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AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
 
 BY 
 
 JESUS OF NAZARETH 
 
 Being his historical life given by himself through the inspiration of the Scribe. 
 
 As I am held by a power I cannot fully comprehend, I would say, every expression ii 
 
 as new to me as it is to the reader, until it is printed before me, in electric words, 
 
 which seem to drop before me. But as fast as I catch the expression of them, 
 
 they fade away, and other words take their place. And now, humanity, 
 
 I have dared to lay these pages before you, all uneducated as 
 
 I am in the knowledge of those histories, previous to my 
 
 inscribing this work, for all that are ready to receive 
 
 humble truths, from humble people, through 
 
 the humble servant of you all." 
 
 O. G. P^Xtc^] 
 
 nyi7BR5IT7 ] 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year j8g4, by 
 
 JOHN P. COOKE, 
 
 Jn the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 
 
Jj 
 
 6 3VfV^ 
 
 I publish this volume in the cause of truth, and in the conviction that the spiritual 
 welfare of mankind will be thereby advanced, hoping that others will make opportunity 
 to join in the privilege of diffusing this knowledge to humanity. 
 
 While I do not worship the man Jesus, or hold him as God, I do believe this work to be 
 the record of Jiis human life, and regard it as of untold educational value to humanity. 
 While millions hold Jesus us, in some sense, God, I hold him as one of God^s noblest works, 
 — an honest man; one of Heaven^ s own nobility, who wears his star, not on his breast, but 
 IN it. 
 
 Personally, I believe in the one, only God ; The Identity of the Universe. I have per- 
 ceived this Being ns the Spiritual Sun ; The Uncreated Light, Self-Existent, yet creating 
 and creative, who illuminates all, who recreates all, from whom all proceed, and to whom 
 all must return. J. P. C. 
 
 " The first and most fundamental assertion made by science is the omnipresence, the 
 omnipotence of force, acting on the primordial elements of the world. To this science has 
 come ; in this jail her sons without exception agree, and this conception is purely spiritual. 
 The nature of the force baffles investigation. What it is, none may tell ; how it came to be, 
 none may conjecture. It is not in any sense a material thing. It is not a person ; yet if 
 acts on all matter, and it possesses all the natural attributes that have been ascribed to God. 
 It is single and insoluble. It is ubiquitous without being seen; omnipotent without violence ; 
 immanent in universe, yet permanent throughout it : it is the animating principle, the con- 
 necting bond, the soul of all relations between things. It is the very expression, the very 
 embodiment of incarnation of will ; will, blind and crude, as at first it seetns, but capable 
 of infinite expansion and determination.^^ 0. B. F. 
 
uirivERsiir; 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 DEDICATED TO THE HUMBLE MAN THAT DIED FOR TRUTH'S SAKE. 
 
 Providence, June 2, 1870. 
 I AM the humble 4nstruinent through which the holy Hebrew family has 
 seen fit to give facts relative to themselves, and the faithful friends that fol- 
 lowed the destiny of the family of Joseph and Mary. Humanity's demands 
 were upon them, and they sought earth again in order to bestow upon them a 
 legacy full of interest to every one that chooses facts instead of fiction. Candid 
 minds shall decide for me whether or not I am worthy to become scribe for the 
 humble Kazarene ; but there is one thing, I did not choose my labor ; it was 
 brought before me and laid down in life lines ere I could inscribe one word. 
 Sentence by sentence it has been printed before me in bright electric letters ere 
 I consigned them to paper, and every expression was as new to me as to the 
 reader, from the first to the last ; now I am called upon to submit this man- 
 uscript to the press, and may all that read this work read it with an unpreju- 
 diced mind against one that has submitted days of toil to this work, in order 
 that the human mind may be untrammelled by heathen devices that have been 
 handed down through the Catholic Church, and all of her offspring have partaken 
 of their mother's errors. Friends of earth, I shall soon go from you, but when 
 I am gone do not say I did not lay down my life for God's children to receive 
 light. Life, what is it but a burden to me now ? yet there is a balm that 
 causes me to be submissive to the higher powers, and say humanity's demand 
 is upon me, and I will obey her will while I breathe this earthly air. Farewell, 
 friends, that have known me in earth life ; farewell, friends, that love light, 
 and all that love truth bereft of fiction, for such are friends to humanity. God 
 alone shall decide between me and thee as to the holy gift of inspiration or no. 
 Humble in birth, limited in education, I have desired to submit myself to the 
 criticism of the refined and educated. Deal gently with the errors of this 
 work, and receive the holy ideas from the holy band that come back to finish 
 up what had been begun ages on ages ago — to bless humanity when freedom 
 would protect the humble, controlled from the battle axe, the flames, and the 
 Cross. I am, your most obedient, 
 
 Olive G. Pettis. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Let humanity learn that those that have laid down their earth bodies are 
 not dead. Let the earth claim but her own. The life of that body continues 
 to live as before. Here I find myself employed in my former business, even 
 with all the enthusiasm I ever felt, writing my own books. Freed from care ; 
 freed from the cold neglect of man. That was my experience when I fell 
 beneath the scourge of disease. The hour has come when I can denounce 
 hypocrisy and deceit, fearing not the wicked tongue of slander, or the criticism 
 of false friends. May light fill the earth, fearless of those that fear the light. 
 My friends are friends that have been made my friends through the sympathy 
 of my writings ; therefore it is the sympathy of the soul without any selfish 
 motives ; therefore that makes us friends forever. She that inscribes for me 
 has begun a work for humanity. I can assist in the writing, yet all the ideas 
 are as new to me as they are to the reader. This work is to be free from 
 fiction, and it is the first that has ever been given relative to the first-born of 
 Joseph and Mary — Jesus of Nazareth. The influences are all from that age 
 in which he lived, and will give humble truths as they were. He is beside me, 
 hoping to bless humanity, if they will be blessed by facts. A book has made its 
 appearance, entitled " The Life of Jesus of Nazareth." Every careful reader 
 will feel that it is an emblematical history instead of life facts that actually 
 occurred. 
 
 This work before me is full of interest to every human creature. Keader, 
 I acknowledge myself a heretic toward the mystified God, incarcerated in the 
 flesh. May my friends in the flesh believe I dictated this preface in order 
 that they may know I am still beside them ; still living in their midst. I will 
 inscribe my own name. George Lippard. 
 
I7ZRSIT7] 
 
 TESTIMONY OF LEIAH. 
 
 I AM the controller of the boy Jesus. The father and mother dwelt together 
 in love and harmony. Their first-born was filled with love, faith, and hope in 
 the mercy of one God, and that God existed in all things that had been created. 
 The mother gazed deep in the cause of created things, and asked her husband 
 many questions concerning the law that begat them. Joseph was educated far 
 superior to Mary in the ordinance of God, because he had been taught the com- 
 mandments as it had been held in God's holy brotherhood from the remotest 
 period of time. He could instruct Mary in all the ideas she had caught from 
 inspiration. She held her husband's opinion in the greatest adoration, because 
 she felt God had blessed her with one capable of guiding her in all things. 
 Joseph looked upon Mary as a holy thing which God had laid in his bosom to 
 cheer and comfort him ; and in this holy feeling of adoration, one for the other, 
 their first-born, Jesus, was begotten. My control commenced over that child 
 as soon as he breathed earth-air. I knew he was doomed to die for humanity, 
 and I must acknowledge him the child of God, for God is good, and all there 
 was of that boy was good. His ideas were bright, drawn from the inner life 
 of all things around him, while he forgot the external ; beautiful he was in 
 form and feature — none could surpass him. AVhen he began to walk, his 
 adoring father exclaimed, " He is like an angel, all so bright," calling Mary to 
 look at him. Mary's keen perception saw at once that he was electrified, but 
 she called it God, as the holiest expression she could give utterance to. I 
 acknowledge myself but a man, and I was his controller. The family became 
 enrapt with each other, even as their father and mother had been before 
 them. Their four boys were all beautiful boys, but all different in their 
 natures. I must acknowledge my inability to describe this family and do them 
 justice, as there are none that walk the earth could comprehend the purity and 
 affection that blended their lives together from the oldest to the youngest. No 
 one could fully believe me if I should declare to them how humble they were 
 in every desire ; even Mary prayed that God would give her children that she 
 could rear them in God's glory. Joseph always knelt and thanked his God 
 whenever Mary gave promise of another offspring. I, having the full knowledge 
 of this family, and what they must pass through, made me anxious to bestow 
 upon them all the comforts I could procure for them earthly. The mother's 
 face was fully imprinted in the boy Jesus, sweet and gentle in every expression ; 
 the father found a full impression in James, brave, noble, and good. Jesse 
 blended the two together. Beautiful, frail boy, but he blessed father and mother 
 with his holy love and affection. Simeon, beautiful angel boy, caught the im- 
 
 5 
 
b PREFACE. 
 
 pression of his Aunt Martha more fully than any of the rest ; fair in feature, 
 bright and active, filled with holy affection and adoration to God for bestowing 
 upon him such good friends, hope was ever bright before him ; the beautiful 
 child was more like a delicate female than male ; and one that never breathed 
 earth-air partook in feature more of father than mother ; his existence has 
 no record, for earth knew him not. The boy's name is inscribed in the book of 
 genealogy as Levi by the grand Archbishop in the Holy of Holies beyond God's 
 ether blue. Here I have drawn from the inner life of 1867 years the true de- 
 scription of that Hebrew family, which is designed by Almighty God hereafter 
 to give light to all the world, and draw from eternal distance holy inspiration, 
 that God may be glorified through his works among the children of men. I 
 am the one that Joseph and Mary called God. I being a spirit they could not 
 designate, and gave the holiest name they could conceive of. My worthy 
 Joseph felt humbled before that child Jesus when he was under control, and 
 would ask many questions which I explained in Hebrew tongue ; then he taught 
 it to his children. 
 
 If earth's children are willing to receive facts from one that did lay down 
 his life for God's glory on earth, they will be blessed by these facts ; but those 
 that are bigoted and not willing to receive truth from this humble origin can 
 never be blessed. Farewell, reader, this is the last testimony I shall ever leave 
 on earth concerning the Hebrew family and their first-born, Jesus. 
 
 I am Leiah, once king of ancient Arabia, when it was known among the 
 nations of the earth as the finest and noblest of any people that walked the 
 earth. I was Grand Archbishop of the order of God's Brotherhood. Then 
 Arabia was a land of fountains and flowers, ere the ocean of sand was thrown, 
 upon its bosom from the upheaving of the ocean bed. Holy Arabia, God's 
 chosen children, were swept away ere they were polluted by the accursed 
 heathen priests an'd confessors. I held control in my own kingdom, and on a 
 visit to India, being heard to exclaim there is one God and one God only, I 
 was beheaded by the order of the priesthood in my fifty-fifth year, being 
 denounced as a heretic. I have controlled in all countries of the earth, declar- 
 ing one God, and one God only. Here I am again, declaring how I controlled the 
 boy Jesus, through a humble female that lives but for God and humanity, hoping 
 ere long to breathe in a more congenial clime where humanity cannot crush her, 
 and where angel brothers and sisters will know her as she is, and not hold her 
 in ridicule for believing God's children breathe upon her. God's blessings 
 rest upon all that hear and believe, because it will bring peace and rest to their 
 souls. She must be inscribed as the earth daughter of Leiah, King of Arabia^ 
 in spirit. Adieu. 
 
 Caught through inspiration by Olive G. Pettis. 
 
trsriVERSITTl 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Introductory. Preface, by Leiah. 
 
 , PAGB 
 
 ISTRODrCTORY CHAPTER — JeSUS 9 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 I. Life of Jesus 11 
 
 II. The seer describes Mary's destiny . * 12 
 
 III. Joseph's love for Maiy 13 
 
 ly. Joseph establishes his family in his mountain home 14 
 
 Y. Jesse's leg being amputated by a confessor 16 
 
 YI. The influence changed 20 
 
 YII. Jesus carried to the synagogue at Antioch. The wedding feast at Cana. 
 Jesus is borne to the court of King Lear, who is menaced by the 
 
 Amalekites — his return 23 
 
 YIII. The family remove to Antioch. Jesus in his twelfth year in the home of 
 
 Pontius Pilate. Experience in that home 29 
 
 IX. His return home from Pilate's house. A work in the Council Hall. He 
 
 flees to the moimtains of Helam. A work at Antioch 36 
 
 X. Escape from the confessor, and the journey to Xisibis. Saving the in- 
 habitants. Again in the mountain home in his twenty-fourth year, 41 
 XL Joseph's contest with the confessor. His words to the 19th centurj-. 
 
 Denunciation of creeds 4.> 
 
 XII. Return to the mountain home for the last time. The labor in Chaldea 
 
 and Chalybon 47 
 
 XIII. Laboring in Antioch — resting in Chalybon. Saving the scarlet woman 
 
 of Antioch, known as Mary Magdalene 52 
 
 XIY. His follower, Jude. The labor in Joppa. Mary's cousin is a magistrate 
 
 there 55 
 
 XY. The work of healing continued. His first meeting with Bartholomew — 
 
 Conversion 5S 
 
 XYL An experience in a holier sphere of life. Returning to the chilled body. 
 Peter, the fisherman, saved. A day in the wealthy home of Bar- 
 tholomew. The escape thence 63 
 
 XYII. Jephthah's visit to Jesus in his loneliness in the mountain. Building a 
 fire. The smoke betrays him to the hunting confessor. " Get thee 
 behind me, Satan, Almighty God is here." A vision of the future 
 
 even to the present time 6S 
 
 XYIII. The second day after Jesus came down from the mountain 79 
 
 XIX. Third " " " '' - " " " ...... 81 
 
 XX. The fourth " " " " '' " " " 84 
 
 7 
 
s 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 XXI. 
 
 PAGK 
 
 86 
 90 
 91 
 92 
 97 
 
 Fifth day after Jesus came down from the mountain 
 
 XXII. The eighth day after Jesus came down from the mountain .... 
 
 XXIII. Tenth day " " " u u u a .... 
 
 XXIV. Eleventh day after Jesus came down from the mountain 
 
 XXV. The last day ere Jesus entered Jerusalem 
 
 X.INES Dedicated to Ages Yet Unborn — 
 
 The declaration of Joseph 107 
 
 " Mary 110 
 
 " " " James Ill 
 
 " " " Jesse 113 
 
 " " " Simeon 114 
 
 *' " " Sabilla (i.e., Jephthah) 114 
 
'■<y>*^ at THS 
 
 :tr3ri7ERSIT7] 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 Humanity, thou hast called, and we have come to give answer. Heathen, 
 idolatrous worship fills your land, and all is commotion. God's command is 
 upon us, and we have left our abode of light in order that you may receive 
 truth just as it was, entirely bereft of fiction. Holy God assist us in laying 
 down each incident exactly as it was, even as it was when I walked the earth. 
 How holy the task is to me to be able to bless humanity ! These records are 
 drawn from my humble condition in life, when darkness filled the land and the 
 chains of heathen bigots were heavy and brute force was law. How little 
 man knows to-day how I lived, having a price set upon my head from the 
 controller for declaring God's presence and nothing more ; having a price set 
 upon my head when I was but eleven. From that time I was in constant fear 
 of being destroyed by those fiends of darkness that acknowledged no God but 
 their idols and their hellish desires. I was compelled to hide away, because 
 the knowledge given through me by my controller caused them to exclaim, 
 " Heresy is here ; let it be destroyed ere we all become contaminated ; " but ere 
 they could hold their council, my guardian angel would draw near, lay her 
 hand in mine, and say, " Come, brother, let us hurry away to the mountains ; 
 Mary awaits her boy, filled with fear at his long absence." Then she would 
 bear me from the midst of confusion, and dart up the mountain, I hardly know 
 how. Mary would always be waiting my coming, and exclaim, "God bless 
 you, dear children ! How glad I am you have come !" My holy guide would 
 never leave me until I was safe in my humble home. Mary could discern 
 spirits, and converse with them, even as I could. Joseph's revelations came by 
 dreams. James interpreted dreams. Jesse was a natural clairvoyant from 
 his birth: could converse with spirits even as easy as he could with me. 
 Simeon was one that could interpret all characters from the ancient Arabic to 
 the Hebrew. I was oftentimes controlled to draw characters on the ground, 
 but I could not decipher them ; but he could translate as fast as any could read 
 their own language. My controller taught my mother and father many things 
 that the world never knew ; truths that they dare not r,eveal for fear their lives 
 would be destroyed. These records are drawn by myself, humble as I am, in 
 order that humanity may be blessed ; and all that receive these simple truths will 
 be blessed by receiving me as a brother, and hold me no longer as an idol. Holy 
 God forbids that humanity should be deceived any longer by declaring me 
 a God, or my mother a virgin when I was begotten. Joseph declares he knew 
 Mary one year and eight days before I was born. Catholicism is but the 
 device of heathen anointed priests in order to hold control, and nothing more. 
 The poor, ignorant creatures have bowed to their idols until their chains are 
 heavy, and they are beginning to ask for eternal light. The priests declare in 
 
 9 
 
10 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 all of the churches what they do not believe, with a few exceptions only. 
 Why ? Because it is in their articles of faith, and they would not be held in 
 such high esteem by their deluded votaries. Holy, eternal God, assist me in 
 taking up the cross again in order that I may bless humanity ere I depart 
 again from earth forever, bearing away with me all that earth holds dear. My 
 beloved father and mother, my darling brothers, my controller and his daugh- 
 ters, my holy brethren that suffered with me earthly, and laid down their lives 
 even as I did, in order that God could be acknowledged by his children, and 
 that they could declare his ever presence without fear of the battle-axe, javelin, 
 spear or the cross, cannot be held before them for shouting glory to God, Thou 
 art here even in our midst, and the holy revelations from thy children of light 
 can be received and scattered like God's electric breath all over earth's 
 bosom ; that they can all be bathed in the holy fountain of truth ; that they 
 can be cleansed from the damning influence of anointed priests and heathen 
 bigots that has held earth's inhabitants chained and bound for countless ages. 
 Change after change will come over earth, bearing humanity higher and still 
 higher in the scale of happiness, until they shall all exclaim, God is here ! 
 Then God's holy angels bright can dwell beside God's holy children even as 
 they dwell together on the bright orb of light — the morning star — that has 
 been my home for many ages, and will be again as soon as these records can be 
 finished and given into the hands of the heretics. I long to go back again to 
 that home of rest, and enjoy God's wonders there. Hills and valleys and 
 pearly streams are around that home where I have been. 
 
 May I ascribe myself as the author of this work, and inscribe my own name, 
 Jesus of Nazareth, the first-born of Joseph and Mary. 
 
LIFE OF JESUS. 11 
 
 ^\ 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 LIFE OF JESUS. 
 
 My father's blood must be called the blood of Abraham through Holland's 
 kings even to Judea's worthy King David. The genealogy must be given 
 from David in order that.God's children can feel that Joseph is a worthy man. 
 David's fourth son, Stephen, gave all he had for declaring God. He left be- 
 hind him four children. Zachariah was his first-born ; he died from suffoca- 
 tion, because he declared God's love. He had one boy ; that boy's name was 
 Timothy. He was a captain in the army of Judea ; he was sent out against 
 the Hivites and was slain ; he left three children, all boys. The youngest was 
 named Hurz ; his death was from drunkenness. Eighteen children God gave to 
 him ; his fourth boy was Joseph's great-grandfather ; he had five children, all 
 boys, the youngest was Jesse's father ; he had eleven children, Jesse was the 
 tenth. Jesse lived by carpentering all of his days ; he died when Joseph was 
 two 3'ears and a half old. When he was fourteen years old, he learned the 
 carpenter's trade. His mother was feeble and Joseph dwelt with her, except 
 when he was away at his day's labor. When Joseph was twenty-one years 
 old, he became a Freemason ; he looked upon that order with a holy reverence 
 until his mother's death. He had returned from his labor, and ere he entered 
 his mother's home he was accosted by a brother Mason, thus : " Brother, I have 
 brought you this lamb from Italy ; you know its meaning ; hold it in your 
 bosom as the last gift of a dying brother." Joseph caught the idea and an- 
 swered, " I will hold it in my bosom forever, eternal and forever, as a gift 
 from thee." He took the lamb in his arms and bore it into the house ; his 
 mother breathed deep as he entered, and Joseph knew she was dying. She 
 reached out her hand to her boy, and said, " I shall soon be with your father ; 
 have you any message for him ? " Joseph replied, " God's love eudureth for- 
 ever, eternal and forever." His mother fell back upon her pillow and breathed 
 no more. Joseph fell upon his knees and said, "Holy, eternal God, forgive 
 me for describing this emblem to my mother, but she will bear this message to 
 my father, apd they will be united forever in God's bosom." He buried his 
 mother beside his father, and then went to Judea for work. Seven years he 
 labored in that country; then he had a call to go to Jerusalem, to erect a 
 building for Caiaphas, the high priest. As he was returning from labor, he saw 
 Mary for the first time, bearing a gourd of milk to her mother's home. He 
 called at the door, and said, " Can you give me a drink of water ? " Mary 
 caught the cup and hastened away to the spring, and brought it fresh and full 
 for him to drink. As he handed back the cup, he exclaimed, " How beauti- 
 ful ! " Mary answered, " Yes, it is fresh from the boiling spring." He re- 
 mained but a few moments ; but day by day he was sure to call for his cup 
 of water. Mary was sure to bring it to him each day fresh from the spring. 
 After a time he asked the mother for her daughter in juarriage. She bowed 
 her head and said, " God's will be done, a fearful destiny awaits her, and you, 
 Joseph, if you marry her ; " then she related to him the prophecy that had 
 been given years befor3 by Zadok, the seer. 
 
12 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE SEER DESCRIBIN^G MARY's DESTINY. 
 
 Mary was in her fourteenth year when she espied a beggar sitting by the 
 wayside. She approached him and said, " Good father, may I bring you some 
 food ? " He answered, " I am filled with God's food, even now. Come, angel, 
 let me read your destiny." He reached out his hand, and she laid her palm in 
 his. He then began : " Bright and joyous are thy childhood days, filled with 
 peace and plenty, but you will marry in your eighteenth year. Your husband 
 is even now in Judea ; he is a carpenter by trade, rather tall, comely, hair 
 dark brown, eyes hazel. There comes before me a beautiful boy, your first- 
 born ; his hair is light and wavy, his eyes are like the ether blue, fair in every 
 feature ; child, he looks like you. Then another boy, exactly like the father, 
 strong and hardy, good and honest. The children number five. One little 
 bud drops from your bosom and breathes not his mother's name ; the third boy 
 is a feeble child, but like an angel bright. Holy God," he said, " he loses a 
 leg in his third year." Then he looked again, " Beautiful thy fourth one, and 
 his hair hangs in golden curls falling upon his shoulders, but in his fourteenth 
 year he dies by the battle-axe ; " then he held his breath. Then he spoke 
 again and said, "All of your family are doomed to die by the cruel oppression 
 of heathen bigots." He ceased to breathe for a time. Mary thought he was 
 dying ; she ran for water, but ere she returned he opened his ej^es and looked 
 about like one filled with fear. " Can you go on ? " JVIary said, '' I am strong 
 now, I would know all." He said, " Bitter is your cup, but you will drink it 
 to the dregs. Your third-born will be devoured by wild beasts ; I see them 
 even now tearing his flesh from his bones. Your second-born will be bound, 
 and be beaten to death with clubs and stones." Here he stopped again, una- 
 ble to gaze into the future and live. Mary handed him the cup ; he drank 
 freely ; then she bathed his hands and his temples, and he went on again : 
 '^ Your husband will die by starvation in a cave. But, Holy God assist nie, I 
 see your first-born hanging upon a cross in his thirty-fourth year ; I see him, 
 even now, before me, writhing in agony, and you, daughter, a poor bruised 
 lamb, dragged about by your hair, even from the foot of the cross. Even 
 while I gaze, I behold a sight that causes me to exclaim, God be praised, it is 
 finished ; an angel bright holds the spirit, folds him to her bosom, and passes 
 out of sight, and you, Mary, wandering about not knowing whither to go; 
 friends will feed you, but before the end of the coming season I see two angels 
 bright come and bear you away beyond God's ether blue to the bosom of your 
 husband, surrounded by your children. Many, many ages will pass away and 
 you will all dwell together in that house of God's children, but earth will de- 
 mand your presence again in God's own time to finish up what has been begun 
 by the death of your family." Here the old prophet fell back dead ; then 
 Mary hastened home to her mother and told her all ; she burst into tears and 
 said, " I believe all he told me." 
 
Joseph's love for mary. 13 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Joseph's love for mary. 
 
 Joseph listened until his heart was so filled with anguish that he arose to 
 his feet and walked the floor ; then he said, " I feel God's hand is upon us ; 
 but let me assist Mary in her destiny is all I ask." The mother answered, 
 " Grod doeth all things well for those that jnit their trust in him." Mary said, 
 <• If it please God, Joseph shall be my husband." Joseph, Mary , and the 
 mother, Lazarus and Martha, all went to an anointed priest together, and they 
 were married even that day. Joseph built an addition to the house of Mary's 
 mother, where they all dwelt together. Joseph's heart was filled with adora- 
 tion for his beautiful wife, and Mary's love for her husband knew no bounds. 
 A holier and a happier couple were never united on earth. Lazarus was feeble, 
 and Mary's mother was getting old. Joseph and Mary cared for the home, 
 while Martha went out to day's labor and returned each night. Joseph labored 
 constantly : he was a good workman, and many sought to employ him. The 
 family loved Joseph even as their own. They knelt and prayed night and 
 morning ; and when ]V[ary became pregnant they all blessed God, feeling his 
 hand might be stayed from destroying Mary's children until they should all 
 live out their natural lives. The condition of Mary in due time was made 
 known, and all of the families brought in their little gifts, as was the custom 
 of that day. Eight months and a half passed away, and Joseph fell into a 
 deep sleep. He saw an angel beside him. She said, " Arise Joseph ; take Mary, 
 flee into a land of safety, else Herod will destroy your boy before he is three 
 months old." Joseph awoke from his slumber, and said, " Arise, Mary ; the 
 angel of God has warned me to flee even in this hour, lest our child be cut off." 
 j\Iary answered, " Joseph, I see her now standing beside you ; let us depart ere 
 it is too late." Dark and stormy was the night they started on foot to flee 
 the persecution of the wicked king. They journeyed toward Egypt, hoping 
 to reach there before Mary gave birth to her child. Twelve weary days and 
 cheerless nights passed away. Sometimes they could get lodgings among the 
 poor herdsmen ; but that night they found no place to give them shelter. It 
 was late in the night when Joseph espied a light afar off. " Let us hasten 
 forward," said Joseph ; " there I can make you comfortable with shelter and 
 food." But they were fearfully disappointed when they called and got answer 
 from the innkeeper that the house was filled with strangers. But when he 
 saw Mary his heart softened, and he said, " ^ly oxen are away ; you can be 
 comfortable in the barn." Joseph asked for a lamp filled with oil. He then 
 led Mary into the barn, and prepared a bed for her in the manger where the 
 oxen fed. As Mary entered the barn a light fell over her; she exclaimed, 
 '^ An angel is here ! Joseph, just look at her ! " Mary lay down, but not to 
 sleep ; she knew her hour had come. She called Joseph to her, and said, 
 '' Who is this angel ? Cannot you discern her ? " Joseph said he could not 
 see her ; but Mary said, " She is light all over." The angel knelt beside Mary, 
 and folded her to her bosom, and said, " I am God's child. I have been sent 
 to care for you and your babe : he will live to fill the earth with God's knowl- 
 edge. I shall care for him even to his death." Mary's* heart beat, for she 
 
14 AUTOBIOGKAPHY. 
 
 knew that that child would be hung upon the cross not long after he was born ; 
 but ere Joseph could look upon him he fell asleep. Joseph laid the babe on 
 Mary's bosom, then covered them both over with his blanket. They both 
 slept together. The night wore away ; but ere morning dawned a loud rap was 
 heard at the door. Joseph asked, " Who is there ? " He got answer, '' Four 
 shepherds from the country ; we have come to the feast that is to be held here 
 this day in memory of the Jacobites being led out of Egypt." Joseph an- 
 swered, " My wife has a new-born babe : if you will be quiet you can come in 
 and rest." They all went in ; and when they saw Mary sleeping with her babe 
 in her bosom, they all exclaimed in one voice, " They look like angels ! they 
 are covered with light all over ! " Mary awoke and was filled with fear, feeling 
 they had come to destroy her child. She gathered him still closer to her 
 bosom, and exclaimed, " Child of the living God, care for my babe ! " They 
 all exclaimed, " Fear not, angel of light ! we are but humble shepherds that 
 have come to the feast." They all knelt down and prayed that God would 
 spare the mother and child ; then they all lay down and rested until morning 
 dawn. Before they departed they all knelt again and thanked their Father, 
 God, for giving them a shelter from the cold winds that swept by. Then they 
 added, ^' Holy God, we praise thee for sheltering these bruised lambs from the 
 storm." They all gazed upon the child ; one among them saw a bright light 
 resting over his head. Even then Mary gazed into the future ; she saw her 
 boy nailed to the cross, and the same spirit that had knelt beside her, folded 
 her arms about him. Mary gained fast. The next day following, Joseph bore 
 her to the inn, where they were made comfortable until her babe was ten days 
 old. Then Joseph took the babe in his arms, and Mary walked beside him, 
 and they set out on their journey to the mountains of Helem. Joseph had 
 friends there ; he knew they would give Mary a shelter until he could build 
 for himself a home. They reached the home of Joseph's friend after eight 
 days, and they all found comfort. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 JOSEPH ESTABLISHES HIS FAMILY IN HIS MOUNTAIN HOME. 
 
 Joseph worked diligently felling trees and hewing out boards, and at the 
 end of two weeks he had a good comfortable home. Mary took her babe in 
 her arms and entered that home with a beating heart in declaring that God 
 had blessed her in giving her that good husband and beautiful boy. Her health 
 was good and she made her little home joyous because she knew her child's 
 life was in danger among her people, but here he was freed from Herod's spies, 
 who were anointed priests and confessors. Joseph gazed upon Mary with 
 delight because she was fair as the lily, and the sv/eet little babe that nestled 
 in her bosom caused him to exclaim, "Holy God has blessed me more than 
 the rest of his children." Herod died after two years, but ere that time Mary 
 had borne another lovely boy to bless his father and mother. 
 
 James must be described : He was like the father, but fair in feature, a 
 strong boy, and Joseph received him as a blessing from his Father, God. He 
 laid the babe in Mary's bosom, then knelt and prayed out his soul's adoration 
 to his Creator for his many blessings. After Joseph had finished his house he 
 
JOSEPH ESTABLISHES HIS FAMILY IN HIS MOUNTAIN HOME. 15 
 
 Tised to go to the lowlands for work, but come home every eight days, bringing 
 his barley meal and sometimes a piece of beef or venison — always bringing 
 something home for Mary and myself, if nothing but sweet grapes that grew 
 in the lowlands ; he would also exchange a portion of his barley meal for 
 ■camel's hair, which Mary would braid into garments, being all they had to wear 
 but buckskins, which were also made into garments. His day's wages was one 
 peck of barley meal. James grew hnely. Joseph was delighted with his 
 family, but I was a poor frail thing that could not stand upon my feet. Mary 
 •cared for us both, even as we were both of one age. Ere one year and a half 
 more had passed away, our home was blessed again with another darling boy, 
 ieeble from birth, light and fair ; his hair clustered in golden curls all over his 
 head ; in features he resembled both father and mother. His name was Jesse ; 
 he was named for Joseph's father, whose name was Jesse. In Jesse's third 
 year he grew more feeble, and when he was three years and a half old his leg 
 was cut off. Joseph had been gone into the lowlands two weeks. Mary 
 feared for his safety, and in prayer asked God to reveal to her if Joseph was 
 living or dead. I was looking earnestly at Mary ; I saw a light form enter 
 ■our house ; she approached Mary and folded her to her bosom. I heard a 
 voice, sweet and clear, say, '* Joseph will be back to-morrow eve, and he will 
 bring Martha. They are on their way even now.'' She then approached me ; 
 :she reached out her hand and I laid my palm in hers and fell asleep. When 
 I awoke I saw her there still. I began to cry because I saw a fiend. I 
 thought it was some wicked creature come to bear her away. He was a black, 
 fierce-looking creature ; I thought he was clothed in mortal flesh, as I had 
 never seen a spirit before the bright angel entered our house. The child of 
 -Grod approached him and said, " Begone, thou hell's damned, or I will dash you 
 "to atoms with the help of Almighty God." Her hand was raised, and with 
 one breath he crumbled to atoms, even while I was gazing upon him. As she 
 used this expression " Let God control forever," she turned away from where he 
 had stood and came near me again, knelt down beside me, raised one hand over 
 my head, and in a sweet, gentle breath I heard her say, " Holy Creator, God, 
 care for this frail flower, that he may begin a work for humanity." She then 
 left us, as I was then three years and a half old ; but, sure enough, Joseph and 
 Martha did come as the day following was closing in. Glad hearts were in 
 that humble home ; they knelt in prayer before their God. This was the first 
 time Mary had seen Martha after that fearful night that they parted in their 
 home, when Joseph and Mary were fleeing to save their unborn babe, as Herod 
 had issued a decree that all male children should be cut oif under two years 
 •old. A prophecy had been revealed to one of the herdsmen, even while he was 
 tending his flocks, that one should be born that would rule over Israel. The 
 king's confessor heard it and hastened away to the king. When he heard it, 
 "he was filled with hats and fear. He called the priesthood together ; they 
 decided that Herod's safety alone depended on having all the male children 
 ■cut off. Herod had been drunk all that day and his rage knew no bounds, and 
 he shouted, " Begin your work even now." The priests and confessors did 
 begin their work, and in eight days they had destroyed two thousand eight 
 hundred and seven. It was after this slaughter that Joseph had the dream 
 that he must depart even that hour. That night after Mary left her home, the 
 poor mother exclaimed, " God's hand is already laid upon my poor child ; " 
 then she lay back upon her bed and breathed no more. But Avhen these sisters 
 met again they embraced each other over and over again, recounting to each 
 other the changes they had passed through since that night. Our humble 
 h.ome was filled with angels bright ; I could discern them clearly for the first 
 
16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 time. I saw Joseph's father and mother, and Martha's mother walked in be- 
 side her as she entered the door. Here Martha exclaimed over and over again, 
 "Dear Mary, how God has blessed you in giving you these beautiful children." 
 Many days Martha remained with Mary in order that she could assist in caring 
 for Jesse, as he grew more and more feeble every day ; also to prepare clothes 
 for the children. Joseph had gone to the lowlands again. I would sit by 
 Martha and straighten the camel's hair for her to braid. One day as I was 
 sitting I saw the same bright form enter our home. I cried out, " Mary, she 
 has come, she has come." Martha said, " AVho has come ? " I said, " God's 
 child ; she has in her hand a green herb." Here I reached out my hand for it ; 
 she breathed upon me and I fell asleep. Then she explained to Mary that she 
 must go upon the hillside and gather that herb, describing it to her just as it 
 was, give it to him for drink, and bathe the knee, because inflammation was 
 already there. The limb must be taken off, and unless the body is strength- 
 ened up, he cannot possibly endure it. She added, " God cannot let him die 
 yet, because his work is not done." Mary gathered the herb ; Jesse became 
 stronger in body, but the knee became more and more afflicted. Eight months 
 passed away, and Martha felt as if she must go back to her brother Lazarus — 
 he had been left alone while she was away. Now the time had come that Jesse's 
 leg must be taken off, and Martha felt that if she could bear him away with 
 her to Jerusalem, it could be done far better than in the mountains. There 
 was a confessor that amputated limbs, and they would be compelled to call 
 his aid. Now Martha prepared for her journey ; she folded Jesse in a blan- 
 ket, took him in her arms, and made her way down the mountains, and at night 
 folded him in her bosom in a herdsman's home. Eight weary days she jour- 
 neyed onward, ere she reached the great road leading to Jerusalem. No one 
 had sought to molest her until she was nearing her home. As she sat down 
 by the wayside to rest, a confessor accosted her thus : " Cannot I carry the 
 baby for you ? " and at the same time reached out his hand. An influence 
 caught Martha in an instant ; she exclaimed, "■ Dare not touch this child ; he 
 belongs to Almighty God, and if you dare touch him, your hand will wither." 
 He answered, " Begone, thou heretic, I will see to this, if you are going round 
 the country carrying children to electrify people." After he was gone, Martha 
 saw a bright form beside her. She said, " Who art thou, angel of light ? "^ 
 She got answer, " I am God's child, come to save you in your hour of need. 
 Farewell, Martha ; I will now hasten back to my friends in the mountains 
 that long to hear from you and their dear boy." At this hour Joseph was in 
 the house as the spirit entered. I said, " Mother, look, she has come again ^ 
 how are Martha and Jesse ?" She said, ''They are safe in their home; I left 
 
 I them as they were entering there." 1 told the family what she said, and they 
 said, " God be praised, they are safe." 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Jesse's leg beixg amputated by a coxfessor. 
 
 Let us now go back into the walls of Jerusalem — here is Lazarus, Martha^ 
 and Jesse. Lazarus received the boy in his arms, and shouted, " Glory to God I 
 here is my dear sister Martha, and she has brought an angel with her." When 
 it was known that Martha had returned, all of the Hebrew families about 
 gathered in to see her and make inquiry concerning Joseph, Mary, and their 
 
Jesse's leg being amputated by a confessor. 17 
 
 family. They all knelt and prayed, and the glory of God filled that house ere 
 they lay down to rest. After they had rested for a few days, Martha said to 
 Lazarus, " Jesse's leg must be taken off because it is turning dark." Lazarus 
 answered, "I know one, and I will seek him, even now." He went out, and 
 soon returned, bringing with him the 9ne that was to cut off the leg. Martha 
 said, " How many pieces of silver shall I give you to free the boy from that 
 afflicted limb ? " He looked at him, and said, " He will die, and I shall ^et 
 nothing ; but I must have fifty pieces of silver." Martha said, " His parents 
 are poor ; can't you do it for half that sum ? " He said, " I will do it for 
 one-half of that sum ; I am sure he will die, he is such a feeble thing. If he 
 is a heretic, as I think he is, then let him die ; but it must be cut off, even this 
 hour, else it will be too late." Then he began his work. They laid him on 
 his little bed ; Lazarus held him, and Martha tried to soothe him. Martha saw 
 the angel that met her by the roadside enter her house ; she held in her hand 
 a goblet of pure, sparkling liquid. She bathed Jesse's temples and hands; 
 she sprinkled the limb, also, from time to time until the work was done. He 
 that was removing the limb shuddered all over, and exclaimed, ''Heresy is 
 here ; I feel its chill ! " The limb was removed, and Martha carefully bandaged 
 it. Then the confessor exclaimed, " Give me the silver ! Damn the heretic ! 
 let him die ; I am half frozen to death sitting here." Martha saw the angel of 
 light sprinkle that clear, sparkling liquid all over him. He fled then, and 
 never returned to see if the boy was dead or alive. ^lartha's good care 'and 
 Lazarus's good advice were all that were needed to bring back the flush to his 
 cheek and life to the eye. Joseph was sitting by his fire at night, and I saw 
 our guardian angel enter there. She breathed upon me and controlled me, 
 then delivered a message from iSIartha to my father and mother, like this : 
 *' Holy God has saved your child from death ; now, Joseph, make a journey to 
 Jerusalem : Avork awaits you there. Xot many months will pass away ere you 
 will come and bear all of your family back to Mary's childhood home." She 
 then breathed out of me, and she came not back to us again for two years. 
 Joseph did go back to Jerusalem, and there found work. Mary was left alone 
 with her little children. Months passed away, and Joseph did not return. At 
 last a beggar made his way high into the mountains, and he told Mary he had 
 seen Joseph about one month before, and he was coming back for his family. 
 Xot many days after, Joseph reached his home with a glad heart. He told 
 Mary 'about Jesse's health being so much better, and he made an expression 
 like this : — 
 
 " He is like a lily fair; 
 
 Diamonds glisten beneath his hair. 
 
 He is like a dewdrop sweet, 
 
 In Martha's arms when he falls asleep." 
 
 I asked Joseph if the angel came to see Jesse. When he was sick an 
 angel bright held him from death, and when he is weary she hushes him to 
 sleep. I answered, " How I wish she would come here again, I am so lone- 
 some ! " Joseph said, " She is going away ; her father came for her, and said 
 they should be gone a year and a half, which would be two years from the 
 time she left the mountain home in company with Martha." Mary answered, 
 *' How good God is to give us such a bright angel to care for the little children ! 
 and I think she has been a great comfort to Lazarus and Martha, as well as 
 our dear Jesse." Joseph said, "We are going back to Jerusalem, and we must 
 start at early dawn." Mary baked the barley loaf, and we began our journey. 
 Joseph took me in his arms, as I had no use of my legs and feet. I was now 
 six years and two months old. Mary led James and carriad^.the barley bread. 
 
18 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 Thus we began our journey, and all day we were climbing down the- 
 mountains; but as night closed in Mary espied a light. Joseph said, "Glory 
 to God ! we can soon lie down to rest, because that is the home of the aged 
 seer, Timothy, and he will shelter us from these cold winds." I was crying 
 bitterly ; my feet and hands were aching with the cold. Joseph said, " Have 
 courage ; we shall soon find warmth and rest." Timothy had seen us coming 
 from early morn, and he came out to meet us. As soon as he reached us he 
 .said, "God grant you rest and comfort in my house; although my fare is 
 ^humble, yet God's children are welcome to all I have." All of that night the 
 winds blew fearfully, and the weary travellers slept, all but myself. I crept 
 from my bed close to where my parents lay, and I saw they were all covered 
 over with electricity, and I said, " God is here." At that moment I heard a 
 sweet voice say, "My father is dying." I awoke Joseph and Mary. They 
 arose from their bed ; and, indeed, the aged seer was in the last agonies of 
 death. Joseph called for a cup of water, saying, " He is not dead, but is in an 
 electrified condition. He may have some message for us." I said, "He is 
 dead already ; see, there he stands in the corner." Mary saw him ; but she 
 could not see his angel daughter standing by the father. She was the one I 
 saw, and told me to awake Joseph even in time to close his eyes in death. 
 The remainder of the night was passed in preparing the body for burial. As 
 there was no one but Joseph to cover the earth over him, morning dawned, 
 and Joseph and Mary bore him to his earthly bed. A sweet chant was heard 
 by us all when he was laid in his narrow bed; and after they covered him over 
 they prepared for their journey, even as the sun was rising. That day they 
 made their way to the lowlands among the poor herdsmen. In the evening 
 we made our way to a humble cot, where an old man dwelt alone, attending a 
 few cattle. His beard was gray, his head was bald, his garments were buck-^ 
 skin, his floor was clay, and his bed was dried grass. When we entered, he 
 arose to his feet, and said, " I knew you were coming, because God's child told 
 me so." Joseph inquired concerning her features, and he described her thus : 
 "Her hair is dark and flowing; her eyes are black and holy; her face is like a 
 diamond bright, and she is light all over." I said, " Can I see her ? " He 
 answered, " Xo, she has gone a great way off ; but she told me to say to you 
 that she would be back as soon as the flowers had bloomed once more and had 
 faded, then she would come back with her father and remain with this family 
 as long as you walked the earth." Mary bowed her head, and I saw tears; 
 trickle down her cheeks as she replied, " I knew she would come back and 
 help me bear my burden, which surely awaits me." 
 
 After prayers were ended, a band of angels chanted a hymn. I caught 
 each sound, and it was like this : — 
 
 1 " Aged father, God has blessed you, 
 
 By bringing his children here to-night; 
 Love them, Holy God, forever. 
 
 Even in their heavenward flight. 
 Holy God, how are thy children. 
 
 Wandering forth in hope to find 
 A home of plenty, peace, and comfort, 
 
 Within the walls of Jerusalem. 
 Crosses many are before them ; 
 
 May they bear them, if it be thy will, 
 May they bow in meek submission. 
 
 And ever answer, " Peace be still." 
 
 The singing ceased, and we all retired to rest. At early dawn the old mart 
 arose, kindled his fire, and said, " I am aware you will fall into the hands of 
 
Jesse's leg being amputated by a confessor. 19 
 
 heathen confessors ere you reach your homes ; but may God hold you from 
 those accursed fiends : they robbed me of all I hold so dear. I married an 
 angel bright ; by her I had one daughter and no more, a gentle and holy thing. 
 "When she had reached her fourteenth year a band of eight confessors came. 
 They despoiled my home, dragged away my wife and daughter, and I never 
 saw them more ; but I found their decaying bodies left exposed in the open air, 
 and I shuddered at the sight I saw. When I first awoke this morning, I saw 
 a band of confessors approach you in your journey; but I did not see them lay 
 their hands upon you, yet I have such a fear of them : their touch is pollution, 
 their pollution is death." After he ceased to speak, we all knelt in prayer, 
 partook of our barley bread, and began our journey again. That day we 
 reached Canaan's borders. Happy was Mary to find a friend where she asked a 
 night's rest, and whom she had not seen for many years. She had four beauti- 
 ful daughters, while Clary's were all boys. I heard my mother say, " How I 
 wish I had a daughter to bless me ! " I said, " Can't God give you a daughter, 
 Mary, just as well as he can your friend ? " She answered, " God gave me 
 boys ; I will praise him forever." 
 
 Our evening meal was prepared — oatmeal gruel, dried beef, and a cup of 
 cold water. The time came for us to depart, and Mary bade her friend adieu ; 
 and she never saw her after. Ten days we were in making our way to Jeru- 
 salem ; but before we reached there we were accosted by a band of confessors. 
 They halted in the road before us, and said, " Heretics, where are you going ? " 
 Joseph answered, " My boy has a weak back, and we are going to Jerusalem 
 to see what can be done for him." One said, " Give him to me ; I will cure 
 him before your eyes." Mary screamed ; Joseph was electrified all over, 
 and shouted, " Begone, you damned ! or I will crush you before your com- 
 rades." He turned to the band and said, " Shall we finish these heretics ? " 
 " Leave the damned beggars ; we are in a hurry : let's begone." Then they 
 all turned thedr horses and rode off in another direction. Mary sat dowTi, 
 covered her face with her hands, and said, "May I call God's child to 
 comfort us ? " Joseph answered, " She cannot come until the flowers come 
 once more and wither." They hastened forward, fearing they should be fol- 
 lowed by those fiends. The hour did come when we entered Martha's home, 
 and a more joyous meeting could not be. Jesse was delighted to see us 
 all, and his little heart beat when Joseph sat me down close to him ; and when 
 I looked and found his leg was gone, I burst into tears. He was sitting 
 in Lazarus' lap; I reached out my hand, and he kissed it and said, "Dear 
 brother Jesus, how glad I am you have come ! " Joseph said, " God has 
 spared our dear Jesse, and we will praise him forever." Mary said, " Amen ; 
 God have the glory." Martha prepared the barley bread, and we all sat 
 down in the home where Joseph and Mary had been made so happy, and that 
 home which they were compelled to leave in order that I could be spared 
 until God's own time, that man might know there was but one God, and one 
 God only. That night Lazarus made the prayer, and the house was filled ^vith 
 angels bright. I saw them everywhere. Mary's mother drew near me ; she 
 breathed upon me, and said, " I have been in trouble ever since 3'ou started, 
 lest harm should befall 3'ou ; now, welcome home, dear children : rest all you 
 can, for the time will come when you will be driven again into the mountains." 
 They all laid down to rest ; but still the home was filled with bright forms. I 
 called and called again for God's child, but got no answer. I fell asleep, 
 hoping she would be there in the morning. The next day many hearts were 
 made glad by Mary's presence ; all of the neighbors gathered in to see ^lary 
 once more in the home of her childhood. Joseph began his labor as soon as 
 
20 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 he was rested, and the family were blessed together. Days passed away, and I 
 was a poor helpless thing. Flowers bloomed and faded. 1 crept to the door 
 and saw the leaves withering with a glad heart. I called Mary, and said, '• See 
 here, this flower is fading ; don't you think God's child will come now ? I did 
 know she would come back, and each drooping leaf gave me joy." Mary 
 answered, " God grant her coming ; 1 long to see her in my home again." 
 Then I said, " Has Joseph asked God if he would let her come ? " — " In God's 
 own due time all will be well," said Mary. Days passed away, and as I crept 
 into the house as the sun was setting, 1 saw our guardian angel kneeling beside 
 Jesse and bathing his limb with her cool electric hand. She drew near me, and 
 I laid my hand in hers as she exclaimed, " Darling boy, I will never again leave 
 you while you walk the earth, if it be my Heavenly Father's will ! I have 
 come to care for you and the children, and comfort dear Mary ; for the cup 
 is bitter that is prepared for you all, and you will have to drink it to the 
 dregs." Mary came in and saw her, and said, "Angel of light, welcome to 
 our homes and our hearts ; " then she breathed a prayer : it was like this, 
 " Holy God, leave thy child in my home as long as I live in mortal form, 
 and we sl'iall all be blessed by her holy presence, because she is one of God's 
 family." The angel answered, " Amen ; my mission is with you to the end, 
 and my father will be here after many days." The chills of winter passed 
 away ; spring came, the family were all kneeling in prayer when Leiah entered 
 our home and exclaimed, " God has again held you from death. I saw a band 
 of anointed priests, and I feared they would enter here. I dashed an electric 
 flash upon their leader ; as he felt the shock he fell back and exclaimed, " The 
 damned heretics are here ; let us go : I feel their chill, and if they are not cut 
 off they will destroy us all ! " 
 
 CHAPTER yi. 
 
 THE IXFLUEXCE CHANGED. 
 
 Letah remained with us for a whole year without leaving us at all. He 
 controlled me daily, gave me much knowledge of the past ages — for two hun- 
 dred and fifty-five thousand years. He had marked the changes of all the 
 nations of the earth — not one kingdom but had felt his power, because he 
 had controlled even among the heathen, and declared one God, and one God 
 only.^ 
 
 Now he knew there must be a human sacrifice in order to establish the 
 truths he had sought to establish among men. His holy boy, as he called 
 him, was a fit subject, because he was all good. Humanity demanded, and 
 they must be appeased. He was a holy thing, and he must die in order to 
 establish truths here on earth and prepare the way for light to reach the 
 human mind, that had been held by the dark devices of heathen idolatrous 
 worshippers, in the form of priests and confessors, that destroyed the fairest 
 earth flowers, and damned the inhabitants of every clime. 
 
 Day after day he would control, giving light to the heretics that asked for 
 knowledge. He declared to them that he was determined to bear me along 
 until the fulfilling of the prophecy breathed by Zadok, the seer. I had 
 grown in body, but I had not strength enough in my limbs to support my 
 weight. One day Martha held me up by my arms. I saw God's child 
 
THE INFLUENCE CHANGED. 21 
 
 holding her hands on my back, and she said, "Stand firm, ray darling boy; 
 I will help you." I tried as hard as I could, but my limbs would bend be- 
 neath my weight. Leiah controlled me even then, and caused me to run 
 across the floor and back again. Joseph came in at that time, and exclaimed, 
 *< Look, Mary ! he is like an angel ; his feet hardly touch the floor ; he has been 
 better ever since he was controlled ; who knows but he may walk in God's 
 own time ? " Mary caught the idea that I was electrified, and calmly 
 answered, "Joseph, God is here, and our boy will surely walk." Martha 
 took m^e and laicl me on my bed, being entirely exhausted. I fell asleep. I 
 dreamed I was "walking all about the door, gathering flowers ; and when 
 I awoke I made the attempt, but my limbs bent beneath me : the influence 
 came over me again, atid I could walk as easy as if I had always been 
 strong. In this manner I continued three months ; my limbs grew strong 
 enough to enable me to walk a little all alone ; but the hour did come when 
 it was around the country that there was a child that healed the sick. Many 
 came, and my controller breathed upon them, and they would be healed. 
 He would prescribe herbs for them to drink, in order that their blood should 
 be cleansed, that they could live and be happy. . The priests heard that 
 a heretic was healing the sick, and they issued a decree that all that had been 
 healed should die, and the Hebrew boy should be beheaded the next day in 
 the great square, that all could deride him that chose. Leiah controlled 
 Martha, and said, " Bear away that boy, even in this hour ; let nothing 
 hinder you from making your way again into the mountains : his life is of 
 more value than all the rest of you together." Joseph took me by the hand, 
 as I could walk quite well. I was then eight years and eleven months 
 old. All that night I kept pace with him ; but as morning dawned I fell 
 back, losing all of my strength. In an instant Joseph caught me in his 
 arms ; and we reached the border country of Cana ere the night closed in. 
 As he bore me in a humble tent there, he looked around and said, " death ! 
 what hast thou done ? " The inmates were all gone, but blood was every- 
 where. Joseph left that house ; but as he turned his gaze once more toward 
 that house of desolation, he exclaimed, " Priests and confessors have been 
 there and destroyed my friends." They were friends that had given him and 
 Mary shelter when they were fleeing Herod's kingdom for the safety of their 
 unborn child. The family had consisted of father, mother, four beautiful 
 daughters, and one son. They had all been cut off in one night ; father and 
 son had been beheaded, and the females had all been crushed by hell's 
 damned in priestly robes. Joseph bowed his head, and said, " Holy God, 
 shield my family from those fiends of darkness, and I will praise thee for- 
 ever." The journey was long ; I was feeble, but daily I was controlled and 
 borne along on foot. Joseph could hardly keep pace with me. He would 
 say, " Boy, your feet hardly touch the ground." When we reached our home 
 I was entirely exhausted. I fell in a deep sleep which lasted four days and 
 four nights. By that time the family had all reached their home. Mary bent 
 over me, and exclaimed, " Our boy is dead ! our boy is dead ! " Joseph drew 
 near, and said, " Mary, he sleeps ; he will awake soon, because before he fell 
 asleep he said, " I shall sleep four days, and then God's child will come and 
 awake me." He did awake in about an hour, and happy they were again in 
 their humble home. 
 
 The same night that Joseph fled with me, the family all started ; but their 
 journey was slow, because Lazarus was feeble, and Martha had to carry Jesse 
 in her arms. Mary would take him now and then in order that Martha could 
 rest; but Martha was strong and hardy, and she bore* her burden with holy 
 
22 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 love, but not without fear. They prepared their barley bread again, and as 
 they gathered around the board I awoke and said, " Let God alone control 
 in this house hereafter and forever." Joseph answered, " Amen, glory to God^ 
 our boy lives and speaks again in our midst." — " Eat," said a gentle voice 
 close beside me ; " bring a cup of water and a piece of bread." The water 
 refreshed me, and the bread blessed me. After a little I arose to my feet, 
 went to the door looking out upon the high crags around me. I thought it was 
 the most beautiful place I had ever seen. As I gazed upon a high cliff I saw 
 a female gathering flowers there. I thought how wonderful one should climb sa 
 high on that mountain brow, as I had never seen any one there before. Her 
 garments were light and flowing, her hair was loose, hanging over her shoulders. 
 As I gazed, another form approached her ; he held out his hand. She laid her 
 palm in his, and they began to descend the mountain. I held my breath, fear- 
 ing they would be dashed to pieces ; but on and on they came, gliding down 
 the rocky steep. I lost sight of them but for a moment, then they both stood 
 before me — Leiah and his daughter. She held in her hand fresh flowers 
 gathered from the mountain peak. As she held them toward me, she said, 
 " Dear brother, I gathered them for you." Holy they were to me ; as I held 
 them in my hand, I felt God had breathed upon them full of holy aroma. 
 They filled me full of God's love. I carried them into Mary, saying, ^^ See 
 what God's child gave me ; I saw her gather them with her own hand." 
 These two angels lingered near until Joseph came home, and then my con- 
 troller breathed upon Jesse ; he fell asleep, and this was the communication 
 through him : " The lowlands are in great commotion ; hundreds have been, 
 slain by the priesthood in order to cut off all heresy. Lazarus' house has 
 been burned down, and nothing but the ashes are left. Their rage knew no 
 bounds when they found the boy Jesus had escaped them, also the Hebrew 
 family. They are now scouring the country^ in order to bring them back, that 
 they may be put to death on the great square, to show that all heretics should 
 be made to acknowledge the priesthood, and all should bow to them before any 
 other law, and their decree should be first in council. -Their spies are every- 
 where, and, in order that my boy shall be safe, he must go every day into the 
 forest at early dawn, and remain there until the night closes in ; but let him 
 remain until I bring you word ; have him prepared with a blanket to keep 
 him comfortable." 
 
 Three days had passed away, and we had heard nothing from the lowlands. 
 Mary began to feel that I could remain in our home safely, when a lightning 
 flash rent the cliff, and its fragments were dashing down on all sides of our 
 home. Mary was fearfully frightened ; Lazarus and Martha held themselves 
 calm. I gazed upon the scene, and my soul was filled with holy adoration to 
 God for sparing us all. " Holy, eternal God," I said, " thou hast been good to 
 spare us all while the lightning flashed above our heads." As Joseph neared 
 our home he saw fragments of rocks everywhere ; he feared we had been 
 destroyed ; but as he entered our home he shouted, '' Holy God, thou art here ; 
 I will praise thee forever ; my family are in thy hands, and we will hold our- 
 selves in a condition that thou canst be glorified through thy children." Then 
 Leiah entered our home ; he breathed upon Martha and said, " Our boy will go 
 into the' forest to-morrow at early dawn, and not return until night closes in, 
 because there is a confessor lurking around the mountains, hoping to search 
 out the Hebrew family ; and Jesus has a price set upon his head — fifty pieces 
 of silver. This guardian angel will go with him until he is made to feel there 
 is no danger ; then she must go with me for a time." I said, " Don't take her 
 away, I shall be so lonesome." I called Mary, and said, " Mary, Leiah is 
 
JESUS CARRIED TO THE SYNAGOGUE AT ANTIOCH. 23^ 
 
 going to take my angel away ; ask him to leave her with me.'' Mary said,. 
 " Leiah, God's child has been with us for a long time, and we should be very 
 lonesome without her." Leiah bowed his head and said, " She is all I have ; 
 she is the holiest thing God ever gave me, but now I give her to you in order 
 that God may be glorified through you, my dear boy. She will watch over 
 thee when I am away, and when I am here she will assist Mary in giving her 
 strength and encouragement, because her burden will be heavy, and the holjr 
 influence of my daughter will bless her." 
 
 CHAPTER yil. 
 
 JESUS CARRIED TO THE SYNAGOGUE AT AXTTOCH. 
 
 Eight days passed away ere Leiah returned. I was kneeling in prayer 
 when he entered our house. He breathed upon me and controlled me; in an 
 instant bore me away down the mountain side ; my feet did not touch the 
 ground in many places, and I felt like a feather blown by the Avind. I could 
 see all I passed, but I had no power to stop. All day we sped along; night 
 came, and we halted not. There was a great feast at Antioch, and we arrived 
 there the third day and the third hour, even as they had begun to assemble. 
 Leiah relinquished his grasp, and I sat down by the wayside, faint and ex- 
 hausted. I fell back, and a beggar came to me and said, "Boy, are you 
 dying ? " I answered, " Give me bread, give me water." He brought me 
 water, -but bread h^ had none. I drank freely, then I lay there for hours. 
 There came a poor, despised female ; man had cursed her, God never. I 
 breathed deep, and my^controller exclaimed, " Give this boy bread, or he dies."^ 
 She took from her bundle a piece of bread ; she handed it toward me, but I 
 had no power to reach for it, and then she knelt beside me and said, "Poor 
 boy, he is dying." Here I breathed deep again, and said, " Crumble it into the 
 water, he cannot eat it dry." Then she started back, and looked at me again,, 
 and said, " Holy God, this the holy child Jesus, that healed me when I was 
 sick, gave me light when I was in darkness ; let me die for him even here." I 
 an^were 1, " Your dying would do me no good ; but live to take care of this poor 
 bo ly until I can begin a work for humanity, that God ma}^ be glorified through 
 his own children." The bread and water gave me strength, and I ate all I de- 
 sired ; then I arose to my feet, it being high noon, and I was controlled on that 
 instant. Leiah bore me into the synagogue, beggarly clad as I was, through 
 the multitude, upon the very altar. He held me there one hour and a little 
 more. Then the Jews cried out against the beggar, declaring the Devil had 
 control, because he was all over light. Then the shout arose, " Drag him out, 
 drag him out." One of the laymen approached me, and laid his hand upon 
 me, then he fell back entranced. After a few moments he sprang to his feet, 
 shouting, " Holy, Almighty God is here, because the synagogue is filled with 
 angels. Light is everywhere ; catch its rays, ye children of darkness ! shout, 
 ye children of Antioch. God is here ! " Then the congregation shouted 
 louder than before, " The Devil is here filling us Avith light." The people be- 
 gan to flee ; he stood there still like a ray of light, while I had fallen to the 
 floor. He shouted to them to stop, saying, " If you bring in your battle-axe, 
 God will curse you forever." They heeded him not, but brought in their 
 
24 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 magistrate and his followers. They sought to aim a blow at him that was de- 
 claring God, but they could not reach him. The}^ became so electrified that 
 they dropped the battle-axe and fled, filled with fear. As soon as they had 
 gone I arose to my feet, and in an instant I was folded to the bosom of my 
 guardian angel, and how she bore me away from there I never knew ; but he 
 that was controlled fell down dead, even there, when my controller breathed 
 out of him, as I was after wards told. I found myself sitting beside a brook, 
 bathing my head, face, and hands. I looked around, and I saw her that had 
 given me bread and water kneeling in prayer. I said to her, " Daughter of 
 Antioch, can you give me a piece of bread ? " Her answer was, " You fed me 
 with God's bread, and I will feed you with barley bread. Here, dear Jesus, 
 take this, it is all I have got ; but I have a friend that will give me more, and 
 if you will wait here I will bring some for you to bear along with you on your 
 journey." She returned in a short time bearing back with her a full loaf, and 
 said, '^ Take all you want, and I will bear the rest away to those beggars ycn- 
 cler." I said, " Can't I go with you ? I have a message for them." She said, 
 " Come, if you have strength to walk there." I attempted to rise to my feet ; 
 but I fell back again, my strength having left me. Then I said, " God is to be 
 glorified through his children, and if the}^ will eat of his bread they shall be- 
 •come children of eternal life." She hastened away ; but before she could give 
 her message, I was again electrified, and borne along in the direction of the 
 highlands. All that day and night I was borne en until the sun stood high 
 in the ether ; then I was accosted by a herdsman. He said, " Are you the boy 
 Jesus that is making such a great commotion all about the lowlands." " I an- 
 swered, " God begets commotion in order that his holy electric air can puiify." 
 He said, " Have you any electricity that I can feel the ^hock." — " God holds 
 his own electricity," I answered, "and uses it at his c\An will and pleasuie." 
 — " Hoy?" he said, " I am freezing now ; are you linding me with elec- 
 tricity ? " 1 saw Leiah fold him in his arms, and I knew he would control 
 him. He breathed deep, his face became livid, and his eyes glazed, then he 
 spoke to me, and said, " The hour has come, my boy, for us to begin our work 
 in earnest. There is to be a wedding in Cana, I must bear you there in oider 
 that God can turn their water into wine, that they can I ehold his works. Help 
 me, my angel boy, and I will bear you back to ycur mother in eight days." I 
 said, " Let me go home to my mother, then I will die for you if it be needed." 
 — "Then it will be too late for God to be glorified," he said. "Theie," he 
 said, " I will bear you to friends that will give you food and rest eie you go 
 back towards the mountain." Leiah then breathed out cf that body, and left 
 him in a natural sleep, in order that I could get away, because he was deter- 
 mined to get the price for my head, which was one hundred pieces of silver, if 
 I was dead or alive. I was caught up again, and home onward, not knowing 
 whither. Four days and four nights passed away, and I was in Car a. I 
 stopped at a humble home and said, " Can I have a cup of cold water and a plate 
 to lie down ; I am exhausted, and must sleep." — " Come in little boy, I have 
 «een you before. Have you a brother that had his leg cut off ? " I answered, 
 << I have, and his name is eJesse." — " Is your name Jesus ? " she said, cover- 
 ing her face with her hands. " It is," I said ; " my father's name is Joseph, 
 and my mother's name is Mary." — " My father and mother belong to the He- 
 brews, and I though you looked like them." The mother came forward with a 
 cup of water ; I drank it, and then she said, " I know your mother ; we were 
 children together, and she was my own dear cousin. I am Hester. The ways 
 of God were wonderful how your family escaped death ; it is the hand of God 
 that held them, else they would have been cut off ere this." Then she said, 
 
JESUS CARRIED TO THE SYNAGOGUE AT ANTIOCH. 25 
 
 " Come in, boy, lie clown and rest, you look so pale ; but tell me how came you 
 here alone ? " — " God bade me come, and he will bear me back again if it be 
 his will," I said. Then I fell asleep. When I awoke, I found myself in the 
 midst of a large assembly, holding in my hand a glass of pure, cold water, 
 shouting, " Holy, Almighty God, change this water into wine, that they can be- 
 hold thy glory." At that moment I saw a hand held over that glass, and a 
 crimson stream run therein. " Here," I said, " is your w4ne, drink and be 
 merry ; bring me more jjure water, that you can have a plenty and to spare." 
 They brought four gourds and one bucketful. The same hand was held over 
 them, and they became wine. " Here," I said, " drink, but do not become 
 drunken ; but let God be glorified through the works done here." I was con- 
 trolled, declaring that t^ie same body before them must be hung upon the cross, 
 in order that God's children might know who to worship in truth. 
 
 There was one among them that declared an angel had folded me to her 
 bosom all the time I was speaking. He declared, also, that I was nothing but 
 a ray of light in the hands of the living God, and that God would surely take 
 me to himself before my work was finished. ''Holy God," I said, "let me 
 breathe out where I am weary." God's child answered even there, in her 
 sweet, calm voice, " The time will come, dear brother, when you will find rest 
 in the bosom of your God." There^ again I became electrified ; and I never 
 knew more until I had reached the border land of Cana, where the mountains 
 rose high and the waters came dashing down in torrents. Here I sat beneath 
 a shelving rock, calm and refreshed : there came a voice to me, saying, " Come, 
 let us go home ; I have been telling Meny you would be there in two days." 
 At the mention of my mother I burst into tears, and said, " Holy God, let me 
 go home to my ^Mary and die in her bosom." I got answer, " No, my dear 
 brother, you cannot die yet, for there is a work for you to do ; now let us has- 
 ten forward in order that we may reach a humble cot by the wayside : there 
 you will find food and rest. There is an aged clothes-vendor who lives there. 
 His family have all been cut off, consisting of his companion, four daughters, 
 and two sons : he was away from home when his house was entered by eleven 
 anointed priests. They cut off the heads of the two boys, and crushed the 
 females to death. The father came home and found his family destroyed, his 
 house in ashes, his hopes blasted. He called for his angel companion. She 
 came to him, and then he fell back into a deep sleep ; there he saw and con- 
 versed with his family. They bade him have courage, and he would surely come 
 to them by and by ; but there he dwells alone, waiting for his hour to come. 
 This the spirit told me as we journeyed on together ; and as we drew near, the 
 old man came out to meet me, and said, '' I have been looking for you for some 
 time. My daughter said she saw you, and that you were faint and weary, so 
 you see I have procured for you a cup of milk and a piece of bread, and a 
 clean, nice bed of dried grass for you to rest upon." I answered, " God is 
 here, she is here, and all your family are here." — "How many do you see ?" 
 he said. " Two boys in tender childhood, four beautiful damsels, fresh and 
 blooming, and their mother, folding her arms around you." He burst into 
 tears, and said, " Holy God, leave them with me here in this house until I can 
 become one of them." I said, " Let us kneel and pray, even here, that they can 
 behold God's glory in their own home." — "Amen," he said; and we knelt in 
 the midst of his children, and they blended their lives with the angel band 
 that filled the home of the aged centurion, called Cornelius. He followed me 
 a long way on my journey, and when he turned back he covered his face with 
 his hands and Avept. I said, " Fear not ; your family are all with you, and will 
 go back with you, and you will be lonesome no more." Then he said, " God 
 
26 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 bless you ! May the angel that is beside you hold you in her bosom forever.'^ I 
 •continued my journey eight days after I had left Cornelius ere I reached my 
 mountain home. As I drew near I feared something had happened to them, 
 for the door was closed even while the sun was shining. I knocked at the 
 door, and none gave me answer. With a trembling hand I pushed open the 
 door; nothing was left there, but I fell down exhausted and fell asleep; 
 Many days I slept on, until a gentle hand was laid in mine, and a gentle voice 
 said, " Come, dear boy, Mary and the family are all coming ; they will all be 
 here in a few moments. Come, get up, bathe, that you may feel fresh ; then 
 they will acknowledge God has cared for you, and it will hold them from all 
 fear hereafter.'' Mary came in as I was asking how long I had been asleep, 
 and my angel friend answered, " Eight days and eight nights you have slept, 
 and God's angel children have breathed upon you ; and you live because your 
 time is not yet." Mary cried out, " Holy, Almighty God, my boy is alive and 
 is here! " I said, "Mother, I want some bread ; I am dying for bread." She 
 gave me a piece ; but I could eat only a crumb. I lay down again. Lazarus 
 came and sat down by me. He took my hands in his and breathed upon me. I 
 then sat up and said, " Let us return thanks to God for bringing us all together 
 again." I said, " Lazarus, pray ; this body is not strong enough." He prayed, 
 and such a prayer ! It filled our home with God's glory and his angel children. 
 Martha answered, " Glory to God ! he was dead, but he lives again ; let us praise 
 him forever." Joseph came home four days after ; I then had become strong. 
 He brought intelligence from the lowlands that there was a great commotion 
 both among the Jews and the heathen priests and confessors, and a larger price 
 was set upon my head than before. Two hundred pieces of silver had been 
 offered for my head, and fifty for each of the family. Joseph said, " I can go 
 to the border country and labor until the law will free my family from the 
 price that is set upon them, which will be a year and a half ; and you, Lazarus 
 and Martha, must remain here because you are considered of the family." 
 Mary said, " We heard by a boy from the lowlands that a band of confessors 
 were coming up the mountains, and we fled to the cave ; there we remained 
 until God's child came and told us they had turned back : and when we came 
 here we found our dear boy, fresh and beautiful as ever." She said, " He was 
 gone from iis two weeks and eight days when I found him on our return ; but 
 how long he had been here I know not." I answered, " Eight days and nights 
 I was here ; but I slept." Joseph answered, " God grant you may sleep in 
 safety until I return : it will be eight weeks." He left us, filled with fear and 
 anxiety lest harm should befall us. Mary watched him until he turned a high 
 crag, and then fell back like one dead. Martha gave her drink, while I bathed 
 her temples and hands. She breathed, and a deep groan escaped her. I saw 
 a vision was upon her, and I said, " Tell, oh, tell me what you see ! " She said, 
 " A confessor is climbing the mountains directly in Joseph's path. God help 
 my husband, else he will perish by the battle-axe of that fiend." Then she 
 awoke and said, " Is Joseph gone ? " I said, " Josej)!! is on his way to the 
 border country. Hark ! " I said, " there is an awful crash. God's angels are sav- 
 ing Joseph from death : there is an avalanche, and it has crushed the confessor 
 beneath its weight." — " Glory to God ! " said Mary. "■ Joseph is safe, and he 
 will come back to us again." Lazarus was feeble, and the mountain air caused 
 his cough to be oppressive. Martha said, " When Joseph comes home again I 
 must seek a home in the lowlands." Her heart ached for Mary, but she felt it 
 a duty to care for her brother. 
 
 I had been wandering about my home all day, but as night closed in I was 
 controlled by Leiah. He told Mary that he must bear me away on a long 
 
JESUS CARRIED TO THE SYNAGOGUE AT ANTIOCH. 27 
 
 journey, and it would be months before he could bring me back again. She 
 asked, " Where are you going ? " He answered, " I am going to a king that 
 is about to be dethroned by the Amalekites. If timely warning is given he 
 will be saved, and his people. Trust him to me ; I will bring him back by the 
 middle of the fourth month." The influence left me ; I went away by myself 
 and asked God to assist me. God's child came and sat down beside me. She 
 laid her hand in mine ; she said, " Dear boy, your journey is a fearful one. God 
 will direct you ; my father will care for you, while I must remain with Mary 
 and the children ; but I will come to you and comfort you whenever I can." 
 Mary prepared my garments, and at early dawn I set out barefooted, and alone i 
 as for human aid, not knowing whither I was going, but trusting to him that 
 walked beside me, an an^el bright. I had learned to love him as my father, 
 and his daughter as my sister. Down we went from crag to crag, a way that 
 I never went before. Deep cuts in the mountain made me stop ; then I would 
 glide down as easy as if it was a smooth surface. Xight came on, and we were 
 still upon the mountains. I sat down by a green bush, and there I fell asleep. 
 I arose at early dawn, still descending the mountains ; noon came, and I began 
 to find the habitation of man. I entered a herdsman's home and asked for a 
 piece of bread. I got for an answer, " Bread we have not ; but you can have a 
 piece of meat and a cup of milk." I said, " Give me the milk ; but meat I 
 cannot eat." — "Drink all the milk you want, for by and by I shall have more." 
 She was the daughter of an aged herdsman, and they dwelt there alone. As I 
 handed the cup back I said, " You have many in family." Her answer was, 
 " My father and myself." I said, " I see a female here old enough for your 
 mother, four beautiful damsels, and a young man ; he says you are his sister." 
 Then the father came in. She told him all. He looked kindly at me, and said, 
 " Angel boy, your doom is sealed. I saw a band of confessors not more than 
 an hour ago, and they were inquiring after such a boy as you, and they said 
 you had fled them." The damsel said, " Let us hide him until they have left 
 the country, lest they cut him off." I remained there the rest of that day and 
 that night, but started again at early dawn. Night came again, and I was still 
 among the herdsmen. I asked for a cup of milk, a piece of bread, and a place 
 to lie down to sleep. I drank the milk, but the bread I laid in my bosom for 
 my breakfast. I arose before any of them were astir. Day after day I 
 journeyed onward until I reached Armenia ; there I inquired for the king, and 
 was told he was not able to be seen. The gatekeeper said, " Boy, come in. It 
 may be business of importance ; at any rate, this little boy can't do any harm." 
 I was directed into the servants' apartment. They asked if I was hungry. I 
 answered, " I have come a long way to see the king ; do let me see him ere it 
 is too late." One said, " Is it business that concerns the kingdom ? " I 
 answered, "The Amalekites are preparing to cut him off and destroy the people 
 and take the kingdom. Do let me see him now, else it be too late " — " Come, 
 little boy," said one of the kind-hearted females, "eat now while we send 
 word to the king, that he may prepare for your coming to his chamber ; for he 
 has been ill for days." I answered, " Drink I cannot, eat I dare not, until I 
 have delivered my message to the king." The king called for an audience, 
 and I hastened to meet him. He looked at me as I entered there, and said, 
 " You are a frail little thing, but you are covered all over with light." Then 
 I saw Leiah. He reached out his hand to me. I laid my palm in his. He 
 breathed upon me, and I had a fearful vision. I saw a mighty army all around, 
 with battle-axes, javelins, and spears. I saw they had chariots, whose wheels 
 would turn in any direction ; burnished steel-like blades cut in pieces whatever 
 they came in contact with. Then I shouted " king, t];iey are already cross- 
 
28 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 ing your border country, and if you do not prepare to defend yourself you will 
 surely be cut to pieces." Then the king shouted, " Bring in my council, even 
 now." He was obeyed ; and the chamber was filled with brave-looking men. 
 There I stood before them, and was controlled. What was said I know not ; 
 but this I do know, when the influence left me I fell down like one dead. 1 
 could hear and see all, but move I could not. In their excitement the}^ had 
 forgotten me, stepping around and over me. At last I breathed deep, and 
 asked for a cup of water. I drank freely ; and in a short time I arose to my 
 feet. I turned to the king, and said, " Good king, can T have a piece of bread 
 and a place where I can lie down and sleep, because I have not eaten or slept 
 for three /lays and three nights, but hastened to you, lest it should be too late." 
 He called his servant, and bade him care for me in all things. He bore me to 
 the kitchen. I ate a piece of bread about as big as an acorn, then lay down 
 and fell into a deep sleep. Two hours I slept ; then the king sent for me again. 
 I arose and followed the servant ; but when I entered that chamber again I was 
 filled with fear. It was filled with men. I stood there, a poor, frail thing, not 
 daring to look up. The king said, " Come here, boy." I stepped up to him 
 and laid my hand in his. I burst into tears, and said, '' Good king, can I go 
 home to my mother ? " I looked at him, and I saw a tear in his eye, and he 
 said, " How did you come ? " I answered, " On foot, and God helped me." 
 Then he said, " Can you tell me any more about the Amalekites ? " I said the 
 country was in great commotion, but I knew no more. Armed men were 
 everywhere, and I had to creep under the hedge and through the forests in 
 order that they should not destroy me before I could give you warning. The 
 king said, " Do you want me to send some one with you ? " I said, " ]^o ; God 
 will go with me." — ^' Then," he answered, " may God care for you, and carry 
 you safe back to your mother is my earnest prayer ; now go and rest, but when 
 you are ready to go let me bid you farewell." I went to the kitchen. There I 
 ate bread and drank water ; then I lay down again and slept the remainder of 
 the day and all night. The sun was shining brightly when I awoke. I arose, 
 bathed, combed my hair, and said I must begin my journey even now. " The 
 king wishes to speak to you," said the servant ; '' come this way." I followed 
 him into the king's bedchamber. The king was lying on his bed ; he reached 
 out his hand, and said, " Here, boy, take this ; eat and drink all you want before 
 you go : this will buy you more. What you do not need, bear it home to your 
 father ; say to him, ' It is sent to you for letting your frail little boy come to 
 me in my hour of need.' " — " God sent me," I said, " else I could not have 
 found the way." — " Farewell, frail little boy ; how I wish you were mine ! " — 
 " Good-by," I said ; then left King Lear, but not forever. 
 
 Two months brought me in sight of my home again. As I drew near my 
 heart beat ; and as I started forward I beheld my mother bathing a new-born 
 babe, one that God had given her in my absence. I folded my mother to my 
 bosom, and said, '' God has brought me home, else I could not have been here." 
 Mary burst into tears, and said, ''Holy Creator, God, I will praise thee for 
 ever and ever ! " Then Mary said, " Look, Jesus, see how God has blessed our 
 home ; here is a little angel brother, and we will call him Simeon." I then 
 asked for Joseph. Mary answered, " He will be at home in two days. He has 
 not seen the baby yet, as he has been gone almost four weeks." The boys came 
 in, and I said, " You have grown since I went away." James answered, " But 
 you, dear brother, are pale and feeble. Look, Mary, see how pale his cheeks 
 are ; don't you want to lie down ? Come, dear brother, let me help you." 
 I thought it best, I said, to bathe and eat a piece of bread first, because I 
 hungered. There came to our home a beggar. He said he had seen Lazarus 
 
JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 29 
 
 and jVIartha in a little home on the banks of a stream in Cana, and Lazarus 
 was much better. He said he should go back that way, and would tell them 
 I had come home again. I said, "Tell Martha to come; she is needed in the 
 home of her sister, and bring Lazarus with her, as the weather is fine now, and 
 he will be stronger by breathing the mountain air." 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM CARRIED TO SYNAGOGUE AT ANTIOCH. 
 
 In two days Joseph came home ; and as he saw me he fell upon his knees 
 and asked God to forgive him for his lack of faith in him for mistrusting his 
 promise in bringing back his boy again. Then he said, " God grant you may 
 never again be taken away from us while we walk the earth." Mary answered, 
 " Amen, if it please God." The family remained together two weeks ; then we 
 were again thrown into confusion because the Amalekites had heard that a 
 Hebrew boy had revealed to King Lear their intention of cutting him off, root 
 and branch ; but he had slain their warriors by thousands and tens of thou- 
 sands. They had filled Assyria's border country ; but they had no established 
 kingdom of their own, and they had a great desire to possess Armenia ; but 
 when they were defeated their hate against the Hebrews knew no bounds. 
 Hundreds had been cut to pieces, while others had been carried into captivity. 
 Mary feared they would find their way into the mountains, and fear fell 
 heavily upon her. I said, " Mary, fear not ; God can keep them away as easy 
 as he could bring me back to you again." 
 
 Now months passed away, and a calm again settled over the country. After 
 a time Martha and Lazarus came to us again. They remained there a year and 
 a half. Joseph had been at work as a carpenter in the lowlands, and he had 
 met with the controller of the buildings for Pontius Pilate. He bargained 
 with Joseph that he would employ him all of the time for a year. Joseph 
 said, " The law has freed us from the price set upon our heads ; and if you 
 have no fear to go, we can live quietly by ourselves, and it will be easier for 
 me, as it is a long way to bring the barley meal up the mountains ; yet if it is 
 for the safety of my family, I will not complain : and I was thinking that to 
 be with my family would give us all so much happiness ; and the controller of 
 the building told me there was a home left vacant near by Pontius Pilate's 
 barn, and with a little alteration it could be made comfortable. I was con- 
 trolled even then ; and Leiah declared he had a work to do in the home of the 
 king, and the sooner they could get ready for the .journey the better. " Leave 
 your home comfortable," he said, "because the time will come when all earth 
 besides will refuse a shelter to cover your heads." Joseph fastened up the 
 windows, and after the family had gone out he fastened the door by dropping 
 a billet of wood from the inside against the latch. Mary bowed her head, and 
 said, " God's will, not mine, be done. If I am to be cast out a wanderer on 
 the earth, I will still exclaim, ' God doeth all things well.' " That day we 
 made a league and a half, stopping at a humble home like our own. The 
 family consisted of father, mother, four beautiful daughters, and four sons. 
 We remained there all night, and rested until the sun was up in the morning. 
 There we all knelt and prayed in that home, feeling God's breath was upon us ; 
 
30 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 then we ate our breakfast and prepared again for our journey. That day we 
 made four leagues, and reached the lowlands. Here we were met by an anointed 
 priest, and he accosted us thus : " Have you heard anything of a Hebrew boy 
 that has been going around the country destroying the Amalekites ? " Joseph 
 said he had heard of such a story, but he did not believe it. When the priest 
 heard it he said, " There is one, and he is setting the whole world in commotion, 
 and if he is not cut off, the priesthood will lose their control ; and if you hear 
 anything of him, I command you to send a message to Antioch. The priests 
 are waiting there for intelligence." Before he had gone half a league another 
 priest accosted them thus, " There has been a great disturbance in King Lear's 
 •court and among the Amalekites, by a Hebrew boy giving warning from one to 
 another, and they have slain more than twenty thousand men ; and if he is not 
 beheaded we shall all be cut off." Mary breathed deep, and said, " He must 
 be far from any of you. I think it must be the beggar we saw going eastward." 
 *' Had he any clothes on ? " said Joseph. " A few beggar's rags on, I believe," 
 said the priest. Then he rode away. After he had gone Leiah controlled me, 
 and told Joseph not to ask any questions, lest they should mistrust him. 
 Then continuing our way we made four leagues and a little more ; the family 
 could not go fast, as Lazarus was feeble. Mary carried the baby, while Joseph 
 carried Jesse, and Martha assisted us all she could. That night we found 
 shelter beneath a shed, while the cattle were away. Morning came, and we 
 started without being accosted by any one. That night we reached a wayside 
 inn, where they had been feasting and dancing all night. I said, " Mary, can 
 you rest here all night with the children ? the home seems desolate." At that 
 moment Martha espied a body lying in the brook entirely naked and fearfully 
 mangled. Joseph said, " Come away, Mary ; leave him where he is : if we 
 linger here the priests may return and lay our bodies beside the one here." 
 We all hastened away, and went at least half a league ; there we found a band 
 of gypsies. They had a fire, and were preparing for supper. They accosted us 
 kindly, and said. " Come sup with us ;, we are going to have a dance." Joseph 
 answered, '' My family are hungry and tired ; if you will give them something 
 to eat, and let them lie down and rest, I will bless you if I ever can." After 
 we had eaten, they prepared beds for us all beneath a green spreading tree, 
 where the fire shone on the leaves and the smoke went curling up until it was 
 lost to sight. I said, " James, they must be good, for angels are here joining 
 in their dance." I lay there watching the spirits that came to their festival 
 until the night was far gone, then I fell asleep, dreaming of the angel world. 
 Mary called me and said, " Come, Jesus, we are all ready to go. I thought you 
 were tired and we would let you sleep as long as we could. I started to my feet, 
 and went on with them, feeling happy. At first I could not see why I felt so 
 happy ; then I said, " Dancing is joyous." 
 
 That day we made five leagues ; then we came to a herdsman's home. 
 Joseph said, " Who can live here, it seems so lonely ? " I answered, " Cornelius 
 lives here." — " How do you know ? " said Joseph. I said, " I stayed with him 
 all night when I was carried to Antioch and Cana." The aged man came to 
 the door, and welcomed us in as he said, " I knew you were coming ; my daugh- 
 ter told me you would be here at nightfall ; and I have prepared for you a good 
 warm supper, meat and bread for the elder ones, but bread and milk for the 
 children." As we entered his home he said, " Come here, angel boy, you have 
 been a comfort to me ever since you came here. I have seen all my family, 
 even as if they had their earthly bodies." He took me upon his lap, laid his 
 hand upon my head, and said, " God bless you," then he turned to Joseph and 
 said, " Do you know that this boy will be cut off in his usefulness, ere he is 
 
JOURNEYING TO JEilUSALllfevf .* ^^T^ mt^ u^ 31 
 
 ^^yoniK^ 
 
 thirty-five years old ? " — " Holy God protect him," said Josepfif^**'Eeis a holy 
 thing to us all." Cornelius still held me and I fell asleep on his bosom. I 
 was controlled ; and Leiah declared I should be borne along until my thirty- 
 fourth year, and then I should be nailed to the cross in order that humanity 
 should know there was one God and one God only. Mary burst into tears ; and 
 when I awoke she was kneeling beside me, and exclaimed, "Holy, Eternal 
 Ood, hold him from death until thy hour comes, then I will try and say ' Thy 
 will be done.' " Here the family called on God to assist them, for their burden 
 was greater than they could bear. I did not understand why they were in 
 such agony, and I said, " How good God is to give us such a nice place to rest." 
 Then the family all gathered around the board and ate their barley bread, but 
 the children had milk that Cornelius had brought a good way, because he 
 knew of their coming. 
 
 After prayers we all lay down and slept until the sun rose. Mary called 
 me and said, " Come, dear boy, we are nearly ready ; come, wake up, the day is 
 fine, and we must try and make five leagues to-day." That day we journeyed 
 along rapidl}^, as the roads were good and the warm earth made us comfort- 
 able. When night came we had made five leagues and a half ; the children 
 were so tired that we sat down at every turn, hungry and sleepy. I asked 
 Joseph if he did not think God would rest us by and by if we were good. He 
 answered, " God's rest is for the weary, and we will seek to obey his will." 
 There was a little habitation near by ; and Josej^h said, " We may lie down here 
 and rest if we are not disturbed by the passers-by." Mary said, " I dare not 
 enter there, there may be disease and death beneath that roof." I said, " There 
 is no death where God is," and I saw his angel children going in. Joseph said, 
 ^< I will enter there, you await ni}^ coming." He soon came back, saying the 
 house w^as entirely empty, and it was clean and comfortable. We all went in 
 there ; we ate a piece of barley bread that Martha had brought in a bag. 
 There we knelt and prayed, and the house was filled with holy powers. Then 
 we lay down and slept until morning dawn. That day was damp and cloudy 
 and we made four leagues. Then we came to a house where a poor female was 
 sitting by the door bowed down with grief. Her hair was gray and she was 
 clad in filthy rags. Joseph said, " Can we rest here to-night ? we have come a 
 long way, and the children are very tired." — " Come in," she said, " you are 
 welcome to my humble fare ; but God has cursed me, my family are all dragged 
 away, and 1 am in despair. Four days ago a band of anointed priests entered 
 here, and dragged away three daughters, all I had, and my boy they compelled 
 to go with them, declaring they would make him a confessor, and I am left 
 alone. God hears not my prayer." 
 
 In the evening the door opened gently, and a poor, frail, blasted thing 
 stood there for a moment and then fell to the floor. The mother darted to her 
 and exclaimed, " My daughter ! my daughter ! have you come home to die." 
 After a short time she opened her eyes and said, " God is here, his children 
 are here, but fiends and devils have destroyed my sisters, and I am dying." 
 I was controlled in an instant, and Leiah said, " Prepare hemlock water, bathe 
 her over and over, give her hyssop to drink ; they have diseased her body, and 
 unless she be cleansed she will die." Her mother said, " Holy God, forgive 
 me, because I murmured against thy will." Leiah answered, " It is God's 
 will that anointed priests should be damned forever." The blasted damsel 
 answered, " Let God blast them before they destroy the earth." Here they 
 were interrupted by the entrance of the son, and he exclaimed, " I have been 
 annointed a confessor, and unless these Hebrews depart I must cut them off in 
 this hour." Leiah answered, "Then thou art anoiiited unto damnation," 
 
32 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 He said again, " Begone, else by my oath I must cut you all off." " Cast from 
 you that oath which declares you must shed innocent blood," replied Leiah, 
 " else God will destroy you among the rest of the fiends that are destroying 
 the earth. Where are thy sisters fair and comely, that filled this home but 
 four days ago, damnecl by that oath which you now hold before you ? " Then 
 he gave a deep groan and covered his face with his hands, and said, " They 
 gave me strong drink, then administered the oath even while my sisters were 
 dying by a part of the same band ; they led me to where my sisters lay blind- 
 folded, two were dead and the other was dying as they thought. They re- 
 moved the bandage from my eyes and all shouted, ' This is our reward, 
 strong drink, meat, and females.' I then said ' Let me go home.' They said, 
 * No, you cannot go home until you have made yourself one of us.' Then I 
 could not follow them, because I fell down by the wayside drunk and slept all 
 night. They came to me in the morning and said, * We have had a fine 
 night's revel ; we have conquered a band of gypsies, killed all of their men, 
 and held their females, and a jolly time we have had of it.' I arose and said, 
 ' I must go home, my poor mother is all alone. I, with the rest of you, damned 
 my sisters ; do let me go home to my mother.' They answered, ' What is 
 your mother to you now, you are one of us ; hereafter you shall have all you 
 want, but follow us.' I answered, ' God has damned me, and you can do no 
 more.' I fled to the mountains. They called me, but I fled from them ; hun- 
 ger has driven me here, give me something to eat and let me go, lest I destroy 
 you all." 
 
 After Leiah's last remark, he breathed out of me ; and while I listened to 
 his sad story my heart beat, and I exclaimed, " Holy God, how long is earth to 
 be accursed by anointed priests and confessors ? " I got answer, " Until God's 
 human sacrifices give light to the earth again." I said, " Holy God, will 
 human sacrifices ever appease the demand of humanity ? " 1 got answer in 
 due time, '< Light will be scattered all over the eaith, then God's children will 
 be freed from priests and confessors." The boy fell into a deep sleep and did 
 not awake until we had gone. I heard from him in after ti'me, he had been 
 beheaded by the priesthood for exposing the wicked acts of the confessors. 
 
 That day we made five leagues and a little more, but before night closed in 
 we heard by a traveller that the Jews were holding a council in the synagogue, 
 and they were determined to make the Hebrews acknowledge the Jewish 
 ritual. Leiah breathed upon me and said, " I must take this boy there in their 
 midst, to-night, but fear not, I will bring him back before you go to sleep." 
 We all encamped that night in the open air, with nothing but God's ether blue 
 to cover us. I had hardly sat down by the fire that had been kindled when 
 Leiah folded me to his bosom, and I knew no more until I found myself beside 
 James, and he was fast asleep. I called to my mother and said, "I am 
 hungry." Mary answered, " You are here again ? " I answered, "• Mary, I 
 think you have been dreaming. I have not been away, but I am hungry ; 
 I fell asleep and forgot to eat my bread, and I can't find it." She gave me a 
 piece, I ate it, and fell asleep. 
 
 The sun was shining brightly before they attempted to journey onward. 
 Their feet were sore and bleeding ; my buckskin shoes were worn out and gone 
 before we had been on our journey two days ; Mary's were also gone ; Martha's 
 were goatskin, and they still held on her feet ; Joseph's sandals were entirely 
 gone ; James was crying with his feet, and I was cooling mine in a stream near 
 by, when Mary cried out, " Come, let us begin our journey, that we may reach 
 Jerusalem by to-morrow night. There is to be a great festival the day after, 
 and the city will be in a great commotion." — " How are we to reach there ? " 
 
JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 33 
 
 said Joseph ; " it is now twelve leagues, and the children are getting so weary." 
 I answered, " There will be a cart that will take us a part of the way." As I 
 looked around, I saw a gypsy woman close beside me. I said, " Did you tell 
 me that ? " She answered, " I have breathed out of my body since you saw 
 me, and I have come to comfort you ; nine days after you slept by our camp- 
 lire we were all cnished beneath the battle-axe and the confessors ; they left 
 us all dead, and carried away all we had." She then said, " Good-by, boy ; I 
 shall come to you again in your hour of need." I saw her no more until I was 
 in the mountains dying for bread. The family began their journey; but before 
 noon a cart came by, and their mules were fresh and strong, having been to 
 Tyre with a load of merchandise, and were now returning to Jerusalem. The 
 driver was a kind-heai*ted man; he accosted the family, and said, " Can I assist 
 you by carrying your children and your burdens ? and I think there is room 
 for the females." Mary said, " God bless you, brother ; my feet are so sore, 
 and my baby is heavy." Martha said, " Take the bag, and let Lazarus ride, he 
 is so feeble ; let him take Jesse, for Joseph is nearly broken down beneath his 
 Aveight." They all began their journey hlled with courage and hope. Joseph 
 and Martha on foot forgot their own weariness, and they kept pace with the 
 ^•art all of that day. After they had ridden for a time, the driver accosted 
 Lazarus thus : " Antioch is in a great commotion because a beggar entered their 
 synagogue in their holiest hour of the ritual ; they said when he entered he was 
 covered with rags, but when he went out he was covered with light, so much 
 so that they could not discern his features ; but he stood there before them all 
 and denounced their forms and ceremonies, and said, ' You are bowing to 
 heathen traditions that have no date or signature, and you are too much bigoted 
 in your ideas caught from the gypsy fortune-tellers ; but the day will come 
 when you will be laid low by the battle-axe, and your creeds will not be known 
 among men.' " He continued, " It caused great excitement, and the magistrate 
 commanded him to be seized and dragged out. The worthy magistrate came 
 forward, when no man dared lay hands upon him, and said, ' If you be devil or 
 angel, you cannot stand there denouncing the Jewish ritual.' He attempted to 
 step upon the platform in order to drag down the boy, but he fell back as if 
 he had been stricken with lightning, and before he could regain his feet the 
 I)eggar was gone, none knew whither; at the same time when the magistrate 
 fell the boy disappeared ; they all said he was covered all over with lightning, 
 and where he went no one could tell, and where this matter will end none 
 €an answer." 
 
