The Lowly life and bitter Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother

THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION

OF

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

AND

HIS BLESSED MOTHER

" I know' no visions richer, more profound, more wonder
ful, or more thrilling in their nature than those of Sister
Emmerich.

(GOERRES' Mystique}.

V

THE LOWLY LIFE MD BITTER PASSION

OF

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

AND

HIS BLESSED MOTHER

TOGETHER WITH

THE MYSTERIES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

FROM THE

Visions of Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich
As Recorded in the Journal of Clement Brentano

AND EDITED BY

VERY REV. C. E. SCHMOGER, 0. SS. R.

With Permission of the Superiors of his Order

and the
APPROBATION OF THE RIGHT REV. BISHOP OF RATISBON

FROM THE FOURTH GERMAN EDITION
by the Translator of the

LIFE OF ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH

Edited by Very Rev. C. E. SCHMOGER, C. SS. R.

VOLUME III.
DESCL&E, DE BROUWER and C°

LILLE— PARIS -BRUGES.
1914

NIHIL OBSTAT.

Brugis, 25 Martii, 1914.

EM. DE JAEGHER,

Can., lid. cens.

IMPRIMATUR.

s, 27 Martii, 1914.
A. C. DE SCHREVEL

vie. gen.

— 1915

PREACHING AND MIRACLES OF JESUS

IN CAPHARNAUM AND THE SURROUNDING

DISTRICTS

1. CORNELIUS THE CENTURION

From Gabara Jesus went to the estate of the officer
Zorobabel near Capharnaum. The two lepers whom
at His last visit to Capharnaum He had healed,
here presented themselves to return Him thanks. The
steward, the domestics, and the cured son of Zorobabel
also were here. They had already been baptized.
Jesus taught and cured many sick. In the dusk of
the evening, after His disciples had separated and
gone to their respective families, Jesus proceeded
along the valley of Capharnaum to the house of His
Mother. All the holy Women were here assembled,
and there was great joy. Mary and the Women
renewed, their petition to Jesus that He would cross
to the other side of the lake early riext morning
because the committee of the Pharisees was so ir
ritated against Him. Jesus calrhed their fears. Mary
interceded for the sick slave of tne Centurion Cornelius,
who was, she said, a very good. man. Although a
pagan, he had through affection for the Jews built
them a synagogue. She begged .Him likewise to cure
the sick daughter of Jairus, "tie Elder df the syna
gogue, Who lived in a little village not far from
Capharnaum.

When Jesus next morning' with some of the dis
ciples was going to the residence of the pagan officer
Cornelius, which stood on a height to the north of
Capharnaum, He was met in the neighborhood of
Peter's house by the two Jews whom Cornelius had

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 1

Life of Jesus Christ

once before sent to Him. They again begged Him
to have pity on his servant, for Cornelius, they said

iTr:? Khl ff°r- He WaS a friend of the Jews
nad built them a synagogue, reckoning it at the
same time an honor to be allowed to do so Jesus
responded that He was even then on His way to
Cornelius s, and He directed them to despatch
messenger in haste to announce His coming. Before
Capharnaum, Jesus took just to the right
s gate, the road running between the city and
the ramparts and passed the hovel of a leper living
m the city wall. A short distance farther on brought
Cornelius s house in sight. Upon receiving the mes
sage sent by Jesus, Cornelius had left it as if to get
a glimpse of Him. He knelt down and, esteeming
himself unworthy to approach Him or to speak with
[im Personally, hurried off a messenger with these
The Centurion bids me say to Thee, 'Lord
I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my
oof! Speak but one word, and my servant shall
healed. For if I, who am only a humble man

t n suPerior> say to my servant:

this Do that I and he does it, how much more

tfh Wi i^be S* Jhee t0 com^nd Thy servant

be healed and that he should be so!' " When

these words were delivered to Jesus by Cornelius's

messenger, He turned to those standing around and

Verily I say unto ye, Ihave not found such

^

,
A £ G 1, rand the WeSt and Sha11 take Pace

with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in heaven; and many

sL h f Cn °f ^°d'S kin^d0^' the Israelites!
sha be cast out into exterior darkness where there
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth! " Then
turning to the servant of the Centurion, He said-'

th ,'"an4aS °U haSt believed' so be it done to
thee Ihe messenger bore the words to the kneeling

Centurion who inclined to the earth, arose, and
hastened back to the house. As he entered he en-

Jesus in Capharnaum 3

countered his servant, who was coming to meet him,
enveloped in a mantle, his head bound in. a _scarf.
He was not a native of the country, as was indicated
by his yellowish brown complexion.

Jesus immediately turned back to Capharnaum. As
he was again passing the leper's hut, the leper^ himself
came out and threw himself down before Him. " Lord, "
he said, " if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. •'
Jesus replied: "Stretch forth thy hands! He
touched them and said: " I do will it. Be thou
clean! " and 'the leprosy fell from, the man. Jesus
commanded him to present himself to the priests
for inspection, to make the offering prescribed by the
Law, and to speak to none other of his cure. The
man went to the pharisaical priests and submitted
himself to their examination as to whether he was
cured or not. They became enraged, examined him
rigorously, but were forced to acknowledge him cured.
They had so lively a dispute with him that they
almost drove him from their presence.

Jesus turned off into the street that led into the

heart of the city, and for about an hour cured numbers

of sick that had been brought together, also some

possessed. Most of the sick were lying near a well,

around which stood little huts. After that Jesus with

several of the disciples left the city and went to a

little vale beyond Magdalum not far from Damna

There they found a public inn, at which were Maroni,

the widow of Nairn, the pagan Lais of Nairn, and

her two daughters Sabia and Athalia, both of whom

Jesus, when at Meroz, had from1 a distance delivered

from the devil. Maroni, the widow o£ Nairn, now

came beseeching Jesus to go to her son Martial,

a boy of twelve years, who Was so ill that she feared

to find him dead on her return. Jesus told her to

go home in peace, that He would follow her, but

when, He did not say. Maroni had brought with

her presents for the inn. She immediately hurried

4 Life of Jesus Christ

back home with her servant. She had about nine
hours to travel. She was a wealthy woman and very
good, a mother to all the poor children in Nairn.

Bartholomew also had arrived bringing with him
Joses, the little son of his widowed sister, perhaps
to be baptized. Thomas too was there and with
him Jephte, the little cured son of Achias, the Cen
turion of Giskala. Achias himself was not present,
but Judas Iscariot had come from Meroz. Lais and
her two daughters had already embraced Judaism
in Nairn and renounced idolatry before the Jewish
priests. At this ceremony a kind of baptism was
performed by the priests, which however consisted
only of a sprinkling with water and other purifications.
In such cases, the Jews baptized women, but the
baptism of Jesus and of John was not conferred upon
females before Pentecost.

All the future Apostles were now in Capharnaum,
with the exception of Matthias. A great many of
Jesus' disciples and relatives, among the latter many
women related to Him by blood, were present. Of
the number was Mary Heli, Mary's elder sister.
She was now perhaps seventy years old, and together
with her second husband Obed, had come bringing
an ass laden with presents to Mary. She dwelt at
Japha, a little place, an hour at most from Nazareth,
\\here Zebedee once lived and where his sons were
born. She was greatly rejoiced at seeing again her
three sons, James, Sadoch, and Heliacim, all dis
ciples of John. This James was as old as Andrew.
11'- is the same that with two other disciples, Cephas
and John, once disputed with Paul on the subject of
Jewish circumcision. After Jesus' death he became
a priest, and was one of the oldest and friost distinguish
ed of the seventy disciples. Later he accompanied
the Greater to Spain, to the islands, into
nis, and into the idolatrous countries bordering
the confines of Judea. Not this James, but James

Cure of One Possessed 5

the Lesser, the son of Alpheus and Mary Cleophas,
became the first Bishop of Jerusalem.

2 MIRACULOUS CURES WROUGHT BY JESUS.

HIS REASONS FOR TEACHING IN.

PARABLES

The Pharisees and Sadducees determined to op
pose Jesus to-day in the synagogue. They had laid
their plans and bribed the people to raise a tumult
in which Jesus was to be formally thrust out of the
edifice or taken prisoner. But the affair turned out
quite differently. Jesus commenced His teaching i
the synagogue by a very vigorous address, like one
having power and authority to speak. The rage
the exasperated Pharisees increased at each moment.
It was about to be let loose upon Him when suddenly
a great disturbance arose in the synagogue. A man
belonging to the city and possessed by the devil,
and ^ho on account of his madness had been fast
bound had while his keepers were in the syna
gogue, broken his bonds. He came plunging like
a fury into the synagogue, and with frightful cries
pressed his way through the people whom he tossed
right and left, and who also began to utter screams
of terror He ran straight to the spot where Jesus
was teaching, crying out: " Jesus of Nazareth! What
have we to do with Thee? Thou hast come to drive
us outl I know who Thou art! Thou art the Holy
One of God I " But Jesus remained quite unmoved.
He scarcely turned from His elevated position toward
him, made only a menacing gesture sideways with

I. This remark of Sister Emmerich throws light upon the second
chapter of the Epistle to ike Galatians, and agrees with the traditi
related by Euseldus. According to this traction the Cephas of who
St. Paul speaks in this place, was not St. Pete*, but one of the seven
two disciples. {Note taken from the first edition of the « Lift of U
according to Sister Emmerich, .)

6 Life of Jesus Christ

His hand, and said quietly: "Be still, and go out of
him! Thereupon the man becoming silent sank
down, still tossed to and fro on the ground, and Satan
departed from him under the form of a thick, black
vapor. The man now grew pale and calm, prostrated
on the ground, and wept. "All present were witness to
this awful and wonderful spectacle of Jesus' power.
Their terror was changed into a imurmur of admiration.
The courage of the Pharisees forsook them, and
they huddled together, saying to one another : " What
manner of man is this? He commands the spirits, and
they go out of the possessed! " Jesus went on quietly
with His discourse. The man that had been freed
from the devil, weak and emaciated, was conducted
home 'by his wife and relatives, who had been in the
synagogue. When the sermon was over, he met Jesus
as He was leaving the synagogue, thanked Him,
and asked for some advice. Jesus warned him to
refrain from his evil habits lest something worse
might befall him, and exhorted him to penance and
baptism. The man was a cloth-weaver. He made
cotton scarfs, narrow and light, such as were worn
around the neck. He returned to his work perfectly
cured in mind and body. Such unclean spirits often
domineer over men that freely give themselves up
to their passions.

After this scene, the Pharisees were afraid to assault
Jesus that day, and so they remained quiet while
He went on with His teaching. The lessons for
the Sabbath were taken from Moses and Osee. There
were no more interruptions, though Jesus spoke very
forcibly and severely. His appearance and His words
were much more impressive than usual. He spoke
as One having authority. The instruction over; He
went to Mary's, where were gathered the women
with many relatives and disciples.

I counted all the holy women who were associated
together till the death of Jesus to help the little
Community. There were seventy. At this time there

Jesus Teaching in th'e Synagogue

were already thirty-seven who took part in this duty
Sabia and Athalia also, the daughters of Lais of
Nairn were toward the last admitted among the female
followers. At the time of St. Stephen, they were
among the Christians who settled in Jerusalem.

Neft morning Jesus again taught unmolested m
the synagogue. The Pharisees had said to one an
other "'We can do nothing with Him now, His
adherents axe too numerous. We shall contradict Him
now and then, we shall report all at Jerusalem, and
wTt till 'He goes up to the Temple for the Pasch.
The streets fvere again filled with the sick. Some
had come before the Sabbath, and some till now
had not believed, but on the report of the possessed
man's cure, they had themselves transported thither
frorri all 'quarters of the city. Many of them had
been there before, but h!ad not been cured
were weak, tepid, slothful souls, more difficult to coi
vert than great sinners of more ardent nature. Mag
dalen was converted only after many struggles and
relapses but her last efforts were generous and final.
D na tte Samaritan turned at once from her evil ways,
and the Suphanite, after sighing long for grace, was
suddenly converted. All the great female sinners were
very quickly and powerfully converted, as was also
the sturdy Paul to whom conversion came like a
flash of lightning. Judas, on the contrary, was always
vacillating, and at last fell into the abyss. It was
the same with the great and most violent maladies
which I saw Jesus, in His wisdom, cure at once.
They that were afflicted with them, like the possess
ed had no will whatever to remain in the state
which they were, or again, self-will ^«**t^
come by the violence of the malady. But as to those
that were less grievously affected, whose sufferings only
opposed an obstacle to their sinning with more facility,
and whose conversion was insincere, I saw that Jesi
often sent them away with an admonition to relorn
their life; Or that He only alleviated without curing

Life of Jesus Christ

their bodily ills that through their pressure the soul
might be cured. Jesus could have cured all that
came to Him and that instantaneously, but He dfd

and wy < thfe that believed and did penance
and He frequently warned them against a re"apse'

cured IT 6 thatfwer£ ™*y s%My sick He sometimes
cured at once, ,f such would prove beneficial to their
He was not come to cure the 'body that it
mjght the more readily sin, but He cured the body
m order to deliver and save the soul. In every malady

see

m of some sn-

may be his own or another's, a sin of which he

may be conscious or not that the sufferer has to

hTrtwh°VtKmay be * trial exPressly prepared for
tan which by patience and submission to God's
wul he may change into capital that will yield a
nch return. Properly speaking, no one suffers in
nocently, for who is innocent, since the Son of God
had to take upon Himself the sins of the world that

aU^obZ^d ?e £10UCd °Ut? T° follow Hi™ we are
all obliged to bear our cross after Him

sUff!"rie J°y- alld Jhe Kgtest degree of patience in
suffering, smc? the union of pain with the Passion

rS' inSt> bel°n?r to *e Perfect' « Allows
a dismchnatton to suffer is in itself an imperfection
are created perfect and we shall again be born
perfection, consequently the cure of sickness is

a fa± °1 ^re 10Ve and mercy toward poor sinners,
a favor wholly unmerited by them. They have

have

eathfTK

them Vh , ^ .Lord by Hig own death has delivered
them that believe in Him and perform works in
accordance with their faith.

And so I saw Jesus on this 'day cure many possess
ed paralysed, dropsical, gouty, dumb, blind nSy
Dieted wiri! an issue .of blood, in fine, violent mal
adies of all kinds. I saw Him several times pass
by some that were able to stand. They wSe those

Jesus Teaching and Curing 9

that had freequently received slight relief from: Him,
but their conversion not being earnest, they had
relapsed in body and soul. As Jesus was passing
by them, they cried out: " Lord, Lord! Thou dost
cure all that are grievously sick, and Thou dost
not cure us I Lord, have pity on us! We are sick
again! " Jesus responded: " Why do ye not stretch
forth your hands to Me? At these words, all
stretched out their hands to Him, and said: "Lord,
here are our hands! ' Jesus replied: " Ye do indeed
stretch forth these hands, but the hands of your heart
I can not seize. Ye withdraw them and lock them
up, for ye are filled with darkness. Then He
continued to admonish them, cured several, who were
converted, slightly relieved others, and passed by
some unnoticed.

That afternoon He went with all His disciples and
relatives to the lake. There was on the ^south side
of the valley a pleasure-garden provided with conven
iences for bathing, the water being furnished from
the brook of Capharnaum. Here they paused, and
administered baptism in the garden.

The Blessed Virgin with several of the women,
among them Dina, Mary, Lais, Athalia, Sabia, and
Martha, went for a walk in the neighborhood of
Bethsaida, a little beyond the lepers' asylum. A
caravan of pagans was encamped thereabouts, and
among them were several women from Upper Galilee.
The Blessed Virgin consoled and instructed them:.
The women sat in a circle on a little eminence, and
Mary sometimes sat, sometimes walked among them.
They asked her questions which she answered clearly,
and told them many things about the Patriarchs,
the Prophets, and Jesus.

Jesus meantime was instructing a crowd in parables.
The disciples did not understand Him. Later, when
again alone with them, He explained the parable
of the sower. He spoke of the tares among the wheat
and of the danger of pulling up the wheat with them.

10 Life of Jesus Christ

It was principally James the Greater who told Jesus
that he and his companions did not understand Him
and he asked Him why He did not speak more
clearly Jesus answered that He would make all
intelligible to them, but that on account of the
.weak and the pagans the mysteries of the Kingdom
^od could not then be exposed more plainly
j5 uVe^ SUch Precautions, these mysteries alarm

ed His hearers who in their state of depravity, esteemed
them too sublime for them, they must at first be
presented as it were under the cover of a similitude
Ihey must fall into their heart like the grain of
seed. In the grain the whole ear is inclosed but
to produce it, the grain must be hidden in the earth
He explained to them likewise the parable referring
to their own call to labor in the harvest. He insisted
chiefly upon their following! Him; they would soon
be with Him always, and He would explain all
things to them. James the Greater said also: "Master
why wilt Thou explain all to us who are so ignorant?
Why must we publish, these things to others? Tell
them rather to the Baptist, who believes so firmly
who Thou really art. He can publish them he can
make them known! "

That evening when Jesus was teaching again in
the synagogue, the Pharisees, who could once more
breathe somewhat freely, began to dispute with Him
on the subject of His forgiving sins. They reproached
Him with the fact of His having in Gabara said
to Mary Magdalen that her sins were forgiven her
and they asked how He knew that? How could
He do that? Such talk was blasphemy! Jesus si
lenced them. Then they tried to provoke Him to say
that He was not a man, that He was God. But Jesus
again confounded them in their words. This scene
took place in the forecourt of the synagogue At
last the Pharisees raised a great cry and tumult
But Jesus slipped from their hands and into the
crowd, so that they could not tell where He had

1

The Youth of Haim 11

gene. He went by the flowery dale back of the syna
gogue to the garden of 'Zorobabel and thence by
roundabout ways to the house of His Mother. He
tarried there a part of the night, and sent word
to Peter and the other disciples to meet Hun next
morning at the opposite side of the valley beyond
Peter's fishery, as He wished them to go with Him to
Nairn.

The Centurion Cornelius and his servant asked
Jesus what they should do. He answered that they
and all their family should receive baptism.

3. THE RAISING OF THE YOUTH OF NAIM
FROM THE DEAD

The road to Nairn crossed the valley of Magdalum
above Peter's fishery to the east of the mountain
that looked down upon Gabara, and then ran into
the valley eastward of Bethulia and Giskala. Jesus
may have journeyed with the disciples nine to ten
hours, when they put up at a shepherd inn about
three or four hours from! Nairn. They had crossed
the brook Gison once. Jesus taught the whole way.
explaining to His disciples in particular how they would
be able to detect false teachers.

Nairn was a1 beautiful little place with well-built
•houses, and was sometimes known also as Engannim.
It lay upon a charming hill on the brook Cison
to the south, about an hour from Mount Thabor, and
facing Endor on the southwest. Jezrael was more
to the south, but was hidden by intervening heights.
The beautiful Plain of Esdrelon stretched out be
fore Nairn, which was almost three or four hours
distant from Nazareth. The country ihere was un
commonly rich in grain, fruit, and wine. The widow
Maroni owned a whole mountain covered with the
most beautiful vineyards. Jesus had about thirty com
panions. The j>ath over the hill was rather narrow,

12 Life of Jesus Christ

so some went on before Jesus, and others behind
t was almost nine in the morning when they

"

A crowd of Jews enveloped in mourning1 mantles
passed out of the city gate with the corpse. Four
men. were carrying the coffin, in which reposed the
remains upon a kind of frame made of crossed poles

tC .-I" !^ rddle' The coffin was in sh*Pe «SS
h mg hke the human form, light like a woven basket
with a cover fastened to the top. Jesus passed through
the Naples who, formed into two rows on either side
of the road, advanced to meet the coming procession
and sard: Stand still! » Then as He lafd^Thand
upon the coffin He said: " Set the coffin down <"
The bearers obeyed, the crowd fell back, and the
disciples ranged on either side. The mother of he
dead youth with several of her female friends, was
lowing the corpse. They too paused just as they
were passing out of the gate a few feet from where
Tesus was standing. They were veiled and showed
every s>gn of grief. The mother stood in frZt

Sn? "Ah te*rs" ,She mav ™deed have been
Ah, He has come too late! " Jesus
I to her most kindly and earnestly: " Woman
?** not.l The grief of aU P«sent touched fifm
for the widow was much loved in the city on account
of her great charity to orphans and the poor StU
there were many wicked and malignant people around
num.bers of others came flocking from the city'
Jesus called for water and a little branch. Some
one brought to a disciple, who handed them to Jesus
a httle vessel of water and a twig of hyssop Jesus
took the water and said to the bearers: " Open the
coffm and loosen the bands! " While this command
was being executed, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven
and said; "I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and tearth, because Thou hast hidden these
things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed

Youth o£ Nairn 13

them to little iones. Yea, Father, for so it hath
seemed good in Thy sight. All things are delivered
to Me by My Father, and not one knoweth the Son
but the Father; neither doth any one know the
Father but 'the Son, and he to whom it shall please
the Son to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you that
labor and fare burdened, and I will refresh you. Take
up My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because
I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find
rest to your souls, for My yoke is sweet and my
burden light! " When the bearers removed the cover,
I saw the body wrapped like a babe in swad
dling-clothes and lying in the coffin. Supporting it
in their arms, they loosened the bands, drew them
off, uncovered the face, unbound the hands, and
left about it only one linen covering. Then Jesus
blessed the water, dipped the little branch into it,
and sprinkled the crowd. Thereupon I saw numbers
of small, dark figures like insects, beetles, toads,
snakes, and little black birds issuing from many
of the by-standers. The crowd became purer and
brighter. Jesus then sprinkled the dead youth with
the little branch, and with His hand made the sign
of the cross over him, upon which I beheild a, murky,
black, cloud-like, figure issuing from the body. Jesus
said to the youth, " Arise! " He arose to a sitting
posture, and gazed around him in questioning aston
ishment. Then Jesus said: " Give him some cloth
ing! " and they threw round him a mantle. The
youth then rose to his feet and said: " What is all
this? How came I here? The attendants put
sandals upon his feet and he stepped forth from
the coffin. Jesus took him by the liand and led
him to the arms of his mother who was hastening
toward him/ As He restored him to her, He said:
" Here, thou hast thy son back, but I shall demand
him of thee when he shall have been regenerated
in baptism. " The mother was so transported^ with
joy, amazement, and awe, that she uttered no thanks

14 Life of Jesus Christ

at 'the Inbment. Her feelings found vent only in
tears and embraces. The procession accompanied her
to her home, the people chanting1 a hymn of praise.
Jesus followed with the disciples. He entered the
widow's house, which was very large and surrounded
by gardens and courts. Friends came crowding from
all quarters, all pressing eagerly to see the youth.
The attendants gave him a bath, and clothed him
in a white tunic and girdle. They washed the feet
of Jesus and the disciples, after which the customary
refreshments were presented them. Now began at
once a joyous ancf most abundant distribution of
gifts to the poor who had gathered around the house,
to offer congratulations. Clothing, linen, corn, bread,
lambs, birds, and money were given out plentifully.
Meantime Jesus instructed the crowds assembled in
the courtyards of the widow.

Martial, in his white tunic, was radiant with joy.
He ran here and there, showing himself to the eager
throng, and helping 'in the distribution of gifts. He
was full of childish gaiety. It was amusing to see
school children brought by their teachers into the
courtyard and approaching him. Many of them hung
back quite timidly as if they (thought Martial a spirit.
He ran after them and they retreated before him.
But others played the valiant and laughed at their
companions' fears. "They looked with disdain upon
the cowardly and gave Martial their hand, just as a
large boy touches with the tips of his fingers a horse
or other animal of which the little ones are afraid.

Tables were spread both in the house and courts,
and at them jail were feasted. Peter as the widow's
relative, for she was the daughter of his father-in-
law's brother, was especially happy and at home in
the house. He discharged in a certain degree the
office of father of the family. Jesus frequently ad
dressed questions and words of instruction to the re-
isuscitared boy. He did this in the hearing of those
present who all appeared to be touched by what He

Parental Virtue 15

said. His words implied that death, which had entered
the world by sin, had bound him, had enchained
him, and would have dealt him the mortal blow
in the tomb; furthermore, that Martial with eyes
closed would have been cast into the darkness and
later would have opened them where neither mercy
nor help could be extended to him. But at the
portals of the tomb the mercy of God, mindful of
the piety of the boy's parents and of some of his
ancestors, had broken his bonds. Now by baptism'
he was to free himself from the sickness of sin,
in order not. to fall into a still more frightful imprison
ment. Then Jesus dilated upon the virtues of parents.
Their virtues profit their children in after years.
It was in consideration of the righteousness of the
Patriarchs 'that jAlmighty God down to the present
day had protected and spared Israel, but now en
chained in sin and covered with the veil of mental
blindness, they had become like unto this youth.
They were standing on the brink of the grave, and for
the last time was mercy extended to them. John had
prepared the way and with a powerful voice had call
ed upon their heart to arise from the slumber of death.
The Heavenly Father had now for the last time
pity upon them. JHe would open to life the eyes of
those that did not obstinately keep them! closed. Je
sus compared the people in their blindness to the
youth shut tip in his coffin who, though near the
tomb, though outside the gate of the city, had been
met by salvation. " If, " He said, " the bearers had
not heeded my voice, if they had not set down the
coffin, had not opened it, had not freed the body
from its winding-sheet, if they had obstinately hur
ried forward with their burden, the boy would have
been buried - - and how terrible that would have
been! " Then Jesus likened to this picture He had
drawn the false teachers, the Pharisees. They kept
the poor people from the life of penance, they fettered
them with the bonds of their arbitrary laws, they,

16 Life of Jesus Christ

inclosed them in the coffin of their vain observances,
and cast them thus into an eternal tomb. Jesus
finished by imploring- and conjuring His hearers to
accept the proffered mercy of His Heavenly Father,
and hasten to life, to penance, to baptism!

It was remarkable that Jesus blessed on this oc
casion with holy water, in order to drive out the
evil spirits that held sway over several of the by
standers. Some of the latter were scandalized, others
were envious, and some ag-ain were full of a certain
malicious joy at the thought that Jesus would cer
tainly be unable to raise the youth from the dead.
When Jesus blessed with the water, I saw a little
cloud, composed of the figures, or shadows of noxious
vermin, arise from the youth's body and disappear
in the earth. At the raising of others from the dead,
Jesus called back the soul of the deceased, which
was separated from the body and in the abode as
signed it according to its deeds. It came at the call
of Jesus, hovered over the dead body, finally sank
into it, and the dead arose. But with the youth of
Nairn, it was as if death like a suffocating weight
had been taken away from his body.

The meal over, Jesus went with the disciples to
the beautiful garden of the widow Maroni at the
southern end of the city. The maimed and sick lined
His whole route, and He cured them all. The streets
were alive with excitement. It was already growing
dark when Jesus entered the garden where Maroni
with her relatives and domestics, several Doctors
of the Law, Martial, and some other boys were
gathered. There were several summer-houses in th6
garden. Before one more beautiful than the others,
whose roof was supported on pillars, and which might
be shut in by movable screens, was a flambeau placed
high under the palm-trees. Its flames lighted up the
whole hall, and glistened beautifully on the long, green
leaves. Near the trees on which fruit was still hang
ing, one could see as distinctly and clearly; by; the

Question of Divorce 17

light of the flambeau as by day. At first Jesus taught
and explained walking around, afterward He entered
* the summer-house. He often spoke to Martial in the
hearing of others. It was a wonderfully beautiful
evening in that garden. The night was advanced
when Jesus and His followers returned to Maroni's
house, in whose side-buildings all found lodgings.
At the news of Jesus' presence in Nairn! and the
resurrection of the boy, crowds of people, among" them
many sick, gathered into the city from the whole
country around. They completely filled the street
in front of Maroni's residence, where they stood in
; long rows. Jesus cured part of them the next morn
ing, and established peace in several households',.
[ Several women had come to Him, asking whether
i He could not give them a bill of divorce. They
\ complained of their husbands with whom, they said,
s they could ho longer live. This was an artful device
' of the Pharisees. They were confounded by His
miracles and could do nothing against Him; but
yet being full of wrath, they resolved to tempt Him
to say on the subject of divorce something' against
the Law, that they might be able to accuse Him
as a Teacher of false doctrine. But Jesus said to
the discontented wives : " Bring me a vessel of milk
and another of water. Then I shall answer ye. "
They went into a neighboring house and returned
with a bowl of milk and one of water. Jesus poured
one into the other and said: " Separate the two
again, so that the milk shall be again by itself and
in like manner the water. Then I shall give you
a bill of divorce. " The women replied that they
could not do that. Then Jesus spoke of the indis-
solubility of marriage, and that it was only on account
of the obduracy of the Jews that Moses had allowed
divorce. But perfectly disunited husband and wife
4 never could be, since they are one in the flesh, and
although they might not live together, yet must the
husband support the wife and children, and neither

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 2

18 Life of Jesus Clirist

could remarry. After that Jesus accompanied the wives
to their homes where He had a private interview
with the husbands. Then He saw each couple to
gether, reproached both parties, the wives coming-
in for the larger share, and ended by forgiving them.
The delinquents shed tears and afterward lived hap
pily together, more faithful to each other than they
had ever before been. The Pharisees were furious
on seeing that their design had completely failed.

That morning Jesus restored sight to many of the
blind by mixing in His hand clay and saliva and
smearing it to their eyes.

4. JESUS IN MAGEDDO. JOHN'S DISCIPLES

When Jesus was leaving Nairn, Maroni, her boy,
and her domestics, all the cured, and many good
people of the city accompanied Him, singing Psalms
and bearing green branches before Him. He went
with the disciples westward along the north bank
of the Cison. The mountain that shut in the valley
of Nazareth lay to the right. Tioward evening He
and the disciples arrived at the environs of Mageddo,
which stood on the mountain-chain whose eastern
declivity leads down into the valley of Zabulon. Here
He entered an inn, and soon afterward gave an in
struction in front of it. When thei laborers in the
fields saw Jesus and His followers drawing near, they
threw on the garments which at their work they
had laid 'aside.

Mageddo stood on an eminence and was. partly
fallen to decay. In the very heart of the city there
were ruins entirely overgrown with moss, while here
and 'there arose a dilapidated arch. They must have
belonged to a castle of the kings of Canaari. r I heard
that Abraham also once sojourned in this region. The
suburb in which Jesus put up was more modern

i. Josue XII, 21. III. Kings IX, 15.

Jesus Instructs the Laborers 19

and 'more full of life than the city itself. It consisted
of a long row of houses at the base of the mountain
over which ran a great commercial highway from
Ptolomais. There were numerous (large inns in the
neighborhood, and many publicans dwelt here. They
had heard Jesus' teaching and had resolved to re
ceive penance and baptism. The Pharisees of the
place were scandalized at these things. A great crowd
of sick were already gathered and others were
constantly coming. Jesus sent word to 'them by the
disciples that 'He would go to them toward evening,
and He directed how they should be arranged, which
directions the disciples fulfilled. Outside the city of
Mageddo was a large meadow surrounded by walls
and porches . wherein the sick were brought and laid
in order.

Meanwhile Jesus with the disciples went through
the fields outside the city instructing in parables the
laborers there engaged in sowing. Some of the dis
ciples taught those at a greater distance until Jesus1
came up; then they turned back to those that Jesus
had already instructed, explained to them whatever
they had not clearly understood, and told them about
the Lord's miracles. Jesus and the disciples always
taught the same things to the different sets of work
men, so that ,on comparing notes, they all found
that they had heard the same. They who had under
stood better, could afterward explain to the others.
They often discontinued their work in this hot coun
try to rest, and it was of these intermissions and the
opportunity afforded by the time devoted to meals,
that Jesus took advantage to teach.

While Jesus was thus traversing the fields .with
the disciples, four of John's followers arrived. They
saluted the disciples and paid attention to their in
structions. They had strips of fur around their neck,
and leathern thongs bound their waist. They had
not been sent by John, although they had constant
intercourse with him and his disciples. They were

20 Life of Jesus Christ

degenerate followers of John, sworn to the Herodians,
who had sent them to follow Jesus and hear what
He taught concerning His Kingdom. They were more
austere though at the same time more polished ii?
their manners than Jesus' disciples. Some hours afte'r,
another troop of John's disciples made their ap
pearance. They were twelve in number, only two
of whom had been sent by John, the rest had come
through curiosity. As they approached, Jesus was
returning to the city, and they followed Him. Some
of them had been present at the last miracles wrought
by Jesus, and had hastened back to tell John what
they had seen. When Jesus raised the youth of Nairn,
some of them were present, and they hurried off to
Machasrus to inform John. They said to -him: "What
is it? What must we think? We have seen Him
perform such and such miracles ! We have heard such
and such words from His lips! But His disciples are
much less strict than we in the observance of the
Law. Whom shall we follow ? Who is Jesus ? Why
does He cure all that appeal to Him? Why does He
console and help strangers, though He does not take
a step 'toward freeing you? "

John always had trouble with his disciples, for they
would not 'separate from him. It was for that reason
that he sent them ;so often to Jesus, that they might
learn to know Him and eventually follow Him. But
they were so prejudiced in favor of John that what
they saw and heard made little impression upon
them. It was his desire that his disciples should
follow Jesus that led John to urge Him so frequently
to manifest Himself; he hoped that his followers
would yield to the movement that converted the other
Jews. He thought that seeing them come again and
again with their doubts, Jesus would be as it were
necessitated to proclaim aloud that He was the
Messiah, the Son of God; therefore it was that
he sent those two with their usual questions to Him.
On entering the city with His disciples, Jesus went

John's Disciples 21

to the circular inclosure where the sick from the
whole country around were encamped. Among them
were some from Nazareth who knew Him.
the blind, the dumb, the deaf, the sick of all kinds
were here gathered, also several possessed. Making
a turn around the circle, Jesus cured the last named,
many of whom were suffering from different degrees
of possession. They were indeed not so violent
as such poor creatures, had been iat other times, but
they were afflicted with convulsions and their lirnbs
were distorted. Jesus cured them with a word of
command .uttered as He passed and at some distance.
A dark vapor issued from them, they became some
what faint and, when returned to full consciousness,
they were quite changed. The vapors on first is
suing from their body, appeared quite subtle, but
they soon condensed and united. Sometimes they sank
into the earth, or again rose in the air; on this oc
casion they followed the former course. The evil gpirit
often departs like a dark shadow in (human form.
Instead of vanishing immediately, I have seen him
wandering around among the bystanders before dis
appearing.

Jesus had scarcely begun to cure when John s dis
ciples with a certain air of importance, as^ if the
bearers of a commission, stepped up to Him and
gave signs of their desire to address Him. Jesus
however paid no attention to them, but went on with
the cures. Such treatment was greatly displeasing
to them, and they could not understand it. Many
of John's disciples were decidedly narrow-minded and
jealous. Jesus wrought miracles, John did not. John
spoke so highly of Jesus, and yet Jesus made _no
effort to free him from confinement. Although im
pressed by His miracles and doctrine, yet they soon
allowed themselves to be influenced again by the
public voice which was asking: " Who is He? Are
not His poor relatives known by every one? " Then
again, they could not understand His words relative

22 Life of Jesus Christ

to His Kingdom'. They saw no kingdom and no
preparations for one. As John had been honored
by so many and now lay proscribed in prison, they
thought among other things that Jesus did not help
him, that He allowed him to languish in captivity,
in order to increase His own popularity. They were
scandalized [also at the liberty of His disciples. They
esteemed it excessive humility in John to prize Jesus
so highly and that he was constantly sending to im
plore Him to manifest Himself, to make an open
declaration of who He was. As Jesus always spoke
evasively on that point and as they had no idea that
John sent them to Him in order that they might know
Him, this knowledge was to them at the time, on
account of their preconceived ideas 'more difficult
than it might 'have been to the most simple child.

As Jesus was making' the circuit of the inclosure
curing, He came to a sick? man from Nazareth, who
began Ito speak of his acquaintance with Him. " Do
you remember, " he said, " that you lost your grand
father when you were twenty-five years old? We were
often together in those days. " The man referred to
the death of St. Anne's second or third husband.
Jesus did not pause for many words. He answered
merely: " Yes, yes, I remember, " and turned at
once to the man's sins (and sufferings. When He
found him penitent and believing, He cured him,
addressed to Him some words of admonition, and
passed oh to the next invalid.

When Jesus reached the opposite side of the in
closure, the disciples sent by John confronted Him.
They had from their stand in the centre watched
with amazement the miracles wrought. They now
addressed Him in these words : " John the Baptist
has sent us to Thee to ask art Thou He who is to
come or 'look we for another? "• Jesus answered:
" Go and relate to John what you -have heard and
seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise aga'in, widows

John's Messengers 23

are consoled, the poor have the Gospel preached to
them. What is crooked is made straight. And blessed
is he that shall not be scandalized in Me. '' After
these words Jesus turned away, and John's disciples
took their departure.

Jesus could not speak more plainly of Himself,
for who would have understood Him? His Dis
ciples were good, simple-hearted, generous, and pious
souls, but as yet quite incapable of comprehend
ing such a mystery. Many of them were related
to Him by ties of blood, consequently they would
have been scandalized at more precise language on
Jesus' part, or would have conceived erroneous ideas
of Him. As for the multitude at large, they were
altogether unprepared for such a truth, and besides,
He was encompassed by spies. Even among John's
disciples, the Pharisees and Herodians had their crea
tures.

When John's messengers had departed, Jesus began
to teach. The cured, crowds of people, the Scribes
of the place, His disciples, and the five publicans
.that dwelt here, formed the audience. The instruction
was continued by the light of flambeaux, and the
remaining sick were afterward cured. Jesus took for
the subject of His discourse His own reply to John's
disciples. He spoke of how they should use the
benefits received from God, and exhorted to penance
and a change of life. As He knew that some of
the Pharisees present had taken occasion from the
brevity of His reply to John's messengers, to say
to the people that He: Jesus, made little account
of John and was willing enough to see him ruined
in public estimation that He Himself might be exalted,
He explained the answer He had given as well as
what He had said on the score of penance. He
also recalled to them what they themselves had heard
John say of Him. Why, He asked, were they always
doubting? What did they expect from John? He
said: " What went ye out £o see when ye went to

24 Life of Jesus Christ

John? Did ye g'o to see & reed shaken in the wind?
or a man effeminately and magnificently clothed?
Listen! They that are clothed sumptuously and who
live delicately are in the palaces of kings. But what
did ye desire to see when ye went 'in quest of him;?
Was it to see a Prophet? Yea, I tell ye, ye saw
more than a Prophet when ye saw him. This is he
of whom it is written: Behold, I send my angel before
thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. Amen,
I say to you there hath not risen among them that
are l>orn of women a greater Prophet than John the
Baptist, and yet he that is least in the kingdom1 of
heaven is greater than he. And from the days of
John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven
suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away. For
all the Prophets and the Law prophesied of it until
John; and if ye will receive it, he is Elias that is
to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear! "

All present were very much impressed by Jesus'
words, and wanted to receive baptism. The Scribes
alone murmured. They were especially scandalized
at Jesus, because He accepted hospitality from the
publicans, who also were present at this instruction.
Jesus therefore profited by this opportunity to speak
of all the reports they had set afloat concerning both
John and Himself, particularly of the reproach made
against Him of frequenting the company of publicans
and sinners.

After that Jesus entered the house of one of the
publicans, where He found the other four, and there
He taught. Among His hearers on this occasion
were some that had determined to amend their life
and to receive baptism. This house was near the
inclosure wherein Jesus had just cured the sick. There
was another publican's house at the entrance of the
city, and still some others beyond.

Debbaseth, where Bartholomew resided, could be
seen from the road when first starting from Nairn to
Mageddo, but on a nearer approach the heights of

" These Have No Cares " 25

the latter place concealed it from view. It was situated
about an hour and a half to the west on the Cison,
at the entrance of the valley of Zabulon.

5. JESUS LEAVES MAGEDDO. CURE OF A
LEPER

As the Feast of the New Moon was beginning, Jesus
took the return route front Mageddo to Capharnaum.
He was accompanied by about twenty-four of His
disciples, the four false disciples of John, and some
of the publicans of Mageddo who wanted to be
baptized in Capharnaum. They journeyed along slow
ly, sometimes pausing to stand or sit in the charming
spots through which they passed, for Jesus taught the
whole time. The way led from Mageddo northeastward,
and off to the northwest side of Thabor. Jesus' teach
ing was a preparation for the definitive calling and
sending of the Apostles, which was soon to take
place. He earnestly exhorted them to lay aside _all
wordly cares and to abandon their possessions. His
words were so touching and affectionate. Once He
snapped off a flower that was growing by the wayside,
and said: " These have no cares! Look at their
beautiful colors, their delicate, little stamens! Was
Solomon the Wise in all his magnificence more beauti
fully clothed than they? " Jesus often made use of
this similitude.

He continued His instruction in a series of parables
so striking that each of the Apostles could recognize
the one intended for himself. He spoke also of His
Kingdom, telling them that they should not be so
eager after high employments therein, should not
picture it to themselves as something earthly. Jesus
said this because John's four disciples, who were
secret partisans of the Herodians, were especially
interested in this part of His discourse. He warned
the disciples of what people they should for the
future beware, and described the Herodians in terms

26 Life of Jesus Christ

so exact that no one could fail to recognize them.
Among other things, He said that they should beware
of certain people in sheep's skins and long leathern
straps! " Beware, !" He said, " of the profane in
sheepskins and long girdles! " By these words, Jesus
signified the lurking Herodian disciples of John who,
in imitation of John's true followers, wore a kind
of sheepskin stole around the neck and crossed on
the breast. They might know them, He said, by this,
that they could not look one straight in the face:
or again, if they (the disciples of Jesus) their heart
overflowing with joy and ardor, should impart some
thing of their feelings to one of these false zealots
in sheepskins and girdles, they might recognize him
for what he was in reality by the agitation of his
heart. It would turn this way and that way like
a "restless animal. Jesus named a beetle which when
confined runs round and round, seeking some hole
by which to escape. Once He bent back a thorn
bush, saying: " Look, and see whether you can find
any fruit here or not. ' Some of the disciples had
the simplicity to look into the bush. But Jesus said:
" Do men seek figs upon thistles and grapes upon
thorns? "

Toward evening they arrived at a row of houses,
twenty in number, with a school on the northwestern
side of the foot of Thabor. The place lay from one
and a half to two hours eastward from Nazareth
and one-half hour from the city of Thabor. The
people here were a good-natured set. They had known
Jesus in His early years when He used to wander
around Nazareth with His young friends. They were
for the most part shepherds. While guarding their
flocks, they busied themselves in gathering cotton
which, as soon as they spied Jesus coming, they
packed up in their sacks and carried to their homes,
after which they hurried forth to meet Him. I saw
them with their rough fur caps in their hands, frut
in the school their head was covered. They receiv-

Cure of a Leper 27

ed Jesus at the spring, washed His feet and those
of the disciples, and offered them some refresh
ment. There was no synagogue in the £lace, only
a school with its resident teacher. Jesus went to it,
and taught in parables.

This little village belonged to a distinguished man,

who lived with his wife in a large house at some

distance. This man had fallen into sin and was now

afflicted with leprosy, consequently he lived apart

from his wife. She occupied the upper stories of

the house, while he lodged in one of the side buildings.

In order to escape the grievous alternative of entire

separation from his fellowmen, he had not made

known his malady. His case was not however So

secret that many were not aware of its existence,

but they connived at it. It was well-known in the

little village, and although the ordinary route ran

past his dwelling, the people always managed to

take another way. They informed the disciples of

the circumstance. The poor leper had for a long

time sincerely bewailed his transgressions and longed

for the coming of Jesus. And now He called a

little boy of about eight years, his slave, who supplied

him with necessaries, and said to him: " Go to Jesus

of Nazareth and watch your chance. When you see

Him at some distance from His disciples or walking

apart from them, cast yourself at His feet and say:

'Rabbi, my master is sick. He thinks that Thou

canst help him by merely passing before our house,

a tway that all others shun. He humbly beseeches

Thee to have compassion on his misery and to walk

along that street, for he is certain of being cured.

The boy went to Jesus and very cleverly executed th6

commission. Jesus replied: " Tell your master that

I shall go to him in the morning, " and He took

the boy by one hand, laying the other on his head

with words of praise. Thi* meeting took place as Jesus

was leaving the school to go to the inn. Jesus knew

that the boy was •coming, and had designedly remained

28 Life of Jesus Christ

a little behind the disciples. The boy wore a yellow
tunic.

Anne's property lay on a height to the west of
Nazareth. It was distant about an hour, and was
between the valley of Nazareth and that of Zabulon.
A narrow vale planted with trees ran from it to
Nazareth, and by it Anne could go to Mary's house
without traversing the city.

Next morning at early dawn Jesus left the inn
with the disciples. When He turned into the street
that ran past the leper's dwelling, they told Him that
He ought not to go that way. But He went on
and commanded them to follow. They did so, but
timidly and apprehensively, for they feared being
reported at Capharnaum. John's disciples did not go
with Him by this way.

The boy, who was on the watch, notified his master
of Jesus approach. The sick man came down by
a path leading to the street, paused at some distance,
and cried out: " Lord, do not come nearer to me!
If Thou dost merely will me to be healed, I shall
be saved. The disciples remained standing at a
distance. Jesus replied: " I will it! " went up to
the man, touched him, and spoke to him, as he lay
prostrate on his face at His feet. He was clean,
his leprosy had fallen off. He related to Jesus all
the circumstances of his case, and received for reply
that he should return to his wife, and by degrees
appear again among the people. Jesus admonished
him of his sins, commanded him to receive the penance
of baptism, and enjoined upon him a certain .alms.
He then went back to His disciples and spoke to
them of the cure just wrought. He told them that
whoever had faith and possessed a pure heart might
with impunity touch even the leprous.

When the cured man had bathed and dressed, he
went to his wife and told her of the miracle just
effected in him by Jesus. Some spiteful people of
the place sent news of the affair to the priests and

The Kingdom of God 29

Pharisees of the city of Thabor, who immediately
saw fit to institute a commission of investigation.
They surprised the poor man by submitting him to
a close examination as to whether he was really cured
or not, and sharply called him to account for keeping
his malady secret. They now made a great noise
over the affair which, though publicly known, they
had long tolerated.

Jesus journeyed quickly with the disciples all the
remainder of the day, pausing only now and again
to rest a few moments and take some refreshment.
He taught all along the way about the forsaking of
temporal goods, and in parables instructed them upon
the Kingdom of God. He told them that it was
impossible to make all these things clear to them
just then, but a time would come when they would
comprehend all. He spoke of giving up earthly care
of food and raiment. They would soon see a hungry
multitude with provisions far from sufficient for their
wants. They, the disciples would say to Him: "Whence
shall we get bread? " and a superabundance should
be given unto them. They had to build houses and
build them securely! Jesus said this in such a way
as to intimate that it was by sacrifice and personal
exertion that these houses, namely, employments and
charges in His Kingdom, were to be obtained. The
disciples however understood Him in a worldly sense.
Judas was very much rejoiced. He gave noisy expres
sion to his satisfaction and said aloud in the hearing
of all that he would not shirk labor, that he would
do his share o'f the work. On hearing this, Jesus
stood still and said : " "We are not yet at the end of
our mission. It will not always be as it is now. Ye
will not always be well received and entertained,
ye will not always have things in abundance. The
time will come when -they will persecute you and
thrust you out, when ye will have neither shelter,
nor food, nor clothing, nor shoes. " And He went on
to tell them that they should think seriously of these

30 Life of Jesus Christ

things and hold themselves in readiness to renounce
everything, also that He had something important
to propose to them. He spoke likewise of two king
doms opposed to each other. No one can serve two
masters. Whoever desired to serve in His Kingdom
must forsake the other. Then passing to the Pharisees
and their accomplices, He said something about the
masks or disguises that they wore. They taught the
dead form of the Law and sought to have it observed;
but ,the best part of it, its purport, the chariHy,
forgiveness, and mercy that it inculcates they wholly
neglected. But He, Jesus, taught just the contrary,
namely that the rind without the kernel is dead
and barren. First comes the essence of the Law,
and then the Law itself; the kernel must increase
with the growth of the shell. He gave them also
some instructions on prayer. They should, He said,
pray in secret and not ostentatiously before others.
Many similar things He said on this occasion.

When journeying with His disciples, Jesus generally
instructe/d them, thus preparing: them to understand
better what they would hear in His next public dis
course and be able to make it clear to the people.
He often repeated the same things, though in dif
ferent words and order. Among the disciples who
accompanied Jesus to-day, James the Greater and
Judas Barsabas most frequently put questions to Him,
though Peter did so sometimes. Judas often spoke
in a loud voice. Andrew was already* well acquaint
ed with the teachings of his Master. Thomas was
preoccupied, as if weighing consequences. John took
every thing simply and lovingly. The best instructed
of the disciples were the most silent, partly through
modesty, and partly because they were not always
willing to show that they did not understand Jesus'
words.

Thus journeying through the valleys, they arrived
shortly before the beginning of the Sabbath at the
valley east of Magdajum. Here they encountered the

The HerocLians 31

pagan Cyrinus of Dabereth, arid the centurion Achias
of Giskala, who were going to Capharnaum for
baptism.

When nearing Capharnaum Jesus was instructing
the disciples as to how they should exercise themselves
in obedience as a preparation for their mission,
and especially how they should conduct themselves
when He should send them to teach the people. He
gave them likewise some general rules for their deport
ment when in certain company. He did this in a
few words before the departure of the four Herodians
who had journeyed with His little party and suf
ficiently loud for them to hear. He said: " If on
your journeys worldly men join you, whom ye may
recognize by their smooth speech and sly questions,
who will not be shaken off, who always half-agreeing,
half good-naturedly contradicting, question and 'dis
cuss various subjects that agitate the heart, then
should ye at any cost break away from them. And
why? Because ye are still too weak, too simple-
hearted. Ye might easily fall into the snares of such
lurkers. I do not shun them, for I know them,
and I wish them to hear My teaching. '

6. JESUS TEACHES IN THE SYNAGOGUE OF
CAPHARNAUM, AND HEALS TWO LEPERS

Jesus again passed by the estate of the Centurion
Zorobabel as He and His disciples were hurrying
along, for the' Sabbath had already begun. In his
charity Zorobabel had permitted two young Scribes
of about twenty-five years who, on account of their
dissolute life, had been stricken with leprosy, to take
up their abode in his garden. They were perfectly
loathsome to look upon and in their misery sub
jected to the greatest contempt. The red mantles
that enveloped them hid the ulcers with which they
were covered. They had once formed a part of Mag-

32 Life of Jesus Christ

dalen's gay coterie at Magdalum, had afterward car
ried on their excesses in other places, and fell at
last into the extreme misery in which they now Were.
At Jesus' recent visit to these parts, they were ashamed
to present themselves before Him, but now convinced
by the news of His miracles and great mercy, they
had allowed themselves to be dragged to a place
near the road by which He would pass and where
they could cry to Him for help. Jesus would not
pause. He hurried on, but told two of Zorobabel's
servants who came running after Him pleading for the
unfortunate creatures, to bring them to the synagogue
in Capharnaum. When the people were assembled,
they (the servants) were to conduct the lepers to
the gallery one story high that had been built adjoin
ing the synagogue, and from which the teaching' going
on inside could be heard by those from without. There
they should pray and excite themselves to contrition
until He should call them. The servants immediately
hastened back, and took the poor men by a short
cut through the flov/ery ravine to Capharnaum. They
dragged them, though not without difficulty, up the
outside steps to the gallery where, leaning in at the
windows of the synagogue, they could, apart from
the throng and in the open air, listen to the teachings
of Jesus and with penitent hearts await their Saviour's
call.

Jesus soon arrived with the disciples. After they
had washed their feet and ungirded their garments,
they entered the synagogue. When Jesus approached
the pulpit, He found it occupied by one who was
reading aloud. The latter however at once arose
and yielded his place to Jesus, who immediately took
the roll of Scriptures and began to teach upon the
passages referring to Jacob's being called to account
by Laban, his struggle with the angel, his reconciliation
with Esau, and the seduction of Dina, after which
He turned to the Prophet Osee. When Jesus without
the least hesitation took the rolls and began to read,

Cure of Lepers 33

the Pharisees smiled scornfully, as if to pronounce
Him wanting in courtesy. They were exasperated
at Jesus' re-appearance, for the raising of the youth
of Nairn, as well as His numerous cures in Mageddo,
were already noised throughout Capharnaum. They
watched eagerly and with inquietude to see what
new thing He was now going to undertake. Almost
all of Jesus' relatives including the women, were
gathered to-day in the synagogue.

As the crowd was leaving the synagogue followed
by Jesus, the disciples, and the Pharisees, these last
thought they would still carry on the dispute with
Jesus in the portico, but an unforeseen incident pre
vented their design. Jesus went to the door, looked
up to the gallery where the two unclean men were
still standing, and called to them to come down.
But they were timid and ashamed. Through fear of
the Pharisees, they did not venture to obey at once.
Then Jesus commanded them in a Name that I
can not recall, to come down and to their own great
astonishment they found themselves able to descend
the steps alone. The portico had been lighted up with
torches for the convenience of the dispersing crowd.
How furious were the Pharisees when they recog
nized by the dull glare of the torches the two,
poor, despised sinners in their red mantles 1 The
lepers sank trembling on their knees before Jesus.
He laid His hand on them breathed into their face,
and said: " Your sins are forgiven you! " and ad
monished them to continence and the baptism of
penance. He commanded them also to forsake their
vain studies, for that He Himself would teach them
the truth and the way. They rose up. Their
disfigurement had visibly decreased, their ulcers had
dried, and the scales had fallen off. With tears they
thanked their Benefactor, and left the place with
Zorobabel's servants. Many of the well-disposed
among the by-standers pressed around the cured

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 3

34 Life of Jesus Christ

celebrating in words of praise their penance and
their healing.

The Pharisees however were mad with rage. They
cried out to Jesus: " What! Healest Thou on the
Sabbath! And dost Thou also forgive sins! How
canst Thou forgive sins ? Then turning to the
people, they cried: "He has a devil who helps
Him! He is a madman! That is easily seen in His
wandering about. Scarcely had He begun to carry
on His game here, when off He goes to Nairn to raise
the dead, then to Mageddo, and then back here
again ! No good man in his senses would carry on
it that way! He has a powerful, wicked spirit who
helps Him! " And they added: " When Herod finish
es with John, this Man's turn will come, unless He
takes Himself out of the way! " But Jesus went
out through the midst of them. His female relatives,
who had after leaving the synagogue waited for
Him in a neighboring house, wept and lamented
over the violent rage of the Pharisees.

Jesus left the city and, taking the road to the
northeast, directed His steps to the hill beyond the
valley where Mary's house stood. On the way thither
were clumps of trees and grottos in which He stopped
to pray. He arrived late at Mary's where He con
soled the women, after which He again went out
and spent the whole night in prayer.

Next morning, Jesus repaired to the garden in the
neighborhood of Peter's house. It was inclosed by a
hedge, and in it all the preparations for baptism
had been made. There were several circular cisterns,
formed in the ground and surrounded by a little
channel, into which the water of a stream running
near by could be turned. A long arbor could by
hangings and screens be divided into little com
partments for the convenience of the neophytes when
disrobing. An elevated stand had been erected for
Jesus. The disciples were all present and about fifty

Jesus Instructing for Baptism 35

aspirants to baptism, among the latter some relatives
of the Holy Family, an old man and three youths
from Sephoris, the boy whom Jesus had healed at
that same place, and the old woman from there,
who had recently visited Jesus in Abez. There were
present moreover Cyrinus from Cyprus; the Roman
Centurion Achias and his little, miraculously cured son
Jephte, of Giskala; the Centurion Cornelius, his yel
low slave who had been cured by Jesus, and several
of his domestics; many pagans from Upper Galilee;
a dark skinned slave of Zorobabel; the five publicans
of Mageddo; some boys, among whom was Joses.
the nephew of Bartholomew; likewise all the cured
lepers and possessed of these parts, including the
two young Scribes healed the preceding evening. The
last mentioned were indeed free from ulcers, but
their countenance was still disfigured and bore the
marks of suffering.

All the neophytes were clothed in penitential robes
of gray wool, a four-cornered kerchief over their head.
Jesus instructed and prepared them for baptism, after
which they retired into the arbor and put on their
baptismal garment, a white tunic long and wide.
Their head was uncovered, the kerchief now thrown
round their shoulders, and they stood in the channel
around the basins, their hands crossed on their breast.
Andrew and Saturnin baptized, while Thomas, Bar
tholomew, John, and others imposed hands as spon
sors. The neopnytes with bared shoulders leaned over
a railing around the edge of the basin. One of the
disciples carried a vessel of water that had been
blessed by Jesus, from which the baptizers scooped
some with the hand and poured it thrice over the
heads of those being baptized. Thomas was sponsor
to Jephte, the son of Achias. Although several re
ceived baptism at the same time, yet the ceremony
lasted until nearly two o'clock in the afternoon.

36 Life of Jesus Christ

7. THE RESURRECTION OF THE DAUGHTER

OF JAIRUS,
THE CHIEF OF THE SYNAGOGUE

Later on when Jesus was curing some of the
sick in the square before the synagogue of Caphar-
naum, Jairus, the Chief of the synagogue, presented
himself before Him. He cast himself at His feet
and implored Him to visit and cure his sick daughter
who was then breathing her last. Jesus was on the
point of starting with Jairus when messengers hastily
arrived from the house of the latter and thus ad
dressed him: " Thy daughter has expired. There
is no need further to trouble the Master. " .On
hearing these words, Jesus said to Jairus: " Fear not!
Trust in Me, and thou shalt receive help! ' They
directed their steps to the northern quarter of the
city where dwelt Cornelius, whose house was not
far removed from that of Jairus. As they drew near
they saw a multitude of minstrels and female mourners
already assembled in the courtyard and before the
door. Jesus entered taking with Him only Peter,
James the Greater, and John. In passing through the
court, He said to the mourners : " Why do ye thus
lament and weep? Go your way! The damsel is
not dead, but only sleeping. At this the crowd
of mourners began to laugh Him to scorn, for they
knew that she was dead. But Jesus insisted on their
retiring even from the court, which He ordered to be
locked. Then He entered the apartment in which
the grief-stricken mother was busied with her maid
preparing the winding-sheet; thence, accompanied by
the father, the mother, and the three disciples, he
passed on to the chamber in which the girl lay. Jesus
stepped toward the couch, the parents standing behind
Him, the disciples to the right at the foot of the
bed. The mother did not please me. She was cold
and wanting in confidence. The father too was not

The Daughter of Jairus 37

a warm friend of Jesus. He would not willingly do
anything to displease the Pharisees. It was anxiety
and necessity alone that had driven him to Jesus. He
was actuated by a double motive. If Jesus cured his
child, she would be restored to him; if not, he would
have prepared a triumph for the Pharisees. Still, the cure
of Cornelius's servant had greatly impressed him
and awakened in him a feeling of confidence. The
little daughter was not tall, and she was very much
wasted. At most, I should say she was eleven years
old, and even at that small for her age, for the Jewish
girls of twelve are usually full grown. She lay on
the couch enveloped in a long garment. Jesus raised
her lightly in His arms, held her on His breast, and
breathed upon her. Then I saw something wonderful.
Near the right side of the corpse was a luminous
figure in a sphere of light. When Jesus breathed
upon the little girl, that figure entered her mouth
as a tiny human form of light. Then He laid the
body down upon the couch, grasped one of the wrists,
and said: " Damsel, arise! The girl sat up in
her bed. Jesus still held her by the hand. Then she
stood up, opened her eyes, and supported by the
hand of Jesus, stepped from the couch to the floor.
Jesus led her weak and tremulous to the arms of
her parents. They had watched the progress of the
event at first coldly, though anxiously, then trembling
with agitation, and now they were out of themselves
for very joy. Jesus bade them give the child to
eat and to make no unnecessary noise over the affair.
After receiving the thanks of the father, He went
down to the city. The mother was confused and
stupefied. Her words of thanks were few. The news
soon spread through the mourners that the maiden
was alive. They immediately returned, some confused
at their former incredulity, others still uttering vulgar
pleasantries, and went into the house, where they
saw the damsel eating.
On the way back, Jesus spoke with His disciples

38 Life of Jesus Christ

on the subject of this miracle. He said that these
people, namely, the father and mother, had had neither
real faith nor an upright intention. If the daughter
was raised from the dead, it was for her own sake
and for the glory of God's Kingdom. The death
from which she had just been roused, that is, the
death of the body, was a guiltless one, but from the
death of the soul she must now preserve herself.
Jesus then went to the great square of the city, cured
many sick there awaiting Him, and taught in the
synagogue until the close of the Sabbath. The Phar
isees were so agitated and incensed that it would
not have taken much to make them lay hands on
Jesus if He had trusted Himself among them. They
began again to declare that He effected His miracles
by the power of sorcery. Jesus however slipped
out of the city through Zorobabel's garden, and the
disciples also dispersed.

Jesus spent part of the night retired in prayer.
He supplicated for the conversion of sinners and
besought His Heavenly Father to confound and
frustrate the designs of the Pharisees, for He acted
in everything as man, in order that we should imitate
Him. He also begged His Father to allow Him
to perfect His work, since according to our way of
thinking, the Pharisees were ready to tear Him to
pieces. He withdrew from their presence, but on
the following day, the Sabbath itself, He again cured
at the door of the synagogue and taught inside. And
why did not the Pharisees drive the sick away?
Why did they not forbid Jesus to teach in the
synagogue? It was because Prophets and Doctors
had at all times the right to teach, to help, and to
heal. They did indeed accuse Him of error and
blasphemy, though they were unable to prove their
accusations. As for the baptism that He gave, they
did not trouble themselves about it and went not
to where it was administered. There was no public
highway through the valley, only a road over the

Cornelius the Centurion 39

mountains led to Bethsaida. The valley was traversed
by only the footpath taken by the fishermen and the
peasants when on their way to the lake.

Martha and the holy women of Jerusalem, Dina
and others, after Jesus' departure, went back to
Nairn and thence to their own homes. Maroni and
her son were so beset by people desirous of seeing
one raised from the dead, that they were obliged
to conceal themselves.

Cornelius the Centurion gave a feast at his house
in honor of his cured servant. Numbers of heathens
were in attendance, also crowds of the poor. Imme
diately after the miracle, Cornelius informed Jesus
of his intention to sacrifice burnt-offerings of all
kinds of animals. But Jesus replied that it would
be better for him to invite his enemies in order to
reconcile them one with another; his friends, that
he might lead them to the truth; and the poor,
that he might recreate and entertain them with the
food he had destined for sacrifice, for God no longer
delighted in burnt offerings. Multitudes of heathens
went from beyond Bethsaida and the mountains to the
house of Cornelius where the feast was celebrated.

Jesus was again at the place of baptism. Saturnin
experienced great joy in baptizing his two younger
brothers and an uncle, all of whom were heathens.
Their mother also had come with them. She was
already a Jewess. His father was dead. Saturnin
was descended from a royal race. His parents dwelt
in Patras. At the time of which I speak his father
was dead, but his step-mother with two daughters
and two sons still lived there. From a brown skinned
man, a relative and follower of the dark complexioned
one of the Three Kings, and whom he had met on ,a
journey, Saturnin heard the story of the star and
the birth of Jesus. Thereupon he went to Jerusalem
and, when John began his career, became one of
his first disciples ; but after Jesus' baptism, he went
with Andrew to Jesus. His step-mother with her two

40 Life of Jesus Christ

little girls had removed to Jerusalem with him, while
the boys remained behind with their uncle. They
too were now come to their brother. They were rich.

There were about twelve other men baptized. When
they stepped into the channel around the basin, they
tucked up their long garments and leaned over the
edge. After their baptism they retired into the arbor
and reclothed themselves, putting on a baptismal
garment consisting of a long, white mantle. The
Jews did not trouble themselves about the baptized
heathens. If the latter did not present themselves
before the priests for circumcision, the former took
no notice of it. They did not make much account of
the heathens, for they themselves were quite lukewarm
and they avoided whatever could give them trouble.
Cornelius, who dwelt among them and had caused
a synagogue to be built, would probably have to
receive circumcision, if he wished to continue his
intercourse with them.

Jesus afterward taught on the borders of the lake,
not far from Peter's fishery. He had journeyed with
the disciples over the mountain back of Mary's and
Peter's dwellings in the direction of Bethsaida, and
thence had descended to the lake. The shore near
Bethsaida was steep, but at the point to which I
now allude it gently sloped and afforded an easy
landing-place. Peter's ship and Jesus' little bark lay
here. The latter was small and could at most contain
fifteen men.

8. JESUS INSTRUCTS FROM HIS BARK.
CALL OF MATTHEW

A great crowd of pagans who had been 'at Corne
lius's feast were here assembled. Jesus was instructing
them and, as the throng became very great, He with
some of His disciples went on board His little bark,
while the rest of them and the publicans went on

Call of Matthew 41

Peter's boat. And now from the bark He instructed
the heathens on the strand, making use of the parables
of the sower and the tares in the field. The instruction
over, they struck out across the lake, the disciples in
Peter's boat plying the oars. Jesus' bark was fastened
to Peter's, and the disciples took turns to row. Jesus
sat on a raised seat near the mast, the others around
Him and on the edge of the boat. They interrogated
Him upon the meaning of the parable and asked
why He spoke in similitudes. Jesus gave them a
satisfactory explanation. They landed at a point
between the valley of Gerasa and Bethsaida-Julias.
A' road ran from the shore to the houses of the
publicans, and into it the four who were with Jesus
turned. Jesus meanwhile with the disciples continued
along the shore to the right, thus passing Matthew's
residence, though at a distance. A side-path ran from
this road to his custom-office, and along it Jesus bent
His steps, the disciples timidly remaining behind.
Servants and publicans were out in front of the
custom-house, busied with all kinds of merchandise.
When Matthew from the top of a little eminence
beheld Jesus and the disciples coming toward him,
he became confused and withdrew into his private
office. But Jesus continued to approach, and from
the opposite side of the road called him. Then came
Matthew hurrying out, prostrated with his face on the
ground before Jesus, protesting that he did not esteem
himself worthy that Jesus should speak with him.
But Jesus said: " Matthew, arise, and follow Me!
Then Matthew arose saying that he would instantly
and joyfully abandon all things and follow Him.
He accompanied Jesus back to where the disciples
were standing, who saluted him and extended to
him their hands. Thaddeus, Simon, and James the
Less were particularly rejoiced at his coming. They
and Matthew were half-brothers. Their father Al-
pheus, before his marriage with their mother Mary
Cleophas, was a widower with one son Matthew.

42 Life* of Jesus Christ

Matthew insisted upon all being his guests. Jesus
however assured him that they would return next
morning, and then they continued their way.

Matthew hurried back to his house, which stood
in a corner of the mountains about a quarter of an
hour from the lake. The little stream that flows
from Gerasa into the lake ran past it at no great
distance, and the view extended over lake and field.
Matthew at once procured a substitute in his busi
ness, an excellent man belonging to Peter's bark,
who was to discharge his duties until further ar
rangements could be made. Matthew was a married
man with four children. He joyfully imparted to his
wife the good fortune that had fallen to him, as well
as his intention to abandon all and follow Jesus, and
she received the announcement with corresponding
joy. Then he directed her to see to the preparing
of an entertainment for the next morning, he himself
taking charge of the invitations and other arrange
ments. Matthew was almost as old as Peter. One
might easily have taken him for the father of his
young half-brother Joses Barsabas. He was a man
of heavy, bony frame with black hair and beard.
Since his acquaintance with Jesus on the way to
Sidon, he had received John's baptism and regulated
his whole life most conscientiously.

On leaving Matthew, Jesus crossed the mountain
at the rear of his dwelling and proceeded northward
into the valley of Bethsaida-Julias, where He found
encamped caravans and travelling pagans whom He
instructed.

Toward noon the next day Jesus returned with
the disciples to Matthew's, where many publicans
who had been invited were already assembled. Some
Pharisees and some of John's disciples had joined
Jesus on the way, but they did not enter Matthew's.
They staid out-doors sauntering around the garden
with the disciples, to whom they put the question :
" How can you tolerate your Master's making Him-

Jesus Eats with the Publicans 43

self so familiar with sinners and publicans? ' They
received for answer: " Ask Himself why He does
so! ' But the Pharisees responded: " One can not
speak with a man who always maintains that he
is right. "

Matthew received Jesus and His followers most
lovingly and humbly, and washed their feet. His half-
brothers warmly embraced him, and then he presented
his wife and children to Jesus. Jesus spoke to the
mother and blessed the children, who then retired
to return no more. I have often wondered why the
children whom Jesus blessed usually appeared no
more. I saw Jesus seated and Matthew on his knees
before Him. Jesus laid His hand upon him, blessed
him, and addressed to him some words of instruction.
Matthew had formerly been called Levi, but now
he received the name of Matthew. The feast was
a magnificent one. The table in the form of a cross
was set in an open hall. Jesus sat in the midst of
the publicans. In the intervals between the different
courses, the guests arose and engaged in conversation
with one another. Poor travellers passing by were
supplied with food by the disciples, for the street
on which the house stood led down to the ferry.
It was on the occasion of their leaving table that
the Pharisees approached the disciples, and then oc
curred the speeches and objections narrated in the
Gospel of St. Luke, 7, 30-39. The Pharisees insisted
particularly on the subject of fasting, because among
the strict Jews a fast-day began that evening in expia
tion of the sacrilege King Joachim committed by
burning the Books of the Prophet Jeremias. Among
the Jews, especially in Judea, it was not customary
to pluck fruit by the wayside. Now Jesus permitted
it to His disciples, and this the Pharisees made a sub
ject of reproach to Him. While giving His answers
to the Pharisees, Jesus was reclining at table 'with
the publicans, whereas the disciples to whom the
questions of the Pharisees were addressed were stand-

44 Life of Jesus Christ

ing or walking among them. Jesus turned His head
from side to side in answering.

Capharnaum was much more lively now than for
merly. Crowds of strangers were streaming in on
account of Jesus, some of them His friends, others
His enemies, and most of them pagans, the followers
of Zorobabel and Cornelius.

9. THE FINAL CALL OF PETER, ANDREW,

JAMES, AND JOHN. JESUS STILLS THE

TEMPEST ON THE LAKE

Next morning when Jesus went to the lake, which
was about a quarter of an hour distant from Matthew's
dwelling, Peter and Andrew were upon the point
of launching out on the deep to let down their nets.
Jesus called to them: " Come and follow Me! I will
make you fishers of men! " They instantly abandoned
their work, hove to their boat, and came on shore.
Jesus went on a little farther up the shore to the
ship of Zebedee, who with his sons James and John
was mending his nets on the ship. Jesus called the
two sons to come to Him. They obeyed immediately
and came to land, while Zebedee remained on the
ship with his servants.

Then Jesus sent Peter and Andrew, James and
John into the mountains where the heathens were
encamped, with the order to baptize all that desired
it. He Himself had prepared them for it during
the two preceding days. With Saturnin and the
other disciples, Jesus went in another direction. All
were to meet again that evening at Matthew's, and
I saw Jesus pointing out with His finger the way
they were to take. While He was calling the four
disciples, the others had waited for Him at a little
distance up the road, but when He commissioned
those four to go and baptize, they were all together.

Jesus had indeed at an earlier period formally

Call of " The Four " 45

called the fishermen from their occupations, but with
His consent they had always returned to them. So
long- as they themselves were not engaged in teaching,
it was not necessary for them to follow Him constant
ly. Their means of navigation and their intercourse with
the pagan caravans were very advantageous likewise
while He sojourned at Capharnaum. When after the
last Pasch they had for a longer time been with
Jesus, they had indeed taught here and there, and
had even wrought some miraculous cures. In these
latter however they were not always success
ful on account of their want of faith. They had
also suffered persecution at this early stage of their
apostolic career. In Gennabris they were led bound
before the Pharisees and cast into prison. They receiv
ed at that time from Jesus the power to bless the
\\ater intended for baptism. This power was not
imparted to them by the imposition of hands, but
with a blessing.

Peter was, besides his fishery, engaged also in
agriculture and cattle-raising, consequently it was
harder for him than for the others to break away
from his business affairs. To this was added the
feeling of his own unworthiness and his fancied incapa
city for teaching, which made separation from his
surroundings still more difficult. His house outside
Capharnaum was large and long, surrounded by a
courtyard, side buildings, halls, and sheds. The waters
of the brook of Capharnaum flowing in front of it,
were damned near by into a beautiful pond in which
fish were kept. All around were grassplots, upon
which bleaching was done and nets were spread.

Andrew had followed the Lord longer, and he
was already more detached from worldly affairs than
his brother. James and John up to this period were
accustomed to return at intervals to their parents.

It is understood that the Gospels do not contain
the details of Jesus' intercourse with the disciples,
but only a short statement of it. This call of the

46 Life of Jesus Christ

fishermen from their boats to make them fishers of
men, is there set down as happening at the beginning
of His public life, and as the only call that Saints
Peter, Andrew, John, and James received. Many of
the miracles, parables, and instructions of Jesus are
afterward recorded as instance of His power and
wisdom, without any reference whatever to their order
of time.

Peter, Andrew, James, and John went to the pagan
encampment, and there Andrew baptized. Wa.er was
brought from the brook in a large basin. The neo
phytes knelt in a circle, their hands crossed upon their
breast. Among them stood boys from three to six
years. Peter held the basin and Andrew, scooping
the water up with his hand three different times
sprinkled the heads of the neophytes three at a time
and repeated the words of baptism. The other dis
ciples went around outside the circle laying" their
hands on the newly baptized. These latter then with
drew, and their places were immediately filled by
others. The ceremony was discontinued at intervals,
and then the disciples recounted the parables they
had learned from their Master, spoke of Jesus, His
doctrine, and His miracles, and explained to the
pagans points of which they were still ignorant regard
ing the Law and the Promises of God. Peter was
particularly animated in his delivery and accompanied
his words with many gestures. John and James
likewise spoke very beautifully. Jesus meantime was
teaching in another valley, and with Him was Saturnin
baptizing.

That evening when all were again assembled at
Matthew's, the crowd was very great and pressed
around Jesus. On that account, with the twelve Apos
tles and Saturnin, He went on toard Peter's bark and
commanded them to row toward Tiberias, which was
on the opposite side of the lake in its greatest breadth.
It looked as if Jesus wanted to escape from the crowd
that pressed upon Him, for He was worn out with

Tempest on the Lake 47

fatigue. Three platforms surrounded the lower part
of the mast, like steps one above the other. In the
middle one, in one of the apartments used by the
sentry, Jesus lay down and fell asleep, for He was
very tired. The rowers were above Him. From Jesus'
resting-place, although protected by a roof, there was
an unobstructed view over the whole lake. When
the party put out from shore, the weather was calm
and beautiful, but they had scarcely reached the
middle of the lake before a violent tempest arose.
1 thought it very strange that, although the sky was
shrouded in darkness, the stars were to be seen.
The wind blew in a hurricame and the waves dashed
over the boat, the sails of which had been furled.
I saw from time to time a brilliant light glancing over
the troubled waters. It must have been lightning.
The danger was imminent, and the disciples were
in great anxiety when they awoke Jesus with the
words: " Master! hast Thou no care for us? We
are sinking! " Jesus arose, looked out on the water,
and said quietly and earnestly, as if speaking to the
storm: " Peace! Be still! " and instantly all became
calm. The disciples were struck with fear. They
whispered to one another: " Who is this Man that can
control the waves? ' Jesus reproved them for their
little faith and their fear. He ordered them to row
back to Corozain, for so the place of Matthew's
custom-house was called, on account of the city of
Corozain. The region on the other side of the lake
between Capharnaum and Giskala was named Genesa-
reth. Zebedee's bark also returned with them, and
another filled with passengers went off to Capharnaum.
There were in all about fifteen men on the boat
with Jesus. We must not be surprised at the rowers'
position above the sleeping-place of Jesus, nor at
the fact of Jesus' being able notwithstanding to take
in the whole view of the lake. The oars rested
upon the high sides of the boat and struck far out
into the water. They were provided with long handles

48 Life of Jesus Christ

and the rowers were obliged to stand high. It was
about one hour from Corozain to the southwest and
a little to the north of Gergesa, which occupied a less
elevated position.

At the place where Jesus paused to address the
multitude there was a stone seat intended for the
teacher. The instruction had been announced two
days before, and there were in all probability two
thousand listeners in attendance. Jesus healed also
a great crowd of people, the blind and lame, the dumb
and leprous. As He began to teach some of the
possessed who had been led thither, commenced to
shout and to rave. Jesus commanded them to be
silent and to lie down on the ground. Like frightened
dogs they lay on the ground and moved not until
at the close of His discourse, He went to them and
delivered them.

Among the numerous cures, I remember that of a
man with an arm perfectly withered and a hand
shrunken and crooked. Jesus stroked down the arm,
took the hand in His own, and straightened out each
finger one after the other, at the same time gently
bending and pressing it. All this took place almost
instantaneously, in a shorter time than one takes
to say how it was done. The hand was restored to
its proper shape, the blood began to circulate, and
the man could move it although it was still wasted
and .weak. Its strength however momentarily in
creased.

There were in the crowd many women with children
of all ages. Jesus had them brought to Him in .bands,
one after another. He walked about among them,
gave them Him blessing, and instructed them in tones
loud enough to be heard by all. I saw Him during
this instruction take a child by the hand and turn
it here and there, to show how men, without complaint
or resistance, should allow themselves to be conducted
by God. He paid great attention to the children.
Most of these people were heathens, others wer6

Baptism Administered 49

Jews from Syria and Decapolis. At the spreading
rumor of Jesus' doings, they had come in great
caravans with their servants and children and sick
to the teaching, healing, and baptism. Jesus came
to meet them here, that the crowd in Capharnaum
might not become too great. Among them I saw the
relatives of the woman mentioned- in the Gospel, the
woman afflicted with the issue of blood, who was
then at Capharnaum. Those relatives were an uncle
of her deceased husband from Paneas in whose house
she had been married, her grown daughter, and
another woman. They spoke to the disciples begging
them to conduct them to Capharnaum that evening,
and they inquired also after their sick relatives. They
heard Jesus' instructions.

Baptism was administered the whole day at this
place. As on the preceding day, the neophytes knelt
in circles. I saw again many little boys baptized.
They stood in circles, their hands joined on their
breast. The water had been brought in leathern
bottles from the valley of Corozain. Present among
the crowd of hearers were some Pharisees from the
surrounding districts and some of John's false dis
ciples, who acted as spies upon Jesus. In the even
ing He returned to Matthew's with the disciples. He
related another parable, that of the treasure which a
man found hidden in his neighbor's field. Without
disclosing the secret, he went and sold all that he
owned in order to buy that field. This parable Jesus
applied to the great desire of the gentiles to seize upon
the Kingdom of God. To escape the crowd that
pressed upon Him, Jesus again went on board a
bark and there taught. He did not however go far
out on the water, but returned and spent the night
in prayer.

Next morning the disciples brought Him the news
that Mary Cleophas was lying very ill at Peter's near
Capharnaum, that His Mother entreated Him to come
to her soon, and that a great multitude of sick

Life of Jesus Christ. — HI. 4

50 Life of Jesus Christ

of whom many were from Nazareth, were awaiting
His arrival. Jesus again taught and cured numbers
on the shore of the lake. Many possessed were
brought to Him, and He delivered them. The crowd
of people and the pressure of the throng were constant
ly on the increase, and no words can say how un-
weariedly Jesus labored and helped all in need.

That afternoon He and all His Apostles rowed over
to Bethsaida. Matthew had delivered the custom
house to a man belonging to the fishery. Since his
reception of John's baptism, he had carried on his
business in an altogether blameless manner. The other
publicans also were honest in their dealings and
very liberal men, who gave large alms to the poor.
Judas is still good. He is uncommonly active and
ready to render service, though in his distribution
of alms somewhat close and calculating. A large
number of Gentiles crossed the lake to-day. Those
that were not going on further, to Capharnaum for
instance, left their camels and asses on rafts towed
by the boats, or led them over the bridge that crossed
the Jordan above the lake.

It was approaching four o'clock when Jesus reached
Bethsaida where Mary with Maroni and her son, who
had been here for two days, were along with others
awaiting His coming. Jesus took some refreshments,
while Mary Cleophas's sons repaired at once to their
sick mother. A crowd of people was assembled in
front of Andrew's house, and Jesus taught and cured
until after night had closed.

The throng of strangers, both Jews and Gentiles,
to Capharnaum at this time, surpassed anything that
can be imagined. Great caravans were encamped in
all the country around. Very probably the number
of strangers sojourning all around the country on Jesus'
account, amounted to twelve thousand. The valleys
and nooks of the surrounding districts were alive
with grazing camels and asses. The fodder was put
before them at a convenient height and then they

John the Baptist's Message 51

were tied to it. They browsed also on the numerous
buds of the hedges and thickets, though to the great
prejudice of the same. Tents were pitched everywhere.
Since Jesus' sojourn Capharnaum had greatly in
creased in size, wealth, and importance. Many families
from afar had there taken up their abode, and the
throng of visitors brought money into the city. Zorob-
abel's house, as well as that of Cornelius, were now
almost connected with the city proper.

Numerous sick were brought to Capharnaum from
the towns and villages lying around. All had been
thrown into excitement by the raising of the youth
of Nairn, and the other astonishing miracles. Many
sick from Nazareth, even those that were considered
incurable and others nigh unto death, had been brought
hither to Jesus in all confidence by their friends.
Peter's house outside the city, its courtyard, out
buildings, and sheds were crowded with them. Tents
and arbors of all kinds were hastily put up and
provisions provided. The widow of Nairn, who was
related to Peter, and Mary Cleophas likewise a
connection of his through her third husband, were
there. Mary Cleophas 's usual residence was at Cana,
but she had accompanied the widow of Nairn to
Capharnaum. She had with her Simeon, the son of
her third marriage, a boy of eight years. She was
already fever-stricken on her arrival, and her sickness
was on the increase. Jesus had not yet gone to her.
I remarked some people from Greece among the
multitudes here awaiting Jesus, some from Tatras
Saturnin's native city.

10. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S MESSAGE

TO THE SYNAGOGUE.
THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES

Several of John's disciples sent by their master,
came before the Sabbath began from Machserus to
Capharnaum. They were some of the oldest and

52 Life of Jesus Christ

most confidential of his disciples, and among them
were the brothers of Mary Cleophas, James, Sadoch,
and Heliachim. They called the Elders and the com
mittee appointed by the Pharisees into the porch
before the synagogue, and there presented to them
a long narrow, conical roll of parchment. It was
a letter from John, and contained in strong and
expressive terms his testimony of Jesus. While they
were reading it, and somewhat perplexed were discuss
ing its contents among themselves, a numerous crowd
assembled, to whom the messengers from John made
known what their master had at Machaerus declared
in a magnificent discourse before Herod, his own
disciples, and a crowded audience. I saw the whole
scene. When the disciples whom John had sent to
Jesus at Mageddo had returned to their master
bringing with them the news of Jesus' miracles and
teachings, as well as the persecution He endured from
the Pharisees; when they repeated the various rumors
afloat concerning Jesus and the complaints of many
because He made no effort to release him (John), the
Baptist felt himself urged once more to bear public
witness to Him. This he did the more readily since
all his efforts to induce Him to testify of Himself had
been fruitless. Therefore he sent a request to Herod
to allow him to address his disciples and all others who
might desire to hear him. He brought forward as a
plea in his own favor that he should soon be reduced
to silence. Herod did not hesitate to grant the favor
asked. John's disciples and a -crowd of people were
admitted to the open square of the castle in - which
the Precursor was confined. Herod and his wicked
wife sat on elevated seats surrounded by a numerous
guard of soldiers. Then John was led forth from
his prison and he began his discourse. Herod was
quite pleased that the affair should come off as he
was glad of the opportunity to appease the people
by letting them see how light and easy was the
imprisonment to which John was subjected. Under

The Baptist in Prison 53

the powerful inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the Baptist
spoke of Jesus. He himself, he said, was sent only
to prepare the ways for Him. He had never
announced another than Jesus; but, stubborn as
they were, the people would not acknowledge
Him. Had they then forgotten, he asked, what he
had told them of Him? He would recall it to them
clearly once more, for his own end was not far
distant! At these last words, the whole assembly
was moved, and many of John's disciples wept. Herod
grew uneasy and embarrassed, for he had by no
means resolved upon John's death, while his concubine
dissembled her feelings as best she could. John con
tinued zealously to speak. He recounted the wonders
that took place at Jesus' baptism and declared Him
the Beloved Son of God announced by the Prophets.
His doctrine was the same as His Father's. What He
did the Father also did, and no one can go to the
Father excepting by Him, that is, by Jesus. And so
he went on, refuting at length the reproaches of the
Pharisees against Him, and especially that of His
healing on the Sabbath-day. Every one, he said,
should keep holy the Sabbath, but the Pharisees
profaned it, since they did not follow the teachings
of Jesus, the teachings of the Son of Him who had
instituted the Sabbath. John said many things of
a similar nature, and proclaimed Jesus the One outside
of whom no salvation could be found. Whoever be
lieved not in Him and followed not His doctrine,
would be condemned. He exhorted his disciples to
turn to Jesus, not to remain standing blindly near
Him on the threshold, but to enter into the Temple
itself.

After his discourse, John sent several of his disciples
with a letter to the synagogue of Capharnaum. In it
he repeated all that he had said in testimony of
Jesus, namely, that He was the Son of God and the
fulfilment of the Promise, and that all His acts and
teachings were right and holy. He refuted their ob-

54 Life of Jesus Christ

jections, threatened them with God's judgments, and
earnestly entreated them not to turn away from
salvation. He commanded the disciples to read to
the people another letter containing the same things,
and to repeat to them all that he had just said.
And now I saw John's disciples doing in Capharnaum
what had been commanded them. An unusually large
crowd was assembled, for the city was actually swarm
ing with people on this Sabbath. There were here
Jews from all quarters, and they listened with great
joy to John's testimony of Jesus. Many gave utter
ance to loud acclamations, and their faith gained new
strength.

The Pharisees had to give way to the multitude,
they could not say a word. They shrugged their
shoulders, shook their head, and feigned to be well-
disposed. They however asserted their own authority
and told John's disciples that they would place no
obstacle in Jesus' way if He refrained from violating
the laws and disturbing the public peace. He was,
it was true, very wonderfully endowed; but it was
theirs to maintain order, and there should be moder
ation in all things. John too was a good man,
but shut up as he was in prison, he might easily
form a wrong estimate of things, besides he had
never been much with Jesus.

And now the hour for the Sabbath struck, and all
betook themselves to the synagogue, among them
Jesus and the disciples. All listened with the greatest
admiration to Jesus' words. He spoke of Joseph sold
by his brethren, and explained some passages from
Amos that contained the menaces of God against
the prevarications of Israel. 1 No one interrupted Him,
The Pharisees listened with secret envy and astonish
ment that they could not repress. John's testimony
proclaimed so boldly to the public, had somewhat
intimidated them.

i. Genesis XXXVII, 1-4.1. Amos II, 6 et III, g.

A Demoniac 55

But suddenly there arose fearful cries in the syna
gogue. Some people had brought in a man violently
possessed belonging to Capharnaum. All of a sudden
he made an assault on those around him, 'and attempted
to tear them with his teeth. Jesus turned to the
side whence the noise proceeded and said: " Silence I
Take him out! " The man became perfectly calm.
They led him out of the synagogue, and he threw
himself on the ground looking quite intimidated.
When Jesus had finished the Sabbath instructions
and was about to withdraw, He went to where the
man was lying and delivered him from the devil.
After that He repaired with the disciples to Peter's
near the lake, because there He could be more at
peace. That night He went off by Himself to pray.
Among all those that Jesus cured, I never saw any
such as we call insane. They were all demoniacs
and possessed.

The Pharisees were still together. They ran through
all kinds of ancient writings relative to the Prophets,
their manner of life, their teachings, and their actions.
They dwelt especially upon Malachias of whom many
traditions were still extant, and compared what they
found with the doctrine of Jesus. They were obliged
to give Jesus the preference and admire His gifts,
though they continued to criticize His teachings.

Next morning Jesus again taught in the synagogue
before an immense crowd. Meanwhile Mary Cleo-
phas had become so sick that the Blessed Virgin
sent to Jesus to implore His help. Jesus then went
to Peter's near the city where Mary, the widow of
Nairn, and the sons and brothers of the sick woman
were. The sorrow of little Simeon, then about eight
years old, was quite remarkable. He was the youngest
son of Mary Cleophas by her third husband Jonas.
Jonas was the young brother of Peter's father-in-
law, who had been associated with him in the fishery,
and who had died about half a year previously.
Jesus went to the sick woman's bed, prayed, and

56 Life of Jesus Christ

laid His hands upon her. She was quite exhausted
by fever. Then He grasped her by the hand and
told her that she should no longer be sick. He
directed them to give her to eat, and I saw them
bringing her a cup of something, after which she
had to eat a little. This He ordered to almost all
the sick whom He cured, and I heard that it bore
some signification to the Most "Blessed Sacrament.
As a general thing, Jesus blessed the food thus
ordered. The joy of her sons, and especially that
of little Simeon, was indescribable when their mother
arose cured and began to serve the other sick. As
for Jesus, He went out immediately and began to
cure the crowds of sick awaiting His coming in
the sheds arid buildings around the house. The sick
of all kinds were gathered here, some of long duration
looked upon as incurable, others apparently at the
point of death. They had been brought from far
and wide, some were even from Nazareth and had
known Jesus in His early youth. I saw some carried
to Him on the shoulders of others, looking more
like corpses than creatures with life.

Some of John's disciples, they that had brought
the writings, came here to Jesus to amuse themselves
and tell Him how indignant they were against Him,
because He made no effort to deliver their master
from imprisonment. They told Him how rigorously
they had fasted to obtain that God would move
Him to free their master. Jesus comforted them and
again praised John as the holiest of men. After that
I heard them speaking with Jesus' disciples. They
inquired why Jesus did not Himself baptize. Their
master, as they said, labored so zealously in that
way. The disciples of Jesus answered in words like
these: " John baptized, because he is the Baptist;
but Jesus heals, because He is the Saviour, " adding
that John had never effected a miraculous cure.

And now came to Jesus some Scribes from Naza
reth. They were very courteous, and besought Him

Discourse at Peter's Fishery 57

once more to visit Nazareth. It looked as if they
wanted to make Him forget what had happend there.
But Jesus replied that no Prophet is esteemed in his
own native city. He went then to the synagogue,
where He delivered the Sabbath instructions fill its
close. On leaving the synagogue, He cured a blind
man.

Peter's wife presided over the domestic affairs of
his house outside the city, while those of the other
near the lake were directed by his mother-in-law and
step-daughter. Jesus went away to pray. Some of
the disciples, they that had formerly been engaged
in fishing, asked and obtained their Master's permis
sion to go on board their barks and pass the night
at their old occupation, since there was great need
of fish to supply the stupendous multitude of strangers
then present in Capharnaum. There were also many
desirous of crossing to the other side of the lake.

The disciples spent the whole night in fishing and
next morning rowed many passengers across. Jesus
meanwhile with the rest of the disciples busied Him
self in distributing alms to the poor, to the sick that
had been cured, and to needy travellers. This dis
tribution was accompanied by instruction. With His
own hands Jesus presented to each one that of which
he had need, giving him at the same time words
of consolation and advice. The alms consisted of
clothing, various materials and covers, bread, and
money. The holy women also gave alms from their
own stock of provisions, as well as from the gifts
bestowed upon them by certain benevolent persons.
The disciples carried the bread and clothing in baskets,
and made the distribution of them according to Jesus'
orders.

Later in the day Jesus gave at Peter's fishery
a discourse, which was attended by an immense
crowd. The boats of Peter and Zebedee were lying
not far from the shore. The disciples who had been
fishing the night before were on the shore a little

58 Life of Jesus Christ

distant from the crowd, busy cleaning their nets.
Jesus' little bark was lying near the larger ones.
When the press became too great, for the level shore
was very narrow at this point, a rocky, mountain-
wall rising in the rear, Jesus made a sign to the
fishermen, and they rowed His bark to where He
was standing. While it was approaching, a ^Scribe
from Nazareth who had come hither with some of the
sick whom Jesus had cured yesterday, said: " Master,
I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest! " Jesus
replied: " The foxes have holes, and the birds of
the air nests, but the Son of Man has not where
to lay His head. "

The little bark pushed up to the shore, and Jesus
entered it with some of His disciples. They rowed
out a short distance from the land and then up and
down, pausing sometimes here, sometimes there, while
Jesus instructed the crowd on the shore. He related
to them several parables of the Kingdom of God,
among them that in which the Kingdom of heaven
is compared to a net cast into the sea, and that of
the enemy who sowed cockle among the wheat.

Evening was now closing. Jesus told Peter to row
his boat out on the lake and to cast his nets to the
fish. Peter slightly vexed replied: " We have labored
all night and have taken nothing, but at Thy word
I will let down the net " and he with the others
entered their barks with their nets and rowed out on
the lake. Jesus bade adieu to the crowd and in
His own little boat, wherein were Saturnin, Veronica's
son, who had arrived the day before, and some
of the other disciples, He followed after Peter's.
He continued to instruct them, explaining similitudes,
and when out on the deep water told them where
to let down the nets. Then He left them and rowed
over in His little boat to the landing-place near
Matthew's.

By this time it was night, and on the edge of the
boats near the nets torches were blazing. The fishers

Miraculous Draught of Fishes 59

cast out the net, and rowed toward Chorozain, but
soon they were unable to raise it. When at last
continuing to row eastward,, they dragged it out of
the deep into shallow water, it Was so heavy that it
gave way here and there. They inserted scoops formied
like little boats into the net, seized the fish with
their hands, and put them into smaller nets and into
the casks that floated at the sides of their barks.
Then they called to their companions on Zebedee's
boat, who came and emptied a part of the net. They
were actually terrified at sight of the draught of
fishes. Never before had such a thing happened to
them. Peter was confounded. He felt that they had
never yet sufficiently appreciated Jesus. He felt how
vain were all the cares they had hitherto bestowed
upon their fishing, how fruitlessly they had labored
notwithstanding their trouble and here, at a word from
Him, they had caught at one draught more than
they had ever done in months together.

When the net was relieved of part of its weight,
they rowed to the shore, dragged it out of the water,
and gazed awe-struck at the multitude of fish it
still contained. Jesus was standing on the shore.
Peter, humbled and confused, fell at His feet and
said: " Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful
man! " But Jesus -said: " Fear not, Peter! From
henceforth thou shalt catch men! ' Peter however
was quite overcome by sadness at sight of his own
unworthiness and vain solicitude for the things of
this life. It was now between three and four in
the morning, and it began to grow light.

The disciples, having" put the fish into a place of
safety, retired to their boats for a short sleep. Jesus
with Saturnin and Veronica's son turned off to the
east, and climbed the northern end of the mountain-
ridge upon whose southern extremity stood Gamala.
Little hills and thickets were here scattered around.
Jesus instructed Saturnin and Veronica's son how to
pray and gave them several points upon which to

60 Life of Jesus Christ

reflect. Then He withdrew from them into solitude,
while they rested, walked about, and prayed.

The disciples spent the next day in transporting1 their
fish, a great portion of which was distributed to
the poor, and to all they recounted the wonderful
circumstances attending" their labor. The pagans
bought a great many, and many more were taken
to Capharnaum and Bethsaida. All were now firmly
convinced of the folly of solicitude for the nourishment
of the body; for as the sea obeyed Jesus in the time
of tempest so too did the fish obey Him. They were
caught at His word.

Toward evening they went again to the landing-
place on the east side of the lake, and Jesus with
the two disciples went with them toward Capharnaum.
He repaired to Peter's "house outside the city, and
there until after night He cured by the light of
torches many sick, men and women, who were quite
abandoned on account of their maladies, which were
considered unclean. Their friends had not dared to
bring them openly with the other sick. Jesus cured
them secretly by night in Peter's yard. There were
some among them who for years had been separated
from their friends, and who were in a most pitiable
condition. All the rest of the night Jesus spent in
prayer.

11. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
CURE OF A PARALYTIC

Jesus rowed with several of the disciples over the
lake and landed one hour to the north of Matthew's.
Already many pagans, as well as those whom Jesus
had cured and the newly baptized, had repaired to
the mountain east of Bethsaida- Julias where Jesus
was to teach. All around stood the camps of the
pagans. The disciples who had been fishing on the
night of the miraculous draught, asked Jesus whether
they too should go with Him, for their recent success

Martial 61

had freed them from anxiety upon the score of pro
visions, and they felt that all was in His hands. Jesus
replied that they should baptize those that were
still in Capharnaum, and after that employ their
time at their accustomed occupations, as the immense
number of strangers then in and around the city
rendered extra supplies necessary.

Before crossing the lake, Jesus delivered to His
disciples a comprehensive instruction. In it He gave
them an idea of the whole plan of the discourses
He was now about to give on the Eight Beatitudes,
upon which He intended to dwell for a long time.
He told them that they (the disciples) were the salt
of the earth destined to vivify and preserve others,
consequently that they themselves must not lose their
savor. Jesus explained all this to them at full length
making use of numerous examples and parables. After
that He rowed across the lake.

The disciples (the fishermen) and Saturnin began
their work of baptizing in the valley of Capharnaum.
The son of the widow of Nairn was here baptized and
named Martial, Saturnin imposing hands upon him.
The holy women did not follow Jesus to the instructions,
but remained behind to celebrate with the widow
of Nairn the baptismal feast of her son.

There were with Jesus Joseph of Arimathea's neph
ews, who had come from Jerusalem, Nathanael, Mana-
hem of Korah, and many other disciples. In these
last days I saw about thirty of them gathered together
in Capharnaum.

On landing at the east side of the lake just below
the mouth of the Jordan, the traveller ascended the
mountain to the east and then turning westward,
went on to the spot upon which the instruction was
to be given. Another way could be taken, namely,
that over the Jordan bridge to the north of the
lake. But this latter way on account of the wild
character of the country and its numerous ravines,
was rather a difficult road to the mountain. Bethsaida-

62 Life of Jesus Christ

Julias was situated on the eastern bank of the mouth
of the Jordan, the river there forming a bend. The
western shore was high and to it ran a road.

There was no teacher's chair on the mountain,
only an eminence surrounded by a mound of earth
and covered by an awning. The view from the west
and southwest extended over the lake and to the
opposite mountains. One could even descry Mount
Thabor. Crowds of people, most of them pagans that
had received baptism, were encamped around. There
were Jews also present. Separation between them
was not so rigorously observed here, since commu
nication between the Jews and Gentiles Was greater
in these parts, and on this side of the lake the latter
enjoyed certain privileges.

Jesus began by enumerating the Eight Beatitudes,
and then went on to explain the first: " Blessed are
the poor in spirit, for theirs is the. Kingdom of heaven."
He related examples and parables, spoke of the
Messias, and especially of the conversion of the gen
tiles. Now was accomplished what the Prophet fore
told of the Desired of Nations: " And I will move all
nations. And the Desired of all nations shall come.
and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord
of hosts. "1 There was no curing on this day, for
the sick had been healed on the preceding days.
The Pharisees had come over in one of their own
boats and they listened to Jesus' words with chagrin
and 'jealousy. The people had brought with them
food which they ate during the pauses of the instruc
tion. Jesus and the disciples had fish, bread, and
honey, also little flasks of some kind of juice, or
balm, a few drops of which were mixed with the
water they drank.

Toward evening the people from Capharnaum,
Bethsaida, and other neighboring places, returned to
their homes in the boats that awaited them on the

i. Aggeus 77, 8.

" Ye Are the Light of the World" 63

lake. Jesus and His disciples went down toward the
valley of the Jordan and into a shepherd-inn where
they passed the night. Jesus still continued to teach
the disciples, thus to prepare them for their future
mission.

Jesus devoted fourteen days to instructions on the
Eight Beatitudes, and spent the intervening Sabbath
in Capharnaum.

On the following day He continued His preaching
on the mountain. Mary, Mary Cleophas, Maroni of
Nairn, and two other women were present. When
Jesus with the Apostles and disciples went back to
the lake, He spoke of their vocation in these words:
' Ye are the light of the world! " He illustrated by
the similitude of the city seated on a mountain, the
light on the candlestick, and the fulfilling of the
Law. Then He rowed to Bethsaida, and put up
at Andrew's.

Among the neophytes whom Saturnin baptized on
those days near Capharnaum, were some Jews from
Achaia whose ancestors had fled thither at the time
of the Babylonian Captivity.

Bethsaida-Julias was a recently built city inhabited
mostly by pagans. Ther^ were however some Jews,
and the city possessed a famous school in which all
kinds of knowledge were taught. Jesus had not yet
visited it, but the inhabitants went out to the instruction
and also to Capharnaum where their sick were cured.
Bethsaida-Julias was beautifully situated in the narrow
valley of the Jordan, built a little up on the eastern
side of the mountain, one-half hour from the point
where the river flows into the lake. One hour north
ward, a stone bridge spanned the Jordan.

While going down from the mountain whereon He
had been teaching, Jesus again instructed the dis
ciples, and spoke of the sufferings and sharp per
secutions in store for them. He slept that nig'ht in
Peter's bark.

When Jesus next day went down from the mountain

64 Life of Jesus Christ

to Capharnaum, He found a crowd of people assem
bled to bid Him welcome. He repaired to Peter's
house near the city. It stood outside the gate to
the right on entering the city from the valley. When
it was known that Jesus and the disciples were in the
house, a crowd soon gathered around Him. The
Scribes and Pharisees also hastened out to hear
Him. The whole court around the open hall in which
Jesus with the disciples and Scribes sat and taught,
was full. He spoke of the Ten Commandments and,
coming to the words recorded in the Gospel of the
Sermon on the Mount: " You have heard that it was
said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill, " He based
upon them His instruction on the forgiveness of
injuries and the love of one's enemies. Just at this
moment a loud noise arose on the roof of the hall
and through the usual opening in the ceiling a
paralytic on his bed was lowered by four men, who
cried out : " Lord, have pity upon a poor sick man ! '
He was let down by two cords into the midst of
the assembly before Jesus. The friends of the sick
man had tried in vain to carry him through the
crowd into the courtyard, and had at last mounted
the outside steps to the roqf of the hall whose trap
door they opened. All eyes were fixed upon the
invalid, and the Pharisees were vexed at what appear
ed to them a great misdemeanor, a piece of unheard
of impertinence. But Jesus, who was pleased at the
faith of the poor people, stepped forward and ad
dressed the paralytic, who lay there motionless: " Be
of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee! " words
which were as usual particularly distasteful to the
Pharisees. They thought within themselves : " That
is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins? '
Jesus saw their thoughts and said: " Wherefore have
ye such thoughts of bitterness in your heart? Which is
easier to say to the paralytic, Thy sins are forgiven
thee; or to say: Arise, take up thy bed, and walk?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has

Jairus and His Daughter 65

power on earth to forgive sins, I say to thee: " (here
Jesus turned to the paralytic) " Arise! Take up thy
bed, .and go into thy house! And immediately
the man arose cured, rolled up the coverlets of his
bed, laid the laths of the frame together, took' them
under his arm and upon his shoulder, and ac
companied by those that had brought him and some
other friends went off singing canticles of praise
while the whole multitude shouted for joy. The Phar
isees full of rage slipped awa,y, one by one, It
was now the Sabbath, and Jesus followed by the
multitude repaired to the synagogue.

12. JAIRUS AND HIS DAUGHTER. HER

RELAPSE. CURE OF A WOMAN AFFLICTED

WITH AN ISSUE OF BLOOD, OF TWO BLIND

MEN, AND OF A PHARISEE

Jairus, the Chief of the synagogue, was also present
at that last miracle in the synagogue. He was very
sad and full of remorse. His daughter was again
near death, and truly a frightful death, as it had
fallen upon her in punishment of her own and her
parents' sins. Since the preceding Sabbath she had
lain ill of a fever. The mother and her sister together
with Jairus's mother, who all lived in the same house,
had along with the daughter herself taken Jesus'
miraculous healing in a very frivolous way, without
gratitude and without in any way altering their life.
Jairus, weak and yielding, entirely under the control
of his vain and beautiful wife, had let the women have
their own way. Their home was the theatre of female
vanity, and all the latest pagan, .styles of finery
were brought into requisition for their adornment.
When the little girl was well again, these women
laughed among themselves at Jesus and turned Him
into ridicule. The child followed their example. Until
very recently she had retained her innocence, but
now it was no longer so. A violent fever seized upon

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. c

66

Life of Jesus Christ

her. The burning and thirst that she endured were
something extraordinary, the last week was spent
in a state of constant dilirium, and she now lay near
death. The parents suspected that it was a punish
ment of their frivolity, though they would not acknowl
edge it to themselves. At last the mother became
so ashamed and so frightened that she said to Jairus :
" Will Jesus again have pity on us? " and she com
missioned her husband once more humbly to implore
His assistance. But Jairus was ashamed to appear
again before the Lord, so he waited till the Sab
bath instructions were over. He had full faith that
Jesus could help him at any time, if He would. He
was too ashamed to be seen by the people again
asking for help.

When Jesus was leaving: the synagogue, a great
crowd pressed around Him, for there were many,
both sick and well, who wanted to speak to Him.
Jairus approached with trouble 'on his countenance.
He threw himself at Jesus' feet, and begged Him
again to have pity on his daughter whom he had
left in a dying state. Jesus promised that He would
return with him. And now there came some one
from Jairus 's house looking for him, because he
stayed so long, and the mother of the girl thought
that Jesus would not come. The messenger told Jairus
that his daughter was already dead. Jesus comforted
the father and told him to have confidence. It was
already dark, and the crowd around Jesus was very
great. Just then a woman afflicted with an issue
of blood, taking advantage of the darkness, made her
way through the crowd leaning on the arms of her
nurses. She dwelt not far from the synagogue. The
women afflicted with the same malady, though not so
grievously as herself, had told her of their own cure
some hours earlier. They had that day at noon,
when Jesus was passing in the midst of the crowd,
ventured to touch His garments, and were thereby
instantly cured. Their words roused her faith. She

" Who Hath Touched Me? " 67

hoped in the dusk of evening and in the throng that
would gather round Jesus on leaving the synagogue,
to be able to touch Him unnoticed. Jesus knew her
thoughts and consequently slackened His pace. The
nurses led her as close to Him as possible. Standing
near her were her daughter, her husband's uncle,
and Lea. The sufferer knelt down, leaned forward
supporting herself on one hand, and with the other
reaching through the crowd she touched the hem
of Jesus' robe. Instantly she felt that she was healed.
Jesus at the same moment halted, glanced around
at the disciples, and inquired : " Who hath touched
Me? ' To which Peter answered: " Thou askest,
'Who touched Me ? ' The people throng and press
upon Thee, as Thou seest! ' But Jesus responded:
' Some one hath touched M'e, for I know that vir
tue is gone out from Me. " Then He looked around
and, as the crowd had fallen back a step, the woman
could not longer remain hidden. Quite abashed she
approached Him timidly, fell on her knees before
Him, and acknowledged in hearing of the whole
crowd what she had done. Then she related how
long she had suffered from the bloody flux, and
that she believed herself healed by the touch of His
garment. Turning to Jesus, she begged Him to for
give her. Then Jesus addressed to her these words:
Be comforted, my daughter, thy faith hath made
thee whole! Go in peace, and remain free from thy
infirmity! " and she departed with her friends.

She was thirty years old, very thin and pale, and
was named Enue. Her deceased husband was a Jew.
She had only one daughter, who had been taken
charge of by her uncle. He had now come to the
baptism, accompanied by his niece and a sister-in-
law named Lea. The husband of the latter was a
Pharisee and an enemy of Jesus. Enue had in her
widowhood wished to enter into a connection, which
to her rich relatives appeared far below her position;
therefore they had opposed her.

68 Life of Jesus Christ

Jesus with rapid steps accompanied Jairus to his
house. Peter, James, John, Saturnin, and Matthew
were with Him. In the forecourt were. again gathered
the mourners and weepers, but this time they uttered
no word of mockery, nor did Jesus say as He did
before: " She is only sleeping, " but passed on
straight through the crowd. Jairus's mother, his wife,
and her sister came timidly forth to meet Him. They
were veiled and in tears; their robes, the garments
of mourning. Jesus left Saturnin and Matthew with
the people in the forecourt, while accompanied by
Peter, James, and John, the father, the mother, and
the grandmother, He entered the room in which the
dead girl lay. It was a different room1 from the
first time. Then she lay in a little chamber, now
she was in the room behind the fireplace. Jesus
called for a little branch from the garden and a
basin of water, which He blessed. The corpse lay
stiff and cold. It did not present so agreeable an
appearance as on the former occasion. Then I had
iseen the Isoul hovering in a sphere of light close to the
body, but this time I did not see it at all. On the
former occasion, Jesus said: " She is sleeping,
but now He said nothing. She was dead. With the
little branch Jesus sprinkled her with the blessed
water, prayed, took her by the hand, and said:
" Little maid, I say to thee, arise! ' As Jesus was
praying, I saw the girl's soul in a dark globe ap
proaching her mouth into which it entered. She sud
denly opened her eyes, obeyed the touch of Jesus'
hand, arose and stepped from her couch. Jesus led
her to her parents who, receiving her with hot tears
and choking sobs, sank at Jesus' feet. He ordered
them to give her something to eat, some bread and
grapes. His order was obeyed. The girl ate and
began to speak. Then Jesus earnestly exhorted the
parents to receive the mercy of God thankfully, to
turn away from vanity and worldly pleasure, to embrace
the penance preached to them, and to beware of

Salome, J alms's Daughter 69

again compromising their daughter's life now restored
for the second time. He reproached them with their
whole manner of living, with the levity they had
exhibited at the reception of the first favor bestowed
upon them, and their conduct afterward, by which
in a short time they had exposed their child to a
much more grievous death than that of the body,
namely, the death of the soul. The little girl herself
was very much affected and shed tears. Jesus warned
her against concupiscence of the eyes and sin. While
she partook of the grapes and the bread that He
had blessed, He told her that for the future she
should no longer live according to the flesh, but
that she should eat of the Bread of Life, the Word
of God, should do penance, believe, pray, and perform
works of mercy. The parents were very much moved
and completely transformed. The father promised to
break the bonds that bound hirn to worldliness, and to
obey Jesus' orders, while the mother and the rest of
the family, who had now come in, expressed their
determination to reform their life. They shed tears
and gave thanks to Jesus. Jairus entirely changed
immediately made over a great part of his possessions
to the poor. The daughter's name was Salome.

As a crowd had gathered before the house, Jesus
told Jairus that they should make no unnecessary
reports concerning what had just taken place. He
often gave this command to those whom He cured,
and that for various reasons. The chief was that
the divulging and boasting of such favors troubles
the recollection of the soul and prevents its reflection
upon the mercy of God. Jesus desired that the cured
should enter into themselves instead of running about
enjoying the new life that had been given them, and
thereby falling an easy prey to sin. Another reason
for enjoining silence was, that Jesus wanted to impress
upon the disciples the necessity of avoiding vain
glory and of performing the good they did through
love and for God alone. Sometimes again, He made

70 Life of Jesus Christ

use of this prohibition in order not to increase the
number of the inquisitive, the importunate, and the
sick who came to Him not by the impulse of faith.
Many indeed came merely to test His power, and
then they fell back into their sins and infirmities,,
as Jairus's daughter had done.

Jesus and His five disciples left Jairus's house by
the rear, in order to escape the crowd that pressed
around the door. The first miracle here was perform
ed in clear daylight, that of to-day was after the
Sabbath and by the light of lamps. Jairus's house
was in the northern part of the city. Jesus on leaving
it turned to the northwest off toward the ramparts.
Meanwhile two blind men with their guides were
on the lookout for His coming. It seemed almost as
if they scented His presence, for they followed after
Him, crying: " Jesus, Thou Son of David, have pity
on us! " At that moment Jesus went into the house
of a good man who was devoted to Him. The house
was built in the rampart and had on the other side
a door opening into the country beyond the city
precincts. The disciples sometimes stopped at this
house. Its owner was one of the ^guards in this
section of the city. The blind men however still
followed Jesus and even into the house crying in
beseeching tones : " Have mercy on us, Son of David! "
At last Jesus turned to them and said: " Do you believe
that I can do this unto you? " and they answered:
" Yea, Lord! ' Then He took from His pocket a
little flask of oil, or balsam, and poured some into
a small dish, brown and shallow. Holding -it and
the flask in His left hand, with the right He put
into the dish a little earth, mixed it up with the thumb
and forefinger of the right hand, touched the eyes
of the blind menXfiS£3fe\same, and said: " May
it be done unt(^^u**^ccffi^ng to your desire!
Their eyes werefe/ened thkQsaw, they fell on their
knees and gavejtH^flB§?A!% nfhem also Jesus recom
mended silence VfSk to whgP/had just taken place.

A Dumb Devil 71

This He did to prevent the crowd from following
Him and to avoid exasperating the Pharisees. The
cries of the blind men as they followed Him had
however already betrayed His presence in this part
of the country, and besides this, the two men could
not forbear imparting their happiness to all whom
they met. A crowd was in consequence soon gather
ed around Jesus.

Some people from the region of Sephoris, distant
relatives of Anne, brought hither a man possessed
of a dumb devil. His hands were bound, and they
led him and pulled him along by cords tied around
his body, for he was perfectly furious and oftentimes
scandalous in his behavior. He was one of those
Pharisees that had formed a committee to spy the
actions of Jesus. He was named Joas, and belonged
to the number of those that had disputed with Jesus
in an isolated school between Sephoris and Nazareth1.
When Jesus returned from Njajim, that is about fourteen
days before, the demon seized upon Joas, because
silencing his own interior convictions, he had through
sheer adulation of the other Pharisees joined in the
calumnious cry against Jesus : " He is possessed by
the devil! He runs like a madman about the country 1"
It was on the subject of divorce that Jesus had
disputed with him at Sephoris. The man was in
grievous sin. As he was led up, he made an attempt
to rush upon Jesus, but He with a motion of the
hand commanded the devil to withdraw. The man
shuddered, and a black vapor issued from his month.
Then he sank on his knees before Jesus, confessied
his sins, and begged forgiveness. Jesus pardoned him,
and enjoined certain fasts and alms as a penance.
He had likewise to abstain for a long time from
several kinds of food of which the Jews were ex
ceedingly fond, garlic for instance. The excitement
produced by this cure was very great, for it was
considered a most difficult thing to drive out dumb
devils. The Pharisees had already put themselves

72 Life of Jesus Christ

to much trouble on Joas's account. Were it not that
he was brought by his friends, he never would have
appeared before Jesus, for the Pharisees would not
have permitted it. Now indeed were they indignant
that one of their own number had been helped by
Jesus and had openly avowed his sins, in which they
themselves had had a share. Ais the cured man was
returning to his home, the news of his deliverance
was spread throughout Capharnaum, and the people
everywhere proclaimed that such wonders had never
before been heard in Israel. But the Pharisees in
their fury retorted: " By the prince of devils, He
casteth out devils. "

Jesus now left the house by the back door, and
with Him the disciples. They went around to Peter's
on the west side and a little distant from the city,
and here Jesus spent the night.

During these days Jesus repeated to His disciples
His testimony of John the Baptist. " He is, " He
said, " as pure as an angel. Nothing unclean has
ever entered his mouth, nor has an untruth or any
thing sinful ever come forth from it. " When the
disciples asked Jesus whether John had long to live,
Jesus answered that he would die when his time
came, and that was not far off. This information
made them very sad.

13. CURE OF A MAN WITH A WITHERED

HAND. " BLESSED IS THE WOMB THAT

BORE THEE I "

When Jesus went to the synagogue to teach, the
Pharisees laid a snare for Him. In a corner of the
synagogue was a poor creature with a withered hand.
He had not ventured to appear before Jesus, and
now held back intimidated by the presence of the
Pharisees. These latter were reproaching Jesus, asking
Him how He could make His appearance with a

" Thy Sins Are Forgiven Thee! " 73

publican like Matthew. To this Jesus responded that
He had come to console and convert sinners, but
that no Pharisee should ever be numbered among
His disciples. The Pharisees mockingly retorted:
" Master, here is one for whom Thou hast come.
Perhaps, thou wilt heal him also. >: Thereupon Jesus
Commanded the man with the withered hand to come
forward and stand in the midst of the assembly. He
did so, arid Jesus said to him: " Thy sins are forgiven
thee! ' The Pharisees, who scorned the poor man
whose reputation was not o'f the best, cried out:
" His withered hand has never hindered him from
sinning. ' Then Jesus grasped the hand, straight
ened, the fingers, and said: " Use thy hand! ' The
man stretched out his hand, found it cured, and went
away giving thanks. Jesus justified him against the
calumnies of the Pharisees, expressed compassion for
him, and declared him a good-hearted fellow. The
Pharisees were covered with confusion and filled with
•wrath. They declared Jesus a Sabbath-breaker against
whom they would lodge an accusation, and then
took their departure. In the neighborhood of 'the
synagogue they met some Herodians with whom they
consulted as to how they should lie in wait for Jesus
on the next feast in Jerusalem.

When Jesus later on addressed the people iri Peter's
house, among the other women present was Lea,
the sister-in-law of Enue, recently cured of the issue
of blood. Her husband was a Pharisee and a zealous
opponent of Jesus, but Lea herself was profoundly
impressed by the instructions she had heard. I saw
her at first, calm and sorrowful, often changing her
place among the crowd, as if looking for some one,
but I found out that she was in this way obeying1 the
impulse that prompted her to proclaim aloud her
reverence for Jesus. Then approached the Mother
of Jesus accompanied by several women, namely, Mar
tha, Susanna of Jerusalem, Dina the Samaritan, and
Susanna Alpheus, a daughter of Mary Cleophas and

74 Life of Jesus Christ

sister of the Apostles. She was about thirty and had
grown children. Her husband lived in Nazareth, and
it was there that she had joined the holy women.
Susan na-'Cleophas desired to be admitted among" the
Community of women that rendered service to Jesus
and His disciples. Mary and her companions enter
ed the court that led to the hall in which Jesus
was teaching. He had been reproaching the Pharisees
with their hypocrisy and impurity and, because He
always interwove some of the Beatitudes with His
other teachings, He just at that moment exclaimed:
" Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see
Godl " Lea meanwhile seeing Mary coming in, could
no longer restrain herself and, as if intoxicated with
joy, she cried out from among the crowd: " More
blessed " (these are the exact words that I heard)
" more blessed the womb that bore Thee and the
breasts that gave Thee suckl To which I saw
Jesus quietly replying: " And far more blessed are
they that hear the word of God and keep it! " and He
went on with His discourse. Lea went to Mary,
saluted her, spoke of Enue's cure and of her own
resolve to give her wealth to the Community, and
requested Mary to intercede with her Son for her
husband's conversion. He was a Pharisee of Paneas.
Mary conversed with her in a low voice. She had
not heard Lea's sudden exclamation nor Jesus' reply,
and soon she withdrew with the women.

Mary was possessed of admirable simplicity. Jesus
never showed her any marks of distinction before
others, excepting that He treated her with reverence.
She never had much to do with any, unless with the
sick and the ignorant, and her demeanor was always
marked by humility, recollection, and simplicity. All
even the enemies of Jesus honored her, and yet
she never sought after any one, but was always quiet
and alone.

Jesus went next to Peter's fishery where before a
great crowd of people, He taught in parables of the

" Let the Dead Bury Their Dead " 75

Kingdom of God. Then He mounted His little bark
and taught from the lake. A Scribe from Nazareth
named Saraseth proposed himself as a disciple, when
Jesus repeated to him the words : " The foxes have
their holes, etc. " Saraseth afterward married Salome,
the daughter of Jairus. After Jesus' death, both
husband and wife joined the Community.

Besides this Scribe, there were two others who
for some time followed Jesus as disciples. One of them
asked Him whether He would not soon take possession
of His Kingdom, for He had already sufficiently proved
His mission. Would He not soon seat Himself upon
the throne of David. Jesus having reprimanded him
and ordered him to follow Him with docility, he
replied that he would first go and take leave of his
family. To this Jesus responded: " Whoever puts his
hands to the plough, etc. " A third, who had joined
Jesus at Sephoris, expressed his wish to go and bury
his father. Jesus replied: " Let the dead bury their
dead. " These words were not spoken literally, for
his father was not yet dead. It was an expression
which meant receiving one's share of the patrimony
and providing for one's parents.

That night Jesus spent on the mountain near Coro-
zain with two of the disciples under a tent and in
prayer. The other disciples came next morning to the
sermon. Jesus explained to-day the fourth Beatitude
and this passage from Isaias: " Behold My servant,
I will uphold him: My elect, My soul delighteth in
him. I have given My Spirit upon him, he shall
bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. " * The multitude
was very great. There was present a troop of Roman
soldiers from the different garrisons around the coun
try. They had been sent to hear Jesus' doctrines,
to note His bearing, and to give information on the
same. From Gaul and other provinces of the Empire
they had written to Rome for news of the Prophet

I. Isaias XLIl, i.

76 Life of Jesus Christ

of Judea, because this last named country was under
the Roman sway. Rome had in consequence made
inquiries of the officers of the different garrisons, and
these latter had now sent about a hundred of their
trusty soldiers, who stood where they could both see
and hear well.

The instruction over, Jesus with the disciples went
down the mountain to the valley on the south. Here
there was a spring, and here too had bread and
fish been prepared by the holy women who devoted
themselves to such services. The multitude had en
camped on the mountain side. Many of them were
withe ut provisions, and they sent some of their number
to beg food of the disciples. The bread and fish
were arranged in baskets on a. grassy mound. Jesus
blessed the baskets, and helped the disciples to distrib
ute their contents to all- that asked. It was apparently
far from enough, and yet all received what they needed.
I heard the people saying: " It is multiplied in His
hands. ' The Roman soldiers also asked for some
of the blessed bread, for they wanted to send it to
Rome as a testimony of what they had seen and
heard. Jesus ordered what remained to be given to
them, and there was still enough for all the leaders.
They wrapped it up carefully and took it away with
them.

14. JESUS IN MAGDALA AND GERGESA. THE
DEMON DRIVEN INTO THE SWINE

In the intervals of His public teaching and "curing,
Jesus, whenever He found Himself alone with His
Apostles and disciples, prepared them for their mis
sion. To-day He led The Twelve to a retired spot near
the lake, placed them in the order mentioned in the
Gospel, and conferred upon them the power of healing
and of casting out devils. To the other disciples,
He gave only the power to baptize and impose hands.

Magdala 77

At the same time, He addressed to them a touching
discourse in which He promised to be with them
always and to share with them all that He possessed.
The power to heal and to drive out the devil, Jesus
bestowed in the form of a blessing. All wept and
Jesus Himself was very much moved. At the close
He said that there was still much to) be done and
then they would go to Jerusalem, for the fulness of
time was drawing near. The Apostles were glowing
with enthusiasm. They expressed their readiness to
do all that He would command and to remain true
to Him. Jesus replied that there were afflictions and
hardships in store for them, and that evil would glide
in among them. By these words He alluded to Judas.
With discourses such as the above, they reached
their little barks. Jesus and The Twelve with about
five of the disciples, among them Saturnin, rowed to
the east bank of the lake, down past Hippos, and
landed near the little village of Magdala. This place
lay close to the lake and north of the dark ravine into
which flowed the waters from the pool near Gergesa
higher up the country. To the east of Magdala rose
a mountain. The village was built so near to it that
it enjoyed the "benefit of only the midday and evening
sun; it was consequently damp and foggy, especially
in the neighborhood of the ravine.

Jesus and His disciples did not at once enter
Magdala. Peter's bark was lying near a sandbank
to which extended a bridge. As soon as Jesus stepped
on shore, several possessed came running toward Him
with loud cries. They asked what He wanted there,
and cried out for Him to leave them in peace. This
they did of their own accord. Jesus delivered them.
They gave thanks, and went into the village. And
now others came bringing with them other possessed.
Some of the disciples, Peter, Andrew, John, James
and his cousins then went into Magdala, where they
delivered the possessed and cured many sick, among
others some women attacked by convulsions. They

78 Life of Jesus Christ

drove out devils and commanded sickness to disappear
in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth. I heard some of
them adding the words, " Whom the storm of the
sea obeyed. " Some of those that were cured by
the disciples went to Jesus, to hear His admonitions
and instructions. He explained to them and to the
disciples why the possessed were so very numerous
in these parts. It was because the inhabitants were
so intent upon the things of this world and so given
up to the indulgence of their passions. Several of
these possessed were from Gergesa, which lay up
on the mountain about one hour to the east of
Magdala. They infested the surrounding country,
hiding in the caves arid tombs. Jesus continued the
cures until after twilight, and then spent the night
on the bark with the disciples.

From the region of Gergesa, which had a circum
ference of about four hours, none had attended Jesus'
instructions on the mountain.

On the following day Jesus climbed the mountain,
and encountered two Jewish youths who had come
from Gergesa to meet Him. They were possessed by
the devil. They were not furious, though the attacks
of the evil one were frequent, and they roved restless
ly about. When Jesus some time before had crossed
the Jordan from Tarich'ea and passed Gerasa, these
young men were not yet possessed. They had then
come out to meet Him and begged to be received
among His disciples, but Jesus sent them away. Now
again, after Jesus had delivered them, they desired
to be received by Him. They told Him that the
misfortune from which He had just freed them, never
would have overtaken them if He had yielded to their
first request. Jesus exhorted them to amendment of
life, and bade them return home and announce by
what means their deliverance had been effected. The
youths obeyed. As Jesus went along, pausing here
and there to teach before the huts and homes of
the shepherds, many possessed and simpletons ran

The Kingdom of God 79

hiding behind the hedges and hills, crying after Him
and making signs for Him to keep off and not disturb
their peace. But Jesus called them to Him, and
delivered them. Many of those thus freed cried out
imploring Him not to drive them into the abyss!
Some of the Apostles also performed cures by the
imposition of hands, and engaged the people to repair
to the mountain beyond Magdala to the south, where
Jesus was going to deliver an instruction.

A great crowd assembled at the place designated.
Jesus exhorted them to penance, spoke of the near
approach of the Kingdom of God, and reproached
them with clinging to the- goods of this world. He
spoke also of the value of the soul. They should
know, He said, that God prizes the soul more
highly than man's great, worldly possessions. By
these last words, Jesus made reference to the
herd of swine which was soon to be precipitated
into the lake, for the people had invited Jesus to go
again to Gergesa. To this invitation Jesus replied
that He would indeed accept it, but that His coming
would be an untimely one for them, and that they
would not give Him a very warm welcome. They
begged Him not to traverse the ravine on His return
to them, for there were two furious possessed roaming
about in it, who had broken their chains, and had
already strangled some people. But Jesus responded
that on that very account, He would when it was
fime go that way, for He had been sent upon earth
for the sake of the miserable. It was at this con
juncture that He uttered the passage in which it is
said, " If Sodom and Gomorrha had heard and seen
the things that have taken place here in Galilee, they
would have done penance.

When Jesus was about to depart, the people prayed
Him to tarry awhile longer, for never had they heard
so pleasing a discourse. It was, they said, like the

l. Matthew XI > 20, etc.

80 Life of Jesus Christ

morning sunbeams shining upon their gloomy, foggy
home. They begged Him to remain, for it was already
dark. To this Jesus replied in a similitude on the
darkness: He feared not this darkness, "but they should
dread remaining in eternal darkness, and that at a
time in which the light of the Word of God had
shone upon them. Then He retired to the ships
with the disciples. They rowed at first as if directing
their course across to Tiberias, but then turned again
to the east, lay to about one hour south of the ravine,
and spent the night on their ships.

Magdala was an unimportant place, smaller than
Bethsaida. It was only a landing-place for boats,
and derived its subsistance from Hippos, which was
largely engaged in trade and commerce. A highroad
ran past Gerasa and down to Hippos, and was the
scene of constant traffic. The country of Magdala
was known also as the country of Dalmanuiha, from
the town that lay a couple of hours further to the
south and on the other side of the ravine.

When Jesus landed next morning, several demo
niacs were presented to Him, and He cured them by
laying His hands upon them. The people of this
region practised sorcery. They ate of a certain herb
that grew abundantly in the ravine and on the moun
tain, and thus became intoxicated and fell into con
vulsions. They had another plant of which they made
use to counteract the effects of the first, but for
some time past it had lost its virtue and now the
poor creatures were left in their misery. The country of
the Gergeseans was a tract of land from four to five hours
in length, and about a half-hour in breadth. It was
distinguished from the surrounding districts by its
history and the . character of its inhabitants, which
latter was not of the best. It began with the ravine
between Dalmanutha and Magdala, included the ravine,
and on the south began with and comprised ten
villages scattered in a row along the narrow strip
of land, with Gergesa and Gerasa at either end.

Herds of Swine 81

Beyond Gerasa it was bounded by the region of
.Corozain, the land of Zin, and a district containing
many deserts. On the east it was bounded by the
long mountain-ridge on whose southern extremity stood
the citadel of Gamala; on the south, by the ravine;
and on the west, the valley on the shore of the
lake. In this valley lay Dalmanutha, Magdala, and
Hippos, which did not belong to the country of
Gergesa, no more than the rest of the lakeshore,
excepting the ravine to the south of Magclala. On
the north it ended with Corozain. This district with
its ten villages must not be confounded with the
Decapolis, or that of the ten cities, which extended
far "around it and from which it was wholly distinct.
In Gedeon's struggle against the Madianites, the in
habitants of the ten villages supported the pagans
•who since that time had acquired the upper hand
and kept the Jews in great subjection. They raised
in all these places, to the scandal of the Jews that
dwelt there, immense numbers of swine, which in
herds of several thousands were turned out to fatten
in a great marsh on the northern height of the1 ravine.
They were attended by a hundred heathen herdsmen
and their boys. The marsh, which was about three
quarters of an hour southeast of Gergesa, at the
foot of the mountain of Gamala, discharged its boggy
waters southward into the ravine over a dam of log?
and heavy planks that changed the brook above
it into a swamp. The superfluous waters flowed
through the ravine into the Sea of Galilee. Numbers
of huge oaks grew near the marsh and on the sides
of the ravine. No part of this region was very fertile,
and only in a few sunny places grew some vines.
They had also a kind of reed from which sugar can
be made, but they exported it in its crude state.
It was not so much their idolatrous worship that
subjected the people of this region to the power of
the devil, as the depth to which they were sunk in
sorcery. Gergesa and the surrounding places were

Life of Jesus Christ. — ITT. 6

82 Life of Jesus Christ

full of wizards and witches, who carried on their
disorders by means of cats, dogs, toads, snakes, and
other animals. They conjured up these creatures, and
even went around in their form injuring and killing
men They were like werewolves that can hurt people
even at a distance, that take revenge after a long
time upon those whom they hate, and that can raise
storms at sea. The women used to brew some kind
of a magical beverage. Satan had entirely conquered
this region, which possessed innumerable demoniacs,
raging lunatics, and victims of convulsions.

It was approaching ten in the morning when Jesus
with some of the disciples mounted a little boat,
crossed the brook some distance up to the stream, and
ro\\ed into the ravine. This Was a shorter way than
that by land. Jesus climbed the northern side of
the ravine, and the disciples joined Him one after
another. While He was ascending, two raging pos
sessed 'higher up on the mountain, were running
about, darting in and out of the sepulchres, casting
themselves on the ground, and beating themselves
with the bones of the dead. They uttered horrible
cries and appeared to be under the spell of some
secret influence, for they could not flee. As Jesus drew
nearer, ftiey cried out from behind the bushes and
rocks that lay a little higher up on the mountain:
" Ye Powers I Ye Dominations! come to our aid! Here
comes One stronger than we! Jesus raised His
hand toward them and commanded them to lie down.
They fell flat on their face, but raising their head
again, cried out: " Jesus! Thou Son of God the
Most High, what have we to do with Thee? Why
art Thou come to torment us before the time? We
conjure Thee in the name of God to leave us in
peace! ' By this time Jesus and the disciples had
reached them as they lay trembling, their whole person
horribly agitated. Jesus ordered the disciples to give
them some clothing, and commanded the possessed
to cover themselves. The disciples threw to them

" Legion " 83

the scarfs they wore around their neck and in which
they were accustomed to muffle their head. The
possessed, trembling and writhing convulsively, cover
ed themselves, as if constrained to do so against their
will, arose, and cried out to Jesus not to torture them.
Jesus asked: " How many are ye? " TrTey -answered,
" Legion. " The wicked spirits spoke always in the
plural by the mouth of these two possessed. They
said that the evil desires of these men were innumera
ble. This time the devil spoke the truth. For sev
enteen years these men had lived in communication
with him. and in the practice of sorcery. Now and
then they had suffered assaults like the present, but
for the last two years they had been running frantic
around the desert. They had been entangled in all
the abominations of magic.

Near by was a vineyard on a sunny slope, and in
it an immense wooden vat formed of great beams.
It was not quite the height of a man, but so broad
that twenty men could stand in it. The Getfgesealns
used to press in it grapes mixed with the juice of that
intoxicating herb of which I have spoken. The juice
ran into little troughs and thence into large, earthen
vessels with narrow necks which when full, were
buried under ground in the vineyard. This was that
intoxicating beverage which produced effects so fatal
upon all that drank of it. The herb was about
the length of one's arm, with numerous thick
green leaves one above the other, and it terminated
in a bud. The people of these parts used the juice
in order to rouse in themselves diabolical ecstasies.
On account of its inebriating vapors, the drink was
prepared in the open air, though during the operation
a tent was erected over the vat. The pressmen were
just coming to their work when Jesus commanded
the possessed, or rather the legion in them, to overturn
the vat. The two men seized the great, full vat,
turned it upside down without the least difficulty,
the contents streamed around, and the workmen flecj

84 Life of Jesus Christ

with cries of terror. The possessed, trembling and
shuddering, returned to Jesus, and the disciples also
were very much frightened. The devil now cried out
by the mouth of the possessed, begging Jesus not
yet to cast them into the abyss, not yet to drive
them from this region, and ended by the request :
;< Let us go into yonder swine! Jesus replied:
' Ye may go! " At these words the two miserable
possessed sank down in violent convulsions, and a
whole cloud of vapors issued from, their body in
numberless forms of insects, toads, worms, and chief
ly mole-crickets. A few moments after there arose
from the herds of swine sounds of grunting and raging,
and from the herdsmen shouts and cries. The swine,
some thousands in number, came rushing from all
quarters and plunged down through the bushes on the
mountain side. It was like a furious tempest, mingled
with the cries and bellowings of animals. This scene
was not the work of a few minutes only. It lasted
a .couple of hours, for the swine rushed here and
there, plunging 'headlong and biting one another. Num
bers precipitated themselves into the marsh and were
swept down over the waterfall, and all went raging
toward the lake.

The disciples looked on disquieted, fearing lest the
waters in which they fished, as well as the fish
themselves, would be rendered impure. Jesus divined
their thoughts, and told them not to fear, since
the swine would all go down into the whirlpool at
the end of the ravine. There was at this place a
great pool of stagnant water completely separated
from the lake by a sandbank, or strip of shore. It
was overgrown with reeds and bushes, and at high
water, was frequently submerged. This pool was a
deep abyss which, through the sandbank, had an
inlet from the lake, but no outlet into the same,
and in it was a whirlpool. It was into this caldron
the swine plunged. The herdsmen who had, at first,
rur; after the animals, now came back to Jesus,

Loss of the Swine 85

saw the possessed who had been delivered, beard all
that had happened, and then began to complain, loudly
of the injury done them. But Jesus replied that the
salvation of these two souls was worth more than
all the swine in the world. Then He bade them go
to the owners of the swine and say that the devil,
whom the godlessness of the inhabitants of this coun
try sent into men, had by Him been driven out
of the men, and that they had gone into the swine!
T;he possessed who had been delivered, Jesus sent to
their homes to procure clothing, while H,e Himself
with the disciples went up toward Gergesa. Several
of the herdsmen had already run to the city and,
in consequence of the reports they spread, people
came pouring" out from all sides. They that had
been cured at Magdala, as well as the two Jewish
youths, cured the day before, and most of the Jews
of "the city, had assembled to wait for Jesus' coming.
The two possessed, now cured, came back in a, short
time decently clothed, to hear Jesus' preaching'. They
were distinguished pagans belonging to the city, rela,-
tives of some of the pagan priests.

The people employed in preparing the wine mention
ed above, and whose full vat had been overturned,
were also running about the city, publishing every
where the loss they had sustained at the hands of
the possessed. This gave rise to great alarm and
uproar. Many ran to see whether they could rescue
some of the swine, while others hurried out to the
wine-cask. The confusion lasted until after nightfall.

Jesus meanwihile was instructing on a hjill about one
half hour from Gergesa. But the chief men of the
city and the pagan priests sought to keep the people
from Him by telling them that Jesus was a mighty
sorcerer through whom great evils would come upon
them. When they had taken counsel together, they
Sent out a deputation to Jesus with instructions to
hasten and be[g Him not to .tarry in those parts
and not to do them still greater injury. The deputies

8« Life of Jesus Christ

added that they recognized in Him a: great magi
cian, but begged Him to withdraw from their
boundaries. They sorely lamented their swine and
the overturning of their brewing vat. Their fright and
amazement were extreme when they beheld the two
possessed, cured and clothed, sitting among the
listeners at Jesus' feet. Jesus bade them dismiss
their fears, because He would not trouble them long.
He had come for the sake of the poor sick and
possessed alone, since JHe knew well that the un
clean swine and the infamous beverage were of more
value to them than the salvation of their soul. But
the Father in heaven, who had given to Him the
power to rescue the poor people before Him and to
destroy the swine, judged otherwise. Then He held
up to them all their infamy, their sinful dealings
in sorcery, their dishonest gains, and their demonol-
atry. He called them to penance, to baptism, and
offered them salvation. But they had the injury done
them, the loss of 1:he swine >in their head, and sa
persisted in their pressing, though' half-frightened re
quest, that He would go away. After that they re
turned to the city.

Judas Iscariot was particularly busy and active
among f!he Gergeseans, for he wa;s well-known in
these parts. His mother had dwelt here with him
for some time when he was still young, and just
after he had run away from the family in which he
had been secretly reared. The two possessed were
acquaintances of his youth.

The Jews rejoiced in secret over the loss sustained
by the Gentiles in their swine, for they we-re very
much oppressed by them and greatly scandalized on
account of the unclean animals. Still there were many
among them who lived on easy terms with' the pagans,
and defiled 'themselves with their superstitious practices.

All that had been cured on that day and the day
before, as also the two possessed, were baptized by
the disciples. They were"' very much impressed and

Jesus, the Prophet of the Jews 87

thoroughly changed. The two possessed last delivered
and the two Jewish youths entreated Jesus to allow!
them to remain with Him and be His disciples. To
the two last delivered, Jesus replied that He would
give them a commission, namely, they should go
through the then villages of [the ;Gergieseans, show them
selves everywhere, and everywhere relate ,vhat had
happened to them, what they had heard and seen,
call the inhabitants to penance and baptism, and
send them to Him. He added that they should not
be troubled if they were greeted by a shower of
stones from those whom they addressed. If they
executed this commission properly, they should receive
in recompense the spirit of prophecy. Then they
would always know where to find Him, in order to
send thither those that desired to hear His teach
ings, and they should impose hands on the sick,
who would thereby be healed. Having thus spoken,
Jesus blessed the two young men, who on the next day
began their mission and later on became disciples.
The Apostles in baptizing here used water that
they had brought with them in leathern bottles. The
people knelt in a circle around them, and they baptized
three at a time out of the basin that one held,
sprinkling each three times with water scooped up in
the hand.

That evening Jesus and the disciples entered Gergesa,
and went to the house of the ruler of the synagogue.
Then came the magistrates of the city urging the
ruler to make Jesus depart as soon as possible, and
threatening to hold him responsible for any further
injury the city might sustain at His hands. Jesus
told the disciples that He had permitted the demons
to overturn the vat and to enter into the swine, that
the proud pagans might see that He was the Prophet
of the Jews whom they so shamefully despised and
oppressed. He wished at the same time, as He said,
by the loss of the swine, in which so many of them
bore a share, to draw the attention of these people

88 Life of Jesus Christ

to the danger that threatened their soul, and to arouse
them from the sleep of sin that they might hearken
to His teaching. The beverage He had allowed to "be
wasted, as it was the principal cause of their vices
and demoniacal possession.

On the following day, a great crowd again gathered
around Jesus, for His miracles had become known
throughout the whole country, and many Jews who
had been converted left Gergesa at once.

The Apostles, who had been healing in the villages
near by, returned in time for Jesus' discourse,
bringing with them1 those they had cured. There
were some women among them carrying baskets of
provisions, which they gave to the Apostles. Once
when Jesus was closely pressed by the crowd a
woman from Magdala approached Him. She was
.cted with an issue of blood. Though long unable
to walk, she had gathered up strength to slip alone
through the crowd and to kiss His garment, where-
pori she was healed. Jesus went on with His dis
course, but after a little while He said- "I have
healed some one. Who is it? " At these words, the
woman drew near giving thanks. She had heard of
knues cure, and had imitated her example That
evening Jesus, the disciples, and the two Jewish; youths

ely delivered from demoniacal possession, 'left Ger-

csa, journeyed around Magdala, and climbed the

mountain north of Hippos. This last named place

situated on the lake, but on a mountain

ome distance inland. Jesus and His followers de-

her s house Ut UP at

rfVr 1r?minded the disciPles that the birthday

intP HWH S°°n be celebra*^ and told them that
ade H, fg0mg,t0 Jerusalem- They tried to dis-
Him from doing so, saying that the Pasch
was now not far off, and then fhly Should be obliged
to go. But Jesus replied in such a way as to give
them to understand .hat He did not intend to show

"Fear Hot I It Is I! ' m

Himself openly at the feast. The two Gergesea.n
disciples again begged to be allowed to accompany
Him. Jesus replied that He had another mission
in reserve for them, namely, to go around among the
ten cities between Cedar and Paneas, and announce
to the Jews of those places all that they had seen
and heard. He gave them His benediction and made
them the same promises as to the other two. If
they 'fulfilled their commission well, the spirit of
prophecy should be given to them, they should always
know His whereabouts, and should be able to heal
the sick in His name. "As with the others, so too with
them, a certain time had to elapse before thes-e
promises would be realized. The two others had first
to announce Him in the ten Gergesean villages, and
afterward to the heathens of the DecapoHs. The
youths bade farewell to Jesus, who directed the dis
ciples to go to Bethsaida and, in <spite of their en
treaties, He Himself remained behind. He retired
into a wilderness near the shore to pray. I saw Him
walking" about among the steep, rocky hills, some of
which looked black and like human figures amid
the darkness of night.

It was already quite dark when I saw' Jesus walking-
straight over the waves. It was almost opposite Ti
berias, a little eastward of the middle of the lake.
He appeared as if intending to pass within a "little
distance of the disciples' bark. The high wind was
contrary, and the disciples weary of rowing. When
they saw the figure on the waves, they were af
frighted, 'for they knew not whether it was Jesus or
His spirit, and they cried aloud from fear. But Jesus
called out: " Fear not! It is I! " Then Peter cried:
'' Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to Thee upon
the waters. ' And Jesus said: ""Cornel '

Peter in his ardor leaped on the little ladder and
out or" the boat. He hurried along for a short distance
on the troubled waters toward Jesus, as if on level
ground. It seemed to me that he hovered over the

90 Life of Jesus Christ

surface, for the inequality of the waves appeared to
be no obstacle to his progress. But when he be^gan
to wonder, and to think more of the sea, its winds
and its waves, than of the words of Jesus, he grew
frightened and commenced to sink. Crying out,
" Lord, save me! " he sank up to the breast and
stretched out his hand. Instantly Jesus was at His
side. He seized his hand and said: " O thou of
little faith, why didst thou doubt? ' Then they
entered the bark, and Jesus reproached Peter anol the
others for their fear. The wind lulled immediately
and they steered toward Bethsaida. 'A ladder was
always in readiness to be thrown over the side of the
boat for the convenience of those about to enter.

15. JESUS CURES IN BETHSAIDA AND AGAIN
RETURNS TO CAPHARNAUM

Two blind men came to meet Jesus on His arrival
in. Bethsaida crying out to Him for help and, as if
to disprove the old saying, they were leading each
other. Jesus restored their sight, cured also the lame
and gave speech to the dumb. Wherever He appear
ed, crowds pressed around Him bringing to 'Him their
sick. Many touched Him, and were cured. The
people were everywhere expecting Him, because they
knew that He was coming again for the Sabbath.
The story of the two possessed and of the swine was
already well-known {here, and had excited great com
ment an'd astonishment. Some of the disciples bap
tized the cured at Peter's house. But as Jesus con
tinued His labors and took no time either "to eat
or to rest, the disciples sought Him out and tried to
induce Him to take some repose and refreshment.

When He went back to Capharnaum;, a man dumb,
blind, and possessed by tihe demon, came to meet Him,
and Jesus cured 'him instantaneously. This miracle
created intense astonishment, for even when approach-

" Jesus, Thou Son of David ^ 91

ing Jesus, the man had recovered his speech and
cried out: " Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy
on me! " Jesus touched his eyes, and he saw. He
was possessed of many devils, having been wholly,
perverted by the heathens on the other side of the
lake The sorcerers and soothsayers of the land of
Gergcsa had seized upon him. They dragged him
around with them by a corS and exhibited him in
other places, where they showed off his strength
in all kinds of skilful feats. They showed how he,
though "blind and dumb, still could accomplish every
thing, could know and understand all, could go every
where, could bring everything and know everything
by virtue of certain incantations, for all this the demon
performed in him. These pagan sorcerers from Ger-
gesa, who were ever wandering through the Decapohs
and other cities, used the devil by means of that
poor creature to help them earn their bread. f they
journeyed lover the- sea, their miserable victim was
not allowed to go on board a ship, but at the com
mand of his masters, "he was obliged to swim like
a dog at its side. No one any longer troubled himself
about him, for he was looked upon as forever lost.
Most of the time he had no place of shelter,
lay in tombs and caves and endured all manner of
ill-treatment from his cruel masters. The poor wretch
had long been in Capharnaum, and yet no one had
led him to Jesus. Now however he went to Him
himself and was cured.

While Jesus was teaching in Peter's house near the
city gate just before the Sabbath began, a great tumult
arose in Capharnaum. The miracle of the swine
and the deliverance of the dumb and blind possessed
had created great excitement. Several boats of Jews
from Gergesa had crossed the lake to spread far and
wide the report that Jesus cast out devils by the
power of the devil. This irritated the people, and
they gathered in large numbers outside the synagogue.
As Jesus drew near to the city, the man possessed

92 Life of Jesus Christ

of the devil, as well as blind and dumb, ran out
through the greets to meet Him. lie was without
a keeper and was followed by a crowd of people
who became witnesses of his miraculous cure. "They
were so transported by it that they gave loud expres
sion to their indignation against the Pharisees, who
never wearied inveighing against Jesus, repeating again
as they were now doing that He healed through the
power of the devil. Among the crowd here assembled
were many armed with a, crossbow. These men
called out to the Pharisees to desist from slandering
Jesus, to recognize His power and acknowledge that
never before had such things been done in Israel,
and 'that no Prophet before Him had ever wrought
such wonders. If they did not cease from1 obstinately
opposing Jesus, they might depart from Capharnaum,
for that they (the people) could not longer support,
such abuse and ingratitude.

On hearing this, the Pharisees pretended to be quite
subdued. One of them, a great, broad fellow, stepped
out 'before the rest and craftily addressed the crowd.
He said it was indeed true that never had such doc
trines been heard, never had such doings, such
wonders been seen in Israel, no Prophet had ever
performed the like. But he begged them to consider
the circumstances attending the driving out of the
demon from the man of Gergesa, as also those con-
nectedj with ithe similar wonders wrought among them
that very day. The man whom they had just seen
delivered from the power of the devil, owing to his
relations wit'h the Gerigeseans just a;s good as belonged
to them, lit the critical examination of such things,
one could not be too circumspect, etc., etc. Then
he went on to give them; a lengthy description of the
kingdom of darkness. He described its orders and
hierarchies, and showed how one is subordinate to
another. Jesus, he said, had now a powerful spirit
in league with Him. If not, why had He not long
ago delivered that furious demoniac? Why, if He

Feast of the Dedication 93

were the Son of God, was He not able to banish the
demons from the land of Gergesa, without going
there in person? No! He was obliged first to go
into that country, and conclude an agreement with
the chief of the Ger,gesean demons. He had to make
a bargain with that demon-prince and give him the
swine as his booty, for although inferior to Beelzebub,
that prince was still of some consequence. And now
since He had freed that man at Gergesa, Fie had,
by virtue of the same agreement, delivered the one
here in Capharnaum through the power of Beelzebub.
With much cunning and eloquence the Pharisee ad
vanced the above and similar stuff. Then he begged
his hearers to be calm and attend to the conclusion,
for their own doings would show forth the fruit of
all this excitement. The laborer no longer performed
his task on working-days, but ran around after the
new Teacher and His miracles, and the Sabbath was
turned into a day of din and uproar. Then he ex
horted them, to reflect, to go home at once and
take some rest in preparation for the coming' feast.
By such persuasions he succeeded in inducing the
people to disperse, and many of the light-minded were
half -convinced by his empty babble.

It was the eve of the Feast of the Dedication of
•the Temple. In the houses and schools stood pyr
amids of lighted lamps, while in the gardens anU
courtyards and at the fountains were lights and torches
arranged in all kinds of figures. Jesus followed by
His disciples entered the synagogue and taught un
molested, for His enemies were afraid of Him. He
knew their thoughts and in what terms they had
addressed the people, and He made allusion to it
in these words: " Every kingdom divided against
itself shall not stand. And if Satan cast out Satan,
he is divided against himself. How then shall his
kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out
devils, by whom do your children cast them out? "
With words like these Jesus silenced them and, with-

94 Life of Jesus Christ

out further contradiction, left the synagogue. He
passed that night at Peter's.

The next day Jesus, accompanied by some of His
disciples, visited Jairus's family whom He consoled
and exhorted to the practice of good. They were
very humble and entirely changed. They had divided
their wealth into three parts, one for the poor, one
for the Community, and the third for themselves.
Jairus's old mother was especially touched and thor
oughly converted to good. The daughter did not make
her appearance until called, and then came forward
veiled, her whole deportment breathing humility. She
had grown taller. She held herself erect, and pre
sented the appearance of one in perfect health. Jesus
visited likewise the pagan Centurion Cornelius, con
soled and instructed his family, and then went with
him to see Zorobabel, at whose house the conver
sation turned upon Herod's birthday and John. Both
Zorobabel and Cornelius remarked that Herod had
invited all the nobility including themselves to Ma-
cfhaerus for the celebration of his birthday, and they
asked Jesus whether He would permit them to go.
Jesus replied that if they dared to stand aloof from
the evils that might there take place, it was not Tor-
bidden them to go, although it would be better
if they could excuse themselves and remain at home.
They expressed their indignation at Herod's adulterous
life and John's imprisonment, and hoped confidently
that Herod would set him at liberty on his birthday.

Jesus next visited His Mother with whom were then
stopping Susanna Alpheus, Mary, the daughter of
Cleophas of Nazareth, Susanna of Jerusalem Dina
the Samaritan, and Martha. Jesus told them that

i was going away the next morning. Martha was
very sad on account of Magdalen's relapse into sin
and the state of demoniacal possession in which she
then was. She asked Jesus whether she should £o
to her, but He told her to wait awhile. Magdalen was
now often like one beside herself. She yielded to

Jesus at Capharnaum 95

fits of anger and pride, struck all that came in her
way, tormented her maids, and was always arrayed
in the most wanton attire. I saw her striking the
man that lived as master in her house, and I beheld
him returning her blows with ill-treatment. At times
she fell into frightful sadness, she wept and lamented.
She ran ftbout (the house seeking for Jesus and crying
out: " Where is the Teacher? Where is He? He has
abandoned me! " and then fell into convulsions like
epileptic fits.

One may imagine the pain of her brother and sister
at beholding one of a noble family, one so richly
endowed by nature, given up to so frightful a state.

What a touching sight, that of Jesus traversing the
streets of Capharnaum, His robe sometimes girded up,
sometimes at full length ; His motions so well regulated,
and yet without stiffness; His step so gentle that He
seemed rather to glide than to walk; His whole ap
pearance, though breathing simplicity, so full of maj
esty that His like was never before seen! There was
nothing strange in H)is look, no irresolution in His
manner. He never took' a false step, never a useless
one. He cast no vain glance, made no aimless turn,
and yet in all His bearing there was no trace of
affectation or design.

Martha and Susanna had visited their inns on the
way through Galilee to Samaria, for they exercised a
kind of general superintendence, the other women
seeing to those established in their own respective
districts. They went together to the several inns taking
with them asses laden with all kinds of household
necessaries. Once when Mary the Suphanite accom
panied them, the report spread among the people
that Mary Magdalen now Went around with the women
who provided for the needs of the Prophet of Nazareth
and His party. The Suphanite was in figure very
like Magdalen, and neither of them was very well
known on this side of the Jordan. Besides being
called Mary and the ill repute her past life had

96 Life of Jesus Christ

gained for her, the Suphanite also had anointed
Jesus at a feast given by one of the Pharisees. She
\vas consequently even at this early date, confounded
•with Magdalen, a mistake that only increased with
time among those not well acquainted with the Com
munity.

The holy women took care that their inns were well
supplied with beds, coverlets, linen, woollen clothes,
sandals, cups, jugs of balsam, oil, etc. 'Although Je
sus had jneed of little, yet He was desirous that the
disciples should not bb a burden to others, and should
find their necessary wants supplied. In this way He
deprived the Pharisees of all reasonable cause of
reproach.

16. THE MISSION OF THE APOSTLES AND
DISCIPLES

At the close of the Sabbath, Jesus spoke again
in the synagogue, inveighing in severe terms against
the wickedeness of the Pharisees in saying that He
drove out devils through the power of the devil.

2 challenged them to say whether His actions and
His teachings were not in perfect harmony, whether
He did not practise what He preached. But they
could allege nothing against Him.

In Peter's house outside the city gate, Jesus taught
on the Beatitude: " Blessed are the-poor in spirit "
and made the application against the Pharisees. After
that He prepared the disciples for their approaching
mission.

Jesus would not longer remain in Capharnaum, the
crowd was to great and txx> excited. Many Gerges-
eans also fed come hither, and they wanted to
follow Jesus They were poor, were habituated to a
wandering hfe, and thought it would be a good
thing to be supported by Him. Besides this they
were under the impression that Jesus would, like Saul
or David, cause Himself to be anointed king and then

Jesus Instructs on Vocation 97

establish His throne in Jerusalem. But Jesus told
them to go back to their homes, to do penance, to
keep the Commandments, and to practise the lessons
they had heard from Him. His Kingdom, He s.aid,
was far different from what they imagined, and no
sinner should have part therein.

Jesus afterward left Capharnaum, accompanied by
The .Twelve and by thirty disciples. They directed
their steps northward. Crowds of people were jour
neying along the same way. Jesus frequently paused
to instruct sometimes this, sometimes that crowd, who
then turned off in the direction of their homes. In
this way He arrived at about three in the afternoon
at a beautiful mountain, three hours from Capharnaum
and not quite so far from the Jordan. Five roads
branched out from it, and about as many little towns
lay around it. The people who had followed Jesus
thus far now took their leave, while 'He with His
own party, having first taken some refreshment at
the foot of the mountain, began to ascend the height.
There was a teacher's chair upon it, from which He
again instructed the Apostles and disciples upon their
vocation. He said that now they should show forth
what they had learned. They should proclaim the
advent of the Kingdom, that the last chance for doing
penance had arrived, that the end of John's life
was very near. They should baptize, impose hands,
and expel demons. He taught them how they should
conduct themselves in discussions, how recognize true
from false friends, and how confound the latter. He
told them that now none should be greater than
the others. In the various places to which their mis
sion called them, they should go among the pious,
should live poorly and humbly, and be burdensome
to none. He told them also how to separate and
how again to unite. Two Apostles and some disciples
should journey together, while some other disciples
should go on ahead to gather together the people and
announce the coming of the former. The Apostles,

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 7

98 Life of Jesus Christ

He said should carry with them little flasks of oil,
which He taught them how to consecrate and how
to use in effecting cures.1 Then He gave them all
the other instructions recorded in the Gospels on
the occasion of their mission. He made allusion to
no special danger in store for them, but said only:
" To-day ye will everywhere be welcomed, but a
time will come wherein they will persecute youl "

After that the Apostles knelt down in a circle around
Jesus as He prayed and laid His hands upon the head
of each; the disciples He only blessed. Then they
embraced and separated.

Among the directions given to the Apostles, Jesus
had indicated to them the place and time at which
they should again join Him, in order to bring Him
news and exchange places with the disciples that re
mained with Him. Six df the Apostles continued with
Him: Peter, James the Less, John, Philip, Thomas,
and Judas, besides twelve of the disciples. Among
the latter were the three brothers James, Sadoch, and
Heliachim (Mary Heli's son), Manahem, Nathanael
(called also Little Cleophas), and several others. The
other six Apostles had with them eighteen disciples,
among whom were Joses Barsabas, Judas Barsabas,
Saturnin, and Nathanael Chased. Nathanael, the
bridegroom of Cana, did not travel around. He at
tended to other affairs for the Community, and like
Lazarus rendered service in his own immediate circle.
All shed tears on [separating. The Apostles who were
going forth on their mission descended the mountain
by the eastern route leading to the Jordan, where 1
saw1 a place situated, Lecum by name, about a quarter
of an hour from the river. When Jesus came down
the mountain, He was again surrounded by a crowd
returning home from Capharnaum.

From the foot of the mountain Jesus started with
the disciples southward from Saphet, which was sit-

I. Mark VI, 7-13. Mat I. X. I et seq. Lttke IX, 1-6,

Cure of a Blind Man 99

uated on another high mountain, to a place called
Hucuca. Before reaching this place, He was met by
many people who received Him and the disciples
with expressions of great joy.

At a fountain a blind man and several cripples
were awaiting Jesus' coming, and they now implored
Him for help. The blind man's eyes were infected
with disease. Jesus ordered him to wash his face
at the fountain. When he had done so, He anointed
his eyes with oil, broke of a little twig from a bush
near by, held it before his eyes, and asked whether he
saw it or not. The man answered: (t Yes, I see a
very tall tree. " Jesus anointed (his eyes once more
and .-repeated ;Iiis question, whereupon the man cast
himself on 'his knees before Him, crying' out joyfully :

Lord, I see mountains, trees, people! I see every
thing! " There was great jubilation among the people
as they escorted the man back into the city. Jesus
went on 'curing the lame and the palsied who were
standing around on crutches made of light, but very
firm wood. Each had three feet, so that it could
stand alone; and when the two were crossed together,
the sick could rest the breast against them.

When the blind man and his escorts went shouting
with joy into the city, many of the inhabitants, the
Elders of the synagogue, arid the school teachers
with their scholars came flocking out to meet Jesus.
They were full of joy. Jesus returned with them,
went into the school and gave them; some instructions
in parables on -the Eight Beatitudes. He exhorted all
to penance, for the Kingdom was near. He explained
the parables at great length. The disciples were
present. ^ Before beginning Jesus had recommended to
them strict attention, in order that they might repeat
what they heard when they scattered around among
the houses ,and villages in the environs. 'It Was thus
that they acquired in Jesus' public discourses what
they, in their turn, had to teach in the country around ;
for the Apostles along with several of the disciples

100 Life of Jesus Christ

scattered as usual among the environs to cure and to
teach. They met again in the evening at the place
indicated by Jesus and to which He Himself had gone.
Here they stopped with the Elder of the synagogue,
who placed before them fish, honey, little rolls, and
fruit, of which they ate.

Hucuca was situated about five hours to the northwest
of Capharnaum, five hours southwest of the mountain
upon which Jesus had given the Apostles their mission,
and about three hours south of Saphet. There were
none but Jews in the place, and they were tolerably
good people, for most of them had received John's
baptism. They manufactured stuffs of fine texture,
narrow scarfs of wool, tassels and fringes of silk;
they knit sandals also under which they placed two
supports like heels. These sandals were flexible in
the middle, and very confortable, for they allowed
ihe dust to fall through holes made for that purpose.

The Apostles and several of the disciples with them
scattered, two by two, throughout the city and its
environs. Hucuca must have once been a strong for
tress, for it was surrounded by moats now dry, and
its approach was over a bridge. One could look
through the gate far into the city and see its beautiful
synagogue. Hucuca was surrounded by verdant walks
planted with trees so thick and high that, even at a
short distance, its houses could not be seen. Its syna
gogue was extraordinarily beautiful. It Was surround
ed by a colonnade into which the main building could
be opened for the accommodation of a more con
siderable crowd; opposite the entrance the wall was
solid and formed a semicircle. It stood upon an open
square at the end of the street upon which was the
entrance. The whole city was well built and very
clean. The people, gathered into the synagogue. Jesus
went first into two separate halls ; in one healing many
sick men, in the other women sick of all kinds of
maladies. iMany sick children were brought to Him,
some young enough to be carried in the arms, and

The Will of the Father 101

He healed them. The healthy children, He blessed.

In the synagogue Jesus taught of prayer and of the
Messiah. He said that the Messiah had already come
upon earth, that they (His hearers) were living in His
time, that they were listening to His teachings. He
spoke of the adoration of God in spirit and in truth,
and I felt that it meant the adoration of the Father
in the Holy Ghost and in Jesus Christ, for Jesus is
the Truth. He is the true, the living, the incarnate
God, the Son conceived of the Holy Spirit. At these
words, the Doctors of the synagogue humbly begged
Hint to say who He really was, whence He came,
whether they whom they looked upon as "His parents
were not His parents, His relatives not His relatives,
whether He was really the Messiah, the Son of God.
It would be well, they said, for the Doctors of the
Law to know positively what to think. Being1 placed
over others, they before all others ought to know
Him. But Jesus answered them evasively. If He
said, " I am He! " they would not believe Him, but
would say (that He was the Son of those people of
whom they had spoken. They should not inquire into
His origin, but should hear His doctrine and observe
His actions. Whoever does the will of the Father
is the Son of the Father, for the Son is in the Father
and the Father is in the Son, and whoever fulfils the
will of the Son fulfils the will of the Father. Jesus
spoke so beautifully on this subject and on that of
prayer that many cried out: n Lord, Thou art the
Christ! Thou art the Truth! ' and falling down
they wished to adore Him. But He repeated to them:

Adore the Father in spirit and in truth ! : ' and •
He left the city with His disciples and the Elder of
the synagogue, at whose house they passed the night.
In this suburb there was a school very well attended,
but no synagogue. The Feast of Lights was still
being celebrated.

Next day Jesus taught again in Hucuca on the
parable of the sower and the different ways in which

102 Life of Jesus Christ

the seed is received. Then He spoke of the Good
Shepherd come to seek the lost sheep, and who would
be happy to carry back even one on His shoulder.
He said thus would the Good Shepherd do until His
enemies put Him to death; and thus also should His
servants and His servants' servant do until the end
of time. If at the end only one sheep was saved,
yet would His love rest satisfied. Jesus spoke most
tenderly on this point.

17. JESUS IN BEXHANATH, GALGAL, ELCESE,
AND SAPHET

The Apostles and several of the disciples went on
ahead, while Jesus with some of the others returned
by the way He had come, that is, He went back to
Bethanath, one hour and a half to the south of Saphet.

