherefore 
 thou hast tarried. But thy mother pineth for 
 thee, and thy father beseecheth the Lord for 
 thee that thou mayest be no more deluded by 
 a false prophet." 
 
 " False he is not," replied Sadoc, " and I 
 
32 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 will know whether he be the Messiah in- 
 deed, before I go back to my father's house." 
 
 " Nay, but thy father's anger is fierce against 
 thee." 
 
 " It will be so no more when he also shall 
 acknowledge the Teacher," replied Sadoc. 
 
 " Yet let his sorrow move thee, if thou 
 fearest not his anger," said the old man. "He 
 weepeth for thee. Be thou his comforter." 
 
 Sadoc looked wistfully towards the path 
 which the Teacher had trod ; but the old man 
 continued, 
 
 " Thy sister endureth reproach for thee, 
 and when her father's anger is upon her, she 
 looketh for thee and thou comest not. Yet 
 she hath hindered me thus far from seeking 
 thee." 
 
 Sadoc doubted no longer, but turned his 
 face homeward. He looked sorrowful, but the 
 old man rejoiced. " Tarry not for me," he 
 cried. " My strength is not as thine. Hasten, 
 and I will follow ; but say not that I sought 
 thee." 
 
 It was mid-day when Sadoc reached his 
 father's house after a toilsome journey of many 
 hours. He entered while the household were 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 33 
 
 reposing from the heat, in the inner apartments; 
 Alichal alone was not on her couch. She re- 
 clined beside the fountain in the court. The 
 coolness of the water was more refreshing, 
 and its rippling in the marble basin more 
 soothing to her than sleep. With her was a 
 little child, the first-born of one of the ser- 
 vants of the household. Sadoc gazed on them 
 for a moment from the porch, before he came 
 forth to greet his sister. A smile was upon 
 her lips as the child sported beside her. Her 
 hand grasped him while he dipped his foot in 
 the marble basin, and she laughed silently 
 while she sprinkled him with drops from the 
 fountain. When he began to shout aloud in 
 his mirth, she lifted up her finger and hushed 
 him lest he should awaken the sleepers. His 
 tongue could not yet speak the accents of men, 
 but the murmurs of his infant voice were 
 sweet, as he sprang upon her bosom, and 
 hid his face in the folds of her garment. 
 When she saw some one moving within the 
 porch, she hastily drew her veil over her face, 
 and arose. 
 
 " The blessing of Jehovah be upon thee, 
 c3 
 
34 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 Michal, my sister 1" said Sadoc, as he ad- 
 vanced. 
 
 " O, my brother ! is it thou?" replied Mi- 
 chal, while the flush of joy crimsoned her 
 cheek. " A blessing be upon thy coming in, 
 as there doubtless was upon thine out-going 1 
 Mine eyes rejoice to behold thee, and my 
 heart yearneth for tidings. This hour is for 
 thee and me. Hasten to refresh thyself and 
 come hither." 
 
 Sadoc cast himself down beside the fountain, 
 and sought not yet other refreshment than his 
 sister's words. She prepared him for reproof 
 from his father, and besought him to be pa- 
 tient. She asked him of the Teacher, and he 
 poured out his soul to her. He answered 
 when Michal asked of mighty works, of the 
 sick that were healed, and of the sorrowing 
 hearts which, by power from on high, were 
 made to sing for joy ; but there were other 
 things in which he rejoiced yet more. He told 
 her how the long-promised kingdom drew nigh, 
 and how sure were its blessings and glories, 
 though they must be won by toils and sorrows. 
 He repeated the words of the Teacher, and 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 35 
 
 they were glad together over some which were 
 full of promise ; they pondered together some 
 which were mysterious ; they sighed together 
 over some few sayings which seemed at vari- 
 ance with the sanctified word of Jehovah. 
 While listening to such, Sadoc had feared to 
 oifer himself as one of the twelve men whom 
 Jesus had chosen to be his companions and 
 his helpers in his doctrine and his works. 
 While listening to such, Sadoc had resolved to 
 know all before he should seek to convert his 
 father's household^ and he now grieved that 
 he should have nothing to answer if his father 
 should question him concerning them. No 
 preparation was yet made against their Roman 
 conquerors ; and the words of the Prophet 
 tended to lower the confidence of the chosen 
 people, and to subvert some of their customs 
 which were sanctified by tradition and the au- 
 thority of the scribes. 
 
 Sadoc beheld how his sister's eye still rested 
 on the child, while they talked. He marvelled 
 that she should have eyes or attention for any 
 but himself, at this time. She started when 
 the little one escaped from her grasp ; and she 
 gazed on his face with tenderness and, as it 
 seemed, with awe. 
 
36 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 " Hast thou no other hour for sport with 
 the little one ?" said Sadoc gravely. " I fear 
 lest thou shouldst not have gathered up all the 
 words of the Prophet which I have repeated to 
 thee ; for thine eyes have been fixed on the 
 face of the child, and thy hand hath controlled 
 his sports from the first moment of our greet- 
 ing." 
 
 " I have heard all, my brother, and I have 
 listened with a deeper love because this little 
 one hath been upon my knees. When I think 
 of our Prophet, this child is as a sign of his 
 presence unto me ; and when thou goest in to 
 plead with my father, thou shalt take the little 
 one in thine arms, and he shall confirm thy 
 words.*' 
 
 Sadoc understood not, and gazed at his sister 
 in doubt. 
 
 Michal held up the child's face towards him 
 and said, 
 
 " Salute his cheek, but bless him not. It is 
 rather his part to bless thee. He is sanctified; 
 he is not as one of us. He hath been called 
 out of the world, and by the power of the 
 Lord restored to it again. He hath come 
 forth again from God, pure as on the day of 
 his first birth; therefore do I feel that the 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 3/ 
 
 spirit of God is yet newly breathed into him, 
 and therefore do I look upon so young a child 
 with awe," 
 
 Sadoc silently took the child between his 
 knees, and bowed his head unto him. The 
 little one clasped his neck, and a light laugh 
 rang through the court. Tears fell fast among 
 his bright locks, as Sadoc pressed him more 
 closely to his bosom. 
 
 " We will nurture him tenderly," said Mi- 
 chal, " and when he is grown, he shall be de- 
 voted to the Lord, even as Samuel. He shall 
 declare in the temple what Jehovah hath done 
 for him. He was in a deeper sleep than Sa- 
 muel ever slept, when the Lord spake and his 
 young servant heard." 
 
 " Not only in the temple shall he declare it," 
 replied Sadoc, " but wherever the Prophet 
 shall be known. O, tell me, my sister, tell me 
 if he hath been here." 
 
 " He hath not, Sadoc. This child, the first- 
 born of Rachel, had languished many days, 
 and on the Sabbath before the last, we hoped 
 no more that he could live. His limbs, which 
 now embrace thee, were stretched out power- 
 less ; his lips, which now press thine, were 
 
38 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 drawn apart by his last struggle with death. 
 I watched beside him with his mother. She 
 covered her face when his sighs were heard 
 no more. I felt that his heart beat not. I 
 lifted his cold hand, and it dropped lifeless. 
 When I heard the wailings of his mother, I 
 cried, ' Would that the Prophet had been 
 here 1' Then Rachel stilled her grief, and 
 wrapped the child in her mantle, and departed 
 with her husband to seek the help which her 
 faith deserved." 
 
 « And didst thou not follow ?" 
 
 " Alas ! my father mocked at our faith, and 
 forbade my going forth, and told how Rachel 
 would return mourning, as she went out. I 
 held my peace and watched, fearing only lest 
 the Prophet should have departed. For two 
 long days, I heard no tidings 5 two nights, my 
 father asked with a smile where was the child. 
 Twice I watched at dawn from the house-top, 
 for the approach of a multitude, or the sound 
 of well-known voices. Twice I prayed through 
 the watches of the night, that this young child 
 might be raised up to glorify the Lord, and to 
 bring faith unto our household. On the third 
 day at even " 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 39 
 
 " He lived, he came ! Speak, Michal !" 
 
 " On the third day at even, I slept, for I 
 was faint with watching. The murmur of 
 voices awoke me, and I looked from my lat- 
 tice into the court. The slaves had gathered 
 together round the fountain, I knew not 
 wherefore. At the sound of my voice they 
 turned, and lo ! in the midst this child stood 
 alone, no longer wasted with sickness, but 
 even as thou seest him now. I had had faith 
 while I saw him not, that he would indeed live 
 again ; but now that I beheld him, he seemed 
 as a spirit. His eyes were fixed on the lat- 
 tice, and he moved not ; but when I unveiled 
 my face, he stretched his arms towards me, 
 and I knew by his cry of joy that he was in- 
 deed the child whom I had mourned.*' 
 
 " And my father, did he behold also ? And 
 did Rachel bring thee tidings of the Mighty 
 One?" 
 
 " I sought Rachel, and she wept, because 
 my father yet scorned her faith, and him who 
 had blessed it unto her. Ask her thyself how 
 the Prophet spake, and how, as he gazed on 
 the face of the dead, the eyes of the child un- ^ 
 closed, the bloom returned to his cheek, and 
 
40 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 he smiled on his mother once again. She 
 shall tell thee how Jesus also smiled upon her 
 joy, and pointed on high when she fell at his 
 feet." 
 
 Michal held her peace while Sadoc mused. 
 At length he said, 
 
 ^^ Would that this child had the tongue of a 
 man, that we might know the secrets that are 
 hidden in the sepulchre !" 
 
 " I have thought," replied Michal, " that 
 though our meditation hath been high as the 
 firmament, and deep as the sea, this little one 
 knoweth what we cannot yet know of death. 
 I thirst for tidings, as the traveller in the 
 desert for the water springs, I have gazed 
 into those eyes as they were fixed in thought. 
 I have hearkened to his murmurs in sleep, if 
 perchance an angel should have entered into 
 his form. But there is no light nor music as 
 yet shed through the darkness and silence of 
 the grave." 
 
 " By Jehovah alone can they be given, 
 Michal ; for our thoughts cannot measure the 
 depth of the tomb ; else thou and I had not 
 doubted still." 
 
 " Yet our teachers say that there is life in 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 41 
 
 death : and I verily believe it. The holy pro- 
 phets have believed it, when they have been 
 cast out from among men. They who have 
 died in torments for the faith have believed it, 
 and many who have mourned, and many who 
 have been condemned under the law, and 
 many who have died in a strange land." 
 
 " 1 also have hope," replied Sadoc, " but 
 all the days of my life would I give into the 
 hand of the Lord to know of a truth that the 
 spirit dieth not. And thou, child, hast been 
 among the dead ! Hast thou slept as if the 
 shadows of night were around thee ? Or hast 
 thou beheld Jehovah when he called forth the 
 host of heaven ? Hast thou been with him 
 when he shook the earth, and uttered his 
 thunders among the hills ? Or hast thou 
 found him in the holy of holies, and rested 
 with him between the cherubim ; or seen his 
 spirit descend upon his Prophet; or gone 
 forth with his angels to the ends of the earth 
 and the fountains of the deep ? O ! that thy 
 tongue could tell what thine eye hath seen !" 
 
 " If he hath seen these glories," replied 
 Michal, " the body is again unto his spirit as 
 a cloud which hideth the sun." 
 
42 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 " We will watch for light within the cloud, 
 Michal. If he should hereafter dream of wan- 
 derings among the stars, or aught besides that 
 we have not known, we will hearken to his 
 words, and ask of the Teacher concerning 
 them." 
 
 " The Teacher may have knowledge of this 
 very thing, Sadoc, He is mightier than the 
 prophets of old, and to him it may be given to 
 shew us somewhat of a life beyond the grave.** 
 
 " If he be the Messiah, he will tell us all 
 things : and blessed are the ears which shall 
 hear the truth concerning death. No angel 
 hath yet told it; but let Jehovah speak by his 
 Anointed, and all the families of the earth shall 
 bow themselves to hear." 
 
 It was evening when Sadoc walked on the 
 house-top with Imri, his father. The wrath of 
 Imri had risen as it was wont when he heard 
 the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 
 
 " Thou hast stood in the synagogue from 
 thy youth upwards, my son, and knowest 
 thou not that out of Nazareth there ariseth no 
 prophet ?'* 
 
 " I have also heard, my father, that Jehovah 
 hath said, ' Whoever shall not hearken unto 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 43 
 
 the words which my Prophet shall speak in 
 my name^ I will require it of him.'" 
 
 " Jehovah hath also said, that the Prophet 
 whom he hath not sent shall die. Beware, 
 then, my son." 
 
 '' If the thing follow not which the Prophet 
 hath declared, he is false ; but if it follow, they 
 that refuse to hearken shall die. Jesus hath 
 spoken and the winds are hushed, the lepers 
 shew themselves to the priest, and the very 
 dead arise to glorify the Mighty One." 
 
 '^ There are evil powers, my son, and they 
 have beguiled thee. Let not a child of Abra- 
 ham be an outcast from Israel. Return from 
 following after this man, lest the curse of my 
 old age should be upon thee." 
 
 " Curse me not, my father, but hear me." 
 
 " Repeat once again, Sadoc, what thy false 
 Teacher hath said; and when thou hast de- 
 clared all that is in thy heart, hold thy peace, 
 lest thou be cast out of the synagogue as a 
 blasphemer." 
 
 Sadoc stood still while he replied, 
 
 " If the promise I have heard be not ful- 
 filled even as the grape yieldeth its juice in 
 
44 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 the wine press ; if the words of the Prophet be 
 not as fruitful seed let fall among the furrows ; 
 if his doctrine be not to the spirit of man like 
 the early and the latter rain unto fields that 
 are parched with drought ; if in our day Israel 
 be not exalted over all the earth, let me be 
 cast forth as a blasphemer. I will abide in 
 the caves of the rock, and the lair of beasts 
 shall be my couch. The word of the Prophet 
 is high as Lebanon ; Carmel is less fruitful, 
 and the water-brooks are not so pure."" 
 
 " What is this word, my son ? Speak, and 
 then be silent for ever concerning this de- 
 ceiver." 
 
 " The spirit of Jehovah is on this man, my 
 father. He comes to fulfil the law and the 
 prophets." 
 
 " Nay, but, my son, he eats with unwashen 
 hands, and permits others to do so. Holier 
 was he, the master in Israel, who chose to 
 perish of thirst rather than not wash with the 
 little water he had." 
 
 " But, my father, our Rabbins themselves 
 agree not concerning this matter; and some 
 suffer us to cat fruits with unwashen hands. 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 45 
 
 This Prophet is greater than they. He speak- 
 eth woe against the Hebrew who breaketh the 
 least of the commandments of Moses." 
 
 " Said he not also that the Pharisees were 
 not righteous ? — the holy Pharisees, the bor- 
 ders of whose garments he is not worthy to 
 uplift ! Doth he not intermeddle also with 
 the thoughts of the heart, which are a man*s 
 own, and which none but Jehovah knoweth ?** 
 
 " Out of the heart, my father, proceed obe- 
 dience and rebellion, A man cannot obey the 
 law unless his heart be right with God. If 
 the heart be pure, the actions will be clean, 
 even as waters which are not defiled at their 
 source." 
 
 " Hold thy peace, Sadoc ! Knoweth not a 
 man that which is within him ? 1 myself have 
 kept the law as few have kept it, and what is 
 it to thee, — how knowest thou, what is in 
 mine heart }" 
 
 Sadoc looked down and held his peace. 
 
 " Tell me,'* said his father, " if this Jesus, 
 hath given any new commandment which shall 
 be joined to the law. Hath he ordained new 
 sacrifices ? Hath he added to the ceremonies 
 of the temple? Hath he imposed new forms 
 
46 LIFE IN DEATH 
 
 of worship on the sons and daughters of Israel? 
 Nay, rather he scorns our holy traditions." 
 