 Then he whipped up his mule, and that day they made eight leagues. 
 "\Mien they halted for the night Joseph and Martha, were far behind, but ere 
 midnight they reached the encampment, weary and exhausted. They ate some 
 barley bread, as they had had none from early dawn. Then they lay down 
 and slept until the mule-driver called to them, and said, " Eest an hour longer, 
 because we can make the four leagues by the mid afternoon." They bathed, 
 ate, climbed into the cart, and sat down prepared for the journey. Martha 
 asked if she could take hold of the cart behind, for her limbs were swollen 
 and she could hardly bear her weight upon her feet. The good-natured driver 
 said, " I will mount one of the mules, and you can have my seat, and the man 
 can ride the other mule if he will." These are recorded facts, and are held 
 in the Jewish records until this day, and the Jews believe it was the devil 
 because of the light. 
 
 Joseph gladly accepted the offer, and they finished the rest of their journey 
 comfortably ; then they all dismounted, and Joseph put into the hand of the 
 driver four scruples in gold. He looked at it and said', " I have need of that 
 
34 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 gold ; God bless you, for with it now my family can kaep the shelter that is 
 over their heads, and I can buy them bread."' 
 
 Joseph knew where Pontius Pilate's home Avas. He took Jesse in his 
 arms, Mary took Simeon, I took hold of James's hand, Martha took the bag, 
 and Lazarus walked beside her; thus w^e went from square to square, until we 
 reached the great square in front of the king's house. Joseph called for the 
 controller of the buildings, and was told he was in the barn ; he could go and 
 see him there. Joseph called him, and he answered, " Come in, carpenter ; I 
 have been wondering why you were so long coming, as I saw you only three 
 days' journey from here." Joseph answered, " My family were in another 
 country, and I had to go and bring them, and they are now sitting on the great 
 square." — "Here is this little house," he said, " and it can be made quite com- 
 fortable with one day's work." They all gathered up their bundles and entered 
 that home ; they kindled the fires ; Mary baked the fresh barley loaf, as they 
 had brought their bake-pan with them all the way from the highlands. Mary 
 looked around, and in one corner she saw a heap of dry straw. They ate their 
 bread, knelt and prayed, but not aloud, for fear of being heard of man. Then 
 they spread the straw on the ground floor and lay down to rest. They all 
 slept until the sun's bright rays fell upon Martha ; then she awoke, and said, 
 " Let us pray, even before we arise from our beds, and praise the Creator, God^ 
 for bringing us safe back again." Then Joseph kindled the lire, Mary spread 
 the board, Martha bathed the children and combed their hair. We all ate 
 with thankful hearts, feeling we had got to our journey's end. Joseph began 
 his work that day. The first building erected was an addition on the main 
 building of the king. It was for the children's apartment. Joseph toiled on 
 from day to day. I used to gather the chips for Mary. One day I was carry- 
 ing drink for Joseph, when the king saw me. He asked Joseph whose boy 
 that was. Joseph answered, "That is my boy, and we call him Jesus." 
 " Can't he come and live with me ? " said the king, " I like the looks of him. 
 How old is he, carpenter ? " — " Eleven years and ten months." — " That is 
 about the age I want ; but if he was a little older, he could bear hardship better." 
 " See there," I said, " I am big enough to do a great deal of work," as I raised 
 myself upon my toes. " He must be a. good boy," said the king ; " his brow 
 bespeaks his goodness. Can he come to my house in the morning ? " — " Yes," 
 said my father, " if his mother is willing." Morning came ; my father took 
 me by the hand and led me to the king's kitchen. There the children were 
 all eating and drinking. I stood back until they had finished their meal. The 
 eldest daughter said, " Come, boy, and eat, if you have come to live with us." 
 Their breakfast was chocolate, beef, bread, and cake. I ate but a little, then 
 the servant said, " Clean off the board, cleanse the dishes, set them by for din- 
 ner." The sweet face of the children made my heart leap with joy when they 
 came running into the kitchen, and said, " Boy, come and play with us ; the 
 chamberlain says you can play Avith us as much as we want you to." I has- 
 tened away with the children, and found all sorts of amusements that could be 
 interesting to children. Then the chamberlain entered there, and said, " This 
 must not be ; he must have the care-taker's garments on as long as he remains 
 in this home." He conducted me into a nice little chamber where everything 
 was neat ; then he handed me a fine linen undergarment, blue and orange 
 damask, also a coat, the collar turned back, the sleeves flowing, the corners 
 rounded, and it fell back to the bend of the knee ; then it was trimmed all 
 around, collar, sleeves, and coat, with a gilt band half an inch wide. My old 
 clothes were laid away. How I wished I could carry them home to James, 
 but I said nothing. " Now go and divert those children as best you can until 
 
JOURNEYING TO JERUSALEM. 35 
 
 they are called to their evening dance." The children were delighted with me^ 
 and said, " He looks like our brother now ; make us a house with these blocks, 
 and we will kick them down again." They kicked down ray house again and 
 again, and I was diligent in building until the chamberlain called them to their 
 dinner ; then in the afternoon they were to have a dance. They asked me if 
 I wanted to go and look on. I said, " If you want me to." Then they all flew 
 away to change their garments and bedeck themselves in flowers. They en- 
 tered the room again ; I looked at them earnestly to see if they were children 
 or angels. One of the girls came to me and said, " Come, boy, let us dance 
 here." I said, " I don't know how to dance." 
 
 Day after day passed away similar to the one described. After a time I 
 became cup-bearer. Nt3w, the heathen priests had a feast once a year, and they 
 had been eating and drinking until the day wore away. I had been pouring 
 wine for the company until they were all intoxicated. Caiaphas called to me 
 and said, " Boy, drink to my pretty damsel, the king's eldest daughter." I 
 said, " Please, sir, I never drank anything in my life." — "Drink, boy, drink, or 
 I will cause you to be beheaded." — "Then," I said, "may God take care of me 
 if I am drunk." I raised the cup to my lips, drank one-half, and set it down. 
 He aimed a blow at me ; it felled me to the floor. The king said, " Caiaphas, 
 you are drunk ; don't kill my children's care-taker." He answered, " He is a 
 damned heretic, and I fed him, now he ought to be killed." Here T was con- 
 trolled by my guardian angel, and she breathed a prayer in the midst of hell. 
 As she breathed out of me I looked around, and I saw they were all electrified. 
 I crept to the side of the king; he laid his hand upon my head and said, 
 " Fear not, angel boy, Caiaphas is asleep." I asked him if I could go home 
 to-morrow. " We will talk about it." The doctors and lawyers still called for 
 strong drink, but I dropped down beside the king exhausted. I heard him call 
 for another of his servants to come and serve his guests. I saw Leiah; he 
 folded me to his bosom, and I knew no more until I found myself in my own 
 bed, and the sun was high. I arose and thought how Caiaphas had struck me. 
 I said aloud, " I am going home." It was the first time I was ever struck in 
 my life. The king sent for me and said, " Boy, you are not happy here." I 
 answered, " The children are good and kind to me, and you are a good king, but 
 Caiaphas struck me, and I must go home to my father and mother." The king 
 answered, " I will see your father and mother, and we will discuss the subject." 
 " All is well," I said, then I went back to the children. 
 
 Days, weeks, and months passed by, and I heard no more of the feast ; but 
 one day as I was cleaning the king's mantle, I heard Caiaphas say, " If heresy 
 is not put a stop to, we shall all be compelled to flee the country." I said, 
 " Flee hell, and you are safe." Leiah breathed upon me ; I heard the words, 
 but I could not suppress them. Caiaphas started as if he had been hit with 
 lightning. He exclaimed, " This Hebrew boy will damn us all if he is petted 
 so much by you all here." I answered again, " Holy, eternal distance is his 
 home, and God will bear him away from you all before flowers bloom again." — 
 " See," said Caiaphas, " he is filled with heresy, and he shall be burned alive if 
 I hear any more of it." I was filled with fear, and after Caiaphas had gone I 
 said, " Good king, can I go home ? " He answered, " Your father is a hard- 
 working man, and you will make one more, but if you will remain in my home 
 with my children I will do all I can for you, and in due time you shall be edu- 
 cated according to the Jewish ritual in order to become a controller in the rites 
 of Judaism." I answered, " Caiaphas will hold control until he destroys all of 
 your beautiful daughters, because he has already damned the eldest one, and 
 she is in her thirteenth year." The king gave a deep groan as he said, " The 
 
36 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 priesthood will destroy me and mine." My heart ached, for I knew he would 
 drag out a miserable existence in constant fear of being destroyed. He then 
 said, " Call the chamberlain ; he will change your clothes for some that are 
 befitting your condition in life, but they shall be new and clean. Here, dear 
 boy, is a hundred pieces of silver, carry it to your father that he may educate 
 you." — "Farewell, good king," I said, "God bless you." I then fled that 
 home of infamy, drunkenness, priests, and hell. 
 
 When I said farewell to the children, they began to cry and said, " Stop, 
 Jesus, we have a cloak for you, and we have wrought your name with threads 
 of gold." I took it, threw it over my shoulders, and hurried away. I, too. 
 was filled with grief for the children. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Mary met me and folded me to her bosom as she said, " Holy God, I praise 
 thee that thou hast brought back my boy, a holy thing, from that den of pollu- 
 tion." I answered, "Mary, I am what I was when I entered there; but I am 
 older, and have seen a great deal of iniquity." The children all gathered 
 around me, and I said, " You are happy in your humble life ; may God keep 
 you there." Martha and Lazarus both exclaimed, "God bless you, my dear 
 Jesus ! how glad we are you have come ! " When Joseph came home he blessed 
 me over and over again, and said, " Holy, Eternal God has held you, else you 
 could never have come back to me a holy thing from that den of debauchery 
 and drunkenness." 
 
 The hour came for prayer, and a holy calm fell over us ; that home was 
 lighted up by angels, and I heard a hymn chanted by that holy band. After 
 prayers were ended Martha said, " I feel heaven is here with her holy chil- 
 dren." I arose to my feet, and was controlled, and said, " There is to be a 
 great excitement in court ; the boy will be borne there ; but fear not, I will 
 surely care for him and bring him back again. His life is held by God for his 
 eternal glory." Then I heard a voice which said, " Holy, Eternal God, hold 
 him from being dashed to pieces, even there." 
 
 Now two months passed away in a holy calm, and we began to feel that the 
 [ destiny described for Mary might not prove true, when a great commotion com- 
 menced in court. It was from the hellish conduct of Caiaphas among the 
 king's concubines. He had diseased them all. The king was also diseased ; and 
 the court decided that Caiaphas should be made accountable for the misery he 
 had caused. Our holy calm was broken by Leiah controlling me and bearing 
 me in their midst. The council were discussing the affair ; and in their earnest- 
 ness they forgot the night was wearing away. Even while I was sleeping my 
 controller bore me in their midst at the eleventh hour. He held me there until 
 the day dawned in the east ; and still they forgot the hour concerning the 
 earthly and heavenly conditions of God's wondrous words, and the king asked 
 how it would be if the anointed priests were left to control the court altogether. 
 Leiah answered, " They would drag you and your family down to death and 
 hell, as they have already begun to do ; and your kingdom would become one 
 vast field of drunkenness, debauchery, and crime, and hell would control for- 
 
HIS RETURN HOME FROM PILATE S HOUSE. 37 
 
 ever. But let God control, and priests and confessors will flee the land." After 
 he had ceased to speak he bore me back again ; and when I awoke at early 
 dawn I was lying beside my brother James. He slept on while I conversed 
 with my controller. He told me he had a work to do among the doctors and 
 lawyers ; then he would bear us all back again to our mountain home. *• It will 
 cause a great excitement," he said, " and a price will again be set u^^on your 
 head." Mary was up preparing her barley bread. I called her, and told her 
 all he had told me. Her face was flushed, and she burst into tears as she said, 
 " Holy God, don't destroy my child I " Leiah answered, " Flee from here even 
 as night closes in ; then you will be safe. Four days from to-day the council 
 meet at the synagogue at the cross-roads. I will care for your boy, and bring 
 him safe to you in four days after you reach your home. I will bear him to a 
 Hebrew family hard by ; they will care for him until I take him away from 
 here." ]\Iartha entered, and Leiah addressed her thus : '• Daughter of the liv- 
 ing God, help Mary to prepare the children for a journey, even to-night ; leave 
 the city as soon as the lights are extinguished. Lazarus had better start at 
 noon because he is feeble. He will make his way slow." Joseph came home, 
 and they gave him his message. He answered, " God's will, not mine." Leiah 
 spoke to him, and said, '• If you remain here you will surely be cut off. Hell 
 will belch forth her furies, and God's children must make conditions to flee 
 them." The fires were burned out, the lights were extinguished, the inhabi- 
 tants sought rest ; but Joseph and his persecuted family were driven by human- 
 ity again to flee their home of comforts, and again seek their humble mountain 
 lirome. I remained in that home two days before any one came in to inquire 
 about the family. She that came was a Hebrew. Leiah accosted her thus : 
 " Sister, take this boy home with you and God will bless you. In two days I 
 will call for him, and then we will trouble you no more." The day arrived for 
 the sitting of the council. The sun was setting, and I was kneeling in pra3'er, 
 asking God to care for my family, when Leiah folded his arms around me and 
 filled my body with his own life. 
 
 The council was in high dispute about their code of laws and their creeds 
 when I was borne into their midst ; and Leiah shouted, '' Holy, Eternal Creator, 
 God, hold them from damning all earth with their discord ; hold them by thy 
 electric law, and I will draw light from eternal distance that will bless them." 
 Here the crowd held themselves calm, and he began by asking them questions 
 deep and profound : then he would answer them himself. He asked them how 
 long their creeds would hold man chained and bound ? One lawgiver arose and 
 said. " Have you come here to denounce our creeds ? " — " God answers," said 
 Leiah. " Light from eternal distance will break their chains, but man-creed 
 never. What are they but chains to bind God's created souls in darkness for- 
 ever, until light from thee, my God, shall set them free throughout every nation 
 and in every clime. Let thy bright rays forever shine, until thine own eternal 
 light shall shine and find a resting-place in every human mind." Then he 
 shouted, " Holy God is here now ! Ask your questions, and have them an- 
 swered." They did ask questions until the day dawned in the east ; and they 
 were all confounded at the power that had held them so long. Then they 
 began to ask questions among themselves. " How is it ? Are we being filled 
 with this influence that is setting everybody crazy ? Let us hold the boy 
 until we can find out what it is." But while they were discussing the subject 
 1 was taken from their midst, and none knew where I had gone. Day after 
 day they discussed the subject. At last they concluded to set a price upon my 
 head like this : •* Whoever Avill bring back the boy Jesus to the synagogue, 
 shall receive four hundred shekels in gold." The commotion became more ex- 
 
88 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 citing, and they issued another decree like this : '^ The boy Jesus shall be 
 anointed a dispenser of the Jewish ritual, and his family shall be made com- 
 fortable during their natural lives." That proclamation was sent all over the 
 land ; but no tidings could be heard from the boy Jesus, the humble Nazarene. 
 I was borne directly northward, until the country became barren and desolate ; 
 then I bore a little eastward^ in order that I might beg bread enough to keep 
 me from starvation. 
 
 The poor herdsmen were all in ignorance of the commotion in the low- 
 lands, and I could sleep in their homes free from care, In that way I made 
 my way to the mountains of Helam. In the evening of the fourth day I 
 reached my home, as they were eating their bread preparatory for rest. They 
 all exclaimed in one breath, " Eternal God, we will praise thee forever ! our 
 dear boy has come back to us alive." I asked, " How is it Martha and Lazarus 
 are not here ? " My mother answered, " Lazarus' strength gave out, and 
 Martha hired a vacant hut of a herdsman, and they are remaining there until 
 they can come to us. It is one day's journey from the first mountain cliff." 
 Joseph held me to his bosom, and bathed me with his tears. His heart was 
 nearly broken as he exclaimed, " Precious boy, are you to die for humanity ? 
 Could I die for you, gladly would I do it ! " Then I folded my mother to my 
 bosom, and wept as I never wept before or since. I saw the future as I held 
 her to my bosom, — I saw the family all dying, and myself hanging upon the 
 cross ; and, the worst of all, my dear mother dragged away by her hair. I ex- 
 claimed, " Holy, Almighty God, let the future be hid from my view ; the 
 present is all I can bear ! " Again and again I pressed my darling mother to 
 my bosom, until it seemed my life would go out even there. I fainted, and fell 
 to the floor. Joseph exclaimed, " Holy God, take my bo}^ even now, ere he 
 drinks the bitter cup to the dregs ! " — " Holy, Eternal God ! " I exclaimed, " bring 
 back my angel comforter, else I cannot endure to the end." I had no more 
 than asked God to comfort me through his child than a flash of light entered 
 our home, and she stood by my side. I reached out my hand to' her, and she 
 laid her hand in mine. Her form was like the reflection of diamonds as she 
 exclaimed, " God is here, holding his children from destruction ! The Jews are 
 sending everywhere for you, my brother, and their messengers are in the border 
 country. Now have courage ; they will not climb the rocky steeps, because they 
 will become lost among the rocks and ravines. I heard one say, ' He cannot be 
 in this barren mountain.' " — '< Holy, Eternal God," exclaimed my controller, as 
 he entered there, " I have held the Jews in ra'p-port with God's eternal truths 
 eight hours, and they are not satisfied, and they are asking for higher and 
 holier light beyond. I have made a beginning, and who will finish up what 
 ! has been begun ? If I take my boy among them, the heathen priests and con- 
 fessors will surely destroy him and the Jews altogether." — "The time will 
 come," I said, " when I must die for humanity, and will it make any difference 
 if it be now or hereafter ? " — " Spare, oh, spare my boy," said my father, " until 
 the last hour may come ; then I will die for him if I can." Leiah answered, 
 "He will hang upon the cross in order to appease the human mind, that the 
 Creator, God, will be acknowledged, and one God only." Bitter was the grief 
 of my mother as she bowed her head and said, " God's will, not mine, be done." 
 Then Joseph asked, " Is my family safe here ? " — " They will not be destroyed ; 
 but my boy must go into the mountain every day at early dawn, and he can re- 
 turn as night closes in. If you should all be cut off together, then my work 
 would be at an end for the children of earth, and they would be left in the 
 hands of heathen priests and hell forever. The work will be begun that will be 
 finished up when ages pass away ; and God's children will acknowledge him 
 Pather and Creator of all." 
 
HIS RETURN HOME FROM PILATE's HOUSE. 39 
 
 Months passed away, and Leiah came not back to us ; but at early dawn I 
 left my home and went forth into the forest. As night closed in I would re- 
 turn and lie down and sleep beside my brothers. Joseph ventured forth again 
 among the herdsmen ; but he dare not go into the lowlands. We were comparsi- 
 tively happy, when we heard that Martha was accused of holding communion 
 with familiar spirits. Lazarus had got better, and in the night they fled to 
 the highlands. They reached my home as I entered there for the night. 
 " Heaven be praised ! " said Martha ; " our boy is still alive and among us.'^ 
 They all knelt and prayed as mortals never prayed before. Heaven echoed 
 with the voices of God's children in mortal form, and the angels chanted a 
 hymn to their Creator. Martha exclaimed again and again, " How holy this 
 spot is, high in the mount£tin, away from hypocrisy, deceit, and commotion ! " 
 
 That night they lay down and slept bereft of fear ; but at early dawn I was 
 aroused from my slumber by a gentle hand being laid in mine, and an angel 
 voice said, ^'Come, dear brother, it is time to go; our father awaits our com- 
 ing.'' I hastened away, and in my hurry I forgot my piece of bread that Mary 
 had always prepared for me ; but when I reached the highest cliff, Leiah was 
 there awaiting my coming. I approached him. He laid his hand in mine and 
 said, " ;My boy, there has been a great feast among the Jews ; but the heathen 
 priests and confessors caused the Jews to flee their synagogues, and I am de- 
 termined to make the heathen flee Judea, and leave that country in the hands 
 of her own sons ; but unless something is done immediately, the heathen idola- 
 trous worshippers will destroy the Hebrews and cut off the Jews." I answered, 
 " What can a feeble thing like me accomplish among such furies ? " — " Hold 
 them from destroying the earth forever," he answered. "I am in God's 
 hands," I said; *' let him do with me what is to be a good for humanity." 
 Here I was electrified, and I saw a great number of helpless females and chil- 
 dren huddled together, filled with fear. I answered, " Come, it is time for us 
 to go, ere these hapless creatures are cut off. Go to my mother, angel sister; 
 say to her I shall not be back until I have done a work for God's children that 
 are in despair." I then made my way down the mountain as fast as I could. 
 Leiah was beside me, and I hardly knew how I sped along without being ex- 
 hausted. 
 
 The remainder of that day and night, and the day following, we made our 
 way toward the border country. As night came on I felt a desire to rest and 
 sleep. I entered a hut that was built on the hillside ; there I saw an aged man 
 and a little boy crouched down in the corner asleep. I awoke the man, and he 
 looked up and exclaimed, " I saw you, fair-haired angel, held from being dashed 
 to pieces by a spirit of light. I dreamed I saw a great multitude, and you were 
 dropped down in their midst, and you shouted, '• Holy Creator, God, save this 
 people ! ' and then a ray of light fell over you, and I saw you no more ; how is 
 it you are here in this abode of death, when the Hebrews are being cut off by 
 the accursed heathen bigots ? Here in this room five of my family w^ere 
 laid low by the heathen confessors because they prayed to Abraham's God. I 
 had been away to the highlands among the herdsmen, and I learned that the 
 heathen idolatrous worshippers were destroying the Hebrew families every- 
 where. I hastened down in time to find this boy alive, but nearly starved to 
 death, and my holy companion and my angel children all lying here in death ; 
 but I believe 3'ou have been brought here in order that blood shall cease to flow, 
 and the remnant of the Hebrews shall be saved." My controller said, "Feed 
 this body, let him lay down and rest ; there is a work for him to do. There is 
 to be a great massacre among the Jews ; I must hasten there in order to give 
 them warning of their danger. Antioch is asleep while the fiends are prepar- 
 
40 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 ing to destroy her children. I must be there by the end of four days, else it 
 will be too late. Then they meet in council, and I must bear this boy in their 
 midst, and advise them how to hold themselves in defence." I then drank 
 some barley gruel and ate a x^iece of dried meat ; then I lay down and slept 
 until morning dawned. 
 
 Leiah awoke me, and said, " Come, boy, we have a long journey before us, 
 and we must be away ; take a piece of meat with you, because you will get no 
 more until night closes in on the morrow." The day and night passed away ; 
 and as the day dawned again, I espied a mule-driver with a cart ; the driver 
 accosted me thus : " Come, boy, are you not tired ? I am going in the same 
 direction, and you are welcome to sit beside me, and it will rest you; how 
 feeble you look!" I answered, "I am weary, but I am free from disease;" 
 then I climbed up and sat beside him, and rode all that day. '^ How far is it 
 to Antioch ? " I said. He answered, "It is one day and one night's journey 
 from the old landmark we have passed there," pointing to a heap of clay 
 that had been there for ages ; and he began, in a lazy manner, to tell about 
 the priests beheading four hundred heretics in one dark night ; then he 
 said, laughing, '' They had quite a time at the cross-roads ; one priest got his 
 head cut off by his own battle-axe, and they all said it must be evil spirits, but 
 I don't believe spirits can use a battle-axe ; if they could, all the heretics that 
 have been killed would destroy all the priests and confessors in the land." He 
 continued, " My family are from Judea, but I pass for a heathen, and they don't 
 question me as to where I am going or for what.'^ I lay down in the cart. I 
 must have slept at least half a day ; I was awakened by the driver, and he ex- 
 claimed, " Come, boy, I can't go any farther, and you must go on alone ; but I 
 hope you won't meet evil spirits with battle-axes." I bade him farewell. 
 
 I now had eight leagues to make, and but seven hours were allotted me ; 
 hut I was rested, and I sped on and on, and before night closed in I saw the 
 highest building in Antioch — it was the hall of council. " Have courage," said 
 Leiah ; " I will bear you in and out again when they are in commotion, and 
 they cannot discern you because of this excitement." I then felt the electric 
 chills go over me, and I was entranced, and I knew no more until I awoke in 
 the home of a Hebrew family. I asked how long I had been there. I got 
 answer, " In the midnight we heard a loud rap at the door ; the door opened, 
 and you fell in ; at first we thought you were dead, but your heart beat, and 
 we laid you on the bed, and you have lain there all day and night again." 
 Then she said, " There has been a great excitement among the Jews, caused by 
 a fair-haired lad that came into their midst and gave notice concerning Antioch's 
 heing destroyed by the anointed priests, and they are preparing to defend 
 themselves against those fearful heathen. There has been a great inquiry 
 concerning him, and I am made to feel you are the one. If I keep you here I 
 shall be destroyed, but if I turn you out you will surely be cut off." Here 
 Leiah breathed upon me and said, " Care for this frail body, and as night 
 closes in I will come and bear him away." Then the door opened, and a man 
 entered ; he bore in his hand a hatchet ; he stepped close to me and said, " Are 
 you a heretic ? " I answered, " I am what I am ; God is Father of us all." 
 He answered, " If you are a heretic, I will lay you low, and bear your head to 
 the synagogue; there the reward awaits me." I arose to my feet, and said, 
 "The Holy Eternal God controls even here." He fell back like one dying; his 
 companions bathed his face and hands in cold water ; he arose to his knees and 
 could rise no farther. I passed by him out of that home, even in the face of 
 day, and sought the home of a friend of Lazarus that dwelt in Antioch. There 
 the good friends comforted me. They bathed my head, which was aching 
 
ESCAPE FROM THE CONFESSOR, AND THE JOURNEY TO NISIBIS. 41 
 
 fearfully from so much excitement. After I became calm, and slept at least 
 an hour, I awoke. As night was closing in my friend said, " May God assist 
 you, dear boy, to reach a home of safety, because it has been decreed that you 
 shall be hung at the cross-roads if taken alive, and a hundred shekels for your 
 head at the gates of Antioch." Here one came in exclaiming, " It is hard to 
 go through the streets because of the crowd; they are all looking for the 
 Hebrew lad in order to gain the price set upon his head ; if he is not found," 
 he said, " he will hold earth from priests and confessors, and will also make 
 conditions for the Hebrews to worship according to their light." There I sat 
 in the corner, crouched down in order that I could rest and sleep. All the 
 time he was speaking, his back toward me, I felt calm, and even fell asleep 
 before he went away. T^ie night passed away ; I slept on until the sun w^as 
 high, when a loud crash Avas heard at the door ; a battle-axe had been hurled 
 at the friend of Lazarus as he was about entering his own home ; it went past 
 his head, split the door, and fell on the floor. I still sat in the corner covered 
 over with cast-off garments, in order that I might not be discovered by the 
 fiends that were determined to destroy all the Hebrews. That day two 
 ^thousand or more were destroyed in Antioch. 
 
 CHAPTER IC. 
 
 ESCAPE FROM THE COXFESSOR, AXD THE JOURNEY TO NISIBIS. 
 
 I REMAINED ill Autioch uutil night again set in, then bare-headed, bare- 
 footed, I entered the streets of Antioch alone, with none but God's angel 
 children in spirit to comfort me. As I strode along, I saw by the dim lights 
 here and there, dead bodies everywhere ; some still lay in the streets, but 
 mostly throA^ni into heaps. As I gazed upon the destruction there, I forgot 
 my danger, I stopped, and knelt in prayer by the side of a dying Hebrew. 
 While I knelt there his eyes closed, and he breathed in spirit. I said, " Come, 
 brother, God bids us flee the city." I flew past battle-axes everywhere, that 
 had been dropped by the priests and confessors, in order that they could enter 
 the homes of the slaughtered Hebrews to damn their wives and daughters. " O 
 Antioch ! " I exclaimed, as I left her gates, "when w411 God's children find rest 
 within thy gates ; when Avill heathen idolatrous worshippers be held from 
 damning earth; when will earth's fairest flowers bloom as a gift to man, as 
 gifts fresh from the Father, God, and their children bless the father and 
 mother with their angel presence ; and oh, my God, when will they be held 
 from tl:te damning influence of priestcraft and hell ? " Here I looked around, 
 and I saw a confessor coming toward me as fast as he couid, and he called for 
 me to stop ; at that moment I was electrified, and was made to feel like one 
 moving rapidly along, hardly touching the ground ; but as day dawned, I found 
 myself in a deep forest. Leiah, said, " Come, boy, lie down and rest ; we must 
 travel nights until we pass the border country." I had a piece of barley bread 
 in my bosom ; I ate a part of it, then I lay down and slept until the night 
 closed in : and then I was awakened by my angel sister, as I opened my eyes, I 
 saw her kneelhig beside me. Her face was covered o'er with light ; her hands 
 were raised in humble adoration to God, while her soul burst out in prayer : 
 " Holy, Infinite Creator, as thou art, w^e are but of thee, a part ; hold us in 
 
42 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 thine own embrace, my God, and if it be thy will for us to bow and kiss the 
 rod, we will obey, for thee and humanity. Hearts are beating everywhere, 
 that with thy angel children they may share. Bless them, my God, that they 
 may with thee share that holy life beyond." 
 
 After she had chanted her hymn, she arose to her feet, and said, ^'Mary 
 is asking for you, dear brother, now I can go and give her comfort ; but when 
 you were surrounded by danger I held myself away, in order that she could 
 not ask me, and I be compelled to say you were in the hands of hell. I will 
 go now, Leiah is coming; he will care for you until I can go and tell Mary 
 you are coming." 
 
 Then I arose to my feet, and began my journey again fearlessly. I made 
 my way to the road ; all was quiet for a time. Then I saw the flash of a torch- 
 light, then I saw a band of anointed priests, come from a humble home, apparently 
 in great glee. I darted from the main road, and hid behind a hedge, as I saw 
 they were coming toward me. I could hear all they were conversing about. 
 One said, " The females were beautiful, but they would bless no more priests 
 or confessors; Hebrew damsels are fair and comelyj but heresy holds them 
 from us, but by force." Another said, " They are led to despise us, else they 
 would fall into embrace without our destroying them." Here then they had 
 passed me ; and as soon as I felt they were out of hearing, I entered the road, 
 and soon found myself at the door of the home they had left. My heart beat 
 as I saw an aged man and two young men weltering in blood, stiffening in 
 death. I entered that home, but oh, what sights chilled me to my soul ! The 
 fire was burning brightly, and its light filled that home of death. There lay 
 seven females, as those fiends had left them — the aged grandmother, the 
 mother, and five beautiful daughters. ''Holy, Almighty God," I said, "hold 
 control, lest humanity be damned forever." Hell's influence still lingered 
 there. I said, " Hell cannot hold the accursed spirits of such fiends as thou 
 art, but God will dash you to atoms. Begone ! " I said, " and leave these bruised 
 spirits in the hands of God." I then commanded them " in the name of the 
 living God to depart ; " they fled me. Then 1 gave courage to those poor 
 frightened spirits, and said, " God is here ; " then I knelt and prayed in their 
 midst, they seemed more calm ; then God's child came in. I left her there 
 until they could begin to feel God's angels that came to comfort them. I 
 made my way as fast as I could, bearing northward. As day began to dawn, 
 I found myself in a^ thick hedge, that was not passable by man ; yet here I 
 was calm and collected. 
 
 I lay down and slept until midday, then I was awakened by the angel 
 Leiah, and he said to me : ^' High in the mountains are a Hebrew family that 
 have fled from death by the damned priests ; and I have borne them there, but 
 they are starving for iDread. I must go to Mary and lead her to them with 
 barley meal, that they may not die until we can reach them. It will be five 
 days ere we can reach there with this body, but I will go and care for them." 
 My heart ached for them, but 1 knew Leiah would not forsake them, if it were 
 possible to make conditions with mortals. I lay down again and fell asleep, 
 and the stars were shining brightly, when I saw my controller coming. " Mary 
 is fresh and fair," said Leiah, " and her heart has been glad by the relief she 
 has given to the suffering ; and that family," he continued, " will be a great com- 
 fort to you and yours. Now, my boy," he said, "let us be making our way 
 from this land, where priestcraft and hell control ; they have ever walked 
 hand in hand," he said, " and ever will, until God cleanses earth of their pollu- 
 tion. But the time will come when God will control. He will fill every 
 human mind with light, then darkness must 'pass away ; then God's children 
 
ESCAPE FROM THE CONFESSOR, AND THE JOURNEY TO NISIBIS. 43 
 
 will know how to worship in spirit, without form or ceremony, fresh gushing 
 from the pure fountain within. Then God will be acknowledged as creator of 
 all, but human sacrifices must be made until humanity is ready to acknowledge 
 one God, and one God only." The day wore away, and I espied herdsmen's 
 huts. Leiah said, " Don't enter there, the heathen idolatrous worshippers 
 gather together there, and revel in drunkenness, debauchery, and hell. There 
 they carry away the Hebrew females, and you will find their graves there, 
 fresh covered o'er by their accomplices, that they reward with gold. Last 
 night I saw them bring in a damsel, and there she lies beneath that first dirt." 
 When Leiah made that expression I looked and saw the dirt that had been 
 heaped up in the night. And I saAv many more 'graves, that could not have 
 been there many days. J sped past that place and sought the forest. Then I 
 made my way as best I could ; but as day dawned, I again crouched beneath 
 some thick bushes. Kight did come at last, but lonely was that day to me. I 
 Avas left alone nearly all day, with no sound but the birds chanting their notes 
 to their Creator, God. I said to myself, " How is it, if man is nearer km to 
 his God, they do not praise him, even as the birds do, and not seek to destroy 
 each other ? " Then I heard a voice so sweet and clear, " Brother, God is 
 here." Then I lay down and slept until night closed in, when I made my 
 way to a brook, bathed my face and hands, and said, " God direct me." The 
 same voice answered, " God is here." 
 
 The country grew more and more desolate, and I was compelled to gather 
 berries and the tender sprouts of the blackberry to eat, in order that I could 
 continue my journey. Bearing a little to the eastward, to a country called 
 Nisibis, there I made my way, as the lights were being lighted. Scarcely had 
 I entered the town, when a fearful conflagration took place. Flames burst 
 from the Jewish synagogue, and it spread its fires in every direction. I sought 
 to leave the city, but in the crowd I seemed to lose my way. Females and 
 children were fleeing the cit}^, while the men were trying to extinguish the 
 flames. All that made an attempt to leave the city were beheaded as fast as 
 they passed without the gate. None saw the danger, it being dark, and none 
 that passed the gate could warn their friends. I neared the gate ; my con- 
 troller breathed upon me and shouted, " Hell is cutting off your inhabitants 
 without ! Fiends are at work ; go back, or you will be beheaded ! " They 
 begun to turn back, and the gates were closed. None ever knew in mortal form 
 how they were shut ; but they dashed shut, and remained closed until the 
 flames were extinguished, that being on the coming morn, when the sun was 
 shining brightly. The inhabitants attempted to open the gate, and it swung 
 back on its hinges even as before ; then when they saw the heaps of their dead, 
 they counted two hundred and eighty-two. The travellers even to this day 
 look upon the ashes of the synagogue, and the site of the old gates is still held 
 from destruction. The Jews had decreed that all heretics should be cut off 
 that entered that city. But after this disaster, caused by idolatrous worship- 
 pers, they gave them bread and a place to rest, then bid them begone. This 
 had been a Jewish town for ages. I passed out unharmed ; but, when I looked 
 back on that scene of death and ruin, I exclaimed, " Holy God, care for the 
 poor families of Nisibis, and hold them from priests and confessors forever." 
 That day I reached a place called Thillmo ; its inhabitants were Judea's chil- 
 dren, and as I entered that town I was accosted as a heretic. My heart beat, 
 fearing they would lay hands upon me and drag me away. But I answered, 
 *' God's children are everywhere." The man said, "You had better begone 
 from here, else you will be taken before the magistrate." I gave no answer, 
 but turned back and walked out of the city. I learned after I had gone that 
 
44 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 there was a great commotion ; some suspected I must be the heretic that had 
 caused so much excitement throughout all the Jewish country. I entered a 
 cluster of hedge, there I remained until night covered earth with her dark 
 mantle. Then I made my way to the highroads leading to the highlands. 
 That day's journey must be held in remembrance after I have left earth for- 
 ever. The road was hard and gravelly, my feet were sore and bleeding. As 
 the sun rose high, faint for the want of bread, and being held from entering 
 the homes of any, Leiah feared they would be tempted to carry me back to 
 ^Antioch for the price set upon my head ; I had not tasted bread for two days, 
 berries there were none for me, and, as the hot rays of the sun fell upon me, 
 I fainted and fell by the roadside. The cool earth refreshed me. I arose to 
 my knees, and could rise no farther ; then I lowered my head, and said, " Light, 
 come to me, else I go out in darkness." I exclaimed, " Holy, Eternal God, 
 breathe me out of this body, and let me find rest in thy bosom." Ere I could 
 rise to my feet my angel sister came to me and said, " Come, brother, I will 
 bear your burdens until you reach your mountain home." She laid her hand 
 in mine, and I became strong. 
 
 There was a feast in the town called Amida. We climbed the high hill 
 that overlooked the town. There we saw a great many priests coming from all 
 directions ; and 1 knew they had come to destroy the people. I hastened away 
 to a herdsman's hut. Ere I asked for bread I shouted, " Haste away to the 
 town ere it is too late; and bid the people to prepare to defend themselves, 
 as the anointed priests and confessors are filling the land, preparatory for their 
 destruction." — " As soon as night closes in," the herdsman said. " How am I to 
 know you are not one of them?" I answered, "Let God decide between me 
 and them." He said, " Can I expect to find you here at my return ? " I 
 answered again, '^ Let God decide between me and thee." He then said, 
 " I will go ; but I shall be back in two hours : then I want to see you again." 
 I said to his companion, "I have need of bread and a cup of water." I 
 ate and drank them. I said, " God bless you, woman, forever ! The con- 
 fessors will enter this home before the day dawns upon you again ; flee this 
 home until these fiends leave this part of the country." I then went on my 
 way ; but as I was climbing the mountain, I looked back, and I saw her and her 
 husband fleeing together. That day passed away ; and as night closed in I lay 
 down beneath a hemlock, and a fearful vision came over me. I saw the last 
 town I had passed filled with priests and confessors ; they were killing the 
 men and damning the women. I saw the man and woman making their way 
 up the mountain where I was lying. I awoke, and, sure enough, they were 
 climbing as I had seen them in my sleep. I arose to my feet ; the stars were 
 shining brightly, and I hastened away, higher and still higher up the moun- 
 tains. There I fell down exhausted, and could not rise on my feet, they were 
 so swollen and bruised. There I covered them over with dirt, and held them 
 there for hours. I knew my home was not more than half a league distant, 
 but how to get there I did not know. I would creep on my hands and knees 
 until I could get through ; then rest. In that way I made my way to the 
 highest crag. There I lay down, feeling J could go no farther. Mary had 
 been to one of the neighbors. I called to her, and said, " Mother, come and 
 assist me; I can go no farther." Mary breathed deep, and I saw God's child 
 fold her to her bosom. Then she sprang forward, even to where I was lying. 
 She raised me in her arms, and bore me to our home. But as she laid me down 
 she exclaimed, " Did I not tell you I would bring you back again ? Go and 
 get the bark of the hemlock," she said ; " hasten back, that it can be steei)ed 
 and cooled, to bathe his feet and limbs." I then fell back in a swoon, and lay 
 
JOSEPH'S CONTEST WITH A CONFESSOR. 45 
 
 there for hours. But when I came to awake from that stupor my feet felt 
 comfortable, and I said, " God's children led me away and bore me onward ; 
 brought me back again ; and I will praise God forever. He is my strength, 
 my life, my all." 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 At the time when I reached my home Joseph had but left home for the 
 herdsman's country. Two days he had been away when I climbed the moun- 
 tains and reached my home. After Joseph started, and had been gone about 
 an hour, James began to feel disturbed, and said he would go and see if any- 
 thing had happened to Joseph. He ran until he reached the hemlock that 
 hung thick and heavy on the brow of the mountain. There he could see a long 
 way down the winding path that Joseph had to go. He saw a confessor 
 climbing up, while his father was going down. But they could not see each 
 other, as the path was so winding. James watched them as they came 
 together. The confessor aimed a blow at Joseph with his battle-axe. Joseph 
 darted forward, and closed in with him ; the battle-axe fell to the ground. 
 Joseph caught it up and hurled it down the precipice. Then he caught the 
 confessor and hurled him also down that fearful height. James saw that body 
 dashed to pieces, and his father walk on fearless. Then James shouted, 
 " Holy, Eternal God, care for my father ; bring him safe back to us again." He 
 then hastened home, and said to his mother, " God saved my father from death, 
 and the confessor was dashed to atoms." Mary answered, " God must have 
 assisted him, else the battle-axe would have destroyed him. Let us praise 
 that God forever." When I got home Mary asked if I had seen Joseph. 
 "No," I said; "not since I left here." Mary answered, "He is in the care of 
 Jesse, his father ; I saw him go away with him." Four days passed away, and 
 as the sun was setting the children came running to the door, shouting, " Joseph 
 is coming ! " He entered the home, and said, " I am blessed above all men ; my 
 boy is here alive, and my family are held from death. Eearful is the commotion 
 in the lowlands. The Hebrews are being cut off all over the land, and the 
 heathen idolatrous worshippers are to hold a feast in honor of the great 
 slaughter at Antioch." I said, "Has God created these fiends in order to 
 curse humanity." I got answer as if from eternal distance, " God creates 
 through conditions ; and the condition through which these heathen fiends were 
 created was naught but darkness." I said again, "Let God care for these 
 fiends before they destroy the whole earth." Then I heard a voice full and 
 clear, which seemed to fill my whole being, " God will cleanse earth in his 
 own due time; his changes are even now brought to bear upon humanity. 
 Mightier changes are to be wrought through God's children than earth ever 
 knew. Inspiration from the life beyond will give light to every human mind, 
 and they will declare the ever presence of the holy Creator, God." — " Amen," I 
 said. "But what are the signs of the coming of that light for the human 
 mind ? " — " Humanity will live in accordance with the law of life, and then 
 they will discern the good from the evil ; then they will flee the evil and choose 
 the good." — " Holy God, hasten the day ! " I said. An answer came back, 
 "God changes not; but all things that have been created must change." — 
 
46 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 " Hasten, then, thy changes, my God ! " I shouted. *• Even if it be the cross, let 
 me hasten there." — *' Human sacrifices will be demanded by the human mind, 
 in order to appease the bigoted ideas that have been heaped upon them by the 
 dark devisers that have sought to control human souls ; but the day will come 
 when their chains will be broken, and they shall become free in faith, in one 
 God, and in one God only. Then the lamb and the lion shall lie down together, 
 and the little child shall feed them free from fear or harm ; then hell shall no 
 more destroy God's children, and fiends shall be chained and bound by God's 
 electric law, and by God's almighty power they shall be dashed to pieces, and 
 earth shall know them no more. They will be given back to God's creative 
 powers, and a new order of creations will come forth." — " Holy Creator, 
 God ! " I exclaimed, " hasten the hour ; and may humanity render up her human 
 sacrifices in order that light may fill every heart and every home with God's 
 children, and be blessed by communion with God's angels bright." 
 
 T had been at home one year and a half, and had become stronger than I 
 had ever been before in my life. I was now in my twenty-fourth year, and 
 my communion with the Angel World was daily and hourly. I had still con- 
 tinued to go forth daily from my home, although the chilly winds pierced 
 me ; yet God's children were ever beside me, and gave me comfort. The 
 time did come when I was borne again into the midst of confusion, and there 
 declared God would cleanse earth of anointed priests and confessors. Here 
 I must breathe a few words fresh from the light that is around me; even 
 while I am tracing lines for coming ages, the inspiration that was breathed 
 upon me high in the mountains of Helam is daily being made manifest 
 through God's changes during the past eighteen hundred and fifty years. I 
 am made to feel when eighteen hundred and fifty years have rolled away, that 
 all of your creeds and isms will not be known but by name, and that name 
 will be " chains that bound us." Holy, Eternal God ! assist me in finishing 
 up my earth mission, when earth's chil dren are ready to say, ^^ ThoiT jjjL-iiiy 
 j^ather^ God, and the humbl e JN azarene is my brother ; and God j.s f atIie r_of^ us 
 all.^JHie _as the other, and w e afe all a paJrtl50Ti^ mighty wholeT^ TJieiTl am 
 free fromeartE^s~cliaIns71 will learn 
 
 that I am but the humble man, and they are_all_ my br others_and_sisters. Here 
 r must exclaim, " AVho are my brotheri^ and my sisters ? " They that are 
 willing to free me from my earthly chains, and let me go free. Her e I am, a 
 poor crushed spirit, bec ause man holds me as an idol, and God is robbed o f 
 his glory. Hasten the day, hol y Creato r, God, that 1 can lay downthe cross 
 that humanity "Eas'^ haired' me u pon, and~Ti6M s~iiie' as a'^stag e forT heir evil' 
 d"5Fd'S ; " biif I cannot forgive sins, any more than God could be nailed to the cross 
 and breathe out hfrtife there: Humanity, humanity ! God must hold you 
 accountable hereafter for all the human sacrifices that are to be laid on the 
 altar of wicked ambition and priestly devices of those that dare hold human 
 souls chained and bound longer! I wi jl ded are mysel f what I ain, but a 
 man, a nd if you recei ve my declaration as truth, you will be _blessedjbjj.t j 
 but if you seek to hoIdT me longer chained to earth , as an ido l, God will _cut 
 you_off in the midst of "your hypocrisy and deceit, andj^ \vill be accountable 
 for the mlsefy^ou caused. ye men in priestly roTes, 'tlie"Tiand oT ~Godr is 
 upon you ! Live but to undo what you have done in damning God's children ; 
 in teaching what you did not believe, and extracting from them their last 
 penny they needed for bread. I have come with a scourge in order to drive 
 you from the temple of the living God, which is the hearts of his children. 
 Freejj;)^; fjee me from th e chains that you are seeking to dr a w around m e 
 tighter^an d_tighteiF I Yo u are see ki ng to Hn d_me to the cross ; ^^id \f y<^^t f^f^ 
 
RETURN TO THE MOUNTAIN HOME FOR THE LAST TIME. 47 
 
 not free me from those chains , fact^ -vrill be rev ealed th at will cur se you for- 
 •evei\ Hypocrisy and deceit have^'possession of your souls, and a hell of guilty 
 conscience awaits you. Go back, go back among the priestly robed, damned ! 
 When I walked the earth, I was compelled to flee into the mountains like a 
 felon that despoiled his neighbor of his inheritance. There I was compelled to 
 •endure the severest hardships among the clefts of the rocks in order that 
 I should not chill to death. It was not weeks or months, but years, that I 
 dragged out such a life ; except when God's children in spirit breathed upon 
 me, and bore me down into the lowlands and the border country, denouncing 
 their idolatrous worship and the Jewish ritual, declaring God ever present 
 .among his children. " Blessed are they that hunger after righteousness, 
 for they shall be filled!" ''Blessed are they that seek God daily; he will 
 surely be found of them." '-Blessed are the pure in heart; they shall 
 behold their Creator as he is." " Blessed are they that love the light ; their 
 garments shall be covered all over with God's dewdrops of light." " Blessed 
 are they that remember the poor in their needs ; God will surely feed them 
 with the bread of eternal life." "All that seek God will seek to bless 
 humanity ; and they will have their reward in this life, and a crown of light 
 in the bright home beyond." " Happy are they that love God's wonders, and 
 scan them over and over, filled with holy adoration for him that created all 
 things." I must now go back in my history, and detail simple facts of my 
 earth life, in order that my chains may be broken ; and let all idols be buried. 
 They are earthly devices ; and all that bow to idols are damned already, and 
 the light of the living God is not within them. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 RETURN TO THE MOUXTAIX HOME FOR THE LAST TIME. 
 
 Here, after the lapse of a year and eight months, our home was again 
 filled with fear, because of a beggar that had made his way into the moun- 
 tains, being compelled to flee in order to save his life, he being a Hebrew by 
 birth. As I entered my home at night, I saw a poor feeble thing sitting by 
 the fire warming his chilled limbs. As I entered he bowed his head and said, 
 " God bless you, young man ! Am I made to feel I am welcome in your home ? " 
 I answered, " Holy, Eternal God has a home for his children, where they do not 
 have to flee the battle-axe ; where his angels breathe upon them, and give 
 them comfort." Here he burst into tears, and said, "Is he a seer?" I 
 answered, " God sees all the acts of his own creation " Then I said, " Brother, 
 I see a female beside you, seeking to comfort you ; she is your companion. Here 
 are children, eight in all, — four boys and four girls ; and you are the last of 
 your race, and you will go down calm, like the setting sun, and forget the cruel 
 oppression of priestcraft," — " Holy God," he said, " I am blessed already to 
 know my angel companion is here beside me, and our holy children." He con- 
 tinued, "'Four days ago my home was despoiled of all I loved. A band of 
 confessors entered there. They cut of the heads of my boys, and damned my 
 wife and daughters, and left them as they died. 
 
 " I came home even while the blood was Avarm from the. hearts of my family ; 
 then I exclaimed, ' Holy Creator, God, take me away, that I may find my 
 
48 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 family, where there are no priests nor confessors.' " I said, " Have comfort, 
 brother ; God is here : where God is, his children are." He then asked me if he 
 could lie down and rest. Martha said, " You look feeble ; come and lie down 
 on Lazarus' bed : he can have mine." He said, " I feel I am held from death 
 by my angel children, in order that I may avenge their death." I said, " Your 
 children are breathing upon you, not to fall with vengeance, but with the resig- 
 nation of God ; for the hour draws near when you will be with them all." He 
 then said, " I am filled with fever, and my head is beating." Then I was con- 
 trolled, and breathed him over with God's electric light. 
 
 He then fell asleep. After he had slept for hours I was controlled again, and 
 awoke him. He looked around, and said, " I thought I was among the angels, 
 and they were singing me to sleep." I answered, " Angels are even now sing- 
 ing you to sleep, and you will awake in brighter worlds beyond." He then 
 lay back upon the bed and breathed out of that poor frail body. James 
 covered the body over with a blanket, and said, "Jesus, we will bury the 
 dead at early dawn, ere you depart for the forest." I said, " Let the dead 
 bury the dead ; but let God's children seek to comfort the living." There 
 beside you is a family that has had no bread for a day and a half. James,, 
 go even now, carry them barley meal, that they can find comfort." Even now 
 he prepared the bag and hastened away. Lazarus said his limbs must be 
 straightened, and a- napkin must be bound beneath his chin. James came 
 back before the day dawned. James assisted, and we dug a grave ; then we 
 laid a board at the bottom, bore him out, and laid him in his last earthly 
 bed; then I knelt and prayed that God would hold control by his own 
 wisdom, then earth would be free from the wicked devices of man. As the 
 day was dawning, the family all went out and looked upon hi-m ere he was 
 covered o'er. Lazarus said, " Dust to dust, ashes to ashes ; but we will leave the 
 soul in the hands of our Creator, God." — " Amen," they all answered. Then 
 I hastened away. No sooner had I entered the forest than Leiah came to me, 
 and said, " Hell is belching forth again in the border country, and we must be 
 there in their midst." I answered, " Let God direct us ; then all is well." In 
 the evening when I entered my home I said, " Mary, I am going to make a 
 journey to the lowlands, and shall be back in three weeks, if it please God ; 
 but if I am cut off I shall be back sooner." — " Holy God, protect my boy ! " 
 said Mary. " If humanity demands him, I must let him go." I said, " God's 
 commands must be obeyed ; but humanity has damned us, and we are outcasts 
 on the earth." The day dawned upon us bright, and the sun's glad rays filled 
 all earth. Care and fear were only felt in the oppressed among the children of 
 men. As I prepared for my journey, I exclaimed, " Holy God, I am about to 
 launch among the dashing waves of the turbid waters of life, and who will 
 bring me back if God calls his children away from earth ? " I got answer, 
 " God cares for his children in all conditions, if they will have faith in him." 
 Then I said, " Here I am, my God ; take me, do with me as thou wilt, I am 
 thine, but a speck in immensity." Here we knelt and prayed, and all ex- 
 claimed, " God is here ! " I bade them adieu, and then sped off among the 
 poor and destitute ; healing the sick by laying on of hands among the poor 
 herdsmen ; thence among the bands of beggars, declaring God was there ; bow- 
 ing in humble adoration before the Creator; holding the poor deluded from 
 crime ; denouncing debauchery and drunkenness ; declaring to them it was con- 
 ditions that led the weak-minded where nothing but darkness would fall 
 around them if they breathed out in that condition. I labored among the 
 humble in spirit until they exclaimed God was in their midst. 
 
 I then went back once more to my mountain home for the last time on 
 
KETURN TO THE MOUNTAIN HOME FOR THE LAST TIME. 49 
 
 earth. As I entered there my mother folded me to her bosom again and 
 again, and said, " God assist me, else I cannot answer, ' Thy will be done, my 
 God.' " Even while I was breathing upon my fathers bosom and was calling 
 on God to assist them all, a voice called, -^ Come, brother, let us hasten away, 
 the w4cked Shuniites are having a fearful conflict with the holy children of 
 Chaldea, and they are calling on G^d to give them some one to direct them ; bid 
 farewell to your people and your mountain home ; this is the last time you 
 will ever seek this home where you have been held from death. But you will , 
 meet your friends in the land where Mary first drew her breath. There your \ 
 earth labor will end, until ages on ages shall pass away, and then you will be 
 brought back to earth to finish up what has been begun." I told my family 
 God would care for me. Lazarus exclaimed, " God will lead and direct you, 
 my dear boy." Martha said, " My God, assist him, for the hour will come for 
 him to lay dowm all for truth's sake." Joseph wept until his very heart 
 seemed bursting, then he held his breath, and said, " Holy, Eternal God, my 
 boy is thine, he is the holiest thing I have to lay upon the altar of my God. 
 He is the lamb for the burnt offering that must be sacrificed for the human 
 family, in order that they may hold God before them, and give him the glory. 
 This holy lamb I give to thee, O my God, and humanity." Then Joseph fled 
 into the deep forest, so that he could call on God to give him strength. Then 
 I said, " Good-by, James, may the angels assist you in finishing up your earth 
 mission ; take good care of Mary and the children, and God will reward you in 
 his own due time." — '' Holy, Creator God," I shouted, " God is here, all is 
 well." I then darted from my home, fearing to look back lest God's children 
 should lose the influence they had upon me. I knew in my own strength 
 T must fall ; on and on I sped my way until I reached the first town below the 
 foot of the mountains. This was a town called Samosata. Here the heathen 
 were holding a festival, eating, drinking, and dancing. I entered their great 
 building ; there their idols were carved in copper and -wood, and cast in iron. 
 Among the rest I saw a great dragon ; his head was burnished over with brass, 
 his horns were inlaid wHth gold, and his eyes were glass. This idol had been 
 brought from Asia ; it had been taken from the Amalekites in battle. It had 
 been carried about the coimtry on a drag, drawn by oxen ; and after a battle 
 it had been brought to Samosata, and put into this building, that the poor, 
 ignorant heathen could fall down and worship before it, and whatever they 
 heard while kneeling there they would carry out, unless they were cut off. 
 There was a box behind the idol where the anointed priests had access and 
 none other. Whenever there ^vas anything they wanted to have carried out, 
 they would give it through this brazen image. There they held their feast in 
 honor to their idol. All of the inhabitants had been idolatrous worshippers 
 for thousands and thousands of years. There I was in their midst declaring 
 God's demand upon them to burn their idols, and bow to their creator, God. 
 '- Holy God," I exclaimed, '' if there is a worse hell than I find here, hold me 
 from it." Then one of their number came forward and said, " Here is a 
 heretic, let us burn him." Hell itself burst out among these heathen. I was 
 hurled into the midst of the crowd by one that laid hands upon me, and 
 shouted, " I will dash him in pieces." I gathered myself up and made way 
 from their midst. The confusion was so great T fled them ; before the inquiry 
 was made for me, I was fleeing their city. I bore eastward until I came to a 
 place called Edessa. I entered the gates of that city, and exclaimed, " God is 
 here." Then the chief magistrate said, " Thou art a Hebrew, and it has been 
 decreed that all Hebrews should be cast out or be beheaded ; " then I shouted 
 again, "Holy, Eternal God is here, and he will hold "control." Then the 
 
60 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 magistrate commanded I should be bound and dragged away. Here I raised 
 my hands and said, "Holy, Almighty God, electrify them even here." He 
 that held the cords to bind me let them fall, and fell forward on his face, and 
 the magistrate fell to the earth and breathed no more in that body. I then 
 shouted again, " Holy, Eternal God is here ; who will come forward and hold 
 this body ? Let them come, and God will hold them in his own embrace." Then 
 I was controlled and held forth one hour and a half. I then asked for a cup 
 of water; it was brought me. I raised it above my head and said, "Holy, 
 'Almighty God, baptize this people, not only with water, but with thy holy 
 spirit." Then I drank the water, and was controlled in an instant; and when 
 the influence left me the whole multitude were chanting, " Light fills my whole 
 being. God is here in our midst, and has baptized us with the spirit of 
 truth." 1 
 
 I remained there four days ; then T bade them farewell, and said, " God is 
 here, then give him the glory, for your sick being healed and your souls being 
 held from darkness." That day I came in contact with a band of gypsies. 
 I called on God to assist me ere I approached them. I then drew near, and 
 said, " Have you any diseased bodies in your midst ; if you have, bring them 
 here." — " Holy, Eternal God," I said, " fill me with thine own electric life, that 
 I may impart it to these diseased bodies, that they may behold thy wonders." 
 They brought one to me that had been stricken down by palsy. They bore 
 him on a bed. I laid my hands upon his head and brought them down to his 
 feet eight times. Then I laid his palm in mine, and drew my hands from the 
 head to the fingers four times each ; then I raised him up, and said, " Get up 
 from this bed, and God will assist you to walk." He made the attempt and fell 
 back. Then I shouted, "I command you in the name of the living God to 
 arise and walk." Then he sprang to his feet, and shouted, " Holy God, I am 
 healed." Then I said, "Go ye into the by-lanes and hedges, and command 
 them to reach Chaldea's borders in eight days. God's angel children will be 
 there, and they shall be healed, and God must have the glory." 
 
 I remained with this people two days ; then I left them and sought the 
 Shumites. Here I found a poor brutish race of human beings. They were 
 descendants from Moses through the Egyptian woman, Closes being half Ethio- 
 pian, half Egyptian, and this concubine of Moses was purely Egyptian. From 
 that blood sprang the Amalekites, and the Amalekites bore away from Chaldea 
 their females, and the Shumites were a race of people that blended the two. 
 The Amalekites were always in dispute with the kingdoms around them, and 
 their delight was in battle, but the blood of Chaldea's children was in direct 
 line from Abraham ; and between these two races they begat a people that was 
 fond of fighting, yet feared God lest he should destroy them root and branch, 
 yet in their natures they were very beastly. Among this people I was led to 
 begin a work for coming ages. As I entered their border country I declared 
 God had sent me in order that they could be warned of their danger in going 
 against the Chaldeans, and if they did, they would surely be cut off, and their 
 homes would be left desolate. I said, " Who among you are ready to make 
 earth glad by receiving the power to heal the sick and cast out devils by the 
 electric law held by Almighty God." There came forward a frail boy, his name 
 was Thomas, Chaldea's son. I said, " You are not a Shumite, but Chaldea's 
 blood fills your veins." He answered, "I am from Chaldea; I was borne away 
 after a battle." I said, " Come, brother, God will electrify you, and you Avill 
 declare his ever presence wherever you go." He bowed his head and said, 
 
 1 These facts are recorded in the history of tlie Edessians in the Jewish records of that date^ 
 Chaldeans also give testimony of these facts. 
 
RETUllN TO THE MOUNTAIN HOME FOR THE LAST TIME. 51 
 
 " I am a bondsman." Here I called for his master, and said, " It is God's will 
 lie should go forth and heal the sick.'' He answered, " I have a boy that is 
 ■filled with fever, if he will heal him, I will let him go free." I said, " God 
 will assist you, brother ; all is well." He conducted us into his home ; there 
 lay the boy, all covered over with blankets, yet burning with a fever. As 
 Thomas drew near the boy, he was entranced. He uncovered the boy, fold 
 after fold, until he reached the bare body, then he called for cold water. He 
 dipped his hands in it, then sprinkled the boy all over; then he began to 
 manipulate the boy from the head to the feet. The boy called for drink. 
 He said, " Bring fresh cold water from the spring ; give him all he can drink, ' 
 then he will fall asleep, but when he awakes he will be well." He then left 
 the home, still in the .trance. After we had reached a by-place he said, 
 " Brother, I will control this boy, and Leiah will control you until we reach 
 Chaldea." Leiah said, " Boy, are you ready to be dragged through hell, if I 
 bring you out all safe." I answered, " I fear not hell, if God is there." He 
 answered, '^ God is here ; he is in hell at the same time ; wherever creations 
 are, God with them doth share." — "I am ready," I said, " begin your work." 
 He folded me to his bosom and breathed his life into my body. The next 
 I knew I was in Chaldea's borders. I was beside the door of a humble female ; 
 her head was bowed and grief was depicted on her face. I accosted her and 
 said, '' Can you tell me where I am ? " Her eyes fell upon my brother that 
 stood beside me. Her breath fled her, and she fell back in a swoon. Thomas 
 was still controlled, and the angel that breathed through him said, " This is my 
 brother's mother, and I thought it would be better to hold him until the 
 mother became calm ; now I will bathe her face and hands and she will come 
 back composed in a short time." She looked around and said, " Have I been 
 dreaming ? " I answered, " God blesses his children sometimes with realities 
 as well as dreams.'^ I saw Thomas was breathing his own natural breath ; 
 there his mother folded him to her bosom, and said, " God has heard my prayer 
 and let me look once more upon my boy ; now I am ready to live or die for 
 humanity." 
 
 It was a humble home, and the poor mother had been left alone by four 
 sons being killed by the Shumites, and her feeble boy carried away into bond- 
 age. I asked her if she would give us some bread and cold water ; her answer 
 was, " Bread I have none, but I will go the herdsmen, they will give me some 
 meat and milk." I said, -< Let me go, I feel there is something for me to do 
 there." As I drew near, I saw a feeble man on crutches. I accosted him, and 
 said, " Would you be healed ? " He answered, " I would give the best bullock 
 in my flock and two calves to be healed." I said, " Bring forward the bullock 
 and calves, you shall be healed even here." I hurled his crutches from him, 
 then laid my hands upon his hips, and in the name of God I commanded his 
 disease to depart. He gave one groan and dropped down. I said, "Man, 
 arise, and declare God has healed you." He sprang to his feet and said, 
 " Holy God, the boy Jesus has healed me," then he fell back again, and said, 
 " Give me back my crutches." — "0 man," I said, " have you forgotten God 
 electrified your back and you stood firm ? " He exclaimed, " Holy Creator, 
 God, assist me." He had no sooner asked God to assist him than he arose to 
 his feet and walked off fearlessly. I said, " Drive the bullock and the two 
 calves, God has need of them there for his children." They were driven to 
 the home of my brother. He shouted, " God assist us, we shall be cut off for 
 defrauding our neighbor of his goods." Even then the poor famished creatures 
 began to gather around us. I said, " Kill and eat." One among them killed 
 a calf, and they ate it all but the fragments. I said, '^gather up the frag- 
 
52 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 ments ; there is a band of beggars coming ; let us prepare for them a broth ; 
 I know they have had nothing to eat in two days ; go bring the biggest kettle 
 you can find among the neighbors." They brought one ; the bones were all 
 cracked and a measure of barley was poured in, and when they saw the beggars 
 coming one said, " He must have a familiar spirit." I answered, " These are 
 my father, my mother, my sisters and my brothers." After they had all 
 rested and eaten I said, " God is here, and these poor feeble bodies must be 
 cured." Then I saw my angel sister breathe upon Thomas, and heard her 
 shout, " Holy God, assist me in healing these children of darkness that they 
 may have faith in thee, and that light may fill their whole beings, that they 
 may no more be dragged along by the anoin4;ed priests down to death and 
 hell." Leiah breathed upon me, and I shouted, " Glory to God, they are all 
 being electrified." Here I laid my hands on one that had an issue of blood, 
 as it was called, but it was a bleeding tumor. She immediately arose to her 
 feet and said, " Holy God, I am healed, I will praise thee forever." Here 
 another was brought that had been lame from his birth. I bathed his hip 
 in cold water, and commanded him to bathe also, and he should be healed. He 
 shouted, " I am healed even now." They were all healed in that day, and 
 there were two hundred and forty. They all lay down and slept ; they forgot 
 they were hungry, because they were filled with the power of the living God. 
 
 The next morning I told them to slay the bullock so that these poor creatures 
 could have food for their bodies as well as for their souls. I said, " Now go 
 your way, others are coming." There we knelt in prayer, and God clothed 
 them all in garments from his own kingdom, and they departed, singing a hymn 
 to God and his angels. Here I was compelled to flee the country, because the 
 heathen priests had heard there were two Hebrews that were healing the sick 
 and laying devils. That night, after the poor beggars had left us, I was bath- 
 ing my head at the brook. My angel sister came to me and said, " Brother, 
 the priests are gathering in a band, and they will destroy you if they find you 
 here ; go now, take Thomas and his mother, and whatever they will need for 
 a long journey; the fiends will be here in about four hours, and you must 
 begin your journey as soon as possible. Bear along with you a piece of the calf ; 
 four days must pass away ere you will find a friend that will give you bread. 
 Through the country we have to pass are bands of gypsies, but they are of the 
 heathen order, and they would give warning to the priests if you fell in with 
 them." I went and told Thomas all, and we hastened away even then. Many 
 days we journeyed, and at night we lay down in the open air, and God's 
 canopy covered us o'er. Our meat was gone ; famished and footsore we made 
 our way as best we could to Chalybon ; here we found friends that bade us wel- 
 come. Mary had a cousin here, one that loved her, and there we made our 
 home as long as we remained in that place. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 LABORIXG IN ANTIOCH RESTING IN CHALYBON. 
 
 Antioch was a country near by Chalybon. Here I began a work for God 
 
 and humanity ; here the sick were healed, devils banished, the lame walked, 
 and the humble became mighty because of the power that fell upon them ; here 
 the anointed priests and confessors made an attempt to cut off the heretics; 
 
LABOIIING IX ANTIOCH — RESTING IN CHALYBON. 53 
 
 heathen bigots were determined to cut off the influence wherever it was 
 made manifest. God had begun a work ; who could stay its light ? God's 
 electricity was filling the inhabitants of Antioch, and they began to exclaim, 
 *' God's lights are everywhere." The half could not be told of the influence 
 on that people. Hourly they were brought from all parts of the country and 
 laid by the gates of the city, and in the by-lanes, and in the roadside, in order 
 that 1 could breathe upon them, and in the name of the living God command their 
 diseases to depart. Thomas's mother remained with Mary's cousin at Chalybon, 
 and we went there every three days in order that we could flee the multitude 
 and get rest. There we could find that rest we could not find in Antioch. 
 
 There came to Mary's cousin a poor deluded female, one that had beenf 
 cast out because she wae diseased. I arose to my feet and accosted her thus, | 
 " How is it you are bowed down and youth still upon you ? " Her answer was, 
 ** I am doomed to die by the hands of that band of confessors ; they have all 
 been diseased by me." I said, '< How is it that you were diseased ? " Her 
 answer was, "An anointed priest came in to me in a den of shame, and he' 
 diseased me. I sought to hold myself from all, but that band of confessors 
 dragged me away into a by-place and there they became diseased. Xow they 
 are coming to demand of you my death at their hands." The confessors drew 
 near, and one of them said, " We have come to you to demand a right from 
 you, she being a Hebrew, to put her to death, because she has diseased us." 
 — " How many are diseased ? " I said. He answered, " There are eighteen of 
 us here, but there are many more." I asked, " Have you any other accusation 
 to bring against her than diseasing confessors ? " He said, " She ought to die ; 
 and you give your consent, and we are freed by the law here ; we are prepared 
 with clubs and stones to do our work." I then shouted aloud, " Holy, Almighty 
 God, decide between these brutes in mortal form and the poor, fallen creature 
 in Jacob's blood." I said, " Daughter of holy blood, stand ye apart from all. 
 Man has damned you, but God will hold you from death." Then I shouted, 
 " Let God decide between the two." I then said, " Come on, and you that is 
 without sin, let him cast the first stone ; but he that dare raise his arm that 
 has damned any, God will hold him guilty of this murder." He that had been 
 speaking dropped his heatl, and said, '' I am electrified all over." I then 
 shouted, " Holy God, hold hell in thine embrace until light from thee can find a 
 resting-place in the mind of humanity." Here I looked around and the}' were 
 departing, but he that was held in God's embrace. I shouted, " God's children 
 are holding thee in their bosom, damned as thou art." He burst into tears and 
 said, " Here are my mother and my three sisters." He then shouted. " God is 
 here in the midst of hell. My mother came to me, and I bade her begone." 
 He then fell back and lay there for hours, and when I looked for the scarlet 
 woman she lay there like one dead. I called Thomas and his mother, bade 
 them care for the poor despised thing, who would breathe out of that poor 
 frail body into the bosom of her God ere another year. 
 
 I then hastened back to Antioch, knowing that many awaited my coming. 
 Thomas arose and said, " Come, brother, God's child is here, and she says the 
 Jews are preparing to drive all of us out of the land, or burn us alive. That 
 heresy shall be held in check before all of the inhabitants of Antioch are 
 affected." The confessor declared he was stricken down by a power that he 
 could not see, and he also declared that while that power was upon him he 
 saw his mother and his sisters. Here Thomas was controlled, and the angel 
 continued. " Hundreds are gathering in the great square, asking for you to come 
 in their midst ; now let us hasten away in order that they may be blessed be- 
 fore the confessors commence their work of destruction.'.' I said, *' God assist. 
 
 /C^ 
 
 rU^^ Of rsa ^ sgc^ 
 
54 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 else I die beneath my burden." She answered, " God's children will bear yoa 
 along until the hour does come, dear brother ; then you will lay down your 
 burdens, and God will receive you into his own bosom ; there the lamb will 
 rest despite of hell's children in priestly robes and the heathen bigots' devices." 
 She still held control, even until we reached the great square, and there she 
 shouted, " Come on, ye damned in priestly robes, and confessors in your own 
 garb that ye have torn from the dead bodies of those ye have crushed beneath 
 your brute bodies, and ye have damned the holy blood of Abraham, and God 
 will demand justice of you in an hour when you least expect it." Then she 
 said, " Begin your work, my brother ; mj^ father is here." Then I was con^ 
 trolled, yet at that time I could hear all that was said. I was dashed into the 
 midst of them, healing their sick in the name of Almighty God. I continued 
 to denounce their hypocrisy and deceit, declaring the hand of God was upon 
 them, and I shouted, "0 ye inhabitants of Judea, God will surely hold you 
 guilty ; if harm falls upon his children at your hand, you will be cut off by 
 the heathen damned, and your homes will be filled with hell." 
 
 Thomas came near to where I was laying my hands upon a poor female 
 that had been blasted by those fiends in priestly robes. She was the daughter 
 of a Jew, and he was the magistrate of Antioch. He came forward and said, 
 " How dare you lay hands on my daughter, she is a Jewess." I said, " Wha 
 has diseased her ? Whether it be Jew or Gentile, or the heathen damned, she 
 belongs to God, and he will call her away ere eight days pass away." — " Heal 
 her body," said the magistrate, " and I will hold you from being cut off by the 
 Jews." I answered, " God cannot heal her body, but he will cleanse her soul 
 from the damned that are here in your city." I said, " Foster fiends if you 
 will; they entered your home, destroyed your five beautiful daughters, four 
 they left dead, while this poor child of God but lived to drag out a few days 
 of agony and to arouse you, ye men of Judea, from the death stupor you 
 have fallen into. You will soon be left alone in the midst of confusion ; you 
 will fall by the battle-axe of them that destroyed your families." Here he 
 burst into tears and said, " Save, oh, save my child, and I will assist you all I 
 can." — ''Holy God cannot save your child from death, but he may free you 
 both in the same hour ; for aught I know the people of Antioch will be cut to 
 pieces, and the heathen priests hold your synagogue, but the blood of Judea 
 will regain it for a season, and then brute force will hold it from your blood 
 forever." Here the magistrate became electrified ; he began to exclaim, '' Holy 
 children of Judea, you are about to be cut off by the priests from the foreign 
 country; even now they are gathering in our midst." I said, "Make your 
 escape, brother, else you will be cut off." He answered, " Let them dash upon 
 me Avith their battle-axe, and I will damn them even then." I called for a 
 cup of cold water after the influence left me. As I raised it to my lips, I ex- 
 claimed, " There is death in that cup." When I looked there was a lizard 
 there ; I then dashed it from me and hastened away to the spring ; there I 
 cooled my head and bathed my brow ; then I called Thomas, it being near the 
 close of day, and said, " Let us now depart, we will find shelter beside thy 
 mother." There we bathed, ate and drank, then we were both controlled 
 until a late hour of the night. Many had gathered there to await our coming, 
 and how could we bid them depart without a blessing ; among the rest was 
 Judas Iscariot and Stephen, the son of the grape-grower, and six more from 
 Chaldea. It was Stephen's mother that had been healed of an issue of blood. 
 
 After we had fled the country they gathered together and sought to follow 
 us. They were driven about by the bands of gypsies. At last they heard by 
 a band of beggars that we had held our way toward Antioch ; now here they 
 all were calling for light. 
 
HIS FOLLOWER JUDE — THE LABOR IN JOPPA. 55 
 
 CHAPTER Xiy. 
 
 HIS FOLLOWER JUDE THE LABOR IN JOPPA. 
 
 Now, among the band that had followed us from Chaldea was Jude ; he had 
 been born and reared in Pontius Pilate's court ; his father was Caiaphas, and 
 his mother was one of the king's concubines, and according to the law of the 
 country, being born in .the king's home, the priest acknowledged him his son, 
 as the priest had taken the concubine to himself, and the boy must be educated 
 for an anointed priest ; bat he was a holy thing begotten in hell, frail in body,, 
 but his ideas were clear. 
 
 When he was eighteen he was brought before the king, and Caiaphas, the 
 high priest, commanded him to prepare himself to be anointed, and he must 
 hold forty females before he could be accepted by the priesthood. He begged 
 the king to hold him from Caiaphas, and exclaimed, " I am a feeble thing ; I 
 cannot become a priest." Caiaphas came back again into the king's apartment, 
 bearing with him a damsel, and said to Jude, " Here is a fresh damsel, hold her 
 even here, or I will have you cut off." He breathed deep, and replied, '^God 
 forbid ; I will die first." Then Caiaphas struck him down, and the damsel was 
 also felled to the floor by a blow. Here the king exclaimed, " Caiaphas, you 
 are drunk ; go away, lie down and sleep ; when you awake we will attend to 
 this matter." As soon as he was gone Jude knelt beside the king, and said, 
 " O king, spare me, spare me, I am a poor frail thing, and if you do not hold 
 me from my father I shall surely die ; let me flee the court, and I will go 
 among the mountains, there I shall be free from him, and there I can get 
 strength." — " Xo," said the king ; " he will scour the country, and bring you 
 back and behead you." Then the king covered his face with his hands, and 
 said, " Caiaphas will destroy my whole family ; he has doomed my four daugh- 
 ters, and they all bear children by him." Jude said, " king, let me go but 
 for two days, and then I will be iDack again." Then the king said, " Go, boy, 
 but be sure you come back again." He then left the king's apartment, and 
 dressed himself as a herdsman, and fled that home of death and hell. Drunken- 
 ness and debauchery held control, and the chief of devils presided. 
 
 Jude fled to the forest, and made his way higher and higher among the 
 herdsmen, begging bread as he was fleeing his father, Caiaphas. The thirteentli 
 day he reached the foot of a high mountain ; he knew not where he was, but, 
 faint and exhausted, he sat down and fell asleep. He saw a form approach 
 him all covered with light, her brow was light, her face was light, her hands 
 were light, and her garments were light. She called him and said, " Come, 
 brother, I will lead you to a place of rest." He awoke, and beheld an angel 
 bright standing before him. She laid her hand in his and said, " Come, 
 brother, it is time for us to leave this place, because Caiaphas' spies are not 
 more than a league and a half distant. I will carry you to a poor family ; 
 they will give you shelter until you can begin your work for humanity." She 
 then led him high in the mountains, and he reached our home in the evening 
 when the lights were lit. I was kneeling in prayer beside Lazarus, his hand was 
 resting on my head, as the door gently opened, and she breathed deep, and 
 said, " I have brought him, and the country is in great commotion because he has 
 fled the wicked devices of his father, Caiaphas ; but I brought him here in order 
 
56 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 that he can assist you, dear brother, in glorifying the Father, God, and he must 
 become a human sacrifice as well as you, dear brother, in order that humanity 
 may seek the good and flee the evil. His destiny is linked with thine ; he 
 must flee into Chaldea's countries, there he will remain until he is brought forth 
 to begin his work. Then the influence breathed out of him, and he fell down 
 like one dead. This was the first time he was fully controlled ; but after that 
 he could discern spirits whenever they approached. He remained one day and 
 •one night with us, and then he started for Chaldea's borders. This was one 
 month before I was sent forth from my mountain home for the last time. As 
 he left me, I said, "Farewell, brother, God's child is beside you, and she will 
 not leave you until you find safety ; but remember God is beside you as well 
 jsis his child." I must now return to Chalybon. Mary's cousin's home had 
 been chosen for God's faithful children to gather, until they could be borne 
 away to the border country, healing the sick, declaring God, denouncing 
 priestcraft, hypocrisy, and deceit, begging bread for themselves and the poor 
 famishing beggars that lived in the open air until they were relieved by 
 ■death, perhaps starvation ; perhaps by disease that had been scattered in 
 their midst by the confessors of that day. And as we gathered together in 
 prayer that night, our number was ten ; they had come, feeling God had com- 
 manded them. All determined to follow to the end, even if it was the cross. 
 There we all ate, and then lay down and slept until day dawned ; then we 
 arose, knelt and prayed, and went forth together. All were susceptible to 
 spirit control, and all but two could discern spirits. The two that could not 
 discern spirits were Judas and Seth ; they were full of electric life, and could 
 Ileal the sick by laying on of hands. 
 
 That day we made our way across the country toward the border country, 
 seeking to avoid the bands of priests and confessors that were sent out to 
 l)ring us back. Stephen's mother remained with Mary's cousin until they 
 were driven out beggars, and they fled back to Chaldea. We continued 
 our journey along the by-places, holding forth among the beggars, encour- 
 aging them to make their way back to their own country, and begin their 
 former life, planting and sowing. Many begun their journey as soon as they 
 were persuaded it was best. I declared to them their springs were boiling, 
 their streams were flowing, and there were cattle without a herdsman, and 
 sheep without a shepherd. They bowed their heads and said, "Let us go 
 home, let us go home." Hundreds left the border country, and even reached 
 their homes alive ; and when they reached Asia their hearts beat with joy to 
 tind the drouth passed away, and everything seemed to bid them welcome, 
 jet thousands perished in the border country, because they had not courage to 
 begin so long a journey. 
 
 We reached Joppa after many days. After we had become refreshed, we 
 'began our work in earnest. 
 
 Here I must insert a line as it belongs to this part of my history : IVIary 
 liad a cousin in Joppa, and he was chief magistrate. I went to him and said, 
 ^' You are my mother's kin ; let us remain in your home and I will bless you." 
 He answered, " I have no room for beggars, and you had better be gone, else 
 the priests will cut you off." Then I turned away and said, " God forgive him, 
 he knows not what he is doing." Here I was in a land of bigots, and my fol- 
 lowers were disheartened. I said, " Let us go into the country bearing north- 
 ward, there we shall find a work to do, but Joppa has ever damned God's 
 children from the beginning of time." But ere we departed the inhabitants 
 loegan to gather in the centre of the great square. I said to my brother, " Let 
 us do our work and then we will flee the city." We did begin ; there Avere 
 
HIS FOLLOWER JUDE — THE LABOR IN JOPPA. 57 
 
 lame, halt, and blind, some lying on the ground, some on beds, some on 
 crutches, and children in their mothers' arms. Hundreds were healed that day 
 between the rising and the setting sun. Here I heard from a beggar that he had 
 seen Joseph and his family on their way to Tyre. I answered, " My mother is 
 going back to die in her own city ; my father and brothers will perish there. 
 " Holy, Eternal God," I exclaimed, " let me go and look on them once more, 
 then I will say, ' Thy will be done.' " The beggar continued, " Martha and Laz- 
 arus are somewhere around Joppa, because Lazarus' health was so poor they 
 thought it would be best to remain in a milder climate." Then, as our day's 
 work was done and night was closing in, I said to my followers, " Let us go 
 away by ourselves, and God's child will tell us where to find friends, and they 
 will make us comfortable this night at least." We withdrew from the multi- 
 tude ; some went one way and some another, but we met at a brook. Here we 
 sat dovm on the bank of the little stream and asked God to direct us. As 
 Jude sat beside me, I laid my hand in his, then his breath came deep and I 
 saw God's child breathe her life into his body; then he arose to his feet and 
 said, " Come, dear brother, Martha is asking for you now. I told her you were 
 coming. I will lead you there ; all will come, but don't come all at one time, 
 lest you may be followed." 
 
 I reached Martha's in a few minutes ; she had prepared a good warm bar- 
 ley loaf, and a gourd of milk awaited our coming. She met me at the door and 
 folded me to her bosom ; she could not speak, but wept as if her heart would 
 break. I was too full for utterance. Lazarus held my hand and attempted to 
 speak, but his breath left him ; he fell back and Seth caught him in his arms. 
 Here Jude came forward, and the angels breathed a prayer fresh from the 
 bosom of Almighty God, and we forgot our grief as God's love for his children 
 filled our souls. We called on God to assist us in our hour of need, and we 
 got answer from the angel breath, " God is here in your midst ; let us praise 
 him forever and forever." We then ate our bread and drank our milk, and 
 lay down and slept in the bosom of angels. 
 
 Martha came to me early in the morning and said, "Dear boy, Mary has 
 gone back to Tyre, hoping to find friends there in her father's blood ; hoping 
 to get protection from them. They must have reached there by this time, 
 as I have been here two weeks. Lazarus has been feeble ever since we left 
 the mountain air. Leiah came to us and said, ' You may go back to Tyre ; I 
 will bring your boy to you there.' Mary bowed her head and said, ' If it be 
 God's will, I will begin my journey early.' Joseph came in and Mary said, 
 * God's command is upon us ; we are to go back to Tyre to meet our boy.' 
 There Joseph breathed a prayer to Almighty God for the safety of his family ; 
 they lay down and slept, but they all arose at early dawn and began their 
 long and tedious journey. After two days we reached the lowlands, then we 
 crossed the country toward the hills of Judea, and we reached Joppa after 
 three weeks of wandering about, having to leave the main road as much as 
 possible lest we should fall in with confessors. Here Lazarus' strength gave 
 out and we were compelled to remain while the rest went on their way. I 
 have not heard from them since I left them on the main road. Mary was 
 heavy, Jesse was a heft, and Joseph had to strap him on his back, but he 
 would go on his crutches all he could. Lazarus gave out, and here we are, and 
 if it please God we shall start for Tyre as soon as this commotion passes 
 away." Then she said, " Dear Jesus, lie down until I have prepared breakfast, 
 then I will call you." She prepared her bread, and while it was baking she 
 came back to me again ; then she breathed a prayer for God's children, deep 
 and earnest j then she arose and spread the board. We. all bathed, and filled 
 
58 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. / 
 
 that home with deep yearning prayer for humanity. "We ate, and then pre- 
 pared for the great square again ; here we found a great multitude gathering 
 from all parts, hoping to be blessed by being healed of their diseases, and be 
 bathed with God's electric power, yet they could not explain ; still they all 
 acknowledged a holy feeling that they had never felt before. 
 
 I called a band of beggars to me and said, " God has held you from death 
 until this hour, in order that he could feed you with the bread of life, the 
 bread that perisheth not." Then I exclaimed, " The hour is at hand that you 
 will leave this land of death and hell ; go ye to Chaldea's borders, there you will 
 find bread to feed the body, but do not forget God has a demand upon you 
 — that is labor ; the faithful laborer is sure to get his reward in an abundant 
 harvest, unless the dews of heaven are withheld and the rain ceases to fall." 
 Here they gathered around and said, " We had no bread yesterday, and we are 
 fasting still ; " then I shouted, " ye men of Joppa that have your storehouses 
 filled, go ye and bring your barley in the loaf, in the meal, and in the kernel ; 
 let these poor famishing bodies be fed, then they can be filled with God's elec- 
 tric light." There were brought in that hour many baskets of bread, bags of 
 meal, and bags of barley ; then I said, " Eat and be filled, and take the rest, 
 bear it on your journey, and if you find any poor beggars, divide with them ; 
 begin your journey even this hour ; bear back the mother of Thomas and the 
 mother of Stephen that followed their children here, but they must follow 
 them no longer, as they belong to God and humanity, and they must be re- 
 signed to their Father's will." 
 
 Here another band of beggars came and I bade them follow the others, to 
 eat and drink with them, and depart with them, else they would surely be cut 
 off before five days. They all went upon a hillside a little way^from the city, 
 there they sat down, ate, and gave thanks. There was one among them called 
 Zachariah; he was filled with God. He became electrified, and shouted, 
 <^ Holy Creator, God, lead these thy children from the damning influence of 
 priests and confessors : lead them into the green pastures beside the still 
 waters ; and may they plant human souls, and may they flourish like the green 
 bay-tree, until they fill all the desolate places that have been left in ruins by 
 the devices of fiends and bigots. May God hold control until their h3anns 
 shall go welling up in one mighty wave and mingle with the angel band beyond. 
 Bathe, oh, bathe ye in the pure waters, and be clean, that ye may become heirs 
 of eternal life." Then he shouted, '' Go, go, go, even now, lest the hand of 
 death will fall upon you." He then said, <' Farewell, I leave you in God's 
 hands." He then fell back and ceased to breathe forever. Then they gathered 
 up all they had and fled to Chaldea. There they began to till the earth ; they 
 dwelt there a holy people ; they filled the land with their descendants, and 
 their blood fills the land even until this day, declaring one God and one God 
 only. Here are the Chaldeans of to-day descended from a band of beggars. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE WORK OF HEALIXG CONTINUED. 
 
 I SAW the beggars departing, and I said, " God's glory fills their souls, and 
 he will lead and guide them even to their journey's end." Here was one 
 brought on a drag ; his cords were contracted, and his feet were drawn even to 
 -his back, and his hands were entirely useless. Here I called all of my disci- 
 
THE WORK OF HEALING CONTINUED. 59 
 
 pies around me, and said, " Let us make conditions for God to relieve this poor 
 brother from his malady." Here we gathered around him and joined hands, 
 then we shouted in one breath, " Holy, Almighty God, assist thy children that 
 they may bless humanity." He arose to his knees and shouted, " God is here." 
 Then we all reached our hands toward him, and gave off all the electricity we 
 could command. Then he sprang to his feet and walked away among the 
 crowd, saying, " I was bound, but now I am free ; let God have the glory." 
 Then we all went to the brook and bathed, in order that we could gather again ; 
 and no sooner had we gone back than the chief ruler of the Jews came before 
 me and said, "0 son of man, I am in deep grief, I have a daughter lying dead' 
 in my house beyond the brook Cedron. She died at early dawn and my house- 
 hold is in mourning." 1 breathed deep, and said, " I behold thy daughter, she 
 is not dead, but sleepeth. I see an angel holding her in her bosom in an en- 
 tranced sleep. Go home, filled with faith in God, and the damsel Avill meet 
 you ere you reach your home." He answered, " I have faith that God will 
 save my child." Now he laid down eight shekels in gold. I said to the by- 
 standers, " Gather up the gold, go buy bread, even in this hour there is great 
 need of barley bread among this multitude ; bring and scatter. He that laid 
 down the gold has blessed humanity, and God will give back his daughter to 
 bless the father. Jew as he is, God has no respect between Jew and Gentile." 
 Here they brought a man filled with boils from his head to his feet. His back 
 was one mass of boils, and he had to rest on his elbows and knees. I said to 
 those that bore him along, '' Bear him away to the brook yonder, let the cold 
 water flow over him at least half an hour, then bring him back to me again." 
 Even then a female knelt beside me, and said, " Master, Master, I am djdng of 
 a fever." I said, " Creator, God, lend thine aid that she may be healed." I 
 reached my hand to her ; she laid her hand in mine ; then she arose to her feet 
 and exclaimed, "I am healed." Here the man was brought back from the 
 brook. I said, " man, God has cleansed your body, now cleanse your soul 
 from drunkenness and debauchery, and you may yet become a glory to the liv- 
 ing God." He arose to his feet and walked off, and in after time he became a 
 dispenser of light among the poor inhabitants of Judea. 
 
 I had now become nearly exhausted, and said, " Let us flee this people ere 
 we fall and cannot rise." — "Where shall we go where there is rest and 
 peace ? '* I answered, " Even to Martha's, it being now dark." I said, " Let 
 God's angel children direct us and all is well." Then I saw my angel friend, 
 she reached out her hand to me and said, " Come, brother, Martha asked me to 
 come and see if harm had befallen you ; her barley bread is baked and waiting. 
 Lazarus is feeling stronger," she continued, " than he has for a long time, and 
 he will begin his journey for Tyre at early dawn." 
 
 As we entered there, Martha's savory meat filled us with strength, and we 
 all felt God had prepared a feast for us. Here we asked God to bless his chil- 
 dren ere we supped. After the evening prayers the apostles lay down their 
 weary bodies to rest. I remained apart in order to talk with Lazarus and 
 Martha. After I had conversed for a time with Lazarus, he folded me to his 
 bosom, and said, " May my Father, God, bear you along, until humanity may 
 be blessed, and a work can be begun for coming ages. How feeble is man in 
 the hands of an All-wise God that holds control of immensity. Faithful let 
 us be, my boy, to the light that is within us, until God calls us hence to a hap- 
 pier condition." He then pressed me to his bosom and imprinted kisses on my 
 forehead and bosom. "How hard," he said, "it is for me to say God's will be 
 done, when his will is that my boy must die upon the cross." Here he fell 
 back and was entranced. Then he rose to his feet, and said, "My angel 
 
60 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 brother belongs to God, and may he be borne along until the hour draws near^ 
 and then I will die for him if it be my Father's will. Hold him, my God, 
 from the band of anointed priests that are now gathering in Joj^pa, intending 
 as soon as he comes forth to begin his work to cut off him and his followers 
 with their battle-axes ; but they will not molest him to-night. Go and lie 
 down, dear brother, I will awake you when it is time to flee ; and have this 
 poor frail body, I am breathing through, rest also.'' He continued, " Martha, 
 you may bid the holy child farewell, as you will not see him again until he has 
 passed through many changes." Then, as my controller breathed out of Laza- 
 rus, he left him in a deep sleep. Martha knelt beside me. I rested my head 
 upon her bosom ; there we both wept until our hearts were nearly broken. 
 Martha knew I must die. I knew I must be hung upon the cross like a guilty 
 thing. Here we both asked God to breathe us out of our bodies even there. 
 My controller breathed upon me, and said, " Waste not your time in lamenta- 
 tions, because the morrow has its demands upon you, and you must all depart 
 from here in about four hours." As he breathed out of me again, I folded my 
 arms about Martha's neck, and I held her until I fainted, even as I laid my head 
 upon her bosom. I saw the cross before me, and myself hanging upon it. 
 Then my heart ceased to beat, and I fainted ; they all were asleep, and in the 
 middle of the night a crash was heard ; they all sprang to their feet. I had not 
 been asleep ; had only been held calm in a half-controlled condition. I said, 
 " Leiah is here in order to hasten our departure." Martha had already gone 
 along with Lazarus before there was any disturbance. I exclaimed, " They are 
 already coming to carry us to the great square preparatory for a public execu- 
 tion. Hasten toward the city of Jerusalem. There we have a work to do in order 
 that we shall be held in remembrance, until God can bring about changes so that 
 we can come back and finish up what has been done ; that is, you will be nailed 
 to the cross, and your followers all laid low by the battle-axe." Here I ex- 
 claimed, in the bitterness of my soul, " If God has saved me from death in 
 order that I should be nailed to the cross, is it justice for me to suffer for the 
 injustice of priests, fiends, and confessors ? " Here the horror of being cruci- 
 fied came before me, and I was unable to breathe. Then my breath came deep, 
 and God's child folded me to her bosom, and said, " The battle-axes are all 
 ready. Come, hasten away even now." I arose to my feet ; I was feverish 
 and exhausted. Then my angel friend lay her hand in mine and we hastened 
 away. My brothers had gone quite a distance, but I soon came up to them. I 
 said, " Flee to the forest until that band of priests have x)assed ; and by the 
 time they reach the great square, and go to drag us forth for slaughter, we can 
 be entirely out of their reach." Here I made an expression like this : " Holy 
 Creator, if thou hast created in thy wisdom fiends, priests, and confessors, 
 care for them ere they destroy the whole earth." Then I heard a voice, it 
 came so calm and clear, " Brother, God is here ; hold yourself in a condition, 
 and I will explain to you how God's changes are preparing the way where the 
 wicked devices of man must be held by the lights from the living God. The 
 heathen bigot is to be laid low in God's own time, and a higher order of things 
 will come forth." Here I said again, " How is it necessary for me, a poor 
 feeble thing, to suffer and die, unless God's glory is to be wrought through 
 these changes ? " Then I got for answer, " By your death upon the cross, 
 God can begin a work for humanity that cannot be finished until ages on ages 
 shall pass away, then God will demand of you to finish up that which will 
 be begun by your death." Then I answered, " God's will, not mine, be done?' 
 