When within about half an hour of Bethanath, He
was met by a blind man, who Was led by two lovely
boys in short, yellow tunics and large chip hats that
shaded them from the sun. They were the children
of Levites. The man was old and of honorable stand
ing; he had long hoped for Jesus' coming. Accom
panied by the boys, who had seen Jesus approaching1
he hurried forward to meet Him, crying out from
a distance: "Jesus, Thou Son of David, help me!
Have mercy on me I " When he came up with Him,
he cast himself at His feet and said: " Lord, Thou
wilt certainly give -me light again' !' I have awaited Thee
so long, and for so long I have felt interiorly
that Thou wouldst come and ture me! " Jesus replied-
hou hast believed, so be it done unto thee
ding to thy faith, " and taking him to a fountain
m the grove, He commanded him to wash his eyes.

as we11 as his whole forehead'

tl ' e a

the scales fell from his eyes. Then Tesus

oilj as also his fo«*«*d -MS

returned, and the man gave thanks.

Feast of the Dedication 103

Jesus blessed 'him and the two boys, and predicted
that they should at some future day announce the
word of God.

They now drew near the city, outside which It
Apostles and other disciples again joined Jesus. Many
of the citizens had here gathered, and when they
saw the blind man coming back with his sight restored,
their joy was quite extraordinary. The mans name
was Ktesiphon. But he was not that blind Ktesiphon
who likewise was cured, and who afterward became
a disciple 'and went with Lazarus to Gaul.

Jesus, accompanied by the Levites and all the
people, went to the synagogue in which He delivered
an instruction. The Feast of the Dedication, or the
Feast of Lights as it was sometimes called, was still
being celebrated, so that it was a kind of holiday.
Jesus again explained the parables of the sower and
of the Good Shepherd. The people were gX>od and
quite joyous over Jesus' coming among them. He
stopped in the Levites'house near the school. There
were no Pharisees in Bethanath. The Levites lived
together as in a monastery and sent people out to
other places.

Bethanath was once a fortified city and full
pagans, for the tribe of 'Nephtali, instead of exter
minating them, had long held them tributary- But at
this time there were no pagans in the city. They had
been expelled when the Temple was re-established,
when Esdras and Nehemias had obliged the Jews to
send away their heathen wives. The terrible threats
that God made to His people by the Prophets if they
persevered in such alliances and refused ^ to drive
the pagans from the country, thereby exposing them
selves to ever-present temptation to contract mar
riages with heathens, were 'fully realized; for around
Thabor and in the chain between Endor and Scythop-
olis, where the peaks are so irregularly piled one
on another, and where I saw so much gold hidden
in the earth, the heathens had never been driven

104 Life of Jesus Christ

out, and the country had therefore become a' wilder
ness.

From Bethanath Jesus went with the Apostles and
disciples northward around Saphet to Galgal, a large,
beautiful place through which ran a great highway.
He went with His followers to the synagogue. There
were some Pharisees in this city. Jesus preached
vehemently against them, explained all the passages
of the Prophet Malachias that spoke of the Messiah,
the Precursor John, and of the new, clean Sacrifice.
He ended by announcing that the time for the ful
filment of these Prophecies had arrived.

From Galgal Jesus went eastward to Elcese which
lay to the north of Saphet, and where the Prophet
Nahum was born. Here He taught for a short time
and visited the leper hospital, where He cured about
eight of the inmates and commanded them to show
themselves to the priests in Saphet. He also taught
the shepherds. I saw in the fields around Elcese
grass of extraordinary height, and in it numbers
of camels grazing. Jesus went likewise to a mountain
containing many caves, in which dwelt heathens whom
He instructed. The whole day was spent in walking,
instructing, and curing, for everywhere on the roads
the sick and suffering were brought to Jesus.

Toward evening tHe arrived at Bethan which lay to
the west under the heights of Saphet and about one
hour from Bethanath. It was a little place, a colony
from Bethanath, and was situated so near to the steep,
western heights of Saphet that from them they could
look down upon the little town. Jesus and the dis
ciples' put up here with some relatives, for the daughter
of Elizabeth's sister was married at Bethan, She had
rive children, of whom the youngest girl was about
twelve years old. The sons were already from eighteen
to twenty. This family with some others disposed
like themselves lived apart in a row of houses built
near the walls of the city. Some were built in the
rocks, some m the walls themselves. All belonged

The Esseuians 105

to the married Essenians, and the husband of Eliza
beth's niece was the Superior. The family owned
here some property inherited from their forefathers.
They were very pious people. They spoke to Jesus
of John and asked Him with anxiety whether or not
he would soon be set at liberty. Jesus replied in
words that made them very grave and sad, though
without disturbing their peace oT mind.

John had visited them! when he came first from
the source of the Jordan in the wilderness, and they
had been among the first to go to his baptism. They
spoke to Jesus of their sons whom they intended soon
to send to the fishery at Capharnaum. Jesus replied
that those fishermen, that is Peter and his companions,
had begun another kind of fishing, and that their
young sons also would follow Him in their own good
time. They did indeed join The Seventy-two. Jesus
taught and 'cured here. I heard Him saying that the
other disciples were then on the confines of Sidon
and Tyre, and that He Himself would go back to
Judea. I saw that Thomas showed ,great pleasure
at the prospect of this journey, because he anticipated
opposition on $he part of the Pharisees and hoped
to be able to dispute with them. He expressed his
sentiments to the other disciples, but they did not
appear to share his satisfaction. Jesus reproved his
exaggerated zeal, and told him! that a time would
come when his own faith would waver. But Thomas
could in nowise understand His words.

While Jesus was teaching on the Beatitudes in the
school at Beten, the Pharisees of Saphet came down
to invite Him to their city for the 'Sabbath. ;He
explained 'before them the parable of the seed falling
on •different lands of ground, but they would not un
derstand the allusion contained in the rocky soil.
They disputed 'the point with Him, but He soon reduced
them to silence. When they invited Him for the
Sabbath, He replied that He would go with them'
for the sake of the lost sheep, but that both they

106 Life of Jesus Christ

and the Sadducees (some of whom were at Saphet)
would be scandalized on His account. They replied:
" Rabbi, leave that to us. " Jesus responded that He
knew them well, and that their unrighteousness filled
the land. He went up to Saphet followed by many
from Bethan. Saphet on this side was built on go
steep a part of the mountain that frequently the roof
of one house was on a level with1 the ground-floor
of another. The road lay far below the houses to
which one had to mount by steps hewn in the rock.
It took half an hour to climb up to* the synagogue,
where the mountain assumed the form of a great
plateau whose northeastern declivity wa,s not so steep.
Outside the city Jesus was received with solemn
ceremony by many good people. They surrounded
Him waving green branches and singing canticles.
Then they washed His feet, as well as those of the
disciples, and offered them the customary refresh
ments. Thus attended Jesus reached the synagogue
where a 'great crowd was assembled. The Feast of
the Dedication closed to-day, and they were celebrating
that of the new moon as well as the Sabbath; besides
this, the desire to see Jesus and His disciples
added to the numbers present.

^ Saphet could boast of many Pharisees, Sadducees
bcnbes, and simple L-evites. There was a kind of

sligious school here, in which youths were educated
n all the Jewish liberal arts and in theology. Thomas,
a couple of years "before had been a student at this

:ftool. He went now to visit one o'f the head-teachers,

Pharisee, who expressed his wonder at seeing him

m such company. But Thomas silenced him by his

, £r

v,,y '

Jesus at Saphet 107

alluding to His fame and His miracles, they suggested
that He should raise no excitement or commotion
in their city. They had ^been very much scandalized
at the solemn reception tendered Him by the people.
As the Sabbath had not yet begun, Jesus replied to
them in the outer porch before all the people. He
spoke in very strong language of the disturbance
and scandal which, owing to their efforts, had been
spread throughout the country. He however men
tioned nothing in particular, though He challenged
them to upbraid Him with anything wherein He had
violated the Law, He who had been sent by His Father
for its perfect accomplishment.

While thus disputing with them, the lepers whom
He had healed the day before at Elcese, presented
themselves to fulfil His order to go to tne priests
for inspection. Jesus exclaimed: " Behold howl fulfil
the Law! I ordered these men to appear before you,
although they had no obligation to do so, since they
were made clean instantaneously by the command
of God, and not by the skill of man. " This encounter
greatly vexed the Pharisees, who went nevertheless
to examine into the cure. It was usual in such cases
merely to inspect the breast. If that was clean, the
whole person was judged to be the same. The Phar
isees, astounded and vexed, were forced to declare
these men freed from the ban of leprosy.

Besides the passages of Scripture appointed for this
particular Sabbath, Jesus taught from Genesis, from
the First Book of Kirigs, and likewise upon the Ten
Commandments. He dwelt upon several points de
duced from His texts, which both Pharisees and Sad-
ducccs felt in their heart were thrusts at themselves.
He spoke of the fulfilment of the Promises and an
nounced the chastisement of God uprn all that would
not profit by His exhortations to penance. He alluded
to the destruction of the Temple and the ruin of
many cities. He spoke of the true Law, which they
did not comprehend, and of their own law of yesterday,

10S Life of Jesus Christ

as He denominated it, which He absolutely con
demned. I understood that He meant by this latter
something like the Jewish books of the present day,
the Talmud, I think, because here at Saphet they
were especially esteemed and studied.

The exercises of the synagogue over, "Jesus and the
disciples went to the house of" one of the Pharisees
to the place, who kept a public inn for teachers and
rabbis. The other Pharisees also took part in the
repast. During the meal, Jesus read the Pharisees
a severe lecture, because they reproached the dis
ciples for not washing their hands before coming
to table and for neglecting other observances custom
ary before eating. He likewise checked them for their
ridiculous fastidiousness respecting the '.serving ;up
of the food, for they were accustomed to reprehend
the servers for the slightest stain upon the dishes or
their contents.

Next morning numbers of very sick persons, some
of them aged, were brought and ranged in the court
yard before the house in which Jesus was stopping.
It had cost their friends no little trouble to bring
them from the pathless, mountainous city. Jesus be
gan to cure them one after another. Some were
deaf: others blind, palsied, lame; in a word, there
were sick of all kinds among them. Jesus made use
of prayer, the imposition of hands, consecrated oil,
and in general of more ceremonies than usual. He
spoke with the disciples, taught them to make use
of this manner of curing, and exhorted the sick ac
cording to their various needs.

The Pharisees and Sadducees from Jerusalem were
very much scandalized at all that they saw. " They
wanted to send away some of the newly arrived sick,
and they began to quarrel. They would by no means
tolerate such disturbance on the Sabbath, and so
great a tumult arose, that Jesus turning to them
inquired what they wanted. And now they began
a dispute with Him on the subject of His teaching.

The Pharisees Dispute with Jesus 109

especially of His constant reference to the Father
and the Son. " But, " they said, " we know well
whose Son Thou art! " Jesus replied that whoever
does the will of the Father is the son of the Father.
But that he who does not keep the Commandments
has no right to raise his voice in judgment upon others,
he should rather rejoice at not 'being cast out of the
house as an intruder. But they continued to allege
all sorts of objections against His cures, to accuse
Him of pot having washed before the meal of ^the
preceding evening, and to repudiate His charge against
them of not keeping the Law. They went so far
that Jesus, to their exceedingly great terror, began
to write on the wall of the house, and in letters that
they alone could decipher, their secret sins and trans
gressions. Then He .asked them whether they wanted
the writing to remain upon the wall and become
publicly known, .or whether effacing it they would
permit Him to continue His work in peace. The Phar
isees were thoroughly frightened. They rubbed out
the writing and slunk away, leaving Jesus to continue
His cures. These Pharisees had been guilty of em
bezzlement of the public funds. Legacies and dona
tions intended for the foundation of homes "for widows
and orphans, they had used for the erection of all
kinds of magnificent buildings. Saphet was rich in
such establishments, and yet there were to 'be found
in it numbers of poor, miserable creatures.

That evening Jesus closed the instructions in the
synagogue, and passed the night in the same house.
There was a fountain near the synagogue. The
mountain of Saphet was beautiful and green, covered
with numerous trees and gardens. The roads were
bordered by sweet-scented myrtles. High up on the
plateau were large, 'four-cornered houses and solid
foundations around which could be erected tent habita
tions. This city was largely engaged in the manu
facture of vestments for the priests, and it was full of
students and learned men.

110 Life of Jesus Christ

18. JESUS IN CARIATHAIM AND ABRAM

Jesus went with the disciples around the environs of
Saphet, and cured many sick who had been brought
out of the houses and laid on the road by which He
was to pass. Early in the morning He sent one of
the nephews of Joseph of Arimathea along with Ser-
aphia's son to the neighboring town of Cariathaim
about three hours from Saphet, with a commission to
prepare the inn. He and the disciples left Saphet some
time after. The disciples scattered here and there
on the road, while Jesus also went along teaching
and healing. He went first westward between Bethan
Elcese, after which the road turned toward the
south. Somewhat beyond Elcese, near which was a
beautiful mountain, lay a little, oval lake as large
as that near the Baths of Bethulia. It was the source
of a stream that flowed down into the valley which

mnmeaTh°-f Ca^athaim' declined into that of Caphar-
naum This valley was narrow! in some parts, wide

Capharnaum extended seven hours bef<>^ reaching
On the way to Cariathaim, Jesus was met by
TW tnir^ ^whVntreated Him to help them.
to reliP Pm ^ ^e diSCipl6S had not been able
3etter Thl tlm' ^ ** they thbu^t He *™™ ^

that' if the disd*>les

Jesus at Cariathaim 111

stream of which I have spoken. The garden was full
of beautiful trees, flowers, and covered walks, and en
closed by a rampart and an astonishingly dense hedge.
They washed the feet of Jesus and His disciples and
entertained them with the usual refreshments.

Jesus here instructed the children for a little while
and gave them jHis blessing. It may have been nearly
five o'clock when they started for the city, which lay
up on a hill overlooking the valley. The whole way
to the synagogue Jesus healed many sick of all kinds
whom He met in the streets. In the synagogue "He
again taught on the Beatitudes, also of the punishment
ot those Levites that had dared to lay their hand upon
the Ark of the Covenant. And yet greater chastise
ments, He said, would fall upon those that would
tay hands on the Son of Man of whom 'the Ark was
only a symbol.

While in Cariathaim, Jesus put up at a hired inn
which had been furnished with necessaries out ^ of the
common stock of the Community by the two disciples
sent on ahead. The food was prepared at a house
in the city, where also cooking ifor the_ sick was done.
The Levites ate with Jesus and the disciples.

Cariathaim was a Levitical city, and in it were
no Pharisees. A couple of its families were related to
Zachary. Jesus visited them and found them very
much troubled on John's account. He recalled to them
the wonders that had preceded and accompanied
John's birth, and spoke of his mission arid wonderful
life. He reminded them likewise of many circum
stances attendant on the birth of Mary's Son, showed
them that John's fate lay in the hands of God, and
that he would die when he had fulfilled his mission.
Jesus prepared them in this way for John's death. ^

The possessed whom1 He had sent to Cariathaim
on the preceding day and m&ny other sick, accosted
Him near the synagogue on the subject o'f their cure.
He healed several, but others He sent away to fulfil
certain prescriptions of fasting, alms-giving, and

112 Life of Jesus Christ

prayer. He did this here rather than elsewhere, be
cause the people of this place were earnest in the
keeping of the Law. After that He repaired with
the disciples to the garden in which He had been
received, where He taught and the disciples baptized.
Encamped ^ under tents in the neighborhood, were
pagans awaiting Jesus' coming. They had already been
in Capharnaum whence they had been ordered here.
There were in all about a hundered baptized. They
stood 'in the water around a basin. Peter and Tames
the Less baptized, while the otfc >s laid their hands
on the neophytes.

In the evening Jesus taught in the synagogue His
subject being the Eight Beatitudes. He spoke also of
the false consolation of the false prophets who had
rejected the menaces of the true whose prophecies had
nevertheless, been fulfilled. He repeated His threats
against those that would not receive Him who was sent
by God.

Leaving Cariathaim, Jesus went with the disciples
toward the south. He was as solemnly escorted on
His departure by the Levites and school children,
liad .been received on His entrance. The
people of Cariathaim were engaged in the transporta
tion of goods and the manufacture of vestments for
priests out of the silk that they imported from afar
Un the southern declivity of the opposite side of
the valley, where lay a place called Naason, there

stanl/TrT ?lantatlon ^hose products formed
the H ' JeS,US ascended tha< ^grit, while

' disciples scattered among some of the places

Na^sson Jh6 eaVf ^ VaUey- JeSUS

frn^r W^°m He met comin£

arnaum, amang th some idolaters suc oc

casK ns> Jesus was frequently accompanied a part of
clherr^n0^^-- 1 SaW,Him CUrin^ ^veral, among
side H?tnT ^1PPleu Wh° were' Wng on the road
thern ^ n™ by the hand' and commanded

them to rise. They immediately wanted to follow

Jesus Settles a Dispute 113

Him, but He forbade them to do so. He traversed
another valley, arrived at a height situated before
the city of Abram in the tribe of Aser, and put up
at an inn outside the city, where were found beautiful
gardens and pleasure-grounds. There were only two
disciples with Jesus when He entered the inn, the
others not having yet arrived. The country here on
the eastern side of the high ridges that run from
Libanus down to the valley of Zabulon, was rich in
meadow-land and very charming. Herds of cattle and
camels were grazing in the high grass. Westward
toward the lake, orchards were more numerous.

Abram was situated about three hours south of Car-
iathaim. But Jesus, not having followed the direct
route, was certainly five hours on His journey thither.

In the evening Thomas, John, and Nathanael joined
Jesus in the inn. Thq others were still in the neigh
boring1 towns. The mountain upon which Abram
was built formed in its length the boundary between
Nephtali and Zabulon. The steward of the inn laid
before Jesus a dispute, which he begged Him to
decide. It had reference to the wells in the vicinity
used for watering the cattle. As the two tribes were
so near each other in this place and their pasturage
so extensive, altercations on the subject of the wells
were frequent. The host thus addressed Jesus : " Lord,
we will not let Thee go until Thou dost decide
our quarrel. " Jesus' decision was something like this :
They should from each side set free an equal number
of cattle, and from whichever side the greater number
went of their own accord to the wells, that side
should have the greater right to the said wells. Je
sus drew from this circumstance matter for a pro
foundly significant instruction on the living water
that He Himself would give them, and which would
belong to those that most earnestly desired it.

The next day Jesus went into Abram, which was
in two sections and on two different roads. It was
like two separate villages interspersed with numerous

Life of Jesus fbrist. — III. 8

114 Life of Jesus Christ

gardens. The teachers of the school came out of the
city to meet Jesus, washed His feet, and escorted
Him to the synagogue. On the way thither, He curecl
many sick and crippled whom He found lying on the
street, also some old people languishing from weakness;
some demoniacs who, though not actually furious,
were running about muttering to themselves like silly,
vicious creatures. They came involuntarily to where
Jesus was, again and again repeating the words:
" Jesus of Nazareth! Jesus! Prophet! Thou Son of
God! Jesus of Nazareth! " Jesus delivered them by
a blessing. In .the synagogue He taught of the Beat
itudes and from some passages of the Prophet Mala-
chias.

There were in Abram Sadducees, Pharisees, and
Levites, also two synagogues, for each section of
the city had its own. The Sadducees had their own
special synagogue, but Jesus did not teach in it. The
Pharisees conducted themselves very politely toward
Jesus. His inn was distant, about a good quarter
of an, hour from the southern end of the city, and
was one of those established by Lazarus for His
convenience. The steward was a married Essenian,
a descendant of the family of that Zacharias who was
murdered between the Temple and the altar. His
wife was the granddaughter of one of Anne's sisters.
They had grown children and possessed herds and
meadows near that field in which Joachim had tarried
before Mary's conception. Having little occupation
at home, they had come hither to take charge of
the inn; later on they were relieved by others. Like
all the others, this inn was supplied with all kinds
of necessaries, though not with superfluities. It had
also its garden, its field, and its well.

There were no pagans in Abram, but down the
mountain were some groups of houses inhabited by
them.

The Apostles and disciples whom Jesus had left
near Cariathaim, came back again to the inn, as

Jesus Settles a Dispute 115

did also Andrew and Matthew. Thomas and James
the Less went instead of them to Achzib in the tribe
of Aser, between ten and twelve hours westward.
Twenty men accompanied Andrew, some were strang
ers, and some had been cured and wanted to hear
Jesus' instructions. The two Apostles related how
things had gone with them, how all had prospered
with them, namely, healing, exorcising, preaching,
and baptizing. Many sick and many seeking advice
and consolation came to Jesus' inn. Most of them
were cripples with deforrned limbs, old, emaciated
people, demoniacs and infirm females, the latter of
whom! were in a chamber apart. The paralytics whom
Jesus had healed the day before, wanted to render
assistance near the other sick. But He refused their
help, saying that He was come to serve and not to be
served.

Jesus taught and healed the whole morning, and
had besides to settle a dispute concerning the wells.
As the confines of Aser, Nephtali, and Zabulon here
met, and the people ^ carried on cattle-raising, there
arose frequent discussions on the subject of the wells.
One man complained that another made use of the
well that his ancestors had dug. He submitted the
case to Jesus, saying- that He would abide by His
decision, though he did not wish to sacrifice lightly
the rights of his children. Jesus decided that h'e
should bore for a well in another field, which! He
pointed but to him. There he would find Better and
more abundant water. Between twenty and thirty
Jews were baptized, among them those that had come
hither with Andrew and Matthew. As there was here
no brook' in which they could stand, the neophytes
knelt in a circle, and were baptized out of a vbasin
with the hand. After that Jesus went into the city.

They whom Jesus cured in the city, were for the
most part affected with maladies similar to those al
ready described. Their sufferings must have had some
connection with the elevated situation of the city

116 Life of Jesus Christ

and the occupations in which they were engaged. Jesus
took much notice of the children, who were standing
in rows on the street corners and public squares,
waiting for Him. He questioned them, instructed
them, and gave them His blessing. The mothers
brought to Him their sick little ones, and He healed
them. Numbers of people from the country around
had here assembled.

The Pharisees behaved most courteously to Jesus
in the synagogue. They resigned the first place to
Him, and gave the disciples seats around their Master,1
before whom they laid the rolls of Scripture. Jesus
taught first on one of the Eight Beatitudes, then
on the great persecutions that were to come upon
Himself and His followers, and lastly, of the heavy
chastisement, the destruction that was to befall Jeru
salem and the whole country. The Pharisees, ac
cording to their custom!, interrupted Him at times,, to
ask for an explanation upon this or that point.

The people of Abram were very industrious. They
prepared and sold cotton of which wide strips moder
ately fine were made; they also- wove something like,
flax. The thick stalk, after being split into fine'stfips,i
was passed over la sharp 'bone, or wooden instrument
in order to detach the fine long fibres. They were;
yellowish and shining, and were spun into fhe tunics
worn when walking. It was neither flax nor hemp:
such as we have. They were engaged also in the
manufacture of covers for tents and light screens of]
wood and matting.

Jesus and the Apostles spent the whole of the follow
ing morning and a part of 'the afternoon among j
some of the houses in the southern quarter of the
city, teaching, consoling, reconciling enemies and ex
horting them to union, charity, and peace. 'When a
family counted many members, Jesus taught them
alone; but, as a general thing, fhe neighbors were.
called in. All disputes were adjusted, all differences
arranged. These visits of Jesus were mostly made

Jesus Instructs on Marriage 117

to those houses in which were old, bedridden people
who could not be present at the instructions in the
synagogue. Some very old men received baptism in
their beds. Two of them could sit upright only with
support, and they were baptized out of a basin.

On the first day of His entrance into Abram, Jesus
had instructed a couple for matrimony, and assisted
at the nuptials. In another house there were three
other couples in expectation of the same. When the
parents, the nearest relatives, and some of the Phar
isees were assembled for the ceremony, Jesus instruct
ed then! upon marriage. He spoke of the wife's
submission ,in obedience to the Law, which followed
the first sin as its consequence, though the husband
should honor in his wife the Promise: "" The seed
of the woman shall crush the head of the serpent. "
But now that the time of the fulfilment was drawing
near, grace took the place of the Law. The wife
should now obey through reverence and humility,
and the husband command with love and moderation.
In this instruction Jesus said that the question as
to how sin had entered the world was an unnecessary
one. It had come from disobedience, but salvation'
was to spring from faith and obedience. He alluded
also to divorce which, He said, could never take
place, since husband and wife are one in the flesh.
If however their living together was the occasion,
of great sins, then indeed they might separate, though
without the liberty of marrying again. The Law had
been made when the human race was in its infancy
and in its early rude state; but now that they were
no longer children and that the fulness of time had
arrived, the remarrying of divorced spouses was a
violation of the eternal law of nature. The privilege
of separating was a concession granted when there
was danger of offending God and only after a period
of serious trial. Jesus delivered this instruction in
the beautiful family mansion belonging to the parents
of one of the bridal couples. All the young affianced

US Life of Jesus Christ

were present, the brides separated from trie grooms
by a curtain, at one end of which Jesus stood. The
parents also stood in order, the fathers on one side,
the mothers oh the other, while some of the disciples
and Pharisees were grouped around Jesus.

This instruction on marriage gave rise to the first
occasion for the Pharisees of this place to oppose
Jesus. Nevertheless they did not begin their dispute
at once, but waited till evening when Jesus was teach
ing- in the synagogue upon the oppression of the
Children of Israel in Egypt, and developing some
passages from Isaiah. Here they attacked His doc
trine on marriage. With regard to the wife's sub
mission, ^they found Him too mild, and in respect
to the divorce question, too severe. They had, they
affirmed, previously consulted numerous writings on
that subject, and in spite of His repeated explanations,
they could not accept His reaching. Although the
dispute was warmly maintained, yet were the limits
of decorum never overstepped.

Next day Jesus assisted with two of the disciples
at the marriage ceremony of the young couples. He
even acted as witness. They were married facing
the chest that contained the Law and under the open
heavens, for they had opened the cupola of the syna
gogue. I saw that both parties allowed some drops
of blood from the ring-finger to fall into k glass
of wine which they then, drank. They exchanged
•mgs, and went through other ceremonies. After the
religious rites came the celebration of the nuptials
beginning with dance arid banquet and merry-making,
to all ;0f which Jesus and the disciples were invited
I he festivities took place in the beautiful public hall
which was supported by a colonnade. The bridal
couples were not all from! the city, but from; the
leighbonng localities. They celebrated their nuptials
lere together, according to an agreement, they had
made to that effect when the news of Jesus', coming
was announced. Some of them indeed had been

Bridal Feast

present with their parents at His instructions in Caph-
arnaum. The people of this region were particularly
good-natured and sociable. The weddings of the poorer
were now celebrated with those of the rich, greatly
to the advantage of the former.

I remarked that the guests brought certain presents,
and that Jesus, in His own name and that of the
disciples, made the young couples a gift in money.
They, in their turn, sent back the money to His inn,
and over and (above as a present some baskets of nice
wedding-bread, all which Jesus caused to be distributed
to the poor.

The feast began by a bridal dance in slow and
measured step. The brides were veiled. The couples
stood facing one another, and each bridegroom danced
once with each bride. They never touched one an
other, but grasped tWe ends of the scarf that they
held in their hands. , The dance lasted one hour, be
cause each groom danced once with all the brides'
separately, and then all danced together. Besides
this, the step was very slow. Then followed the ban
quet at which trie men and women were as usual
separated. The musicians were children, little boys
and girls, with crowns of wool on their ( head arid
wreaths of the same on their arms. They played on
flutes, little twisted horns, and other instruments. The
banqueting tables were so placed that the guests
could hear without seeing one another. Jesus went
to that of the brides, and related a parable something
in the style of that of the ten wise and the ten foolish
virgins. He 'explained it in quite a homely way adapt
ed to the occasion, though at the same time His
words were 'full of spiritual signification. He told each
how she should acquit herself of the duties of her
new, domestic position and what provisions she should
lay up for that. His instructions contained a spiritual
sense, and were suited to the particular character and
shortcomings of the one to whom they were addressed.

The banquet over, then came the game of riddles.

120 Life of Jesus Christ

The enigmas written on slips of paper were thrown
on a -board that was full of holes through which they
fell into bags. Every one had to solve the particular
enigma that had fallen into his or her bag, or else
pay a forfeit. The unsolved riddles were again and
again thrown on the board, and the one that was
so fortunate as to solve them at last, could claim all
that 'had been previously lost on their account. Jesus
looked on during the game, making happy and in
structive application of all tha.t took place.

At the close of the festivities, Jesus and the dis
ciples returned to their inn outside the city whither
they were conducted with lighted torches.

After Jesus had again taught in the synagogue,
He visited the school of the boys and youths whom
He questioned and instructed, and then took leave
of several people. After the repast, at the time gen
erally spent in promenading on the Sabbath, Jesus
with two of His disciples visited a girls' school. It
was besides a kind of embroidering establishment.
The little girls were between the ages of six and
fourteen. There were a great many of them, and
to-day they were in their fine clothes. Two Doctors
of the Law were present, and they too were in holi
day attire, wearing broad girdles around their waist and
long maniples on their sleeves. Every day they ex
plained to the children some part of the Law. About
ten widows superintended the affairs of the school.
Besides instruction in reading the Law, in writing and
reckoning, the girls worked at embroidery intended
for sale. Through a series of halls, were extended
lon£ strips of different materials, some an ell in width,
some narrower, of the breadth of a broad ' girdle.
The finished end was alwjays rolled up. 'The pattern
from which the young embroiderers worked lay before
them painted on a piece of stuff. It was made up
of flowers and leaves and little branches and serpentine
lines all forming large figures. The material upon
which they worked was woven of very fine wool,

Jesus Visits a School 121

something like the light mantles worn by the three
Holy Kings, only it was rather stronger in texture
and of different colors. The children worked with
fine, colored wool, also with silk, yellow being one
of the principal colors. They did not use needles,
but little hooks. Some also worked on white strips
that were narrower than the rest. Others were engaged
on girdles upon which they embroidered certain letters.
The little girls stood at their work, one next the
other. Their occupation was assigned them according
to their age and talent. I saw some of the little ones
preparing the threads, others smoothing the wool, and
others spinning. All that the embroiderers needed,
such as thread and instruments, was handed them
by the younger ones. On this day they were not
working. While the children were showing their work
to Jesus as He passed through the halls with the
superintendents, the whole business of the institution
was shown me in a tableau. I saw also that some
of the girls embroidered figures, large and small,
upon separate pieces of stuff which were private orders
intended for sale, and these they showed to; Jesus.
The heathens exchanged all kinds of things for them1.
Some of the girls lived in the house, of which! two
stories were given up to the business, and others came
from the city. There was also a hall for instructions^
and there Jesus taught and catechized the children,
who held little rolls in their hands. The smallest
stood in front, their mistresses behind them. The
children advanced, one row at a time, to Jesus' chair.
When He had blessed them and instructed them in
familiar similitudes drawn from their work, He left
the house, though not until they had presented Him
with some strips of stuff and girdles, which they sent
to His inn for Him. He afterward gave them to
the different synagogues. Jesus then closed the ex
ercises of the Sabbath in the synagogue. The whole
country around had poured into the city which' was
consequently, crowded with people. Several of the

122 Life of Jesus Christ

disciples were still going around to-day among the
houses outside the city. Jesus took leave of all present
in the synagogue, and made a brief recapitulation
of what He had already taught them. All were very
much touched arid wanted Him to remain with them.

Before Jesus left Abram for Doth'ain, He despatched
two disciples with a message to Capharnaum, and two
others to Cydessa. Andrew and Matthias alone re
mained with their Master, the others having scattered
to different places.

Dothain was built on the same mountain-ridge as
Abram, and may have been distant from it southward
something like five hours. There was 'here a private
inn established for Jesus and 'His disciples, and there
He met Lazarus who had come thither with two dis
ciples from Jerusalem. The holy women also had
journeyed with Lazarus to this inn from Jerusalem.

FROM THE SECOND CONVERSION OF MAGDALEN
TO THE DELIVERY OF THE KEYS TO PETER

1. JESUS TEACHING IN AZANOTH. SECOND
CONVERSION OF MAGDALEN

About an hour to the south of the 'inn at Dothain
lay the little town of Azanoth. It was built on an
eminence upon which was a teacher's chair and, in
earlier times, it had often been the scene of the Proph
ets' preaching. Through the activity of the disciples,
the report had been spread throughout the - whole
region that Jesus was about 'to deliver a great in
struction in that place, and in consequence of this
report, multitudes were gathered there from all Gal-

*b M,artha> attended by her maid, had journeyed
to Magdalen in the hope of inducing her to be present
at the instruction, but she was received very haughti
ly by her sister with whom things had come to the

Martha and Magdalen 123

worst. She was on Martha's arrival engaged at her
toilet, and sent word that she could not speak to
her1 then. Martha awaited her sister's appearance with
unspeakable patience, occupying herself meanwhile in
prayer. At last, the unhappy Magdalen presented
herself, her rnariner haughty, excited, and defiant. She
was ashanied of Martha's simple attire. She feared
that some of her guests might see her, consequently
she requested her to go away as soon as possible.
But Martha begging to be allowed to rest 'in some
corner of the house, she and her maid were con
ducted to a room in one of the side buildings where,
either through design or forgetfulness, they were al
lowed to remain without food or drink. It was then
afterfiooh. Meanwhile Magdalen adorned herself for
the banquet, at which she Was seated on a richly
decorated chair, while Martha arid her maid were "in
prayer. After the revelry, Magdalen went at last t<3
Martha, taking with her something on a little blue-
edged plate and something to drink. She addressed
Martha angrily and disdainfully, her whole demeanor
expressive of £ride, insolence, uneasiness, and interior
agitation. Martha, full of humility and affection, in
vited Magdalen to go with her once more to the
great instruction Jesus was go-ing to deliver in the
neighborhood. All Magdalen's female friends, Martha
urged, those whom she had lately met, would be there
and very [glad to see her. She herself (Magdalen)
had already testified to the esteem in which she held
Jesus, and she should now gratify Lazarus and. herself
(Martha) by going once more to hear Him preach.
She would not soon again have the Opportunity of
hearing the wonderful Prophet and .at the same time
of seeing all her friends in her own neighborhood.
She had shown by her anointing of Jesus at the ban
quet in !Gabara, that she knew how to- honor greatness
and majesty. She should now again salute Him whom
she had once so nobly and fearlessly honored in
public, etc., etc. It would be impossible to say how

124 Life of Jesus Christ

lovingly Martha spoke to her erring sister, or how
patiently she endured her shamefully contemptuous
manner. At last Magdalen replied: ' I shall go,
but not with you! You can go on ahead, for I will
not be seen with one so miserably clothed. I shall
dress according to my position, and I shall go with
my own friends: ' At these words, the two» sisters
separated, for it was very late.

Next morning Magdalen sent for Martha to come
to her room while she was making her toilet. Martha
went, patient as usual and isecretly praying that Mag
dalen might go with her and be converted. Magdalen,
clothed in a fine woollen garment, was sitting on a
low stool, while two of her maids were busily en
gaged washing her feet and arms and perfuming them
with fragrant water. Her hair was divided into three
parts above the ears and at the back of the head, after
which it was combed, brushed, oiled, and braided.
Over her fine woollen undergarment was put a green
robe embroidered with large yellow flowers, and over
that again a mantle with folds. Her headdress was
a kind of crimped cap that rose high on the forehead.
Both her hair and her cap were interwoven; with
numberless pearls, and in her lears were long pendants.
Her sleeves were wide above the elbow, but narrow
below and 'fastened, with broad, glittering bracelets.
Her robe was plaited. Her under-bodice was open on
the breast and laced with shining cords. During the
toilet, Magdalen held in her hand a round,polished
mirror. She wore an ornament on her breast. It
was covered with gold, and incrusted with cut
stones and pearls. Over the narrows-sleeved undet-
dress she wore an upper one with a long' flowing
train and short, wide sleeves. It was made of change
able violet silk, and embroidered with large "flowers,
some in gold, others in different colors. The braids
of her hair were ornamented with roses made of raw1
silk, and strings of pearls, interwoven with some kind
of stiff transparent stuff that stood out in points.

Martha and Magdalen 125

Very little of the hair could be seen through its load
of ornamentation. It was rolled high around the face.
Over this headdress, Magdalen wore a rich hood of
fine, transparent material. It fell on the high head
dress in front, shaded the cheeks, and hung low on
the shoulders behind.

Martha took leave of her sister, and went to the
inn near Damna, in order to tell Mary and the holy
women the success she had had in her efforts to
persuade Magdalen to be present at the instruction
about to be given in Azanoth. With the Blessed
Virgin about a dozen women had come to Damna,
among them Anna Cleophas, Susanna Alpheus, Su
sanna of Jerusalem, Veronica, Johanna Chusa, Mary
Marcus, Dina, Maroni, and the Suphanite.

Jesus, accompanied by six Apostles and a number
of the disciples, started from the inn at Dothain for
Azanoth. On the way, He met the holy women
coming; from Damna. Lazarus was among Jesus' com
panions on this occasion.

After Martha's departure, Magdalen was very much
tormented by the devil, wbo wanted to prevent her
going to Jesus' instruction. She would have follow
ed his suggestions, were it not for some of her guests
who had agreed to go with her to Azanoth, to witness
what they called jai great show. Magdalen and her
frivolous, sinful 'companions rode on asses to the
inn of the holy women near the Baths of Bethulia.
Magdalen's splendid seat, along with cushions and rugs
for the others, followed packed on asses.

Next morning, Magdalen again arrayed in her most
wanton attire and surrounded by her companions,
made her appearance at the place of instruction, which
was about an hour from the inn at which she was
stepping. With noise and bustle, loud talk and bold
staring about, they took their places under an open
tent far in front of the holy women. There were
some men o'f their own stamp in their party. They
sat upon cushions and rugs and upholstered chairs,

126 Life of Jesus Christ

all in full view, Magdalen in front. Their coming
gave rise to general whispering and murmurs of dis
approbation, for they were even more detested and
despised in these quarters than in Gabara. The Phar
isees especially, who knew of her first remarkable
conversion at Gabara and of her subsequent relapse
into her former disorders, were scandalized and ex
pressed their indignation at her daring to appear in
such an. assembly.

Jesus after healing many sick, began His long and
severe discourse. The details of His sermon, I can
not now recall, but I know that He cried woe upon
Capharnaum, Bethsaida, and Corozain, tje said also
that the Queen of Saba had come from the South
to 'hear the wisdom of Solomon, £>ut here was
One greater than Solomon. And lo, the wonder!
Children that had never yet spoken, babes in their
mothers' arms, cried out from time to time during
the instruction: " Jesus o.f Nazareth! Holiest of Proph
ets! Son of David! Son of God! " Which words
caused many of the hearers, and among them Magr
dalen, to tremble with fear. Making allusion to Mag
dalen, Jesus -said that, when the devil has ^been
driven out and the house has been swept, he returns
with six other demons, and rages worse than, before.
These words terrified Magdalen. After Jesus had
in this way touched the hearts of many, He turned
successively to all sides and commanded the demon
to go out o'f all that sighed for deliverance from his
thraldom, but that those who wished to remain bound
to the devil should depart and take him along with
them. At this command, the possessed cried out from
all parts of the circle: " Jesus, Thou Son of God] "
- and here and there people sank to the ground un
conscious.

Magdalen also from her splendid seat upon which
she had attracted all eyes, fell in violent convulsions
Her companions in sin applied perfumes as restora
tives, and wanted to carry her away. Desiring- to

Magdalen Deeply Affected 127

remain under the empire of the evil one, they were
themselves glad to profit by the opportunity to retire
from the scene. But just then some persons near
her cried out: "Stop, Master 1 stop! This woman
is dying. Jesus interrupted His discourse to
reply: " Place her on her chair! The death she is
now dying, is a good death, and one that will vivify
her! " After some time another word of Jesus pierced
her to 'the heart, and she again fell into convulsions,
during which dark forms escaped from her. A crowd
gathered round her in alarm, while her own im
mediate party tried once again to bring her to her
self. ^She was soon able to resume her seat on her
beautiful chair, 'and then she tried to look as if she
had suffered only an ordinary fainting-spell. She had
now become the object of general attention, especially
as many other possessed back in the crowd had like
her fallen in convulsions and afterward rose up freed
from the .evil one. But when for the third time
Magdalen fell down in violent convulsions, the excite
ment increased, and Martha hurried forward to her.
When she recovered consciousness, she acted like
one bereft of her senses. She wept passionately, and
wanted to go to where the holy women were sitting.
The frivolous companions with whom she had come
hither, held her back forcibly, declaring that she
should not play the fool, and they at last succeeded
in getting her down the mountain. Lazarus, Martha,
and others who had followed her, now went for
ward and led her to the inn of the holy women.
The crowd of worldlings who had accompanied Mag
dalen, had already made their way off.

Before going down to His inn, Jesus healed many
blind and sick. Later on, He taught again in the
school, and Magdalen was present. She was not yet
quite cured, but profoundly impressed, and no longer
so wantonly arrayed. She had laid aside her super
fluous finery, some of which was made of a fine
scalloped material like pointed lace, and so perish-

128 Life of Jesus Christ

able that it could be worn only once. She was now
veiled. Jesus in His instruction appeared again to
speak for her special benefit and, when He fixed
upon her His penetrating" glance, she fell once more
into unconsciousness and another e-yil spirit went out
of her. Her maids bore her from the synagogue to
where she was received by Martha and Mary, wno
took her back to the inn. She was now like one
distracted. She cried and wept. She ran through the
public streets saying to all she met that she was
a wicked creature, a sinner, the refuse of humanity.
The holy women had the greatest trouble to quiet
her. She tore her garments, disarranged her hair,
and hid her face in the folds of her veil. When
Jesus returned to His inn with the disciples and some
of the Pharisees, and while they were taking some
refreshments standing, Magdalen escaped from the
holy women, ran with streaming hair and uttering
loud lamentations, made her way through the crowd,
cast herself at Jesus' feet, weeping and moaning,
and asked if she might still hope for salvation. The
Pharisees and disciples, iscandalized at the sight, said
to Jesus that He should no longer suffer this reprobate
woman to create disturbance everywhere, that He
should send her away once for all. But Jesus replied :
" Permit her to weep and lament! Ye know not
what is passing in her " - and He turned to her
with words of consolation. He told her to repent
from her heart, to believe and to hope, for that
she should soon find peace. Then He bade her de
part with confidence. Martha, who had followed with
her maids, took her again to her inn. Magdalen did
nothing but wring her hands and lament. She was
not yet quite freed from the power of the evil one,
who tortured and tormented her with the most fright
ful remorse and despair. There was no rest for her,
she thought herself forever lost.

Upon her request, Lazarus went to Magdalum in
order to take charge of her property, and to dissolve

Magdalen 129

the ties she had there formed. She owned near
Azanoth and in the surrounding country fields and
vineyards which Lazarus, on account of her extrava
gance, had previously sequestered.

To escape the great crowd that had gathered here,
Jesus went that night with His disciples into the
neighborhood of Damna, where there was an inn,
as well as a lovely eminence upon which stood a
chair for teaching. Next morning when the holy
women came thither accompanied by Magdalen, they
found Jesus already encompassed by people seeking
His aid. When His departure became known, the
crowds awaiting Him %at Azanoth, as well as new
visitors, came streaming to Damna and fresh bands
continued to arrive during the whole instruction.

Magdalen, crushed and miserable, now sat among
tne holy women. Jesus inveighed severely against
the sin of impurity, and said that it was that vice
that had called down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrha.
But He spoke of the mercy of God also and of
the present time of pardon, almost conjuring His
hearers to accept the grace offered them. Thrice
during this discourse did Jesus rest His glance upon
Magdalen, and each time I saw her sinking down
and dark vapors issuing from her. The third time,
the holy women carried her away. She was pale,
weak, annihilated as it were, and scarcely recogniz
able. Her tears flowed incessantly. She was com
pletely transformed, and passionately sighed to confess
her sins to Jesus and receive pardon. The instruction
over, Jesus went to a retired place whither Mary
herself and Martha, led Magdalen to Him. She fell
on her face weeping at His feet, her hair flowing
loosely around her. Jesus comforted her. When Mary
and Martha had withdrawn, she cried for pardon, con
fessed her numerous transgressions, and asked over
and over: " Lord, is there still salvation for me? "
Jesus forgave her sins, and she implored Him to save
her from another relapse. He promised so to do,

Life of Jesus Christ. — III.

130 Life of Jesus Christ

gave her His blessing, and spoke to her of the virtue
of purity, also of His Mother who was pure with
out stain. He praised Mary highly in terms I had
never before heard from His lips, and commanded
Magdalen to unite herself closely to her and to seek
from her advice and consolation. When Jesus and
Magdalen rejoined the holy women, Jesus said to
them: " She has been a great sinner, but for all
future time, she will be the model of penitents. '

Magdalen, through her passionate emotion, her
grief, and her tears, was no longer like a human
being, but like a shadow tottering from weakness.
She was however calm, though still weeping silent
tears that exhausted her. The holy women comforted
her with many marks of affection, while she in turn
craved pardon of each. As they had to set out for
Nairn and Magdalen was too weak to accompany
them, Martha, Anna Cleophas, and Mary the Suph-
anite went with her to Damna, in order to rest that
night and follow the others next morning. The holy
women went through Cana to Nairn.

Jesus and the disciples went across through the
valley of the Baths of Bethulia, four or five hours
farther on, to Gathepher, a large city that lay on a
height between Cana and Sephoris. They passed the
night outside the city at an inn that was near a cave
called John's Cave. "

2. JESUS IN GATHEPHER, KISLOTH, AND
NAZARETH

Next morning Jesus approached Gathepher. The
schoolmasters and Pharisees came out to meet Him
and bid Him welcome, though making all kinds of
remonstrances, and imploring Him not to disturb the
peace of their city. They especially insisted upon
His discountenancing the crowding around Him and
clamoring of women and children. He might, they

Jesus in Gathepher 131

said, teach quietly in their synagogue, but public
disturbance they 'did not want to see. Jesus replied
in grave and severe words that it was precisely for
those that cried after Him, longed for Him that He
had come, and He reproached them for their dis
simulation. The Pharisees had, in fact, on hearing
that Jesus was coming, issued an order that the
women should not appear on the streets with their
children nor should they go to meet the Nazarene
with clamorous greeting. The cry of " Son of God, "
" Christ, " was, they said, positively preposterous and
scandalous, since every one in this part of the country
knew full well whence Jesus came, who were His
parents, and who His brethren. The sick might as
semble in front of the synagogue and allow them
selves to be cured, but noise and excitement would
not be tolerated. Such were the directions given by
the Pharisees, who had likewise arranged the sick
around the synagogue as they thought proper, just
as if it were theirs by right to order Jesus' actions.
When however they reached the city with Jesus,
to their intense chagrin, they beheld the streets filled
with mothers surrounded by their little ones, and
some with infants in their arms. The children were
stretching out their hands to Jesus and crying : " Jesus
of Nazareth! Son of David! Son of God! Holiest of
Prophets ! " The Pharisees tried to drive the women
and children back, but all in vain. They came pour
ing out of the neighboring streets and houses, while
the Pharisees, eaten up with vexation, withdrew from
Jesus' escort. The disciples too who were surround
ing Jesus, were somewhat timorous and frightened.
They would have desired a less demonstrative en
trance into the city, one attended by less danger,
and so they remonstrated with Jesus while attempt
ing to drive the children back. But Jesus reproached
them with their faint-heartedness. He restrained them,
allowed the children to press around Him, and showed
Himself all love and affection for them. And thus

132 Life of Jesus Christ

they proceeded to the court before the synagogue
amid the uninterrupted shouts of the little ones:
" Jesus of Nazareth! Holiest of Prophets! " Even
the sucklings that never yet had spoken, cried out
after Him. They were witnesses to Jesus. They bore
convincing testimony before all the people. In front
of the synagogue the children halted, the boys on
one side, the girls on the other, the mothers with
tneir infants in the rear. Jesus blessed the children
and addressed some words of instruction to the
mothers and their domestics who likewise had made
their way thither. He said to the mothers that they
should regard these last as their children. He spoke
to the disciples also of the high value God sets on
the child. The Pharisees were annoyed at these de
lays, and the sick were impatient for their cure.
At last Jesus went to the latter, cured many of them,
and then entered the synagogue where He taught about
the Patriarch Joseph. During His discourse He took
occasion to return to the dignity of children. Jesus
did so because the Pharisees were complaining of
what they called the disturbance.

When Jesus was leaving the synagogue, three women
presented themselves before Him, requesting a private
interview. When He withdrew with them from the
crowd, they cast themselves on their knees before
Him, and made their laments over their husbands
whom they begged Jesus to help. Their husbands,
they said, were tormented by evil spirits, by whom
they themselves were sometimes attacked. They had
heard, they said, that He had helped Magdalen, and
they hoped that He would likewise have pity on them.
Jesus promised to visit their homes. He went first
however with His disciples to the house of a certain
Simeon, a simple-hearted man belonging to the mar
ried Essenians. He was of middle age and the son
of a Pharisee of Dabereth on Thabor. Jesus and the
disciples partook in this house of refreshments stand
ing. Simeon was desirous of bestowing all his goods

Jesus' Playmates in Egypt 133

upon the Community, and he spoke with Jesus to
that effect.

On leaving Simeon's Jesus went as He had prom
ised to the homes of the women, and had an interview
with them and their husbands. Affairs were not just
as the wives had stated, for they had thrown upon
their husbands the blame of which they were them
selves deserving. Jesus exhorted both parties to live
in harmony, to pray, to fast, and to give alms. After
the Sabbath these infirm women followed Jesus to
a mountain a little to the north of Thabor where He
was going to deliver a discourse. He did not remain
long there. He went southward toward Kisloth which
city the holy women passed on their road to Nairn,
Magdalen also, when journeying with her party. On
the way Jesus again instructed the Apostles upon
what was in store for them. He told them how they
should behave when arrived in Judea where they
would not be so well received. He gave them new
directions as to their conduct,, also for the imposition
of hands and the driving out of the demon, and as
an additional source of strength and increase of grace,
He again conferred upon them His benediction.

Three youths from Egypt came to Jesus in this
place. He received them as disciples, though pictur
ing to them at the same time the hardships that
awaited them. One was named Cyrinus. They had
been playmates of Jesus in Egypt, and they were
now about thirty years old. Their parents had ever
revered the dwelling and the fountain used by the
Holy Family as sacred memorials. The young men
had visited Bethlehem and Bethania, and had gone
to Dothain, to see Mary to whom they delivered their
parents' greeting.

Some Pharisees of Nazareth came to Jesus at Kisloth
to invite Him to His native city. Those Pharisees
•who, on a former occasion, wanted to hurl Him
from the rock, were no longer in Nazareth. The
envoys told Jesus that He ought to go to His

134 Life of Jesus Christ

native city and there exhibit some of His signs and
wonders. The people, they said, were eager to hear
His doctrine, then too He could cure His fellow-
countrymen that were sick. But they laid down as
a condition that He would not heal on the Sabbath-
day. Jesus replied that He would go and keep the
Sabbath with them. He warned them however that
they would be scandalized on His account, and as
to the cures, He would condescend to their desires
even if it proved to their own detriment. Upon re
ceiving this answer, the Pharisees returned to Naz
areth whither Jesus soon followed with His disciples
whom He instructed on the way. It was noon when
they arrived. Many from curiosity, others really well-
intentioned people, came forth from the city to meet
Him. They washed the feet of the newcomers and
offered them some refreshments. Jesus had two dis
ciples from Nazareth, Parmenas and Jonadab. With
the widowed mother of the latter, Jesus and His
companions took up their quarters. These disciples
had been friends of Jesus in early youth, and had
accompanied Him on His first journey to Hebron
after Joseph's death. He now employed them fre
quently in discharging commissions and errands of
all kinds.

Jesus went to some sick who had implored His,
assistance. He knew that they* believed in Him and
had need of His aid. But He passed by many who
wanted only to test His power or who, under the pre
tence of a cure, were desirous only of getting a
sight of Him. An Essenian youth, paralyzed on one
side from his birth, was brought to Him. -He im
plored Jesus to cure him, and He did so on the street,
as also two blind men. Then He entered certain
houses wherein He cured many aged sick people, men
and women. Some of them were afflicted with dropsy
in its worst form; one woman, in particular was
frightfully swollen. Jesus cured altogether fifteen

Jesus Visits Nazareth 135

people. 1 After that He went to the synagogue where
also some sick were gathered but He passed with
out curing them, and celebrated the Sabbath without
interruption. The reading for this Sabbath was about
God's speaking to Moses in Egypt,2 also some
chapters from Ezechiel. 3

Next morning Jesus again taught in the synagogue,
but healed no one. At noon I saw Him walking
with the disciples and some good people on the road
between Nazareth and Sephoris. They entered one
of the neighboring villages, as was usual on the
Sabbath. The road from Nazareth to Sephoris ex
tended toward the north and was tolerably level,
but when within about a quarter of an hour from
the latter place, it began to rise. I saw Jesus on this
road instructing separate groups of people. The mem
bers of some households in which reigned strife and
disunion, cast themselves at His feet. 'He made peace
between man and wife and reconciled neighbors,
but performed no cures. The two young men who
had so often desired to be received among ,fhe dis
ciples, met Jesus on this road. He asked them again
whether they were willing to forsake home and par
ents, distribute their goods to the poor, obey blindly,
and suffer persecution for His sake. Their only answer
was a shrug of the shoulders as they turned away.

When returned to Nazareth, Jesus visited His parents'
house. It was in perfect order, but unoccupied. He
visited likewise Mary's eider sister, the mother of
Mary Cleophas, who took care of the house, though
she did not live in it. Jesus then went with the
disciples to the synagogue, preached in sharp and
severe terms, called God His Heavenly Father, pro-

1. Before giving this number, Sister Emmerich reflected a moment.
Then counting on her fingers, she said : « So many lame, so many
blind, so many dropsical ; in all, fifteen. >

(From Father Schmoger's first edition of " Lebenjesu. " Vol. IT).

2. Exod. Ill, et seq.

3. Ezech. XXVIII-XXIV.

136 Life of Jesus Christ

nounced judgment upon Jerusalem and upon all that
would not follow Him, openly addressed His dis
ciples, alluded to the persecution that awaited them,
and exhorted them to fidelity and perseverance. When
the Pharisees found that He did not intend to remain
and that He would perform no more cures in Naza
reth, they began to give utterance to their vexation,
and to ask, first this one, than that one! " Who is
He, then? Who does He pretend to be? Where did
He get His learning? Is He not of Nazareth? His
father was the carpenter. His relatives> His brothers
and sisters — all belong here? " By these last words,
they meant Anne's elder daughter, Mary Heli and
her sons James, Heliachim, and Sadoch, all disciples
of John, Mary Cleophas and her sons and daughters.
Jesus made them no answer, but went on quietly
instructing His disciples. Then another Pharisee, a
stranger from the region of Sephoris, more insolent
than the rest, cried out: " Who., then, art Thou? Hast
Thou forgotten that only some years before Thy
father's death, Thou didst help him to put up parti
tions in my house? " Still Jesus deigned no answer.
Then the Pharisees all began to shout: " Answer!
Is it good manners not to answer an honorable man?"
At these words, Jesus addressed His bold ques
tioner in terms like the following: " I did indeed
work on wood belonging to thee. At the same time,
I cast a glance upon thee, and I grieved at not being
able to free thee from the hard rind of thine own
heart. Thou hast now proved thyself to be what I
then suspected. Thou shalt have no part in My
Kingdom, although I have helped thee to build up
thy dwelling-place upon earth. " Jesus said likewise
that nowhere was a Prophet without honor, excepting
in his own city, in his own house, among his own
relatives.

But what especially irritated the Pharisees were
Jesus' words to His disciples; for instance, " I send
ye as lambs among wolves; " — " Sodom and

Jesus Leaves Nazareth 137

Gomorrha will be less severely condemned on the

last day than they that refuse to receive you;

" I am not come to bring peace, but the sword. "

The close of the Sabbath found many waiting1 to
be healed, but, to the great vexation of the Phar
isees, Jesus cured none. Some of the people, imitat
ing the insolence of the Pharisees in the synagogue,
cried out to Jesus: " Don't you remember this?
Don't you remember that? " and they recalled cir
cumstances in which they had formerly seen Him.
The Pharisees remarked to Him that this time He
had come with fewer followers than on the preceding
occasion, and they inquired whether He was not
again going to take up His quarters among the
Essenians. As a general thing, the Essenians did
not much frequent Jesus' public instructions, and He
rarely spoke of them. The enlightened among them
at a later period joined the Community. They never
opposed His doctrine, but looked upon Jesus as the
Son of God.

Jesus did, in effect, again visit those Essenians
with whom He had been the last time He was in
Nazareth. He and the disciples took with them a
light repast, after which He taught during a part of
the night. Toward ten o'clock, Peter, Matthew, and
James the Greater, returned from the Apostles in Upper
Galilee. They had left the rest in the region around
Seleucia to the east of Lake Merom. Andrew, Thomas,
and Saturnin, who had lately arrived, and another
Apostle immediately started to replace those just come.

Jesus left Nazareth that night with His followers.
He journeyed about two hours toward Thabor to the
little place where recently, on His return to Caph-
arnaum after raising the youth of Nairn, He had cured
the leprous property-holder. An instruction had been
announced for the following day, which was to be
delivered on a height southwest of Thabor, about half
an hour from the mountain itself. Jesus stopped again
with the schoolmaster of the place. The latter, count-

138 Life of Jesus Christ

ing upon Jesus' coming, had received many sick into
his house. Jesus restored speech to one dumb. The
boy that had so cleverly delivered to Jesus the mes
sage sent by his leprous master, was among the
schoolmaster's pupils. Jesus spoke to him. His name
was Samuel, and .he afterward became a disciple.

3. JESUS' INSTRUCTION ON THE HEIGHT
NEAR THABOR, IN SUNEM

The lord of the place, he whom Jesus had healed
of leprosy, came to Him and renewed his acts of
gratitude. He pleaded for several other lepers for
whom he had caused a tent to be erected on the
road by which Jesus was to pass, and he likewise
made overtures for applying- a part of his fortune to
defraying the expenses of Jesus' apostolic journeys.

It was still dawn when Jesus left the house and
went out on the road where were awaiting Him about
five men and women. From a retired spot, a little
off from the road, they cried to Him for assistance.
Jesus stepped to them, and they cast themselves at
•His feet. One of the women addressed Him: ''Lord,
we are from Tiberias, and until now we have hesitated
to implore Thy help. The Pharisees told us that
Thou art hard and pitiless toward sinners. But we
have heard of Thy merciful compassion to Magdalen
whom Thou didst free from her miseries, and whose
sins Thou didst also forgive. All this gave us courage,
and we have followed Thee thither. Lord, have mercy
on us! Thou canst heal us and purify us. Thou
canst likewise forgive us our sins. " The men and
women were standing apart from one another. They
were afflicted with leprosy and other maladies. One
woman was possessed by a wicked spirit who threw
her into convulsions.

Jesus took them aside, one by one, to hear the
particulars of their confession, inasmuch as the de
tailed account would serve to increase their sorrow

Jesus Cures 139

and repentance. He did not exact this from all,
unless it was necessary. He cured those of whom
we are now speaking-, and forgave them their sins.
They melted into tears of gratitude, and begged
Him to say what they should henceforth do. In
reply, Jesus commanded them not to return to Tiberias,
but to go to another place. I understood at that
moment that Jesus Himself would not go to Tiberias,
and indeed I never saw Him there.' These people
now went to the mountain to hear His instructions.
Jesus however turned off to the tent of the lepers,
about four or five in number. He cured them, ad
dressed to them words of admonition, commanded
them to go to Nazareth and show themselves to* the
priests.

Jesus never lingered long over such cures, though
there was never any thing like precipitation in His
manner. All was done with dignity and moderation,
and especially without a superfluity of words. All
was striking and appropriate whether He consoled
or exhorted, whether He was gentle or severe. His
manner was overflowing with patience and love. He
went straight on with His work, but without the
least hurry. Many of those that needed His help,
Jesus went to meet; yes, even turning out of His
way, He hastened to them, like a loving friend of
men who sought to save them. From others, again,
He turned away, permitting them to follow Him,
to sigh after Him a long time.

The spot upon which Jesus now taught was a
beautiful plateau where from the stone chair the
Prophets of by-gone days had taught. From it one
could see across the valley of Esdrelon and into the
country around Mageddo. Crowds were gathered from
the surrounding cities, and there were very many
sick from Nazareth also, whom Jesus had not cured
there, but who now were restored to health. There
were some possessed, who testified to Him as usual
and whom He delivered. He again taught upon the

140 Life of Jesus Christ

first four of the Eight Beatitudes, and related some
parables referring to penance and the coming of the
Kingdom. Then in most touching terms, He begged
His hearers to profit by the grace offered them while
still they had time. The Apostles listened attentively,
because each in his own peculiar way, was to repeat
this instruction on his next mission.

Toward noon I saw Jesus gathering the Apostles
and disciples around Him in a sequestered spot at
the foot of the mountain. He sent them all out,
two and two, with the exception of Peter, John, and
some of the disciples who were to remain with Him.
They were to go in three different directions: one
set into the valley of the Jordan, another into that
near Dothan, and a third to the west, into the
country around Jerusalem. It was on this occasion
that I heard Jesus telling the Apostles that they
should go without purse, without scrip, girded with
one garment only, and a staff in their hand. They
were not to go to the heathens nor to the Sa
maritans, but to the lost sheep of Israel. He indicated
to them how they should behave in the houses in
which they might be received, told them where to
shake the dust from their feet, and commanded them
to preach penance. * Jesus thus particularized because
He was sending the Apostles into a hostile part of
the country, and because persecution threatened Him
self after the death of John which was now drawing
nigh. Many of the private inns had been established
in this part of the Holy Land, therefore it was that
the Apostles had no need of money. But they that
were sent to Upper Galilee and beyond the Jordan,
had received some, though very little money. And
now began a new era in their apostolic career, and
new regions were visited by them,

Jesus blessed them before their departure, and gave
them some further instructions upon curing the sick

I. Matt. X, 9 et scq. Mark VI, jo, //. Luke IX, 1-5.

Jesus Goes to Sunem 141

and driving out demons. He blessed the oil also
that was to be used for the sick. Some He notified
where they should again meet Him.

After healing many more sick, Jesus bade farewell
to the multitude, and accompanied by Peter, John,
and the disciples, journeyed southward about three
hours to Sunem. Many of the people followed Him,
among others a man who, the last time that Jesus
went from Samaria to Galilee, had entreated Him
to visit his sick children who were at an inn not far
from Endor. This man again proffered his request
to Jesus, and now it was granted.

The two demoniacal women of Gathepher had follow
ed Jesus to the instruction given on the mount, and
had been delivered by the imposition of His hands.
When He reached the brook Cison, He healed
before crossing a poor leper whose condition was
truly forlorn and despised. He had for twenty years
been reduced to this pitiable state, and some one
had built him a tent-hut here on the roadside. Jesus
hastened to him, healed him, and told him to join
the others that were going to Jerusalem to show
themselves to the priests.

It was dusk when Jesus arrived in Sunem. With
Peter and John, He put up at the house of the
man that had invited Him to visit his sick children,
all of whom were in a most miserable state. One
son, sixteen years old and very tall for his age, was
deaf and dumb. He lay flat on the ground in con
vulsions with contortions of the body so frightful
that his head and heels met. He was perfectly lame
and unable to walk. Another son was a poor idiot
afraid of everything, and his two daughters also were
timorous and simple. Jesus cured the deaf mute that
evening. Peter and John had gone into the city.
Jesus with the parents went alone into the sick boy's
chamber, knelt by his bed, prayed, and supporting
Himself on His hands, inclined over the boy's face.
He did this either to breathe into or to say some-

142 Life of Jesus Christ

thing into his mouth. Then He took the boy by
the hand and raised him up. The boy stood upright
on his feet, and Jesus led him a few steps backward
and forward. Then He took him alone into another
room, made a salve out of His saliva and a little
earth, took some upon His fingers and anointed his
ears, and ran the first two fingers of His right hand
under his tongue. Then began the boy in an un
wonted, lively voice to cry: " I hear! I can speak! "
The parents and servants rushed in at the sound
and embraced him, weeping and shouting for joy.
They cast themselves with their child on the ground
before Jesus, sobbing and rocking to and fro for
joy. During the evening Jesus had a private interview
with the father upon whom a great crime committed
by his own father was still resting. The man asked
Jesus whether the chastisement was to fall even to
the fourth generation. Jesus answered that if he did
penance and atoned for the crime, he might blot
out its consequences.

In the morning Jesus cured the other son and the
two daughters of their idiocy. He performed the
cure by the imposition of hands. When restored to
sense, the children appeared to be perfectly amazed,
and as if awaking from a dream. They had always
thought that people wanted to kill them, and had
in particular a great dread of fire. When on the
day before, Jesus healed the elder boy, He told (very
unusual for Him) the father to go out and relate
to all what had taken place. The consequence was
a great concourse of people, among them numbers
of sick, and that morning I saw Jesus instructing
the people on the street, and curing and blessing
many of the children.

After that I saw Him with Peter and John journey
ing rapidly the whole day and night through the
plain of Esdrelon in the direction of Ginnim. They
seldom paused to rest. I heard Jesus saying on the
way that John's end was approaching and after that

The Holy Women 143

His enemies would begin their pursuit of Himself.
But it was not lawful to expose one's self to one's
enemies. I think I understood that they were going
to Hebron, to console John's relatives and prevent
any imprudent manifestation.

The holy women, Mary, Veronica, Susanna, Mag
dalen, and Mary the Suphanite were now in Dothan
near Samaria. They were stopping with Issachar,
the sick husband, whom Jesus had lately healed.
The holy women never went to the public inns.
Martha, Dina, Johanna Chusa, Susanna Alpheus, Anna
Cleophas, Mary Johanna Marcus, and Maroni went,
two by two, to look after the inns and supply what
was wanting. There were about twelve of these
women.

Early the next morning, I saw Jesus and the two
Apostles to the south of Samaria, where He met the
two Egyptian disciples and the son of Johanna Chusa
coming to 'Him from the East. These Egyptian dis
ciples had already been over a year in Hebron where
they were studying. They had also been a long
time in Bethlehem with Lazarus and other disciples
that were on intimate terms with Jesus. They were
in consequence very well instructed.

Jesus and His companions some time afterward ar
rived at the shepherd-houses where the holy women
had met Him after His conversation with the Sam
aritan at Jacob's well, and where He had cured the
landlord's sick son. They here partook of some re
freshment and rested a little.

Some time after I had a vision of Jesus' instructing
near a well the laborers gathered together from the
neighboring fields. He was relating to them the
parable of the treasure hidden in a field, also that
of the lost drachma found again. Some of His hearers
laughed at the latter, saying that they had often lost
more than one drachma, but they had never taken
the trouble to sweep the whole house on that account.
But when Jesus reproached them for their levity,

144 Life of Jesus Christ

and explained to them what the drachma signified
and the virtue implied by that general sweeping, they
became confused and laughed no more.

These laborers were occupied in threshing the grain
which was lying in heaps in the fields. This they
did with wooden mallets which rose and fell by means
of a cylinder. Several men were employed in pushing
the grain under the mallets and in sweeping it away
again. The operation was carried on in a pure rocky
basin hewn out of solid stone, streaked with colored
veinings. A large tree shaded the spot.

Jesus continued to teach here and there in the
fields, and (accompanied some of the laborers to their
home in Thanath-Silo, which was not far off. The
inhabitants received Him very cordially outside the
city, presented refreshments, and washed His feet.
They wanted to give Him also a change of raiment,
but He declined. He related in their synagogue the
parable of the king that made a? great feast.

4. THE BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE
BAPTIST

For the last two weeks Herod's guests had been
pouring into Machaerus, most of them from Tiberias.
It was one succession of holidays and banqueting.
Near the castle was an open circular building with
many seats. In it gladiators struggled with wild an
imals for the amusement of Herod's guests, and dancers
male and female performed all kinds of voluptuous
dances. I saw Salome, the daughter of Herodias,
practising them before metallic mirrors in presence
of her mother.

Zorobabel and Cornelius of Capharnaum were not
among the guests. They had excused themselves.

For some time past, John . had been allowed to go
around at large within the castle precincts, and his
disciples also could go and come as they pleased.

Herodias 145

Once or twice he gave a public discourse at which
Herod himself was present. His release had been
promised him if he would approve Herod's marriage,
or, at least, never again inveigh against it. But John
had always most forcibly denounced it. Herod never
theless was thinking of setting him free on his own
birthday, but his wife was secretly nourishing very
different thoughts. Herod would have wished John
to circulate freely during the festival that the guests
might see and admire the leniency of the prisoner's
treatment. But scarcely had the games and ban
queting begun, scarcely had vice commenced to run
riot 'in Machserus, when John shut himself up, in
his prison-cell, and bade his disciples retire from the
city. They obeyed and withdrew to the region of
Hebron where already many were assembled.

The daughter of Herodias had been trained entirely
by her mother, whose constant companion she had
been from her earliest years. She was in the bloom
of girlhood, her deportment bold, her attire shame
less. For a long time Herod had looked upon her
with lustful eyes. This the mother regarded with
complacency, and laid her plans accordingly. Hero
dias herself had a very striking, very bold appearance,
and she employed all her skill, made use of every
means to set off her charms. She was no longer
young, and there was something sharp, cunning", and
diabolical in her countenance that bad men love to
see. In me however she excited disgust and aver
sion as would the beauty of a serpent. I can find
no better comparison than this, that she reminded me
of the old pagan goddesses. She occupied a wing
of the castle near the grand courtyard, somewhat
higher than the hall opposite in which the birthday
feast was to be celebrated. From the gallery around
her apartments, one could look down into that open,
pillared hall. Before the latter and in Herod's court
yard, a magnificent triumphal arch had been raised.
Steps led up to it, and it opened into the hall itself,

L;re of Jesus Christ. — III.

146 Li* e of Jesus Christ

which was so long that from the entrance the other
end could not be descried. Mirrors and gold sparkled
on all sides, flowers and green bushes everywhere
met the eye The splendor almost blinded one, tor
far far back halls, and columns, and passages were
blazing with flambeaux and lamps, with transparent
glittering sentences, pictures, and vases.

Herodias and her female companions arrayed in
magnificence stood in the high gallery of her apart
ments gazing upon Herod's triumphal entrance into
the banqueting hall. He came attended by His guests
all arrayed in pomp and splendor. The courtyard
through which he passed to the triumphal arch was
carpeted and lined with choirs of singers, who saluted
him with songs of joy. Around the arch were ranged
boys and girls waving garlands of flowers and playing
upon all kinds of musical instruments. When Herod
mounted the steps to the arch of triumph, he was
met by a band of dancing boys and girls, Salome
in their midst. She presented him with a crown which
rested on a cushion covered with sparkling ornamenta
tion and carried by some of the children of her suite
under a transparent veil. These children were clothed
in thin, tightly-fitting garments, and on their shoulders
were imitations of wings. Salome wore a long, trans
parent robe, caught up here and there on the lower
limbs with glittering clasps. Her arms were ornament
ed with gold bands, strings of pearls, and circlets of
tiny feathers; her neck and breast were covered with
pearls and delicate, sparkling chains. She danced for
awhile before Herod who, quite dazzled and en
chanted, gave expression to his admiration in which
all his guests enthusiastically joined. She should, he
said to her, renew this pleasure for him on the next
morning.

And now the procession entered the hall, and the
banquet began. The women ate in the wing of the
castle with Herodias. Meantime I saw John in his
prison-cell kneeling in prayer, his arms outstretched,

Salome 147

his eyes raised to heaven. The whole place around
him was shining with light, but it was a very different
light from that which glared in Herod's hall. The
latter compared with the former, appeared like a
flame from hell. The whole city of Machserus was
illuminated by torches and, as if on fire, it cast a
reflection far into the surrounding mountains.

Herod's banquet-hall opened toward that of He-
rodias which, as I have said, was opposite, though a
little more elevated than the former. From this open
side, the women feasting and enjoying themselves
were reflected in one of the inclined mirrors of Her
od's hall. Between pyramids of flowers and fragrant
green bushes, a playing fountain jetted up in fine
sprays. When all had eaten and wine had flowed
freely, the guests requested Herod to allow Salome
to dance again, and for his purpose, they cleared
sufficient space and ranged around the walls. Herod
was seated on his throne surrounded by some of his
most intimate associates, who were Herodians. Salome
appeared with some of her dancing companions clothed
in a light, transparent robe. Her hair was interwoven
in part with pearls and precious stones, while another
part floated around her in curls. She wore a crown
and formed the central figure in the group of dancers.
The dance consisted of a constant bowing1, a gentle
swaying and turning. The whole person seemed to
be destitute of bones. Scarcely had one position been
assumed, when it glided into another. The dancers
held wreaths and scarfs in their hands, which waved
and twined around one another. The whole per
formance gave expression to the most shameful pas
sions, and in it Salome excelled all her companions.
I saw the devil at her side as if bending and twisting
all her limbs in order to produce that abominable
effect. Herod was perfectly ravished, perfectly en
tranced by the changing attitudes. When at the
end of one of the figures, Salome presented herself
before the throne, the other dancers continued to

148 Life of Jesus Christ

engage the attention of the guests, so that only
those in the immediate vicinity heard Herod saying
to her: " Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give
it to thee. Yes, I swear to thee, though thou askest
the half of my kingdom, yet will I give it to thee!
Salome left the hall, hurried to that of the women,
and conferred with her mother. The latter directed
her to ask for the head of John on a dish. Salome
hastened back to Herod, and said: " I will that thou
give to me at once the head of John on a dish!
Only a few of Herod's most confidential associates
who were nearest the throne, heard the request.
Herod looked like one struck with apoplexy, but
Salome reminded him of his oath. Then he command
ed one of the Herodians to call his executioner, to
whom he gave the command to behead John and
give the head on a dish to Salome. The executioner
withdrew, and in a few moments Salome followed
him. Herod, as if suddenly indisposed, soon left the
hall with his companions. He was very sad. I heard
his followers saying to him that he was not bound
to grant such a request; nevertheless they promised
the greatest secrecy, in order not to interrupt the
festivities. Herod exceedingly troubled, paced like
one demented the most remote apartments of his
palace, but the feast went on undisturbed.

John was in prayer. The executioner and his
servant took the two soldiers on guard at the entrance
of John's prison in with them.. The guards bore
torches, but I sa,w the space around John so brilliantly
illuminated that their flame became dull like a light
in the daytime. Salome waited in the entrancehall
of the vast and intricate dungeon-house. With her
was a maidservant who gave the executioner a dish
wrapped in a red cloth. The latter addressed John:
"! Herod the King sends me to bring thy head on
the dish to his daughter Salome. ' John allowed
him little time to explain. He remained kneeling, and
bowing his head toward him:, he said: " I know why

The Baptist Beheaded 149

thou hast come. Thou art my guest, one for whom
I have long waited. Didst thou know what thou art
about to do, thou wouldst not do it. I am ready. "
Then he turned his head away and continued his
prayer before the stone in front of which he always
prayed kneeling. The executioner beheaded him with
a machine, which I can compare to nothing but
a fox-trap. An iron ring was laid on his shoulders.
This ring was provided with two sharp blades, which,
being closed around the throat with a sudden pressure
given by the executioner, in the twinkling of an eye
severed the head from the trunk. John still remained
in a kneeling posture. The head bounded to the
earth, and a triple stream of blood springing up
from the body sprinkled both the head and body
of the saint, as if baptizing* him in his own blood.
The executioner's servant raised the head by the hair,
insulted it, and laid it on the dish which his master
held. The latter presented it to the expectant Salome.
She received it joyfully, yet not without secret horror
and that effeminate loathing which those given to
sin always have for blood and wounds. She carried
the holy head covered by a red cloth on the dish.
The maid went before bearing a torch, to light the
way through the subterranean passages. Salome held
the dish timidly at arm's length before her, her
head still laden with its ornaments turned away in
disgust. Thus she traversed the solitary pasages that
led up to a kind of vaulted kitchen under the castle
of Herodias. Here she was met by her mother, who
raised the cover from the holy head which' she loaded
with insult and abuse. Then taking a sharp skewer
from a certain part of the wall where many such
instruments were sticking, with it she pierced the
tongue, the cheeks, and the eyes. After that, looking
more like a demon than a human being, she
hurled it from her and kicked it with her foot
through a round opening down into a pit into
which the offal and refuse of the kitchen were swept.

150 Life of Jesus Christ

Then did that infamous woman together with her
daughter return to the noise and wicked revelry of
the feast, as if nothing had happened. I saw the holy
body of the saint covered with the skin that he
'usually wore, laid by the two soldiers upon his stone
couch. The men were very much touched by what
they had just witnessed. They were afterward dis
charged from duty and imprisoned that they might
not disclose what they knew of John's murder. All
that had any share in it were bound to the most
rigorous secrecy. The guests however gave John
no thought. Thus his death remained a long time
concealed. The report was even spread that he had
been set at liberty. The festivities went on. As
soon as Herod ceased to take part in them, Herodias
began to entertain. Five of those that knew of John's
death were shut up in dungeons. They were the two
guards, the executioner and his servant, and Salome's
maid who had shown some compassion for the saint.
Other guards were placed at the prison-door, and
they in turn were at regular intervals replaced by
others. One of Herod's confidential followers regular
ly carried food to John's cell, consequently no one
had any misgiving of what had taken place.

5. JESUS IN THANATH-SILO AND
ANTIPATRIS

During the feast in Machaerus and the beheading
of the Baptist, Jesus was in Thanath-Silo. There
He heard from those that had returned from Jerusalem
the catastrophe which had just occurred in the Holy
City. A crowd of laborers lately engaged on a great
building near the mount upon which stood the Temple,
along with eighteen master-workmen sent thither by
Herod, had been buried under the falling walls. Je
sus expressed compassion for the innocent sufferers,
but said that the sin of the master-workmen was not

Tall of the Tower of Siloe 151

greater than that of the Pharisees, the Sadducees,
and all those that labored against the Kingdom of
God. These latter would likewise be one day buried
under their own treacherous structures.

The aqueduct that had cost the lives of so many,
was probably a quarter of an hour in length. It was
intended to conduct the water flowing from the Pool
of Bethsaida, up to the mount on whidh the Temple
stood, thus to wash down from the court to the lower
ravine the blood of the slaughtered animals. Higher
up on the mountain was the Pool o'f Bethsaida which
discharged the waters received from its source, the
Gehon. Three vaulted aqueducts ran far in under
the Temple-mount, and long arcades extended north
ward across the valley and up to the mount. Near
by stood a high tower in which by means of wheel-
work machinery water was raised in great leathern
vessels from the reservoir far below. The work had
long been in progress. Being now in want of good
building -stone and master-workmen, Pilate, acting on
the advice of a member of the Sanhedrim, a Hero-
dian in secret, had sought help from Herod. The
master- workmen sent by the latter were likewise
Herodians. At Herod's instigation, they designedly
carried on the building in such way that the whole
structure would necessarily fall at once. By this ca
tastrophe, /they intended to imbitter the Jews still
more against Pilate. The foundation was broad, but
hollow, and the structure arose tapering, but heavy.
When the disaster happened, the eighteen Herod
ians were standing upon a terrace opposite the build
ing. They had commanded the wooden scaffolding
over which it had been arched to be drawn out, for
that now all was solid. The poor laborers were
crowded on all parts of the high arches busily work
ing. Suddenly all split asunder, the huge walls came
toppling down, all who could began to make their
escape, and cries went up on all sides. Crash after
crash was heard, and clouds of dust swept over

152 Life of Jesus Christ

the whole region. Many little dwellings were crushed
by the falling stones, as well as a number of laborers
and others at the foot of the mount. The place on
which the eighteen traitors were standing, loosened
by the shock, slid down with the rest, and they too
were buried in the ruins. This took place shortly
before the festivities at Machserus, consequently no
Roman officer or civil functionary made his appear
ance at the feast. Pilate became very much enraged
against Herod, and thought only of revenging him
self. The building was an immense undertaking, and
the loss very great. Enmity arose between Pilate
and Herod on account of this affair, but by the
death of 'Jesus, that is, by the demolition of the
true Temple, they again became friends. The de
struction of the first edifice buried the wily authors
of it along with their innocent victims, that of the
second brought judgment upon the whole nation.

The outlet of the Pool of Bethsaida was now entirely
choked up, for the whole ravine was full of debris; in
consequence of this another pool was soon formed
by the retarded waters.

When Pilate, greatly exasperated by what had taken
place, sent some of his officers to Herod in Machaerus,
the latter excused himself as absent from home.

Jesus restored sight to several blind persons in
Thanath. After that He went with Peter and John
through Sichem to Antipatris. Both of the Apostles
inquired more than once on the way whether or not
He intended to stop at Aruma and other places on
their route. But Jesus answered that the people of
those places would not receive Him, and He pro
ceeded in the direction to Antipatris. During their
journey, Jesus instructed His Apostles on prayer.
He made 'use of the similitude of a man knocking
at his friend's door during the night and begging the
loan of three loaves. Toward evening Jesus and His
companions reached the woody region outside Antip
atris, and there took lodgings at an inn.

Jesus at Antipatris 153

Antipatris was situated near a little river. It was
a very beautiful city recently built by Herod in hon
or of his father Antipater, on the site of a little
place named Kaphar-Saba. During the war with the
Machabees, General Lysias, encamped at Kaphar Saba,
which even at that time was fortified with towers
and walls. Being defeated by Judas Machabeus, he
came to terms with him here, warded off from Judea
the attacks of other nations, and gave large presents
for the restoration of the Temple. Antipatris was six
hours from the sea. It was Paul's halting-place when
being led a prisoner to Caesarea. The city was sur
rounded by uncommonly large trees, while through
out its interior were scattered gardens and magnificent
walks. The whole city appeared to be clothed in
verdure. The architecture was of pagan style; col
onnades, under which one could walk, ran the entire
length of the streets.