 ^^ He hath imposed no forms, my father, 
 but he giveth precepts. He commandeth to 
 love, to make peace, to worship in pureness of 
 heart, in solitude rather than before a multi- 
 tude. He biddeth us to seek holiness rather 
 than riches and honour, and saith that to re- 
 pent is better than sacrifice." 
 
 "All these things," replied Imri, "are such 
 as the meanest of the earth may understand 
 and do. The Gentiles themselves might be 
 followers of thy Prophet thus far. He careth 
 not for the honour of our nation if these be the 
 precepts he gives. When he shall tell thee to 
 worship more strictly, when he shall multiply 
 thy fasts, and bid thee pray oftener, and call 
 on thee for more gifts and sacrifices, come 
 unto me again and I will hear thee. But not 
 until then." 
 
 Imri turned away in wrath. Sadoc's bosom 
 also swelled with high thoughts ; but remem- 
 bering the meekness of the Teacher, he spake 
 not again, but sat down to meditate. 
 
 After a while, he saw that Imri gazed into 
 the street below. Sadoc also looked, and be- 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 4/ 
 
 hold ! the Prophet passed by. None was with 
 him but two of his chosen disciples ; but Pal- 
 tiel, the friend of Sadoc, followed behind ; for 
 whither the Teacher went, he went also. They 
 passed slowly and silently along, for no man 
 knew him, and the shadows of even had fallen. 
 Sadoc made a sign to Paltiel to tarry, and in- 
 stantly threw himself at Imri's feet. 
 
 " My father !" he cried, " let my request 
 find favour with thee. Open thy gates to this 
 man, that he may abide this one night. Hear 
 him, and if his words are evil, cast me forth 
 with him for ever. If good, salvation hath 
 come unto thy house." 
 
 Michal, who had drawn near unperceived, 
 also laid hold of the garment of Imri, beseech- 
 ing him ; but he withdrew it from her grasp, 
 and glanced angrily upon them, and turned, 
 and entered the Alijah to pray for mercy on 
 his rebellious children, and for condemnation 
 on the false Prophet and all who should believe 
 on him. Michal fell on her brother's neck, 
 and they wept together, 
 
 '^ The honour shall not be ours, Sadoc, to 
 welcome the messenger of Jehovah. O that I 
 might spread his couch and set food before 
 
4S LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 him, and hearken to his words in our dwell- 
 ing!" 
 
 " Yet thou didst fear to meet him awhile 
 ago, my sister." 
 
 *^ Rachel's first-born had not then died, and 
 I had not heard the wisdom which thou hast 
 since told me." 
 
 " I will hear it again ; behold, I go forth 
 even now," said Sadoc. 
 
 " Seek him," said Michal, " and ask con- 
 cerning the life in death. If he shall tell thee 
 that the spirit indeed lives while the body 
 decays, I will no longer fear to die ; nor will I 
 despair if thou shouldst first depart, my bro- 
 ther !" 
 
 They descended to the porch, after Sadoc 
 had prepared himself to go forth. Michal 
 closed the gate when her brother had disap- 
 peared in the darkness, and retired to her 
 chamber to meditate and pray. 
 
 Jesus of Nazareth had sent away his disci- 
 ples, and retired alone among the hills. Sadoc 
 dared not approach him this night ; but he 
 drew nigh unto the place, that he might see 
 him as he returned to Capernaum. He laid 
 himself down in the mouth of a cave, and slept 
 
LIFE IN DEATH. 49 
 
 till the crimson dawn began to break. He 
 rose and worshiped, and immediately climbed 
 the hill to look around. Beneath him was a 
 valley, whence the blue mists were rolling 
 away. Around him were hills, some rocky, 
 others green and fair ; for the verdure was 
 renewed by the dews of the night. On the 
 side of one eminence was a grove, where pines 
 waved their dark boughs in the ruddy light, 
 where wild olives spread forth their leafy 
 branches, and the pomegranate hung forth its 
 rich fruits. Thither Sadoc hastened, and while 
 he made for himself a path among the shrubs, 
 their freshness and odour were pleasant to 
 him. There was, in the midst, an open space, 
 where a spring watered the grass. The rose 
 of Jericho flourished here, and the wild bees 
 hummed around the stem on which flickered 
 the beams and shadows of the morning. 
 
 Hither had the Prophet retired. Above him 
 spread a terebinth of a thousand years : around 
 his feet clustered the field lilies, which spring 
 and fade in a day. Beholding Sadoc, he 
 stretched forth his arm to invite him to draw 
 nigh. The son of Imri bowed himself, saying, 
 
 " The spirit of thy servant is sunk within 
 
 D 
 
60 LIFE IN DEATH. 
 
 him, for he knoweth not whether, in death, he 
 shall live again. Our life fadeth even as these 
 flowers. Shall the spirit of the man who 
 planted this tree abide when it hath fallen, 
 and stand for ever in the Paradise of God ?" 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 The last day of the feast of Tabernacles 
 drew to a close. At the ninth hour, the even- 
 ing sacrifice had been offered, while the courts 
 of the temple were filled with the multitude 
 of worshipers who had assembled to keep holy- 
 day. Those courts, ever beautiful, now ap- 
 peared to the eye in unwonted beauty. Ver- 
 dure waved from the walls, and branches of 
 myrtle, palm, and pomegranate, overshadowed 
 the throng beneath. The golden vine which 
 surmounted the entrance of the sanctuary, 
 glittered in the slanting rays of the sun, while 
 the curling smoke of the censer yet wreathed 
 around the holy place, and issued forth, in an 
 odorous cloud, through the parted curtains 
 which overhung the sacred threshold. While 
 the eyes of some sought the holiest entrance, 
 which no foot must pass save that of the 
 
 D 2 
 
62 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 High Priest when he made intercession for 
 the sins of the people, others gazed on the 
 remains of the sacrifice which yet hallowed 
 the altar, and on the priests who were ranged 
 on its sloping ascent, each hearing the sacred 
 vessel of which he had the charge. A burst 
 of harmony startled the throng, and sent a 
 thrill of rapture through every frame. Loud 
 and louder it pealed, till every echo of the lofty 
 pile was awakened, and the music seemed to 
 pervade the space, as if it were embodied in 
 the perfume of the censer. All eyes were 
 turned towards the Water-gate, every cheek 
 was flushed, every voice was stilled, while the 
 harmony gradually softened, and at length the 
 silver trumpets alone were heard to make 
 sweet melody. The folding doors of the Wa- 
 ter-gate were flung apart, and the priest ap- 
 peared who had descended to the stream of 
 Siloah which waters the foot of Moriah. There 
 he had filled his golden ewer, in remembrance 
 of the gift of water to the thirsting followers 
 of Moses, and in sign of thankfulness for the 
 early and latter rains, and now offered the 
 pure produce of the spring to be mingled with 
 the wine of sacrifice. The music ceased for a 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 53 
 
 moment, while the voice of the priest declared, 
 " With joy we draw water from the wells of 
 salvation," and while the multitude echoed 
 his words with a shout of rejoicing. Another 
 burst of music succeeded, which almost drown- 
 ed the chaunting of the Levites. When it 
 had once more sunk into silence, the High 
 Priest appeared on the summit of the ascent, 
 clothed in the pontifical garments, and spread 
 forth his hands to bless the people, while they 
 bowed their faces to the ground. 
 
 The service of the temple was now over; 
 but ere the hum of voices and the trampling 
 of feet was heard, as the multitude departed 
 to their tabernacles, a single voice arose, in- 
 viting such as thirsted to drink of living wa- 
 ters, purer than ever gushed from the spring 
 of Siloah. 
 
 Until now, one spirit had pervaded the 
 place and stirred up all hearts. The multi- 
 tude had been as one man in the pride of hav- 
 ing Abraham for their common father, in the 
 hope that a son of David would arise as their 
 Messiah, and in the glory of worshiping ac- 
 cording to the law of Moses. But when this 
 voice was uplifted, the spirit of peace fled 
 
54 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 away. Yet it was a voice of gentleness and 
 love ; a voice so unlike that of the scribes in 
 their teachings, that many who had before felt 
 it sink down into their hearts, breathed forth, 
 while they bowed the head, " of a truth this 
 is the Prophet." Still there were hearts which 
 those accents could not reach. Busy whis- 
 pers, angry murmurs, were heard. In the 
 presence of Jehovah, was his messenger 
 scorned. While music and incense yet hung 
 around the sacred walls, evil passions were 
 aroused against the Lord's Anointed. 
 
 The throng thickened around him as he 
 spake, though the scribes uplifted their voices 
 in the courts, inviting the people to hear the 
 law expounded. They sat down in the high 
 places, and unrolled the records of the law ; 
 but no man came unto them. The Levites 
 stood on the fifteen steps and sang psalms ; 
 but no one regarded. The elders of the peo- 
 ple, and some members of the Sanhedrim, re- 
 paired to the Court of the Women with torches 
 in their hands, and performed sacred dances, 
 as was their wont at the times of the feasts ; 
 but none gazed save the women who filled 
 the galleries above. At length, the expound- 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 55 
 
 ers of the law returned their scrolls to the 
 attendants, and went out, one by one, grieved 
 at their hearts that a teacher had arisen 
 mightier than themselves ; the Levites ceased 
 their songs, and retired to the inner courts ; 
 and the members of the council withdrew to 
 consult how they might destroy the false pro- 
 phet whom they now left with the multitude. 
 
 Yet not governing the multitude did they 
 leave him. There were many who heard him 
 not : many who despised, many who rejected 
 him. His brethren stood apart with other 
 Galileans, and some who were of Jerusalem. 
 
 " Wherefore," said one, " did this prophet, 
 thy brother, not teach on the first day of the 
 feast ? Our people were gathered together 
 even as now, and were not afterwards dis- 
 persed as they shall be this night. If his 
 words are worthy to be received, wherefore 
 should they not have sanctified the rites of the 
 temple, as the prophets of Jehovah hallowed 
 the worship of old ?" 
 
 " Ask not of us,'' said his brethren, " for 
 we' know not. Neither call him one of us, 
 for we are not with him in this matter.'* 
 
 " What did ye on the way ? Men say that 
 
56 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 it is his custom to teach as he journeys : did 
 ye gainsay his words ?" 
 
 " He journeyed not with us, and herein, we 
 judge, hath he proved himself false. We be- 
 sought him to shew his doctrine to the world, 
 if, as he saith, he is come to save the world. 
 But he said he went not up yet to the feast, 
 because his time was not fully come." 
 
 " And would he have hindered others also ?'* 
 
 " Nay ; for he said our time was always 
 ready. He also went forth with us, and dis- 
 coursed concerning our abode at Jerusalem : 
 and when we turned aside from Jordan, he 
 saluted us and tarried alone on its banks till 
 we had lost sight of him. And now, behold 
 him here !" 
 
 " Who hath told him that his hour is fully 
 come ?" 
 
 " Again we say we know not. Ask him- 
 self." 
 
 " Knowest thou not," said a priest unto 
 one who asked him concerning Jesus — "know- 
 est thou not that the Messiah shall suddenly 
 come into his temple ; not as a worshiper, 
 like this man, but with the manifest glory of 
 Jehovah ? Often, when the temple-gates were 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 closed, have I sought to know whether a spirit 
 from on high was shut in among us. Often, 
 when I have heard the footsteps of the guard, 
 or their cry of ' All is peace,' in the night 
 watches, I have listened for an answering 
 voice from the depths of the sanctuary. When 
 I have asked, ' Is it light towards Hebron ?' 
 I have watched for a heavenly messenger de- 
 scending on the roof of the temple with the 
 first beam of the morning. My dreams are 
 often of the Holiest place, which mine eye 
 hath not seen, and where my foot may never 
 enter; and there hath my spirit beheld one 
 descending from above in the glory of Jeho- 
 vah, and issuing from the portal even as t!ie 
 morning sun from behind his curtain of clouds 
 in the east. But of this man, no one knoweth 
 when first he entered the temple. The Mes- 
 siah Cometh not thus." 
 
 " Yet the day of the Lord is surely at 
 hand." 
 
 " I verily believe it ; and though mine eyes 
 wax dim, I yet trust to see the light which 
 conieth to them that sit in darkness." 
 
 ** x\t least, draw nigh with me and hearken 
 d3 
 
58 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 to the words of the Teacher, lest thou lose 
 that for which thou hast waited so long." 
 
 " May the wrath of Jehovah be upon me if 
 I give ear unto the blasphemer who taketh his 
 name in vain 1" cried the priest, as he hast- 
 ened away. His companion turned towards 
 the voice which still spake, sometimes with 
 authority declaring high truths, and sometimes 
 answering the questions of those who stood 
 around. 
 
 At the feet of Jesus sat Paltiel, who drank 
 of the waters of life as if his soul thirsted with 
 a thirst which could not be quenched. On 
 the shoulder of Paltiel leaned Sadoc, his friend. 
 Sadoc had come up to the feast with a long- 
 ing desire to see again the hope of Israel. 
 From the gates of Capernaum to the foot of 
 Sion, he had looked around for the form which 
 was sacred in his eyes ; but he beheld it not 
 during his journey. He had sought Jesus in 
 the temple, in the city, and among the taber- 
 nacles, and sought in vain, till, as he bowed 
 beneath the blessing of the High Priest, the 
 voice he loved had touched his soul. Now, as 
 the eye of the Prophet rested on him, he stra- 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 59 
 
 dily met that gaze ; and as words fraught with 
 deep and holy meaning fell upon his ear, he 
 was not satisfied with hearing, but sought to 
 understand. 
 
 Intent to listen, he heeded not the confusion 
 of moving feet, nor the murmur of many 
 tongues, nor did he mark that some had en-f 
 tered from whom every one drew apart. But 
 when the glance of the Teacher passed from 
 him to some who stood behind, and when the 
 discourse was changed and the Prophet darkly 
 said unto certain of the throng, that his hour 
 was not yet come, Sadoc turned and saw with 
 sorrow and shame that men sent by the rulers 
 were about to lay hands on the Holy One. He 
 flung aside his robe, and prepared himself to 
 resist. Paltiel also sprang upon his feet ; but 
 once again they met the eye of the Prophet as 
 he repeated that his hour was not yet come. 
 They believed and paused. The servants of 
 the rulers paused also. They hearkened 
 awhile, loosening hold of their staves. Sadoc 
 also was again intent 5 and when the Teacher 
 ceased after the evening shades had fallen, his 
 disciples saw that none were near but such us 
 bowed themselves before him. If there were 
 
60 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 adversaries, they had departed; and if the 
 hour of impious violence was indeed to come, 
 it was not when the finger of silence hushed 
 the multitude within the sanctuary. 
 
 When the Teacher had gone forth to the 
 Mount of Olives to repose himself in a taber- 
 nacle of a vineyard, the people dispersed them- 
 selves through the city, and none but the 
 priests remained in the temple. 
 