 ' Here we reached the brook Cedron. Here I said to my followers, ''Here 
 resides the chief ruler of the country round about Joppa. His daughter even 
 
THE WORK OF HEALING CONTINUED. 61 
 
 now is entranced, and has lain there for four hours. I will hasten forward 
 and awake her ere you reach there." Here Jude breathed deep, and said, 
 " She has already awakened, as I have even now left her. I told her father to 
 prepare meat for you, as you were all hungry ; and then, I said, they will 
 depart in peace. Now go there, but do not linger ; hasten away ere the com- 
 motion reaches there." I hurried as fast as I could, and we all ate and fled, 
 lest harm should fall upon them. That day we made two leagues, and many 
 had gathered together because they had heard by a mule-driver that the 
 Hebrew fanatic had fled Joppa, and was making his way toward Jerusalem. 
 One of the lawyers of Jerusalem had heard that the Hebrew was creating a 
 great disturbance all through the country, and he was determined to confront 
 him and drive him from the border country, he being a Jew ; and he had heard 
 that he denounced the Jewish ritual, and he thought it was high time he was 
 driven out of the country. As the country was hilly, and I saw the main road 
 was filled with people, and fearing they had come to bear us away, I crossed 
 the road and made my way to the hillside ; then I was faint and weary. I sat 
 down by a spring; after drinking freely, and bathing my head, Leiah said, 
 " We will feed this people with bread that perisheth not." I saw the multi- 
 tude coming toward me. I arose to my feet; I then breathed deep and ex- 
 claimed, " Who among you that is athirst, let him come and drink ; who is hungry, 
 let him come and eat ; who is heavy laden, come, and I will give him rest." 
 Here I saw one among them making his way toward me, and I knew by his 
 garments he was of high blood. There I stood, a poor, ragged, beggarly thing, 
 and he in court garments. I breathed deep, and exclaimed, " Who among you 
 would crush a withered flower that God has held from death in order that his 
 children should receive light ? Who among you have sought to slay God's 
 child, that is ready and willing to lay down all he has, even his life for 
 humanity, that they may behold the glory of the living God ? Who among 
 you that dare lay a hand on this body, I will call on God to assist in chaining 
 him with electricity." 
 
 I had no sooner spoken these words than he pressed forward and shouted, 
 " Begone, thou heretic, or I will bind you with cords and have you dragged 
 away." I then raised my hands, and said, "Holy, Almighty God, hold control 
 here, hereafter, and forever," At that moment I saw a light fall all over him, 
 and he fell back and made this expression, " I am freezing to death." I said 
 again, " Holy God, hold my brother from death, that through him thou canst be 
 glorified." Then I knelt beside him and bathed his temples, and laid his palm 
 in mine, and asked God to breathe upon him that he might live. AVhile I was 
 bending o'er him, he opened his eyes and closed them again. Then he said, 
 "God forgive me, I would have destroyed the holiest thing thou hast ever 
 created." I said, " Come, brother, let us praise God together." From that 
 hour he was my friend and my brother. He followed me even to the cross. 
 This brother's name was Bartholomew. He drew near to me and said, 
 " Brother, I would die for you if need be." He had belonged to an order 
 called Freemasons, but I was not of that order. My controller was the 
 founder of that order in the beginning. He answered, " I am beside you, 
 brother, and will lead and guide you through the dark passage until you can 
 discern the light beyond." Here I was controlled, and must have held forth 
 at least two hours, but as the influence left me in part, I saw them departing 
 in every direction, as they were ahungered. I called for them to stop. 
 " God's command is that you shall remain as you are, and he will feed you 
 with bread that perisheth not." Then they all sat down on the hillside. I 
 espied a beggar; I said to him, " Have you bread ? " He said, " I have a crust, 
 
62 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 here it is, it belongs to God's angel children if they need it." I took the 
 crust, crumbled it into my hand, then shouted, '' Here is bread, eat ye and be 
 filled." I was then folded in the bosom of an angel, and was held in that 
 electric condition four hours longer. They ate the bread of life that day until 
 they were all filled, and while they were feasting on God's bread they had 
 forgotten their hunger for barley bread, and when they departed they bore away 
 many a basket full to those that could not come and eat of God's bread for 
 themselves. After they had gone the brother that had been stricken down 
 came to me and reached out his hand, and said, " Brother, God is here ; his 
 children are here, I see them even now. There is an angel of light beside you 
 even now. Who can she be, so filled with light, her name must be Light ? " 
 I answered, " Her name is Light, and she is Leiah's daughter." At the name 
 of Leiah he started back and exclaimed, " Holy, Eternal God, have I gazed 
 upon the light that was light from eternal light ? " Then he reached out his 
 hands and said, " Come to me through light from eternal distance." I an- 
 swered, " God's light has found a resting-place in thy bosom, and may it shine 
 forth forever, eternal and forever." Here I was controlled and declared Leiah 
 was controller of that body, and his daughter must be called his comforter and 
 helper. In all his labor from the first foundation of that order they had con- 
 trolled in every holy institution, and had led the brothers through the dark 
 passage, and led them to the inner chamber where they met their brother, and 
 by their brother's hand they were robed for their labor ; then they would bear 
 them forward, and in the holy of holies they would kneel with them in prayer, 
 even while they knelt by the square, and ask God to assist them in drawing 
 each line by the compass. Then they would fold their brothers to their 
 bosoms through the Grand Archbishop ; then they would part upon the level 
 that they might meet as brothers in all coming time, and when earth had 
 ceased to hold them longer, they might deposit the evergreen on their cofiins 
 that they may be held in rembrance forever, and meet in the holy of holies 
 beyond God's ether blue. 
 
 After Leiah had declared what he had for his brother, I fell back like one 
 dead. Bartholomew caught me in his arms and said, " Breathe, brother, 
 breathe, I am filled with God's love for you ; live but to bless me, you are the 
 holiest thing God ever created ; live, and I will follow you even to the cross, 
 as it is decreed you shall be hung upon the cross, and I will die for you if I 
 can." 
 
 Here I called the brothers around me, and said, " There is an humble fisher- 
 man who lives beside the river Jordan. He will give us bread if he has any, 
 and will let us lie down and rest. We all repaired there, and found him 
 drunk, but his kind companion said, " Come in, ye are going around healing 
 the sick, and God has brought you here : my child lays sick Avith a fever, and 
 I feared he would die, and I asked God to bring him relief through his 
 children. He sleeps now, but when he awakes you will lay hands upon him 
 and he will live." I then said, "God's children must feed the body, and God 
 will feed the soul.'* Her ideas were quickened, and she said, " You hunger, I 
 will boil you some fish, but bread I have none." I answered, " God's bread is 
 free to all, and we will ask God for his bread while you prepare the fishes." 
 
 Here the boy awoke. I said, " Electric life fills me. I will bathe the lad 
 over even now." I uncovered the body and drew my hands down from his 
 head to his feet ; then he sprang from the bed and called for water, and said, 
 *' I am healed." The followers knelt in prayer while I laid hands upon the 
 sick boy. The father arose from his bed where he had been lying for hours, 
 and exclaimed, " What are you doing with this band of beggars ? " I said, 
 
AN EXPERIENCE IN A HOLIER SPHERE OF LIFE. 63 
 
 ^' Brother, God is here ; your son was sick and is now healed, and God's angel 
 children are here, and they will cure you of your drunkenness if you will 
 assist them." As he looked around he saw Bartholomew, and he thought him 
 a magistrate, and he said, " Leave me with my family, and I will never drink 
 any more." Then I said, " His promise is recorded in the book of the living 
 God ; dare not touch any more lest God cuts you oft"." He bowed his head 
 and said, " I will drink no more." We ate and slept until morning dawned 
 upon us, then we departed, saying, "God will feed us, you have nothing to 
 spare." 
 
 The day we entered Jerusalem, many were gathered in groups wherever 
 we went. The great square was one vast congregation of human bodies. I 
 made my way into the centre of the square ; there Avere timbers piled up for 
 a gallows. I knew why they were heaped there, but fearlessly I stepped on the 
 platform and shouted, "Here God has reared an altar for all coming ages." 
 I was accosted by the servant of Caiaphas, and he said, " Begone, or I will 
 hang you even now." — " Lay hands on this body, and I will show you that 
 God's commands are to be obeyed. Go back to Caiaphas," I said to him, " his 
 boy is here doing God's work in blessing humanity, while his father is damn- 
 ing them, and if he will flee hell and assist his boy, there will be some hopes 
 of his being held from eternal darkness ; but if he waits until his boy comes 
 to him, it will be when time is no more." 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 AN EXPERIENCE IN A HOLIER SPHERE OF LIFE. 
 
 I WAS borne along through the crowd by the strong arm of Bartholomew, 
 even back to the fisherman's hut on the bank of the stream. That day Peter 
 had caught his net full of fishes, and he had exchanged a part for barley meal ; 
 and that night we supped on bread and fish. Here the brothers came in, even 
 as we Avere breaking the bread, and John exclaimed, " God feeds us with bar- 
 ley bread still, that we may go on with our work for coming ages ; but none 
 can ever know how dearly the knowledge will be bought by those that lay 
 doAvn all they have, even their lives, that the veil of mystification may be torn 
 away, and God's wonders be laid bare by the light within the human soul." I 
 said, " Come, brother, come and eat ; then we will ask for light from eternal 
 distance to guide us on our way." 
 
 That night we slept ; but ere morning dawned I heard deep groans come 
 welling up from the heart of Stephen. I spoke to him and said, " Stephen, are 
 you dreaming ? '^ He said, " I have had a fearful dream. I saw my four beau- 
 tiful sisters dragged away by confessors. I called on God to assist me, and no 
 answer came, until God's child answered, * Brother, you have had a fearful 
 dream, but you must leave them in their Creator's hands. You must work for 
 coming ages, that the inhabitants of earth can discern good from evil : then 
 they will learn that man has sought to bind, but God would have them free.' " 
 I said, " Sleep, brother, sleep ; God has a work for us on the morrow ; here 
 will be many gather on the bank of the stream, and we will bless them there." 
 Then I fell asleep and did not awake until the sun arose. That day was fair 
 until midday; many had gathered together; I went out and greeted them in 
 early morn ; then I ate and gave God the glory. I then went out in their 
 
64 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 midst, and said, "Friends, beloved God is in our midst; let us give him the 
 glory forever." Now I was entranced by the holy Jephthah. I saw him ap- 
 proach me ; he folded me to his bosom and I forgot all earthly things ; he 
 breathed deep from God's wondrous creation, and I floated away into a holy, 
 heavenly condition, and found rest. I breathed from the inner life of all things, 
 and that breath filled me with holy resignation to the will of my Creator, God. 
 There I saw the aged patriarchs ; there I saw the holy angels filled with holy ado- 
 ration to their Creator, God ; there I saw the holy angelic band singing praises 
 ^ to the great first cause, and as I approached them they made me feel I was one 
 of them. There I saw the holy Sabilla ; he reached out his hand to me, bade 
 me welcome, then he said, " Brother, your earth work is nearly finished, and 
 you will be one of us." I shouted, " Holy Creator, God, leave me as I am among 
 thy children, freed from earth." Here I got answer from one still beyond us, 
 " I will bring thee back when thine earth mission is finished in this holy condi- 
 tion, until humanity's demand for another human sacrifice can not be appeased ; 
 then you must go back again to finish up by being nailed^to the cross. I will 
 breathe upon you in your hour of agony, and I will fold you in my bosom, and 
 you shall be blessed." Then I held my breath. I knew I must go back to earth 
 and suffer death in that earthly body. While I was made to feel the death 
 agonies come over me, I heard an angel voice say, " Come, brother, the day is 
 far spent, and you must come back to your earthly body, and Sabilla must leave 
 it even now, Amen." I answered, " God's will, not mine, be done." Then I 
 found myself trying to breathe into that body again as it lay there on the cold 
 ground. John raised the body up and held it close in his warm bosom, warm 
 with earth magnetism, and warm with holy love for the poor bruised body. He 
 called his brother. Then Bartholomew came forward and held the palm of his 
 hands on the hollow of my feet. God's child laid her hands upon my brow, and 
 asked God to assist them, and then I began to breath into that body again. 
 
 The day had nearly passed away ; dark clouds hung heavy o'er us, and the 
 multitude had dispersed, when I heard a mighty crash among the elements. I 
 arose to my feet ; then I raised my hands over my head and exclaimed, " The 
 birds of the air have their nests, the beasts have their dens, but the Son of 
 man has nowhere to lay his head." Then I heard a voice say, " Save, oh, save 
 me, lest I perish." Then I darted forward and saw a little boat being dashed 
 about upon the stream. I shouted, " Holy, Almighty God, assist Peter, lest he 
 perish." The boat was dashed high upon the shore. I sprang into it. Peter 
 cried, " Save, oh, save me, lest I perish." I said, " Your oath has been broken ; 
 you have again been drinking strong drink." I saw his bottle and it was nearly 
 empty. I stooped and picked up the bottle. At that moment I saw a mighty 
 ^ wave coming directly toward where we stood. I became electrified all over ; 
 ' I threw my arm around Peter and said, " Hasten, oh, hasten, lest we be dashed 
 to pieces." I assisted him from the boat, he being still drunk. I shouted for 
 Bartholomew to come and assist the poor drunken brother. We bore him high 
 upon the bank ; then I said, " Look, Peter, look." The boat was dashed high 
 upon a rock and dashed to pieces. Then I hurled the bottle into the stream, 
 and said, " God has dashed the boat, and I will dash the bottle. Now, Peter, 
 save yourself from drunkenness, death, and hell." He fell down and we left him 
 there. Bartholomew then held me in his arms, and said, " Come, let us enter 
 my home ; it is dark, and none will know of our coming but my own family." 
 He then continued, " My father already knows of our coming, as he sent a servant 
 to assist us to enter there unobserved. I then called to Iscariot and John 
 and Thomas and said, " We shall be blessed to-night ; but we must depart from 
 there ere the morning dawns." But we did not find rest that night except upon 
 the cold earth. 
 
AN EXPERIENCE IN A HOLIER SPHERE OF LIFE. 66 
 
 The commotion about the city caused us to fear to enter there, but in the 
 still hours of night a messenger came to Bartholomew from his father, asking 
 him to hasten home. He answered, " If it please God, I will find rest beside 
 my father on the morrow night. Say to my father, ' Remain within all day, as 
 there will be great excitement among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will 
 seek to come to him.' " Here the messenger bowed his head and went away. 
 In the morning we arose and entered that city where I was to die when I had 
 lived out that portion ot life which was allotted me. I was controlled from . 
 morn until night, except twice through the day I had a faint recollection of [ 
 seeing a vast multitude around me. Bartholomew said, "Brother Jesus, I 
 would die for you if I could." He bore me away from the multitude in his 
 arms, and entered a mansion bedecked with all of Eastern splendor. I looked 
 around, hardly knowing if I was in my body or in spirit. My followers all 
 came in soon after, and the house was in great commotion. The family all 
 gathered around to see the Hebrew that had caused so much excitement. The 
 father came and sat beside me, took my hand in his, and said, "How frail he 
 is ; how can they nail him to the cross ? " I answered, " God's decree is that 
 I should die, that man may know him through his wondrous works, and that 
 hypocrisy, deceit, and priestcraft shall be held from destroying his highest, his 
 holiest creation, his children." He bowed his head and said, " Heathen, idol- 
 atrous worshippers will destroy all the Jews but a remnant ; they will be held 
 to declare God's wonders." I then laid my head on Bartholomew's bosom and 
 fell asleep ; he laid me down on a silken couch, and there I slept until the 
 morning dawned upon me. John sat beside me ; he had been my faithful 
 friend for a long time, and he held my hand in his ;, and as he held my hand 
 in his he burst into tears. I made inquiry of what had happened. He an- 
 swered, " Caiaphas has hanged his boy and two more — Andrew and Simon — 
 brothers of Peter, they that came to you at Chaldea, and a herdsman's son. 
 €aiaphas is determined to hang us all unless we flee the country." I breathed 
 deep and said, " Make conditions to bear this body from here as soon as night 
 •covers earth with her mantle ; bear him to Tyre, and leave him in the home of 
 his mother, but don't enter there ; flee the country at least forty days, then 
 come back and care for him that is to lay down his life on the altar that human- 
 ity of the present has reared for him. . They are not accountable for him, but 
 •coming ages will learn that his life and death were for them, when changes 
 have been wrought, and through the light of inspiration they are willing to say, 
 * He is my friend and my brother, and God is father of us all.' " Here the in- 
 fluence left me, and I laid my head on John's bosom, and we wept together. 
 
 All that day we were compelled to remain within doors, but as night came 
 on we prepared for our departure. I called the father and mother of Barthol- 
 omew to me, and said, ^' Keep your son here within doors lest he be cut off, 
 until God calls him forth again, in order that he may assist me, and bear me 
 along until the hour comes for me to die." The father answered, " My son is 
 a lawyer, and he should free himself from this disgrace of being drawm into 
 this Hebrew rabble ; and he will be beheaded if he follows you longer, and I 
 shall go down to the grave sorrowing." I answered, " Let him work for coming 
 ages, and you will have a crown of light in the brighter world beyond." 
 
 It had now begun to grow dark, and I said, " I shall soon leave you, and 
 miy you be held from despair, for your son will surely lay down his life on the 
 altar of humanity, and coming ages will give him all that is his due ; and his 
 noble acts, with his name, will be held when you wdll be lost to the memory of 
 God's children." Then the father groaned, and said, " Give him back to me ; 
 it is all I will ask." I answered, " God holds his own, and will hold them for- 
 
66 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 ever." I called my brothers, and said, " Let us now hasten away ; John will 
 bear me to my mother, and you must all care for yourselves." Bartholomew 
 said, "Brother, let me assist you to your mother, then I will be gone." Here 
 I was controlled, and said, " Let Bartholomew flee the kingdom, because they 
 are asking for him even now." Then there was a great commotion in the court 
 below, and I was commanded to flee down the dark passage, and continue in 
 that same direction until I reached the main road, and my brothers were to 
 remain in that underground passage until the commotion ceased. I was borne 
 along in the dark until I reached the main road. As the caj>stone was firmly 
 set where I must pass out, I was forced to make a great efl^ort in order to get 
 out ; the cap-stone gave way, and I found myself free again to breathe God's- 
 electric air. 
 
 I saw I was outside the city walls, but I knew not where to go. I sat 
 down and covered my face with my hands. I felt I was forsaken of my 
 brothers, but I knew God was there, and I knew God's children were there. 
 " My God," I said, " leave thy children with me, or I am utterly disheartened."" 
 Then the hand of an angel was laid in mine, and her breath filled me with life. 
 "Hasten, brother," she said, "it is cold and chilly, and hasten, oh, hasten on 
 your way. There are many dangers before you; but ere the morning dawns, I 
 will bear you away from this confusion, where you can rest through the day^ 
 and when night comes again we will go on our journey." My controller bade me 
 forward all that night, and as day dawned upon me, I found myself in a thick 
 brake. Here I sat down, feeling I must sit there all day. There I felt myself 
 sorely troubled as to the welfare of my brothers ; and all of my past life was 
 lived over in my memory. The present was full of changes, but the future 
 was full of sorrow. After a time I fell asleep, and slept on until night closed 
 in; then I awoke and the same kind hand was laid in mine, and we darted for- 
 ward into the main road. My heart ached as I drew near a hut. I saw a 
 poor frail man kneeling beside his daughter, who was lying on the ground near 
 by the door. I drew near, and accosted him thus : " Has God taken back, 
 that which was his own ? " The old man answered, " My daughter has been 
 lying here ever since the sun went down ; her confessor held her and she- 
 ceased to breathe. He dragged her out here in order to get the air, and he left 
 her as you see, her heart beating, but not breathing." I laid ni}^ hand in hers^ 
 and said, "Arise, daughter, and declare God's wonders." She breathed and 
 said, " God is here. I saw a band of angels when you approached, man, and 
 they said you must have bread and milk ; get it, father. You Avill find it there 
 beside the chimney." I said, " Arise, bathe : God has a work for you to do.'^ 
 Her breath came deep, and she answered, "The confessors are coming this 
 road, and if we do not make them think she is dead, they will destroy her." 
 Then she exclaimed, " Drink your milk, take your bread and flee, because they 
 are now turning the corner yonder." I fled there and left the main road, and 
 continued on my way until day dawned on me again. I knew this was the last 
 day I must hide until I reached my mother's home. I lay down in a little 
 hedge. There I held communion with my controller until he said, " Now go 
 to sleep, I will awake you in time to reach Mary's about ten." The day passed 
 away and I awoke feeling fresh and strong. I felt I could nearly fly to reach 
 my mother and the family, and when I reached that little habitation my heart 
 beat lest harm had befallen them. The door opened from within and James 
 looked out ; then I stepped forward and laid my hand in his. He drew me in 
 and closed the door ere he spoke. Here was Joseph : he had fallen asleep as 
 he had come from the country that day, tired and exhausted, he had forgotten 
 his care in sleep. Mary sprang forward and folded me to her bosom. She 
 
AN EXPERIENCE IN A HOLIER SPHERE OF LIFE. 67 
 
 caused me to forget my destiny in her holy embrace. I held her there until 
 my father came forward and exclaimed, " Holy God, I will praise thee forever, 
 my son was dead, but now is alive. I bless thy holy name." Jesse covered 
 my forehead with kisses, and Simeon held me by the hand. There I sat and 
 conversed with them, told all that had befallen me ; there we sat until rays of 
 light bespoke coming day even there. I was controlled, and Leiah told me I 
 must go away from there as soon as night closed in, and I must go high in the 
 mountains and bear away bread, that I might not die with hunger. Simeon said, 
 " Do let me go w4th him ; I can come and get bread." Mary said, " How can 
 I let you go,'my darling boy ? but if you can comfort your dear brother, you i 
 may go." Then I breathed free again ; then Joseph declared all. He began 
 like this : " Pontius Pilate has set his seal to a proclamation like this ; * Jesus 
 of Xazareth shall be crucified as soon as he can be brought to justice, and who- 
 ever shall deliver him into the hands of the chief magistrate shall be awarded 
 one hundred shekels in gold, and whoever hides him from the law shall be be- 
 headed even where they are.' " Here Joseph covered his face with his hands 
 and breathed a prayer to his Father, God, to hold his family from death. 
 Then he continued, " I know I must die ; I know my family must die in order 
 that God may be glorified through his children, declaring one God and one God 
 only." Here he continued, " You must hide away from all, as spies are every- 
 where." I then crept in behind the chimney. There I remained all that day. 
 I could converse wdth Mary w^hile Jesse kept watch that none should come in 
 and hear my voice. I heard a loud rap at the door, and it was a confessor come 
 to see if ]\Iary had heard anything from her boy yet. Mary answered, " How 
 I do wish he would come home and stay with me." He answered, " His stay 
 would be short if he did come home." Mary replied, " I think he has jour- 
 neyed around the country long enough to settle down. Then he said, " If he 
 comes I should like to be apprised of it, as I have a little business with him." 
 Night set in cold and blustering. I was thinly clad. Mary had no clothing to 
 spare from her own family, as they were compelled to leave their hides in that 
 lone mountain home. I asked Mary where my cloak was. She said Martha 
 took it to wrap around Lazarus when they parted on the road, and she had not 
 seen them since ; but she heard they had stopped at the foot of a mountain and 
 Lazarus was quite feeble. As I opened the door I said, " It is chilly, but I 
 will walk fast." Jesse took hold of my hand and said, " Brother, we part to- 
 night forev^er, earthly, but God will give you back to me again, my own dear 
 brother." I said, " God will hold me from death until humanity can be blessed 
 by that death." Joseph and James had gone away that day for fear suspicion 
 should fall upon them, but when I saw I must go, I knelt beside my mother, 
 my courage gave way, and I could not breathe. jNIary said, " Holy God, let 
 us die here together ; it is all I would ask." I held her to my bosom until her 
 heart ceased to beat, then I laid her back into Jesse's arms, and fled away as 
 fast as I could lest I should be tempted to turn back. I took my dear brother 
 by the hand, and we hurried along as fast as we could until we reached the foot 
 of the mountain. I then felt a holy calm come over me and a sweet voice said, 
 " Brother, God is here, and Martha is near by, and I will lead you there." 
 That hand that had led me from so many dangers was clasped in mine, and I 
 forgot my danger and the cold winds. Simeon said, " Brother, don't go so 
 fast ; I am getting tired." I said, " God's child is helping me, but I will not 
 leave you. She says we are close to Martha's, and we can go in there and rest 
 and get warm." " Here it is," I said, " she has gone in to tell them we are 
 coming." We entered there and Martha was baking barley bread, and she ex- 
 claimed, " Here they are ! I knew you were coming." 
 
68 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 CHAPTER XYII. 
 
 JEPHTHAH's visit to JESUS IN HIS LONELINESS IN THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 We entered the home of Martha. Everything was neat and comfortable. 
 She had been there nearly a week. Her beds were dried grass covered over 
 with a blanket. The hearth was nicely swept. I saw my cloak folded and 
 laid on Lazarus' bed for a pillow. I held Martha in my arms until her feet 
 gave out beneath her, and she sank on the floor. Here I knelt beside her, 
 and we poured out our bitter grief in groans and tears, until our hearts were 
 bursting in agony. As she still sat upon the floor I laid my head in her 
 lap, and there I sobbed my life away until I fainted and fell across her feet. 
 Martha's heart had also ceased to beat, and we lay there two bruised things. 
 Simeon brought water and bathed our faces and hands ; but it only brought 
 us back to despair. As soon as I could raise my body upon my knees I 
 called on God to take me to himself even then. As soon as Martha could 
 breathe she answered, " Amen. Holy God, breathe him out of that poor 
 frail body, even now." Here Lazarus arose from his bed, and came and knelt 
 beside me, and folded his arras about me; and I rested my aching head in 
 his bosom. He had given his soul to his Father, God, long before, and he 
 trusted in his mercies ; and as he smoothed back my hair, and laid his thin, 
 cold hand on my forehead, I became calm, and felt that God was even there. 
 I said, '• Come, oh, come, angel of light ! lest I forget my duty to God and 
 humanity." I saw that holy form approaching, and I reached out both hands 
 to her to fold me in that bosom ; as there I could find rest. Her face was like 
 the reflection of diamond, and care was imprinted there ; yet she held me in 
 that holy embrace until I forgot the cross and its agonies that were ever 
 before me, and it filled me with horror. I had tried from boyhood days to 
 hold myself firm, knowing that it must be ; but now each hour seemed to 
 heap upon me new fear, and at times I would drop beneath the burden, and 
 lose myself for a time in unconsciousness. Here I was influenced enough to 
 give directions concerning myself and others. I said to Martha, " Set your 
 house in order, for we will bring back our holy brother Avhen your house is in 
 mourning ; but he must leave here even now, that he can reach the crag 
 yonder ere the day dawns. The cloak must be borne along with them, as the 
 nights are chilly ; and their bed will be leaves and boughs, and the cloak will 
 cover both." Here Lazarus was controlled by Leiah, and said, " Daughter, he 
 must haste away even now, lest the herdsmen will lay hands upon him, and 
 drag him back to Jerusalem." 
 
 I saw Leiah as he was holding Lazarus to his bosom, and I said, " Do hold 
 him until this body is borne out of his sight." He answered, " Daughter, I 
 will hold him as he is until you bear that body high in the mountains ; then 
 come to me : I shall be in the home of Mary." I could hear all that passed 
 between them, but I could hardly comprehend its meaning. "VVe left that 
 home. I took a piece of bread, Simeon took the cloak, and we went forth 
 into darkness ; yet I was covered over with light. The way was rough, yet I 
 glided along, I hardly know how. Simeon would oft say, " Stop ; you go so 
 fast I can't keep pace with you : I am so tired." But on and on we went, until 
 I found myself standing on a high cliff ; then the influence exclaimed, " Here 
 
JEPHTHAH'S visit to JESUS IN HIS LONELINESS IN THE MOUNTAIN. 69 
 
 I have brought you both in safety. You are free from clanger. Prepare a place 
 where you can lie down and rest ere night comes. I will now go back to 
 Mary, and see what I can do to comfort her." Then she withdrew her 
 electric life away from my poor frail body, and I sat down like a blasted 
 plant that could rise no more in its own strength; and nothing but God's 
 breath could raise that drooping head. Simeon came and sat beside me. 
 He held his hand in mine until strength could be imparted to me. I then 
 raised myself upon my knees, and there I poured out my soul's holiest ado- 
 ration to my Father, God. Even while I knelt in prayer my holy protector 
 returned and knelt beside me. Her head was drooping in grief ; but still she 
 said, "Father, God, I adore thee." I then asked, "What tidings of my 
 darling mother ? " Hep answer was, " She is ill ; and I fear she will yield up 
 her spirit into the bosom of her God unless she gets relief from the grief that 
 is breaking her heart." I answered, " Let God have his own ; then I can die 
 in peace." Here I made a fearful expression ; it was this : " Hell has destroyed 
 my family earthly, but God will hold them until hell is cleansed of its furies, 
 and God's kingdom shall be established on earth ; then hypocrisy and de- 
 ceit will smoulder in ashes, and priests and confessors will be chained and 
 bound forever." How I came to make that expression I did not know ; but as 
 I looked around I saw Jephthah standing beside me. 
 
 He accosted me thus : " Beloved brother, I have come in order that you 
 may feel you are not forsaken by God's children, even if you are compelled to 
 flee the haunts of man." — " Holy, worthy, grand Archbishop," I exclaimed, " has 
 God revealed to you aught concerning tliejulfilling of the law^ which humanity 
 demands in orderth at thie y will be ready to forsake thei r idols an d acknowledge 
 one God_?^' He" ans wered, " Hu manity's demands ar e not e asily_satisfied, and 
 human sacrifices must be oiferedupoh the alta,r of priestcraft, until ligh t can be 
 drawn from eternal light^ and iinds a resting-place in human minds, that can 
 light the tapers of the benighted souls that have been chained and held by the 
 crafty priesthood that would bind earth in darkness forever, if God's childreiT 
 did not live and die in hope that their life and death would bless ages that would . 
 come after them." He continued, " I^know, brother, you must die, but your 
 death willnofTight the whole earth ; but a^rKle_ray of light here and there" 
 will be left among the human family, but in God'^ own time another human 
 body must be laid upon the altar ot human ambitio n. Ignor ance is the cause 
 oFcTisbelief in the infinite Cre ator, and Iiumanity"islv illing to be led by priest- 
 c'raft Avittiouf "mves^ating for themselves ; thus it is continued from age to 
 age, and priestcraft binds them closer and closer, through fear, until they settle 
 down in ignorance, and fear holds them chained and bound until they dare not 
 ask if there is a light beyond ; therefore human sacrifices must be laid upon 
 the altar of ambition, until man will dare say, ^ God is my Father, and in him I ^ 
 will put my trust.' When man is once freed from fiends in human form, then- 
 light will enter every human soul, and God will be acknowledged through his 
 wondrous works ; then there will be no more need of human sacrifices ; then 
 the worthy grand Archbishop, Almighty God, will be acknowledged as director 
 and controller of immensity, and the children of earth shall seek to bless each 
 other with their holy love ; then there shall be a new heaven established on 
 ,^arth^ then the heathen bigots will have no more iTuman souls to gloat upon, 
 and the dragons in priestly robes shall lie down and be forgotten like a filthy 
 thing that had been, but Avas not, an-d never more could be while earth rolls 
 on." Here I said to eTephthah, "Is my death to bring that light into the 
 world ? " He answered, " Your death wil l change their idols and nothing, 
 more, and ages on ages must pass away~ere^the true light will find its resting- 
 
70 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 place in the human mindL and you, de ar brother^ must go back and finish up 
 w hat wiJl be begun by your death. " Here he said, " I must go now, but I wifl 
 come to you again ere you hang upon the cross." He then left me, and I lay 
 down upon the cold earth, and it cooled my aching head. Simeon came to me 
 then and said, < It is chilly, dear brother, had we better not lind a place to lie 
 down, as it is nearly dark ? " I answered, f' God's child will direct us, I see 
 her coming." As she drew near, she said, " Come, my dear brother, I have 
 found a place where you can lie down and the cold winds will not pierce you." 
 We both arose and followed her into a little hollow beneath a shelving rock. 
 There we broke some branches and spread them on the earth, then we lay 
 down and spread the cloak over us as best we could. In the night Simeon said, 
 ^' Brother, I am burning with a fever ; lay your hand on my head, and then I 
 can go to sleep." I said, " God's hand is upon us, and if it be his will for you 
 to breathe out here, I shall say all is well ; but I shall meet you after all that 
 flesh can suffer ; then we shall not be driven about as wild beasts, but we shall 
 be recognized as God's created among his children." I laid my hand upon his 
 head, and he fell asleep even while I was speaking. 
 
 Thus we continued until the fourth day ; then we were an hungered, it being 
 high noon. Simeon said, '^ I will go by another descent down the mountain, 
 and I can reach Mary's after nightfall. I will then hasten back to you ; I can 
 reach you by morning." Then he folded his arms around me and said, " If 
 aught befalls me, and I do not come by noon on the morrow, then you must go 
 down to Martha's, there you will find bread. If Mary should be very ill I 
 must stay and care for her, and God's children will care for you, dear brother.'^ 
 I answered, " God's children are all to die, but he will receive them all in his 
 own abode of rest." He then held my hand and pressed it to his lips, and 
 said, " God's hand is upon us ; we must all die." Then he sped away and was 
 lost to sight ; then I knelt in prayer, and God answered through his children, 
 *' We are here to comfort you." 
 
 That day passed away, morning came, but my brother came not, but as the 
 sun rose high I felt to make an effort to procure food. I began to descend the 
 mountains, hoping to reach there in the early part of night, but the way was 
 rough, and I w^as oft delayed by deep cuts in the mountain that I had not seen 
 as I ascended by the same path, but ere night closed in I sat down by a brook, 
 there I bathed my head, and then the beating ceased. I then asked God to 
 direct me. I soon found a gentle hand in mine and I made this expression, " I 
 got lost and none came to help me." The spirit answered, '^ Did you ask ? " 
 I answered, " My head was aching, I hardly knew what I did." Then the 
 answer came, " I have come now to lead you down the mountain for the last 
 time, until I bear you down to begin your work for coming ages." 
 
 Here again I had lost faith in God through the dark condition in which I 
 was held. Here I began to feel that I had forgotten to ask aid from the only 
 source I could draw strength from, and like a guilty thing I exclaimed, " Holy 
 God, forgive me." Then a voice said, " Come, I will lead you, Martha awaits your 
 coming ; let us hasten then." The way seemed clear, and I darted forward, and 
 in a short time I reached Martha's home. She folded me to her bosom again 
 and again, and said, " God be praised that I can behold him once more in mor- 
 tal form." Lazarus raised up on his hand and said, " Come here, my darling 
 Jesus, let me feel you once more in my bosom." His poor wasted body made 
 me almost shrink from his embrace, yet I laid my head upon his bosom and 
 breathed a prayer for my family, but no answer came, but a deep groan from 
 Lazarus sank deep into my heart. " Holy Creator, God," I said, " hold them 
 from doubt; let their faith in thy decree bear them along, held in thy 
 
JEPHTHAH'S visit to JESUS IN HIS LONELINESS^^THE MOUNTAIN. Tl 
 
 embrace let them be forever." Then Martha answered, " Amen." Then I 
 ate some bread and drank some milk, some that Martha had procured, knowing- 
 I was coming. I then said, " I must go now, or you will all be cut oft" by my 
 presence here." 
 
 As I arose to depart, fear fell over me, and I shrunk back from the darkness 
 that surrounded me, and once more approached the sick bed. There I knelt 
 and asked Lazarus to pray for me. He laid his hand upon my head and poured 
 out his soul on the altar of humanity. Ere he had ceased I felt a cool hand in 
 mine, and a calm voice said, "Draw strength, dear brother, God is here, and 
 his children will lead thee ; come even now, else day will dawn ere you can 
 reach safety." Then I bade them adieu and dashed out in the dark, fearless, 
 because I did know I. was led, and naught but God's angel children were my 
 companions. Ere the day dawned I had reached the first cliff ; there I sat 
 down to rest. Even from there I could see the country was filled with human, 
 beings in bands. Then again I climbed up, and on and on until I had reached 
 the highest cliff but one ; here, chilled with the cold winds and saturated with, 
 the heavy mist that had gathered on the mountains, I felt that, if I could build 
 a fire, I should be comforted in a measure, having brought from Martha's, in a. 
 bag, apparatus for catching the tiny spark. I began by searching beneath the- 
 crags for dry brush, and in a short time I had a sparkling fire. I had forgot- 
 ten that smoke could be seen at a great distance, and I piled on the brush, 
 until the flames rose high ; then I dried my garments and lay down and slept ;. 
 w^hen I awoke my fire had nearly gone out, but again I piled on the brush ;. 
 then I began to fear it would be seen from below, and I threw on dirt to destroy 
 the flames ; then I lay down on the warm earth where the fire had been ; there 
 I fell asleep. My body was comfortable, and my dreams filled with light from 
 beyond, and love for humanity. It was midday when I awoke; I heard a 
 crackling of the brush. I arose to my feet, and, behold, an anointed priest- 
 stood before me. He accosted me thus : " How is it, heretic, you are here 
 alone ? I should have thought you would have taken some of the damsels from 
 the lowlands with you, and then you would have been quite comfortable with 
 a fire ; and I see you have barley bread in plenty." Then he stooped down and 
 picked up the half a loaf that was left from what I had brought from Martha's. 
 I then sprang to my feet and said, '' Holy, Almighty God, electrify this fiend 
 as he is. Lay down that bread," I shouted, " or God will chain you to this, 
 mountain forever." He then dropped the bread and stood there like one par- 
 alyzed. " Begone," I said, " even now." Then he made an attempt to go, but 
 he could not move his feet. " How is this ? " he said, " am I affected by 
 heresy ? I will go," he said, " if you will relieve me and come back no more." 
 Then he said, " You are condemned to hang upon the cross, but if you will go 
 down with me I will anoint you a priest, and you shall have everything you 
 desire if you will become one of us. We all know you have gifts ; we have 
 not, and you shall hold all the females you want from the rising to the setting- 
 of the sun, and from the setting to the rising thereof. Meat and strong drink 
 shall ever be at your command if you will but make oath that you will work 
 for the holy idol that the Amalekites took from the Moabites, even the one that 
 Moses had cast in order his females should look upon it and desire to beget 
 children." — " Hell's device," I said ; " whether it be of Moses or Elias, held 
 to this day in order to delude the poor ignorant souls that knew no God but 
 debauchery and darkness, and such fiends as yourself are still binding them in 
 the damning devices of a heathen bigot ; and Moses was a brute, else he would 
 never have diseased forty females and then had them beheaded, and then call 
 for forty more fresh females that he could damn them also." Then he held 
 
72 AUTOBIOGKAPHY. 
 
 his peace, but said, " The priests will bear you down from this mountain and 
 hang you on the cross, but if you will go with me I will hold you from all 
 harm." I stepped toward him, while he shook from head to foot, not from 
 fear of a poor frail thing like me, but he was chilled with electricity ; but I 
 raised my hands above my head and shouted, " Get thee behind me, Satan ; Al- 
 mighty God is here." Then he fled me, but aftertime I was told that, as he 
 went down in the lowlands, he declared God, and the confessors bore him into 
 the council of the priesthood. Even there he shouted, " God is here ! " and 
 they cut oif his head. After he had gone Leiah said, " It is best you should 
 go higher in the mountains ; bear southward after you pass the highest peak, 
 and you will find it more comfortable.'' 
 
 Day after day I travelled ere I reached the highest peak, as I could not go 
 but a little way before I had to sit down to rest ; but there I found a comfort- 
 able place beneath a shelving rock, and there was a spring near by. Ere I 
 reached the spring I was filled with fever, but I drank freely, bathed my head, 
 then I lay down and slept ; but when I awoke my fever was gone. 
 
 Thirty-four days had passed away, and I was still in the mountains. There 
 I was without bread, dying with hunger, and the spring I could not reach. I 
 had become so utterly helpless I had attempted to get Avater by crawling along, 
 but when about half way from my bed to the spring, I fell to the earth and 
 <;ould not move. Here I lay in utter despair, when I heard a human voice 
 ■calling my name. I tried to answer, but the words died upon my lips. I 
 heard the sound nearer, and I asked God to lead them to me. After a few 
 moments I heard a voice say, " Holy God, here is his body ; he is dead." 
 When she drew near she laid her hand upon my back, and when she felt the 
 heart was beating, then she raised me up, laying her hands upon ni}' chest. 
 Being warm gave me life, and I breathed one word, " Mary." She answered, 
 *' My brother, you are dying for bread ; here, I have brought some ; eat if you 
 €an, and I will bring some water in your cap." Her presence gave me cour- 
 age, and I sat up. The water gave me strength, and in a short time I was able 
 to be led back to the bed of dried leaves I had gathered, and ere I was aware 
 of feeling drowsy, I fell asleep. 
 
 I slept all of the remainder of that day, it being near the setting of the 
 sun, and all of that night, and when I awoke the glad sun shed its rays on the 
 cold earth, and it brought comfort ; and beside me sat the poor frail body that 
 man had cursed, but God had saved from being beaten to death with stones and 
 clubs by a band of confessors in Chalybon, and it was the poor diseased scarlet 
 woman, Mary Magdalene ; her poor frail body had but a little life to impart 
 to mine, and we sat there two blasted things together. As the sun rose high, 
 she said she must be making her way down the mountains lest she would be 
 lost among the crags. Heretofore I had not had strength or courage to ask 
 for my mother or my family, but I knew I must ask even then if I would hear 
 from them. I said, " Has Mary got better ? " Her answer was, " Mary has 
 heen very ill ever since Simeon came down from the mountains." I said, 
 ■*' How is it Avith the rest of them ? " Her answer was one deep groan, and 
 she fainted even there. I dipped my hand in the water she had brought in 
 my cap and bathed her head and face. Here I saw an angel bright coming 
 toward me, and I knew it was my brother Simeon, and I said, " my God, 
 they have destroyed my darling brother Simeon," and he came and knelt beside 
 me. Then another, another, and another knelt in the presence of two broken 
 reeds and their God. " Holy Creator, God," I heard my father say, " give me, 
 oh, give me my boy, even now." I answered, " Do bear me away Avith you, 
 Joseph, even noAV." He ansAvered, " God Avill lead you to me ere long, but 
 
JEPHTHAH's visit to JESUS IX HIS LONELINESS IN THE MOUNTAIN. 73 
 
 poor ]\rary must linger yet for a time." Here Mary Magdalene began to 
 breathe, and as she looked around she saw them all there, and then she an- 
 swered, ^' God has brought you all to answer for yourselves." Then she con- 
 tinued, " As Joseph was coming home from work he was caught by a band of 
 confessors, and they asked for you. He answered, he did not know where 
 you were ; then they bruised him fearfully, but he could not tell ; then they 
 bound his feet and hands together by one cord, then put a pole beneath the 
 cord, and bore him away to the hillside where there was a cave ; they 
 threw him in and covered up the mouth of the cave with stones and dirt ; there 
 they left him to starve to death, and none knew he was there until he was 
 dragged forth by the magistrate, dead, and he was buried there." I dared not 
 ask for my brothers a& my heart was so full I could hardly breathe. I said, 
 " You are too feeble to begin your journey to-day ; wait until to-morrow, and 
 I will go a part of the way with you." While I was speaking I saw her head 
 drop, and I saw she was entranced. Jephthah breathed his life into that body 
 and said, '' Have her depart even now, because they are watching, if any one 
 comes to the mountain with bread. But this frail body will be brought back 
 once more, then you will go down and begin your work." My heart beat, be- 
 cause I did know there would be nothing but death and sorrow from the hour 
 I went down from the mountain until I was hung upon the cross. Jephthah 
 still breathed in that body and started down the mountain ; then the sun was 
 about two hours high ; then I was left alone with my father and my brothers, 
 and they remained beside me until I was borne down for the last time. 
 
 Four days had passed away and I was kneeling in prayer asking God to 
 hasten the hour for me to begin my work so that I could finish up what I had to 
 do for that age. I had hardly breathed these words, when I saw Mary Mag- 
 dalene again coming toward me ; it was in the early part of the day ; I asked 
 her how she could reach there so early. She replied, " I was brought a part 
 of the way ; I don't know how I came." — " How is Mary ? " I asked, " all 
 the rest are here with me." She replied, " Mary is crazy, and she says if you 
 would come to her she would get better." — " God alone can heal a broken heart," 
 I said ; " my mother's heart has been bruised, but it will be broken ere she can 
 breathe out of that poor body." After she had rested I asked her how my 
 brothers were put to death. "James," she said, "had been at work for a 
 herdsman, and he had started to go home, but ere he could reach Tyre a band 
 of confessors accosted him and said, ' Tell us where that crazy heretic is or 
 we will beat you to death.' He answered, ' I do not know\' Then they fell 
 upon him with clubs and beat him until he fell to the earth. Then they 
 stoned him to death. 
 
 " Mary does not know that Joseph or James is dead, but she saw the other 
 two destroyed." Then she continued, " AYhen Simeon came down from the 
 mountain, a confessor saw him enter Mary's home. After a time four of the 
 priests came in, and he had hid away in the kennel where the confessors had 
 kept their dogs. There he had fallen asleep. They came into the house and 
 asked Mary where the heretic was they saw come in there. Her answer was, 
 ' He is in God's care and keeping.' Then they said, ' We will take care of 
 him hereafter ; ' then they began their search, and the one that saw him first 
 exclaimed, 'Here is the damned heretic,' as they dragged him out. The 
 priest that held him said, ' Now if you will tell me where that fool is that has 
 been disturbing the whole country with his heresies, we will let you go back 
 into the dog's house and have your nap out, but if you don't we will cut off 
 your head in this hour.' He answered, ' My holy brother is in the bosom of 
 angels, and God will hold him until his hour comes that the inhabitants of 
 
74 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 «arth will know lie died for God's glory and humanity's freedom, and that 
 heathen, idolatrous worship shall come to naught.' Here the priest that held 
 him dealt him a blow, and it felled him to the floor. Then shouted all of the 
 priests, ' Death to all heretics ! ' They dragged him away by his hair, even 
 while Mary lay fainting on the floor. They dragged him a little way out of 
 the city and cut off his head. Mary breathed and looked around, and when 
 she saw Simeon was gone, she arose to her feet. She followed them, and was 
 near enough to see clearly the axe as it fell upon his neck. Then Mary fell 
 down like one dead. As they came back one of them kicked her and said, 
 ^ Her heresy is cooling off, she is dead.' Then they shouted again, ' Death 
 to all heretics ! ' but Mary was not dead ; but ere morning dawned she sought 
 her home, and where that home had 'stood it was one heap of rubbish. Her 
 grief brought on labor, and her child was born even there in the kennel where 
 the confessors had kept their dogs, that being the only shelter she could reach, 
 but even then death could not reach her, but she must live on and drink deeper 
 and still deeper the bitter cup of despair. Jesse had been away to a cousin of 
 Mary's, and when the tumult reached him he started on his crutches for his 
 home, but ere he could reach there he was accosted by a priest, and he asked 
 if he was the heretic's brother that had fled the law. He said, ' If you mean 
 my brother Jesus, I am.' Then they caught him by the arm and dashed him 
 to the earth and threw his crutches away from him, and there he lay a poor 
 helpless thing ; but the priest came back after a time, and said, ' Tell us 
 where that disturber of the peace is and we will let you go.' He ansAvered, 
 ^ I have not seen him for many days, and I do not know where he is.' Then 
 they said, ' We will throw you into the den of wild beasts yonder.' He then 
 answered calmly, < K I die it will be for God's glory, and that coming ages 
 shall be freed from such fiends as you that are damning all earth with your 
 deeds.' Here they caught him by the hair and dragged him away in a dark 
 hole beneath the shelving rock where they always kept their bound criminals ; 
 there he could not get away if he would. They kept him there four days 
 without food or drink. 
 
 "Now this being the fourth day after Mary's delivery, the confessor that 
 had been her accuser of being a confirmed heretic bid her leave the city, or he 
 would behead her. Then she dragged her poor, frail body along, and sought to 
 flee ; but the streets were full of people, all seeming to go one way. She heard 
 a heathen say, ' He Avas stubborn, and would not tell where that crazy heretic 
 was, and they are going to feed him to the wild beasts ; and I guess they will 
 be glad, as they have been left without food for two whole days.' Mary's 
 heart beat, as she felt it was her own boy, Jesse. As she had not heard from 
 him for days, she hastened on as fast as she could ; and as she drew near she saw 
 it was her darling Jesse that they were dragging along by his hair. He saw 
 his mother, and exclaimed, 'Mary! Mary! Mary!' Then she reached out her 
 hand towards him, and said, ' Holy God, he is thine.' He was dashed into that 
 -den even while she was gazing upon him, and his last words were, 'Jesus will 
 be hung upon the cross, and humanity will be blessed ; ' but ere he could speak 
 another word they hurled him head formost into the den of hungry beasts, and 
 they tore the flesh from his bones as soon as he touched the bottom. Here 
 Mary fell back like one dead to all appearance, and they all went away and 
 left her lying where she had fallen. 
 
 " After the keeper of these wild beasts had closed the door that led to the 
 den, he went to where Mary was lying. He had compassion on that humble but 
 still beautiful female that lay at his feet. He called to his companion, and 
 .they raised her up and bathed her temples, and breath came back to her again ; 
 
JEPHTHxVH's visit to JESUS IN HIS LONELINESS IN THE MOUNTAIN. Y5 
 
 but they dared not take her to their own shelter ; but they said, ^ There is a 
 Hebrew lives on the hillside : he is a hatter, and his name is Levi.' They 
 raised her up between them, and bore her along as best they could until they 
 came near that home ; then they set her down and fled, lest some one should see 
 them assisting a heretic. Levi's wife saw them fleeing. She went out and 
 assisted Mary into her tent. She soon found her mind was deranged ; but she 
 tried to comfort her as best she could : and I left her there in order that I 
 could come and bear a message to you from Israel's holiest son, Jephthah, and 
 that is, you must begin your work even now." Mary Magdalene had related 
 this to me while I was resting ; then I attempted to rise to my feet, and fell 
 back, as my life had seemed to go out concerning my brother's death and my 
 mother's fearful situation. There I breathed deep, and a holy calm came over 
 me, and I was lost in a forgetful entrancement. In this condition I was borne 
 along; and the first thing I knew I was in Peter's hut. 
 
 After his boat was dashed on the rocks in the river Jordan, he took his 
 family and moved to the suburbs of Tyre. Here I found him in a little hut, 
 and his family were huddled together because they had no fire. I said, 
 ^' Have you any bread for me ? " Peter's wife answered, " Bread we have not 
 tasted since day before yesterday." I said, " How is it you are sitting here 
 without making an effort to procure employment, or letting those children go 
 out and ask for bread ? None can refuse such frail things as they are." Here 
 I was interrupted by one of the children saying they had seen a poor, frail man 
 coming to the city, and a woman was leading him. " She asked me if I knew 
 one Hebrew family that had a son that had fled to the mountains, and a price 
 was set upon his head. I told her, ' I do not know such a family, but mother 
 may know them.' I said, ' Come, here is my home, come in and rest ; ' but 
 when they had sat down the man fell asleep. He then said, 'Mary has no 
 home ; she is an outcast and alone.' Then the woman said, ' God's hand is 
 upon us, and I will prepare a little hut for my brother and myself.' She then 
 said, ' Can my brother remain here the rest of the day and night, and by that 
 time I will have a shelter for us both ; ' and now she lives out there," pointing 
 to a little hut. I said, " It must be Martha. Will you run and see if it is 
 Lazarus and Martha ? " He hastened away, and came hurrying back, and said, 
 '^ The man is dead ; but I didn't stop to ask what his name was." Here I was 
 controlled, and said, " G-o to that woman, and say to her there is one in your 
 home starving for bread." The boy soon returned with a piece of bread. 
 Then I raised that bread high above my head, and said, " Holy, Eternal God, 
 feed this family with the bread of life, because earthly bread they will not 
 want but a little longer." 
 
 As I finished speaking the father came in. When he saw me he fell 
 upon his face, and said, " Holy brother, I have damned my family by drunken- 
 ness, and here they are starving for bread. I have been looking for labor 
 for days, but can find nothing to do, and here I am starving." I said, " Peter, 
 God's hand is upon you; you have laid down all you had for drunkenness, 
 and now you will lay down your life for coming ages." Here he sobbed aloud, 
 and said, " Here I am, my God ; all I have I give to thee and humanity." 
 Then I said, " Come with me." Then he stepped forth and said, " God help 
 you, my family. I belong to God, and I will follow this man to the cross." 
 I bowed my head, and said, " Amen." Here I said to Peter's wife, " Care for 
 this poor frail body, she is but held by God's breath, but she will soon be borne 
 beyond the reach of man, among God's holy children that have been cleansed 
 from the dark stain of heathen idolatrous priests and confessors." 
 
 Poor Mary Magdalene raised her head, and said, *'I shall be beheaded 
 
76 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 before two days, and you, dear brother, will be hung upon the cross fourteen 
 days hence, but I shall find comfort in feeling I have done all I could to 
 relieve the suffering of my brother." I then said, "God assist her, she is 
 dying even now, for bread." I now went forth, it being dark, and made my 
 way to the little hut, but not knowing who was there I knocked gently, and a 
 voice from within answered, " Come." One taper was lit and set upon the 
 board, and I saw by its rays a female form kneeling in prayer. I heard her 
 breathe my name, and say, " Holdjiiin, my Grod, until thy kingdom ma^be 
 established here o n eart h, then fold him in XKy bosomT forever." Then 
 she^arose to^er feet, and^'stepped forward toward the body that had been 
 straightened for burial. Her head was bowed, but as she caught a glimpse of 
 me she caught hold of the body, and said, '^ Holy Father, God, he too has 
 ceased to be earthly." I answered, " No ; I am here, held by Almighty God, 
 in order that this holy man of God could awake and declare God ; and here I 
 am, all there is of me." Then I said, " How long has Lazarus been in that 
 trance ? " Martha answered, "He is dead." I then stepped to where he was 
 lying. God breathed upon me, and I saw the room was filled with angels. 
 Here my own frail body was filled with life. I took one hand of the sleeping 
 man in mine, while I laid the other hand upon his brow, and said, " Arise, 
 Lazarus, God is here." His brow contracted beneath my hand, and he made 
 an effort to breathe. Then I said, " Holy God, give back that breath from 
 thine own life, that the glory may be given to thee, and thee alone." Then 
 Lazarus gave a deep groan. Then he opened his eyes, and looked around like 
 one in astonishment. I said, " Behold God's children are here to bear testi- 
 mony of thine awakening from a death trance." The room was being filled by 
 the poor that had been apprised of the death of him that was sleeping. Here 
 I was controlled and held forth half an hour. Then when I had breathed 
 into my body again, I went to Martha, and knelt beside her and said,." AYhere 
 is my mother ? " Her answer was, " T have not found her. Lazarus has 
 been so sick I could not leave him." Here a man stepped forward and said, 
 " Who is it you ask for ? " — " Mary, Joseph's wife," I answered ; " Mary is 
 my mother, I would see her, even now." Then Peter came forward, and said, 
 " It must be the one that was canied to Levi's." — " Holy God ! " said Martha, 
 " is that the poor crazy woman I heard about, my own dear Mary ? and was 
 it her boy that was thrown into the den of wild beasts ? " Martha had never 
 heard the sad fate of the family, as she was a stranger among the people of 
 that part of the city. Here the whole truth flashed upon her, and she fell 
 forward upon the floor. I stooped down and laid my hands upon her, and she 
 breathed again. Then I said to the bystanders, " Care for Martha and 
 Lazarus ; I must hasten away to my mother." It being dark, Peter laid his 
 hand in mine, and we sought the abode of Levi. He bore me onward, up 
 the steep hillside. Ere we reached there, Peter said, "There is the cave 
 where the confessors keep the wild beasts to destroy heretics." My heart 
 beat, but I sped on until we reached the tent of Levi. The cloth that served 
 as a door, was torn from its fastening, and we stumbled over something, we 
 knew not what, until we had lit a light from the smouldering embers. The 
 first thing I saw was the bodies of Levi's four children, covered with blood, 
 but all were dead. I said, " Holy God ! is my mother among the dead." I 
 heard a feeble moan, and I saw there was life still in one human body that 
 was covered with dried grass. I knelt beside that body, and I saw it was 
 my own dear mother lying there, scarcely breathing. I laid her hand in 
 mine. Then she breathed my name, and said, " He is dying in the moun- 
 tains for bread; who will go and carry him some." I said, "Mother, dear 
 
JEPHTHAH's visit to JESUS IN HIS LONELINESS IN THE MOUNTAIN. 77 
 
 mother, I am here beside you, and you are ill, very ill." A light was 
 brought, and I saw she was pale as death itself. I soothed her as best I 
 could. Then my controller breathed upon me, and said, " She will die as she 
 is, unless she can have something warm to give her life." I rose to my feet 
 and said, " Holy God, direct me. my mother is dying, and I am filled with 
 fever." Then an angel breath filled my body with life from her own life, 
 and said, "This body cannot die until the hour comes that all coming ages 
 shall be blessed by that death." Then she added, " Jesus must hasten away to 
 Martha's, even now, and bring Mary some warm hyssop tea." I found myself 
 moving away, even while the influence was upon me. Martha had recovered 
 her strength, and was even then preparing some hyssop for Lazarus. I said, 
 " Give me a cup of hot. drink, even now, for Mary still breathes ; and it will 
 help her, if I can get back in time." I caught up the cup that had been pre- 
 pared for Lazarus, and sped away ; but before I reached the tent I stumbled 
 over a body. Who it was I did not know. Mary raised her hand, and said, 
 " I knew he would come. And he has brought Joseph and James, Jesse and 
 Simeon. How glad I am you have* all come home again. How is it Jesus 
 does not come. I am afraid he will die in the mountains. Can't some one go 
 and carry him bread." I said, "Dear mother, I am here beside you. Come, 
 take this drink and you will feel better." — "I will drink it for you, Joseph ; 
 but who will go and carry bread to my dear Jesus ? He is dying ; who will 
 go to him ? " I saw she was indeed crazy, because she could not designate 
 me from the spirits around her. I also saw Joseph and my brothers there. I 
 bathed Mary's head in cold water ; then I lay down beside her, and folded her 
 in my bosom. Her drink had soothed her, and she fell asleep ; and a holy 
 sleep it was. I breathed a prayer to Almighty God, then I fell asleep, beside 
 my angel mother, even in the midst of death. Peter sat beside us, and he laid 
 one hand on each of our heads, and we slept on until the day dawned upon us, 
 "When I awoke I saw John and Bartholomew kneeling beside us, and I heard 
 my dear brother Bartholomew say, " angel of light ! breathe upon my dear 
 brother, that he can finish up what has been begun by the death of our brothers 
 that have fallen by the battle-axe that man may live holy ; that God can be 
 glorified through his children in earth existence." I arose to my feet and an- 
 swered, " Amen." Then I exclaimed, " Brothers, God has brought you here to 
 help bury the dead I This family have all been cut off ; but Mary was spared, as 
 they thought her already dead. The fright of seeing them enter here caused 
 her to faint, and she knew no more until Peter and I entered here ; and she is 
 now entirely bereft of reason. Now, as the day is dawning upon us, let the 
 bodies be brought together, and we will see who they are ; and there is a body 
 a little way down the hill : let him also be brought in." John and Bartholomew 
 had heard by a beggar that had seen me coming down from the mountain, ere 
 night had closed in ; and he was also aware John and Bartholomew were dressed 
 in disguise, lurking around the foot of the mountain, as they had given him 
 gold, and he had carried them bread. He had also seen me enter Peter's ; then 
 he hastened away to tell them. They went to Peter's, thence to Martha's ; then 
 she hurried them forward, fearing I should be cut off, as a band of confessors 
 had been seen going that way in the early part of the night. " But you see," 
 I answered, " they had done their work ere I reached here, else I too should 
 have perished." — " Holy God ! " said Bartholomew, " here is my brother Levi," 
 as they brought him to the tent. " Here are his four children ; but where is his 
 Avife ? " I said, " They have dragged her away and destroyed her by their 
 animal desires." Then John said, "How long have God's children to be 
 destroyed by brutes in the form of men ? " I answered, '*• Until man can com- 
 
78 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 prehend there is a God that creates all things, and know himself as a part and 
 portion of the Almighty whole." Now, as all of the children had been carried 
 out and laid down side by side, and Levi was laid at their head, Peter began to 
 look for something to dig the grave. He found a spade and an axe. The axe 
 was found beneath the bed of dried grass on which the children had slept. They 
 took the spade and axe, and dug a grave big enough for them all. Then the dried 
 grass was laid at the bottom ; then they laid in Levi ; then his eldest child ; then 
 the next and next ; even as God had given them to him, so they were laid. 
 When they were all prepared in that manner I arose from my knees, where I 
 had been bathing my mother's head, and went out from the tent. When I 
 looked upon those fair young faces sleeping in death beside their father, I burst 
 into tears, and sobbed aloud ; then I knelt upon the fresh dirt and poured out 
 my soul to the living God. 
 
 The agony I suffered overpowered me. I lay down on the cool, fresh dirt 
 and pressed my temples upon it. As my head ceased to beat, a holy calm 
 came over me ; then I arose to my feet and exclaimed, " Holy Creator, God, 
 hold control until earth will acknowledge thee as Father and Creator of all 
 things ! " Here I ceased to breathe, and they bore me into the tent and laid 
 me down beside my mother. Here Mary reached out her hand and laid it on 
 my forehead. I saw she was controlled. That hand cooled my head and gave 
 me back life, — such a life I had not known for a long time. There the future 
 passed before me, and I saw all. Then I saw that ages and ages must pass away 
 before earth would be prepared for the finishing up of that work which had 
 been begun ; and I did see even then the inhabitants of earth would not receive 
 humble truths as they were, but by another human sacrifice. ^' Who will be 
 that human sacrifice?" I asked. The answer came, "God will prepare the 
 way ; walk ye therein." I lay there for hours, hardly knowing if I was in that 
 poor body or out of it. At last I heard a great commotion, as if many were 
 gathering together. I said to John, " What is this confusion around us ? " 
 He answered, " The priesthood have decreed that all the Hebrews in the land 
 that will not deny heresy shall be put to death by the battle-axe, and all that 
 deny heresy are to be brought before the idols, and be taught the initiations of 
 a true worshipper ; and then they are to take oath that they will assist in caring 
 for all the priests and confessors in the land." I breathed deep, and said, 
 ^' Hell's devices may come to naught in God's own time." 
 
 It was now midday. Martha entered there. I said, " Martha, I am dying 
 for food and drink." — " Here," she said, " I have brought you some bread and 
 a cup of milk. I brought the milk thinking Mary could drink some of it and 
 you the rest; and here is some good fresh bread." I took the cup of milk ; and 
 as I raised it to my lips my hand was stayed. I handed it back to Martha ; 
 then I took a piece of bread, but could not eat but a little ; then I called to 
 John, and said, " I must be borne to the spring, where I can drink the water 
 fresh from earth, ere it loses its life." They raised me to my feet and assisted 
 me out of the tent. 
 
 'I was filled with wonder because the inhabitants of Tyre were bringing 
 their sick from every part of the city, then I knelt beside the spring and drank 
 freely of that cold electric w^ater, and I became cooled of my fever ; then I 
 arose to my feet and exclaimed, " God is here; bring hither your sick that 
 they may be healed." The first that was brought was a man with a lame 
 hip. Then I called Bartholomew and said, " Bare that hip, lay your hand 
 upon it, and command the disease to depart in the name of the living God." 
 He had no sooner laid his hands upon him than he leaped with joy, and said, 
 *' God has healed me, and I wall praise him forever." Then the multitude 
 
SECOND DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS. 79 
 
 shouted, "The holy God is here." Peter, John, and Bartholomew continued 
 the work of healing by la3'ing on of hands, and in the name of God. Bar- 
 tholomew exclaimed, as one leaped on his feet that had been stricken down by 
 palsy, "Here God is the physician; come and be healed, and give him the 
 glory. He is the light, he is the strength, he is the life. Come ye and 
 bathe in his holy electric breath." I was controlled at least four hours. 
 While my faithful followers were healing the sick, one poor man was healed 
 that had been afflicted for a long time by the tightening of the cords. His 
 knees were twisted, and his feet turned backward. After he was healed he 
 came near to where I was standing, and shouted, " Tell, oh tell who is the 
 father of such a holy thing as I see before me ? " I answered, " "Who is my 
 father, my mother, my lA'other, and my sister — they that seek to glorify God, 
 and bless humanity.-' I then said, " God's children are a glory to their Father, 
 God, in every clime and in every kingdom, because they declare his ever pres- 
 ence, and seek to do his will ; and they are all my fathers, my brothers, my 
 mothers, and my sisters." Then he shouted, " Glory to God, I am thy 
 brother, and thou art my beloved son." — " Amen, " they all shouted ; " he is 
 our brother, and we will follow him to the end." 
 
 Now as the day was nearly ended, Leiah bore me into the tent, and as he 
 knelt there beside my mother, and laid my hands upon Mary's head, she ex- 
 claimed, "' Father, I knew you would come ! " It was Leiah's daughter. She 
 had controlled jSIary^all that day. Here Leiah breathed out of me, even while 
 I was kneeling there, and I fell down like a blasted thing beside my mother. 
 Leiah's daughter reached out her hand, and said, " Come, brother, lay down 
 beside thy mother, and God will assist me in giving you strength ; even a part 
 of my own life I will give to thee and thine." Then I breathed a fervent 
 prayer, as I lay there stricken down, and the tent was filled with angels 
 bright, and there I fell asleep in the holy calm of angels' love. 
 
 That night we all lay down and slept until the day dawned. My follow- 
 ers were all exhausted by their healing, and the home which had been so 
 lately occupied by Levi's family was filled with poor human beings that were 
 doomed by the priesthood to die by the battle-axe. Here we will leave the 
 reader and begin a chapter filled with anguish and despair. None of the 
 present age can understand what w^e all suffered during the next thirteen, 
 days. 
 
 CHAPTEK, XYIII. 
 
 THE SECOND DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWX FROM THE MOUXTAIXS. 
 
 As the day dawned upon us we all knelt and prayed, then made conditions 
 to procure bread. As John and Bartholomew had gold, the beggars would go 
 into the city, buy and bring away in small parcels ; in that way we were fed for 
 two days, and then the confessors began to find out how we were existing, and 
 they stationed themselves wherever the beggars had been seen to go ; and as 
 fast as the poor famished creatures came for bread they were sure to fall by the 
 battle-axe, and their gold would be held. We remained upon the hillside, and 
 hundreds came to us bearing along with them their sick and maimed, but 
 they all forgot their barley bread. I had become stronger by breathing mag- 
 netism from the masses around me, until I felt God's electric life could be 
 
80 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 imparted through me, and the brethren that had been scattered at Jerusalem 
 Avere gathering around me. Thomas came near and knelt at my feet, and 
 burst into tears, and said, "Holy, holy brother, lead and guide me, I am at- 
 thy command." I said, "' Bow to none but the living God. He is beside thee ; 
 ask him to direct you." He then arose to his feet, and I saw light from 
 eternal distance fall all around him as he shouted, "Holy Father, God, do with 
 me as thou wilt, I am thine, and I Avould do thy will." Then he darted away 
 among the poor, feeble creatures, declaring God's presence, and laying hands 
 upon them, and commanding their diseases to depart ; and through the faith- 
 ful brothers that day forty-one were healed. Here was Stephen's first-born, his 
 name was Simon ; he was fair and beautiful, but the power that fell upon him 
 was mighty. All that day his face was like chiselled marble, his hair was light 
 and flowing, his garments nicely fitted his delicate form, and I could but ex- 
 claim, " An angel of light has come in our midst." By his side was a fair- 
 haired sister, frail as she was beautiful. Her face bespoke her preparing for 
 a holier condition. She would draw near him from time to time, and say, 
 "Dear brother, had we not better go home?" His answer was, "Dear sister, 
 thy home is not here, but in a holier, happier sphere." Then she would go 
 away alone, and call on God to keep her dear brother, and bear him back to 
 her father, to soothe that good father in his declining days. I drew near her 
 and said, " Daughter, would you rob God of his glorj', in order to comfort even 
 thy father ? " Her answer was, " I am feeble, and I have followed this 
 brother in order to comfort him all I can, and bear him back again to our 
 home." Here her eyes closed, and I saw big tears roll down her cheeks. Then 
 she answered, " He is all the son my father has, and he looks upon Simon as 
 his stay in old age ; but if that dear brother belongs to God, he will surely 
 claim that which is his OAvn." Then I said, " Amen, the hand of God is held 
 over that family, and ere long he will surely claim his own." She bowed her 
 head and said, " I shall stay beside my brother until God divides us." I then 
 hastened away to my mother. She was still lying in the tent. Here was 
 Martha bathing her temples, and Lazarus was lying beside her. Here Martha 
 had borne that poor, frail body, as she had seen the confessors gathering in 
 bands all about the city. 
 
 As I entered that tent of sorrow, my heart declared against so much 
 suffering, and as I knelt beside my mother and Lazarus, a gentle hand was- 
 laid upon my own, and an angel bright breathed a prayer for her brother. 
 Her holy inspiration filled us all with confidence in God, and love to humanity. 
 I then went out among the poor inhabitants of Tyre, and shouted, " God's 
 holy angels are in our midst, let us hold them by our good works." Here 
 Martha called me, and said, " I fear Mary is dying, she hardly breathes, and 
 her flesh is so cold." I then called Bartholomew, and said, " Go, lay down by 
 my mother, fold your arms about her to keep her from death." I knew his 
 warm life-strength would hold that life that was going out, and my frail body 
 had naught to give. Many a time I would call my brothers around me, and 
 say, " Form a circle around me, that I may draw life from you, in order that 
 I may be borne along until the hour may come for God to be glorified, and 
 humanity be blessed by the death of this body; that they may behold our 
 Father, God, as he is, and be willing to give him all the glory." 
 
 Even then, while my dear mother lay in Bartholomew's arms, she fell 
 asleep, and drew warmth from that bosom that blessed her. When she awoke 
 she looked around, and said, "Where is Joseph and the children?" I 
 answered, " They are all here, and I am still living in the body to bless you, 
 dear mother." Then she said, " Come here, dear Jesus, I have not seen you 
 
THIRD DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNT. 81 
 
 for a long time, but Joseph told me you would come back and die upon the 
 cross. I then went to sleep, but I have had a fearful dream. I dreamed Joseph 
 and James had both been killed, but what I dreamed about Simeon I can 
 never forget, it seemed so real. But about Jesse, I can't tell how it is, but it 
 seems to frighten me most to death, yet I know it is but a dream, as they are 
 all here. But you, my darling boy, I did see them drive the nails in your 
 hands and feet." As my hand was clasped in hers, she raised it before her, 
 to see if the marks were still upon the hand. I was so affected I could hardly 
 breathe. John came in, and said, " Dear brother, you will die here, let us go 
 out among the many, and you will get strength, and then you can come back 
 and care for Mary. I answered, " I am stronger now, God's child has breathed 
 upon me." Then I kne^t down and prayed to my Creator, God, because in that 
 hour I had nowhere else to flee, and I prayed that God would give back my 
 motlier's reason; and even while I was praying, Mary answered, "Amen, give 
 God the glory, my children are all here, and God's children are here to bless 
 them." Here I asked Bartholomew to lay one hand upon her head and another 
 on her feet, and call on the living God to restore her reason, and in a short 
 time she breathed deep, and asked for a drink. This was the first time she 
 seemed to realize anything around. I saw she could not comprehend why we 
 were in that strange place. Martha came forward, and said, " Dear Mary, we 
 are all around you, be comforted, as you have been very ill." She answered, 
 " I know they are all here, as I can see every one. Joseph did not come home 
 when I expected him, but no matter, as he is here now." Then she fell into 
 a deep sleep, and slept until morning dawned. During the day all of the 
 Hebrews were filled with fear, expecting to be cut off, and they were gathering 
 together in families, and in bands. There was one aged centurion in their 
 midst, his name was Cornelius, he was a prophet and a seer. He commanded 
 them to go back to their homes by night, and bring away all the bread, all the 
 meal, and all the barley they had ; he also said, " Prepare for a long journey, 
 as you are going a journey never to return again." Some felt it could not be 
 so, while some felt the truth of his saying. They were all held from death 
 until night closed in upon them, then they sought their homes, in order to 
 bear away food and clothing preparatory to a long journey, but nearly one-half 
 that sought their homes were cut off by the confessors ; but they that did 
 return brought back food and clothing. After they came back they made 
 themselves as comfortable as they could, and rested until morning. As there 
 was but one heap of dried grass in the tent, as it had been used about Levi 
 and his children at burial, I crept in beside Lazarus. He laid his hand upon 
 my head and blessed me, and we fell asleep together. Thus ended the second 
 day. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THIRD DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNT. 
 
 My mother awoke at early dawn, and said, " Arise, ye children of God, and 
 prepare to defend yourselves ; there is a band of priests coming back of yonder 
 hill, and they are all armed with battle-axes." " How do you know, my dear 
 mother," I said ; " has God revealed to you their coming ? " She answered, 
 •^' God's child told me when I awoke, and she is here now. Ask her, and she 
 
82 AUTOBIOGPvAPHY. 
 
 will tell all I said. Holy Creator, reveal through thy child what is to be done- 
 for these poor created children of thine." I saw her draw near, and she laid 
 her hand in mine, and said, " Brother, God's children are filled with fear, 
 because even now a band of priests are coming in sight. They are on their 
 way to Jerusalem, and if the people keep themselves quiet, they may pass by 
 and not observe them, as they are bearing a little southward." I said, " I will 
 creep out of the tent and bid them be silent." I then said, " Holy God, assist 
 us in our hour of need." I bade the poor creatures remain as they were, until 
 I should bid them arise. A half-hour passed away, and Peter said, " Holy God 
 be praised, they have passed us by, and we are safe for the present." 
 
 Then they all arose and prepared their breakfast. After they had all eaten, 
 I looked around and saw my brothers all fasting, as they had nothing. I 
 stepped forward and said, " Feed, oh, feed all that have nothing to eat, and God 
 will feed you with the bread that perisheth not." Here I was filled with 
 despair, as they did not bring forward their bread, knowing they had a plenty. 
 I then said, " Bring your bread to God's faithful children, or I will flee you." 
 Then they brought their bread, and we all ate, and gave thanks to the giver of 
 the gifts that blessed his children. Mary arose that day, and ate a small piece 
 of barley bread. All of that day the poor, humble Lazarus held himself in 
 prayer. As the sun arose higher and still higher, we began to feel that some- 
 thing must be done. I called to the holy man of God, and said, '^ Brother, ask 
 God to direct us, and we will follow out what you get for answer." I said, 
 *' It is not possible to remain here, because we shall surely be cut to pieces. If 
 we flee to the mountains, we shall all starve to death, and let God decide our 
 destiny; let it be life or death." Here my aged brother knelt down and 
 prayed earnestly, fervently, then he bowed his head as if to get answer. He 
 then arose to his feet, and said, " God's hand is upon us ; there is nothing but 
 death, let us go which way we will." I then said, " Let us go to Jerusalem ; 
 the king was once my friend, he may save us still." Cornelius bowed his head 
 and said, " Brother, it is thy destiny, we will hasten there." I said, " Perhaps 
 it will be as well to reach the hills beyond ere night closes in." Four faithful 
 followers came to us that day, Judas, Seth, Mark, and Stephen, the father of 
 Simon. He sought for his children, and he heard they had gone toward Tyre, 
 with many more that had gone there for protection, and he hastened forward, 
 lest harm should befall them. As he drew near, his daughter flew to meet 
 him. She folded her arms around him, and said, "How are my friends at 
 home ? " His only answer was a deep groan. " Tell me, dear father, what is 
 the matter. Has anything happened to my family ? " He then raised his head 
 and said, " Daughter, God has saved you from death by bearing you away 
 with my boy." He continued, "The day had hardly passed away that you 
 started at early dawn, when a band of confessors entered that home and 
 damned my daughters, and left them dead, and your poor, frail mother died 
 even there, ere they laid hands upon her. I had been away, and as I entered 
 my home, my heart broke. Then I said, God will lead me to my dear boy, 
 and to you, my dear daughter, and now I have looked upon you, I have noth- 
 ing to do but give myself to God and humanity." Here Simon came forward, 
 and he folded his father to his bosom, and wept bitter tears for his holy 
 mother, and his beautiful sisters. Here we all knelt in prayer. God's child 
 breathed upon Stephen, and this was the prayer that went welling up, and 
 found an answer among the angels that had been destroyed by these fiends in 
 human garb : " Hell's devices are holding control, and they are filling earth 
 with mourning. Holy Creator, wipe the mourners' tears away, by holding con- 
 trol through thy angel children. Bind up their broken hearts with thy holy 
 
THIRD DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNT. 83 
 
 love, kindled in the bosom of thine own, from thine own inner life, then they 
 will learn that thou hast seen lit to lay down thy holiest gifts on the altar of 
 humanity, that coming ages shall be held from the unholy influence of 
 anointed priests, and their accomplices, confessors." Here a poor woman 
 came, bowed with grief, and said, " My boy went for bread, and they have 
 destroyed him. I saw the axe when it fell upon him, and he is all I had. 
 But God will give him back to me in his own time." I answered, " Go and lie 
 down beside my poor, dying mother. Her holy breath will fill you with 
 resignation, as her cup of sorrow is flowing over, and you will see that others^ 
 sorrow is greater than your own." The people began to be uneasy, feeling 
 something ought to be done, as the confessors had already begun to throw 
 missiles in their midst, and one poor female had been hit with a stone, and fell 
 dead from the blow. 1 said, " We will bear along the tent for to-night, but 
 on the morrow we will leave it. Bear it down in the large pasture, then we 
 can see if any one is approaching, that we may defend ourselves as much as 
 possible." Here Bartholomew and Judas began to prepare the tent for mov- 
 ing. Mary was left in the open air. I took my cloak and wrapped it about 
 her, and said, " God's ether Avill be our covering every night, after this night, 
 until we reach Jerusalem, and God alone can tell what will cover us then." 
 Here my mother was controlled, and said, " God alone can hold his children 
 from death until they reach Jerusalem, and there they will all find rest in a 
 home beyond. Hold, oh, hold Jesus, holy child of holy affection, and there, 
 holy G<)d, receive him into thy holy bosom." I answered, " Amen. If it be 
 God's will for me to die, I will yield up my spirit on the altar of humanity, 
 that they may know he has created one that is willing to die, if need be, that 
 he may be glorified through his own created." Then the spirit answered, "I 
 will control you on the cross, and die for you if it be God's will." I answered, 
 " Holy angel, I must die. Lift fear from me, and then I can bow in humble 
 submission to my Father's will." 
 
 Even then I saw another angel drawing near, and she was covered all over 
 with light. I called her, and she answered, " I have come to lay down my 
 whole life for you, dear brother, and for Mary. Her poor body is feeble ; but 
 she cannot die until you, dear brother, have ceased to be earthly. I have 
 brought with me a band of holy influences, that will not leave you until you 
 become one of us." I bowed my head and said, " Holy child of God, do not 
 leave me again." Her answer was, "■ God commands ; I must obey." Then 
 the beautiful sister of Hiram breathed out of my poor mother's frail body, and 
 there she lay entirely helpless. I stooped down. I held my face beside her 
 own, and she laid her hand upon my forehead, and I felt she knew me, for 
 that moment. Here I called Bartholomew, and said, "Kaise my mother in 
 your arms, and bear her down into the pasture, as the tent is nearly ready ; 
 and you, Judas, assist me. I cannot go alone." He put his arm around me, 
 and bore me along. Bartholomew reached there before me, as he was strong, 
 and his burden was light. Here came one that had been healed at Antioch, 
 bearing along with him a camel's hide, and said, " Give this to that poor dying 
 woman." There I said, " God bless you, dear brother ; that is my dear mother, 
 and she is deranged." Then they laid Mary upon it, and covered her over. 
 Poor Lazarus was also cared for, as I could cover him over with my cloak. 
 
 The multitude increased hourly. The first day after I came down from 
 the mountain, there were nearly two hundred that did not leave us until we 
 reached Jerusalem. The second day there were three hundred and forty, and 
 on the third, even before we started for the pasture, there were five himdred 
 and eighteen. Here we were gathered together, a mass of human beings, with 
 
84 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 nothing to defend themselves.- I called Cornelius to me, and said, ^-If the con- 
 fessors should fall upon us, they could cut us off without our making an at- 
 tempt even to hold them from destroying the women and children." I said to 
 Bartholomew and the rest of the brothers, " There is a place on the north side 
 of the city, directly against the wall, where the confessors keep their battle- 
 axes, and if you could get at them when they are asleep, you could arm your- 
 selves for defence." They all answered, "We will make the attempt." Then 
 they chose from among them forty of their strongest men, and the rest were 
 left to guard the feeble things that had gathered together. They knelt in 
 prayer before they started. Here John made an expression like this : " Holy 
 God, assist us ever in preparing the way to destroy fiends in human shape; 
 lead and hold us that we may not be cut off' ; but assist us that we may return 
 and defend the poor humble children of thine, and bear them along until their 
 death shall be a glory to thee, in destroying the conditions in which they are 
 held, chained in darkness, all covered o'er with fear." Judas answered, 
 " Amen ; God will assist us ; I feel his power upon me." They started forth, 
 and ere they could reach the city, they were accosted by a heathen. He said, 
 " You cannot go in the gate, as the priests and confessors are holding a 
 council." Bartholomew answered, " There is where I am going." Then he 
 answered, " Go in." They were filled with fear, as they saw preparations were 
 making everywhere for the destruction of the defenceless Hebrews. Yet they 
 pressed forward, and when they reached the house where the battle-axes were 
 kept, the door was open. Bartholomew said, "We have come to arm ourselves 
 wdth battle-axes, in order to hold the country from confusion. Here there are 
 a plenty, and to spare, and I keep them bright and sharp." They all took two 
 each, and hastened away through a side gate, that had been left open by acci- 
 dent. When they returned all safe, I could but exclaim, " Holy God, thou art 
 mighty even in battle ! " It being now late, they all gathered around the fire 
 that had been kindled beside a shelving rock, seeking to make the poor sick 
 and dying as comfortable as they could. The aged and children suffered the 
 most. All of that day it had been cold and damp. The children began to be 
 filled with fever, and the aged with despair. In the midst of night, while they 
 were sitting around the fire, a battle-axe was thrown in their midst, and then 
 another, and another. The first struck into the bosom of a mother that was 
 nursing her babe. She fell back with one deep groan and was dead. Her 
 babe fell to the ground, its head was cleft, but it still breathed until day 
 dawned. Then it was given to the mother's bosom again, in a condition that 
 battle axes could destroy never again. The second fell upon an aged man, and 
 disjointed his hip. He lived, and we had to bear him along in a hide. The 
 third was hurled at Bartholomew. It grazed his cap, and then struck deep into 
 the earth. Great fear filled every heart, and there we sat until morning tilled 
 us with hope. 
 
 CHAPTEE XX. 
 
 THE FOURTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 As no one was to be seen astir, I went to Mary and said, " Dear mother, 
 the day is clear, we must begin our journey early, that we may reach Galilee's 
 borders ere night closes in." Her eyes were full of tears as she reached out 
 her hand to me, and said, " Come, kneel beside me, my dear boy ; you are all 
 
FOURTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 85 
 
 I have left on earth of my own clear children. Let us call them all around in 
 here in this tent, as we cannot meet them again alone on earth." I said, 
 "Joseph, bring the children all here to my dear mother, that she may look 
 upon them, as her reason is clear." They all came forward and knelt around 
 her, even as they did in our mountain home. Then I iX)ured forth my whole 
 soul in prayer, until my breath went out, and I fell back, entirely helpless. 
 Then Martha came forward, and knelt beside me, and said, •' Come, dear Jesus, 
 you have a duty to perform for these poor creatures that are dying, felled with 
 fever. Four breathed out during the night, and there are many falling sick 
 from exposure." I then said, " May Grod assist me, that I may care for his chil- 
 dren." I then knelt down and imprinted a kiss on my mother's cheek. She 
 laid her arm about my iieck, and drew me close to her, and said, " Have cour- 
 age, God's child is beside you ; and God is where his children are. Hold my 
 boy, angel of light, until he can finish up all that can be done in his age, then 
 we will leave the result in God's hands, let it be what it may." Then we all 
 began to prepare for a journey ; but first we buried the dead ; and all that were 
 so sick they could not stand upon their feet, they were borne along by the 
 stronger, wrapped in hides, and the feeble were led. Bartholomew wrapped my 
 cloak around Mary, and took her in his arms, as he would an infant. John 
 came, and held me to his bosom for a long time. After they had all started, 
 we knelt there in the presence of angels. There we held each other in that 
 holy embrace, and John exclaimed, "Holy child of God, breathe upon my 
 brother, that I may fold you in my bosom with my brother." I felt a holy 
 calm come over me, and I fell asleep in the holy embrace of an angel, with 
 my brother's arms around us both. 
 
 How long I slept, I know not, but w^hen I awoke the whole band had gone 
 nearly out of sight. " How is this ? " I said ; " we are left behind." John 
 answered, " I have held God's child in my bosom, and the sooner I can die the 
 better. I long to meet her in spirit, and I would gladly cease to be even now, 
 dear brother, but the holy angel said, ' Do care for my brother, and bear him 
 along until his earth mission is ended for the present age." Xow I said, " Let 
 us hasten after them, as best we may." He put his arm around my waist, 
 while I laid my arm over his shoulder, and he bore me along as best he could. 
 It was nearly noon ere we overtook them. They hatl stopped by a brook, and 
 were preparing to eat when I reached them. Exhausted, I sat down beside 
 my mother. She looked better than I had seen her before, and she was calm. 
 I knew she had drawn life from my dear brother Bartholomew. He sat beside 
 the brook, bathing his face and hands, but fearfully exhausted. Mary said, 
 " My dear boy, you were so far behind, I feared something had happened ; but, 
 bless God, you are safe, and I am feeling much better." Here they divided 
 off into families, and were eating. Then I espied a band of beggars away by 
 themselves, kneeling in prayer, but they had nothing to eat. After they had 
 partaken of the bread of life, I called them to me, and said, " God has fed you 
 with bread that perisheth not, but these people must give you of the fragments 
 that are left." Martha had a piece of bread she had brought with her for 
 L izarus, but his appetite had entirely failed him. She said, "Here, dear 
 Mary, and the rest of you that have nothing to eat, take what I have, and if 
 we are to starve, we will die together." Simon's sister drew near us. I looked 
 upon her, so frail, so exhausted, and I did know the hand of death was upon 
 her. I said, " Sister, God's angel children are hovering around you." Her 
 answer was, " I long to be with them." After they had rested, they gathered 
 up all they had, and began their journey again. Judas came and assisted me, 
 Avhile John bore along the camel's hide for Mary and. Lazarus to lie down. 
 
86 AUTOBIOGIIAPHY. 
 
 Tipon, when they stopped to rest. Peter took Mary in his arms, and Stephen 
 and Seth took Lazarus on a hide, and the rest of the sick people were borne 
 along by their friends, as best they could. The country through which we 
 passed along was barren and desolate ; here and there a herdsman's hut, and 
 nothing more. " Holy Creator, God, the waste places shall yet blossom like the 
 rose, and all earth shall acknowledge thee as thy begetter in thine own ele- 
 ments, and the fulness of thy glory shall be acknowledged through thy won- 
 drous formations." — " Amen," answered Judas ; " let God control, then there 
 will be no more a demand for human sacrifices to appease humanity's demand, 
 because then they will all be willing to have God acknowledged all in all." 
 
 Ere the sun went down, we all became exhausted, and we were compelled 
 to stop for the night. Here the children were crying with hunger and cold, 
 and, among the rest of our sufferings, poor Lazarus could hardly breathe. As 
 the weather was cold and damp, they all prepared themselves as best they 
 could, with nothing but the earth for a bed, except here and there a hide to 
 spread beneath them, and God's eternal distance to cover them. Over twenty 
 died that night from exposure. The night passed away sad and gloomy to us 
 all, and morning did dawn, but to bring us new hardships and new despair. 
 
 Here w^e will leave the fourth day, but I will add, it is but my immediate 
 surroundings that I have attempted to sketch. Yet I would give them all 
 credit for their faithfulness to God in not denouncing their faith in him. Here 
 I will make one statement. Judas Iscariot was a faithful friend to me from 
 the time he came to me until I was nailed to the cross. Even then he was 
 faithful to me, because he was attempting to reach me with a cup of water I 
 had called for, and as he reached it toward me, I saw an anointed priest strike 
 off his head. And oh, humanity, your records are filled with deceit, and God 
 will surely bring them to nought. Priestcraft and deception have brought me 
 back to earth, in order that justice should be done my followers ; also to estab- 
 lish facts even as they were. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 FIFTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN". 
 
 I WILL now detail concerning the fifth day. Mary awoke as day was 
 dawning upon us. I heard her chanting a little hymn like this, one she used 
 to singr in our mountain home : — 
 
 "■o 
 
 " Holy God, Thou hast led me here unto this mountain, 
 
 I would ever feel that Thou art near me in my humble home, 
 Holy God, but cleanse my dear children in Thy fountain, 
 And may my father ever lead and guide them on." 
 
 Here her voice ceased, but in a soft whisper, and there she conversed with 
 her family at least half an hour. Then her breath came deep, and I saw 
 James was controlling her. Then he called me to him and said, " Jesus, my 
 mother may live until we all gather around her in spirit, and then we will ask 
 God to breathe her out of that poor body into our bosoms. And you, dear 
 brother, will close the eyes of poor Lazarus, ere the eleventh day after jonr 
 coming down from the mountain. But do not fear to meet us ; it will be a 
 holy hour to us all." Here he withdrew his influence, and my mother awoke. 
 
FIFTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 87 
 
 She said, " They are all here, dear Jesus ; how glad I am we are not to be 
 divided in the brighter world beyond." Then we all arose. 
 
 After they had partaken of their scanty fare, we began to look around, and we 
 found eight had ceased to be earthly. They were all brought together and laid 
 in a row, and all the friends of the deceased knelt around, while I breathed a 
 prayer to Almighty God for the friends still living in their bodies. Then they 
 were all laid in one broad grave. Then they were covered over with dried, 
 grass and leaves, and then the dirt was heaped upon them. Then we began 
 our journey, and the sun was shining on the earth, and we made at least three 
 leagues that day. We reached Cana ere the sun went down, but did not dare 
 enter the city. Seth's father lived there. After night closed in, Peter and 
 Seth went to the gootl Hebrew, and ere the morning dawned, they returned 
 with two baskets full of bread. But during the day following this night, 
 there were many that were too sick to be carried. They were left in herds- 
 men's huts, as we came along, but all that lived until the crucifixion were 
 beheaded soon after. Martha had become exhausted by leading Lazarus, as he 
 was compelled to lean so much of his weight upon her, and her feet became sore 
 by the cold, rough earth she was compelled to walk upon. She had not been 
 able to make her any shoes, moving about, and her brother had been so feeble,, 
 she forgot her own necessities in caring for others. 
 
 During that night many were chilled by the cold winds, and, as the chills 
 wore away, fever set in ; and as the sun arose, we found many entirely unable 
 to continue their journey. Here again we were compelled to leave seven that 
 were stricken down, and still breathed. Four had ceased to breathe during 
 the uight. We laid them in mother earth's bosom, all that belonged to earth, 
 while the weary souls found rest in the bosom of their God. I breathed a 
 prayer over those sleepers, and left them, carefully covered over, and a mark 
 set at the head of each, so that, if any of the friends should seek the earthly 
 bed of those they had loved, they could be gratified. But I do know, none of 
 that multitude ever retraced their steps through that desolate country, but 
 they were all destroyed by the order of the priesthood. Ere I had come down 
 from the mountains, the Hebrew families had been driven about from place to 
 place, until they had become entirely disheartened. Therefore, when they 
 heard I had come down from the mountains, they gathered around me, hoping 
 I could direct them. As many a family had been entirely destroyed, they 
 were so filled with fear, they caught at a feeble hope, feeling that through me 
 they could get directions as to their future, and be led to a land where they 
 were not constantly filled with the fear of the battle-axe. But now they had 
 followed me to the seventh day, and they began to feel I was not strong 
 enough to hold myself, as I was compelled to be held whenever I arose to my 
 feet, and, ere we started, eight Hebrews came forward and said, " Our families 
 are perishing with cold and hunger, and we shall all perish if we continue as 
 we are. If we go back, we shall surely be cut off, and what can be done, we 
 know not. Let us call the holy revelator, and we will all be directed by God 
 through him." 
 
 Then Cornelius was brought in their midst, and there he knelt in humble 
 prayer, and asked God to direct his children even to the end. Then he bowed 
 his head to catch an answer from eternal distance for the poor heart broken 
 Hebrew. He knew I must die, else the heathen idolators would destroy every 
 Jew as well as the Hebrews. He did know that if I could breathe until we 
 could reach Jerusalem that there would be a great slaughter, but then there 
 would be a handful of God's children left both among the Jews and the Gen- 
 tiles that would scatter light in their own blood until earth could change ;. 
 