When Jesus with Peter and John left the inn and
entered the city, He went to the house of the chief-
magistrate, who was named Ozias. It was principally
on account of this man that He had come hither,
for his trouble was well known to Jesus. Ozias had
sent a messenger out to the inn, to invite Jesus to
visit him, for his daughter was very sick, and Jesus
returned word that He would go that very day.
Ozias received Him and the two Apostles very rev
erently, washed their feet, and wanted to offer re
freshments. But Jesus went straight to the invalid,
while the two Apostles proceeded through the city
to announce the instruction about to be given in the
synagogue. Ozias was a man of about forty years.
His daughter was called Michol, and she may liave
been about fourteen. She lay stretched upon her
couch, pale, wasted, and so paralyzed, as to be
unable to move any of her members. She could not
raise or turn her head, her attendants had even to
move her hands from one place to. another. The
mother was present and veiled. She bowed humbly

154 Life of Jesus Christ

before Jesus as He drew near to the maiden's couch,
at one side of which she generally remained seated
on a cushion in order to render assistance to her
daughter. But when Jesus knelt down by the couch,
for it was very low, the mother stood reverently
on the opposite side, the father at the foot.

Jesus spoke with the invalid, prayed, breathed into
her face, and motioned to the mother to kneel down
opposite Him. She obeyed. Then Jesus poured some
oil that He carried with Him upon the palm of His
hand and, with the first two fingers of His right
hand anointed the sick maiden's forehead and temples,
then the joints of both hands, allowing His own
hand to rest for one moment upon them. Then
He directed the mother to open Michel's long garment
over the region of the stomach, which too He an
ointed with the oil. After that the mother raised
the edge of the coverlet from her daughter's feet,
and they also received the unction. Then Jesus
said: " Michol, give Me thy right hand and thy
mother thy left! At this command, the maiden
for the first time raised both hands and stretched
them out. Jesus continued: " Stand up, Michol! "

- and the pale, haggard child arose to a sitting
posture and then to her feet, tottering in the un
accustomed position. Jesus and the mother led her
into the open arms of the father. The mother also
embraced her. They wept for joy, and all three
fell at Jesus' feet. And now came in the servant-
men and maids of the house, praising the Lord in
accents of: joy. Jesus ordered bread and grapes to
be brought, and the juice of the latter to be squeezed
out. He blessed both, and commanded the maiden
to eat and drink a little at a time. When Michol
lay upon her couch, she was clothed in a long gown
of fine white wool. The piece that covered the breast
was fastened upon the shoulders so that it could easily
be opened. Her arms were wrapped with broad strips
of the same stuff which fastened to the back. Under

Michol 155

this gown was a covering on the back and breast
like a scapular. As she arose to stand, her mother
threw around her a very large, light veil.

Michol's steps were at first tottering and uncertain,
She was like one that had forgotten how to walk and
stand upright, and she soon lay down again even
while eating. But when her young friends and play
mates came in full of shy curiosity to see with their
own eyes the cure that was now noised about, Michol
arose and, trembling with emotion, tottered to meet
them. Her mother led her like a child. The girls
were glad and joyous. They embraced Michol and
led her around. Ozias asked Jesus whether his child's
malady had come upon her on account of some
sin of her parents. Jesus replied: " It came through
a dispensation of God. " Michol's young companions
also thanked Jesus, who then proceeded to the fore
court of the house where He found numbers of
people waiting for Him with their sick. Here too
were Peter and John.

Jesus cured the sick of all kinds of maladies and.,
followed by a crowd, went to the synagogue where
the Pharisees and a great multitude were awaiting
His coming. He related the parable of the shepherd.
He said that He was seeking the lost sheep, that
He had sent His servants also to seek them, and
that He would die for His sheep. He told them
likewise that He had a flock upon His mountain,
that they were more secure than some others, and
that if the wolf devoured any one of them, it would
be owing to its own imprudence. Speaking of His
mission, He related another parable. He began:
. " My Father has a vineyard. At these words,
the Pharisees smiled derisively and looked at one
another. When He had finished the whole parable,
in which He described the ill-treatment the servants
of His Father 'had received from the wicked vine
dressers, and said that His Father had now sent His
Son whom they would cast out and murder, they

156 Life of Jesus Christ

laughed in scorn and asked one another: " Who is
He? What is He about? Where has His Father
that vineyard? He has lost His witsl He is a fool,
that's plain to be seen! And so they went on
jeering and laughing-. Jesus left the synagogue with
Peter and John. The Pharisees continued their in
sults behind His back, ascribing His miracles to
sorcery and the devil.

Jesus returned with Ozias to his house, and again
cured many people who were waiting in the fore
court. He took a slight repast, and accepted some
bread and balsam for the journey.

Jesus cured in various ways, each one having its
own signification. I cannot now however repeat
them as I saw them. Each had reference to the
meaning and the secret cause of the malady, also
to the spiritual needs of the invalid. In the anointing
with oil, 'for instance, there was a certain spiritual
strength and energy denoted by the signification of
the oil itself. No one of these actions was without
'ts own peculiar meaning. With these forms, Jesus
instituted all those ceremonies that the saints and
priests who exercised their healing power, would after
ward make use of in His name. They either received
them from tradition, or were used in the name of
Jesus through an inspiration of the Holy Ghost. As
the Son of God in order to become man, chose the

•ay of a most pure creature, thus to correspond
to the requirements of man's nature, so did He
frequently use in effecting His cures pure and simple
creatures that had been blessed by His Spirit, as,
for instance, oil. He afterward gave the cured bread
eat with some juice of the grape. At other times

3 healed by a mere command uttered at a distance
He had come upon earth to cure the most varied

s and that in the most varied ways. He had come

to satisfy for all that believed in Him by His own

reat Sacrifice upon the Cross, in which Sacrifice were

contained all pains and sorrows, all penances and

The Grace of Sickness 157

satisfactions. With the various keys of His charity,
He first opened the fetters and bonds of temporal
misery and chastisement, instructed the ignorant in
all things necessary for them to know, healed all kinds
of maladies, and aided the needy in every way;
then with that chief key of His love, the key of the
Cross, He opened heaven's expiatory door as well
as the door of limbo.

Michol, Ozias's daughter, had been paralyzed from
her early years, and it was a special grace that she
had for so long a time been unable to move. She
had been chained down by sickness during' the most
perilous years of her childhood, years full of danger
to innocence; and in consequence of the same, her
parents had an opportunity for the exercise of char
ity and patience. Had she been well from infancy,
what would perhaps have become of both her and
her parents? lHad the latter not sighed after Jesus,
Michol never would have been so blessed. Had they
not believed in Him, their daughter would never have
been cured and anointed, which anointing had im
parted wonderful strength and energy both to body
and soul. Her sickness was a trial, a consequence
of inherited sinfulness, but at the same time, a loving
discipline, a means of spiritual progress for Michol's
soul, as well as for her parents. The patience and
resignation of the parents resulted from their co
operation with grace. It brought to them the crown,
the recompense of the struggle decreed for them by
God, namely, the cure through Jesus of soul and
body. What a grace! To be bound down by suffer
ings, and yet to have the spirit free for good until
the Lord comes to deliver both body and soul!

Jesus conversed with Ozias, who told Him about
the fall of the tower of Siloe and of the unfortunate
people buried under its ruins. He spoke with horror
of Herod whom some suspected of being at the
bottom of the affair. Jesus remarked that greater
calamities would overtake the traitors and false arch-

158 Life of Jesus Christ

itects than that which had fallen upon the poor
workmen. " If, " He continued, " Jerusalem does
not embrace the salvation offered her, the destruction
of the Temple will follow that of the tower. " Ozias
referred also to John's baptism, and expressed
the hope that Herod would set him at liberty on
the occasion of his birthday festival. Jesus replied
that John would be freed when his time came. The
Pharisees said to Jesus in the synagogue that He
should be on His guard, lest Herod would imprison
Him with John if He went on as He was then
doing. To this Jesus deigned no reply.

About five o'clock in the afternoon, Jesus left Antip-
atris with Peter and John and went southward to
Ozensara, from four to five hours distant. A Roman
garrison was stationed in Antipatris, and there were
many large trunks of trees brought hither for trans
portation to the lake where shipbuilding was carried
on. On their way to Ozensara, they encountered many
such loads of timber drawn by huge oxen and accom
panied by Roman soldiers. The trees of this region
also were felled and hewed for the same purpose.
Jesus instructed several workmen thus employed. It was
late when they reached Ozensara, a town divided into
two sections by a little river. Jesus put up here
with some people whom He knew. He instructed
and admonished a crowd that had collected near the
inn. He had been here once before on ~His way to
baptism. He cured and blessed the sick children.

6. JESUS IN BETHORON AND BETHANIA

It was about six hours from Ozensara to Bethoron.
At some distance from the latter place, John and
Peter went on ahead leaving Jesus to follow alone.
The Egyptian disciples along with the son of Johanna
Chusa came to meet Jesus here. They brought news
that the holy women were celebrating the Sabbath
in Machmas, which was situated in a narrow defile

Jesus in Bethoron 159

four hours to the north of his place. Machmas was
the place at which Jesus in His twelfth year with
drew from His parents and returned to the Temple.
Here it was that Mary missed Him and thought that
He had gone on to Gophna. Not finding Him at
this latter place, she was filled with anxious solicitude,
and made her way back to Jerusalem.

There was in Bethoron a Levitical school, with
whose teacher the Holy Family was acquainted. Anna
and Joachim had lodged with him on the occasion
of their taking Mary to the Temple ; and when return
ing to Nazareth as Joseph's bride, Mary had again
stopped at his house. Several of the disciples from
Jerusalem had come hither with Joseph of Arirnathea's
nephews at the time of Jesus' arrival. Jesus went to
the synagogue where, amid the contradictions and
objections of the Pharisees, He explained the Scripture
appointed for that Sabbath. The instruction over, He
cured the sick at the inn, among them several women
afflicted with an issue of blood, and blessed some
sick children. The Pharisees had invited Him to a
dinner, and when they found Him so tardy in coming,
they went to call Him. All things, they said, had
their time and so had these cures. The Sabbath be
longed to God, and He had now done enough. Jesus
responded: " I have no other time and no other
measure than the will of the Heavenly Father. '
When He had finished curing, He accompanied the
disciples to the dinner.

During the meal, the Pharisees addressed to Him
all kinds of reproaches, among others they alleged
that He allowed women of bad repute to follow Him
about. These men had heard of the conversion of
Magdalen, of Mary Suphan, and of the Samaritan.
Jesus replied: <c If ye knew Me, ye would speak dif
ferently. I am come to have pity on sinners.
He contrasted external ulcers, which carry off poison
ous humors and are easily healed, with internal ones
which, though full of loathsome matter, do not affect

160 Life of Jesus Christ

the appearance of the individual so afflicted. The
Pharisees further alleged that His disciples had neg
lected to wash before the meal, which gave Jesus
an opportunity for a timely and energetic protest
against the hypocrisy and sanctimoniousness of the
Pharisees themselves. When they spoke of the women
of ill-repute, Jesus related a parable. He asked which
was the more praiseworthy, the debtor who having
a great debt humbly implored indulgence until he
could faithfully discharge it little by little; or an
other who though deeply in debt spent all he could
lay his hands on in rioting and, far from thinking of
paying what he owed, mocked at the conscientious
debtor. Jesus related likewise the parables of the
good shepherd and the vineyard, as He had done at
Antipatris, but His hearers were indifferent, they
did not seize the application.

Jesus and the disciples put up at the Levitical
school.

Upper-Bethoron was so elevated that it could be
descried from Jerusalem, but Lower-Bethoron lay at
the foot of the mountain.

From Bethoron, which was six hours distant from
Jerusalem, Jesus went straight on to Bethania, stopping
at no place on the way excepting Athanot. Lazarus
had already returned to Bethania from Magdalum
where he had put every thing in order and engaged
a steward for the castle and other property. To the
man who had lived with Magdalen, he had assigned
a dwelling situated on the heights near Ginnim and
sufficient means for his support. The gift was gladly
accepted.

As soon as she arrived in Bethania, Magdalen went
straight to the dwelling of her deceased sister, Mary
the Silent by whom she had been very much beloved,
and spent the whole night in tears. When Martha
went to her in the morning, she found her weeping
on the grave of her sister, her hair unbound and
flowing around her.

Jesus in Bethania 161

The women of Jerusalem also had returned to
their homes, all making the journey on foot. Mag
dalen, though exhausted by her malady and the
shocks she had received and wholly unaccustomed
to such travelling, insisted upon walking like the
others. Her feet bled more than once. The holy
women who since her conversion showed her un
speakable affection, were often obliged to come to
her assistance. She was pale and exhausted from
weeping. She could not resist her 'clesire to express
her gratitude to Jesus, so she went over an hour's
journey to meet Him, threw herself at His feet,
and bedewed them with repentant and grateful tears.
Jesus extended His hand to her, raised her, and ad
dressed to her words of kindness. He spoke of her
deceased sister, Mary the Silent. He said that she
should tread in her footsteps and do penance as
she had done, although she had never sinned. Mag
dalen then returned home with her maid by an
other way.

Jesus went with Peter and John into Lazarus's
garden. Lazarus came out to meet Him, conducted
Him to the house and offered Him in the hall the
customary attentions, namely, washing of feet and
refreshments. Nicodemus was not there, but Joseph
of Arimathea was present. Jesus stayed in the house
and spoke with no one excepting the members of
the family (and the holy women. Only with Mary
did He speak of John's death, for she knew of it
by interior revelation. Jesus told her to return to
Galilee within a week in order to escape the annoy
ances of a crowded road, for Herod's guests from
that part of the country would a little later be going
from Machaems to their homes.

The disciples that were going to Judea at the same
time as Jesus, though not with Him, stopped at the
different places on the road, went into the huts on
the wayside and to the shepherds in the fields, ask
ing1: " Are there any sick here whom we may cure

Life of Jesus Christ. — III.

162 Life* of Jesus Christ

in the >Name of our Master, that we ' may freely
give to them what He has freely given to us? " Then
anointing the sick with oil, they were cured.

Jesus left Bethania the next morning. He crossed
the Mount of Olives to teach and heal in a neigh
boring place where some masons and other mechanics
were encamped. It was the camping-ground of the
day-laborers anol masons engaged on the interminable
buildings of the Temple mount. There were some
kitchens around the place in which poor women
cooked the workmen's food for a trifle. There were
many Galileans among the workmen, also some
people who had been attracted thither by Jesus'
teaching and miracles, some even whom He had cured.
Some too were from Giskala, from Zorobajbel the
Centurion's estate, and many others from) a little place
near Tiberias on the northern height of the valley
of Magdalum. Jesus cured many si'ck among these
people. They bemoaned to Him the great misfortune
that had happened about fourteen days before in the
falling of that huge building, and begged Him to
visit several of the wounded who had barely escaped
with . their life. Ninety-three people, besides the
eighteen treacherous architects, had been killed. Jesus
went to the wounded whom He consoled and healed.
He healed several of contusions (on the head by
anointing the head with oil and pressing it between
His hands, and crushed hands on which splinters of
• bones were projecting, 'He healed by fixing the pieces
together, anointing them, and holding them in Hi?
own hands. Broken arms bound up in bandages, Jesus
anointed, then held the fractures in His hands, and
they were made whole, so that the bandages could
be removed (and the arms used. The wounds of
lost limbs, He closed.

I heard Jesus saying to the assembled multitude
that they would have greater evils to bemoan when
the sword would strike Galilee. He advised them
to pay all taxes to the Emperor without murmuring,

Jesus Weeps 163

and if they had not the means to do so, they should
apply to Lazarus in His name, and he would furnish
what was necessary. Jesus spoke with touching kind
ness to these poor people. I heard them complaining
that once they were able to obtain help at the
Pool of Bethsaida, but now poor people could no
longer look there for assistance, they had to languish
unaided. For a long time past, they had heard of
no cure at the pool.

Jesus wept as He crossed the 'Mount of Olives. He
said, _ ' If the city " (Jerusalem) " does not accept
salvation, its Temple will be destroyed like this build
ing that has tumbled down. A great number will
be buried in the ruins. ' He called the catastrophe
of the aqueduct an example that should serve to
the people as a warning.

Jesus went afterward to the house outside the
Bethlehem gate of Jerusalem, at which Mary and Jo
seph had lodged with Him, a Babe of forty days,
when they were going to present Him in the Temple.
Anna also had spent a night here when journey
ing to the Crib, and Jesus had done trie same when
in His twelfth year, He had at Machmas left His
parents who were returning home, and went back
to the Temple. This little inn 'was in the hands of
very devout, simple-hearted people, and it was there
that the Essenians and other pious souls took lodgings.
The present proprietors were the children of those
that had lived there thirty years before, and there
was one old man who remembered perfectly all the
circumstances of those visits. They did not how
ever recognize Jesus, for He had not been there
for a long time. They thought perhaps He was
John the Baptist, of whom even here the report
was current, that He had been set at liberty.

They showed Jesus in one corner o'f the house a
doll in swaddling bands, clothed exactly as He
Himself had been when Mary bore Him to the
Temple. It was lying in a crib like His own, and

of Jesus Christ

around it burned lights and lamps that appeared to
rise out of paper horns. They said to Jesus : Jesus
of Nazareth, the great Prophet, was born in Bethlehem
three tod thirty years ago, and was brought here
by His Mother. What comes from God, one may
honor, and why should we not celebrate His birthday
for six weeks if similar honors are paid to .
•who is no prophet?

These people through their intercourse with Anne
and other intimate friends of the Holy Family, as
well as through the accounts of the shepherds who
put up at their inn when they visited Jerusalem,
were reverential believers in Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
When Jesus now made Himself known to them, their
joy was beyond expression. They showed Him every
place in the house and garden hallowed by the pres
ence of Mary, Joseph, and Anne. Jesus instructed
arid consoled them, and they exchanged gifts. Jesus
directed one of the disciples to give them some
coins while at the same time He accepted from them
some bread, fruit, and honey for His journey. They
accompanied Him quite a distance when with the
disciples He left the inn and started for Hebron.

7. JESUS IN JUTTAH. HE MAKES KNOWN,
THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Jesus went with His companions to Juttah, the Bap
tist's birthplace. It was five hours' distance from
the inn outside Jerusalem and one hour from Hebron.
Mary, Veronica, Susanna, Johanna Chusa, Johanna
Marcus, Lazarus, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus,
and several of the disciples from Jerusalem were
there awaiting Jesus. They had travelled in small
parties and, having come by a shorter route from
Jerusalem, had reached their destination several hours
before Him.

Zachary's house was situated on a hill outside of
Juttah. Both it and its surroundings, consisting of

Jesus in Juttah 165

vineyards, were the inheritance of the Baptist. The
son of his father's brother, likewise named Zachary,
occupied the house at this time and managed affairs.
He was a Levite and an intimate friend of Luke
by whom not long before he had been visited in
Jerusalem, and had then heard many particulars of
the Holy Family. He was younger than the Baptist,
of the age of the Apostle John. From his early
years he had been like an own child in Elizabeth's
house. He belonged to that clalss of Levites who
were most like the Essenians and who, having re
ceived from their ancestors the knowledge of certain
mysteries, waited with earnest devotion for the com
ing of the Messiah. Zachary was enlightened and
unmarried. He received Jesus and His companions
with the customary marks of respect, washing of
feet and refreshments. After that Jesus repaired to
the synagogue in Hebron.

It was a fast-day, and on that evening began a
local celebration in Juttah and Hebron. It was in
memory of David's victory over Absalom who had
in Hebron, as being his birthplace, first raised the
standard of revolt. Numerous lamps were lighted
during this feast even in the daytime both in the
synagogue and private dwellings. The people gave
thanks for the interior light which had at that time
led 'their ancestors to choose the right, and iml-
plored a continuance of that heavenly illumination,
to enable them always to make choice of the same.
Jesus delivered an instruction to a very large audience.
The Levites showed Him great esteem and affection,
and He took a meal with them.

As Mary was making the journey with the women
to this part of the country, she related to them many
particulars connected with her former journey thither
with Joseph on the occasion of her visit to Elizabeth.
She showed them the spot on which Joseph had bade
her farewell on his departure for home, and told
them how uneasy she felt when she reflected upon

166 LifQ of Jesus Christ

what Joseph's thoughts would certainly be when on
his return he would notice her changed condition.
She visited likewise with the holy women all the
places where mysteries connected with her Visitation
and the birth of John had occurred. She told of
John's leaping for joy in his mother's womb, of,
Elizabeth's salutation, and of the Magnificat which
she had herself uttered under the inspiration of God,
and which she afterward recited every evening with
Elizabeth. She told of Zachary's being struck dumb
and of God's restoring1 his speech at the moment in
which he pronounced the name of John. All these
mysteries, until now unknown to them, Mary with
tears, started by tender recollections, related to the
holy women. They too wept at the different places,
but their tears were more joyful than those of Mary
who was at the same time mourning John's death,
still unknown to them. She showed them also the
fountain which at her prayer had sprung up near
the house, and from it they all drank.

At the family meal Jesus taught. The women were
seated apart. After the meal, the Blessed Virgin went
with Jesus, Peter, John, and the Baptist's "three dis
ciples, James, Heliacim, and Sadoc (the sons of her
eldest sister Mary Heli) into the room in which John
was born. They spread out a large rug, or carpet,
on the floor and all knelt or sat around it. Jesus
however remained standing. He spoke to them of
John's holiness and of his career. Then the Blessed
Virgin related to them the circumstances under which
that rug had been made. At the time of her wisit,
she said, Elizabeth and herself had made it and on
it John was born. It was Elizabeth's couch ' at the
time of His birth. It was made of yellow wool,
quilted and ornamented with flowers. On the upper
border were embroidered in large letters passages
from Elizabeth's salutation and the Magnificat. In
the middle was fastened a kind of cover or pouch,
into which 'the woman about to become a mother

Jesus Discloses John's Death 167,

could have her feet buttoned up as in a sack. The
upper part of this pouch formed a kind of hooded
mantle that could be thrown arourid her. It was of
yellow wool, with brown flowers, and was something'
like a dressing-gown, the lower half being fastened
to a quilted rug. I saw Mary raising the upper border
before her while she read and explained the passages
and prophecies embroidered on it. She told them
also that she had prophesied to> Elizabeth that John
would see Jesus face to face only three times, and
how this was verified : first, as a child in the desert
when on their flight into Egypt, Jesus, Joseph, and
herself had passed him, though at some distance;
the second time, at Jesus' baptism; and the third,
•when at the Jordan he saw Jesus passing and bore
witness to Him.

And now Jesus disclosed to them the fact that
John had been put to death by Herod. Deep grief
seized upon them all. They watered the rug with
their tears, especially John, who threw himself weep
ing on the floor. It was heartrending to behold them
prostrate on the floor, sobbing and lamenting, their
face pressed upon the rug. Jesus and Mary alone were
standing, one at each end. Jesus consoled them with
earnest words and prepared them! for still more cruel
blows. He commanded silence on the matter since,
with the exception of themselves, it Was at present
known only to its authors.

Southward from Hebron was the grove of Mambre
and the Cave of Machpelah, where Abraham and the
other Patriarchs were buried. Jesus gave an instruc
tion, and cured some sick peasants who there lived
isolated. The forest of Mambre was a valley full of
oaks, beeches, and nut trees, that stood far apart.
At the edge of the forest was the vast Cave Machpelah,
in which Abraham', Sara, Jacob, Isaac, and others of
the Patriarchs were entombed. The cave Was a double
one like two cellars. Some of the tombs were hewn
out in the projecting rocks, while others Were formed

168 Life of Jesus Christ

in the rocky wall. This grotto is still held in great
veneration. A flower garden and place for instruction
guard its entrance. The rock was thickly clothed
with vines, and higher up grain was raised. Jesus,
entered the grotto with the disciples, and several of
the tombs were opened. Some of the skeletons were
fallen to dust, but that of Abraham lay on its couch
in a state of preservation. From it they unrolled
a brown cover woven of earners-hair cords thick1 as
a man's finger. Jesus taught here. He spoke of
Abraham, of the Promise and its fulfilment. Some
of the sick whom Jesus cured were paralyzed, others
consumptive, others dropsical. I saw here no possess
ed, though there were some simpletons and lunatics.
The country around was very fertile, and the remark-
ablv beautiful grain was already quite yellow. The
bread of these parts was excellent, and almost every
one had his own vine. The mountains terminated
in plateaus upon which grain was cultivated; their
sides were covered with vineyards, and in them ex
tended wonderful caves.

When Jesus and the disciples went into the Cave
MachpeJah, they put off their shoes outside the en
trance, walked in barefoot, and stood in reverential
silence around Abraham's tomb. Jesus alone spoke.
From there He went an hour .southeast of Hebron,
the little Levitical city of Bethain, which was

.ched by a very steep ascent. He wrought some

cures and gave an instruction, "in which He spoke

the Ark of the Covenant and of David, for at

am, the Ark had once rested for fifteen days.

David, on God's command, had caused the Ark to

| secretly removed by night from the house of Obed-
adon and brought hither, he himself preceding it
barefoot. When he took it away again, the people
were so exasperated that they almost stoned him

There was up here near Bethain a very deen
spring, from which the water was drawn in leathern

Jesus Speaking of John 169

bags, or bottles. The rocky soil of the roads was
white, also the little pebbles on it.

Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Lazarus, the
women of Jerusalem, and Mary started on their home
ward journey, Lazarus going to Jerusalem where he
had to discharge a seven days' service in the Temple.

Mary did not return to Bethania, but went straight
to Galilee by way of Machmas, where she celebrated
the Sabbath at the schoolmaster's house. She had
Anna Cleophas and one of Elizabeth's relatives from
Sapha with her. Sapha was the birthplace of James
and John. Mary had brought Elizabeth's rug with
her. A servant carried it rolled up in a basket.

When speaking in Juttah to those to whom flic
Blessed Virgin was showing the rug, Jesus referred to
John's eager desire to see Himself. But John had,
He said, overcome himself and longed 'for nothing
beyond the fulfilment of his mission, which was that
of precursor and preparer, not that of constant com
panion and fellow-laborer. iWhen a little boy he had
indeed seen Him. When His parents were jour
neying with Him through the desert on their flight
into Egypt, their road led past the spot where John
was, about the distance of an arrow-shot. John was
running along a brook among the high bushes. He
held in his 'hand a little stick upon which Was fastened
a pennon of bark, which he waved to them as lie
skipped and danced for joy along1 the brook, until
they had crossed it and were out of sight. His parents,
Mary and Joseph, Jesus continued, held Him up with
the words: " See, John in the desert! " It was thus
the Holy Spirit had led the boy to salute his Master
whom he had already saluted in his mother's womb.
While Jesus was relating the above, the disciples
were shedding tears at the thought of John's death,
cind J saw again the indescribably touching scene
to which (He was referring. John was naked with
the exception of the skin that he wore crossed over
one shoulder and girded around his waist. He felt

170 Life of Jesus Christ

that his Saviour was near and that He was athirst.
Then the boy prayed, drove his little stick into the
earth, and a gushing spring- spouted up. John ran
on some distance ahead and waited, dancing and
waving his little standard at them, to see Jesus and
His 'parents as they journeyed past the little current.
Then I beheld him hurrying back to a Tdnd of dell
where a great overhanging rock formed a cave. A
stream from that spring found its way into a little
cavity in the dell, which John turned into a well for
his own use. He remained in that cave a long time.
The way of the Holy "Family on that journey led
across a portion of Mount Olivet. One half-hour
east of Bethlehem they halted to rest, and then
pursued their way, the Dead Sea to their left, seven
hours to the south of the city and two hours
beyond Hebron, where they entered the desert in
which was the boy John. "I saw them stepping across
the new rivulet, pausing to refst in ,a pleasant spot near
it, and refreshing themselves with its waters. On
the return journey of the Holy Family from Egypt,
John again saw Jesus in spirit. He sprang "forward'
exultingly in the direction of his Lord, but he did

not then see Him face to face, as they were separated
by a distance of two hours. Jesus spoke also

ot John's great self-command. Even when baptizing
inn, he had. restrained himself within the bounds
:xacted by the solemn occasion, although his heart

was well-nigh broken by intense love and desire.

Alter the ceremony, he was more intent upon humbling
before Him than upon gratifying his love

by looking at Him.
Jesus taught in the synagogue of Hebron on the

occasion of a festival celebrated in memory of the

expulsion from the Sanhedrim of the Sadducees who

under Alexander Jannasus, had been the domineering
There were three triumphal arches erected

around the synagogue, and to them vine leaves, ears

of corn, and all kinds of floral wreaths were brought

Jesus Teaches in Hebron 171

The people formed a procession through the streets
which were strewn with flowers, for it was like
wise the beginning of the Feast of the New Moon,
that of the sap's rising, and lastly that of the
purification of the four-year-old trees. It was on this
account that so many 'arches of. leaves and flowers
were erected. This Feast of the Expulsion of the
Sadducees (who denied the resurrection) coincided
very appropriately with that upon which was celebrated
the return of the trees to new life.

In His discourse in the synagogue Jesus spoke
very forcibly against the Sadducees and of the res
urrection of the dead. Some Pharisees from Jeru
salem had come hither for the feast. They did not
dispute with Jesus, but behaved most courteously.
He indeed experienced no contradiction here, for
the people were upright and very well-disposed. He
performed some cures both in the houses and before
the synagogue, the cured being mostly of the working
class. There were cripples, consumptives, paralytics,
and simpletons, also others disturbed by certain
temptations.

Juttah and Hebron were connected. Juttah was a
kind of suburb joined to Hebron by a row of houses.
Formerly they must have been entirely separated,
for a turreted wall in ruins, as well as ^a little
valley, ran between the two places. Zachary's house
comprised the school of Juttah. It was _abiout a quarter
of an hour from the city and was situated on a hill.
Around it lay lovely gardens and vineyards, and
not far off were other luxuriant vineyards in the
midst of which stood a little dwelling-. These vine
yards likewise belonged to Zachary. The school was
adjoining the room in which John was born. I saw
all that while Jesus, Mary, and the disciples were
examining the rug.

The next time that Jesus taught in the synagogue
of Hebron the sacred edifice was thrown open on
all'sides, and near the entrance placed in an elevated

172 Life of Jesus Christ

position was a teacher's chair by which He stood.
' the inhabitants of the city and numbers from
the surrounding places, were assembled, the sick lying
on little beds or sitting- on mats around the teacher's
Ilie whole place was crowded. The festal
arches were still standing and the scene was truly
touching. The multitude seemed impressed and edi
fied, and above all not a word of contradiction was
heard. After the instruction Jesus cured the sick
isus discourse on this occasion was 'full of deep
significance. The lessons from Scripture were those
referring to the Egyptian darkness, the institution of
Paschal lamb, and the redeeming of the first
born; there was also something from Jeremias. Jesus
a marvellously profound explanation of the
nsom of the firstborn. I remember that He said-
When sun and moon are darkened, the mother
brings the child to the Temple to be redeemed "
More than once He made use of the expression,
2 obscuring of the sun and of the moon. " He
I to conception, birth, circumcision, and presen-
i in the Temple as connected with darkness and
The departure from Egypt, so full of mystery,
was applied to the birth of mankind. He Ispoke of
ision as an external sign which, like the

^ifiM A° xianS°m the firstb°™, would one day

s abolished. No one gainsaid Jesus, all His hearers

re very quiet and attentive. He spoke likewise

of Hebron and of Abraham', and came at last to

n tear™ ^ Hf ^^ tO J°hn'S hi^h di^ity

in i terms more detailed and intelligible than ever
•efore, namely, his birth, his life in the desert

2-sr Pqreachl^,of Penance, his baptism, his faithful
charge of his mission as precursor, and lastly of

his imprisonment. Then He alluded to the fate of

between the altar and' the sanctuary,

ncuary,

Te^us ^ S^feJmgS °f Jeremias in *e dungeon at
Jerusalem, and the persecutions endured by the others.

" Between the Temple and the Altar '- 173

When Jesus spoke of the murder of the first Zachary
between the Temple and the altar, the relatives pres
ent thought of the sad fate of the Baptist's father
whom Herod had decoyed to Jerusalem, and then
caused to be put to death in a neighboring house.
Jesus nevertheless had made no mention of this
last fact. Zachary was buried in a vault near his
own house outside of Juttah.

As Jesus was thus speaking in an impressive and
very significant mlanner of John and the death of
the Prophets, the silence throughout the synagogue
grew more profound. All were deeply affected, many
were shedding tears, and even the Pharisees were
very much moved. Several of John's relatives and
friends at this moment received an interior illumina
tion' by which they understood that the Baptist him
self was dead, and they fainted away from grief.
This gave rise to some excitement in the synagogue.
Jesus quieted the disturbance by directing the by
standers to support those that had fainted, as
they would soon revive; so they lay a few moments
in the arms of their friends, while Jesus went on
with His discourse.

To me there was something significant in the words,
" Between the Temple and the altar, " as recorded
of the murder of that 'first Zachary. They might
well be applied to John the Baptist's death since,
in the life of Jesus, it also stood between the Temple
and the altar, for John died between the Birth of
Jesus and His Sacrifice upon the Altar of the Cross,
But this signification of the words did not present
itself to Jesus' hearers. At the close of the instruction
they who had fainted were conducted to their homes.
Besides Zachary, John's cousin^ Elizabeth had a niece,
her sister's daughter, married here in Hebron. She
had a family of twelve children, of whom some were
daughters already grown. It was these and some
others who had been so deeply affected. On leaving-
the synagogue Jesus went with young Zachary and

174 Life of Jesus Christ

the disciples to the house of Elizabeth's niece, where
He had not yet been. The holy women however
had visited her several times before their departure.
Jesus had engaged to sup with her this day, but
it was a very sad meal.

Jesus was in a room with Peter, John, James
Cleophas, Heliacim, Sadoch, Zachary, Elizabeth's niece
and her husband. John's relatives asked Jesus in
a trembling voice : " ' Lord, shall we see John again ? '
They were in a retired room, the door locked,
so that no one could disturb them. Jesus answered
with tears: ""No! " and spoke most feelingly, but
in consoling terms of John's death. When they sadly
expressed their fear that the body would be ill-treated,
Jesus reassured them. He told them no, that the
corpse was lying untouched, though the head had
been abused and thrown into a sewer; but that
too would be preserved and would one day come
to light. He told 'them likewise that in some days
Herod would leave Machaerus and the news of John's
death would spread abroad; then they could take
away the body. Jesus wept with His sorrowful listen
ers. They afterward partook of a repast which., on
account of the retired situation of the apartment,
the silence, the gravity, the great ardor and emotion
of Jesus, made me think of the Last Supper.

I had on this occasion a vision of Mary's coming
to present Jesus in the Temple, which presentation
took place on the forty-third day after His birth.
The Holy Family, on account of a feast of three
days, had to remain with the good people of the
little inn outside the Bethlehem gate. Besides the
usual offering of doves, Mary brought five little,
triangular plates of gold, gifts of the Three Kings,
and several pieces of fine, embroidered stuff as a
present for the Temple. The ass that he had pawned
to one of his relatives, Joseph now sold to him. I
am tinder the impression that the ass used by Jesus
on Palm Sunday sprang from it.

Jesus Teaching in Juttah 175

Jesus taught in Juttah also and, accompanied by
about ten Levites, went to the houses in the neigh
borhood, in which >He restored many sick to health.
Neither lepers, nor raging possessed, nor great sinners
male or female, appeared before Him in these parts.
That evening i(He took with the Levites a frugal
meal consisting of birds, bread, honey, and fruit.

Joseph of Arimathea and several disciples were
come hither in order to invite Jesus to Jerusalem
where numbers of sick were longing for Him. He
could, they said, come now without fear of molestation,
since Pilate and Herod were in conflict with each
other on the subject of the ruined aqueduct, and
the Jewish magistrates likewise had their attention
fixed upon the point at issue. But Jesus would not
go right away, though He promised to do so before
His return to Galilee.

John's female relatives celebrated the Sabbath at
their own home. They clothed themselves in mourn
ing garments and sat on the ground, a stand full
of lights, or lamps, being placed in the centre of
the apartment.

The Essenians who dwelt near Abraham's tomb
came two by two to Jesus. They lived around a
mountain in cells cut out of the rock. Up on the
mountain was a garden which they owned.

All around Zachary's house were very lovely gardens
and remarkably high, thick rosebuhes. Coming
hither from Jerusalem, one could see it on the
hill; about a quarter of an hour farther on and to
the right rose a higher hill upon which were his
vineyards, and at its foot gushed the spring that
Mary had discovered. The Hebron of Abraham was
not identical with that in which Jesus now was. "The
former lay to the south in ruins, separated from the
latter by a vale. In Abraham's time when it was
still in existence it had broad streets and houses
partly hewn out of the rock. Not far from Zachary's

176 Life of Jesus Christ

house was a place called Jether. I saw Mary and
Elizabeth there several times.

The people of Juttah began to suspect from the
words of Jesus and the mourning- of the Baptist's
relatives that John was no longer among the living,
and soon the report of his death was whispered
around.

Before ,His departure from Juttah, Jesus visited
Zachary's tomb in company with His disciples and
the nephews of the murdered man. It was not like
ordinary tombs. It was more like the catacombs,
consisting of a vault supported on pillars. It was
a most honorable burial place for priests and Prophets.
It had been determined that John's body should be
brought from Machaerus and here buried, therefore
the vault was arranged and a funereal couch erected.
It was very touching- to see Jesus helping to prepare
a resting-place for His friend. He rendered honor
to the remains of Zachary also.

Elizabeth was not buried here, but on a high
mountain, in that cave in which John had sojourned
when a boy in the desert.

On Jesus' departure from Juttah, He was followed
by an escort of men and women. The latter after,
accompanying Him the distance of an hour, took
leave, but not till they had knelt and received His
blessing. They wanted to kiss His feet, but Jesus
would not allow it. Jesus and His disciples were
now journeying toward Libna, outside of which they
stopped at an inn. The men of the escort now set
out for home. Saturnin, Judas Barsabas, and two
other disciples who had gone from Galilee to Ma
chaerus, then to Juttah, and lastly had come hither
in quest of Jesus, arrived to-day. With many expres
sions of grief they related the murder of the Baptist.
When Herod and his family with a numerous escort
soldiers removed from Machcerus to Hesebon, the
news of John's beheading was spread by some de
serters. Some of the Centurion Zorobabel's servants

Pilate 177

who had been wounded at the late disaster in Jerusa
lem, returning to Capharnaum had also brought the
news. Zorobabel had immediately imparted the fright
ful occurrence io Judas Barsabas, who was in the
neighborhood, upon which he with Saturnin and two
other disciples hastened into the region of Machserus,
where they everywhere received the same account.'
From Machasrus they had hurried to John's native
place in order to take steps for the removal of the
body. But hearing that Jesus was at the inn, they
had come hither to meet Him. Soon after, accom
panied by |the sons of Mary Heli, Joseph of Ari-
inathea's nephews, those of Zachary, and the sons
of Johanna Chusa and Veronica, they set out for
Machaerus taking- Juttah on their route. They took
with them an ass laden with all that was necessary
for carrying out their design. Machaerus now, with the
exception of a few soldiers, was quite deserted.

Jesus tarried awhile in these parts in order not to
meet Pilate who with his wife and a retinue of
fifteen persons, was on his way from Jerusalem to
Appolonia. He passed through Bethzur, and Antip-
atris. From Appolonia he embarked for Rome, to
lodge a complaint against Herod.

Before his departure from Jerusalem, Pilate had
held a conference with his officers upon Jesus the
Galilean who performed so great miracles "and who
was then in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Pilate asked:

Is He followed by a crowd? Are they armed? "
' No, "was the answer. Cf He goes about with only
a few disciples and people of no account whatever,
people from the very lowest classes, and sometimes
He goes alone. He teaches on the mountains and
in the synagogues, cures the sick and gives alms.
To hear His instructions, people gather from all
quarters often to the number of several thousands! "
"Does He not speak against the Emperor? " asked
Pilate. •' No. His teachings are all on the improve
ment of morals. He inculcates the practice of mercy,

Life of Jesus Christ. — III.

178 Life of Jesus Christ

and impresses upon His hearers to render to the
Emperor that which belongs to him, and to God
that which is His. But He often makes mention
of a Kingdom that He calls His own, and says
that it is near at hand. ' Thereupon Pilate replied:
41 So long as He does not go around working His
miracles with soldiers or an armed crowd, there is
nothing to be feared from Him. As soon as He
leaves a place in which He has performed miracles
and goes to another, He will be forgotten and calumni
ated. Indeed I hear that the Jewish priests them
selves are against Him. No danger is to be ap
prehended from Him. But if He is once seen going
about with armed followers, His roving must come
to an endl "

Pilate had already had several encounters with the
Jews, who detested him. Once he had ordered the
Roman standards to be brought into the city, where
upon the Jews raised a sedition. Another time, on
the occasion of a certain feast upon which the Jews
were not allowed to bear arms nor to touch money,
I saw Pilate's soldiers go into the Temple, break
open the box in which were the offerings, and carry
off the contents. That was when John was still bap
tizing at the Jordan near On, and Jesus came out
from the desert.

From Lebna Jesus went to Bethzur, about ten hours
to the north and two hours' distance from Jerusalem.
Bethzur was a fortified place. It had citadels, ram
parts, and moats, which 'had however somewhat
fallen to ruin, though riot so much as those of Bethulia.
Bethzur was certainly as large as Bethoron. The
side by which Jesus entered was not steep, while
between it and Jerusalem lay a beautiful valley. From
the high points of either city, the other could be seen.
On the opposite side the ascent was steep and the
city built with a view to ward off enemies. The
Ark of the Covenant was once at Bethzur for a
long time, as was publicly known. .

John's Burial 179

Jesus was very well received at Bethzur. Lazarus
and some others of His friends from Jerusalem were
already there. The Bethzurites washed Jesus' feet
as also those of the disciples and with sincere af
fection offered them an abundant supply of whatever
they needed. Jesus lodged at an inn near the syna
gogue.

The Three Kings, when journeying from1 Jerusalem
to the Crib, passed near Bethzur, took some refresh-
ments at a caravansary, and once more saw the star
in this region.

Bethzur must not be confounded with a certain
Bethsoron that lay between Bethlehem and Hebron,
and near which Philip baptized the servant of Queen
Candace. Sometimes this place, namely, Betnsoron,
is improperly called Bethzur.

In some houses of Bethzur, Jesus cured without
disturbance several old people that were very sick',
some of them dropsical. The inhabitants were very
well-disposed, and the Elders of the synagogue them
selves conducted Jesus to the different houses. He
taught also in the school, and I saw Him blessing
a great number of children, first the boys and then
the girls. He greatly interested Himself with them,
and performed some cures among them.

8. ST. JOHN' S REMAINS TAKEN FROM
MACHyERUS AND BURIED AT JUTTAH

When Saturnin with the disciples reached Machasrus
they climbed the mountain on which stood Herod's
castle. They carried under their arms three strong
wooden bars, about a hand in breadth, a leathern
cover in two parts, leathern bottles, boxes in the
form of bags, rolls of linen cloths, sponges, and
other similar things. The disciples best known at
the castle asked the guards to be allowed ,to enter,
but on being refused, they retraced their; steps, went

180 Lite et Jdsuts ChJfjst

around the rampart and climbed upon one another's
shoulders over three ramparts and two moats to the
vicinity of John's prison. It looked as if God helped
them, so quickly did they enter and without disturbance,
After that they descended from a round opening above
the interior of the dungeons. \Vhen the two soldiers
on guard at the entrance to John's cell perceived
them and drew near with their torches, the^ disciples
went boldly on to meet them, and said: We are
the disciples of the Baptist. We are going to take
away the body of our master, whom Herod put to
death. " The soldiers offered no opposition, but open
ed the prison door. They were exasperated against
Herod on account icf John's murder, and were glad
to have a share in this good work. Several of their
comrades had taken flight during the last few days.

As they entered the prison the torches went out,
and I saw the whole place filled with light. I do
not know whether all present saw it, but I am in
clined to think that they did, since they went about
everything as quickly and as dexterously as if it
were clear daylight. The disciples first hastened to
John's body and prostrated before it in tears. Besides
them, I saw in the prison the apparition of a tall,
shining lady. She looked very much like the Mother
of God at the time of her death. I found out later
that it was St. Elizabeth. At. first she seemed to
me so natural as I watched her rendering all kinds
of assistance that more than once I wondered who
she could be and how she had got in with the 'dis
ciples.

The corpse was still lying covered with the hairy
garment. The disciples quickly set about making the
funereal preparations. They spread out cloths upon
which they laid the body, arid then proceeded to wash
it. They had brought with them for that purpose water
in leathern bottles, and the soldiers supplied them
with basins of a brownish hues. Judas Barsabas, James,
and Heliacim took charge of the principal part of

John's Burial 161

these last kind offices to the dead, the others handing
what was needed and helping when necessary,
saw the apparition taking part in everything, indeed
she appeared to be the moving spirit of all, un
covering, covering, putting here, turning there, wrap
ping the winding-sheets, in a word supplying each one
with whatever was wanted at the moment. Her pres
ence seemed to facilitate despatch and order in an
incredible manner. I saw them opening the body and
removing the intestines, which they put into a leathern
pouch. Then they placed all kinds of aromatic herbs
and spices around the corpse, and bound it firmly
in linen bands. It was amazingly thin, and appeared
to be quite dried up.

Meanwhile, some of the other disciples gathered
up a quantity of blood that hiad flowed on the spot
upon which the head had fallen, as well as that upon
which the body had lain, and put it into the empty bags
that had held the herbs and spices. They then laid
the body wrapped in its winding-sheet upon the
leathern covers which they fastened on top by means
of a rod made for that purpose. The two light wooden
bars were run into the leathern straps pf the covers,
which now formed a kind of box. The bars, though
thin and light, showed no signs of bending under
their load. The skin that John used to wear, was
thrown lover the whole, and two of the disciples bore
away the sacred remains. The others followed with
the 'blood in the leathern bottle and the intestines
in trie pouch. The two soldiers left Machaerus with
them. They guided the disciples through narrow
passages back of the ramparts and out through that
subterranean way by which John had been brought
into the prison. All was done rapidly and with rec
ollection so touching that no words can describe it.

I saw them at first with rapid steps descending
the mountain in the dark. Soon however I saw
them with a torch; two walked between the poles
carrying the body on their shoulders, the others fol-

182. Life of Jesus Christ

low'ed. I can not say how impressive was the sight
of this procession proceeding so silently and swiftly
through the darkness by the glare of their one torch.
They appeared to float on the surface of the ground.
How they wept when at the dawn of day they
ferried across the Jordan to the place where John
had first baptized and they had become his followers.
They went around close to the shores of the Dead
Sea, always choosing lonely paths and those that
led through the desert, until they reached the valley
of the shepherds near Bethlehem. Here with the
remains they lay concealed in a cave until night, when
they journeyed on to Juttah. Before daybreak they
reached the neighborhood of Abraham's tomb. They
deposited John's body in a cave near the cells of
the Essenians, who guarded the precious remains
all day.

Toward evening, about the hour when Our Lord
also was anointed and 'laid in the tomb, (it being
hkewise a Friday) I saw the body brought by the
Essenians to the vault wherein Zachary and many
of the Prophets \vere reposing, and which Jesus had
recently caused to be prepared for its reception.

The Baptist's relatives, male and female, were as
sembled m the vault with the disciples and the two
soldiers who had come with the latter from Machserus.

several of the Essenians also were present, among
them some very aged people in long, white garments.

These latter had provided John with the means of
.subsistence during his first sojourn in the desert.
• women were clothed in white, in long mantles
and veils. The men wore black mourning mantles
and around their neck hung narrow scarfs "fringed
^ ue? Many lamps were bu-mmg' in the vault.

The body was extended on a carpet, the winding-
et removed and, amid many tears, anointed and
embalmed with myrrh and sweet spices. The head-
trunk was for all present a heartrending sight.

Iney deeply regretted not being able to look' upon

John's Burial 183

John's features. The ardent longings of their soul
evoked him to their mental gaze such as he had
appeared in the past. Each one present contributed
a bundle of myrrh or other aromatic herbs. Then
the disciples, having re-swathed the body, laid it
in the compartment hewn out for it above that of
his father. The bones of the latter they had re
arranged and wrapped in fresh linens.

The Essenians afterward held a kind of religious
service in which they honored John riot only as one
of their own, but as one of the Prophets promised
to them. A portable altar something like a little
table was placed between the two rows that they
formed on either side, and one of them with the aid
of two assistants prepared it for the ceremony. All
laid little loaves on the altar, in the centre of which
lay a representation of a Paschal lamb, over which
they scattered all kinds of herbs and tiny branches.
The altar was covered with a red undercloth and
a white upper one. The figure of the lamb shone
alternately with a red and white light, perhaps from
lamps concealed under it whose glare, passing first
through the red and then through the white cover,
produced that effect. The priest read from rolls of
writing, burned incense, blessed, and sprinkled with
water. All sang as in choir. John's disciples and
relatives stood around in rows and joined in the
singing. The eldest delivered a speech upon the ful
filment of the Prophecies, upon the signification of
John's career, and made several allusions touching
upon Christ. I remember that He spoke of the death
of the Prophets as well as that of the High Priest
Zachary, who had been murdered between the Temple
and the altar. He said that Zachary, the father of
John, had likewise been murdered between the temple
and the altar. His death signified something still
higher than that of the ancient High Priest, but John
was the true witness in blood between the Temple

184 Life of Jesus Christ

and the altar. By tfrese last words, he alluded to
Christ's life and death.

The ceremony of the lamb had reference to a pro
phetic vision that John while still in the desert, had
communicated to one of the Essenians. The vi
sion itself referred to the Paschal Lamb, the Lamb
of God, to Jesus, the Last Supper, to the Passion,
and the consummation of the Sacrifice upon the
Cress. I do not think that they perfectly understood
all this. They performed the ceremonies in a pro
phetic, symbolical spirit, as if they had among them
at that time many endowed with the gift of prophecy.

When all was over, he who conducted the service
distributed among the disciples the little loaves that
had lain on the altar, and to each gave one of the
little branches that had been stuck on the lamb.
The other relatives likewise received branches, but
not from those on the lamb. The Essenians ate the
bread, after which the tomb was closed.

The holy souls among the Essenians were possessed
of great knowledge and prophetic insight upon the
coming of the Messiah, also of the inte-rior signifi
cation and the reference to Him of the various
customs of Judaism. Four generations before the birth
of the Blessed Virgin, they had ceased to offer bloody
sacrifices, since they knew that the coming of the
Lamb of God was near. Chastity and continence
were among them a species of worship celebrated
to honor the future Redeemer. In humanity they
saw His temple to which He was coming, and they
wished to do all in their power to preserve it pure
and unsullied. They knew how often the Saviour's
coming had been retarded by the sins of mankind
and they sought by their own purity and chastity
to satisfy for the sins of others.

All this had in some mysterious way been infused
into their Order by some of the Prophets, without
their having however in Jesus' time, a perfectly clear
consciousness of it. They were as to what con-

The Essenians 185

cerned their customs and religious observances the
precursors of the future Church. They had contrib
uted much toward the spiritual training and guidance
of Mary's ancestors and other holy patriarchs. Trie
education of John in his youth was their last great
work.

Some of the most enlightened among them in Je
sus' time joined the disciples. Others later on entered
the Community in which by their own long practice
they gave new impetus to the (spirit of renunciation
and a well-ordered life and laid the foundation for
the Christian life both eremitical and cloistered.
But a great many among them who belonged, not
to the fruits of the tree, but to the dry wood, isolated
themselves in their observances and degenerated into
a sect. This sect was afterward imbued with all
kinds of heathenish subtleties, and became the mother
of many heresies in the early days of the Church.

Jesus had fro (particular communication with the
Essenians, although there was some similarity between
His customs and theirs. With a great many of them
He had no more to do than with other pious and
kindly disposed people. He was intimate with several
of the married Essenians who were friends of the
Holy Family. As this sect never disputed with Jesus,
He never had cause to speak against them:, and they
are not mentioned in the Gospels, because He had
nothing wherewith to censure them as He had in
others. He was silent also on the great good found
among them, since, if He had touched upon it, the
Pharisees would have immediately declared that He
Himself belonged to that sect.

As it had become known at sMachaerus through3
the domestics of Herodias, where John's head had
been thrown, Johanna Chusa, Veronica, and one of
the .Baptist's relatives journeyed thither in order to
make search for it. But until the vaulted sewer could
be opened and drained, the head, which was resting
on a stone projecting from the wall, could not be

186 Life of Jesus Christ

reached. Two months flowed by, and then many of
the out-buildings and movables belonging to Herod's
court at Machserus were removed, and the whole
castle wias fitted up for a garrison and fortified for
defence. The sewers were cleaned out and repaired,
and new fortifications added to the old. During this
work, I saw something very strange. Pits were dug,
filled with inflammable matter, and then covered,
trees being planted over them to prevent their dis
covery. They could be set on fire, and their explosion
would kill men, overturn and scatter all things "far
and near like so much sand. Such pits as these
were dug to quite a distance all around the walls.

There were many people engaged in carrying away
the rubbish, and others gathered up the mud and
slime from the sewers to enrich their fields.
Among the latter were some women from Juttah and
Jerusalem with their servants. They were waiting
until the deep, steep sewer in which was the Baptist's
holy head, should be cleaned. They prayed by night,
fasted by day, and sent up ardent prayers to God
that they might fee enabled ^o find that for which
they were seeking. The bottom of this sewer, on
account of its being dug under the mountain, was
very inclined. The whole of the lower end was already
emptied and purified. To reach the upper part into
which the bones from the kitchen were thrown and
where the holy head was lying, the workmen "had
to clamber up by the stones projecting from either
side. A great heap of bones obstructed this part
which was at a considerable distance from the outer
entrance.

While the workmen went to take their meal; people
who had been paid to do so, introduced the women
into the sewer which, as I have said, was cleaned
out as far as that heap of bones. They prayed as
they advanced, that God would allow them to find
the holy head, and they climbed the ascent with
difficulty. Soon they perceived the head sitting up-

The Finding of John's Head 187

rig-ht on the neck! upon one of the projecting- stones,
as^if looking toward them, and near it shone a lustre
like two flames. Were it not for this light, they
might easily have made a mistake, for there were
other human heads in the Sewer. T'he head was
pitiful to behold: the dark-skinned face was smeared
with blood; the tongue, which Herodias had pierced,
was protruding from the open mouth; and the yellow
hair, by which the executioner and Herodias had
seized it, was standing stiff upon it. The women
wrapped it in a linen cloth, and bore it away with
hurried steps.

Scarcely had they accomplished a part of the way,
when a company of Herod's soldiery, to the number
of a thousand, came marching up toward the castle.
They had come to replace the couple of hundreds
already there on guard. The women concealed ^them
selves in a cave. The danger past, they again set
out on their journey through the mountains. On their
way they came across a soldier who, having by a fall
received a severe wound on the knee, was lying
on the road unconscious. Here too they came^ up
with Zachary's nephew and two of the Essenians
who had come to meet them. They laid the holy
head upon the wounded soldier, who instantly re
covered consciousness, arose, and spoke, saying that
he had just seen the Baptist, and he had helped him.
All were very much touched. They bathed his wounds
in oil and wine and took him to an inn, without
however saying anything to him about John's head.
They continued their journey, always choosing the
most unfrequented routes just as had been done when
John's body was conveyed to Juttah. The head was
delivered to the Essenians near Hebron, and some
of their sick having been touched with it, were cured.
It was then washed, embalmed with precious oint-
- ments, and with1 solemn ceremonies laid with the
body in the tomb.

188 Life of Jesus Christ

9. JESUS IN BETHANIA AND JERUSALEM1.

CURE OF A MAN SICK FOR THIRTY-EIGHT,

YEARS

From Bethzur, Jesus proceeded with Lazarus and
the disciples to Bethania. They stopped at several
places along their route, among them at Emmaus.
Jesus taught here and there on the way among the
people who were busy tying up the hedges, which were
already green,

Martha, Magdalen, and a widow named Salome
came to meet them at almos^ an hour's distance from
Bethania. Salome had long dwelt in Bethania with'
Martha, Through one of Joseph's brothers and like
Susanna, she was related to the Holy Family. She
was later on present at Jesus' sepulture. They,
Martha, Magdalen, and Salome, had been at Laz-
arus's jnn in the desert, whence they returned at dusk
to Bethania.

The four Apostles and several disciples whom Jesus
had sent to Thabor arrived also on this evening at
Bethania, Great was their grief upon hearing now
for the first time the details of John's death. Then
they related what had happened to themselves. They
had taught and cured, according to the instructions!
received from Jesus, and at one place they had been
chased with istones, but without being hit by them.
The last place they had visited was Saron near Lydda.

When all in Lazarus's house had retired_to rest,
Jesus went in the darkness to the Mount of Olives
and prayed in a solitary nook. The mount was
covered with verdure and groves of noble trees. It
was full of retired corners.

Magdalen occupied the little apartments of Mary
the Silent's dwelling. She often sat in a very narrow
little room that appeared to be 'formed in a tower.
It was a retired corner intended for penitential exer
cises. She still wept freely. [True, she was no longer

The Pool of Bethsaida 189

actually sick> but from contrition and penance, she
had become quite pale and reduced. She looked like
one crushed by sorrow.

The last two days were days of fasting-. They were
followed by a feast of joy, which began at the close
of the Sabbath and lasted for three days. The real
date had (fallen earlier, but for some reason the
feast had been postponed. It was a feast of thanks
giving for all graces received from the deliverance
of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage down to
their own time. Its celebration Was not confined to
Jerusalem, but was observed everywhere. Numbers
of the chief priests and the greatest enemies of Jesus
had left Jerusalem. Since Pilate had absented him
self, they had nothing to fear and a less strict guard
to keep.

Next morning Jesus went to Jerusalem and accept
ed hospitality with Johanna, Chusa. Neither Martha
nor Magdalen was there.

Toward ten o'clock I saw Jesus in the Temple.
He occupied the teacher's chair in the women's porch,
where He was reading and expounding the Law.
All were amazed at His wisdom. No one raised the
least disturbance or made objections to His teaching.
Some of the priests present may not have known
Him, and those that did were not against Him. "His
bitter enemies, the Pharisees and * Sadducees, were
for the most part absent.

About three o'clock, Jesus went with some of the
disciples to the Pool of Bethsaida. He entered from
without by a door which was closed and no longer
used. This was the corner into wliich the poorest
and most abandoned creatures were pushed; and
lying in the farthest part and right next the door,
was a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years. He had
been pressed back by the crowd to the farthest ex
tremity of the place, and now lay in a little chamber
destined for men.

;When Jesus knocked at the closed door, it opened

190 Life of Jesus Christ

of itself. Passing along through the sick', He made
His way to the hall nearest the pool where invalids
of all kinds were sitting and lying, and there He
taught. The disciples meanwhile distributed among
the poor clothes and bread, covers and kerchiefs
given them by the women for that purpose. Such
attention and loving services were something quite
new to these poor sick who were for the most part
either abandoned to themselves or left to the care
of servants. They were greatly touched. Jesus went
about among them, pausing in several different places
to instruct them, and then asking whether they be
lieved that God was able to help them, whether
they wished to be cured, whether they were sorry
for their sins, whether they would do penance and
be baptized. When He named to some of them
their sins, they trembled and cried out: " Master,
Thou art a Prophet! Thou art certainly John!
John's death was not yet generally known and in
many places the report of his being set at liberty
was current. Jesus replied in general terms as to
who He really was, and cured several of them. He
directed the blind to bathe their eyes "in water from
the pool with which He had previously mixed a
little oil. Then He told them to go quietly home,
and not to say much about their cure until after
the Sabbath. The disciples were at the same time
curing in the other porches. All the cured were
obliged to wash in the pool.

But when, on account of these cures, some ex
citement was beginning to arise, while now one,
now another approached the pool to wash, Jesus
went with John to that far-off place near the entrance
where lay the poor man who had been sick for
thirty-eight long years. He had been a gardener,
and had formerly been engaged in the care of hedges
and the raising of balsam-trees. But now, so long
sick and helpless, he was reduced to a state of
starvation, and lay like a public beggar glad to eat

Cure of the Paralytic 191/-

the scraps left by the other sick. As he had been
seen 'here for so many years, he was known to every
one as the incurable paralytic. Jesus spoke to Him,
and asked him whether or not he wanted to be
cured. But he, not thinking that Jesus would cure
him, but that he was asking only in a general way
why he was lying there, answered that he had no
help, no servant or friend to assist him down into
the pool when the waters were moved. While he
was creeping down others got before him and occupied
the places around the pool to which the steps led.
Jesus spoke for a little while to the man, placed his
sins before his eyes, excited his heart to sorrow, and
told him that he should no longer live in impurity
and no longer blaspheme Against the Temple, for
it was in punishment of such sins that his sickness
had come upon him. Then He consoled him by
telling him that God receives all and assists all that
turn again to Him with contrition. The poor man,
who never before had received a word of consolation,
who had been allowed to lie moulding arid rotting
in his misery, who had often bitterly complained
that no one offered him any assistance, was now
deeply touched at Jesus' words. At last, Jesus said:
" Arise! Take up thy bed, and walk! ' But these
were only the principal words of all that He said.
He commanded him to go down to the pool and
wash, and then told one of the disciples, who at
that moment approached, to take the man to one
of the little dwellings erected for the poor by Jesus'
friends near the Cenacle on Mount Zion. Joseph of
Arimathea had his stonecutting shops in them.

He who had been so long paralyzed and whose
face was disfigured by skin disease, gathered together
his tattered couch, and went off cured to wash in
the pool. He was so out of himself with joy and
in such a hurry that he almost forgot to take away
his bed. The Sabbath had now begun, and Jesus
passed out unnoticed with John by the door near.

lp 2 Life of Jesus Christ

the place in which the poor man had lain. The dis
ciple who was to announce the sick man, went on
ahead, for the latter knew where he was to go. When
therefore he issued from, the buildings around the
Pool of Bethsaida, he was met by some Jews who
saw that he had been, cured. Thinking that he owed
the favor to the waters of the pool, they said to
him: " Knowest thou not that it is the Sabbath-day?
It is not lawful to thee to take thy bed away! '•'•
He answered: : He that cured me said to me:
'Arise! Take up thy bed and walk!' They asked
him: ' Who is he that said to thee: 'Take up
thy bed and walk ? ' But the poor man could
not say, for he did not know Jesus and had never
before seen Him. Jesus had already left the place,
and His disciples also.

What the Gospel relates in connection with this
miracle, that this man saw Jesus in the Temple and
pointed Him put as the One that had cured him;
and that Jesus had in consequence a dispute with
the Pharisees on the subject of fiealing on the Sabbath-
day, took place upon a subsequent feast, but was
recorded by John immediately after his account of
the cure. 1 I received positive information on this
point.

Through those Jews that had reproached the cured
man, (who had been looked upon by all as incurable)
for carrying his bed on the Sabbath-day, the report
of the miracle was spread in Jerusalem after Jesus
had left it. It created great excitement. The other
sick who had been cured by Jesus and the disciples
at the Pool of Bethsaida attracted little attention,
for their cure was attributed to the virtue "of the
waters. Besides, they did not happen on the Sab
bath, and Jesus neither at His entrance nor 'His
leparture had been seefi by the custodians or super
intendents of the pool. With the exception of the

I. John F, 75 et seq.

The Sacred Fire 193

sick poor, who lived in the little cells formed in the
walls, there were at that time but few persons around
the piscina. Those in easy circumstances had already
been taken home. In these latter times, in conse
quence of the movement of the water being rare
and mostly at sunrise, only those that had servants
could be carried to the pool at the right time; and
again, confidence in this manner i|of curing had
greatly decreased. Even the pool itself was neglect
ed, for a part of! the wall on one side had gone £o
ruins. Only people of lively faith frequented it at
that time, people such as those that among us go on
pilgrimages to holy shrines.

This was the pool in which Nehemias hid the
sacred fire. A piece of the wood with which it was
covered was afterward thrown aside, and later on
was used for a part of Christ's vCross. The pool
had developed its miraculous virtue only after it had
been made the depository of the sacred fire. In
early times, the pious sick who were endowed with
the spirit of prophecy, used to see an angel descend
and agitate the w'ater. Afterward very few if any,
saw1 that wondrous sight, and lastly the times had
become such that, if any did see it, they kept it
to themselves. Still at all periods, many beheld the
waters agitated and bubbling. This pool, after the
coming of the Holy Ghost, became the baptismal
place of the Apostles. It was with its agitating angel,
a mystery 'typical of holy baptism at the time of
the Paschal lamb which, in turn, was a type of the
Last Supper and the Redeemer's death.

After this miracle, Jesus went with the disciples
into a synagogue near the Temple-mount, in which
Nicodemus and the other friends were celebrating
the Sabbath. Jesus did not teach here. He prayed
and listened to the reading of the Holy Scriptures
appointed for this Sabbath. They consisted o| pas
sages relating to the Departure from Egypt, the
Journey through the Red Sea, and the Prophetess,

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 1 3

194 Life of Jesus Christ

Deborah. * A canticle celebrating the passage through
the Red Sea was sung, and in it were recounted
one after another all the benefits that God had show
ered on the Jews, especially what regarded their
worship and Temple. Mention was made of all the
priestly vestments and ornaments which God had
prescribed on Sinai, also of Solomon and the Queen
of Saba. This Sabbath was called Beschallah, and
was immediately followed by that feast of three days,
•whose name sounds like Ennorum. It was at one
and the same time, the commencement, .the end, and
the feast of thanksgiving for all favors and for, all
other feasts. In the canticle thanks were given for
the innumerable favors that God had shown them
from the beginning; namely, for their deliverance
from Egypt and the Red Sea, for the Law, the Ark
of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, for the priestly
vestments, and the Temple, and for their wise King
Solomon. They demanded also in that canticle an
other king as wise as he. United with this feast,
which had been instituted by a Prophet long before
the existence of either Solomon or the Temple, was
a joyous festival founded by Solomon on the oc
casion of the presents made him by the Queen of
Saba, who was struck with admiration at his wisdom.
With these gifts, he had given recreation to the
priests and the people. Its remembrance was per
petuated by the holiday now going on, in which every
one freely diverted himself. Since this feast could
be celebrated any where, all the Pharisees and officers
of the Temple who could in any way escape, availed
themselves of the opportunity to visit their friends
and recruit their strength for the approaching great
feasts of Purim and the Pasch.

Abundant alms were distributed on this feast.
Loaves of very fine white bread were baked and
given to the poor, as a remembrance of the manna

i, Exod. X1IT, 77, — XI, 27, Judges IV, 4 et V, 32.

Jesus Performing Cures 195

in the desert. This festival was like the Amen of
the feasts, the feast of the beginning and the end.
After the service in the synagogue, Jesus went
with 'some disciples into the Temple in which were
only a few people. The Levites were coming and
going, putting things in order, and filling the lamps
with oil for next morning. Jesus penetrated into
places not open to all even into the vestibule of
the Sanctuary where stood the great teacher's chair,
in order to see and speak to ~them. This He did
upon various deep questions, and they listened for
some time. Then came some of the other Levites
and reproached Him] with His boldness in daring to
enter those unusual places and at that unseasonable
time. They called Him a contemptible Galilean, etc.
Jesus answered them very gravely, spoke of His
rights, of the hoi^se of His 'Father, and then withdrew.
They derided Him, although He inspired them with
secret fear. Jesus stayed that night in the city.

The next morning Jesus and the Apostles cured
a great many sick in the side buildings of the Cenacle
which, surrounded by a large court, stood upon
Mount Sion. Joseph of Arimathea had rented it for
his stonecutting business. The holy women of Jeru
salem were busied around the sick with all the ser
vices that tender charity would inspire. It Was on
account of these sufferers that Joseph of Arimathea
when recently at Hebron, had invited Jesus to Jeru
salem. They were for the most part good, right
eous people, acquaintances of the holy women and
friends of Jesus. They had been conveyed by night
into the court of the Cenacle. Jesu's spent the whole
morning in performing cures. He taught occasionally,
sometimes by this, sometimes by that group. There
were lame and blind and paralyzed, others with with
ered and crippled hands, others with ulcers, — men,
women, and children. There were also some men
wounded by the overthrow' of the aqueduct. Some
had fractured skulls; others, broken limbs.

196 Life of Jesus Christ

They were now busy in the valley of Jerusalem
clearing away the rubbish. Some walls falling in
had dammed up the water, and laborers were sent
into the dyke to dig through the debris. In some
places whole trees and large stones were thrown
in to stop the course of the waters.

After Jesus had taken a slight repast with the
disciples in the Cenacle, at which those that had
just been cured were entertained, He and His fol
lowers went into the Temple and to the public teacher's
chair, near which were kept the rolls of the Law.
Jesus demanded the rolls and proceeded to expound
the passages appropriate to the day. They referred
to the journey through the Red Sea and to Deborah,
and again that Psalm treating of the feast was sung.
The title is: " To sing morning or eve. " All were
astonished at Jesus' doctrine, and no one dared to
contradict Him. Some of the Pharisees alone made
bold to ask: " Where didst Thou study? Where didst
Thou receive the right to teach? How canst Thou
take so great a liberty? Jesus answered them
in terms so grave and severe that they had nothing
to reply. Then He left the Temple, and went to
Bethania with His disciples and friends.

Jesus' stay in Jerusalem this time was little remarked,
since His chief enemies were not there. It was only
when from the great teacher's chair He closed the
ceremonies of the Sabbath that they paid much at
tention to Him and again spoke here and there of
Galilean. All Jerusalem was at the time taken
up with talk of the fallen (aqueduct, the jealousy exist
ing between Herod and Pilate, and the journey of
the latter to Rome; eveu John's death was &oiw
liscussed but little. Unless some particular excite
ment (arose, ;the people did not talk much of Jesus.
It was there ias in, /other ^great cities. Occasionally
indeed somebody would say: " Jesus the Galilean
is now in the city fi and another would reply: "'if

Simon the Leper 197

He does not come with1 several thousand men, He
will effect nothing. "

While in Bethania, Jesus went to the house of
Simon, who no longer appeared in public, for he
was sick, his leprosy 'having begun. A number of
red blotches had broken out upon him. Wrapped
in a large mantle, he kept himself concealed in a
retired apartment. Jesus had an interview with him.
Simon looked like one that is anxious not to have
his malady noticed, but soon he would be unable
to ward off attention. He showed himself as little
as possible.

Late that night the disciples returned from Juta,
which they had left after the Sabbath. They related
to JesuB the circumstances of their bringing away
John's body from Machaerus and its burial near his
father. The two soldiers from Machaerus had come
with the disciples. Lazarus took charge of them', kept
them concealed, 'and provided for their wants.

When Jesus said to the disciples : " Let us retire
to some teolitude there to rest and mourn, not over
John's death, but over the deplorable causes that
led to it, " I thought, " How will He be able to
rest, for the other Apostles and disciples are already
gone to Mary in Capnarnaum. " Crowds from all
quarters, even from1 Syria; and Basan, had flocked
thither, and the whole country around Corozain was
covered with the tents of tho!se that were awaiting1
Jesus' coming:.

10. JESUS DELIVERS PRISONERS IN
TIRZAH

Early next morning', Jesus left Bethania' with the
six Apostles and about twenty disciples. They
shunned all places on the way, and journeyed with
out stopping eleven hours to the north, until they
reached Lebona on the southern slope of Mount
Gerizim. St. Joseph before his espousals with Mary

198 Life of Jesus Christ

had worked here as a carpenter, and he afterward
kept up friendly relations with the inhabitants. On
a peak of the mountain stood a lonely fortress up
to which the road from Lebona led through buildings
on one 'side and old walls on the other. It was on
this road that Joseph's workshop stood, and in i
Jesus with all His disciples put up. He was, though
coming unexpectedly and at a late hour, received
with unusual joy and reverence. It was 'a Levrtical
family, and up further on the mountain was the syna
gogue.

From Lebona Jesus and the disciples journeyed
with rapid steps the whole of the following day
through Samaria in a northwesterly direction toward
the Jordan. They traversed Aser-Machmethat, tar
ried awhile in the inn at Aser, and then went on to
the neighborhood of Tirzah, about one hour from
the Jordan and two from Abelmahula. The country
around was remarkably fine. 'Here in Tirzah, as in
all other places on the way, the feast that I had seen
begun in Jerusalem was right joyously commemorated.
Gracefully adorned triumphal arches were erected,
and public games celebrated. The actors leaped over
garlands for a wager, just as our children do now
adays. Great mounds of grain and orchard fruits
were heaped up in the open air for distribution among1
the poor.

Tirzah was built in two parts, and one quarter of
the city extended to within half an hour of the Jordan.
The whole region was so studded with gardens arid
orchards that the traveller could not see the city until
just within its reach. It was so broken up lay gardens
and commons that the quarter furthest from the
Jordan, looked less like a city than like some groups
of houses scattered among gardens and walls. The
part nearest the Jordan was the better preserved and
the more compact. It was built high above a valley
and rested on solid piers. A highway ran under it
as under a bridge. This road was charming. From

Tirzah 199.

it one could see through1 the valley with its green
trees as through a cool grotto far to the other
side where the road emerged into the open air.

Tirzah situated as it was on a height of moderate
elevation, commanded a most beautiful view across
the Jordan and into the mountain-ranges beyond. To
the north could be seen Jetebatha almost hidden by
forests; on the right the view extended into Peraca;
and across the smooth surface of the Dead Sea,
arose .Machasrus and the country off to the west.
Many a glimpse could be had of the Jordan, and
here and there in its windings, its waters glistened
like long streaks of light as it flowed along between
its verdant banks. Westward from Tirzah lay a high
mountain-range that separated it from Dothan. Abel-
mahula lay_ two hours northwestward, in a deep dale
more to the south than was that in which Joseph
was sold by his brethren. On every side, Tirzah! lookled
down upon numberless gardens and groves of fruit-
trees, on terraces and espaliers over which were
trained balsam shrubs and paradise-apples so much
used by the Jews at their Feast of Tabernacles. These
trees flourished only in very good and sunny positions.
Besides those just mentioned, they cultivated also
the sugarcane, long, yellow flalx like silk, cotton',
and a species of grain in whose thick stalk Was
stored a marrowy pith. The inhabitants were engaged
in hortoculture and fruit raising. Many were oc
cupied also in preparing flax, cotton, and the sugar
cane for market. The street that ran under the city,
was the grand military and commercial route to
Tarichsea and Tiberias. In many places it took the
form of a tunnel between hills, as it did here in
Tirzah which, as I have said, rested on piers above
the road.

In the centre of the city, that is, in the centtre of
its ancient surroundings, Jn a large, deserted looking
space, there stood on; a gentle eminence, a spacious
edifice with massive Walls, several courtyards and

200 Life of Jesus Christ

round buildings like towers in whose interior wer?
found other courts. It was the old, ruined castle
of the Kings of Israel. A part had fallen to decay,
but another had been fitted up as a hospital and
prison. Some portions were overgrown ruins, on which
were laid out gardens of all kinds. On the square
before the house was a fountain whose water by
means of a wheel turned by an ass, was raised in
leathern bags jand poured into a great basin, from1
which it flowed on all sides throug'h channels into
tanks, thus supplying the city in every direction.
Every quarter had its reservoir.

At this fountain five disciples from the opposite
side of the Jordan joined Jesus and His followers,
They were the two youths delivered from slight de
moniacal possession, the two men out of whom Jesus
had driven the devils into the swine, and a fifth.
They had been, in accordance with Jesus commands,
proclaiming their iowq deliverance and the miracle
of the swine in the little cities of the country of the
Gerasens and in the Decapolis. They had healed
in those places and had announced the approach'
of the Kingdom of God. They embraced the dis
ciples and washed one another's feet at the fountain.
Jesus had come straight from a house outside the
:ity where with the other disciples He had passed
the night. These five brought Him news that all
3 disciples whom He had sent into Upper-Galilee
had returned to Capharnaum, and that an immense
itude of people were encamped in the district
around awaiting His coming.

Jesus now went with the disciples 'into the castle,
gh'c out the superintendent of the hospital and
requested to be introduced to their quarters The
superintendent complied with His request, and Jesus
went through halls and courts until He arrived at the
cells and retired corners where lay the sick suffering
from diseases^ of all kinds. He went around among
them instructing, healing, and consoling. Some of

Jesus Visits Prisoners 201

tne disciples were with! Him1, helping to raise, carry,
and lead the sick; others were scattered in the dif
ferent corridors, performing' cures and preparing the
way for Jesus. In one of the courts, there were
several possessed in chains, who yelled and raged
when Jesus entered the house. He commanded them
to be silent, cured them, and drove the devils out
of them. In the most distant part of the hospital
were some lepers, and these too He healed. He
went alone to them1. The cured belonging to Tirzah
itself were at once taken away by their friends, not
however before Jesus had ordered them food and
drink. To the poor among them, were distributed
besides, the clothing and coverlets that the disciples
had brought with them to Tirzah from the inn of
Bezech.

Jesus visited also the abode of the sick women.
'It Was a high, round tower with an inner court. In
this court, as well as on the outside of the tower,
a projecting flight of steps led from one story to
another for in the interior, there was no little stair
case such as we have. In the exterior apartments
were women sick of all kinds of maladies. JesUs
fiured many. In the apartments nearest the court,
from which they were separated by locked doors,
women were imprisoned, some for their excesses,
some on account of their bold speech, w*hile many
others of their number were innocent. In the same
building many poor men underwent the rigors of
grievous imprisonment, some for debt, others for
having joined in a revolt, many also the victims of
revenge and enmity, while others were confined merely
to get them out of the way. Many of these poor
creatures were quite abandoned, left to starve in their
prison-cells. Jesus heard bitter complaints on this
subject from the sick whom He cured and from others.
He indeed knew all about it, and it was principally
on account of that general misery He had come.
Tirzah counted numerous Pharisees and Sadducees,

202 Life of Jesus Christ

and among the latter were many Herodians. The
prison was guarded by Roman soldiers and had a
Roman superintendent. The lodgings of the guards
and overseers were outside the building. Jesus, having
applied to the latter for permission, was allowed to
visit the part open to ^strangers. He listened to the
prisoners' story of misery and sufferings, directed
refreshments to be distributed to them, instructed
and consoled them, and forgave the sins of many
that confessed to Him. To several of those con
fined for debt, as well as to mlany others, He promised
release. To others He held out hopes of relief.

From the prison Jesus went to the Roman Com
mander, who was not a wicked man, and spoke
to him gravely and touchingly about the prisoners.
He offered to discharge their debts Himself, and ,to
go part security for their innocence and good behavior.
He expressed His desire also to converse with those
that had for so long a time endured a more rigorous
imprisonment. The Commander listened very respect
fully to Jesus, but explained to Him that as all those
prisoners were Jews who had been put into prison
under very particular circumstances, he would have
to speak to the Pharisees and to the Jewish authorities
of the place before he could grant His request to
be allowed access to them. Jesus replied that after
He had taught in the synagogue, He would call
on him again with the Jewish authorities. Then He
returned to the female prisoners whom He consoled
and advised. He received from several the avowal
of their misdemeanors and promises of amendment,
forgave them their sins, caused alms to be distributed
among them, and promised to reconcile them with
their friends.

Thus did Jesus from! nine o'clock in the morning
until nearly four in the afternoon labor in this abode
of misery and woe, filling it with joy and consolation
on a day upon which in it alone was sorrow to :be
found, for in the city all was jubilation. It was the

•'•' Blessed Are the Merciful '- 203

first of those holidays that had been added by Solo
mon to the Feast of Ennorum, on account of the
gifts presented by the Queen of Saba. Jesus had
beheld the Sabbath of this first day celebrated the
evening1 before iat Bezech. To-day the whole city,
especially the most populous quarters, was alive with
joy. There were triumphal arches, leaping, racing,
and heaps of grain for distribution among the
poor. But around that old castle, at once prison
and hospital, all was still. Jesus alone had thought
of its poor immates, and He alone had brought
them real joy. In the house outside the city, He
took with the disciples a little repast, which con
sisted of bread, fruit, and honey. Then He sent
some of His followers to the prison with all kinds
of provisions and refreshments, while He with the
rest repaired to the synagogue.

The report of what Jesus had done in the hospital,
was already spread throughout the whole city. Many
of those that ;He had there cured, were returned
to the city and now went to the synagogue; others
were assembled outside the sacred edifice, where
Jesus and the Apostles cured many more. In the
synagogue were gathered the Pharisees and Saddu-
cees, and many secret Herodians. Among the first-
named, were many of the same sect 'from Jerusalem,
who had come thither for recreation. They were full
of spite and envy at Jesus' doings which threw
disgrace upon their own. In the school were present
also a great many people from Bezech, who had
followed Jesus thither. In His instruction Jesus spoke
of the feast and its signification, which Was to afford
an opportunity for recreation, for infusing joy into
the hearts of others, and for doing good. He referred
again to one of the Eight Beatitudes, " Blessed are
the merciful. " He explained the parable of the
Prodigal Son, which !He had already related to the
prisoners. Then He spoke of these, as we'll as of
the sick and .their miseries, how forgotten and abandon-

204 Life of Jesus Christ

ed they were while others enriched themselves by
seizing" upon the funds destined for their support.
He inveighed vigorously against the trustees of this
establishment, some of whom were among1 the Phar
isees present. They listened in silent rage. In re
counting the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus made
allusion to those that had been imprisoned on account
of their misdemeanors, but who Were now repentant.
This He did in order to reconcile the relatives here
present to some of the prisoners. All were very much
touched.

Here too Jesus related the parable of the com
passionate king and the unmerciful servant. He ap
plied it to those that allow the poor prisoner to
languish on account of an insignificant debt, while
God suffers their own great indebtedness to run on.