 Sadoc and Paltiel went out with Ozias, at 
 whose habitation they abode ; and Phares, the 
 son of Ozias, was with them also. They were 
 thoughtful and mute, till they reached the 
 tabernacle on the roof of the dwelling of Ozias. 
 As they entered, the women of the household 
 met them, and invited them to sit down and 
 eat the last repast which should be spread in 
 the tabernacle. The feast was rich, and the 
 tabernacle was yet fair 5 the citrons hanging 
 among the leafy boughs, and the carpets being 
 bestrewn with flowers ; yet was not the com- 
 pany mirthful. Songs of joy, and voices of 
 mirth, were brought to their ears by the night 
 breeze which passed over the bowers of the 
 city ; but in the tabernacle of Ozias, these 
 sounds found no echo. There was no sorrow. 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 61 
 
 for who would dare to mourn on the gayest 
 day of the most joyful of the feasts ? But 
 deep thoughts were working in the bosoms of 
 those who had even now left the temple, and 
 the women were silent when they knew what 
 was in the hearts of their friends. The last 
 cup of wine was blessed by Ozias, and drunk 
 in silence with deep joy ; and when the com- 
 pan}^ had arisen to receive the benediction of 
 their host, Sadoc prayed in spirit that ere they 
 should again be assembled beneath a roof of 
 boughs, the people of Jehovah should have 
 become children of his new kingdom ; and he 
 trusted that at the next feast of joy, a loftier 
 song of thanksgiving should arise from the holy 
 city, and the Messiah be enthroned in the 
 midst, instead of reposing, as now, in a vine- 
 yard on the Mount of Olives. While thus 
 dreaming of the future, he plucked from the 
 wall of the tabernacle a tuft of the pomegranate, 
 which he hid in his bosom as a memorial of 
 the most blessed feast which he had yet at- 
 tended. 
 
 The company left the tabernacle to enter it 
 no more; and, as they stood beneath the stars, 
 they looked around on the scene of festivity. 
 
62 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 Lamps were in every tabernacle. They shone 
 brightly amid the bowers on the neighbouring 
 housetops ; they sent up their mingled radi- 
 ance from the streets and porches, and glim- 
 mered on the mount of Olives and the neigh- 
 bouring hills. As the night breeze blew chill, 
 the lights were one by one extinguished. The 
 women, the children and aged persons, with- 
 drew to their couches, and the murmurs of the 
 city sank into silence. The lights of heaven 
 seemed to glow more brightly as the darkness 
 drew over the earth. By midnight the lamp of 
 Ozias was alone left burning. On his roof 
 there were watchers who held discourse while 
 others slept. Their voices were soft, so that 
 the ripplings of Kedron were heard from be- 
 neath, while the yellow light from the deserted 
 bower, gleaming on their thoughtful brows and 
 moving lips, shewed that their communion 
 was of the deep and lofty things which can 
 best be spoken at dead of the night. 
 
 " It is said," declared Ozias, " that he pre- 
 pareth himself for enmity on the part of the 
 people as well as their rulers. 1 fear, Sadoc, 
 lest he should not be enthroned in the midst 
 of our tabernacles, as thou dreamest.'' 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 63 
 
 " That his doctrine will be gainsaid and 
 himself persecuted, I fully believe," replied 
 Sadoc ; " for when hath Israel received gladly 
 a prophet from on high ? But Jehovah shall 
 surely establish his truth by this his greatest 
 messenger." 
 
 *^ Truly, we are a rebellious people," said 
 Paltiel. " When I think how Moses was 
 troubled in spirit all the days of his life, how 
 Elijah hungered in the desert, how Isaiah was 
 tortured in body, and Jeremiah mourned in his 
 heart, I weep and take up the words of lamen- 
 tation, because Jerusalem hath grievously sin- 
 ned. I cannot but fear lest the wrath of Jeho- 
 vah should visit us to avenge his holy one." 
 
 " Yet herein is his tender mercy shewn," 
 said Phares, " that he hath sent unto us one so 
 great." 
 
 '' But what saith he if we receive him not ? 
 * Behold, I am against thee, O thou most 
 proud, saith the Lord God of Hosts.' If he be 
 against us, who shall save us ?" 
 
 " But the people may yet believe and be 
 saved," said Sadoc. " No man yet layeth 
 hands on him, though the Pharisees seek to 
 destroy him. He is mightier than other pro- 
 
64 SONGS OP PRAISE. 
 
 I 
 
 phets, and all hearts may be subdued before 
 him." 
 
 " Nay, my friend/' replied Paltiel, " the 
 hearts of our people are as a stony soil ; the 
 words of wisdom are to them as a stream 
 which floweth on and passeth away, and 
 leaveth them as barren as before. Our rulers 
 have ever been the destroyers of the prophets, 
 and Zion is their sepulchre. When they have 
 lifted up their voices, the people have mocked ; 
 when they have wrought wonders, the spirit 
 which is upon them hath been despised ; when 
 they have hungered, no man hath ministered 
 unto them ; when they have mourned, none 
 hath regarded. If a man is holy, he is de- 
 spised ; if he offereth life, he findeth death ; if 
 he seeketh to bless the people, he is stoned by 
 their hands. Thus it hath been, and thus it 
 shall be, with this nation." 
 
 " Nay, Paltiel," said his friend, " now thou 
 speakest too much evil of thy people. Re- 
 memberest thou not that Jehovah hath part 
 W'ith us in this matter ; hath he not promised, 
 and is not his promise sure ?" 
 
 " As the pillars of the earth, and the sign 
 of the rainbow in the cloud. But the word of 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 6*5 
 
 Jesus is sure also, and he saith that Jerusalem, 
 the murderess of the prophets, shall lift up her 
 hand against him also." 
 
 Sadoc was silent, but Ozias asked, 
 
 " Saith he this in wrath or in calmness ?" 
 
 '* The Holy One knoweth not wrath,'* re- 
 plied Paltiel, solemnly. " In the calmness of 
 one who surely knows, but with the sorrow 
 of one who mourns, he hath declared that he 
 shall die by the hands of the people he came 
 to save. Mine ears have heard this from him ; 
 mine eyes shall be upon him, while he yet 
 liveth ; and when he is departed, my heart 
 shall be with him continually, while I pray for 
 mercy on this people." 
 
 " Rather pray for the outpouring of wrath,'* 
 cried Phares. 
 
 " The Teacher prayeth not so, and neither 
 will I,'* said Paltiel. " He mourneth not for 
 himself, but for us and for our children." 
 
 Paltiel stooped down, hiding his face in his 
 mantle, while all were silent. 
 
 " Then he feareth not to die," said Ozias, at 
 length. 
 
 " His love for his nation overcometh his 
 fear," replied Sadoc. 
 
66 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 " Who would fear to die in the cause of 
 Jehovah?" exclaimed Paltiel, proudly raising 
 himself, and looking round on his companions. 
 " Life is sweet, and it is a pleasant thing for 
 the eyes to behold the sun ; but the favour of 
 God is sweeter than life, and to gaze on his 
 glory is better than to stand in the sunshine 
 of noon. They are blessed who witness the 
 prosperity of Jerusalem, the peace of her dwel- 
 lings, and the pomp of her palaces ; but he is 
 also blessed who suffereth to redeem her. 
 Jesus mourneth not for himself, and I mourn 
 not for him, but for his followers, and yet 
 more for such as despise and reject him." 
 
 " Thy words are lofty, Paltiel," said Ozias ; 
 '' is thy courage also high ? Couldst thou also 
 die for the people ?" 
 
 '' Jehovah hath no such honour for one like 
 me," replied Paltiel, as he gazed towards the 
 pinnacles of the temple. " There he abideth ; 
 let his voice he heard calling me from his holy 
 place, and I will answer. On such as I, his 
 spirit is not poured forth, else would I uplift 
 my voice as the holy men of old, and none 
 should make me afraid. It cannot be that one 
 like myself should be needed to witness unto 
 
SONGS OP PRAISE. 67 
 
 death in his cause : else should my blood flow 
 at the foot of his altar as freely as the blood of 
 the evening sacrifice : the joy of my spirit 
 should overcome the pangs of the body, and 
 men should account the day of my death better 
 than the day of my birth." 
 
 He ceased, and none answered, for voices 
 were heard below, asking for him and Sadoc, 
 the son of Imri. Men were sent by the rulers 
 to bring them before the council, that they 
 might tell somewhat concerning Jesus of Na- 
 zareth. Ozias feared for them, but dared not 
 resist the orders of the Sanhedrim. Sadoc 
 arose without delay, and went down to the 
 gate. As Paltiel passed the entrance of the 
 tabernacle, a gleam from the dying lamp shone 
 on his countenance, and shewed that it was 
 also lighted by fire from within. 
 
 Ozias and his son followed the two friends 
 to the place where the council was sitting, 
 which was in one of the apartments of the 
 temple; but they were obliged to remain with- 
 out while Paltiel and Sadoc were led before the 
 rulers. The time wore away slowly, and when 
 the cock crew, and no one came forth from the 
 council-chamber, Ozias feared lest his guests 
 
68 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 should be indeed in peril. The guard had 
 finished their nightly round, the watchman had 
 announced the dawn, the temple gates vvere 
 thrown open, and the altar was prepared for 
 the sacrifice, before Paltiel and Sadoc were re- 
 leased. They spake lightly of their peril to 
 their anxious friends. They had done nothing 
 worthy of punishment, and the rulers could 
 only warn them not to follow Jesus of Naza- 
 reth. 
 
 "What will ye therefore do?" inquired 
 Ozias. 
 
 " That which we have done thus far," re- 
 plied Paltiel. *' We shall listen again, that we 
 may not do as Nicodemus saith the council 
 hath done, — ^judge a man without having heard 
 him." 
 
 " But if they should perceive that ye heed 
 not their warnings, — if ye should be brought 
 before the council again !" 
 
 " Then again will we declare whatsoever 
 we know of this Prophet ; and they shall 
 judge him and us. If they send us away as 
 now, all is well : if they inflict punishment on 
 us, all is well also, if our hearts condemn us 
 not." 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 69 
 
 " Behold !" cried Sadoc, " the Teacher en- 
 tereth the temple. Let us go and warn him 
 that spies are around him, and that many seek 
 to ensnare him in his words/' 
 
 *' He knoweth what is in men's hearts be- 
 fore their tongues declare it," answered Paltiel. 
 '^ He discerneth spirits by his wisdom, and he 
 hath power to save himself from the hands of 
 violent men. Nevertheless, we will go unto 
 him ; for where should the disciple be but at 
 the feet of his Lord ?" 
 
 At eventide, the Prophet reposed on the 
 Mount of Olives. His disciples were gathered 
 around him, and their talk was of the sanc- 
 tuary which arose before them, and which was 
 one day to be destroyed. The valley of Ke- 
 dron lay below them, and beyond arose the 
 hill Moriah, crowned with the buildings of the 
 temple. The wall of Solomon, whose height 
 was five hundred feet, seemed the bulwark of 
 an edifice which must endure for ever ; and as 
 the disciples gazed, they marvelled by what 
 power the mighty mass should be overthrown, 
 and whether the hand of man could so cast its 
 stones abroad that not one should rest upon 
 another. After a while, some one beheld a 
 
70 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 company moving along the valley at a distance. 
 They were at first scarcely discerned among 
 the willovrs which overhung the bed of the 
 torrent, and the cedars, whose long shadows 
 were cast over the pathway ; but it was soon 
 perceived that they were approaching the 
 mount. 
 
 " They are way-faring men," said one who 
 reclined by Sadoc's side. " There is dust on 
 their raiment, and they are shod as for a jour- 
 ney." 
 
 " I have seen such in the early part of the 
 day," said Phares, " approaching from Beth- 
 lehem ; and I marvelled that they turned aside 
 unto this valley." 
 
 " Other such I also beheld coming from 
 Gibeon, and yet more from the valley of Aja- 
 lon," said another disciple. *' I went down to 
 the gate of Ephraim to meet them, and seek 
 tidings from Gibeon : but the pilgrims came 
 not, and one told me they had skirted the city 
 unto the valley of Kedron. Who are they that 
 thus gather together from the north and from 
 the south ?" 
 
 While they thus spake, music arose on the 
 still air. The voices of the pilgrims were 
 
SONGS OF PRAISE. 71 
 
 heard from afar, mingling in a song of greet- 
 ing to Zion, and of praise to the King of the 
 Holy City. The song swelled into a shout of 
 triumph as they drew nearer ; but when they 
 beheld the company on the mount, and him who 
 sat in the midst, the chorus sank into silence, 
 and every head was bowed in obeisance. 
 
 Sadoc glanced over their numbers, and then 
 looked upon the countenance of Jesus, and 
 immediately knew that the seventy disciples 
 had returned from bearing glad tidings unto 
 the cities of Israel. At the voice of the 
 Teacher they upraised themselves, and when 
 he smiled they pressed forwards to the place 
 where he was. 
 
 A tale of joy was on every tongue, a bless- 
 ing swelled in every heart on that name which 
 had given them power. One, of a mighty 
 frame, like the giants of old, had trod on scor- 
 pions, and returned unharmed. One, meek 
 in countenance and frail in form, had gone 
 forth as among wolves, with trembling; but 
 now approached gladly, as a lamb that seeketh 
 the fold at night-fall. Some told how a great 
 city had received the tidings of salvation, and 
 how the wayfarer in the wilderness had heark- 
 
72 SONGS OF PRAISE. 
 
 ened and been converted. One from whom a 
 demon had been cast out, sank down at the 
 feet of Jesus, having followed even thus far 
 the disciple who had restored him. When all 
 had told how sin and sorrow had fled before 
 their steps, and how the spirit of the Lord 
 had wrought through them in all the land, the 
 Teacher uplifted his voice to give to Jehovah 
 the glory and the praise. 
 
 Then the psalm of thanksgiving burst forth 
 once again, as the full moon shone on the 
 mountain side. It was heard afar into the 
 desert. The robbers who were coming forth 
 to despoil the traveller, slunk back into their 
 caves. The wild ass, while snuffing the night 
 air, heard and turned to the sound. The stork 
 fluttered among the cedar boughs, and the 
 eagle flapped her wings over her nest in the 
 high rock. The temple guard paused as they 
 patrolled the walls, to listen to a holier song 
 than Levites ever uttered. Sweet had been 
 the melody of voices in the courts of the sanc- 
 tuary, in honour of the God of the Hebrews ; 
 but now, within a loftier temple, lighted by the 
 fires of the firmament, arose a richer harmony 
 to glorify Jehovah, the Lord of all the earth. 
 
THE 
 
 AVILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 On a sandy plain in the desert of Ziph, 
 were huts scattered, wherein dwelt lepers who 
 had been driven from Jericho and from He- 
 bron. To these lepers, life seemed no longer 
 to be desired, for weariness of body and sor- 
 row of heart were their portion. 
 
 Two among them, Jotham who once dwelt 
 in Mamre, and Philip of Jericho, lay on the 
 ground within the hut, and spake mournfully 
 one to the other, while the wintry blast chilled 
 their aching limbs, and groans from without 
 mingled with the sighing of the winds. 
 
 " Blaspheme not, my brother !" said Philip. 
 " We have received good at the hand of the 
 Lord, and shall we not also receive evil ?'* 
 
 ^* Am I thy brother ?" cried Jotham. " I 
 am brother to no man. I am cut off as if the 
 
74 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 sepulchre had closed over me. Would it were 
 even so !" 
 
 " Alas ! we are brethren," replied Philip : 
 " our lot is cast in the same place, and the 
 days of our years must we fulfil in like sorrow 
 of spirit. But we will endure, even as Job 
 laid his finger on his lips and bowed himself." 
 
 " The latter end of Job was greater than 
 the beginning," replied Jotham, " and the 
 Lord recompensed unto him for all that he 
 had borne. With us, shall it not be so. Our 
 bones and our flesh decay as if we were al- 
 ready dead, and there is no hand that can heal 
 us. Therefore mourn I that I have lived, and 
 sigh for the day of my death." 
 
 " Let us rather give thanks for the peace of 
 former days." 
 