SS AUTOBIOGKAPHY. 
 
 until God could breathe upon his children holy inspiration fresh from his own 
 inner life : then he would be acknowledged Father and Creator of all. Here 
 sat the aged man for a time breathless. We all waited his answer. At last he 
 raised his head, and a holy calm rested upon every feature. He breathed one 
 word — that was, " Go." I then sought to get an answer. I earnestly asked 
 God to reveal to me what was best to do. Here I felt myself folded in the 
 bosom of my controller, and an answer came : " Hasten onward toward 
 Jerusalem. You must reach there the fourteenth day, else it will be too late, 
 and your works will not be held for coming ages ; else the spirit will free itself 
 from this frail body, and God will be robbed of his glory, and the earth will 
 roll on in darkness, and heathen bigots will damn humanity until another 
 human sacrilice is brought forward and laid upon the altar, declaring one God, 
 and one God only." Here Cornelius answered, "Let us go." Then my 
 controller answered, "Hasten, oh, hasten, ere it is too late! Many will die ere 
 you reach there ; but let the dead bury the dead : let us work for the living ; 
 that all coming ages may know who was their Creator and their God." 
 " Amen, amen," they all answered ; " let us hasten forward." Now the sun 
 rose, filling us with warmth. We all sat down, and ate a piece of bread, and it 
 was all we had ; but ere we started, band after band came to us froin Cana and 
 the country round about. 
 
 That day Mary was strong enough to walk some, with the help of Thomas 
 and Peter. Seth and Mark assisted Lazarus, while Bartholomew folded me to 
 his bosom and bore me along until he would get weary ; then he would set me 
 down, and I would walk between him and John, leaning upon both. In that 
 i^ay we reached Nazareth ere the sun went down ; but we did not enter the 
 village lest harm should befall the people ; but I sent to them for barley, for 
 meal, and for bread. Here the inhabitants of Nazareth came out to meet us, 
 and many followed us even to Jerusalem. I began to feel Jerusalem would 
 close her gates upon me; but I heard a gentle voice say, "No, brother, no; you 
 will enter there : but Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou wilt fall to rise no more." 
 Here we were all weary, and the chills of night SAvept o'er us. Thinly clad as 
 I was, I felt Lazarus' necessity was greater than my own, and my cloak I 
 bade them to wrap about the frail but humble servant of God. I said to Bar- 
 tholomew, " Cannot we have a fire kindled against that shelving rock ? " He 
 answered, " I will see what can be done. Soon a bright fire was blazing, and 
 we gathered around, and gathered warmth and strength. Here Mary and 
 Martha lay down together, and they both fell asleep, and Bartholomew covered 
 them over with the camel's hide. I lay down beside Lazarus ; his hands were 
 •clasped in prayer, and I heard him say, " Holy eternal light will cover him 
 o'er with its rays even while he is lying upon the cross ; but I must go out in 
 confusion, and may God's holy angels assist me and bear me onward, away 
 from the fearful destiny of my beloved friends. Here he ceased to breathe. 
 I arose and knelt beside him, and I saw he was entranced. Here he reached 
 out his hand, and said, " Dear brother, I am beside you ; I know you are filled 
 with fear, and I have come to give you courage. The death agony cannot 
 endure forever ; but God changes not." Here she clasped my hand in that of 
 the feeble man, and said, "I know, dear brother, you will suffer, and Mary 
 will die ; Martha, too, will die a fearful death by the abuse of the confessors, 
 and this body I am breathing through will find rest on the eleventh day from 
 the time you began your last work. I shall assist them all I can ; but I shall 
 give all the influence I can command to you, that I may bear a part of that 
 <leath which has been brought about by my father's controlling and declaring 
 the ever-presence of a living God. Holy, eternal distance is your home ; there 
 
FIFTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOW^N FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 89 
 
 your family will all be brought to you. I shall be there ; and if it please God 
 we will come back for ^lary and Martha when their spirits are freed from 
 their earthly forms ; then your home will be blessed by hearts that beat one 
 for the other." Then I said, " I long to go even now." — " Xo, no, dear 
 brother; you will abide God's time, then all is well. I shall not leave you 
 again until we meet in the life bej^ond ; and then something says to me you 
 will come back and labor still for the human family when they are prepared 
 for you to come back, and finish up what has been begun by your life and your 
 death." Here I asked, " Have I to dwell in brighter worlds beyond alone ? " 
 Her answer was, " Brother, God is there, and his children are there ; my father 
 will be there, and I shall be there when earth is ready to say, ' God is Father 
 of all.' Then the holy angels will blend their lives with humanity, and God's 
 acknowledged presence will fill all earth with eternal light, lit from the inner 
 life of all things, and that is the infinite spark that is eternal and forever; 
 then we will give it a name that shall be the fulness thereof, eternal and forever." 
 There I fell asleep, and a holy vision passed over me. I beheld a little home. 
 As I entered there, everything bespoke happiness ; the inmates were all covered 
 with light, and I heard the voices of children singing a little song dedicated to 
 the dewdrop. I said, " How is it they are chanting to the dewdrop ? " An 
 angel answered, "Dewdrops from the fountain, and that fountain is eternal 
 love." T then went a little way from that home. There I saw a beautiful 
 stream ; it went dashing down the hillsi<le, and every pebble seemed to give 
 back the reflection of a diamond. Here I stooped down and dipped my hand 
 in the water of life ; here I called for the angel, and he stood before me. I 
 said, " Is this beautiful stream formed of dewdrops ? " Then he answered, 
 " Child of earth, go back ; gather your dewdrops earthy, bring them here, then 
 3'our fountain will never run dry." I then stooped down again ; and as I 
 dipped my hand into the pure stream, I said, " Oh, that I could bathe in this 
 stream forever ! " — " Holy child of God," he said, " you know not what you 
 ask ; you would become weary, weary of that beautiful stream, and you would 
 ask for other streams beyond." I said, in reply, '* I am weary, so weary ; 
 cannot I lie down and rest me even now ? " He answered, '^ I will fold you 
 in my bosom until you feel there are holier conditions, and you ask for their 
 sphere ; but, dear brother, you must go back : even now your mother is asking 
 for you. Her head is aching, and she is calling for her boy to soothe her." I 
 answered, " I will go to my mother ; farewell." I said, " Can't you go with 
 me ? " — " No," he answered ; " I will await your coming." In a moment I 
 was trying to breathe into my own body ; but it had become so cold and numb 
 that I could not give life to the vitals." Here John was aroused from his 
 slumbers ; then he hastened to where I was lying. He raised me in his arms, 
 and bore me nearer the fire ; then he rubbed my limbs, and held my feet to the 
 warm fire. After a time I breathed again into that chilled body, and my 
 suffering was fearful ; my back was filled with agony, and, as my blood began 
 to circulate, my body was filled with pains from my head to my feet. I called 
 for Bartholomew, and John answered, '- He is bathing your mother's head." I 
 answered, " God bless him that cares for my mother ! " Here Mary and Martha 
 were brought near me. I was lying on the ground. Bart,holomew sjjread down 
 the camel's hide and said, " Here is room enough for Mary and Jesus ; bring 
 them here, and they may get a little rest before morning dawns." They laid us 
 both down and covered us over. I had no sooner become quiet than I felt 
 a soothing calm come over me, when I heard a sweet, gentle voice breathing a 
 prayer for Mary, and her crushed flower that lay beside her. I then fell 
 asleep, and slept on until day dawned. Then a breath .was upon ray brow, and 
 the voice said, " Brother, your vision was real life." — " Amen," I answered. 
 
90 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 CHAPTEE XXII. 
 
 THE EIGHTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 As we had many leagues to go, we felt to hasten forward as fast as pos- 
 sible ; but the poor females were drooping, as they could not endure the hard- 
 ships and exposures that were heaped upon them. Many had been reared 
 in luxury. They were the first to drop beneath their burden ; and the chil- 
 dren were dying everywhere. Simon came to me, and said, '' Holy brother, 
 come with me, my angel sister is dying." I said, " Assist me to her." Mark 
 assisted me ; and they bore me to where she was lying on the green sod, and 
 I knelt beside her, a poor, crushed thing, seeking to draw light from eternal 
 light, to light her through the dark passage. I raised my hand, and said, 
 <'Holy Creator, God, she is thine, all thine own; receive her into thy 
 bosom, even now." Here she opened her eyes, and looked around ; there 
 she saw Simon. She reached out her hand toward him, and with an angel's 
 voice she said, "Dear brother." She then closed her eyes, and ceased to 
 breathe forever. Then the father came forward, and said, "Welcome, oh, 
 welcome, angels God gave me earthly, but 1 give them back to their mother 
 ^nd their God." — "Amen," I said. " Now bear me back to my mother." Her 
 feet were swollen so full that she could hardly bear her weight upon them. 
 Martha was soothing Lazarus, as he had thought me dead when John raised 
 me from his arms. 
 
 Our number had increased to twelve hundred and eight, although many died 
 daily, yet through all the country they had heard the decree of the priests that 
 all heretics shall die, and in this manner they were all asking, " Where shall we 
 go ? " and when they heard I had come from the mountain they flocked toward 
 Tyre, and we met them all the way on our journey. Even before we could 
 get started, a fresh band came in. They brought intelligence concerning a 
 band of anointed priests that were coming in the direction toward where the 
 Hebrews were, and in a short time they came in sight, but we saw they were 
 not armed with battle-axes. When they had made careful observations of 
 the miserable condition we were in, they went away ; but before noon that 
 day they came down upon us with four hundred, as near as we could judge. 
 Bartholomew took the command of the men, while the poor helpless creatures 
 huddled around me. The fight commenced near the brook called Shileak, 
 south of Nazareth. The heathen band came upon us, with their battle- 
 axes raised above their heads. They being all in front, it gave us a better 
 chance for defence. As they were coming down the hill, Bartholomew 
 shouted to them, and said, " Come on, ye hell's damned, and God will damn 
 you also. Hell cannot hold you, but God's children will behead you." Then 
 the battle commenced on the line where the Hebrews had stationed them- 
 selves. It must have lasted at least half an hour. I was crouched down 
 beside Lazarus and Mary, when I heard a shout go up that echoed from 
 hill to hill. Then I knew the Hebrews had driven the heathen. I was 
 borne forward. There the ground was covered with their dead, and the re- 
 mainder fled across the country. John, Bartholomew, and eight more were 
 nearly out of sight following ; and when one fell that was maimed they would 
 finish him. When Bartholomew found that he could not overtake them, he 
 
TENTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 91 
 
 hurled his battle-axe in their midst, severing the head of one, and felling 
 another to the earth. He then picked up a battle-axe, and severed the head 
 from the body of him that had fallen. I fell down, being faint for food, and 
 the sight of so much blood caused me to fall back entirely helpless. All the 
 remainder of that day was passed in burying the dead, and moving to a clean 
 spot of earth for the night. I said to Stephen, " How many of our people 
 are slain ? " — " Eight in all ; but two are still breathing." — " How many of the 
 children of darkness ? " I said. He answered, " Two hundred and eight fell, 
 then they fled ; but Bartholomew killed a number who have not been broughtj 
 in. Had you seen the Hebrews in the fight, you would have said thel 
 power of God rested upon them." I answered, *' Bartholomew w^as con- 
 trolled by Leiah, and, John was controlled by his daughter. I saw them, 
 although I had crouched down by Mary." Stephen continued, " Seth is one 
 of the fallen, and Silas, the brother of Barnabas, two from the border coun- 
 try, and two from Herod's Court. The two that are breathing must die 
 before night closes in. One has his skull cleft, and the other has a thrust of 
 a javelin through his back." — " Will you bear me to them, that I may ask 
 God to soothe them as they are taking their homeward flight ? " As they had 
 been laid upon the green sod, I approached them. There I saw Silas's 
 mother, and Seth's brother Simon, and Peter's brother kneeling beside them. I 
 said to the spirits, " Hold them gently ; they are martyrs to the living God." 
 Then I prayed that God would soften their pangs by his holy electric life. Him 
 that had been cleft breathed out even while I was praying, the other breathed 
 until the sun Avas setting. The Hebrews were laid in one grave, side by side ; 
 then they were covered over with dry grass ere the dirt was filled in upon them. 
 Then I was controlled at least half an hour, and when the influence left me I 
 was stronger than I had been for a long time. Then I said, '' Dig a ditch, 
 heap in those filthy bodies ; give them back to God in their earthly element." 
 The bodies were all buried ; then we moved a little way off, where we built a 
 fire. There we gathered around to catch its warmth. With thankful hearts 
 we knelt in prayer for the comfort of a fire. Hunger was fearful upon us, yet 
 we found some relief in sleep. Thus ended the ninth day of our suffering 
 together. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 TENTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 We all arose in the morning, and ere we began our journey we were made 
 to feel that utter starvation would surely come upon us, unless we could reach 
 some settlement where they would befriend us. I said to Cornelius, "How 
 would it be for us to bear a little south in order that we can reach Jauriz, it 
 being a small town, and its inhabitants are Hebrews ? " Cornelius bowed his 
 head, and said, " I will ask God's child." " Then he answered, " Jauriz is 
 laid in ashes, and her children have been damned by the confessors." Here 
 John brought an infant, and said, " I took it from the breast of a dead 
 mother," — "Give it to me," said Mary, " I will warm it in my bosom ; but 
 who will take care of my dear babe that was born in Tyre ? " " God cares for 
 that child," I said, " but this is in the hands of humanity." I said, " Hold it, 
 dear mother, its breath will bless you, but it will soon die." I saw Mary's 
 
92 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 eyes fill with tears, as she said, "May God give you to your mother, little 
 bud ; thou wilt bloom in a brighter world than this." As I looked upon the 
 child* I saw it was dying. Mary held it until it breathed out its little life ; 
 then she handed it to Stephen, and said, *• Lay it away beside the mother, and 
 God will care for them both together." Tlie day was cloudy, and the chilly 
 winds tilled us with horror, knowing we had no home awaiting our coming, 
 no warm fire to bless us, no barley bread to comfort us. Our garments illy 
 fitted our condition, but if I should attempt to describe that day's suffering 
 none would give me credit, in this age, for inscribing truth as it was here. 
 Lazarus' breath came thick, and a cold moisture settled upon his brow ; but he 
 complained not, as they bore him along on a hide ; but, as the cold, damp night 
 settled around him, he exclaimed, " I am a burden to them all. Take, oh, take 
 me to thyself, my God ! " Then he asked for Martha, and said, " Stay 
 beside me ; I cannot breathe much longer. Stay beside me, because you give 
 me comfort." Martha saw he was finishing up his earth labor; even then he 
 said, " Hold God before you in all you do ; deny not your Creator ; honor him 
 that has held you from death, that humanity may behold him through his 
 wondrous formation." Then he lay back, with one hand clasped in Martha's 
 and the other in mine. He said, " Farewell, dear friends, I shall love you in a 
 brighter world beyond. I shall surely meet you there ere many days shall have 
 passed away. Say to dear Mary, her friends await her coming where fiends 
 cannot destroy her family by their wicked devices ; where holy light will fill each 
 heart." He then closed his own eyes and breathed out his spirit into the broad 
 expanse of ideality. Martha held him in her embrace until I laid my hand in 
 hers, and said, "Come, dear Martha, go to Mary, she is filled with fever." 
 Her answer was, " Holy God, hold us yet a little longer, until the knowledge 
 of thee can be established among thy children." I then laid him on the green- 
 sward, where he had been dying for two hours. During all that time he could 
 look upon us, and ask God to bless us over and over again. When I had 
 straightened his limbs, then I covered him over with my cloak and left him 
 until day dawned. As I reached Mary I saw she must be made comfortable 
 else they would leave her behind. I said to Martha, " Let us bathe her all 
 over with cold Avater, then we will cover her over, and if she falls asleep, then 
 her fever will leave her." Martha said, "I will care for her, and you come 
 and lie down where the fire has gone out, and you will get warmth and 
 strength." John folded me in his arms ; I fell asleep, and slept until the day 
 dawned. Mary called for me, and I made an attempt to rise to my feet, but I 
 could not stand, then I crept to her. The fever was gone, but she was feeble. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 ELEVENTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 As the day dawned upon us we prepared to bury Lazarus and eight more 
 that had died that night. They were all brought and laid in a row. Then 
 Cornelius breathed a funeral anthem, and I knelt in holy prayer ; and I poured 
 out my soul's electric life on the altar of the living, not the dead. Here I 
 ceased to breathe. I fell forward, and my head rested upon Lazarus' cold bosom. 
 The cold breast gave me a shock, and I caught my breath'; then Bartholomew 
 
ELEVENTH DAY AFTER JESUS CAME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN. 93 
 
 took me in his arms, bore me away, and laid me down beside Mary. Here 
 Mary's breath came deep, and I saw God's child breathing into her body. She 
 laid her hand on my back, and said, " Dear brother, you are chilled through and 
 through, and if you are not cared for you will die before you reach Jerusalem." 
 I answered, " Four days are allotted us ; and if we make two leagues each day, 
 we shall reach there in time to find rest ere the morning dawns on the day 
 following. Here I must insert a line. The poor dying children were brought 
 to me day by day, in order that I should lay my hand upon them and bless 
 them, even while they breathed. There were hundreds of poor beggars that 
 had been gathered in. They were starving to death, and they crept along like 
 poor, bruised things that hardly knew or cared whither they were going. 
 Among the rest there \^sas a family of Hindoos ; they had fared with the rest 
 of the beggars. He came to me even as I was lying there, and said, " Bless 
 this child. We are all dying, and we must feast upon the child in order to 
 live." I said, " I will bless your child in the name of its Creator, God, but 3^ou 
 shall not destroy the child ; if you do, God will destroy you ere you reach 
 Jerusalem." He turned away, and said, " God feeds his children that he loves ; 
 but he has cast off the beggars, and he feeds them not." He had hardly said 
 that, when I heard a shout go up from the multitude, and they said, " A bul- 
 lock has been brought us by a herdsman, and we shall have something to eat." 
 Then I called the Hindoo back, and said, " Behold, God has not forgotten his 
 children even in their hour of need. He has given them meat without destroy- 
 ing the child to satisfy the hungry." I still lay there until the bullock was 
 dressed; then they handed it around, cut in small pieces. The fire was 
 kindled and my piece broiled, while Mary laid hers away beneath a stone. I 
 tasted mine as it was handed to me ; then my hand dropped to my side, and a 
 gentle voice said, ''Drink, brother, drink, else the meat will distress you." 
 Stephen handed me a cup of water, and I drank it all; and again she said, 
 " ]S"ow eat, dear brother ; it will do you good." Then I gave Mary one-half of 
 it, and ate the rest. After I had eaten the meat it filled me with agony. I 
 called for water. I held it above my head, and asked God's angel children to 
 electrify the water, that I could find relief. As I tasted it the heat left my 
 head ; but it was bitter as wormwood. I drank it all, and became much 
 stronger. I said, " Make haste ; the day is wearing away, and we must reach 
 the encampment of a land of beggars in the country, near Sebaste, bearing a 
 little southward : there we can warm our chilled limbs and rest, but nothing to 
 eat." Martha said, " Where is the cloak that was laid over Lazarus ? Mary 
 ought to have it, as her shoulders are entirely bare." Mary answered, " Some 
 poor beggar has got it, and may it do him good." In our hurry to start, the 
 camel's hide was left behind, and we did not miss it until we had gone half a 
 league. When we stopped, my feet were bruised and bleeding, my head was ach- 
 ing. Bartholomew came, and said, " The camel's hide has been borne along by a 
 famiU" that has a sick father, and they are expecting hourly that he will die." 
 — " Let him die in peace," I said, " if it be God's will. I can no more than 
 die for humanity; he can no more than die for humanity." Martha said, 
 " How I wish I had the cloak for Mary ! " John said, " I saw a beggar have it 
 on, and he did not look as if he could carry it much farther." — " Leave it as it 
 is," I said ; " God's child will not let Mary die until I breathe out my life, 
 which will be the third day after to-day." Mary rose to her feet, and she 
 could walk without being led. I also rose to my feet, and walked along beside 
 Mary, and we conversed about the change that had come over us, and particu- 
 larly about our family being destroyed. This was the first time I had con- 
 versed on that subject. The day wore away, with but a- little change, except 
 
94 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 here and there a death. All seemed to gain new courage, as they were drawing 
 near their journey's end, they hoped. We grasp at a feeble ray of light when 
 we are in darkness. We reached the encampment. They bade us welcome ; it 
 was all they could do. After we had sat down, Bartholomew came to me and 
 said, " I am distressed ; the people are dying with hunger, and they that live 
 to reach Jerusalem will reach there to die." Here I laid my head down upon 
 my mother's bosom, and breathed a prayer to Almighty God for his poor, 
 perishing children. There I sat all that night, with my arms around my 
 mother, and she folded me to her bosom. Then her head dropped upon mine, 
 and we slept together. Martha came to us ere morning dawned. She knelt 
 behind us, and folded her arms around us. I heard her say, ^' Here is all I 
 have on earth to care for, and may God hold them, that coming ages may learn 
 that the humble in spirit alone can glorify the Father." Then she sat down 
 beside us, and her warm bosom blessed us. We sat there until the multitude 
 began to stir ; then Mary awoke, and said, '^ The day is fine ; we can make our 
 journey easier than heretofore." I, with the rest, suffered fearfully with 
 hunger. I said to Martha, " If I had a little bread, or a bit of meat, it would 
 make me more comfortable." She said, " I have Mary's piece of meat, that 
 she forgot under the stone, and have kept it until now, hoping she would ask 
 for it." — "I knew you had it," said Mary. *' God's child told me she had 
 kept it, as it was the last morsel of food we should eat on earth together. I 
 will taste of it, and so will you, Martha, but Jesus must eat the rest, as he will 
 never eat again in mortal form ; but you and I shall eat again, dear sister." — 
 <* But a little while," I said, " you will need barley bread ; but may God's bread 
 ever be your stay, here and hereafter." I took the meat, and held it before 
 me, and said, " Whoever eateth meat for God's glory, eateth eternal life ; but 
 he that eateth meat in order to crush his children, eateth damnation to his 
 own soul." I ate the meat, and it gave strength to my whole body. I then 
 made my way to the poor dying children. I laid my hands upon them, and 
 their fever departed. They all came toward me with their children, and 
 there was one hundred and twenty. I stepped upon a bank, and I said, " Bring 
 all of your children ; God will baptize them with his Holy Spirit, for his own." 
 Then I said, <' Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for 
 of such is the kingdom of heaven. Hold, oh, hold these little buds, that they 
 may bloom in the bosom of their father, God." Then I added, " May they be 
 filled with thy life, from eternal distance, that they may forget their hunger 
 for barley bread." Many folded their babes to their bosom, and said, " They 
 are thine, my God ; take, oh, take them as they are, all covered o'er with 
 light ; and live, oh, live, child of Joseph and Mary, until thy death shall break 
 the chains that bind earth in darkness." 
 
 THE FINISHING OF THE THIRTEENTH DAY. 
 
 As the sun rose, bright and clear, we began our journey. Hunger still 
 held control ; and many were sitting down by the way that could not go any 
 farther : as their strength gave out their courage could hold them no longer. 
 In the middle of the forenoon a band of beggars came around me, and said, 
 " Feed, oh, feed us, else we starve." I shouted, " If you have no barley bread, 
 God will feed you with bread that perishes not. Kneel, ye children of 
 darkness, and let God give you a slice from his own loaf ; then ye can cut and 
 be filled." They knelt down ; then I was controlled one hour ; then they arose 
 to their feet, and said, "God has breathed upon us; we are refreshed." Then 
 
THE FINISHING OF THE THIRTEENTH DAY. 95 
 
 we hastened forward again all that day. Hope seemed to brighten upon us as 
 we drew near the city, feeling they would feed us, if nothing more. " Holy 
 Ood ! " shouted Leiah ; " don't deceive yourselves : hell is there, holding con- 
 trol. You will all enter there ; but ere the day closes you will not ask for 
 bread." Here I made reply, " The king was once my friend ; he cannot see me 
 starving for bread without tendering his aid." Leiah answered again, " If the 
 king controlled there would be hope for you ; but Caiaphas controls the court 
 and the kingdom, and the city is full of priests from all of Asia, and all 
 countries where heathen, idolatrous worship holds control. Hell's darkest 
 fiends are there, and you will all be stricken down." Then my hope died 
 within me. Matthew ^tood beside me ; he said, "Brother, have courage still." 
 I said, " The day is wearing away, but we will try and reach the valley ; it is 
 called the Valley of Fountains. There we shall have plenty of fresh water ; it 
 will give us strength to enter the city on the following morning." Here my 
 strength left me again, and I sat down faint and exhausted. My followers 
 gathered around me, and said, "Dear brother, you cannot die, because your 
 destiny does not read that you will die here ; but you will enter that city alive, 
 ^nd declare God's presence in the midst of hell. Here we are all willing to 
 bear you along in our arms." Here John said, "1 would die for you, dear 
 brother, if I could ; but I will fold you in my bosom as long as I can breathe." 
 — "Faithful child of God," I said, "you are my friend and my brother; now 
 make your way to Mary : she needs a kind friend to lead her. I will have 
 Judas and Peter assist me." Here I attempted to rise to my feet ; but I sat 
 down again, as I could not stand up. I saw a bright form approaching. I 
 reached out my hand to her, and said, " Come, sister ; my burden is greater 
 than I can bear." She knelt beside me, then raised her hands in prayer ; and 
 it was like this : " Holy Creator, God, hold control of these thy children, until 
 they can establish thine ever presence among thine own created, and that thy 
 glory shall fill all nations of the earth with gladness, declaring one God, and 
 one God only ; and may they return in thine own due time, to finish up what 
 will be begun by the death of my angel brother in laying down all he has for 
 thee, my God, and humanity. Prepare, oh, prepare the way for thy chil- 
 dren to find rest in thine holy embrace forever ! " Then she laid her hand in 
 mine, and said, " Brother, God is here ; let us now hasten on to the valley." 
 As I arose to my feet I called for Mary. I saw her a little way from me. She 
 had fallen, and Martha was kneeling by her side. I called Judas and Bar- 
 tholomew, and said, " Go, bring Mary ; bear her along in your arms, and I can 
 walk with John's assistance. I am by your side, darling Mary," I said. " Has 
 God a greater agony for you or me than is heaped upon us this day ? " I saw 
 Leiah approaching me. I said, " Go away ; have I not suffered enough, al- 
 ready, by yielding to your influence, and being dragged along until my family 
 are all laid low ? — for what ? Because I sought to bless humanity and give God 
 the glory. If I could flee you I could have a chance to flee death, even now." 
 I then said to John, " Hold me from him, else he will surely drag me to the 
 cross." Here I left my brother John for a moment, and said, " Here I am, 
 my God ; " hold me from doubting your mercy in all things." I then said, 
 " I am in God's hands ; do with me as thou will." Then again Leiah ap- 
 proached me. I said, "You have led me through death's dark chambers 
 in order that humanity should acknowledge one God, and one God only." 
 Here I continued, " Bear me on, even to the cross. I will lay down my life 
 there, that God shall be held a holy, acknowledged, ever-present Creator, 
 and Father of all. Come, Leiah," I said, " let us finish up all that can he 
 done in the present age." Then he folded me in his bosom, and I forgot all 
 that had caused me to shrink from him. 
 
96 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 Here I must add that this was the first time I had ever shrunk from my con- 
 troller, even when the greatest hardships and dangers were before me. I had 
 ever welcomed his embrace. John led me forward, while they bore Mary beside 
 me ; and when they stopped to rest I would kneel beside her, asking God to 
 assist us. Thus we continued until we all became exhausted, and we were 
 compelled to sit down, without any hope of reaching the valle}^ After we had 
 rested for a time, I said, " Let us now reach the valley ; the cold wind will not 
 reach us there so bitterly, and the water will bless us." Then we started again, 
 the sun being about an hour from its setting ; and still Mary had to be carried, 
 and many more. Who could gaze upon that multitude of dying mortals, 
 starving to death ; and many that had been reared in luxury, now dying for 
 a piece of bread ? How could any one but feel that God had veiled his face 
 from his own faithful children that had held themselves in a condition to be 
 cast out by the heathen, because they would not deny their Father, God ? 
 Here they were huddled together, nothing but death before them, let them 
 look which way they would. Here Martha came, and said, " Mary's feet are 
 so swollen she cannot step u'pon them." I said, " They will bear her to the 
 fountain below ; there they can be bathed, and she will be freed from her ina- 
 bility to walk ere morning dawns upon us again." Then Mary said, " Jesus, 
 come near. God's child is breathing upon me, and she says, * You will live 
 to finish up all that can be done in this age, and when humanity demands 
 another human sacrifice, you will come back again, and lay the foundation for 
 all coming time. Then God will be acknowledged as the Infinite Creator, and 
 the Life of all life, and the Source of all light. Then his children can say. 
 Thou art my Father and my God, without fear of the battle-axe, javelin, or 
 spear. Then the life beyond will cheer the weary, careworn, and the de- 
 pressed, because the veil will be rent between the two spheres, and the angels 
 will ascend and descend, bearing messages of love to all the inhabitants of 
 earth. Then they will say these gifts are from our Creator, and he shall have 
 the glory ; but you, dear Jesus, must be hung upon the cross ; and I shall be be- 
 headed, not in the hour you are hung upon the cross, for I must live yet a 
 little longer, that the law may be fulfilled.' " Then I said, " Let us hasten, oh, 
 hasten, even to the cross, if I can find rest even there." Here I saw my angel 
 sister. As she drew near I saw deep agony depicted on every feature. Then 
 she said, " Bring the disciples together ; all have been faithful. Even those 
 that have been cut off still cling to you in spirit. Call them. I will control 
 Simon, as I have something to say." 
 
 As we had now reached the valley, she said, " Sit you down on the earth ; 
 it belongs to God, and let him direct you." When they had all come together, 
 she folded her arms about Simon, and breathed her life into his body. Then 
 she said, " Let us ask God to direct in all things ; but, above all things, let 
 us not accuse God of doing wrong, because, when humanity demands, her 
 demands must be satisfied ; and he that lays down his life for humanity shall 
 surely find it again; but he that defrauds humanity of her demand shall lay 
 himself accountable for all the misery they have caused, by withholding from 
 God's children their full demand, in order that the human family may be 
 held from the dark devices of hell, and its damning hypocrisy and deceit, 
 idolatrous worship, priests and confessors, — no matter under what guise they 
 come, they will be detected by their breath of pollution, as they will ever 
 seek to destroy God's choicest gifts to earth, his own beautiful daughters. 
 The future will reveal what I am saying, but the present cannot comprehend 
 it. God's mighty changes will be wrought for humanity, until my expres- 
 sions are understood by all that are willing to understand God's ways of re- 
 
THE LAST DAY ERE JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM. 97 
 
 vealing himself to his children." Here she breathed out of Simon, and then 
 I said, " Come near, my dear friend, and answer me a question. Is my death 
 to be one of great agony ? " The answer was, " I would die for you, dear 
 brother, if I could ; but my father will control you after you are hung upon 
 the cross, and I will give you all the life I have, in order to relieve you 
 of all the suffering we can. What my father may say through you, remem- 
 ber, you are not accountable for. I am aware he will denounce priestcraft 
 in all of its bearings upon the chaining and binding human souls, and damn- 
 ing earth flowers, that but bloom earthly for a higher and a holier condition. 
 Then, dear brother, thy earth mission will be ended forever, when those prin- 
 "Ciples are fully understood and established among God's highest, holiest crea- 
 tions, his own children." As she ceased speaking she laid her hand in mine. 
 I saw, what I never saw before or since, clear electric drops, like teardrops, 
 roll down her cheeks, and they dropped upon my forehead and my hand. I 
 said, " Dear sister, God is here." She answered, " Brother, God is here. 
 Let us not murmur against his will, but let us say, *Thy will, not mine, be 
 done ; ' then we can bear the crosses that may be heaped upon us, and say, 
 ^ Peace, be still.' " 
 
 That night I lay down beside Mary and Martha, with no covering but 
 the cloak that had been brought back that day, as the beggar w^as dead. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 THE LAST DAY ERE JESUS EXTERED JERUSALEM. 
 
 MoRNixG did dawn. I was calm, knowing full well I had nearly reached 
 my journey's end. Hunger held control. I had not tasted one morsel of 
 food now for two days. I knew the rest had nothing, therefore I asked not 
 for bread. My good brother Bartholomew writhed in agony ; it was fear- 
 ful to see so strong a man starving for bread. John came and said, " Holy 
 brother, the day is wearing away. Had we better enter the city ? " I an- 
 swered, " God's command is upon me. Let us hasten there, even now. 
 They are preparing the cross, and I will hasten even there to find rest." 
 
 Then I rose to my feet, and a holy calm came over me. I said, " Who will 
 lead me ? " John answered, " I will lead the brother to where the ass is tied 
 that the good brother Bartholomew has brought from his father's barn." — 
 *^ Bring me my mother," I said, '' that I may fold her in my bosom for the last 
 time on earth." Mary was brought to me, and I folded her to my bosom. At 
 first bitter tears of anguish flowed from my inmost being. My mother folded 
 her arms around me, and naught but deep groans came welling up from her 
 inmost soul. I held her there until my heart ceased to beat, and I fell to the 
 earth, and Mary fell beside me. Here Mary made an expression like this : 
 " Holy God, give me back my boy, and I will endure all things for thee and 
 thine. Oh, give him back to me ; it is all I will ask of thee, thou God of 
 immensity." Peter came and said, " Dear brother, the ass is waiting ; we are 
 all ready to go. Come, let us not delay." I answered, " Lead, oh, lead me, 
 that I may find rest." I then arose to my feet, and said, ^'I am ready." Then 
 the ass Avas led forward. They assisted me upon his back. As we rode for- 
 ward, I began to feel that I grew stronger by the warmt^i of the animal. After 
 
98 AUTOBIOGllAPHY. 
 
 we began our journey for the last time, ere we reached the great gate, the poor, 
 famished creatures cried out, " Hail, Jesus of Nazareth ! " And soon the beg- 
 gars shouted, " Hail, King of the Jews ! " I said, " They will enrage the priest- 
 hood ; bid them be silent." But they shouted still, " Hail, Jesus of Nazareth, 
 King of the Jews ! He will surely give us bread ; for the inhabitants of Jeru- 
 salem will not deny him." I felt my life nearly go out of me ere I could make 
 my followers hold their peace. Then I said, " Let us ask God to direct us, and 
 we will hold our peace." As I rode on, Mary and Martha kept beside me. I 
 would ofttimes speak to them and encourage them as much as I could. As we 
 drew near the city I saw the gates were swung back, and the inhabitants were 
 all within doors. I remarked to Mark, " They have left the gates open for the 
 poor famishing creatures, but their homes are closed." I made my way to- 
 the great square, and the poor dying creatures followed, and sat down on 
 the ground. Filled with hope, I said, " Let us go in front of Pontius Pilate's 
 house ; perhaps he may come to me there." Here many had begun to fill the 
 streets ; and ere I could reach the court, the king's eldest daughter came for-^ 
 ward, and spread a costly garment in front of the ass. I said to her, " Take 
 up that garment, go and feed the poor starving Hebrews, and God will bless- 
 you." Here she took up the garment ; then she reached her hand to me, and 
 said, " Dear brother, how glad I am to see you, that I can tell you to hide, be- 
 cause Caiaphas is going to have you crucified." I answered, " If you would 
 save me, go to the king, your father, and ask him what I have done to deserve 
 death." She answered, " He cannot save j^ou, because Caiaphas has already 
 sealed your death in the council chamber." I said, " Go to your father ; say ta 
 him, if he will release me from death I will live but as his servant hereafter." 
 She answered, "I will go and beg with my life at the king's feet." Here^ 
 Caiaphas caught her by the arm, and said, " Come, beauty, this is no place for 
 you. If you remain here you will become contaminated with heresy." She- 
 said, " Release Jesus from death, Caiaphas, and I will bless you." That was 
 the last I heard her speak ; but, as he hurried her away, she gave me one look 
 so full of fear and despair, I could not forget it, even when I hung upon the- 
 cross. 
 
 I then called for the chamberlain of the king's house, but no answer was 
 given me. John said, '' Let us go to the inhabitants and ask for bread." Ere 
 I could answer, the chief magistrate came forward. He reached his hand to 
 me, and said, " Come ; you are the felon I have been looking for." I laid my 
 hand in his, and answered, " I am a subject of the law ; and if I have violated 
 the law, I alone am accountable. But feed, oh, feed the poor starving Hebrews, 
 and I will enter the council chamber to receive my sentence." " Get off," said 
 the magistrate ; " I have no time to waste on beggars." — "I cannot stand upon 
 my feet," I said. " If you will assist me I will make no resistance." He then 
 assisted me down from the ass ; but my feet gave way beneath that emaciated 
 body ; but he raised me up, putting one arm around my waist, and bore me 
 along, until we reached the great entrance leading into the council chamber.. 
 My mother led me by the hand ; but when we reached the entrance, the magis- 
 trate said, " You cannot enter here ; this is no place for females." I looked at 
 my mother. She burst into tears, and said, " Leave me with my boy but one 
 moment, and I will bless you forever." The magistrate said to a confessor, 
 "Take her away among the Hebrews, and don't let me hear anything more 
 from her." He then bore me up a long flight of wooden steps leading to the 
 great hall. Here I beheld the hall filled with priests and confessors ; and in 
 their centre here sat Pontius Pilate, on a seat a little elevated above the others ; 
 and there, a little below, sat Josephus and four other Jews from the synagogue,, 
 
THE LAST DAY ERE JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM. 99 
 
 with their accusations against me ; and beside them sat Caiaphas and his 
 accomplices. I was set away by myself, all but the magistrate ; he sat beside 
 me. 
 
 Josephus arose to his feet and unrolled a piece of parchment, and began 
 like this : '^ Jesus of Kazareth is condemned to die upon the cross because of 
 his deceiving the people, causing them to believe he had a power at his com- 
 mand by which he could heal the sick, cast out devils, raise the dead, and 
 cause the deaf to hear, the blind to see, and the lame to walk. He also stole 
 corn on the Jewish sabbath, to feed the beggars that followed him from place 
 to place. He ate with publicans and sinners ; he lived with drunkards and har- 
 lots. He also denounced the Jewish creed, and declared heathen, idolatrous 
 worshippers were daiijned by the priests and confessors ; and he bowed not 
 to the idols, nor acknowledged the traditions of the Jews ; and, after all of his 
 unholy acts, he has declared himself the king of the Jews : and the council 
 have decided that he deserves death, and he is to be hung upon the cross, and 
 there hang until he is dead." He then sat down, and Caiaphas arose, and said, 
 " Heresy is destroying the control of the priesthood, and the confessors, in 
 many instances, are compelled to labor for bread." He also brought accusation 
 against me for telling him to his face he was a brute and a debauchee ; also 
 for casting insinuations against him among the king's children. 
 
 He then sat down, and Pontius Pilate said, " Among all of your accusations, 
 I find nothing worthy of putting him to death. Leave him with me for a time ; 
 let me question him alone." Then they all went out. Then the king com- 
 menced like this : " Have you been causing a disturbance in the Jewish 
 synagogue ? " I answered, " Not of my will have I caused disturbance ; but I 
 was borne in their midst in a deep sleep. What I said 1 know not ; but when 
 I awoke I was lying in a humble hut of a faithful Hebrew family. But I must 
 acknowledge I was folded in the bosom of an angel, even as I was in your 
 presence at the feast." Then he answered, " The accusations brought against 
 you arise from the heathen confessors' hate and jealousy against you ; but, my 
 friend, I fear you must die. If I attempt to hold you, I know full well I shall 
 be beheaded, and my family will be destroyed, and my people will be held by 
 Caiaphas ; and he will control but to destroy." I answered, " I would die, O 
 king, for you and your children ; but Caiaphas is damning your daughters, and 
 they are poor crushed flowers that cannot bloom earthly, but they will bloom 
 beyond God's ether blue. There they will bless you, my dear- friend, as they 
 cannot bless you earthly." AYhen I ceased to speak I looked at him, and big 
 tears rolled down his cheeks. I said, " I am dying, king, even now ; I am 
 starving for bread, and the poor Hebrews are dying with utter starvation. 
 Feed, oh, feed them, even while I am hanging on the cross. Let me feel they 
 are not suffering the pangs of starvation." Here he gave a deep groan from 
 his inmost life, and said, " I am helpless. I am a slave to Caiaphas and his 
 accomplices." — '' Let them come in," I said, " else T cannot live until they 
 nail me to the cross. If I do not, God will be robbed of his glory and humanity 
 of her sacrifice." 
 
 Here the king gave the signal. They all came in. As the court had ever 
 allowed the felon to speak in his own defence, and as I looked around and saw 
 they were all seated, I attempted to rise to my feet, but I fell back. Then I 
 said to the magistrate, " If you will assist me to my feet and hold me there, 
 I will have this matter brought to a close." He assented, and raised me up. 
 Then Josephus said, " What have you to say in your defence ? " I answered, 
 " Humanity is my judge, and I bow to her decree." I then breathed deep, 
 and I knew a power was resting upon me ; yet I could ,hear all that was said, 
 
100 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 and could comprehend its meaning. I saw a band of bright angels gathering 
 around me and the magistrate, as we stood away by ourselves. Then I began 
 like this : " Who among you have aught to say against the law being held un- 
 broken, as there is nothing brought against this man worthy of death ? Who 
 among you can say, in every crime you have sought to bring against him, that 
 ye are not thrice guilty, — nay, a hundred times more guilty ? But him you 
 would slay." Here I breathed deep again, and I saw Jephthah beside me. He 
 then brought his ideas before me, and I gave them utterance, loud and clear. 
 The first expression was like this : " Who among you live in the holy ordinance 
 of the law of the living God, and hold yourselves in a condition to make 
 humanity better by your lives, and cause the holy influence from God's angel 
 children to find a resting-place in the human mind, that they may learn they 
 belong to God, and seek to do his will ? Held by the will of Almighty God, 
 this body is, in order that humanity may know that God has held him from 
 death until he can be lain on the altar of the heathen bigots, and prepare the 
 way for coming ages to ask for light from beyond, that they may be lighted 
 through the dark passage ; that they may not fall in darkness, and remain in 
 darkness until they can draw light from eternal distance, which is eternal and 
 forever unchangeable, because it is the first great cause." Then Leiah drew 
 near. I felt his influence folding me in his embrace, and then he shouted, 
 " Who among you are ready to acknowledge you are damned already by your 
 own hellish desires ? But you are not content to damn yourselves ; you would 
 damn all of the human family, and drag them down to hell with you. And 
 you, Caiaphas, are a brute and a drunken debauchee, and the fiends of darkness 
 await your coming. Lay down your hate and your damning ambition ere it is 
 too late. Let the good king feel you are ready to make amends, as far as you 
 can, for damning his daughters and diseasing his concubines, which are dying 
 by your brutish, filthy body ; and you are diseased even now, and by it you 
 will die, and all you have destroyed will rise up in judgment against you. And 
 you, Josephus, would destroy this poor frail body for giving warning to your 
 people to prepare to defend themselves against this brute by your side, who 
 instigated the plot of destroying all the Hebrews in the land, that they could 
 control in Antioch as well as in Jerusalem. Answer me, Josephus," Leiah 
 shouted, " how many Jews did they behead, and how many females did they 
 damn in one night ? And here you are, in league one with the other, against 
 the humble child of Joseph and Mary ; and you would crucify him because he 
 sought to save the Jews from utter destruction." Then the king arose to his 
 feet, and said, " Do with him as you will, but I find no fault in him. But lead 
 me to my chamber ; I am filled with sorrow." Here I answered, " The king was 
 my friend ; he is my friend, and God will bless him when he reaches a condi- 
 tion where disease cannot fall upon him from that brute Caiaphas." Here 
 Caiaphas' hate knew no bounds, but he was compelled to hold his peace until 
 I was done. Then I addressed Josephus, and said, " Your synagogue will be 
 taken from you before two years, and your men will be slaughtered, and your 
 females will be dragged about by these heathen priests and confessors until 
 they are all blasted by their filthy, diseased bodies. They will fall to rise no 
 more on earth ; but God will surely take his own. But if you are a man, de- 
 fend the weak from these fiends of darkness, which are even now planning your, 
 utter destruction. Hell cannot hold them, but in God's own time he will hold 
 control, and these miserable wretches will be lost in oblivion, and neither root 
 nor branch will remain to declare they ever have been." 
 
 Here the influence left me, and I dropped down beside the magistrate. 
 Then again I said, " Raise me to my feet." There I stood, trembling all over 
 
THE LAST DAY ERE JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM. 101 
 
 from my head to my feet, not with fear, but with utter exhaustion. I then 
 bowed my head, and said, " Now I am ready to die for God and humanity." 
 Then they cried out from all parts of the hall, " Crucify, crucify him, that 
 the heretics can see their God cannot save him ! " Here the magistrate held me 
 up, and we made our way toward the stairway. Here I became filled with elec- 
 tricity, and I walked down those stairs as if I had been a strong man. The 
 confessors had stationed themselves on each side of the entrance, and one 
 raised his hand to strike me ; but ere I reached him, his hand fell by his side 
 powerless. I saw him in the after part of the day, and his arm hung by his 
 side, a blasted thing. But as I stepped upon the floor of the entrance, my 
 angel friend laid her hand in mine ; and, as we walked out of the hall together, 
 she said, " God is with ws, and hell cannot destroy my brother. His body will 
 writhe in agony upon the cross, but his spirit will gain its freedom during that 
 agony.-' I said, " My dear friend, do not leave me again until I breathe out of 
 my body." But I got no answer ; but she bowed her head, and a bitter sigh 
 escaped her. That was the first time I had ever heard a sigh from spirit, and 
 I hoped it would be the last. I then asked a bystander where my mother was. 
 He answered, " Her cries rent our hearts, and the priests commanded her to be 
 borne away among the heretics." — " My God ! " I said, " can I never behold her 
 again ? " At that moment I heard a scream. I burst from the magistrate. 
 Darting forward, feeble as I was, I gained the spot, and knelt beside my poor 
 dear mother. I said, " But look upon me once more, and then I am ready to 
 die." Her head was resting in Martha's lap. I bent down, and imprinted a 
 kiss upon her forehead. She raised one hand ; I held it against my beating 
 heart. At that moment a confessor caught me by my hair, and drew me back 
 upon the ground, as he said, " Fool of a heretic thou art, to think you are going 
 to evade the law ! " Then he dragged me into the main street, and bound me, 
 hands and feet. Here I saw four confessors bearing along a cross, and they 
 laid iu down near by me. Then they unbound my feet, in order to nail me 
 upon that cross, in the midst of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They cried out 
 against it ; and I heard one Hebrew say, " He cannot be nailed to the cross 
 here ; he has not taken life, and if you will destroy him, carry him out of the 
 city." The inhabitants saw they were determined to destroy me, and they ad- 
 vised them to bear me out of the city to the Mount of Olives, where they had 
 hanged and burned and stoned to death their felons for a long time. Then 
 they said, " Get up ; your feet are not tied, and you must walk out of the city." 
 In an instant an electric flash went over me, and I sprang to my feet, and 
 shouted, " Holy, Creator, God ! fill all earth with thy light, until all of thy 
 creations shall exclaim, ' Thou art my Light, thou art my Life, thou art my 
 Father, God ! ' and these fiends in priestly garb cannot damn thy children, be- 
 cause the light around them will cause darkness to flee, and the sweet breath 
 of the angels will bless the earth flowers." 
 
 Here the confessor that held the cord that bound me shouted, " He ought 
 to be nailed to the cross here, that the heretics may look upon their deceiver, 
 and then swear allegiance to the priesthood ! " As I stood there I was felled to 
 the ground by the handle of a battle-axe in the hands of a priest. Then a 
 confessor kicked me as I lay there, and said, " Damned heretic, you will soon 
 find out the priesthood are not to be insulted by a felon like you." John drew 
 near, and a confessor struck at him ; then John felled him to the ground, 
 jumped upon him with both feet, and exclaimed, " Hell's damned, thou art 
 chained and bound forever ! " Here the authorities stepped forward and de- 
 manded peace. John stepped back into the crowd, and they lost sight of him. 
 Then the magistrate commanded them to bear away the ^ross to Avhere it was 
 
102 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 to be set, and he would see the heretic was brought in due time. Four confes- 
 sors came forward, raised the cross, and bore it away. I was writhing in 
 agony, as my back had been hurt when I was jerked back by the hair. There I 
 was, kneeling in the street, among the fiends of darkness. Two priests came 
 forward, holding by my hair on each side ; they dragged me through the street 
 in that manner, and the hard earth bruised my back at every step. I begged 
 them to let me rise to my feet ; but they heeded not my feelings, nor stopped 
 at my half-smothered groans. In that manner they dragged me even to the 
 outer gates of the city. Those that had been bearing the cross sat down to 
 rest. The priest said, " I will unbind him, and he shall bear his own cross up 
 the hill." Here I was unbound, and commanded to get up. I made the 
 attempt, but fell back. Then again I was bidden to rise. In an instant I 
 Sprang to my feet, and a mighty power fell upon me. Here Leiah breathed his 
 life into my body. He cursed them, and made all manner of expressions ta 
 them, that they fell back. The cross was still lying on the ground where they 
 had left it, Caiaphas came forward, and said, " Take up that cross, heretic^ 
 and bear it to where you are to die." I did take up that cross, and it rested 
 upon my left shoulder, and I bore it along half way to where it was to be set^ 
 then I dropped beneath my burden ; then I asked for water. A confessor 
 came forward with a cup, and said, '' Here, heretic, drink." I took the cup, 
 raised it to my lips. I saw it was gall and vinegar. The confessor again 
 commanded me to drink it. I dashed it into his face, and said, "He that 
 drinks from thy hand drinks damnation to his own soul." 
 
 Here Bartholomew pressed through the crowd, and said, " God's children 
 call for clear, cold water, fresh from the fountain of life." Then he drew 
 from beneath his coat a gourd of water. He held a cup in his hand ; he poured 
 it full, and I drank it. He then poured another ; I drank it to the bottom. 
 He poured another, when one of the magistrates dashed it from my hand. 
 I said, "' God will dash you, even as you dash that cup from me." The magis- 
 trate said, " get up, it is half -past ten, and the hour for crucifixion was to be at 
 ten." Then I arose to my feet and my holy controller breathed upon me. 
 Again I caught up the cross, sped up the hill, and held it until Caiaphas com- 
 manded me to lay it down. Then Leiah exclaimed, " He that assists in 
 crucifying this child of Joseph and Mary will surely be crucified in spirit 
 forever." I then sat down, while the sweat was pouring from my forehead, and 
 ere I could get a deep breath Caiaphas came forward and put a spade in my 
 hand, and said, "Dig the hole where the cross is to be set." I answered,. 
 " I am too weak to dig that hard earth." My head was aching fearfully, and 
 my back was in agony. Then I made an attempt to get up and my strength 
 was mighty again. Then I said, " Give me the spade, and I will dig as long as 
 need be." The earth was hard alluvial soil, and I could hardly make an im- 
 pression upon it until the incrustation gave away, then I could raise my spade 
 full of dirt, and I soon was bade " get out of there ; that will do." That harsh 
 expression caused me to feel bitterness in my heart, and how I was held from 
 dashing upon Caiaphas with that spade and striking him down, I know not, but 
 my hand was staid, and I dropped to the earth unable to rise again until I 
 asked God to assist me to my knees. There I raised my hands in prayer for 
 the last time in my earthly body. " Father, God, forgive, oh, forgive them,, 
 they know not what they do. Light, my God, to guide me through the dark 
 valley of death. Hold and lead me until I can reach that home Thou hast 
 prepared for thy children, and holy God, care for my mother and bring her to 
 the bosom of her family ere another year shall pass away." I had but spoken 
 the last word when I was thrown back, and four confessors caught me and 
 
THE LAST DAY ERE JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM. lOS 
 
 laid me on the cross. Then an high priest stepped forward with nails in one 
 hand and a hammer in the other. Five nails he drove in each hand, and foiir 
 in each foot. Then my groans could not be suppressed. I heard a bitter 
 shriek, then I opened my eyes. There was my mother, fallen upon that body 
 as it lay upon the cross. Her shrieks rent the air, her breath left her, and she 
 fell like one dead. Then I said, " Holy God, hold her in Thy bosom until 
 I am borne away.'' But her breath came again and she knelt beside me. I 
 w^as caused to feel her cup was full and would soon, run over. Then she 
 smoothed back my hair and laid one arm beneath my head for the last time 
 on earth. There she covered my forehead with kisses, and bathed my bosom 
 with tears. When nearly a half-hour had passed away then they came for- 
 ward, and said, " Let u^ raise him up." Now they did raise me up. There 
 I hung and writhed in agony until my mother fell at the foot of the cross, and 
 I knew, by the one deep, bitter groan of despair that forced itself up from her 
 inmost life, that her heart was broken, and I did know that she had drank 
 the bitter cup to the dregs. Then for a moment I lost myself, but soon again 
 I came back to consciousness ; then the furies were at work. My followers 
 were being cut to pieces with battle-axes ; heads w^ere strewn upon the ground- 
 As Mary fell at the foot of the cross, her head rested against my feet, and I 
 saw a priest drag her away by the hair and give her into the hands of two- 
 confessors, and they dragged her out of sight toward the dark side of the hill. 
 Three hours had passed away, and I began to feel the pain less and less in my 
 hands and feet. My head was nearly bursting, and my heart was beating fear- 
 fully, when I caught a glimpse of Bartholomew. I said, " Can you get me 
 some water ? " He answered, " I will get some for you or die in the attempt." 
 In a short time I saw him approaching ; he had a gourd in one hand and a cup 
 in the other. Then I saw the glimmer of a battle-axe and I saw his head roll 
 on the ground. Judas caught up the gourd and cup and hastened toward mc 
 As he was about raising the cup to my lips, I saw a heathen priest strike 
 down his arm with a battle-axe, and he then struck off his head. I said to 
 the brute, " God will dash you to atoms, even as you dashed that cup from 
 me." I was now folded in the embrace of my controller at least two hours. 
 What he said, I know not, but I have been told since that he denounced them 
 fearfully, and the first thing I did know some one had dealt a fearful blow 
 across the chest, a little above the heart. Then my agony was inexpressible- 
 All the blood in my body seemed to rush to my head and then to my feet. I 
 must have continued in that state for at least two hours. I heard a voice,^ 
 I knew it was John, say, " His death is a fearful one, and God will curse all 
 that have assisted in this dreadful deed." I called and said, " John, John, 
 come here. Dear brother John, do care for my mother." He answered, " I 
 will care for Mary." I looked around and I saw my followers all lying dead 
 around me. I learned afterwards that four hundred and eighteen were be- 
 headed that day. As my agony began to subside, and night was closing in, 
 Caiaphas commanded them all to begone, even then, or the city gates should be 
 closed on them, and they should not go in unless they would go then. My 
 head had dropped upon my bosom. Although I could breathe no longer, yet 
 I could hear, and I did hear Caiaphas say, "We will drive the inhabitants 
 within the gates, then we will return and care for the body." They did return ; 
 and I heard them digging, and then one said, " W^e will splinter up the cross,, 
 and that will be siifficient with this brush." 
 
 I knew when they came to take me down, but breathe I could not ; but I 
 did know my heart beat. They took the spade and chopped my hands from 
 the cross ; then, as I pitched forward, they struck off my ^eet also. Then they 
 
104 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 left me on the ground until they had dug up the cross and split it in m&r^.y 
 pieces. I heard the fagots crackling, and I knew a funeral pile was prepared 
 for me. They then came and took me by my head and feet, and bore me a few 
 paces ; then they laid me upon the blazing heap. As the flames curled up 
 around my head and face it caused the blood to circulate again, and in the 
 midst of the flames my breath came back, and I exclaimed, " My God, my God ! 
 how much longer must I suffer in this body ? " There my agony was fearful. 
 It did seem that the heat would never penetrate the vitals and free my spirit 
 from its mortal agony. But it did free itself ; then I could understand why 
 they were burning that body. They were aware that the acts that had been 
 performed by an unseen power could not be crushed out of the minds of the 
 inhabitants, even of that day, and they conceived of the idea of holding 
 the body from the knowledge of all. They, the priesthood, could easily make 
 the idolatrous worshippers believe the idols had come and taken me to 
 themselves, and they could still hold them in darkness, subservient to their 
 will. Here I also observed that after the body was nearly consumed they were 
 very careful to heap on the dirt and tread it down, to make it appear like the 
 Test of the earth, that had been worn by the many feet that were constantly 
 walking about while I hung upon the cross ; and they knew if the cross was 
 left it would be carried away in pieces by the Hebrews, if none else. 
 
 Here I am held by the Almighty power of the Creator, God. I have come 
 back in order to finish up that which was begun ages on ages ago ; and they 
 that are willing to behold me as I am, nothing but a man, will surely be 
 blessed by these historical facts, bereft of fiction. I have drawn these facts 
 from their true source. Humble life of a humble family that were driven about 
 the country because a price was so often set upon my head. And in order to 
 shield me from the battle-axe they would flee to the mountain. Here I will 
 now leave my history in the hands of God's children that ask for light ; and 
 may the light of inspiration give them the true design of this work. 
 
 Even while I hung upon the cross, a mighty rumbling was heard in the 
 bowels of the earth, and about four in the after part of the day Mount Sinai 
 •did belch forth her thunders, and the smoke was so dense that the top of the 
 mountain could not be discerned. Even if fire and smoke were thrown from the 
 bosom of earth, it was not because I was hanging upon the cross. It would 
 have belched forth even the same if I had not been crucified at all. The natu- 
 ral causes were there, controlled by a mightier power than could have been 
 brought about by the death of one man or a thousand. But through the de- 
 signing priesthood it has been held before the poor, deluded, benighted, 
 deceived, confiding, that dare not ask light for themselves, lest they should be 
 called to an account by their deceivers, that do teach what they do not believe; 
 but they withhold their knowledge, because they dare not infringe on their 
 isms and creeds, lest they would be set aside, and then, from their necessities, 
 eat the bread earned by the sweat of their brows, and become honest men. 
 Who among them all is ready to go to his toil-worn brother, that has bent be- 
 neath his burden, and say, " Brother, I will use the spade for you to-day ; go ye 
 a-nd rest ? " When find I a priest or a dispenser of creeds, no matter what the 
 name may be, that is willing to go to his brother's destitute family, that once 
 fed and clothed him, and say, " I have bread, come, eat with me ; I have 
 a home, come and I will comfort you" ? And, above all, are you, any of you, 
 ready to say, " I have the light, and infallible knowledge, that God's angel 
 children come to me, and would bless me, so far as I blend my ideas with 
 theirs, and they bring me tidings of a brighter home beyond " ? Dare any of 
 you say, " My loved ones are there, awaiting my coming, and I long to breathe 
 
ISIY HUMBLE PRAYER TO MY CREATOR. 105 
 
 in their presence " ? Live, oh, live for the good of humanity, that when thou 
 hast ceased to be earthly, that thy last breath may say, '• Angels beloved, I am 
 coming to thee ; my labor is done for humanity. I am going home." And to 
 you, O mothers, that God has entrusted with gifts divine, live in a way that 
 you can feed those tender minds with the bread of life, which is life eternal. 
 Do not crush the tender bud that your father, God, has laid in your bosom, the 
 bosom of its love. Let God unfold its tender leaves ; then the child will be 
 prepared to say, " Thy will be done ; " and behold, through wondrous formations, 
 their God is there. Then the Soul of souls will answer, " I am here, I am 
 there, I am everywhere, throughout all time, throughout all space ; I am the 
 father of the human race." Then come, my own beloved children, and gaze upon 
 me, as I am in all things I have created. Heaven divides not its own. Theu 
 let heaven begin within each human breast. Then if you seek, you will be 
 sure to find for every bruise a healing balm that will not leave you as long 
 as time rolls on. And now I will bow to thee, my father and my God, 
 although I bow to kiss the rod, if it be for thy glory and the good of 
 humanitv. 
 
 MY HUMBLE PRAYER TO MY CREATOR, GOD, FOR ASSISTING ME IN 
 FINISHING UP MY EARTH HISTORY. 
 
 Holy, almighty, infinite as thou art ; humble as I am, I am but of thee a 
 part. Held by thy almighty hand, humbly I bow at thy command. Here I 
 am, but a speck in thine immensity, made to feel that I can bless thy children 
 by giving them truth, bereft of fiction, that has been held among the holy 
 records of the past, free from spot or blemish. 
 
 Although earth's dark, benighted children have sought to destroy all traces 
 of the Hebrew family, yet thou hast held them in thy own bosom, until changes 
 could be made for them to come back to earth and declare God's mercies 
 still ; and I could not rob humanity of her inheritance, — that is, God's wonders 
 wrought through his children. Ages ago. Mount Sinai did belch forth her 
 thunder, not because of thy anger, but through the wondrous working of 
 thy elements, held by thy almighty hand, the law that changes not, even 
 from the beginning, and endureth forever. Oh, give me light from thy inner 
 light, that I may understand how best to live out the measure of time, in 
 order that thy glory may fill all minds, that thy children may exclaim. The 
 glory of our Father, God, fills us full to overflowing ! and we can say, Thou 
 art ever present, and we behold thy wonders through thy mighty works. 
 Assist thy angel children to lead and guide all of thy children still in 
 earthly forms to flee the cruel devices of man, that has sought to chain and 
 bind them to creeds and dogmas that fill the land, which are but devices 
 of heathen bigots, and none other. And may they all understand that it is 
 because I am in their churches, as an idol, thy command has been put upon 
 me to go back to the poor benighted souls that are in darkness, and give 
 them freedom by declaring myself, as I am, a friend and a brother. Assist, 
 oh, assist, them, thou source of life divine, to read and be blessed. If they 
 could but know what I have suffered in order to give them facts in relation 
 to thee, my God, they would all answer, "Let us search the law; let us be 
 guided by the law. — and then we shall not need another human sacrifice, — 
 that we may inquire of the law how it is we are held accountable for every 
 act of our lives." When all learn life is God; light is God; love is God; 
 knowledge is God ; and all of the angels bright are but a part of thee, 
 
106 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 thou Almighty Creator, and creative, are but component parts of immensity, 
 held by the law, and nothing else; and let thy children ask of thee, thou 
 Father, God, the inner life of all things ; then an answer sure will come, 
 <' As they live, so they will receive from thy own bounteous gifts, free from 
 hypocrisy and deceit, fresh from eternal distance.'' They will receive it; 
 then the glory will be thine, Creator, God, all thine own, light, eternal light 
 divine. Lead and guide thy children on to a higher, holier clime, and let 
 nothing come between thee and thy highest created, that has come forth 
 from the inner life of all things ; and may they learn they are of thee, and 
 they will surely go back again into the bosom of immensity, from whence 
 they came. And may they learn, through the knowledge of the law, that they 
 have existed co-equal with the Almighty whole, and not one jot or tittle of 
 mind or matter can be lost or created anew. All things are held by the 
 law of attraction; and the attraction is thee, my God, that begets all things, 
 but through blending of essences, extracted from other formations. Through 
 thus blending, all things become new ; yet nothing is taken from, nothing is 
 added to, the great Almighty Avhole. Then held as all things are, sustained as 
 all things are, let us breathe but one word; let that be God. Then let all 
 understand that nothing can be created but by the law ; then you will answer : 
 -'^ He is my friend and my brother. He is but a man. Then I should be free. 
 Then, Holy God, thy kingdom will be established on earth, as it is in the 
 brighter worlds beyond. Then anointed priests will lose their power to chain 
 human souls, and man will not know that his blood has been held, as the 
 bond people's were, in the wicked chains of heathen bigots' devices. my 
 God, let thy light enter every human mind, and darkness will fade away. 
 Then thou wilt be acknowledged as the one God, and the one God only; and 
 thine own inner life blending with all created things that has been begotten by 
 thee, the First Great Cause, Eternal Light. Holy Creator, God, bless her that has 
 laid down all she has earthly, that I may declare myself as I am, but a humble 
 beggar, still begging of thee humanity to make condition to receive the bread 
 of life, which is thy knowledge. Then they will be robed in their wedding 
 garments, crowned all over with the dewdrops bright, fiesh frcm thy fountain 
 of love, which has ever flowed since creations were. Plant flowers earthly, 
 my God, that they may bloom in a holier condition than earth ever knew. 
 May I bow low before thee, my Creator, and ask hnmanity if they are willing 
 to receive my blessing, and relieve me from earth, that 1 may go back to that 
 bright land of light, and say to my angel loved ones there, that "My earth 
 labor is finished, and I have come back home, and we will give God the glory 
 for all his mercies, forever and forever." 
 
 Here, reader, I must bid you farewell, hoping to meet you beyond God's 
 ether blue. There, dear brother and dear sister, I w411 await your coming. 
 There my home has been for ages on ages, and I long to go back again. 
 humanity ! thy demands must be appeased. Oh, do not call me ! I cannot 
 come again, but to die. But if humanity demands another human sacrifice I 
 will die for them, if it be God's will. And now, reader, I must bid you a long 
 farewell ! I am your friend and brother, Jesus of Nazareth, and none other ; 
 the first-born of Joseph and Mary. Farewell ! 
 
LINES 
 
 DEDICATED TO AGES YET UNBORN. 
 
 DECLARATION OF THE HEBREW FAMILY CONCERNING JESUS, THE FIRST- 
 BORN OF JOSEPH And MARY; AND MAY HUMANITY BELIEVE DIVINE 
 REVELATIONS ARE DAILY BLESSING EARTH WITH TRUTH 
 BEREFT OF FICTION. 
 
 I HOLD myself before God, and dictate for inscription, that the mystification 
 concerning my first-born may be swept away from the enlightened mind, and 
 heathen, idolatrous worshippers shall acknowledge they have been deceived by 
 the designing priesthood, and humanity shall know my boy was a natural be- 
 gotten child, even as my other four boys were, and know he was begotten by 
 the same father and the same mother. Friends that hold this record before 
 you, listen to me while I record my own earth history relative to my family ; 
 then ask God if he ever turned away from his creations when conditions of 
 creations were in harmony with the law. Ask if he was the first to break the 
 chain of his almighty control in his eternal creation. Look, O ye inhabitants 
 of earth, and then learn God creates worlds by blending of elements, and in no 
 other way ! And how is it that plants grow but from seed of its own kind ? and 
 how is it that man is spoken into existence but by male and female blending to- 
 gether, that begets another life in the law of Almighty God. Could man control 
 Almighty God, he would be torn from the bosom of immensity, and be hurled 
 into chaos, and man in his attempt to hold control would seek to find condi- 
 tions whereby he could gratify his un sated ambition, and would attempt to 
 destroy the wondrous formations torn from the law of Almighty God ; but 
 here, hereafter, forever, eternal and forever, let God control, is the humble 
 prayer of Joseph, the son of Jesse, the father of Jesus, and God the father of 
 us all. And now I am to make my declaration, let humanity believe me 
 or no. 
 
 My blood was David's blood, undiluted by heathen blood, coming down 
 through Holland in the full Hebrew blood. It has been said I was in part 
 Judea's blood, but that must be denied. I was called upon to lay away my hon- 
 orable father when I was two years and four months old ; my mother held the 
 family together until I was large enough to go to my trade, then my second 
 brother cared for the flocks and herds, and cared for my mother in her own 
 home. When I was twenty-one I held myself before the faithful band of Free- 
 masons, that they should decide whether or no I was worthy to become one of 
 them. I was received by them, passed my initiation, and sought to obey the com- 
 mands taught me by the faithful Grand Chapter. Holy was that order, and I 
 loved my brethren as I had never loved anything before. My poor mother was 
 a frail woman, and she knew she must soon go from us. At this time I had 
 been away at work as a carpenter, and I felt to hasten home to see if I could 
 do anything for her ; but before I reached home I espied a poor dying beggar 
 
 107 
 
108 DECLARATION OF THE HEBREW FAMILY. 
 
 sitting by the roadside. He held in his arms a little lamb. I saw he was in 
 great distress. I laid my hand in his, and said, " God bless you, brother. Can 
 I do anything to relieve you?" His answer was, " God is here." Then his 
 hand relaxed, and he fell back and gasped for breath. He then said, " Take 
 this lamb ; hold it for a dying brother." I answered, " I will hold that holy 
 emblem in my bosom forever." He answered, " God's mercies endure forever." 
 He then folded the lamb to his bosom and fell back dead. I took the lamb in 
 my bosom and hastened home ; and as I entered there I saw my mother's breath 
 came heavy, and I knew she was dying. She said, " Joseph, I am going to 
 your father ; have you any message for him ? " I laid my hand upon the 
 lamb's head, and said, " Say to my father, God's mercies endure forever, 
 eternal and forever, without change or a shadow of turning." My mother 
 breathed deep, and said, " Joseph, forget not your oath ; God is here." I then 
 knelt beside my mother, and asked God to forgive me if I had done aught that 
 was wrong. My mother answered again, " God is here," and spoke no more 
 on earth. It was a dreadful calamity to me, and as soon as she was buried I 
 left my home, and left it forever. I went to Tyre and labored one year and a 
 half ; then I went with a caravan to Jerusalem. There I labored four years in 
 and around Jerusalem. I had finished my day's labor and was returning to 
 my lodgings, when I saw a beautiful damsel bearing a gourd of milk into a 
 humble but respectable home. Her beautiful face held me gazing after her. 
 I stepped to the door and asked for a drink of water. She hastened away, and 
 brought a bucket of cool water from the spring. She handed me a cup, and I 
 drank and bowed to her and went away. I called for a drink, day by day, 
 until the mother brought the water, and then I asked for the damsel. The 
 mother answered, " She is at work." — " Can I see her ? " I said. " If you will 
 step in," she replied. I took a seat, and Mary came in. I said, " Damsel, I 
 have come to ask for you in marriage." She bowed her head, but made no 
 reply. The mother said, " You are a Hebrew ; my daughter's blood is Judea's 
 blood through Sodom's borders." I answered, '' The blood of Abraham and 
 Jacob have ever blended together in holy love and adoration to God freed from 
 heathen devices ; they declare God's ever presence. If it please the damsel, 
 and the mother, I would take her all my own." The mother answered, " She 
 is free to do as she pleases." Then I said, " Can I find favor with the damsel 
 enough to be accepted by her as her husband ? " Her answer was, " I loved 
 you when I first saw you." I answered, "Then you are mine, and mine 
 forever." 
 
 Then the mother stood before me, and said, " You can marry my daughter, 
 but a fearful destiny awaits you ; but live faithful to your marriage covenant 
 and true to the law of your own lives, and leave the fearful destiny in the 
 hands of Almighty God." Then she related to me Mary's destiny, as it had 
 been inscribed by my first begotten, Jesus, in his own history. Then I said, 
 " I will fold her in my bosom and shield her from despair." Mary sat beside 
 me while her mother related her destiny as described by Zadok, the seer. I 
 saw big tears roll down Mary's cheeks, and I felt it had been stamped upon 
 her mind as truth, and must be fulfilled. I folded her to my bosom, and felt 
 that God had placed her there to bless me a poor lone man. I asked the 
 mother when I could take her all my own. She said, " She is thine, and you 
 shall be joined in marriage at your will and pleasure." — " Then we will join in 
 marriage this day." — " Amen," answered the mother. " Amen," answered 
 another voice within. There came before me a slender form ; it was Mary's 
 brother Lazarus. He knelt before me, and joined my hand in that of Mary's, 
 a^d asked God to bless us both together. Then we repaired to the home of an 
 
DECLARATION OF THE HEBREW FAMILY, 109 
 
 anointed priest, as they were the only ones that could join any in marriage by 
 the law of that land. Mary's mother and her brother and sister Martha ac- 
 companied us, whose souls were already united. As we stood before the priest, 
 he said, " Are you a Hebrew ? " I answered, " I am from the house of David ; " 
 — " And you, damsel ? " She answered, " I am of Judea's blood." Then you 
 will be called upon to swear you will not declare for heresy. I answered, " 1 
 acknowledge no God but the God of all immensity." He stopped short, and 
 said, "• Have a care ; if you declare heresy, I will cut you off, and I will keep a 
 watch over you." I answered, " God watches over his own created." He said 
 no more, but went on with his ceremony until he pronounced us as one. Then 
 he turned to Lazarus, and said, *' The blood of Judea and Holland has ever 
 damned earth with its heresies. Instruct them in the law of Moses, and they 
 may live in harmony ; but if they beget heretics 1 will cut them off." Then I 
 paid him eight scruples in silver, and then repaired to that holy home again, 
 the home of my Mary. 
 
 That day 1 began to repair that home. It contained two rooms, and I 
 added one more ; then there was room for us all. I remained in that home 
 eleven months and nineteen days. Mary became pregnant, and I knew it was 
 the offspring of holy affection. There had been a great commotion in the 
 land, as Herod had issued a command that all male children under two years 
 old should be put to death, as a prophecy had declared that one should be 
 born that should rule in that kingdom, and his jealousy knew no bounds. 
 I had retired to rest, fearfully disturbed ; but I had no sooner lain down 
 than I saw a form before me, and as I gazed upon him I felt a hand in 
 mine. Then he breathed a holy prayer for me and mine. He then said, 
 <* Arise, Joseph; flee from this land, else your first-born, being a boy, will 
 be cut off. Begin your journey before the day dawns, and journey towards 
 Egypt. I will direct you ; but your boy must not be laid on the altar of a 
 heathen brute." He then left me. I arose and prepared a bundle. I knew it 
 was prepared for my unborn child. Then I called Mary's mother and Martha 
 and told them all. Martha answered, " Obey the voice of God's angel children ; 
 they will guide you aright. Do not awake Mary until I have baked the barley 
 loaf, that you may bear it along with you." When all was ready, I went to 
 the bed and knelt down and poured out my soul in prayer to my God, asking 
 protection for my angel Mary and her unborn babe. The mother and Martha 
 wept bitterly, but Lazarus answered, <' Amen. Glory to God ! my Mary will 
 be saved and her child. God's angels are here waiting your departure." Mary 
 awoke ; a sweet smile stole over her face as she said, " I heard the angels 
 shouting a hymn, and it awoke me." I said, " Mary, God's command is upon 
 us ; we must leave here this hour." — " Whither shall we go," said Mary, 
 " where Herod's spies are not ? " — " We are to flee his kingdom," I said, " and 
 Ave are bid to go even now." Mary went to the door, and she saw it was dark 
 and cloudy, and fear fell upon her. I felt I must give her courage, and I said, 
 " God will direct us, and we shall yet be blessed." Then Martha threw the man- 
 tle over Mary. Then she said, " Come, Joseph, God will direct us all ; fear 
 has fled me." Thus we stepped forth in the dreary month of December. Many 
 a weary day we journeyed on together, and at night we would hire our lodging 
 with some of the poor but honest Hebrews. Mary could go but a short 
 way before she w^ould sit down and rest. How my heart ached for her when 
 a dark, stormy day set in and she began to falter. All of that day we made 
 but one league and a half ; and night was setting in, no sign of a habitation 
 was in sight. I led her as be&t I could, and as we turned a corner in the high- 
 way, ^lary exclaimed, " God be praised ! there is a l^ght. Joseph, look ! I 
 
110 DECLARATION OF THE HEBREW FAMILY. 
 
 hope to reach there ere I may give birth to my child." We reached the place 
 from which the light came, and I called for admittance ; but the innkeeper 
 gave answer, " My house is full, as there is to be a gathering of Judea's chil- 
 dren on the morroVv, in honor of the bond people's leaving Egypt." I answered, 
 "My wife is in the pangs of giving birth to her child; do give us a room." 
 He answered, " My oxen are away, and you can go into the barn ; there you 
 can be as quiet as you please." He brought a light, and we entered there. I 
 prepared a bed of hay in the manger, and there my boy was born. The rest 
 of that history is before you, and I need not give any more, as it would be but 
 repetition. And now if the inhabitants of earth will receive my testimony 
 concerning the begetting of my first-born, Jesus, then they can say, "I am 
 weary of fiction, and ready to receive the truth as it is, according to the law j 
 then they wall be blessed by my coming back to earth, declaring truth as it is, 
 and must forever remain, that Jesus is a Son of man. 
 
 Holy, Eternal Creator, God, assist thy children in coming ages to ask for 
 light from thee, and thee alone, then they will inquire of the law, and the law 
 will answer, " God changes not in his creations and his law cannot be broken." 
 Freed I am now from earth, God be praised ; bless you, my daughter, for lend- 
 ing your aid for me to be freed ; without you I must have been held for ages 
 still, and been left to bear my burden as best I could. I long to meet you in 
 a home that is prepared for you by God's own created, through the natural 
 law and none other. Freed, Holy God, freed from my burden, I will praise 
 thee forever and ever. I am Joseph, the father of Jesus, the humble 
 Nazarene. 
 
 MARY'S HISTORICAL RECORD, HELD IN ORDER TO BLESS COMING AGES. 
 
 Here her spirit blends with these facts that she has borne along with her 
 for eighteen hundred and thirty-five years, two months, and thirteen days, 
 ever since she breathed out of her mortal form, being beheaded by four con- 
 fessors, after they had damned her, and her body was left unburied until 
 decomposition took place, being dragged into a cave. This she could not give 
 herself, and we have inscribed for her. — Historian. 
 
 Heavy though my burden be, yet I will relate facts as they ^re. But wha 
 can ever know what I suffered in relation to my innocent family. Friends of 
 humanity, bear with me ; I am all uneducated, except in the life I lived, until 
 I was fifty-two and a little over. My early convictions were that I should bear 
 children, and that they would all be cut off by the order of the priesthood, and 
 when Joseph asked for me in marriage, I felt m my heart that he too was 
 doomed. And here another fearful sorrow came before me, that I should be 
 the cause of such a holy man being destroyed, by linking his destiny with 
 mine. But I felt the hand of God was upon us, and I must obey. My tears 
 did flow, not because I did not love him, but because I knew he must suffer 
 with me. There had been a great commotion in all of the land concerning 
 heresy, before I was wedded to Joseph ; and when he answered the priest, as 
 he did, my heart beat lest we should be divided even there. But in that 
 answer Joseph appeared to me as an angel of light. " God be praised," said 
 Joseph, as we entered our home ; " I am freed from that brute, and may I 
 never be brought again in contact with the heathen fiend." Happy we were in 
 that home, until w^e were compelled to leave it that our first-born should not 
 be destroyed. Many a weary league we journeyed on, until I could go no 
 farther. Then I was compelled to yield to my condition, and my boy Jesus 
 
TESTIMONY OF JAMES. Ill 
 
 was born. Yes, born in a manger, and I thanked ray Father, God, that I could 
 lie down and wait ray delivery there. An holy influence came to me and folded 
 her arras around rae, and held rae to her bosom until my child was born. I 
 remained there two days, then I was borne into the inn, and remained there 
 until Jesus was ten days old. T feej. to say humanity has been deceived relative 
 to the conception and time of birth, after my uaarj^iage with^JosepHr" Here I 
 declare, before Almighty God, that his conceptFon was a natural one, even as 
 that of ray other children ; and he was born one year and eight days after I 
 was wedded to Joseph. And I do declare before God's angels, that are around 
 rae, that are here to give facts bereft of fiction, that I never knew any other 
 man but Joseph, until Joseph was dead, and I was daraned by confessors, and 
 that against my will. • But, holy God, how can I fulfil ray earth raission, and 
 find rest here ? I have been back to earth two A^ears, four raonths, and twenty- 
 six days, hoping to leave ray testiraony and go horae, where I had dwelt for 
 ages, where in part I had forgotten my earth sorrows and fears. But as I 
 blend ray life again with humanity, I am constantly filled with fear, lest harm 
 should befall those that seek to bless and comfort me. Holy Creator, God, 
 hold control, until all the nations of the earth shall acknowledge thee, as thou 
 art ever present, and they of thee a part. Then ray sorrows will be appeased, 
 and then I shall again find rest. I ever felt I should be compelled to return to 
 earth, and the hour did come; and now, as this is ray last testimony for 
 humanity, and as God has prepared the way, my burden is laid down for- 
 ever earthy. Now I know the hour draws liear for rae to say " Farewell, 
 all earthly things, I long to go." Here I Avould kneel in hurable prayer 
 before thee, ray Father, God, and ask thy blessings to rest upon her that 
 has blessed rae and raine ; and may she live to bless her family, and when 
 she has finished her earth labor, may she find rest in thy bosora, the bosom of 
 her God, is the hurable prayer of Mary, the wife of Joseph, and the mother of 
 Jesus that has been called the Xazarene. Farewell, humanity ; now may the 
 day dawn upon you that Avill bear away all fiction, and truth alone shall fill 
 the human soul. I am Mary, Joseph's wife. Farewell. 
 
 TESTIMOXY OF JAMES. 
 
 I AM called upon to bear testiraony relative to ray eldest brother, Jesus. I 
 lived beside hira when he was a frail little thing, and led hira, that he could 
 go out and sit on the ground with Jesse and me. Well do I remember his 
 falling if I let go of hira, but he never seeraed to get hurt. Mary was ever 
 kind and affectionate to her children. My father was away most of the time, 
 as he was compelled to go wherever he could find labor, so that his family could 
 have bread. I also reraeraber looking for hira to corae horae with his barley 
 raeal when we were all ahungered, as we had not tasted food for a day and a 
 half ; and Jesus was sitting by the door and fell asleep. As his head dropped 
 I saw big tears roll down his cheeks. Then he raised his head and called 
 Mary. She carae to him, and Jesus said, ''Joseph is coming up the mountain 
 with barley meal. Prepare your fire ; he will be here in an hour." Mary 
 obeyed, and when the time had expired he carae ; the bread was soon baked, 
 and we all ate. After we had finished our raeal, Mary said to Joseph, " I 
 knew you were coraing, as Jesus' angel friend told rae so." Joseph answered, 
 ^' God's child is always ready to bless us all she can, but how good God is to 
 send his child to ns in our time of need." — " She is here now," said Jesus. 
 ^' Can I converse with her ? " said Joseph. " If she can, she will," Jesus an- 
 
112 DECLARATION OF THE HEBREW FAMILY. 
 
 swered. " Sit quiet, dear boy," said Joseph. Then Jesus folded his little 
 hands together. Then he breathed deep, and said, " How do you do, Joseph ? 
 I assisted you in bringing your burden up the mountain, as I knew the children 
 were so hungry." — " God bless you," said Joseph ; " if you had not helped me 
 I should not have reached home until night had closed in. Have you seen the 
 angel here that came to me in the lowlands ? " Through Martha her answer 
 was, " He is beside you, Joseph. Have you a desire to converse with him ? " 
 He answered, " He is my brother. He can lead me where you cannot." Then 
 the spirit said, " Come, father, Joseph thinks you have knowledge I have not. 
 i Ask him, Joseph, who led him through the dark passage. Then he will give 
 you light from the deep past. Then you will say, ' Leiah's daughter held her 
 father from falling in the dark.' " I stood beside Joseph, and I saw his eyes 
 glistened when that expression was used. Then he gave answer, " Forgive me, 
 
 daughter of Leiah, if I have said aught to disturb you." Jesus said, " Jeph- 
 thah is here, and he claims an audience with his brother." Then my brother 
 breathed deep again, and another voice spoke through him, and said," What can 
 
 1 do for my brother ? Are thy necessities within my reach, or are they in the 
 hands of the first great cause, eternal light ? " Joseph's heart beat quick as 
 he answered, " Brother, I am in darkness. Who will give me light ? " — " The 
 hand that lit the taper for Leiah, ages gone by, will light thy taper and lead 
 thee on until thou wilt be willing to say, * God's child has led us all by her 
 light, drawn from eternal light."' " Joseph arose to his feet and paced the floor, 
 while big drops of perspiration stood upon his brow. Then he turned to Mary 
 and said, " Leave me with my brother and my God but one moment." Mary 
 took Jesse in her arms, and led me a little way from the house. But in a few 
 moments Joseph called her and said, '' God is here and his children are here. 
 Let us kneel in prayer." While Joseph was kneeling, he raised his hands- 
 above his head, and in a moment he was covered all over with light. Jesus 
 answered, " God has lit your taper. Journey eastward." Then he awoke, and 
 Joseph exclaimed, " Holy angels, direct me lest I fall again in darkness." We 
 then went to bed, but early in the morning Joseph awoke me and said, " Come, 
 James, we are going to Judea's borders." When we went there everything was 
 new to me, as I had no previous ideas of any place but m}^ mountain home. 
 But I do know Jesus was controlled day by day, and gave directions concerning^ 
 the journey and where they should remain at night. Held as we were from the 
 bands of anointed priests and confessors, I have always felt that Joseph had a 
 light that none of the rest of us had. There had been a great commotion in 
 Antioch concerning the heathen idolatrous worshippers cutting down the Jews 
 even in their own homes by the order of the priesthood. I was borne along 
 until I was thirty-two years and two months old, and when I was returning 
 home from my labor I was accosted by eight confessors, and they said, '• Where 
 is that damned heretic, your brother, that is filling all earth with heresy ? " I 
 answered, " I know not where he is." Then one of them dealt me a blow, and 
 my arm dropped to my side, broken. Then one said, " Where is he that has 
 cursed us all ? " I answered, " I know not." Then they fell upon me with 
 clubs and stones, and beat me to death. 
 
 Now here I am again among the inhabitants of earth, hoping to bless all 
 that are willing to be blessed, by my ideas that have been held for ages ; and 
 now, humanity, I would ask you a few questions. Let them be answered by 
 your inner life. Let nothing come between you and Almighty God. Have 
 you a desire to feast your souls on the bread of life, which is knowledge ? 
 Have you made up your mind what kind of knowledge is best befitting eternal 
 life ? Have you a desire to be fed on fiction because of its antiquity ? Are 
 
TESTIMONY OF JESSE. 113 
 
 you where you can drink from the fountain of holy inspiration ? Have you 
 prepared yourself for fulfilling your earth-labor, while you are a material body ? 
 Now, if you can answer these questions to your own satisfaction, then my 
 advice cannot do any good. There is a great commotion in the opinion of man, 
 because there are no two that think alike, and none are satisfied with the be- 
 lief that they have sought to comprehend. Why ? Because they have no 
 foundation for their theories but heathen tradition and priestly mystification. 
 All claim historical accounts, but they are without authority, date, or signa- 
 ture. Fiction conies in to finish up the priestly devices. But they who seek 
 God through mystification will be led by mystification forever. Humanity, 
 learn what God is, then you will have a foundation on which you can cast 
 your anchor when the ^empest rises high, and your frail bark is driven about 
 by the opinions of men that are ready to advise without knowledge. Who can 
 learn from the past and not feel that humanity is not higher in the scale of 
 knowledge ? And their souls are asking for food better befitting their condi- 
 tion than the heathen forms and ceremonies of the past. Light from that 
 inner life of all things speaks to every human soul that has caught the light 
 beyond. Come ye to the feast of the angels and await the coming of God's 
 breath upon his own chosen ones, that are naught but the children of light. 
 And their life bespeaks their holy blood, and they are ever ready to give light 
 concerning God's wondrous formation and his holy revelation. Then all will 
 be willing to say : " He that created all things, and held them from destruc- 
 tion, is capable of holding control. That God is my God, and I will bow to 
 him and him alone." Children yet unborn may say, "the nineteenth cen- 
 tury caught the light from eternal distance, and we will ask for a still brighter 
 light that is better befitting our condition than that which was revealed to our 
 ancestry." Heaven bless you, my own dear friend and sister. I am free ; 
 freed by you, for all coming time earthly. I am James, the second son of 
 Joseph and Mary. God bless you, is my prayer here and hereafter. Now 
 farewell ! 
 
 TESTIMOXY OF JESSE. 
 
 I AM Jesse, the third begotten of Joseph and Mary. I am here beside 
 you, and am called upon to give my testimony concerning my family, but I 
 hardly know what to say. But my family are here, and God's children are 
 here, and I am dwelling here in this abode of rest and peace. God is here 
 beside her that God gave us as a comforter. This home is dedicated to holy 
 revelations, and we are blessed, being permitted to dwell here with them. 
 Frail though I am in ideality, yet I would seek to bless all. Here the band of 
 ancient revelators are around me and I will do the best I can. Mary, assist 
 me, I am weary, that I can finish what I have to do, then let me go back to 
 my home, a home of rest. My heart beats when I draw from that fearful 
 hour when I was dragged away toward a den of hungry beasts. Ere they 
 threw me in I did hear Mary's voice, and I answered, " God doeth all things 
 well." But ere I could speak again I was hurled down into the den. All four 
 of the beasts flew at me and tore the flesh from my bones ere my heart ceased 
 to beat. Why was it ? Because I could not tell them where my brother, 
 Jesus, was, when he had fled into the mountains, when the high priest sought 
 his life, and he fled because he felt the hour had not come for God to be glori- 
 fied and humanity to be blessed by his death, although he knew he must die at 
 their hands. And now, my friend, may God bless you for blessing me and 
 mine. Farewell ! 
 
114 DECLARATION OF THE HEBREW FAMILY. 
 
 TESTIMONY OF SIMEON. 
 
 I AM Joseph's fourth born. My name is Simeon. My family are giving 
 in their testimony, and I will draw from my inner life and breathe a fact. I 
 fled into the mountain with my brother Jesus, when a price was set upon his 
 head. After four days we hungered, and I came down from the mountain for 
 bread. I entered the home of my mother ; she had baked the barley loaf for 
 us, but ere I could depai-t from there a band of anointed priests entered, 
 dragged me away, and cut off my head. Now here I am, beside a friend of 
 humanity, hoping, ere long, that God will release her from this earthly body. 
 Her days have been for God's children; dedicated to God and humanity. 
 Holy child of God, my prayer shall ever be for thy rest and peace, through all 
 eternity. And now farewell, my friend and sister ; you have borne my bur- 
 den, and I long to go beyond, where commotion cannot come ; where you, 
 with me, can find rest. I can now go back from whence I came. 
 
 SABILLA CALLS FOR AN AUDIENCE WITH HIS FAITHFUL BROTHERS THROUGH 
 
 ALL EARTH. 
 
 Listen, ye faithful, that have laid the foundation for freedom, and catch a 
 ray of light from eternal light, and then give answer. Your brother gave 
 all he had, his life, in defence of his brother's companion and daughters. 
 The command had been given by a dying brother, and he felt himself account- 
 able for the protection of the brother's companion and daughters. Now, here 
 I am, about to lay a command upon my brothers, in every country, and in every 
 clime. Care for a brother's companion, lest the cruel oppression of man should 
 crush her earthly. She has laid herself upon the altar of humanity, fearless 
 of oppression, and now may she find friends where she least expects it. I 
 have a demand upon you, and it is this : Defend her ever, here, hereafter, 
 forever, eternal, and forever. 
 
 Light eternal may I ever find, 
 Until eternal life can fill each human mind ; 
 And then my prayer will answered be, 
 Nearer, my God, still nearer unto Thee. 
 
 Feed, oh, feed the hungry ; clothe the naked ; care for thy brother's necessi- 
 ties ; lift him up, if he falls by the wayside ; hold the light for him, if he is in 
 darkness ; then bid him journey eastward, until he can light his taper from 
 eternal light. There he will be held to the bosom of his faithful brothers, in 
 the inner chamber, and he will kneel in the holy of holies. There he will pour 
 out his inner life upon the altar of humanity, in the presence of Almighty 
 God. He will fulfil his oath, as far as he is capable. There he will kneel 
 upon the square, and draw each line by the compass, as long as there is a work 
 for him to do. Now, my faithful friends and brothers, I will ascribe myself, 
 in the presence of God's faithful children, as Sabilla, the faithful. 
 
 Jephthah would inscribe a sentence for coming ages, knowing he cannot be 
 fully comprehended in the present, but time will unfold pages filled with eter- 
 nal life, that will bring to light facts that cannot be denied, of my existence 
 still. And blending my life with the inhabitants of earth, in order that they 
 may be led aright, and that they may learn how to choose good from the evil. 
 Then I shall be blessed, even as I bless others, and may I assist in laying the 
 
SABILLA CALLS FOR AN AUDIENCE WITH HIS FAITHFUL BROTHERS. 115 
 
 corner-stone for the temple of the living God. Living, because he lives 
 through all of his created. I hold my brothers accountable if they do not heed 
 the demand I have upon them. Here, before me, is a human sacrifice. Hold 
 her from being crushed by heathen idolatrous worshippers, that she can finish 
 up her earth mission, and go home. Heed brothers. Heed, lest beware ! 
 Beware I Beware ! Who will give answer that the humble revelator shall be 
 protected against the dark, benighted souls that fill all earth. Hold, oh, hold 
 the light, that she may breathe from eternal creations, and give humanity 
 knowledge that will raise them higher in the scale of ideality, that they may 
 glorif V the great first cause, eternal light. 
 
 Holy, Almighty Creator, hold my daughter from heathen damned, until holy 
 revelations can be giveji through her, that will fill all earth with light. Then 
 thy lilies can bud and bloom everywhere, until their holy aroma shall fill all 
 time and all space ; until every one can be blessed, that belongs to the human 
 race, in every nation and in every clime. Then may all answer, " I am thine, 
 my God, and thou art mine." Daughter, may I lay this record before my 
 brothers, and be blessed by the same ? If so, may God bless you for blessing 
 me and mine. Farewell, faithful revelator, until I can meet you in a happier 
 clime. I am now made to feel, earth has no more claims upon me, and now I 
 shall go beyond earth's electric chains, and dwell with my beloved family for- 
 ever. This is my last legacy for you, my brothers, and may you hold it sacred 
 in the inner chamber of your inmost souls, until you come to me in a holier 
 condition than earth can give you. Now farewell forever earthly, I am he 
 whose beard was dabbled in blood, and who was borne away by the holy hands 
 of affection, and laid in my last resting-place, and covered o'er with evergreen ; 
 and five holy flowers were plucked and twined together by my beautiful 
 daughters, and laid upon my brow. There I was left by them, and they were 
 crushed to death by heathen anointed priests, and now, brothers, beware. I 
 will now subscribe my earth name, Jephthah. 
 
 Scribe. — As I am held by a power I cannot fully comprehend, I would 
 say, every expression is as new to me as it is to the reader, until it is printed 
 before me, in electric words, which seem to drop before me. But as fast as I 
 catch the expression of them, they fade away, and other words take their 
 place. And now, humanity, I have dared to lay these pages before you, all 
 uneducated as I am in the knowledge of those histories, previous to my 
 inscribing this work, for all that are ready to receive humble truths, from 
 humble people, through the humble servant of you all, 
 
 Olive G. Pettis. 
 