The secret Herodians had by their trickery been
the cause of the imprisonment of many poor people
of this place. To this fact Jesus once vaguely alluded
when, in His severe denunciation of the Pharisees,
He said: " There are many indeed among you
who very likely know how things fell out with John.
The Pharisees railed at Jesus. They made use of
expressions among themselves, such as these: "'He
wages war with the help of Women, and goes about
with them. He will get possession of no great king
dom with such warriors. "

Jesus then pressed the head men among the mag
istrates and Pharisees to go with Him to the Roman
superintendent of the prison, and offer to ransom
the most miserable and neglected of the immates.
This proposal was made in the hearing of many,
consequently the Pharisees could not refuse. "When
Jesus and His disciples turned off towafd the residence
of the superintendent, a crowd followed sounding Je
sus' praises. The superintendent was a much better
man than the Pharisees, who maliciously ran up the
prisoners' debts so high that, for the release of some
of them, Jesus had to1 pay fourfold. But because

Jesus Frees Poor Prisoners 205

Jie had not the money around Him, He gave as
a pledge a triangular coin to which hung a parchment
ticket upon which He had written some words
authorizing the sum to be discharged from Magdalen's
property which Lazarus was about to sell. The entire
proceeds were destined by Magdalen and Lazarus
for the benefit of the poor, for debtors, and the
relief of sinners, Magdalum was a more valuable
estate than that of Bethania. Each side of the tri
angular coin was about three "inches long, and in the
centre was an inscription indicating its value. To
one end hung a jointed strip of metal, like two or
three links of a chain, and to this the writing was
fastened.

After the transaction recorded above, the super
intendent ordered the poor prisoners to be brought
forth. Jesus and the disciples lent their assistance
in the execution of his order. Many poor creatures
in tatters, half-naked and covered with hair, were
dragged forth from dark holes, [The Pharisees angrily
withdrew. Many of the released were quite weak
and sick. They lay weeping at Jesus' feet, while
He consoled and exhorted them. He procured for
them clothing, baths, food, lodgings, and saw to the
formalities necessary to be observed in restoring them
to liberty, for they had to remain under the juris
diction of the prison and hospital a few* days until
their ransom was paid. A similar occurrence took
place among the female prisoners. All were fed, Jesus
and the disciples waiting on them, and the Parable
of the Prodigal Son was afterward related to them.

Thus was this house for once filled with joy. In
it appeared to be prefigured the deliverance from
Limbo of the Patriarchs to whom John after his
death had announced the near coming of the Redeemer.
Jesus and the disciples spent the night once more
in the house outside of Tirzah.

It was this affair here in Tirzah which, when reported
to Herod, drew his attention more particularly upon

206 Life of Jesus Christ

Jesus, and called forth the remark1: " Is John riseri
from the grave? From this time Herod was
desirous of seeing Jesus. He had indeed previously
heard of Him from general report and through John,
but he had not thought much on the^ subject. Now
however his uneasy conscience made him notice what
before had passed unremarked. He was at this time
living in Hesebon where he had gathered all his
soldiers around him, among them some mercenary
Roman troops.

From Tirzah to Capharnaum, whither Jesus now
proceeded wifh His disciples, was a 'journey of eighteen
hours. They did not go up through the valley of
the Jordan, but along the base of Mount Gelboa
and across the vale of Abez, leaving Thabor on the
left. They lodged at the inn on the borders of the
lake near Bethulia and journeyed next day to Damna,
where Jesus found Mary and several of the holy
women who had arrived there before Him, 'The other
six Apostles and some of the disciples had also
come to Damna. The two soldiers from Machaerus,
whom Lazarus had sent through Samaria, joined
Jesus' followers near Azanoth.

11. JESUS IN CAPHARNAUM AND ITS
ENVIRONS

There were at this time in Capharnaum no fewer,
than sixty-four Pharisees assembled from the neigh
boring districts. On their way thither, they had made
inquiries upon the most remarkable of Jesus cures,
and had ordered the widow of Nairn with! her son
and witnesses from that place to be summoned to
Capharnaum, as well as the son of Achias, the Cen
turion of Giskala. They had also close\y inter
rogated Zorobabel and his son, the Centurion Cornelius;
and 'his servant, Jairus and his daughters, several
blind and lame that had been cured, in a word,

The Pharisees 207

all that had in that part of. the country profited
by Jesus' healing power. In every case they sum
moned witnesses, whom they questioned and whose
ans\v ers they compared.

\Vhen notwithstanding their malice, they were un
able to construe what they heard into proofs against
the truth of Jesus' miracles, they became still more
enraged, and again had recourse to their old story,
that He had dealings with the devil. They declared
that He went about' with women of bad repute, ex
cited the people to sedition, deprived the synagogues
of the alms that should flow to them, and profaned
the Sabbath, and they boasted that they would now
put a stop to His proceedings.

Intimidated by these threats, by the ever-increasing
concourse of people, and especially by the beheading
of John, the relatives of Jesus were in great trouble.
They entreated Him not to go to Capharnaum, but
to take up His residence elsewhere, and for this
they named many plates, such as Nairn or Hebron
or the cities on the other side of the Jordan. But
Jesus silenced them by declaring that He would go
to Capharnaum where He would both teach and
cure, for as soon as He stood face to face with'
the Pharisees, they would cease their boasting.

When the disciples askbd Him what they were
now to do, Jesus answered jthat He would tell them,
and that He would give to The Twelve to hold the
same position to them as He Himself held to the
Apostles. When evening came they separated. Jesus
went with Mary, the women, and His relatives* east
ward through Zorobabel's hamlet, to Mary!s house
in the valley of Capharnaum, and the Apostles and
disciples departed by other routes. That night Jairus
sought Jesus, to relate to Him the persecutions he
had had to endure. Jesus calmed him. He had been
discharged from his office, and now belonged entirely
to Jesus.

Capharnaum was 'full of visitors, sick and well,

208 Life of Jesus Christ

Jews and Gentiles. The surrounding plains and heights
were covered with encampments. In the fields and
mountain nooks, camels and asses were grazing; even
the valleys and hills on the opposite side of the
lake were alive with people waiting for Jesus. There
were strangers here from all sides, from Syria, Arabia,
Phoenicia, and even from Gyprus.

Jesus visited Zorobabel, Cornelius, and Jajrus. The
family of the lasjt named was entirely converted,
the daughter much better than formerly, and very
modest and pious. Jesus went afterward to Peter's
house outside the city, and found it crowded with
sick. Heathens, who had never been here before
now presented themselves. The crowd of sick was
so great that the disciples had to put up a species
of scaffolding in order to afford more room for them.
Not only Jesus was everywhere sought for by the
sick, but the Apostles and Disciples also were called
by them. " Art thou one of the Prophet's disciples?"
they cried;> ' Have pity on me I Help me! Take me
to Him ! ' Jesus, the Apostles, and about twenty-
four disciples taught and cured the whole morning.
There were some possessed present, who cried after
Jesus and from whom He drove the demons. No
Pharisees were present, but there were among the
crowd some spies and some half-disaffected.

After Jesus had performed many cures, He with
drew into a hall to preach whither He was followed
by the cured and others. Some of the Apostles went
on healing while the others gathered around Jesus,
who again taught on the Beatitudes and related
several parables. Among other points, He touched
upon prayer which, He said, they should never omit.
He related and developed the similitude of the un
just judge who, in order to get rid of the widow
ever returning to knock at his door, at last rendered
her justice.1 If the unjust judge was thus forced to

i. Luke XVIII, i-j.

The " Our Father " 209

comply, will not the Father in heaven be still more
merciful ?

Then Jesus taught the multitude how to pray, recited
the seven petitions of the Our Father, * and explained
the first, " Our Father, who art in heaven. "
ready on His journeys, He had explained several of
the petitions to the disciples; now however He took
them up as He had done the Beatitudes, and made
them the subject of His public instructions. Thus the
prayer was 411 explained by degrees, repeated every-
jvhere, and published on all sides by the disciples.
Jesus continued the Eight Beatitudes at the sarne time.
In speaking of prayer, He ma,de use of this simili
tude: If a child begs his father for bread, will he
give him a stone? or if asked for a fish, will he
give a serpent or scorpion?

It was now toward three o'clock. Mary, aided by
her sisters and other women, also by the sons of
Joseph's brethren from Dabereth, Nazareth, and the
valley ojf Zabulon, had prepared in the front part
of the house a meal for Jesus and the disciples.
During several days they had had on account of
their great labors, no regular hours for meals. The
dining-room was separated from the hall in which
Jesus was teaching near a court crowded with people,
who could hear all that was said through the open
porticos of the hall. Now when Jesus went on in
structing, Mary taking with her some relatives in
order not to go through the crowd alone, approached
with the intention of; speaking to Him and begging
Him to come and partake of some food. But jt
was impossible for her to make her way through
the crowd, and so her request was passed from one
to another, until it reached a man standing near
Jesus. He was one of the spies of the Pharisees.
As Jesus had several times made mention of 'His
Heavenly Father, the spy, not without a secret sneer,

i. Matt. VI, et Luke XL
Life of Jesus Christ. — III.

210 Life of Jesus Christ

said to Him: " Behold Thy Mother and Thy1 brethren
stand without seeking Thee. " But Jesus looking at
him, said: " Who is My Mother, and who are My
brethren? ' Then grouping The Twelve and placing
the disciples near them, He extended His hand over
the former with the words: "Behold My Mother!"
and then over the "latter, saying: " And these are
My brethren, who hear the word of God and do it.
For wrhosoever shall do the will of My Father who
is in heaven, he is My brother, My sister, and My
Mother. x ' Then He went on with His discourse^
but sent His disciples in turn to take what food they
needed.

After this as He was going with the disciples to
the synagogue, the sick who could still walk, followed
Him imploring His help. He cured them. In the
outer porch of the synagogue, although the Sabbath
had already begun, a man stepped up to Him, show
ed Him his hand, crippled and withered, and begged
to be helped. Jesus told him to wait awhile. At
the same time, He was called by some people who
were leading a deaf and dumb possessed who was
raging frightfully. Jesus commanded him to lie down
quietly at the entrance of the synagogue and there
wait. The possessed instantly sat down cross-legged,
and bowed his head on his knees, keeping a side-
glance fixed on Jesus. With the exception of an
occasional slight convulsive shuddering, he remained
quiet during the whole instruction.

The Sabbath lesson was about Jethro giving
counsel to Moses when the Israelites were encamped
around Sinai, of Moses ascending the mount and
receiving the Ten Commandments, (Exodus XVIII-
XXI), and from the Prophet Isaias, the passages
that record his vision of the throne of God and the
seraph's purifying his lips with a burning coal (Isaias

i. Matt. XII, 46-30; Mark II I, 31 ; Ltike VIII, 19-21.

" Is It Lawful to Heal on the SafcbatK? '- 211

VI, 1-13). The synagogue was overflowing with' people,
and a great crowd was standing outside. The doors
and windows were all thrown open, and many people
were looking in from! the adjacent buildings. Num
bers of Pharisees and Herodians were present, all
filled with rage and bitterness. The recently cured
were in the synagogue as well as all the disciples
and relatives of Jesus. The citizens of Capharnaum
and the crowds of strangers were full of reverence
and admiration for Jesus, and so the Pharisees did
not dare to attack Him! without apparent reason.
They had besides come to the synagogue more
out of a desire to support one another in their vain
boasting than to make any serious opposition to Him,
though this latter they were not able to do. They
no longer cared to contradict Him in public, as on
such occasions His replies generally put them to
shame before the people. But when Jesus withdrew,
they sought by every possible means to turn the
people away from Him, and they set lies afloat
against Him.

They knew now that the rrian with the withered
hand was there, and they wanted to see whether
Jesus would heal him on the Sabbath that they
might accuse Him. This was especially the desire
of those that had just come from Jerusalem. They
were anxious for something to take home with' them,
and lay before the Sanhedrim. As they could allege
nothing of importance against Him and although they
well knew His sentiments on the point, they always
returned as if in ignorance to the same question,
and to it Jesus with unwearied patience generally
gave the 'same answer. Several of them now put
the query": " Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath1? "
Jesus knowing their thoughts, called the man with'
the withered hand, placed him in the midst of them,
and said: " Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath-
day, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
No one answered. Then Jesus repeated the similitude

212 Life of Jesus Christ

of which He generally made use on such occasions:
" What man shall there be among you that hath
one sheep: and if the same fall into a pit on the
Sabbath-day, will he not take hold on it and lift
it up? How much better is a man than a sheep!
Therefore it is lawful to do a good deed on the
Sabbath-day. " He was very much troubled at the
obduracy of these men, and His angry glance pen
etrated to the bottom of their soul. Taking the
arm of the poor man in His left hand, He stroked
it down with the right, straightened out and sep
arated the crooked fingers, and said: ""Stretch out
thy hand! " The man stretched out his hand and
moved it. It had become as long as the other
ana was perfectly cured1. The whole scene was the
work of an instant. The man cast himself with thanks
at Jesus' feet and the people broke forth into shouts
of jubilation, while the enraged Pharisees withdrew
to the entrance of the synagogue to discuss what
they had witnessed. Jesus next drove the devil from
the possessed whom He had left waiting at the door,
and instantly speech and hearing were given him.
The people again shouted for joy, and the Phar
isees again gave utterance to their slanderous ex
pression: " He has a devil! He drives out one devil
by the help of another! Jesus turned toward
them and said: " Who among you can convict Me
of sin? If the tree is good, so too is the fruit good:
if the tree is evil, so also is the fruit evil, for by
the fruit the tree is known. O generation of vipers,
how can you speak good things, whereas you are
evil! Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh. "

At these words, the Pharisees set up a great cry:
" He shall make an end of all this! We have had
enough of this! " and one of them carried his
insolence so far as to call out: " Dost Thou not
know that we can put Thee out? " Jesus and the
disciples now left the synagogue, and hurried by

Jesus Instructs th% Apostles 213

different routes some to Mary's house, some to Peter's
near the lake. Jesus took a repast at His Mother's,
and then passed the night with The Twelve in Peter's
house. The latter being the more distant of the
two, afforded a safer retreat.

The whole of the following day Jesus, the twelve
Apostles, and the disciples spent at Peter's healing
the sick. The multitude was waiting for Him and.
seeking Him in many places, but He remained shut
up in the house.

During the day Jesus called before Him the Ap
ostles and disciples, two and two, as He had sent
them, and received from them an account of all
that had happened to them during their mission.
He solved the doubts and difficulties that had arisen
in certain circumstances, and instructed them how
they should act in the future. He told them a£ain
that He would soon give them! a new1 mission. The
six Apostles who had been laboring in Upper-Galilee
had been well received. They had found the people
well disposed and had in consequence baptized many.
The others, who had gone to Judea, had not bap
tized any, and here and there had experienced con
tradiction.

The crowd around the house becoming1 greater and
greater, Jesus and His followers slipped away se
cretly. The stars shed their light down upon the
little party, as they hurried along the by-paths to
Peter's bark. They ferried across the lake and land
ed between Matthew's custom-house and Little-Gor-
ozain. From there they climbed the mountain at
whose foot stood the custom-house, for Jesus wanted
to instruct the disciples in solitude. But the multitude
had caught a glimpse of their departure, and the
news soon spread through the tents of the encamp
ment. The crowd near Bethsaida soon crossed, some
over the lake, others further up over the Jordan.
bridge, and so Jesus and His party here on the
mountain were again surrounded by the immense

214 Life of Jesus Christ

multitude. The disciples ranged the people in order,
and Jesus began again His instructions on the Beati
tudes and prayer. He again explained the first pe
tition of the Our Father. As the hours flew by, the
crowds increased. People came from all the cities
around, from Julias, Gbrozain, and Gergesa, bringing
with them the sick and possessed. Numbers were
healed by Jesus and the disciples.

The instructions over, the multitude dispersed the
next day at the place on which this sermon on
the mount had been delivered. Jesus with the A-
postles and disciples then retired higher up the moun
tain to a shady, solitary spot. Besides The Twelve,
there were with Jesus seventy-two disciples. Among
them were the two soldiers from Machserus and some
that had not yet been formally received as disciples and
had never been on a mission. The sons of Joseph's
brother were there.

Jesus then instructed the disciples upon the work
in store for them. He told them that they should
take with them neither purse nor money nor bread,
but only a staff and a pair of sandals, that wherever
they were ungraciously received, they should shake
the dust from their shoes. He gave them some
general directions for their coming duties as Apostles
and disciples, called them the salt of the earth, and
spoke of the light that must not be placed under
a bushel, and of the city seated upon a mountain.
Still He 'did not inform them of the full measure of
persecution awaiting them.

The main point however of this instruction was
that by which Jesus drew a definitive line between
the Apostles and the disciples, the former of whom
were set over the latter. To them He said that they
should send and call the disciples as He Himself sent
and called them, namely, the Apostles. This they
were empowered to do by virtue of their own mis
sion. Among the disciples Jesus likewise formed
several classes, setting the eldest and best instructed

Jesus Cures and Instructs 215

over the younger and more recently received. He
arranged them in the following manner, the Apostles
two by two headed by Peter and John. The elder
disciples formed a circle around them, and back of
these the younger according to the rank He had
assigned them. Then He addressed to them words
of earnest and touching instruction, and imposed
hands upon the Apostles as a ratification of the
dignity to which He had raised them; the disciples,
He merely blessed. All this was done with the greatest
tranquillity. The whole scene was deeply impressive.
No one offered the least resistance or showed the
least sign of discontent. By this time it was even
ing, and Jesus with Andrew, John, Philip, and James
the Less plunged deeper into the mountains, and
there spent the night in prayer.

12. THE FEEDING OF; THE FIVE THOUSAND

When next morning Jesus and the Apostles re
turned to the mount upon which He had already
taught several times on the Eight Beatitudes, He
found the multitude assembled. The other Apostles
had arranged the sick in sheltered places. Jesus and
the Apostles began to heal and to instruct. Many
who in those days had now1 come for the first time
to Capharnaum, knelt in a circle, to receive baptism.
The water, which had been brought for that purpose
in leathern bottles, was sprinkled over 'them three
at a time.

The Mother of Jesus had come with the other
women, and she now helped among* the sick women
and children. She did not exchange words with Jesus,
but returned betimes to Capharnaum.

Jesus taught of the Eight Beatitudes and went as
far as the sixth. The instruction on prayer, begun
at Capharnaum, He repeated and explained some
of the petitions of the Our Father.

Reaching and healing went on till after four o'clock,

216 Life of Jesus Christ

and all this time the listening" crowds had had nothing
to eat. They had now followed from the day before,
and the scanty provisions they had brought with
them were exhausted. Many among them were quite
weak and languishing for nourishment. The Apostles
noticing this, approached Jesus with the request that
He would close the instruction in order that the
people might hunt up lodgings for the night and
procure food. Jesus replied: " They need not go
away for that. Give them here something to eat! "
Philip made answer: " Shall we go and buy two
hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to
eat? " This he said with some unwillingness, be
cause he thought Jesus was about to lay upon them
the fatigue off gathering up from the environs suf
ficient bread for all that crowd. Jesus answered:
" See how many loaves you have! " and went on
with His discourse. There was in the crowd a
servant, who had been sent by his master with
five loaves and two fishes as a present to the A-
postles. Andrew told this to Jesus with the words:
" But what is that among so many? " Jesus ordered
the loaves and fishes to be brought, and when they
were laid on the sod before Him, He continued
the explanation of the petition for daily bread. Many
of the people were fainting, and the children were
crying for bread. Then Jesus, in order to try Philip,
asked him: " Where shall we buy bread, that these
people may eat? " and Philip answered: " Two
hundred pennyworth would not be sufficient for all
this crow'd. " Jesus said: " Let the people be seated,
the most famished by fifties, the others in groups
of a hundred ; and bring Me the baskets of • bread
that you have at hand. ' The disciples set before
Him a row of shallow baskets woven of broad
strips of bark, such as were used for bread. Then
they scattered among the people, whom they ar
ranged in fifties and hundreds all down the terraced
mountain, which was .clothed with grass beautiful

Feeding the Five Thousand 217

and long. Jesus was above, the people seated beloW
Him on the mountain side.

Near the place upon which Jesus taught, was a
high mossy bank, in which Were several caves. On
it Jesus directed a broad napkin to be spread, upon
which were deposited the five loaves and two fishes.
The loaves lay one upon the other on the napkin.
They were long and narrow, about two inches in
thickness. The crust Was thin and yelloW, and the
inside, though not perfectly white, was close and
fine. They were marked with stripes to make- it
more easy to break them or cut them with a knife.
The fish were of a good arm's length. Their heads
were somewhat projecting, not like our fish. Cut
up, roasted, and ready for eating, they lay upon
large leaves. Another man had brought a couple
of honeycombs, and they too were laid on the napkin.

While the disciples numbered the people and seat
ed them in fifties and hundreds as Jesus had directed,
He cut the five loaves with a bone knife, and the
fish, which had been split down lengthwise, He
divided into cross pieces. After that He took' one
of the loaves in His hands, raised it on high and
prayed. He did the same with one of the fish. I do
not remember whether He did the samie with' the honey
or not. Three of the disciples were at His side. Jesus
now blessed the bread, the fish', and the honey, and be
gan to break the cross-sections into pieces, and these
again into smaller portions. "Every portion immedi
ately increased to the original size of the loaf, and
on its surface appeared as before the dividing lines.
Jesus then broke the individual pieces into portions
sufficiently large to satisfy a man, and gave with
each a piece of fish. Saturnin, who was at His
side, laid the piece of fish upon the portion of bread,
and a young disciple of the Baptist, a shepherd's
son, who later on became a Bishop, laid upon each
a sm'all 'quantity jpf honey. There was no perceptible
diminution in the fish, and the honeycomb appeared

21S Life of Jesus Christ

to increase. Thaddeus laid the portions of bread upon
which were the fish and honey in the flat baskets,
which were then borne away to those in most need,
who sat in the fifties and were served first.

As soon as the empty baskets were brought back,
they were exchanged for full ones, and so the work
went on for about two hours until all had been fed.
They that had a wife and children (and these were
separated from the men) found their portion so large
that they could abundantly share with them. The
people drank of the water that had been conveyed
thither in leathern bottles. Most of them used cups
formed of bark folded into the shape of a cone,
and others had with them hollow gourds.

The whole affair was conducted most expeclitiously
and with perfect order. The "Apostles and disciples
were, for the most part, occupied in carrying: the
baskets here and there and in distributing their coin-
tents. But all were silent and filled with amazement
at the sight of such a multiplication. The size of
the loaves was about two spans, or eighteen inches
in length, and a fifth less in breadth. They were
divided by ridges into twenty parts, tive in length
and four in breadth, so that the substance of every
one of those parts increased fiftyfold, in order to feed
five thousand men. The bread was a good three
lingers in thickness. The fish1 were cut 'in two length
wise. Jesus divided each half into numerous portions.
It was only the two fish all the time, for it was
in substance and not in number that they were most
wonderfully increased.

When all had satisfied their hunger, Jesus bade
the disciples to go around with the baskets and gather
up the scraps, that nothing might be lost. They
collected twelve baskets full. A great many of the
people asked to take some of the pieces home with
them as souvenirs. There were no soldiers present
this time, though I was accustomed to see many at

" He is our King!' 219

all the other great instructions. They had been called
to Hesebon where Herod was then sojourning.

When the people arose from their meal, they
gathered everywhere in groups, full of wonder :and
admiration at this miracle of the Lord. From mouth
to mouth ran the word: "This man is genuine! He is
the Prophet that was to come into the world! He is
the Promised One! "

It was now growing dusk, so Jesus bade the dis
ciples go to their barks and cross before Him to
Bethsaida, meanwhile He would take leave of the
people and then follow. The disciples obeyed. Taking
the baskets of bread they went down to their ships,
and some of them crossed over to Bethsaida at once.
The Apostles and some of the older disciples re
mained behind [a little longer and then departed on
Peter's bark.

Jesus now dismissed the multitude, who were deeply
moved. Scarcely had He left the spot upon which
He had been teaching, when the shout arose: " He
has given us bread! He is our King! We will make
Him our King! " But Jesus disappeared into the
solitude, and there gave Himself up to prayer.

13. JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA

Peter's bark with the Apostles and several of the
disciples was delayed during the night by contrary
winds. They rowed vigorously, but were driven to
the south of the proper direction. I saw that every
two hours little boats with torches were sent out from,
either bank. They bore belated passengers to the
large ships, and served in the darkness to mark their
direction. As, like sentinels, they were relieved every
two hours, they were 'here called night-watches. "I
saw these boats changed four times, w"hile Peter's
ship was being driven south of its right course.

Then Jesus walked on the sea in a direction from
northeast to southwest. He wa,s shining with light.

220 Life of Jesus Christ

Rays darted from Him, and one could see His image
reversed in the water under His feet. To walk in
a direction from Bethsaida-Julias to Tiberias, almost
opposite which was Peter's ship, Jesus 'had to pass
between the two night-boats that were rowing out
into the sea, one from Capharnaum and the other
from the opposite bank. The people in these boats
seeing Him walking, raised a: long cry of fear and
sounded a horn, for they took Him for a phantom.
The Apostles on Peter's ship which, in order to
find the true course was guiding itself by the light
from one of those boats, glanced in the direction of
the sound, and saw Him coming' toward them. He
appeared to be gliding along more rapidly than in
ordinary walking, and wherever He approached, the
sea became calm. But a fog rested upon the water,
so that He could be seen only at a certain distance.
Although they had once before seen Him thus walking,
still the unusual and spectre-like sight filled them
with terror, and they uttered a great cry.

But suddenly they recalled the circumstance of Je
sus' first walking on the Water and Peter, once more
desirous of showing his faith, cried out again in his
ardor: " Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to Thee! "
Jesus replied: "Come! " This time Peter ran a
greater distance toward Jesus, but his faith did not
yet suffice. He was already close to Him, when he
again thought of his danger, and on the instant began
to sink. He stretched out his hand and cried : " Lord,
save me! ' He did not however sink to so great
a depth as the first time. Jesus again addressed
to him the words: " O thou of little faith1, why dost
thdu doubt? ' When Jesus mounted the ship, all
ran to cast themselves at His feet crying': " Truly,
Thou art the^ Son of God! ' Jesus reproved them
for their fear and little faith, .gave them1 a severe
reprimand, and then instrucetd them upon the Our
Father. He ordered them to steer more to the south.
They now had a favorable wind and made the jour-

Dalmanutha 221

ney quickly, taking meanwhile a little rest in the
cabin under the rower's stand around the mast. The
storm on this occasion was not so violent as that of
the preceding, but they had got into the current
of the lake, which in the middle was very strong,
and they could not get out of it.

Jesus allowed Peter to come to Him on the water
in order to humble him, for He knew very well
that he was going to sink. Peter was very fiery and
strong in believing, and in his zeal he wanted to
give a testimony of his faith to Jesus and the disciples.
By his sinking, he was preserved from pride, The
others had not sufficient confidence to wish to follow
his example and, while wondering at Peter's faith,
they could see that although it excelled their own
it was not yet what it ought to be.

At sunrise Peter's ship put to on the east side of
the lake at a little hamlet consisting of only a couple
of rows of houses between Magdala and Dalmanutha.
The hamlet belonged to the latter. It is this place
that is meant when the Gospel says, " into the parts
of Dalmanutha. " *

As soon as they perceived the approach of the ship,
the inhabitants began to get all their sick ready, and
they came to meet Jesus on the shore. He ,and
the disciples healed in the streets. After that He
went to> a hill at a; short distance beyond Dalmanutha,
where all the inhabitants, jews and pagans, assembled
around Him. There He taught upon the Eight Beati
tudes and the Our Father. 'He also healed the sick
whom they had brought with them.

This little place was near the ferry, and in it the
toll was paid. The people in general were occupied
\with the transportation of iron from the iron city of
Ephron unto !Basan. This was the point from wliich
they shipped iron to all the other seaports of Galilee.
From the mountains they could see over into Ephron,

1. Mark VIII, 10.

222 Lif e °* Jesus Christ

From this place Jesus embarked with the Apostles
for Tarichsea, which was situated from three to four
hours south of Tiberias. The city was built on a
height, a quarter of an hour from the seashore,
down to which however were houses scattered here
and there. The shore from this point to the efflux
of the Jordan was bordered with a wall strong and
black, upon which a road extended. It was a recently
built city, very beautiful and of pagan architecture
with colonnades in front of the houses. In the market
place was a beautiful fountain protected by a pillar
ed roof.

Jesus went at once to this fountain arid thither
flocked the people with their sick, whom He healed.
Numbers of women stood veiled with their children
at some distance behind the men. Pharisees and
Sadducees were standing around Jesus, among them
some Herodians, while He discoursed upon the Eight
Beatitudes and the Our Father. The Pharisees were
not slow in bringing forward their accusations which
as ever turned upon the same points, namely, that
He frequented the society of publicans and sinners,
that He attracted after Him women of bad repute,
that His disciples did not wash their hands before
meals, that He cured upon the Sabbath, etc. Jesus
cut them short, and called the children to Him.
After curing, instructing, and blessing them, He pre
sented them to the Pharisees with the words: " Ye
must become like untoi these. "

Tarichaea was less elevated than Tiberias. Quanti
ties of fish were here salted and dried. Before enter
ing the city, the traveller met large wooden- frames
upon which the fish lay drying.

The country in these parts was uncommonly fertile.
The heights around the city were covered with ter
races full of vineyards and every variety of fruit-
trees. The whole region as far as Thabor and the
Baths of -Bethulia was, beyond all conception, bloom-

The Bread of Life 223

ing-, teeming with abundance. It was most generally
known as the Land of Genesareth.

Toward evening4 Jesus left Tarichasa and sailed
with the disciples across the lake in a northeasterly
direction. He taught while on the ship, but only
of the Our Father, and this time of the fourth petition.
When alone with them, Jesus always prepared His
disciples for His public, more elevated teachings.

14. JESUS TEACHES OF, THE; BREAD OF
LIFE

Jesus spent the night on the ship, which' was an
chored on the shore between Matthew's custom office
and Bethsai da- Julias. Next morning He discoursed
upon the Our Father before about a hundred people,
and toward midday sailed with the disciples to the
region of Capharnaum, where they landed unnoticed
and went at once to Peter's. Here Jesus met Lazarus,
who had come hither with Veronica's son and some
people from Hebron.

When Jesus ascended the height behind Peter's
house, over which ran the shortest route from Caph
arnaum to Bethsaida, the multitude encamped around
it followed Him. Several of those present the day
before at the multiplication of the loaves and who
had been seeking Him ever since, asked Him: "Rabbi,
when earnest Thou hither? We have been seeking"
Thee on both sides of the lake. Jesus, at the
same time beginning His sermon, answered them:
" Amen, amen, I say to you,, you seek Me, not be
cause you have seen miracles, but because you did
eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for
the meat which perisheth but for that which en-
dureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of Man
will give you. For Him hath God the Father seal
ed. ' These words stand thus in the Gospel, but
they are only the principal points of those that

224 Life of Jesus Chrjst

Jesus pronounced on this occasion, for He dwelt
largely on the subject. The people whispered to one
another: " What does He mean by the Son of Man?
We are all children of man! ' When upon His ad
monition that they should do the works of God, they
asked what they should do to fulfil those works,
He answered: " Believe in Him whom He hath
sent! " and then He gave them an instruction upon
faith. They asked again what kind of a miracle
He would perform that they might believe. Moses
gave their fathers bread from heaven that they might
believe in him, namely, the manna. What, they now
asked, was Jesus going to give them. To this Jesus
answered: " I s"ay to you, Moses gave you not bread
from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread
from heaven. For 'the bread of God is that which
cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the
world. "

Of this bread Jesus taught in detail, and some of
them said to Him: " Lord, give us always this bread! "
But others objected: " His Father gives us bread
from heaven! How can that be? His father Joseph
is already dead! " Jesus continued to teach on the
same subject, dwelling upon it at great length, de
veloping it and explaining isni most precise terms. But
only a few understood Him. The others fancied them
selves, wise; they thought they knew all things.

On the following day Jesus from the hill behind
Peter's house continued the subject of yesterday's
discourse. There were about two thousand people
present, who exchanged places by turns, some com
ing forward, others withdrawing, that all might get
a chance to hear better. Jesus also changed His
position from time to time. He went from one place
to another, lovingly and patiently repeating His words
of instruction and refuting the same objections. Apart
from the crowd, were many women veiled. The Phar
isees kept moving to and fro, questioning and whisper
ing their doubts among the people.

The Bread of Life 2125

Today Jesus spoke out in plain words. He said:
" I am the Bread of Life. He that cometh to Me
shall not hunger, and he that believeth in Me shall
never thirst. All that the Father giveth Me shall
come to Me and him that cometh to Me, I will
not cast out. Because I came down from heaven,
not to do My own will, but the will of Him that
sent Me. Now this is the will of the Father, who
sent Me: that of all that He hath given Me, I -should
lose nothing, but should raise it up again in the
last day. And this is the will of My Father that
sent Me that every one who seeth the Son and
believeth in Him, may have life everlasting, and I
will raise him up at the last day. -'

But there were many who did not understand Him,
and they said: " How can He say that He has come
down from heaven? He is truly the son of the
carpenter Joseph, His Mother and relatives are among
us, and we know even the parents of His father
Joseph! He has said to-day that God is His Father,
and then He said again that He is the Son of
'Man! ' and they murmured. Jesus said to them:

Murmur not among yourselves. 'No man can come
to Me, except the Father, who hath sent Me, draw
him. Again they failed to grasp His meaning,
and they asked what the words : <c The Father draw
him, " signified. They took them quite literally. Jesus
answered : " It is written in the Prophets, ' And they
shall all be taught of God. ' Every one that hath heard
and learned it of the Father cometh to Me! "

Thereupon many of them asked: " Are we not with
Him? And have we not yet heard of the Father,
learned of the Father? To which Jesus made
answer: ' No one hath seen the Father, but He
who is of God. He that believeth in Me, hath ever
lasting life. I am the Bread that cometh down from
heaven, the Bread of Life. "

Then they said again among themselves that they
knew of no bread that came down from heaven,'

Life of Jesus Christ. — HI.

226 Life of Jesus Christ

excepting the manna:. Jesus explained that the
manna was not the Bread of Life, for their fathers
who had eaten it were dead. But whosoever ate of
the Bread that came down from heaven, should not
die. He said that He was the living: Bread, and
that he who jate thereof should live forever.

All these instructions were accompanied by full ex
planations and quotations from the Law and the
Prophets. But most of the Jews would not comprehend
them. They took all literally according to the com
mon, human acceptation, and again asked: "What
meaneth these words, that we should eat Him and
eternal life? Who, then, has eternal life, and who
can eat of Him? Henoch and Elias have been taken
away from; the earth,, and they say that they are
not dead; nor does any one know whither Malachias
has gone, for no one knows of his death. But apart
from these, all lother men must die. " Jesus replied
by asking them whether they knew where Henoch
and Elias were and where Malachias was. As for
Himself, this knowledge was not concealed from Him.
But did they know what Henoch believed, what Elias
and Malachias prophesied? and He explained sev
eral of their prophecies.

Jesus taught no more that day. The people were
in an extraordinary state of excitement; they reflected
on His words and disputed their meaning; among
themselves. Many of the new disciples even, espe
cially those lately received from among John's, doubted
and wavered. They had swelled the number of the
disciples to seventy, for up to this period Jesus had
only thirty-six. The women were now about thirty-
four, though the number engaged in the service of
the Community at last amounted to seventy. It was
increased by all the stewardesses, maid-servants, and
directresses of the inns.

Jesus again taught the people on the hill outside the
city. He said nothing more of the Bread of Life
however, but confined Himself to the Beatitudes and

The Bread of Life 227

the Our Father. The croWd Was very great, but be
cause most of the sick were 'already cured, the throng
ing and hurrying were less than usual. The carrying
of the sick to the scene of action and their subsequent
departure always gave rise to much confusion and
disturbance, since every one wanted to be first both
in coming and going. All, and especially many
of John's disciples, were in great expectation, eager
to hear the end of the instruction begun on the
previous day.

That evening as Jesus was teaching in the syna
gogue upon the lesson o£ the Sabbath, some of His
hearers interrupted Him with the question: "'How
canst Thou call Thyself the Bread of Life come down
from heaven, since every one knows whence Thou
art? ' To which Jesus answered by repeating all
that He had already said on that subject.

The Pharisees again offered the same objections,
and when they appealed to their father Abraham and
to Moses, asking how He could call God His father,
Jesus put to them the question: " How can ye call
Abraham: your father and Moses your Law-giver, since
ye do not follow the commandments or the example
of either Abraham! or Moses? ' Then He placed
clearly before them their perverse actions and their
wicked, hypocritical life. They became confused and
enraged.

Now Jesus resumed and continued His instructions
on the Bread of Life. He said, " The bread that I
will give, is My flesh' for the life of the world.
At these words, murmurs and whispers ran through
the crowd: " How can He give us His flesh to eat?
Jesus continued and taught at length as the Gospel
records: " Except you eat the flesh of the Son of
Man and drink His blood, you shall not have life
in you. But he that eateth My flesh and drinketh
My blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him.
up 'in the last day. 'For My flesh is meat indeed:
and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My

228 Life of Jesus Christ

flesh and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me and
I in him. As the living Father had sent Me, ajid
I live by the Father, so he that eateth Me, the same
also shall live by Me. This is the bread that came
down from heaven. It is not bread like the manna,
of which your fathers did eat, and yet diedl He
that eateth this bread, shall live forever. ' ' Jesus
then explained many passages from the Prophets,
especially from Malachias, and showed their accom
plishment in John the Baptist of whom He spoke
at length. They asked when He would give them
that food of which Hie spfoke 'He answered distinctly:
"'In its own time, " and then, with a peculiar
expression, signified a certain period in weeks. I
counted as He spoke, and got: one year, six weeks,
and some days. The people were very greatly agitated,
and the Pharisees took care to incite them still more.

After that Jesus again taught in the synagogue.
'He explained the sixth and the seventh petition of
the Our Father, also the Beatitude, " .Blessed are the
poor in spirit. " He said that they who are learned
ought not to be conscious of it, just as the rich ought
not to know that they possess riches. Then the Jews
murmured again and said; " Of what use would such
knowledge or such riches fre, if the owner did not
know that he possessed either the one or the other?-"
Jesus answered: " Blessed are the poor in spirit! '
adding that they should feel themselves poor and
humble before God from whom all wisdom conies,
and apart from whom all wisdom is an abomination.

When the Jews questioned Him again upon His
discourse of the preceding day, that on the Bread
of Life, on the eating of His flesh and the drinking
of His blood, He repeated His former instruction
in strong and precise terms. Many of His disciples
murmured and said : " This saying "is hard, and who
can hear it? " Jesus replied that they should not
be scandalized, they would witness things still more
•wonderful, and He predicted to them clearly that

Opposition of the Pharisees 229

they -would persecute Him, that even the most faithful
among them would abandon Him and take to flight,
and that He would fall into the arms of His enemies,
who would put Him to death. But,' He said, He
\vould not abandon His unfaithful disciples, His Spirit
would hover near them. The words, "He would run
into the arms of His enemy, " were not exactly those
used by Jesus. It was rather that He would em
brace His enemy, or be embraced by Him, but^ I
no longer remember which. It referred to the kiss
and perfidy of Judas. .

As the Jews were now still more scandalized, Jesus
said: " If then you shall see the Son of Man ascend
up where He was before? It is the spirit that
quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words
that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But
there are some among you that believe not, there
fore did I say to you: No man can come to 'Me,
unless it be given him by My Father.

These words of Jesus, were greeted by jeers and
murmurs throughout the synagogue. About thirty of
the new disciples, principally the narrow-minded fol
lowers of John, went over to the Pharisees, and began
to whisper with them, and express their dissatisfaction,
but the Apostles and the older disciples gathered
more closely around Jesus. He continued to teach
and said aloud: '" It is well that those men showed
of whose spirit they are the children before they
occasioned greater mischief.

As 'He was leaving the synagogue the Pharisees
and the disloyal disciples who had colleagued with
them1, wanted to detain Him in order to argue with
Him and demand explanations on many points.
But the Apostles, His disciples, and other friends
surrounded Him, so that He escaped their importun
ities, though amid shouts and confusion. Their speech
was such as might be heard from the men of our
own day: " Now we have it! Now1 we need nothing
more! He has doubtless proved to every sensible

230 Life of Jesus Christ

man that He is Himself bereft of reason. We must
eat His flesh! We must drink His blood! He is from
heaven! He will ascend into heaven! '

Jesus went with His followers, though by different
routes, to the hill and valley north of the city near
the dwellings of Zorobabel and Cornelius. When they
reached a certain place, He began to instruct His
disciples, and then it was that He asked The Twelve
whether they too were going to leave Him1. Peter
answered for all: " Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou
hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed
and have known that Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God! " Jesus answered among other
things: "I also have chosen you twelve, and yet
one among you is a devil!

Mary was present with other women at that last
discourse of Jesus on the mountain, as well as that
delivered »in jthe synagoue. Of all the mysteries
propounded in these discourses, she had long had
the interior consciousness; only just as the Second
Person of the Godhead having taken flesh in her,
became Man and her Child, so too was this knowl
edge hidden, enveloped as it were in the most "humble,
the most reverential love of her mother-heart for
Jesus. Since Jesus had now taught more plainly of these
mysteries than ever before, to the scandal of those
that wilfully shut their eyes to the light, the medita
tions of Mary were directed to them. I saw her
in her chamber that night praying. She had a vision,
an interior contemplation of the Angelical Saluta
tion, the Birth, and the Childhood of Jesus, of her
own maternity, and of His Sonship. She contemplated
her Child as the Son of God, and was so overcome
by humility and reverence that she melted into tears.
But all these contemplations were again absorbed
in the feeling of maternal love for her Divine Son,
just as the appearance of bread hides the living1
God in the Sacrament.

At the separation of the disciples from Jesus, I

The Kingdom of Christ 231

saw in two circles the Kingdom of Christ and the
kingdom of Satan. I saw the city of Satan and
the Babylonian harlot with its prophets and prophet
esses, its wonder-workers and apostles, all in great
magnificence, more brilliant, richer, and more numer
ous than was the Kingdom of Jesus. Kings, emperors,
and even priests coursed therein with horse and chariot,
and for Satan was set a magnificent throne.

But the Kingdom of Christ upon earth I saw poor
and insignificant, full of misery and suffering. I saw
Mary as the Church, and Christ on the Cross. He
too was like the Church, the entrance to which was
through the Wound of His Side.

15. JESUS IN DAN AND ORNITKOPPLIS

As Jesus with the Apostles and disciples Was making
the journey from Capharnaum to Cana and Cydessa,
I ,:saw Him in the region of ,.Giskala! ^placing The
Twelve in three separate rows and revealing to each
his own peculiar disposition and character. Peter,
Andrew, John, James the Greater, and Matthew stood
in the first row; Thaddeus, Bartholomew, James the
Less, and the disciple Barsabas, in the second; Thom
as, Simon, Philip, and Judas Iscariot, in the third.
Each heard his own thoughts and hopes revealed
to him by Jesus, and all were strongly affected. Jesus
delivered at the same time a lengthy discourse upon
the hardships and sufferings that awaited them, and
on this occasion He again made use of the expression:
" Among you there is a devil. "

The three different rows established no subordina
tion among fthe Apostles, one to (another. The Twelve
were classed merely according to their disposition
and character. Joses Barsabas stood foremost in the
row of the disciples, and nearest to The Twelve; con
sequently, Jesus placed him also in the second row
with the Apostles, and revealed to him his hopes
and fears. On this journey Jesus further instructed

Life of Jesus Christ

The Twelve and the disciples exactly how to proceed
in the future when healing the sick and exorcising
the possessed, as He Himself did in such cases.
He imparted to them the power and the courage
always to effect, by imposition of hands and anointing
with oil, what He Himself could do. This communica
tion of power took place without the imposition of
hands, though not without a substantial transmission.
They stood around Jesus, and I saw rays darting
toward them of different colors, according to the
nature ot the gifts received and the peculiar dis
position of each recipient. They exclaimed : " Lord,
we feel ourselves endued with strength! Thy words
are truth and life! ' And now each knew just what
he had to do 'in every case in order to effect a cure.
There was no room left for either choice or reflection*

After that Jesus with all His disciples arrived at
Elcese, a place distant from Capharnaum one hour
and a half. There in the synagogue He 'delivered the
sermon of the Sabbath, in which reference was made
to the building of Solomon's Temple. I remember
that He addressed the Apostles arid disciples as the
workmen who were to fell the cedars on the mountain
and prepare them for the building. He spoke also
the interior adornment of the Temple. The services
over, at which many Pharisees were in attendance
Jesus was invited to dine. The meal Was taken at
a house of public entertainment. Many people stood
around during it, to hear what Jesus was saying*
and numbers of the poor were fed. The Pharisees'
having remarked that the disciples had not washed
their hands before coming to table, asked Jesus why
disciples did not respect the prescriptions of
their forefathers, and why they did not observe the

istcmary purifications. Jesus responded to their

question by asking why they themselves did not keep

the Commandments, why with all their traditions they

not honor their father and mother, and He

reproached them with their hypocrisy and their vain

Jesus Defends His Disciples 233

adherence to external purification. During this dispute
the meal came to an end. Jesus however continued
to address the crowd that pressed around Him:
" Hear ye and understand! Not that which goeth into
the mouth defiled a man ; but what cometh out of
the mouth, this defileth a man. He that has ears
to hear, let him hear! The disciples who had
remained behind in the entertainment hall, told Jesus
that these words of His had greatly scandalized the
Pharisees. To which He responded: " Every plant
that My Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall
be rooted up 1 Let them alone ! They are blind and
leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind,
both fall into the pit.

When on the following evening* Jesus was closing
the Sabbath instruction, the Pharisees again reproach
ed Him on account of the irregular mode of the
disciples' fasting. But Jesus retorted by charging them'
with their avarice and want of mercy. Among other
things, He said: " The disciples eat after long labor,
and then only if others are supplied. But if these
latter are hungry, they give them what they have,
and God blesses it. ' Here Jesus recalled the mul
tiplication of the loaves, on which occasion the dis
ciples had given their bread and fish to the hungry
multitude, and He asked the Pharisees whether they
would have done the same.

From Elcese, Jesus went with the Apostles and
disciples through Cedes-Nephtali to Dan, called also
Lais, or Leschem. Cedes Nephtali was a stronghold
and Levitical city built of black, shining stone. On
the way Jesus instructed His followers, His subject
always being prayer. He explained the Our Father.
He told them that in the past they had not prayed
worthily, but like Esau had asked for the fat of the
earth; but now like Jacob they should petition for
the dew of heaven, for spiritual gifts, for the blessing
of spiritual illumination, for the Kingdom according
to the will of God, and not for one in accordance

234 Life of Jesus Christ

with their own ideas. He reminded them that even
tjtie heathens themselves did not petition for temporal
goods alone, but also for those of a spiritual nature.

The city o¥ Dan, situated at the base of a high
mountain-range, covered a wide extent owing to the
fact that every one of its houses was surrounded
by a garden. All the inhabitants were engaged in
garden tillage. They raised fruits and aromatic plants
of all kinds, also calamus, myrrh, balsam, cotton,
and many sweet scented herbs, which formed the staple
of their trade with Tyre and Sidon. The pagans of
Dan were more mixed up with the Jews than in
other cities. Although this region was so delightful
and fertile, yet there were many sick in it.

Jesus put up with the disciples at one of His own
inns situated in the heart of the city. The Apostles
and disciples had established it when on their last
mission here. Counting" the Apostles, the disciples
with Jesus at this time amounted to thirty. They
who had already been here and to whom consequent
ly the inhabitants applied, led Jesus around to the
different sick. The rest of the disciples scattered
among the surrounding places. Peter, John, and
James stayed with Jesus, who went about from house
to house healing the sick. He cured the dropsical,
the melancholy, the possessed, several slightly af
fected with leprosy, the lame, and especially numbers
of blind, and others with swollen cheeks and limbs.

The blindness so prevalent came from the sting
of a little insect that infested this country. Jesus
pointed out aij herb, with whose juice He bade them;
anoint their eyes in order to prevent the insect from
stinging them. He gave to them also a moral ap
plication of its meaning. The swellings, which be
came inflamed and produced gangrene that ended
in the death of many thus afflicted, were likewise
caused by little insects like mildew that were blown
from the trees. They were grayish black, like chimney
soot, and were borne like a dense black cloud through

Jesus Healing in Dan 235

the air. The insect bit into the skin and raised a
large swelling. Jesus pointed out another insect, which
was to be crushed and applied to the bite. He told
them in future to make use of it in similar cases. It
had fifteen little points on the back, as large as an
ant's egg, and it could roll itself up into a ball.

16. THE SYROPiHENICIAN;

While Jesus was going from! house to house in
Dan healing the sick, He Was perseveringly followed
by an aged woman, a pagan, who was crippled on
one side. She was from Ornithopolis. She remained
humbly at some distance and, from time to time,
implored help. But Jesus paid no attention to her,
He even appeared to shun her, for He was now
healing sick Jews only. A servant accompanied the
woman bearing her baggage. She was habited in
the garb of a foreigner. Her dress was of striped
material, the arms and neck trimmed wtih lace. On
her head she wore a high, pointed cap, over which
was tied a colored kerchief, and lastly a veil. She
had at home a daughter sick and possessed, and
for a long time she had been hoping1 for aid from
Jesus. She was in Dan a,t the time of the Apostles'
mission there, and they now more than once re
minded Jesus of her. But He replied that it was
not yet time, that He wanted to 'avoid giving offence,
and that 'He would not help the pagans before the
Jews.

In the afternoon Jesus went with Peter, James,
and John to the house of one of the Jewish Elders
of the city, a man very well disposed, ai friend of
Lazarus and Nicodemus, and in secret a follower ol
Jesus. He had contributed largely to the common
fund of the holy women and to the support of the
inns. He had two sons and three daughters, all of
mature age, he himself being an old man far ad
vanced in years. The children were unmarried. Jhe

236 Life of Jesus Christ

sons wore their long hair parted on the top of trie
head and allowed the beard to grow. Through the
daughters' headdress, the hair could be seen similarly
. parted. They were Nazarites. All wtere clothed in
white. The old father, whose beard was long and
white, was led by the sons to meet Jesus, for he
could not walk alone. He was shedding tears of
reverential joy. The sons washed the feet of Jesus
and the Apostles, and presented them with refresh
ments, fruit and rolls. Jesus was very affable and
treated the 'family with great confidence. He spoke
to themi of the journeys He was about to make, and
told them that He would not show Himself openly
in Jerusalem at the celebration of the coming Pasch.
He did not remain long in the house, for the people
having found out His whereabouts, had gathered out
side and in the forecourt. Jesus went out through
the court and into the garden where for several hours
He taught and cured between the terraced walls that
supported the gardens. The pagan woman had waited
long at a distance. Jesus never went near her, and
she dared not approach Him From time to time,
however she repeated her cry: " Lord! Thou Son
of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is griev
ously tormented by an unclean spirit! The dis
ciples begged Jesus to help her. But He said: " I
was not sent but to the sheep that are lost of the
house of Israel. ' At last the woman drew* nearer,
ventured into the hall, cast herself down before Je
sus, and cried: ""Lord, help me! " Jesus replied:
' It is not good to take the bread of the children
and to cast it to the dogs. " But she continued
to entreat: " Yea, Lord! for the whelps also eat of
the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters. "
Then Jesus said: " O woman, great is thy faith!
On account of these words, help shall be given fhee ! "
Jesus asked her whether she herself did not want
to be cured, for she was crippled on one side. But
she replied that she was not worthy, and that she

Jesus Healing in Dan 237

asked for her daughter's cure only. Then He laid
one hand on her head, the other on her side, and
said: " Straighten up! May it be done to thee as
thou dost will! The devil has gone out of thy daugh
ter. " The woman stood upright. She was tall and
thin. For some instants, she uttered not a word,
and then with uplifted hands, she cried out: '
Lord, I see my daughter lying in bed well and in
peace! " She was out of herself with joy. Jesus
turned away with the disciples.

Jesus afterward took a repast at the house of the
Nazarites. The Levites of Cades were present, as
well as all the Apostles and disciples who had again
met together at the inn. It was a. grand entertain
ment, such as had not been given for a long time,
and from it abundant alms were distributed to the
poor by the disciples. After all was over, Jesus re
turned to the inn. The Feast of the New Moon was
celebrated yesterday and to-day.

When Jesus on the following morning was healing
and teaching under the market porticos, the pagan
woman brought to Jesus one of her relatives who
had come with her from Ornithopolis. He was par-
alyzed in the right arm besides being deaf and dumb.
The woman begged Jesus to cure him and also to
visit her home, that they might there thank Him
worthily.

Jesus took the man aside from the crowd, laid
His hand on the lame arm, prayed, and stretched
out the arm perfectly cured. Then He moistened
his ears with a little spittle, told him to raise his
cured han'd to his tongue, glanced upward, and prayed.
The man arose, spoke, and gave thanks. Jesus stepped
back with him to the pressing multitude, and the
man began to speak wonderful and prophetic words.
He cast Himself at Jesus' feet and gave Him thanks.
Then turning to the Jews and pagans, he uttered
menaces against Israel, named some particular places,
referred to the miracles of Jesus and the obstinacy

238 Life of Jesus Christ

of the Jews, and said: " The food that ye, the chil
dren of the house, reject, we outcasts shall gather
up. We shall live upon it, and give thanks. The
fruit of the crumbs that we gather up will be to
us what you allow to go to waste of the Bread of
Heaven. " His words were so wonderful, so in
spired that great agitation arose in the crowd.

Immediately after this, Jesus left the city and
climbed with the Apostles and disciples a mountain-
range to the west of Lesem. They reached a solitary
height, where they found a roomy cavern containing
seats cut out of the rock. Caves of this kind served
as resting-places for travellers. Jesus and His fol
lowers had been journeying1 a good two hours, and
here they passed the night. Jesus instructed the Apos
tles and disciples on diverse modes of healing and
the various ceremonies accompanying them, for they
had asked Him why He had ordered the dumb man
to put his own hand into his mouth, and why He
had taken Him aside. Jesus satisfied them on these
points, instructed them again upon prayer, and praised
the pagan woman who had always implored, not
for temporal goods, but for the knowledge of the
truth. He prescribed a certain order to be followed
by them: they were to go on their missions two and
two, they were all to teach the same things, they
were to proclaim the last instructions that He "had
given them. From time to time, they were to meet
together in order severally to communicate all that
had occurred to them. The Apostles were then to
impart to the disciples whatever had happened in
the meantime and which ought to be known in
common. They should pray together on their jour
neys, and speak only of the affairs of their mission.
Having resumed their route, they passed the great
and very elevated city of Hammoth Dor, after which
they climbed steep and toilsome heights until they
reached the lofty ridge that commanded a view of the
Mediterranean. They now descended the mountain

Jesus Curing 239

for several hours, passed over ;a! stream that flowed
into the sea through the north of Tyre, and put up a,t
an inn on the roadside, between three and four hours
from Ornithopolis.

The Syrophenician was a: very distinguished lady
in her native place. She had passed through these
parts on her way home, and had fitted up a very com
fortable inn for Jesus. The pagans came out most
humbly to meet Jesus and His party, guided them
to their destination, and showed them ail kinds of
attentions with an air at once timid and reverential.
They looked upon Jesus as a great Prophet.

Next day Jesus and the disciples ascended a hill
in the neighborhood of a little pagan city, and there
found a teacher's chair. It had been in existence
since the times of the early Prophets, some of whom
had often preached from! it. The pagans had al
ways held this place in high esteem, and to-day they
had ornamented it by erecting: a beautiful awning
over the chair.

There were numbers of sick assembled ori the hill,
but they remained shyly at a distance, until Jesus
and the disciples approached and cured many o£ them.
Some had tumors, others were paralyzed, others wasted
away, some were melancholy or half-possessed. These
last when cured appeared as if awaking from! sleep.
The limbs of some were greatly swollen and inflamed.
Jesus laid His hand on the swelling, which was im
mediately reduced and the inflammation allayed. He
directed the disciples to bring a plant that grew
there on the naked rock. It had large, succulent, and
deeply notched leaves. He blessed one of these leaves,
poured on it some water that He carried with Him
in a flask, and the disciples bound it, the notched
side down, on the part affected.

The healing over, Jesus delivered an instruction
on the vocation of the Gentiles. It was more than
ordinarily impressive. He explained several passages
from the Prophets, and depicted the vanity, of their

240 Life of Jesus Christ

idols. After that He went with the disciples three
hours in a northwestwardly direction to Ornithopolis,
which was distant from the sea three-quarters of an
hour. This city, which was not very large, contained
some beautiful building's. On a height in the eastern
environs, stood a pagan temple.

Jesus was received with more than ordinary affec
tion. The Syrophenician had prepared everything for
the occasion in the most sumptuous and honorable
manner, but in her humility, she left to the few
poor Jewish families living in the city, the liberty
of doing the honors of reception. The whole place-
resounded with the cure of her daughter, as well
as with that of her own and her deaf and dumb
relative. The last named' in recounting his cure
spoke of Jesus in words of inspiration. The inhab
itants were ranged outside the houses. The pagan?
stood back humbly and closed the procession that
went with green branches to meet 'Jesus. The Jews,
about twenty in number, among them some very
aged men who had to be led, also the teachers With
all the children, headed the procession. The mothers
and daughters followed veiled.

A house near the school had been prepared for

jus and the disciples. It was fitted up by the

lady with beautiful carpets, furniture, and lamps.

Inere the Jews most humbly washed the feet of

sus and His disciples, and changed their sandals
and clothes, until their own were shaken, brushed,
and cleaned. Jesus then went with the Elders to
the school and taught.

After that, a magnificent entertainment was given
m a public hall, at the expense of the Syrophenician.
One could see in all the preparations, in the dishes,
the viands, and the table furniture generally, that it
was a feast given by pagans. There were three tables
much higher than those in use among the Jews,
with couches correspondingly high. Some of the viands
were very remarkable, being made up into figures

The Syrophenician's Feast 241

representing animals, trees, mountains, and pyramids.
Some others were quite deceptive, being in reality
very different from what they appeared; for instance,
there were all kinds of wonderful pastry, birds made
out of fish, fish formed of flesh, and lambs made of
spices, fruits, flour, and honey. There were also
some real lambs. At one table, Jesus ate with the
Apostles and the oldest among the Jews; at the two
others, the disciples and the rest of the Jews. The
women and children were seated at a table separated
from the others by a screen. During the meal, the
lady with her daughter and relatives entered to give
thanks for the cures wrought among them, their
servants following with presents in ornamented caskets,
which they bore between them on tapestry. The
daughter veiled stepped behind Jesus, broke a little
vial of precious ointment over His head, and then
modestly returned to her mother. The servants deliv
ered the gifts (they were those of the daughter) to
the disciples. Jesus returned thanks. The lady bade
Him welcome to her native place, and declared how
happy she should be if she could only show1 her
good-will and, m spite of her unworthiness, repair
even the least of the 'many injuries that He experienced
so often from her fellow-pagans. She spoke humbly
and in few words, remaining all the while at a respectful
distance. Jesus ordered the money that formed part
of the gifts, as well as the food, to be distributed
in her presence among the poor Jews.

The lady was a widow and very rich. Her husband
had been dead five years. He possessed in his life
time many large ships at sea and a great number
of servants, besides much property. He owned whole
villages. Not far from Ornithopolis there was a
heathen settlement ion a cape jutting out into the
sea, all of which belonged to the lady, his widow.
I think he was a large merchant. His widow was
held in more than ordinary esteem in Ornithopolis,
where the poor Jews lived almost entirely upon her

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 16

242 Life of Jesus Christ

bounty. She was both intelligent and beneficent, and
not without a certain degree of illumination in her
pagan piety. Her daughter was twenty-four years old,
tall and very beautiful. She dressed in colors and
adorned her neck with chains, her arms with bracelets.
Her wealth brought around her numerous suitors,
and she became possessed of an ev^il spirit. She was
afflicted with convulsions so violent that in her frenzy
she would spring from her couch and try to run away,
consequently she had to be guarded and even bound,
But when the paroxysm was over, she became again
good and virtuous. Her state caused great afflic
tion to herself and her mother, and to both it was
a subject of deep humiliation. The poor girl was
obliged to live retired, and she had now endured her
sufferings for several years. When the mother near-
ed her home, she was met by her .daughter who
had come out for that purpose, as well as to tell
her of her cure which had taken place at the very
instant in which Jesus had promised it. And, oh, her
joy and wonder at seeing her once crippled mother
again a tall, graceful woman! and to hear herself
distinctly and joyfully greeted by her paralyzed, deaf,
and dumb relative! She was filled with gratitude
and reverence for Jesus, and helped to pnepare every
thing for His reception.

The gifts that Jesus received consisted of trinkets
belonging to the daughter. They had been given
to her in her early years by her parents, principally
by her father, whose business opened to him com
munications with distant lands, and whose only and
well beloved child she was. Some were jewels of
ancient workmanship, objects wrought of, precious
metals, such as are ordinarily given to the children
of the wealthy. Among them were some things that
had formerly belonged to her parents' parents. There
were many wonderful looking little idols of pearls
and precious stones set in gold, rare stones of great
value, tiny vessels, golden animals, and figures about

Jesus Visits the Poor Jews 243

a finger long, the eyes and mouth formed of gems.:
There were also odoriferous stones and amber and
golden branches that looked like little live trees,
laden with colored gems instead of fruit — and, very,
very many such things ! It was a treasure in itself,
for some of these objects would now be worth a
thousand dollars apiece. Jesus said that He would
distribute them to the poor and the needy, and that
His Father in heaven would reward the donors.

On the Sabbath, Jesus visited every one of the
Jewish families, (distributed alms, cured, and com
forted. Many of these Jews were poor and abandon
ed. Jesus assembled them in trie synagogue where
He spoke to them in terms ,at once deeply touching
and consoling, for the poor creatures looked upon
themselves as the outcast and unworthy children of
Israel. He also prepared many of them for baptism.
About twenty men were baptized in a bathing-garden,
among them the cured deaf and dumb relative of
the pagan lady.

Jesus visited the Syrophenician also along with
His disciples. She dwelt in a beautiful house sur
rounded by numerous courts and gardens. Jesus was
received with great solemnity. The domestics in festal
garments spread carpets under His feet. At the en
trance of a beautiful summer-house, which was sup
ported on pillars, the widow and her daughter came
forward veiled to meet Him. They cast themselves
at His feet and poured forth their thanks, in which
they were joined by their cured relative, once deal
and dumb. In the summer-house were set forth odd-
looking figures in pastry and fruit of all kinds on costly
dishes. The vessels were of glass, which looked as
if made of many colored threads that appeared to
run together and cross one another, as if dissolving
one into the other. Among rich Jews I have seen
similar vessels, but only in small numbers. Here they
seemed to be in abundance. Many such vessels were
held in reserve behind curtains in the corners of the

244 Li*® of Jesus Christ

hall. They were arranged on shelves up high on
the wall. The dishes were set on little tables, some
round, others with corners, that could be placed to
gether to form one large table.

Among the refreshments, there were very fine dried
grapes still hanging on the vine laid on those colored
glass dishes, also another kind of dried fruit which
arose from the branches as from a little tree, There
were reeds with long, cordate leaves and fruit in
form like the grape. They were perfectly white, per
haps sugared, (and looked like the white part of the
cauliflower. "The guests snapped them off the stem,
and found that they had a sweet, pleasant "taste. They
were raised not far from the sea, in a swampy place
belonging to the Syrophenician.

In a separate part of the hall, the pagan maidens,
friends of the daughter, were standing along with
the domestics. Jesus went and spoke to them. The
lady very earnestly entreated Jesus in behalf of the
poor people of Sarepta. She begged Him to visit
them as well as others in the neighborhood. She
was very intelligent and had a clever way of propos
ing things. Her words were something to this ef
fect: " Sarepta, whose poor widow had shared her
little all with Elias, is itself a poor widow threatened
with starvation. Do Thou, the greatest of Prophets,
have pity on her! Forgive me, a widow and once
poor, to whom Thou hast restored her all, if I make
bold to plead also for Sarepta. Jesus promised
to do as she wished. She told Him that she wanted
to build a synagogue, and asked Him to indicate
where it should be. But I do not remember Jesus'
reply.

The lady possessed large weaving and dyeing- lac-
tories. In the little place near the sea and at some
distance from her residence, there were great build
ings on the top of which were platforms where
grey and yellow stuffs were -spread out. Among the
gifts presented to Jesus were many little dishes and

Jesus Goes to Sarepta 245

balls of amber, considered in those parts very precious.

Jesus celebrated the close of the Sabbath in the
Jewish school, which was very beautifully adorned.
In order to console the poor Jews, He taught that
the proverb: " Our fathers have eaten sour grapes,
and the teeth of the children are on edge, " should
no longer pass current in Israel. " Every one that
abides by the Word of God announced by Me, that
does penance and receives Baptism, no longer bears
the sins of his! father. " The people were extraordi
narily rejoiced upon hearing these words.

On the afternoon of the following' day, Jesus took
leave of the lady who, in union with her daughter
and cured relative, presented Him with golden figures,
a hand in length, and provisions of bread, balsam,
fruits, honey in reed baskets, and little flasks. These
provisions were destined for His journey and 'for
the poor of Sarepta. Jesus addressed words of ad
vice to the whole family, recommended to them the
poor Jews and their own salvation, and departed from,
the house amid the tears and reverential salutations
of all. The lady had always been very enlightened
and very earnest in seeking after perfection. Hence
forth neither she nor her daughter went any more
to the pagan temple. They observed the teachings
of Jesus, joined the Jews, and sought by degrees
to bring their people after them.

Several times again Jesus repeated His instructions
to the disciples upon the order they were to observe
and the duties they were to fulfil in their present
mission. Thomas, Thaddeus, and James the Less went
with some of the disciples (the others remaining with
Jesus) down to the tribe of Aser. They were allowed
to take nothing with them. Jesus with the nine re
maining Apostles, with Saturnin, Judas Barsabas, and
another, went northward to Sarepta. "Sixteen of the
Jews accompanied Jesus the whole of the way, while
all the rest and many of the pagans went only a
part. He did not enter Sarepta, which was about

246 Life of Jesus Christ

two and a half hours distant from Ornithopolis, but
stopped at ia row of houses tolerably far from the
city. They occupied the site of the spot upon which
the widow of Sarepta was gathering sticks when
Elias approached the city. Some poor Jews had settled
there. They were still poorer than those of Ornithop-
oli-, \\ho enjoyed the bounty of the Syrophenician.
Here too was an inn prepared for Jesus and His
followers, and presents for the poor had been sent
on in advance, - - all through the goodness of that
lady. The inhabitants, unspeakably happy and deeply
impressed, came out with the women and children
to meet Jesus and to wash His feet, also those of
His followers.

Jesus consoled and [taught them,. Then He pro
ceeded on His journey a couple of hours to the east,
accompanied by the sixteen men from Ornithopolis and
some others from Sarepta. The country was rising,
and the road up-hill. On an eminence near a little
pagan city, Jesus delivered an instruction to the in
habitants whom He found there awaiting1 Him, after
which He pressed on farther. Those that had fol
lowed Him from Ornithopolis here took leave.

At some distance farther on, Jesus and the dis
ciples ascended in an easterly direction toward Mount
Hermcn, which forms the culminating peak of the
high mountain-range that bounds Upper- Galilee. He
crossed Hermon into an elevated valley and stopped
at Rechob to the southwest at the foot of the mountain
below Baal-Hermon. This last city was very large
and with its numerous pagan temples looked down
upon Rechob.

17. JESUS IN GESSUR AND NOBE. CELEBRA
TION OF. THE FEAST OF PURIM

Jesus journeyed seven hours northeastward from
Rechob to Gessur, where He stopped with the pub
licans, many of whom dwelt on the highroad leading

Jesus in Gessur 247

to Damascus. Gessur was a beautiful, large city
garrisoned by Roman soldiers. Jews and pagans oc
cupied separate quarters, notwithstanding which the
communications between them were very intimate.
The Jews of Gessur were, on this account, held in
low esteem by those of other places.

Many of the Jews and pagans of Gessur had been
present at the sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes,
and some of their sick were cured by the Apostles
who had recently visited the place. There was also
a blind man who had been restored to sight at the
instruction before the multiplication of the bread.
The husband of Mary Suphan was from Gessur, but
he was now residing with her at Ainon.

When Absalom was fleeing' from David, he took
up his abode in Gessur for a time, as his mother
Maacha was the daughter of the king of the place,
who was named Tholmai. *

The Apostle Bartholomew, who had accompanied
Jesus hither, >was a, descendant of that same royal
house. His father had for a long time made use
of the Baths of -Bethulia, on which account he had
removed to Cana and settled in the valley of Zabulon.
It was owing to this that Bartholomew had become
an inhabitant of that part of the country. He still
had in Gessur a very aged grand-uncle on his mother's
side, a pagan and possessed of great property and
riches. This old man resided in a large house in
the heart of the city. He had himself conducted
to the publican quarter in order to see Jesus who
was teaching on a terrace upon which the merchandise
passing this way was examined, taxed, and repacked.
The old uncle conversed with the Apostles, especially
with his nephew Bartholomew, and invited Jesus to
his house to dine. All the inhabitants, men and
women, Jews and pagans, attended Jesus* instruc
tions. It was a promiscuous audience. Jesus also took

i. /. Paral. Ill, 2.

248 Life of Jesus Christ

a meal with the publicans and many others. There
\vlas considerable bustle attending it, for the publicans
were putting all their goods in order to make a
distribution to the poor.

When. Jesus entered the pagan quarter of the city,
to visit Bartholomew's uncle, He was received with
magnificence according to pag*an style. Carpets were
spread before Him, and sumptuous refreshments set
forth, all in accordance with pagan manners.

The pagans of Gessur adored a many-armed idol,
which supported on its head a bushel measure filled
with ears of wheat. Many of them inclined to Juda
ism, and many others to the doctrines of Jesus.
Numbers of them had already been baptized either
by John, or by the Apostles at Capharnaurri.

The publicans distributed the greater part of their
wealth. On the place upon which Jesus had taught,
they heaped up great quantities of corn which they
afterward measured out to the poor. They likewise
bestowed fields and gardens upon poor day-laborers
and slaves, and repaired all the wrong they had done.

When Jesus was again teaching at the custom
house before the pagans and Jews, some strangers
arrived, Pharisees, to celebrate here the Sabbath.
They reproached Jesus for lodging among the pub
licans and for having familiar communications with
them and the pagans.

Bartholomew's uncle, along with sixteen other aged
men, was baptized in a bathing-garden, the water
from a well of the city being conducted into the
garden by a very elevated canal. Joses Barsabas
administered the baptism. The garden had been
adorned in festive style, the ceremony was" most
solemn, and the poor were abundantly supplied with
alms to which the old uncle largely contributed.

Jesus closed the Sabbath by an instruction in the
synagogue, took leave of all the people at the custom
house, distributed alms to the poor, and went ac
companied by a numerous retinue a distance of five

Jesus in Nobe 249

hours to the fisher-village on the borders of the lake
of Phiala. This lake was on a plateau about three
hours east of Paneas. He arrived late and lodged
with the teacher in a "house next the school. The
people of the place were for the most part Jews.
Lake Phiala was scarcely one hour long. Its shores
were sloping, its waters clear, and its outlet flowed
toward ja mountain where it disappeared. There were
some boats on its surface. The region Was covered
with flieldls of grain and /beiaiutiful meadows, in ;the
latter of which numbers of asses, camels, and other
cattle were grazing ; there were also groves of
chestnuts. On both sides of. the lake lay Jewish
fisher villages, e^ch of which had its own school.

Jesus taught in the schools, and went with some
of the inhabitants and the Apostles into the homes
of the shepherds around the lake. John the Baptist
had once sojourned in this region.

From this place, Jesus with John, Bartholomew1,
and a 'disciple went three hours southward to Nobe,
a city of Decapolis. The inhabitants were pagans
and Jews. They dwelt apart, the city being divided
into two quarters each of which had a somewhat
different name. All the cities of this part of the
country were built of black, glimmering stone. Jesus
taught in Nobe and in some of the little places
around. John and Bartholomew were with Him, the
other Apostles and disciples being scattered throughout
the neighboring country.

Jesus prepared the people for baptism, which was
administered by Bartholomew. The water in these
places was black and muddy, but it was purified in
great, round, stone reservoirs, whence it was allowed
to flow into others that were kept covered. The A-
postles poured into it some of the water from their
drinking vessels, and Jesus blessed the whole. The
people with inclined heads, knelt for baptism around
the stone basin.

The pagans of Nobe received Jesus very solemn-

250 Life of Jesus Christ

ly. They went to meet Him carrying green, bloom
ing branches, stretched cordons on either side to
keep back the crowd, and spread carpets for Him
to walk on. These latter were laid across the streets
and, when Jesus had passed over them, they were
raised quickly, carried some distance ahead, and held
again in readiness for His approach. This was repeat
ed many times, and as often did Jesus walk over
them. The rabbis, who were Pharisees, received Him
in the Jewish quarter, where He taught in the syna
gogue, for it was the Sabbath of the Purirri festival.
When all was over, there was a banquet given in
the public hall. During the entertainment, the Phar
isees again disputed on certain points, and twitted
Jesus upon His disciples' eating fruit by the wayside
and stripping the ears of wheat.

Jesus related the parable of the laborers in the
vineyard, also that of the rich glutton and poor Laz
arus. He reproached the Pharisees for not having,
according to custom, invited the poor to the feast;
whereupon they replied that their revenues were too
small to allow it. Then Jesus asked whether the
present entertainment had been prepared for Him,
and when they answered, yes, He laid on the table
five large, yellow, three-cornered pieces of money
attached to a little chain, saying that they might
let the poor have them. Then !H-e directed the dis
ciples to call in many of the poor, who sat down
at the table land partook of the viands. Jesus Him
self ^ served them, instructing them meantime and
distributing to them quantities of food. The money
presented by Jesus was perhaps the customary Temple-
tax usually paid on that day, or merely a giff usual
at the time, for the people on this feast interchanged
presents of fruits, bread, grain, and garments.

On this feast they read in the synagogue the whole
of the history of Esther. They did the same to the
sick and aged in their own homes. Jesus also went
around reading to the old people the roll of Esther,

Jesus in Re gab a 251

and healing some of the sick. I saw too festive
games and processions of the young maidens and
women, who had great privileges on this day. Once
they entered the synagogue as if on an embassy,
and penetrated even into the upper part. They had
chosen one of their number as queen whom they
now escorted in regal robes, and presented to the
priests beautiful priestly vestments. They had some
games among themselves in a garden. They chose
sometimes this one, again that "one for queen, and
in turn dethroned them. They had also a puppet
which they ill-treated and then hanged, while little
lads struck with hammers on boards and uttered im
precations. This was meant for a representation of
the punishment merited by thei, fcyicked Aman.

18. JESUS IN REGABA AND CflESAREA-
PHILIPPI

From Nobe, Jesus went to Gaulon. The road
wound westwardly round a! high mountain- chain for
a distance of four hours. Gaulon was inhabited by
both Jews and pagans and Was distant from the
Jordan a couple of hours. Jesus tarried here only
a few -hours teaching and healing. Continuing His
journey, He passed the city of Argos, built at a
high elevation on a mountain-ridge, and arrived late
that night at the stronghold Regaba. He rested with
His companions on the grass of a, solitary place
outside the city, and awaited the other Apostles and
disciples, fifteen in number. When these arrived, they
all went with their, ^Master to the inn established
here for their accommodation. Regaba belonged to
the Gergesean district. It was the most northerly
of their towns, and one of the best disposed. Gaulon
was a frontier town of the Tetrarch Philip.

Most of the inhabitants both Jews and pagans were
already baptized, and their sick had been healed
on the Mount of Beatitudes. Jesus spent the whole

252 Life of Jesus Christ

day in teaching, consoling, and strengthening souls
in faith. An immense crowd from the whole country
around was here assembled for the Sabbath, and
to it was jadded ja caravan from Arabia. This crowd
of people brought with them their lame, their blind,
their dumb, and other sick. They pressed with such
violence that Jesus left the synagogue with the
disciples and retired to a mountain. Some of the
disciples remained behind and endeavored, as well
as they could, to bring1 the crowd to order. The
people followed Jesus to the mountain where He
taught of the Our Father, of prayer that should not
be made with ostentation and in public places to be
seen, and of the granting of prayer. He also healed
many of the sick, and then returnjed to the synagogue
in Regaba. During these last days, Jesus had spoken
much upon prayer both on His journeys and in the
schools. There were some disciples with Him who
had not been present at all the explanations of the Our
Father. They said to Him: " Teach us, also, to pray
as Thou hast taught the others! " and He again
explained the Our Father, and warned them against
sanctimonious prayers.

' Regaba was situated very high and had a magnif
icent view over the lake, across Genesareth, and off
to Thabor. Still higher than the city, which was not
very large, stood upon a rodk! a. square building with
great, steep walls, as if hewn from the rocks. It
was provided with vaults and chambers, and was
a home for soldiers. It was roofed by a platform,
upon which trees were growing. It was the citadel.
From Regaba to the lake the distance was about
five hours toward the southwest; to the Mount of
Beatitudes, from three to four hours westward; about
five hours to B ethsaida- Julias ; and from seven to
eight hours from the place in which Jesus drove the
devil into the swine. To Caesarea Philippi, it may have
been five hours. A road for caravans ran over the
high mountain between Regaba and Cassarea.

Jesus Speaks of His Future 253

During these days, Jesus spoke much of the dark
future before Him. Men would, He said, persecute
Him everywhere and even attempt His life, and
once He said that His arrest ;was near. Since the
last excitement at Capharnaum, He had not spoken
in public of the Bread of Life, nor of eating His
flesh and drinking His blood. iHe had taught of this
mystery chiefly in order to try His disciples and to
get rid of the bad, whom! He wished no longer to
retain as His followers.

The elevated surroundings of Regaba were very
lovely, though somewhat wild. Off toward the north
east however the country was barren and rocky.
Excellent fruit, such as they had in Genesareth, did
not grow here, but there were quantities of grain,
and on the mountains fine pasture lands. Grazing
around were great herds of asses and cows. Some
of the latter had very broad horns and black snouts
•which they carried high in the air, others bore their
heads lower and their horns forward, while the horns
of many others were broken off short. There were
also large herds of camels, which at a distance looked
quite small. They often slept standing, supported
against the trees and rocks. In one quarter, in which
trees like beeches were growing, I saw droves of
swine. I have never seen either the Jews or the
pagans prepare smoked meat, though they dried fish
in the sun and salted it. Up here on the mountains
there -was great scarcity of water, consequently there
were cisterns lower, down in which the rain was
caught, and the water then carried up in leathern
bottles.

From Regaba Jesus went with His followers to Caes-
area-Philippi where He arrived about midday. The
read thither ran over mountains, and in many places
it was very wild. The situation of Caesarea was extra
ordinarily beautiful. It lay between five hills on one
side and a mountain-chain on the other. It was sur
rounded by groves and gardens, and was built in the

254 Life of Jesus Christ

pagan style of columns and arches. There Were per
haps as many as seven palaces and numbers of
pagan temples. Still, the pagans dwelt apart from
the Jews. In a little vale outside the city, there was
a very large pond, in the centre of which was a little
revolving building. The water welled from it into
the pond and thence flowed down to the Jordan. In
the pagan quarter of the city, there was a very deep
well over which was built a beautiful edifice. It
was very deep to look down into. I think it com
municated through the mountain with the source that
flowed from Lake Phiala. I saw outside the city
arches and vaults also through which the Water flowed,
as if; through caves and over bridges.

Jesus was well received. They were on the watch
for Him, the caravan having announced His coming.
Some of the relatives of the woman whom Jesus had
cured of a flow of blood, came out as far as the
pond to meet Him. He put up near the synagogue
at an inn belonging to the Pharisees, and soon was
surrounded b|y a crowd iof sick and others. iThe Apostles
healed here and there. Some of the Pharisees of
this place were badly disposed toward Jesus.. They
had formed part of the Commission of C'apharnaum.

Jesus cured and taught on a hill outside the city.
Strangers from all quarters had brought thither their
sick, and these latter were continually crying out:

Lord, command one of Thy disciples to help us! ?
The Pharisees taunted Jesus, asking Him why He
went around with people so mean, why He did not
associate with the learned?

Alms consisting of food and clothing, were distrib
uted by the disciples. They had been supplied by
Enue (she who had been cured of the issue of blood)
and her uncle, still a pagan, who dwelt in Caesarea.

The three Apostles and all the disciples who from
Crnithopolis had been sent by Jesus to Tyre, Cabul,
and the tribe of Aser, met Jesus here at Csesarea as
He had appointed. The meeting on such occasions

Jesus in Caesarea 255

is always very touching. They clasp hands and em
brace. The people washed the feet of the newcomers,
who immediately took part in the distribution of food
and other alms, and the healing of the sick.

Jesus went afterward with all the Apostles and
disciples, about sixty in number, to the house of Enue's
uncle, where He was received most solemnly ac
cording to pagan customs, carpets being spread for
Him to walk upon, and green branches and wreaths
being carried. The uncle, led by Enue and her
daughter, came to meet Jesus, and the women cast
themselves down before Him.