 " Thou canst do thus, Philip, because thy 
 spirit is not sunk as mine. Thou earnest 
 forth but of late ; I have lingered here too 
 long. The voices of glad spirits are yet in 
 thine ear ; but to me they are as a dream ; 
 and the dark thoughts of my heart are alone 
 with me in the night seasons. Thou canst 
 meditate on the teachings of the synagogue, 
 though thy foot shall not again pass the 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. /S 
 
 threshold, and delight thyself in the feasts of 
 our nation, though thou shalt go up to Zion 
 no more. But from my memory the wisdom 
 of the scribes hath departed ; and as for re- 
 joicing, 1 know no longer what it is. Only 
 when the sun glares on the sandy plain, I re- 
 member the citron-groves of Mamre. The 
 voice of the reapers also among the corn, and 
 the mirth of children while the olives are 
 shaken into the lap, come back unto me when 
 the blast sweeps over us, as now." 
 
 He gathered his mantle round him as he 
 trembled with the cold, Philip's frame was 
 also shaken as he watered the ground with 
 tears. Jotham had grieved his spirit ; yet he 
 reproached him not. 
 
 " If our limbs were strong to toil," said 
 Jotham, after a while, " if our own hands 
 could till the ground and gather food till we 
 die, we might endure with a greater patience. 
 Then no man should approach, and none should 
 scorn or fear us. The eagle and the pelican 
 alone should look upon us while we live, and 
 none but the raven and the jackal should 
 know where our bones are stretched on the 
 earth. But our strength departeth in the day 
 e2 
 
76 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 of youth. No leper diggeth the ground, or 
 scattereth seed. What other hands give us, 
 we eat ; if they withhold, we die. When 
 they scorn us, we cannot avenge ourselves ; if 
 they flee, we may not pursue. When they 
 with whom we once abode draw nigh, we must 
 retire. When they behold our vessels emptj', 
 they sigh ; when the food they bring is not 
 consumed, they rejoice that we are dead." 
 
 " Nay, my brother !" said Philip, " afflict 
 not thus thyself and me. Well I know that 
 we shall rejoice no more in the seeing of the 
 eye, and the hearing of the ear ; yet I have 
 hope ; for I verily believe that there is a pa- 
 radise beyond the sepulchre where we shall 
 be gathered under the tree of life with Abra- 
 ham our father, and with our brethren of 
 Israel." 
 
 «^ Let thy faith sustain thee even now then, 
 while the tempest beateth on our dwellings,'* 
 said Jotham. " The time was when 1 battled 
 with the storm, and gazed into the firmament 
 for the lightning. But now fear hath seized 
 me, though I desire to die ; and when the 
 mutterings of the earth and sky are heard, my 
 spirit melteth in me." 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. // 
 
 While he yet spake, clouds of sand were 
 raised around the huts of the lepers. Thun- 
 ders burst over head, and hail rattled as if the 
 armies of heaven made war against the wretch- 
 ed few who abode in the desert. Philip and 
 Jotham kept silence, for one was in terror and 
 the other prayed. At length one who was 
 also a leper entered with haste, and said that a 
 wayfarer who had been warned from their 
 abode, yet persisted to approach. 
 
 " He is a stranger in the land,'' said Philip, 
 as he rose to go forth. " He knoweth not 
 wherefore we dwell apart, and seeketh shelter 
 from the storm. I will warn him yet again, 
 that the joy of his life be not periled by us." 
 
 Jotham would fain have restrained him, for 
 he yearned to behold once again the face of 
 one who mingled among men, and could bring 
 tidings of any who yet rejoiced in the light of 
 the sun ; but Philip went forth and cried with 
 a strong voice in the blast. The words " Un- 
 clean ! Unclean !" were heard by all the un- 
 clean, and by the stranger also. He beheld how 
 the leper by his gestures forbade him to ap- 
 proach ; yet he turned not to depart, but 
 
78 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 smiled and beckoned with his hand as he made 
 greater speed. 
 
 The lepers crowded around him, when they 
 found it was his will to abide until sunrise. 
 He told them of the Prophet and his mighty- 
 works, and expounded unto them his doctrine ; 
 but he declared not that power had been given 
 unto himself. They all sought to know more 
 of the Saviour of Israel 5 and Philip, whose 
 heart was given unto the Scriptures, had faith, 
 and desired to learn of this great Teacher. 
 Jotham believed not 5 for unto him no tidings 
 were glad, and hope had left his heart long 
 before. 
 
 The night wore away while the disciple yet 
 opened unto them the gospel, and none were 
 weary. A new life seemed to grow within 
 them while they listened, and even Jotham 
 uplifted his head from off his breast when the 
 morning light beamed on the face of the 
 stranger. The lepers gazed also one on ano- 
 ther. Then was there great joy ; for all were 
 clean ! 
 
 Philip was still, as before ; but Jotham 
 walked to and fro in the dwelling, exulting in 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 79 
 
 the vigour of his limbs, and in the freedom 
 with which he breathed. 
 
 One who had been maimed surveyed him- 
 self, and beheld that he was whole. Another, 
 whose reason had become weak through mi- 
 sery, wondered in silence at the height and 
 depth of his own thoughts. The disciple stood 
 in the midst, and, as he looked around, he 
 wept. 
 
 At length Philip spake and said, " Behold ! 
 our youth is renewed like the eagle's. Let us 
 bless Him who hath healed our diseases, and 
 redeemed our life from destruction." 
 
 " I am not worthy to join in thy thanks- 
 giving," cried Jotham, " for I believed not 
 until now. I will pour out my shame apart, 
 and seek help unto mine unbelief." 
 
 '* Fear not," answered the disciple. " Thine 
 was the unbelief of a wounded spirit. Faith 
 came with thy joy, and thou art now as one of 
 us. Let thy praise mingle with ours." 
 
 When some came at even from a neighbour- 
 ing city, as was their wont, to supply meat and 
 drink unto the outcasts, they found the vessels 
 filled as they had left them at noon. They 
 
80 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 supposed that the lepers had perished in the 
 storm, and rejoiced. They listened for the 
 cry of the jackal, but they heard it not. They 
 looked whether the carrion-bird came from 
 afar; but there was no flapping of wings in 
 the air. 
 
 Meantime, they that had been lepers has- 
 tened on their way. When the roads parted, 
 one after another turned aside towards his 
 home ; and a cry of joy arose as each departed 
 to mingle again among his kindred. 
 
 Philip opened his heart unto the disciple as 
 he journeyed, and told him of a sorrow which 
 he had hidden until now. He had one son, a 
 young child, on whom he feared that the curse 
 of leprosy would light; and he besought the 
 disciple to free this child from the taint. 
 
 " Upon me be it visited again," he said, 
 " so that the child may be pure. Mine own 
 grief I bore willingly; but when I thought that 
 my son should one day abide where 1 abode, 
 and mourn as 1 mourned, my spirit groaned." 
 
 " I knew not of this,'^ said Jotham. " Where- 
 fore was it kept from me, for I would have 
 sorrowed with thee ?" 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 81 
 
 " It was between me and my God/' replied 
 Philip ; '• and I would not grieve thy heart 
 yet more than it was grieved already." 
 
 Jotham looked down abashed, for he remem- 
 bered that his complaint had been more bitter 
 than Philip's, though he had no wife from 
 whom he was parted, and none for whom to 
 fear but himself alone. Now, he could again 
 rejoice and weep with those who rejoiced and 
 wept ; and he was therefore glad when the 
 disciple promised to go unto Jericho, whither 
 Philip was hastening. 
 
 These three were the last of the company ; 
 and at length Jotham also departed, turning 
 aside towards Mamre. 
 
 The plain of Jericho, the garden of God, 
 appeared to Philip as paradise to Adam when 
 he first beheld, or as the land of promise to the 
 wanderers of the wilderness. He had, for 
 some months, seen no beauty in the forms of 
 nature save the desolate grandeur of rocks and 
 sandy plains. Now, the towers of Jericho 
 arose from amidst fertile fields. Forests of 
 palms and thickets of blossoming shrubs cloth- 
 ed the meadows, and Jordan rolled its full tide 
 between banks which were clothed with wil- 
 e3 
 
OiS THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 lows. Philip had not hoped ever again to 
 behold a silver stream, or to hear the lapse of 
 waters, or the cry of the quail in the corn- 
 fields, or the murmur of men from the gates of 
 a city. His eye surveyed the landscape, and 
 at length fixed on a distant point of the hori- 
 zon. The disciple, who watched him, inquired 
 wherefore he gazed so steadfastly. 
 
 "Seest thou the blue hill which rises afar ?" 
 replied Philip. " It is Nebo, whither Jehovah 
 led Moses to behold this land. To me it now 
 appears fairer than in times past, when I sor- 
 rowed that the prophet might not enter. Now 
 I also have abode in the desert, and to me this 
 is a land flowing with milk and honey." 
 
 " Was it on yonder space that our forefathers 
 encamped when Balak summoned Balaam to 
 curse them ?" inquired the disciple. 
 
 "It was. And there, behold where the 
 waters of Jordan parted, that the people of 
 Jehovah might pass over : and beyond is the 
 place where Elijah departed in glory. Our 
 city is sanctified for ever, because prophets of 
 the Lord have made it their abode." 
 
 While Philip spoke, he still hastened on- 
 wards. While his spirit drank in the beauty 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 83 
 
 and freshness which greeted every sense, it 
 thirsted for somewhat more. His eye sought 
 the roof beneath which his wife and his son 
 and his kindred were gathered : but the sun 
 was sinking behind the hills. His last rays 
 gilded their summits, and the towers alone of 
 the city rose above the grey shadow which 
 spread over the plain. 
 
 At the gate which they approached, some 
 men of the city were assembled, as was their 
 wont at eventide. On either side of the gate 
 were trees, and beneath the trees were seats, 
 whereon the old men sat to give counsel, and 
 the judges to award the law, and the young to 
 see how strangers came to and fro, and to hear 
 what tidings they brought. This night they 
 regarded not the strangers, for a disciple of 
 Jesus talked with them. The aged men leaned 
 each on his staff, and bent to hear : the youths 
 sat at his feet, and gazed upon his face, while 
 many questioned, one with another, concerning 
 the things which he said. Philip passed 
 through the midst and they saw him not. He 
 beheld there a friend of many years ; yet he 
 %vould not tarry, for his home was near. Not 
 so passed the disciple. He who taught in the 
 
84 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 gate beheld him, and came down from his seat, 
 and embraced him gladly, and blessed him in 
 the name of Christ : so that they who stood by 
 observed how great was the love of the dis- 
 ciples one to another. 
 
 They followed Philip, and saw afar off how 
 he bowed his head as he reached the gate of 
 his dwelling. The gate was not opened to his 
 knock, and many voices were heard from with- 
 in, as if the court was filled with the murmur 
 of tongues. When at length the master and 
 his guests were admitted, the kindred and 
 slaves who stood near uttered a cry of horror, 
 and fled from Philip as if to touch him were 
 death. " Unclean 1'* was their cry ; and it was 
 heard into the inner chambers. The lattices 
 which had been opened were instantly closed, 
 and signs of wrath and fear were made by 
 those who retreated behind the fountain. 
 Philip opened his lips to speak, but there was 
 no voice, for his soul was sick with hope de- 
 ferred, 'i'he disciple raised his hand, but ere 
 he could speak, the joyous shout of a child was 
 heard, and the young son of Philip burst from 
 the grasp of the slave who held him, and 
 sprang to his father's bosom. 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 85 
 
 " Thou, thou alone, my first-born, my bless- 
 ed one !" murmured Philip as he hid his face 
 in the bosom of his child — " Thou alone fearest 
 me not." Thus saying, he retired again within 
 the porch, for none might see how he wept 
 over his child. 
 
 Then the disciples told wherefore he had re- 
 turned, and all pressed forward with joy to 
 give him welcome ; but the disciples restrained 
 them, for they knew that Philip mourned be- 
 cause his wife came not forth to meet him. 
 While they yet inquired concerning her, a 
 woman came in haste from the inner chamber, 
 with joy in her countenance ; and she declared 
 that a daughter was born unto Philip. Then 
 the disciples knevv why the kindred were as- 
 sembled, and why the wife of Philip came not 
 out to meet him, and they told him these 
 things with joy. 
 
 When his new-born child was placed in his 
 bosom, and music resounded through the 
 dwelling, and a song of rejoicing was up- 
 lifted in the court, Philip was humbled in 
 spirit, marvelling that such an one as himself 
 should be crowned with loving kindness and 
 tender mercies. 
 
86 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 Life was now fair in his eyes to whom, of 
 late, its promise seemed blighted for ever. 
 His sojourn in the desert had been but for 
 half the year that was gone ; but he had be- 
 lieved that it would be till death, and therefore 
 had his days been as years. Now his heart 
 was glad with every rising sun; his spirit 
 was soothed each night when the stars came 
 forth. 
 
 When the disciples taught in the gate, he 
 also glorified God : when the people went up 
 to the synagogue, he entered with them to 
 keep holy day. He gave the name to his 
 new-born child, and blessed the cup at the 
 feast of kindred ; and when he retired to the 
 chamber of prayer, he knew that the wife of 
 his bosom was nigh at hand, that his children 
 slumbered near, and that worship was rising 
 like incense to mingle with his own, from 
 many who dwelt around. Above all, he 
 trusted to behold Zion once more. He waited 
 but the end of the days of purification, and 
 then with his wife he purposed to join a com- 
 pany of pilgrims who were going up to the 
 temple. There he trusted to behold the hope 
 of Israel. 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 8/ 
 
 The disciples departed from Jericho by night, 
 privately. Philip went with them on their 
 way, till the dawn broke over the hills of 
 Judah. When they had blessed him, trusting 
 to meet at Jerusalem at the Passover, he re- 
 turned homewards alone. He looked towards 
 the holy city, and remembered what was being 
 done in the temple ; how the breath of the 
 morning was fanning the flame on the altar, 
 and how the sacrifice was preparing whose 
 smoke would soon ascend into the clear hea- 
 ven. This day he was to set his face thither- 
 ward ; and it seemed to him that the morn- 
 ing arose in blessedness. The springing grain 
 was bright with dew. The early forest trees 
 put forth their shoots, and Jordan gleamed in 
 the crimson light of the east.— Philip sorrowed 
 to leave this place, even though his desire was 
 great to see Jerusalem. 
 
 The company to which he joined himself 
 was small. Some among them went to seek 
 the Prophet, but a few despised the supersti- 
 tion of their companions. As they entered 
 towns and villages, the inquiry ever was whe- 
 ther they believed in Jesus of Nazareth. In 
 every town and village were some who be- 
 
88 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 lieved, and with such did Philip and his wife 
 find an abode. With such did they commune 
 till the midnight watch, and exchange a greet- 
 ing as soon as the cock crew. They knew 
 not fatigue; and to love as brethren those 
 who believed was a refreshment to their souls. 
 There was a desert place in the way, where 
 there was no shelter of groves, or springing of 
 water. The pilgrims passed at early dawn, 
 purposing to rest during the heat of the day, 
 among a company of the Essenes who had 
 settled on a fruitful spot in the midst of the 
 desert. As they proceeded, they sang to be- 
 guile the way, and the caves of the rocks re- 
 sounded to the song. If the path was toil- 
 some, or the heats oppressive to the weak and 
 timid, they who were stronger comforted them, 
 saying, '^ Jehovah is thy guardian, thy shade 
 upon the right hand. The sun shall not smite 
 thee by day, nor the moon by night. Jehovah 
 preserveth thy going out and thy coming in, 
 from this time forth and for evermore." 
 