 XoTE. — For further revelations concerning the lives of John, Bartholemew, Peter, 
 and other followers of Jesus, the application of the term "Christ" to him, etc., see the 
 volume, "Jesus and the Apostolic Age,'' Part II. 
 
INDEX 
 
 PACK 
 
 Abraham, ,.... ii 
 
 Agony of Jesus, 103 
 
 Amida, feast in 44 
 
 Andrew hanged by Caiaphas, .... 65 
 Angel appears to Joseph, 13; to Mary 
 and Joseph, 13; to Mary and Jesus, 
 15, 16, 17 ; comes to dwell in home of 
 Joseph, 20; passim. 
 
 Antioch, Jesus in, 23, 40, 52 
 
 Armenia, Jesus in, 27, 28 
 
 Ass, Jesus rides on, 97 
 
 Bam, Mary and Joseph lodge in, . . . 13 
 
 Bartholomew, 62 ; passim. 
 
 Beggars fed, 52, 58 ; people Chaldea, 58 
 
 Caiaphas hangs Jude, Andrew, and 
 
 Simon, 65 
 
 Cana, Jesus in, 24, 87 
 
 Chalybon, Jesus in, 52 
 
 Children, slaughter of, 15 ; little, blessed, 94 
 
 Cremation of Jesus, 104 
 
 Cripple healed, 59 
 
 Crucifixion foretold, 34 ; Jesus overcome 
 
 by thought of, 60 ; accomplished, . . 103 
 
 Daughter, ruler's healed, 59 
 
 David, II 
 
 Edessa, Jesus in, 49 
 
 Fallen woman rescued 53» 54 
 
 Fiend appears to Jesus 15 
 
 Fight with confessors, 90 
 
 Freemason, 11 
 
 Helem, 14 
 
 Herod, 14 
 
 Hester, 24 
 
 Hurz, II 
 
 James, brother of Jesus, 14; death of, . 73 
 
 Jepthah, 64, 69 
 
 Jerusalem, Jesus journeys to, 29-34, 63, 81-98 
 
 Jesse, II 
 
 Jesse, brother of Jesus, 1 5 ; amputation 
 
 of leg of, 16; death of, 74 
 
 Jesus, birth of, 14; walks, 21 ; heals through 
 controller, 21 ; borne back to moun- 
 tains, 21; goes to Antioch, 23; at 
 Cana, 24 ; reaches Armenia, 27 ; warns 
 king of Armenia, 28 ; lives in home of 
 Pilate, 34-36 ; in the synagogue, 37 ; 
 
 in Antioch, 40 ; escapes confessor, 40, 
 41 ; reaches Nisibis, 43 ; at Thillmo, 
 43 ; returns home, 44 ; buries beggar, 
 48 ; goes to lowlands, 48 ; returns to 
 the mountains for the last time, 48; 
 goes to Samosata, 49; Edessa, 49; 
 heals the palsied, 50; goes to Shu- 
 mites, 50 ; heals the lame, 51 ; heals 
 the woman with the issue of blood, the 
 lame man, and others, to the number 
 of 240, 52 ; flees the priests and reaches 
 Chalybon, 52 ; labors in Antioch, 52 ; 
 fed beggars, 52 ; rescues fallen women, 
 53, 54; reaches Joppa, 56; labors in 
 Jerusalem, 57 ; meets Martha, 57 ; feeds 
 beggars, 58 ; with the disciples heals 
 the cripples, 59; heals the ruler's 
 daughter, 59; heals the unclean man, 
 59; horror of crucifixion overcomes, 
 60; flees from Joppa, 61; feeds the 
 multitudes, 62 ; enters Jerusalem, 63 ; 
 saves Peter from shipwreck, 64 ; visits 
 parents, 6^6; proclamation respecting, - 
 67 ; visits Martha, 68 ; flees to moun- 
 tain, 68 ; leaves mountains, 70 ; re- 
 turns to mountains, 7 1 ; tempted by 
 confessor, 71 ; saved in mountains by 
 Mary Magdalen, 7 2 ; learns of death 
 of Simeon, 72 ; of death of Joseph, 73 ; 
 of death of James, y^; of Jesse, 74; 
 visits Peter, 75; restores Lazarus to 
 life, 76; visits his mother, yj ; reaches 
 Cana, 87 ; reaches Nazareth, 88 ; sees 
 fight at Shileak, 90; blesses little chil- 
 dren, 94 ; shrinks from controller, 95 ; 
 mounts ass, 97 ; led to council chamber, 
 98 ; accused, 99 ; replies, 100 ; journeys 
 to Mount of Olives, loi, 102; nailed 
 to cross, 103; agony, 103; cremation, 
 104. 
 
 John, 63 
 
 Joppa, 56,61 
 
 Joseph, 1 1 ; works for Caiaphas, 1 1 ; first 
 meets Mary, 1 1 ; asks Mary in mar- 
 riage, II; marriage with Mary, 13; 
 good workman, 13; sees an angel, 13; 
 journey to Egypt, 13; lodges in bam, 
 13; settles in Helem, 14; journey to 
 Jerusalem, 18; reaches Canaan, 19; 
 returns to mountain, 21 ; returns to 
 Jerusalem, 29-34; returns to moun- 
 tains, 37 ; destroys confessor, 45 ; goes 
 to Tyre, 57 ; death of, 7 2- 
 
118 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Joseph's mother, death of, 1 1 
 
 Judas, 54,82 
 
 Jude, son of Caiaphas, flees from court, 55 
 
 Lamb, gift of, 11 
 
 Lame healed, 5i» 52 
 
 Lazarus, mentioned in many places col- 
 laterally with Jesus and Martha; re- 
 stored to life, 76 
 
 Lazarus, death of, 92 
 
 Leiah instructs Jesus, 20; mentioned in 
 
 most of the work of Jesus. 
 Levi, the hatter, 75>77>8i 
 
 Mark 82 
 
 Martha, mentioned in numerous places 
 
 with Jesus. 
 Mary, first meeting with Joseph, 1 1 ; mar- 
 ried, 13; pregnant, 13; journeys to 
 Egypt, 13; bears in grief, 74; housed 
 by Levi, 75; deranged, 77; journeys 
 to Jerusalem, 81-98. See Joseph, 
 Jesus. 
 
 Mary Magdalen, 72 
 
 Moses, 50 
 
 Mount of Olives, 1 01, 102 
 
 Multitude fed, 62 
 
 Nazareth, 88 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Nisibis, 43 
 
 Palsied healed, 50 
 
 Peter saved, 64 ; visueJ by Jesus, . . . 75 
 
 Pilate, Jesus lives with, 34-3^ 
 
 Proclamation of Pontius Pilate, ... 67 
 
 Sabilla, 64 
 
 Samosata, 49 
 
 Seer's prophecy to Mary, 12 
 
 Seth 82,91 
 
 Shepherds come to Jesus, 14 
 
 Shileak, 90 
 
 Shumites, 50 
 
 Simeon, brother of Jesus, .... 28,72 
 
 Simon, 65, 72 
 
 Stephen, 54,82 
 
 Synagogue destroyed by ivJisibis, ... 43 
 
 Thillmo, 43 
 
 Thomas, 5o> 5' 
 
 Timothy, n 
 
 Timothy, the seer, 18 
 
 Unclean healed, 59 
 
 Woman with blood issue healed, ... 52 
 
 Zachariah, ii»58 
 
FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS 
 
 CONCERNING 
 
 THE HISTORICAL LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 JESUS OF NAZARETH 
 
 AND 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE APOSTOLIC AGE, 
 
 INCLUDING THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN, BARTHOLOMEW, CORNELIUS (THE CENTURION), 
 
 STEPHEN, JUDE, THOMAS, ISCARIOT, LAZARUS, PETER, SIMON, ANDREW, 
 
 MARY MAGDALEN, AND JESSE, THE GRANDFATHER OF JESUS. 
 
 Given by themselves through the Inspiration 
 
 OLIVE G. PETTIS. 
 
 From angel breath these lines I've traced. 
 
 And may they never be erased, 
 
 But may they ever find 
 
 A resting-place in every human mind. — Scribe. 
 
 Behold God's glory through his own creations, 
 
 And learn to worship the Infinite instead of man, 
 
 That God can be acknowledged by his ov/n, 
 
 And be worshipped in spirit and in truth.— George Lippard. 
 
 PRINTED FOR J. P. COOKE. 
 1896. 
 
[Testimony from the witnesses commanded to testify to the presence and the giving of testi- 
 mony of the Band of Spirits who worked with Jesus for the establishment of spiritual freedom 
 for mankind. Given at Providence, R.I., 1872.] 
 
 TESTIMONY OF 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, THOMAS JEFFERSON, JOHN ADAMS, 
 
 ANDREW JACKSON, STEPHEN GIRARD, 
 
 AND THOMAS W. DORR. 
 
 DRAWN FROM THE INNER LIFE OF THOSE THAT LABORED FOR HUMANITY 
 IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 
 
 I must come before the American people in order that they may know I am 
 laboring for their freedom still. Eighteen hundred and seventy fills up the 
 full measure of freedom, if humanity will receive it from the hand of Jehovah 
 God, through his own chosen, here on earth, in spirit. I have seen, I have 
 heard, and I have blended my life with the Brothers that lay the corner-stone 
 for Life Eternal. Brothers, God is here. I am here. God's faithful children 
 are here, that you may learn that God controls through his own law. Let us 
 draw a line between heathen mystification and eternal light. Holy hearts are 
 beating, and light fills my soul with a desire to bless the inhabitants of earth, in 
 all ages yet to come. The people of the free United States have knowledge 
 that cannot be bought with gold. Through the chains of the oppressor being 
 broken, light has fallen upon them, that could never have reached them in bond- 
 age, because freedom of speech gives every one a chance to give to those around 
 them what they have knowledge of, without fear of the stake, battle-axe, or the 
 cross. Who would not lend their aid in freeing human souls, that God may be 
 acknowledged, without a shadow of turning ? Freedom's holy land will be filled 
 with light, where I was held from death by my faithful brother, that was led to 
 believe I was an enemy to a part of the human family, the red men. I lay my 
 hand in his and called him brother. He forgot all hate, all revenge, and 
 became a friend in my hour of need, and you, my brothers, will meet me upon 
 the square and forget I am a spirit. Light must be drawn from eternal light, to 
 lead and guide us on. We must be free. * 
 
 I am your friend and brother, 
 
 George Washington. 
 
 Stern justice has a demand upon me. I am commanded to make a statement 
 of what I do know concerning the revelations drawn from ages gone by. My 
 knowledge has been limited relative to the lives of those that lay the chief 
 corner-stone for light to find a resting-place in the hearts of an enslaved people, 
 that they may be freed in spirit, as well as in body. There has been a great 
 commotion on earth relative to a new dispensation ; but, as I trace back through 
 past time, I learn it is not a new law that belongs to the present age. It is only 
 because conditions have been made through freeing man from the oppression of 
 
 r 
 
4 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 his brother man that the cruel and designing cannot compel his brother to hold 
 his peace, but by his own will. Light will surely dispel darkness, and God will 
 be acknowledged here on earth as Jehovah God. I am a friend to all good. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Thomas Jefferson. 
 
 When the thunders rolled over the land of America, I was a youth. But the 
 fires of independence flashed over me, and I was filled with love of humanity. 
 When the bells in the churches struck in answer to the old bell in the State- 
 house in Philadelphia, I shouted, keeping time with the bell: " Freedom ! Free- 
 dom 1" My good father said, "John, you are making a great noise." I 
 answered, ''Cannot you shout for freedom ? " He said, " If it does not cost too 
 dear to establish it." That speech made me a man, and I struggled with the 
 American people as long as I lived. Now I see the result of that labor. All 
 men are free within the bounds of America. Now I would add, men of America, 
 free yourselves from heathen mystification, and you will surely be free, soul and 
 body. That is my earnest desire that you may be blest in searching for light. 
 
 Here I will inscribe my own name. 
 
 John Adams. 
 
 I am an old man, yet I would say a word to the reader. Live according to 
 your highest light, and you will surely be led aright. The blessing of an old 
 man rests upon the American people. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Andrew Jackson. 
 
 Industry brings a competence in early life, and in your prime you will lay by 
 
 enough to bless yourself, and when you lay down to rest you will have enough to 
 
 bless others. ci r^ 
 
 Stephen Girard. 
 
 Relative to these histories we would say a word. Brief they are, but full of 
 interest, and we all bear testimony of their being given by the individuals them- 
 selves, that have sought to bless humanity by leaving facts relative to themselves, 
 as they were, and that those that come after may know they have been misled 
 by the devices of heathen priesthood, handed down through all church 
 creeds, even to this day, and may they arouse from their slumber and make an 
 effort to gather knowledge for themselves, and not ask pope, priest, clergy, or 
 layman where God is, but may they learn to feel his ever presence, is my 
 
 humble desire. ^ „. -^ 
 
 Thomas W. Dorr. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF JOHN, THE APOSTLE OF 
 JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 I HOLD myself before the brain that catches my ideas, and the heart that 
 beats in sympathy with my own, that I may reveal facts, as they were when I 
 walked the earth. Here, before my Creator God, I declare myself John, the 
 Jewish dispenser, as well as the apostle of Jesus of Nazareth, the first-born of 
 Joseph and Mary. Early in life I was taught a ^lessiah would come, and his 
 glory would fill all the earth. As I was taught, so I believed. Having no other 
 doctrine taught me from my childhood days, I was a firm believer in Judaism. 
 There had been a rumor around the country that a Hebrew heretic was denounc- 
 ing Judaism, as well as heathen idolatrous worship, and the people were follow- 
 ing him in great numbers, and the heathen priesthood had sought to destroy him ; 
 but he would make his escape, none knew how. But the Jews, being more 
 enlightened, had brought an accusation against him, thus : " The heretic is 
 causing the people to believe that Judaism is tradition, and nothing more, and 
 he declares Moses a brute, filled with the fires of hell. He also declared Moses 
 deceived the descendants of Jacob, and chose from among them such as he 
 knew would administer to his desires, and, above all, he had taken females from 
 their family, declaring to them God had chosen them as his comforters, and he 
 was to lead them from bondage to a land where all was bright and fair, and there 
 they should find rest. They believed him, and followed him; but, when he 
 had led them out of Egypt, he compelled them to become his slaves, and he 
 held them as his concubines. And for this declaration the priesthood have 
 set a price upon his head, of fifty pieces of silver." I saw my father look in- 
 tently upon Josephus, as he was conversing on the subject. Then Josephus 
 unrolled a piece of parchment, and read as follows: "Hebrew heretics vvdll 
 destroy Judea's holy faith, unless they are destroyed at once. The first-born of 
 Joseph and Mary is filled with knowledge that astonishes the doctors and law- 
 yers of the high court, and they declare it is dangerous for such a one to be 
 going around the country, declaring he has been held from death by an unseen 
 power, in order light can find a resting-place in every human mind. He has lain 
 hands upon the sick, and they have recovered ; he has wrought miracles among 
 the people of Judea ; he has called on an unseen God to assist him, when he was 
 in danger ; he was conveyed away from Antioch, none knew how. He must 
 have been made invisible, as he left in the presence of them all, and none saw 
 him depart from the synagogue, and, as Judaism is in danger, he must be held be- 
 fore the people as a deceiver. And now let us have this document lain before 
 the council, and let them decide for or against the heretic, hoping they will look 
 well to the people's safety, before they decide." Josephus sat down, and the first 
 in council arose, and declared against the heretic. Then I saw my father arise to 
 his feet, and he trembled from his head to his feet ; but, when he had breathed 
 deep, he spoke firm and decided, and these are the words that fell from his lips : 
 "Justice has a demand upon me, and I declare for the Hebrews being freed 
 
6 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH 
 
 from the heathens, and being borne away among his own people. I have lis- 
 tened to the words that fell from his lips, so full of wisdom, I forgot all but his 
 holy teachings, and they filled me with adoration to God and love for humanity. 
 And his holy face bespeaks him a holy man ; and, if you do lay hands upon him, 
 I must declare against the act. And now leave him as he is, unless you can assist 
 him, and hold him from danger." Then, as my father sat down beside me, he 
 lay his hand in mine, and said, "John, shield that man from danger, so far as 
 lies in your power; for he is a holy being." 
 
 The council continued their discussion, and they decided he should be 
 brought before them, and they would ask him questions. But, when they sought 
 him, he was nowhere to be found. Then they held their peace until he was 
 again heard to declare for an unknown God, and his angel children being in 
 their midst, as he was kneeling in prayer among the beggars. I said to myself, 
 as I left the council chamber, "I will seek for that man, and learn for myself 
 whether he is an angel or a devil." And, when I reached my home, I called for 
 an ass, and I mounted upon his back, and rode off toward Joppa. As I rode 
 along, I found the country filled with bands of heathens, determined to get the 
 fifty pieces of silver for the head of the humble Nazarene. The day was nearly 
 spent ere I began my journey, and I continued on and on, until I reached a 
 place called Arimathea. There I rested until day should dawn upon me. I 
 arose while the stars were yet shining, and hastened onward, and ere the sun 
 went down on that day I saw many 'gathered together on the hillside near Joppa ; 
 and, as I drew near, I saw in their midst a humble man kneeling, asking God to 
 feed his children with the bread of life. When he had asked God to bless them, 
 he arose to his feet, and said, " Brother, come hither, I have a message for you." 
 As he drew near, he said, " God has brought you here, that you may buy bread 
 for his children, that have had nothing to eat for two days." Then he said : 
 " John, John, John, God's hand is upon you. Go, bring bread, that God may be 
 glorified through thee." I said, " Here is gold, hasten back, as the holy revela- 
 tor is perishing for food." 
 
 Here he lay his hand in mine, and led me away from the many. We con- 
 versed about the heathens having a price set upon his head. He gave answer, 
 " Heathen idolatrous worshippers cannot have this body, until light is scattered 
 among the children of men, and God be glorified by truths revealed concerning 
 the mighty changes he has wrought among his own created children, and he be 
 acknowledged Father, Creator, Jehovah, God, and the holy breaths that are 
 around me are acknowledged holy angels bright, that linger near earth's be- 
 nighted, that will lead them into light." Here he raised his hand, and rested 
 it upon my forehead, and I saw a holy angel bright. She drew near me, and 
 lay her hand in mine, and said : " John, God is being made manifest among the 
 children of earth. Let us lend our aid in this great work for all coming time." 
 She was covered all over with light ; in her hand she held a garment sprinkled 
 all over with dewdrops bright, and, as she held it before me, she breathed 
 a prayer, like this : *' Holy God, bedeck my brother in this garment of love for 
 his brother, that he may lay down all things earthy for Thy glory. Father 
 God, and may he become an angel of light, even while he walks the earth." 
 "Amen," I answered, "let me be robed in that angel garment, that I may be- 
 come a friend and brother to the Hebrew boy, and may I follow him as long 
 as he walks the earth." Then she folded me to her bosom. Then she said : 
 " Thy prayer is answered. Thou art to be a follower of him, until he is hung 
 upon the cross ; but God must be made manifest through you both, ere that can 
 be," Then I exclaimed : " Am I worthy to become his brother ? Reveal to me, 
 O ye holy oracles of Judea, can I become good enough to labor beside him that 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 7 
 
 has left father and mother to labor for humanity, and become a beggar among 
 men, that an unseen God may be glorified?" Again the same sweet voice 
 answered ; and, as I listened, I was thrilled through and through as she said, 
 " John, John, John^ prepare thyself, the kingdom of the Hving God is to be estab- _ 
 lished on earth." Then I said, " Lead, oh, lead me, thou angel of light, and I 
 will declare that God as long as I live." Then she said: "You will love his 
 children. They are God's, and you, in this hour, have been made one of them." 
 Then I shouted, " Glory to God." Then Jesus answered, " All is well." Then 
 the influence left me, and I looked around, to see where I was. There I saw 
 my angel brother, sitting beside me on the ground. He looked up to me, and 
 said : " Brother, God is here, and his children are here in spirit. Let us kneel 
 in prayer, ere night Closes in upon us." There we knelt upon the greensward, 
 and such a host of spirits bright I never saw on earth, before or since. His 
 soul went out in the holiest, highest, and most sublime ideas I had ever listened 
 to. As he ceased his prayer, I sav/ that some bright form was beside him. I 
 saw her lay her hand in his, and say, " Come, brother, there is great commotion 
 among the beggars, as they have heard a price has been set upon your head." 
 She continued, " We must flee to the home of God's children, else you will be 
 cut off." Jesus said : " John, go back to Jerusalem. Let no one know you have 
 seen me, because, if you do, your life will be in danger ; but the time will come 
 when you must begin your work. Then I shall labor beside you, but God's 
 children, in spirit, will bless you daily by their presence and their care.'^ 
 
 Then I felt all of my holiest love go out for that holy brother and the angel 
 bright that stood by his side, and they have borne it along with them, even to 
 this day. And may it ever find answer, "John, thou art my brother, and I am 
 thine, here, hereafter, forever and ever." Here he fled where none knew. And 
 I never heard from him but once for one year and a half: then he was in 
 Judea's borders, declaring God and healing the sick by laying on of hands. 
 
 The Jews were holding Passover. I was in the synagogue declaring the 
 Jewish doctrine to be inspiration, when I saw a beggar enter. He turned not 
 to the right or to the left, but walked directly upon the highest altar. Then he 
 raised his hands, and said: "Holy, Almighty God, baptize this people with thy 
 holy spirit, that they may bow to thee, and thee alone. Blessed are they that 
 seek thee as thou art. They will be filled with light from eternal light. Then 
 they will flee hypocrisy and deceit ; then they will discern good from evil, and 
 give thee the glory for thy wondrous creations, filled with life, filled with thee, 
 thou God of immensity." There he stood, like a holy thing, in the midst of 
 confusion. I commanded them to remain silent, and he would leave them as he 
 found them, without confusion. They then became quiet. Then he breathed 
 forth holy love from God to his children, if they would but receive that love, free 
 from the devices of priestcraft, and free from the gaUing chains of the heathen 
 bigots, and idolatrous deception. He was covered all with light, and they were 
 all so filled with electricity they forgot he was a beggar, but looked upon him 
 as an angel of light. He held them by that power from eternal distance, far past 
 the hours of the Passover, and the people began to be anhungered, but still he 
 filled the synagogue with his voice, and their hearts with light. All at once he 
 shouted, as if a new power had fallen upon him. " O ye inhabitants of Judea, 
 prepare to defend yourselves. The heathen damned are preparing to cut off all 
 the Jews and Hebrews, in all of the border land. Four days from this, as the 
 sun goes down, blood will flow all over the land. But save, oh, save your females 
 from the beastly anointed priests and confessors, ere they are damned by a 
 disease that will destroy you all." Then his eyes were opened, and he fell 
 down like a poor blasted thing. I said to the layman, '" Bring cold water, bathe 
 his hands and his temples, care for him, oh, care for him." 
 
8 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 I dared not approach him, lest they would accuse me of bringing him there. 
 They were all hastening away, as the night was settling around them. They 
 were all asking one to the other, who could he be that dared enter that syna- 
 gogue, and stand upon the holiest altar, dressed in rags. Ere the layman could 
 return, he sprang up to his feet, and darted out in the confusion, and none knew 
 how he came or whither he went. How my heart ached to fold my brother to 
 my bosom, but fear of the people fell over me. Then I bowed my head, and 
 said, " Holy God, assist me in this hour, and prepare the way for me to begin 
 my work by his side." Then I did begin my work, by persuading the Jews to 
 hold him from death, as he was of their blood, and was controlled by an angel 
 of light, and I saw her lay her hand in his when he arose to his feet and fled them. 
 I continued, " Her face was like the reflection of a diamond, and she must be the 
 holiest thing God had ever created." 
 
 My declaration in his favor caused them to suspect I had become contami- 
 nated with heresy. The council was called together for the especial purpose of 
 examining the matter. My father bowed his head, and invoked the influence of 
 Abraham's God to hold his only son from being destroyed by the enraged Jews. 
 The hour came, and I walked into the council chamber, feeling I would die in 
 order to shield my brother Jesus. An accusation was brought against me for 
 leaguing with a heretic, that he could enter the synagogue, when the Jews were 
 holding their holy ritual, in remembrance of Jacob's sons, Joseph and Benjamin, 
 being their holiest gathering in the year. And furthermore I had sought to hold 
 him from being beheaded, when he so justly deserved it, for denouncing their 
 holy doctrine as the devices of heathen bigots, and sought at the same time to 
 convince the people of an unseen God being in their midst, one that none could 
 see or hear or understand but himself. Also, " If our holy doctrines are to 
 be destroyed by heresy, let us defend them to the last." There the accusation 
 ended. Then I arose to my feet, and shouted, " Holy Creator God is here, and 
 his angel children are here in our midst, and she that breathed through my 
 brother Jesus in the synagogue is here, beside me. Destroy this body, if you 
 will, but spare, oh, spare him that is designed by Almighty God to fill all earth 
 with light." I was commanded to hold my peace, but I did know I had a right 
 to defend myself as long as I chose to continue my own defence ; and none had 
 a right to forbid my expressions, let them be what they may. 
 
 When I ceased to speak, Josephus arose to his feet, he being Chief Justice, 
 and began : " Heathen, idolatrous w^orshippers dare destroy the Hebrews, and 
 the heretics dare denounce our doctrine, and between the two what will become 
 of the Jews ? " Then he added, *' Dash the Hebrews to atoms, and defend your- 
 selves against the priesthood, else you will all be held as bondspeople, even as 
 the blood of Joseph and Benjamin had been by the Egyptians, and now hold the 
 deluded John from the heretic, and we will hunt him out and behead him. That 
 will put an end to this trouble. And you, John, cool your excited ideas relative 
 to an unknown God, and his children, that none can see or hear but a crazy 
 brain. Flee all such ideas and return to us what you have been, a faithful dis- 
 penser of the Jewish doctrines. Then you will forget this frenzy, dear brother 
 John, and you will bless the land with your earnest desire to do good." He 
 then turned to my father, and said, " Guard well your son ; he is good, all good, 
 and may he bless his family as he has done before." 
 
 Then another of the council arose and said: ''I find no fault with him. Be- 
 cause if a beggar filled him with his heresy, is he to blame ; and if the beggar 
 entered the synagogue, unbidden by any, is John to blame ? Release him at 
 once, and let him go free. Bind him not by any oath, but leave him as he is, a 
 holy thing." Then my father arose, being compelled to speak. He began Hke 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 9 
 
 this : " The boy is a holy thing ; he blesses us all with his affection. Leave, oh, 
 leave him to me. I will guard him well. I cannot live without him, and his 
 mother's heart would break, and his sisters would droop and perish if aught 
 should happen to an affectionate son like my John, and a loving brother, as he 
 is, t9 his beautiful sisters, and I should go down to my grave sorrowing, as 
 nothing can fill his place in my heart. Give him to me, it is all I ask, all my 
 own, as before." 
 
 Then Josephus arose again and said, " Thou art free, but beware of the sec- 
 ond offence, as you will not so easily be acquitted as you have been this time." 
 " Come," said my father, " let us hasten away. Your mother and sisters are in 
 the greatest anxiety to look upon you, and there, again, you will be happy 
 in the bosom of your family." 
 
 I left that council hall feeling disgraced ; but, when I entered my home, I sat 
 down with my father, my mother, and my five sisters, and told them all I had 
 known of Jesus and his angel controllers. I declared I had seen Leiah and 
 his angel daughter controlling Jesus in the synagogue, and I also declared 
 Leiah's daughter breathed upon me, when I shouted glory to God in the council 
 chamber, and I continued, that man was once care-taker of Pontius Pilate's chil- 
 dren, and he blessed them with his knowledge, but the wicked priest, Caiphas, 
 had a hatred against him because he had told the king that he, Caiphas, was 
 destroying his daughters. 
 
 Two days more had passed away, and, as night closed in, a fearful cry was 
 heard. Everywhere groans and shrieks filled the air. In all of the humble 
 homes of the Hebrews the battle axe was laying low all of the men, and the 
 priests and confessors were to be seen by the torch lights dragging away the 
 females to their abodes, in the suburbs of the city. Hell itself seemed to have 
 burst forth. The city gates v/ere closed against them, but not until fifty or more 
 had entered the city, all armed with battle axes ; but, as soon as they saw the 
 gates were closed, the people began their work, slaying every one they met until 
 all of the heathens were laid low. Then they were heaped within the gates, while 
 the Hebrews, on the outside of the wall, were utterly destroyed by the battle axe 
 and their brute natures. But, when morning dawned upon the city, the inhabi- 
 tants were thrown into a fearful commotion. The priests and confessors had 
 arranged themselves in front of the great gate, armed with battle axes, javelins, 
 and spears, threatening the inhabitants of Jerusalem with destruction if they did 
 not come out and give them the control of the city. A great battle ensued, but 
 Jerusalem defended herself, with the loss of five hundred and eight, while the 
 dead of the heathens numbered eight hundred and more. How could I but 
 exclaim, *'Has the Hebrew boy spoke false or true.?" Had the Jevvs heard 
 the warning, they could have saved the poor, helpless creatures that could not 
 help themselves. 
 
 I remained with my family for one year and four months, when I heard the 
 Hebrew boy was making a great disturbance in Antioch. I was determined to 
 find him, and lay down my life for him if need be. I began my journey ere day 
 dawned, and ere the inhabitants were astir I was far away out of the city gates, 
 making my way toward Antioch. I reached the town called Bostra at noon, and 
 Damascus as the sun was going down. There I rested for the night, determined 
 to reach Antioch the second day from there. But, ere I sought rest, a traveller 
 came in, and said the Hebrew boy was in Joppa. My heart beat, but I dare net 
 breathe his name unless I should be accused of being a heretic, and be sent 
 back to the court. I could hardly wait for the ass to get rest, and sleep I could 
 not. I knew I could reach there ere the day closed. Early I began my journey, 
 and ere the mid-afternoon I reached Joppa. I saw a gr^at niultitude, and has- 
 
 
10 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 tened forward. There I saw that holy brother under the control of Jeptha. He 
 had been controlled four hours. Leiah had controlled him an hour and a half, 
 then his daughter controlled him one hour, and then Jeptha controlled him an 
 hour and a half. As I drew near, I heard Jeptha exclaim, "Brother John, come 
 hither and save this body from death, as I must breathe out of him as he is 
 utterly exhausted." I dismounted and gave the bridle to a beggar, and reached 
 him as the spirit was freeing itself from the body. I folded him to my bosom, 
 and, as his face rested against my own, it was cold as death. I then took off my 
 coat and wrapped it about him and breathed upon him. After a time his eyes 
 opened, and he said, "God has blessed me in bringing me aid in my time of 
 need. And," he continued, " John, dear brother John, do not leave me to-night, 
 because I am fearfully afflicted with my back and head, and I am starving for 
 bread." I then handed a piece of gold to a beggar and said, " Hasten away, 
 bring a full loaf of bread, fresh and good. Bring a gourd of milk," I said, "that 
 I can sup with my brother." He hastened away, but ere he returned Jesus 
 fainted, and I thought he was dead. I called on the spirits bright, that were 
 around him, to electrify me, that I could give him life from my life ; and in an 
 instant his guardian angel breathed upon me, and I became filled with light. 
 I saw he was dying from exhaustion and starvation. I called for water, fresh 
 cold water, from God's own bosom, I shouted, that he might drink and live. I 
 held the cup to his lips ; he gave one deep groan, then he held the cup him- 
 self to his lips, and drank it all. He raised his head and looked around him, 
 and saw the multitude were all gone but a few that had nowhere to go. He 
 breathed a prayer for them and said, "God will feed you with bread for to-night, 
 but who will feed you to-morrow?" Then he said, "God holds his own created 
 worlds, and can he not hold his children even as well .'*" Then the bread was 
 brought; then I broke him a piece and he ate it all. Then he said, "Eat, 
 brothers, eat ; there is a plenty and to spare." The beggars ate, then they knelt 
 and blessed God for his bread, and, above all, for the bread of life that they had 
 been blessed with that day. The night closed in upon us, and we were still in 
 the open air. I said to Jesus, " Where are we to stay to-night ? " He answered : 
 "God's ether blue will be our covering, and his earth our bed. His angels will 
 be our companions, and we shall be blest." I prepared a place as best I could, 
 and covered him over with a blanket that I had ridden upon, and lay down be- 
 side him. He fell asleep. While I lay there awake, I saw a form of light come 
 and kneel beside us. There she knelt in prayer to her God, asking that her 
 brothers may be borne along until humanity could be blest by their death, and 
 that her Father would give her strength to assist them in declaring his ever pres- 
 ence, and that all the children of earth may declare one God, and one God only, 
 and, when their work was ended, that he ^vould receive them in his own bosom, 
 the bosom of love. " Baptize, oh, baptize them, thy own faithful, with eternal 
 light, that they can behold thy wondrous formations, fresh from thy hands. 
 Holy, infinite Creator, hold them from darkness and priestcraft, that they may 
 ever acknowledge the supreme in all things." When she ceased to pray, my 
 brother awoke. He folded his arms and said: "Angel sister, do not leave us. 
 The bitter winds have chilled me through and through." Then he attempted to 
 .rise, but he fell back and burst into tears, and said, " Could I go to my mother 
 and die in her arms it would be all I would ask." He then bowed his head and 
 said, "If God's children will assist me, I will arise." I said, " Dear brother, I 
 am strong; and, if you will lean on me, I will assist you to the herdsman's hut 
 yonder. There you can be warmed and fed." At that moment I saw a lad. I 
 called him, and said, " Here is gold, go buy bread and milk, and bear it to the 
 herdsman's. I will be there to await your coming." I raised him, and he rested 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 11 
 
 his head upon my shoulder, and I bore him along. As we drew near, a female 
 came to the door. I said, " Can I bring in my brother, he is nearly chilled to 
 death." She answered, "I fear he will die in my home, and then I shall be 
 accused of heresy." '-Fear not," I said: "I will care for that." I led him for- 
 ward and set him' down beside the fire. The warmth gave him strength, but it 
 caused a fearful pain in his head and back. The herdsman's wife had poured 
 out a cup of warm gruel, and he drank it. That caused him to breathe better. 
 I took some cold water and bathed his head. He became calm. The boy re- 
 turned with the bread ; we ate, and then I said : " Boy, go and feed the beggars 
 yonder. They have had nothing to eat since yesterday." Jesus answered, 
 *' Feed, oh, feed them^that they may give God the glory ere they breathe out their 
 mortal bodies. Tarry but a little longer, boy ; I have a message for them." 
 Then he said, " John, give me a piece of gold." Then he handed it to the boy 
 and said, " Give this to them, and say that they must buy bread and depart from 
 here this hour, and go into Mesopotamia, and I will come to them there, if it 
 please God, and my love go with them." 
 
 There he sat, with his head resting on my bosom, until the cry was heard 
 from without, demanding his presence. Then he arose to his feet, and said: 
 " Holy God, I bless thee for this rest. And you, dear brother, for bringing me 
 where the warmth has brought back life to this body that was dying. Go with 
 me, John ; diseased bodies are there, and Stephen is waiting. God's children 
 are prepared to electrify those that are willing to become workers for God ; to 
 be glorified through his own law. A great commotion will be in our midst ere 
 night closes in, and many will be cut down. And you, John, will flee into 
 Caldea, and there you will remain until I come to you, which will be after many 
 days. Fear not ; I shall be cared for. God's child wijl take care of me, and 
 she will remain beside me all day. Let us hasten away," he said, "and begin 
 our work." I arose to my feet, then laid my hand in that of my brother's and 
 assisted him to arise. Then he became electrified and stepped forth hke one 
 filled with life. A great cry was heard when the multitude saw him coming 
 forth. Then they shouted : " Hosanna ! Hosanna ! He has come to bless 
 us." Stephen shouted : *' Hail, Jesus of Nazareth ! God's breath is upon us. 
 Let us lay the foundation for God's glory to be established on earth, thou God 
 of eternal life." " Amen," shouted Simon. " Hell will belch forth her furies 
 to-day, but let God control, then all will be well." Then Jesus commanded 
 them all to keep quiet. He knelt on the greensward and poured out his soul 
 in prayer, and a holy calm came o'er them all. As he arose to his feet, a bright 
 ray of light fell all over him. Then he raised his left hand and said, " Bring 
 your sick and maimed, and they will be healed by God's angels bright that are 
 in our midst." Here came a poor diseased body that was covered with leprosy. 
 He said to him, " Stand ye there, and let the angels of light bathe you all o'er 
 with electric life, that you may be healed." He did as he was bid to do. Then 
 the apostles gathered around him, and they all became controlled, some in one 
 way and some in another, but the power that fell upon the sick man caused 
 him to fall to the ground. There he lay, shivering from his head to his feet ; 
 but, when he arose to his feet, he was healed. Then they left him as he was, and 
 stepped back and called for another. Then a child was brought that had been 
 diseased all its life. Simon took the child in his arms, and it became livid as 
 death, but soon it gasped for breath, and fell asleep in his bosom. Then an- 
 other was brought that had convulsions, and the father said : " This child I give 
 to thee, thou God of immensity. Then let him have his ovrn rather than to live 
 and suffer. My boy suft'ers, and how can I ask God to hold him here ? " Then 
 the father laid his child in the lap of Jesus. He laid one hand on his head and 
 
12 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 the other on his breast. He then fell asleep, and slept on all that day and 
 night following, and was healed. One came that had been laid low with palsy. 
 Jesus said, " Brothers, come here." Simon and Andrew, the brothers of Peter, 
 and Stephen and Jude, Thomas and Zachariah, all drew near. Seth, also, came 
 beside us and said : " God's hand is upon me ; I am filled with his life. Gather 
 around the poor brother ; God's electricity will heal him." Then we all stood 
 upon our feet, and he lay in the midst. Jesus folded his arms and said, " Holy 
 Creator, here is one of thy created. Lend thy aid that he may be healed." 
 Then a crash was heard, but where it came from we never knew as long as we 
 dwelt in earthy forms ; but the shock caused him to spring to his feet and 
 exclaim, " I am healed." Many were healed that day by the same law, and the 
 law was electric life, being diffused into the bodies of the afflicted. As the sun's 
 bright rays w^ere shining o'er the earth, my angel brother was controlled and 
 declared God's presence, and the presence of his angel children. He had not 
 ceased to speak when a great commotion commenced. Many were beaten 
 down by clubs. Some fled one way and some another. I sought the herds- 
 man's home. The ass was already bridled, and I rode away towards Caldea's 
 borders ; but, ere I departed, I saw Jesus borne along like one borne on the 
 breeze, and he disappeared beyond the hill. I heard after that he was borne 
 beyond the reach of them all, then he fell to the earth exhausted, and lay there 
 all night ; but, as morning dawned upon him, he arose to his feet and journeyed 
 onward. I continued my journey, and in eight da^^s I reached Canaxa, in Cal- 
 dea's borders. There I remained one year, healing and declaring God. I then 
 went to Seleucia. There I continued my work until I heard Jesus had been 
 in Babylonia, and in the country bordering on the river Euphrates. Here 
 I made inquiry concerning him. The answer was, " He is among the Babylon- 
 ians, and they will surely put him to death, as they are heathens and he is a 
 Hebrew." I answered : " I will go to him there, and bear him away into a land of 
 safety. He cannot die until by his death God will be glorified, and humanity 
 may be blest." I began my journey towards the city of hell, and reached there 
 as the night was setting in, and I heard by a heathen that he had gone to Meso- 
 potamia, then I said, " Let God direct me, and, if it be God's will, I shall meet 
 my brother there," I then bound my girdle tight around my body, and took 
 a staff, and said, *' I will neither sleep nor rest until I can once more look upon 
 my holy brother Jesus." That night I stopped not, but ere the sun had set 
 upon the day following I saw a great .multitude in sight of Mesopotamia, and as 
 I drew near I heard my name called. As I hastened forward, I saw Jesus hold- 
 ing out both hands to me, as he said : *' God's children are starving for bread. 
 Barley bread they have, but the bread of life they have not. Feed, oh, feed 
 them, lest they go out in darkness and awake in confusion." Here light filled 
 my soul, and I exclaimed : " Come ye to the great storehouse of the living God, 
 and feast your hungry souls. Hold yourselves in a condition that the dew- 
 drops of God's love may refresh you ere you wither." Then I forgot all, but 
 when the holy ray of light left me it was dark, and I was folding my dear 
 brother Jesus to my bosom. His head was resting upon my neck, his arms 
 were folded around me, even as mine were about him. There we held a holy 
 communion which filled me with love for humanity, and I said : " If my life is 
 demanded, I give it freely. But you, my dear brother, are chilled through. 
 Where are your garments ? " " Garm.ents ; I have only enough to cover me 
 from shame, " he answered. '' But God's child will lead us to a place where we 
 can rest and be made comfortable." Then he laid his hand in mine and said: 
 " Come, brother, I will lead you where you will find rest for to-night, but where 
 will you rest on the morrow night ? God holds his own secrets ; I cannot draw 
 it from him." 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 13 
 
 The spirit led us into a bye place where the beggars had rested the night 
 before. There was dried grass, and we lay down and slept. Early in the morn- 
 ing we arose and began our journey toward Circesstium. There we declared 
 God and healed the sick two months and a little more, and then we departed 
 from there and went to Edissa. There we were made to feel God had forsaken 
 us, as the heathens beset us wherever we went. Day after day we wandered 
 about among the hills and ferns until a decree was issued against us, denounc- 
 ing us as heretics. Then we w^ere compelled to flee to Nisbis. There we lay 
 the foundation for heresy to be established ; holding the people by declaring 
 God's mercies, and calling on them to flee their idols ere it was too late. Here 
 dwelt a great many Shumites. They were kind, but feared to offend the priest- 
 hood. Many fled their idolatrous worship, and declared the children of light 
 had come to them, as they had seen the forms of men all covered o'er with light, 
 around the Hebrew when he healed their sick and declared Abraham's God. 
 There the aged Timothy came to us, and said, " Heaven alone can control 
 among the poor, benighted children of the Amalekites," as there were many 
 there. Here I was divided from my brother by a price being set upon his head. 
 He was compelled to flee, and I went to Singania. Here I healed the sick and 
 sought to free souls that were chained and bound by heathen bigots. Here I 
 labored until I was entirely exhausted, and I fell beneath the burden, expecting 
 to rise no more in my earthy body. But God held control and I was raised 
 up to continue my labor. My garments were worn out and I was nearly naked, 
 and I had a great desire to go back to Jerusalem, and look once more upon my 
 father, my mother, and my sisters. Here I continued to make inquiry of every 
 wayfarer if they had seen a Hebrew, bareheaded and barefooted, healing the 
 sick and declaring God. At last I saw one of Judea's sons, and he told me he 
 had seen one crossing the country toward Antioch, and when he saw him he 
 was not more than two days' journey from there. I called my foflowers to- 
 gether, and we started in that same hour. There were eight in all. Among 
 them were Andrew and Simon, brothers of the fisherman called Peter, the aged 
 Shumite, Timothy, and his two sons, also two from Caldea that had followed 
 me one year and a half. Their names were Silas and Thomas, brothers, and 
 one boy that had followed me four years, by the name of Naum. We journeyed 
 toward Antioch, but before we reached there we stopped at a hut ; and there we 
 found Jesus and his followers, where they had sought rest for the night. But as 
 he entered, it being dark, he did not know who had come ; but when I breathed 
 his name he sprang forward and folded his arms around me and burst into 
 tears, as he said, " God has brought you here that you may assist in laying 
 the foundation for his children for all coming time." " Amen," I answered ; 
 " God is here." Then Jesus knelt in prayer. We all ate and then lay down and 
 slept; but Jesus awoke in the night, filled with fever. He said: "John, lay 
 your hand upon my head. God's child will help you, and I shall be made 
 better." The holy breath filled me with life, and Jesus exclaimed, " I am 
 better." Then we both slept until morning dawned upon us. Then we went 
 forth again from that home for the last time. We were met by the way by 
 heathen and Hebrew that were diseased. We lay hands upon them, and they 
 were healed ; but ere we could reach the city the crowd was so dense we were 
 compelled to leave the main road and enter the city through the by-lanes. But, 
 when we entered the great square, we were met by the multitude that had 
 gathered from all parts of the country. Here a mighty work was done. All of 
 the followers were filled with life, and they declared God's presence, and the 
 presence of his angel children. As the day wore away, we were all nearly ex- 
 hausted, when one of the followers ex-claimed, " Hell's furies are upon us ; let 
 
14 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 US flee the city." The country was in a commotion, and we sped on until we 
 reached a brook. There we bathed our heads, faces, and hands. Jesus 
 breathed deep, and said, " Go into that home, yonder ; food awaits you there ; 
 but do not tarry, lest harm fall upon the inmates." It being now dark, we 
 made our way as best we could ; but, when we entered there, a female accosted 
 us and said : " I have been waiting for you. My daughter said you were com- 
 ing. Now eat, then lie down and rest." *' No," said Jesus : " we must flee, 
 lest harm befall you." I sat beside my brother at meat, and he took a cup of 
 water and raised it above his head and said : " Holy eternal distance is my 
 home. I long to go there and find rest. There I shall be free from heathen 
 devices. There I shall await the hour when I shall be called back to finish up 
 that which has been begun by my death. Then light will dispel darkness. 
 There we shall dwell together without the fear of the cross. There we shall 
 bless each other. There God's holy children will unite in praises to the first 
 great cause. There God will be made manifest through his children's love, one 
 for the other, and then God will be glorified through his own creations. Then, 
 and not until then, will the angel hosts unite in holy praises forever." When 
 he had ceased to speak, his face changed to a livid hue, and he burst forth 
 in ecstasy, and shouted, " God is here, and his children are here ; let us shout 
 glory even now." Here his breath went out of him and he fell back, and I 
 caught him ere he fell to the floor. I held him in my arms until his breath 
 came back again, and he said, " God's child held me from death, else I should 
 not have been here." Then he sat at the board again, he ate but a little, but 
 he drank cup after cup of cold water. We then left that home, and went forth 
 into dark night. The country was in great commotion, and we feared at every 
 step lest we should be cut down. I said to the brethren, " Let us ask God to 
 direct us, as we cannot discern the way." We knelt down, and in earnestness 
 we invoked God's angel children to direct us on our way. Jesus sprang to his 
 feet and shouted, " Here is Martha's ; let us hasten there, even now." I led 
 Jesus the rest of the way, as his feet could not bear his weight. But we soon 
 reached a little hut built in the hillside. Jesus knocked at the door, and a 
 gentle voice answered from within : " I am here, com»e in, dear brothers. Martha 
 has prepared a bed for you to rest." We entered the holy but humble home. 
 Light was there ; God was there breathing through his children. " Holy ! 
 holy ! holy ! " exclaimed Jesus ; " I will declare thee forever, and thy children 
 shall behold thee as thou art, eternal and forever." I looked around, and there 
 I saw Lazarus lying on his bed of dried grass. Martha was still entranced, 
 and Jesus folded her to his bosom. " Here are God's holy children blending 
 their lives together, and I love them both." I answered, '* God's children may 
 be divided on earth, but surely meet beyond." Then we all knelt in prayer, 
 even before Martha's breath came back to her, and the angel spirit breathed 
 out her soul in prayer, asking her Father, God, to bless his children, here and 
 hereafter. Seth answered : " Lead, oh, lead, us through the darkness that is 
 upon us, that we can find a home of rest. God's children cannot find their 
 rest here, but in a brighter sphere." Seth answered, " I would go to my family, 
 but how can I reach them when they are more than an hundred leagues away ? " 
 Jesus answered, *'God will bear you there ere the flowers bloom again." Here 
 Martha awoke as from a dream and looked around her and said : '' How long 
 have you been here ? I knew you would come, as that spirit that stands beside 
 Jude told me so." Then she said, " She is showing him something, but dark- 
 ness falls upon him, and he cannot discern." Then we all lay down and rested 
 until the first dawn of day, then we arose, and ate a piece of barley bread. Then 
 Lazarus gave forth a holy prayer from an aching heart, knowing full well that 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 15 
 
 we must die by the priesthood. Then we bade them adieu, and journeyed on- 
 ward toward Jerusalem. 
 
 That day we made seven leagues ; and, as night drew near, we sought for a 
 place of rest. We drew near to where a band of beggars had been encamped for 
 a time, but they had all gone and their fire had hardly ceased to burn. We 
 scraped away the ashes from the warm earth, then spread down the dried grass 
 they had used for their beds, then we lay down and slept comfortable all night. 
 The day dawned upon us cold and cheerless, yet we made the best of our way to 
 Nazareth. There we found friends among the Hebrews. We reached there 
 about mid-afternoon. There we were made welcome ; they gave us food and we 
 rested. But who could look upon such a ragged set of human beings and not 
 scorn them. Jesus was entirely bereft of clothes, except a buckskin shirt and a 
 camel's hair breech-cloth; nothing to cover his head, arms, legs, or feet, and 
 my garments were even less than his own. My garments had been entirely 
 worn out, and I had procured of a herdsman buckskin enough to make me a pair 
 of short breeches and a leathern girdle. This I procured in Caldea, but I had 
 hoped to meet with friends in Judea that would feed and clothe me. None of 
 my former friends came to me, but they shunned me even as if I had been their 
 enemy. But Jesus had no hope ; his parents were poor, crushed people, fleeing 
 from place to place, and hiding in the mountains in order to hold themselves 
 from death. He saw the future, but I was withheld from the fearful vision. 
 Hope he had none. I hoped protection in my father's house. The Hebrew 
 family where we rested was astir early, and we also arose and prepared for our 
 journey. Little did we know how that family must suffer because of our stay in 
 their home. Little did they know we were the last that they would welcome to 
 their home. Ere we had passed out of sight of that holy spot we saw seven 
 anointed priests enter there, and the whole family was destroyed, some in one 
 way, and some in another. When they had gone, we turned back, but what a 
 fearful sight met our gaze ! Eleven dead bodies lay in that home entirely naked. 
 Two females were crushed to death by those brutes, and the rest were beheaded. 
 I fainted, and Iscariot bore me to the open door ; but, when I opened my eyes, I 
 saw a little child with its brains dashed out. "Holy God," I exclaimed; "hold 
 these spirits from the heathen damned until they can be borne away." Jesus an- 
 swered, " God forsakes not his own, but he will surely prepare the way for them 
 to be borne hence." Then we straightened the dead bodies, and covered them 
 o'er with dried grass. Then we knelt, and prayed that they might find rest. 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 Again we started, and that day we reached Joppa. Here we ate, and healed 
 many that were brought us from the country. That night we found rest with a 
 Judean family, that had a daughter healed of a fever. But in the morning, ere 
 day dawned, they began to bring their sick. There we were compelled to re- 
 main two days, healing the sick and declaring the presence of God's angel chil- 
 dren. But, when we found our strength giving way, they were all called together. 
 Then Jesus was controlled, held forth one hour, and his controller bade them all 
 depart, that the weary could rest, ere they began their journey on the morrow. 
 Then we lay down upon the floor, and slept until the sun was rising. That day 
 
16 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 we made our way to a hill that overlooked Jerusalem. It was called Mount 
 Hoab. There we sat down to rest. Jesus sat upon a little mound, and we all 
 sat around him upon the ground. As he sat there, he gazed upon the old 
 gray wall of Jerusalem ; then he folded his arms, and his head rested upon his 
 bosom, I saw his soul was in agony. He breathed a prayer for the inhabitants 
 there ; then he burst into tears. He wept until his breath came deep, then he 
 exclaimed: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, oft would I have gathered you together, 
 as a hen gathereth her chickens, but ye would not listen to the voice of God's 
 children, that come to save you from darkness, and now you must be left in the 
 hands of heathen priestcraft, until God's changes lead you into light. Hold 
 them, Father God, until the veil can be rent between two spheres, then they 
 can discern more clear light from darkness, good from evil, wisdom from folly, 
 and heathen idolatrous worship from light eternal." As he uttered the last 
 word, he fell back, and we all thought for a time he was dead. After a time he 
 opened his eyes and said, "Am I living or am I among the dead?" Then, as 
 he gazed upward, and saw the stars brightly shining, he said : " Oh, how holy 
 thy rays are to me. I long to find rest beyond. God's mercies endure forever, 
 from the beginning of time, without a shadow of turning, forever, eternal and 
 forever." After Jesus had ceased to speak, we lay down to rest, and we huddled 
 together, in order to draw warmth one from the other. The winds were cold 
 and piercing, and we were all chilled through and through. After a time we 
 fell asleep, but rest we could not, as fearful visions came before us. But, when 
 morning dawned upon us, we prepared to enter Jerusalem. When we entered 
 the valley and approached the city, we were accosted by Judea's son. It was 
 like this : " Hasten into the city. They are preparing a gallows for you ; and the 
 sooner you get there, the better." 
 
 Here the people began to gather around us, so much so that we left the 
 main road and went upon a hillside, bearing southward. There were a great 
 many from all of the country of Judea. When Jesus had been controlled, and 
 was kneeling in prayer, he was accosted by one of high blood. It was Bartholo- 
 mew, and his meeting with Jesus has been related in his own history. All of 
 that day the holy influences held control ; but, when night came on, we were left 
 in the open air, and no one to say, " Come." That night we found rest again 
 upon the cold ground, but early in the morning the people were again gathering 
 around us. That day we entered Jerusalem, and sought the great square. 
 There we found a multitude gathered together for the purpose of witnessing the 
 execution of the humble Nazarene. Jesus stepped upon the platform that had 
 been erected for his execution. There he was controlled by Stephen, the ancient 
 seer. He denounced the Hebrews for their lack of faith in God, and the Jews 
 for their unholy design against the frail man he then breathed upon, and he told 
 them their city would be lain waste, and their synagogue would crumble away, 
 and there would be none to close the doors against the beasts of the field, or 
 their windows against the birds of the air, and the remnant of them that would 
 be left would be scattered, and would be wanderers on the face of the earth 
 forever.* Then he made an expression like this : " Let any one lay hands upon 
 this body, and God will dash him to the earth, and he will rise no more." Then 
 one of Judea's magistrates sought to lay hands upon him ; and as he raised his 
 hand to clutch him by the hair, he fell back, breathed four times, and breathed 
 no more. Then Stephen declared the presence of the living God and his angel 
 children, he accused the priests of defrauding humanity of her inheritance, by 
 holding from them knowledge which they themselves did know did belong to 
 them. All of that day we toiled on, some in healing, others holding forth and 
 
 *That prophecy did come true ; and the Jews are drifting about, and none says, " Come." 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 17 
 
 declaring God's angels' presence in their midst. In the after part of the day 
 there was a great commotion, and we became divided. We had sought to hold 
 ourselves together, fearing the heathen priests. 
 
 The commotion was great, and Jesus lay breathless upon the ground, when 
 Bartholomew exclaimed, " Let us flee these damned heathens, that would destroy 
 the living God, if they could." He then folded Jesus to his bosom, and said, 
 " Call them together, that they may find safety within the gates of my father's 
 mansion." I shouted, " Come." At that moment a fearful cry went up from 
 the midst of the multitude, and I felt that some one of our band was being 
 crushed to death. But all of us that had met followed Bartholomew into his 
 fatlier's house. As he was passing through the great hall, one of the servants 
 accosted him and said", "The man is dead; lay him down here." But Bartholo- 
 mew heeded not, but pressed forward, and lay the poor, frail body upon his own 
 couch, where there was displayed ail of the Eastern grandeur. The damask 
 covering was embossed with threads of gold, and the curtains that were fes- 
 tooned around that couch were entirely covered with embroidery that had been 
 wrought by the damsels of the court, and each had bestowed their finest piece of 
 work. In the art of embellishing, fruit and flov/ers bespoke their fine taste, and 
 the perfect harmony of their colors I could not but admire, although my heart was 
 filled with fear. As I was gazing 'pon the beautiful w^orkmanship, Bartholomew 
 drew for\vard the curtain, in order to shield the face of Jesus from the light, and 
 there, within that fold, was a beautiful lamb, resting on a beautiful green turf, 
 that had been a gift from the queen's hand, as Bartholomew had been a great 
 favorite among them all. Ever kind and affectionate, he drew around him the 
 flower of the court; his father, one of the first council, and he an only son. 
 Even while I was gazing upon that holy emblem, the lamb, Jesus opened his eyes, 
 and gazed v/ith adoration upon the same, then a sigh escaped him as he said : 
 "The lambs of God will be slain, and the heathen priesthood will trample them 
 beneath their feet, but God will surely control and save them from annihilation, 
 and bear them beyond, where they will dv.-ell together in harmony. There their 
 holy lives v.ill blend together, and declare the mercies of a living God, in that 
 bright world free from care, free from fear, and free from heathen oppression. 
 There they that lay dov/n their life for humanity will surely find rest, and you, 
 Bartholomew, will die, and you, dear John, will die, and you, Iscariot, come near, 
 you, too, are among the martyrs that will lay down your life for freedom's cause 
 that must be established in coming time. Jude is already freed from his earthv 
 body ; even here, in spirit beside me, they have killed him." Even then a mes- 
 senger entered and said: "Four of the followers are dead. Jude, Andrew^ 
 Simon, and Silas, the herdsman's son." 
 
 Here I must remark, Caiphas had been made acquainted wdth the- fact of his 
 son Jude being one of the followers of the poor, despised Hebrew, first-born of 
 Joseph, and his rage knew no bounds. He commanded them all to be caught 
 and bound and dragged to the gallows. The four had been caught by the 
 heathens and dragged to the foot of the gallows. Caiphas came out and caught 
 Jude by the throat, and pressed his knees upon the chest of the frail boy, until 
 the blood gushed from the eyes, nose, and mouth ; and then, with his own hand, 
 he drew a cord around the neck of his boy, and strangled him to death before 
 he was drawn up on the gallows. The rest were drawn up, and remained 
 until the next day. And even here, in this day, I feel to exclaim, " Oh, thou 
 fiend in human form, how could you crush to death thy own begotten angel 
 boy?" It is beyond my comprehension how he could crush that beautiful 
 flower, and trample him beneath his feet. Here I will leave the brute in God's 
 hands. 
 
18 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 I WILL now continue my own historical facts relative to myself and those that 
 were left in that hour when we were left still breathing, as the hour had not 
 come. When Bartholomew's father entered the room and gazed upon that pale 
 face of Jesus, he exclaimed, " How can they crucify so beautiful a man ? " 
 Here Jesus was controlled, and he conversed with the father and Bartholomew 
 for a time, then he said : " John, come near and lie down beside me. My breath 
 is short, and my head is aching." Here I knelt beside the couch and lay my 
 face resting against that of Jesus ; and we wept together until our breath 
 stopped, and we forgot all for a time. Whether it was from exhaustion, or an 
 influence, that caused our breath to be stayed, I never knew ; but we were 
 aroused by Bartholomew laying his hand in mine and saying, " Let us hasten 
 av/ay, even now, else the day will dawn upon us and we shall be cut off." I 
 arose to my knees and asked God to assist us, and Jesus raised himself up and 
 said : " My body is exhausted. I am unable to stand upon my feet." Bartholo- 
 mew raised him up in his arms and said, " We will leave the city through the 
 underground passage that leads directly from here beyond the city walls." 
 Then he shouted, " Hell's damned will be here, but they will find God controls 
 his own children." Then he darted down a long flight of steps, and we followed 
 him. When we had gone about half-way, he said, " I am stronger now ; I can 
 walk." He sprang to his feet and darted forward, and we lost sight of him ; 
 but, when we came to the opening, we saw he had rolled back a stone as large 
 as four men could have raised. I saw him no more ; but, according to the com- 
 mand that was given Bartholomew and myself, we lingered about the foot of the 
 mountain bearing toward Tyre. 
 
 Even now, when I look back to the last night we were in Jerusalem, my heart 
 aches for the people there. The inhabitants of Jerusalem were filled with fear 
 that night, as many homes were entered by the heathen brutes that were armed 
 with battle axes. They destroyed the men and cursed the women, and the half 
 could not be told of that fearful night among Judea's children. But I could not 
 break the holy command that was given through Jesus when he was controlled 
 by his angel sister, as he called her, when she said, " John and Bartholomew will 
 linger about the foot of the mountain ; and you will remain there until I bring 
 this body down again, in order to establish a belief on earth that will endure for 
 all time. But he can now but begin a work that will be finished when ages 
 have passed away. And you, John, will assist him even then." "God grant 
 it," I said ; " may it be so." Then the answer was, " Changes must be wrought 
 among men ere God can declare himself, as he is ; ever present, filling all space, 
 and the soul of things combine, constituting the almighty whole, and his chil- 
 dren a part of himself." 
 
 But, when he left me in the underground passage, I felt I would gladly have 
 died for him if I could hold him from death ; and I did not see him again until 
 forty dreary days had passed away. We fled toward Tyre ; and, as the time had 
 expired, I accosted a lad, the boy of one of the heathen herdsmen, and asked 
 him if he knew anything of a Hebrew family that had a son that had been caus- 
 ing a great commotion in the country, and he has a price set upon his head. 
 The boy started and said : " If that is the one you mean, he is in the city or 
 somewhere about. I saw him myself not more than an hour and a half ago. 
 He went into one Martha's, and there was a dead man lying there and he told 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 19 
 
 him to get up, and he opened his eyes and looked around, and it frightened me 
 half to death. I thought, if he could make the dead live, he could kill every one 
 he chose, and I thought I would be off." Bartholomew held a piece of gold in 
 his hand and said, " Lead us to him at once, and you shall have this gold all 
 your own." He shrank back and said, "I am afraid you are a heretic." I 
 answered, " Heresy cannot be bought with gold ; it is a gift from God." When 
 I said that, he fled from us as if we had been covered with leprosy. We has- 
 tened forward, determined to find him ere we slept. But ere morning we 
 reached Levi's. But who can describe it ? The dead bodies of the children 
 lay there with their brains dashed out. But, when we followed the low sad 
 moans, there sat Peter with two blasted holy beings. My own dear brother 
 lay beside his mother on some dried grass. Her face was like marble, and 
 Jesus was filled with fever. Bartholomew bowed his head and wept like a child. 
 The faithful Peter sat there, his head bowed in grief, not knowing what to do. 
 The fire had gone out and we rekindled it, and by its bright rays we could see 
 what was there. W^e moved the bodies of the children into one corner, and then 
 Jesus rose up and said : " God has brought you here. My mother will die, I 
 fear, and I am starving for bread." I answered, " Dear brother, I have brought 
 some bread with me." I gave him a little piece, and he ate it. We found 
 a gourd filled with water, and he drank it nearly all. I saw Mary was breathing 
 deep, and she was controlled by Leiah's daughter, and she said, " God holds 
 Jesus still from death until he can be glorified through that death." I said, 
 " Child of God, do not forsake us, but remain beside us to guide and direct us." 
 Jesus said: "Sister, come hither when you breathe out of my mother." 
 In an instant she stood before us like a ray of light, and we all 
 exclaimed, " Holy God be praised ; his angel child is again in our midst." 
 Her head was bowed and deep grief was settled upon her, but in a deep, calm 
 voice she answered, " God is here." Then Jesus burst into tears and said : 
 " Here we are in the midst of death, and you, holy child of God, are here. Do 
 not leave us again until we can breathe with you in spirit." Her answer was : 
 *' I have come for the last time, dear brother, and I shall not leave you again as 
 long as you breathe in mortal form. I have been beside Mary ever since her 
 reason left her ; and, when the confessors entered here, I controlled her and 
 caused them to feel she was dead. A confessor came up to her and attempted 
 to raise her up, and he saw she was cold and rigid, and he dropped her down 
 again and said, 'The dammed heretic is dead this time.' Then they left, and 
 bore away Levi's companion, and she lies dead in the hollow yonder." Mary 
 called for drink and we gave her all she wished, and she seemed calm. After 
 a time she asked for bread. I gave her some; she ate it and said, " How good 
 God is to give us bread when we are an-hungered ! and Joseph always brought 
 me all the barley meal we wanted, and to spare. How I do wish he would 
 come ! I have been looking for him many days. I am afraid something has 
 happened to him." Then she gave a deep groan and fell back like one dead. 
 Then Bartholomew laid his hand upon her forehead and said : " She is chilled 
 all through. Let us bring her near the fire, that she can be warmed." Ere 
 they could raise her up, her breath came deep and she said, " Let some water be 
 heated in a bake-pan ; bathe her feet and hands, but cool her head." It was 
 done, and then she fell asleep and slept on until she was taken up for their 
 flight. Day dawned ; and Martha was there, as she had left Lazarus in the care 
 of Peter's daughter. Now the dead must be buried. Bartholomew found a 
 spade, and beside the home he dug a grave big enough for them all. When 
 they were all laid in the grave, Jesus said, " Let me behold the burial of God's 
 children." I raised him up, as I would a helpless child.* He knelt in prayer 
 
20 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 at the head of that grave that held a faithful brother and four beautiful children. 
 He asked his father God to bear them all away from earth and give them 
 a home where priests and confessors could not crush them more ; where the 
 angels bright could instruct them in the holy law of creation. When he ceased 
 to pray, he fell back, and Peter caught him up in his arms and bore him back 
 into the tent. Again the fever came back upon him, and he called for water. 
 Martha gave him water and bathed his head, and we lay him down beside his 
 mother. Again the sun rose bright and clear and had hardly blessed earth 
 with its rays, when the Hebrews began to gather from all the country around. 
 They brought with them what could be gathered up in a hurry, consisting 
 mostly of barley meal and barley bread. They brought along with them their 
 aged, their sick, and their children. Because the confessors had declared that 
 all of the Hebrews and heretics in the land should be laid low in the hour when 
 it should be declared by the high priest, Caiphas, and they knew not where to 
 go but to him that had caused the excitement, and as soon as they heard Jesus 
 had come down from the mountains they fled to him, hoping the same power 
 that had held him from death would shield them also. Jesus lay crouched 
 down beside his mother until the sun rose high, then he arose and sought to 
 bless them, but he fell back again. Then he called for cold water, and drank 
 freely. Then I saw an angel bright approach him, and she laid her hand upon 
 his head and breathed into his body. Then he stepped forth, fearless and 
 strong, and he held forth an hour. Here we were all electrified, and light fell 
 all over us. 
 
 One came in our midst ; he was bowed with grief, as he had been left alone 
 for many years. His companion and his beautiful daughters were all destroyed 
 in one night by a band of heathen confessors. He being from home, his life 
 was spared. Alone he had walked the earth with his angel family. They were 
 ever with him, and he conversed with them hourly. He had lived in that condi- 
 tion more than half a century; and, when he heard Jesus had come down from 
 the mountains, he sought him, that he could die by his side. His name was Cor- 
 nelius, and he was one hundred and four years old, therefore he was called the 
 centurion. It had been revealed to him that Jesus must die, and all that fol- 
 lowed him must die. And, when he saw such a multitude gathering together, his 
 heart was wrung in agony, and he exclaimed, " Holy God, these are thy chil- 
 dren, and they will find rest wdth thee, thou God of immensity." Jesus called to 
 him and said, *' Brother, God will reveal to you what is best to be done, because, 
 if we remain here, we shall be cut off by the heathens of Tyre ; they are filled 
 with hate against me, and they have destroyed my father and my brothers, and 
 they will surely destroy us all together if we remain here." Cornelius then 
 knelt in prayer, and asked God to reveal to him w^hat was best to do. He lis- 
 tened, and then gave answer. " It is the destiny of this people to die, but they 
 must not die here, because, if they do, God will be robbed of his glory, and 
 coming ages w^ill not be blest by the sacrifice offered upon the altar of humanity. 
 Make haste and begin your journey toward Jerusalem even now." I said, 
 "Here are the feeble; what shall we do with them.?" "Bear them along; let 
 the strong assist the weak, even to the last." Then he bowed his head and 
 said, "I give myself to thee, thou God of life eternal." Then Jesus called 
 Bartholomew and said: "Wrap my cloak around Mary; bear her along 
 in your arms. Judas will assist me, and Peter will lead Lazarus, and 
 you, John, assist the children." My heart ached for my brother, as he 
 leaned upon Judas, and I said, "Do let me assist you by taking hold of 
 the other arm." Feeble as he was, as we bore him along, ere he reached 
 the green slope, he became electrified; and, as he sprang from us, he 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 21 
 
 exclaimed, '' I will take care of him until night closes in, and then he will 
 be entirely exhausted, then you must care for him, as a mighty work will be 
 done ere the sun goes down on the morrow." As we came where the rest were 
 sitting, he shouted: "Hell's fiends are preparing to cut us off on the morrow, 
 and, unless you can be armed, they will lay you all low. As night closes in, forty 
 of you must enter the city and bring away, at least, two battle axes apiece. At 
 the hour of eight, the priests and confessors are holding their council, and, ere 
 they come from their council chamber, you will go to the building v.-here they 
 keep their battle axes and the keeper will think 3'ou are heathen. Secure the 
 axes, then hasten without the gates, lest you should be suspected and the gates 
 locked, then none could save you. But, if you linger not, you will be borne back in 
 safety." Here a beggir came and said, "The priests are preparing to work harm 
 against you, and they are gathering from all the country around." Cornelius 
 said, " Let the females and the children be kept in the centre of the multitude, 
 and let them build a fire and get warm, but it must be extinguished ere night 
 closes in." Then Jesus said, "Who among you that are diseased, let them 
 come and be healed." As the sick were brought forward, then the controller 
 said, "Gather together, ye faithful sons of God that have laid down all ye had 
 for humanity, now make conditions to heal the sick, that you are to bear along 
 with you, even to the end." We all formed in a circle around him, and, as the 
 sick were held before him, thus he exclaimed : " Angels of light, give us light 
 from thy own inner light, that these poor, frail beings can be filled with life 
 drawn from thee, thou God of light and love." They all breathed deep, and 
 were filled with strength, and were healed from that hour. The day had 
 changed to night, and the spirit breathed out of that body, and Jesus fell like a 
 dead thing to the ground. I knelt beside him and raised him in my arms, and 
 rested his head on my bosom. There I breathed upon him, and sought to warm 
 his chilled body by my own w^armth. There he lay, at least an hour ere he 
 seemed to breathe at all. Then he gave a deep groan, and asked for water. 
 He drank four cups full, and then sat up. He called for his mother, and Bar- 
 tholomev/ brought her to him. Her face v/as crimson, and her breath came thick 
 and fast. He said, " Bring water ; let me bathe her head, and her reason will 
 come back to her again." He laid his hand upon his mother's head, and a power 
 fell upon him that caused him to shudder. Then he said, "Holy Father, God, 
 assist me that my mother may look upon me and recognize her own." Mary 
 fell back and ceased to breathe for a few moments, then she opened her eyes 
 and said : " I have had a fearful dream, but it is all over now. But my boy is 
 here beside me." Her voice trembled as she said, " I saw Jesus hanging on the 
 cross, and I was kneeUng at his feet." Big tears rolled down her cheeks as she 
 said: "Yet it is not all a dream, because I did see the battle axe when it fell 
 upon Simeon's neck. Darling boy, he cannot come to me now, earthy, again. 
 And I did see my darling Jessie thrown into the den of wild beasts. And here 
 are Joseph and James ; they must have destroyed them, else they would not be 
 here in spirit. And you, dear Jesus, are you still breathing in a mortal form or 
 are you a spirit ? " She reached out her hand and laid it in that of her son's and 
 said: "Jesus, I do know you must hang on the cross, but I shall surely come to 
 you soon. But, oh, how desolate will be those hours until I can come to you!" 
 Then she said, " Have you heard from IMartha and Lazarus ? " I answered, 
 "They are here, dear Mary, and I will bring them to you, even now." " How is 
 it," she said, "that we are here in such a crowd?" I answered, "The heathen 
 are seeking to cut off all of God's children everywhere." Then she breathed 
 deep, and said : " God's children will yet fill all earth when ages have passed away. 
 And human sacrifices will lay the foundation for God's kingdom to be estab- 
 
22 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 lished on earth. Although it be laid in the heart's blood of the innocent, it will 
 not crumble and pass away, but forever it must remain through all coming time." 
 Then the holy child of God, that was controlling her, said : " My dear brother, 
 Jesus, will come back with my father, Leiah, after many ages have passed away, 
 and finish up what will be begun by the death of this family. And you, dear 
 brothers, will all come back to assist us in blessing humanity ; in declaring one 
 God, and one God only. You will declare against heathen idolatrous v/orship 
 among all the nations of the earth. Then, indeed, shall our father, God, be 
 acknowledged, all in all, and we a part and portion of the Almighty whole, and 
 after earth has been cleansed from priestcraft, and man will dare look at God's 
 wondrous formations, and ask how is it we are bound and all else is free. 
 Freedom will spring up with a mighty growth, made rich with warm blood, fresh 
 from human hearts, even when humanity is offering up her sons on the altar of 
 freedom. Even then a child shall be begotten that shall declare for you all 
 what your mission is among the inhabitants of earth ; what your mission is in 
 returning back to earth again. Then humanity will receive their inheritance, 
 and they will hold it forever and ever, as long as time rolls on." Then the holy 
 child of God breathed out of Mary's body and left her calm. 
 
 Eight o'clock was approaching, and the band that was to enter the city began 
 to gather. Forty-four came forward, and Cornelius said, " May God and his 
 angels assist you, but linger not within the gates lest you return not again." 
 Martha and Lazarus had come, and knelt beside Mary and Jesus all the time 
 Mary was controlled ; and, when she awoke from her trance, she saw them there. 
 And then she burst into tears again, and said, *' Holy God, I bless thee that 
 I have looked once more upon my dear brother and sister." There they sat 
 and conversed upon the fearful changes in that once happy family. Jesus an- 
 swered : " Dear Martha, we shall all meet where those dreadful changes cannot 
 come. No heathen bigots can come between us and our God." Even then they 
 heard a shout go up, and Bartholomew lay at the feet of Mary four battle axes, 
 and shouted, " Hell's damned will soon be upon us, but we will defend our- 
 selves." • Then they counted ^all that was able to defend the people, and they 
 numbered four hundred and eight, all armed with battle axes. Then they held 
 a council, and Cornelius said, "The females and children must be cared for, 
 else they Avill be damned ere they die." He said, " Let them be removed into 
 the forest, and have them lie down and keep as quiet as possible." Jesus and 
 Mary and Lazarus were borne away with them, and our brother was borne along 
 in our arms. Bartholomew raised Mary once more, even as a mother would 
 raise her babe, and the friends assisted Lazarus. We lay Jesus and Mary down 
 together, covered them over, and they both fell asleep and slept on, although 
 there was a fearful conflict going on at the same time. As I gazed upon them 
 I exclaimed, " Sleep on, angels will guard you until morning dawns." 
 
 When the heathens found we had entered their city, they called together all of 
 the confessors and idolatrous worshippers. They armed themselves with what 
 battle axes there were left, and the rest armed themselves with javelins and 
 spears. They numbered eleven hundred. They sought to surprise us, but we 
 were ready and waiting. Then we began our work in earnest. I saw bright 
 forms everywhere among the Hebrews, and I saw Leiah breathe into Bartholo- 
 mew's body, and his daughter controlled Judas. When they drew near, I saw 
 Bartholomew in the midst of the confessors, and heads fell at every blow. The 
 battle was short, but fearful. Eight priests stood together, and I saw Judas dart 
 forward toward them ; and, ere any one could come to their rescue, he laid them 
 all low. Then they fled us in great confusion, but Bartholomew followed them 
 for a time, and every one that came within his reach he laid low. But when he 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 23 
 
 came back, and the influence left him, he became like a child. He asked me, 
 '• How many of our people were slain ? " I ansv\ered, " Five have been laid low, 
 and one maimed. Let us bury our dead," I said, "ere morning dawns, and not 
 disturb the poor sufferers with this night's events ; and we will gather the 
 heathen together and count their slain." Bartholomew answered : ** I believe 
 God helped me. I was as light as a feather, and it seemed to me as if heads 
 were flying everywhere." I said, " Leiah controlled you, else you could never 
 have accomplished such a mighty work." " Glory to God," he shouted ; 
 " Leiah is a holy thing, and his daughter is an angel of light." We then pre- 
 pared to bury our dead. We dug a grave big enougli for them all. When they 
 were laid in their bed of rest, Cornelius knelt in prayer and asked God to bear 
 away their spirits from confusion ; then we covered them over. Then we began 
 to gather up the heathen, and their number was two hundred and five. Then 
 we heaped up in a pile, and covered them o'er with brush. Then Cornelius 
 said, " Let us go to the holy children of Abraham ; and, if they are resting, 
 let them rest, as the children are being filled with fever, because of their 
 sleeping on the damp ground." Then we all bathed in the brook, and then 
 went to the poor, distressed people. Many had been reared in luxury, and 
 such exposure was more than they could bear. Morning dawned upon them, 
 and chilly winds blew across the country, and we knew we must begin our 
 journey. I called to the people to arise and begin our long and tedious jour- 
 ney towards Jerusalem. The children were crying, and the people were chilled 
 through and through. Mary awoke and found herself beside her boy, and she 
 was calm and collected. She remembered everything from the time that Jesus 
 fled to the mountains, even to the present hour. Her children came before 
 her, even in that desolate condition, and she looked upon them with that calm 
 resignation that ever bespeaks a holy submission to the will of God. Jesus 
 awoke and reached out his hand and laid it on Mary's head, and breathed a 
 prayer for her and her family that were around them. This was his prayer : 
 " Holy Creator, God, bear along my mother until her death shall bless human- 
 ity, and then let her breathe in spirit with her own beloved family forever in 
 a brighter world beyond, where sorrow cannot come. Holy God, let thy chil- 
 dren assist us and bear us along until we can bless thy children in all the earth, 
 and faithful let us be unto thee, thou God of humanity." He then arose and 
 said : " Assist my mother, she cannot arise ; her strength has left her, and she 
 must be borne along by the strong arms of Bartholomew and Mark. Let 
 Peter lead Lazarus, and let Simon and Judas assist with the children." Simon, 
 the son of Stephen, had come to us, and his beautiful sister had followed him, 
 fearing harm would befall him. She was frail as a lily, and was an angel 
 bright. Her love for her brother caused her to forget toil and danger as long 
 as she could stand upon her feet. Yet as she journeyed along with us, day by 
 day, she faltered until she could not stand upon her feet. Then the brother 
 folded her to his bosom, and bore her along with holy resignation. 
 
 Ere we could start we were commanded to bring in the children that were 
 sick, that they could be cooled of their fever by the same law that we cleansed 
 the leper and caused the palsied man to say, " I am healed." Then we moved 
 forward, and that day we made two leagues. As night closed in, we halted on 
 a hillside, near a brook. Here we built a fire, and they baked their bread. Ere 
 they ate, they all knelt in prayer, and then they ate and lay down to sleep. 
 Day by day we continued in this manner, until the eleventh day, then Lazarus 
 died in the night, and we buried him in the morning. But, ere that, Simon's 
 sister had ceased to breathe, and we laid her down to rest, as a holy thing, in 
 her earthy bed. Not one thousandth part of the suffering could be told by 
 
24 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 any recorder on earth. Among the multitude they were dying hourly, and our 
 number was increasins^ hourly ; and, as I gazed upon them in their despair, I 
 could but exclaim : " O thou children of holy blood, thy hopes are blasted 
 earthy. Thou wilt all perish and be forgotten by man, but God will fold you 
 in his bosom as holy things befitting his own kingdom of light. There you will 
 be rewarded for all this suffering heaped upon you by heathen brutes in human 
 form. O ye beastly damned, God will dash you to pieces in his own due time 
 for blasting his own created, his children. Live, oh, live, all ye holy things that 
 have been created in Holland's blood. God has cleansed it for his own. That 
 holy blood has flown in crimson streams ere this, in order to establish a belief 
 in a living God ; and it will flow again and again until all earth is cleansed of its 
 heathen bigots, priests and confessors, and its hypocrisy and deceit. O Hol- 
 land, thou art the holy attraction for angels bright, and thy children will be 
 scattered all o'er earth, and the power of good from thee, my God, will fill their 
 hearts and their homes until thy holy begotten will iill all earth with thy glory." 
 Then I saw the child of God approach me, and she folded her arms about me. 
 And then I saw deep into the future. There I saw a form., and, as I stood 
 beside her, I said, " Are you the holy spirit that came to me when I was journey- 
 ing along with my brother, Jesus, in his hour of need?" Her answer was: 
 " John, thou wert my brother then, thou art my brother now, and we will labor 
 together here where freedom has been established and Holland set her seal 
 through the holy blood of Poland's sons. They fought for an enslaved 
 people, they died for that people, and their holy blood set the seal of freedom 
 where we will declare the presence of the Hebrew family and their coming back 
 to earth to finish up what could not be accomplished by their lives. And their 
 death could not set the seal for the freedom of human souls. And then, dear 
 brother John, let us lay the foundation that cannot be shaken by time ; where 
 every knee can bow, and every heart rejoice, in the fulness of God's freedom, 
 for all of his children in every clime." My heart was beating for that holy 
 child of God, and I exclaimed, "Let me live on earth until I have seen my 
 earth labor rewarded, and I can bear back my angel sister to that home of 
 light." Then I heard my brother, Jesus, call me, and I seemed to awake as 
 from a dream. When I reached him, I said, " Brother, God has unveiled the 
 future, and I have seen earth changed, and heathen priests and confessors were 
 chained and bound forever." "Amen," he said ; "then let God direct us, if it 
 be to the cross, and let us bow to the necessity of God's children until they can 
 discern clearly that God has designed them for a higher and hoHer life beyond." 
 Then Mary breathed deep and said : " Heaven will blend her light with earth 
 until all becomes light, and it must be accomplished through the humble chil- 
 dren of his own created. In the bosom of affection then they will breathe har- 
 mony instead of discord, and then, indeed, God will be made manifest through 
 his children, and they will live to glorify the infinite that will find a resting-place 
 in their own beings, and divine inspiration v/ill be the handmaiden that will 
 bedeck their inner lives, and the holy angels bright will be their companions. 
 Then death will lose its sting, and the grave its victory ; and, as they gaze 
 beyond, they will robe themselves in light, and love will attract them to their 
 own condition, and then they will all exclaim, God doeth all things well for 
 them that put their trust in him." 
 
 It being now high noon, the poor famished children of Judea were sit- 
 ting on the ground to rest. And I said to Mary, " Have you had anything 
 to eat?" Her answer was, " I have had nothing since yesterday noon." I 
 then said to Jesus, " Among all of this multitude there is not a piece of bread 
 or a spoonful of meal, and they are suffering everywhere with hunger." He 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 25 
 
 bowed his head and a deep groan came welling up from his very soul, as he 
 answered : " John, the holiest gift God gave to me I give to thee, my mother. 
 Care for her, John, when I am gone, it is all I ask; and now, if it is possible for 
 you to send to Joppa, bring bread for my mother. I cannot but die, but Mary 
 must linger, — it is her destiny." 
 
 Bread I could not buy ; but I saw a herdsman, and I said to him, " Drive a 
 bullock into the midst of the people, and let him be slain there that they may 
 save the blood, and I will give you ten scruples in gold." He took the gold and 
 drove the bullock into the midst of the people. They killed him there, and 
 saved the blood for the poor starving children, and then cut it up into small 
 pieces and gave it to them all. Jesus took his piece and held it away from him, 
 and said, " This is the- last morsel of food that will ever pass my lips earthy." 
 Then he said, " Come hither, my faithful followers ; come, let us once more sit 
 together in the presence of Almighty God, and eat to his glory for the last time 
 on earth." Twelve of us sat around him ; and ere we tasted we all knelt in 
 prayer. My brother's voice came deep and clear ; and then he prayed, " Blend, 
 oh, blend thy bread of life with this our earthy food, and may our souls be 
 filled with light from thee. Bless thy children, O Creator God, and in our 
 anguish let us bow and kiss the rod, if it be for the highest good, for thee and 
 humanit}'. Let the angels bear witness this was the last morsel of food that 
 passed the lips of any that died on the day of the crucifixion," When we 
 reached the valley north of Joppa, and encamped, we were entirely at a loss to 
 know what to do. The faithful followers gathered together and held a council. 
 It was decided that we should make our way into Jerusalem, hoping the hungry 
 Hebrews would be fed, if nothing more ; and my brother said the king was 
 once his friend, and he hoped he would save him from the cross, and the He- 
 brew children from starvation. That was our last hope. Frail as it was, we 
 had none other. We knew, if we remained there, it was but to starve. Turn 
 back we could not. Jerusalem was the only place for us, and there we fled. 
 How can I go on ? My heart beats v/hen I look upon those painful hours of 
 suffering and despair. Their hunger was cramping, and death was relieving 
 the poor emaciated bodies that had dragged themselves along to this holy val- 
 ley where the holy Caldean children had encamped four thousands of years 
 before, because the heathen priests had sought to cut off all of the sons of 
 Caldea, because they did believe in a living God. Here the sam.e springs were 
 still gushing up, fresh from the bosom of earth, for a people that were com- 
 pelled to become outcasts in the land of strangers. Here the holy blood of 
 Caldea and Judea blended together, by the Caldeans being driven from their 
 own kingdom, and, seeking rest in this holy valley, their descendants were held 
 for a time unmixed ; but, in the course of tim.e, they mixed with Judea's chil- 
 dren, and their descendants were called Hebrews. Judea's children descended 
 from Benjamin, and Caldea's children from Joseph. And now this holy blood 
 had been persecuted from time to time, as they had ever held the God of 
 Abraham before them. And the heathen bigots had ever sought- to cut off 
 all that declared Abraham's God ; and nov/, as the anointed priests had become 
 mighty in the land, they were determined to cut off every Hebrew, and destroy 
 them root and branch. Eighteen hundred years ago that was the condition of 
 the Eastern country, and what is it to-day ? Answer, O ye blood of Abraham. 
 In all the nations of the earth I find you still, and ye know not that the same 
 influences are at work in ancient Rome. Beware ! Bev/are ! Lest the blood 
 of Joseph and Benjamin are again compelled to flee their homes and seek rest 
 in some distant valley or be trampled beneath the feet of heathen, idolatrous 
 worshippers. They are already prepared to destroy all that will not bow to the 
 
26 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 idols that they hold before the poor, deluded creatures that have been reared in 
 the bosom of delusion, and drag out a life in fear of the pope and priest, and 
 not say our Father and our God is here in our midst. And I, John, have 
 watched those changes and know its meanmg. 
 
 After we had decided v/hat to do, we knelt in prayer. And then a holy 
 calm came over us, and we said, one to the other, we will enter Jerusalem, and 
 there we shall find rest, even if it be death. I shouted, " Holy children of 
 Abraham, we are going home." I did know my brother would be hung on the 
 cross. I did know I must die, and I did know we should fmd rest beyond 
 God's ether blue, and my soul was filled with that light drawn from eternal dis- 
 tance. And I declared God's presence, and the presence of his angel children, 
 even as I declare now the presence of God's angel children, here on earth. 
 They are the Hebrew family, Joseph and his family, and the faithful followers 
 of their first-born, Jesus. Who dares point the finger of scorn at that holy 
 angel brother, and declare he is an illegitimate begotten, he has not eternal 
 life within him, and God will not hold him guiltless that dares to seek to cast 
 a stain on the holiest thing he ever created, through the holy blending of two 
 hearts that beat in holy adoration to their God, and holy love one for the other. 
 Live, oh, live, ye children of the living God, and declare his ever presence, and 
 the presence of his angel children in spirit ; and you, child of God, in Abra- 
 ham's blood, are my sister, and I am thy brother, because you have been faith- 
 ful to us in laying down our histories, and may Almighty God baptize you with 
 his holy spirit, and may you find rest in the bosom of the angel band that you 
 have blessed by inscribing for them truths they have borne along for more than 
 eighteen hundred years. They belonged to humanity, and they could not lay 
 them down until they could find some one through which they could breathe 
 their whole life as it was, that they could be known as they were, as they are, 
 men and women in the past, in the present, and in the future, God's own, and 
 not heathen bigots. It has been declared by my brother, Jesus, why he re- 
 turned to earth after his absence from here of seventeen hundred and twenty- 
 four years and eleven months, that he could finish up what had been begun by 
 his death, that was, to destroy idolatrous worship, and that God could be glo- 
 rified through his own created children. Holy Creator, God, blend thy life with 
 those that hold these pages before them, that they may fully understand my 
 declaration of what I saw and heard and know relative 'to Joseph and Mary, 
 and their first-born, Jesus. His life and his death were demanded by humanity, 
 they still demand another human sacrifice in order that they may believe. God 
 must be glorified through his children. 
 
 When we were preparing to begin our last day's journey, and I had assisted 
 my brother to his feet, Seth came to me and said, " There is a Jewish chariot 
 come, and the man made inquiry for you." I said, "It is my father and my 
 sister." At that moment my sister alighted and came near. I saw she was 
 bowed with grief, and her heart was breaking. "Holy God," I exclaimed, 
 " how came you here in the midst of death and despair?" Her answer was, 
 "Dear brother John, do go home with us ; father is waiting for you." I folded 
 her to my bosom, and I longed to die there in her holy embrace. All she could 
 say was, "John, dear John, do go home with us." Her heart was beating fear- 
 fully as I gave her answer: " Sister, God's demand is upon me. I must die for 
 declaring God's presence and the presence of his children in spirit." Then she 
 said, " If you do not go, dear John, my father's heart will break, and my mother 
 will mourn away her life for her son, and how can we, your sisters, live without 
 you?" I said to her: "Look, dear sister, look! Where can I go ? If I go 
 home you will all be cut off, and, if I fiee, where can I flee ? Every country is 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 27 
 
 filled with priests and confessors, and they would not rest until I was laid low. 
 Go back to my father, and say to him that ere eight days he will be cut off by these 
 fiends of darkness, that I am about to lay down my life to destroy. But ere it 
 can be accompHshed humanity must suffer by these brutes in human form, and 
 you, my sister, and the four that are at home, as well as my dear mother, will be 
 crushed to death by the heathen brutes that are even now filling Jerusalem. 
 My father will be called into council, and ere he returns you will all be damned 
 by the brutes that will enter your home ; and, when he returns, you will all be 
 dead." I said: " My father foresaw it, and his heart is filled with despair. He 
 does know the Jews will be cut off, but God will hold enough of his true and 
 faithful to savor all earth, and a mighty power will make conditions for us to 
 return to earth and leave light enough to bless all people, in all climes, if they 
 will be blessed by truth bereft of fiction. Now go, dear sister, and say to my 
 father I cannot come to him now, but I will be beside him when the battle axe 
 falls upon him, and then I will bear him away, with his family, into a holier 
 condition than earth can ever give him more." My sister wept as if her heart 
 would break, and said, "My father will die, my mother will die, and we must 
 all die, for you, dear brother, being a heretic. Leave this rabble, John, and, if 
 we must die, let us die together." "No, dear sister," I said, "that cannot be. 
 I must lay down all I have for my brother and the holy cause of freeing human- 
 ity from the dark stain of heathen idolatrous worship." Here my sister bowed 
 her head and said : " John, God will hold you in his bosom forever, while many 
 will be cast out into darkness. I will go back to my father and tell him all." 
 As she was entering the chariot, my father saw a band of confessors drawing 
 nigh, and he was compelled to haste back to the city. 
 
 I did follow my brother until he hung upon the cross. There he called me 
 and said, "John, come hither." I drew as near as I could, on account of 
 the guard that was about him, and then he said, " Do care for my mother, and 
 God will bless you forever." That was after Mary was dragged away, but I 
 ansvv-ered, "I will care for Mary." I sought her among the Hebrews, but she 
 was nowhere to be found. I made inquiry, and was told she was dragged away 
 by four confessors, beyond the hill. Then I knew she was beyond my reach, 
 as in that direction they were cutting off all that attempted to escape. This 
 was about four o'clock in the afternoon. The heathen brutes had begun their 
 work of death. Heads were being cut off everywhere. After I had looked for 
 Mary, and could not find her, I made my way again toward the cross, that I 
 could look once more on that holy brother. He had called for w^ater, and, as 
 Judas was about to hold it to his lips, I saw the cup dashed from his hand by 
 an anointed priest. Then my brother said, " As you dash that cup from me, 
 Almighty God will dash you to pieces, in his own due time." And, as I found 
 I could do nothing more, I fled in the confusion, and sought the forest, and I 
 attempted to cross the border country, bearing toward the Caspian Sea, but on 
 the fourth day I was beheaded by a confessor that had followed me from Jeru- 
 salem. Here I may add, my father was beheaded, and my mother and five 
 sisters were damned, and died at the hand of the confessors. 
 
 Here I will close my earth history, in a part ; but, had I given all that could 
 have been given, relative to this matter, I should have inscribed many a chap- 
 ter where I have left it a blank. Here I would say : Farewell, friends of humanit}\ 
 If I were not commanded to make crooked ways straight, then I should not re- 
 turn to you. I have been called John the Evangelist ; but, so far as any evan- 
 gelical doctrines, I never knew aught of them. Then how can you call me what 
 I never knew aught of, as there was nothing of that sort when I walked the 
 earth, unless you make the application because I was a 'dispenser of the Jewish 
 
28 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 doctrines ? I acknowledge I was educated to that belief ; and, so far as my 
 being a Baptist, I never knew aught of such an ism until I returned to earth in 
 eighteen hundred and twelve, and I do deny baptizing any. But I do know I 
 was baptized by the spirit of the living God, and it fills my v/hole being. And 
 my life has been dedicated to the glory of God, in seeking to bless his children; 
 and I would have my works declare me as I am, a man. History declares that 
 I am blood kin to the holy man, Jesus. I acknowledge him my brother, in 
 spirit, but not by blood. His father's blood was full Hebrew ; his mother's 
 blood was Hebrew, through Sodom's borders. My father's and mother's blood 
 was full Judea's blood, even direct from Benjamin's children. 
 