It was partly in answer to the prayer of this old
man that Jesus had come to Caesarea. He and several
other pagans wanted to be baptized, but they had
scruples on the subject of circumcision. Jesus never
touched upon this point in His public discourse, but
He had a private interview with the uncle. In such
cases, He never commanded circumcision though,
at the same time, He did not advocate its discon
tinuance. When pious old pagans upon receiving bap
tism told Him in confidence of their trouble on this
head, Jesus used to console them by telling them
that, if they did not wish to become Jews, they
should remain as they were, but believe and practise
what they heard from Him. Such people then lived
apart from both Judaism and paganism. They prayed,
they gave alms, and became Christians without passing
through Judaism. Even to the Apostles, Jesus re
frained from expressing Himself on this point, in
order not to scandalize them!, so that I riever remember
having heard the Pharisees, who listened so closely
to catch Him in His words, ever accuse Him on that
head, no, not even at the time of His Passion.

Over the beautifully paved inner court of the old
man's house, an awning of white stuff was stretched
and through an opening in the centre hung4 a wreath.
Besides the trees, the whole court was adorned with
garlands of flowers. Baptism was administered under

256 Life of Jesus Christ

the awning. Before the ceremony, Jesus gave an
instruction and spoke in, private with the neophytes,
who opened their heart to Him. They exposed to
Him their whole life and made their profession of
faith in Him. Jesus then absolved them from their
sins, and they were baptized by Saturnin in a basin
of water which Jesus had previously blessed. The
ceremcny was followed by a grand entertainment
in which all the disciples and the friends of the
family took part. The meal was conducted according
to pagan customs. The table was higher than those
in use among the Jews, and the guests reclined upon
long, raised divans, the feet turned out, and one arm
resting on a cushion. The edge of the table was
indented, and .before each of the guests, were some
small dishes, though the principal viands were on
large ones in the centre of the table.

Enue since her cure was scarcely recognisable, so
well and hearty had she become. She and her daugh
ter, who was about twenty-one years old, sat at
table beside their uncle. During the entertainment,
they arose and withdrew for awhile. When they re
turned, the mother stood somewhat back while the
daughter, wearing a beautiful veil and carrying a
little white vase of perfume, went behind Jesus, broke
it, and poured the contents over His head. Then with
both hands she smoothed it right and left over His
hair, and drew the part behind the ears through her
hands. After that she gathered up the end of her
veil, passed it over His head, hi order to dry it, and
retired. A quantity of food Was distributed to the
poor outside the house.

This house was not the uncle's former residence.
It was one to which he had removed with Enue, in
order to avoid intercourse with the pagans and the
frequenting of their temples; still it was not in the
Jewish quarter. Enue was the daughter of either
his brother or his sister. She had had communications
with the Jews, one of whom! she had married, but he

A Pagan Feast 257

was now deceased. It was however from her pagan
parents that she inherited all her wealth. On leaving;
their old home, Enue and her uncle had left behind
quantities of corn, clothes, and coyer s for the poor.
Csesarea-Philippi was four hours east of Lesem,
or Lais, whither the Syrophenician had come to Jesus ;
they were consequently not one and the same city.
During Jesus' stay in Caesarea;, the pagans celebrated
a feast near the fountain in the city. It had reference
to the benefit they derived from the water. Incense
was burned on tripods before an idol, around which
was gathered a crowd of maidens wearing crowns.
The idol was made up of three or four figures sitting
back to back, each having its own head, hands, and
feet. The arms down to the elbows' were fastened to the
body, but the hands were outstretched. The fountain
on all sides poured out water into basins. On one
side it flowed into an inclosed place in which' werei
private halls and bathing cisterns. This was the Jew's
bathing-place.

When the pagan feast was over, Jesus went thither
and prepared several of the Jews, who afterward re
ceived baptism from the disciples. The ceremony con
cluded, Jesus with several of His disciples returned,
to the home of Enue and her uncle and took leave
of them. Humbly, reverently, and with many tears,
these worthy people bade good-by to Jesus. They
had previously sent presents to the place outside the
city gate where Jesus continued a while longer His
instructions to the poor travellers belonging to the
caravan and to others from the city. The presents
consisted of bread, corn, garments, and covers, all
of which with whatever else they had received, Jesus
caused to be distributed among the needy. Many
of the devout Jews and the newly-baptized followed
this example of charity. They measured out corn
and distributed linen, covers, mantles, and bread to
the poor, for whom this was a gala day.
Jesuf. was afterward constrained by the Pharisees.,

Life of Jesus Christ, — , III. 17

258 Life of Jesus Christ

though in the most polite manner, to enter the
synagogue and explain some points to them. The
Apostles accompanied their Master, and quite a con
siderable crowd was present. The Pharisees had de-
vised all kinds of captious questions on the subject
of divorce, for there were many complicated matri
monial affairs in this place, and Jesus had already
reconciled some parties and set them right. The
Pharisees now began to dispute maliciously with
Jesus, and call Him to account for all that He
exacted of His disciples, for a young man in their
party had complained to them of Him. This young
man was rich and well educated, and he had long
before pushed himself upon Jesus as His disciple.
But Jesus had laid down to him several conditions,
namely, that he should leave father and mother,
distribute his wealth to the poor, etc. He had again
at Caasarea-Philippi, offered himself to Jesus. But
he still wanted to retain his fortune and the right
to administer it himself, in consequence of which
Jesus had again dismissed him. The Pharisees asked
Jesus why He imposed so unheard-of conditions
upon people. The young man alleged divers things
that Jesus had said and called upon the Apostles
to witness to his statements, for they too had heard
them. The Apostles became embarrassed. They were
not prepared for such an attack, and they knew not
what to answer. The Pharisees therefore reproached
Jesus with fraternizing with the ignorant only, and
ascribed His sending away the young man to the
fact that the la,tter was educated. Jesus replied to
them in very severe words, and left them to resume
His journey.

On leaving the city, Jesus gave instructions to the
Apostles and disciples, and sent them to places at a
considerable distance east and northeast. They had
before them a long and difficult journey to Damascus,
to Arabia, and to cities which they had never yet
visited. Jesus Himself with two disciples, leaving Lake

Jesus Again Journeying 259

Phiala on the left, went to Argob, a city built on a
height four hours direct from Caesar ea. There He
put up with the Levites near the synagogue. Argob
was for the most part inhabited by Jews. The few
pagans in it were poor and worked for them. Cot
ton goods were manufactured here, women, child
ren, and men being engaged in spinning and weaving.
The place suffered from want of water, which had
to be carried up to the city in leathern bottles, and
then poured into the cisterns. Jesus taught in a public
square, healed some of the sick, and visited in their
own homes some old and infirm people, whom He
cured and consoled. Almost all the inhabitants had
been baptized, and there were no Pharisees among
them. A very distant view could be commanded from
Argob. They could see far over into Upper-Galilee,
the Mount of Beatitudes rose before them, and the
prospect down into Bethsaida- Julias was remarkably
beautiful.

Jesus with His two disciples and escorted a part
of the way by several people of Argob, started again
on His journey. He crossed the mountainous district
eastward toward Regaba, and halted at a distance
of two hours from that city, lat an open cabin belonging
to the inn. The caravans, which three times a year
passed in this direction, often encamped in this place.
Jesus was here met by four of his young disciples,
who brought with them! a supply of provisions. They
had come from Jerusalem taking Capharnaum in their
route.

From the inn Jesus went to the citadel, or stronghold
of Regaba, where a great multitude besides many
from the caravan had gathered. The citadel looked
as if hewn out of a rock. Around it stood some rows
of houses and a synagogue. Six of the Apostles again
joined Jesus here. They had been to neighboring
places east of Cassarea, the others having gone to
greater distances. These six were Peter, Andrew, John,
James the Greater, Philip, and James the Less. TJhere

260 Life of Jesus Christ

were many Pharisees here. The synagogue was so
crowded that even the standing room was occupied.
Jesus took His text from Jeremias. He said that
now they were eager to see and to hear Him, but the
time would come when they would all abandon Him,
mock and maltreat Him.

The Pharisees began a violent dispute with Jesus,
again bringing forward their charge that He drove
out the devil through the power of. Beelzebub. Jesus
called them children of the father of lies, and told
them that God no longer desired bloody sacrifices.
I heard Him speaking of the Blood of the Lamb,
of the innocent blood that they would soon pour
out, and of which the blood of animals was only
a symbol. With the Sacrifice of the Lamb, He con
tinued, their religious rites would come to an end.
All they that believed in the Sacrifice of the Lamb,
would be reconciled to God, but they to whom He
was addressing Himself should, as the murderers of
the Lamb, be condemned. He warned His disciples
in presence of the Pharisees to beware of them. This
so enraged these men that Jesus and His disciples
had to withdraw and hurry off into the desert. I
saw among the listening crowd, some men with
cudgels. Jesus had never before attacked His ag
gressors so boldly. He and His disciples passed the
night in the desert and then went to Cbrozain.

Crowds of people flocked thither, arid laid their
sick along the road by which Jesus was to come.
On His way to the synagogue, He cured the dropsical,
the lame, and the blind.

In spite of the violent attacks of the Pharisees,
Jesus spoke in prophetic terms of His future Passion.
He alluded to their repeated sacrifices and expiations,
notwithstanding which they still remained full of sins
and abomination. Then He spoke of the goat which
at the Feast of Atonement wa,s driven from Jerusalem
into the desert with the sins of the people laid upon
it. H«e said very significantly (and yet they did

Cure of a Deaf and Dumb Man 261

not understand Him) that the time was drawing near
when in the same way they would drive out an
innocent Man, One that loved them, One that had
done everything f^r them, One that truly bore their
sins. They would drive Him out, He said, and murder
Him amid the clash of arms. At these words-; a great
din and jeering shouts arose among the Pharisees.
Jesus left the synagogue and went out into the city.
The Pharisees came to Him and demanded an ex
planation of what He had just said, but He replied
that they could not now understand it.

While Jesus was being thus pressed upon, a deaf
and dumb man was brought to Him that He might
cure him. He was a shepherd of that region, good
and pious. His friends brought him to Jesus, whom
they implored to lay His hand upon him. Thereupon
Jesus commanded that he should be separated from
the crowd. His friends obeyed, but the Pharisees
followed. Jesus therefore cured him in their presence,
that they might see that He 'healed by virtue of prayer
and faith in His Heavenly Father, and not through
the devil. Jesus put His fingers into the ears of the
mute, moistened His fingers with His own saliva
and touched the man's tongue with it. Then sighing
He glanced up to heaven and said: " Be thou open! "
At the same instant, the man could both hear and
speak perfectly, and full of joy he gave thanks. But
Jesus commanded him to refrain from talking or
boasting about his cure.

The crowd becoming greater, for a caravan had just
arrived, Jesus and His companions left the city and
went two or three hours farther on to Matthew's
custom-house. But as here too the crowd was on
the increase, Jesus, leaving a couple of His disciples
behind, embarked with the others and rowed to
Bethsaida-Julias where they landed and remained until
night in a solitary place at the foot of the Mount of
Beatitudes.
Before daylight they left Bethsaida and rowed again

262 Life of Jesus Christ

to the east side of the lake, where Jesus delivered a
discourse on the mountain-ridge beyond Matthew's
custom-house. There were pagans from Decapolis
present, also the people belonging to the caravan.
Many sick were brought up the mountain on litters
and asses, and Jesus healed them.

Jesus taught of prayer, how and where it should
be made, and of perseverance in it. He said:" When
a child asks for bread, the father does not give it
a stone, nor does he give it a (serpent when it asks for
a fish, or a scorpion instead of an egg. " He remarked
as an illustration that He knew pagans who had
such confidence in God that they' never petitioned
for anything, but took with thanks all that was given
them. ' If servants and strangers have such con
fidence, " said Jesus, " what ought not that of the
children of the Father to be? " He spoke also
of gratitude for restoration to health, which gratitude
should be evinced by amendment of life, and of
the punishment incurred by a relapse into sin. The
spiritual state of those that relap'se is always worse
than before their cure. By this time the crowd had
become so great that Jesus was again forced to
withdraw, not however before He had announced
a great instruction to be delivered on the following
day upon another mountain. This last named mount
was east of the Mount of Beatitudes, and to it flocked
the multitude from all sides. The whole region around,
mountains and valleys, was covered With encampments,
and everywhere resounded the question: " Where
is Jesus? Jesus taught upon the seventh and the
eighth Beatitudes after which to escape the crowd,
He went with the Apostles and disciples on board
Peter's ship. They rowed down the lake, but did
not land, because the people, having secured boats,
were following them.

Jesus' Compassion

19. CONCLUSION OF THE SERMON

ON THE MOUNT

FEEDING OF THE FOUR THOUSAND
THE PHARISEES DEMAND A SIGN

Next morning Jesus and His followers ascended
the high mountain one hour to the northeast of Little
Corozain, and beyond that one upon which the first
multiplication of the loaves had taken place. It was
in the desert to the rigiht of Corozain, two and a
half hours west of Regaba, which was on a still higher
elevation. Up where Jesus delivered the instruction
there was a large level space, not far from the road
by which He had lately travelled from Csesarea-
Philippi to Regaba. The place was much used as
a camping ground for travellers. The ruins of for
tifications were found on it and a long, rocky ledge,
upon which the travellers used to spread their provis
ions at meals. Once upon a time this region was a
perfect solitude. Below this plateau were little dells
and dales, in which the asses and other beasts of
burden could graze. A considerable crowd was al
ready assembled on the plateau, while others were
still flocking thither from all quarters.

Here it was that Jesus concluded the Eight Beati
tudes and delivered the so-called Sermon on the;
Mount. His words on this occasion were more than
ordinarily forcible and impressive. Crowds of strangers
and pagans were present, the whole multitude, ex
clusive of women and children, numbering about four
thousand. Toward evening, Jesus paused in His teach
ing and said to John: " I have compassion on the
multitudes, because they continue with Me now three
days, and have nothing to eat; but I will not send
them away 'fasting lest they faint in the way. " John
replied: " We are far in the desert, and to bring
bread this distance would be hard. Shall we gather
for them the fruits and berries that are still on the

264 Life of Jesus Christ

trees around here? " Jesus answered by telling him
to ask the other Apostles how many loaves they had.
The latter answered: " Seven loaves and seven little
fishes. " The fishes were however an arm in length
Upon receiving this answer, Jesus directed that the
empty bread-baskets the people had brought with
them, along with the loaves and fishes, should be
laid upon the rocky ledge; after which He continued
to teach a good half-hour. He spoke very plainly
of His being the Messiah, of the persecutions that
awaited Him, and of His approaching imprisonment
t on that day, He said, those 'mountains would
quake and that rock (here He pointed to the stone
ledge) whereon He had announced the truth they
bad refused to receive, would split asunder. Then He
cried woe to Capharnaum, to Corozain, and to many
other places of that region. On the day of His
arrest they should all become conscious of having
rejected salvation. He spoke of the happiness of
this region to which He had broken the Bread of
Lite, but added that the strangers passing through
had carried away with them that happiness. The
chidren of the house threw that Bread under the
table while the stranger, the little whelps, as the
Syrophenician had called them, gathered up the crumbs
which were sufficient to vivify and enliven whole

WnlS, """if dlSti;ict3^ Jesus then took leave of the

He implored them once more to do penance

1 amend \heir life, repeated His menaces in the

w,f rl°rCi , langua£e' and inf°rmed them that-to
was the last time He would teach in those parts

The people wept. They were full of admiration at
His words, although they did not comprehend- them

r them to take

««n rdeclhdty aroun'd the mountain and,

as on the preceding occasion, the Apostles and disciples

fnd fV^t them in °rder- Jesus dvided
the bread and fish as before, and the disciples carried

The Spying Pharisees 265

the portions round in baskets to the people on both
sides of the mount. When all was over, seven baskets
of scraps v/ere gathered up, and distributed to poor
travellers.

During Jesus' discourse, a number of Pharisees
had been standing among the crowd. Some of them
left and went down into the valley before the close.
while others remained long enough to hear 'Jesus'
menaces and to witness the multiplication of the
bread. Before the people dispersed however these
latter descended the mountain, in order to confer
with the others as to how they should meet Jesus
on His coming down. These Pharisees numbered
about twenty. Under the pretext of visiting the syna
gogues, they constantly followed Jesus in little bands,
in order to spy His actions. They had been in
CEesarea-Philippi, in Nobah, Regaba, and Corozain.
By messengers or by word of mouth, they transmitted
to Capharnaum and Jerusalem all they saw and heard.
Jesus took leave of the people, who shed tears
and lifted up their voices thanking and praising Him,
He broke away from them only with difficulty and
went to the lake with the disciples, in order ^ to
cross over to the southeastern side into the region
of Magdala and Dalmanutha. When about to embark
just above Matthew's custom-office, the Pharisees ap
proached and, at the foot of the mountain upon which
the first multiplication of the loaves had taken place,
demanded from Him a sign from heaven. This they
did because He had spoken of frightful tremors of
the earth and other signs in nature. He replied
to them as is recorded in the Gospel. I heard Him
mention also a certain number of weeks at the end
of which the sign of Jonas would be given them.
This number exactly corresponded with His Crucifixion
and Resurrection. Jesus then left them standing there,
and went with -the Apostles to Peter's ship, which
the other disciples had in readiness to receive Him.
They rowed out into full sea, and then descended

266 Life of Jesus Christ

the Jordan current, in which the ship needed only to
be steered. They passed the night on board, pray
ing at certain hours, and thus reached the confines
of Magdala and Daimanutha.

Next morning, getting out of the current, they
rowed back to the west side of the lake, and then
remarked that they had only one loaf with them.

The passage was slow, and Jesus instructed His
followers on many points. He spoke of His impending
captivity, of His Passion, of the persecution He should
endure, and said in terms more significant than ever
that He was Christ, the Messiah. They believed His
words; but although they could not make them square
with their simple, human way of comprehending things,
and indulged in their customary views, views derived
from their own experience, yet they made a note
of them, and ranked them among others of a deeply
significant and prophetic nature. He spoke also of
His going to Jerusalem and of the persecution that
would be attendant on the same. They would, He
said, be scandalized on His account, and things would
go so far that they would cast stones after Him. Jesus
said also that whoever would not renounce all his
property and his relatives and follow Him faithfully
in His time of persecution, could not be His disciple.
He spoke likewise of the journeys He still had to
make and of the multiplied labors to be accomplished
before His arrest. Many, He said, who had abandoned
Him would again return. The disciples asked whether
that young man who wanted first to bury his father,
would return; whether Jesus would not then receive
him, for indeed he appeared to them to deserve it.
But Jesus laid open to them that youth's disposition,
and showed them how he clung to earthly things.
I understood on this occasion that the expression
" to bury one's father, " was figurative, arid meant
" to put one's affairs in order. " It was this that the
young man wanted to do. He wanted to put
his affairs in order, and obtain a division of the

Cure of a Blind Man 267

inheritance between himself and his old father, in
order to secure his own share before separating from
him. When Jesus spoke of the young man's hanlder-
ing after temporal goods, Peter exclaime'd with anima
tion: " Thank God, I have never had such thoughts
since I have followed Thee I " But Jesus rebuked
him, saying that he should be silent on that point,
until asked to speak.

When Jesus and the disciples arrived at Bethsaida,
they went to Andrew's, to refresh themselves and
there remained undisturbed and without the annoyance
of a. great crowd, since not knowing whither Jesus
had retired the people had dispersed. There was
in Bethsaida an aged man blind from his birth, whom
Jesus had hitherto refused to cure. Now however
he was brought to Him again and when Jesus and
the disciples were on the point of returning to the
ship, the man cried out to Him for help. Jesus took
him by the hand, led him outside the city, and there
before His Apostles and disciples, touched his eyes
with His tongue and with saliva, laid His hands
upon them, and asked whether he saw anything.
At these words, the man opened his eyes and stared
around saying: " I see people as large as trees
walking about. •" Jesus laid His hand once more on
his eyes, and bade him again look around. Now
he saw perfectly. Jesus ordered him to go home
and thank God, but not to go about the city boasting
of his cure.

Toward evening, Jesus and His Apostles rowed
to the opposite shore of the lake and having landed,
took the road up the eastern bank of the Jordan to
Bethsaida- Julias. On this journey, the Apostles and
disciples who had been despatched from Caesarea-
Philippi on their mission toward the east, as they
were coming down from the mountains, met Jesus
and His party, and all set out together for Bethsaida.
Julias. ; ,

On the way, Jesus spoke of his approaching arrest

268 Life of Jesus Christ

and of the dangers that menaced; whereupon the
Apostles implored Him not to send them away any
more, that they might be near Him in case of need.

An inn had been prepared for them in Bethsaida-
Jul'ias. As they drew near to the city, where Jesus'
coming had already been announced by the people
that had gone thither for the Sabbath, some of the
inhabitants came out to meet them. They were re
ceived graciously and conducted to the inn for refresh
ments and washing of the feet. A great number of
Gentiles dwelt in Bethsaida, and they now saluted
Jesus from a distance.

Jesus taught in the synagogue. There were present
many Scribes and Pharisees from Saphet, at which
place was a school for the study of science, human
and divine.

All were greatly rejoiced at the sudden arrival
of Jesus who visited them now for the first time;
the generality of the people were sincere in their
desire to see Him, but the Scribes were actuated
by vanity. They wished to hear the Teacher whose
fame was sounded throughout the whole country,
especially at Capharnaum, and to judge of His merits.
They were perfectly courteous, though like certain
professors cold and proud in their bearing. They
disputed with Jesus putting to Him questions out of
the _ Law and the Prophets. Still there was nothing
malicious in their intentions. They were moved rather
by curiosity, and impelled by vanity to display their
learning before the people.

Jesus read and commented upon the Lesson for
the Sabbath, and taught upon the Fourth Command
ment: " Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother,
that thy days may be long in the land. " To the
words, " thy days may be long in the land, " He
gave a most admirable and profound explanation.
1 That stream must dry up, " He said, " which
obstructs its own source. ' The instruction was fol
lowed by a festal entertainment, at which the school-

Jesus Teaching and Curing 269

children assisted at separate tables. During it, Jesus
explained the parable of the workmen in the vineyard.

Julias was a modern city, not yet completed. It
was very beautiful, constructed upon the pagan style
with numerous arches and columns. It lay along the
Jordan. On the east, where it was contiguous with
the rising heights, the rear of many of the houses
was hewn out of the solid rock.

When Jesus, after having taught once more in
the synagogue, was 'walking outside the city, the
inhabitants stopped Him to ask about the true doc
trine and what they should do. He answered that
they would not follow His instructions, even if He
gave them to them. They were, He said, inquisitive.
They had already in this region heard His doctrine
so often. Did they by these questions, as'k another?
He had even announced it openly in the synagogue.
These people led Jesus to some of their newly
constructed buildings, and to a place where lay stores
of building materials, wood and stone. They spoke
to Him of the beautiful new style of architecture.
Jesus embraced the opportunity to relate to them
the parables of the house built upon the sand, and of
the other built upon a rock. He referred to the
cornerstone which the builders would reject, and
of the overthrow of their building. On the way He
healed several sick people, some lame, others dropsi
cal, and a couple of possessed who were besides
deprived of reason.

From Bethsaida-Julias, Jesus with The Twelve, and
about thirty disciples went to the country town Sogana
an hour and a half from Caesarea, where He taught
and cured. Some of the inhabitants of Bethsaida-
Julias escorted Jesus and His party as far as the
point where the Jordan flowed into Lake Merom.
The people of Sogane came crowding around Jesus,
begging for an instruction. He taught and healed
until toward evening, and then with His disciples

270 Life of Jesus Christ

went back, about the distance of an hour to a mount
upon which He spent the greater part of the night
in prayer.

20. PETER RECEIVES THE KEYS OF THE
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

On the way to the mount and until Jesus retired
to pray, the Apostles and disciples that had last
returned from their several missions, gave their Master
a full account of all that had happened to them,
all that they had seen and heard and done. He
listened to everything and exhorted them1 to pray and
hold themselves in readiness for what He was going
to communicate to them.

When before daybreak, they again gathered about
Jesus, The Twelve stood around Him in a circle.
On His right were first, John, then James the Elder,
and thirdly, Peter. The disciples stood outside the
circle, the oldest of them nearest. Then Jesus, as if
resuming the discourse 'of the preceding night, asked-
' Who do men say that I arn? " The Apostles and
the oldest of the disciples repeated the various con
jectures of the people concerning Him, as they had
heard here and there in different places; some, for
instance, said that He was the Baptist, others Elias,
while others again took Him for Jeremias, who had
arisen from the dead. They related all that had
become known to them on this subject, and then
remained in expectation of Jesus' reply. There was
a short pause. Jesus was very grave, and they fixed
their eyes upon His countenance with some impatience.
At last, He said: " And you, for whom do you take
Me? ' No one felt impelled to answer. Only Peter,
full of faith and zeal, taking one step forward into
the circle, with hand raised like one solemnly affirm
ing, exclaimed aloud and boldly, as if the voice
and 'tongue of all: " 'Thou art Christ, the Son of the
living God I " Jesus replied with great earnestness,

' Thou Art Christ " 271

His voice strong and animated: " Blessed art thou,
Simon, son of Jona, because flesh and blood hath
not revealed this to thee, but My Father who is in
heaven! And I say to thee: Thou art a rock, and
upon this rock I will build My church, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I
will give to thee the keys of the Kingdom of heaven.
And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall
be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt
loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven! "
Jesus made this response in a manner both! solemn
and prophetic. He appeared to be shining with light,
and was raised some distance above the ground.
Peter, in the same spirit in which he had confessed
to the Godhead, received Jesus' words in their full
signification. He was deeply impressed by them. But
the other Apostles appeared troubled. They glanced
from Jesus to Peter as the latter exclaimed with such
zeal: " Thou art Christ, the Son of God! ' Even
John allowed his anxiety to become so manifest that
Jesus afterward, when walking along the road with
him alone, reproved him gravely for his expression
of surprise.

Jesus' words to Peter were spoken just at the
moment of sunrise. The whole scene was so much
the more grave and solemn, since Jesus had for that
purpose retired with His disciples into the mountain
and commanded them to> pray. Peter alone was
sensibly impressed by it. The other Apostles did not
fully "comprehend, and still formed to themselves
earthly ideas. They thought that Jesus intended to
bestow upon Peter the office of High Priest in His
Kingdom, and James told John, as they walked
together, that very probably they themselves would
receive places next after Peter.

Jesus now told the Apostles in plain 'terms that
He was the promised Messiah. He applied to Him
self all the passages to that effect found in the
Prophets, and said that they must now go to Jerusalem

272 Life of Jesus Christ

for the Feast. They then directed their steps south-
•westwardly and returned to the Jordan bridge.

Peter, still profoundly impressed by Jesus' words
relative to the power of the Keys, drew near to
Him on the way to ask for information upon some-
points not clear to him. He was so full of; faith and
ardor that he fancied his work was to begin right
away for the conditions, namely, the Passion of
Christ and the descent of the Holy Ghost, were as
yet unknown to him. He asked therefore whether
in this or that case also he could absolve from sin,
and made some remarks upon publicans and those
guilty of open adultery. Jesus set his mind at ease
by telling him that he would later on know all
things dearly, that they would be very different from
what he expected:, and that a new Law would be
substitued for the old.

As they proceeded on their journey, Jesus began
to enlighten His Apostles upon what was in store
for them. They should now go to Jerusalem, eat
the Paschal lamb with Lazarus, after which they
might expect many labors, much weariness and perse
cution. He mentioned in general terms many cir
cumstances of His future: namely, His raising of one
of their best friends from the dead, which fact was
to give rise to such fury among His enemies that He
would be obliged to flee; and their going1 again after
another year to the Feast, at which time one of
them would betray Him. He told them moreover
that He would be maltreated, scourged, mocked, and
shamefully put to death; that He must die for the
sins of men, but that on the third day He would rise
again. He told them, all this in detail and proved
it from the Prophets. His manner was very grave,
but full of love. Peter was so distressed at the
thought of Jesus' being maltreated and put to death
that, following Him, he spoke to Him in private,
disputing with Him and exclaiming against such suf
fering, such treatment. No, he said, that should not

Jesus Reproves Peter 273

be. He would rather die himself than suffer such
a thing to happen! " Far be it from Thee, Lord!
This shall not be unto Thee! " ha exclaimed. But
Jesus turned to him gravely and said with' warmth:

Go behind Me, Satan! Thou art a scandal unto
Me. Thou savorest not the things that are of God,
but the things that are of men! *" and then walked
on. Peter struck with fear, began to turn over ip
his mind why it was that Jesus a short time before
had said not from flesh and blood but by a revelation
from God he (Peter) had declared Him to be the
Christ; but now He called him Satan and, because
he had protested against His sufferings, He reproached
him with speaking not according to God, but according
to human desires and considerations. Comparing
Jesus' words of praise with those of His reproof, Peter
became more humble and looked upon Him with
greater faith and admiration. He was nevertheless
very much afflicted since he became thereby only
the more convinced of the reality of the sufferings
awaiting Jesus.

The Apostles and disciples proceeded in Separate
bands, each walking with the Lord by turns. He
hurried on quickly, stopping nowhere, shunning the
towns and villages as much as possible until night
fall, when they put up at the inn near the Baths
of Bethulia. Here Lazarus and some of the disci
ples from Jerusalem were awaiting Jesus' coming.

Lazarus had already been informed that Jesus and
His disciples would eat the Paschal lamb with him,
and he had come hither to> meet Jesus in order to
warn Him, the Apostles, and disciples in respect to
this Paschal solemnity. He told them that an in
surrection threatened during the Feast. Pilate wanted
to levy a new tax upon the Temple in order to erect
a statue to the Emperor. He desired likewise certain
sacrifices in his honor and that certain high, titles
of reverence should be publicly decreed him. The
Jews were on that account ready for revolt, and a

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. i 8

274 Life of Jesus Clirist

large number of Galileans had risen up against Pi
late's proceedings. They were headed by a certain
Judas, a Gaulonite, who had numerous adherents and
who inveighed hotly against the servitude of his
people and the Roman imposts. It would be well,
Lazarus said, for Jesus to absent Himself fromi the
Feast, as great disturbances might arise. Jesus how
ever replied that His time was not yet come, that
nothing would happen to Him. This uprising was
but the forerunner of a far greater one" that would
take place the next year when, as He said, His
time would have come. Then would the Son of Man
be delivered over into the hands of sinners.

Jesus sent His Apostles and disciples on ahead.
They were divided into separate bands and were
to journey by different routes. Simon and Thaddeus,
Kathanael Chased and Judas Barsabas, He kept with
Himself. Some were to go down along the Jordan,
while others proceeded westward from Garazim through
Ephraim, visiting on their way to the Feast some
places at which they had not yet been. Lazarus
journeyed with the disciples. Jesus commanded them
not to go into the Samaritan cities, and gave them
several directions as to their conduct. He Himself
went as far as Ginnim, to the estate of Lazarus
where He passed the night.

On the following day He went through Lebona,
Korea, and the desert to Bethania.

FROM THE SECOND PASCH TO THE RETURN
FROM CYPRUS

1. JESUS IN BETHANIA AND JERUSALEM

About three hours from Bethania, but still in the
desert, stood a solitary shepherd-hut whose occupants
depended for the most part on the charity of Lazarus.
To this abode, Magdalen with a single companion,

Jesus Speaks of His Passion 275

Mary Salome, a relative of Joseph, had come to meet
Jesus. She had prepared for Him some refreshments.
On His approach, she hurried out and embraced
His feet. Jesus rested here only a short time and
then set out for Lazarus's inn, one hour from Bethania.
The two women returned home by another way.
Jesus found some of the disciples whom He had
sent on their mission already returned and at the
inn; others came later, and in Bethania all met
again. Jesus did not go through Bethania, but entered
Lazarus's dwelling from the rear. On His arrival,
all hurried out into the court to meet Him. Lazarus
washed His feet, and then they passed up through
the gardens. The women saluted Jesus with their
veils lowered. A very touching incident attended
Jesus' arrival. The four lambs destined for the Paschal
solemnity were brought in at the same moment that
Jesus entered. They had been separated from the
flock, and turned into a little grassy park. The Bless
ed Virgin, who also was here, and Magdalen had
twined little wreaths which were to be hung around
their neck. Jesus' coming was just before the com
mencement of the Sabbath, and He celebrated it
with the family in a hall. He was very grave. He
read the lesson for the Sabbath, and gave an instruction
upon it. During the evening meal, He spoke of the
Paschal lamb and of His future Passion.

The insurrection broke out in Jerusalem shortly
before the Sabbath began, but yet without violence.
Pilate surrounded by a bodyguard occupied an ele
vated position on a wall of the fortress Antonia, and all
the people were gathered in the market-place below.
The fortress Antonia was built on a projecting rock
at the northwest corner of the Temple. If on leaving
Pilate's palace, one turned to the left and went through
the arch past the place of flagellation, the fortress
would lie on his left. Pilate's new laws, by which
a tax was laid upon the Temple, were read to the
people. First, the tax. was to be used for making

276 Life of Jesus Christ

an aqueduct to conduct water to the grand market
place and to the Temple; and secondly, there was
question of certain honors, titles, and sacrifices to
be offered to the Emperor. Immediately a great
tumult arose. Loud cries and mutterings proceeded
from the crow'd, especially from the quarter occupied
by the Galileans. Still the commotion did not reach
violence. Pilate addressed some warning words to
the people, and gave them time to reflect; whereupon,
indignant and murmuring they dispersed. The He-
rodians were in secret the prime movers and instigators
of the people, yet no one could convict them of
such dealings. They kept Judas Gaulonite under their
thumb, and he had a whole sect of Galileans as his
followers, to whom he constantly inveighed against
paying tribute to the Emperor, and stirred up their
thirst for liberty under the pretext of zeal for religion.
The Herodians were exactly like the Freemasons,
and other secret societies of our own day. They
stirred up the unthinking multitude, who knew not
whither their zeal was carrying them until they paid
the penalty with their blood.

On the Sabbath Jesus taught in Lazarus's, and
then all went to walk in the ^gardens. Jesus talked
of His Passion and 'said in plain terms that He was
the Christ. His words increased His hearers' reverence
and admiration for Him, while Magdalen's love arfd
contrition reached their height. She followed Jesus
everywhere, sat at His feet, stood and waited for
Him everywhere. She thought of Him alone, saw
Him alone, knew only her Redeemer and "her own
sins. Jesus frequently addressed to her words of
consolation. She was very greatly changed. Her
countenance and bearing were still noble and distin
guished, though her beauty was destroyed by her
penance and tears. She sat almost always alone in
her narrow penance-chamber, and at times performed
the lowest services for the poor an'd sick.

That evening there was a grand entertainment. All

Jesus' Friends 277

the friends from Jerusalem, as well as the holy women
from the same place were present at it. I saw too
Heli of Hebron, the widower of one of Elizabeth's
sisters, who at the Last Supper filled the office to
Jesus of steward and master of the house. He had
with him his son, the Levite, who now held possession
of John's paternal house, and his five 'daughters,
who were Essenians and unmarried.

Lazarus and his family were the familiar and deeply
sympathetic friends of Jesus and His disciples. With
their property and goods, they became the powerful
helpers and supporters of the "Community.

Toward ten o'clock next morning, Jesus went with
the Apostles and about thirty disciples across the
Mount of Olives and through Ophel to the Temple.
All wore the ordinary brown woollen tunic common
among the Galileans, added to which Jesus had a
broad cincture upon which was an inscription in
letters. He attracted no attention, since bands of
Galileans similarly clad were to be met in all quarters.
The Feast was approaching. Large encampments of
huts and tents were ranged around the city, and
crowds of people were circulating everywhere. Jesus
taught in the Temple for a whole hour in presence
of His disciples and a large number of people. There
were several teacher's chairs from all of which in
structions were given. All were so busy with prep
arations for the Feast, and so taken up with the
revolt against Pilate, that no priest of the first grade
noticed Jesus, but some malicious, insignificant Phar
isees approached Him and asked how He dared
show Himself there, and how long this thing was
to last, adding that they would soon put a stop to
His proceedings. Jesus gave them an answer that
put them to shame, arid continued His discourse
undisturbed, after which He returned to Bethania.
and retired in the evening to the Mount of Olives.

On this day a great multitude was again assembled
on the market-place before the fortress Ahtonia, to

278 Life of Jesus Christ

speak to Pilate. But he already knew all that they
had to say, for he had among them his own spies
and soldiers in disguise. The Herodians had roused
up Judas the Gaulonite and his Galilean followers,
who went fearlessly to Pilate and told him that he
should refrain from his design of touching the money
belonging to the Temple treasury. As many of them
made use of very unbridled language, Pilate ordered
his guard to attack them unexpectedly, and about
fifty of them were taken prisoner. But at once the
rest of the mob rushed to the rescue, freed the
prisoners, and then dispersed. About five inoffensive
Jews and some Roman soldiers were killed during
the affray. This affair served only to increase the
general discontent. Herod was in Jerusalem at this
time.

On the morning of the following day, Jesus again
went to the Temple with all His disciples. His
presence had now become known and, waiting for
Him in the Temple court through which He had to
pass, were people with their sick. Already on His
way thither, a man suffering from dropsy had been
brought to Him in a litter as He ascended the mount.
Jesus healed him, and at the Temple some others
sick and gouty. In consequence of these cures, He
was followed by a numerous crowd. As He drew
near the Temple, where they were still busy here
and there clearing out and putting in order the places
destined for the immolation of the lambs next day,
Jesus passed the man whom He had cured at the
Pool of Bethsaida, and who was here employed as a
day-laborer. Jesus turned to him and said: " Behold!
thou hast been cured. Sin no more, that something
worse may not befall thee! " This man, who was
well-known, had been plied with questions as to who
had cured him on the Sabbath-day. But he did not
know Jesus, whom he here saw again for the first
time. Now however he made it his business to
inform the Pharisees as they passed that this Jesus

" Let the Dead Bury the Dead " 279

who on the preceding day had wrought so many
cures, was the very one that had cured him at the
Pool of Bethsaida. Since the cure of this man had
caused great excitement and the Pharisees had been
very much tried by what they termed a violation
of the Sabbath, they now found in it a new1 cause
of complaint against Jesus. They gathered around
His chair and again brought forward the old story
of His Sabbath-breaking. There was however no
special disturbance on that day, although they were
very greatly enraged.

Jesus taught two "hours in the Temple before a
large audience. .His subject w*as the Paschal sacrifice.
He said that His Heavenly Father desired no
bloody sacrifices from them, but rather a penitent
heart, and that the Paschal lamb was merely sym
bolical of an infinitely higher Sacrifice which would
soon be fulfilled. Many of His malicious enemies
among the Pharisees came forward railing at Him
and disputing against Him. Among other things they
asked in scornful words whether the Prophet would
do them the honor to eat the Paschal lamb with
them. Jesus answered: "The Son of Man is Himself
a Sacrifice for your sins!

That youth who had said that he would first ^bury
his father, and to whom Jesus had responded: " Let
the dead bury the dead! " was also in Jerusalem.
He had repeated those words of Jesus to _the Phar
isees. They now reproached Him with them, and
asked Him what He meant by them. How could
one dead man bury another ? Jesus answered by
saying that whoever does not follow His teaching,
does not do penance, and does not believe in His
mission, has no life in him and is consequently dead;
that whoever values goods and riches more than
salvation, whoever follows not His teachings and be
lieves not in Him, has in himself not life, but death,
Such were the dispositions of this young man. He
had wished to come to terms with his aged father

280 Life of Jesus Christ

concerning his inheritance and put the latter upon
a pension; he had clung to the dead inheritance, and
consequently he could have no share in the Kingdom
of Jesus and eternal life. It was for this reason
that Jesus had told him to let the dead bury the
dead while he himself turned to life. Jesus continued
to teach in this strain, and reproached them severely
for their covetousness. But when He warned His
disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and
related the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus,
the Pharisees became so exasperated that they raised
a great tumult. Jesus was forced to disappear in
the crowd and make His escape, otherwise they would
have taken Him prisoner.

The four little lambs destined for the four sets
who were to eat the Passover at Lazarus's, and
•which were daily washed at a fountain and adorned
with fresh flowers, were taken on the evening of
this day to the Temple at Jerusalem. Each had
fastened to the little wreath around its neck, a ticket
^ith the name and sign of the master of the family
to which it belonged. After being washed once more,
they were turned into a beautiful grassy inclosurfc
on the Temple-mount. All the household of Lazarus
performed to-day their purifications. Lazarus himself
brought the water to be used in preparing the unleav
ened bread, and he also went with a servant into
the different rooms. The servant carried a light and
Lazarus cleaned out the corners a little. It was a
ceremonial performance, after which the servant-men
and maids swept and cleaned thoroughly. They wash
ed and scoured likewise the vessels and other things
that were to be used in preparing the unleavened
bread. All this was symbolical of the cleaning out
of the old leaven. Simon the Pharisee, of Bethania,
had already visited Jesus. Not long ago he appeared
to be approaching the state of leprosy, but now he
looked more healthy. He was a timorous follower
of Jesus. The man healed at the Pool of Bethsaida

The Presence of God 281

harried to Bethania and wherever Jesus permitted
Himself to be seen. He told all the Pharisees he met
that it was by Jesus he had been cured, consequently
they determined to take Jesus into custody and make
away with Him.

I saw Jesus several times walking with the disciples
and other friends on the Mount of Olives, while
Mary, Magdalen, and other women promenaded at
some distance. I saw the disciples snapping off ears
from the ripe cornfields, and here and there eating
fruits and berries. Jesus gave the disciples minute
instructions on prayer, warned them against hypocrisy
in it, and repeated to them many things that He
had before said. He likewise admonished them ever
to walk by uninterrupted prayer "in the presence of
God, His own and their Father.

2. THE PASSOVER IN LAZARUS'S HOUSE

The Paschal lamb at this Passover was not slain
in the Temple at so early an hour as at the time
of Christ's Crucifixion when the slaughtering began
at half-past twelve o'clock, the same hour at which
Jesus Himself was slain upon the Cross. That day
was a Friday and, on account of the approaching
Sabbath, they began earlier. To-day however they
began about three in the afternoon. The trumpets
were sounded, all was in readiness, and the people
entered the Temple in separate groups. The rapidity
and order with which everything was done, were
certainly admirable. Though the crowd was great,
yet no one obstructed his neighbor's way. Every one
had room to come, to slaughter, and to withdraw.
The four lambs for Lazarus's household were slaught
ered by the four who were to preside at the tables:
namely, Lazarus, Heli of Hebron, Judas Barsabas, and
Heliacim, the latter a son of Mary Heli and brother
of Mary Cleophas. The lambs were fastened to a
wooden spit that had a crosspiece, which gave them

282 Life of Jesus Christ

the appearance of being crucified. They were roasted
upright in a bakeoven. The entrails, the heart, and
the liver were either replaced in the lamb or fastened
to the forepart of the head. Bethphage arid Bethania
were reckoned as part of Jerusalem, consequently
the Pasch could be eaten in either place.

In the evening, when the 15th of Nisan began,
the Paschal lamb was eaten. All were girded, new
sandals on their feet, and each held a Staff in his
hand. They began by chanting the Psalms : "~ Blessed
be the Lord God of Israel " and " Blessed be the
Lord, " while with raised hands they approached
the table, two by two, and took their place opposite
one another. At the table at which Jesus sat with
the Apostles, Heli of Hebron presided; Lazarus was
at that of his own family and friends; the disciples
•were at a third presided over by Heliacim; and
Judas Barsabas did the honors of the fourth. Thirty-
six disciples here ate the Pasch.

After the prayer, a cup of wine was presented to
the master at each table. He blessed it, sipped, and
passed it round, after which he washed his hands.
On the table were the Paschal lamb, a dish of un
leavened bread, a bowl of brown sauce, another of
broth, a third filled with little branches of bitter
herbs, and a fourth in which the green herbs were
arranged close together in an upright position, thus
giving them the appearance of actual growth. The?
master of each table then carved the Paschal lamb
and served it round among the guests, who con
sumed it very rapidly. They cut off pieces from
the closely packed herbs, steeped them in the broth,
and ate them. The master then broke one of the
unleavened loaves and laid a little piece of it under
the tablecloth. All was done very quickly and ac-i
companied by prayers and passages from the Scrip
tures. The guests stood leaning against the seats,
The cup went round once more, the master again
washed his hands, and laid a little bunch of bitter

The Paschal Supper 283

herbs on a morsel of bread, which he steeped and ate,
all the guests following his example.

The Paschal lamb had to be entirely consumed.
The bones were scraped clean with ivory knives,
then washed and burned. After some more chanting,
the guests reclined at table in due form, to eat
and drink. All kinds of elegantly prepared dishes
now made their appearance, and mirth and joy pre
vailed. At Lazarus's house all had beautiful plates
from which they ate. At Jesus' last Paschal feast
however the plates consisted of disks of bread upon
which were impressed various figures. They lay in
the hollow places scooped out around the table.

The women likewise stood during the Paschal meal,
and they too were clothed as for a journey. They
sang Psalms, but observed no other ceremonies. They
did not carve their lamb themselves, but portions
were sent to them from another table. In the side-
halls of the supper-room, a great number of poor
ate their Paschal lamb. Lazarus defrayed all the
expenses of their meal, and gave them presents besides.

During the supper Jesus taught and explained. He
delivered an exceedingly beautiful instruction on the
vine, on its cultivation, on the extermination of the
bad, the planting of better shoots, and the pruning
of the same after every new growth. He then turned
to the Apostles and disciples and told them that
they were the shoots of which He spoke, that the
Son of Man. was the true Vine, and that they must
remain in Him; that when He would be subjected
to the wine-press, they must continue to publish
the knowledge of the true Vine, namely, Himself,
and plant all the vineyards with the same. The guests
did not separate till very late in the night. All were
deeply impressed and joyful.

Judas Barsabas was, with the exception of Andrew,
the eldest disciple. He was married, and his family
lived in the pastoral state in a row of houses between
Machmethat and Iscariot. Heliacim also wa.s mar-

284 Life of Jesus Christ

riecl, and lived in the pastoral state on the field
of Ginnim. He was much older than Jesus. Jesus
seldom sent these disciples into this region.

3. THE RICH GLUTTON AND POOR LAZARUS

The Feast began very early in the Temple, which
was opened soon after midnight, the whole place
ablaze with lamps. The people came before daybreak
with their thank-offerings, consisting of all kinds of
birds and animals, which were for sale at the Temple
itself, and which were received and inspected by
the priests. Besides these, there were offerings of
money, stuffs, corn, oil, etc.

When morning dawned, Jesus, the disciples, Laz
arus with his household, and the women, went to
the Temple where Jesus remained standing with His
own party among the crowd. Many Psalms were
sung, the musicians played, sacrifices were offered,
and a benediction given which all received on their
knees. The people entered in bands, the gates were
closed behind them and after they had sacrificed,
they left before another band entered, that no con
fusion might arise. Numbers, especially strangers,
went to the benediction given in the synagogues
of the city where there were singing and reading
of the Law. Toward noon, about eleven o'clock, there
was a pause in the reception of offerings. Many of
the people had already dispersed. Some went to the
kitchens in the women's porch where the flesh of
the victims was prepared for eating, which took place
in the dining-halls, in which whole families were
assembled. The holy women had returned "earlier
to Bethania.

Up to the moment at which- the offerings ceased to
be received, Jesus had remained standing with His
party; but when the corridors were again thrown
open, He went to the great .teacher's chair which
stood in the Temple in the court before the sanctuary.

The Pharisees Reproach Jesus 285

A numerous crowd assembled around Him, among
them many Pharisees, also .the man that had been
cured at the Pool of Bethsaida, For two whole
days he had related what he knew of Jesus, fre
quently making use of the expression that whoever
could do such works as He, must be the Son of God.
The Pharisees had, it is true, forbidden him to speak,
but to no purpose. As on the day before Jesus
had taught very boldly in the Temple, the Pharisees
feared that He might bring them into- still greater
disrepute before the people; and as all their col
leagues from the country around gathered here for
the Feast, brought forward complaints and lies against
Jesus, they determined to seize the first opportunity
to take Him prisoner and pass sentence upon Him.
When therefore Jesus began to teach, many of them
closed around Him, interrupting His discourse with
innumerable objections and reproaches. They asked
Him why He did not eat the Paschal lamb with
them in the Temple, and whether He had to-day
offered a thanksgiving sacrifice. Jesus referred them
to the masters of the feast who had discharged that
duty for Him. Then they repeated the old charges,,
that His disciples observed not the customary usages,
that they ate with unwashed hands and stole corn
and fruit along the roadside, that He was never
seen offering sacrifice, that six days were for labor
and the seventh for rest, and yet He had healed
that man on the Sabbath, and that He was a Sabbath-
breaker. Jesus answered their charges in severe words.
Of sacrifice, He said again that the Son of Man
was Himself a Sacrifice, and that they dishonored
the sacrifice by their ccvetousness and their slanders
against their fellow-men. God, Jesus went on to say,
did not desire burnt offerings, but contrite hearts;
their sacrifices would come to an end, but the Sabbath
would continue to exist. It would indeed exist, but
for man's utility, for man's salvation. The Sabbath
was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

286 Life of Jesus Christ

Then the Pharisees questioned Jesus on the subject
of the parable of poor Lazarus which He had recently
related. They asked in ridicule how He knew that
story so well, how He knew what Lazarus, Abraham.-
and the rich man had said. Had He been with Lazarus
in Abraham's bosom? Had He been with the rich
man in hell ? Was He not ashamed of Himself to
impose such things upon the people? Jesus again
took up this parable and taught upon it, reproaching
them with their avarice, their cruelty to the poor,
their self-satisfied observance of empty forms and
customs, along with their total want of charity. He
japplied the history of the rich glutton entirely to
themselves. That history is true. The glutton was
well-known until his death, which was a frightful
one. I saw again that the rich glutton and poor
Lazarus really existed and that by their death they
had become well-known throughout the country. But
they did not live in Jerusalem where later on their
dwellings so-called were pointed out to pilgrims. They
died in Jesus' early years, and they were much spoken
of in pious families at that time. The city in which
they "dwelt was called Aram, or Amthar, and lay
in the mountains west of the Sea of Galilee. I no
longer know the whole history in detail, but I still
remember this much: The rich man was very wealthy.
He lived high, held the first position among his
fellows, and was a distinguished Pharisee, very strict
in the outward observance of the Law; but he was,
on the other hand, extremely severe and merciless
toward the poor. I saw him harshly reproving the
poor of the place who applied to him, as to their
chief-magistrate, for help and support. There was
a poor, wretched man in the place called Lazarus.
He was full of misery and covered with ulcers, but
at the same time humble and patient. Hungering
for bread, he had himself carried to the house of
the rich man, in order to plead the cause of the poor
so rudely rebuffed. The rich man was reclining at

Poor Lazarus and the Rich Man 287

table carousing, but Lazarus was harshly repulsed
as one unclean. He lay at the gate begging for only
the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, but
no one gave him to eat. The dogs more merciful
licked his sores, which means that the heathens were
more merciful than the Jews. After that Lazarus died
a most beautiful and edifying death. The rich man
also died, but his death was frightful. A voice was
afterward heard proceeding from his tomb, and the
whole country was full of the report of it.

Jesus having ended the parable by the relation
of hidden truths unknown to the rest of men, the
Pharisees ridiculed Him, asking whether He had been
with Lazarus in Abraham's bosom to hear all that
talk. As the rich glutton had been a very strict,
Pharisaical observer of customs, it was especially
irritating to the Pharisees to have this parable applied
to themselves, also because it was therein implied
that they did not listen to Moses and the Prophets.
Jesus said to them in plain words that whoever
would not hear Him, heard not the Prophets for they
spoke of Him; whoever would not hear Him, heard
not Moses, for he spoke of Him; and even it the
dead arose, they would not believe their testimony
of Him. But the dead should indeed arise and
witness to Him, (this happened the next year and
in that same Temple, at the time of Jesus' death)
and yet they, the Pharisees, would not believe. They
themselves, He continued, should one day arise, and
He would judge them. All that He did, His Father
did in Him even to the raising of the dead. Jesus
spoke also of John and his testimony, of which
however He had no need, since His own works
bore a still more convincing testimony of His mission,
and His Father Himself bore witness to it. But
they knew not God. They wanted to be saved by
the Scriptures, and yet they kept not the Command
ments. However He would not, as He said, bring
a charge against them, for Moses, who had written

288 Life of Jesus Christ

of Him and whom they would not believe, would
do that.

Jesus went on teaching many things in the midst
of repeated interruptions. At last the Pharisees be
came so enraged that they set up a shout, pressed
against Him, and sent for the guard of the Temple to
take Him into custody. At this moment, it suddenly
grew 'dark and, when the uproar was at its height,
Jesus looked up to heaven and said: " Father, render
testimony to Thy Son! Instantly a dark cloud
covered the heavens, a loud noise like a thunder
clap resounded, and I heard a piercing voice pro
claiming through the edifice: " This is My beloved
Son in whom I take my delight! ' Jesus' enemies
were utterly dumbfounded, and gazed upward in ter
ror. But the disciples, who were standing in a semi
circle behind Jesus, began to make a move and
closed round Him. Thus escorted He went without
further molestation through the now opening crowd,
out by the western side of the Temple, and out
of the city by the corner gate near Lazarus's house.
They proceeded a little further northward to Rama.

The disciples had not heard the voice, only the
thunder, for their hour was not yet come; but several
of the most enraged of the Pharisees heard it. When
it was again clear, they made no comment upon what
had just taken place, but hurried out and sent people
to seize Jesus. But he was not to be found, and the
Pharisees were then incensed against themselves for
being so taken by surprise as to allow Him to escape.

In His instructions of these days both in the Temple
and at Bethania to the disciples and the crowd there
assembled, Jesus alluded several times to the obli
gation of following Him and of bearing the cross
after Him. "He that will save his life, shall lose
it; and he that will lose his life for My sake shall
find it. For what doth it profit a man if he gain
the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own
soul? Whoever shall be ashamed of Me before this

Stephen Comes to Jesus 289

adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the
Son of Man be ashamed when He shall come in the
glory of His Father, to render to 'every one according
to His works. ' Jesus added that there were some
among His hearers who would not see death until
they should see the Kingdom of God come in all
its power. At these words many mocked Him. I
can not say now what Jesus meant by this. The words
of the Gospel always sound to me like the mere
headings of the principal doctrines, for Jesus' instruc
tions were much more extended. His discourses that
often occupied hours, may there be read in a couple
of minutes.

Stephen was already in communication with the
disciples. On the Feast upon which Jesus healed
the man of Bethsaida, he became acquainted with
John, and after that he went round a great deal with
Lazarus. He was very slender, of an airiiable disposi
tion, and a scholar in the Holy Law. He was at
this time in Bethania with several other disciples
from Jerusalem, and heard Jesus' teachings.

4. JESUS IN ATAROTH AND HADAD
RIMMiON

Fromi Rama Jesus went with the disciples to Thanath-
Silo near Sichar. As all the Pharisees were away
at the Feast in Jerusalem, Jesus was received very
joyfully in Thanath. Only the aged and the infirm,
the women and little children remained home from
the Feast, also the old shepherds with their herds.
In Rama and Thanath I saw the people going pro-
cessionally through the cornfields, cutting off bunches
of grain, and carrying them on a pole into their homes
and synagogues. Here and there on the fields and
likewise in Thanath-Silo, where He stayed over night.
Jesus taught and made allusion to His approaching
end. He called all to Himself to seek consolation,

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 19

290 Life of Jesus C Jar 1st

and spoke of the sacrifice most pleasing to God,
namely, a contrite heart.

From Thanath-Silo Jesus went to Ataroth, north
of the mountain near Meroz, where the Pharisees
once brought Him a dead man to be healed. The
place was about four hours north of Thanath-Silo.
Jesus arrived at Ataroth toward evening. He taught
on a, hill outside the city, to which a crowd of the
aged and the sick, of women and children followed
Him. All the sick, and others that were afraid before
the Pharisees, now made their appearance imploring
help and consolation. The Pharisees and Sadducees
of Ataroth were so exasperated against Jesus that
once, when they heard that HQ was in their neighbor
hood, they caused the gates of the city to be closed.
Jesus taught in very severe terms, though at the
same time very lovingly, and warned the poor people
against the wickedness of the Pharisees. He continued
to speak in plain terms of His mission, of His Heavenly
Father, of the persecution that would soon overtake
Him, of the resurrection of the dead, of the judgment,
and of following Him. He cured many sick: lame,
blind, dropsical, sick children, and women afflicted
with an issue of blood.

The disciples had prepared for their Master an
inn outside Ataroth near a simple-hearted school
teacher, an aged man, who dwelt there among the
gardens. Jesus and His disciples washed their feet,
took some refreshments, and repaired to the synagogue
in Ataroth, to celebrate the Sabbath. There were
assembled many who had come hither from the country
around, as well as all those that had been cured. An
aged Pharisee, a cripple, who had not gone to Jeru
salem, presided over the synagogue. He put on great
airs, though to the people he was rather an object
of ridicule. The Scripture lessons of the day consisted
of passages, referring to legal impurity contracted
by childbirth, to leprosy, to Eliseus's multiplicatioi)

" Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! " 291

of the bread of the first fruits and the new corn, and
to Naaman's cure1.

Jesus had been teaching a long time, when He
turned to where the women were standing, and called
to 'Him a poor, crippled widow. Her daughters had
conducted her into the synagogue, and put her into the
place she usually occupied. It never entered her mind
to ask for help, although she had now been sick
eighteen years. She was crippled at the waist. When
she walked the upper part of her person was so bent
toward the earth that she could almost have walked
on her hands. Jesus addressed her as her daughters
were leading her to Him: " Woman, -be freed from
thy infirmity! " and He laid His hand on her back.
She rose up straight as a candle, and began to praise
God: " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel! '•' Then
she cast herself at Jesus' feet, and all present praised
God.

But the deformed old rogue was angry that such'
ai miracle had taken place in Ataroth during the
time of his sway. Not daring to expose himself to
what might follow from a direct attack upon Jesus,
he turned to the people and, with an air of great
authority, began to find fault and say: " There are
six days upon which we m&y labor. Come upon them
and be healed, but not upon the Sabbath-day!
Jesus responded; " Thou hypocrite! Does not every
one of you loose his ox or his ass from the manger
on the Sabbath-day, and lead it to water? And shall
not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, bei loosed
from the bond in which for eighteen years Satan has
bound 'her? " The crippled Pharisee and his adher
ents were confounded, while the people praised God
and rejoiced at the miracles,

It was truly affecting to behold the daughters and
some lads belonging to her family expressing their
joy around the cured woman. Yes, all the inhabitants

i. Leviticus XII. — XIV, IV. Kings IV. 42. — V. 19.

292 Life of Jesus Clirist

rejoiced, for she was wealthy, beloved and esteemed
in the city. It was laughable, though at the same
time pitiable, to see the crippled Pharisee instead of
craving relief for himself, raging over the cure of
the pious, deformed woman. Jesus went on with His
instruction upon the Sabbath, and spoke in as severe-
terms as He had used in the Temple, on the occasion
of their reproaching Him with the cure of the man
at the Pool of Bethsaida. He stayed over night with
the schoolmaster outside of Ataroth, and next day
visited the house of the cured women who fed num
bers of the poor and gave large alms. After that He
closed the Sabbath services in the synagogue, and
went forward a qouple of hours to an inn near Ginnim.

On the following day He and the disciples tour
neyed about eight hours northward through the vale
of Esdrelon and across the brook Cison to Hadad-
Rimmon, leaving Endor, Jezrael, and Nairn on the
right. Rimmon lay, at most, one hour east of Ma-
geddo, not far from Jezrael and Nairn, about three
hours west of Thabor, and to the southwest about the
same distance from Nazareth. It was quite an im
portant and populous city, for a highway both mili
tary and commercial, ran through it from Tiberias
to the seacoast. Jesus put up at an inn outside
the city. He taught all along the way and, here
and there, cured shepherds and other poor sick.
The subject of these instructions Was the love of the
neighbor. He commanded His hearers to love the
Samaritans and all men. He likewise explained the
parable of the compassionate Samaritan.

In Hadad-Rinrmon Jesus taught chiefly upon the
resurrection of the dead and judgment. He • healed
the sick. A great concourse of people came to His
instructions. They had been in Jerusalem, but had
reached it only the day after Jesus had left. The
Apostles and disciples taught in the surrounding places.

The day after Jesus' departure from Jerusalem,
Pilate had forbidden the Galilean zealots to leave the

Jrudas the Gaulonite 293

city under pain of death, although they were anxious
to do so. Many of them had been arrested as hostages.
Shortly after, Pilate set the latter at liberty and
gave all of them permission to make their offerings
at the Temple and leave the city. He Himself toward
noon made preparations for his own departure to
Caesarea. The Galileans under arrest were no less
surprised than delighted at their restoration to freedom.
They hurried to the Temple to offer their propi
tiatory sacrifice, as they had incurred guilt and had
not yet offered sacrifice for the same.

It was customary on this day to bring all kinds
of gifts to the Temple. Many purchased an animal
and brought it to be sacrificed, while others (and
these were the most numerous) sold such objects as
they could do without and put the proceeds into
the box destined for such offerings. The wealthy
supplied their poorer neighbors with the means to
make their offerings. I saw three different boxes
for this purpose, and by each of themi instructions
were being given, while some of the worshippers
were busy with their devotions. Others were out
in the place of slaughter with their animals for
sacrifice. The Temple was tolerably crowded, yet
not to overflowing. I saw in different places little
groups of Israelites bowed down in adoration, or
standing upright, or prostrate on the ground, their
head enveloped in prayer-mantles.

Judas the Gaulonite was standing near one of the
alms-boxes surrounded by his followers, the Galileans
whom Pilate had imprisoned and afterward released.
Some of them were mere dupes, others crafty tools
of the Herodians. Many of them were from Gaulon,
but a still greater number was from Thirza, its environs,
and other places infested by Herodians. Now when
these people had made the offerings of money and
were lost in their devotions, turning neither to the
right nor to the left, I saw about ten men stealing
upon them from all sides. As they approached, they

294 Life of Jesus Christ

drew forth from under their mantles three-edged
swords about an ell in length, with which they stabbed
the nearest of the adorers. Then arose a frightful
cry. The defenceless people fled confusedly in all
directions, pursued by those that I had seen kneeling
and enveloped in their mantles. They were Romans
in disguise, and they struck down and stabbed all
\\hom they met. Many of them pressed forward to
the alms-boxes, and tore out the bags of money;
still they did not take all, a good part remained
therein. The tumult was so great that a considerable
amount of money was thrown about the Temple.
The Romans then hurried to the place of slaughter,
and stabbed the Galileans there. I saw' these Roman
soldiers issuing from all corners of the edifice, even
jumping in and out of the windows. As when the cry
of murder was raised, all that were in the Temple
ran in confusion to make their escape, many harmless
people belonging to Jerusalem were Tailed in the
tumult, as well as some of the poor people that
sold eatables in the forecourt and the recesses of
the walls. I saw some Galileans in a dark passage
trying to save themselves. They had overpowered
some of the Roman soldiers and wrested from them
their arms. And now came Judas the Gaulonite into
the same passage from the opposite entrance. He
too. was attempting to make his escape. The other
Galileans took him for a Roman and pierced him with
their weapons, in spite of his cries that he was
Judas, for the confusion was so great owing to the
similarity of clothing between the murderers and their
victims, that they indiscriminately attacked every one
they met. The massacre lasted about an hour. The
inhabitants armed with weapons now began to crowd
to the Temple, whereupon the Roman soldiers hur
riedly withdrew and shut themselves up in the fortress
of Antonia. Pilate had already gone away, the gar
rison had taken possession of all points in the city

Massacre of the Galileans 295

capable of being defended, and all avenues of com
munication were seized and cut off.

I looked down the dizzy height on one side of
the Temple into the narrow streets below, and there
I beheld frantic women and children running from
house to house. They had just received the news
of the murder of husbands and fathers, for many of
the poor people that dwelt in the neighborhood of
the Temple, hucksters and day-laborers, had been
slain in the melee. The confusion in the Temple was
frightful, and the people rushed out by every loop
hole. Elders and superintendents,, armed men and
Pharisees — all came pouring out. Around were corpses,
blood, and scattered coins, while the wounded and
dying lay on the ground groaning and weltering in
their blood. Soon appeared upon the scene the rela
tives of those belonging to Jerusalem that had been
accidentally murdered, and lamentations, cries of in
dignation, rage, and anguish arose on all sides. The
Pharisees and High Priests were terrified, for the
Temple had been frightfully profaned. The priests
dared not enter for fear of defilement from contam
ination with the dead. The Feast was consequently
terrupted.

1 saw the corpses of the massacred Jerusalemites
enveloped in winding-sheets, laid on biers, and borne
away 'by their weeping relatives; those of the others
were removed by inferior slaves. Every thing else -
cattle, eatables, movables of all kinds, - - had to be
left lying in the Temple, because all was now unclean.
Every one retired, excepting the guards and the
•workmen. The victims counted more in number than
those of the overthrow of the building at the construc
tion of the aqueduct. With the exception of the in
nocent people of Jerusalem, the massacred were, for
the most part, adherents of Judas the Gaulonite who
had declaimed so zealously against the imperial tax
and the contribution for the aqueduct levied contrary
to the privileges of the Temple, upon the money

296 Life of Jesus Christ

offered in sacrifice. It was these people who had so
boldly inveighed against Pilate's proposals, and who
had also slain some Roman soldiers in the fray that
had then taken place. Pilate in attacking them unarmed
avenged the death of his solders, as well as wreaked his
vengeance upon Herod for the latter's malicious over
throw of the tower. There were among the victims
many from Tiberias, Gaulon, Upper-Galilee, and Cses-
area-Philippi.

5. THE TRANSFIGURATION ON MOUNT
THABOR.

From the inn near Hadad-Rimmon, Jesus went
with some of the disciples eastward to .Kisloth Thabor
wliich lay at the foot of Thabor toward the" south,
about three hours from Rimmon. On the way thither
He was joined, from time to time, by the disciples
that were returning from their mission. At Kisloth
another great multitude of travellers who had come
from Jerusalem, again gathered around Him. He
taught, and then healed the sick. In the afternoon He
sent the disciples right and left around trie moun
tain, to teach and to cure. Taking with Him Peter,
John, and James the Greater, He proceeded up the
mountain by a footpath. They spent nearly two hours
in the ascent, for Jesus paused frequently at the
different caves and places made memorable by the
sojourn of the Prophets. There He explained to them
manifold mysteries and united with them in prayer.
They had no provisions, for Jesus had forbidden
them to bring any, saying that they should be sa
tiated to overflowing. The view from the summit
of the mountain extended far and wide. On it was
a large open place surrounded by a wall and shade
trees. The ground was covered with aromatic herbs
and sweet-scented flowers. Hidden in a rock was
a reservoir, which upon the turning of a spigot,
poured forth water sparkling and very cold. The

The Transfiguration 297;

Apostles washed Jesus' feet and then their own, and
refreshed themselves. Then Jesus withdrew with them
into ,a deep grotto behind a rock which formed, as
it were, a door to the cave. It was like the grotto
on the Mount of Olives, to which Jesus so often
retired to pray, and from it a descent led down into
a vault.

Jesus here continued His instructions. He spoke
of kneeling to pray, and told them that they should
henceforth pray earnestly with hands raised on high.
He taught them also the Our Father, interspersing
the several petitions with verses from the Psalms ;
and these they recited half-kneeling, half-sitting around
Him in a semicircle. Jesus knelt opposite to them,
leaning on a projecting rock, and from time to time
interrupted the prayer with instructions wonderfully
profound and sweet upon the mysteries of creation
and Redemption. His words were extraordinarily
loving, like those of one inspired, and the disciples
were wholly inebriated by them. In the beginning
of His instruction, He had said that Fie would show
them who He was, they should behold Him glorified,
that they might not waver in faith when His enemies
would mock and maltreat Him, when they should
behold Him in death shorn of all glory.

The sun had set, and it was dark, but the Apostles
had not remarked the fact, so> entrancing were Jesus'
words and bearing. He became brighter and brighter,
and apparitions of angelic spirits hovered around Him.
Peter saw them, for he interrupted Jesus with the
question: " Master, what does this mean? ' Jesus
answered: " They serve Me! ' Peter quite out of
himself, stretched forth his hands exclaiming :" Master,
are we not here? We will serve Thee in all things!"
Jesus began again His instructions and along with
the angelic apparitions flowed alternate streams of
delicious perfumes, of celestial delights and content
ment over the Apostles. Jesus meantime continued
to shine with ever-increasing splendor, until He be-

298 Life of Jesus Christ

came as if transparent. The circle around them was
so lighted up in the. darkness of night that each little
plant could be distinguished on the green sod as
if in clear daylight. The three Apostles were so
penetrated, so ravished that, when the light reached
a certain degree, they covered their head, prostrated
on the ground, and there remained lying.

It was about twelve o'clock at night when I beheld
this glory at its height. I saw a shining patfrway
reaching from heaven to earth, and on it angelic
spirits of different choirs, all in constant movement.
Some were small, but of perfect form; others were
merely faces peeping forth from the glancing light;
some were in priestly garb, while others looked like
warriors. Each had some special characteristic dif
ferent from that of the others, and from each radiated
some special refreshment, strength, delight, and light.
They were in constant action, constant movement.

The Apostles lay, ravished in ecstasy rather than
in sleep, prostrate on their face. Then I saw three
shining figures approaching Jesus in the light. Then-
coming appeared perfectly natural. It was like that
of one who steps from the darkness of night into
a place brilliantly illuminated. Two of them appeared
in a more definite form, a form more like the
corporeal. They addressed Jesus and conversed with
Him. They were Moses and Elias. The third appa
rition spoke no word. It was more ethereal, more
spiritual. That was Malachias.

I heard Moses and Elias greet Jesus, and I heard
Him speaking to them of His Passion and of Redemp
tion. Their being together appeared perfectly simple
and natural. Moses and Elias did not look aged
nor decrepit as when they left the earth. They were,
on the contrary, in the bloom of youth. Moses taller,
graver, and more majestic than Elias, had on his
forehead something like two projecting bumps. He
was clothed in a long garment. He looked like a
resolute man, like one that could govern with strict-

The Transfiguration 299

ness, though at the same time he bore the impress
of purity, rectitude, and simplicity. He told Jesus
how rejoiced he was to see Him who had led himself
and his people out of Egypt, and who was now once
more 'about to redeem them. He referred to the
numerous types of the Saviour in his own time, and
uttered deeply significant words upon the Paschal
lamb and the Lamb of God. Elias was quite the
opposite of Moses. "He appeared to be more refined,
more lovable, of a sweeter disposition. But both Elias
and Moses were very dissimilar from the apparition of
Malachias, for in the former one could trace something
human, something earthly in form and countenance;
yes, there was even a family likeness between them.
Malachias however looked quite different. There was
in his appearance something supernatural. He looked
like an angel, like the personification of strength
and repose. He was more tranquil, more spiritual
than the others.

Jesus spoke with them of -all the sufferings He
had endured up to the present, and of all that stil]
awaited Him. He related the history of His Passion
in detail, point for point. Elias and Moses frequently
expressed their emotion and joy. Their words were
full of sympathy and consolation, of reverence for
the Saviour, and of the uninterrupted praises of God.
They constantly referred to the types of the mysteries
of which Jesus was speaking, and praised God 'for
having from all eternity dealt in mercy toward His
people. But Malachias kept silence.

The disciples raised their head, gazed long upon
the glory of Jesus, and beheld Moses, Elias, and
Malachias. When in describing His Passion, Jesus
came to His exaltation on the Cross, He extended
His arms at the words: " So shall the Son of Man
be lifted up! " His face was turned toward the
south, He was entirely penetrated with light, and
His robe flashed with a Huish white gleam. He,

300 Life of Jesus Clirist

the Prophets, and the three Apostles—all were raised
above the earth.

And now the Prophets separated from Jesus, Eli-
as and Moses vanishing toward the east, Malachias
westward into the darkness. Then Peter, ravished
with joy, exclaimed: " Master, it is good for us to
be here! Let us make here three tabernacles; one
for Thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias!
Peter meant that they had need of no other heaven,
for where they were, was so' sweet and blessed. By
the tabernacles, he meant places of rest and honor,
the dwellings of the saints. He said this in the de
lirium of his joy, in his state of ecstasy, without
knowing what he was saying.

When they had returned to their usual waking state,
a cloud of white light descended upon them1, like
the morning dew floating over the meadows. I saw
the heavens open above Jesus and the vision of the
Most Holy Trinity, God the Father seated on a
throne. He looked like an aged priest, and at His
feet were crowds of angels and celestial figures. A
stream! of light descended upon Jesus, and the Apostles
heard above them, like a sweet, gentle sighing", a
voice pronouncing the words: " This is My beloved
Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him! "
Fear and trembling fell upon them. Overcome by
the sense of their own human weakness and the
glory they beheld, they cast themselves face down
ward on the earth. They trembled in the presence
of Jesus, in whose favor they had just heard the
testimony of His Heavenly Father.

Jesus went to them, touched them, and said:" Arise,
and fear not! ' They arose, and beheld Jesus alone.
It was now approaching three in the morning. The
gray dawn was glimmering in the heavens and the
damp vapors were hanging over the country around
the foot of the mountain. The Apostles were silent
and intimidated. Jesus told them that He had al
lowed them to behold the Transfiguration of the Son

The Descent from the Mountain 301

of Man, in order to strengthen their faith, that
they might not waver when they saw Him delivered
for the sins of the world into the hands of evil-doers,
that they might not be scandalized when they
witnessed His humiliation, and that they might at
that time strengthen their weaker brethren. He again
alluded to the faith of Peter who, enlightened by
God, had been the first of His followers to penetrate
the mystery of His Divinity, and He spoke of the
rock upon which He was going to build His Church.
Then they united again in prayer, and by the morning
light descended the northwestern 'side of the mountain.

While going down, Jesus talked of what had taken
place, and impressed upon the disciples that they
should tell no one of the vision they had seen, until
the Son of Man should have risen irom the dead. This
command struck them. They became more timid in
Jesus' presence, more reverential, and since the words:
" Hear ye Him! " they thought with sorrow and
anguish upon their past doubts and want of faith.
But as daylight advanced and they continued their
descent, the wonderful impression they had received
began to wear off, and they imparted to one another
their surprise at the expression : : Until the Son
of Man is risen from the dead. ' ' What does that
mean? " they asked one another, though they did
not venture to question Jesus upon it.

They had not yet reached the foot of the mountain
when Jesus was met by people coining to seek Him
with their sick. He healed arid consoled. But the
people were struck with awe at trie sight of Him, for
there was something unusual, something supernatural
and glorious in His appearance. A little lower down
the mount He found assembled a crowd of people,
the disciples whom He had sent out into the environs
the day before, and several Doctors or" the Law.
These people were returning home from the Feast.
They had met the disciples at their encampment arid
accompanied them thither, to wait for Jesus. Jesus

302 Life of Jesus Christ

saw that they and the disciples were having some
kind of a dispute. When they perceived Jesus, they
ran forward to meet and salute Him, but they were
amazed at His extraordinary appearance, for the rays
of His glorification were still around Him. The disciples
guessed from the manner of the three Apostles,
who followed Jesus more, gravely, more timidly than
usual, that something wonderful must have happened
to Him. When now Jesus inquired into the subject
of dispute, a man from Amthar, a city on the Galilean
mountain-chain, the scene of the history of Lazarus
and the rich glutton, stepped forth from1 the crowd,
threw himself on his knees before Jesus and implored
Him to help his only son. The boy was a lunatic
and possessed of a dumb devil, who hurled him some
times into fire, sometimes into water, and laid hold
of him1 so roughly that he cried out with pain. The
father had taken hirri to the disciples when they
were in Amthar, but they had not been able to
help him, and this was now the subject of dispute
between them and the Doctors of the Law. Jesus
addressed them: " O unbelieving and perverse gen
eration, how long shall I be with you? how long
shall I suffer you? " and He commanded the father
to bring th'e boy to Him. The father nowi led the
boy up by the hand. During the journey he had
been obliged to carry him like a sheep flung round
his neck. The child may have been between nine
and ten years old. As soon as he saw Jesus, he be
gan to tear himself frightfully, and the demon cast
him to the earth, where he writhed in fearful contor
tions, foam pouring from his mouth. Jesus .ordered
him to be quiet, and he lay still. Then He asked
the father how long the boy had suffered in this
way. He answered: " From early childhood. Ah, if
Thou canst, help us! Have mercy on us! " Jesus
responded: "' If Thou canst believe, for all things
are possible to him, that believes! " And the father

Delivery of the Boy Possessed 303

weeping exclaimed: " Lord, I do believe! Help Thou
my unbelief! "

At these words uttered in a loud voice, the people,
who had remained timidly standing at a distance,
approached. Jesus raised His hand in a threatening
manner toward the boy and said: " Thou dumb and
impure spirit, I command thee to go out of him
and never again to return into him! " The spirit
cried out frightfully through the boy's mouth, con
vulsed him violently, and went out, leaving him pale
and motionless like one dead. They tried in vain
to restore consciousness, and many from among the
crowd called out: ' He is dead! He is really
dead! But Jesus took him by the hand, raised
him up well and joyous, and restored him to his
father with some words of admonition. The latter
thanked Jesus with tears and canticles of praise, and
all the lookers-on blessed the majesty of God. This
scene took place about a quarter of an hour east
ward o*f that little place near Thabor where Jesus,
the year before, had healed the leprous property-
holder, the one that had sent his little servant-boy
after Him.

Jesus then proceeded on His way with the disciples.
They passed near C'ana, crossed the valley of the
Baths of -Bethulia, and reached the little town of
Dothain, three hours from Capharnaum. "They took
mostly the by-ways, in order to escape the multitudes
returning in troops from Jerusalem. Jesus and His
disciples went in bands. Jesus walked sometimes
alone, sometimes with this or that band. The Apostles
who had been witnesses of His Transfiguration ap
proached their Master on the w'ay, and questioned
Him upon the words: " Until the Son of Man is
risen from the dead, " which were still for them a
subject of reflection and discussion. They argued:
" The Scribes indeed say that Elias must come
again before the Resurrection. Jesus responded:
" Elias indeed shall come and restore all things.

304 Life of Jesus Christ

But I say to you that Elias is already come, and they
knew him not but have done unto him whatsoever
they had a mind, as it was written of him. So also
the Son of Man shall suffer from them. ' Jesus said
several other things, and the Apostles understood
that He was speaking of John the Baptist.

When all the disciples were again reunited around
Jesus in the inn at Dothain, they asked Him why
it was not in their power to free the lunatic boy from
the demon. Jesus answered: " Because of your un
belief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith
as a grain of mustard-seed, you shall say to thi?
mountain, 'Remove from hence hither, ' and it shall
remove, and nothing shall be impossible to you.
But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and
fasting. ' Then He instructed them upon what was
necessary to overcome the demon's resistance. Faith
gives to action life and power while at the same,
time it derives its own strength from fasting and
prayer. He who fasts and prays deprives the demon
that he wishes to cast out of his power, which
power the exerciser attracts as it were into himself.

6. JESUS IN CAPHARNAUM 'AND ITS
ENVIRONS

Jesus went from Dothain by a direct route to
.Capharnaum, where the feast of the home-coming
was solemnly celebrated. Jesus and the disciples were
invited to an entertainment in which some Pharisees
also took part. When about to take their places
at table, the disciple Manahem from Korea presented
himself before Jesus and with him a young man of
good education from Jericho. Jesus had already
rejected the latter, but he again requested to be
received among the disciples. He had applied to
Manahem, because he knew him. He had large pos
sessions in Samaria, which Jesus had told him some
time before to renounce. 'Having arranged his af-

The Tribute Money 305

fairs and divided his property among his relatives,
he now returned a second time to Jesus. He had
however reserved one estate for his own support-
about which he was extremely solicitous. It was for
this reason that Jesus refused his request, and he
went away displeased. The Pharisees were scan
dalized, for they were in favor of the young man.
They reproached Jesus saying that He was always
speaking of charity, and yet He was destitute of
charity; that He talked of the insupportable burdens
imposed by the Pharisees, and yet He Himself laid
on others burdens equally insupportable. This young
man, they continued, was educated, but Jesus favored
only the ignorant. He refused men the necessaries
of life, and yet sanctioned the violation of long
established customs. Once again they brought for
ward their old charges, Sabbath-breaking, the plucking
of corn, the neglect of hand-washing, etc., but Jesus
confounded them.

While Jesus was staying in Peter's house, some
people from Capharnaum said to Peter outside:
" Does not your Master pay the tribute, the two
didrachmas? " Peter answered: "Yes." And when
he went into the house, Jesus said to him: " What
is thy opinion, Simon? The kings of the earth, of
whom1 do they receive tribute or custom ? Of their
own children, or of strangers? Peter answered:
tc Of strangers and Jesus replied: f Then the
children are free! But that we -may not scandalize
them, go to the sea and cast in a hook; and that
fish which shall firsj come up, take; and when thou
hast openebl its mouth, thou shalt find a stater. Take
that and give it to them for Me and thee! " Peter
went in simple faith to his fishery, let down one of
the hooks kept there always ready for use, and
with it drew up a very large fish. He felt in its
mouth, and found an oblong yellowish coin, with
which 'he paid the tribute for Jesus and him'self.

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 20

306 Life of Jesus Christ

The fish was so large that it gave the whole company
a plentiful dinner.

After that Jesus asked the disciples upon what
subject they had been conversing on the way from
Dothain to Capharnaum. They were silent, for they
had been questioning who would be the greatest
among them. Jesus however knew their thoughts,
and He said: " Let him that will be the first among
you, become the last, the servant of all!

After dinner Jesus, The Twelve, and the disciples
went into Capharnaum where a feast was being
celebrated in honor of those that had returned from
Jerusalem. The streets and houses were adorned with
flowers and garlands. Children and old men, women
and scholars, went forth to meet the returned travel
lers, who marched in crowds through the streets
like a procession, and visited the houses of their
friends and principal personages of the city. The
Pharisees and many others, from time to timev joined
Jesus and the disciples and went around with them.