 At the fourth hour they arrived in sight of 
 the dwellings of the Essenes. They were 
 cottages placed beneath the spreading date- 
 trees, and surrounded by fertile fields. The 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 89 
 
 beauty of this Oasis was as striking as the 
 barrenness of the desert around its borders. 
 In the midst, a fountain of sweet water rose 
 beneath a rock, and lower down the waters 
 were collected in a cistern. At this cistern 
 stood one of the brotherhood, when the com- 
 pany of pilgrims approached. His white gar- 
 ment was girded about him, and his staff lay 
 by his side. He looked not around till the 
 travellers saluted him, and then his saluta- 
 tion was grave. He offered hospitality in like 
 manner, pointing out a space overshadowed 
 by trees where they might repose themselves 
 till the cool of the day. The company looked 
 upon him with awe, and silently disposed 
 themselves to rest beneath the shade. To 
 Philip all things were yet fair and new, and he 
 loved to look abroad on whatever met the eye, 
 and to hearken to all the voices of nature. 
 Therefore, when the lowing of oxen was heard 
 from the field, and men were seen guiding the 
 plough, and scattering seed into the furrows, 
 he left his wife reposing by the fountain, and 
 went forth into the glare of the sun to inquire 
 of the brotherhood concerning their customs, 
 and the end for which they separated them- 
 
90 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 selves from the world. Their words were 
 few, and they spoke gravely, though mildly, 
 Avhile pursuing their labours. Philip found 
 that though fruits abounded, and honey was 
 gathered from the hollow trees, and plenty 
 was spread over the fields, it was not for 
 themselves that the Essenes laboured to pro- 
 duce what was fair to the eye and pleasant to 
 the taste. Their food was bread and herbs, 
 and they drank only of the fountain. Their 
 toil was from the day-spring till sun-set, and 
 their sleep was shortened lest sloth should 
 overcome them. To minister to others they 
 rose up and toiled, and all that they sought 
 for themselves was liberty to meditate and 
 pray until they should become holy. 
 
 As Philip passed on from one to another, all 
 spoke in like manner, till he observed that one 
 afar off rested on his spade to gaze on the 
 stranger. Towards him Philip hastened, hop- 
 ing that he would communicate more freely 
 than his brethren. 
 
 It was Jotham of Mamre. 
 
 "My brother!" cried Philip, "wherefore 
 hast thou departed from Mamre ? I believed 
 that its groves had been as paradise unto thee." 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 91 
 
 "They were so in former years/' replied 
 Jotham, who yet hung on the embrace of Phi- 
 lip, as if his heart yearned towards him ; " but 
 now, all is changed. They whom I loved are 
 dead, or are gone I know not whither. Men 
 looked strange on me when I met them in the 
 gate ; and when I passed into the vineyards, 
 the vine-dressers ceased not their song, nor 
 regarded me. The aged men looked askance 
 on me as I sat among them under the fig-tree, 
 and with the young men who wrestled and 
 hunted I had nothing to do. I sought out one 
 who had been an old man in the days of my 
 youth; he still lived; but his memory had 
 departed from him, and he looked on me 
 strangely, and shook his head when I spake of 
 former days. One other whom I had loved, hath 
 had his heart hardened by riches : and seeing 
 that I had nothing, and was without friends, 
 he burnt perfume before me as soon as I had 
 entered, that 1 might immediately depart. I 
 did depart that very hour, and I will return to 
 Mamre no more.'^ 
 
 " Wherefore camest thou not unto Jerusa- 
 lem ?'' 
 
92 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 ^' Thither I went to offer my gift of purifi- 
 cation, and when I greeted the city from the 
 Mount of Olives, my spirit was once more 
 glad. But within, all was desolate — yea, amidst 
 crowds. I was alone where all other men were 
 as brethren, and the worship itself seemed 
 changed, because none worshiped with me. 
 Therefore 1 came hither, and here I shall be 
 in peace, for I am even as others. If I am 
 alone, at least I see no man lying in the bo- 
 som of another. — With thee all is well, for a 
 light is in thine eye, and gladness in thy step. 
 May Jehovah prosper thee, and maintain peace 
 within thy dwelling 1" 
 
 " But the new law, my brother !'* said Phi- 
 lip. " Dost thou not follow it ?" 
 
 " 1 believe in the prophet Jesus, and I pur- 
 pose to obey his teachings." 
 
 " In this place?" 
 
 " Wherefore not ? Doth he forbid to toil, 
 to deny ourselves, to do good, to minister to 
 the sick, to meditate, to commune with Jeho- 
 vah all the day long ?" 
 
 " Nay, but his disciples go forth into the 
 world to teach his doctrine." 
 
THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 93 
 
 " To some it is given to teach, but not unto 
 me. It is sufficient tliat my hands toil, and 
 my heart giveth thanks.'* 
 
 " Though thou art lonely, thou givest 
 thanks ?" 
 
 " Yea ; for my loneliness is not as the soli- 
 tude of the desert. My limbs are strong, and 
 my spirit at peace. The water sparkles be- 
 neath the rock, and the murmur of bees is 
 heard in the still noon. There is fragrance in 
 the air, and the voice of prayer is as music to 
 mine ear. My soul is filled with good.'* 
 
 Philip told how blessing abounded also unto 
 himself, and would have led him where the 
 pilgrims ate their noontide meal in the shade ; 
 but Jotham replied, 
 
 " Not so, my brother ! for I mingle not 
 with men, save to tend the sick. Go thou, 
 and when thou thinkest on me, let it be with 
 peace. Unto thee Zion shall be glorious, for 
 thou rejoicest with thy people. Unto thee the 
 sacrifice shall be joyful, for the wife of thy 
 bosom sacrificeth with thee. Unto thy soul 
 the music of the Levites shall be sweet, for 
 the echoes of the temple shall send back fami- 
 liar voices upon thine ear. I, too, will rejoice; 
 
94 THE WILDERNESS GLADDENED. 
 
 1 also will worship : but my rejoicing is that a 
 well-spring of life hath burst forth iu the de- 
 sert. The fragrance of the morning shall be 
 the incense of my sacrifice ; and as the mur- 
 mur of waters in the caves of the sea, shall 
 praise be everlasting in the depths of my 
 spirit." 
 
BEHOLD THY SON! 
 
 " Mourn, O thou most desolate I for there is 
 no sorrow like unto thine. Yet when thou 
 weepest, let my tears mingle with thine. Send 
 me not from thee, for shall not the son speak 
 comfort unto his mother ? My hand shall up- 
 hold thine age, and lay thee in the sepulchre of 
 thy fathers.'' 
 
 " Call me not mother. As a mother, I was 
 blessed among women : as a mother, I shall 
 rejoice no more." 
 
 "Nay; but remember who sanctified me 
 unto thee as a son, saying, ' Behold thy mo- 
 ther !' — And herein shall we yet have comfort. 
 Now, thy soul is wrung with grief, and I also 
 fear to meet men lest the bitterness of my spi- 
 rit should break forth. But this bitterness 
 shall pass away : and then will we speak of the 
 things wherein we have rejoiced. In the 
 
96 BEHOLD THY SON! 
 
 night-watches will we ponder his words : in 
 the temple we will look on those whom he 
 hath healed and taught : and beneath the palms 
 will we sit and gaze upon his sepulchre." 
 
 " In the temple will I appear no more, lest 
 I hear him in whom I have gloried scoffed at, 
 and his cross derided. Here will I sit in dark- 
 ness, till death shall hide me. Yet here ni)^ 
 sorrow is greater than I can bear." 
 
 So spake Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she 
 lay on a couch in an inner apartment, where 
 none came unto her but John, who was as 
 her son. She hid her face in her robe as she 
 spake, for unto none could she lift up those 
 eyes which were swollen with weeping; and 
 not even John might behold in her face her 
 struggles with despair. Until now, no word 
 had passed her lips since the hour when she 
 left the foot of the cross. The sabbath had 
 passed, and she knew it not ; and now, when 
 the first day of the week had dawned, her 
 eyes were yet sleepless, and her troubled spirit 
 found no peace. Yet he who sat at her feet 
 was cheered because her grief found words, 
 and he trusted that the hour of rest was at 
 hand. 
 
BEHOLD THY SON ! 97 
 
 " Thou art as a wandering bird cast out of 
 the nest," he said. "Thou canst find no shel- 
 ter, and thy spirit fluttereth on the earth. But 
 no foot shall trample on thee 3 for have I not 
 taken thee unto my bosom ? There I will 
 cherish thee, and thou shalt be at rest." 
 
 " There, if ever," replied Mary : " for none 
 knoweth as thou how great cause I had for 
 hope and for glory. Call me not proud that I 
 glory even now ; and, O my son ! marvel not 
 that I ask if there is yet hope. Of none but 
 thee do I ask ; but, — rememberest thou certain 
 of his words which none could understand?'* 
 
 She raised herself on the couch, but again 
 sank down when the disciple sighed, saying, 
 
 "Alas i what hope?" 
 
 " I know not. Well I know that his sepul- 
 chre is sealed, and that we shall behold him no 
 more ; but in his name may not glory arise to 
 our nation ? I would still my grief, if our peo- 
 ple rejoiced through him; I would go into the 
 synagogue and the temple to hear men give 
 thanks unto Jehovah concerning him," 
 
 " His works live after him," replied John, 
 " and the remembrance of them shall never 
 die ; but he is with our fathers. He shall no 
 
 F 
 
9S BEHOLD THY SON ! 
 
 more come to us, but when we depart, we shall 
 see his glory, even as we trusted to behold it 
 here. He went not, like Elijah, in a chariot of 
 fire ; but did not angels bear away his spirit, 
 when the darkness vanished at the ninth 
 hour, even as the shadows flee on the wings of 
 the morning ? We know not. — And is he not 
 a chief among the spirits of the dead, a being 
 above the beings of the earth ? Is not Hades 
 moved before him to honour him ? Do not 
 the ancient princes of our nation even now 
 bow unto him ? Doth not Elijah go before 
 him, and David rejoice to behold him, and 
 Abraham make a place for him more exalted 
 than his own ? There shalt thou glory in thy 
 beloved one, and see that he is a greater pro- 
 phet than Jonas, wiser than Solomon, and 
 holier than our Father Abraham." 
 
 " Would that he himself could return but 
 for one hour, and tell me of these things !" 
 said Mary. " Thou hast seen him like unto 
 a spirit, treading the waters in a storm ; thou 
 hast beheld him clothed in light brighter than 
 the sun at noon- day ; thou hast heard a voice 
 from the firmament like unto thunder. O that 
 such a voice would speak to mine ears of him, 
 
BEHOLD THY SON ! 99i 
 
 that such a light would come to me in the 
 night-seasons!" 
 
 While she spake, some one who sought the 
 disciple was heard calling him. John arose 
 and went out, and Mary, whose spirit was 
 now soothed, sank down to sleep. 
 
 Her sleep was calm, and it was midday ere 
 she was awakened by some one whispering her 
 name. She unclosed her eyes. The beloved 
 disciple kneeled beside her couch, and lo ! his 
 countenance was radiant with joy, as if a light 
 from heaven shined upon it. 
 
 "Is there joy for thee and me?" she 
 cried. 
 
 He answered not, but pointed where one 
 stood, who gazed upon them with a smile such 
 as mortal eyes had never yet seen. 
 
 When Mary saw that it was Jesus, she be- 
 lieved that her sleep had been the sleep of 
 death, and that the Holy One was about to 
 lead her to the throne of Jehovah. Her bur- 
 den of grief was cast away, and she felt as a 
 spirit, while she looked for light which a spirit 
 alone can behold, and hearkened for that voice 
 which none but a spirit can hear and live. 
 
 F 2 
 
100 BEHOLD THY SON ! 
 
 Pilate, the Roman governor, held his tribu- 
 nal in the court of his palace on the first day 
 of the week, after Jesus had been crucified. 
 As he sat on the judgment- seat, his counte- 
 nance was troubled, and he looked weary like 
 one who had not slept. His guard surrounded 
 him, and the multitude applauded his judg- 
 ments ^ but his thoughts were not fixed on 
 the things which he saw and spoke. While 
 he conferred with some who sat near, whose 
 counsel he needed, his wandering eye per- 
 ceived that a messenger had entered the court, 
 and was speaking with one of the soldiers. 
 Pilate instantly beckoned to the man to ap- 
 proach, and bent to listen to the tidings 
 he brought. On hearing them the governor 
 started as if a sudden pang had shot through 
 him, and rose to depart, declaring his will that 
 the assembly should disperse. He retired to 
 an apartment of his palace, where he examined 
 him who had said that the body of Jesus had 
 disappeared from the sepulchre. Orders were 
 sent for the guard who had watched beside it 
 to repair to the palace without delay ; and till 
 they, could arrive, the governor paced to and 
 fro in his hall, pondering the things which had 
 
BEHOLD THY SON ! lOl 
 
 been done within a few days. He had dis- 
 missed his attendants, as he wished to be 
 alone ; but his wife came to him to hear what 
 rumour had disturbed him. 
 
 " Would I had listened to thee, Marcella !" 
 said the governor. " I feared these factious 
 Jews more than the gods; and now I dread 
 their vengeance. But I knew not how great 
 was my impiety. I thought Jesus was but an 
 innocent man ; but now I can scarcely doubt 
 that he is a demi-god." 
 
 " I believed so," replied Marcella, " when 
 my dream troubled me concerning this cause. 
 What has happened to convince you, when I, 
 your wife, spoke in vain ?'* 
 
 *' The sepulchre is open, and the body is 
 gone, though a guard was on the watch ; how 
 the entrance was closed and sealed I have told 
 you already." 
 
 " The guard might have slept." 
 
 " To do so is death, as they know : and so 
 many cannot have slept at once." 
 
 " They may have been treacherous, and 
 permitted the followers of this Jesus to steal 
 the body." 
 
 " For what purpose ?" 
 
102 BEHOLD THY SON I 
 
 ^^ Nay, I might ask that of you. What do 
 you suppose to have become of it, that you 
 tremble as if his spirit had been seen ? 
 
 " I suppose that the gods have removed it 
 to some place where it may be honoured, and 
 where my shame will be exposed. It will be 
 well if I suffer no more from their vengeance ; 
 but I tremble when I think of the portents 
 which alarmed the city when the cross was 
 raised. There were more than I have allowed 
 to be told in the palace. But see, the watch 
 is come. Go in till I have learned the truth 
 from them.'* 
 
 The soldiers of the guard entered the hall, 
 no strangers being allowed to follow. They 
 related their tale to the governor, declaring 
 that they had slept on guard, and that the 
 disciples must have stolen the body. Pilate 
 was astonished at the boldness with which 
 they avowed a negligence whose penalty was 
 death. On questioning them more closely, he 
 discerned signs of fear, and detected various 
 untruths in their story. Being utterly per- 
 plexed, he at length declared that every man 
 of them should suffer death for neglect of duty, 
 according to the Roman law. He summoned 
 
BEHOLD THY SON ! 103 
 
 the guard without to enter and secure their 
 comrades, one of whom ventured to hint that 
 no good purpose would be answered by this 
 severity. 
 
 An officer now sought an audience for cer- 
 tain of the Jewish elders. They were instantly 
 admitted to a private conference, from which 
 Pilate came forth with a countenance grave 
 and full of care, to order that the guard should 
 be released. Their comrades rejoiced, and 
 made mirth of the fickleness of the governor. 
 
 In the guard-room, every one spoke of the 
 recent events except the watch who had been 
 at the sepulchre. They preserved a gloomy 
 silence. Some wondered why Jesus had died 
 within so few hours ; but Lucius, the soldier 
 who had pierced his side v/ith a spear, told 
 how worn he was with his previous sufferings ; 
 and his words were confirmed by some who 
 had assisted in taking him down from the 
 cross, and by others who had seen the body 
 after it was swathed and laid on its cold couch 
 in the sepulchre. 
 