 When I was beheaded, I was thirty-seven years and two months and twenty- 
 eight days. Here I have been on earth fifty-six years and three days, hoping 
 to finish up for humanity that which was begun by my life and death, and bear 
 testimony of him who died for truth's sake. And, if humanity is to be blessed 
 by my coming, then I will say, give God the glory for the good that has been 
 done through his humble created child, John. But now, as I am about to say 
 farewell, I v.'ould bring before you God's humble scribe, that has light you know 
 not of ; and you cannot comprehend the glory of God that is about her, as her 
 days are devoted to holy revelations, and the holy angels are her companions. 
 How is man to comprehend her but by the light that is breathed upon her, and 
 she gives it light by inscribing it in life lines that can never die } My father, my 
 mother, and my angel sisters call me, and I must go to them. And you, dear 
 sister, may you be held from the blasting hate and jealousy of those that would 
 gladly destroy the body, and trample j^ou beneath their feet, if they could obtain 
 the diamonds within, because they do ali know you have gifts they have not, 
 neither can they have in this life, or the life beyond. Live, oh, live, until human- 
 ity may be blessed by your holy inscriptions, that shall live when you cease to 
 be in mortal form. When your journey is ended, I will com.e and bear you be- 
 yond the reach of humanity. There will be a home prepared for thee, where 
 you will draw light from eternal light, forever, eternal, and forever. Your days 
 have been days of toil, and humanity has been blessed by thee, by being healed 
 of disease, hearts freed from care, and light has dawned upon them, that they 
 could discern their way more clear. Behold the glory of God through his works. 
 His flocks and herds cover Mount Hoab. The stars give light by night, and 
 the sun bespeaks his glory by day. And here, in the presence of God's chil- 
 dren, I must bid you farewell, here, hereafter, forever, eternal, and forever. I 
 am your brother, you are my sister. I am your friend and brother, John, the 
 humble man that fled his home and became a beggar among men, that God 
 could be acknov/ledged by his own created children, in every country and in 
 every clime, and that God's angel children may breathe comfort to their friends 
 still in earth forms. But how can I address thee, O men in priestly robes, that 
 are teaching that which they do not believe, in order to chain human souls to 
 heathen devices, that have been held by the crafty priesthood, that they may 
 live in ease and have all of their desires gratified ; and that they can hold hu- 
 manity in darkness, because they know full well, if they teach them the true 
 knowledge, they will rise and say. Earn your bread or starve : you are our 
 brother man, and nothing more. Now live as a brother, and we will treat you 
 as a brother, else we will hurl you from us as a filthy thing, then you will know 
 how you have dealt with us. Become honest citizens, and live according to the 
 law of the living God, and not command the children to bring their last penny to 
 fill your coffers, when they need it for bread. Light alone will free the people, 
 and for that purpose I am here, dwelling among men ; and it is for that purpose 
 I have a demand upon children of light in every country of the inhabitable 
 
TESTIMONY OF JOHN. 29 
 
 globe. Light, holy has been thy rays from creation's dawn ; and, when it finds 
 a resting place in the human mind, God is glorified through his own creations, 
 and the inner life blends with the almighty whole. Angel brothers, God is 
 here. Let us swear to defend the helpless, care for the needy, and light the 
 dark passage of humanity to a brighter world beyond. In the holy of holies I 
 will meet them. There w^e will kneel upon the square, and draw each line by 
 the compass, forever, eternal, and forever. Holy light, I bow before thee and 
 ask for thy rays divine to fi^nd a resting place in every human mind, here, here- 
 after, eternal, and forever, is the humble prayer of John, the friend and brother 
 of the humble man called Jesus of Nazareth. Friends and brothers, farewell 
 forever earthy. 
 Oct. 26, 1S70. 
 
 I, John, feel a duty due humanity, which if I leave without laying down my 
 whole burden, earth may demand my presence again ; but, when I am freed, I 
 would be free forever. 
 
 NOTES ON HISTORY AS IT HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN THROUGH JUDEA'S BLOOD. 
 
 Josephus was a partial historian. In the first place he gave but the fair side 
 of Judea's doings and sayings, and his hate against the Hebrews knew no 
 bounds ; and, as for the heretics, he would have destroyed them all if he could, 
 and among the rest he had a fearful hate against Jesus, as he felt he had de- 
 luded me with heresy, and for that he persecuted the Hebrews with more deadly 
 hatred than before. In his history of Judea's children did he give any account 
 of the heathen priests destroying Judea's fairest flowers that bloomed upon her 
 borders ? No ! He withheld that from his works, yet he was cognizant of it all. 
 His knowledge was clear relative to the laws of the land, yet he gave it but in 
 part. And now a partial historian is to be criticised by facts that did exist, and 
 must now be made plain. Josephus declares that Judea's kings were holy peo- 
 ple. If holiness consists in drunkenness and debauchery, then they were holy. 
 He declares the country was filled wath light. If heathen idolatrous worship 
 was light, then we have nothing to say ; and when the anointed priests had 
 a right to enter the homes of the Hebrews, and slay the men for naught but 
 being Hebrews, and crushing their females with their brute desires, then bid de- 
 fiance to Judea's king and council, holding themselves in condition to do battle 
 if they were in the least disturbed. Did the council ever dare condemn a 
 heathen unless he w^as first handed over to the priesthood, and they give him 
 over to have the laws enforced ? How was it wdth Caiphas and the king's 
 home ? Does Josephus declare that he, Caiphas, diseased the king's concubines 
 and damned his daughters, and even diseased the queen, and she died with that 
 disease? Does he declare that the heathen priests alone gave in marriage 
 even Judea's children, and, if he chose to hold the damsel that had been united 
 to the one of her choice for days in his chamber before he gave her up to her 
 husband, that crushed husband dared not ask a question why it was so, and, if 
 he could receive her to his bosom alive, he would receive her and hold his 
 peace ; and, if a priest or confessor demanded his wdfe in after time, he dare 
 not cross the threshold of his own home until they had departed, and if his 
 companion bore children, and among them were holy daughters, dare he say 
 aught against the heathen confessors holding them at their will and pleasure ? 
 No, he dare not, knowing full well it would be his doom to die, even if he were 
 Judean, Hebrew, or heretic. These things did exist in All of the land; but does 
 
30 LIFE OF JESUS OF XxVZARETH. 
 
 Josephus declare aught of it ? No ! No ! No ! But he writes all that could 
 reflect credit for Judea's inhabitance, therefore, I must say, he is a partial histo- 
 rian, for history embodies the whole, whether good or evil ; and here I am de- 
 claring what I know to be facts, and nothing more. I have held these facts for 
 ages. They belong to humanity, and I shall leave them in their hands, and they 
 can do v.dth them what they choose. 
 
 Freed, oh, freed, holy God, I am forever ; and could I but unchain human 
 souls, that are bound to heathen devices, that are cursing God's created, even in 
 this age, and in this holy land of freedom ! Arise, O ye holy sons and daugh- 
 ters. Children of light dare ask Almighty God if he has forged chains for the 
 spirit when the body is free. Look, oh, look ye, to the life beyond ; and, if you 
 discern clearly, you will see that all bespeaks freedom, unless you bind your- 
 selves. Even if you are bound here, who is to unbind you hereafter ? None ! 
 None ! They that have enslaved you are enslaved themselves, and ages on ages 
 may pass away, and none will say to you, Arise, there is light beyond ; a home 
 for thee and all humanity that ask, and ask aright. Breathless, I gaze into the 
 future, and see what I never saw before. Mighty changes among earth's inhab- 
 itants. Holy children will be born that will attract holy lights around them, 
 and that light will surely reach every heart and every home in all the earth. 
 Then priestcraft, no matter under what name it may come, will smoulder in ashes 
 because the holy blending with the angel world will surely lead them, and lead 
 them aright, and teach the children of men to ask for knowledge. And who will 
 teach them but the souls that are freed from earth ? Then there will surely be 
 one glad song go welling up for the first great cause. Hosanna ! Hosanna! 
 Glory to God and good will to man, forever and eternally. Holy God, I will 
 praise thee for letting me behold the future ere I pass beyond to my home of 
 rest. This hour will be held before me as a comforter, when I cannot watch 
 earth and its changes. But I know it will be fulfilled, and God's glory will fill 
 all time, all space ; and he will be glorified through his children, even here on 
 earth. John, once the Jewish dispenser, and now a servant of Almighty God. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 TESTIMONY OF BARTHOLOMEW. 
 
 EXTRACTS OF BARTHOLOMEW, THE APOSTLE OF THE HUMBLE NAZARENE. 
 
 I HAVE come back to earth determined to give facts concerning my journey- 
 ing around the country with the first born of Joseph and Mary, Jesus of Naza- 
 reth, as he was called then, and the same appellation is given him now. But 
 another name was hurled at him, in derision, by a priest in a Catholic council, 
 when they were discussing the subject whether to hold him before the people as 
 an idol or whether they should hurl him from them as a despised thing. One 
 priest arose, and said : " He is a Christ, and he ought to be cut off from all 
 church creeds ; and his records ought to be brought together and burned, as he 
 is a controller in hell, else he would not have done what he did when a priest 
 aimed a blow at his head, and ere he could direct the blow his arm dropped 
 down by his side, and he could not raise it. Then the crazy fool shouted. 
 
.-, y'-" or Tl^. .- ,x 
 
 TESTIMONY OF BARTHOllbMEW."* '' JSKiSlTYIi 31 
 
 *Holy Creator, God, thy electric law has saved me from* dieat^* ana now- ao you 
 think that such an unworthy man ought to be held as an idol, when he cursed 
 all idols, priests, and confessors ? And now, if you hold him as an idol, under 
 the name of Jesus of Nazareth, I will flee you forever." Then another priest 
 arose to his feet, and said : " As the priest hates the name of Jesus of Nazareth, 
 we will call him the Christ ; and, if he is the controller in hell, he will have 
 enough to do in order to hold the affected heathens that are becoming so nu- 
 merous that they must be held by fear." Then the one that had addressed 
 them before sprang to his feet, and said : " Excellent. Then we will have 
 a Christ, and make the affected fools afraid to hold themselves av/ay from con- 
 fession. Even the true worshippers at the Holy Catholic Church have dared to 
 deny their daughters being held after confession ; and, if we are denied that com- 
 fort, what are we to do ? Then we are not allowed to marry, what shall be 
 done ? Heretofore the priest had a right to hold all the females he had a desire 
 for, and the faithful followers were ever ready to bring their daughters, as well as 
 their wives, whenever we wanted them ; and there were no questions asked if 
 we saw fit to detain them for days. And children were ever being begotten by 
 us, and none asked why they had them to support ; and, whenever we could find 
 one that was intelligent, we could take them at our will and pleasure, and edu- 
 cate him for a priest. But, in spite of our efforts, we are losing ground daily ; 
 and, if something is not done to hold them in fear, we shall be compelled to live 
 as other men live, with one female, and that we could never endure. But they 
 shall bow to the law of Moses, and come to us when we desire them." Then 
 an aged priest arose, and said : " We were compelled to do what we did do, 
 form ourselves into a body, as the crazy heretics had scattered their ideas 
 among the heathens relative to females being held by anointed priests and con- 
 fessors; and they were fools enough to hold themselves from confession until 
 the priests were compelled to force them, by a decree, to come to their relief. 
 And now we must have an idol they all do know did live, and, if you want Jesus, 
 we will have him ; but, if you want John, then we will have him. It matters not 
 which, as John scattered heresy, even as much as the crazy fool of a Hebrew, the 
 first born of Joseph and Mary. Now choose which shall be held before the faith- 
 ful followers of Moses. He was a priest, and he begat an hundred and forty- 
 four children, and he was never bound to any. His concubines were ever ready 
 at his will and pleasure, and, as we bow to him as a director, let us share the 
 pleasure of his life, even as he did ; and, if we can hold control over the heathen 
 people, let us give them an idol, one they all know did live, that we can be com- 
 forted, even as Moses was comforted." Then the council remained in session 
 four days, ere they could decide what was best to do for an idol. As they knew 
 Jesus had become more notorious than John, among the heathen, by his many 
 acts, which could not be denied, they came to the conclusion it was better to 
 take the humble child of Joseph and Mary as their idol, under the name of 
 Christ, which is, when fully translated from the heathen dialect, a controller in 
 hell. Now, here I am to defend my brother, lest he should be accused of being 
 the instigator of such a heathen plot as being held between Almighty God and 
 his children, as mediator. Does God ask man to assist him in his wondrous 
 formations, and in holding his myriads of worlds in harmony one with the 
 other? Then how is it that the heathen bigots still chain and hold control of 
 the human mind, and cause ideality to bow to priestcraft, hypocrisy, deceit, and 
 hell ? Hell is ignorance, and ignorance lays the foundation for the ambitious to 
 chain and bind the lesser mind ; and these are the souls that are chained and 
 bound by the crafty priesthood. And what are your isms to-day but the devices 
 of crafty man, in order that he may live in ease and splendor, while the humble 
 
32 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 laborer can toil on from day to day, to feed and clothe him that holds himself 
 before the people as the one that is making intercession with the holy Jesus ; 
 and he interceding with the Creator, to hold his own created from tempation 
 and the devil ? Holy God, if thou hast created such a being to tempt the high- 
 est and holiest of thy creations, thy own children, to go astray, are thy children 
 accountable for aught that may befall them ? Lay not to the charge of Almighty 
 God the foul stigma of tempting his feeble children in their earthy condition. 
 Give them light that they may behold their Father, God, and his mighty changes, 
 in order to bring the human mind in rapport with himself, as he is, then they 
 will not ask for an idol to intercede for them in any form whatever, — pope, 
 priest, confessor, layman, or clergy, — but they will be Avilling to say. Here I am, 
 my Father and my God. Lead me through the knowledge I may be able to 
 draw from thee, thou God of immensity, by conditions that are before me ; and 
 all of thy created, that have light given from the first great cause, eternal light. 
 Here I am, that humanity may know hov/ they have been held by the designing 
 priesthood, that they may be looked upon as holy things ; and cause the igno- 
 rant to feel their necessities must be satisfied, even before their own. Now 
 these facts I have laid down happened two hundred and sixty-four years after 
 Jesus had ceased to be earthy. And now the Catholics had begun to lose 
 ground again, and they knew, unless some new control could be brought to bear 
 upon the minds of the masses, the influence would be lost in Judaism, heresy 
 and light. Therefore they held a council again at Antioch, and they concluded 
 to have a female idol, to set beside their male idol, in order the females would 
 be attracted to them by looking upon the mother of their holy idol ; and, as 
 such a thing as a female idol was never known before, they looked upon the 
 female idol as the mother of their God, — all the God they dared ask for. That 
 had its desired effect, and they gathered in holy admiration to their idols ; and 
 they have held them even to this day, and they will hold them until light from 
 the eternal God dispels their darkness. 
 
 Here we will leave the galling chains of heathen idolatrous worship in the 
 hands of Almighty God, asking him to guide us aright in our laying down facts 
 as they were, and must forever remain facts, whether humanity will receive them 
 or no. I did follow my brother from the time I met him on the hillside. My 
 meeting with him was in this manner : It had been rumored about Jerusalem 
 that a crazy heretic was doing great mischief by scattering heresy, and causing 
 a great commotion among the people, and he was now making his v/ay toward 
 Jerusalem. The council decided that he should be driven away, and they chose 
 me to go out and drive him away ; and say to him, if he did not leave Judea 
 before the setting of another sun, he should be beheaded. When the council 
 ended, my father came to me and laid his hand in mine, and said, " Hasten back, 
 my son : I fear you may become contaminated with heresy." Josephus, standing 
 b}', answered, " His belief is too well established in the Jewish doctrine to be 
 shaken by heresy or heathenism." 
 
 My father still held my hand, and said, " Take the chariot, and I will remain 
 here until you return." I hastened away, and, after I passed out of the city, 
 I saw a great multitude gathering on the hillside. I alighted, and made my 
 Avay as best I could through the crowd, until I saw a frail man kneeling in 
 prayer. His hair was light and wavy, his face was fair, even beautiful, and care 
 was depicted there ; and I said within myself. Can that lovely being be a de- 
 ceiver ? yet I knew I must enforce the law, and I trembled from head to foot. He 
 arose to his feet, and said : " Who among you would crush a withered flower that 
 God has held from death, in order that his children should receive light.? Who 
 among you have sought to slay God's child, that is ready and willing to lay down 
 
TESTIMONY OF BARTHOLOMEW. 33 
 
 all he has, even his life, for humanity, that they may behold the glory of the 
 living God ? Who among you dare lay hands on this body ? I Vvill call on the 
 living God to chain him with electricity." I had borne along with me cords, in 
 order to bind him if he did not flee ; and, as I reached out my hand toward him, 
 I was felled to the ground by a power I knew not what ; and, as I lay there, 
 shivering all over, I forgot all things around me. The hand of the holy man 
 was clasped in mine own ; and, as he bent over me, his cheek rested upon my 
 forehead, and, as I opened my eyes, that sweet, love-lit face filled me with love 
 for the Hebrews that has never gone out. All law and all hate was forgotten 
 when he breathed these words, *' Brother, God is here : arise, and begin your 
 work." From that hour I did all I could to relieve him from his much care and 
 suffering. He still knelt beside me, as I lay there, a helpless thing ; yet I could 
 see and hear, but I could not move. I saw a form approach him, and fold him 
 to her bosom ; and I knew she was an angel. Her hair was dark and flowing, 
 her eyes were black, and I forgot all but her presence. Her face was like a 
 diamond bright, her hands and feet the same, her garments hung loose, and 
 a holier being was never looked upon. But, when she had breathed her life into 
 the Hebrew, she exclaimed : " Brother, begin your work. God's command is 
 upon you : begin your work." She raised me up, and I was filled with God's 
 glory ; and I shouted : " I was dead, but I am alive. I was lost in Judaism, but 
 I have been brought into light; and I will die for my brother if need be." Jesus 
 was controlled for at least four hours ; and, as I listened to the holy, profound 
 teachings, I forgot all but the angel I had gazed upon, as she still breathed 
 through the humble beggar, covered with nothing but rags. Ere she ceased to 
 speak, she turned to me, and said, '' Brother, God is here : let us give him all 
 the glory for what has been done to-day." ''Amen," I answered, "my soul is 
 filled with God's glory for the holy breath of his children in spirit." She 
 answered, " Care for my brother, that he may be borne along until the hour 
 comes for God to be glorified and humanity be blessed by his death." She then 
 breathed out of him, but she still lingered near to comfort him by her holy 
 influence. As the sun had ceased to shine, and darkness was covering the 
 earth, a messenger arrived from my father. He declared my father was waiting 
 at the gates, and would not be comforted until I should come to him. I said to 
 him : " God's command is upon me, and I must obey. Also say to him I will 
 be at home on the morrow, ere the dark mantle covers the earth ; and I will 
 bring with me an angel band that will bless him. Go now, and hasten back 
 with bread. I hunger." He hastened away, and soon returned with bread. I 
 went to Jesus, and said, " You fed us with the bread of life, and I will feed you 
 with barley bread." He answered : " God bless you, dear brother. I am starving 
 for bread, even now ; but I forgot my hunger when God's child folded me to her 
 bosom, but in the bosom of John I am blessed." I saw, when the influence left 
 him, he fell to the earth ; and John knelt beside him, raised him up, and held 
 him in his arms, and, when I came to him with bread, his head rested upon 
 John's bosom. I said, " Who is this angel beside you ? " He answered, " It is 
 Leiah's daughter." Then I left him, and hastened away, and found rest 
 with a Hebrew family beyond the hill. At early dawn I hastened back to 
 the poor humble children of God; and we entered the city, fasting all 
 that day. The humble Nazarene was controlled, healing the sick and de- 
 claring God. The day wore away, and there was a great commotion among 
 the people ; and four of the faithful followers had been borne away by 
 the order of Caiphas, and hung upon a gallows that had been prepared 
 to hang Jesus upon, and, as I saw the heathens approaching, I caught 
 Jesus up in my arms, and fled into my father's house, it being near 
 
34 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 by. As I entered there, the servant accosted me, and said, "The man 
 you have in your arms is dead"; but I hastened along, and lay him upon 
 my own couch, a poor, blasted thing. Eight of the disciples followed me into 
 the house, and closed the gates after them. After Jesus had lain there for a 
 time, I accosted him thus, " How is it Leiah's daughter shares your destiny ? '* 
 He answered : " Her father was once king of ancient Arabia, and he took an 
 oath that he would free earth of heathen idolatrous worship, and his daughter 
 is seeking to redeem him from that oath ; and they have controlled in all of the 
 nations of the earth, declaring one God, and one God only. That is why they 
 have held me from my childhood hours, even to the present. She has been be- 
 side me, leading and guiding me through the many changes I have borne, else I 
 could not have borne my burden until the hour comes for my death, to establish 
 truths for all coming time." 1 then asked him who would finish up what would 
 be begun by his life and death. He replied, " God's angel children, that are 
 leading and guiding me to-day, will return back to earth after a time, and pre- 
 pare the w^ay for me to breathe truths for humanity that can never die. Then 
 all coming ages will receive the light, and walk therein." I had this conversa- 
 tion with my holy brother in my father's home, in the presence of John and 
 Judas, also my father and mother. My mother wept all the time he was speak- 
 ing. 
 
 Then he turned to her, and said: " O woman, thou art blessed with a home 
 and friends, while my mother is an outcast and a beggar, with hardly garments 
 enough to shield her from shame, while her feet are oft-times sore and bleeding, 
 while she has been driven about the country with a price set upon the heads of 
 her family, and always upon the head of her first-born. Why .? Because they 
 declared the God of Abraham, and sought to worship in spirit and in truth." 
 Then my father bowed his head, and said : " I have but one son. He is to lay 
 down his life for life eternal in a brighter world beyond." I answered : " Amen ! 
 Glory to God! I have been blessed by my father's answer to the earnest desire 
 of my heart." Then Jesus bowed his head ; and I saw a holy influence breath- 
 ing her life into that frail body, even while he lay upon my couch. She breathed 
 a prayer for my father and mother, and said : " Your boy will come to you after 
 he has finished his earth labor, and will remain beside you until he can bear you 
 beyond, and there you will remain together ; but he will return to the earth, when 
 ages have passed away, and finish up what will be begun. His death is but one 
 of the many that are demanded by humanity to appease their unholy demand of 
 an individual God. But, when he breathes out of that earthy body, he will bless 
 you both by preparing a place for you ; and it cannot be long, as you both are 
 like the declining sun, that must set ere it can rise in a brighter and a holier 
 condition. And you, my dear brother Bartholomew, will dwell in the holy of 
 holies, beside my father, as he lay the foundation of God's brotherhood ages 
 ago." I robed him for his labor, and his garments were prepared by a holier 
 hand than mine. As I knelt with the holy breath of him that lay at my feet, 
 his head was there that had contained the inner man. The arms were there that 
 obeyed the inner life, but the rest of the bones we bore away in our own light, 
 and lay them to rest in the .... on the where none but Al- 
 mighty God, my brother, and myself ever knew. My father saw us kneeling 
 there, but where he never knew. I led him through the dark passage, he asked 
 me not whither. I traced a holy word in the air, and he breathed it, and noth- 
 ing more ; and the holy word he breathed was Then my father 
 
 breathed aloud, and said : " The holy light from beyond eternal light^fiUs my 
 soul with love for my brother ; and I could die for my brother, if need be." 
 Then I said : " Behold, dear father, the hand that traced those lines is at rest. 
 
TESTIMONY OF BARTHOLOMEW. 35 
 
 Father, God draws his own lines, and none can pass it but light from thine 
 own inner light. Dear father," I said, "will fill this .... with light; and then 
 you will discern more clear the lines that one traced in empty air. Now breathe 
 a prayer, dear brother Bartholomew, breathe a prayer that I, with you, may 
 share the holy life beyond God's ether blue. There in the holy of holies you will 
 find that holy breath that came to me when I was breathing a prayer that my 
 father would be blessed, here, hereafter, forever, eternal and foreVer, in that 
 holy retreat." We brought our emblems denoting our readiness to begin our 
 labor for humanity. The labor did begin among my own people — Arabia's 
 children — when my father was crowned king over a holy people. God's 
 children were there. He with them did share God's holy love from eternal dis- 
 tance brought, that his own created could attract light from eternal light, and 
 be blessed eternal and forever. I then arose to my feet, filled with astonishment 
 that such intelligence should come from that poor humble man, — one I was 
 aware had never been initiated into the order of freemasonry, — and I knelt 
 beside him, and said, " Brother, lay your palm in mine." A gentle pressure 
 bespoke the holy breath within, of the holy daughter of Leiah breathing through 
 that angel form. I then said, "How is it your father was held from falling?" 
 Her answer was, "Light came to him, and led him forward." "Where did light 
 lead him?" I asked. "Into the inner chamber, where his brother bade him 
 enter," she answered. "What did he do there?" I asked. "I robed him in 
 garments befitting his condition as a faithful worker and a true brother ; and the 
 holy breath was there, and led him into the holy of holies. There we knelt in 
 prayer for God's faithful children everywhere. There we began a work for 
 coming ages, ere earth changes could prepare the way, ere earth's children 
 could breathe that holy name in empty air." Here I knelt beside my brother, 
 and folded him to my bosom, as the holiest thing I had ever known. Even 
 while the angel daughter of Leiah held control, the influence breathed out of 
 him. Even while I held that frail body in my arms, he dropped like one dead ; 
 and I lay him back on my pillow. Here John came forward, and lay down 
 beside him, and rested his cheek upon that of Jesus ; and they both fell asleep. 
 The spirit that had controlled Jesus breathed upon Judas, and I asked how it 
 was " that inspiration could hold earth from heathen idolatrous worship." He 
 answered : " Knowledge from the living God alone can give light to the inhabi- 
 tants of earth, and that alone will free them from darkness and fear, — fear of 
 beholding God's glory as it is made manifest through his works : then we, with 
 holy, eternal distance, may share holy revelations from his angel children that 
 are preparing the way that we may share the light from eternal light, that is 
 shining everj^vhere, filling all time, all space. God is there. Holy, Almighty, 
 as thou art, we are but of thee a part, and thou doth live in every human heart ; 
 and let us find a place in every angel breath, then earth will blossom like a rose, 
 and Jehovah God will be glorified through his own, his own beloved children." 
 Then she added, "The hour is nigh for you to depart from here, but God will 
 lead you through darkness into light beyond." 
 
 Then she breathed out of that body, and Judas sat down beside me, and said, 
 " My heart is beating with love for God and the human family"; and then I 
 replied : " Here on earth my labor, but the future I cannot discern. God holds 
 his own secrets ; but I do know I shall soon leave earth, and go home. There is 
 my father and my mother, and I their only son. No sister God ever gave to me 
 in my earth home, but Leiah's daughter is my sister and ray friend. For her I 
 would give God the glory for ever and ever. Amen." 
 
 Since then time has rolled away into the ocean of eternal past, and upon its 
 mighty, surging waves I have been brought back to earth to work for humanity 
 
36 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 Still. Where could I have lain down my burden if freedom had not set her seal 
 and prepared the way for me ? The inner chamber called her sons. They knelt 
 in prayer. The holy breath gave answer : " God is here : you must be free." 
 Then the holy champion of liberty rose to his feet, and exclaimed, "We must be 
 free." Here the line was drawn, and the holy of holies set her seal. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Friends of earth, I am a spirit, even as I am a friend and brother to you all. I 
 am Bartholomew, once Grand Chapter Master Worker in the order of holy brother, 
 Hiram, in the temple that held his emblem, and it was kept bright and shining 
 while I breathed in mortal form ; but, when I had ceased to be earthy, that holy 
 chapter was blotted, and that holy emblem was trampled beneath the feet of 
 darkness and heathen anointed priests, and we were compelled to leave that 
 sacred spot, although in spirit, because their influence guarded every entrance, 
 and forbade our presence. But the grand Archbishop of us all snatched my 
 brother's emblem away from hell's devices, and I find it resting in every faithful 
 brother's heart that has been led by eternal light. Farewell to you, my faithful 
 brothers, I would die for you if need be. Farewell. I have my duty now to 
 fulfil for all coming time, and I must go on. Light from thee, my God, from 
 thee, that I may bless humanity. I must begin where I left my home and fled 
 to the foot of the mountain, where I remained among the rocks and crags, 
 awaiting the hour that my brother should come down and be hung upon the 
 cross. Forty days I lingered there in that desolate country, where naught but 
 here and there a herdsman's hut, and they the most ignorant of God's human 
 beings. John fled with me, and remained beside me as long as I breathed in 
 my earthy body. I bore away with me gold ; and I would go by night, and buy 
 barley bread enough to last us three and four days. John fell sick, and I 
 bathed him o'er and o'er with cold water, until his fever had subsided ; and then 
 I took my coat and wrapped around him and he fell asleep ; and, when he awoke, 
 he breathed deep, and Leiah's daughter controlled him, and her first expression 
 was : " Holy God, assist these, thy children, ere it is too late. Hold them from 
 death, that they may assist my brother on his journey to Jerusalem, where it is 
 decreed that he must be borne, — where he must be offered up a human sacrifice 
 for the dark, benighted children of earth, that are falling in darkness, because 
 there are none to hold the light. His light must be extinguished earthy, in 
 order that humanity may seek to light their tapers from eternal light. Holy, 
 eternal God, assist them, that they may not fall in darkness until they scatter 
 light all over earth." I then said, "Cannot his death upon the cross be avoided, 
 and cannot we take him, and flee into Caldea } " Her answer was : " If you 
 would rob God of his glory, flee with my angel brother. But, if you do, an 
 hundred ages may pass away ere another can be found that will accomplish the 
 good for humanity, as the crucifixion of my brother, Jesus. His life has been 
 holy. His death will be holy, and his influence will be holy. That will be left 
 behind ; but his death will not be held in the memory of any if you drag him 
 away. He is a poor, bruised lamb, and must soon lay down his earthy body. 
 Let God be glorified through his death, although it be a death of agony." Then 
 the spirit breathed out into its own electric condition, and John slept on for 
 hours. 
 
TESTIMONY OF BARTHOLOMEW. 3T 
 
 There I recorded what had been given through my brother, John, as I ha4 
 done from the first hour I met my brother on the hillside. Leiah's daughter 
 came, and sat down beside me, and said : " Brother, it is decreed you must die, and 
 you will find a home beyond ; and in my Father's house there are many man- 
 sions, where they can dwell alone or with those they love. I am to dwell in 
 my Father's home where God's children will all find rest ; and you, dear brother, 
 will be among the blessed." Then she said : " My dear Jesus calls me : I must 
 hasten to him, as he is suffering fearfully with his head. I will hush him to 
 sleep, then I can cool his head, and he will find rest for a time ; but his rest is 
 not here, but in a brighter, holier sphere." Then she arose, and bowed her 
 head, and said, " Fa^rewell, dear brother, I will come again at early dawn." 
 John awoke in the night, and said : " Where is she that breathed upon me ? 
 Her breath filled me with light, and I forgot my fear, and now I am well." 
 We both arose at early dawn, and watched for that ray of light. She came, but 
 sorrow held control. As she drew near, 1 said, " How is it concerning my 
 brother ? " Her answer was : " He is now making his way down the mountains, 
 and I would have you reach there ere the day dawns upon the poor sufferers that 
 are gathering from all parts of the country. There the fiends have done their 
 work, and death is there. Mary is there, but unable to raise from the ground, and 
 her boy, Jesus, lays beside her, — two bruised angels that God will soon take to 
 himself ; and I would that they should live until humanity could be blessed by 
 their deaths, and God be glorified." 
 
 His death wdll set the seal that cannot be broken until many ages shall pass 
 away. Then he himself wdll break the seal, that all humanity can behold him as 
 he is, a holy man, a friend and brother to all that will receive him as he is. 
 Here another ray of light came before us : it caused us to feel that God's holiest 
 angels bright were permitted to bless the cause we had espoused, the freedom of 
 human souls. His eyes were dark and piercing, his beard was light and flowing, 
 but a deep and holy accent, as from the air, and it was thus : " Prepare ye the way, 
 make your paths straight. God's kingdom must be established on earth, among 
 his children ; but where are we to begin our work but among the true and faith- 
 ful .-* And you, Bartholomew, are my brother, and I have a demand upon you." 
 Here he held before me an emblem, and I knew its meaning. I answered, " I 
 am already bedecked with garments befitting my labor." Here another came. 
 I knew by his appearance he was of ancient date. His hair was silvered with 
 age, and his beard was white as snow, and flowed o'er his bosom. He addressed 
 me thus : " Brother, God's hand is upon you all. Let us finish the work that 
 is before us ; that is, to lay the corner-stone of a temple dedicated to Freedom. 
 The lamb will be slain, and his blood will cement every crevice, and every age 
 will add to the structure, until it is finished ; but every block will be cemented 
 with blood, until it is finished, and the key-stone finds its resting place, and 
 God's sons can enter through the great archway that leads to the holy of holies. 
 Then all nations will be blessed, and freedom will be established in every land 
 and among all nations of the earth. Then God will be glorified here, among 
 his own created, his own begotten children." Then I answered, " So mote it 
 be." Then they left me ; and I never saw them again, until my brother fell like 
 one dead, after being controlled, the second day after he came down from the 
 mountain. I then sat down beside John, and he said : *' How holy this place is 
 to me ! Am I still on earth or in a holier condition ? " I answered, " You are 
 here beside me, and your earth labor is not yet ended." 
 
 This was as the sun was setting. His coining to Tyre begot a great commo- 
 tion among the heathen priests and confessors, as he had last been seen in 
 Jerusalem. The priests and confessors had declared throughout the country 
 
88 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 that he must have been fed by the devil, else he would have starved to death in 
 the mountains, and the poor, deluded creatures believed them ; and, when the 
 heathens heard he was near them, they all sought to destroy him, and all of 
 the Hebrews in that country fell by the battle axe, that did not flee their homes. 
 And where should they flee but to the hillside, where the poor, persecuted chil- 
 dren of God were gathering together ? As we drew near the city, we heard 
 groans and shrieks everywhere, and John breathed a prayer to Almighty God 
 for the poor, crushed Hebrews, that were dying by the brute acts that were 
 heaped upon them by the priests and confessors, even in their own homes. 
 *' Holy Creator God," I shouted, " when will thy changes stay the tide of death 
 that is heaped upon thy holiest created children, the poor, despised Hebrews, 
 and the heathen damned be held from cursing all earth." The holy child of 
 Leiah answered : " Light alone can chain and bind the fiends of hell. Light 
 alone can dispel darkness, and light will yet hold control of earth, when ages 
 shall have passed away, when priests and confessors are chained in darkness, 
 and none to give answer. Thou cannot control. Why? Because eternal dis- 
 tance will shed its rays of light into every human mind. Then the human sacri- 
 ficed in all the ages of the past will shout, Hosanna, Hosanna, Holy Creator 
 God, thine own created will give thee the glory, forever and forever. Freedom, 
 my God, forever, for thine own will go welling up from every fireside, and every 
 heart will acknowledge their Father and their God." 
 
 John awoke, and said, " Let us hasten away as fast as we can, for death is 
 everywhere." At that moment a door was burst open, and eight priests came 
 out of a Hebrew hut. We stepped behind the home, and they went away in 
 great glee. John said, " Let us behold the works of the damned, ere we hasten 
 on." We entered that home. Three females lay there, entirely dead, and one 
 in the agonies of death, and two boys, and an aged man with his head cleft. 
 Then God's child breathed upon John again, and said : " Hasten away, brothers, 
 high on the hillside. Jesus is there, entirely exhausted ; and I fear he will die 
 unless you impart to him your own life strength." I answered, '' All I have I 
 give to thee, my God, and my brother ; and who could gainsay it ? " 
 
 My heart bled when I entered the tent, and saw him lying there. When I 
 raised him in my arms, and folded him to my bosom, I saw he was burning with 
 fever ; and I called on God's children to assist me, lest he should die. Here the 
 same holy spirit came beside me, and I accosted her thus : *' Holy angel of 
 light, daughter of my brother Leiah, here I am in darkness. Who will light my 
 way?" -'Almighty God alone can hold you from darkness," she answered, 
 " until he can bear you away from the fearful commotion around you, and the 
 holy thing you hold in your bosom breathes out of that earthy body. Then you 
 will draw light from eternal light that will never lead you astray. There you 
 will dwell beside him, where discord cannot enter and death can never come. 
 There the angels will chant a hymn that will cause you to forget all care, and 
 there your soul will find rest. My Father will be there, and I shall be there. 
 With the true and faithful we will share ; when this labor will be ended, rest. 
 Dear brother, rest is a boon we all long to find. There we shall rest until God 
 calls us back, in order to finish up what has been begun. But, O my brother, 
 look humanity, humanity. Bitter must be your anguish, and fearful must be 
 your travail, ere the mighty changes can be brought forth, ere the angel world 
 can blend with earth's children, and bless them with the knowledge of immortal- 
 ity. Angel brother," she said, addressing Jesus, " I am beside you, and I will 
 stay beside you as long as you ask my presence." "Amen," he said, "then 
 you will never leave me again, until I can breathe out of my mortal body ; and 
 in the bosom of my God we will find rest together. There we shall not hunger 
 
TESTIMONY OF BARTHOLOMEW. 39 
 
 for barley bread ; but the bread of life will be freely distributed among God's 
 children, that have suffered for truth's sake. There I shall find rest ; there I 
 shall be blessed." Here I laid him down beside his mother; and the same spirit 
 knelt beside him, soothing him with her holy influence, and he fell asleep. I 
 went out among the poor suffering Hebrews ; and my heart ached when I saw so 
 many gathering together, not knowing what to do. They all huddled together, 
 expecting hourly that the priest and confessors would fall upon them and cut 
 them to pieces. The aged, the sick, and the children suffered the most ; and 
 their suffering could not be relieved, as there was nothing to shield them from 
 the bleak winds. But the sun arose bright and clear : that gave them hope. 
 
 The family of Levi was brought out for burial. They had all been destroyed 
 by the priests in the early part of the night. When they were all lain in their 
 earthy bed, then Cornelius said, " Let God's children baptize this family for 
 eternal life." I went to the bed where Mary and Jesus lay, on the bed of dried 
 grass. I said, " God's children are lain in their narrow house." Then he said, 
 " Raise me up, that I may look upon them." I bore him out in my arms ; and, 
 after he had offered up a prayer to almighty God for the living, not the dead, he 
 fell down like one dead. I raised him up, bore him back, and lay him down 
 beside his mother. Then I covered over that Hebrew family, and began my 
 work for the sick and suffering. But I dare not attempt to describe the suffer- 
 ing of that people from that time until we reached Jerusalem. Humanity, 
 could you comprehend what toil, what suffering, what agony and sacrifices have 
 been made, that you may live holy, and die filled with faith in Jehovah God, 
 you would surely flee hypocrisy, deceit, and hell, and choose the better part, 
 and give answer, "God doeth all things well." And you, that has dared to 
 trace these lines for me, may you live until earth acknowledges you as the holy 
 revelator of the Hebrew family, and the only one that dared breathe their angel 
 presence, fearless of derision, fearless of the hand of man being raised against 
 you. As long as the holy band of Hebrews lead, guide, and direct you, you are 
 free from earth's contaminating influences. When earth's demands are satis- 
 fied, I shall be beside you, in order that you may be freed from earth, and freed 
 forever. Changeless and eternal will be my friendship for thee, through all 
 eternity. I am your friend and your brother, here, hereafter, forever, eternal 
 and forever, Bartholomew, once Grand Chapter in the Holy of Holies, where I 
 was robed for my labor by my brother Hiram's influences. 
 
 Now here I am made to feel that there w^as wisdom in it all. I am aware 
 humanity will look upon these lines, and doubt my dictating for a humble female 
 to trace in life-lines that cannot die. If these are not my ideas, answer and tell 
 me whose they are. I have held them for ages, and now I lay them before you 
 without money and without price. Here I am what I am, nothing but a spirit ; 
 and you will soon be as I am, bereft of an earthy form. Then you will see me 
 as I am, if you come where I am, and know me as I am, nothing but a man. 
 The Catholics have given me a name. That name I deny. I am not a saint : I 
 am a man. And now may God cleanse you from all evil, and fill you with 
 good, is the prayer of a friend of humanity. I am Bartholomew, once law-giver 
 in Jerusalem. Farewell, and farewell forever earthy. But still I must add. Hold, 
 hold these records sacred. They are a gift from Almighty God to his chil- 
 dren; and, if they read, and understand, they will be made happy by knowing the 
 angels are around them, breathing from their inmost life comfort they cannot 
 draw from earth conditions. Draw a line between yourselves and those w^ho 
 have laid down all they have earthy, that you may be made happy by receiving 
 truth bereft of fiction, and that you may know who to worship in spirit and in 
 truth ; that is, your Father and your God. Let none come between you and 
 
40 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 eternal light : then you will discern clearly your way, and God will be glorified 
 through his own works, his children. Flee, oh, flee, the heathen priests. No 
 matter how they may be clothed, they are covered o'er with hypocrisy and 
 deceit. They all know I am declaring the truth, and they will seek to destroy 
 my records ; but that cannot be, as my faithful brothers dare not deny me. 
 If they do, I will hold them accountable for defrauding humanity; and they shall 
 be made accountable for the utter destruction of God's faithful children that 
 have dared to acknowledge God's angel children's presence that come in your 
 presence in time to give you warning ere it is too late. But beware ! Beware i 
 Beware ! Now I can say I will fold them to my bosom in the holy of holies 
 beyond the ether blue ; for God is there, and his faithful children will be there. 
 
 Yours in the bonds of brotherly love, 
 
 Bartholomew. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 LIGHT FROM THE PAST, BY THE AGED CENTURION, 
 
 CORNELIUS. 
 
 DRAWN BY THE REVEL ATOR, NOV. 4, 1870. 
 
 My history is before me ; and I will ask God to direct me in drawing facts 
 from the past, even as they were w^hen I walked the earth. My name is Corne- 
 lius. I was born in the holy blood of Caldea. My mother died when she gave 
 me birth. My father knelt beside the dead body, and said : " Holy God, she is 
 thine. My boy is thine, and I am thine forever." He held me in his bosom, 
 and bathed me with tears, as he exclaimed, " Holy Father, God, I will lay my 
 boy upon the altar of humanity, that he may live for thy glory in this life ; and 
 then he will find rest in his mother's bosom, among the angel band that bore her 
 away." This was related to me by an aged herdsman, when I had grown to 
 manhood. After my mother was buried, my father took me in his arms; and bore 
 me away among the herdsmen, at the foot of the mountain called Helem. There 
 I was reared by my father, and there he taught me God's mercies to his chil- 
 dren. There I was reared in a humble home ; and the glory of God filled our 
 hearts, and we were blessed. When I reached my eighteenth year, I married a 
 herdsman's daughter by the name of Seiloa. She blessed our home, and my 
 father called her the comforter. She bore me ten children, — five boys and five 
 girls ; and, as they grew up around me, I felt God had blessed me above all men. 
 I was oft-times called to go to the lowlands with cattle, that they could be ex- 
 changed for garments and for bread. But in these journeys I was compelled to 
 see and learn many a bitter lesson, that filled my heart with anguish, to know 
 how the heathen priests and confessors were crushing to death the fairest 
 flowers of Judea by their brute natures, and in many cases there were whole fam- 
 ilies diseased by these fiends, from the grandmothers down to the children, and 
 they must all die, as there was none to . bring them relief. Then, as I would 
 draw near my home, my heart would beat with joy, hoping they, my loved ones, 
 were so far away from these damning influences, they would grow to men and 
 women, to bless father and mother. But destiny had ordered otherwise. My 
 
TESTIMONY OF CORNELIUS. 41 
 
 daughters were fair and comely, my sons were brave ; but brute force lay them 
 all low. It being in chill autumn, I started for the lowlands with my fat- 
 ted cattle. One boy accompanied me, while the rest were left to tend 
 the herds at home. As I bade them farewell, my heart nearly burst with 
 anguish, and darkness seemed to fall around me, and I asked God to give 
 me light to guide me on my way; but with sorrow I turned from that 
 humble home, not knowing what a fearful change would be wrought ere my 
 return, and I knew twenty days must pass away ere I could come back again. 
 As I had disposed of my cattle, all but the oxen that bore the burden, and 
 was returning home, and as night came on and my oxen were grazing, I lay 
 down, and my boy said, "Father, sleep, and I will care for the oxen." As he 
 went a little way from nie, I heard him at prayer ; and in the fulness of his soul 
 he forgot he was in a heathen country, where none dare breathe the holy name of 
 their Father, God. He prayed long and loud for those he had left behind, and 
 even while his voice went forth in adoration I heard a crash. I called, and got 
 no answer. I hastened toward him, and, as I groped my way, with no voice to 
 direct me, I fell over the dead body of that holy child ; and, as I lay my hand 
 upon the body, I saw the head was entirely gone. I knew the devils were at 
 work ; and I fled, leaving the dead body of my boy and my cattle in the hands of 
 heathen confessors. Then I made my way toward my home, and in eight days 
 I reached there. But, oh, how can I go on ? God help me, else I cannot go on, 
 and live over again that fearful scene that comes before me. Daughter, may 
 the angels assist you in catching my ideas, and giving them life again, by in- 
 scribing them for an old man that bore his burden as best he could, for God 
 and humanity, — one that is willing still to pass through the heart-rending 
 scenes, in order that God's children, in the present and the future, can know 
 how they are blessed, being born in freedom's holy bosom, where they can 
 shout glory to God, and not fear the cruel oppression of priestcraft, and where 
 their sons and daughters can grow up around them to bless them in their de- 
 clining years. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Here I must exclaim : " O death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where is 
 thy victory?" As I drew near my home, all seemed still and deathlike, — all 
 but the lowing of the cattle that had been pent up for days. How long I knew 
 not, but a dreadful effluvia swept over me, and I knew death was there. I 
 darted forward ; and, oh, what a fearful scene met my sight ! There I stood 
 alone with my God and my dead. There were my four boys beheaded ; and 
 there lay my angel wife and my beautiful daughters, all dead, as they had been 
 left by the damned in priestly robes. Who can feel for me as I stood there, a 
 blasted man, doomed to drag out a life in loneliness and despair ? There I knelt 
 down by my companion, and prayed that God would give me that angel spirit to 
 lead me on my way, and my holy family to bless me, and to assist me in bless- 
 ing others. When I had asked God to assist me, then a holy calm filled my 
 soul. I then wrapped those bodies that were so dear to me in blankets, and 
 bore them away, one by one, until they were all lain side by side in their earthy 
 bed. But, ere I could cover them over, I fell to the ea^th and forgot, for a 
 season, all that had befallen me. I must have lain there for hours ; for, as I 
 
42 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 breathed into consciousness, the day had passed away, and the bright stars were 
 shining around me. At first, I could not comprehend why I was there, but all 
 came back before me, and again I lost my breath ; and I did not awake again 
 until the day dawned and the bright sun shed its rays upon earth. Then I arose 
 to my feet, and exclaimed, "Father, God, thy hand is upon me ; yet I would give 
 thee all glory, as it belongs to thee, and thee alone." I then gathered green 
 boughs and spread them over the dead bodies of my family. I then turned away, 
 and left them there all that day ; but the day following I went back, and cov- 
 ered them over, knowing it was the last I could do for them earthy. I then 
 cared for my flocks and herds, and there I dwelt alone thirty-two years. 
 
 Then I was blessed by a band of Hebrews. They were the first that had vis- 
 ited my humble home. They were the persecuted family of Joseph and Mary. 
 They bore along with them four children. Their first-born was a poor, frail boy. 
 Joseph asked if they could lay him down to rest, as they had come a long way, 
 and his strength gave out. I raised him up in my arms to lay him on my bed, 
 and he gave a deep groan. Joseph gave answer, " My dear Jesus has a curve 
 on the spine ; and, when he gets so weary, he suffers much." But he had no 
 sooner lain down than he fell asleep, and did not awake again until we were 
 kneeUng in prayer, ere we retired to rest. Even while Joseph was breathing 
 forth praises to God, he crept noiseless from his bed, and knelt beside his father ; 
 and, as Joseph had ceased in prayer, Jesus shouted : " Holy Creator God, the 
 children of Cornelius are here in the home of their father, and his companion is 
 even now folding her arms around her husband's neck. Look, brother, look ! 
 Five boys and five girls God gave to thee, and they are thine still." I did look, 
 and indeed there were all of my children, just as I had left them when I went to 
 the lowlands with my cattle, and my wife laid her hand in mine, and said, " Cor- 
 nelius, God's mercies endure forever." But from that hour I could see and con- 
 verse wdth them, even as if they had been beside me with their earth bodies. 
 x\ll of Joseph's family remained with me two days, being they were weary and 
 footsore, and their burdens were heavy, as their first-born had a price set upon 
 his head, and then they were fleeing into the mountains, fearing he would be cut 
 off. They bade me adieu, and went high into the mountains, among the highest 
 cliffs; and there they dwelt for four years ere I saw them again, except Joseph. 
 He would come sometimes, and rest with me when he was going up the moun- 
 tains with his barley meal that he would earn in the lowlands, as he was a car- 
 penter ; and his family had nothing to eat but what he bore up the mountains 
 steep on his back. 
 
 They were a holy family from the least to the greatest. But, when they came 
 to me again, their first-born was not with them, as he had been borne away by 
 an angel, and they were going to meet him there in Judea's borders. As we 
 were sitting around the fire, a ray of light came before us, and breathed into the 
 life of Jesse, a frail little boy. As she offered up a prayer to Almighty God for 
 that family, my home was filled with lights, and for a time we forgot earth held 
 us. But ere she ceased she exclaimed : " Friends, beloved, God is here. His 
 children are here, and may God's angel children bless their father forever, and 
 may light from eternal light fill each beating heart, until each one can answer 
 God's will be done." Then he breathed deeper than before, and another influ- 
 ence called on eternal light to lead us all aright, that humanity should be blessed 
 by the humble family that was before him, and that truths should be held for 
 coming ages, as the time would come when these facts must be brought forward, 
 and be declared before the children of men. When ages should pass away, 
 there would be a great diversity of opinions among men, and there would be a 
 demand upon all that had knowledge concerning the boy, Jesus, and they 
 
TESTIMONY OF CORNELIUS. 43 
 
 would be called upon to bear testimony concerning the same, as heathen idola- 
 trous worshippers would hold control in various forms until light from the past 
 would be called for, in order that God might be acknowledged, not by delega- 
 tion, but by his immediate presence among his own created children, and that 
 one would be born in the order of creation that could decipher all languages, 
 and breathe from every beating heart around her, and leave on record facts rel- 
 ative to the changes that have raised man in the scale of progression, where 
 he will ask God's holy influence divine, to feed the human mind, fresh from the 
 great storehouse of knowledge divine, then naught can come between the 
 Creator and his created, and the children of men will break the chains of 
 heathen priestcraft, and ivill become free, as God's angels are free to drink 
 from the holy fountain of life divine and be blessed. Then, and not until then, 
 will humanity feast upon the wondrous works of God, and feast their souls upon 
 the bread of life, and give answer, God is here. And then you, Cornelius, will 
 be called upon to bear testimony concerning that which you have seen and 
 known in your earth life relative to Joseph and his first-born, Jesus. 
 
 Then he said : " Come, daughter, let us hasten away, as the faithful Jesus 
 awaits our coming. There is a work to do." After the influences had gone, I 
 asked Joseph how long those spirits had been with his family.' He answered, 
 " I have not been cognizant of their presence only since Jesus was born ; but 
 they may have been with me all of my life, for aught I know, as sometimes they 
 allude to things that happened in my boyhood days." While we were convers- 
 ing, I heard a sweet voice chanting a hymn. I knew it was my wife's voice. 
 Jesse had sat down beside Mary, and, resting his head in her lap, he was fast 
 asleep ; and I saw my wife folding that darling boy to her bosom, and breathing 
 her own life through the boy. " Seiloa, dear Seiloa," I said, " cannot you 
 breathe that hymn to me when I am alone?" She answered, "God's laws 
 cannot be broken ; but, if I had this little body, I could sing you and him both 
 asleep at a time." She answered : " Darling Jesse, frail thou art, yet so bright 
 within ; yet thou art a holy treasure, all so free from care and sin. Darling 
 Mary, God has blessed you with these children four; yet thy number is not 
 completed. Thou wilt surely bear one more. Five diamonds bright are around 
 thee shining. They will comfort thee, dear sister, when earthy cares are o'er." 
 The sun was rising high, and Joseph was asking Mary if they should not begin 
 their journey. Mary answered, " If it be God's will, I will go." Then they 
 bade me farewell, and hastened down the hillside. That family did not come 
 to me again before they sought their mountain home. 
 
 Again I had removed to another country, bearing eastward ; but their first- 
 born came to me there, a poor, crushed angel boy, and I cared for him until 
 his feet were healed and his burnt back was cooled. He awoke one morning, 
 at the dawn of day, and shouted : " Cornelius, a holy breath is here, and bids 
 me arise and haste away, declaring there is a work to do ere the closing of 
 another day. No form I see. I read it there, — a holy name written in empty 
 air." He then breathed deep ; and his breath was light, and it filled my soul 
 v/ith light that has never gone out until this day. Methinks I see him now 
 standing there, all covered o'er with a halo of brightness that cannot find 
 comparison ; there in the home of an old man, with no companions but his 
 God and his angel children. " Farewell," he said, " I bear this child away, 
 but he will come to you four times more before he is hung upon the cross. 
 There you will breathe out of your mortal form, bowed down with years and care. 
 There you will join the angel band, and ever with them share, until you will 
 be commanded to come back to earth and bear testimony, for ages, even then 
 unborn. Amen." I answered, " My feet begin to totter, and gladly will I 
 
44 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH 
 
 hasten on to meet my loved ones that await my coming. Joyous will be our 
 meeting. Friends, loved friends, are there." The answer was : " Brother, 
 do not forget your duty in your joy to go home. Humanity has a demand 
 upon you, and she must be appeased. You must be laid upon the altar of 
 human sacrifices, but you will be but one of the many." Then the spirit said: 
 "Give the boy a piece of barley bread. He will have no more, at least for 
 four days." I then prepared the bread, and he went away. I did not hear 
 from him again until a beggar came to my home, and said that Antioch had 
 been thrown into great commotion by a Hebrew boy declaring the Jews were 
 to be cut off by the heathen priests ; but they did not heed him, but, when the 
 hour did come, sure enough, more than two thousand were destroyed in one 
 night, and they had been looking everywhere for the Hebrew boy, and he was 
 nowhere to be found. I then answered : " He is in the hands of Almighty 
 God, and they cannot destroy him until his death will bring light to the human 
 mind. Then he will be hung upon the cross, by the order of the priesthood." 
 The poor beggar bowed his head, and said, " He healed me when I was sick, 
 and he filled my soul with love to God and his holy children ; and I would die 
 for him if I could." That poor, humbled soul remained with me for a season, 
 and then went away and died in his own kingdom. 
 
 Years passed away, and I heard no more of the boy Jesus. He had changed 
 from a boy to a man. I had herded my cattle and entered, my home, and 
 knelt in prayer ; and, as I prayed, my soul was so filled with inspiration that 
 I lost my breath, and, when I awoke, a holy form was kneeling beside me, 
 bathing my face with his cool, electric hand. Then I said : " God be praised ! 
 I am looking upon that holy face, — the face of a holy angel, bright, although 
 a man." He then raised his hands, and said, "God commands you to arise, 
 and prepare food for the poor, famished body." I then brought bread and 
 milk, but he ate but a little. Then he gave thanks to God for holding him 
 from death, and giving him a place to lie down and rest. Early the next 
 morning he awoke, and I heard him conversing earnestly with some one beside 
 him. He gave answer like this : " Lead me home to my mother. Let me find 
 rest beside her, and in the bosom of my family. God will give me strength and 
 courage to go forth again and declare his ever presence." Then he listened, 
 and gave answer : " Holy God, direct me in all things while I dwell in this frail 
 body, even if I am led to the cross. Assist me, O angel sister, to say all is 
 well." Then he arose and bathed, and went out upon the hillside. There 
 he communed with his Father and his God, at least an hour. Then he came 
 in and said, " Cornelius, your family are filled with holy adoration to God 
 for being freed from heathen priests and confessors, as they have just returned 
 from the fearful destruction of a Hebrew family." I saw them coming, and 
 waited to hear what they had to say. " The herdsman beyond the brook has 
 been beheaded. His wife and four daughters have been damned ; but a little 
 daughter, about eight years, is still breathing, and a little boy, one year and 
 a half old, lies there nearly frightened to death. But the fiends are plunder- 
 ing the home ; but, as soon as they are gone, you may go and bring the children 
 away, if their brains are not dashed out ere they go away." When we had 
 ate our bread and drank our milk, Jesus' head dropped, and he fell forward. 
 I raised him in my arms, but he was as rigid as a stiffened corpse. After a 
 time he gave a deep groan, and burst into tears. Then his body relaxed, and 
 he sat up. Then he said, " I saw them dash out the brains of the boy ; and 
 they sought to damn the daughter, and she died in their hands. But the 
 manner of her death," he said, "is too damning to relate ; and it was that that 
 caused me to become rigid as death. When they are gone," he said, " we 
 
TESTIMONY OF CORNELIUS. 45 
 
 will go and bury the dead and comfort the frightened spirits." He remaine-d 
 with me all of that day ; but, as the sun was going down, he said, " They have 
 all gone, and we will go and bury the dead ; and my angel sister will remain 
 with them for a time until they can become reconciled to the destiny that has 
 fallen upon them." He ate a little piece of bread, and then stepped forth strong 
 for his labor. He took the spade, and I followed him, as best I could ; but, 
 ere I reached there, he had a grave dug nearly large enough for them all. 
 When he had finished, he lay down upon cool ground, and big drops of per- 
 spiration coursed down his face. After a little time he arose, and said, " We 
 will now bury God's children, that the spirits may not be distressed by seeing 
 them decay above ground." We brought the father first, then the mother 
 and the children, as they were born. Wlien it was done, Jesus said, " Side 
 by side they sleep in death, and in spirit may they not be divided." When 
 the grave was filled with dirt, and carefully rounded up by his own hand, 
 then he knelt, and prayed that God would bear away his children to a brighter 
 world beyond, as they were united in one band, and none left in mortal form 
 that need their care. Then he said : " Friends, beloved, call on God's angel 
 children to direct you. They will come to your aid, and guide you onward 
 to a haven of rest." After he had ceased to speak, I saw an angel of light fold 
 her arms around him, and breathe her life into his life. Then he arose to his 
 feet, and poured forth words of consolation to them all, then said : " My father 
 is coming with a band of angels. They will care for those freed spirits. Now 
 come, Cornelius, I will bear my brother to your home. There you will hasten, 
 as he must be cared for." Then he darted away from me ; and, when I reached 
 my home, he was lying across my bed, and there were no signs of life about 
 him but the warmth of the flesh. But breathe he did not. I prepared some 
 warm hyssop, and held it to his lips. He then gasped for breath. Soon he 
 drank a little, and then his breath came back, and he fell asleep. I sat beside 
 him all of that night, and now and then a deep sigh escaped him. His back 
 was fearfully inflamed by the exertions of digging the grave and lifting the dead 
 bodies. In the night he asked me if I would bathe his back in cold water. 
 After I had bathed it with my hand, I wet a doe-skin and lay it on. Then he 
 fell into a sweet rest sleep, and he slept on until the sun was an hour high. 
 
 1 had prepared some food : it was a piece of beef and corn bread. As he 
 raised up, he said, " God bless you, Cornelius : I have been dreaming of broiled 
 beef." He then arose and bathed, but the back was sore, and hurt him to 
 move ; but, ere he tasted food, he knelt, and thanked his Father God for his care 
 and protection in the hour of his greatest need. But, as we sat down to eat, I 
 saw he could hardly raise his cup to his lips. After a few moments he raised 
 his hand, and said " Holy Creator God, assist me, else I perish even now." 
 Soon a flush came to his cheek, and he said : " Heaven bless you, how glad I am 
 you have come ! How is my father and my mother, and how are my brothers ? " 
 Then he waited a reply. Then he turned to me, and said : " My father is at home, 
 awaiting my coming. My mother will be anxiously looking for me after two 
 days, but I fear I cannot reach there so soon ; but God is mighty, and, if it be 
 his will, I shall reach there at the end of three days." All of that day he lay on 
 my bed, and from time to time I would bathe his back ; and early the next 
 morning he arose, and said, " I must begin my journey, as it is a long way, and 
 I fear I shall not reach there in time to see my father." He bade me adieu, 
 and said, " If it please God, I shall come back to you again ; but, as I am 
 directed, so I must go." 
 
 Providence, June 25, 1870. • 
 
46 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR ALL COMING TIME. 
 
 The sweet breath of angels filled the home of the old man ; and, as he beheld 
 his loved ones around him in his earthy dwelling, his soul looked forward to 
 that abode of rest and peace where sorrov/ could not come. His form was 
 bowed, his hair was white as the snow-capped mountains ; yet his faith in a living 
 God changed not, and, when the holy man of Nazareth entered his home, he felt 
 that God's holiest children bore him onward, and his soul was filled with joy. — 
 Remarks by Stephen. 
 
 Here I am again, before the living, and not the dead. Daughter, the 
 command of God is still upon you, to assist the aged Centurion, and bear him 
 along in his statement concerning the holiest thing he ever knew in mortal form. 
 From the time the son of Joseph left me, my health gradually gave away ; and I 
 felt I must go home. But, as the warm breezes again swept over the land, my 
 home was again blessed with the humble man in beggar's rags. He had been from 
 home nearly a year, and his garments hung about him in tattered rags. His 
 limbs were bare ; but about the chest was still hanging a warn-out coat of camel's 
 hair, and about his loins a doe-skin, which served as a breech-cloth. As he 
 entered my home, I could but exclaim, " Has God forgotten his own ? " As I 
 made that expression, a deep groan came welling up from the inmost depth of 
 his soul, and tears rolled down his cheeks, as he exclaimed : " Holy Creator 
 God, forgive thy children if they murmur against thy will, as heavy crosses are 
 upon us, and crosses are before us, and thou, O God, alone can assist us." 
 
 His breath came deep, and the same form of light that had ever followed 
 him folded her arms around him, and breathed her life into his own. Then 
 she said : "Brother Cornelius, we have brought him here from the jaws of 
 death. The Amalekite priests are seeking for him in all parts of Armenia. 
 We have brought him here before you, bruised and bleeding, torn and tattered ; 
 and you must feed him, else he will die ere we can reach a place of safety. 
 The spies are on every hill and in every valley. A heavier price is set upon 
 his head than has ever been offered before. Two hundred shekels in gold have 
 been offered by the high priest for him, alive, and one hundred for his head. 
 But God will hold him from them until his death shall bring light to the human 
 mind. But that holy light will be covered o'er until many ages shall pass away. 
 Then it will burst forth in all of its splendor, and fill all earth with the glory of 
 Almighty God. Then the infinite Creator will be acknowledged, and all of 
 earth's idols will crumble away, and find rest among things that were. And you, 
 Cornelius, will be called upon to declare Jesus, as he is, a man, frail, but mighty 
 in the hands of God's children, humble in his own opinion, but exalted in 
 the opinion of the angel band that will bless him forever." She continued : 
 " Friend, beloved, bathe him o'er with cool water : he is filled with fever. Cool 
 his head and back. Prepare for him a little barley gruel, that he may drink, 
 and live. Five days and five nights have passed away, and not a morsel of food 
 has passed his lips. Farewell, brother," she said: "I must go away now, and 
 leave him in your hands, and in the hands of his God. His father is in danger, 
 as a confessor is climbing the mountain, hoping to destroy the family ; but I will 
 return to you, as soon as the family is safe. My father will assist me, and we 
 will crush him to death that would destroy the faithful." 
 
TESTIMONY OF CORNELIUS. 47 
 
 Then she lay him upon the bed, and breathed out of him, with scarcely a 
 breath of life remaining within him. I prepared the gruel : he drank a little. 
 Then I bathed him over and over. At length he began to breathe deep, and in 
 a hushed voice he exclaimed, " Glory to God ! the family is safe, and the wicked 
 fiend is where he cannot disturb them any more." He breathed out of his body, 
 and did not return for at least half an hour. But he returned, and said, " Give 
 God the glory, my father is saved, my mother is blessed, and my brother beheld 
 God's glory, and I am made to feel God's hand is in my being here. Life," he 
 said, " what is it to me now ? I long to go away with my angel sister, and her 
 father, and be at rest ; but I will not murmur as long as they are beside me, but 
 will answer, ' God's will, not mine, be done.' " 
 
 At that time he remamed with me two days ; but on the third day, as the sun 
 began to soften earth with its mellow rays, he arose from his bed, and, as he 
 knelt in prayer, he called on God to direct him. His head was bowed, and 
 bitter anguish filled his soul. The future had been held before him. The death 
 of his family and his mother's grief and his own helpless body hanging upon 
 the cross were more than he could bear. His heart beat fearfully, and I saw 
 he would fall. I knelt beside him, and folded him to my bosom ; and there we 
 wept together, until tears could come no longer to our relief. His head dropped 
 upon my bosom ; and we both fell to the floor together, two lifeless bodies, but 
 not dead. 
 
 Again our home was filled with light, and many an angel heart was beating 
 there for the old man, that had lived out all earthly ties, and for him in the 
 morning of life, that was to be called away. Why ? Because his soul was filled 
 with love for God's created, and he knew his life and his death would but lay 
 the foundation for God to be acknowledged on earth. How can I go on ? 
 From this every hour was marked with anguish, until he breathed out of his 
 earthy body. The hour drew near, when the frail bark was to launch forth 
 again upon the human tide of confusion ; but oh, how my heart ached when he 
 laid his hand in mine, and said, " Cornelius, I cannot come to you again, but you 
 will come to me when my cup is full and running over ; and there we will die 
 together, if it be God's will." " Leave, oh, leave me," I said : " the future is 
 before me. I cannot breathe with you beside me, as our destinies are linked 
 together." " Farewell," he said, " I go." 
 
 After he had gone, I lay down upon my bed, and fell into a deep sleep, and 
 did not awake for a day and a half. When I awoke, my cattle were lowing, and 
 hunger was upon me. I arose, and turned my cattle loose, and said, " I leave 
 you in the hands of your Creator : you are nothing more to me." Then I ate 
 some bread and meat, prepared a little bundle, took my staff, and went forth 
 into the midst of heathen brutes. But my heart beat for that home, where I 
 had dwelled so long, where God had blessed me with my loved family, and 
 M'here the hand of destiny had been laid heavy upon my head ; and it was still 
 leading me back again, to look once more upon the green earthy mound, where 
 all of my earthy treasures but one lie buried. " Sweet forgetfulness," I 
 exclaimed, "has my dear family forgot their fearful doom ? " 
 
 At that moment my companion lay her hand in mine, and said, " Let us for- 
 get all but God's mercies, in holding us from darkness, and bearing us onward 
 until you, dear Cornelius, have finished your work, and are ready to go home 
 with us, and be at rest." Then she added : " It will not be long, it will not be 
 long. Have courage, we shall not leave you again." But there I knelt, upon 
 the greensward, and prayed for all of the human family. My companion said : 
 " You must go toward Tyre. The journey is long, and your steps are slow. 
 You will be needed to guide the multitude of the oppressed children in the 
 
48 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 blood of Abraham and Jacob." I answered: "All I can do, I will do. Let God 
 direct." Then again I went on my journey, knowing God was there. Many a 
 weary month I journeyed onward. This was one year and two months before 
 the crucifixion. During this time I lived by begging. Sometimes I had food, 
 sometimes I had none for a whole day, and sometimes longer. But life 
 lengthened out, and I Hngered still. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE CONCLUSION OF THE HISTORY OF MY EARTH LIFE. 
 
 Here again I am overwhelmed with the realities of that age where heathen 
 anointed priests held control, and they were filling earth with disease, and 
 damning all of God's children with their brute desires. Here I feel to relate a 
 scene that came before me ere I reached Tyre. All of that day I had been 
 oppressed ; but, as night came on I was accosted by a band of confessors. They 
 had with them two females. One faltered, and she could hardly stand upon her 
 feet; and she shouted to them, " Lightning flashes are around you; and,if you do 
 not let us go, as we are. Almighty God will dash you to pieces." 
 
 Her face was like a diamond bright ; and I saw a form beside her, and I knew 
 its power. Her eyes closed : then a crash was heard in the elements, and the 
 confessors were all laid low. Then she approached me, and said : " Brother, lay 
 your hand in mine. If you are left here, they will destroy you. As you are an 
 old man, they will think you have attracted this power to you, that they may be 
 held from carrying out their brute desires." Then she called to the other dam- 
 sel, and said, " Hasten, oh, hasten, as the electric power will pass away, and they 
 will search us out." 
 
 Her voice was like that of Leiah's daughter, and I said, " Can you tell me 
 aught of Jesus ? " She said : " He is coming down from the mountains, even 
 now ; and he will need your aid, and I would assist you onward. I sought you, 
 that you could make the best of your way, bearing northward. But do not enter 
 the city, lest you may be beaten down by the heathen, that are determined to 
 destroy every Hebrew in the land. Lead these poor daughters of Judea, until 
 they can find friends that will protect them," Then she said : " Farewell, 
 brother, I must hasten back to my brother. He is feeble, and he falters by the 
 way. He will reach the lowlands at nightfall, but a fearful destiny is before 
 him." "Holy daughter of Leiah," I said, "can he live until he is hung upon 
 the cross?" Her answer was, "God alone can answer." Then the damsel 
 awoke and looked around her, with fear, and said, " I have had a fearful dream, 
 and I am so glad I have awoke." I said, " Seek your friends, lest you should 
 again be dragged away." 
 
 As I sat down to rest, I saw, far beyond me, the dark domes of Tyre, that 
 den of fiends ; and I saw I could not reach there until the day following. But I 
 journeyed on, until I met a herdsman. He said: " Don't enter the city. If you 
 do, you will be beheaded. That crazy heretic is there, and they are determined 
 to cut him off." I said, "God will care for him." He answered, " I am think- 
 ing you are a heretic, and they will surely destroy you." 
 
 I was compelled to lie down to rest, and I slept on until morning. Then I 
 went down the hillside, and came to Levi's tent, where Jesus and his mother 
 
TESTIMONY OF CORNELIUS. 49 
 
 both lay sick. I sat down beside the door, and my heart bled to see so many 
 gathering together like lambs for the slaughter, and no one to save them. I 
 could not gain courage to enter the tent, and look upon the poor, blasted angels 
 there. I knelt in prayer ; and even while I prayed the holy Jesus tottered for- 
 ward, and knelt beside me. As I ceased in prayer, he exclaimed, "Holy 
 brother, God has led you here, that you may direct us in this, our hour of need." 
 Fearless, I called on God to direct us, and got answer : " Gather together all of 
 the sick and maimed, that they can bear their burdens. Then leave this hillside, 
 and go to the valley beyond. There you will get directions what next to do." 
 John breathed a prayer, and then Jesus said, " Bring all our sick, that they may 
 be healed." Jesus became electrified, and stepped forth like one that knew no 
 fear. His face was like chiselled marble, and he commanded their diseases to 
 depart in the name of Almighty God ; and all were healed in that hour. But, 
 when the power left him, he fell like one dead. I shouted: "Glory to God! thou 
 art in our midst. Direct, and we will follow." I heard a voice say, "Hasten 
 away, even now." Jesus said, " Bear away the aged and the children, and I will 
 follow." Then, as I looked, I saw him breathing in the bosom of an angel, and 
 John folded his arms around him, and said : " Two holy things together. Oh 
 that I could breathe out of my body, even here." I heard no more, but tot- 
 tered along as best I could. 
 
 That night we held a council, and I saw there was to be a mighty conflict. I 
 directed them how to arm themselves with the battle axes, in order that they could 
 defend the females and children, and that Jesus could be borne along, that God 
 could be glorified through his death. That night there was a fearful battle, but 
 the days following were damp and chilly. Death was among them every hour. 
 Hardship and exposure filled them with fever. Jesus was borne along in the 
 bosom of his brother. Life had become a burden to him, and he drooped and 
 fell. But, as the eighth day dawned upon us, he was controlled, and declared we 
 should all be cut off unless we prepared for battle. He then called his followers 
 around him, and said, " Bear this body along with you, that he may live to fulfil 
 the design of Almighty God, in his creation." He would die in a few days as 
 he is ; but would God be glorified by that death or would humanity be blessed ? 
 He then shouted : " Prepare ye the way. The heathen damned are preparing to 
 cut you off. Bring all of the females in the centre, and let the children be cared 
 for, and you v/ill cut them down ere they can destroy the innocent babes or 
 damn the mothers." He said, " Bear them into the valley, that you can see the 
 enemy ere they fall upon you." Then the influence left him, and he fell down 
 like a crushed flower. I saw John fold him to his bosom, and weep over him, as 
 a mother would weep over a dying babe. They were all borne into the valley, 
 and sat down. 
 
 Filled wdth fear, sick and dying were these mothers, kneeling around their 
 dying children. Children clinging to their dying mothers, and hunger fell heavy 
 upon them, and night closed in with fearful darkness. Hushed, they all awaited 
 the hour, knowing the hour would come, as it had been prophesied. As the day 
 had begun to dawn, there was heard a fearful cry; and one of the men fell dead 
 by a blow from a battle axe, severing his head from his body. Then they all 
 rushed forward, and dead bodies were falling everywhere. They fought an hour 
 and a half. The ground was strewn with the dead, and blood ran dov/n the 
 hillside in streams. As the sun rose higher, and still higher, more a^vful be- 
 came the scene. I sat down beside Jesus, and his head rested upon my bosom. 
 There he breathed a prayer to his Father, God, for the poor Hebrews. Then his 
 head dropped, and he fell asleep, even while the battle was raging. "Holy 
 brother," I said, " thy angel friends are holding you from the bitter anguish of 
 
50 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 the present, but thy heart will learn its own anguish soon enough.'^ My heart 
 beat when I heard the cry go up from the multitude, " Death to the heathens ! 
 Glory to God! they are fleeing from us." John came and knelt down beside 
 Jesus, and rested his cheek upon the forehead of his brother, and said, " Darling 
 brother, I am beside thee." John has left the scene of confusion, and I have 
 brought him here to tell you all. I controlled John before the battle commenced, 
 and I lay low twenty-one with these hands. My father controlled Bartholomew ; 
 and he must have slain more than me, as he controlled one that had more vital 
 strength than my brother John. Then Leiah's daughter left John, and he fell 
 down beside me. Jesus laid his hand upon his head, and smoothed back his 
 hair, and said, " Holy brother, God's angel children love thee, even as I love thee." 
 They gathered up their dead, and counted the heathen slain. Their own was 
 four killed and one maimed, and the heathen numbered two hundred and more. 
 A part of that day was passed in burying their dead ; but the heathens were 
 heaped in a pile, and brush was thrown upon them, and set on fire. Then we 
 moved to another valley. I felt we all must die ; and I encouraged them to 
 hasten on toward Jerusalem, that we could find rest, I will pass over the re- 
 maining part of that journey, and come to the last scene, as my heart is aching, 
 and I cannot go on ; and I know another heart doth ache, even as my own. But 
 I will spare her that anguish, as she has lived it over and over again in entering 
 into the soul sympathies of those that bring their records before her. But 
 among the many that read these pages o'er can never know the aching heart 
 that traced these lines for me, and my brother's. God alone can reward you for 
 the bitter tears you have shed for the suffering of others. And who can ever 
 know the weary hours you have passed, with a beating heart for coming ages, 
 that they may be free from priestcraft and deception ? Live, daughter, as thou 
 art living, for God's glory and the freedom of the human family. My hour has 
 come for me to say farewell, earthy ; yet I linger still beside her that has freed 
 me from my earth burden, that has brought me back to finish up that which be- 
 longs to me to do. Humanity's demand was upon me ; but who but her that was 
 born to read the holy breath in empty air could, with God's angel children, 
 share their burdens, and trace the lines recorded there .'' And may I ever with 
 her humble spirit share in that bright world where my own beloved family 
 are awaiting my coming. 
 
 But now I must go back once more to those scenes that rent my heart, leaving 
 many things untold. Out of pity to her that is scribing for me, I will now hasten 
 to the hour of my dissolution. I entered Jerusalem with the many. I tottered 
 along, and sat down beside others, on the square. There I sat, hardly knowing 
 where I was, until I heard them say, " They have nailed Jesus to the cross, and 
 are raising him up." That gave me a shock ; and I arose to my feet, and passed 
 out of the gates. I followed the many ; and, when I came in sight of him, my 
 limbs refused to bear me longer. I fell to the earth ; but after a time I arose, 
 and drew near him. I heard his bitter groans, and bitter grief broke my heart; 
 and I exclaimed : " Holy Creator, God, the lamb is slain. Receive him in thy 
 bosom, the bosom of thy love." At that moment an anointed priest raised his 
 battle axe, and, as it fell upon my neck, a mist came over me, and I knew no 
 more until I was freed from mortal clay. Here I am beside the blood of Abra- 
 ham, and I would ask God to bless her here and hereafter. Daughter, now I 
 can say I am going home. May I ask God to hasten the hour for you to come 
 to me ? I will prepare for thee a home, — a home of rest. I will be thy father 
 still, as God is father of us all. Hope is bright before thee still ; but it will fade 
 away, earthy, but it will grow brighter, as the shores of a brighter world come 
 before thee, and I will meet thee there. Now, daughter, receive the blessing of 
 
TESTIMONY OF STEPHEN. 51 
 
 an old man, one hundred and four years old, in his earthy body. Humanity 
 must know angels are thy companions, and they must acknowledge that Jesus has 
 again walked the earth. Farewell, friend of us all. I am Cornelius, and none 
 other. Farewell. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 TESTIMONY OF STEPHEN. 
 
 Lines bearing date Nov. 5, 1870. 
 
 Stephen's holy spirit comes before me, in the presence of God's children, 
 that suffered martyrdom for the cause of truth, that ages yet to come may know 
 that angels did walk the earth, ages on ages ago, and that his own life history 
 may substantiate the attempt that was made by the holy breaths, that had once 
 existed in earthy forms, to give light to those in mortal form. 
 
 Also to teach man that God has not forgotten his own, through the changes 
 that have been wrought, in order that his own created could draw light from 
 beyond, causing man to be humbled in the presence of Him that begot those 
 mighty creations. 
 
 Now here I am, in the presence of the angel band that sought earth, that 
 humanity may know that there is a hereafter, and that the bread of life eternal 
 is knowledge. This I have given, in order that the reader may know I do believe 
 in one God, whose mercies endure forever. Stephen, thy holy breath is upon me, 
 and I submit myself to thee, and I will ^vrite thy own history, fresh from thy 
 own inner life. 
 
 Olive G. Pettis. 
 
 Then pray for me, O friend of humanity, that I may draw strength from thee. 
 Pray for me, O ye angels of light, that I may write my own earth destiny, filled 
 with sorrow and holy affection of my family. Bright and joyous were my early 
 days, until I reached two years and a half. At that time my father was called 
 to Jerusalem, on account of a disturbance between the priesthood and Judea's 
 children that were dwelling in Mesopotamia. He, being chief ruler of that 
 country, was called upon to redress their wrongs. They had been sorely 
 oppressed by the priesthood, as they had entered their country, and borne away 
 their females, and held them until they w^ere released by death. 
 
 My mother had slept her last sleep, and left behind five beautiful daughters. 
 Her last request of my father was to guard her beloved children against the 
 wicked devices of heathen priests and confessors, and her wish was that I 
 should be educated according to the Jewish doctrines. Then she folded her 
 arms about me, and, as she folded me to her bosom, I felt her relax her hold, 
 and she was dead. 
 
 Great grief filled our home, and, small as I was, I felt I had lost what could 
 never be given back to me again. But ere one month had passed away my 
 father was compelled to go to Jerusalem ; and ere he started his family gathered 
 around him in despair, fearing harm would befall him, as there was a great com- 
 motion among the heathens. When he bade them farewell, they all wept 
 bitterly. They all knew his journey lay through a country where none but 
 heathens dwelt, and their fear for him caused them to forget their own danger. 
 
52 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 Four days passed away in a holy calm ; but the fifth day brought us news that 
 my father had been beset, and beaten to death, by the heathen confessors, and 
 that same band of confessors were making their way toward Mesopotamia, and 
 they would reach there ere the night closed in. Fear fell upon us all. My 
 sisters could not flee ; for where should they go but to the humble in life ? My 
 eldest sister said, " Let us kneel in prayer, and ask God to assist us in this our 
 hour of sorrow." There we all knelt in prayer for the last time on earth. They 
 then prepared bread, and said, " Let us go to the herdsman : they may defend 
 us." My youngest sister took me by the hand, and we started towards the 
 herdsman's home that belonged to my father, it being about one league distant ; 
 but ere we reached there we were called upon to stop, but we fled as fast as we 
 could. I fell in the ferns, and crept away from the path, and lay down by a 
 cluster of bushes. There I lay, with my little heart a-beating, until night 
 shielded me from observation. Then I crept out, and followed the little foot-path 
 that led to the herdsman's home. I asked for my sisters, but they had not seen 
 or heard from them. There I remained until I became a man. But, when I 
 was about fourteen, a wayfarer called upon the herdsman for rest, and he 
 remained with us all night, and in the evening their conversation turned upon 
 the oppression of the heathen priests and confessors. " After a time," he added, 
 " I left the court of Jerusalem because there was so much drunkenness and 
 debauchery I could not remain. But the immediate cause of my fleeing them 
 was this : The high priest, Caiphas, sent forth the confessors, with the com- 
 mand that they should bring in twenty damsels, and they must all be Hebrew 
 and Caldea's children, as there was to be a great feast, and the priests would be 
 there from all parts of the country, and they would call for females to finish up 
 their entertainment. But," he continued, "they brought in five damsels, all of 
 one family. They were Caldea's daughters, so frail, but, oh, how beautiful! 
 They were fearfully frightened, and wept continually." When he had related 
 thus far, I crept close to his side, and it did seem as if my heart would burst 
 with hope and fear. He did not observe me, and he continued : " When they 
 were brought before the king, he said : ' Give them all to me. I love the fair- 
 haired damsels of Caldea. Give them to me : I will keep them all my own.' 
 Then Caiphas answered, ' They have been brought here for the priesthood, and 
 none may demand them until after the feast.' Josephus, being present, said : 
 ' Caldea's daughters are beautiful, but they are too frail to be held by the 
 priests. If they are, they will surely die.' Then Caiphas arose to his feet and 
 said : * If you dare hold those damsels from the anointed priests, Pontius Pilate, 
 I will bring forward your favorite concubines, and your two eldest daughters, to 
 supply their place. And you, Josephus, if you dare hold those damsels from us, 
 I will command you to be beheaded before the morrow noon.' But Josephus 
 made one more attempt like this. ' These damsels will be crushed to death ere 
 the day dawns upon you ; and you, Caiphas, will be accountable for their death.' 
 Then Caiphas answered, ' I will take the fairest of them all, and hold her from 
 all others.' Then he turned to me, and said, ' Here, chamberlain, take these 
 damsels to their chambers, where the -concubines have been carried out.' As I 
 conducted them along, and was compelled to close the door upon them, one after 
 another, I felt I was assisting in the destroying of the holiest things that God 
 had ever created ; but, when I came to the youngest of them all, I held her little 
 hand in mine, while her bitter grief rent my heart, as she said, ' Lead me to my 
 sisters, and I will die there, if you wish me to.' I turned away, knowing full 
 well her doom. Tears would flow, and I am not ashamed to acknowledge the 
 same. But, when I looked upon her again, her head was bowed, and she said, 
 * My mother is here : how glad I am you have come ! ' Then I led her into the 
 
TESTniONY OF STEPHEN. 63 
 
 room, and closed the door ; but I have never forgot that holy face, and, when I 
 looked upon that boy, I thought he looked like her." Here he gave a deep 
 sigh, and I dared not breathe. He began again : " That night the priests had 
 a drunken feast, and ere morning dawned the two youngest were dead." I 
 heard no more, I saw no more ; but I fell, fainting, at his feet. He raised me 
 up and bathed my head ; and, ere I could open my eyes, I heard him say, " How 
 much he looks now as that sweet flower of Caldea looked when I was compelled 
 to close the door upon her, that was not opened again but to admit the anointed 
 priests, that crushed her to death ; and I do not think she could be more than 
 eleven years old." Here I gave a shriek, and he said, "What can this mean?" 
 The herdsman answered, "You are relating the destruction of his ow^n dear 
 sisters ; and it is more than he can endure, as he has always hoped they would 
 come back again." Then I said: "Tell all. I can no more than die. I can- 
 not breathe. Do tell me, is there not one living ? " " There is," he said : 
 " have courage, the one that Caiphas held as his own lived, and bore a beautiful 
 boy, so like his mother, and they call him Jude ; but I have not seen them for a 
 long time, as I fled the court about the time the beautiful damsels of Caldea 
 were brought there, but I inquire whenever I can." "No tidings," I said, "of 
 the others ? " I said : " Are they living, or are they dead } Tell me, oh, tell 
 me, else I cannot live." Then he answered : " Ere the sun set on the following 
 day the priests entered their rooms, and they both found relief in death." 
 Then I heard no more, but lay like one dead all of that night and a part of the 
 next day. Then the herdsman's children came to me, and said, " We will be 
 your sisters, and love you even as your own." Filled with grief as I was I 
 turned to that family, and found relief. 
 
 I continued with the good herdsman until I was twenty-one. Then I was 
 betrothed, and wedded to the fairest of them all, my beautiful Hagar. Here my 
 heart ceases its beating. How can I go on ? yet, for the sake of my angel loved 
 ones, I will suft'er again the agony and despair I suffered in my earth career. 
 According to the laws of that country, none could be lawfully married but by an 
 anointed priest, and he had a right to hold the bride as long as he chose after 
 he had pronounced her the wife of another. And, as I led my beautiful Hagar 
 before the priest, my heart beat as I saw he looked upon her with hell burning 
 in every expression. Yet he performed the ceremony, and pronounced her 
 mine. He reached out his hand, and said, " Come, damsel, I desire you ; and 
 your husband can go away, and prepare for your coming." At that moment my 
 beautiful bride fell, fainting, to the floor ; for she did know her doom was sealed. 
 I said, " Oh, give her to me ! I will feed and clothe the heathens, and I will 
 toil for you." I had stooped down to raise her up, and he bade me be gone, 
 as he called to a confessor and said : " Care for this Hebrew. I will care for 
 the damsel. Go now," he said, " or I will have you beheaded in this hour." 
 And, as I stepped back, the priest threw his arm about my angel loved one, and 
 bore her from my sight. Holy God, I cannot tell any one what I suft'ered when 
 I went back, alone, to the home of my father, that I had prepared for my loved 
 one. Day after day passed away, and I saw none that could give me tidings of 
 my Hagar ; and I was in despair. Five days passed away, and, as the sun was 
 going down, I saw a drooping form nearing my home. At first I thought it was 
 a beggar ; but, as I caught a glimpse of her face, I saw it was indeed my bride, 
 but, oh, how changed ! She could hardly support her weight upon her feet. 
 Her garments were torn, and her beautiful hair was hanging in disorder about 
 her face and shoulders. I flew to her, folded her to my bosom, and we wept 
 together. I bore her into our home, prepared food for her, as she w^as nearly 
 famished, and, as we were sitting together, and the twilight was setting around 
 
 /^' 0. 
 ATT W TV 
 
54 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 US, a confessor came to the door, and said, " I should like to have a night's 
 lodging here." I answered, "I am not prepared to entertain you," As he 
 saw my wife, he said, " I must have the bride to-night." I answered, " She 
 has been held by the priest, and she is nearly dead even now." Then he said, 
 "Give her me eight days, and I will never trouble you again." He stepped for- 
 ward, and was about to lay hands upon my wife. I caught up a billet of wood, 
 and felled him to the floor, then I beat him to death. I dragged him from my 
 house, dug a hole and tumbled him in, then covered him over, stamped down the 
 earth, that none could see where he lay. There in that home I dwelt until God 
 had blessed me with nine children, — three boys and six girls. But when my 
 youngest boy was five, and my youngest daughter eight, God called my Hagar, 
 and I lay her in her earthy bed to rest. This being in the autumn, when the 
 next summer came I was compelled to go to Antioch with a load of hides, to 
 exchange for garments for my family. When my oxen were ready and awaited 
 my coming, I entered my home, and said, " God must care for you while I am 
 away, as a strange fear falls upon me, as the heathens are in a great commotion 
 concerning a Hebrew that has a price set upon his head, and they are deter- 
 mined to crucify him, as they do their worst felons," My eldest daughter 
 asked, " What has he done } " I answered, " He has declared the ever pres- 
 ence of God and his angel children." She answered: "What a pity he should 
 die for that ! I see my mother daily." I answered, " Breathe it not, daughter, 
 outside of your home, lest you should be accused of heresy." Then I knelt in 
 their midst, and prayed that my beloved family should be kept from harm, and 
 that the angels would direct them. But, as I bowed my head, no answer came 
 to me. I then bade them farewell, and hastened away. Something seemed to 
 say, " Fearful is the destiny of your family ere you come back again." 
 
 I reached Antioch after eight days, exchanged my hides, and started back, 
 hoping to find my family even as I had left them. Day after day wore away, 
 and at last I came in sight of my home. I heard the cattle lowing, and a 
 strange feeling came over me, and my home seemed so silent. I flew to the 
 door, and, as I pushed it open, I staggered back, being nearly suffocated with 
 the effluvia of the dead. But I gained courage, and looked in. There lay my 
 first-born across the doorway, beheaded. Near him lay my fourth-born, with 
 his feet toward the brother, also beheaded, and there in the corner of that room, 
 where I had bid farewell to my children, lay my darling boy — my last gift from 
 God — with his brains dashed out. "Holy God," I said, "you gave me those 
 holy children to bless me, and you have taken them back in thy mercy ; but 
 where, oh, where are my daughters.? Who can tell me?" Then I went to the 
 shed, where the cattle had apparently been fastened for days. I let them loose, 
 but nothing more could I learn from my absent daughters. There I rested my 
 head upon the fence, and asked God to direct me. But no kind voice greeted 
 me with, " Dear father has come home." There I lingered until I saw a 
 Hebrew boy approaching me. I said to him, " My boys are dead ; but who 
 can tell me of my daughters ? " He replied like this : " Eight days ago a band 
 of Hindu priests and confessors passed through this country, that was going to 
 Judea, that they could be at the crucifixion of a heretic, which would be as soon 
 as they could catch him." I said : " Oh, tell me of my daughters. God will care 
 for his own." He answered carelessly : " They went all through this country ; 
 and there is not a female left alive for leagues around, that is over five years old, 
 and, when I saw them coming with their battle axes, I ran away, as fast as I 
 could, and hid in the ferns yonder, and, as I lay there, I heard females scream- 
 ing, but I did not dare to look to see who they were. But I heard one say, 
 * Those Hebrew damsels are beautiful to look upon.' Another answered, 'You 
 
TESTIMONY OF STEPHEN. 55 
 
 may look upon their beauty to-day, but to-morrow you would turn from them/ 
 As I lay still, I heard their groans and shrieks all night ; and I think you will 
 find them in the forests, beyond the ferns." The boy said : " Let us go and see. 
 I guess the heathen priests are all gone before now." "No," I said, "God 
 help me, I will first bury my dead, that lie in a state of decay : then, if any are 
 alive, I can bring them here." Then I opened the door, that the air could circu- 
 late, ere I dare enter my once happy home. There I dug a grave, large enough 
 for them all, then I took my first-born, and wrapped him in a blanket, and lay 
 him in his cold, damp bed. Then the next, a sweet youth of nineteen, I lay him 
 beside his brother. But when I entered my home for my darling boy, and 
 looked upon that once sweet, sunny face, bruised and blackened, my courage 
 gave way, and I fell 4:o the floor. And as I lay there, gasping for breath, a 
 hand was laid in mine, and I heard a sweet voice say: "Brother, God is here. 
 Arise, and bury your dead." I arose to my feet, and approached my boy, raised 
 him in my arms, and bore him away, and laid him beside his brothers. Then I 
 laid dried grass upon them, and filled the grave with dirt. Then I fell upon 
 that grave, and said, " Come back to me, O ye angels bright, then I will give 
 your spirits into the hands of your Father, God, but the bodies I claim as my 
 own." Then I sought the forest, alone, as the boy had fled me. I followed the 
 path until I entered a ravine. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Holy child of God, assist me, I cannot breathe. Pray for me, friend of 
 humanity, — holy revelator of facts for us all. Friend, ask your own inner life, 
 if you could look upon your own five daughters, stripped of their garments, 
 knowing they had been crushed to death, and live .'' Answer me, and let all 
 coming ages know if you could look upon that sight, and live. (Answer. No ! 
 No ! I could not live in my mental body ; but I should be compelled to exist in 
 spirit, if I would or no. As I have been commanded to answer, so I have 
 answered. From my own inner life I breathe it, and I am sure there are not 
 but a few mothers but would answer the same. — Scribe?) There, as I gazed 
 upon the five, my heart answered, " There is one more." As I looked around, 
 I saw another naked body lying upon the ground, near a brook. As I turned 
 toward her, I heard a deep groan, and I knew that life was there. I knelt 
 beside her, as I heard her say : " God has heard my prayer. Father has come 
 ere I died." There she lay with one hand upon her heart, the other reaching 
 toward the running w^ater. Her pale cheek rested upon the damp earth, her 
 eyes were closed, but the heart still beat. I called her by name, and her eye- 
 lids unclosed, and she said : " Father, an angel held me from death, and here she 
 is beside me. Her face is Uke diamond brightness, but her eyes and hair are 
 dark and beautiful. She sat beside me all night, and she said you were com- 
 ing." " Darling Ketubah," I shouted, " do not die : I am all alone. Breathe 
 for me, my daughter, and I will bless God forever. I will raise you in my arms, 
 and bear you to your home, and, if it please God, you will live for me and 
 humanity." I raised her in my arms ; and, as I was bearing her along, her breath 
 came deep, and she began like this : " Father, I must have slept a long time ; 
 but, when I awoke. I found myself beside the brook, and, when I looked, I saw 
 that holy angel beside me." And she laid her hand on my head, and I could 
 
56 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 breathe free, as her arms had been folded around my neck ; but now she released 
 her hold, and I thought she was dying. I sat down by the way, and still held 
 her in my bosom. She gave a deep groan, and then began by saying : " The 
 cruel priests have destroyed all of your family, brother. The boys attempted to 
 hold the door against them, but they forced an entrance, and dashed them to 
 the floor. Then they hurled the little boy against the house, and he fell dead. 
 Then they caught up thy daughters, and fled into the forest. There you found 
 them, as the fiends left them, — dead. When they were all gone, I drew near, and 
 saw that life was left in this body. She had fainted, and I controlled her, and 
 bore her to the brook, where I bathed her face and head with her own hands. 
 When I found I could hold the body no longer, I lay it down where you found 
 it. I still cared for her, as I did know you would be alone. But God's chil- 
 dren have need of your care and protection ; and, when you have done all there is 
 to be done for your loved ones, I will bear you to them that are in trouble. Beset 
 as they are, aid they must have. You will go toward Antioch, there you will 
 find the true and faithful that are laboring to lay the foundation for anointed 
 priests and confessors to be chained and bound forever. Yet ages on ages must 
 roll away ere they can lay the chief corner-stone for the great temple of truth to 
 be reared that will endure forever. Then, and not until then, will that faithful 
 band of God's children behold the reward of their labors. But now they are 
 toiling, and sweating drops of blood, because the hand of the taskmasters are 
 upon them, that is heathen damned in priestly robes, but when a holy band can 
 be freed from the oppressive, ignorant, benighted souls, that would chain the 
 infinite if he was in their power. When light can be diffused throughout the 
 earth, then, and not until then, can the Infinite Father be recognized by his own 
 children. When the child can say I am thine, my Father, then earth will release 
 all of her faithful martyrs, and they will find rest in the bosom of his love, and 
 the fountain of God's love will flow into every angel breast, that will flow o'er 
 all of their conscious life, and they will be blessed. Yet ages on ages must 
 pass away ere you, Stephen, will be called back to finish up your labor, and the 
 keystone finds its resting place through freedom's seal, which can never be 
 broken. But you, my brother, will hasten away to the humble Nazarene, and 
 assist in bearing him along, until he is hung upon the cross. There you will 
 breathe out your life at the foot of the cross. Then you will be borne away to 
 your family, but the hour will surely come, when earth will demand you again. 
 And now, brother, go and bury your dead. I must go to the holy lamb that is 
 to be slain. Farewell." 
 