Jesus visited the homes of the poor and many
of His friends, and they presented to Him the children,
whom He blessed and to whom He made little
presents. On the market-place, on one side of which
stood the old, on the other the new synagogue built
by Cornelius, were houses with porticos in front.
Here the school children and mothers with their little
ones were assembled to salute Jesus. Jesus had been
teaching in different places all along the way, and
here He blessed and tauglit the children. He had
little tunics distributed among them, the same to
the rich as to the poor. They, had been prepared
by the stewardesses of the Community and brought
hither by the holy women of Jerusalem. The children
received also fruit, writing tablets, and other gifts.
The disciples having: asked again who would be
the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven, Jesus called
to Him a wealthy lady, the wife of a merchant,
who was standing with her four-year-old boy at the

Little Children 307

door of her house close by. She drew her veil and
stepped forward with her boy. Jesus took him from
her, and she at once went back. Then Jesus em
braced the boy, stood him before Him in the midst
of the disciples and the crowds of children standing
around, and said: " Whoever becomes not like the
children, shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Whoever receives a child in My name, receives Me,
yes, rather receives Him that sent Me. And whoever
humbleth himself like this little child, he is the
greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. '

John interrupted Jesus when He spoke of receiving
in His name. The disciples had checked a certain
man who, although not among their number, had
nevertheless expelled the devil in Jesus' name. Jesus
reproved them for so doing and continued His instruc
tion for awhile longer. Then He blessed the boy,
who was very lovely, gave him some fruit and a
little tunic, beckoned to the mother, and restored
her child to her with some prophetic words con
cerning his future, which were understood only at a
later period. The child became a disciple of the
Apostles and was named Ignatius.. He was after
ward a bishop and martyr.

During the whole procession and the teaching of
Jiesus, a ,veiled lady had followed in the crowd.
She seemed to be out of herself with emotion and
joy. With clasped hands she frequently uttered the
words half aloud, so that the women standing near
her were deeply touched and moved to devotion:
" Blessed the womb that "bore Thee! -Blessed the
breasts that gave Thee suck! But far more blessed
are they that hear the Word of God and keep it! "
She spoke these words with abundant tears and' a
touching movement of the hands. They came from
her inmost heart at every pause that Jesus made,
at every striking expression that fell from His lips
and this wkh extraordinary emotion, love, and ad-
She took an inexpressibly childlike, absorb-

308 Life of Jesus Christ

ing interest in the life, the career, the teachings
so full of love of the Redeemer. It was Lea, the
wife of a malicious Pharisee belonging to Caesar ea-
Philippi, and sister of the deceased husband of Ernie,
the woman (also of Csesarea-Philippi) who had been
cured of the issue of blood. She it was who, on a
former occasion, had exclaimed at one of Jesus'
instructions: " Blessed is the womb, " etc., .and to
whom- Jesus had replied: " But still more blessed
are they that hear the Word of God and keep it!
Since then she had coupled Jesus' response with her
own words of admiration. They were constantly on
her lips, and had become for her a prayer of love
and devotion. She had come hither to visit the holy
women, and had made many rich gifts to the Com
munity.

Jesus continued to instruct at the market-place until
the Sabbath began, when He repaired to the syna
gogue to teach. The Sabbath Lesson was upon the
purification of the leprous, and the famine of Samaria
that ceased so suddenly according to the prophetic
words of Eliseus.

Jesus, the Apostles, and some of the disciples went
next to Bethsaida, whither came also many of the
other disciples, some from missions, some from their
homes. Most of them came from the opposite side
of the lake, from Decapoiis and Gerasa. They were
very much fatigued, and stood in great need of
care and attention. They were affectionately received
on the shore by their fellow-disciples, who embraced
them and served them in every way. They were
conducted to Andrew's, their feet washed, baths made
ready for them, fresh garments supplied, and "a meal
prepared.

As Jesus was very busily lending a helping hand
in their service, Peter entreated Him to desist.
" Lord, " said he, fr art Thou going to serve! Leave
that to us. " But Jesus replied that He was sent
to serve, and that what was done for these disciples

The Least Shall Be the Greatest 309

Was done for His Father. And again His teaching
turned upon humility. He that is the least, he that
serves all others - - he shall be the greatest. But
who-ever does not serve from a motive of charity,
•whoever lowers himself to help his neighbor, not
in order to comfort a needy brother, but in order
to gain distinction at that cost, - - he is a double-
dealer, a server to the eye. He already has his
reward, for he serves himself and not his brother.
There were on this occasion perhaps seventy dis
ciples present, and there were still some others in
and around Jerusalem.

Jesus delivered to the Apostles and disciples a
deeply significant and wonderful instruction, in which
He said plainly that He was not conceived by man,
but by the Holy Ghost. He spoke with great reverence
of His Mother, calling her the purest, the holiest of
creatures, a vessel of election, after whom for thousands
of years the hearts of the devout had sighed and the
tongues of Prophets had prayed. He explained the
testimony of His Heavenly Father at the time of
His baptism, but He made no mention of that upon
Thabor. He spoke of the present time as happy and
holy, since He had come, and declared that the
relationship between God and man was once more
restored.. He referred in most profound words to
the Fall of man, his separation from the Heavenly
Father, and to the power of Satan and the evU
spirits over him. He said that, by His own birth
from the purest, the most desired of virgins, the
Kingdom and the power of God among men had
taken new life, and that by Him and in Him all
should again become the children of God. Through
Him, both in the order of nature and of grace,
was the bond, the bridge between God and man
again established, but whoever desired to pass over
that bridge must do so with Him and in Him,
must leave behind the earthly and the pleasures
of this world. 'He said that the power of the evil

310 Life Of Jesus Christ

spirits over the world and mankind, as well as his
share therein, was by Himself brought to naught,
and that all the misery arising from that diabol
ical influence upon nature and mankind could in His
name by interior union with Him through faith and
love, be crushed out. Jesus spoke of these things
most earnestly and vehemently. The disciples did
not comprehend all that He said, and they shud
dered when He spoke of His Passion. The three
Apostles that had been with Him on Thabor, had
since then been very grave and meditative.

All this took place during and after the Sabbath,
Some of the disciples put up in Capharnaum,, some
at Peter's outside the city. All expenses were de
frayed out of the common stock. It was almost like
a Religious Community.

The day after the Sabbath, Jesus went with the
disciples northward from Capharnaum toward the
mountain from which He had sent them on their
first mission. He journeyed about two hours around
among the peasants who were cutting corn and among
the shepherds, at one time instructing these people,
at another the disciples. It was just harvest time.

The corn stood higher than a man. They cut
it off at a convenient height, about half an arm
long. The ears were longer and thicker than those
of our corn and, that the stalks might not sink
under their load, the fields were at short intervals
provided with hedges of stakes. They had a kind
of sickle more like a shepherd's crook than ours.
With the right hand they cut off a handful of
stalks which they held against their breast with the
left, and so directed that they fell into their arms.
They afterward bound them into little sheaves. It
was laborious work, but they performed it very
quickly. All that fell to the ground belonged to
the poor gleaners who followed in the wake of the
reapers.

During the pauses for rest, Jesus instructed the

Jesus Instructs in the Fields 311

laborers. He questioned them as to how much they
sowed, how much they reaped, to whom the corn
belonged, what kind was the soil, how they worked
it, etc., and around these questions He wove parables
relating to sowing, to weeds, to the little grains of
wheat, to the judgment, and the consuming of the
tares by fire. He taught the disciples also how
they should teach, and He gave them another
instruction upon teaching. He explained the spiritual
signification of the harvest, called them His sowers
and reapers, and told them that they must collect
the seed-corn for the treasure of a coming harvest,
since He would not now be with them long. The
disciples became very anxious, and asked if He would
not remain with them till Pentecost. Jesus said to
them: " What will become of you when I am no
longer with you ?

To the shepherds also Jesus introduced His dis
course in many ways: " Is this your own flock?
Are these sheep of several flocks? How do you guard
them? Why do your sheep wander around dispers
ed? " etc. In this manner He put questions with
which He linked His parables of the lost sheep,
the good shepherd, etc.

Jesus then went to a valley that lay off toward
the west and in a region more elevated than Ca-
pharnaum. The mountain of Saphet was on the right.
Here He journeyed through valleys and solitary places,
teaching now the reapers and shepherds, now the
disciples. He enumerated all the duties of a good
shepherd and applied them to Himself, since He
was about to give His life for His sheep. He thereby
indicated to the disciples how they should treat with
such people whom they found in out-of-the-way districts
deprived of spiritual assistance, and should sow good
seed among them. These journeys of Jesus through
solitary places arid His teaching full of peace an'd
love, were deeply touching and impressive.

They returned by a route sorriewhat more to the

312 Life of Jesus Christ

northeast and put up at the little city of Lecuni,
one half hour from the Jordan, whither the six Apos
tles had gone on their first mission. Jesus Himself
had not yet been there. The inhabitants that had
gone to Jerusalem for the Pasch had returned, and
there were likewise Scribes and Pharisees in the
city. When the disciples visited their acquaintances,
the latter related to them the circumstance of the
massacre of the Galileans in the Temple, but they
made no mention of it to Jesus.

Lecum was a small well-to-do place, about one
half-hour from the Jordan ancl a couple of hours
from the point at which it emptied into the lake.
The inhabitants were Jews. Only on the outskirts
of the place dwelt a few poor pagans in huts. They
had, from time to time, remained behind from the
caravans. The raising of cotton formed the chief
industry here. They prepared the raw material, and
spun and wove covers and various kinds of fabrics.
Even the children were thus employed.

The welcome-home feast for those that had returned
from Jerusalem, was being celebrated in Lecuro
as it had just been in Capharnaum. The streets
were adorned with flowers and garlands of green.
Those that had come home visited the houses of
their friends, and the schools went out to meet them.

Jesus went into some of the houses to visit the
old people, and He cured some sick. On the market
square of the place in front of the synagogue, He
delivered a long discourse first to the children whom
He carressed and blessed, then to the youths and
maidens who, . on account of the general festival,
were present with their teachers. After they had
gone home, He taught successively several groups
of men and women, making use of all kinds of si
militudes. His subject was marriage, which He treated
in very beautiful and deeply significant terms. He
began by saying that in human nature much evil
is mixed with good, but that by prayer and renun-

Jesus Teaching in Similitudes 313

elation the two must be separated and the evil
subdued. He who follows his unbridled passions
works mischief. Our works follow us arid they will
at some future day rise up against their author.
Our body is an image of the Creator, but Satan
aims at destroying that image in us. All that is
superfluous brings with it sin and sickness, becomes
deformity and abomination. Jesus exhorted His hear
ers to chastity, moderation, and prayer. Continence,
prayer, and discipline have produced holy men and
Prophets. Jesus illustrated all this by similitudes
referring to the sowing1 of the grain, to the
clearing out of stones and weeds from the field,
to its lying fallow, and to the blessing of God upon
land justly acquired. In speaking of the married
state He borrowed His similitudes from the planting
of the vine and the pruning of the branches. He
spoke of noble offspring, of pious families, of improved
vineyards, and of races exalted and ennobled. He
spoke of the Patriarch Abraham, of his holiness,
and the alliance concluded with God in circumcision,
and said that his descendants had fallen into disorders
by their indulgence of unrestrained passion and their
repeated marriages with the heathens. Jesus spoke
also of the lord of the vineyard who had sent his
son, and He recounted all that had happened to
him.

The people were very much moved, many wept
and felt impelled to amend their life. Jesus gave that
instruction principally because they had never" been
taught anything about such mysteries, and also be
cause they lived in a very dissolute way.

Jesus taught also of the essential action of good
will in prayer and renunciation, and of man's own
cooperation. He said that what they deprived them
selves of in food and drink and superfluous comforts,
they should place with confidence in the hands of
God, imploring Him to allow it to benefit the poor
shepherds in the wilderness and others in need. The

314 Life of Jesus Christ

Father in Heaven would then like a true father of
a family hear their prayer, if they like faithful
servants shared the abundance He had given them
•with the poor whom they knew or whom they lovingly
sought out. This was real cooperation, and God works
with His true servants strong in faith. Here Jesus
brought forward the example of a tree (the palm),
which by love and desire as it were, but without
contact imparts fertility to its mate.

From Lecum Jesus crossed the Jordan to Beth-
saida- Julias where He taught.

The welcome-home feast was being celebrated here
likewise. I saw Jesus with the disciples, some of the
Scribes and Pharisees, and other distinguished per
sonages of Julias walking about and teaching". Here
they told Jesus of the massacre of the Galileans
in the Temple. I heard at this time that a hundred
persons belonging to Jerusalem and a hundred and
fifty of the seditious followers of Judas the Gaulonite
had been murdered. These last named had persuaded
many, perhaps forced them by threats, to go with
them and offer sacrifice. The hundred Jerusalemites
had united with the rebels, although they knew of
their unjust determination not to pay the tax to
the Emperor, and they were consequently murdered
with them.

The country around Julias was extraordinarily
charming, fertile, solitary, and verdant, full of grazing
asses and camels. It was like a zoological garden, the
abode of all kinds of birds and animals. Serpentine
footpaths wound down to the harbor, and springs
were abundant. The noonday sun shone full upon
it and flashed on the mirror-like surface of the lake.
The highroad to Julias ran nearer to the Jordan, but
the country of which I speak was a solitude. Jesus
and the disciples recrossed the Jordan and proceeded
to Bethsaida and Capharnaum. In the latter place,
Jesus taught in the synagogue, for it was the Sabbath.
The Scripture assigned for the day, were passages

" Friend, Go up Higher " 315

from Moses, * treating of the annual sacrifice of ex
piation, of that offered before the tabernacle, of the
prohibition to eat the blood of animals, and of the
degrees of kindred in which marriage could not be
solemnized. Passages were read from Ezechiel also
upon the sins of the city of Jerusalem. 2

Jesus and the disciples were invited to dine by
one of the Pharisees not far from the dwelling of
Cornelius the Centurion. There He found a man
afflicted with dropsy, who begged for help. Jesus
asked the Pharisees whether it was lawful to heal
upon the Sabbath-day. They gave Him no answer,,
so He laid His hand upon the sick man and healed
him. As the poor man was retiring with many thanks,
Jesus remarked to the Pharisees, as He usually did
on such occasions, that not one of them would hesitate
to draw out on the Sabbath-day his ox or his ass
that had fallen into a pit. The Pharisees were scan
dalized, but they could make no reply.

The Pharizees had invited only their own relatives
and friends, and when Jesus perceived that they
had taken the best places at table for themselves,
He said: " .When invited to a wedding, sit not down
in the first place, lest perhaps one more honorable
than thou be invited also, and the host constrain
thee to make room for that one, and thus bring
thee to shame. But if one takes the last place and
the host says, ' Friend, go up higher, ' that brings
with it honor. Because every one that exalteth him
self shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself
shall be exalted. " Then Jesus addressed the host:
" Whoever invites to his feast his relatives, friends,
and rich neighbors, who will in turn invite him to
theirs, has already received his reward. But whoever
invites the poor, the lame, the blind, the infirm,
who can make no return to him, he will happily

1. Leviticus X VI. — • XIX.

2. Ezech* XXII.

316 Life of Jesus Christ

receive his recompense iat the 'Resurrection. " To
this one of the guests responded: " Yes, blessed
indeed will he be that shall sit at the feast in the
Kingdom of God! " whereupon Jesus turned to him
and related the parable of the great feast.

Jesus had, by means of the disciples, caused many
of the poor to be assembled at the Pharisee's. Now
he asked the host whether the entertainment had
been prepared for Him, and on receiving an answer
in the affirmative, He ordered what was left after
the guests had finished to be distributed to the
poor.

After that Jesus went with the disciples through
the • Centurion Zorobabel's estate into a beautiful,
solitary region between Tiberias and Magdalum. As
a numerous crowd followed Him, He took the op
portunity to speak of renouncing all things to follow
Him. Whoever, He said, wanted to follow Him and
be His disciple must love Him more than all his
nearest relatives, yes, even more than himself, and
must carry his cross after Him. *He who wanted
to tmild a tower must first calculate the cost, other
wise he might never finish it, might make himself
ridiculous. He who goes to war ought, first of all,
to compare the number of his forces with those
of his enemy, and if he finds it insufficient, he
ought rather to sue for peace. One must renounce
all things, in order to become His disciple.

7. JESUS TEACHING ON THE MOUNTAIN
NEAR GABAJRA

Jesus journeyed on teaching through the country
of Genesareth, and despatched a large number of
the elder disciples, to invite the people to an in
struction to be given on the mountain beyond Gabara.
It was to begin on the following Wednesday and
last several days. I heard the day indicated dif-

Crowds Assemble at Gabara 317

ferently, but I knew that the coming .Wednesday
•was meant.

A great many of the disciples rowed across the
lake to the country of the Gergeseans, to Dalmanutha,
and into the Decapolis. They were commissioned to
invite all, for Jesus would not be with them much
longer, and they were to bring back as many with
them as they could. About forty disciples went on
this mission. Jesus kept with Him the Apostles, as
well as the disciples that had last returned, all of
whom He continued to instruct. He went with them
to Tarichcea at the southern extremity of the lake.
The journey to Tarichaea could not be made along the
lake-shore, for at two hours' distance from that place
rose steep cliffs that extended off to the lake. Jesus
went around Tarichaea to the west, and crossed over
a, bridge to a place that seemed to be one of the
environs of the city. The bridge spanned the stone
dam which extended from Tarichaea to the spot at
which the Jordan flowed out of the lake. Near the
bridge ran two rows of houses. Before reaching
them, Jesus had to pass the abode of the lepers,
where He had wrought some cures the preceding
year. Being informed of His approach, these cured
came out to thank Him, while others, who had
come hither since His last visit, now cried to Him
for help and He healed them. When arrived at
the houses mentioned above, many sick were presented
to Him. They had been rowed across the lake from
Dalmanutha. Jesus helped them. That dam along
with most of the houses, was overturned by the
earthquake at Jesus' death. They were abandoned
and never rebuilt, since the lake-shore was much
changed by the catastrophe. Tiberias was in reality
only half a city, being quite unfinished on one side.
From all quarters poured immense crowds to the
mountain of Gabara, and ships full of passengers
came over the lake. They brought with them tents
and provisions, also sick borne in basket-litters on

3 IS Life of Jesus Christ

the backs of asses. The disciples arranged the
multitude, and lent assistance everywhere.

As Jesus with the Apostles was proceeding to
Gabara, He was met by some of the Pharisees who
interrogated Him as to the meaning of that great
movement of the people, those multitudes hastening
to the mountain. The whole country, they said, was
in a state of agitation! Jesus answered by telling
them that they too might if they chose come to
hear His discourse next morning, 'that He had invited
the multitude, because He would not be among them
much longer.

The holy women went to the inn at the foot of
the mountain in order to provide for the wants of
the disciples.

It was toward ten o'clock next day when Jesus
appeared upon the mountain. The disciples had put
the people in order and indicated to them1 how they
should in certain numbers exchange places from time
to time, in order to hear Jesus' discourse, for the
multitude was far greater than could be accommodated
within hearing distance of the teacher's chair. The
people were under tents, those from the same district
camping together. Each district had its own camp,
the entrance to which was adorned with an arch
formed of the fruits peculiar to that district and
surmounted by a crown made of the most magnificent
specimens. Some had grape-vines and 'corn; others,
cotton-plants, sugar-cane, aromatic herbs, and all kinds
of fruits and berries. Every district had its own
distinctive sign adorned with flowers and beautifully
arranged. The whole produced a very pleasing ef
fect. Numbers of birds, among them pigeons and
quails, had taken up their quarters in the camp and
were busy picking up the scattered crumbs. They
had grown so familiar, so tame, that the people
fed them from their hands. "A great many Pharisees,
Sadducees, and Herodians, Scribes and magistrates
of different places, were present and had taken

Jesus Teaching1 the Multitude

possession of the places around Jesus' chair. They
had provided themselves with comfortable seats, a
kind of stool, or chair, which they had ordered to be
brought for their own use.

Jesus collected His disciples close around Him,
to the displeasure of the Pharisees who were unwilling
to see them preferred to themselves, Jesus began
by prayer and calling the people to order. He bade
them be attentive, because He was going to teach
them what they would not learn from others, but
what was at the same time necessary for their
salvation. What they could not then comprehend,
would be repeated and explained to them later by
His disciples whom He would send to them, for He
Himself would not be among them much longer.
Then loudly and openly He warned the disciples
gathered around Him against the Pharisees and false
prophets, and instructed the multitude upon prayer
and love of the neighbor. The disciples led up the
different groups in turn. The Pharisees and others
versed in the Law frequently interrupted Jesus with
all kinds of contradictory remarks, but He paid
no attention to them. He went on with His instruc
tion, speaking very severely against them and warning
the people against them until they were greatly
incensed. He performed no cures to-day, but ordered
that the weary sick on their beds should be brought
up in their turn and placed under awnings near
Him, that they too might hear His teaching. He sent
word to them to be patient until the close of His
instruction. He taught till evening without intermis
sion, the people taking refreshment by turns. I did
not see Jesus eating. He taught the great multitude
so unremittingly that toward evening His voice be
came quite shrill and weak. At last, He went down
to the inn on the plain. It had once formed part of
Magdalen's property, in Magdalum, and at its sale
had been reserved for the use of the Community.
Lazarus and Martha, Dina and the Suphanite, 'Ma-

320 Life of Jesus Christ

roni of Nairn, Jesus' Mother, and the other Galilean
women were come hither with quantities of provisions,
materials for clothes, and also ready-made clothing.
They had prepared a frugal meal for Jesus and the
disciples, and all the rest was distributed to the
poor.

Next day Jesus continued His teaching on the
mountain. He again spoke of prayer, of the love
of the neighbor, of vigilance in good, of confidence
in the goodness of God, and admonished the people
not to allow themselves to 'be confounded by op
pressors and calumniators.

The Pharisees to-day were even more disquieted.
They had gathered in still larger numbers than yester
day, to dispute with Jesus. They called Him an
agitator of the people, a mischief-maker. They said
that He enticed the people from their labor that they
might follow Him around the country. They had
their Sabbath, their festivals, and their own teaching,
there was no need of His innovations. They repeated
for the thousandth time the old reproaches against
Himself and His disciples, and ended by threatening
Him with Herod. They would, they said, complain
to him of Jesus' actions and teaching; he already
had an eye upon Him, and would soon make sfaort wort
of His doings. Jesus replied with1 severity. He said
that He would, undisturbed on Herod's account, teach
and heal until 'His mission Was fulfilled. The Pharisees
were so bold and violent that the people pressed
forward. The confusion became great as they were
pushing and treading on one another's toes, .so that
the Pharisees withdrew at last in great disgust.

Jesus nevertheless went on teaching in a very
touching and impressive manner. As a great many
of those that were on their return journey from
Jerusalem, as well as others, had exhausted their
provisions, Jesus directed the senior disciples to dis
tribute among them, bread, honey, and fish, numerous
baskets of which had been brought up from the

Jesus Visits the Sick 321

inn. The holy women had seen to its preparation.
Garments, pieces of linen, covers, sandals, and little
tunics for the children also were distributed to the
needy. The holy women had brought all these things
in abundance. They distributed them to the women,
and the disciples, to the men.

Meanwhile Jesus continued to instruct the dis
ciples alone, speaking upon the character of the
Pharisees and telling them how they should in future
comport themselves toward them. After that He
descended with them to the inn where a meal was
awaiting them.

During it Lazarus spoke of the massacre of the
Galileans in the Temple, of which there was much
question among the disciples and the people at large.
He told also of the women from Hebron, relatives
of the Baptist, and of some from Jerusalem who had
gone to Machserus in search of Johns' head, as the
severs were being cleared out and the fortress en
larged. Lazarus himself had taken steps in the matter.

Early on the morning of the third day, Lazarus and
the holy women returned home, Vhile Jesus and
the Apostles went to visit the sick whose huts and
tents had been arranged, some in the neighborhood
of the inn, and others in the public encampment at
the foot of the mount of instruction. They cured all
that were there, and did not leave the spot until
all were again on their feet. The disciples busied
themselves distributing among them what remained
of the provisions, clothes, and unmade materials. The
cured and their friends filled the air with Psalms
of thanksgiving. At last all took their departure,
in order to reach their homes before the Sabbath.

Jesus next went to Garisima, about one hour to
the north of Sephoris, on a height at the end of
the valley. He sent some of the disciples on ahead
.to prepare the inn while He Himself, on account
of some sick whom He wished to visit, took a
circuitous route thereto. I sa.w Him and His party

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 21

322 Life of Jesus Christ

tarrying awhile in the little place Capharoth near
Jetebatha. The road from Capharnaum to Jerusalem
ran through it. Saul wandered about this part of
the country shortly before his visit to the witch of
Endor and his disastrous battle. It was about five
hours from Capharoth to Garisima, which lay in the
midst of vineyards. It enjoyed the morning and some
of the noonday sun, but on the west and north it
had nothing but shade.

The disciples that had been sent on in advance,
came a part of the way to meet Jesus, who had an
inn just outside the place. They washed one another's
feet and, after partaking of the customary refresh
ments, Jesus proceeded to the synagogue where He
taught from Leviticus and the Prophet Ezechiel. He
had to endure no contradiction this time, for His
hearers were astonished at His knowledge of the
Law and His wonderful explanations. The instruction
over, He took a repast with His own 'followers at
the inn. Some of His relatives from the region of
Sephoris were in Garisima, and they ate with them.
Jesus spoke on this occasion of His approaching
end.

Almost a hundred disciples along with the Apostles
gathered around Jesus in Garisima for the Sabbath.
The two sons of Cyrinus of Cyprus, who had been
baptized at Dabereth, were also here with other Jews
from the same place. A great multitude of these
latter were here encamped. They were returning to
Cyprus from the Paschal festival at Jerusalem and
they listened with admiration to Jesus' teaching on
the Sabbath. Jesus' presence was ardently longed
for in Cyprus, where there were numbers of Jews,
all in a state of spiritual abandonment.

Jesus instructed the disciples in Garisima also, as
sembling them for this purpose on a hill. Many
of them had until now served merely as messengers
between the disciples dispersed in various quarters
and the friends of Jesus. There were others who

Jesus Instructs His Disciples 323

had for the most part been detained at home, and
who in consequence had missed much of Jesus'
teaching, had heard nothing of the way in which
they were to conduct themselves on their missions,
nor of the application and interpretation of parables.
Jesus then continuing His instruction, explained alj
things to these disciples in a simple and easy style,
and ran quickly through all that He had taught up
to the present. After that He went with them from
four to six hours northwest from Garisima to the
mountains of a very retired region, and there they
passed the night. Herds of asses and camels, and
flocks of sheep were grazing off in the valleys on the
west side of the lofty mountain-range that ran through
the heart of the country. The valleys here run in
a zigzag direction, like the plant known as the common
club-moss, or wolf's-claw. There were a great many
palm trees in this wilderness, also a kind of tree
whose interlaced branches fell to the earth, and under
which one could creep as into a hut. The shepherds
of the region used to take shelter under them. Jesus
and the disciples spent most of the night in prayer
and instruction. Jesus repeated many of the directions
He had given when first sending them out upon
their earlier missions. I was especially struck on
hearing that they were to possess no private purse.
That was to be confided to their Superior, one of
whom was appointed for every ten. Jesus indicated
to them the signs by which they might recognize
the places in which they could effect some good, told
them to shake the dust from their shoes before those
that were ill-disposed, and instructed them as to
how they should justify themselves when placed under
arrest. They were not to be disturbed as to what
they should answer, for words would then be put
into their mouth, nor were they to be afraid, since
their life would not be in any danger.

I saw here and there around this region men with
long staves and iron hoes. They were guarding the

324 l<ife of Jesus Christ

herds against the attacks of wild animals that came
up from the seacoast.

Very early the next morning, Jesus sent the disciples
and Apostles out on a mission. Upon the latter,
as well as upon the eldest disciples, He imposed
bands, but the rest He merely blessed. By this cere
mony He filled them with new strength and energy.
It was not however priestly ordination, but only an
imparting of grace and vigor to the soul. He addressed
to them likewise many words on the value of obedience
to Superiors.

Peter and John did not remain with Jesus, but
went toward the south, Peter to the country of
Joppa, and John more to the east, to Judea. Some
went to Upper- Galilee, others into the Decapolis.
Thomas received his mission to the country of the
Gergeseans, whither he went with a troop of dis
ciples, taking a circuitous route to Asach, a city
situated on a height between two valleys, about nine
hours from Sephoris and one at most to the left
from the road. There were a great many Jews in
this city, which belonged to the Levites.

Jesus now journeyed in a northwesterly direction.
With Him were five Apostles, each of whom had
under him ten disciples. I remember having seen
on this occasion Judas, James the Less, Thaddeus,
Saturnin, Nathanael, Barnabas, Azor, Mnason, and the
youths from Cyprus. They accomplished on the first
day from six to eight hours. Several cities lay to
the right and left on their road and, from time to
time, some of the party would separate from their
Master, in order to visit them, Jesus passed Tyre
on the seacoast to the left. He had indicated to the
Apostles and disciples a certain place where, in about
thirty days, they were again to join Him. He spent
the night like the preceding under some trees with
His companions.

Jesus Teaching 325

8. JESUS JOURNEYS INTO THE COUNTRY

OF ORN1THOPOL1S AND THENCE TAKES

SHIP FOR CYPRUS

I saw Jesus with His followers, disciples and
others, about fifty in all, journeying through a deep
mountainous ravine. It was a very remarkable looking
mountain. On two sides of it for about an hour
in length were dwellings and sheds of light timber,
peering into which the passer-by beheld the occupants
as if in caves. Sometimes the projecting shed was
covered with rushes, moss, or grassy sods. Here and
there arose works something like fortifications, to
prevent the landslips from the mountain from filling
up the road. Here dwelt poor, outcast pagans whose
duty it was to keep the road in repair and to
free the region from ferocious beasts. They came
to Jesus, and implored His aid against these animals,
long, broad-footed, spotted creatures, like immense
lizards. Jesus blessed the country and commanded
the animals to retire into a black swamp that was
near by. Wild orange trees grew by the roadside.
It was about four hours' distance to Tyre.

Jesus here separated from His companions and,
plunging deeper and deeper into the ravine, taught
here and there before the caves of its inhabitants.
The road led down along the clear and tolerably
rapid stream Leontes which, flowing through its deep
bed, emptied into the sea a couple of hours north of
Tyre. The river was crossed by a high stone bridge,
at the opposite end of which was a large inn, where
the disciples again met Jesus.

From this place He sent several of His companions
into the cities of the Land of Cabul, and Judas
Iscariot with some disciples to Cana near Sidon.
The disciples had resigned to the care of the Apostles,
each to the one set over him as his Superior, whatever
money or goods they might happen to have with

326 Life of Jesus Christ

them. To Judas alone, Jesus gave a sum for him
self. Jesus knew his greed for money and would
not expose him to the temptation of appropriating
that of others. He had remarked his anxiety on
the score of money, although Judas loved to boast
of his frugality and strict observance of the law
of poverty. On receiving the money, he asked Jesus
how much he might daily spend. Jesus answered:

He that is conscious of being so strictly temperate,
needs neither rule nor direction. He bears in him
self his law. "

About a hundred persons were at the inn awaiting
Jesus. They belonged to that same Jewish tribe whom
He had already visited and consoled at Ornithopolis
and near Sarepta. Some of them had come hither
for the purpose of meeting Him, while others belonged
to this district where they owned a synagogue. They
received Him and His followers humbly and joy
fully, and washed their feet. They were in their
holiday garments of very antique style, wore long
beards and had fur maniples hanging from their
arms. They had many singular customs, and some
thing ^ peculiar in their manner of life, like the
Essenians. The pagans too of this place were very
reverential toward Jesus. They likewise held the
Jews in esteem, a circumstance more common through
out this district than in Decapolis. These )ews were
descendants from a natural son the Patriarch Judah
had had by a servant. This son, fleeing from the
persecution of his brothers Her and Onan, had settled
here. His family having intermarried with the pagans
of the country, did not go down with the other Israelites
into Egypt and at last became quite estranged from
the religion and customs of their people.

The pagans with whom these descendants of Judah
had intermarried, had when Jacob after Dina's mis
fortune was living near Samaria on Joseph's inheri
tance, already experienced the greatest desiie to enter
into marriage relations with Jacob's sons or, at

The Lost Sheep of Israel 327

least with his servant-men and maids. They crossed
the mountains humbly to lay before him their desire
to marry amongst his followers, and of their own
accord offered to receive circumcision. But Jacob
would not listen to their demand. 'When then that
persecuted son of Judah sought refuge among them
with his family, he was very warmly received by
the heathens, and his children soon united with them
in marriage. How wonderful the dispensation of God I
The rude desire of these Gentiles to unite with the
holy race upon whom the Promise rested, was not
wholly frustrated and later events brought about
the ennobling of these people through the banished
scion of Judah.

In spite of the great disorders arising from these
mixed marriages, there was still one family among
them that preserved itself pure; and it was, for
the first time, instructed in the Law by Elias, who
often sojourned in this region. Solomon had given
himself much trouble, to unite these people again
with the Jews, but without success. Still there were
among them about a hundred pious souls of pure
descent from Judah. Elias had succeeded in uniting
this separated branch again with Israel; and in the
time of Joachim and Anne, teachers came from the
country of Hebron in order to keep them to the
observance of the Law. The descendants of these
teachers were still living among them, and it was
through them that the Syrophenician and her people
entered into relations with the Jews. They lived in
sentiments of deep humility, esteeming themselves
unworthy to set foot upon the Promised Land. The
Cypriote Cyrinus had, when in Dabereth, spoken of
them to Jesus, and the latter took occasion from
this fact to discourse long and familiarly with them.

He taught at first in front of the inn, the people
standing around under open arbors, or sheds. The
inn either belonged to the Jews or was hired by
them. Afterward He taught in the synagogue, a

328 Life of Jesus Christ

great many pagans listening to Him from outside.
The synagogue was lofty and beautiful. The roof
was provided with a platform around which one could
walk and command a very extended view of the
country.

That evening the Jews tendered Jesus at the inn
a festive entertainment, at which they took the op
portunity to express to Him in a body their sincere
gratitude for His not having despised them, for His
coming to them, the lost sheep of Israel, and pro claiming
to tham salvation. They had kept their genealogical table
in good order. They now laid it before Jesus and
were deeply moved at finding that they had sprung
from the same tribe as Himself. It was a joyful
entertainment, and at it all assisted. They spoke
much of the Prophets, especially of Elias whom they
nanred with words of great affection, recounting his
Prophecies of the Messias, also those of Malachias,
and saying that the time for their fulfilment must
now be near. Jesus explained everything to them,
and promised to introduce them into the land of
Judea. He did, in fact, later on establish them on
Us southern frontiers between Hebron and Gaza.

Jesus wore in this place a long, white travelling-
robe. He and His followers were girded and their
garments tucked up, as if for a journey. They had
no baggage. They carried what was necessary under
the outer robe, wrapped round the body above the
girdle. Some of them had staves. I never saw Jesus
with any regular covering for His head; sometimes
He drew over it the scarf that was usually worn
around the neck.

was in this part of the country an ugly
kind of spotted animal with membranous wings, which
could fly very rapidly. It was like an enormous bat
and it sucked the blood of men and animals during
rhese animals came from the swamps up
on the seashore, and did much damage. Egypt too
once infested with them. They were not rea]

Jesus Near Tyre 329

dragons, nor were they so horrible. Dragons were
not so numerous, and they lived solitary in the most
savage wildernesses. Fruits like nuts were gathered
in these parts, some like chestnuts, and berries that
hung in clusters.

From the inn, Jesus went to a seaport atout three
hours distant from Tyre. Alongside of the port there
stretched far out into the sea like an island, a.
tongue of the mountain, and on it was built the
pagan city of Ornithopolis. The few, but devout
Jews of the place, seemed to live in dependance upon
the heathens. I saw as many as thirty pagan tem
ples scattered here and there. Sometimes it seems
to me that the port belonged to Ornithopblis. The
Syrophenician owned there so many buildings, factories
for weaving and dyeing, so many ships, that I think
the whole place must have been at one time subject
to her deceased husband or his ancestors. She dwelt
now in Ornithopolis itself, though in a kind of sub
urb. Back of the city arose a high mountain, and
behind that lay Sidon. A little river flowed between
Ornithopolis and its port. The shore between Tyre
and Sidon was, with the exception of the port, but
little accessible, being rough' and wild. The seaport
to which I have alluded, was the largest between
Sidon and Tyre, and the number of ships crowding
its waters, made it almost like a little city itself.

The property of the Syrophenician, with its numerous
buildings, courts, and gardens, looked like an im
mense estate. Its factories and plantations were full
of workmen and slaves, whose families had their
homes there. But just at present, things had come
to a standstill, the former activity was not yet resumed.
The lady was about to free herself from all such
ties, and wished her people to choose a Superior
from among themselves.

Ornithopolis Was situated about three hours from
the little place across the river where Jesus had
spent the night, but from the settlement of the

330 Life of Jesus Christ

poor Jews, it was one and a half hours. When Jesus
went straight through this place to the port, Ornitho-
polis lay on His left. The Jewish settlement was
toward Sarepta, which received the rays of the rising
sun, for on that side the mountains rose in a gentle
slope. On the north it was perfectly shady. The
situation was very fine. Between Ornithopolis, the
Jewish settlement, and the port, there lay so many
solitary buildings, so many other little settlements,
that looking down upon them from above, one might
think that once upon a time they were all united.
Jesus had with Him now only James the Less, Bar
nabas, Mnason, Azor, Cyrinus's two sons, arid a
Cypriote youth whom those last named had brought
to Jesus. All the other Apostles and disciples were
scattered throughout the country on missions. Judas
was the last to set out. He went with his little
troop to Cana the Greater.

Jesus went with His companions to the home of
the Syrophenician who, by her cured relative, had
sent Him an invitation to an entertainment. A number
of persons were assembled to meet Him, also the
poor and the crippled. Of the latter, Jesus cured
many. The dwelling of the Syrophenician with its
gardens, courts, and buildings of all kinds, was
probably as large as Diilmen. Pieces of stuff, yellow,
purple, red, and sky-blue, were extended on the gal
leries of many of the buildings. These galleries were
broad enough to permit a person's walking on them.
The yellow dye was extracted from a plant which
was cultivated in the neighborhood. For red and
purple, they employed sea-snails. 7 saw great beds
in which they were either caught or raised, and
there were o^her places full of slime, like frog's
spawn. The cotton-plant also was cultivated here,
though not indigenous to this part of the country.
The soil, in general, was not so fertile as that of
Palestine, and around there were a great many ponds
and lakes.

Jesus at the Home of the Syrophenician 331'

Gazing from the shore out upon the sea, one might
imagine it to lie higher than the surrounding country,
so blue does it rise toward the sky. Here and there
on the shore, were low trees with large, black trunks
and widespreading branches. Their dense roots
extended so far out on the water that one could
walk over them to s'ome distance from the land.
The black trunks were, for the most part, hollow
and afforded a shelter for all kinds of noxious
insects.

Jesus was received with solemnity. A's He was
reclining at table, the widow's daughter poured a
flask of fragrant ointment over His head. The mother
presented Him with pieces of stuff, girdles, and three-
cornered golden coins ; the daughter, pieces of the
same precious metal chained together. He did not
tarry with them long, but went with His companions
to the seaport, where He was solemnly received
by the Jewish inhabitants and by the Cypriote Jews
who were gathered there on their way back from
the Paschal feast. Jesus taught in the synagogue,
around which a great many pagans stood listening
from without.

It was by starlight that Jesus, accompanied by
all the travellers, went down to the harbor and em
barked. The night was clear, and the stars looked
larger than they do to us. There was quite a little
fleet ready to receive the travellers. One large ship
of burden took the baggage, the goods and cattle,
and numbers of asses. Ten galleys carrying sail were
for the accommodation of the Cypriote Paschal guests,
Jesus, and His followers. Five of these galleys were
fastened with ropes to the front and sides of the
burden ship, which they drew forward after them.
The remaining five formed an outer circle to these.
Each of these vessels had, like Peter's bark on the
Sea of Galilee, benches for the rowers raised around
the mast and below these little cabins. Jesus stood
near the mast of the ships that were fastened to the

332 Life of Jesus Christ

large one and, as they pushed off, He blessed both
land and sea. Shoals of fishes swarmed after the
flotilla, among them some very large ones with
remarkable looking mouths. They sported around and
stretched their heads out of the water, as if hearkening
to the instructions given by Jesus during the voyage.

The passage was so unusually rapid, the sea so
smooth, and the weather so beautiful that the sailors,
both Jews and pagans,, cried out: " Oh, what an
auspicious voyage! That is owing to Thee, O Proph
et 1 " Jesus was standing near the mast. He com
manded them silence and to give glory to the
Almighty God alone. Then He spoke of God, one
and almighty, and of His works, of the non-existence
of the pagan divinities, of the nearness of the time,
yes, even its very presence, in which the highest
salvation would be given to earth, arid of the vocation
of the Gentiles. The whole discourse was addressed
to the heathens.

The few women on the ships remained apart by
themselves. Many of the passengers were quite sea
sick during the voyage, they lay around in retired
corners and vomited violently/ Jesus cured several
on board His ship. Then numbers called from the
other ships telling Him of their needs, and He cured
them from a distance.

I saw them also eating on the ships. They had
fire in a, metal vessel, and long, twisted strips of
something, brown and clear like glue, which they
dissolved in hot water. They passed the food around
in portions on dishes furnished with a rim and a.handle.
There were several excavations like plates in each
dish destined for different things, such as round
cakes, vegetables, etc. The sauce was poured over it.

From Ornithopolis to Cyprus, the sea does not
look so broad as below from Joppa. There one sees
nothing but water.

Toward evening the ships entered the harbor of
Salamis, which was very spacious and secure. It was

Salamis 333'

strongly fortified with bulwarks and high walls, and the
two moles that formed it ran far out into the sea. The
city itself lay a good half-hour inland, though' one
scarcely remarks the fact, since the intervening space
is set out with trees and covered with magnificent
gardens. The ships in the harbor were numerous.
That upon which Jesus was could not go close
to the shore which, like a strong high rampart, rose
obliquely; besides this, the ship drew too much water
to approach nearer. They cast anchor therefore at some
distance. Near the shore were several small boats
fastened with ropes. They approached the larger ves
sels, received their passengers and, by means of
the ropes, drew back to the shore. In that upon
which Jesus and the disciples sailed to land, were
some Jews who had come out to welcome and receive
Him.

On the shore were numerous others who, having
espied the ships in the distance, had come forth from
the city in solemn procession. It was customary thus
to receive the Jews on their return from the Paschal
celebration. Those on the shore were principally old
people, women, young girls, and the school children
with their teachers. They had fifes, carried flying
streamers, green branches, crowns on poles, and
chanted songs of joy.

Cyrinus, three elder brothers of Barnabas, and some
aged Jews in festive robes received Jesus and His
followers, and conducted them to a lovely green
terrace at some distance from the harbor. There they
found carpets spread, wash-basins filled with water,
and on tables various dishes with refreshments. Cyrinus
and his companions washed the feet of Jesus and
His disciples, and presented them to eat.

An old man, the father of Jonas, the new disciple,
was now led forward. He fell weeping upon his
son's neck, who presented him to Jesus before whom
he bowed low. He had been in ignorance as to
what had become of his son, for they with whom

334 Life of Jesus Christ

he had started on the journey were come back long
ago. All present were taken up with caring for the
travellers returned. Many pressed through the crowd
crying: " Is such a one here? Is such a one there? "
and when they found their friends, they embraced
them and led them away. The news of the sedition
and Pilate's massacre in the Temple, variously exag
gerated, had already reached Cyprus, and the people
were in great anxiety about their relatives.

The place in which Jesus was received was charming.
Toward the west, one saw the immense city with
its innumerable cupolas and towering edifices crim
soned by the fiery rays of the sun sinking huge and
red below the horizon. Toward the east, the view
extended over the sea to the lofty mountain-ranges
of Syria which there rose up like clouds against the
sky. Salamis stood in the midst of a broad plain,
coveied with numbers of beautiful high trees, ter
races, and pleasure grounds. The soil appeared to me
very friable, like dust or sand, but drinking water
did not seen to be abundant. The entrance into
the harbor was not open. It was guarded by fortified
islands, between which were one broad and several
smaller roadsteads. The little islands were fortified
with semicircular towers, low and broad, through
whose open windows could be observed all that was
going on outside. The Jewish quarter was in the
northern part of the city. When Jesus and His fol
lowers left the harbor and went one half-hour toward
the city, they turned to the right and, still outside
the city, went a considerable distance to the. north.

When Jesus and His disciples arrived, the Jews
returned from the Pasch were already assembled upon
an open, terraced square. One of the ancients, an
Elder of the Synagogue, was standing on an elevated
point from which he could overlook all below. It
reminded one of calling the muster roll, to see whether
all the soldiers were present. The Elder was receiving
information upon the details of their journey. He

Jesus' Arrival 335

inquired whether any of them had suffered injury
by the way, or had any complaints to lodge against
a fellow-traveller, and requested an account of what
had happened in Jerusalem. Jesus and His dis
ciples were not present at this assembly. He was
solemnly welcomed by a number of venerable old
Jews and from the terrace delivered an exhortation
to the assembled crowd, after which they dispersed
to their homes.

At the head of the two streets that formed the
Jewish quarter, stood the magnificent synagogue, the
dwellings of the ancients and rabbis, the schools, and
at some distance, the hospitial for the sick with a
reservoir, or pond. The road leading to the city
was very firm and solid, covered with fine sand,
and shaded by handsome trees. On the highest point
of that Jewish place of assembly, there was a tree
in whose strong, leafy branches one could sit as in
an arbor.

Jesus and His followers were escorted by the Elders
to a large hall near the synagogue where they spent
the night. Here Jesus cured of dropsy some sick
who had been carried on litters into the forecourt
of the inn. There was in this house a spacious
lecture-hall, and in it travelling rabbis were lodged.
It was very handsome, built in pagan style with
a colonnade around it. The interior was one immense
room with tiers of seats and teacher's chairs against
the walls. On the lower floor and rolled up against
the walls were couches, and above them, tucked
up and fastened to the wall, were tent-covers that
could be let down around the beds, thus forming
a private alcove. One could from the outside mount
to the flat roof of the hall, upon which were placed
various kinds of plants in pots.

The father of Jonas, the new disciple, spent the
night there, for he did not belong to the city, but
Cyfinus and his sons went home.

336 Life of Jesus Christ

9. JESUS TEACHES IN SALAMIS

On the morning of the following day, Jesus was
accompanied by the Superior, a venerable old man,
and some of the teachers to the hospital, a circular
building enclosing a garden. In the centre of the
latter, there was a reservoir, or pond, for bathing;
but for drinking and cooking purposes, the water
was collected in huge casks and purified by means
of certain fruits thrown into it. Medicinal herbs were
raised around the pond. The third part of the hospital
was occupied by invalid females, and it was separated
from the rest of the building by doors kept locked.
Jesus cured some of the dropsical and gouty male
patients, also such as were slightly tainted with
leprosy. The newly cured followed Him to the open
square upon which in the meantime, the other Jews
had gathered, and where Jesus delivered an instruction
first to the men. He took for His subject the gath
ering of the manna in the wilderness, and said
that the time for the true Heavenly Manna of doctrine
and conversion of heart had come, and that a new
kind of Bread from Heaven was about to be given
them.

This instruction over, the men withdrew and the
women took their place. A great many pagan women
were present, but they remained standing in the
background. Jesus instructed the women in general
terms, because of the pagans among them. He spoke
of the one, Almighty God, of the Father and Creator
of heaven and earth, of the folly of polytheism, and
of God s love for mankind.

After that Jesus and His followers went to dine
at the Superior's house, whither He had been invited
along with several rabbis. It was a Very large mansion
of pagan architecture with forecourts, open porches,
and terraces. All was here prepared for a grand
entertainment. ;Numbers of tables were spread under
the colonnade and there were arches erected and

Jesus Entertained in Salamis 337

adorned with wreaths. It appeared to be a banquet
intended principally for Jesus and friends returned
from the Paschal solemnity. The Superior conducted
Jesus into a side building1, in which were his wife
and some other women. Several Doctors accompanied
them. After the veiled women had with a low in
clination saluted Jesus and He had said some gracious
words to them, a procession of flower-crowned children
appeared playing on flutes and other instruments, to
conduct Jesus to the feast. The table was ornamented
with vases and bouquets. It was higher than those
in use in Judea, and the guests reclined less out
stretched, closer to one another. They washed their
hands. Among the various viands was a lamb. Jesus
carved it and distributed it to the guests on little
round rolls. It had however been cut up and put
together again before being placed on the table.

Then the child musicians again made their appear
ance. Among them were some blind children and
some with other defects. They were followed by a
troop of gaily dressed little girls from eight to ten
years old, among them the daughter, or grand
daughter of the host. All were clothed in fine, white
material, somewhat glossy. The garments worn in
this country were not so ample in make, not so
flowing in style as those of Judea. Their hair hung
down in three parts, the ends uniting into a curlx
or fastened together by some kind of ornament to
which hung various little trinkets, fringes, pearls, or
red balls like fruit. By this arrangement, their crisp,
black, or reddish brown tresses were kept from stream
ing around. Several of the little girls carried a large
crown formed of wreaths and various kinds o'f or
namentation. It was composed of circlets so arranged
that each was firm in its own place. To the first
and larger one, the second was fastened by clasps,
and from the latter rose a glittering tuft, or a small
flag. I do not think the wreaths were formed of
natural flowers, at least not entirely; for many of the

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 22

338 Life of Jesus Christ

blossoms looked to me like silk, or wool intermixed
with feathers and various kinds of glittering orna
ments. The little girls placed this great crown like
a canopy upon a high pedestal, ornamented in a sim
ilar manner, that stood behind Jesus' seat, while
others brought aromatic herbs and perfumes in little
dishes and alabaster vases, which they set down be
fore Him. A child belonging to the house broke
one of the little flasks, poured its contents over
His head, and spread it with a linen cloth over
His hair, after which the children retired. The little
girls went through these ceremonies with perfect
composure and without speaking a word, their down
cast eyes never once glancing toward the guests.
Jesus very quietly received their attentions and thanked
them in a few gentle, gracious words, whereupon
the children without raising their eyes, went back
to the women's hall. The women ate all together.

I did not see Jesus and His disciples reclining
long at table. Jesus constantly sent food and drink
to the tables of the poor by His disciples, who spent
most of the time serving others. After some time,,
Jesus Himself went around from table to table, dis
tributing food, teaching, and explaining.

After the banquet, the Superior and some of the
teachers went with Jesus and the disciples out to the
aqueduct, which they approached from the west. The
city had bad water. I saw some of those stupendous
structures, like immense bridges, which contained many
great reservoirs, or cisterns. Each quarter of the
city had its own waterworks and reservoir. From
some they had to pump the water, from others it could
be drawn. The reservoir of the Jews stood apart by
itself. They showed it to Jesus, complained to
Him of the scarcity and bad quality of the water,
and wanted Him to improve it. He spoke of the
new reservoir in progress of construction, said that
He wanted baptism to be given at it, and told them
how it should be arranged.

Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue 339

After that they proceeded to the synagogue, for the
Sabbath was begun. It was an extraordinarily large
and handsome edifice, lit up by numerous lamps
and full of people. Around the outside ran steps and
balconies from which spectators could both see and
hear what was going on inside. All these places were
occupied by pagans, and below they had even crowded
into the interior of the synagogue where they now
stood quietly side by side with the Jews.

The instruction was on passages from the third
book of Moses, treating of sacrifices and various
laws, and others from Ezechiel. It began by some
of the Doctors reading these passages, which Jesus
explained and commented upon so beautifully that
all were deeply impressed. He spoke also of His
own mission and its speedy accomplishment. His
hearers believed Him to be not only a Prophet,
but still more than a Prophet. He must, they thought,
at least be the one that was to go before the Messiah.
Jesus' explained to them that that precursor was John,
land enumerated the signs by which they might rec
ognize the Messiah, without however indicating to
them clearly that He Himself was the Messiah.
Nevertheless, they understood Him, and listened in
reverence and respectful fear. After the instruction
all dispersed to their homes, and Jesus went back
with His followers to the house of the Superior.

On the whole, Jesus was received in Salamis with
extraordinary affection. The inhabitants pressed
around Him, all being desirous of showing Him
honor, for there was among them neither sect nor
strife. Jesus healed several sick persons in their own
homes. Jews and heathens lived here on very familiar
terms, though in separate quarters. In that of the
Jews there were two streets. The house of the sons
of Cyrinus was a large, square building. They were
engaged in commerce and owned ships. A peculiar
style of architecture was predominant in Salamis. I
saw numerous turrets and spires, a great deal of lattice-

340 Life of Jesus Christ

work, many latticed windows, and all kinds of or
namentation on the edifices. The people presented
Jesus and the disciples on their arrival with new
sandals and a change of garments. Jesus kept His
only till His own were shaken and dusted, then He
gave them to the poor.

On the morning of the Sabbath, Jesus taught again
in the synagogue on the time of grace and the
fulfilment of the Prophecies, and that so eloquehtly
that many of His hearers shed tears. He exhorted
to penance and baptism. This instruction lasted be
tween three and four hours.

Jesus went at the end of it with His disciples and
the Doctors to Cyrinus's, whither they had been
invited to dine. It stood just between the Jewish
and the pagan quarters. Salamis had eight streets,
two of which belonged to the Jews. The little party
did not go through the latter, but by a route running
between the two quarters and at the rear of the
houses. In this way they passed the great gates
of the city. In the gateways was gathered a crowd
of pagans, men, women, and children. They were
very respectful and saluted Jesus and His followers
timidly from a distance. They had listened to His
instruction of the school, and were now come with
their friends to the gates.

At the end of the street and half within the walls
of the pagan quarter, was the magnificent home of
Cyrinus, with its courts and side-buildings. As soon
as the house became visible in the distance, the
wife and daughters of Cyrinus were seen approaching
with their servants. They saluted Jesus and His dis
ciples. Cyrinus had five daughters, along with nieces
and other young relatives. All these children bore
with them presents which, after they had bowed
low before Jesus, they set down at His feet on
carpets which they had previously spread. The gifts
consisted of bric-a-brac in all shapes and forms, some
of amber, others of coral, notably a little tree of the

Jesus Dines at Cyrinus's Home 341

latter mounted upon a stand. It appeared as if each
child wanted to offer the dearest object in her
possession, and if she could not get near enough to
Jesus Himself, she presented it to one of His com
panions.

Cyrinus's dwelling was very spacious and built in
pagan style, with forecourts and outside flights of
steps. On the roof was a well arranged garden of
plants growing in pots. All was adorned in festive
style. The table was higher than those in ordinary
use, and covered with a red cloth over which was
a transparent one of glossy silk, or fine straw plaiting.
The couches around the table too, were more in ac
cordance with pagan customs, shorter than those in
use among the Jews. Besides the disciples, the guests
numbered about twenty men. The women ate apart,
and after dinner, all took the customary Sabbath
promenade out to the waterworks.

From there Jesus permitted Himself and His disciples
to be conducted by Jonas, the new disciple, to the
house of his father, which stood surrounded by gardens
somewhat distant from the Jewish quarter. It was
like a large farmhouse, having something of the
cloister in its arrangement. The old man was an
Essenian, and with him dwelt, though in a separate
part of the house, several old women, widowed rel
atives, nieces or daughters, who were somewhat
differently clothed and wore white veils. The old
man was humble and joyous as a child, and allowed
himself to be led by his children to meet Jesus.
He was at a loss as to what he should give Jesus,
for he had no treasures. But he pointed around
him, to himself, his sons, his daughters, as if to say:
" Lord, all that we have, we ourselves are Thine —
and my dearest child, my son is Thine! " He invited
Jesus and the disciples to dine with him on the
following day.

Jesus then returned to the waterworks and spoke
with the Superior about the arrangements for the

342 Life of Jesus Christ

baptismal -well, which was not yet under roof and
had no means of letting in water. They had first
to beg or buy water from the pagans. It would
have to be conveyed thither from the aqueduct which
on the plain, was about one story high with reservoirs
on either side. The source of the water was in the
mountain -range on the west. The new baptismal well
had more than four corners, and there were steps
leading down into it. Around it were cavities in
the form of a tray, which could be filled with water
by pressing on a winch. The whole was surrounded
by a rampart and near by for instructions was a
charming open place covered by an awning.

A great many Jews and heathens were gathered
on the spot, and Jesus told them that next day He
would instruct those that wanted to receive baptism.
The Jews made frequent allusion to Elias and Eliseus
who likewise had been here.

Jewish women with their children had stationed
themselves here and there on the way. Jesus patted
the little .ones in His vicinity, frequently called the
others to Him, and gave to all His blessing. Several
pagan teachers, or mothers in yellow veils were
standing apart with their little girls and boys. Jesus
blessed them from afar.

After that all repaired to the synagogue for the
closing exercises of the Sabbath. Jesus again taught
upon sacrifice taking His texts from the third book
of Moses (Leviticus) and the Prophet Ezechiel. There
was something marvellously sweet and impressive in
His words as He showed that the Laws of Moses
were now realizing their most elevated signification.
He spoke of the offering of a pure heart. He said
that sacrifices multiplied a thousand times could no
more be of any avail, for one must purify his sou}
and offer his passions as a 'holocaust. Without re
jecting anything, without condemning or abolishing
any of the prescriptions of the Mosaic Law, He
explained it according to its real signification, thus

The Voice of Jesus 343

making it appear far more beautiful and worthy of
reverence. Jesus, at the same time, prepared His
hearers for the baptism and exhorted to penance, for
the time was near.

His words and the tone of His voice were like
living, deeply penetrating streams of light. He spoke
with extraordinary calmness and power, and never
very rapidly, excepting sometimes when talking with
the Pharisees. At such times, His words were like
sharp arrows and His voice less gentle. The tone of
His ordinary voice was an agreeable tenor, perfectly
pure in sound, without its counterpart in that of
any human being. He could, without raising it, be
distinctly heard above a great clamor.

The lessons and prayers were chanted in the syna-
gcgue on a recitative tone, in the same manner as
the choral singing and Mass of the Christians, and
sometimes the Jews sang alternately. Jesus read in
this way the passages that He explained from Holy
Scripture.

After Jesus' instruction, a pious old Doctor of the
Law began to address the assembly. He had a long,
white beard, was of a meagre form, and kind, benev
olent countenance. He did not belong to Salamis,.
but was a poor, travelling teacher who journeyed
from place to place on the island visiting the sick,
consoling the imprisoned, collecting for the poor,
instructing the ignorant and little children, comforting
widows, and delivering discourses in the synagogues.
On this occasion, he appeared to be inspired by the
Holy Ghost. He addressed the people in a speech
that bore witness to Jesus, such as I never before
heard in public from any one of the rabbis. He
rehearsed all the benefits of Almighty God to their
fathers and themselves, and urged them to gratitude
to Him for having permitted that they should live
at the coming of such a Prophet, such a Teacher,
to whom likewise they owed thanks for having jour
neyed on their account all the way from the Holy

344 Life of Jesus Christ

Land. He reminded them of God's mercy to their
tribe (they were of the tribe of Issachar), and called
upon them to do penance and amend their life.
He said that God would not treat them so severely
now as He did when He punished the fabricators and
adorers of the golden calf. I do not know the force
of his allusion; perhaps many of their tribe had
been among the idolaters. He said also marvellous
things about Jesus: that he esteemed Him more than
a Prophet, though he did not venture to say who
He really was, that the fulfilment of the Promises
was near, that all should consider themselves happy
to hear such instructions from such lips, and to have
lived at an epoch of such hope, such consolation for
Israel. The people were deeply moved, and many
shed tears of joy. All this took place in the presence
of Jesus, who was quietly standing on one side among
dis disciples.

Jesus went afterward with His followers to the
house of the Elder, where the conversation became
very animated. All present tried to prevail upon Jesus
to remain among them. They quoted the words of
some of the Prophets relative to persecution and suf
ferings, which words seemed to apply to the Messiah,
rhey trusted that such might not happen to Jesus
and asked whether He was the precursor of the
Messiah. Then Jesus told them about John, and
declared to them that He could not remain among
nem. One of those present, who had been in Pal
estine when Jesus was there, began to speak of
the hatred of the Pharisees against Him, and said
some hard things about that sect. But Jesus re
proached him for his severity, said a few words in
their excuse, and turned the conversation to other
subjects.

Next day in tFe hospital and at the recently con
structed baptismal well Jesus prepared the people
for baptism. Several in the hospital made known
Him their sins, for which purpose they retired

Jesus Visits the Roman Commandant 345

apart with Him. He caused water for baptism to
be put aside here in basins, and in it the sick were
later on baptized by the disciples.

When Jesus arrived at the open square around
the baptismal well, He found a great multitude there
assembled, among them many heathens, for during
the night the people had been pouring in from the
surrounding country. Jesus taught under an awning.
His discourse turned upon His own mission, upon
penance and baptism, and He explained the Our
Father.

10. JESUS INVITED TO THE HOUSE OF THE
ROMAN COMMANDANT IN SALAMIS

While Jesus was delivering His instruction, a pagan
soldier, or constable, made his appearance with a
message to the magistrates. It was to this effect,
that the Roman Commandant in Salamis wished to
speak with the new Teacher and, consequently, invited
Him to his house. The soldier delivered his message
rather sternly, as if he took it ill that they had not
led Jesus to him at once. The magistrates transmitted
it to Jesus through the disciples during a pause
in the discourse. Jesus replied that He would go,
and went on speaking. After His instruction, ac
companied by the disciples and Elders, He followed
the messenger to the Commandant's. They had to go
a distance of half an hour, along the same way by
which Jesus had come hither from the port, before
reaching the principal gate of Salamis, a beautiful,
high archway supported on pillars. As they passed
the great walls and large gardens on the way, the
pagan people and laborers looked inquisitively after
Jesus, and many as He approached shyly hid behind
the walls and bushes. On entering Salamis they
repaired to a large open square. The houses as
they passed along were lined with spectators, standing
on the galleries of the courts, behind the lattices,

346 Life of Jesus Christ

and in the gates. On some of the street corners and
under the arches were pagan women and children,
ranged three by three in regular order. The women
•were veiled, and they bowed low to Jesus as He
passed. Here and there children, sometimes too the
women, stepped forward and presented to Jesus or
His companions divers little gifts, such as bunches
of aromatic shrubs, little flasks of perfumes, little
brown cakes, and objects in the form of stars and
other things that exhaled a delicious odor. This ap
peared to be the custom of the country, a sign of
reverential welcome. Jesus lingered a few instants
near such groups, cast upon them gracious and earnest
glances, and blessed them though without touching
them. - J ! '

I saw idols standing here and there. They were
not like those of Greece and Rome, images in human
form, but like those in Sidon, Tyre and Joppa, figures
with wings, or scales. I also saw some like dolls.

As they advanced into the city, the crowd following
Jesus constantly increased, and people were streaming
from all sides toward the open square. In the centre
of the latter was a beautiful well. Steps led down
into it, and through the middle of the basin the water
bubbled up. It was protected by a roof supported
on pillars, and surrounded by open porches, little
trees, and flowers. The entrance to the well was
usually closed. The people could get some of its
water only by certain privileges, as it was the best
in the city and thought possessed of peculiarly whole
some properties.

Opposite this well stood the Commandant's palace
with its colonnade. On an open balcony over which
was a pillared roof, sat the Roman Commandant on
a stone seat watching for Jesus' approach. He was
dressed in military costume, a white tunic tightly
fitting round the body, striped here and there with
red. It descended to below the hips and ended in I
straps, or fringe. The lower limbs were laced. Hel

The Kingdom of God 347

wore a short red mantle and on his head a hat
that looked to me like a shaving-dish. He was a
strong, robust man with a short beard, black and
crisp. Behind him and on the steps of the balcony
were standing Roman soldiers.

The pagans were astonished at the marks of respect
he showed to Jesus, for when the latter approached,
he descended from the balcony, clasped His hand
in the end of a linen scarf that he held in his own
and pressed it with the other hand, in which was
the other end of the scarf, at the same time bowing
low before Him. Then he led Jesus up to the balcony
where he put to Him most graciously question after
question. He had, he said, heard Him spoken of as
a wise Teacher. He himself revered the Jewish Law.
If all that was said of Him was true, Jesus did
indeed perform great wonders. Who gave Him the
power for such things? Was He the promised Com
forter, the Messiah of the Jews? The Jews were
expecting a king - - was He that king? By what
means would He get possession of His Kingdom?
Had He an army somewhere? Perhaps He was
going to collect forces here in Cyprus among the
Jews? Would it be long before He would show
Himself in all His power? — The Commandant put
sundry questions of this kind in a tone full of respect
and earnestness. His profound sympathy and rev
erence for Jesus were visible. Jesus answered all
in vague and general terms, as He usually did when
such' questions were put to Him by magistrates. He
would, for instance, answer: " Thou sayest it! So
they think. The Prophets have thus declared. ' To
the questions relative to His Kingdom, to His army,
He answered that His Kingdom was not of this
world. The kings of this world had need of warriors,
but He gathered the souls of men into the Kingdom
of the Almighty Father, the Creator or" heaven and
earth. In deeply significant words He touched in

34S Life of Jesus Christ

passing upon many subjects. The Commandant was
astounded both at His language and bearing.

He had ordered refreshments to be brought to
the well in the open square, and he now invited
Jesus ^ and His disciples to follow him thither. They
examined the well and partook of the refreshments,
which were spread on a stone stand previously covered.
There were several brown dishes with sauce of the
same color, into which they dipped cakes. They
partook also of sticks of confectionery, or strips
of cheese, about an arm in length and two inches
thick, fruit, and pastry, made into figures of stars
and flowers. Little jugs of wine were placed around
the stand. Others made of something with colored
veining, in shape just like those of Cana only much
smaller, were filled with water from the well. The
Commandant spoke too with marked disapprobation
of Pilate, of the violence he had exercised in the
Temple, and of his character in general, also of
the demolished aqueduct near Silo.

Jesus held another conversation with the Comman
dant here at the well. He spoke of water and its
different sources, some muddy, others clear, some
bitter and salty, others sweet, of the great difference
in its effects, of how it was conducted into the
well and again distributed in conduits. From such
remarks He passed to instructing both pagans and
Jews upon the waters of baptism, the regeneration
of mankind by penance and faith, when all would
become children of God. It was an admirable instruc
tion with something in it similar to His conversation
with the Samaritan at the well. His words made
a deep impression upon the Commandant, who was
already very well disposed toward the Jews. He
wanted to hear Jesus frequently.

In Salamis the separation between Jews and pagans
was not so marked. Here as in Palestine, the more
enlightened Jews, and especially the followers of Jesus,
ate and drank with the upper class of pagans, although

The Flowers of this Country 349

always making use of separate vessels. On their return,
Jesus \vas saluted by many of the heathens, and
that still more respectfully than before, owing to
the marks of honor shown Him by the Commandant.
Flowers in this country were extremely abundant,
and artificial ones were most artistically made of
colored wool, silk, and little feathers. I saw the
heathen children whom Jesus blessed adorned for the
most part with such flowers. The little girls were,
like the boys, dressed in very short garments of
thin material; the very little ones of the poor had
only a cincture around the waist. The young maidens
of the wealthier classes wore thin, yellow tunics richly
covered with those colored woollen flowers, of which
I have spoken. Around the shoulders, the ends crossed
over the breast, they wore a scarf of thin texture,
and on their arms and head, little garlands of artifi
cial flowers. They must have raised silkworms here,
for I saw along the walls trees carefully reared
whereon those insects were crawling and spinning
their cocoons.

11. JESUS AT THE HOME OF JONAS'S
FATHER. INSTRUCTION AT THE
BAPTISMAL WELL

When Jesus visited the home of the Essenian,
the father of Jonas, He was accompanied by His
disciples only and some of the Doctors. He was
received with the usual courtesies, that is, washing
of the feet. The domestic arrangements were her;
much more simple, more like the country than those
of the mansion at which Jesus had first been enter
tained. The family was large and belonged to the
sect of Essenians, to those that married. They lived
in great purity, being pious and simple in their man
ners. The female portion were widows with children
already grown, daughters of the old man, with whom

350 Life of Jesus Christ

they lived. Jonas the disciple was the son of a
later marriage, and his mother died in giving him
birth. The old man loved him so much the more
as he was his only son, and he had been in great
anxiety about his being absent i'or over a year. He
had looked upon him as lost, when he received news
of him through Cyrinus whose sons had met Jonas
at the Paschal feast and in Dabereth near Thabor.
The youth had been travelling for information as
young students often do. He had visited the most
remarkable of the Holy Places, the Essenians in
Judea, Jacob's tomb near Hebron, and that of Rachel
between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The last named
lay at that time on the direct route between these
two places; now however, it lies somewhat on one
side. He had Likewise visited all that was most in-"
teresting in Bethlehem, as well as Mounts Carmel and
Thabor. He had heard of Jesus and had been present
at one of the mountain sermons before He went into
the country of the Gergeseans. After the Paschal fes
tival, he had gone with the sons of Cyrinus from
Dabereth to the last instruction at Gabara. It was
then that Jesus received him as a disciple, in which
quality he now returned home.

The entertainment was held in a garden in which
were long and densely shaded arbors. An elevated
green bank covered with a cloth, served as a table.
The couches too consisted of similar grassy banks
covered with mats. The meal was made up of various
kinds of pastry, broth, vegetables steeped in sauce,
lamb's meat, fruit, and little jugs of something, all
very simple. The women ate at a separate table,
though they seemed more at their ease than other
Jewish women. They served at table, their veils
lowered, and sitting- at some distance, afterward
listened to the words of Jesus. On both sides of
the garden there were whole rows of arbors formed
of dense, green foliage. I think they were intended
as places for the devotional exercises of the family,

Jews and Pagans Baptized 351

which was like a perfect, little Essenian Community.
They lived by agriculture and cattle-raising, weaving,
and spinning.

From this place, Jesus went with the disciples to
the newly constructed baptismal well, where He pre
pared many Jews for baptism by a discourse in which
He exhorted to penance, and blessed the baptismal
water. Around the central well, there were some
salver-shaped basins on a level with the surrounding
surface. These basins were encircled by little ditches,
into which the neophytes descended by a couple of
steps. He who baptized stood on the edge of the
basin and poured water on the head of the neophytes
bowed over the same. The sponsors stood behind
and imposed hands on them. By the opening or
pressing of a piece of machinery in the central well,
the water could be introduced into the basins and
ditches. I saw Barnabas, James, and Azor baptizing
by three of the basins. Before the ceremony I saw
Jesus, from a flat, leathern vessel, which they had
brought with them from Judea, pouring a little Jordan
water taken from His own place pf baptism, into
the basins and then blessing the water thus mixed
with it. After the baptism, not only was all . this
baptismal water poured again into the central well,
but the basins were dried with a cloth which was
then wrung out into the well. I saw the neophytes
with little white mantles around their shoulders.

After that I saw Jesus going in a more westerly
direction between gardens and walls, where were
awaiting Him several pagans who, prepared by their
friend Cyrinus, were likewise desirous of baptism.
He went aside with some of them whom He further
instructed, and about thirty of them were baptized
in the various bathing-gardens around. Water was
introduced into the baths for that purpose, which
water Jesus blessed.

Besides the two streets belonging to the Jews,
there was in the vicinity of Salamis an entire Jewish

352 Life of Jesus Christ

city. On one side of Salamis there was a round tower
of extraordinary circumference, to which were at
tached all kinds of dependencies. It was like a cit
adel. The city possessed many temples, one of which
was of uncommon dimensions, and to its terrace one
could mount either by an interior or an exterior flight
of steps. In this temple were found numerous columns,
some so large around that in them were cut steps
and little apartments, wherein the people could stand
on high and look down on the religious ceremonies.
A couple of hours from Salamis, I saw another
important city.

Westward from the city, I saw a caravan of strangers
approaching, who encamped under tents. They must
have come from the other side of the island; indeed
on account of the direction, I was inclined to think
they had come from Rome itself. They had some
women with them and a great number of large,
heavy oxen with broad horns and low heads. They
were bound together, two and two, with long poles
over their backs upon which they carried burdens.
I think these strangers had come partly on account
of the harvest. They brought with them mercandise
which they wished to exchange for grain.

Next morning, Jesus delivered on the open square
near the baptismal well, a lengthy instruction to both
Jews and pagans. He taught of the harvest, the
multiplication of the grain, the ingratitude of man
kind who receive the greatest wonders of God so
indifferently and predicted for these ingrates the
fate of the chaff and weeds, namely, to be cast
into the fire. He said also that from one seed-corn
a whole harvest was gathered, that all things came
forth from one, Almighty God, the Creator of heaven
and earth, the Father and Supporter of all men,
who would reward their good works and punish their
evil ones. He showed them also how men, instead
of turning to God the Father, turn to creatures,
to lifeless blocks. They pass coldly by the wonders

Jesus Teaches against Paganism 353

of God, while they gaze in astonishment at the
specious though paltry works of men, even rendering
honor to miserable jugglers and sorcerers. Here Jesus
took occasion to speak of the pagan gods, the ridic
ulous ideas entertained of them, the confusion existing
in those ideas, the service rendered them, and all
the cruelties related of them. Then He spoke of
some of these gods individually, asking such questions
as these: " Who is this god? Who is that other?
Who was his father? " etc. To these questions He
Himself gave the answers, exposing in them the
confused genealogies and families of their pagan
divinities and the abominations connected with them,
all which facts could be found, not in the Kingdom
of God, but only in that of the father of lies. Finally.
He mentioned and analyzed the various and contra
dictory attributes of these gods.

Although Jesus spoke in so severe and conclusive
a manner, still His instruction was so agreeable, so
suggestive of good thoughts to His hearers that it
could rouse no displeasure. His teaching against
paganism was much milder here in Salamis than it
was wont to be in Palestine. He spoke too of the
vocation of the Gentiles to the Kingdom of God and
said that many strangers from the East and from
the West would get possession of the thrones intended
for the children of the house, since the latter cast
salvation far from them.

During a pause in the instruction, Jesus took a
mouthful to eat and drink, and the people entertained
themselves on what they had just heard. Meanwhile
some pagan philosophers drew near to Jesus and
questioned Him upon some points not understood
by them, also about something that had been trans
mitted to them by their ancestors as coming from
Elias, who had been in these parts. Jesus gave them
the desired information, and then began teaching
upon baptism, also of prayer, referring for His text
to the harvest and their own daily bread. Many

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 23

354 Life of Jesus Christ

of the pagans received most salutary impressions from
Jesus' instructions and were led to reflections pro
ductive of fruit. But others, finding His words not
to their liking, took their departure.

And now I saw a great number of Jews baptized
at the baptismal well, the waters of which Jesus
blessed. Three at a time stood round one basin.
The water in the ditches reached as high as the
calf of the leg.

12. JESUS GOES TO THE JEWISH CITY

Jesus afterward went with His followers and some
of the Doctors to the separate Jewish city, about one
half-hour to the north. He was followed by many
of His late audience, and He continued to speak
with several little groups. The route led over some
more elevated places below which lay meadows and
gardens. Here and there were rows of trees, and
again some solitary ones, high and dense, up which
the traveller might climb and find a shady seat.
The view extended far around on several little lo
calities and fields of golden wheat. Sometimes the
road ran along broad, naked walls of rock, in which
whole rows of cells had been hewn out for the field-
laborers.

Outside the Jewish city, stood a fine inn and
pleasure-garden. Here Jesus' own party entered, while
He bade the rest of His escort return to. their homes.
The disciples washed Jesus' feet, then one another's,
let down their garments, and followed their Master
into the Jewish city. During the foot- washing, I saw
near the inn on one side of the highroad that ran
along the city, long, light buildings like sheds, in
which were a great number of Jewish women and
maid-servants busied in selecting, arranging, and
carefully preserving the fruits which female slaves,
or domestics, carried thither in baskets from the
gardens around. The fruits were of all kinds, large

Jesus Received by the Rabbis 355

and small, also berries. They separated the good
from the bad, made all kinds of divisions, and even
laid some wrapped in cotton on shelves one over
another. Others were engaged in picking and packing
cotton. I noticed all the housewives lowering their
veils as soon as the men appeared on the highroad.
The sheds were divided into several compartments.
They looked to me like a general fruitery, where
the portion intended for the tithes and that for alms
were laid aside. It was a very busy scene.

Jesus went with His party to the dwelling of the
rabbis near the synagogue. The eldest rabbi receiv
ed Him courteously, though with a tinge of stiff
reserve in his manner. He offered Him the customary
refreshments, and said a few words upon His visit
to the island and His far-famed reputation, etc. Jesus'
arrival having become known, several invalids implored
His help, whereupon, accompanied by the rabbis and
the disciples, He visited them in their homes and
cured many lame and paralyzed. The latter with
their families followed Him out of their houses, and
proclaimed His praise. But He silenced them and
bade them go back. On the streets He was met
by mothers and their children, whom He blessed.
Some carried sick children to Him, and He cured
them.

And so passed the afternoon away till evening,
when Jesus accompanied the rabbis to an entertain
ment in His honor, which entertainment was likewise
connected with the beginning of the harvest. The
poor and the laboring people were fed at it, a custom
which drew from Jesus words of commendation. They
were brought from the fields in bands and seated
at long tables, like benches of stone, and there served
with various viands. Jesus, from time to time, waited
on them Himself with the disciples, and instructed
them, in short sentences and parables. Several of
the Jewish Doctors were present at the entertainment ;
but, on the whole, this company was not so well

356 Life of Jesus Christ

disposed, not so sincere as the Jews around Jesus'
inn near Salamis. There was a tinge of pharisaism
about them and, after they had become heated, they
gave utterance to some offensive remarks. They asked
whether He could not conveniently remain longer in
Palestine, what was the real object of His visit to
them, whether He intended to stay any time among
them, and ended by suggesting that He should create
no disturbance in Cyprus. They likewise touched upon
divers points of His doctrine and manner of acting
which the Pharisees of Palestine were in the habit
of rehearsing. Jesus answered them as He usually
did on similar occasions, with more or less severity
according to the measure of their own civility. He
told them that He had cojme to exercise the works
of mercy as the Father in heaven willed Him to do.
The conversation was very animated. It gave Jesus
an opportunity for delivering a stern lecture in which,
while commending their goodness to the poor and
whatever else was praiseworthy in them, He de
nounced their hypocrisy. It was already late when
Jesus left with His followers. The rabbis bore Him
company as far as the city gate.

13. THE PAGAN PRIESTESS MERCURIA. THE
PAGAN LITERATI

When Jesus had returned to the inn with the dis
ciples, a pagan came to Him and begged Him to
go with him to a certain garden a few" steps distant,
where a person in distress was waiting to implore
His assistance. J-esus went with the disciples to the
place indicated. There He saw standing between the
walls on the road a pagan lady, who inclined low
before Him. He ordered the disciples to fall back
a little, and then questioned the woman as to what
she wanted. She was a very remarkable person, per
fectly destitute of instruction, quite sunk in paganism,
and wholly given up to its abominable service. One

Mer curia 357

glance from Jesus had cast her into disquiet, and
roused in her the feeling that she was in error, but
she was without simple faith, and had a very confused
manner of accusing herself. She told Jesus that she
had heard of His having helped Magdalen, as also
the woman afflicted with the issue, of whom the
latter had merely touched the hem of His garment.
She begged Jesus to cure and instruct her, but then
again, she said perhaps He could not cure her as
she was not, like the woman with the issue, physically
sick. She confessed that she was married and had
three children, but that one, unknown to her husband,
had been begotten in adultery. She had also inter
course with the Roman Commandant. When Jesus,
on the preceding day, visited the last named, she had
watched Him from a window and saw a halo of
light around His head, which sight very powerfully
impressed her. She at first thought that her emotion
sprang from love for Jesus, and the idea caused her
anguish so intense that she fell to the ground un
conscious. When returned to herself, her whole life,
her whole interior passed before her in so frightful
a manner that she entirely lost her peace of mind.
She then made inquiries about Jesus, and learned
from some Jewish women of Magdalen's cure, also
that of Enue of Caesarea-Philippi, the women afflicted
with the issue of blood. She now implored Jesus
to heal her if He possibly could. Jesus told her
that the faith of that afflicted woman was simple;
that, in the firm belief that if she could touch only
the seam of His garment she would be cured, she
had approached Him stealthily and her faith had
saved her.

The silly woman again asked Jesus how He could
have known that Enue touched Him and that He
healed her. She did not comprehend Jesus or His
power, although she heartily longed for His assistance
Jesus rebuked her, commanded her to renounce her
shameful life, and told her of God the Almighty

358 Life of Jesus Christ

and of His Commandment: " Thou shalt not commit
adultery. " He placed before her all the abominations
of the debauchery (against which her nature itself
revolted) practised in the impure service of her gods ;
and He met her with words so earnest and so full
of mercy, that she retired weeping and penetrated
with sorrow. The lady's name was Mercuria. She
was tall, and about twenty-five years old. She was
enveloped in a white mantle, long and flowing in
the back but rather shorter in front, which formed
a cap around the head. Her other garments also
were white, though with colored borders. The ma
terials in which the heathen women dressed were so
soft and clung so closely to the form that the latter
could readily be traced by the eye.

The \\hole morning of the following day was devoted
by the disciples to baptizing at the fountain, and
I saw Jesus teaching both here and at the water
works. His instructions were given principally in par
ables on the harvest, the daily bread, the manna,
the Bread of Life that was to be given them, arid
the one, only God. The laborers were sent to the
harvest in groups, and I saw Jesus instructing them
as they passed before Him. The people here encamp
ed under tents were also Jews, who had come hither
especially on Jesus' account. They had brought their
sick with them on beasts of burden, and now to
day they were placed on litters under awnings and
trees in the vicinity of the place of instruction. Jesus
cured about twenty lame and palsied.