 The centurion who had presided at the cru- 
 cifixion sat apart, grave and silent, till Lucius 
 inquired whether he had much intercourse 
 
104 BEHOLD THY SON! 
 
 with the Hebrews, and knew aught of their 
 superstitions. 
 
 The centurion replied, that their supersti- 
 tions were so little like any others that he had 
 known, that he had inquired carefully concern- 
 ing them. 
 
 " I have been in Egypt," he said, '^ and 
 seen what a stranger may see of the mysteries 
 of their temples ; I have beheld the worship 
 of the nations round Judaea; and in Persia I 
 have seen the priests feed the sacred fire, and 
 heard the music which hails the rising of the 
 sun : but none of these — no, nor the rites of 
 Jupiter Olympus, are so grand as the worship 
 of the Hebrews. When I have been on duty 
 at the fort, I have listened to melodies so 
 heart-thrilling, that I can almost believe what 
 their teachers tell of the walls of a great city 
 falling down at the blast of their trumpets. 
 And their temple, — what a sight is there !" 
 
 " I have entered," said Lucius, " as far as 
 their law allows, and I am never weary of 
 looking on it from a distance. When its golden 
 roof blazes at sunrise, no one can tell which is 
 the greatest, Apollo or the Hebrew God." 
 
 " Before I left Rome," said the centurion. 
 
BEHOLD THY SON ! 105 
 
 " I heard that the Hebrew worship had mys- 
 teries like ours; but the people declare that 
 though there is an apartment which they must 
 not enter, they know what is done there by 
 the High Priest." 
 
 " They can now see for themselves/' re- 
 plied Lucius, " if it be true, as I have heard, 
 that the veil by which it was set apart was 
 rent from the roof to the ground, when the 
 man who called himself their king expired. 
 Is it so; and did Jesus claim such a dignity ?" 
 
 " I believe that he was the son of a god," 
 replied the centurion. " I doubted it not when 
 I saw him die, and the events of this day have 
 given me yet greater certainty." 
 
 *^ Dost thou converse with any of his fol- 
 lowers ?" inquired Lucius. " They will tell 
 us what has become of him, if the gods are 
 indeed incensed against those who have killed 
 him." 
 
 " Some of his disciples I know, and I pur- 
 pose to visit them when my time of watch has 
 expired," said the centurion. "But I scarcely 
 know where I shall find them, for they dis- 
 persed themselves on the eve of their master's 
 death." 
 
 f2 
 
106 BEHOLD THY SON ! 
 
 *' One was with him whom he loved," said 
 Lucius. " Didst thou not hear what he said 
 to him from the cross ?" 
 
 '^ I will seek him this night," replied the 
 centurion. " I have always held that men 
 should worship according to the customs of 
 the nation in which they dwell, and therefore 
 I did not wonder that the Hebrews were in- 
 censed at one who desired to change their 
 religion. I thought it dangerous to the em- 
 pire that the Jews should have a king, and 
 thus I justified his death. But when the gods 
 interpose in earthquakes and in darkness at 
 noon-day, it becomes us to obey the will 
 which they so clearly interpret. I will not 
 be satisfied till I know from the Jews them- 
 selves what Jesus has said and done ; for no 
 Roman, not the governor himself, understands 
 who he was, or what he ought to have be- 
 come." 
 
 Before the centurion's time for going forth 
 had arrived, he received orders from Pilate to 
 enter the city, and discover, if possible, what 
 had become of the body of Jesus. This order 
 suited well with the soldier's purpose of seek- 
 ing out the disciple John ; and as soon as he 
 
BEHOLD THY SON 1 10? 
 
 had set the evening watch, he departed, with 
 Lucius for his companion, towards the abode 
 where the followers of Jesus were known to 
 assemble. 
 
 There were they met together this night. 
 Those who had fled in terror from Gethsemane 
 assembled in the city to bewail the destruction 
 of their hope. Their grief was now changed 
 to perplexity; for some brought tidings too 
 marvellous to be believed, yet too distinct and 
 frequent to be scorned. But a few hours ago, 
 all wept together; now, some still mourned; 
 but others rejoiced with exceeding joy; and 
 many were in doubt, and conferred together 
 how these things could be. The gate of the 
 house was close shut, and two disciples sat in 
 the porch to keep watch against the enmity 
 of the rulers. They discoursed together as 
 they sat. 
 
 " Did some suppose that he had committed 
 crime because he spake compassionately to a 
 thief?*' saidPaltiel. 
 
 " Some of the soldiers so believed," replied 
 Sadoc ; " but his followers know too well his 
 custom in this matter to marvel at any words 
 of love that he ever spoke. We heard how 
 
108 BEHOLD THY SON! 
 
 Mary's sins were pardoned because she loved 
 much 5 and we saw how he chose the house of 
 Zaccheus for his abode, and how he had com- 
 passion on Iscariot, even while he knew his 
 evil intents." 
 
 " I well remember the night when the mi- 
 serable man lay in the bosom of Jesus at the 
 evening meal/' said Paltiel. " We talked of 
 the honours for which we looked in the king- 
 dom of the Christ. Iscariot desired the wealth 
 and power of a prince ; but the Master said, 
 that he who would be greatest, must be least : 
 and he looked on Iscariot and sighed. I mar- 
 vel not, therefore, that he gave hope unto 
 the thief; for unto such as repent, he ever 
 spoke peace, and unto all he bore love.'* 
 
 " When shall we be long-suffering as our 
 Master ?" said Sadoc. " Some even among 
 us are offended that the thief should have 
 hope of Paradise.'' 
 
 " It becometh not us to talk proudly," said 
 Paltiel ; " for if we account strictly one with 
 another, who shall be clear? Hath it not been 
 heard how some who had sworn to abide with 
 the Prophet for ever, were afar off when he 
 needed help; how others, who had resolved 
 
BEHOLD THY SON ! 109 
 
 to die with him, fled when danger appeared ? 
 The love which should have prevailed over the 
 desires and fears of the spirit hath waxed cold 
 among us. Not such v/as the love of Jesus. 
 Even now, if he were here, he would look ten- 
 derly on us all ; for he knoweth the heart of 
 man, and hath compassion." 
 
 A sob of anguish here broke in upon the 
 discourse. Simon had withdrawn from the 
 upper chamber, and now stood without the 
 porch. The words of Paltiel had moved his 
 soul. 
 
 In one of the apartments, supper was spread; 
 and around the board were many disciples 
 who disputed concerning what had been seen 
 in the garden of Joseph that morning. They 
 believed not the women, nor John, nor Simon, 
 nor the men who had returned from Emmaus 
 with tidings of Jesus. 
 
 These two sat apart with John and the 
 mother of the Prophet, to whom they opened 
 what had been told them concerning the Mes- 
 siah and his kingdom. Mary listened in set- 
 tled peace. Her spirit fluttered no more in 
 grief or joy. Her countenance was wasted, 
 but the calm light of her eye shewed that a 
 
110 BEHOLD THY SON 1 
 
 Steadfast hope had been kindled within. The 
 women, and the gentle disciple who had been 
 faithful, were they who now rejoiced ; while 
 such as had been bold in discourse and terri- 
 fied by danger, were tossed in mind. 
 
 The light from the lamp in the midst fell 
 on faces which were alive with the thoughts 
 of the mind, and the yearnings of the spirit. 
 Some doubted, some were afraid, others were 
 angry; but none of them that sat at meat 
 believed. Yet their contention was not loud ; 
 for they still feared, and their voices were low, 
 though their speech was eager. They who 
 sat in the porch heard but the whispers of 
 many tongues. After a while, these whispers 
 ceased, and all was still, as if death had stricken 
 the assembly. Then arose a single voice ; 
 and they who had often heard it in this place 
 rushed from the porch to behold whence it 
 came. Jesus was in the upper chamber, in 
 the midst of those who bowed the head while 
 he rebuked their unbelief. 
 
 Mary still sat afar off, not in fear or in 
 shame, for she had believed; but in awe of 
 him whom death had given back, and Jehovah 
 had sanctified. She raised not her eyes till 
 
BEHOLD THY SON'. Ill 
 
 she heard the tread of heavy steps in the anti- 
 chaaiber. She looked up and saw through 
 the open portal the gleaming armour of sol- 
 diers and the plumes of a helmet. Then she 
 sprang towards the Holy One, crying with a 
 cry of anguish, " O, not again ! not again 1 
 Lay not hands on my Son, my Son Jesus T' 
 
 The centurion waved his hand in sign of 
 peace, as he stood in the doorway, and when 
 Mary looked around, the Holy One had de- 
 parted. 
 
 The centurion and Lucius had entered while 
 the gate was left unwatched. They had 
 knocked, but none regarded. When the dis- 
 ciple John knew wherefore they came, he 
 went forth with them into the court, and told 
 them whatsoever they would know. Their 
 minds were prepared by the signs which they 
 had beheld ; and when they learned how long 
 the Messiah had been looked for by kings and 
 prophets and righteous men, they marvelled 
 at the scoffing of the rulers, and the hardness 
 of heart of the people. When the moonlight 
 began to fade before the dawn, they proceeded 
 towards the palace, musing as they went. 
 Pilate watched for their return. His spirit 
 
112 BEHOLD THY SON! 
 
 could find no rest while he knew not whether 
 the sepulchre had been opened by the hand of 
 man or of a god. With him waited some 
 priests and Jewish teachers who proved to 
 him out of their Scriptures that Jesus could 
 not be the Messiah ; and that^ if not the Mes- 
 siah, he must be an enemy to their faith and 
 people. 
 
 When the centurion entered the apartment, 
 the governor hastened to meet him, saying, 
 " Hast thou learned what has become of the 
 body, and who opened the sepulchre ?" 
 
 " I have." 
 
 " From his disciples ?** 
 
 " From themselves, for who should know so 
 well as they ?" 
 
 Pilate rejoiced, and the priests smiled while 
 they said, 
 
 '^ Tell us by whose hands the stone was 
 moved, and by what contrivance the body was 
 conveyed away, and whither it is gone. Speak ; 
 that the delusion of the people may be ended." 
 
 The centurion calmly replied, 
 
 '^ Ye teach that your God once made a rock 
 in the desert to open at the command of your 
 lawgiver, Moses. A greater messenger from 
 
BEHOLD THY SON ! 113 
 
 the same deity has this day laid open the cave 
 in the garden. We are told, O Governor 1 
 that a body of clay was once animated by the 
 fire of Jove. By fire from heaven hath the 
 dead body been this day vivified and warmed. 
 Do ye ask where it is ? It is at hand. Jesus 
 has visited his disciples, and he may visit you 
 also. If ye had reason and law for killing 
 him, it is well : but prepare your pleading, 
 for he may appear on yonder judgment-seat 
 before ye are aware." 
 
 While he spoke, Pilate sank down upon a 
 couch ; and they that were with him asked no 
 further question, but, one by one, departed. 
 
THE 
 
 HOUR OF REST. 
 
 Fifteen years had passed away since the 
 Spirit had been shed on the followers of the 
 Holy One, and his gospel had gone forth 
 through all the land. There was no valley in 
 Hebron where his law had not been preached ; 
 there was no city in Galilee where his name 
 was not blessed. The Essenes of the desert 
 opened their lips to question of the matter ; 
 and in Csesarea a centurion believed with all 
 his house. In the holy city it was no longer 
 known how small was the number of the 
 Nazarenes ; and some whispered that the altar 
 itself had been served by hands which had 
 broken bread with the Gentiles. 
 
 At the feast of Pentecost, when the children 
 of Aaron all assembled before the Lord, they 
 of the course of Abia served before the High 
 
116 THE HOUR OP REST. 
 
 Priest, and saw that he frowned as he looked 
 on them. When he had given the blessing to 
 the people, he assembled the whole body of 
 the priesthood in the courts of the temple, and 
 all saw that his soul was moved. He fixed 
 his eye on the two sons of Hanoch, whom he 
 commanded to stand forth. They came. He 
 inquired if they had hearkened to the heresy 
 of the Nazarenes. One replied in the name of 
 both, 
 
 " The faith of the Nazarenes have we em- 
 braced." 
 
 " And stand ye here as priests of Jehovah, 
 ye who are traitors to the faith ?'* 
 
 '* From our birth were we sanctified to the 
 priesthood, and we serve not Jehovah the less 
 willingly because we have received his greatest 
 Prophet.'* 
 
 " Ye shall carry forth your heresy into the 
 wilderness, even as the scape-goat beareth 
 thither the sins of the people." 
 
 '' Christ worshiped in the temple ; why 
 should not we, his followers, serve ? While 
 we stand alive before the altar, we will offer 
 sacrifice, knowing who hath appointed us." 
 
 " Ye are bold in your blasphemy." 
 
THE HOUR OF REST. 117 
 
 " It is not the wont of the Nazarenes to 
 deny their faith." 
 
 " I will prove your words. Tell me if ye 
 have been alone in this matter ?" 
 
 " Though we answer openly, we answer for 
 ourselves alone," And the young men avoided 
 to follow the eye of the High Priest as he 
 looked sternly around. He commanded any 
 of the course of Abia who had embraced the 
 new faith to stand forth. A great number 
 separated themselves from the company, inso- 
 much that the High Priest was startled. Then 
 came forth many from every one of the twenty- 
 four courses, and spake the name of Jesus of 
 Nazareth. 
 
 Then the High Priest looked towards those 
 of the Sanhedrim who stood by ; and when he 
 saw that they retreated towards the council 
 chamber, he waved his hand and dismissed the 
 assembly. 
 
 In the council chamber there were wrath 
 and fear. It was plain that the penalties of 
 sacrilege could not be enforced against the 
 converts of the temple by reason of their 
 numbers. They who had seduced them were 
 therefore marked out for punishment. Among 
 
118 THE HOUR OF REST. 
 
 these, Paltiel, a beloved disciple, was declared 
 to have much power over the people. He 
 dwelt at Bethany, and was often with Lazarus, 
 a friend of the Prophet, and one who was 
 declared to have been once laid in the sepul- 
 chre, whence he came forth alive. 
 
 While they consulted concerning him, Paltiel 
 returned homewards from the city, where he 
 had taught in the dwellings of the Nazarenes 
 through the day. He was weary, and rejoiced 
 when he saw his dwelling beneath the olives, 
 and the friends who sat near to wait his ap- 
 proach. They arose while he was yet far off; 
 for he was honoured among them ; and they 
 received him gladly, for he was the beloved of 
 their hearts. They led him in that he might 
 refresh himself. There were no slaves in the 
 household, for all such were made free by the 
 gospel ; but they remained as brethren. They 
 washed the feet of Paltiel, and prepared the 
 evening meal. Women were there who baked 
 the kneaded cakes, and spread out dates and 
 honey on the board. 
 
 A large company placed themselves around 
 it when Paltiel had spoken the blessing. 
 
 They talked cheerfully of many things 5 for 
 
THE HOUR OF REST. 119 
 
 one had received an epistle from a disciple 
 who was in Asia ; another had tidings of the 
 dispersed apostles : one had brought a house- 
 hold of Gentiles into communion, and others 
 had taught the young and relieved the sick. 
 
 *^ One hath been here this day/* said a 
 brother, " who hath seen Barnabas at Anti- 
 och. He reports that a new name hath been 
 given us there as an insult. They who deride 
 the Christ call us Christians, and by this name 
 are we known." 
 
 " It is a name," said Paltiel, " which is a 
 reproach only when it is received unwillingly. 
 If freely accepted, (and why should it not be 
 so ?) it is honourable." 
 
 " We have endured too much to regard a 
 mere name," replied the disciple ; " yet I 
 would that we could avoid all that may preju- 
 dice our cause before it is heard." 
 