 As I bent down, I saw the face of my daughter was livid in death. " Holy 
 God," I said, "she has left me forever." No answer came back, but that sweet 
 voice was hushed forever. I then bore her into my home, and lay her upon her 
 own couch. There I knelt beside her, and asked God to direct me. Then I 
 left her, and went back into the forest. There I dug a grave, large enough for 
 my five holy bodies. Them I claimed as my own, knowing full well God had 
 extracted the life he gave but to bless me. When I had prepared the bed, I 
 knelt beside my Saloam, and said : " Thy father will raise thee up, and lay you 
 where you cannot again be crushed by heathen brutes. Flowers will bloom 
 upon thy grave, daughter, and angels will guard each unfolding bud. Thou 
 wert all good, and God will care for you." Then I raised the decaying body in 
 my arms, and lay it in the bed prepared for them all. Again I seek my dead, 
 and stoop o'er the body of my Hildah. " Love beamed in thy eye, daughter, 
 and a smile upon thy lip ever blessed thy father. When he was weary, it gave 
 him rest, and now, daughter, I will rest thee from fear, and God will rest thee 
 from care." I raised her up, and lay her down by her sister, as they used to 
 
TESTIMONY OF STEPHEN. 57 
 
 lie, in their own bed. Another I will raise up from the damp earth, straighten 
 her limbs in the last resting place of five angels. " Sweet shall be thy repose, 
 daughter, my fair-haired Leona. Sweet flower of spring, your father's heart was 
 filled with love for thee, the hour you breathed earth's air. Thirteen summers 
 gladdened this heart that is now broken. Thou didst plant flowers, they 
 bloomed, but thou wert the fairest of them all, and thy sweet voice was sweeter 
 to me than the aroma of the lily, but thou hast been crushed beneath fiends in 
 human form. I will lay you beside thy sisters, and you will forget all." 
 
 Now, friend, pray for me, in the holy name of Jehovah God, ere I can gain 
 courage and strength enough to live over again the agony I suffered in laying 
 away my beloved Serah. Holy God, assist me. My heart bleeds anew, as I 
 kneel beside the mother's darling angel. " Loved one, thou did'st find rest in 
 thy mother's holy bosom, and I will lay thee down beside thy sisters, and thou 
 hast fallen asleep, — a sleep that knows no wakening. Thy mother's bosom will 
 rest the spirit, even while I kneel beside the mortal form. Darling Serah, I will 
 cover you over for the last time, then I will seek him that is to lay down all he 
 has for coming ages, through his being hung upon the cross. I shall come to 
 you in a home where anointed priests cannot come and crush my little lamb 
 again. Farewell, my sweet earth flower, I must launch upon the turbid waters, 
 that wall bear me to you. But you cannot bless me again in earthy form : in 
 spirit, you will be mine." 
 
 Then I covered them over with dried leaves, that the damp earth should not 
 fall upon their sweet faces, and God gave me strength to fill that grave. Then 
 I fell upon it, and wept, until my breath went out. How long I lay there, I 
 know not, but when my breath came back, and I arose to my feet, the stars 
 were shining. I could but exclaim, " Darling loved ones, I leave you in the 
 hands of my Father God, while I wdll seek to bless his children." 
 
 I went back to my desolate home. There lay my daughter, cold in death. I 
 knelt beside her, and rested my face upon her cold forehead. There I dedi- 
 cated myself to humanity, and made oath that I would assist in slaying the 
 dragon, that had robbed me of my holy gifts, that God had given m.e, to bless 
 me. There I knelt, asking aid of God to assist me, and his angel children, to 
 lead me home. Day did dawn, and a holy light was around me, and an angel 
 hand was lain in mine, as she said, *' Come, brother, I will assist you in your 
 last labor for your family, that you may hasten away to those that still linger in 
 earth forms." She led me to where my boys were sleeping, as she said, " Beside 
 her brothers she will sleep, in their earthy condition, while they will all find rest 
 in a higher condition than earth can give them, — a house not made with hands, 
 eternal, held in God's own law, free from the wicked devices of children of dark- 
 ness." 
 
 There I dug a grave, and bore out my child, and covered her over. Again I 
 fell to the earth, and could not rise in my own strength. But when I awoke, 
 day and night had passed away, and the morning star shed its rays upon my 
 bed, and I was laying there as in days gone by. How I came there, I know 
 not. I said, " Oh, what a fearful dream came over me." But I soon saw I 
 was alone with the living, and not the dead, as my family were all around me in 
 spirit, and my companion asked me what they should do. I said, " God's angel 
 children will come and bear you away to a home bereft of fear, and I will meet 
 you there." 
 
 I then arose from my bed, prepared barley bread, and at high noon I began 
 my journey toward Judea's borders. 
 
68 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Who among you have courage to follow a heart-broken traveller on his way? 
 Let him come with me, as I am journeying along desolate and alone. 
 
 The first night threw her dark mantle around me ere I was aware of it, as I 
 had been lost in thought. When I could not discern the way, I crept beneath 
 a hedge of ferns. There I lay, and communed with my God and his angel chil- 
 dren. There I beheld the future, and I did know I must die. ''Glory to 
 God," I said: "I am going to dwell with my angel family, in a brighter world 
 beyond, among God's angels bright, that have been borne away from earth, to 
 a brighter sphere. There we shall dwell together for ages, praising God and 
 blessing each other. But a change will come, and I shall be brought back to 
 earth again." But I could not see beyond the bright light, that was filling all 
 earth. Then I fell asleep, and forgot my vision, and my broken heart forgot its 
 anguish for a time. As the sun was rising, I awoke, and hastened on my way, 
 led by the angel that came to me when I was in despair. 
 
 Seven days I journeyed on, until I reached Chaledon. There I found him I 
 sought, in the home of a Hebrew. As I drew near, that holy light led me until 
 we reached the threshold. Then she left me, and folded the holy Jesus in her 
 own light, as she said, " Come in, * Stephen, you are welcome here." 
 
 But, as I entered, I saw many sitting upon the floor, some in rags, some in 
 decent garments. There I saw God made manifest, through his children, — a 
 power I could not comprehend at that time. But I did see bright forms every- 
 where around us. Jesus knelt down, still in the embrace of that holy ray of 
 light. A form was there : I knew it was God's child that was bearing the bur- 
 den for us all, as best she could, and her prayer was this : " Father of immen- 
 sity, hold thy children from doubting thy ever presence, and thy many mercies. 
 Weary though they may be, yet thou will surely give them rest. In thy own 
 wisdom they are held from death, that coming ages may be held from darkness, 
 death and despair. And may these angels of light bear them along, that 
 through their lives and their deaths they may bless humanity, and give thee the 
 glory, holy, eternal light, from which we draw our life, our all." Then she 
 breathed away from him, and he looked around, and said : "Another has come, 
 to be lain upon the altar of human sacrifice. O my God, bind up his broken 
 heart, that he may breathe out of his earth condition, filled with hope, filled with 
 love for thee and humanity." " Amen," I answered, " I am ready now to do my 
 work for the poor, benighted children of humanity." 
 
 Then we ate, and lay down to rest, but early in the morning we started for 
 Antioch. But, ere we reached there, we were met by a confessor, and he said, 
 "You are going to be hung, and I shall be back in time to assist in the work." 
 He flew past us : armed as he was, he seemed to fear us. We entered Antioch, 
 and there were many gathered from all parts of the country. Sick and suffering 
 as they were, they shouted, " He is coming, he will heal us." There we 
 formed ourselves in a circle, in the centre of the square. Jesus said, " Bring 
 forth your sick, one at a time, and God will heal all that can be healed through 
 the natural law, and none other." I became filled with life. As I breathed 
 deep, I was filled with electricity. Many were healed, but others went away, 
 filled with a disease that God could not reach through his own breath, electric 
 life. But, ere night closed in upon us, we sought for a place of rest. I left them 
 
 * Stephen, the Caldean, not the father of Simon. He was Judea's blood. 
 
TESTIMONY OF STEPHEN. 59 
 
 and went beyond the hill, and the confessors saw me, and they sought to lay 
 hands upon me. I was compelled to flee into the forest, bearing toward Tyre, 
 as the holy controller of Jesus, Leiah, had declared that we should be scattered, 
 but we must meet east of Tyre, as after many days he would bring us together, 
 to finish up our labor and go home. 
 
 For days I wandered about in the forest, until hunger compelled me to seek 
 a herdsman's hut, and ask for bread. But the time did come when we were 
 brought together, by the same hand that had held us from death. 
 
 There was a great commotion among the heathens. I accosted a lad, and 
 asked him the cause of it. He answered, "The crazy man has come down 
 from the mountains, and they are going to crucify him." I hastened away from 
 him, and followed the by-places until I came to a green slope. There I saw a 
 great multitude gathering together from every direction. 
 
 As I drew near, I saw Jesus was controlled, and I heard him say, '' Gather 
 together all of the feeble in one band, that they may draw strength from 
 almighty strength, that they may live long enough for God to be glorified 
 through their death, and they be prepared for a brighter sphere, and may they 
 be baptized by the breath of Jehovah God, even here, that they may keep to 
 learn their way to heaven, beyond earth, where they may find rest." 
 
 The holy brother then lay down, like one that could not rise again. His 
 mother knelt beside him, and folded her arms around him, and burst into tears, 
 as she said : " Joseph, take him to thyself, even now. He, my last, my loved 
 one, I give to thee, thou life of all life, and I will seek him in thy bosom, my 
 God." I raised him up as he breathed one word, "Mother." Then he fell 
 back again. John and Bartholomew came forward, and said, " Let us bear him 
 away beside the fire, that he may be made more comfortable, and you, Stephen, 
 assist Mary, and we will cover them o'er, and let them rest." "Rest," said 
 Mary: "where will my beloved Jesus rest but in a holier condition than earth 
 can give .? " All of the histories give facts concerning the journey from Tyre to 
 Jerusalem, and my testimony could but add one more line to the records of 
 despair that was made manifest through the suffering of the Hebrews and 
 Caldeans, also some of Judea's children. There came in their midst a heathen 
 confessor, by the name of Mathew. We commanded him to go back, but he 
 declared he feared to go, as they would accuse him of heresy. Jesus' breath 
 came deep, and he said, " Hold him here, because, if he goes away, he will 
 return with a batttle axe." Then we held our peace. He remained quiet until 
 the eighth day, then he sought to lead us beyond a hill. Jesus turned to us, 
 and said, " Beware, lest you fall." Then we kept on our way, but ere morning 
 dawned upon us we were thrown into confusion, by a battle axe being thrown 
 into our midst. Mathew held his way along with us, until we entered Jerusa- 
 lem, and there he was beheaded, being found among the heretics. Here I must 
 give answer to the teachings of to-day. Mathew is held, through priestly 
 devices, as a holy thing, and a book, bearing his name, has long been held 
 before the benighted children of earth. How could he keep records, when he 
 could not have read his own name, had it been held before him ? Here we will 
 give him credit, all that is his due, and nothing more. He was an anointed con- 
 fessor, and he was a brute, and his own history, given by himself, will be found 
 in a book called " Sayings and Doings of Anointed Priests and Confessors." 
 Then coming ages will know whether to hold him as a saint or hurl him from 
 them as a filthy thing. When he saw he could not deceive the holy breath that 
 was there, he remained quiet until he was seen by the enraged priesthood. 
 They dragged him away, and beheaded him, ere Jesus was crucified. Here I 
 need not attempt to give relative to the sufferings of that holy, but despised, 
 
60 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 people. Crushed earthy, but Hved in spirit, filled with light, filled with love, 
 filled with God. 
 
 From the time I came to them, I did all I could to alleviate their much suffer- 
 ing. I did see Jesus raised up, after he was nailed to the cross. I did see his 
 mother kneel at the foot of the cross. I did see her dragged away by her hair, 
 by confessors, commanded by the high priest, Caiphas, and my head was struck 
 off in the same hour. 
 
 Conclusion. — I have finished my work for thee, O humanity, but ere I bid 
 you a last farewell I will kneel in humble prayer, before my Father, God, and 
 ask his aid in holding his own created from the dark, benighted souls, dwelling 
 in mortal forms, robed in priestly garbs, that are working evil instead of good ; 
 holding themselves before humanity as holy things, that they may be looked 
 upon as chosen instruments to lead and guide God's children home ; that God 
 may find that which he had lost. Nothing is lost. God forgets not his own, 
 wherever their destiny may be cast. He breathes upon him, and in his own 
 time blesses his own created. 
 
 Prayer. — Filled with life from thy life, filled with light from thee, I 
 would leave earth's children all I have to give, — my blessing. Lead, oh, lead 
 thy humble revelator into the green pastures of thy love, beside the still waters 
 of thy many mercies. Bedeck her with holy garments, and may their many 
 folds sparkle with diamonds, denoting good acts, by blessing the poor and 
 needy, and soothing the aching heart, when it is beating in fear. Grant her, 
 O my God, a life filled with thy own light, that she may aid those in darkness, 
 that they may behold thee, as thou art, filled with wisdom, filled with light, filled 
 with love for those that seek to feed the lesser mind. And may the life-line be 
 drawn full by thy own hand, that she may assist us in finishing up our earth 
 labor, and free us from the demand that is upon us, held by humanity's necessi- 
 ties, and when the hour comes for her to sleep her last sleep, earthy, may my 
 family be blessed by a freed spirit, filled with light, filled with faith, and filled 
 with love for thee, O my God, and humanity. Then my angel loved ones will 
 chant a hymn to welcome the weary servant of you all home to rest. These holy 
 blessings we would ask of thee, Father, God. Now, farewell, humanity. Fare- 
 well, my dear friend and sister. I will come to you when God extracts his own 
 from materiality, and assist in bearing you away beyond the reach of man. 
 Farewell. 
 
 CHAPTER Xni. 
 
 TESTIMONY OF JUDE. 
 
 Dec. 23, 1870. 
 Light falls around me, bright faces come before me, and I catch their sweet 
 accents as they breathe upon me. Voices from the deep past call me. I will 
 again answer, I am ready to breathe for you, my dear brother. I am ready to 
 suffer with you, and bear your burden, that your sorrows may be lightened, 
 even while you live over again the grief that fell upon you in youth, the suffer- 
 ing of manhood, and the agony of a fearful death. — Scribe. 
 
TESTIMONY OF JUDE. 61 
 
 Here I declare myself Jude, the son of Caiphas, the high priest. As I am 
 to lay down my earth history, I will write them before you, child of destiny, 
 revelator for God's children that were drawn into the vrhirlpool of confusion, 
 concerning light being attracted to earth through the holy Hebrew family, and 
 they declared the presence of a living God, and the presence of his angel 
 children. The first I recollect distinctly was, when I was about four years old, 
 being called into the chamber, where the king's children were at play. One of 
 the children said : " Look, Jude, see what a fine caretaker we have got. See 
 what pretty blue eyes he has got, and fine wavy hair, and he is so kind to us." 
 At that moment he raised his eyes to mine, and I loved him from that moment. 
 At that time I was permitted to remain there at least half an hour, then I was 
 called to go to my mother. I saw she had been weeping. I did not ask W'hy, 
 but I said : " Oh, what a pretty caretaker the king's children have ! I wish he 
 could come here." She answered: "That cannot be. Your father says you 
 must never go into his presence again." From that time I used to cry to go 
 and see the pretty Hebrew, until I was told he did not care for the children, 
 but he had become chamberlain. Day by day I looked upon him, but was not 
 permitted to speak to him. Then, after a time, he was gone, I never knew 
 where. I was told after, he was the one that caused so much commotion in 
 court. There I dwelt, in my mother's chamber, until I was fourteen years old. 
 I had a little apartment, adjoining my mother's, w^here I slept. Ere I left my 
 mother I do know she had three children born, as I heard them cry, and then 
 their voices would be hushed. But I did see one of them lying on the foot of 
 my mother's bed, and it was a dark purple. I asked my mother whose baby 
 that was. She made no reply, but covered her face with her hands and burst 
 into tears. Soon a man came in and carried it away. This happened when I 
 was a little boy, not more than five years old. It had always been the custom 
 to take a boy from his mother's chamber at fourteen, to be educated, and, as 
 my time drew near, my mother seemed filled with grief, and would sit beside 
 me for hours and hold my hand in hers. One day she seemed uncommonly 
 ill, and I sat beside her as she lay upon her couch. She reached her hand to 
 me, as she said: " ]\Iy dear boy, your father has told me you are to go from 
 here ere the sun goes down, and I feel it my duty to tell you why I am here, 
 and why Caiphas is your father. I know I can never look upon you again, 
 after you leave me, as your father intends you for an anointed priest, and I 
 cannot live until you have finished your education. But I would have you 
 know I am not here by my consent. Now listen, dear Jude, to the words of a 
 dying mother, and hereafter, if you can assist the poor, crushed damsels of Cal- 
 dea, and hold them from being destroyed, remember that is your mother's 
 blood, and she will soon go to her own. My father was chief ruler in Mesa- 
 potamia, and he was fearfully affected by the heathen priests dragging away 
 and destroying, Caldea's daughters, and he started to go to Jerusalem, hoping 
 the king could assist in repelling the invaders. But, ere he could reach there, 
 he was beset by a band of confessors, and destroyed, and we heard of it the 
 day a band of confessors came and bore away my four sisters and myself. I 
 had a little brother ; his name was Stephen ; named for his grandfather. If he 
 is living or dead, I know not. I am relating my history, that you can tell him 
 the fate of his sisters, if you should ever see him. I do know he was not de- 
 stroyed when we were borne away. Say to him his eldest sister died ere morn- 
 ing dawned upon her, in this house, and in this room where I am now dying, 
 the first night after we were brought here ; and the one next to her died ere the 
 sun rose, and the two youngest angel sisters were left alone until their sisters 
 died, and then they were crushed to death, ere night fell upon them. And say 
 
62 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 to him his third sister lived to suffer more than a thousand deaths could be 
 brought about by nature's laws, but she will soon be beyond the reach of 
 drunken priests, and will find rest in the bosom of her own beloved family." 
 Then she ceased to speak. I saw big tears roll down her cheeks, but she soon 
 continued : " They will make you one of them. They will make you one of 
 them, my darling boy." 
 
 My soul was wrung in agony, and I said within myself, " I will live to avenge 
 my mother's wrongs." Then I lay down beside my mother, and folded my arms 
 around her, and she seemed dearer to me than ever before. There we both 
 wept until my mother fainted, and I could not breathe. At that moment 
 Caiphas opened the door, and stood there like one frozen to death. But, when 
 he had recovered his surprise, he was like a fiend incarnate. He caught me 
 by my arm, and hurled me from my mother, as he said : " I will teach you better 
 acts than hugging your mother in her bed. They are waiting to carry you to 
 Antioch. Now be gone." There I left my mother, dead as I supposed, but 
 I learned after that she lived one year and a half, a poor, heart-broken woman, 
 calling for her boy. When I was told how she mourned for me, I longed to 
 die to go to her, although I had been educated for a priest, and was accepted 
 by the high priest in all things but one, and that was so foreign to my nature 
 I abhorred the mention of it. That was, I must hold forty different females, 
 ere I could be anointed and take the oath that was demanded. The hour 
 did come when I was to be borne back to the court, and with an aching heart 
 I began my journey, knowing full well my angel mother would not be there 
 to cheer me. When I reached there, Caiphas was away, and I sought the room 
 where my mother lived and died. I closed the door and fastened it, then I 
 knelt down beside the bed and poured out my whole soul in pleading for my 
 mother to come to me. Ere I ceased my devotion, a light form flitted past 
 me, and I shouted aloud, "Holy God, give me my mother." That was the first 
 time in my life I had ever breathed that holy word, and it frightened me. My 
 mother had taught it me, in a gentle whisper, but we never breathed it aloud. 
 There my mother had taught me of a Father God and his angel children being 
 ever present. But my father never suspected his boy was being taught heresy, 
 when he intended him for an anointed priest. Even while I knelt there with 
 my God and my angel loved one, a loud knock was heard at the door, and there 
 I bowed my head and asked God to direct me. Then I arose and opened the 
 door, and the chamberlain gave a message thus : " Caiphas demands your 
 immediate presence in the king's chamber." I obeyed, and, as I came before 
 the king, I greeted him. Then I turned to Caiphas. He reached his hand 
 to me, and I lay my palm in his, and he begun like this : " You are now pre- 
 pared to finish your education, and the sooner you begin the better." I bowed 
 my head, and said, "I am ready to obey my father." Then he said, "You can 
 begin this day and hold one female, and to-morrow you can hold four, and as 
 soon as you have held forty you shall be anointed, and become one of us." 
 I was frightened, because I saw he was in earnest. There I stood, but could 
 not answer. As I had been reared in seclusion, I hardly comprehended his 
 meaning, yet I w^as filled with fear. The king said, " Don't frighten the boy : he 
 is a frail youth." Caiphas answered, " Meat, strong drink, and females will 
 make him hardy." His harsh expressions caused me to shudder, and I could 
 hardly breathe. Then he said, " I will call the fairest damsel in court, and she 
 will bless you." "No," I said, "I do not wish her to come. I am feeble, and 
 I cannot obey you in that respect, but obey you in all things I can." Then 
 my father raised his hand and felled me to the floor. I arose to my feet, and 
 exclaimed, "God help me." Then he hurled me from him, and my head 
 
TESTIMONV OF JUDE. 63 
 
 Struck against the doorway, and the blood streamed down my face. Then the 
 king said : " Caiphas, you must not kill the boy in my chamber, and I feel 
 you are hasty. You have been drinking strong drink. Go away, lie down 
 and sleep. Leave the boy to me, and I will see what I can do with him." 
 Caiphas saw the blood and he knew he had been hasty, and he left the 
 room without an answer. As soon as he was gone, the king said : " Go and 
 bathe. I will call the chamberlain, and have you cared for." The wound 
 was dressed, then the king said, " Come here, Jude : you are a frail youth, and 
 I fear Caiphas will kill you." There I knelt beside the king, and his kindness 
 caused me to forget my fear. I said, " O king, let me go into the highlands 
 until I become stronger, then I will try and obey my father." " No," said 
 the king, " I cannot give my consent, lest Caiphas will seek you out, and 
 destroy you." "Then let me go without your consent." The king said, 
 " I am not accountable," and he said to the chamberlain, *' Bring a herdsman's 
 suit, even now." He brought it, and I robed myself, then knelt before the 
 king, and said, " God bless you, good king, I will pray for you when I am 
 away." The king covered his face with his hands, and wept, as he replied : 
 " My mother taught me to believe in God's mercies, while my father would 
 have destroyed us both, if he had have known it. Here boy, take this, you 
 may need it," he said, as he gave me a handful of gold. " I shall say to 
 Caiphas you have gone into the country to get strength, in order to fulfil his 
 wishes, but if you do not return he will send his spies everywhere to bring 
 you back." I answered: "God will direct me, and my angel mother will lead 
 me. Farewell, good king, I shall not forget your kindness as long as I walk 
 the earth." Then I fled the court, not knowing where to go, but I made my 
 way toward the highlands. Day after day I journeyed along, until I found 
 myself in a desert country. Night came on, and I was alone. There I sat 
 down and fell asleep. I dreamed I saw my mother, and said, " Jude, 
 God cares for his own, and he will bring an angel bright to lead and guide 
 you on." I awoke, and light fell all around me, and a sweet voice breathed 
 my name, and said: "God is here, and you will be led to a place of rest." 
 Then she said : " Come, brother, come let us hasten away : my brother is 
 waiting for us. He will lead you to his home, there you will find friends and 
 comfort. He is now beyond the cliff: we v.'ill meet him there." She lay 
 her hand in mine, then I lost sight of her, and, as she breathed her life into 
 my life, I became strong and sped away, my feet hardly touching the ground. 
 
 Ere I reached the cliff, I began to falter, then the same voice said, " Yet a 
 little farther and we shall meet my brother." The earth again seemed to pass 
 beneath my feet, until we stood upon the highest crag. There I saw a poor, 
 frail man kneeling in prayer. The bright form seemed to leave me, drew near 
 the humble man, and knelt beside him. As I drew near, I heard him say, 
 " Holy Creator, God, I praise thee that you have brought back my angel sister, 
 and him that is -to die for truth's sake." Then he arose to his feet and drew 
 near me, as he said : "God bless you, dear brother, I will lead you to my mother. 
 She will give you food, and you will find rest beside me until you are called 
 forth to begin your work." He then laid his hand in mine, and the other in 
 that of his angel friend, and we glided along, higher and still higher up the 
 mountain, bearing northward. But, ere the dark night closed in upon us, we 
 reached a humble cot, and, as my brother knocked at the door, a female opened 
 it, and, as she held the torch in her hand, I thought she was the most beautiful 
 female I had ever looked upon. She folded her boy to her bosom, and said: 
 " I am blessed, I am blessed. Holy God, I will praise thee forever." He 
 answered, " Dear mother, God alone has held me from death, and brought me 
 
64 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 back to you again." Then he said: "Mother, I have brought you a poor child 
 of destiny, bruised and broken, but not utterly destroyed. Prepare him some 
 food, as God's child says he has had nothing to eat for two days and a half." 
 Then the holy child of Mary breathed deep, and I saw he was in the embrace 
 of an angel. Then he said : " Mary, I have brought him as I promised, and 
 another one beside him. Make him comfortable. I must take him away in a 
 few days, but my brother must remain beside you until Leiah comes for him, 
 but, when he goes down from the mountain home, he will never return here 
 again." Mary asked, "Am I never to see him again after he leaves me ? " The 
 angel answered, "You will go to him, but he cannot come here again." I 
 asked, " Can I never again look upon my friend and sister after my brother is 
 taken from here.?" She answered: "I am your sister, and I shall come to you 
 in your hour of need. I shall go with you into Caldea, and shall not leave you 
 until you are safe beside my brother, John. You will labor with him until Jesus 
 is called forth again to finish up his earth labor for the present age. I will then 
 come to you, Jude, and lead you to him, that you can assist him in healing the 
 sick, and declaring God, that the inhabitants of earth may know who to worship 
 in spirit and in truth." My brother's breath again came deep, and, as the 
 influence left him, he opened his eyes and looked around and said : "A holy 
 calm has come over me that I never knew before. I am freed from care — I am 
 freed from weariness — I am freed from hunger. God's bread has filled me full. 
 Glory to God, now I am ready to finish up all there is for me to do, and go 
 home." 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Again I enter the holy room where the angel band are ever ready to trace 
 the electric lines, that I may trace them in life-lines that can never die. That 
 holy calm is here. I feel the angel presence. Rays of light are around me. 
 God's breath is upon my brow, and I can behold earth filled with light, drawn 
 from eternal light, and my humble prayer shall ever be, nearer to thee, my God, 
 may humanity be, through the light from thee, thou God of immensity, until 
 every soul can feel thy breath, and every child of thine shall say there is no 
 death. Then I shall feel my labor has been rewarded, through thy holy influ- 
 ence, tracing lines filled with life, filled with light, filled with God's love for his 
 own. My soul is full of the light that is around me, and I, too, feel to exclaim, 
 ^' I am going home : my sun must set ere long, but it will rise again." — Scribe. 
 
 My brother ate but a little, then we laid down to rest. After they were all at 
 rest, I could but exclaim, "Happy children of poverty, thou art blessed in thy 
 slumbers, fearing not thou art to be dragged from your beds, and be dragged 
 about by the drunken priests, as the poor females are in the home I have fled 
 from, where devils revel in drunkenness and debauchery, through the dark hours 
 of night, and where the fairest earth flowers are being constantly blasted by 
 those brutes in priestly robes, and, when the poor slaves are dragged out dead 
 in the morning, others are brought in to supply their places. (I dare not 
 declare what I know, as none of the present age could believe the depravity in 
 a heathen court,) but what I have seen I do know, and my heart aches, even 
 now, for the blasted angels I have left behind, and, if they could be freed, I 
 
TESTIMONY OF JUDE. 65 
 
 would lay down my life for their freedom." As I breathed the last word, I felt 
 a gentle touch, and I saw my mother kneeling beside me. A deep-drawn sigh 
 escaped her, as she breathed her life into my own, then I saw all of her past 
 sufferings, and holy God, I could have damned the king, the priests, and the 
 courtiers, when another breath drew near, which seemed to say : " Veil those 
 fearful scenes you have passed, dear sister, and look beyond. A home awaits 
 you there, and you will be at rest, but thy boy will become a human sacrifice for 
 his angel mother, and then you will both be free." My own breath came back, 
 and I fell asleep. Early in the morning the good Mary was astir, and she 
 prepared the barley bread, but before we ate Jesus said : " This is Mary's feeble 
 brother, and Martha, her only sister. They were compelled to flee with my 
 family, else they would kave been cut off years ago. Here are my brothers. 
 This is James : he prepares the fuel, and assists my mother, while my father is 
 in the lowlands earning bread for his family. Jesse is a feeble boy, but he is 
 holy to us all, as God's child can breathe through him as easily as she can 
 through me, and we are oft-times caused to exclaim, ' We are blessed above all 
 men, even in this desolate spot.' This is our darling Simeon, the joy of every 
 heart." 
 
 That day passed away, and I forgot my sorrow. Day by day passed away, 
 but, as the sun was setting, Joseph came up the mountain with a bag of barley 
 meal upon his back, and when he had greeted his family, and rested, he said : 
 '• There is a great commotion in the lowlands respecting a youth, and by the 
 description it must be you. Caiphas has offered two hundred scruples in gold 
 to any one that will bring you to him, as he is determined to behead you on the 
 great square." I answered, "God held me that I could die for his glory, and I 
 fear not the battle axe." Then they all ate their bread, knelt in prayer, and 
 their humble cot was filled with light, and I was entranced by an influence then 
 I did not know, but after I learned it v.as the controller of Jesus. He declared 
 I must begin my journey at early dawn, and must bend my course south by east, 
 leave the desert on the left, "there he will find a smooth country, that he can 
 journey nights, and lie in the ferns by day. Bear away bread, for he will have 
 nothing to eat for at least eight days but what he carries with him. Then he 
 will come to the border country of Caldea. There leave the herdsman's country 
 and go directly toward Babylonia. But, ere he reaches there, he will meet with 
 John and his followers. He v/ill remain with them until Jesus comes to them in 
 Caldea. There he will remain until John is called back to Antioch. There he 
 will meet with Jesus, as he will be compelled to flee Caldea, with a price upon 
 his head ; and he will not leave him again until he is dragged away by Caiphas, 
 and hung upon the gallows, that will be prepared to hang Jesus upon, when he 
 enters Jerusalem. Mark the route for him, Joseph, that he may not be cut off, 
 but let him be held until his death may be recorded among those that will be 
 brought back to earth, to declare what they know concerning the Hebrew family 
 and their first-born, Jesus. Give him those characters on the bark. He can 
 read it all, and comprehend its meaning." I awoke, and Joseph handed me 
 the bark. I went away alone, and read it ; and, as I looked upon it, my heart 
 beat, and I said: "I am doomed. I must die by him that gave me life." I lay 
 the bark down beside me, and burst into tears. Jesus sought me. He came 
 and knelt beside me. He asked God to assist us, then he folded his arms 
 around me and wept until his breath went out of him. Joseph called. I gave 
 answer, " Jesus is dead." He hastened to us, and there lay his first-born in my 
 arms, and his breath had gone out of him. Joseph raised him in his arms, and 
 bore him back to his home ; and, when he entered there, Lazarus said, " He is 
 not dead, but is entranced." They lay him on his bed, and he lay there all 
 
66 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 night. But at early dawn he awoke, and said : " I have been to Caldea, and 
 fearful was the strife between the Hivites and Caldeans, and many in the holy 
 blood of Jacob have been borne away into captivity. I also saw John. He was 
 nearly famished. I knelt beside him, and asked God to hold him until he could 
 labor beside me, in order that his life could be linked with mine forever." He 
 arose and bathed. They all knelt in prayer, then he laid his hand in mine, and 
 said, " Come, brother, I will bear you company to the foot of the mountain, then 
 I will return." Mary had the bread prepared, and, as she handed it to me, I 
 said : " God bless you, Mary. I had a mother once that loved her boy, and I 
 long to meet her where we can dwell together, and bless each other." I then 
 bade them my last farewell, earthy, and hastened away with Jesus. That night I 
 reached the foot of the mountain. I began to feel the desolation of my future 
 life, as it came before me. There we sat down upon a little bank, and I began 
 like this : *' O destiny, what hast thou in store for me ? Am I to be blasted, 
 earthy, while in the spring-time of life ? Or am I to be borne along on the 
 turbid ocean of humanity, until I am dashed upon its hidden shoals, and lost 
 forever.?" Jesus covered his face with his hands, and a deep groan came 
 welling up from the very depth of his soul, as he gave answer: "Humanity holds 
 thy destiny and mine. Their demand is upon us, dear brother, and you and I 
 must die." I replied, "Cannot we flee to some country where we are not 
 known, and there be freed from the persecution of the priesthood .? " Then, ere 
 he gave answer, he knelt in prayer, and exclaimed, " Holy Almighty, Creator 
 God, lead and guide thy own created children, in thy own wisdom, and we will 
 obey thee, come life or come death." Then he bowed his head, and received 
 answer : " My children, thou belongest to humanity. Their demands are upon 
 you, will lay down your lives upon her altar. That will but begin a work for me 
 and mine. Earth will change, ages must pass away, ere I can be known among 
 my own. I came to them, they knew me not ; but the time will come when they 
 will know me, as I am the life of all things. Then the earth will become my 
 kingdom, and I shall live in the hearts of my children." "Amen," answered 
 Jesus, and I answered, "Amen." Then he arose to his feet, and I said, "Who 
 was it that gave you that message ? " He answered, " I saw naught, I heard naught, 
 but the soul of all created things gave answer, and that ever bespeaks the truth 
 that cannot change, because God changes not, even from the beginning." He 
 then stepped up to me, and folded me to his bosom, and said, "God will surely 
 deal with us according to the demand that is upon us." My heart beat for my 
 brother, and I wept upon his bosom. He rested his face upon my forehead, 
 and big tears rolled down his cheeks. There we knelt, in that holy embrace, 
 asking God to give us strength to endure to the end. 
 
 Even while our hearts were breaking, an angel of light drew near, and clasped 
 her arms around us, and we both exclaimed, as in one breath : " God is here. 
 His angel children are here." Then we heard, as from the inmost depths of that 
 light : ." Prepare ye the way. Make your paths straight." Here another form 
 appeared, and said : " Arise, O ye sons of men. Waste not your time in useless 
 lamentations. You, Jude, must go a little farther toward the desert, and there 
 you will find a place to rest until the morrow eve. Then speed on your way as 
 directed. And you, Jesus, make your way up the mountains, as the night is 
 very dark and a storm is gathering." Then the holy daughter of Leiah answered, 
 "'Dear father, I will bear him up the mountain, and I will reach his home ere 
 Mary extinguishes the taper." Then I turned to Jesus, and said : " God bless 
 you, dear brother. My prayers shall be for your safety. Farewell." As he 
 turned to go, I saw he was electrified, and, as he passed from my sight, I turned 
 and made my way toward the desert. I found a place, in the thick ferns, where 
 
TESTIMONY OF JUDE. 67 
 
 I could lie down and rest. There I remained until the evening following, and 
 then I went on my way. I journeyed on, as directed, until I reached the border 
 country of Caldea. Then I inquired if a Hebrew had been in that part of the 
 country, holding forth. The tiller of the ground answered, " Do you mean him 
 that has renounced Judaism, and embraced heresy ? " " It is him," I said, 
 " and I would find him." He said : " Friend, I am afraid you are being 
 deceived, as many more have been, by that poor, deluded man. I am thinking 
 he is one of the poor, crazy men, that know not what he says, and I am afraid 
 of being affected. But you can find him in Cunaxa, as I heard by a beggar that 
 came directly from there." I then said, " God bless you, brother," and went on 
 my way. Night closed in upon me ere I could reach there, and I lay down to 
 rest. I saw my mother, and she said : " Dear Jude, thy bed is hard, but God 
 will give you a holy place of rest ere long. Then your head will be easy, and 
 your heart will beat free for God and humanity." Then I slept until early 
 dawn, and I reached Cunaxa ere noon. There I saw a multitude gathered in 
 a valley, and that holy man of God was breathing upon them light, drawn 
 from eternal light ; and they bowed their heads in acknowledgment of the bless- 
 ings bestowed upon them through the faithful John. When he said, " God 
 bless you all," and sat down upon the ground, then I made my way to him. 
 He reached out his hand, and said : " Welcome, brother. I knew you was 
 a-coming. My sister told me you would be here at noon, and you would assist 
 me in my labor." I answered, *' God's command is upon me, and I must obey." 
 There I remained beside John, declaring God's presence, and his wondrous for- 
 mations, healing the sick, living with the beggars, and the poor families that 
 gave us a welcome to their humble fare, oft-times sleeping on the ground, with 
 the bright stars o'er us, and the angel chant to cheer us, and to hush us to sleep. 
 One year and two months had passed away, when there was a great commo- 
 tion among the people and it was rumored about that there was a crazy Hebrew 
 coming, and he was much more crazy than the Jew, and he had commanded the 
 man to walk that had laid on his bed for a long time, and could not use his feet ; 
 and he was cured by the crazy man saying, " Disease, depart from him." But 
 he had fled the country, as the priests were going to behead him. But, when 
 they came for him, he was gone. But he went to Assyria, and, when he reached 
 Siazuros, he begun a work in that heathen land that can never be forgotten. 
 There he healed the man that had been blind from birth by putting clay balls 
 upon his eyes, being wet with his own spit. There he hurled the crutches from 
 the beggar, and commanded him to walk. There he raised the ruler's son that 
 had been entranced for hours. There his garments were stripped from him by 
 a confessor, and he was compelled to walk the streets, all of one day, entirely 
 naked. There he commanded the damsels to flee the priests and confessors, 
 else they would become diseased, and all die. There he declared the presence 
 of Jehovah God and his angel children : then the priests declared he should die. 
 Then he was compelled to flee, and he fled to Mesopotamia. There, in a place 
 called Singany, he met John and his followers. I had then been with John two 
 months, and Andrew and Simon came with him. When he reached us, it was 
 about the middle of the day. We were holding the people by declaring God's 
 children would come in their midst ere the sun went down. When they saw 
 them coming, they shouted, " Hafl, the children of God are coming in our 
 midst." There we laid the foundation for that people to be denounced as 
 heretics by the Hindu priests, and after we left them they were destroyed by 
 hundreds, but enough heretic ideas were left to savor that people, even to this 
 day. John was compelled to flee by night, and Jesus was borne away, by his 
 controller, toward Antioch. I followed John, as Jesus had been taken away 
 
68 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH 
 
 from us when we were asleep. But he did not go direct to Antioch at that time, 
 but he fell in with the Shumites. There he healed the Caldean woman with an 
 issue of blood, and she and her son followed him to Chaledon. There John 
 and his followers met him. There was done a work that has been handed 
 down, concerning the poor scarlet woman being held from death. It has been 
 said that seven devils were cast out of one poor, frail creature, that could hardly 
 stand upon her feet. Had that history been recorded by children of light, they 
 w^ould have said she had been crushed by anointed priests and confessors. 
 O humanity, how you have been misled by false accounts being handed down 
 to you through the Catholic churches ! God's children can be no longer misled 
 by their mystification. 
 
 Ere we left Mesopotamia, John was entranced, and begun like this : " Jesus 
 has fled the country, and you must follow him to Antioch. But you will meet 
 him at Chaledon. There you will do the last work you will do in Antioch. 
 And you, Jude, will enter Jerusalem for the last time. There you will be 
 destroyed by the man who calls himself your father. But John will flee the 
 kingdom, and await the destiny of my brother, Jesus, as he is to be borne along 
 until the hour comes for God to be glorified by that death." "Amen," I said: 
 "then I shall meet my mother and my sisters." "Who is thy sister," the spirit 
 answered, "but her that has led and comforted you, and will bear you away 
 from confusion ? That is a sister in spirit, but not because she was created in 
 the same blood. Thy earthy sisters will be held from thee for ages ; but you 
 will return and gather them from the earthy influences, fold them in thy bosom, 
 and bear them away." I then saw my mother, and her face bespoke fear. She 
 breathed upon Iscariot, and said, " Jude, the furies control Caiphas, and he is 
 determined to destroy you ; but God will hold you until you reach Jerusalem." 
 " All is well," I said : then she left me. 
 
 Then at early dawn we began our journey. Many a weary day we journeyed 
 onward. Barefooted and hungry, we made our way across the country. My 
 friends saw I was drooping, and assisted rrie along. When we reached Chale- 
 don, we entered a humble home, and there sat an aged female. We asked her if 
 she could direct us to a Hebrew family, where the man Jesus had friends. She 
 answered : " I am Mary's cousin, and her boy will be here when the night closes 
 in. Will you come in and wait his coming } " She made us feel she was a 
 mother to us all. She prepared food for us. We ate, then sat down and rested. 
 The sun went down, and night was closing in around us, when we heard voices 
 approaching the house. But, ere they entered, I heard Jesus say, " God's chil- 
 dren await us." When they entered there, they exclaimed, " God's artgels await 
 our coming." The lights were not lit, but, we sat there quiet, that we should 
 not disturb any. Jesus entered first, and said : " Glory to God, here we shall find 
 rest for to-night, but the morn will dawn upon us with its many cares. " My 
 heart beat. I longed to fold my brother to my bosom. When he entered, he 
 did not discern who was there, but, when the light was lit, he came forward, and 
 said, " God bless you, dear brother." He then saw John. He folded him to his 
 bosom, and bathed him with his tears. They held each other in that embrace 
 until they sank to the floor together. I was so much affected, I could not re- 
 frain from weeping. After a time Jesus knelt in our midst, and, while his prayer 
 went up to Almighty God, they were nearly all entranced. Then a holy hymn 
 was chanted by us all, and the angels repeated the chorus. It was like this : 
 " We will bear them away from sorrow, we will bear them home to thee." After 
 the evening devotions we prepared to rest ; but, ere we went to sleep, we heard 
 a fearful crash, and then all was still. When the morning dawned, we arose, ate, 
 and prepared for our day's labor. Antioch was one league and a half from Chale- 
 
UiriVBIlSITTI 
 
 TESTIMONY OF JUDE. '^ ^ , 0!r 6^ 
 
 don, but here and there along the way we were accosted by the poor, diseased 
 creatures. We would lay hands upon them, that God could heal them through 
 his own law, — the law of electric life. Then we would give them our blessing, 
 and ask God to bless them also. Many were healed that day, and went away 
 rejoicing. One came to us that was cursed with leprosy. We gathered around 
 him, and invoked the powers of life. He was so filled with electricity that his 
 hair sparkled, and he was felled to the ground, like one dead. But, when he 
 arose to his feet, Jesus commanded him to bathe in the river Jordan every day, 
 and he should be healed. But, ere night closed in, there was a great commotion 
 among the people, and many were beaten to death by clubs, in the hands of con- 
 fessors, and we were compelled to flee. We begun our way, bearing toward 
 Jerusalem. I had been away from the rest, and sat down behind a hedge to 
 rest. I heard a band of anointed priests coming along the main road. As 
 they were in earnest conversation, I listened. One said : " We are losing 
 ground daily by the damned heresy that is filling the land, and heresy must be 
 destroyed. But that rabble has left Antioch, and where they have gone we do 
 not know. But the old heretic woman confessed, before I struck off her head, 
 that they were going toward Jerusalem; but, if they have gone there, Caiphas will 
 care for them, and, if he reaches his son Jude, he will crush him to death." 
 Then they passed by, but, as soon as they had gone from sight, I hastened back 
 to my brothers that were lying down to rest in the bushes. Jesus answered : 
 " We will remain here until night covers earth with her dark mantle, then w^e 
 will enter the main road, and then we can reach Cana ere morning dawned, and 
 there we could remain with an aged Hebrew until night again. Then w^e could 
 follow the main road, and our journey would be much easier. But, if we trav- 
 elled by day, we must follow the foot of the mountains and the forests." Then 
 we continued on our way until the eleventh day. Then w^e espied the dark old 
 city. Seemingly it lay at our feet. Jesus sat down, and gazed upon it, and 
 there he read his destiny. After he had finished, he rested his head upon his 
 hands, and burst into tears. Then he said : " I shall enter that city to-morrow, 
 but not for the last time. Once more I shall be borne back, and then I shall find 
 rest. There I shall finish my labor, and go beyond. There I shall find rest 
 until I am called back to finish up that which cannot be done in the present age. 
 Mighty changes will be brought about ere I again breathe earth air." We then 
 breathed a prayer for Judea's children, asking God to give them light. We 
 arose early, even while the stars w^ere shining, and bent our steps toward the 
 doomed city, where I w^as to die. I fell upon my face, and in the bitterness of 
 my soul I asked God to take me to himself, even then, but die I could not. 
 That day we could not enter the city, as a great multitude came to us. There 
 was a poor, sick Hebrew boy. Jesus called the boy, and said, " Come hither." 
 He folded his arms around him, and said : " God calls you to his own bosom. 
 There you will be healed in spirit, but the body will rest in the bosom of earth." 
 The boy's head dropped upon Jesus' shoulder, and was dead. That night we 
 slept upon the ground, but the next day we entered the city. 
 
 All of that day we healed the sick, and declared the presence of Almighty 
 God. But in the after part of the day the priests gathered together, and 
 dashed upon us. I was but a little way from John. They caught me, and 
 he fled them. They felled me to the ground, then caught me by the hair, 
 and dragged me tow^ard the gallow^s that was erected on the great square. 
 Caiphas met them, and said : " Give me the damned fool. I will finish him." 
 He then jerked me backward, and fell upon me, with both knees upon my 
 chest. The breath went out of me, and the blood flowed from my mouth, 
 nose, and ears, yet I could hear. I heard him say : " Give me the cord. 
 
70 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 Let me damn him, and destroy him." He drew the cord so tight that no blood 
 could flow down from my head, and my eyes were pressed out upon my cheeks. 
 He then threw the cord over the gallows, and drew me up. Then he went 
 back among the poor, helpless creatures that could not get away. My body 
 was left there, with three others, until the day following, that they could look 
 on the fool of a heretic. 
 
 I am here before my friend, in earth form, asking to be remembered when 
 earth holds her no longer. Then may I meet her as my friend and sister, 
 where parting is no more. Holy, eternal, as thou art, my Father and my God, 
 we are but of thee a part, and may we never more divided be, in heaven, 
 in earth, through all eternity. Now farewell, frail humanity. I have done 
 my duty by you all in declaring facts as they were when I walked the earth. 
 And now farewell, and farewell forever. I am Jude, the son of the brute 
 Caiphas. And you that have assisted me in my history will surely find rest. 
 After a few more suns have risen and set upon earth, your sun wfll set, dear 
 sister, forever earthy, but we will hail thy coming to a higher condition, where 
 we shall all seek to bless you, even as you have blessed us. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THOMAS, THE APOSTLE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 I was a Caldean by birth, and my father laid off his earthy body when 
 I was but a little boy. My mother was a frail woman, and her child could 
 be nothing but a feeble thing. As my father had been a tiller of the ground, 
 all the care was left upon my mother. Thus I grew up beside the holiest 
 ■woman God ever gave to man. Her teachings were ever full of wisdom, and 
 the love of the living God was ever before her. We always knelt in prayer 
 before we went to rest, and ere we began our labor for the day. Even when 
 I was sick and restless, she would say : " May God's angels care for my dear 
 boy. He is all I have, earthy, to comfort me. He is a holy thing, and the 
 light he attracts blesses me. His body is frail, it is true ; but his soul is filled 
 with knowledge that comforts me." Then I said to my mother, "God's 
 command is upon me, but I cannot discern clearly what it may be." Then 
 she answered, " Let heaven direct you, my dear boy, then all is well." There 
 I remained, beside that angel mother, until my fifteenth year. About that 
 time the Shumites entered Caldea's borders ; and as my home was near their 
 kingdom, and their invading army bore away all of the males, except the 
 aged and infants, as bondsmen, while the females were left to care for them- 
 selves and their helpless friends, I fell into the hands of a hard taskmaster. 
 After a time he saw I was too frail to toil beside those that were strong and 
 hardy. Then he called me to him, and said, " Here, boy, you can go and 
 care for my children, as they need some one, and I think you can do that." 
 Thus I entered the home of my master, and became as one of the family. 
 Seven children were around me, and I sought to interest them in all things 
 I had learned. One year and a half had passed away, when there was a great 
 commotion among the inhabitants. A heretic had come in their midst, and 
 they knew not from whence he came, but he declared God's presence, and the 
 
TESTIMONY OF THOMAS. 71 
 
 presence of his angel children, and he had also laid hands upon the sick, 
 and they were healed. Here I was permitted to go out with the children, 
 and look upon him. And as I stood there, filled with holy adoration to God, 
 a feeling came over me. I could liot comprehend its meaning. I gazed 
 upon him, and my soul was filled with holy love for that angel of light that 
 breathed in mortal form. His face was the most beautiful I had ever looked 
 upon. His eyes were blue, like the ether ; his hair was light and wavy ; his 
 beard was flowing ; his garments were coarse and worn ; but all the outer 
 covering was lost when I gazed upon that sweet, holy face, so calm, yet care 
 had set her seal there. As I was enwrapped in his expressions, he raised 
 his hands, and said, ^ " Who among you are ready to be baptized by the 
 spirit of the living God, and receive the gift of healing the sick?" I drew 
 near him, as he said, " Holy brother, thou art of Caldea's blood." I bowed 
 my head, my breath came deep, and I forgot all until I heard my master say, 
 " Heal my boy, that lies sick of a fever, and he shall be free." But, after we 
 entered that home, a power fell upon me again, and I fell asleep. But, when I 
 awoke, the boy had arose from his bed, and declared himself healed. From that 
 hour we left the Shumites, and made our way toward Caldea. How my heart 
 beat, when I thought of my mother and our home ! Day after day we journeyed 
 onward, and at night we would lie down and rest in the homes of the tillers 
 of the earth. Sometimes we were not permitted to enter the homes of any of 
 them. We would lie down upon the ground and rest till morning. But on 
 the sixth day, ere we arose to our feet, I heard my brother Jesus say : " Holy 
 angel sister, care for Thomas. He is a feeble boy, but the power of God 
 through him is mighty." I then saw a form, and, as she drew near me, I felt 
 so calm ; and, as she breathed upon me, I saw her clearly. Her face was like 
 a diamond bright. Her hair was dark, and hung loose upon her shoulders, 
 and her eyes were black, and her garments were nothing but light. Here 
 another form appeared. He said, "How is it you are not on your journey?" 
 Then the spirit answered, " Dear father, they were weary, and I felt they 
 ought to rest as long as they could, in order they may endure the day's toil." 
 Then her hand was laid in mine, and I forgot all, until I found myself kneeling 
 beside my mother, and she was in a swoon, upon the floor of my own home. 
 I bathed her temples, but she gave no signs of life. Then I called to Jesus, 
 and said : ** Assist me. I fear my mother will breathe no more." He came 
 near, and laid one hand upon her head, and the other upon her heart, and 
 said, " Assist us. Holy Creator God, in this our labor." He had no sooner 
 said that than she opened her eyes, and her breath came back. Then she 
 arose to her feet, and folded me to her bosom. 
 
 All that day we all saw and conversed with the holy band that filled our 
 home. After my mother arose to her feet, and fear had left me, then my 
 strength gave away, and I fell to the floor utterly exhausted. Jesus said to 
 my mother, " Your boy is dying for food." She answered, " Bread I have none ; 
 milk I have none, but I will go to the herdsman, he will give me some." But 
 Jesus said: "Remain here. I have a work to do there." He went away, 
 but, ere he returned, a bullock and a calf were driven to my mother's home, 
 and left there. The man gave no answer when I asked him why he had 
 brought them, but went away. After a time Jesus returned, but fearfully ex- 
 hausted, and laid down. A man came to the door, and said, " Is there something 
 I can do to earn food, as I am an-hungered, and none have aught to share." 
 Jesus answered, "Go slay the calf, even now, as we are all fasting, because 
 there is nothing to eat." He then fell asleep, while the beggar slew the calf, 
 and my mother prepared the meat. Here they begun to gather around our 
 
7;2 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 home. Those that had followed us from the Hivite country, forty at least, were 
 there, ere my mother could feed her own. Then the meat was all prepared, and 
 they were all fed. When they were filled, my brother said, " Gather up all of the 
 fragments, break the bones and prepare a broth, as there is a band of poor, 
 half-famished beggars drawing near." It was done, but, ere it was prepared, 
 twenty famished creatures called for food. Jesus arose, and came out in their 
 midst, and said : " Holy Infinite God, feed these, thy children, with the bread of 
 life, lest they perish, here and hereafter. Hold them from darkness, and bathe 
 them o'er with eternal light." Then the food was set before them, and they sat 
 down upon the ground, ate, and they were comforted. Then I said, "Go away 
 now, we need rest." They all withdrew upon the hillside, and remained there 
 until the morning dawned upon them on the following day. But that night I 
 found comfort in my home, that I had not known in a long time. Many lingered 
 near all of that day and the day following. Among the many were found four 
 that could receive the power for healing. Those we gathered together, and all 
 that were sick were healed, and among the rest my mother. She had been 
 afflicted with a bleeding tumor, but it was then called an issue of blood. Jesus 
 laid his hands upon her, and the power was so mighty that it felled her to the 
 floor, and in a short time she arose to her feet, and exclaimed, " God has 
 healed me." Then Jesus answered, "Give God the glory for his mighty won- 
 ders." On the fourth morning, ere the day dawned, we were awakened by a 
 mighty crash. My brother Jesus was controlled, and said : " Arise, and prepare 
 for a journey. The heathen priests will be here ere the sun rises." I attempted 
 to rise, but there was a power upon me. A gentle hand was laid in mine, and I 
 saw that holy daughter of Leiah kneeling beside me, and she said, "Arise, son 
 of Caldea, and follow my brother to Antioch." I answered, "Who will care for 
 my mother ? " " She will go with you, else she will be cut off. Haste, oh, haste. 
 The fiends Mdll be here in less than an hour." I then called, and said, " Let us 
 hasten away." We began our journey, and, as we climbed the highest hill, 
 toward the desert, we sat down to rest ; and, as I turned to look once more on 
 the home of my childhood, I saw a band of priests, with their flowing garments, 
 coming out of our home. "Look," I said to my mother and brother: "our 
 home is polluted by hell's children, and we can never enter there again." My 
 brother Jesus breathed deep, and said : " Children of Caldea, thy home is be- 
 yond. There you will find rest, and not before. There God's children will 
 dwell together, and live but to bless others, even as they would be blessed. 
 There God will direct us, into his own kingdom, the home of the blessed." 
 He then made an expression like this : " Come, God's child, assist us on our 
 long journey, lest we fall by the w^ay, and darkness falls around us." Then he 
 became filled with light, so much so that his hair seemed to sparkle with electric 
 sparks. Then he raised his hands, and declared himself to be Zadock. Then 
 he continued : " I have come that I may direct you on your way. The priests 
 will follow you. Make your way into the ferns below, and make your way, as 
 best you ma}', toward the desert." I said, " Are you the Zadock that died in 
 Judea's borders ? " He answered : " I breathed out of that frail body, because 
 the sight that was brought before me was greater than I could bear. I saw the 
 beautiful children of the damsel destroyed, one after another, until the first-born 
 of the holy pair was brought before me, hanging upon the cross, writhing in 
 agony. Then my breath went out, and I breathed no more in that earth body, 
 but from that hour I have sought to hold them from destruction, and assist in 
 bearing their burdens ; and the hour draws near that I must look upon the real 
 body hanging upon the cross. His father is already doomed, and James can- 
 not escape. Jesse is made to feel death is before him, and the line is drawn 
 
TESTIMONY OF THOMAS. 73 
 
 for Simeon, — he cannot pass it, — and, angel Mary, thy heart is bruised, but it 
 must break." He then said : " Hasten away : there is no time to spare. They 
 are aheady upon your track." We all arose, and hastened forward. We reached 
 the ferns ere they caught sight of us ; and, ere night closed, we had gained 
 the desert. Frail as my mother was, her strength was sufficient for the hour. 
 We lay down that night to rest upon the cold, damp earth, it being the coldest 
 part of the season ; but we slept, while the angels bright held their forms around 
 us, and we felt God was there. Then, when the morning dawned upon us, we 
 arose, and shook the dewdrops from our garments, and knelt in holy adoration 
 to our Father God for his mercies. All of that day we held our way across the 
 desert; but, as night drew near, we all sat down exhausted, as we had nothing to 
 eat from the time we left our home. After we had remained quiet for a time, 
 my mother began to chant a hymn, one I had never heard breathed before. It 
 was like this : ' 
 
 " Children, thou art led and guided from the dark benighted land, 
 God will surely be thy shepherd, and lead you, through this holy man, 
 That was born to live and suffer, because it was his God's command. 
 Friends, beloved, do not falter, you will find a home beyond. 
 Where there is no grief or sorrow, and where death can never come. 
 There we shall meet each other, in a happy band. 
 Hasten forward, do not linger upon this desert strand, 
 
 Lest the tide should turn against you, and you could not reach the better land. 
 Hasten forward, my dear children, we shall meet you there. 
 In a home that now is waiting, a home upon the morning star." 
 
 Then we all bowed our heads, and said, '' God will surely lead us on, until we 
 reach Chaledon." Then we all arose to our feet, and went forward. Jesus ex- 
 claimed : " God is here. There is a light a little beyond, at the edge of the 
 desert." We all gained courage ; and, when we reached the hut, we were bade 
 come in by an aged man. He was kneehng beside his humble bed of dried 
 grass, but more humble was the soul that was asking for light. When we en- 
 tered, he did not rise from his humble position, but he breathed from the fulness 
 of his inner life, and said : " Holy Creator God, lead and direct thy children, 
 that they may establish truth' on earth, that the glory may be given to thee. 
 Thou God of immensity, hold them from the heathen fiends that would destroy 
 them until thy kingdom may be established on earth, that humanity may be 
 free. Blessed are they that are willing to lay down their lives for truth's sake, 
 as thy feeble children know not where to go. Lead them, O thou angels of 
 light, through the dark valley of death, and receive them in thy homes beyond." 
 Then he said, "God's breath is upon me. I behold the future. There are 
 to be hundreds of human beings offered up on the altar of humanity, and you, 
 dear children, are among the slain." Then we all answered, "God's will be 
 done." Then he said, " Bow to the crosses that are before you, and bear them 
 onward as long as strength is given you to endure. That is all thou canst do." 
 Then he arose to his feet, and said, "You are all an-hungered." Jesus an- 
 swered, " We have fasted two days and two nights, but God has held us from 
 death and brought us here." After we had ate our bread, we lay down and 
 slept. We arose at early dawn, and bade farewell to the holy man of God, and 
 went on our way. All of that day we continued on the desert. The sun was 
 hot at mid-day, but, as night came on, the winds grew chilly. We scooped away 
 the sand with our hands. There v/e sat down, and covered o'er our feet, as they 
 were blistered and bruised. Then we lay down and slept. Holy hearts were 
 beating around us. I dreamed I was in a world of light, and all that were 
 there were filled with holy love, one for the other ; and, above all, their voices 
 
74 ' LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 went out in praise to the first great cause, and an answer came back to them, 
 " All is well ! " As I looked around, I saw my father, and I said, " Dear father, 
 I am beside you." He looked at me, and said: '' Thomas, your earth labor is 
 not ended. You must go back and finish up all that can be done in this 
 age : then you will come to me, and remain until you are called back to finish 
 up that which has been begun for humanity." There we lay until the sun's 
 warm rays fell upon us. Then I awoke, and said, " Mother, father is here." 
 My mother burst into tears as she said, " Lead, oh, lead us home ! " Then 
 Jesus answered: "Behold, God's children are around us, and here is my angel 
 sister. She says my father and his family have reached Tyre, and have found 
 shelter in a home that has been held for them. I am thirsty," he said, "but we 
 cannot get water until we cross the desert, and that will be as the sun goes out 
 of sight." All that day we suffered fearfully with thirst, but, ere darkness fell 
 around us, we came to a clear, cool fountain that had blessed thousands of fam- 
 ished travellers. After we left Anatho, we shaped our course towards Palmyra. 
 There we remained two days with a Hebrew family. When we had rested, we 
 bade them adieu, and sought Chaledon. When we entered the home of the 
 aged Hebrew woman, Jesus lay down, utterly exhausted. But the good woman 
 prepared him a bed, and bathed him with cool water. While he rested, she pre- 
 pared gruel. He drank, and then fell asleep. My mother, also, found rest be- 
 neath that shelter. There were others that came along with us, but they re- 
 mained by themselves ; but they were all made welcome in that humble home. 
 Two days passed away ere Jesus was able to rise and begin his work. When 
 he awoke on the third day, he said, " The time has come that I must be hurled 
 away into confusion, but God alone can bring me back." 
 
 One came to us from Judea that had been healed by Jesus, as he passed 
 through that country long before. His name was Simon, the son of Stephen, 
 the tanner. He followed us until Jesus was hung upon the cross, but his family 
 were all cut off but one sister. She had fled with her brother ere the fiends 
 entered that home, and destroyed all that were there, the father being from 
 home at the time. But, when he returned, and gazed upon the destruction of 
 his family, he was heart-broken ; and he sought his only son, Simon, and his 
 beautiful daughter. She drooped and died, but he lived until the twelfth day 
 after that persecuted people left Tyre for Jerusalem. 
 
 Again I will go on with my own life. We left that home as the sun was ris- 
 ing, but, ere we could reach the city, we were followed by many. Some were 
 healed, while others were bidden to go away, that were filled with a disease that 
 could not be reached by the laying on of hands. We did enter Antioch, and 
 none sought to drive us away all of that day ; but, faint and exhausted, we fled 
 them all, and hastened away, that we could rest. When we reached the He- 
 brew's home, we were made to feel that John and his followers had come to 
 assist us in our labor. Night was settling around us, as the sweet voice of 
 Leiah's daughter said, " God's children await your coming." When we entered 
 there, we found them all resting ; but the holy rays of light that were there 
 filled us full of praises to our Father God for his many mercies. They were 
 nearly all entranced by the power that filled that home. The next morning we 
 all entered Antioch, and Jesus was controlled all the day. His control on that 
 day could never be defined. His band were around him, but other elements 
 were brought to bear upon him, blending v/ith their own. Holy, indeed, were 
 those hours to us all, as we forgot everything but God's children that were 
 chained and bound in heathen bondage. Hundreds were heard to say that 
 day, "God is here." Even those that never breathed that name before were 
 heard to breathe it o'er and o'er. Faith grev/ in that day from a little grain to 
 
TESTIMONY OF THOMAS. 75 
 
 a mighty tree, and that tree will yet fill all earth with its green branches, and 
 the human family will dwell beneath its shade. He labored until night closed in 
 upon us, and then he shouted, " Come, brothers, let us flee this multitude, and 
 find rest in the home of the heretic." We all gathered around him, knowing 
 full well that, when his influences left him, he would be a helpless thing. Here 
 he breathed deep, and fell down like one dead. John raised him in his arms, 
 and bore him away out of the city. There he sat down beside a brook, and 
 bathed his head, in order to cool it ; and we warmed his feet and hands with 
 our own life. After an hour or more his breath came back, and he burst into 
 tears. He buried his face in his hands, and sobbed aloud. When he could 
 articulate, he said : " A fearful vision came over me. I saw my family, all of my 
 family, in the hands of tlie heathen priests and confessors, and they were being 
 dragged about. Fear fell upon me, and my breath went out." How my heart 
 ached for that poor, frail man, who had breathed life into hundreds that day ! 
 and there he sat, crouched dow^n upon the earth, bathing his head in the brook. 
 After a time he arose to his feet, and said, " Let us make our way to the only 
 shelter there is for us to lie down and rest." We assisted him for a time, but 
 the full breeze fell upon him, gave him strength, and he sped on faster than any 
 of us ; and, when we reached the home of the heretic, his breath came full and 
 free, while all the rest were nearly exhausted. But, when he had ate, he knelt 
 in prayer ; and then we lay down to rest, for the last time, in that humble home. 
 But, ere we went away, Jesus lay his hand on the head of Mary's cousin, as he 
 said, " Thou hast blessed God's children, and he will take you to himself before 
 tw^o days." IMy mother had already gone with a band of helpless creatures that 
 had started for Mesopotamia. When we reached Antioch, there was a great 
 commotion. The Jews were determined to drive us away, and the heathens 
 were determined to cut us off. Night had begun to cast her dark shadows over 
 earth, when a fearful clamor was heard from without the gates. Jesus shouted : 
 " Gather together, ye faithful children of God ! Let us flee the heathen brutes 
 that would destroy us. Flee beyond the brook : there we shall find the ruler's 
 home. There we can eat and drink, then we will find a place to rest." We all 
 fled out of the same gates, where the heathens had entered. While the work of 
 destruction was going on among the poor, helpless creatures, we were fleeing 
 from the city. We reached the home of the good ruler, and his daughter had 
 been entranced for hours that day, and told her people to prepare a supper for 
 the poor laborers that would be there in early evening. We did enter there, and 
 were made welcome. We ate, and hastened away. That night we slept under 
 the blue canopy of the living God, that was ever ready to bless us. Held as we 
 had been, we felt God's hand would lead us on until the hour came for us to 
 bless all coming time with our death, that we were sure must come when our 
 work w'as done. Yet we did not shrink from our duty in establishing truth, that 
 God would be glorified, through his children that acknowledged him ever near. 
 We entered the Assyrian desert, that we could make our way toward Jerusalem, 
 feeling we must begin a work there that could never die. We followed the 
 course that was marked out for us, and the next day we reached Emessa. Then 
 we went to Heliopolis, but we did not enter the cities, because we feared the in- 
 habitants. But day after day we journeyed on, until w^e reached Jerusalem; 
 and, as we entered that city, we felt that the people would be blessed, but not 
 saved from the priests and confessors. We entered that city in the morning, 
 and a mighty work was done that day in healing the sick, and declaring God. 
 That night we were compelled to flee for our lives, as the priests and battle 
 axes were to be seen everywhere, cutting down the Judean children, and four of 
 the faithful followers of John and Jesus were hung on the great square, by order 
 
76 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 of the high priest, Caiphas. I must acknowledge myself unable to say how 
 I was borne out of the city; but this I do know, 1 lost my breath, and, when I 
 awoke, I was lying beneath a green hemlock. 
 
 We had been told, at early dawn, that we should be scattered, and we must 
 make our way toward Tyre, and there remain until Jesus was brought to us 
 after many days. I saw a boy, and I asked him how far I was from Jerusalem. 
 He answered : " A league and a half. Are you going there .'' " He said : " If 
 you are, you will be cut off, as the priests are destroying all the Hebrews and 
 heretics, and some in Judea's blood. All that has been affected by that band 
 of crazy heretics, and father says, ' He that comes from Caldea is as bad as the 
 Hebrew that had a price set upon his head so many times ' ; but I am thinking 
 he that goes everywhere, and nobody can catch him, must be more crazy than 
 the ether." He then turned away, and I made my way toward the highlands 
 of Judea ; and that night I laid down by a clear running stream. Everything 
 was so calm I forgot the world of commotion. The beautiful future unfolded 
 her pages to me, and I could but exclaim, " Holy children of the living God, I 
 long to be with you in a brighter and a happier world beyond." And as I laid 
 there, looking into the future, I beheld the mighty changes that must come o'er 
 earth ere the dark clouds of superstition, idolatrous worship, and priestly con- 
 trol, could be held from damning the holy blood of Joseph and Benjamin, and 
 their descendants, that were scattered all through the border country. And, 
 again, where could they flee where there were no priests and confessors ? Here 
 I saw come before me a mighty dragon. His eyes were as balls of fire, and 
 his breath seemed to emit flames. I shouted, " Begone : thou dragon of hell. 
 Thou art but the device of fiends, and your name shall perish with your fol- 
 lowers. They shall be scattered like the mist, and they will be held in particles 
 until Almighty God attracts them again to another condition that will be made 
 to fulfil their mission in a lov/er order of creations, as nothing can be lost, and 
 everything must be attracted to its own condition." " Light alone can dispel 
 the conditions of the present," was breathed from a spirit that stood beside 
 me, one I had not become cognizant of before. Then I saw from whence 
 these ideas came to me. Her head was bowed, and I said, "Where is my 
 brother John and Jesus?" She answered: "John is making his way toward 
 the mountains, bearing northward. Jesus will reach Martha's in two days from 
 the present ; but he needs all of our care, all of our strength, in order to live 
 until the hour comes for God to be glorified through that death, as he will de- 
 clare God with his last breath, and some will hear that v/iil believe." I fell 
 asleep in the presence of that holy spirit. I woke at early dawn, and continued 
 my way toward the mountains. There I remained with a poor herdsman until 
 a voice came to me, saying, " Hasten away toward Tyre, as Jesus is coming 
 down from the mountains." I did hasten away, and I found him in Levi's tent. 
 I followed him back to Jerusalem. There I saw him hung upon the cross, but 
 I was beheaded mid-day. I am here for one purpose, and one only. That is to 
 give truth bereft of fiction, and free myself from the foul stigma of doubting my 
 brother Jesus as being an honest man, and as he declared himself, as the 
 son of Joseph and Mary. It has been said, I doubted him, when he came 
 to me in spirit ; but how could that be, when I died first ? 
 
 Humanity, thou hast been held in the dark concerning the holy man Jesus, 
 and he has been drawn back because of so much disbelief in his being a man, 
 and I have been brought back to bear testimony concerning him. His father 
 I saw not, or his brothers, as they were all destroyed before he came down 
 from the mountains. But his mother I did see, in her earthy body : and like 
 a crushed flower she perished earthy, but blooms in a holier condition, beside 
 
TESTIMONY OF THOMAS. . I 
 
 her husband and her children. Holy Creator God, assist thy children to arise 
 above the mist that has held them from the light of thy holy love. Here, 
 hereafter, and forever, may they learn and believe. Who can comprehend 
 what we have endured in order to bless the poor, benighted children of 
 earth, that have been so long held by mystification, through the designing 
 priesthood, that have held themselves before the people as holy beings, when 
 at the same time they were filled with all manner of evil, hypocrisy, and 
 deceit. Happy I am to give my testimony to humanity concerning the holy 
 man, Jesus, and his life, so far as I know aught of him and his holy mission 
 on earth. My love for him caused me to follow him as long as I breathed 
 in my earthy body. But here I am again, breathing earth air, hoping to bless 
 all coming ages with truth bereft of fiction, in order that humanity may lay 
 off heathen idolatrous worship, as an eld and worn-out garment, illy befitting 
 their condition in the present age. Freed, as I am, from the opinion of man, 
 it is not that I would establish among men a reputation, but it is, I would 
 have you learn, that the humble Nazarene is your friend and brother. His 
 holy life bespeaks him a holy man, held as he was by angels bright, from 
 his childhood days, until God could be glorified by his death, and all coming 
 ages could be held from the crafty anointed priests, and learn to live in 
 harmony with Almighty God, and in holy communion with his angel children 
 that are seeking to bless all that will be blessed, late though it may be, to 
 finish up a work that was begun so many ages ago. But changes must bless 
 humanity ere we could find one that we could breathe upon, and not have that 
 body that was filled with inspiration crushed beneath the hand of heathen 
 bigots. And mightier changes will be wrought in the eighteen hundred years 
 to come than there has been in eighteen hundred ages of the past. Freedom 
 has been a thing of change, but true freedom is to be established all over 
 earth, after the commotion that is now before you has fulfilled its mission, 
 and God's children will be blessed by the holy light of inspiration, that shall 
 fill every home. And God's angels shall breathe their morning and evening 
 prayer upon the altar, beside the hearthstone of every child of the infinite 
 that dwells in all the earth. 
 
 And here we must declare infallibility belongs to none but Almighty God ; but 
 man, frail man, would rob God of his glory, and hold himself as a holy thing be- 
 fore the ignorant created, that have been chained and bound in all ages. But 
 I declare God is not to be mocked by his own created, ever the same from the 
 beginning to the end of time, unerring in his purpose, unchangeable in his 
 designs, without a shadow of turning, forever, eternal and forever. Humble 
 though I am, yet my soul is full of light, and love for all of God's created in 
 mortal form ; and I would await the coming of eternal light, fresh from eternal 
 light, the first great cause, breathing deeper and still deeper into the law of the 
 infinite, asking immensity, with all of her mighty formations, to lend their light 
 and aid, that I could understand more and still more of thee, thou God of infi- 
 nite wisdom, from beyond and still beyond all created things. There I would 
 float on, forever and forever, in the bosom of God's angels bright, that come to 
 me in my humble home, in the still hours of night, when I knelt in prayer beside 
 my poor, frail mother, that ever blessed me with her holy affection, that came 
 welling up from the deep fountain within, that has flown over for me. And may 
 it flow on for me through all the ages of endless eternity. The mother's love 
 cannot die, no more than eternal light can be extinguished by the designing 
 priesthood. Holy God, one boon I crave from thy hand, and may it be made 
 manifest through the instrumentality of her that has assisted me in tracing 
 these life-lines, that have been before me for more than eighteen hundred years. 
 
78 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 And now, as that life belongs to God and humanit}', may her declining days be 
 free from sorrow, free from care, and may her departing spirit still blend with 
 all that is bright and fair, until she reaches that home where her weary soul will 
 find rest in the home of the Hebrew family that she has blessed in laying down 
 all of her earthy desires, and blending her life with theirs, that they may be 
 freed from the gaUing chains of heathen priesthood, that would hold them for- 
 ever in an earthy condition, and rob God of his glory, that belongs to himself, 
 not to his created. 
 
 Who but Almighty God is infallible in controlling his own created by that law, 
 filled with wisdom, unerring in his decrees ? It had been decreed that one 
 should be born that should bless all coming time. That decree could not be 
 broken, because the demand of humanity held it firm; but, when that friend 
 came in your midst, you knew her not, or can you ever know her as long as time 
 rolls on. But she cannot be forgotten by Almighty God or his angel children 
 that have breathed beside her, while she labored on to bless them all. Friends, 
 earthy, God's command is upon you, that is, dare not attempt to crush her, that 
 has secluded herself from all that would draw near and cheer her declining 
 days; but, faithful to the last, she sits alone with her God and his angel chil- 
 dren, and her own light, that is drawn around her by that unceasing desire to 
 bless all coming time. I am Thomas, the Caldean, yet I never doubted my 
 God and his many mercies, and I never doubted my beloved brother, Jesus, that 
 called me his beloved brother Thomas. And now farewell, my friend. May 
 you erelong find rest, — that rest you so much long for, in the bosom of your 
 God. When your body finds rest in its narrow bed, then I shall meet you in 
 spirit. That is my humble prayer to him that created you and me. Now fare- 
 well, sister. 
 
 Providence, June 22, 1870. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 INCIDENTS DRAWN FROM THE LIFE OF ISCARIOT. 
 
 Providence, Dec. 29, 1870. 
 
 Friends have sought to bless me, by preparing the way for me to declare facts 
 relative to myself, that the foul stigma of being a betrayer to him, that declared 
 himself as my brother, and I loved him as I had never loved any created being. 
 
 My father was born in Troy. His father was an anointed priest, and when he 
 was old enough to be educated he was removed from the mother and carried to 
 Cairo, and there put under the care of an aged priest. The greatest care was 
 taken lest he should hear expressions contradictory to the priestly devices. But 
 when his education was completed, he was commanded to prepare himself to be 
 anointed, and receive the oath. But when he was told what was required of 
 him, he declared himself unable to comply with their request, but he gave an- 
 swer, " I will receive one female, and hold her all my own, as I fear the disease 
 that is in the land, and I cannot hold myself liable to such a fearful death as I 
 have witnessed among the priests and confessors." Then said the aged priest, 
 " You can never become one of us." Then said my father, " Leave me to my- 
 self for a time, and if I can comply to the request made by you, I will." "Go 
 then," said the priest, " mix with the human family, and you will learn you are 
 a man. There you will learn to prepare yourself and become one of us." Frail 
 
TESTIMONY OF ISCARIOT. 79 
 
 he was, but he had been kept in darkness. He then was dressed as a common 
 man, and went forth, not knowing whither. He went to Crete, and as he was 
 strolling about the streets, he espied a beautiful damsel looking from the win- 
 dow of the house of the Chief Ruler. He knocked at the door, and inquired for 
 the bright face he had seen at the window. The father bade him begone. My 
 father gave answer, " Let me look upon her, then I will go." Then said the 
 ruler, " You can look upon her, but none can have her, as she is all I have left 
 of four." Then she was called, and he addressed her thus : " Damsel, my heart 
 is filled with your beauty, and your father will not let you be mine." She an- 
 swered : " My father is filled with cares, and I cannot leave him. Go, go man. 
 When I am free, then I may look upon you with favor." 
 
 Then he went away, a§ he said, " I will become a priest, then I can have her, 
 if she will or no." He then went back to the priest, and said, " I am ready to be 
 prepared for the priesthood." When he had done that which was required of 
 him, he came before the priest, and said : " Anoint me. Let the oath be adminis- 
 tered ; I am in a great hurry." " What," said the priest, " have you begun to 
 learn that you are like other men?" He answered, "The ruler of Crete is 
 dead, and I would bring his daughter away." Then said the priest, "I will 
 have her here before the sun goes down on to-morrow." But my father an- 
 swered, " She is all my own." " She shall be kept for you, and none other shall 
 lay hands upon her until you have kept her as long as you choose." " Then she 
 will never be destroyed. I will keep her all my own," answered my father. 
 Then four confessors were sent to Crete. They brought back the damsel, and 
 she was left with my father. In one year from that time I was born, and I was 
 all the one my mother bore. 
 
 Here I feel to make a remark, as it has been breathed in my presence, by the 
 revelator herself, that from the bosom of hell, angels have been born. But I 
 dare deny, before her face. My father being a brute, and my mother was a holy 
 thing. But I fear not to say, in the day I was born, priestcraft held control, 
 and fearful was their many acts upon the helpless. 
 
 Dark deeds were looked upon as common acts, 
 
 When darkness filled the land ; 
 The high, as well as low, had learned through facts, 
 
 They must all bow at the priest's command. 
 
 When I was fourteen years old, I was taken from my mother's kind care, and 
 carried to Antioch, that I could be educated according to the decree of the 
 council, that I could be anointed when I was twenty-one years old. I remained 
 in Antioch until I was twenty, then I was permitted to remain in court, with my 
 father, one year. During that year I saw my mother three times, and once I 
 was permitted to enter her chamber, and I conversed with her as long as I chose. 
 When the door was closed, my mother sat down beside, and lay her hand in 
 mine, and there she related her own life-history, even to that hour. I said, 
 " How is it you are happy here ? " She replied, " Your father is kind to me, 
 but I fear he will die, and I shall be destroyed by the priests." *' No," I said. 
 " I would sooner flee them, and flee them forever, rather than have my mother 
 destroyed by any." "But," answered my mother, " you have not taken the oath 
 yet. If you had, you would damn your mother, and seek to destroy her, as well 
 as the others. Your father has told me, if he had known how fearful the oath 
 was, he would never have taken it. As I was compelled to witness my mothers 
 death, in the hands of a drunken priest, and he has said, he hoped I should be 
 beyond the reach of any, before you was anointed." " If that is the case," I 
 answered, "I will die first." "Be cautious, my boy. I have been thinking 
 
80 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 of some plan whereby we could avoid this danger. Your father is feeble, 
 and if you can delay, for a time, he will die, and then we will flee this 
 place, and flee it together." Then I asked, " What can I do to avoid be- 
 ing anointed ? " She answered, *' Thou art innocent, my boy, but a fearful 
 demand is upon you, and they will command you to do what they desire 
 of you." " What can it be ? " I said. Then my mother covered her face with 
 her hands, as she answered : " You will be compelled to hold forty females, and 
 among the rest your own mother, if she is living. But look," she said, " here is 
 a dagger, and before I would yield to it, I will plunge it into my own heart. It 
 was a gift from my father, on his death-bed, and as he gave it to me, he said, 
 ' Daughter, you will know how to use it.' And now, my boy, say to them you 
 are feeble, but as soon as you are strong enough, you will comply with their re- 
 quest." At that moment the chamberlain came to the door, and said my father 
 wished for me, as his breath came heavy. I hastened to him and he was dying, 
 but he said to those around him, "Leave me with my boy." He reached out 
 his hand to me, and said : " Iscariot, I am dying. I wish your mother v/as 
 dead, and then I could die easy. Take this," he said ; " give it in her drink, 
 and she will be saved from a fearful doom that awaits her." " I will care for 
 my mother," I said. " But you are to be anointed, and become one of them 
 that will destroy the mother." I answered, "I will die first." That caused my 
 father to spring up in his bed, and he fell back, dead. I called the servants. 
 They prepared him for burial, and I was not permitted to look upon him again. 
 And see my mother I could not. But the next day the priests held a council, 
 and they decided I should be prepared for the oath, as I had complied with 
 their request in being educated. One of the priests called to me, and said : 
 " You are to be prepared, even now, that you may fill your father's place. Here 
 is a damsel, fresh and fair. We have had her brought from Crete, that you need 
 not fear disease." "Take her away," I said; "I have no desire for females." 
 " Then we will compel you to hold her, even here." I answered, " She is beau- 
 tiful, and if she is holy, let her be holy still." Then they told me to disrobe 
 myself. That I refused to do, but they stripped the damsel, then they stripped 
 my clothes from me, as if I had been a filthy thing. Then they caught me by 
 the arm, and drew me toward the damsel, and hurled us both to the floor. 
 Then they left us in that dark room, with our clothes upon the floor. When 
 they bolted the door upon the outside I knew full well we could expect no mercy. 
 But we found our garments and dressed ourselves as best we could. I pitied 
 the damsel, as she wept continually. We were afraid of each other. I v;as 
 afraid she would think me what I was not, and she was afraid to breathe. She 
 crouched down in one corner. There we remained all of that day and night. 
 The next day dawned, as we could see the light through the crevice of the door. 
 None came to give us food or drink ; but, during the day, I said to the damsel, 
 " How came you here } " She answered, " They dragged me away from home, 
 when my father was away, and one sister they brought a part of the w-ay, and 
 what they have done with her, I know not." The rays of light disappeared, 
 and still none came near. I said to the damsel, " If we are doomed to die, we 
 will die as we are, and not damn each other." I think she must have slept, as 
 she gave no answer. But in the middle of the night I heard a gentle rap at the 
 door. I sprang to my feet and asked, "Who is there?" " Hush," was all I 
 heard. Then the bolt was carefully moved back, and my mother stood before 
 me. In one hand she held a bunch of keys, and in the other she held a taper. 
 The damsel sprang to her feet, and my mother breathed deep as she said : 
 " The sentinel is asleep, and I have the keys. We will go down a flight of dark 
 stairs, but this taper will assist us. We can then reach the outer gate, and, if 
 
TESTIMONY OF ISCARIOT. 81 
 
 it need be, I will plunge this dagger into the gatekeeper's heart." We sped on ; 
 but when we came to the gate it was ajar, and the gatekeeper lay there drunk. 
 He had been drugged by a band of confessors that wished to go in and out 
 without being observ^ed. 
 
 We passed out, but had not gone but a little way when we were accosted by 
 four confessors, and they had with them a fair damsel of Caldea. They asked 
 how was it we had come out. My mother answered, " We were sent out for 
 confessors that were missing, and now you have come, creep into your beds : 
 then they will think you have been asleep and did not hear the call." They 
 hastened in and shut the gate after them. Then we hastened forward. We 
 reached Judea's borders the second day. When we had reached a humble hut 
 we asked for bread, and t^ey gave us a piece of hard, brown crust. We took 
 it and went into a by-place. There we sat down and ate it. As we went on 
 that day the damsel seemed to falter. My mother saw she could not go much 
 farther ; and, as we were sitting by the way, I accosted a boy that was driving 
 sheep, and asked him if there were any Caldea's people living near. He an- 
 swered, " There is a family living low down in the valley, if they are not all 
 killed." I asked, "What should kill them?" He said, "The priests have 
 been through the country, and most of Caldea's people are killed or fled." 
 There we bent our steps, but none were there that could bid us come in. I 
 pushed back the door, and there lay two dead females, entirely naked. My 
 mother burst into tears, as she exclaimed, " God has saved you ! God has 
 saved you ! If you had taken the oath, you would have destroyed many, even 
 as these poor creatures are destroyed." The word "God" I had never heard 
 spoken before, and when I heard it breathed, through my mother, I was afraid. 
 I did know that was the word that had been forbidden to be spoken, under any 
 conditions. After a time my mother said, " My boy, I am a heretic." The 
 shock went all over me, but when I looked at my mother I could but say, " If 
 that holy woman is a heretic, I, too, will be a heretic." After we turned away 
 we conversed much on the fearful destruction of the people by the priesthood. 
 Day by day we saw many fleeing, some in one way, and some another. After a 
 time I asked a man what could cause so much commotion. I got for answer, 
 " There had been a crazy heretic in Cana, and he had fled to Capernaum, but 
 the priests are a-going to cut off all heresy, and then there may be a rest for the 
 Hebrews. I am a Hebrew," he said, " and I have been in constant fear of 
 being destroyed for months. They have carried away my cattle, but my family 
 are left alive. I have been told," he continued, "that there was a Jew that was 
 most as crazy as the Hebrew, but he has gone, none knows where." The dam- 
 sel said, " The Jew was in Caldea before I went away, and it was daily ex- 
 pected the priests would behead him, but he had ever fled, ere they could lay 
 hands upon him." We continued our journey, throughout Judea's borders, until 
 we reached the river Euphrates. There we crossed on a float, then crossed a 
 desert, one day's journey, then leaving Babylonia on the right, reached Assyria 
 after fourteen days of weariness and beggary. How was it here? Dreary 
 and desolate. The damsel said, " If we could reach Caldea we should be fed, 
 at least." Then v.e retraced our steps for two days, and reached Caldea, but 
 were filled with dismay when we heard John was declaring God in the open 
 fields, in the forest, and on the hillsides, knowing full well it would bring a dis- 
 turbance among the people. 
 
 I next accosted an aged man, and asked him if he could tell me where John, 
 the Jewish dispenser, was. He looked at me with astonishment, and said : " Is 
 it the crazy heretic you are inquiring for ? If it is, you will find him by going 
 beyond that hill. I saw him there, but I did not stop to listen to doctrines that 
 
82 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 make everybody crazy that dares listen, and believe anything he says." I 
 said, " God bless you, man." He fled from me as he said, " Another heretic ! " 
 I made my way to where John was holding forth. As I drew near, he said, 
 " Has God blessed another of his children, and led him into the field to gather 
 the grain ere it falls back to earth again ? Gather, oh, gather. The harvest is 
 ripe, and the reapers are few. Gather your wheat into a garner, but burn the 
 chaff, that the ashes may invigorate the field again, that it may bring forth an- 
 other harvest." Then he continued : " The kingdom of heaven is like unto a 
 husbandman that went forth to sow seed. He scattereth the grain, and the 
 fowls of the air take their portion. Some falls upon the rocks ; it springs up, 
 but it perisheth, because there is no depth of soil to strengthen the root. Some 
 fall by the wayside and is choked by the tares ; while some falls on good ground 
 and springs up, and the rains fall upon it and give it strength, and the dews 
 cause it to bow its head with a rich harvest for the reaper. Holy is the grain, 
 to me, that is gathered into the garner of Almighty God, and the grain his own 
 children." I was held transfixed to the spot, and John stepped forward, and 
 said, " Brother, God has anointed you for his own, and you will laysdown all you 
 have for truth's sake." " Amen," I said. " If I could help humanity to lay off 
 their heathen, idolatrous influence that is laid upon them by the designing 
 priesthood, and cut short the brutish confessors in the habiliments of men, I am 
 ready, I am willing to declare myself a human sacrifice, in order that humanity 
 may unbind herself, and shout, Freedom, my God, freedom forever. I am 
 thine, and I am thine, eternal and forever." 
 
 Here another shouted, "Hell's fiends are drawing near." John said, "Let 
 them come : God is here." As they drew near, they began to denounce heresy, 
 and they called John a babbling fool. He listened to their derision, then he 
 answered, "A fool is known by his folly, but a wise man is slow to anger, but 
 they that hold themselves accountable for their own folly have enough to do to 
 hold themselves from heathen snares. But let us feast our souls on the bread 
 of life, and bathe in the fountain of God's love, and be blessed." He then 
 folded his arms, and said, "Angels of the living God, give us life and strength, 
 lest we perish, and at last fold* us in thy bosom, that we may perish, and in the 
 bosom of thy love let me rest forever there." Then he said, " Holy God, I 
 bless thee for the holy embrace of thy angel children that are now breathing 
 upon me." Then I saw the same holy being that laid her hand in mine. As 
 she looked upon me, she said, " Dear brother, may God assist us in blending 
 humanity, in this age, all that will be blessed. But all those that hold them- 
 selves away from light, how can we bless them ? " I answered, " Let us fold the 
 holy love-lit souls in our embrace, and ask God to bless them." Then John 
 bowed his head, and a holy Hght fell on him. It was so bright we all exclaimed, 
 " How holy the light must be within to attract such a halo of glory from eternal 
 distance ! " He knelt in prayer, and we were all filled with that holy light divine, 
 that filled each human mind with life that perisheth not. After the multitude 
 dispersed I saw many lingered, and I said, " Where do those people dwell that 
 do not go with the rest to their homes.'"' "Rest," John answered, "where is 
 rest but in eternal distance 1 Home ! Where is our home, but where God's 
 children lead us ? Earth is our home ; heaven is our rest, among the holy 
 children of Almighty God ; those that have sought to bless humanity. Lead, oh, 
 lead us, thou holy child of Leiah, through the dark valley of death, and hold us, 
 by thy light, in the bosom of our God." Then we began to look around us, and 
 we saw my mother and the damsel were all the females among us. John said, 
 " Take them to that humble home, yonder, and they will be made comfortable. 
 But these, my followers, are designed by Almighty God to live and die beggars. 
 
TESTIMONY OF ISCARIOT. 83 
 
 Begging bread to feed the body, and begging God's mercies for his erring 
 children." Night closed in upon us, and we lay down upon the green sward, 
 Vv'ithout anything to eat, and there we rested until morning. There, as the sun's 
 bright rays fell upon us, we breathed in a holy aroma, as from a bed of full- 
 blown flowers. It filled us with strength, and we arose to our feet as with one 
 accord. I said : " Holy is the aroma of angels' breath. May it fill us all full of 
 faith in the ever presence of an influence divine, fresh from the inner life of 
 creation." Here we knelt in prayer, pouring out our heart's anguish on the altar 
 of humanity, for the poor, benighted creatures that walk the earth in mortal 
 forms. In this manner we continued together, going from place to place, 
 declaring God, healing the sick. Sometimes we could find a covering for the 
 night, sometimes we had food, sometimes we would have nothing for days. But 
 were always fed with the bread of life, and always comforted with the holy 
 spirits of Leiah's band. Here I felt the command that w^as laid upon me to 
 declare against heathen idolatrous worship, and the hellish devices of the 
 anointed priests, in order to crush out every desire to bless the poor, benighted 
 creatures that looked to them for guidance, when their whole device was to 
 chain them to their will, that they could live in drunkenness, debauchery, and 
 have all the excited desires of the flesh gratified. I did declare what I knew to 
 be true, and the priesthood heard of it, and they held a council and decided 
 that I should be beheaded. This happened about five months after I met John 
 at Seleucia. 
 
 Here a great commotion began, and we were compelled to flee by night. I 
 called my mother and the damsel, and said, "Are you prepared to lay down your 
 lives for truth's sake ? " They both answered in one breath, and said, "All I 
 have I give to thee, thou God of light." "Then," I said, "you are prepared to 
 glorify God. Here is a herdsman ; he is all good. He has lost his wife and 
 daughters through the wicked devices of the priesthood. They refused to bow 
 to their beastly desires, and they were commanded to be held by the confessors 
 until they were dead, and so it was. He is now a poor, lone being, and he has 
 but one boy. They dwell there together. Go ye there, and if you love him, 
 dear mother, marry him in holy wedlock. You may yet be blessed. And you, 
 damsel, if you love the youth, and he loves you, then you will be blessed in your 
 love, one for the other, and earth will be blessed through your offspring." They 
 did unite in marriage, and the damsel did bear a son, and that son was banished 
 upon a lone island by a confessor that entered his home and beheaded the 
 father, and held the mother, and sought to destroy the son by setting him adrift 
 upon the ocean wave, hoping he would die there, but a higher power than man 
 guided the frail bark, and he drifted upon the lone island of Patmos. There 
 he was controlled by angels of light, and there they gave revelations that would 
 have filled the world with light, ere to-day, if they had not been destroyed by 
 the Catholic priests when Michael called for all the manuscripts in the land to 
 be brought before him. He was therein first anointed pope after those heathen 
 bands united themselves into a body. He was naught but a bigot and a brute, 
 and when he looked those holy records over, that had been kept in the once 
 Jewish synagogue, and the brutes had driven the Jews out with their battle axes, 
 they took possession of their records, and all they could mystify, and use to 
 serve their purpose, they held. But a great portion was inscribed in ancient 
 Arabic, that related to the future, could not be translated by any in that age. 
 They were laid away beneath the floor, in the grand entrance, and they remain 
 there until this day. Antioch may hold them, but God's children can translate 
 them where they are, and as they are. The brute that destroyed the son, after 
 his return, saw not the mighty knowledge that was revealed to him. That was 
 
84 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 the utter annihilation of heathen control over human souls. The son was John, 
 the revelator, but had the Catholics known what was contained in the records, 
 they would have burned them long ere this day. 
 
 After I had seen my mother and the damsel cared for, I then fled with the 
 rest to Mesopotamia. There we remained nearly a year, in different parts of 
 the kingdom, holding forth daily, healing the sick, living among the beggars, 
 declaring God would work changes, and if they lived holy lives they would all 
 find homes in the bright world beyond. There the holy angels never forsook us, 
 and we were blessed indeed. As we were making our way toward Clarahae a 
 traveller told us that a crazy heretic had been in Babylonia, and he was making 
 his way toward the border country. I said : *' Let us all go to him. He will 
 need our aid, and there will be a great commotion, as there has been a price set 
 upon his head many times." I said : " He must be good, else they would not 
 fear his exposing their wickedness and deceit. And in his holy labor he must 
 have been held by a mightier power than man, lest they would have destroyed 
 him." The excitement among the heathen became fearful, and we took our 
 departure in the evening and left them to their own condition. We travelled 
 many a weary league, o'er desert, moorland, and forest, begging our bread when 
 we could reach a tiller of the earth, and from the herdsmen. There were so 
 many destitute beggars, consisting mostly of Hebrew families, going from one 
 part of the country to the other, hardly knowing whither, hoping to find some 
 spot where they could find rest from that constant fear that oppressed them, 
 that constant fear of being destroyed by the anointed priests and confessors. 
 They would journey about until they were cut off, or find rest, for a time, in 
 some desolate spot, where they would feel more secure from being molested. 
 As heresy was being scattered, it caused the heathens to be more determined to 
 destroy them altogether. 
 
 After eleven days we reached Chaledon, and as we entered there, where the 
 heretics had lodged the night before, I said, "This is the home of angels." I 
 was breathing a prayer to Almighty God, when the door opened and five holy 
 brothers entered. When I had ceased to pray, I heard a holy, calm voice 
 answer : " God is here, and his children are here. Blessed be his name ; he is 
 all in all." When I looked upon him that made that expression, my heart was 
 touched with a holy love that I had never known before. I could not help 
 exclaiming, " Holy brother, all I have, I give to thee and humanity." He 
 answered : " God be praised you have come, dear brothers. There is a work to 
 be done on the morrow, that will take all the power that can be given through 
 you all. I am but a feeble thing, but God is mighty, and his mercies endure 
 forever." This being in the dusk of the evening, Jesus did not discern John 
 until a ray of light fell upon him ; then he flew to him, folded him to his bosom, 
 and wept aloud. When he became calm, the angel of light folded him to her 
 bosom, and breathed her life into that frail body. Then he arose to his feet, 
 covered all over with light, and then the angel declared we should all die. But 
 until the hour did come, we must be faithful to our labor, let come what would. 
 Then she added: "This is the last time you will be called upon to labor in 
 Antioch, and your work must be done, and well done, and do not leave anything 
 undone that can be done in this age. But, my dear brothers, the time will come 
 when you will come back to earth to bear testimony concerning that which is 
 done in this age, when changes have been wrought among the inhabitants of 
 earth, and they are ready to receive us, and not endanger those through whom 
 we breathe, and we can declare the presence of the living God, and the presence 
 of his children. Then we shall come back to finish up that which will be begun 
 by your lives, and your deaths." Then she breathed out of my brother, and 
 
TESTIMONY OF ISCARIOT. 85 
 
 drew near me. Then I shouted : " Holy Creator God, then heathen bigots will 
 be chained and bound forever by thy electric cords that binds worlds together, 
 and then priestcraft \vill be known no more, and then the angels of light will 
 dwell with thy children, my God forever, leading, guiding, directing, in all 
 things, until they are borne away to a holy place of rest." John stood beside 
 me, and he folded his arms around me. Jesus rose to his feet, and said : " Be 
 it known to you all, God's command is upon us. There is a work to be done 
 for coming ages, and if we are faithful, sure will be, if not in this life, in the life 
 beyond. There we shall rejoice in the freedom of human souls, that have been 
 held from darkness, through receiving light from beyond." 
 
 Then another influence came in our midst, and breathed upon Thomas, and 
 said : " Brothers, eat yoifl: barley bread, lie down and rest ; there will be a great 
 commotion on the morrow. Many will be brought to you that are diseased, and 
 all the strength you can gather will be required, in order that your work may be 
 finished up for the people of Antioch, and the country around. Hundreds are, 
 even now, making their way toward the city, and they will await your coming." 
 Then the spirit breathed a prayer for us all, and left us to find rest in sleep. 
 But before he breathed out of Thomas, he said : " Come, daughter, we must 
 haste away. Joseph and his family must have our care to-night." The morn- 
 ing dawned upon us, and we arose, and hastened away toward the city. Ere we 
 entered the gates, many accosted us, and we lay hands upon them, and they 
 would be healed. Then we toiled on until night closed in, then we fled the city, 
 in order to rest. In the morning, again, we entered the city, and made our way 
 to the great square. There we healed the sick, and declared God, until four in 
 the afternoon. I then saw a band of confessors coming with their battle axes. 
 As we had been scattered among the multitude, we gathered together. We fled 
 through the gate, as it had been left open all day, and we fled across the brook. 
 There we ate and drank, and began our journey toward Jerusalem. Weary days 
 passed away ere we reached the highlands that overlooked the city. I could 
 but exclaim, "Ancient as thou art, thou hast fiends within thy walls, and they 
 are damning thy people." Jesus sat down upon a little hillock, and he bowed 
 his head in prayer for that people, and he said : " O Jerusalem, thou hast slain 
 thy prophets ; thou hast cast out the holy children of Benjamin ; thou hast fos- 
 tered the viper in thy bosom, that will sting you to the vitals, and they will leave 
 you but a heap of ruins. Ages on ages will pass away ere thou will offer a 
 home again to Judea's children, but the anointed priests will pollute the soil, 
 on which thou rest, with the blood of the innocent, because they will not bow 
 down to the wicked devices of Moses, and his heathen influences, that are to- 
 day destroying the blood of Abraham and Jacob. Hold them. Creator God, 
 brute as they are, from destroying the holy faith of Abraham, and the holy sub- 
 mission of Jacob, until their seed can be scattered all over the earth ; until a 
 holy people shall spring up filled with holy love to thee, thou God of immensity." 
 Then grief seemed to fill his whole soul, and big tears rolled down his cheeks, 
 as he exclaimed : " Oft would I have gathered you together, as a hen gathereth 
 her chickens, but ye fled me, and I was left to beg, even in thy streets. I have 
 fasted and prayed, and begged bread from door to door, in order that I could 
 be borne along until the hour came for me to be borne back, and be hung upon 
 the cross, that thy children may, in thy own time, be held from heathen idola- 
 trous worship, and that all the children of earth may flee evil, and seek thee, 
 thou God of holy love, that alone finds rest in the hearts of the good." Then 
 he raised his head, and said : " We will enter that city, but not for the last time ; 
 but I shall come back once more, and then my earth labor will be at an end in 
 this age. There my cares will end, and this weary body will find rest." 
 
86 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 Then we all laid down, and, in the holy calm that fell around us, we fell asleep. 
 As the first dawn of day shed its rays upon the hill, we arose, and made our way 
 through the ferns and brakes, until we reached the main road, then we crossed 
 upon the hillside. Then the holy brother, Bartholomew, acknowledged the 
 power of an unseen God, after he had been felled to the earth, and a more 
 faithful brother could not be found. There Jesus was controlled for hours, by 
 four different influences. The first was Leiah, then Japtha, next Sabilla, and 
 then the angel daughter of Leiah. Her breath filled him with holy adoration 
 to God, and he exclaimed : " Blessed are they that live in accordance with God's 
 laws ; they are sure to be blessed hereafter. Blessed are they that seek God, 
 through his wondrous formations ; there they will be blessed by finding him 
 there. Blessed are those that mourn for humanity's wrongs ; their mourning 
 shall cease in the world beyond. Blessed are they that hunger for righteous- 
 ness ; they shall be fed with eternal life. Blessed are they that work good for 
 humanity, for their reward is rest in the bosom of their God. Blessed are they 
 that labor among the inhabitants of earth, that they may live in holy adoration 
 to God, and to bless humanity, and prepare the way that coming ages may un- 
 derstand that the angels are ever watching o'er them, seeking to guide and 
 direct into all truth." He then added : " Holy life beyond calls, and we would 
 go home. If humanity would receivfe truth as it is, then we would be free. 
 Free from death ; free from sorrow ; free from the dark devices of hell's be- 
 gotten in priestly robes. Then the holy balm of a father's love would heal the 
 broken hearts. Then humanity would be blessed, and blessed forever, and God 
 would be glorified through the brightest and holiest of his creations." Here he 
 lay his hand upon his heart, and a chill went over his whole body. As he knelt, 
 he said, " Care for my darling brother, lest he dies." John folded him to his 
 bosom, and gave a portion of his own life to that of his brother. He bore him 
 away, and they laid down and slept together. Hundreds came to us that day, 
 and went back into the city, and declared what they had heard and seen. 
 Many came out to meet us, and brought their sick, laying them by the wayside, 
 and by the gates, where we were to pass. Healing began at early morn, and 
 continued until the sun was going down. Then a mighty commotion com- 
 menced, and the priests and confessors were seen everywhere, dashing upon 
 the poor, helpless creatures, and beheading them, shouting : " Death to the 
 heretics ! " I saw four dragged away that had come from Caldea with us. One 
 was Jude, the son of Caiphas, one was a herdsman's son that had followed us 
 from Caldea, Andrew, and his brother Simon. They were bound, and dragged 
 away by the hair and hung on the square, in front of Pontius Pilate's home ; 
 and they were left there all night, and until noon on the day following, that they 
 could be looked upon as deceivers. I followed Bartholomew into his father's 
 home, but when we fled from there, I fled with Stephen, and Stephen's son, 
 Samuel, and Silas ; but Jesus was commanded to flee alone into the mountains, 
 and we were commanded to go into the forest and highland, and make our way 
 by night toward Tyre, as Jesus would come down from the mountains in that 
 part of the country. 
 
 I fell in with a band of gypsies. I remained with them until the time had 
 nearly expired, then I made my way toward Tyre. Holy God, how can I 
 describe the inhabitants of that city, in that day? Justice demands of me 
 to give as it was, but at the same time I am aware that the inhabitants of 
 this country can hardly credit my statements. Here was where Lazarus, 
 Martha, and Mary drew their first breath. The father's blood was Holland's 
 blood, coming down through Sodom's borders ; but he was a holy man, and 
 one that beheved in an Infinite Creator. But his grandmother was Italian 
 
TESTIMONY OF ISCARIOT. 87 
 
 blood; his mother was from Crate, therefore his was a descendant of the 
 holiest blood earth knew, and he v;as not damned by heathen blood, to entail 
 a curse upon his children. His companion was through the holy blood of the 
 ancient Steven, the Armenian, that defended his kingdom with a hundred and 
 fifteen faithful brothers. They held the country against the invading foe, 
 who were anointed priests and confessors from the Hindu countr}-, until he 
 was seventy-eight years old. He was then overpowered by a band of Hivites, 
 and he fell beneath the battle axe, and his kingdom was taken. The men 
 were slaughtered and the women were held by the army, but a remnant was 
 held holy, because they fled to the mountains beyond Sodom. Thus the blood 
 was held by a mightier power than man. It is well known that Joseph was 
 from the house of David ; but, O Tyre, thou didst give a home, for a season, 
 to holy angels bright, else I could not breathe aught of thee. Thou hadst ever 
 been hell's mightiest bulwark, and thou wert a sink of iniquity, and thou art 
 damned and doomed. The heathen brutes have held thee, even to this day; 
 and naught but the power of Almighty God can cleanse thee from thy damning 
 influences. It was toward this unholy spot I made my way. When I espied 
 the city afar off, I called on God and his angels to direct me. In a moment 
 a flash of light fell over me, and a gentle hand was laid in mine, and a sweet 
 voice breathed a prayer for the faithful that must die. Then she said : " Come, 
 dear brother, let us hasten away. Jesus has come down from the mountain, 
 and he needs thy aid." Then I arose to my feet, and hastened down the 
 hillside. • I was accosted by a Hebrew, and he said : " Do not enter the city ; 
 if you do, you will be cut off, you being a heretic." I said, " How do you 
 know I am a heretic?" He answered: "That female spirit is beside you 
 that is always around heretics. I saw her last night, and she told me to hasten 
 away from the city, as on the morrow the gates would be closed, and all that 
 passed in or out would be held to an account, and if they were affected with 
 heresy, they would be held until the priests were ready to behead them, and 
 I don't think it is well for you to go there. But there is a great gathering on 
 the hillside, where you can see the tent yonder." He said no more, and I 
 hastened forward. John first saw me, and he exclaimed, " I fear our brother 
 will die, and we be left to be cut to pieces." At that moment I saw the future, 
 and answered, " The hour is not yet." But when I drew near he was laying 
 beside his mother, a poor, bruised lamb, indeed. I knelt beside him, and he 
 looked up and said, " God bless you, dear brother ; I am glad you have come." 
 He then closed his eyes, and I went out to see what was to be done. Corne- 
 lius had but reached there. He was sitting down on a bench, at the door of 
 the tent, his head resting upon his hands, and I saw he was filled with grief. 
 I accosted him and said, " Holy father, what is to be done ? " He an- 
 swered, *' All must die, and it fills my heart with grief when I see so many 
 helpless creatures huddling together, preparing for the slaughter." Then he 
 answered, "God is our shepherd, and he will soon call us home." Then 
 I saw Bartholomew preparing to feed the hungry. He told them to bring 
 forward all the bread they had, and sit down and eat, as they must begin 
 a journey toward Jerusalem. After they had eaten, he said, " Gather up 
 every crumb ; you will need it before you get any more." Then Jesus called 
 us around him, and said : " Bartholomew is the strongest of you all. Take 
 Mary in your arms ; the brothers will assist me, and we must begin our 
 journey." From that time I was constantly beside the poor, helpless children 
 of persecution, and did all I could to relieve their necessities. Hardship and 
 toil was around us, death was before us, and in this hopeless condition we went 
 forward. Starvation hung heavy upon us. 
 
88 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 I need not detail concerning that fourteen days of suffering that will never 
 find record among the children of earth. Who could detail the suffering of 
 a starving multitude, and do them justice ? But with all of our suffering we 
 knew we were homeward bound ; and that home, a place of peace and rest. 
 Held, as we were, from the battle axe, hope brightened around us, as we were 
 entering Jerusalem. But, oh, how soon it was blasted, and hope faded away 
 like the morning mist. It did seem that all the fiends that had ever existed 
 had gathered in that doomed city, — doomed to be overthrown and left in 
 a heap of ruins. After we had entered the city the magistrate commanded 
 Jesus to dismount. Knowing his helplessness, I stepped forward to assist him. 
 Then the magistrate hurled me from him, and exclaimed : " Begone, you 
 damned heretic, you will find you are not in Antioch. Jerusalem is prepared for 
 you all." He then reached up and assisted Jesus to alight from the ass. 
 Hands were reached out toward him, but he was compelled to leave them all 
 until Mary's hand was laid in his. That hand was held fast. He faltered, 
 and the magistrate said, " Come along, I am in a hurry." But he clung to 
 his mother's hand, and she followed him to the door of the entrance into the 
 council chamber. Then the magistrate said, " Go away ; this is no place for 
 females." Then she dropped down upon the ground, but ere I could reach 
 her, a priest had ordered a confessor to drag away the heretic, or he would 
 strike off her head. I then followed him, begging him to desist. He gave 
 answer, "The damned harlot ought to be beheaded." I then sprang upon 
 him, and took her from him by force. He went back among the" heathen 
 band that stood around the door. I saw Martha, and called to her, saying, 
 " Take care of Mary ; these heathen confessors are determined to destroy 
 her." Martha folded her arms around Mary, and they sank to the earth 
 together. I saw Bartholomew attempting to remain near the door, that he 
 could assist his brother when he came out again, but he was driven away 
 by the guard, that held the battle axe before him. He sought the Hebrews, 
 and he found them utterly disheartened. Jesus did come out at last, but, oh, 
 how entirely broken down, and despair was depicted in every expression. 
 His face was flushed, his hair was dishevelled, his feet were bare, and his 
 tattered garments barely covered his nakedness. His cloak had been wrapped 
 around Mary, in order to cover her from shame. It has been said that for 
 his garments the guard did cast lots, but I must give the truth as it was. 
 All the garments he had on was a buckskin shirt, and a breech cloth, that 
 I prepared for him by taking Bartholomew's coat, that was worn almost 
 to rags. I took the back of the coat, and by tearing off the fronts, and then 
 binding it around the body, ere he started in the morning to enter the city. 
 The same garments were upon him when he hung upon the cross, and none 
 other. The half I dare not tell, of the naked condition of that multitude 
 that followed him from Tyre, because the inhabitants of earth, in this day, 
 could not credit it. But there is one thing I do know. My own clothes were 
 entirely worn out, all but my buckskin breeches and girdle. I made an 
 attempt to get something to cover my back and chest, but it was utterly 
 impossible as there were no garments that could be spared from any. 
 
 I was near the gate when they dragged Jesus out of the city, by his hair, but 
 I could not get near, for the crowd was dense. But when he raised the cross, 
 and bore it up the hill, then I crowded near that I could have touched him. 
 But when he dropped beneath his burden, I was in hopes he would never breathe 
 again. He laid there, gasping for breath, and the big drops of sweat ran down 
 his face. But in a few moments he sprang to his feet, and I saw he was electri- 
 fied all over. Then he said, "Give me water; give me water." The priest 
 
TESTIMONY OF ISCARIOT. 89 
 
 took from a bystander a cup, and handed it to him. He raised it to his lips, 
 then he saw it was gall and vinegar. He dashed the cup into the face of him 
 that handed it to him, and said, " Drink, damnation to your own soul, because 
 God will damn you for that act." Then he stooped down and picked up the 
 cross again, and bore it along to where it was to be set. Then he lay it down, 
 and dropped beside it. At that moment we were driven back by a band of 
 heathen, that had arrived from the countr3\ I was driven back among the He- 
 brews, and I sought Mar}^, but they told me she had gone to her son. Hours 
 passed away ere I could gain courage to go and look upon that holy man, in the 
 agony that has no description. At last I said to Martha, " I will go and look 
 upon him once more," and as I made my way to him, I saw Bartholomew attempt- 
 ing to reach him, with a cup of water. But the cup was dashed from his hand, 
 and his head was struck off. I then sprang forward, and ere I could reach my 
 brother, a blow from some one caused my breath to be stayed, and my spirit was 
 free. And I am prepared to say that I was never questioned concerning Jesus, 
 while I was in Jerusalem, as he was there, in the hands of his persecutors. 
 Heathens and Jews, they had leagued together, in order to destroy the holy 
 man of Nazareth. He came to them, and they crucified him. And as for gold 
 being offered to any, that to betray him, it is something I know nothing about. 
 Thus ended my earth life in my thirty-fourth year. 
 
 Through the holy blood of my mother, I was saved from the heathen damned. 
 Who can understand me, when I say heathen damned ? Is not a man damned, 
 when there is nothing in his nature but a desire to damn others ? Fearful was 
 my destiny; fearful was my doom; but held from eternal darkness, by a 
 ray of light, that filled my whole soul with its brightness. Humanity, art thou 
 willing to be filled with light ? If thou art, then I can direct you aright. Flee 
 all anointed priests, bishops, and clergy. They are but the offspring of heathen 
 brutes, that held earth's inhabitants chained and bound countless ages, because 
 the knowledge of the living God could not be understood by them. And when 
 light came in their midst, they could not comprehend it, because there was not 
 light enough in their own beings to give reflection a resting place in their souls. 
 Then the desire to control others begot a condition by forming idols, and caus- 
 ing the poor, benighted creatures to feel as in accordance as they appeased the 
 idol they would be blessed. And in all countries and nations of the earth the 
 first-born have been lain upon the altar, and their warm heart's blood has been 
 sprinkled upon the idol, to appease its wrath, and it is from that, and that alone, 
 that humanity has caught the idea of an angry God. Flee, oh, flee, such heathen 
 devices, and learn what God is. Shapen him not like unto an image, in the 
 likeness of anything that has form, but behold him through his mighty works, 
 and feel him ever near. That is the prayer of a friend of humanity. Iscariot 
 was my name, but in after time I was called Judas, as I was called by that 
 name after I left Cairo. 
 
 Here I am breathing my own life through a female, that forgets all things but 
 the brother that comes before her, and here I cannot but exclaim, " Her life is 
 lain upon the altar of humanity, but they know it not, any more than the 
 heathens knew that the holy blood that was shed on Mount Calvary was but to 
 convince the benighted children of earth that idols could not forgive sin, and 
 that they must live in accordance v.'ith the law, else they could not live aright." 
 And now I can breathe free, and say, farewell forever. And you, O child of 
 destiny, I will labor for you here on earth, and I will labor beside you forever. 
 God bless you. I am your brother, you are my sister, and I am still 
 
 Judas Iscariot. 
 
90 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 HISTORY OF LAZARUS. 
 
 FURTHER RECORDS FROM THE AGE OF HEATHEN OPPRESSION, GIVEN 
 DECEMBER lO, 1870. 
 
 Many bring their records, but we chose from among them such as are befit- 
 ting the work before us. Lazarus will relate his own life-history, while I will 
 inscribe it for him. — Scribe. 
 
 My father was from Hebrew blood, and my mother must be called a Sodomite. 
 When Sodom was engulfed in burning fires, from the bosom of the earth, my 
 mother's ancestry dwelt at the foot of the mountain ; and they were saved from 
 sharing the fate of those in the city. They and their descendants dwelt there. 
 There my father was betrothed to my mother, and bore her away to Seleucia. 
 There they dwelt, and were blessed with three children. I was their first-born, 
 then Martha, and Mary, they being my only companions until I became a man. 
 My father was a tanner, and my mother fed and clothed the family. My early 
 days passed in ignorance, so far as being taught by any. But my father died 
 when I was twenty-two, and left us a poor, helpless family. My mother felt 
 that if she could go to Jerusalem, she could get work for herself and daughters, 
 that would keep her family comfortable ; and we begun our journey on foot, it 
 being twelve leagues, bearing along with us all we had. Our journey was slow, 
 but when we entered the suburbs of the city we were compelled to flee back 
 into the forest, as the heathens were holding a feast. There was a great gather- 
 ing of priests and confessors, from all of the land ; and when we arrived there, 
 they were making fearful destruction among the Hebrews. Some they had 
 crushed to death, while others they were dragging about hither and thither. 
 This being the third day of their drunken feast, they had become brutes ; and 
 they ever sought the Hebrews instead of the heathens to sate their hellish fires. 
 Seeing a great commotion, and asking the cause, were told if we entered there 
 we could know what to expect. My mother said, " Let us hasten away while 
 we have strength to depart." There we remained two days, and the heathens 
 had all gone from the city. Then we built a little home, on the bank of a 
 stream. My mother and Martha would braid garments for Judea's people, ex- 
 cept when Martha would go into the city and wash and repair garments for 
 Josephus's father's family. For a day's labor she would receive four pennies, 
 and that would buy half a peck of barley meal. I being feeble, I could do but 
 a little beside helping them in their labor. Thus we toiled on together, until 
 Joseph asked for Mary in marriage. Then our home was made larger, and 
 more comfortable, as we had all dwelt in one room, and now we had two. Mary 
 remained with us until her condition bespoke fear, as Herod two months before 
 commanded every male child, under two years old, to be destroyed. And even 
 then, as fast as a male child was born, their brains were dashed out. One 
 night, as Joseph came home from his labor, he was fearfully oppressed. He 
 knelt down and asked God to direct them. He lay down to sleep, but he arose 
 in the middle of the night, and said, " God has revealed to me to take Mary, 
 and flee towards Egypt, where Herod's spies were not, and the child will be 
 safe, it being a boy, that he shall be guided by the angel that revealed to him 
 
TESTIMONY OF LAZARUS. 91 
 
 our danger, and how to sliield the babe from death." Mar)^ slept on, fearless of 
 danger, while Joseph prepared for the journey. Even while Martha was prepar- 
 ing the barley bread, Joseph said, " Hasten, let us begone, in this hour." The 
 home was in confusion, and I asked Martha if Mary had risen from her bed. 
 She answered, " Leave her asleep until the last moment." After Joseph had 
 put the bread into the bag, he went to Mary's bed, and knelt down beside her. 
 There he asked strength from God, and guidance from his angel children. 
 Then he knelt down, and imprinted a kiss on Mary's cheek, and she awoke, and 
 asked how it was they were all astir. Joseph answered : " God's command is 
 upon me, and I must obey. An angel appeared to me, in my dream, and said : 
 ' Take Mary and flee. When you can go no farther, I will come and direct you 
 beyond the heathens, that would destroy the child's life.' " Then Mary has- 
 tened to prepare herself, but when she opened the door, and the chilly winds 
 swept o'er her, she was filled with fear, and turned back. I arose from my bed, 
 and knelt in prayer, asking God to care for his own, and bear them through the 
 fearful destiny that awaited them, knowing full well they were destined by 
 Almighty God to die. But as I folded Mary to my bosom, I asked the angels 
 to bear her along on her journey, and lead them to a place of safet3\ Then 
 Mary answered: "God is here, and his angel children are here. Come, Joseph, 
 let us hasten away." Then the door closed upon them, and I felt my heart 
 would break. Martha wept until she could weep no longer. Our home became 
 desolate from that fearful night. My mother drooped, and in a few days she 
 died. Martha and I continued to live in that home alone. Years passed away, 
 ere I heard from my dear friends, except we had heard, by a beggar, that told 
 us their child was born in Bethlehem, and they had fled, and none knew 
 whither. 
 
 One night, as we were sitting beside the fire, conversing about Mary, a rap 
 was heard at the door. I said, "Come in." Joseph entered, and breathed the 
 name of Martha. Then he said, "Brother, God bless you." He then told us 
 of his family, and said : " Three boys God has given to me, but one is a frail, 
 little thing. He is seven months old, and cannot creep, and my first-born can- 
 not stand upon his feet. But the second one is strong and hardy. I have 
 come," he said, "to get work in Jerusalem, but when I have finished the build- 
 ing I have the promise of, then you must both go home with me." He remained 
 with us one month, then his work was done, and he felt to go home. " Let us 
 get ready," he said, "as Mary and Martha will be made so happy together, and 
 you, dear brother, so comfortable, and I can earn enough to feed you all, and to 
 spare." We then prepared our bread, and began our journey. Day by day we 
 continued on our way, and on the eleventh day we reached the foot of the moun- 
 tain. All of that day we toiled up the mountain, and when the light was lit in 
 that humble home, we entered there. Martha and Mary folded each other to 
 their bosoms, and shouted, " Glory to God, we have met again here on earth." 
 Then Mary lay her hand in mine, and said, " Brother, God is here, and his 
 angel children are here, in our mountain home." The children were afraid, and 
 I said, " Come here, dear children ; God bless you." As I made that expres- 
 sion, the eldest one, a frail little thing, crept beside me, and reached up his 
 little hands, and I raised him to my knee. He lay his head upon my bosom, 
 and I felt he was a holy thing. The other children came near, and I raised the 
 youngest in my arms, he being about eight months old. I said, " Joseph, how 
 God has blessed you with such beautiful children ! " He answered, " God's 
 mercies endure forever, without a shadow of turning." I felt a holy calm come 
 over me when he made that expression, as I had been led by the faithful 
 brother, and found light. Jesus raised his head from my bosom, as he said. 
 
92 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 " Holy is that light, drawn from eternal light, and may it ever lead you aright." 
 Joseph turned to me, and said, " Brother, the holy angel, Leiah, oft-times breathes 
 upon that boy, and teaches me in the ordinance belonging to the order, that I 
 have never learned before." Then the boy seemed to awake, and I saw drops 
 of perspiration standing on his forehead, like dewdrops. I said, "Joseph, look 
 here ; I am afraid this influence will destroy this child, unless it is held from 
 him." Then Mary said : "I believe that spirit has held him from death, and 
 his daughter blesses me daily with her love and her care. She folded me to her 
 bosom when he was born, and has never left me since ; and whenever the chil- 
 dren are in danger, she will give me warning, that I may care for them. I believe 
 she is a holy thing, and I love her, and bless God for such a friend. Look, 
 look," said Mary; "she is here now beside me." Then she folded her arms, 
 and shouted : " Glory to God. I assisted you to flee, ere those fiends incarnate 
 destroyed you, in your own home. That night you started they entered there, 
 prepared to kill you, brother, and damn you, Martha. I saw, and I heard, and 
 I knew their designs, and I caused Joseph to turn back and bare you away, and 
 here you are, in the home of angels, and may you find rest until you will be 
 called again to go down the mountains." Then Mary opened her eyes, and 
 said, " How happy I am ! " 
 
 There we dwelt, giving God praises for his never-ending mercies, one year 
 and four months, and a holy feast we had with angels bright, day by day. But 
 the time did come when Leiah controlled Jesus, and said : " You will go down 
 to the lowlands, brother, as the air here is too bracing. But you will breathe 
 better in the lowlands. Go on, from time to time, as your strength will allow, 
 until you reach Jerusalem. Prepare your home as near the city as possible, as I 
 have a work to do there, by and by, when my boy gets a little stronger. They 
 will all be brought to you, when the hour comes, and you will be apprised of 
 their coming." Then Jesus awoke, and I saw his breath was stayed and his heart 
 beat. I asked him what he saw. He answered, as he crept close beside me, 
 "A black man, all covered with darkness, and he says you shall not go." 
 "God direct us," I said; "then all is well." Then he looked up to me, and 
 said, "The bright man has driven him away; how glad I am ! " 
 
 The next morning we began our journey, and ere night closed in, we reached 
 the valley below. The next morning we hastened on, but the fourth day my 
 strength gave out, and Martha began to build a home for us, with boughs she 
 gathered from the forest, and grass she gathered from the earth. That night 
 we lay down to rest, with the hope of continuing our journey the next day, but 
 I was unable to rise from my bed of dried grass, and Martha made me as com- 
 fortable as she could, and I was compelled to remain there two months. Then 
 again we continued our journey, until we reached Jerusalem, and our home was 
 destroyed.^ Martha hired a deserted hut, that had been occupied by a Hebrew 
 family. They had all been destroyed by confessors, that had gathered to the 
 feast, which was ever held once each year. At these times the Hebrews were 
 fearfully crushed, and the authorities dare not say, why is it so.? Martha 
 cleaned the home, and prepared me a bed of clean grass, and I begun to feel 
 God had blessed me with a home and comfort. Martha labored for those of 
 high blood, as she had a hand to do everything to please, and she earned enough 
 to make us comfortable and to spare. We continued to live here until Joseph 
 came to us, and said : " I have finished my work here, for the present, and if 
 Martha will go Vvith me to our mountain home, I will prepare the way for her to 
 return, as Mary is so lonely without her." She answered, " How can I leave 
 
 * I have ever felt the hand of God led us away from there, as on the evening following a band of confessors entered 
 there, in order to drag Martha away, and in their rage at finding her gone they destroyed our home. 
 
TESTIMONY OF LAZARUS. 93 
 
 my brother?" "Martha," I said, ''I can care for myself. Do go and comfort 
 Mary, and if it please God, bring them back with you." Then she prepared 
 bread, and I bade them farewell with an aching heart. Joseph seemed joyous, 
 and Martha was cheerful, as they said, " God bless you, dear brother, and may 
 the angels comfort you." 
 
 There I remained until spring passed away and summer was passed. There, 
 silent and alone, I was asking God to reveal to me the destiny of my family, 
 when the door was pushed gently open, and Martha entered with Mary's boy, 
 Jesse, in her arms. I said, " Holy God, my prayer has been answered ; here 
 is my sister, and here is this darling boy, Jesse." I took him in my arms, and 
 lay him down upon my bed. Then Martha told me all. Then she added, " As 
 soon as he is rested, hisleg must be taken off, that he can live to bless his family, 
 and declare the living God." " Amen," I answered. " I will see it is done, as 
 he is rested." Day after day we delayed, when at last Martha said, " Delay we 
 can no longer, lest he dies." And I prepared the way for it to be done. But, 
 oh, my heart beat when the rough confessor applied his knife, and the breath 
 went out of my darling boy, and thus he lay, entirely breathless, until it was 
 accomplished. After it was done, the confessor said, " He is dead ; and if he is 
 a heretic, it is no matter." When Martha lay the silver in the confessor's hand, 
 he said, " I will go now, but he will die." I sat beside him, and bathed his 
 forehead and his hands in cool water, and he soon raised his eyes to mine, and 
 said, " Is he gone ? " I answered, " He is gone, and Martha and I will care for 
 you until your father comes. He will be here before the flowers bloom again, 
 and you will be healed." Day after day passed away ere he was conscious of 
 his leg being gone ; but when he saw it was gone he burst into tears, and said, 
 " Has God taken my leg away ? " I said, " The leg had perished, and it had 
 to be taken off that you could live." He seemed satisfied, and soon fell asleep. 
 
 During the winter I became more feeble, and spring brought strength, and I 
 was more comfortable. I was told by the angel daughter of Leiah that Joseph 
 and his family would come, and were even then on their way. She had re- 
 mained with us from the time the leg was amputated, and directed Martha in 
 caring for the frail boy. One evening, as we were sitting beside the fire, a gen- 
 tle tap was heard at the door. Martha answered, "Come in," and Mary 
 opened the door. Joseph and the two children entered. "Glory to God," ex- 
 claimed Martha ; " my beloved friends are here. Let us give God the glory." 
 " Amen," said Joseph. " God is here." They had hardly set down, before 
 Jesus was controlled by Leiah, and said : " This body is to be borne into the 
 midst of confusion. Pray for us, that we may come back free from harm." I 
 answered, " May God care for my dear boy, and hold him from death." Then 
 he breathed his own breath again, and said, " How dark it is where I have 
 been ! and there was a great deal of confusion in that darkness." Then they 
 ate, lie down and slept. But the next day, as we sat at meat, Leiah folded 
 Jesus to his bosom, and he darted away. We arose from the board, to look 
 after him, yet he was nowhere to be seen. But ere we could learn anything 
 from him, he was brought back to us again, after the absence of four hours. 
 The heathen feast had lasted four days, and they were drunken fiends, filled 
 with the fires of hell ; and Jesus had been borne into the city, even into the 
 Council Chamber, to give warning to the rulers to close their gates, else they 
 would all be destroyed. Then he said, " Save, oh, save, the Hebrew families 
 that can be brought within your gates, else they will surely be cut off." They 
 heard the boy, and believed him, and hundreds were saved, among the rest my 
 own dear friends. When the heathen had departed from Judea, we all sought 
 our homes outside the walls. But, when we entered our home, grief filled every 
 
94 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 heart, as four dead damsels lay upon the floor; and they were children of light, 
 — Caldea's blood — and when we saw who they were, Mary exclaimed, " They 
 are the daughters of my friend, and she, too, must be dead." Then we called 
 the magistrate, and they were borne away and buried. That night, after the 
 heathen found a part of the Hebrews had escaped them, their hate was dis- 
 played in dragging about the children of Caldea and Judea, and as my home 
 was desolate, they dragged in these helpless females, and held them there until 
 they were dead ; and they lay there two nights and one day ere we returned. I 
 must add, every year, when the heathens held their feast, the destruction was 
 fearful among the Hebrews and Caldeans, as they were looked upon as a de- 
 spised people, without home or country to call their own ; and I, a poor Hebrew 
 by birth, through Sodom's borders, and from the house of Joseph, was an out- 
 cast among them. I dare not appeal to the Jews for redress of my wrongs, as 
 they despised the Hebrews for their faith in God, and the Caldeans for their 
 disbelief in a Messiah. 
 
 Now I must go on. Our home was cleansed ; and a holy calm came over us 
 for one year and a half, except when we had to flee again, when the heathens 
 held their feast. Then Leiah controlled Jesus, and bore him into the synagogue, 
 among the doctors and lawyers, under the control of the angel bright that had 
 blessed us all with knowledge. There he was held eight hours and a half. 
 They asked him questions concerning the affairs of the kingdom. He gave his 
 answers so clear and prophetic that they held their breath with astonishment. 
 He declared to them that the heathen idolatrous worshippers would destroy 
 their synagogue, and the Jews would be scattered, and become wanderers on 
 the earth. Then they counselled together, and said, "As he has knowledge of 
 our kingdom, can he not assist us in driving the heathen from Judea, that we 
 may find rest here ? " Jesus sprang to his feet, as if he had the strength of 
 a man, as he shouted, " Prepare ye the way, make crooked ways straight, the 
 kingdom of Jehovah God on earth is to be established among his own children." 
 Then they asked, " Who are his own children ? " As he raised his hands 
 above his head, he exclaimed, "They that worship the Infinite instead of 
 man, and seek to obey the commands laid upon them for humanity." Then 
 he darted away, and none knew whither he went. When he reached our home, 
 he gave a gentle rajD, and fell across the threshold. Mary raised him in her 
 arms, and folded him to her bosom, as she said, " They will destroy this body ; 
 but God will surely hold him in his own embrace forever." From this time we 
 were compelled to keep him in our home, as the Jews sought for him, but found 
 him not. And, as the Jews had offered a price for him to be brought before 
 them, the angel Leiah came in our midst, and said, " We must flee into the 
 mountains," as there was a great commotion among the Jews, and he would not 
 be safe to remain there longer. Then we prepared the bread, and clothed the 
 children. Joseph took Jesse, and we all set out, filled with fear of the Jews, as 
 well as the heathens. Day by day we journeyed along, but we made our way 
 slow, as I was feeble, and the children would get weary. After many days we 
 reached the hut of the aged Timothy; not the Timothy described among 
 Joseph's ancestry, but his descendant. We entered that home, and he bade us 
 welcome. There I was compelled to remain for days, until Joseph could leave 
 his family and return for me. When I left the aged man, he bowed his head 
 and breathed a prayer for that family he knew must die. Then I bade him 
 farewell, and we reached Joseph's home ere night obstructed our way. There 
 was great rejoicing in that home among the children, as they felt they were free 
 from danger there. I remained in that family, happy and contented, for years. 
 
 But from time to time Jesus would be borne away from us, and sometimes he 
 
TESTIMONY OF LAZARUS. 95 
 
 would be gone for weeks, and sometimes for months. Joseph continued to go 
 to the lowlands for labor, and as he returned to us one evening, he said he had 
 bargained to build a house for the king, Pontius Pilate, and was to begin as 
 soon as he could bear his family back to Jerusalem. Jesus answered, "You will 
 go, Joseph, and this boy will be called to care for the king's children, and the 
 sooner you reach there the better." We began our journey the day following, 
 and we reached Jerusalem weary and exhausted. Joseph began his building, 
 and Pontius Pilate saw Jesus, and asked for him to care for his children. In 
 that home time passed away, and Jesus grew to be a man. But from the time 
 Jesus entered that home, we never saw him again until he returned to us, even 
 as holy as he left us. And as he entered that humble home, the same angel 
 bright walked by his side. She then breathed upon Jesse, and said, " I have 
 brought him back to you, holy as he went away, but wiser, as his knowledge had 
 been drawn from angels bright, and he has now the knowledge of the dark, 
 benighted children, where fiends control instead of God ; and you will soon be 
 compelled to flee to the mountains, and a price will be set upon his head, as my 
 father Leiah will control him, and denounce the heathen priesthood." 
 
 Joseph soon came home, and said, "My work is done." Jesus answered, 
 " Mine has but begun." Day after day passed away, and we were so happy 
 together. Joseph returned one evening, and said, " I can find nothing to do." 
 Jesus breathed deep, and said, " There is no more work here for you, Joseph, 
 but you must take your family, even now, and begin your journey toward Helem. 
 There you will find enough to do until I bring this body to you. There is to be 
 a bursting forth of the fiends of darkness at Antioch, and I must bear this 
 faithful child in their midst, and denounce them for their fearful acts upon 
 humanity. But fear not, I will bring him safe back to you in your own happy 
 home." Then Joseph answered, "God will care for us, and his angels will lead 
 us aright, if we flee evil and seek good." 
 
 We began our journey at early dawn, and continued on and on, until we 
 reached our mountain home. There we remained two months, ere he came to 
 us ; but the holy ray of light came to us, day by day, in order we could be held 
 free from care. But, when he did come, he entered there when we were kneeling 
 in prayer. Breathless he came, and knelt beside his mother ; and when I had 
 ceased to pray, he breathed a prayer like this : "Life of all life, and soul of all 
 souls, I will praise thee forever, as I have been held from death, and being led 
 back again to my beloved friends, I will give thee all the glory." Then Joseph 
 answered, "Amen! Glory to God! My son has been brought back by God's 
 angel children. They are beside me even now." At this time he remained at 
 home one year and a half. Then he was taken away again. He was led, guided 
 and directed by the angel daughter of Leiah, through the border country, until 
 he reached the Dead Sea. Then he crossed the country on the seacoast to a 
 place called Gaza. There he declared God among a band of Hebrews that 
 dwelt there. He healed their sick, and then bade them adieu, and then went to 
 Arimathea. There he was beset by heathen confessors, that sought to destroy 
 him ; but he was borne away in the night by his controller, and stopped not until 
 he reached Lydia. There he dwelt, with a friend of Joseph's, one month, bless- 
 ing the people with light, healing the sick, declaring God, and his heart was 
 filled with love for that people, as they were good, and asked for knowledge. 
 Then he went to Damascus, leaving Jerusalem behind him, as he feared Cai- 
 phas's spies. They were ever watching for him. He entered the city of Da- 
 mascus in the evening, and he was made to exclaim, " Hell's damned are here." 
 There the heathens were destroying Judea's children, as well as the Hebrews. 
 He asked the cause of so much commotion, and got for answer, " There is one 
 
96 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH 
 
 Paul, that is destroying all of the heretics, no matter what blood they are." 
 Then he shouted, " Holy God ! stay Paul's hand, ere he destroy all of God's 
 children in the land." At that moment they heard a crash, and as they opened 
 the door a battle axe was .lying there beside a boy that was gasping for breath. 
 
 Jesus raised the boy, and bore him into the house. There he bathed the 
 wound, and it was healed. Fearful was the condition of the inhabitants in that 
 part of the country, as none knew where the slaughter would end. He left 
 Damascus, and made his way across the country to Cana. There he remained 
 four months. Many were blessed by him, but others scoffed at him. There he 
 was controlled, denouncing hypocrisy and deceit, priestcraft and drunkenness. 
 The priests heard of it, and they sought to lay hands upon him, but he was 
 nowhere to be found. Then they set a price upon his head, like this : "An 
 hundred scruples in silver shall be awarded to any one that will bring the head 
 of the Hebrew heretic, at the cross roads, before the heathen council." 
 
 Then he sought his mountain home, and we were blessed by his presence, and 
 the presence of the holy spirits that guarded his destiny. Months and years 
 Jesus remained with us, except now and then he would leave us for a short time. 
 At one time he brought home with him a poor, frail youth, that the heathens 
 were seeking to destroy. His father was high priest in Herod's court, and when 
 Pontius Pilate reigned in his stead, he retained his position. Herod believed in 
 idolatrous worship, but Pontius Pilate, being born of a princess from Caldea, 
 and as the mother was taught, so she believed, and taught her boy her faith, as 
 far as she dared to, surrounded as she was. And the king never forgot the 
 admonitions of his mother, as he did know his father was a brute. And after 
 he was anointed king, the high priest controlled the kingdom, and Pontius Pilate 
 held the crown with fear and trembling. And it was by this king's hand the 
 youth had been saved; and he fled, not knowing whither. Jesus found him, 
 desolate and alone, at the foot of the mountain, and brought him to his home. 
 There I knelt, and asked God to hold the frail youth, until he could begin a 
 work for humanity. There he remained until Leiah came, and breathed through 
 Jesus, and said : " Go down the mountain, Jude, bearing towards Caldea. There 
 you will find a faithful worker for humanity. Labor with him, and after many 
 days I will bring this body to you there." He obeyed the command, and I bade 
 him farewell for the last time on earth. Jesus remained at home for months, 
 but when he did leave that home again, he left it forever. But, ere he departed, 
 his controller said : "After a time Joseph must take his family, and make his way 
 to Tyre. There he wdll remain until I bring his son to him again, after many 
 months." When the time came, Jesus was borne away. Then we lingered for 
 a time, then bid farewell to the mountain home. When we had journeyed four 
 days my strength gave way, and Martha remained behind with me, and said, 
 "If it please God, I will come to you, as soon as my brother is strong enough to 
 bear the journey." 
 
 Oh, how my heart ached, when they bid us adieu. I looked after them until 
 they were nearly out of sight, then I fell to the earth, unable to rise for hours. 
 While I lay there upon the ground, the future unveiled itself to me. I saw that 
 family destroyed, one by one, until not one was left on earth, and my breath went 
 out of me. But when I could breathe, I told Martha all. She wept until her 
 heart was nearly broken, and I could not comfort her. And there we were 
 compelled to remain for one year, in that desolate country, but we procured food 
 from a herdsman, about half a league distant. As the weather became fine, we 
 started again, and reached the country near Antioch. There we remained for a 
 time, until Jesus came to us, with his followers, and remained all night. Then 
 we were compelled to flee, in the night, as the heathens had seen them enter 
 
TESTIMONY OF LAZARUS. 97 
 
 there. We made our way across the country, as fast as we could, bearing 
 toward Tyre, but kept along at the foot of the mountains, and through barren 
 wastes, as the heathens were in great commotion. Again I fell sick, and we 
 were compelled to build a home, by digging into the side of the hill, and cover- 
 ing it over with brush. Here we remained until Jesus an(^ Simeon came to us, 
 when they were fleeing to the mountains. After they left us, we remained there 
 six days longer, but on the fourth eve Jesus came to us alone. Holy God, assist 
 me. My heart was broken then, and as I look back, it bleeds anew. Holy son 
 of my IMary, an outcast and a wanderer, hiding among the crags and rocks of 
 the mountains, for what? Because God has endowed him with knowledge 
 others have not, and the priesthood fear that knowledge, and they seek to 
 destroy him, ere he declares the fulness of God's glory, or his wondrous cre- 
 ations. There Jesus folded Martha to his bosom, and they both fainted, and 
 fell to the floor. There I was entranced, but what was said, I know not. But 
 I do know, when I awoke, my dear Jesus was gone, and Martha was kneeling in 
 prayer. Then Martha said, "We are to go to Tyre, as soon as we can reach 
 there, because Joseph's family will all be destroyed but Mary, and there will be 
 none to bid him come." 
 
 We began our journey that day, and reached Tyre after eight days, and we 
 found the hut of one Peter. They bade us welcome, and I remained there until 
 Martha could build us a home near by ; and as soon as she had prepared a bed 
 of dried grass, she led me there. We had been there one week when I was 
 entranced by the Jewish seer, Zadock. There I was held, in a deep entrance- 
 ment, until all life seemed to have left me, and the body was prepared for burial. 
 I could hear all, but move I could not, and I expected they would bury me as I 
 was. In the evening, a boy came to the door and said, "There is a man in our 
 home, and he told me to come here and tell you God's children are starving for 
 bread." Martha gave him some bread, and he went away. As I heard all, I 
 felt it was Jesus, and hov/ I longed to speak. Then a half-hour must have 
 passed away when Jesus entered there. Martha was kneeling in prayer, when 
 Jesus said, "Lazarus is not dead, but sleepeth." Martha answered, " He is 
 dead, and I have prepared him for burial." Jesus stepped to where I was 
 laying. The napkin was bound beneath my chin. He tore it off and threw it 
 upon the floor. He then lay his hand upon my forehead, and I felt the flesh 
 cringe beneath his hand. Then he commanded me to arise in the name of 
 Jehovah God. In an instant my eyes were loosened, my breath came back, and 
 my heart beat. He then shouted : "Arise, Lazarus ; begin your work. Declare 
 God and his many mercies." He then turned to Martha, and said, "Prepare 
 hyssop, give it him warm; he is chilled all through." He then left us; but in 
 less than half an hour he entered that home again, and bore away a part of the 
 hyssop tea that Martha had prepared for me. Martha could not leave me, 
 although she knew Mar}^ was suffering. But ere morning dawned, Peter's daugh- 
 ter came in, and said Jesus desired Martha to come to Levi's tent, on the hill- 
 side, and she would remain with me. Martha threw on her mantle, and stepped 
 forth in the dark, hastened away to her bereaved sister. 
 
 When the sun arose, Peter came in, and said, " I must bear you away to the 
 tent, as the heathen are cutting down all of the Hebrews in the city, and in all 
 of the country round about." He wrapped me in his own coat, and bore me in 
 his arms, until we reached the foot of the hill, then I said, " Let me down upon 
 my feet, and I will try and walk." Then he led me up the hill. As I entered 
 there, I fell down beside the two holy children of destiny. There I lay, until I 
 was borne along, on a hide brought from Peter's. Thus, day by day, I was 
 borne along, until the eleventh day. But in the night God called rae away, and 
 
98 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 I was blessed by the change. And now if humanity is willing to be blessed by 
 the changes wrought by Almighty God since that fearful condition in the history 
 of man, they may be blessed indeed. Light, my Father God, light from thee, 
 that I may read the destiny of coming ages. Freedom's notes are everywhere 
 vibrating upon the air. Angels are walking the earth ; knowledge is diffused 
 everywhere ; souls are inspired to read the book of life. Then the wicked will 
 no more hide by day, or seek to do evil by night. Then the infinite v;ill be made 
 manifest through his creations. Then God will be acknowledged all in all, and 
 his children a portion of himself. And you, my daughter, will go down to your 
 grave, filled with love for humanity, but they can never know you. There we 
 will leave you, in the hands of God, and his angel children. You have borne 
 my burden, and I would bless you. My work is done for all coming time, for 
 the inhabitants of earth. Farewell. I am the poor, frail man called Lazarus, 
 brother to Martha and Mary. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 PETER'S DECLARATION AS IT WAS. 
 
 I WAS born in Seleucia. My father was a heathen herdsman. I was his first- 
 born. I grew to manhood, believing in idols, having been taught that doctrine 
 from my earliest recollection. Having eight brothers, I v/as not needed to care 
 for the flocks and herds, and I became a fisherman. My father assisted me in 
 building a boat large enough to hold three of us, when we chose to go together, 
 and all of the fish we should catch in the stream in a day. I took to myself a 
 companion, and God gave us seven children. I caught fish, and exchanged 
 them with the inhabitants for barley meal, camel's hair, and goats' hides, in 
 order that my family could be clothed and fed. My family grew, and I was 
 compelled to go to Joppa, that my eldest children could get employment, and 
 help care for the rest. There I built a boat, and fixshed along the shore of the 
 sea, until I felt my family would die, as there was nothing for them to do, and I 
 could not exchange my fish for barley meal. I then journeyed across the 
 country to Jericho. There I remained until I was compelled to flee the country, 
 being accused of heresy. I sought the river Jordan, and launched my frail 
 bark, bearing away my family to a country called Bethsheba. There I heard, 
 by a heathen, that there was a Hebrew man healing the sick through Judea's 
 border, by knowledge none had but himself, and he was not more than two 
 days' journey from there. I answered, " May he come to the humble fisherman, 
 and I will do all I can for him." He looked at me sternly, as he said, " He is 
 going to be beheaded, and you will be denounced as a heretic, if you dare assist 
 him." From that four days passed away, and I was watching every passer by, 
 when I saw a frail man coming directly toward me. I accosted him in heathen 
 dialect. He answered in Hebrew. I then said to him, in his own tongue, 
 '' Come in." He entered my little hut, and I begun to ask if he had heard any- 
 thing of a Hebrew, that had been healing Judea's people, by a law no one could 
 comprehend. He smiled, as he answered, " God's law controls disease, as well 
 as his mighty creations, and if we live in accordance with the law, we shall be 
 blessed by the law." I saw a ray of light beside him. His eyes closed, and 
 he begun : " Holy Creator God holds his own created by the law that created 
 
TESTIMONY OF PETER. 99 
 
 them, through conditions that are brought in contact with his created. Listen, 
 brother, God's created are caused to feel that this man has more knowledge than 
 they can comprehend, and they seek to destroy him because they fear light. 
 They will destroy this body, but the inner man will be borne away, to a higher 
 condition. There he will remain until God can free a portion of this earth, then 
 he will be brought back again, and you, Peter, will be beside him, and you will 
 remain there until God is acknowledged, and his angel children are recognized 
 by earth's inhabitants. There you will remain until your earth labor is done, 
 then you will be borne back to your own family, and there find rest." I asked, 
 " Cannot I finish all there is for me to do, in this body ? " He answered, 
 " God's command must \>e obeyed, and you, brother, will be called upon to leave 
 your home, and follow him, until he is hung upon the cross." I said, " When 
 shall I be called ? " He answered, " When the hour comes, all will be made 
 plain." He then called my family around him, as he stood in the centre of the 
 room, then raised his hands above his head, and called on the living God to hold 
 my family from heathen deception, and lead them to the knowledge of the truth. 
 Even while he prayed, my eldest daughter was entranced, and shouted, " Glory 
 to God, the humble can have a home, not made with hands, eternal in the 
 heavens." Then she folded her arms around Jesus, and said, " Brother, God is 
 here. Let us hold him before us, in all we do." Then Jesus replied, "Angel 
 sister, I am made to feel that I am blessed above men, by God giving me a 
 heart that beats for all good, whether it be in a hut, or in high places, and above 
 all, that he leaves you beside me, to lead and guide me on." " Wait here, dear 
 brother," she said, " until you are rested, then I will lead you to a den of dark- 
 ness, that the poor benighted souls may receive light." Jesus remained with 
 me, at that time, two days and two nights. Then he knelt and prayed, ere he 
 bade us farewell. But when he turned to go away, I said, " Can I not go with 
 you, in this hour?" "No," he answered, "but I will come to you again, ere 
 you begin your v»ork. God bless you, Peter," he said, " I am going among the 
 Sodomites. Pray for me." When he had gone my heart ached, as it never 
 ached before. 
 
 I heard in after time he wrought a good work among children of darkness. 
 The heathen feared him, until they saw his good works. Then they feared the 
 priesthood. There being a drought in that country, I was compelled to go with 
 my family, bearing northward, to a country called Niabak, in heathen dialect. 
 There I lived, and caught fish in the Jordan. Many years passed away ere I 
 saw the holy face of the humble brother again. When he came to my home 
 again, I was drunk. God forgive me. I make the acknowledgment before 
 humanity, and pray to be forgiven by them. And from that time, I never tasted 
 strong drink but once as long as I lived. He remained with us that night. 
 From that time I never saw him again until he assisted me vv^hen I had been 
 tossed in my frail bark upon the river, when I thought I should be drowned. 
 After he had assisted me from the boat, that had been tossed upon the shore by 
 the waves, he said to me, " God has saved you from death, Peter ; now save 
 yourself from drunkenness." There I stood, with his arm around me, to keep 
 me from falling. As he raised my bottle before me, and said, " Look, Peter, 
 God has dashed your boat, and I will dash your bottle." Then he threw it into 
 the waves, and I heard it dash against a rock. Then I looked for my boat, and 
 it was dashed to pieces upon the rocks. The rain fell fearfully, and the thun- 
 ders shook the earth around me. Night was covering earth with her dark 
 mantle, and there I sat until the tempest subsided. The winds blew, and I felt 
 God had cursed me for my drunkenness. There I knelt, ere I dare attempt to 
 rise to my feet, and made a vov/ to Almighty God that I would serve him as 
 
100 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 long as I walked in mortal form. From that time I saw the Nazarene no more 
 until after he came down from the mountain, and I met him in my own home. 
 
 After that night I made my vow, I ever felt it was recorded by an angel's 
 hand, and must not be broken ; and I took my family and went to the country 
 near Tyre. Then I left my home and followed him, until he hung upon the 
 cross. And I am blessed by saying I did all I could to relieve him and his 
 mother from suffering. Heathen records declare that I denied him, but how 
 could that be, when I was by his side when he entered the city of Jerusalem, 
 and could have laid my hand upon the magistrate when he assisted him from the 
 ass, and met him at the door when he came out of the council chamber. And I 
 followed him to the hill, where he was hung upon the cross. I was beheaded 
 by a battle axe in the hands of an anointed priest, and, after all, I am accused 
 of denying my holy brother Jesus in the face of many. But I deny it in the 
 face of God's children here on earth, and in the brighter worlds beyond. There 
 I hope ere long to be blest, with my family, as well as the faithful brothers that 
 lay down all they had, their lives, to establish truths, revealed through God's 
 angel children, of life eternal, and the mercies of a living God that endure 
 forever. 
 
 And now farewell, angels of light, that have assisted me in finishing up my 
 work for humanity, by denying the false accusation that has been brought against 
 me for ages. And now, O child of destiny, I am called upon to leave you here 
 in an earthy body, and may the angels direct your steps aright in laying down 
 facts, bereft of fiction, while I go and prepare a home for you, when your work 
 is ended, where the hardened of heart cannot reach you, with curses for 
 denouncing the hypocrite in high places, and defending the downtrodden, that 
 is honest of purpose. Fresh fountains of life will gush up around thy pathway, 
 daughter, for assisting the poor fisherman in freeing himself from the foul stigma 
 of denying his beloved brother in his hour of agony. And for what ? It has 
 been said, a few pieces of silver. And I must add. Humanity, I am ashamed of 
 you, for your lack of faith in God, and your ignorance of the people that 
 inhabited earth but eighteen hundred years ago. Are you, O ye inhabitants of 
 earth, are you all to be forgotten in that short period of time, and are you to 
 leave nothing behind to declare you have lived ? God's holy angel holds a gar- 
 ment to clothe you in, and breathe life into the memory of the past, through 
 inspiration, if you live aright, blessing humanity, and giving God the glory. 
 
 And now, holy God, fold my sister in thy bosom, and hold her from harm 
 while she walks the earth in mortal form. And, O ye angels, assist in preparing 
 a home for the faithful that have assisted in freeing me from the false accusation 
 of denying him that hung upon the cross. 
 
 Dictated by myself, Peter, the humble fisherman. 
 
 Remarks. — How can we bless man more than to free him from a foul stigma 
 that has been heaped upon him without a cause ? Answer, reader, and let your 
 acts proclaim you a holy liberator. — Stephen Girard. 
 
TESTIMONY OF SIMON. 101 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 SIMON, THE BROTHER OF PETER AND ANDREW. 
 
 We were all reared among the herdsmen. I am Simon, the fifth born of 
 Mihaak. He was of Armenian blood, and my mother was Caldea's daughter. 
 My father blessed his family by his honesty and correct dealings with man. 
 His greatest desire w^s that his eight boys should grow up truthful. As he 
 used to say, "If my boys are truthful, it will be an inheritance that will en- 
 dure forever." Reared in hardship and coarse fare, we grew up capable of 
 great endurance. But misfortunes did come. My father was away from home. 
 Peter had gone to the border country. Another brother, next to Peter, with 
 two of the younger, had gone to Babylonia with cattle, which they did every 
 year. I was left at home, with the two youngest, to care for the cattle in the 
 highlands. When I left home at early dawn my mo'.her said : " Hasten home 
 early. It will be lonely here, with none but this little lad." I answered, "I will 
 hasten home." I did hasten home, but I found my mother dead on her bed, 
 and my little brother dead at the door. Then I made an oath, if God would 
 spare my life it should be dedicated to the extermination of the heathen brutes 
 in priestly robes, as a neighbor herdsman had seen eight priests enter our home 
 in the afternoon. Night closed in upon us, and we were alone with our dead 
 mother and brother. Father came home in the evening, and his despair knew 
 no bounds. He fled that home, and fled it forever. From that time we had no 
 home, and my father died in the mountains. I fled from the herds, hardly 
 knowing what course to take. As night closed in, I found myself nearing a city. 
 It was called Sora. Here I was called to feel all the bitterness of a boy without 
 friends or home. I sat dov/n by a great building called the Mosleum. As I 
 sat there, an aged man drew near. I asked him concerning the excitement 
 among the people. He answered, "There is a heretic in the city and he is 
 holding forth on the square." As I had lived in the highlands, I had known 
 nothing of the commotion in the lowlands. I arose to my feet, and held my 
 way to the square. There I beheld John. He was covered with a camel's-hair 
 cloak ; but his garments beneath were but rags. I drew near him, and he ex- 
 claimed : " God has brought you here, brother ! There is a to be work for you to 
 do. Come here." All of his followers answered : "Glory to God. Another has 
 come to assist us. Let us begin our work even now." Then we all drew away 
 from the multitude, and went upon a green slope, away from the city. There I 
 met my brother Andrew and the two younger brothers that went away with him. 
 He did not feel it was best for the younger ones to continue with us ; but they 
 could go to a brother of my mother, and remain there. 
 
 Here we prepared for a journey toward Antioch at early dawn. But, ere we 
 started, we knelt and prayed for God to direct us ; and, ere we arose to our feet, 
 a holy breath was upon my brow, and a life diffused itself into mine own, that I 
 had never felt before, and I shouted : " Hasten away, ere it is too late. Bear on 
 toward Chaledon. My brother Jesus will call for help, and how can he receive 
 it but through the faithful and true, God's own chosen children.?" John an- 
 swered : " Hail, thou angel of light ! Lead us to our brother, and we will lay 
 down all for humanity, that they ma)'^ behold thee as thou art, their father, God." 
 And then we all arose to our feet. Then John said, "Dear sister, draw near, 
 and lead us onward." All in an instant, a mighty electric shock went over us. 
 
102 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 and an echo came back, to " Hasten, oh, hasten away, else it be too late." We 
 did speed on many a league that day, and when night closed in upon us, we 
 entered a herdsman's hut, where we lay down and slept. There God's angels 
 hovered around us as we knelt in prayer. Thus we continued from day to day 
 to hasten forward, sometimes finding a shelter, but oftener finding no covering 
 but the ether blue, and days wdth nothing to eat. At last we reached Chaledon, 
 and in that holy abode of angels I looked upon the holiest thing that ever 
 inhabited a human form. I said to Jude, " Is he a mortal, or is he a spirit ? " 
 His face w^as like chiselled marble, with rays of light all around him. And when 
 he knelt in prayer, my breath went out of me, and I fell back, and I saw him 
 that was kneeling in prayer hanging upon the cross, and all the rest being de- 
 stroyed, some in one way, and som.e in another. And I even saw myself hang- 
 ing upon the gallows, widi my brother Andrew and two others. 
 
 In the morning, we started for Antioch, where we healed the sick, and de- 
 clared God's presence and the presence of his angel children. We remained 
 there until the day following ; but, as the sun was going dov/n, a great commotion 
 commenced among the Hebrews, and we were forced to flee the city, and we 
 made our way toward the city of Jerusalem ; but, ere we reached there, we were 
 met by a multitude, and among them there w^ere a band of singers, and they 
 sang : " Hosanna, hosanna ! the angels are coming. They bring us glad tidings 
 of homes that are beyond, where the taskmaster can no longer bind us. We 
 will follow the light, until we find rest in this home." Many felt a holy calm 
 come over them, while others were restless. There the multitude was held, 
 through the holy influences that controlled Jesus, until his life nearly went out 
 with the influence, and he fell to the earth, a poor, helpless thing. 
 
 That night we lay dow^n upon the greensward and slept, and it was the last 
 sleep I ever knew earthy. The next day we entered through the gates into the 
 city. And as we passed along, many accosted us thus : " Heal, oh, heal us, lest 
 we die." I lay hands upon a poor female that was bowed down with a contrac- 
 tion of the cords ; and as my hands were reached out toward her, God's child 
 filled me full of her own life, and said: "Arise, O woman, and go and declare 
 what God has done for you." She stood erect, and walked away, declaring 
 God's power was upon her. Here they gathered from all directions. We 
 healed from morn until night, and no one said, " Come and eat." Faint and 
 exhausted, as night began to fill earth with its darkness, I was caught and 
 dragged av/ay by my hair. Then my vision was fulfilled, and I was hung upon 
 the gallows, and my body was left there until midday following. And here I 
 must answer to the human family, that ages on ages passed away after my spirit 
 was borne away from earth, ere I returned again here on earth, in order I could 
 give my testimony concerning the humble man Jesus, and his faithful followers, 
 that laid down all they had that man could be held from the heathen devices 
 that man follows to-day. But the future will declare God's wonders, and those 
 mighty changes will be sealed with blood, and human sacrifices will be offered 
 up, until humanity will say, with one accord, '' Thou art my Father and my God, 
 and thy laws I will obey." Farewell, holy child of God ; I shall meet you ere 
 long where priestcraft cannot chain God's rays of light that fall around you, 
 even here ; and there the cold-hearted cannot crush you. Fifty-seven years I 
 have been beside you, and I long to bear you beyond. I shall meet you there. 
 God grant my earnest prayer, as that is the fulfilling of all of my desires that 
 can bless me on this earthly ball. Adieu ! adieu ! I must go on to prepare, as 
 many are coming home ere another spring shall bedeck earth with the beautiful 
 flowers that will fill the air with their sweet aroma. A home for the heretics of 
 tiie present must be set in order. 
 
 I am Siiiion, the herdsman's son. Farewell ! 
 
TESTIMONY OF ANDREW. ^^v"^^^ 
 
 .\. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 ANDREW, THE HERDSMAN. 
 
 Providence, May 28, 1870. 
 
 I WAS a Caldean. My father was a herdsman, and he had eight boys. I was 
 the fourth one. I was herding my cattle on the hillside, and as the sun was 
 going down, as it was a custom among the herdsmen to leave their cattle secure, 
 and go home for the night ; and as I had got ready to start for my home, I 
 espied a lad coming toward me. His face and arms were bare, but fearfully 
 burned by the hot rays of the sun. " Come here, little boy," I said. " Have 
 you got lost.? " He answered, " God loses none of his children, but, in his own 
 due time, he calls them all home." He answered : " My home is where God's 
 children are, while I walk the earth. But when God calls me away, I have a 
 home beyond." Then I said, " Have you a home for to-night ? " He said, " Can 
 I go home with ycu, and sleep in your home ? If you will let me, I will go away 
 at early dawn." I said, '' Come, boy, let me take hold of your hand, you seem 
 so tired." He lay his hand in mine, and we went down into the valley together. 
 When we reached our home, my mother said, " Where did you get that poor 
 little frail boy .? And he is all burned with the hot sun ; he must be bathed in 
 cool milk and water." I then said, " Boy, are you not hungry? " He answered, 
 " I am hungry, as I have had nothing to eat since day before yesterday." Then 
 my mother gave him some bread and milk. But ere he tasted, he knelt down 
 and prayed. Then he arose to his feet, and said, " I will eat my bread and 
 milk. Then, if you would let me lay down and rest, I am so tired." After he 
 had eaten, my mother bathed him all over with milk and water ; then she laid 
 him down on a fresh hide, and he fell asleep. In the evening, when my father 
 came home, he saw the boy laying there, and he looked at me and said, " What 
 beggar have you been bringing home .? " He then added, " My family are more 
 than I can take care of, without bringing in beggars." He said no more ; but 
 early in the morning the boy arose, and prepared to go away. Even my father 
 had not arose from his bed, but he was awake. But as the boy was going out, 
 my father called to him, and said : " How is it, boy, you are going around the 
 country? Have you no home?" He answered, "My home is in a brighter 
 world beyond, and I long to go there." Then he said, " I have a father and a 
 mother, but they are poor, and my father is a carpenter." " What is your 
 father's name?" said my father. ''Joseph," he answered, "and Mary is my 
 mother." " Are they Hebrews ? " he said. The boy answered, " My father is 
 a Hebrew, and my mother's blood is from Holland, through Sodom's border." 
 " Then," said m.y father, " if you have a father and mother, you had better be at 
 home with them, than to go around the country, half starved, and getting all 
 burned up, as you are now." Then the boy answered, " My God calls, I must 
 obey, and if death falls upon me, he will bear me away." Then my father said: 
 " He is a poor, sickly thing. Here, wife, give him a piece of bread, that he 
 may not starve to death, and I would like to know, boy, what is your name." 
 He answered: "My name is Jesus. I was named for my grandfather, — Mary's 
 father." Then, as he turned away, he said, " God bless you, boy ; this bread 
 will keep me two or three days." 
 
 How my heart beat, when he reached out his hand to me. A holy feeling 
 fell over me, and I could not help shedding tears, and I said, " Stop one mo- 
 
104 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 ment, boy." I went to my mother, and asked her if there was not a buckskin 
 shirt she could give the boy. She said, " I have one that Peter left at home, 
 the last time he was here." She brought it forward, and I assisted him to put 
 it on. He then said: "Farewell, God's children all. I shall see you again, 
 brother, after many days ; but your mother will be destroyed by the dark 
 heathens, good as she is." He then went away, and I did not see him again 
 for twenty-two years and four months. But from time to time I heard from him. 
 He was seen sometimes in Antioch, Cana, Bethpage, Shina, and Jerusalem, and 
 all along the border country. And again, and again, a price was set upon his 
 head, but no one could find him. But in after time another heretic came to 
 Caldea, and his name was John ; but, when I drew near him, I felt the same 
 holy calm fall over me that I felt in the presence of the boy, Jesus. I followed 
 him from place to place, until I felt I could not live without him. And when 
 John fled Caldea, I followed him, and when we reached Chaledon, there I 
 looked upon the holy angel again, but he was a man. I folded my arms around 
 him, and did not leave him again, until we entered Jerusalem. There I, with 
 three others, was dragged away and hung, while the rest of the followers of 
 John and Jesus fled. If I had not attempted to have held Jude from his father, 
 Caiphas, I, too, could have had a chance to have got away, but as it was de- 
 signed, so it was fulfilled ; and all I can say is, God doeth all things well. Holy, 
 Infinite, Father God, I will declare thy glory here, hereafter, and forever ! God 
 bless you, dear friend, for inscribing for me that which I have borne along for 
 this day, and this hour. I am now going to my friends. They have long been 
 calling for me, but I could not go until my work was done here for this age. 
 Come to me, dear sister, when your work is done, that will surely free millions 
 of human souls. A place will be prepared for you, — a holy place of rest. Now 
 farewell ! Farewell ! I am Andrew, the herdsman. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE HISTORY OF MARY MAGDALEN, THE POOR, DE- 
 SPISED SCARLET WOMAN OF ANTIOCH. 
 
 December 20, 1870. 
 
 Here I am before you, holy revelator, filled with fear and trembling, lest I 
 should be driven away. Yet, frail as I am, I trust God has cleansed me, and 
 forgiven my many sins. Hurled, as I was, into the jaws of darkness, through 
 my ignorance of the inhabitants of the age in which I lived. Indeed, I was one 
 of the children of destiny. 
 
 Early in life I lost my father, and I being all they had, my mother felt she 
 could care for me, by preparing bread for travellers, that used to journey from 
 city to city, in caravans. One day there came one to our home, and asked my 
 mother if he could have bread there for a few days. My mother answered, " I 
 do not prepare beds for travellers, but as you are so feeble, it would not be well 
 for you to go away." I was then about fifteen. He was of high blood, from 
 the council of the court, in Jerusalem. He looked upon me with favor, and I 
 thought him the most holy man I had ever looked upon. Many days passed 
 
THE HISTORIC SKETCH OF MARY MAGDALEN. 105 
 
 away, and he lingered still. My mother saw he was suffering from some cause, 
 she could not comprehend. At last she said to him, " Had you not better go to 
 your people, as this is a desolate spot, unbefitting one like you ?" " How I 
 wish I could stay here forever," he replied, "as I know my doom, as soon as 
 I reach the court. My father is determined I shall marry one of the courtier's 
 daughters ; but I cannot live, and be compelled to live with that woman, as my 
 companion. But give, oh, give, me your daughter, and I will bless her." " No," 
 said my mother : " she is all I have, and she must remain with me." 
 
 That day a messenger arrived from his father, demanding his immediate 
 presence. He turned to my mother, and said, " If I could delay the marriage 
 until the courtier is dead, I should be free, as he has a demand upon my father ; 
 and he claims me for his daughter. But, if I am freed, can I have your daugh- 
 ter in marriage?" My mother answered, "If it please God, she shall be 
 yours." Then he bowed to my mother, and said, " God bless you, woman." 
 Then he turned to me, and reached out his hand, and I lay my palm in his. 
 He groaned in despair, while I wept in agony. He then let fall my hand, and 
 hastened away. But after he was gone, I felt as if I could not live, and not see 
 him again. I knew he was to be married in Antioch, and remain there for 
 a time. Two days passed away, and I was determined to look upon him, even 
 if he was the husband of another. Therefore, unbeknown to my mother, I fled 
 my home, and bore away my best garments. I believed, if I could reach An- 
 tioch, I should look upon him, and then I would hasten home again. I reached 
 the city in the after part of the day, but I saw nothing of him. I saw night 
 was approaching, and fear fell upon me. I dare not leave the city, and none 
 bade me come. As I went from lane to lane, and street to street, I saw the 
 lights were being extinguished. I saw a female about to enter a humble home. 
 I asked her if I could go in with her, feeling if she was humble, she must 
 be good. She said, " Come in." But when the door was closed, I saw four 
 anointed priests sitting at the board, drinking strong drink. One of them said, 
 " Come, damsel, have a cup of strong drink, it will do you good." I turned 
 away, and burst into tears. After a time, he arose from the board, and took 
 hold of my arm, as he said, "You are mine for to-night." I said : " I would go 
 to my mother. I will go, even now. Go away from the city, that I may flee 
 from here." But my entreaties were of no avail, and he dragged me into an- 
 other apartment. There he kept me until the day following. When he went 
 away, he said, " Stay here, and I will return at nightfall." But, as soon as he 
 was gone, I fled that den of shame 
 
 None can comprehend the despair that settled upon me. When night came 
 on I hid beneath the ferns, but when the day dawned, I crept out, and made 
 my way to a humble cot, and asked for a piece of bread. The poor woman 
 answered, " Bread I have none ; meal I have none ; naught but a few kernels 
 of corn, and I will give you a handful." I took the corn and turned away 
 from that door, not knowing where to go. At that time there was a great 
 disturbance among all of the inhabitants, concerning a man that came in 
 their midst, declaring to them all, that they were filled with darkness, and 
 nothing but the knowledge of God could free them. I listened, but I dare 
 not give answer, feeling I was doomed to die, and die in darkness. I 
 had been made to feel I was diseased, and in that desolate condition I 
 was crushed, as there was none to come to me, and save me. Two days 
 more passed away. I was nearly famished, and I went by the wayside, and 
 sat there all the day, hoping some one would give me alms. Night came, 
 and I sat there still. There I was, bowed in grief, and I sank down upon 
 the ground, unable to rise. Soon I heard voices, and they drew near. One 
 
106 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 of them exclaimed, "Here is a damsel; she will comfort us." I raised my 
 head, and there stood eighteen confessors. One said, " Come, damsel, get 
 up." I said : " I am unable to rise, I am dying with hunger and disease. 
 Go away, and let me die alone." They, laughing, said, " She thinks to 
 frighten us away. Come, damsel, drink this ; it will do you good," at the 
 same time holding before me a cup of strong drink. I turned away, then 
 he said, "You must drink, or we shall compel you." I seized the cup, and 
 drank it all, then I fell back, and knew no more, until morning began to 
 dawn. I seemed to awake, as from death, and as I looked around, I felt 
 to exclaim, " Am I among the living, or am I among the dead ? " No answer 
 came to me, but I saw I was in a strange place. I attempted to rise, but I 
 fell back again. A little w^ay from me lay four confessors, so drunk they 
 did not awake. I then crept away, beneath a hedge, and I was in the main 
 road. There I sat, unable to rise. There I sat, hoping death would come 
 to my reUef. I heard some one coming, and a poor Hebrew approached me. 
 As he stooped and raised me up, he said, " The heathen brutes have crushed 
 the fairest flower in Antioch, and God's own hand will crush them to atoms." 
 Then he led me to his own home, where I remained for weeks. There I got 
 strength, but was not healed. 
 
 One day I was sitting beside the door. I saw a band of confessors coming. 
 All bore along a club in one hand, and a stone in the other. I felt they 
 were coming to destroy me. I fled them ; how I never knew. I stopped not, 
 nor did I linger, until I had fled at least a league and a half. Then I espied 
 a Hebrew hut, and drew near, but ere I entered there, I saw a humble man, 
 dressed in rags. He accosted me, thus, " Woman, ho\v is it you are bowed 
 down, and youth still upon you.?" I answered: "I am doomed to die by that 
 band of confessors. They have all been diseased by me." He asked, " How 
 is it you became diseased ? " I answered : " An anointed priest came to me, 
 in a den of shame, where I sought shelter, and he diseased me. But that 
 band of confessors dragged me away, against my will, and all became diseased. 
 I sought to hold myself away from them, but they dragged me away, I knew 
 not where. You being a Hebrew, they will demand of you my death, at their 
 hands." As they drew near, he conversed with them for a time, then he 
 shouted, " Holy, Almighty God, decide between these brutes in mortal form, 
 and this poor, deluded, crushed flower, in Jacob's blood." Then he said : 
 " Daughter of holy blood, stand you apart from all. Man has damned )^ou, but 
 God, never. Let God decide between you." Then he said : " Come you, that 
 is without sin, let him cast the first stone. But if any raise his arm, that 
 has wronged any, God will not hold him guiltless of this murder." At that 
 moment my breath fled me, and I knew no more, until an aged woman knelt 
 beside me, and was bathing my head with cold water. There I remained until 
 the sun was passing out of sight, then the aged woman said I had better go 
 away, lest harm should befall her friends, that would return at night, if they 
 were not cut off. I asked her who that holy man was, that saved my life. 
 She answered, " It is the first-born of my cousin Mary, and he has a price set 
 upon his head, and his name is Jesus." 
 
 Then I bade her adieu, and made my way among the beggars that had 
 encamped in the valley below. I learned by them that that man was to be 
 crucified, but it had been decided by the council that he should be chained, and 
 scourged, first, that all should see what the doom of a deceiver would be, if 
 they sought to deceive the people. 
 
 I heard no more of him, for a time, but I felt to leave the country, where my 
 life was sought for. Day after day I journeyed along, hardly knowing where, 
 
THE HISTORIC SKETCH OF MARY MAGDALEN. 107 
 
 until I reached Tyre. As I was wandering about, I came to a Hebrew's hut, 
 where one Peter dwelt. In the evening Peter came in, and said : " Simeon came 
 down from the mountains, to get bread for his brother, and the priests destroyed 
 him, and Mary fell sick, as the grief was more than she could bear, and she is 
 dangerously ill, in a kennel, where the confessors kept their dogs. I dared 
 not go to her, but a heathen lad told me all, and he added, ' they are all going 
 to be killed. They have put Joseph in a cave, and covered it o'er, and they have 
 bound him, so he cannot get up, and the big man, the one next to him, that has 
 hid in the mountains, they have beat to death with stones and clubs, and there 
 is one that is away, and he will be caught, as soon as he comes to look for his 
 family,' this being the eleventh day after Jesus left his home in Tyre." I being 
 too feeble to search for the Hebrew woman, there I remained with Peter's 
 family for m.any days. As I was sitting by the fire, it being chill winter, the 
 light was lit, and the children were huddled together to keep themselves warm, 
 there came a gentle rap at the door, and Peter's wife bade them come in. The 
 door swung back, and a female stood before us, almost entirely bereft of 
 clothing. She had about her waist an old coat and nothing more. She 
 tottered along and knelt beside the children, and raised her hand, and said: 
 " Children, we have brought this poor, frail body here, that you may care for 
 her until her son comes down from the mountains, then we will bear her away 
 from here, and you will be troubled with her no more at present." Then she 
 added, " I wdll now return to my brother, that is dying for food, and you, frail 
 daughter of destiny, will come and bring him food, and I will guide you to 
 him." Then the influence left that poor, sick body. She sat down, unable 
 to rise. Then Peter came in, and exclaimed, *' God has brought you here, 
 
 woman, that you may live until Jesus comes down from the mountains. 
 Mary, dear Mary," he said, "the hand of God is upon you. Joseph is buried 
 alive ; James is beaten to death ; Simeon is beheaded ; they have caught Jesse, 
 and are going to feed him to the wild beasts, yonder, as I was told by the 
 keeper. When I asked him what made them so restless, * No food have they 
 had for one day and a half, but to-morrow they will be fed with the heretic' 
 * Spare, oh, spare him,' I said, but his answer was, * it is the order of the priest- 
 hood, and I must obey,' and I could hear no more, and hastened away. But 
 here is the poor mother. God has bereft her of reason, that she may live until 
 Jesus comes dov.n from the mountains." Then he lay his hand in that of 
 Mary's, and she looked up so calm, but broken-hearted, as she said : " God 
 doeth ail things well. Joseph will come home, by and by, and he will bring us 
 barley meal enough, and to spare. But who will carry bread to my dear Jesus, 
 that is starving, nov/ Simeon is dead ? " 
 
 Here Peter burst into tears, and wept until he could weep no longer. Then 
 he said, " I will have bread for this woman and my starving children, if I beg 
 for it." Then he left that home, and did not return until the next day. But 
 when he returned, he had a bag of meal and a piece of dried beef. His wife 
 asked him where he got it. He answered, " God directed, and my brother gave 
 it me." Then gruel was prepared for the family, and Ivlary drank freely. The 
 sun was rising higher, and still higher, and I was directed to say, " Prepare, oh, 
 prepare the bread ; let me haste away." The bread was prepared, and before 
 
 1 could begin my journey, Mary had fled us, and none knew whither. But the 
 rumor spread from house to house, that the Hebrew heretic had been devoured 
 by wild beasts. I did not wait to hear any more, but I wrapped my cloak 
 around me, starting, not knowing how, to find him. I sought that he could be 
 held from, death. 
 
 As the night settled around me, my heart beat hea^y, and I asked God to 
 
108 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 direct me. Then a ray of light fell around me, and I heard a clear voice say, 
 "Hasten, oh, hasten, ere it be too late." "Lead, oh, lead me," I said, "that 
 I may find him, ere he dies. He held me from death, when I was to be beaten 
 down by those heathen anointed confessors." She answered : " He will die, 
 unless you reach yon cliff, ere the moon sinks behind the hill. Reach there, and 
 rest until day dawns again, then I will come to you, and guide you on." That 
 light left me, and another power came to me, which seemed to bear me along, 
 as upon the breeze. When I had reached the high cliff, my breath was gone, 
 and I sat down and rested until day dawned. But even when the stars had not 
 ceased to shine, I went on my way. Higher, and still higher I was borne, until 
 I was entirely exhausted. Then I sat down upon a shelving rock, knowing full 
 well I could go no farther, unless I had help from the power that bore me there. 
 But I called, and got no answer. There I sat, bowed down with disease and 
 grief. Again I called and listened. I heard a deep groan, as if wafted on the 
 breezes, and it gave me hope. I then arose to my feet and climbed down the 
 rock, into a ravine. There I saw that holy man lying on the ground, and I gave 
 answer, " Holy God, he is dead." I flew to him, and lay my hand upon his 
 back, and I felt his heart beat. Then I raised him up, and bore him back, and 
 laid him down beneath the shelving rock, upon some boughs and leaves, where 
 he had lain for days. Then I took his cap, and brought water from the spring 
 below, and held it to his lips, and bathed his head. His breath came deep, and 
 he said, " Prepare some bread ; he is dying for food." I gave him some, but he 
 ate but a few crumbs, then he lay back and fell asleep. There I sat all the rest 
 of that day and night. But in the morning his breath cama deep, and said, 
 " Daughter, you will die, and Jesus will die, but his work is not yet done, 
 and you have not yet declared God in the face of the heathens. I brought you 
 here, daughter, and I will bear you down again. You know me not, but my 
 name is Lubarth, the father of Abraham, and my blood runs through Judea's 
 and Caldea's children, and I watched God's changes, as I do know through that 
 blood, earth's benighted chileren are to be freed from bondage, and then the 
 children of darkness will ask how it is they are not freed also. Then the answer 
 will come to them, * Free yourselves from priestcraft, then you are free indeed.' 
 But ages on ages must pass away, daughter, ere God can free his children, that 
 have the light, from the oppression of his created in darkness." Then he 
 awoke, and said : " I am feeble. Who can heal a bruised spirit ? " 
 
 I then forgot all ; but I w^as afterwards told that God's child breathed her 
 life into my life, and spoke words of comfort to the bruised spirit of that frail 
 man. When I awoke, I said : " I will bring you water. Eat some bread. I 
 will go back into the heathen fires and declare God and his children. I can 
 but die." He said, " I may get strong enough to go a part of the way with 
 you in the after part of the day." I answered : " No ; stay where you are. I 
 will come here once more, ere you go down for the last time, and are hung upon 
 the cross." I saw he shook all over, but he gave no answer. I then left him, 
 and was borne down, even as I had climbed the mountain, not knowing how. 
 When I reached the lowlands, I dared not enter the city, as I heard by a beg- 
 gar that the heathens were cutting off the Hebrews everywhere. Then a voice 
 came to me, saying, " Finish your w^ork ; hasten back to the mountains ; bring 
 down the lamb that he may be slaughtered, that his blood may quench the fires 
 of hell that burns in the heart of priesthood." I asked, " Can I reach him 
 alive ? " The breath answered : " God is mighty. You will return again, then 
 you will die." "Amen," I said, and turned to retrace my steps. Again I was 
 borne along, who can tell m.e how. But, when morning dawned, I was beside 
 him. I said, "The hour has come; hasten down, as your presence is de- 
 
THE HISTORIC SKETCH OF MARY MAGDALEN. 109 
 
 manded among the many that must die. You will give them strength, dear 
 brother, even if you die in their midst." Then we started, and all that day we 
 climbed down the mountains ; but as the sun went down we reached the foot 
 of the mountain; and, as the dark night shielded us, I sought Peter's hut. 
 There I sat down, entirely exhausted. Peter left the hut with Jesus, and I 
 never saw him after. 
 
 Two days had passed away, and I knelt in prayer with the children of the 
 poor fisherman. Even then a heathen lad came to the door, and fled again ; 
 but on the next day four confessors came and caught me by the hair, and 
 dragged me away, and cut off my head. Holy, eternal distance has been my 
 home, and I have been brought back to declare how I became an outcast, that 
 others may learn a lesson from my destiny and be blessed. O ye daughters of 
 the holy land of freedom, look. When I dwelt in mortal form, women were 
 held as slaves to the brute desires of man ; but now you can stand forth and 
 defend your ovrn rights, and none dare bid you hold your peace. And now the 
 poor, despised scarlet woman of Antioch, IMary Magdalen, has been accused of 
 holding seven devils in that poor, frail body ; but humanity shall be my judge 
 whether the seven devils belonged to me or the priests and confessors that dis- 
 eased me, and then sought to destroy me. Holy, infinite expanse of ideality, I 
 have been judged by thee. Condemnation belongs to the destroyer, and not 
 the destroyed. IMan oft errs in his judgment, but God never. I must give 
 answer. The devils that sought to destroy the body could not destroy the inner 
 life of that body ; but God held it in his own bosom for ages, ere I was com- 
 manded to go back to earth and declare myself a poor child of destiny, and de- 
 clare what I knew concerning the man Jesus. 
 
 And now may God plant his earth flowers all over earth, and may they bloom 
 untrampled beneath the feet of men in priestly robes, and may their sweet 
 aroma be wafted to every clime until the glory of God fills all earth through his 
 own created children ; and may the angels assist you, my sister, in finishing up 
 your earth labor, and may you have strength given, according to your day, in 
 laying down your earthy cares, and may your holy gift of inspiration free 
 human souls that are chained and bound in heathen darkness. Hold thyself 
 firm before thy oppressors. God is mighty, and he will hold his own from fear, 
 and bear them home to rest. 
 
 In that bright land where flowers bloom, 
 There is no darkness, death, or gloom; 
 Eternal light will surely reach you there, 
 In that bright land where all is fair. 
 
 The holy breath of angels now is stayed, 
 Until thy form in the earth is laid, 
 And then the happy song we will sing for thee, 
 Come, dear sister, hasten home with me. 
 
 Now I must bid a long farewell, 
 For you, on earth, must longer dwell ; 
 While I shall seek that happy home afar. 
 Where I have dwelt, upon the morning star. 
 
 Farewell ! Farewell ! They call me, I must go ; 
 I must leave you now while you dwell here below : 
 I hear your answer, sister, " I, too, would be free, 
 Mary, I am weary, I would go beyond with thee." 
 
 God bless you, holy revelator, my work is done. You have blessed me, and 
 may God's children bear you over the turbid waters, and bring you safe home 
 
110 LIFE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH. 
 
 to the happy hearts that are beating for their friend, that is toiling on in earth's 
 cares and confusion. Holy Creator, Father God, bless thy children I must 
 leave on earth, and bear them all away to that home where I am going, is the 
 holy prayer of Mary Magdalen, the poor, crushed flower of Antioch. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 CONCLUSION, DRAWN FROM THE INNER LIFE OF 
 JESSE, THE GRANDFATHER OF JESUS, THE SON OF 
 JOSEPH, THE CARPENTER'S SON. 
 
 My father was from the house of David, and I his tenth-bom. He believed 
 in God, and taught his children many things they never forgot or forsook. 
 Joseph was my last-born, and I was called to leave him when he was one year 
 and a half old. And I felt, when I folded him to my bosom for the last time, 
 that his destiny was a fearful one, but how I could not discern. My sight 
 faded away while I gazed upon him, and his last look upon me was anguish. 
 From the time I ceased to be in mortal form, I clung to that child's destiny, and 
 it seemed that my life was interwoven with his life, as long as he dwelt among 
 men. And as I am cognizant of every act of his earth life, I feel to exclaim 
 here, God created a holy thing in Abraham's blood. Bitter was his anguish, 
 fearful was his doom, yet humanity looks upon him as an inferior man, — one 
 that was easily deceived, and did not detect the condition of his beloved Mary, 
 until her form bespoke the deception heaped upon him. But look how un- 
 worthy has been this statement, as I do know they had been married one year 
 and eight days ere their first child was born. And when man detects such 
 unholy fraud, how can he believe further statements of such unworthy, designing 
 bigots ? Mary was a holy damsel, — Joseph was filled with wisdom, — and 
 between the two a holy child was begotten, and when his destiny was held 
 before him, he shrunk from the fulfilment of the demand that was lain upon him. 
 He was nailed to the cross, but he did not die until his body was lain upon a 
 heap of fagots and the splintered cross. There he was freed from that body, 
 and not until then. 
 
 Listen, children of earth; Jesus, my own grandson, possessed all the at- 
 tributes of a man, as well as the attributes of an angel. Receive him as a 
 friend and a brother, but not as a deity, then you will receive him as he is, and 
 you will no longer seek to mystify his creation, but through his teachings you 
 will be led to a bright home beyond, and there find rest among those that lay 
 down all they had for truth's sake. 
 
CONCLUSION. Ill 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 THE LAST INSCRIPTION BEARING UPON THE AGE 
 THAT BROUGHT LIGHT INTO THE WORLD. 
 
 That light has never gone out, but it will grow brighter and brighter, through 
 all of earth's changes, although eighteen hundred and forty years have passed 
 away, and all the fiends, of darkness have been constantly at work to destroy 
 facts, that were made manifest through Jesus and his faithful followers, that 
 were done in the age in which the holy man walked the earth. There were 
 facts relative to spirits controlling mortals, that could not be denied in that age, 
 or in any other that came after, even to the present. I am before the inhabitants 
 of earth, as an author, but I must acknowledge, with so many facts before me, 
 it was utterly impossible to do justice to any part of the history, being so full of 
 incidents, and being compelled to compile them in so small a compass. In this 
 case, as well as in all others, histories, drawn from foreign tongues, must be in- 
 terpreted, ere it can be given to the revelator. And now, if the inhabitants of 
 earth are desirous to comprehend the truth, as it was, they have it as we re- 
 ceived it, and in no other way. And as we breathed it upon another, so it is 
 breathed to you. You that live in nineteen hundred will comprehend this 
 record more fully than the present age, but you that live in the twentieth cen- 
 tury will comprehend every expression given here. Man may seek to smother 
 the light drawn from Almighty God, but its divine rays will blend with every 
 human being that has light enough within him to attract light. The time will 
 surely be, when every child of the Infinite will learn how to extract the life 
 essence from all created things, and then man will not ask for any one to think 
 or pray for him, but he will stand forth, fearless of the opinion of man, and be 
 clothed in his own inheritant garments, that is, light drawn by the law of attrac- 
 tion to himself. And now I can say, with these holy breaths around me, I have 
 finished my work for earth's created, forever and ever, and if the reader is 
 blessed by reading, as much as I have been by assisting in those records, they 
 will be blessed indeed. I leave you, with my best wishes, while I remain the 
 humble brother, 
 
 George Lippard. 
 
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