 " This name," replied Paltiel, " is not of a 
 narrow signification, like the birth- name of a 
 man. It may include all who believe now or 
 shall hereafter believe. We know not but 
 that some at the ends of the earth may covet 
 this very name when ages of years h9.ve passed 
 away." 
 
12D THE HOUR OF REST. 
 
 " Thinkest thou that our faith shall be 
 known so far?" inquired one by Paltiel's side ; 
 but ere he could reply, the sons of Hanoch 
 entered, and told what had been done in the 
 temple. When they who listened knew how 
 many of the servants of the sanctuary were 
 Christians, they rejoiced. It seemed to them 
 that the sacrifices became more holy when 
 offered by hands that had broken bread in re- 
 membrance of Christ ; and that the smoke of 
 the censer must ascend more acceptably when 
 the name of the Holy One was breathed over 
 it. Some trusted that, for the sake of these 
 believers, the temple might be spared, even as 
 the city of the plain would have been saved if 
 but ten righteous men had been found within 
 it. Yet was there care among some of the 
 more thoughtful of the assembly, who feared 
 what their rulers might do to exclude from 
 the temple courts such as had avowed them- 
 selves Nazarenes, and to afflict such as had 
 converted them to the faith of Christ. Mar- 
 tha looked on her brother Lazarus and sighed ; 
 for she remembered how the chief priests had 
 sought his life together with the Prophet's ; 
 but her sister reproved her fears, saying that 
 
THE HOUR OP REST. 121 
 
 lie who had restored life to the dead would 
 guard that life. 
 
 All looked unto Paltiel, for to his voice it 
 was their wont to hearken, and from his smile 
 the most timid took courage. He advised 
 that the priests should minister in the temple 
 even as when Csesar commanded that his 
 statue should be worshiped there. Then there 
 was but one mind among the priesthood, and 
 with one voice they had refused to obey the 
 commands of their conqueror. Now also 
 should the faithful be faithful still, and keep 
 back nothing that Jehovah had spoken, but 
 bear witness in his holy place. On the other 
 disciples he gazed with love, while he warn- 
 ed them that a time of tribulation might be 
 at hand, and besought them to be meek to- 
 wards men, while they were faithful towards 
 God. 
 
 ^^ Remember," he said, '^ those of our fa- 
 thers whose spirit dwelt in Zion while they 
 endured evil and were afflicted by the hands 
 of the wicked. If they suffered for their sins, 
 much more may we for the name we bear. 
 If they bore testimony to the old law, much 
 rather may we to that which is full of grace 
 
 G 
 
r^ THE HOUR OP REST. 
 
 and truth. Some hanged then* unstrung harps 
 on the willows of Babylon, lest idolaters should 
 scoff at the songs of Zion ; but we may uplift 
 our voices in all the earth, for the name of 
 Christ no mockery can degrade, and no re- 
 proach defile. Holy men of old prayed to- 
 wards Jerusalem for the sins of their people. 
 Those of us who remain will do so likewise ; 
 but if, like our brethren, we be scattered 
 abroad, we will rejoice that there is a greater 
 mercy- seat in the heaven of heavens, and trust 
 that He who dwelleth therein will hear, and 
 hearing, forgive. While in peace we are per- 
 mitted to sit under the olives where our Mas- 
 ter sat, and to gather round the board which 
 he blessed, and to minister to those whom he 
 loved, let his spirit of love be shed abroad 
 among us ; but if the scourge and the sword 
 be brought out against us — from him we know 
 that the strongest must not strive, — that the 
 weakest must not cry against the will of Je- 
 hovah." > 
 
 As he ceased, the swift feet of a mule were 
 heard ascending the rocky path which led to 
 the dwelling ; and in a moment Sadoc appear- 
 ed, not, as he was wont, with a steady step 
 
THE HOUR OF REST. 123 
 
 and a calm countenance, but breathless and 
 hurried. He told that the people had been 
 excited to tumult by reports of what had been 
 said in the temple ; that their rulers had not 
 restrained them ; and that they were now com- 
 ing forth with violence to Bethany, to seize 
 upon the Nazarenes who dwelt there. There 
 was a moment's silence when these tidings 
 had been told. Then the sons of Hanoch arose 
 with sparkling eyes, and desired to go forth to 
 meet the multitude ; but the women laid hold 
 on their mantles, and besought them to regard 
 their lives. 
 
 When Paltiel spoke, all turned to hear. He 
 declared that to meet the people while they 
 were enraged, was to cast away the life which 
 it was a sin to esteem lightly. To remain was 
 also to incur peril. By retiring to a short dis- 
 tance they might save the people from the 
 crime for which they must otherwise mourn 
 when their rage should be overpast. There 
 was a space between the rocks, but a few fur- 
 longs off, where this little company of Naza- 
 renes might retire, and where they had wor- 
 shiped when the former persecution was hot 
 against them. Thither they now resolved to 
 h2 
 
124 THE HOUR OF REST. 
 
 go, and they hastened to set forth. The mo- 
 thers sought the inner chambers, and brought 
 out their infants wrapped in their mantles, lest 
 the dews of the night should chill their slum- 
 bers. Paltiel once more filled and blessed the 
 wine-cup, which was emptied in silence ; and 
 they all set forth. 
 
 The evening star had risen, and shone above 
 the mount, around which the mists had gather- 
 ed, and rolled like fleecy clouds. The air was 
 mild, and fragrant with the scent of the bal- 
 sams which grew around the dwelling. The 
 company hastened along the rugged path, the 
 men carrying the infants for greater speed. 
 They spoke not, but moved like the shadows 
 of clouds on the mountain side, till they reach- 
 ed the opening of the recess which they sought. 
 Then they turned to cast one look towards the 
 city. There was a light in the air over the 
 valley, as if a multitude of torches flared below. 
 The stems of the willows were made distinct 
 by passing gleams, and Kedron flashed beneath 
 them. On the battlements of the temple were 
 moving figures, and voices were heard in the 
 still night air, as if men spoke thence to the 
 crowd ; and suddenly a shout from the multi- 
 
THE HOUR OF RKST. 125 
 
 tude rang through the valley^ which made even 
 Paltiel grasp his staff. 
 
 He checked himself, and beckoned to his 
 compan}^ to follow him within the recess. It 
 was a slope, green with the verdure of spring, 
 and open only to the sky and to the pass by 
 which the Nazarenes found entrance. Though 
 so near the city, it was known to few, for there 
 was less beauty within it than in many of the 
 clefts of the hills which abounded there. The 
 stars glittered in the portion of the heaven 
 which was open to the band of worshipers, 
 and the night raven looked down upon them 
 as she sent forth her cry to awake the echoes. 
 The Nazarenes spread their garments on the 
 grass, and sat down to watch — all but one, 
 who silently returned upon her steps when no 
 one perceived, and fled towards Bethany. 
 
 Meantime, the multitude drew nigh the 
 dwelling of Paltiel, no longer shouting as when 
 they issued from the gate of the city, but ra- 
 pidly, that they might seize with the greater 
 certainty upon their victims. If aught could 
 have calmed their rage, it would have been the 
 repose of the place, where there was no motion 
 
126 THE HOUR OP REST. 
 
 but that of the grove which bowed to the 
 night breeze, and no sound but of the gush of 
 waters. 
 
 But they neither saw nor hearkened till they 
 had entered the dwelling. The gate opened 
 as soon as a hand was raised to it, for there 
 was none within to guard it. The bleating of 
 a kid which had been nurtured within the 
 court broke upon the silence of the awed mul- 
 titude, who marvelled to find no man within. 
 The lamp still burned in the upper chamber^ 
 and the half-eaten repast was on the board. 
 
 " The Nazarenes eat even as we," said one 
 of the crowd. '^ Here is no forbidden flesh, 
 nor a great array of feasting." 
 
 " Neither is there an abundance of wine, 
 as at feasts where men love to be drunken," 
 said another. 
 
 A third took up a scroll which was dropped 
 upon a cushion. There were no magical cha- 
 racters, but a portion of the Scriptures, ar- 
 ranged after the manner of the Hebrews, 
 
 " It cannot be," said one of the leaders of 
 the people, " that our approach has disturbed 
 these men ; for there has been no time for 
 
THE HOUR OF REST. 12/ 
 
 escape. They are doubtless retired to some 
 secret place to pay their impious worship, and 
 they will return to finish their feast. '^ 
 
 Nevertheless, he caused search to be made 
 in every neighbouring place. Some who dwelt 
 in a habitation nigh at hand, were roused from 
 sleep by the tumult, and opened their gates to 
 such as would see whether Paltiel was hidden 
 there or not : but they said, and with truth, 
 that they knew not what had become of him 
 who had passed their gate at eventide, and of 
 his friends who awaited his approach. 
 
 One who could have told concerning all^ 
 overheard what was said. It was Zorah, the 
 daughter of Hanoch, she who had returned 
 from the company on the mountain side, to 
 watch what the multitude should do. She 
 was a young maiden who loved Paltiel as if he 
 had been her father ; and she risked her own 
 safety that she might bear tidings to him be- 
 fore the morning should dawn. She had seated 
 herself behind the stone which was used to 
 cover the mouth of the cistern ; and no one 
 would have seen her, if a man had not sup- 
 posed that the cistern might be dry, and that 
 the Nazarenes had hidden themselves there. 
 
128 THE HOUR OF REST. 
 
 When Zorah saw that she was perceived, sh-e 
 rose and came forward as if to draw water r 
 but the man prevented her, and led her withio 
 the court where she was questioned concern- 
 ing the company to whom she was known to 
 belong. 
 
 She answered freely save when the leaders 
 inquired concerning the events of the night : 
 and then she held her peace. She neither re- 
 garded commands, nor hearkened to entreaties^ 
 nor feared threats. She declared, 
 
 " I have said thus far, and I will speak no 
 more," and folded her arms upon her bosom 
 in silence. 
 
 *' Our rulers say that the Nazarenes are 
 liars," said one man to another ; " but this 
 damsel hath spoken no lie. If she had de- 
 clared falsely concerning the hiding-place of 
 her kindred, our people would have gone whi- 
 ther she pointed. She only holds her peace." 
 
 Zorah was borne into the women's apart- 
 ment of Paltiers dwelling, and the door was 
 fastened so that she could not escape. She 
 listened to the departing steps of the multi- 
 tude, as they proceeded onwards up the 
 mount, and it was a relief to hear no more the 
 
THE HOUR OF REST. 129 
 
 curses which were heaped on Paltiel's name : 
 but when she remembered that her brothers 
 would mourn when they found her not, that 
 their retreat might be discovered while she 
 could not give them warning, and that all hope 
 of Paltiel being saved by her means was over, 
 she sank down on a couch in the darkness and 
 wept bitterly. 
 
 Yet she reproached herself for her grief, 
 saying, " If my feet may not be fleet as a roe's 
 along the paths of the hills, to carry tidings, 
 there are swifter messengers whom Jehovah 
 will send if it seemeth to Him good. If my 
 voice may not give warning, God speaketh in 
 the echoes of the rocks ; and my people shall 
 live, if such be his will.'' 
 
 Till the morning watch, all was still ; but 
 as the grey dawn entered through the lattice, 
 she heard cries of men afar, and knew that the 
 multitude was returning. She shuddered at 
 the wrath of some voices, and the mockery of 
 others, as the sounds came nearer. She 
 sprang to the door, but it was fast. She 
 wrung her hands as she looked around, and 
 saw no hope or help. She had not tried the 
 lattice. She piled cushions one upon another, 
 g3 
 
130 THE HOUR OF REST. 
 
 till she could lay hold on the fastenings of the 
 window. When she put forth her strength^ 
 they burst asunder. She leaped down to the 
 balcony, and ran within the porch. She first 
 drew aside the wicket that she might see 
 without being seen by the multitude who pass- 
 ed : but when she beheld Paltiel in the midst, 
 bound with his own girdle, and hurried on by 
 the violence of those who held him, she rushed 
 from the gate, and stretched forth her arms to 
 him, while her cry of anguish was as that of 
 the young antelope when the hind is slain by 
 the hunters. There was grief in the counte- 
 nance of Paltiel, as he strove to tarry for a 
 moment to give his blessing to the maiden ; 
 but the crowd conveyed him away with the 
 greater speed ; and when he looked back from 
 afar, he beheld her stretched on the earth, while 
 none remained to comfort her. 
 
 She knew not, or her grief would have been 
 yet greater, that it was through her absence 
 that the retreat of the Nazarenes had been 
 discovered. Her brothers found her not among, 
 the company and were dismayed. They had 
 issued from the pass when they thought 
 none were nigh, and the eyes of enemies had 
 
THE HOUR OF REST. 131 
 
 beheld them afar. Now they had fled to the 
 High Priest to implore help against the mul- 
 titude, if it might be yet time to save the life 
 of Paltiel. 
 
 They who beheld the countenances of the 
 people had no hope that that life could be 
 saved. The reproaches were loud, and the 
 curses on the blasphemer were bitter 5 and the 
 murderers could scarce refrain from blood till 
 they had reached the place where Paltiel was 
 to die. To speak was in vain, for no voice 
 could be heard ; and when the Nazarene 
 women threw themselves in the way, and 
 besought mercy by their tears, Paltiel made a 
 sign to them to arise and be still. They sat 
 down by the way side, well knowing that they 
 should see him no more. 
 
 Sadoc tarried not, but went side by side 
 with his friend. When he found that the cry 
 of the people was for blood, his heart became 
 fixed like that of Paltiel ; his eye was as calm 
 and his step as firm. 
 
 " Is this man no longer thy friend,'* said 
 one to him, " that thou goest to look on his 
 death without sorrow ?" 
 
 " Because he is my friend, and I know what 
 
132 THE HOUR OF REST. 
 
 is in his heart, I fear not for him," replied 
 Sadoc, " but rather rejoice." 
 
 Paltiel heard his words and smiled upoii 
 him. 
 
 As they passed by where Jesus had led forth 
 his disciples to behold haw he left the world, 
 Paltiel looked up into the heaven, saying, 
 " Would it were here !" 
 
 But neither here could he tarry a moment. 
 
 Thenceforth he looked steadfastly on the 
 temple, both when they descended to the val- 
 ley, and when they crossed the torrent, and 
 when they entered the Sheep- gate, which 
 stood open to receive them. Then the multi- 
 tude was suddenly hushed, through awe of 
 the holy courts : but not the less fiercely did 
 they gnash their teeth on the man whom they 
 believed to have profaned the holy place.— On 
 the flight of steps which led from the valley to 
 the temple courts, was a Nazarene who had 
 been a slave, but was now a freedman. By 
 Paltiel had he been instructed in the faith, and 
 established among the brethren. His first- 
 born was in his arms, and he held him forth 
 that Paltiel might bless the child. Paltiel bent 
 his face over the face of the child, and blessed 
 
THE HOUR OF REST. 133 
 
 him aloud in the name of the Lord Jesus. 
 When he looked up, there were tears on his 
 face. 
 
 " Weepest thou, my friend ?" said Sadoc. 
 "Thou shalt shed tears no more after this hour. 
 Tears are for us who live." 
 
 " Till Jehovah shall wipe them away, must 
 not tears fall even in heaven over the sorrows 
 of our people?" said Paltiel. "I mourn for 
 this child, and for others who will gather to- 
 gether at Bethany at sunrise, and vvill find me 
 not. Strengthen them, Sadoc, for the tribu- 
 lation to come." 
 
 " Even as thou hast strengthened me, my 
 friend Paltiel. But how appeareth death unto 
 thee ? Speak, that I may meditate hereafter 
 on thy words." 
 
 " Even as when we have spoken together in 
 the night seasons ; even as when we saw the 
 Lord Jesus in the cloud and desired earnestly 
 to depart also. Men of old had faith 3 but we 
 have knowledge, and there is no place for fear. 
 If thou wilt know more, ask of Lazarus." 
 
 The people, who were enraged when joy 
 kindled in his eye, fell upon him, and dragged 
 him to the summit of Moriah, where was a 
 
134 THE HOUR OF REST. 
 
 precipice of five hundred, feet to the valley 
 below. From the windows of the priests' 
 apartments some looked forth ; but they 
 shrank back when they met the glance of 
 Paltiel. 
 
 When the girdle which bound him was un- 
 loosed, he leaped upon the battlement, and 
 cast one look down the precipice. He turned 
 to the people, and spread his arms over them 
 as the High Priest when he gives the blessing, 
 and, in an instant, lay asleep on the turf of 
 the valley. 
 
 In the stillness of noon a voice mingled 
 with the murmurs of Kedron, sighing forth, 
 
 " Alas ! for the brethren ! Alas 1 for the 
 widow and the fatherless ! Alas ! for me ^ for 
 thou art dead, my brother Paltiel !" 
 
 When the evening star had risen, the funeral 
 chaunt of the Nazarenes was heard among the 
 tombs of Bethany. 
 
ALAS ! THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 
 
 It was the day of preparation for the Pas- 
 sover; and there was gladness in all the 
 Holy City. Music sounded from afar, as 
 companies who came up to the feast entered 
 at sun-rise by the several gates. A cloud of 
 dust was raised towards Hebron, as the feet 
 of pilgrims trod the road to Jerusalem. As 
 the mists drew off from the valley of Ajalon, it 
 was seen that the tents which had been pitched 
 there at even-tide were struck, that they who 
 had reposed therein might hasten to the feast. 
 The dwellers in Jerusalem came forth upon the 
 housetops to greet their guests, and to boast of 
 the multitude of their people : and, save that 
 bands of soldiers went to and fro, there was no 
 sign that the Romans had of late surrounded 
 the city, and might approach to besiege it 
 again. 
 
136 ALAS ! THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 
 
 As the Galileans drew nigh from the north- 
 ward, a company came forth from the gate of 
 Ephraim, as if to meet them ; but when the 
 musicians who led the march of the strangers 
 poured a louder strain of greeting, they who 
 issued from the gate saluted them gravely and 
 passed on. 
 
 The Galileans ceased their music and stood 
 still, marvelling that men should on this day 
 go out as way-farers, for such they seemed. 
 The men were shod as for a journey, and their 
 garments were girded around them. The 
 women and their children rode on asses, and 
 behind were laden beasts. When some in- 
 quired wherefore they left the city before the 
 feast was begun, they pointed towards the 
 north-west. Somewhat was seen on the hori- 
 zon, glittering in the morning sun. The men 
 of the city were in doubt what it might be ; 
 but the Christians knew that it was the hel- 
 mets and spears of the Roman army : and 
 therefore they departed. 
 
 When they were a few furlongs from the 
 gate, they turned to look once more on Zion. 
 She was fair as a bride waiting for the mar- 
 riage. The temple was as a mountain of snow 
 
ALAS ! THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 137 
 
 ill the sunshine, and the golden spikes which 
 covered the roof glittered like stars ; and the 
 sky above was of a deeper blue than in all the 
 heaven besides. There were tents on the roofs 
 of all the houses, and the walls and towers 
 were thronged with people. 
 
 The Christians gazed till their eyes were 
 dim with tears ; and then the breeze brought 
 to them a voice as from the tombs, which 
 cried, " Woe unto Jerusalem and the holy 
 house ! Woe unto the bridegrooms and the 
 brides ! Woe unto the whole people 1" 
 
 " Thus was there feasting in Sodom, when 
 the decree of Jehovah had gone forth against 
 her," said one among the Christians. Yet 
 his spirit and the spirit of his companions 
 yearned towards the abode of their fathers. 
 One who pressed her fatherless babe to her 
 bosom, sighed, 
 
 " Alas ! that we should leave the tombs in 
 the valley of Jehosaphat ! Where shall be thy 
 sepulchre, my child?'* 
 
 A youth, who had laid down his arms when 
 he became a Christian, looked towards the 
 towers of defence, and thence to the array of 
 
138 alas! that mighty city! 
 
 spears, which was now distinctly seen on the 
 horizon, and his face was flushed as he cried, 
 
 " If our faith did not forbid to shed the 
 blood of these oppressors, mine arm should be 
 strong to defend my people.'* 
 
 " It would be in vain, my son," replied an 
 elder; *' the glory of our nation departeth. A 
 better victory is for thee." 
 
 The smoke of the offering now curled above 
 the courts of the temple. An aged priest, 
 who had joined himself to the Christians and 
 left the city sorrowing, could not now restrain 
 himself. He turned to his children to bid 
 them farewell, purposing to abide in the tem- 
 ple till it should be overthrown. He would 
 suffer none to return with him, because the 
 Lord Jesus had given them warning to flee 
 from the wrath to come ; but for himself he 
 said, 
 
 " My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for 
 the courts of Jehovah, where I have served all 
 the days of my manhood. Though the in- 
 cense should ascend no more, though the 
 sparrow should build in the holy place, and 
 the swallow feed her young on the altar, I will 
 
alas! that mighty city! 139 
 
 appear in Zion before God. Go ye into the 
 mountains with your wives and your little 
 ones ; for ye are not priests ; but for me, — I 
 have chosen my lot." 
 
 So saying, he returned upon his steps 
 gladly. As the wayfarers proceeded, they met 
 many who would have persuaded them to re- 
 turn, saying, that in the holy city alone was 
 there a sure refuge. But the Christians an- 
 swered in the words of the Holy One, and 
 passed on. 
 
 If they had ever doubted those words, they 
 would now have found them true. There were 
 rumours in all the land of new prophets who 
 rose up to delude the people ; there were divi- 
 sions also among the leaders, and a slaughter 
 of Hebrews by the hands of Hebrews. Mes- 
 sengers, whom the Christians sent forth from 
 their abode in the mountains, brought tidings 
 of greater woe day by day. They told how 
 the Romans had digged a trench, and com- 
 passed the walls of the city, so that none could 
 pass to and fro to bear food. 
 
 There was also a great drought, and a cry 
 for water arose out of the streets ; for the 
 days were past when the young men and 
 
L40 ALAS ! THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 
 
 maidens could go forth to the water- springs 
 at sunrise. Neither were those streams now 
 pure ; for the bodies of the dead were cast 
 abroad from the walls, and lay beneath the 
 waters of Siloah and Kedron. The mighty 
 men of the Hebrews were trodden under 
 foot, and the cry of anguish went up from 
 all the dwellings of Zion. The palaces of 
 Jerusalem were still seen from afar, like unto 
 the abodes of princes ; but famine raged 
 where the feast had been spread. The temple 
 still savoured of incense; but slaughter had 
 polluted the sacrifices. The trumpets still 
 sounded to battle from the towers ; but with 
 them was again mingled the voice of evil omen 
 which cried, " Woe, woe, unto the city !" 
 
 When the Christians heard these things, 
 they prayed that the days of trouble should be 
 shortened ; but while they sorrowed for their 
 nation, they gave thanks that the law of sal- 
 vation had been promised to all people. The 
 glory of the Hebrews was passing away, as a 
 wandering fire that vanishes in darkness ; but 
 the bright and morning star had risen which 
 should set no more. — Though the Jews should 
 pass under the yoke and be chained to the car 
 
alas! that mighty city! 141 
 
 of their conqueror^ the new and better law of 
 Jehovah should be established, so that every 
 man should be a priest, and every day a sab- 
 bath. Thus they mingled joy for mankind 
 with tears for their people. 
 
 They loved to speak one to another of the 
 holy men who had seen Jesus and followed 
 him through the land. When the worship 
 was ended, or when they surrounded the 
 board, or gathered together beneath the sha- 
 dow of the hills, the old men told what they 
 had seen and heard, and the children sat at 
 their feet to listen. One remembered how his 
 mother had held him up that he might see the 
 Teacher pass by when the people spread their 
 garments in the way, and shouted Hosannas. 
 Another had stood before Paul of Tarsus to 
 defend him when the multitude dragged him 
 forth from the temple. There was also one 
 who had gone with Simon Peter to Rome, 
 and tended him in prison, and walked with 
 him when he went to his death, and borne 
 his last words to his wife, who suffered with 
 him. This witness was never weary of telling 
 how great was the patience and how uncon- 
 querable the courage of the martyr : how 
 
142 alas! that mighty city. 
 
 the fire of his soul shone from beneath the 
 brow of age; and how he could even smile 
 as the wife of his bosom bade him farewell, 
 because her death was a testimony to the 
 faith. 
 
 " If it be true/' said one who heard, '^ that 
 Simon Peter was, in the beginning, less stead- 
 fast and less patient than his brethren, we see 
 in him the power of the faith ; for he died 
 the prince of the apostles." 
 
 " That thus it was with him when the Holy 
 One appeared, I can bear witness," said a wo- 
 man who bowed beneath the burden of years. 
 '^ I walked on the shore of the lake, on the 
 morning when the Teacher called Simon to 
 follow him. The next da}^, Sadoc, my brother, 
 spoke with him on the paths of Tabor, and 
 they were troubled in spirit because the pro- 
 phet taught to forgive injuries, and not to 
 resist evil. Sadoc smiled when he told me of 
 this, to think how his spirit was changed. If 
 he yet lived, he would forgive unto our con- 
 querors even such evil as they visit on our 
 land this day." 
 
 *' Even as John who liveth to witness it," 
 said another. "His tongue is feeble with age, 
 
ALAS ! THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 143 
 
 yet sayeth he unto us, ' My children, love one 
 another.' Soon shall his tongue be silent, if, 
 as he believes, he shall depart when the visi- 
 tation of wrath is accomplished, when the 
 temple shall be overthrown, according to the 
 sure words of Christ.'* 
 
 " The time is at hand," said one who had 
 drawn nigh to the company unperceived. It 
 was Adonijah, the aged priest, who had gone 
 back from them to serve to the last the altar 
 of Jehovah, 
 
 " The temple is surely overthrown, since 
 thou art here, my father !" said his sons as 
 they bent before him. 
 
 " The temple yet standeth, but the fire of 
 the altar is extinguished. Therefore I come, 
 because I know that the office of the priest- 
 hood is ended. I have seen the sacred vessels 
 melted in the fire, as the ore that cometh im- 
 pure out of the ground ; and therefore I seek 
 a place of prayer where none can commit 
 sacrilege.'* 
 
 The company opened a way to the palm- 
 grove where they worshiped ; and thither the 
 old man retired with his children alone. 
 
 When he came forth, he told how the He- 
 
144 ALAS ! THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 
 
 brews had contended among themselves, as if 
 they hungered for slaughter rather than food, 
 and thirsted above all for blood. He told how 
 the people had perished of famine, even while 
 lambs were spared for the offering ; how the 
 smoke had daily risen, while the battle was 
 carried to the very gates of the temple ; and 
 how the Roman general had had respect unto 
 the sanctuary, and desired that the priests 
 should not be hindered in their oiBice. Yet 
 the sacrifice had ceased, for there were at 
 length none left to minister save he alone. 
 
 When he saw the last spark of the holy fire 
 blown out, and its ashes scattered by the 
 winds which entered through the breaches of 
 the walls ; when he traversed the priests' 
 apartments and found no son of Aaron there ; 
 when he looked how deadly foes grappled in 
 the holy courts, he knew that the glory of 
 Jehovah had departed from behind the veil, 
 and that the place where he stood was no 
 longer sanctified. He took his staff and cross- 
 ed the threshold, casting no look behind. He 
 went forth in his priests' garments, in sight of 
 the Romans ; and when they saw that he was 
 a man of peace, full of years also and wasted 
 
ALASl THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 145 
 
 with hunger, they allowed him to go whither 
 he would. 
 
 ** Though I well know/' he said, " that in 
 all this tribulation the word of the Holy One 
 is fulfilled, and though I believe that in his 
 gospel there is an abundant recompence unto 
 all, my spirit is heavy within me. The blood 
 of my people is before me, and their wailings 
 are in mine ear, and I would fain know the 
 issue of these troubles. Go forth, my son 
 Jonathan, and watch from the hill Teresh 
 whether aught further hath befallen the city." 
 
 Jonathan departed, not to return till the 
 fate of Jerusalem should be known. Each 
 night, at the first watch, he blew a single 
 blast on the trumpet as a signal to those who 
 listened afar that the besieged were yet un- 
 conquered. Though they knew what should 
 come, there was pride in that hour, in the 
 saying of their people that God had made the 
 Hebrews of such a temper that they did not 
 fear death ; there was pride that the lion of 
 Judah stood thus long at bay with the hunters. 
 
 The Christians were assembled for worship 
 as they were wont before they should go forth 
 
 H 
 
146 ALAS ! THAT MIGHTY CITY ! 
 
 to hearken on the hill- side for the voice of 
 the watchman. The air was sultry, and there 
 was no sound in the grove but of him who 
 read, in the words of Luke, how the Lord 
 Jesus had mourned over Jerusalem because 
 she had stoned the prophets who reproved 
 her in the day of her pride, and must there- 
 fore be left desolate. The voice of the reader 
 faltered, and while he paused, the sound of a 
 trumpet was heard from afar. It was faint ; 
 for there was no breeze to waft the music -, 
 and the worshipers looked one upon another 
 in doubt. Again it was heard, like the voice 
 of a dream ; but when the third blast arose 
 louder and clearer, the company bowed before 
 Jehovah, knowing that the first covenant was 
 now fulfilled. 
 
 It was night before they arrived where Jo- 
 nathan waited for them on the heights of 
 Teresh. The holy city was on the extreme 
 verge of the plain, like a cloud of the sky, or 
 a far isLand of the sea. Only when the sun 
 shone on the temple at noonday, or the watch- 
 fires were kindled at night, could it be dis- 
 cerned. But now a flame, mightier than all 
 
alas! that mighty city! \47 
 
 the watchfires of the land, spread itself on the 
 horizon, and sent up a light into the firma- 
 ment which dimmed the stars. 
 
 The moon still rode high in the heaven 
 when this pillar of fire was become a cloud. 
 The silver beam shone on the grey hairs of 
 Adonijah while his head was yet uncovered ; 
 and on the tears of the women ere they drew 
 their veils around them, and sat down to 
 mourn that the glory of Israel was extin- 
 guished. 
 
 As Hebrews they thus mourned -, but al- 
 ready other thoughts were in their hearts, for 
 they were also Christians. Though the hea- 
 ven and the earth should pass away, they 
 looked for new heavens and a new earth ; for 
 beauty out of ashes, even as they had seen 
 life arise out of the dust. One among them 
 said, 
 
 '' When our city sat as a throned queen, a 
 cry of woe was uplifted against her, amidst 
 her song of rejoicing -, but now when she hath 
 been desolate for a while, music shall come 
 unto her on the four winds. In the ends of 
 the earth and the islands of the deep shall she 
 
148 alas! that mighty city! 
 
 be honoured, because the Holy One hath been 
 within her gates." 
 
 " Yet," said Adonijah, " she shall have 
 a sanctuary no longer. Moriah shall be a 
 ploughed field, and wild grapes shall be ga- 
 thered where our golden vine hung forth its 
 clusters. The tabernacle of God is now with 
 every nation. Worship no more towards Je- 
 rusalem ; for in the heart of every man is 
 henceforth the Holy of Holies." 
 
 G. SMALLFIELD, PRINTER, HACKNEY. 
 
GENERAL LIBRARY - U.C. BERKELEY 
 
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