On reaching the waterworks, He was accosted
by several men, learned pagans, who had been present
at His instructions of the preceding day. They beg'ged
for an explanation upon several points, spoke of their
divinities, especially of one goddess that had risen
here from the sea, and of another represented in
their temple under the form of a fish. This latter
was named Derketo. They questioned Him also about
a story circulating among the Jews and connected

The Pagan Philosophers 359

with Elias. It was to this affect, that Elias once
saw a cloud rising out of the sea, which cloud was,
in reality, a virgin. They would like to know*, they
said, where she had descended, for from her was
to proceed a King. One that was to do good to
the whole world. Now, according to calculation, it
was time for this to happen. With this story they
mixed up another concerning a star that their goddess
had let fall upon Tyre, and they aslted whether that
could be the cloud of which they had spoken.

One of them said that there was a report current
of an adventurer in Judea who was making capital
of Elias's cloud and the circumstance of the ful
filment of time, in order to proclaim himself king.
Jesus gave no intimation that He was the One, in
question, though He said: " That Man is no adventur
er, nor does He proclaim what is false. Many un
truths are spread against Him, and thou who' now
sayest these things, hast joined in calumniating Him.
But the time has now come for the Prophecies to be
fulfilled. " Jesus' interrogator was an evil-'minded man,
a great tattler. He dreamed not, when talking with
Jesus, that he was in the presence of Him whom
he was slandering, for he had heard of Jesus only
in a general way.

These men were philosophers. They had some in
timation of the truth mixed up with faith in their
own 'divinities, which they tried again to explain away
by various interpretations. But all the personages
and idols which they wanted to explain, had in the
course of time become so mixed up and confused
in their mind, that even the cloud of Elias and
the Mother of God, of whom they knew nothing at
all, had to be dragged by them into the genera]
confusion. They called their goddess Derketo the
Queen of Heaven. They spoke of her as of one that
had brought to earth all that it had of wisdom and
pleasure. They said that her followers, having ceased
to acknowledge her, she prophesied to them all that

360 Life of Jesus Christ

would befall them in the future, also that she would
plunge into the sea and reappear as a fish to be
with them forever. All this, they added, had actually
come to pass, etc. Her daughter, wliom she had
conceived in the sacred rites of paganism, was Semir-
amis, the wise and powerful Queen of Babylon.

How wonderful! While these men were thus speak
ing, I saw the whole history of these goddesses, as
if they had really risen before me and were still alive.
I felt impatient to disabuse the philosophers of their
gross errors. They appeared to me so astonishingly
silly in not seeing them themselves, that I kept think
ing: " Now, this is so distinct, so clear that I'll ex
plain it all to them! Then, again, I thought:

How dare you talk about such things! These
learned men must know better than you! " and
so I tormented myself during that conversation of
several hours.

Jesus explained to the philosophers the confusion
and absurdity of their idolatrous system, He related
to them the history of creation, of Adam and Eve, of
the Fall, of Cain and Abel, of the children of Noe
the building of the Babylonian Tower, the separation
of the bad and their gradual falling away into god-
lessness. He told them that these wicked people, in
order to restore their relations with God from whom
they had fallen, had invented all kinds of divinities
and had by the evil one been seduced into the
grossest error; nevertheless, the Promise, that the
1 of the women should crush the serpent's head,
was interwoven with all the poetry, customs and
ceremonies of their necromantic art. It was in conse
quence of this faint idea they had of the Promise
that so many personages had from time to time
appeared with the vain design of bringing salvation
to the world; but they had given to it instead still
greater sins and abominations drawn from the impure
source from which they themselves had sprung. He
told them about the separation of Abraham's family

Jesus Instructs the Philosophers 361

from the rest. of mankind; the education of a special
race for the guarding of the Promise; the guidance,
direction, and purification of the Children of Israel ;
and He concluded by telling them about the Prophets,
about Elias and his Prophecies, and that the present
time was to be that of their realization. Jesus' words
were so simple, so convincing and impressive that
some of the philosophers were greatly enlightened,
w'hile others returning to their mythical accounts,
were again entangled in their mazes. Jesus spoke
with the philosophers until nearly one o'clock. Some
of them believed and reformed their life. These men
were wrapped up in their apparently learned elu
cidations of all sorts of foolish and perplexing
questions. Jesus had however let a ray of light
fall upon their soul when He proved to them that,
to the fallen race of mankind and their history, there
always remained a trace more or less correct, of
God's designs upon men. He showed them how they,
living as they did in a kingdom of darkness and
confusion, had caught at the manifold improprieties
and abominations of idolatry which, in the midst
of their folly, still offered fhe external glamour of
lost truth; but God, in His mercy toward mankind,
formed from a few of the most innocent a nation
from which the fulfilment of the Promise \vas to
proceed. Then He pointed out 'to them that this
time of grace was now arrived, that whosoever would
do penance, amend his life, and receive baptism,
should be born anew and become a child of God.
Before this interview with the philosophers and im
mediately after the baptism, Jesus had sent away
Barnabas and some other disciples to Chytrus, a few
hours distant, where the family of Barnabas dwelt.
Jesus had with Him only the disciple Jonas and
another disciple from Dabereth, when He went one
half-hour westward from Salamis to a rich, fertile
region w'herein lay a little village whose inhabitants
were busied with the harvest. They were chiefly Jews,

362 Xiife of Jesus Christ

for their fields lay on this side of the city. The
country was very lovely, and agriculture was pursued
in a manner different from ours. The grain was
raised on very high ridges like ramparts, between
which were grazing-grounds surrounded by numerous
fruit-trees^ olive-trees, and others. They were full
of cattle which, though penned up, could graze in
the shade, and yet do no harm to the crops. These
low meadows were likewise a sort of reservoir for
dew and water. I saw a great many black cows
without horns; oxen, humpbacked, heavy footed, and
very broad horned, used as beasts of burden; nu
merous asses; extraordinarily large sheep with bushy
tails; and, apart from the rest, herds of rams, or
horned sheep. Houses and sheds lay scattered here
and there. The people had a very beautiful school
and a place for teaching in the open air, also a
Doctor of the Law among them; but on the Sab
bath they used to go to the synagogue in Salamis
near Jesus' inn.

The road was very beautiful. As soon as ever the
harvesters espied Jesus, (they had already seen Him
in the synagogue and at the baptism) they left their
work and their tools, cast off the piece of bark that
they wore on their head as a protection from the
sun's rays and, hurrying in bands down from the
high ridges, bowed low before Him. Many of them
even prostrated on the ground. J.esus saluted and
blessed them, after which they returned to their labor.
As Jesus drew near the school, the Doctor, who had
been apprised oT His coming, went out with som'e
other honorable personages to meet Him. He bade
Him welcome, escorted Him to a beautiful well,
washed His feet, removed His mantle, which was
then shaken and brushed, and presented Him food
and drink.

Jesus with these people and others, who had come
from Salamis, went from field to field, here and
there instructing the reapers in short parables upon

Jesus Teaching 363

sowing, harvesting, the separation of the wheat from
the tares, the building of the granary, and the casting
of the ill-weeds into the fire. The reapers listened
to him in groups, and then returned to their work,
while Jesus passed on to another band.

The men used a crooked knife in reaping. They
cut off the stalk about a foot below the ear, and
handed it to the women standing behind to receive
it. The latter tied the ears into bundles and carried
them away in baskets. I saw that many of the low
ears were left standing, and that poor women came
along afterward, cut them and gathered up the fallen
ones as their portion. These women wore very short
garments. Their waist was wound with linen bands,
and their tunic tucked up around the body forming
a sack, into which they put the ears they gleaned.
Their arms were uncovered, the breast and neck
concealed by linen bands, and the head veiled, or
simply protected by a chip hat, according as they
were married or maidens.

Jesus went on in this way walking and teaching
for about a half-hour's distance, and then returned
to the well near the school. Here ,He found a
collation set out on a stone table for Himself and
companions. It consisted of a thick sauce, honey,
I think, in shallow dishes; long sticks of something
from which they broke off little scraps and laid them
on their bread, little rolls of pastry, fruits, and little
jugs of some kind of drink. The well was extremely
beautiful. Back of it was a high terrace filled with
trees. One had to descend many steps to get to the
well-cistern, which was cool and shady. The female
portion of the Doctor's family dwelt at some distance
from the school. They were veiled when they brought
the viands for the repast. Jesus gave instructions on
the Our Father. In the evening, the reapers as
sembled in the school, where Jesus explained the par
ables He had related to them in the fields, and taught
also of the manna, of the daily bread, and of the

364 Life of Jesus Christ

Bread from Heaven. He went afterward with the Doc
tor and others, to visit the sick in their huts, and cured
several of the lame and dropsical, who lay mostly
in little cells built at the back of the houses. He
thus visited a lady afflicted with dropsy. Her tiny
apartment was only sufficiently large to accommodate
her bed. It was open at her feet, thus allowing her
to look out upon a little flower garden. The roof
was light and could be raised to afford her a glimpse
of the sky. Some men and women went with Jesus
to the sick lady's hut. They removed the screen,
and Jesus thus accosted the invalid: " Woman, dost
thou desire to be relieved? " To which she answered
humbly: " I desire what is pleasing to the Prophet. "
Then Jesus said: " Arise! Thy faith has helped thee!"
The woman arose, left her little cell, and said:
Lord, now I know Thy power, for many others
have tried to help me, but could not do it. " She
and her relatives offered thanks, and praised the
Lord. Many came to see her, wondering at her cure.
Jesus returned to the school.

I saw on that day at Salamis, Mercuria the sinner
walking up and down her apartments, a prey to
deep sadness and disquietude. She wept, wrung her
hands, and, enveloped in her veil, often threw herself
on the floor in a corner. Her husband, who ap
peared to me not very bright, thought like 'her maids
that she had lost her mind. But Mercuria was torn
by remorse for her sins ; her only thought, her constant
dream was how she could break loose from her bonds
and join the holy women in Palestine. She had two
daughters of eight and nine years, and a boy of
fifteen. Her home was near to the great temple.
It was large with massive walls and surrounded by
servants' dwellings, pillars, terraces, and gardens. They
called upon her to attend the temple, but she declined
on the plea of sickness. This temple was an extraor
dinary building full of columns, chambers, abodes
for the pagan priests, and vaults. In it stood a

Saint Catherine 365

gigantic statue of the goddess, which shone like gold.
The body was that of a fish, and the head was
horned like a cow. Before it was another figure
of less stature, upon whose shoulders the goddess
rested her short arms, or claws. The figures stood
upon a high pedestal, in which were cavities for the
burning of 'incense and other offerings. The sacri
fices in the gt>ddess' honor consisted even of children,
especially of cripples. Mercuria's house became sub
sequently the dwelling of Gbsta, the father of St.
Catherine. Catherine was born and reared in it. Her
father descended from a princely race of Mesopotamia.
For certain services, he was rewarded with large
possessions in Cyprus. He married in Salamis a
daughter of the same pagan priestly family to which
Mercuria belonged. Even in her childhood, Cath
erine was full of wisdom, and had interior visions
by which she was guided. She could not endure
the pagan idols, and thrust them out of sight wherever
she could. As a punishment for this, her father once
put her in confinement.

The cities in these regions were not like ours in
•which the houses stand apart. The buildings of those
pagan cities were enormous with terraces and massive
walls, in which again abodes for poorer people were
constructed. Many of the streets were like broad
ramparts, and were planted with trees. Under these
thoroughfares were found the abodes of numbers of
people. Great order reigned in Salamis. Each class
of inhabitants had its own street. The school children
also I saw for the most part in one particular street,
and there were others set apart for the beasts of
burden. The philosophers had one large edifice of
their own. It was surrounded by courtyards, and
I saw them promenading in the street that belonged
to them. Wrapped in their mantles, they walked in
bands four or five abreast, and spoke in turn. They
always kept to one side of the street in going, and

366 Xiife of Jesus Christ

to the other in returning. This order was as a g'eneral
thing observed in all the streets.

The square with the beautiful fountain in which the
Commandant held his interview with Jesus, was much
higher than the adjacent streets. To reach it, one
had to mount a flight of steps. Around this square
were arcades filled with shops. To one side was the
market-place, near which were rows of dense, pyrami
dal-shaped trees up which one could mount and sit
in their bowerlike foliage. The Commandant's palace
fronted on this square.

14. JESUS TEACHING IN CHYTRUS

On the following morning, Jesus again went through
the harvest fields instructing the laborers. A remark
able fog hung over the country the whole day, so
dense that one could scarcely see his neighbor, and
the sun glimmered through it like a white speck.
The fields ran northeastwardly between the rising
heights until they terminated in a point. I saw in
numerable partridges, quails, and pigeons with enor
mous crops. I remember also to have seen a kind
of thick, gray, ribbed apple, the pulp streaked with
red. It grew on widespreading trees, which were
trained on trellises.

Jesus taught in parables of the harvest and the
daily bread, and He cured several lame children who
lay on sheep-skins in a kind of cradle, or trough.
When some of the people broke out in loud praise
of His teaching, Jesus checked them with words some
thing like these: " Whosoever hath, to him shall
be given; and whosoever hath not (that also) which
he thinketh he hath), shall be taken away from
him. " *

The Jews of this place had doubts upon divers
points, upon which Jesus instructed them. They feared

i. Luke VIII, 1 8.

Jesus Refutes Objections 367

to have no part in the Promised Land, they thought
that Moses had had no need to cross the Red Sea,
and that there was no reason for his wandering so long
in the desert, since there were other and more direct
routes. Jesus met their objections with the reply that
they could get possession of the Kingdom of God,
and that there was no need, it was true, for so
long a sojourn in the desert. He challenged them,
since they disapproved such proceedings in "Moses,
not to wander around themselves in the desert of
sin, unbelief, and murmuring, but to take the shortest
road by means of penance, baptism, and faith. The
Jews of Cyprus had intermarried freely with the pa
gans, but in such contracts the latter always became
converts to Judaism.

On this walk of instruction through the harvest-fields,
Jesus and His companions reached the highroad
which, running a couple of hours to the west of
Salamis, connected the port on the northwestern coast
of Cyprus to that on the south-east. Here stood a
very large Jewish inn, and at it Jesus and His fol
lowers stopped. Not far off stood sheds and an inn
with a well for the pagan caravans. The highway
was always swarming with travellers. There was no
female at the inn,, the women dwelt apart by them
selves. Jesus had just washed His feet and taken some
refreshments, when the disciples who had tarried in
Salamis baptizing, arrived. Jesus' companions ^ now
numbered twenty. He continued to teach out in the
open air the people coming home from their work.
They brought to Him some sick laborers who could
no longer earn their bread. As they believed in His
doctrine, Jesus cured them and bade them resume
at once their daily labor.

Toward evening a caravan of Arabs arrived. They
had with them, as beasts of burden, oxen yoked in
couples. On two poles across their back, they carried
immense bales of goods that rose high above their
head. In narrow parts of the road they went one

368 Life of Jesus Christ

behind the other, still keeping their burden between
. them. I saw asses and camels also, laden with bales
of wool. These Arabs were from the region in which
Jethro had dwelt. They were of a browner com-
plexion than the Cypriotes, and had come hither with
their goods in ships. In the mining districts through
which they passed, they bartered some of their goods
for copper and other metals, and they were now
pursuing their course southward along the highroad,
in order again to embark for home. The beasts bore
the heavy metal in long chests, the packages smaller
than usual on account of their weight. I think the
metal was in bars, or long plates. Some of it was
already wrought into various vessels and kettles, which
I saw, in packages round and of the form of a cask.
The women were exceedingly industrious. During
their journey, whether Walking or riding, they oc
cupied themselves in spinning, and whenever they
encamped, they set to work at weaving covers and
scarfs. They could in consequence, maintain them
selves on the journey and renew their own clothing.
They used for their work the wool packed on the
beasts of burden. While spinning, they fastened the
wool to their shoulder, spun the thread with one hand
and wound it on the spindle which they turned in
the other. When the spindle was full, the thread
was wound off upon a bobbin that hung at their
girdle.

When these people had unloaded and cared for
their beasts, they saluted Jesus and begged to be
permitted to hear His doctrine. He commended them
for their industry and took occasion from it to ask
the question, for whom was all their trouble, for
whom all their labor. From this He went on to
speak of the Creator and Preserver of all things,
of gratitude to God, of God's mercy toward sinners
and lost sheep that wander around not knowing their
Shepherd. He taught them in mild and loving words.
They were touched and rejoiced, and wanted to

Jesus Journeying in Cyprus 369

bestow all kinds of presents upon Him. He blessed
their children and left them. With His companions
He then directed His steps more to the north toward
Chytrus, situated between four and five hours from
this place and about six from Salamis. The way
now became hilly.

I saw here in the country olive-trees and cotton-
trees, also a plant from which I think they make
a kind of silk. It did not look like our flax, but
rather like hemp, and it furnishes a long, soft thread.
But most conspicuous of all was a little tree with
quantities of beautiful yellow flowers, most charming
to behold. Its fruit was almost the same as that
of the medlar, or persimmon; it appeared to me
to be saffron. To the left, one had a beautiful view
of the mountains covered with high forests. Cypresses
were numerous, also little resinous bushes of delicious
fragrance. Here too among the mountains descended
a little stream that in one part formed a waterfall.
Still farther on and higher up, there wias on one side
of the mountain a forest; on the other, the naked soil
over which wound a path, and on either side were
caves extending into the mountain. Out of these were
mined copper and some kind of white metal like
silver. I saw the miners boring into them, also from
above. The metal must have been smelted on the
spot and that with a certain yellow something of
which there was a whole mountain in the neighborhood.
The workman kneaded the melted mass into great
balls and then allowed them to dry. I heard it said
on that occasion that the mountain sometimes caught
fire.

After four hours' journey, Jesus reached an inn
more than half an hour from Chytrus. All along
the road mines were still to be seen. Here Jesus
and His companions halted and the father of Barnabas,
along with some other men, received the Lord and
extended to Him the usual acts of kindness. Jesus

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 24

370 Life of Jesus Christ

rested here and taught, after which He took a light
repast with His companions.

Chytrus lay on a low plain. Jesus approached it
from the side upon which were the mines. The
population was made up of Jews and pagans. All
around the city stood numerous single buildings. It
looked like country workshops connected by gardens
and fields.

I was very much troubled at the little fruit arising
from Jesus' great fatigue and labor in Cyprus. It was
so small that, as the Pilgrim told me, nothing was
known of that journey, no mention was made of it
in Scripture, not even of Paul and Barnabas's labors
there. Then I had a vision concerning it, of which
I remember the following details : Jesus gained five
hundred and seventy souls, pagans and Jews, in Cyprus.
I saw that the sinner Mercuria and her children
delayed not to follow Him, and that she brought
with her great wealth in property and money. She
joined the holy women; and at the first Christian
settlements between Ophel and Bethania, made under
the deacons, she contributed largely toward the build
ings and the support of the brethren. I saw also
that in an insurrection against the Christians (Saul
not yet being converted) Mercuria was murdered.
It was at the time when Saul set out for Damascus,
Soon after Jesus' departure from the island, many
pagans and Jews with their money and valuables
left Cyprus and journeyed to Palestine, iand little
by little, transferred thither all their wealth. Then
arose a great outcry among other members of these
families who had not embraced Jesus' doctrine. They
looked upon themselves as injured by the departure
of their relatives, and they scoffed at Jesus as an
impostor. Jews and heathens made common cause
together, and considered it a crime even to speak
of Him. Many persons were arrested and scourged.
The pagan priests persecuted those of their own belief,
and forced them to offer sacrifice. The Comman-

Jesus among the Miners 371

dant who had had an interview with Jesus was recall
ed to Rome and deposed from his office. They
even went so far as to send Roman soldiers to take
possession of the ports so that no one could leave
the island. They did not remain long, but on their
departure they took with them some of the inhabitants.

On the way to Chytrus, Jesus instructed the miners
in separate bands. Some of the mines were rented
by pagans; others, by Jews. The laborers looked
very thin, pale, and miserable. Their nude body was
protected in several places with pieces of brown
leather, in which they were encased like turtles in
their shells. Jesus took as trie subject of His instruc
tion the goldsmith, who purifies the ore in fire. The
heathens and Jews were working on different sides
of the road, so both could listen at the same time.
There were some possessed, or grievously disturbed
creatures that had to be bound with cords even
when at work and as Jesus drew near, they began
to rage and cry. They published His name, and
cried out to know what He wanted with them. Jesus
commanded them to be silent, and they became quiet.
Some Jewish miners now1 came forward complaining
that the pagans had opened mines under the road
in their district thus encroaching upon their rights,
and they begged Him to decide the point between
them. Then Jesus directed a hole to be bored near
the boundary through the part belonging to the Jews,
and the workmen came to the pagan mines. There
were found heaps of white, metallic scraps, I think
zinc or silver, which had tempted the pagans to
overstep their limits. Jesus gave an instruction upon
scandal and ill-gotten goods. The pagans were con
victed, for the facts witnessed against them. But as
the magistrate was not on the spot, nothing could
be done, and the pagans withdrew muttering their
dissatisfaction.

Chytrus was a very stirring place. The inhabitants,
pagans and Jews, lived on easy terms with one an-

372 Life of Jesus Christ

other as I more than once saw, though the two
sects dwelt in different quarters. The pagans had
several temples, and the Jews, two synagogues. Inter
marriages were very frequent among them, but in
such cases the pagan party always embraced Judaism.

Outside the city Jesus was met by the Jewish
Elders and Doctors, also two of the philosophers
from Salamis, who having been touched by His
doctrine, 'had followed Him thither in order to hear
Him again. After they had given Jesus a reception
with the customary attentions, foot-washing and re
freshments, in the house devoted to such purposes,
they petitioned Him for the cure of several sick
persons who had been longingly awaiting His com
ing. Jesus accompanied His escort into the Jewish
quarter where in the street before several of the
houses about twenty invalids were lying, whom He
cured. Some among them were lame. They were
leaning on crutches, which Were like frames resting
on three feet. The cured and their relatives pro
claimed the praises of Jesus, shouting after Him
short passages of encomium taken chiefly from the
Psalms, but the disciples told them to keep quiet.

Jesus went next to the house of the Efder of the
synagogue where several of the literati were as
sembled, among them some belonging to the sect "of
Rechabites. These last named wore a garb somewhat
different from the other Jews, and their manners and
customs were peculiarly rigorous. Of these however
they had already laid aside many. They had a whole
street to themselves, and were especially engaged
in mining. They belonged to that race that settled
in Ephron, in the kingdom of Basan, in whose neigh
borhood also, mining was carried on. Jesus was
invited by the Elder to dinner which he had ordered
to be prepared for Him when the Sabbath was over.
But as He had promised to dine with Barnabas's
father, He invited all the present guests to accompany
Him thither, and begg'ed the Elder to entertain the

" Lord, I do Believe! " 373

poor laborers and miners after the synagogue was
over with the viands prepared for the dinner.

The synagogue was filled with people, and crowds
of pagans were listening on the porches outside. Jesus
took His text from the third book of Moses treating
of the sacrifice of the Tabernacle, and from Jeremias
relating to the Promise1. He spoke of sacrifices
living and dead, answered His hearers' questions
upon the difference between them, and taught on
the Eight Beatitudes.

There was in the synagogue a pious old rabbi who
had been for a long time afflicted with the dropsy,
and who as usual had caused hiiriself to be carried
thither to his customary place. As the literati were
disputing with Jesus on various points, he cried aloud:
" Silence! Allow me a word! " and when all were
still, he called out: " Lord! Thou hast shown mercy
to others. Help me too> and bid me to come to
Thee! Thereupon Jesus said to the man: " If*
thou dost believe, arise and come to Me! ' The
sick man instantly arose, exclaiming: "Lord, I do
believe! He was cured. He mounted the steps
to where Jesus stood, and thanked Him, while the
whole assembly broke forth into shouts of joy and
praise. Jesus and His followers left the synagogue
and went to Barnabas's dwelling. Then the master
of the feast gathered together the poor arid the
laborers to partake of the dinner that Jesus had
left them.

15. THE PATERNAL HOME AND FAMILY OF

BARNA.BAS. JESUS TEACHING IN THE

ENVIRONS OF CHYTRUS

The father of Barnabas dwelt beyond the western
limits of the city in one of the many houses there
scattered. Chytrus was surrounded by such dwellings,

I. Levitictts XXV, XXVI, and Jeremias XX III, 6-28.

374 Life of Jesus Christ

some of which standing in clusters, formed villages.
The house was quite handsome. On one side it was
terraced, the walls brown as if painted in oil or
smeared with resin, or was that the natural color?
On these terraces were plants and foliage. Besides
the terraces the house was surrounded by a colon
nade, an open gallery, upon which were beautiful
trees. Beyond these were vineyards and an open
space full of building wood, all in good order. In it
were some trunks of trees extraordinarily thick, and
there were all kinds of figures made out of the wood,
but all was so well arranged that one could easily
walk among them. I think the wood was intended
for ship-building. I saw too long wagons, but not
wider than the wood itself, and provided with heavy
iron wheels. They were drawn by oxen yoked far
apart. One can see at no great distance from Chytrus
a very beautiful forest of lofty trees.

The father of Barnabas was a widower. His sister
with her maid servants had a house in the neighbor
hood; she took care of his household and provided
the meals. The pagans that accompanied Jesus, as
well as the philosophers from Salamis, did not recline
with Him at table, because it was still the Sabbath;
but they walked up and down in the open hall,
ate from their hand and, standing under the colonnade,
listened to Jesus' teaching. The meal consisted of
birds and broad, flat fish, besides cakes, honey, and
fruit. There were likewise dishes with pieces of meat
twisted into a spiral form and garnished with all kinds
of herbs. Jesus spoke of sacrifice, of the Promise,
and dwelt at length upon the Prophets'.

During the dinner, several bands of poor, half-clad
children of from four to six years old, made their
appearance. They had in little loosely woven baskets
some kind of edible herbs, which they offered to the
guests in exchange for bread or other food. They
seemed to prefer that side of the table at which
Jesus and His followers were reclining. Jesus stood

Mixed Marriages 375

up, emptied their baskets of the herbs, filled them
from1 the viands on the table, and blessed the little
ones. This scene was very lovely, very touching".

Next morning Jesus taught in the rear of Barnabas's
house, where there was a plot of beautiful rising
ground furnished with a teacher's chair. The path
leading to it from the house was through magnificent
arbors of grapevines. A large audience was gathered.
Jesus first addressed the miners and other laborers,
then the pagans and, lastly, a great crowd of Jews
that had married into pagan families. A great many
sick pagans had begged Jesus' help and permission
to hear His instructions. They were mostly laborers,
sick and crippled, who lay on couches n'ear the
teacher's chair. Jesus' instruction to the laborers was
on the Our Father and the refining of ore by fire;
that to the pagans, on the wild shoots of trees
and grapevines, (whi,ch had to be cut away), or
the one, only God, the children of God, the son of
the house and the servant, and the vocation of the
Gentiles. Then He turned to the subject of mixed
marriages, which were not to be countenanced lightly,
though they might" be tolerated through condescension.
In the latter case however they might be allowed
only when there was a prospect of converting or
perfecting one of the parties, but never merely for
the gratification of sensuality. They could be suf
fered only when both parties were animated by a
holy intention. He spoke nevertheless, more against
than for such unions, and declared them happy who
had raised pure offspring in the house of the Lord.
He touched upon the serious account the Jewish
party would have to render, of the responsibility of
rearing children in piety, of the necessity of cor
responding with grace at the time of its visitation,
and "of penance and baptism.

After that Jesus cured the sick and dined with Bar
nabas. Accompanied by His friends, He next went
to the opposite side o'f the city, where were numbers

376 Life of Jesus Christ

of beehives placed at an unusually great distance from
one another among the large flower-gardens. Near
by were a fountain and a little lake. Jesus here
taught and related parables, after which all went
into the city to the synagogue, where the instruction
on sacrifice and the Promise was concluded.

There were at this time some learned Jews travel
ling through the country. They put all kinds of
cunningly contrived questions to Jesus, but He soon
solved them. These men seemed to be actuated by
some bad design. Their questions referred to mixed
marriages, to Moses and the numbers he had caused
to be put to death, to Aaron, the golden calf he
had ordered to be made, his punishment, etc.

The next day appeared to be either a feast or a
fast among the Jews, for there was morning service
in the synagogue, that is, prayer and preaching.
That over, Jesus left the city by the north side with
all His disciples and some pagan youths. His little
band was joined by some Jewish Doctors and several
Rechabites, so that there were altogether fully one
hundred men. They pursued their journey for about
an hour to a place which was the principal seat
of the bee-raising industry. Far off toward the rising
sun stood long rows of white beehives, about the
height of a man and woven, I think, of rushes or
bark. They had many openings, and were placed
one above another. Every group had in front of it
a flowery field, and I noticed that balm grew here
in abundance. Each field, or garden, was hedged
in, and the whole bore the appearance of a city.
One could readily recognize the pagan part of it, for
here and there standing' in niches were puppets with
tails, like those of a fish, curving behind them into
the air. They had little short paws and faces not
altogether human.

The village itself consisted of many little cottages
belonging to the bee proprietors, who kept there the
vessels and utensils used in their branch of industry.

Jesus Instructs the Pagans 377

The inn was a large building with all kinds of
dependencies. Rows of sheds, or open halls, crossed
one another around the courts in which were numerous
trestles and long mats. The steward of this estab
lishment provided for the needs of all that were
here employed. He was a pagan. The Jews had
their own halls and places for prayer. I think the
wax and honey were prepared in the house and under
the long sheds. It looked like a 'house for the gen
eral gathering in of the produce. I saw here also
many of those little trees whose yellow blossoms
are so beautiful. The leaves are more yellow than
green, and the blossoms fall so thickly on the ground
that they form as it were a soft carpet. Long mats
were spread beneath the trees to catch them. I saw
the workmen pressing the flowers, to extract from
them some kind of coloring matter. The little trees
when young were planted in pots, and then trans
planted often into the holes of rocks with earth around
the roots. There were similar trees in Judea. I saw
here also large plants of flax, from which they drew
long threads.

Not far from Chytrus, about half an hour to the
north, quite a considerable stream issued from the
rock, flowed first through the city, and then watered
the region by which Jesus had come. In some places
it flowed along freely, in others it was bridged over.
I think the water supplies of the Salamis aqueducts
were obtained from it. It formed at its source a
real little lake. In its waters baptism was yet to
be given, and I think there was some allusion made
to it. The number of beautiful wild flowers in this
region, was surprising. All along the roads stood
orange-trees, fig-trees, currant bushes, and grape
vines. ,

Jesus had come here principally to be able to
instruct the pagans without interruption, without dis
turbance from visitors. This He did all the rest
of the day in the gardens and arbors of the inn.

378 Life of Jesus Christ

His hearers stood or lay stretched on the grass, while
He instructed them on the Our Father and the
Eight Beatitudes. When addressing the pagans, He
spoke especially of the origin and abominations of
their gods, of the vocation of Abraham and his
separation from idolaters, and of God's guidance over
the children of Israel. He spoke openly and forcibly.
There were about a hundred men listening to Him.
After the instruction, all took refreshments in the
inn, the pagans apart. The repast was made up of
bread, long strips of goat-cheese, honey, arid fruit.
The proprietor of the house was a pagan, but very
humble and reserved in his manners. That evening,
the pagans having retired, Jesus instructed the Jews
and they prayed together. All spent the night at the

inn.

Chytrus was a far more stirring place than Sal-
amis where all kinds of business and traffic were
confined to the port and a couple of streets. Here
however there reigned great activity. On the side
by \\hich Jesus approached the city, there was a
great market where cattle and birds were exposed
for sale. Near the heart of the city, was another
market beautiful to look upon. It was very high and
all around it, as well as under its lofty arches, hung
many different kinds of colored stuffs and covers.
The opposite side of the city was occupied almost
entirely by the workers in metal and their foundries.
The hammering and pounding were so astonishingly
loud that one could not hear his own words, although
most of the factories were outside the city. They
made all kinds of vessels, especially a kind of oval
oven large and light, with a little cover and two
handles near the top. In manufacturing them, the
metal was first bent into shape, and then put into
immense ovens, where the molten mass was blown
by means of long tubes into the form of the hollow
vessel required. They were yellow outside and white
within. All kinds of fruit, as well as honey or syrup,

" Let Them Go! " 379

were exported in them. When transported over the
sea they were placed on a kind of trestle, and on
land they were carried by means of poles run through
the handles.

The next day Jesus again taught at the apiary,
the number of His hearers having increased to a
couple of hundred. In most convincing terms He
again explained to the pagans their errors, and
represented the existence of their gods as so very
pitiful that they had to explain it by all kinds of
significations, in order to be able even to endure
them themselves. And when, continuing His discourse,
He exhorted them to renounce their subtleties, their
vain imaginations, their continual efforts in behalf
of falsehood, and in simplicity of heart to confine
their researches to God and His revelations, some
of them who had come thither like travelling literati
with staves in their hands, became indignant, and
turning off murmuring upon their way. Jesus re
marked at this conjuncture: " Let them go! It is
better that they should do so than remain to make
new gods out of what they have just heard. ''
He uttered many, prophetic words on the desolation
that should one day come upon that beautiful region,
its cities and temples, and of the judgment that was
to fall on all those countries. He said that when
idolatry should have reached its height, then would
paganism come to naught, and He dwelt long on
the chastisement of the Jews and the destruction of
Jerusalem. The pagans took all in better part than
did the Jews who, supporting themselves upon their
Promises, had always some objections to bring for
ward. Jesus went through all the Prophets with them,
explained the passages relating to the Messiah, and
told them that the time for their fulfilment had ar
rived. The Messiah would arise among the Jews,
but they would not own Him. They would mock
and deride Him, and when He would assure them
He was the One whom they were expecting, they

380 Life of Jesus Christ

would seize Him and put Him to death. This language
was not at all to the taste of many of His hearers,
and Jesus reminded them of how they were accustomed
to do with their Prophets. He ended by saying that
as they had treated the heralds, so too would they
act toward the One whom they announced.

The Rechabites spoke with Jesus of 'Malachias, for
whom they entertained great veneration. They told
Jesus that they esteemed him an angel of God, that
he had come as a child to certain pious people, that
he had frequently disappeared for a time, and that
no one knew whether he was now really dead or
not. They dwelt at length on his prophecies of the
Messiah and His new sacrifice, which Jesus explained
as relating to the present and the near future.

From the apiary, Jesus went with a large com
pany (which however constantly decreased on the
road) back again to Barnabas 's home, a journey
of several hours. The greater number of His party
consisted of young men belonging to the Jewish com
munity, and who were about to embark for Jerusalem
to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Nevertheless, they
that remained with Jesus formed quite a considerable
band. From thirty to forty pagan women and maidens
and about ten Jewish girls were assembled at the
entrance of the gardens to do Jesus honor. They
were playing on flutes and singing canticles of praise;
they wore flowery wreaths and strewed green branches
in the way. Here and there also they' spread mats
on the road over which Jesus was to pass, inclined
low before Him, and offered Him presents of wreaths,
flowers, aromatic shrubs, and little flasks of perfume!
Jesus thanked tKem, and addressed to them some
words. They followed Him to the courtyard of Bar-
nabas's house, and set their gifts down in the as
sembly-hall. They had adorned every thing with
flowers and garlands. This reception, though rural
and less noisy, was something similar to that tendered

Pagan Costume 381

Jesus on Palm Sunday. His escort soon returned to
their homes, for it was evening.

I was astonished at the costume of the pagan
women. The young girls wore curious-looking caps,
like the so-called cuckoo baskets that, when a child,
I used to weave of rushes. Some were without or
nament; others had a wreath twined around them
from which innumerable threads with all kinds of
ornamentation fell upon the forehead. The lower edge
always consisted of a wreath made of worsted or
feather flowers. The veil was worn under the hat,
or cap. It was in two parts so that it could be
opened in front, or thrown up over the hat; in the
latter case, it fell behind as low as the neck. They
were girdled very tightly, wore a breastpiece, and
around the neck all kinds of ribands and finery. Their
lower dress was very full. It consisted of several
skirts of thin material one above the other, and each
about a span, or nine inches, longer fhari the one
above it, so that the lowest of all was the longest.
The arms were not entirely covered. The "dress" had
no sleeves, only long lappets, and little wreaths were
fastened round the arms. The material was of dif
ferent colors: yellow, red, white, blue, some striped
and others covered with flowers. Their hair fell
around their shoulders like a veil. It was fastened
at the ends with a tasselled string, and thus prevented
from floating on the breeze. The sandals on their
bare feet were bent up into a point at the toe and
kept in place by means of laces. The married women's
headdress was not so high as that of the young
girls. It had a stiff leaf in front that screened the
forehead and descended in a point as far as the
nose, and thence curved up above the ears, thus
exposing them to view with their pearl pendants.
It was openworked and wound with braided hair,
pearls, and all kinds of ornaments. They wore long
mantles that hung very full in the back. The children
with them had no other clothing than a foand of

382 Life of Jesus Christ

some kind of stuff, which, passing over one shoulder,
crossed the breast, and was tied around the waist,
forming a covering for the middle of the body. These
women had awaited Jesus fully three hours.

A repast had been prepared at Barnabas's. But
the guests did not recline at table. The food was
handed to each on a little board, a wooden waiter,
such as had been used on the ship. Many old men
were assembled here, among them the old Doctor of
the Law whom Jesus had cured in the synagogue.
Barnabas's father was a solid, square-built old man,
and one could easily see that he was accustomed to
work in wood. The men of those days looked much
more robust than those of the present age.

I next saw Jesus seated in the teacher's chair at
the spring outside of Chytrus. He was preparing
the neophytes for baptism, which the disciples con
ferred, first upon the Jews and then upon trie pagans.

Jesus spoke here also with the Jewish Doctors, on
the subject of circumcision. He said that it should
not be imposed upon the converted pagans, unless
they themselves desired it. At the same time, the
Jews ought not to be expected to allow these converts
entrance into the synagogue, for they should avoid
'scandal. But they should thank God that the pagans,
having abandoned their idolatry, were awaiting the
hour of salvation. Other mortifications, the circum
cision of the heart and of every species of con
cupiscence, could be imposed upon them. Jesus
provided for their instruction and devotions apart
from the Jews.

16. JESUS IN THE CITY OF MALLEP

I noticed some men very respectfully closing the
well outside of Chytrus, at which the disciples had
been baptizing. The crowd that had been present
at Jesus* instructions as well as the newly baptized,
were upon the point of separating for their homes.

Jesus in Mallep 383

Some were standing around several Jewish travellers
that had just arrived. To their questions as to Jesus'
whereabouts, they received the answer: " The Prophet
taught here from early this morning until noon. But
now He is gone with His disciples and about seven
philosophers of Salamis, just baptized, to the great
village of Mallep. : This place was built by the
Jews, therefore only Jews lived in it. It was situated
on a height toward the base of a mountain-chain,
and commanded a wondrously beautiful view upon
all sides, even as far as the sea. It had five streets,
all converging toward the centre where, hewn out
of the rocky foundation, was a reservoir which re
ceived its water supply from the conduit of the well
near Chytrus. All around the reservoir were beautiful
seats under shady trees, and from it stretched a
magnificent view over the whole, city and the sur
rounding country which was teeming with fruit. Mal
lep was surrounded by a double intrenchment, the
inner one lower than the outer. A great part of
it was hewn out of the rock and beyond it, looking
like little valleys, ran ditches all around the city.
On the fresh green sward covered with lovely flowers,
stood rows of the most magnificent fruit-trees, under
which lay the large yellow fruit in the grass, for
every thing here was now in full harvest. The people
were busy drying the fruit that was to be sent to
a distance. They manufactured also cloths, carpets,
mats, and out of sap-wood light, shallow cases in
which to dry the fruit.

On Jesus' arrival, He was met at the gate by
the Doctors of the synagogue, the school children,
and 'a crowd of people, who had come to welcome
Him, all adorned as for a feast. The children were
singing, playing on musical instruments, and carrying
palm branches, the little girls going before the boys.
Jesus passed through the children blessing them as
He went, and with His followers, about thirty men,
was escorted by the Doctors into a reception-hal]

384 Life of Jesus Christ

where the ceremony of washing the feet was per
formed.

Meanwhile about twenty invalids, some lame, others
dropsical, were brought into the street outside the
house. Jesus cured them, and directed them to follow
Him to the well in the heart o'f the city. Great was
the joy of the relatives as, with the lately cured,
they made their way to the place designated, where
Jes'us gave them an instruction upon daily bread and
gratitude toward God.

From here He went to the synagogue and taught
upon the petition: <f Let Thy Kingdom come. " He
spoke of the Kingdom of God in us and of its near
approach. He explained to His hearers that it was
a spiritual, not an earthly kingdom, and told them
how it would fare with them that cast it from them.
The pagans who had followed Jesus were standing
back of the Jews, for the line of separation was
more strictly observed here than in pagan cities.

The instruction over, Jesus assisted at a dinner
given by the Doctors, after which they escorted Him
to the inn, which they had prepared for Him and
His company. A steward had been appointed to see
to all things.

On the following day, Jesus taught again in the
extraordinarily beautiful synagogue where all the
people were assembled. He spoke of the sower, of
different kinds of soil, of weeds, and of the grain
of mustard-seed, which bears fruit so large. He took
His similitudes from a shrub that grew in those regions
which, from a very small kernel, shoots forth a stalk
thick as one's arm and almost as high as a man,
and which is very useful. Its fruit was large as
an acorn, red and black. Its juice when expressed
was used for dyeing. The baptized pagans were not
in the synagogue, but outside on the terraces listening
to Jesus' words.

When Jesus was afterward taking dinner with the
Elders, three blind boys about ten to twelve years

* Thanksgiving Is a Prayer " 385

old, were led in to Him by some other children. The
former were playing on flutes and another kind of
instrument which they held to the mouth and touched
at the same time with the fingers. It was not a
fife, and it made a buzzing, humming sound like
the jew's-harp. At intervals also they sang in a very
agreeable manner. Their eyes were open, and it
seemed as if a cataract had obscured the sight.
Jesus asked them whether they desired to see the
light, in order to walk diligently and piously in the
paths of righteousness. They answered most joyous
ly: " Lord, and wilt Thou help us! Help us,' Lord,
and we will do whatever Thou commandestl " Then
Jesus said: " Put down your instruments! " and He
stood them before Him, put His thumbs to His mouth,
and 'passed them one after the other from the corner
of the eyes to the temple above. Then He took up
a dish of fruit from the table, held it before the boys,
said: " Do ye see 'that? " blessed them, and gave
them its contents. They stared around in joyful amaze
ment, they were intoxicated with delight, and at
last cast themselves weeping at Jesus' feet. The whole
company were deeply touched; joy and wonder took
possession of all. The three boys full of joy hurried
with their guides out of the hall and through the
streets to their parents. The whole city was in
excitement. The children returned with their rela
tives and many others to the forecourt ot the haU,
singing songs of joy and playing upon their instru
ments, in order thus to express their thanks. Jesus
took occasion from this circumstance to give a beau
tiful instruction on gratitude. He said: " Thanksgiving
is a prayer which attracts new favors, so good is.
the Heavenly Father. '

After dinner, Jesus walked with the disciples and
the pagan philosophers through the beautiful shady
meadows around the city, teaching the pagan men
and new disciples. The elder disciples were them-

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 25

386 Life of Jesus Christ

selves Instructing separate groups. That evening 'Jesus
taught again in the synagogue.

Next day He visited the parents of the blind boys
whom He had cured. They were Jews from Arabia,
from the region in which Jethro, Moses's father-in-
law, had dwelt. They had a particular name. They
travelled around a great deal, and had already been
baptized near Capharnaum. They were journeying
through that part of the country at the time, and had
heard Jesus' sermon on the mount. These people,
that is, these two families composed of about twenty
persons including the women and children, were trades
men and manufacturers, who, as among us the Ital
ians, 'the Tyrolese, and the inhabitants of the Black
Forest, tarry awhile sometimes here, sometimes there,
busying themselves in making clocks, mouse-traps,
figures in plaster of Paris, which they sold to their
neighbors, thus uniting labor and traffic. At this
season they generally visited Mallep for a couple
of months. Outside the city, on the north, they oc
cupied a private inn in which they had all kinds
of tools, weaving apparatus, etc. Their blind boys
had in their wanderings to earn something by singing
and playing on the flute when occasion offered. Jesus
cold "the parents that they should no longer drag
the boys around after them:, but that they should
remain in Mallep and attend school. He indicated
to them the persons that would receive and instruct
their boys, for He had already arranged all that
the day before. The parents promised to do whatever
He directed.

17. JESUS TEACHING BEFORE THE PAGAN,

PHILOSOPHERS. HE ATTENDS A JEWISH

WEDDING

Jesus walked with the disciples and the seven bap
tized philosophers through the charming meadow-
valley that led from Mallep to the village of Lanifa'

Jesus Teaching; Pagan Philosophers 387

and then gently rising turned southward into the
mountains. From this southern side descended a
brook, about three feet broad, which took its rise in
the spring near Chytrus. It ran in a covered bed
through the mountains, then through the village Lanifa
and the valley near Mallep whose surrounding moats
it fed. But it was not the same water as that in
the elevated fountain in the centre of Mallep, although
the street by which Jesus left the city, the fifth
and last of the place, was that of the canal by which
the beautiful reservoir was supplied. Words can not
describe the charm and quiet of this verdant valley,
gently winding around and entirely shut in by the
surrounding heights. As far as Mallep lay isolated
granges on either side of the road, dependent upon
the village of • Lanifa at the end of! the valley. All
was perfectly green and covered with' the most beau
tiful flowers and fruits, which here grew, some wild,
some cultivated. Jesus took the road to the left,
on the south side of the brook to Lanifa. He met
a band of young people on their way to take ship
for Jerusalem there to celebrate Pentecost. Jesus
accosted them with the command to salute Lazarus,
but beyond that not to speak of JHim. Farther on,
He crossed the brook, turned to the north, and de
scended again into the valley, in order to return to
Mallep. On that side He came to another village,
which bore the singular name of Leppe.

The harvest was now1 over, and the people placed
together the sheaves destined for the poor.

During the whole journey Jesus taught the pagan
philosophers, sometimes walking, sometimes tarrying
in some lovely spot. He instructed them upon the
absolute corruption of mankind before the Flood,
of the preservation of Noe, of the new growth of
evil, of the vocation of Abraham, and of God's guid
ance of his race down to the time in which the
promised Consoler was to vcome forth from it. The
heathens asked 'Jesus for explanations of all kinds,

388 Life of Jesus Christ

and brought forward many great names of ancient
gods and heroes, telling Him of their benevolent
deeds. Jesus replied that all men possessed by nature
more or less human kindness by which they ef
fected many things useful and advantageous for time,
but that many vices and abominations arose from
such benefits. He showed them the state of degra
dation, the partial destruction of the nations sunk in
idolatry, the ridiculous and fabulous deformity run
ning through the history of "their divinities, mixed
up with demoniacal divinations and magical delusions
which we're woven into them as so many truths.

The philosophers made mention also of one of
the most ancient of the wise kirfgs who had come
from the mountainous regions beyond India. He was
called Dsemschid. With a golden dagger received
from God, he had divided off many lands, peopled
them, and shed blessings everywhere. They asked
Jesus about him and the many wonders which they
related of him. Jesus answered that Dsemschid, who
had been a leader of the people, was a man naturally
wise and intelligent in the things of sense. Upon the
dispersion of men at the time of the building of the
Tower of Babel> he had put himself at the head
of a tribe and taken possession of lands according
to certain regulations. He had fallen less deeply
into evil> because the race to which he belonged
was itself less corrupt. Jesus recalled to them also
the fables that had been written in connection with
him, and showed them that he was a false companion-
picture, a false type of Melchisedech, the priest and
king. Jesus told them to "fix their attention on the
latter and upon the descendants of Abraham, for as
the stream of nations moved along, God had sent
Melchisedech to the best famine's that he might guide
them, unite them, and make ready for them countries
and dwellings, in order to preserve them in their
purity and, according to their worthiness or un-
worthiness, either hasten or retard the fulfilment of the

Melchisedech and Malachias 389

Promise. Who Melchisedech was, He left to them*
selves to determine; but of him this much was true,
he was an ancient type of the then far-off, but now
so near grace of the Promise, and the sacrifice of
bread and wine which he had offered would be
fulfilled and perfected, and -would endure till the
end of the world.

Jesus' words upon Dsemschid and Melchisedech
were so clear, so indisputable, that the philosophers
exclaimed in astonishment: " Master, how wise Thou
art I It would almost seem as if Thou didst live
in that time, as if Thou didst know all these people
even better than they knew themselves! ' Jesus said
to them many more things concerning the Prophets,
both the greater and the minor, and He dwelt espe
cially upon Malachias. When the Sabbath began,
He went to the synagogue and delivered a discourse
upon the passage of Leviticus referring to the jubilee
year, also upon something from Jeremias. He said
that a man should cultivate his field well, so that
his brother, who was to receive it fromi him, might
see in it a proof of his affection.

On the following morning, Jesus continued in the
synagogue His discourse on the jubilee year, the
.cultivation of the field, and the passages from Jeremias.
This over, He went with the disciples and followed
by many people, Jews and pagans, to a Jewish bath
ing garden outside the southern end of the city,
the water supply to which was furnished by the
Chytrus aqueducts. There was a beautiful cistern in
the garden and all around it were the large basins
for bathing, pleasant avenues, and long shady bowers.
Everything necessary for administering baptism was
already prepared here. Crowds followed Jesus to an
open place near the well fitted up for teaching, and
among them were seven bridegrooms with their rela
tives and attendants.

Jesus taught of the Fall, of the perversion of Adam
and Eve, of the Promise, of the degeneracy of men

390 Life of Jesus Christ

into the wild state, of the separation of the less
corrupt, of the guard set over marriage, in order to
transmit virtues and graces from father to son, and
of the sanctification of marriage "by the observance
of the Divine Law1, moderation, and continency. In
this way, Jesus' discourse turned upon the bride and
bridegroom. To illustrate His meaning, He refer
red to a certain tree on the island, which could be
fertilized by trees at a distance, - - yes, even across
the sea, and He uttered the words: " In the same
way may hope, confidence in God, desire of salvation,
htimility, and chastity become jin some manner, the
mother for the fulfilment of the Promise. ' This
led Jesus to touch upon the mysterious significa
tion of marriage, in that it (typifies the bond of
union between the Consoler of Israel and His Church.
He called marriage a great mystery. His words on
this subject were so beautiful, so elevated, that it seems
to me impossible to repeat them. He afterward taught
upon penance and baptism, which expiate and efface
the crime of separation, and render all worthy to
participate in the alliance of salvation.

Jesus went aside also with some of the aspirants
to baptism, heard their confession, forgave their sins,
and imposed upon them certain mortifications and
good works. James the Less and Barnabas performed
the ceremony of baptism. The neophytes were prin
cipally aged men, a few pagans, and the three
boys cured of blindness, who had not been baptized
with their parents at Capharnaum.

The Sabbath over, some of the philosophers started
the following questions: Whether it was necessary
that God should 'have allowed the frightful deluge
to pass over the earth; Why He permitted mankind
to await so long the coming of the Redeemer; Could
He not have employed other means for the same end,
and send One who would restore all things? — Jesus
answered by explaining that that entered not into
the designs of God, that He had created the angels

The Kingdom of God 391

with free will and superior faculties, and yet they
had separated from Him through pride and had been
precipitated into the kingdom of darkness; that man,
with free will, had been placed between the kingdom
of darkness and that of light, but by eating the
forbidden fruit he had approached nearer to the former ;
that man was now obliged to cooperate with God
in order to receive help from Him and to attract
into himself the Kingdom of God, that God might
give it to him. Man, by eating the forbidden fruit,
had sought to become like unto God," and that he
might rise from his fallen state, it was necessary
that the Father should allow His Divine Son to succor
him and reconcile him again to Himself. Man, in
"his entire being, had become so deformed that the
great mercy and wonderful guidance of God were
needed, to establish upon earth His Kingdom, which
that of darkness had driven from the hearts of men.
Jesus added that this Kingdom consisted not in worldly
dominion and magnificence, but in the regeneration,
the reconciliation of man with the Father, and in
the reunion of all the good into tone body l.

On the following day, Jesus taught again at the
place of baptism. The seven bridal couples were
present. Among the bridegrooms two were converted
pagans, who had received circumcision and espoused
Jewish maidens. There were some other pagans in
clined toward Judaism, who had sought and obtained
permission to assist at the instructions with them.

At first Jesus spoke in general terms upon the
duties of the married state, and especially upon those
of wives. They should, He said, raise their eyes
only to fix them upon those of their husband; at
other times they should be kept lowered. He spoke,
likewise, of obedience, humility, chastity, industry, and
the care o'f their children. When the women had
retired iir order to prepare a repast in Leppe, Jesus

i. The Church.

Life of Jesus Christ

instructed the men for baptism. He spoke of Elias
and of the great drought that 'fell upon the whole
country, and of the rain-cloud which, at the prayer
of Elias, had risen out of the sea\ (To-day there was
just such another dense, white cloud of fog resting
over the earth. One could not see far around him)
Jesus referred to that drought over the country as to
a punishment from God for the idolatry of King
Achab. Grace and blessing likewise had withdrawn,
and the drought had prevailed even in human hearts
He ^ spoke of Elias's concealment by the torrent of
Carith, of his being fed by the bird, of his journeying
to Sarepta and his being helped by the widow, of
his confounding the idolaters on Carmel and of
the uprising of the cloud by whose rain all things
were refreshed. He compared this rain to baptism
and admonished His hearers {p reform their life
and not, like Achab and Jezabel, continue in sin
and dryness of heart after the rain of baptism. Jesus
alluded also to Segolal, that pious pagan woman of
Egypt, who settled at Abila and performed so many
good works that she at last "found favor in th'e
sight of God. Then He showed them how the pagans
ought to strive to practise virtue that thereby they
might attract upon themselves divine grace, lor His
pagan listeners knew something of Elias and Segola
After the baptism of the bridegrooms, Jesus and
His followers, along with all the bridal parties and
: rabbis, were invited by the Jewish Doctor of
the place to an entertainment at the village of Leppe
west of Mallep. The daughter of this Doctor was
the bride of a pagan philosopher of Salamis, who had
there heard Jesus preach and received circumcision.
The way to Leppe ran in a gently undulating course
through beautiful walks like those of a garden. Near
Leppe ran the highroad to the little port Cerinia;
about two miles off. The other road, upon which
Jesus spoke with the travelling Arabs, led to the
haven of Lapithus more to the west. The pagans

The Sanctity of Marriage 393

of Leppe occupied a row of houses built along the
highway, and carried on commerce and other bus
iness. The Jews lived apart and had a beautiful
synagogue. I saw in the pagan gardens idols like
swathed puppets and, in an open square a short
distance from the road and surrounded by a hedge,
an idol larger than a man and with a head bearing
some resemblance to that of an ox. Between the
horns was something that looked like a little sheaf.
The figure was squatting on its legs, its short hands
dangling before it.

The entertainment at Leppe consisted of a simple
meal of birds, fish, honey, bread, and fruits. The
brides and bridemaids veiled sat by themselves at
the end of the table. They wore long, striped dresses
with wreaths of colored wool and tiny feathers on
their head.

Both during and after the meal, Jesus spoke of the
sanctity of marriage. He insisted on the point of each
man's having but one wife, for they had here the
custom of separating on trifling grounds and mar
rying again. On this account, He spoke very stren
uously, and related the parables of the wedding-
feast, the vineyard, and the king's son. The groonVs-
men invited the passers-by to share the feast and
listen to Jesus' teaching. The three cured boys played
on their flutes, while little girls sang and played on
various instruments.

It was already dark when Jesus and His disciples
returned to Mallep. From the heights along the road,
the view was exceedingly beautiful. One could behold
the sea whose surface reflected a most wonderful
lustre. Great preparations had been made in Mallep
for the nuptials of the seven bridal couples. The
whole city appeared to be taking part in the feast.
One would have said that all the inhabitants constituted
one great brotherhood. No poor were to ~be seen,
as they were lodged and provided for in a separate
part of tlie city.

394 Life of Jesus Christ

Mallep was built very regularly. It looked like a
pancake divided into five equal parts. The five streets
that divided the city converged toward the centre
where was an elevated place ornamented by a fountain
around which were trees and terraces. Four of these
quarters, or city wards, were cut through by two cross-
streets, which ran in a circle around the fountain,
the central point of the place. In one of these circular
streets was a house in which childless widows and
aged women lived together at the expense of the
community, kept school, and took care of orphans.
There was another house here also for lodging and
entertaining poor strangers and travellers. "The fifth
quarter comprised the public buildings. It was cut
into halves by the aqueduct that conducted the water
to the fountain. In one half were the public market
place, several inns, and an asylum for the possessed
who were not permitted here to go at large. Jesus
had already cured some of them who had been led
to Him with the rest of the sick. In the other half
stood the public house used for feasts and weddings,
the top of its roof being almost on a 'level with the
fountain near which it was. Its entrance was not
facing the fountain, but on the side opposite. From
the court in front, a walk about a hundred feet wide
and bordered by green trees ran down through the
cross-streets to the forecourt of the synagogue. It
was as long as about two-thirds of one of the five
streets. There were other avenues leading thither
from -the cross-streets, but they were open to the
people only on feast-days and by virtue of -special
permission.

Now on this day of the marriage festivities, the
whole morning was spent in adorning the public feast-
house. Meanwhile Jesus and His disciples retired to
the inn whither came to Him men and women, some
seeking instruction, others advice and consolation,
for in consequence of their connection with the
heathens, these people often had scruples and anxieties.

Wedding Festivities 395

The young affianced were longer with Jesus than
the others. JHe spoke with the maidens alone and
singly. It was something like confession arid instruc
tion. He questioned them upon their motives in enter
ing the married state, whether they had reflected
upon their posterity and the salvation of the same,
which was a ''fruit springing from the fear of God,
chastity, and temperance. Jesus found the young
brides not instructed on these points.

In the public avenues, arches were erected, tapestry,
wreaths of flowers, and garlands of fruits hung around,
and steps and platforms raised, that the spectators
might gaze from them dow'n into the pleasure-grounds
below. In front of the synagogue especially, an open
arbor was formed of numerous beautiful little bushes
and plants in boxes. Into the courts an'd bowers
around the feast-house, I saw people transporting
all things, viands, etc., necessary for the entertainment.
Whoever brought fromi the city something for this
end, 'had a right to take part in the feast. The viands
were brought in a kind of long barrow, which served
at the same time as tables. The various dishes, bread,
little jugs, etc., stood in them and, from little side-
openings, could be drawn out by the guests as they
reclined before them. The upper surface of the barrow
was covered with a cloth from which they ate. These
barrows, or hand-carriages, were woven baskets, long
and shallow, provided with a cover and side-openings,
as I have said, by which to get out the food. The
guests reclined on mats and were supported by
cushions. All these things were prepared and trans
ported hither from various quarters.

Under the nuptial bower, a tapestried canopy was
raised. Jesus and His disciples entered by special
invitation. As among the bridegrooms some were
converted pagans, several pagan philosophers ^ and
others of their friends took up the position assigned
them not far off. The brides and bridegrooms arrived
fromj different .quarters. They were preceded by

396 Life of Jesus Christ

youths and maidens crowned with flowers and playing
on musical instruments, accompanied by trie bridemen
and bridemaids, and surrounded by their relatives,
who escorted them into the nuptial bower. The bride
grooms wore long mantles and white shoes; on their
cincture and the hem of their tunic were certain letters,
and in their hands they carried a yellow scarf. The
brides appeared in very beautiful, long, white woollen
dresses embroidered with lines and flowers of gold.
Their hair (some of them were golden-haired) was
in the back woven into a net with pearls and gold
thread and fastened at the ends with a riband. The
veil fell over the face and down the back. On the
head was a metal band with three points and a high,
bent piece in front upon which the veil could be raised.'
They also wore little crowns of feathers or silk.
Several of the veils glistened, as if made of fine
silk or similar material. In their hands they carried
long, golden flambeaux, like lamps without feet. They
grasped them with a scarf, either black or of some
other dark color. The brides likewise wore white
shoes or sandals.

During the nuptial ceremony, which was performed
by the rabbis, I remarked various rites that I can not
now recall in order. Rolls of parchment were read,
the marriage contract, I think, ^ind prayers. The
bridal couple stepped under the canopy, the relatives
cast some grains of wheat after them and uttered a
blessing. The rabbi pricked both bride and bride
groom on the little finger and let some drops of
the blood of each fall into a goblet of wine, which
they then drank together. Then the bridegroom
handed the goblet to those behind him, and it was
put into a basin of water. A little of the blood
was allowed to run into the palm of the hand of
each. Then each reached the hand, the bride to
the groom, the groom to the bride, and the blood
stained spot was rubbed. A fine white thread was
then bound around the wound and rings were ex-

Wedding Festivities 397

changed, I think that each had two, one for the
little finger, the other large enough for the fore
finger. After that an embroidered cover, or scarf,
was laid over the head of the newly Wedded couple^
The bride took into her right hand the flambeau with
the black scarf, which for a time she had resigned to
her bridemaid, and placed it in the right hand of
her husband. He then passed it to the left hand and
returned it to his bride, who likewise received it in
her left hand, and then once more returned it to
her bridemaid. There was also a cup of wine blessed,
out of which all the relatives sipped. The marriage
ceremony over, the bridemaids removed from the
brides their headdress, and covered them with a
veil. It was then that I saw that the large net 'was
woven of false hair.

Three rabbis presided at the nuptials, the whole
ceremony lasting three hours. Then the brides with
their attendant trains went through the embowered
walk to the feast-house, followed by their husbands
amid the good wishes and congratulations of the by
standers. After taking some refreshments, the bridal
couples went to the pleasure-garden near the aqueduct
there to amuse themselves.

That evening an instruction was given in the syna
gogue especially intended for the newly married. After
the rabbis had spoken, they requested Jesus also to
address some words of advi'ce to the young people.
Next day the seven bridal couples together with
all the guests arid attended by musicians, went again
to the feast-house. The disciples of Jesus also were
present, but the only part they took in the merry
making was that of server. The brides and grooms
were presented with pastry and fruit on beautiful
dishes — gilded apples stuck with gilded flowers
and herbs. Then came bands of children singing
and playing upon instruments. They were little
strangers who made their living in this way; after
being rewarded, they withdrew. After that the three

398 Life of Jesus Christ

little musicians that had been cured by Jesus made
their appearance along with several other choirs from
the city, and soon a dance in honor of the occasion
•was performed. It took place in a long, four-cornered
arbor upon a soft and gently swaying floor. It looked
as if flexible planks of some kind were laid, upon a
thick carpet of moss.. The dancers stood in four
double rows, back to back. Each pair danced,
changing hands by means of a scarf, from the first
place of the first row to the last of the fourth, all
being soon in a serpentine movement. There was
no hopping, but a graceful swaying and balancing,
as if the body had no bones. The brides, as also all
the other women, had their veils raised on the golden
hook of their headdress. After the dance all took
refreshments which had been placed on stands in
each corner of the arbor. Again the music sounded,
and all filed out into the garden near the fountain.
Here were exhibited, in the arbors and on the mossy
sward, various games of running, leaping, and throwing
at a mark. The men played by themselves, as did
also the women. Little prizes were awarded and fines
imposed, in the shape of money, girdles, small pieces
of stuff, scarfs for the neck, etc. Whoever had nothing
with which to pay his fine, sent to purchase it from
a peddler who with his goods had taken his stand
not far off. Lastly, all the prizes and fines were
handed over to the Elder who distributed them to
the poor among the lookers-on. The brides and
maidens played games in circles and in rows. Their
dress was raised to the knees, their lower 'limbs
bound with strips of white, their veil thrown up and
wound around the head back to the forehead and
ear-ornaments. They looked very beautiful and nimble.
Each caught hold of her neighbor's girdle with the
left hand, and thus formed a ring which they kept
constantly revolving. With the right hand they aimed
at throwing to one another and catching a yellow
apple. Whoever failed to catch in her turn had

Pentecost 399

*

to stoop, the circle still revolving, to pick it up from
the ground. At last, they played in company with
the men. They sat in opposite rows and threw into
furrows very ripe yellow fruits, which when they
met and smashed, gave rise to shouts of laughter.
Toward evening, all returned in festal procession.
The newly married rode" on asses gaily adorned for
the occasion, the brides sitting on side-vsaddles. Mu
sicians led the way and all followed rejoicing to the
feast-house at which an entertainment was awaiting
them.

The bridegroomls went to the synagogue and made
before the rabbis a vow to observe continence during
certain festivals, binding themselves to some penance
if they broke it. They promised besides to watch
together on Pentecost night and spend it in prayer.
From the feast-house, the bridal couples were con
ducted to their future homes. The party that had
brought the house as a dowry, stood on the threshold
while the relatives led the other thither from the
feast-house and three times made the rounds of the
premises. The wedding gifts were borne in ceremon
iously, and the poor received their share.

18. FEAST OF PENTECOST. JESUS TEACHES
ON BAPTISM

Mallep was now astir in preparation for the coming
feast, all were busy cleaning, scouring, and bathing.
The synagogue and many of the dwellings were
adorned with green branches and garlands of flowers,
and the ground was strewn with blossoms. The syna
gogue was fumigated with delicious perfumes, and
the rolls of Sacred Scripture were wreathed with
flowers.

In special halls set apart for the purpose in the
forecourt of the synagogue, the Whitsuntide loaves
w^ere baked, the flour having been previously blessed
by the rabbis. Two of them were made from the •

400 Life of Jesus Christ

wheat of that year's harvest. For the others, as also
for the large, thin cakes (which were indented, that
they might be more easily broken into pieces) the
flour had been ordered from Judea. It was ground
from the wheat raised in the field upon which Abraham
had participated in the sacrifice of Melchisedech.
The flour had been transported hither in long boxes .
It was called the Seed of Abraham. The baking of
these loaves and cakes, in which there was no leaven,
had to be finished toward four o'clock. There was
still another kind of flour there, as well as herbs,
all of which received a blessing.

On the morning of this day Jesus gave an in
struction at His inn to the baptized pagans and aged
Jews. He took for His subjects the feast of Pentecost,
the Law given upon Sinai, and baptism, all of which
He treated in deeply significant terms. He touched
upon many passages relating to them in the Prophets.
He spoke also of the holy bread blessed a't Pentecost,
of Melchisedech's sacrifice, and of that foretold by
iMalachias. He said that the time for the institution
of that Sacrifice was drawing near, that when this
feast would again come round, a new grace would
have been added to baptism, and that all" the baptized
who would then believe in the Consoler of Israel,
would share in that grace. As difficulties and ob
jections were here raised by some who did not wish
to understand His teaching, Jesus chose about fifty
whom He knew to be ripe for His instructions, and
sent away the others, intending to prepare them
later. Taking with Him those that He had selected,
He left the city, went to the aqueduct near by, and
there continued His instruction. I saw them on the
way sometimes standing still and with many gestic
ulations putting questions and liaising objections;
and I saw Jesus, His fore-finger raised, frequently
explaining something to them. In talking, they
gesticulated freely with hands and fingers. As Jesus
insisted upon the great grace, upon the salvation

Prayer during the Feast of Pentecost 401

that would be conferred upon man by baptism, arid
by baptism alone, after the consummation of the
Sacrifice of which He had spoken, some of them
asked whether their present baptism possessed the
same efficacy. Jesus answered, yes, if they 'persevered
in faith and accepted that Sacrifice; for even the
Patriarchs, who had not received that baptism, but
who had sighed after it and had had a presentiment
of it in the Spirit, received grace through both that
Sacrifice and that baptism.

Jesus spoke, too, of the advantages of fervent prayer
during this feast of Pentecost, which devout Jews of
all times had observed and upon which they con
jured God for the promised Consoler of Israel.

Jesus told them many other deeply significant things
which I can not now rightly repeat. I saw that they
sent from the wedding-feast food to Jesus and His
disciples at the inn to which He had returned with
them toward the Sabbath.

The heathens from Salamis started for home, ano1
Jesus with the disciples accompanied them part of the*
way. He warned them not to return again to their
worship of idols, and not to engage in business
speculations, but as soon as possible to leave their
country, for in it the new way would be full of
obstacles for them. He directed them to different
regions, among which I can recall Jerusalem, the
Jewish district between Hebron and Gaza, and that
near Jericho. Jesus recommended them to go to
Lazarus, John Mark, the nephews of Zachary, and
to the parents of Manahem, the disciple whose sight
had "been restored.

Before the commencement of the Sabbath exercises,
the rabbis were solemnly conducted to the synagogue
by the school children; the brides, by their female
attendants; and the bridegrooms, by the young men.
Jesus also went thither with His disciples. Divine
service of this day consisted in no special explanation
oi Scripture, only in singing and alternate reading

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 26

402 Life of Jesus Christ

and praying. The consecrated bread was divided into
little pieces in the synagogue. It was regarded as
a remedy against sickness and witchcraft. Many of
the Jews, among others the seven newly married
men, spent the night in the synagogue in prayer.
Many of the inhabitants of the city went in bands
of ten or twelve out to the gardens and hills of the
country around, and there spent the whole night in
prayer. They carried a torch on the end of a pole.
The disciples and baptized pagans thus passed the
night, but Jesus went alone to pray. The women1
too were gathered together in the houses for the
same purpose. On the day of the feast itself, the
whole morning was spent in the synagogue, praying,
singing, and reading the Holy Scriptures. They made,
likewise a kind of procession. The rabbis with Jesus
at their head and followed by crowds of the people
went processionally through the halls around the syna
gogue, paused several times at points that look toward
different directions of the world, and pronounced
a benediction over every region of land and sea.
After an intermission of about: two hours, they again
returned to the synagogue in the afternoon, and the
alternate reading and other exercises were resumed.
At some of the pauses, Jesus asked: " Do ye under
stand this? " and then He explained different passages
for them. The portions of Holy Scripture read were
those from the Departure of the Israelites through
the Red Sea to the giving of the Law upon Sinai.
During the reading, I saw these events in detail, and
of them I can recall the following:

VISION OF THE PASSAGE OF THE RED SEA

The Israelites were encamped on a very low strip
of land, about an hour long, on the shore of the
Red Sea, which was here very wide. In it were
several islands of half an hour in length! and from
seven to fifteen minutes in breadth. Pharao and his

Moses and the Israelites 403

army at first sought the Israelites further up the
shore, and found them at last through information
given by their scouts. The king thought they would
easily fall into his hands flanked, as they \v'ere, by
the sea. 'The Egyptians were very much incensed
against them, on account of their carrying off with
them their sacred vessels, many of their idols, and
the mysteries of their religion. When the Israelites
became aware of the approach of the Egyptians,
they were terror-stricken. But Moses prayed and bade
them trust in God and follow him. At that moment the
pillar of cloud arose behind the Israelites., making
so dense a veil that the Egyptians entirely lost sight
of them. Then Moses stepped to the shore with
his staff, (which was forked at the bottom and had
a knob on the upper end), prayed, and struck the
water. Then appeared before each wing of the army,
right and left, as if springing out of the sea, two
great luminous pillars, which increased in brilliancy
toward the top and terminated in a tongue of flame.
At the same time, a strong wind parted the waters
along the whole of the army, (it was about an hour
broad) and Moses proceeded by a gently inclining
declivity down to the bed of the sea. The whole
army followed, at least fifty men abreast. The ground
was, at first setting out, somewhat slippery, but soon
it became like the softest meadowland, like a mossy
carpet. The pillars of fire lit the way before them,
and all \\as as bright as day. But the most beau
tiful feature of the whole scene Were the islands
over which they shed their light. They looked like
floating gardens full of the most magnificent fruits
and all kinds of animals, which latter the Israelites
collected and drove along before them. Without this
precaution, they would have been in want of! food
on the other side of the sea.

The waters were not divided on either side like
perpendicular walls, for they flowed off more in the
form of terraces. The Hebrews went "forward with

404 Life of Jesus Christ

hurrying, sliding steps, balancing themselves like one
speeding down-hill . It was toward midnight when
they entered the bed of the river. The Ark con
taining Joseph's relics was carried in the centre of
the fleeing host. The pillars of light rose up out
of the water. They appeared to be constantly rotating,
and passed not over the Islands, but around themr
At a certain height they were lost in a brilliant lustre.
The w'aters did not open all at once, but before
Moses's steps, leaving a wedge-formed space until
the passage was completed. Near the. islands, one
could see by the light of the pillars the trees and
fruits mirrored in the waters. Another wonderful thing
was that the Israelites crossed in three hours, whereas
it would have naturally taken nine hours to do so.
Higher up the shore, about six to nine hours distant,
stood a city which was afterward destroyed by the
waters.

About three o'clock, Pharao came down to the
shore, but was again repulsed by the fog. Soon
however he discovered the ford and rolled down
into it with his magnificent war-chariot, after which
hurried his entire army. And now Moses, already
on the opposite shore, commanded the Waters to
return to their original position. Then the fog and
the fire uniting to blind and perplex the Egyptians,
all perished miserably in the waves. Next morning
upon beholding their deliverance, the Israelites chanted
the praises of God. On the opposite shore, the two
pillars of light united again into one of fire. I can not
do justice to the beauty of this vision.

Next day Jesus went with His disciples into two
quarters of the city which He had not yet visited,
and to which several persons had sent to invite Him.
He cured some invalids, men and women, who lay
off by themselves in cells annexed to the courts of
the houses, exhorted and consoled many others af
flicted with melancholy and whom some secret trouble
was consuming. All things were so well regulated

Jesus Consoles and Counsels 405

in Mallep that every misfortune by which one's honor
might be wounded, could be kept secret. Several
women asked Jesus how they should act. "Their hus
bands were unfaithful to them, and yet, on account
of the public scandal and severe punishment attached
to such crimes, they were timid in laying" a charge
against them. Jesus consoled them and counselled
them to patience. Tie told them to reflect as to
whether they would have their husbands warned by
Himself or by His disciples, strangers in those parts,
that thereby suspicion of having lodged a complaint
might not fall upon them and the affair might not
become known throughout the country. Many children
were brought to Jesus in the different houses, to
receive from Him a benediction.

That afternoon, He went to a large house where,
in a hall back of the court and separated from one
another, numbers of distinguished men lay sick. On
the other side of the court, lay the women. Among
these poor invalids were some melancholy and quite
inconsolable, whose tears flowed unceasingly. Jesus
cured about twenty of them, prescribed what they
should eat and drink, and sent them to the baths.
He afterward caused them all to be assembled together
and taught first the women, and then the men. This
lasfed almost till evening, when He went to the syna
gogue.

19. JESUS DELIVERS A MORE SEVERE1
LECTURE IN THE SYNAGOGUE

The Scripture lessons of this day treated of God's
curse upon those that transgressed His commands,
of tithes, of idolatry, of the sanctification of the
Sabbath, etc. 1 Jesus' words were so earnest and
severe that many of His audience penetrated with
grief, sobbed and wept. The synagogue was open

l. Lwiticus XXVI et Jeremias XVII.

406 Life of Jesus Christ

on all sides, and His voice rang out clear and pure
like unto no other human voice. He inveighed espe
cially against them that relied upon creatures and
looked for help and comfort from human beings.
He spoke of the diabolical influence of the adulterer
and adulteress over each other, of the malediction
of the injured spouses which falls upon the children
of such 'intercourse, but whose guilt rests upon the
adulterous parties. The people were so strongly af
fected that many of them, at the close of the discourse,
exclaimed: " Ah, He speaks as if the Day of Judgment
were already nigh! He spoke likewise against
pride, against subtle erudition and the close investi
gation of trifles. By this He alluded to the doings
of the great school of Jewish learning here established
for such Jews as would afterward add to their store
of knowledge by travelling.

After this castigatory discourse, many persons sighing1
for relief and reconciliation with God, sought Jesus at
His inn. Among them were learned men and young
students belonging to the school of the place, seeking
advice as to how they should pursue their studies ;
and others troubled in mind on account of their
constant communication with the pagans with whom
they carried on trade, though from a kind of necessity
as their lands and workshops adjoined. The husbands
of the women that had complained of them to Jesus,
were also among the number, as well as others guilty
of similar offences, but against whom no charge had
been laid. They presented themselves individually as
sinners before Jesus, cast themselves at His feet,
confessed their guilt, and implored pardon. What
troubled them especially was the thought that the
malediction of their wives might fall upon the il
legitimate, though otherwise innocent, children, and
they asked whether this curse could not be counteract
ed or annulled. Jesus answered that it might be
annulled by the sincere charity and pardon of the
one that had invoked it, joined to the contrition and

Jesus Exhorting and Reconciling 407

penance of the guilty party. Besides this, the male
diction of which I speak, does not extend to the
soul, for the Almighty Father has said: " AIL souls
are Mine; " but it affects the body, the flesh, and
temporal goods. The flesh is however the house,
the instrument of the soul, consequently the flesh
lying under such a curse, causes great distress and
embarrassment to the soul already oppressed with
the burden of the body received with life. I saw
on this occasion that the malediction varies in its
baneful effects according to the intention of the one
that invokes it and the disposition of the child itself.
Many subject to convulsions, many possessed by the
demon, owe their condition to this source. The il
legitimate children themselves I generally see pos
sessed of remarkable advantages of nature, though
of an order earthly and prone to sin. They have in
them something in common with those that, in early
times, sprang from the union. of the sons of God with
the daughters of men. They are often beautiful, cun
ning, very reserved in disposition, agitated by eager
desires and, without wishing it to appear, they would
like to draw all things to themselves. They bear
in their flesh the stamp of their origin, and frequently
their soul goes thereby to perdition.

After hearing and exhorting these sinners individ
ually, Jesus bade them send their wives to Him.
When they came, He related to each one separately
the repentance of her husband, exhorted her to heart
felt forgiveness and entire forgetfulness of the past,
and urged her to recall the malediction she had
pronounced. If, He told them, they did not act sin
cerely in this circumstance, the guilt of their husband's
relapse would fall upon them. The women wept and
thanked and promised every thing. Jesus reconciled
several of these couples right away that same day.
He made them come oefore Him, interrogated them
anew, as is customary at the marriage ceremony,
joined their hands together, covered them with a

408 Life of Jesus Christ!

scarf, and blessed them. The wife of one of the
faithless husbands solemnly revoked the malediction
that she had pronounced upon the illegitimate children.
The mother of the poor little ones, who were being
raised in the Jewish asylum for children, was a pagan.
Standing before Jesus, the injured, but now forgiving
wife placed her hand crosswise with that of her
husband over the children's head, revoked the male
diction, and blessed the children. Jesus imposed upon
those guilty of adultery as penance, alms, fasts, con
tinence, and prayer. He who had sinned with the
pagan, was completely transformed. He very humbly
invited Jesus to dine with him. Jesus accepted and
went accompanied by His disciples. A couple of the
rabbis also were invited and they, as well as the
whole city, marvelled at the courtesy, for their host
was known as a frivolous, worldly man, who did not
trouble himself much about priests and prophets. He
was rich and owned landed property cultivated by
servants. His house was near that hospital in which
Jesus had cured the victims of melancholy. During
the meal two of the little daughters of the family
entered the dining-hall, and poured costly perfume
over Jesus' head.

After dinner Jesus and all the people went to the
synagogue for the closing exercises of the Sabbath.
Jesus resumed His discourse of the day before, though
not in terms so severe. He told His audience that
God would not abandon them that call upon Him.
He Bended by dilating on their attachment to their
houses and possessions, and exhorted them, if they
put faith in His teaching, to forsake the great oc
casion of sin in which they were living among the
pagans, and among those of their own belief to practise
truth in the Promised Land. Judea, He said, wa?
large enough to harbor and support them, although
at first they might have to live under tents. It was
better to give up all than to lose their soul on
account of their idolatry, that is, their worship of

Jesus Admonishing and Pardoning 409

their fine houses and possessions, better to give up
all than to sin through love of their own convenience.
That the Kingdom of God might come to them, it was
necessary that they should go to meet it. They should
not put their trust in their dwellings in a pleasant land,
solid and magnificent though they might be, for the
hand of God would fall suddenly upon them, scattering
them in all directions, and overturning their mansions.
He knew very well, He continued, that their virtues
were more apparent than real, that they had no other
basis than tepidity and the love of their own ease.
They hankered after the wealth of the pagans and
sought to win it by their usury, traffic, mining, and
marriages, but the day would come when they would
see themselves stripped of all their ill-gotten gains.
Jesus warned them likewise against such marriages
with the heathens as those in which both parties,
indifferent to religion, enter into wedlock merely for
the sake of pfoperty and money, greater freedom and
the gratification of passion. All were deeply moved
and impressed by Jesus' words, and many begged
leave to be allowed to speak with Him in private.
The whole of the following day and even until
late at night, was Jesus engaged visiting "the dif
ferent families in their homes, admonishing, consol
ing, and pardoning. Two women presented them
selves before Him lamenting to Him over their il
legitimate children. Jesus sent for their husbands,
forgave the guilty parties, and united them once more
to their lawful spouses. The children also, without
understanding the ceremony however, were received
by the husbands and blessed as their own. It was
harder for the wife to admit among her own the
illegitimate children of her husband; she had to gain
a great victory over herself. But all on this occasion
did it so sincerely that they forced, so to say, their
husbands to love them more and to bless children
of their wives not their own. And so a general recon
ciliation was brought about, and scandal avoided.

410 Life of Jesus Christ

Many sought comfort from Jesus on the score of
His energetic admonition to them to emigrate from
those pagan lands. Jesus' teaching indeed pleased
them and, looking upon themselves as Jews separated
from their people, they felt greatly honored by His
visit to them, but they did not like the idea of
following Him, of leaving their homes. Here they
were rich and comfortable, owned a city built by
themselves, had a share in a mine, and carried on
extensive trade. They enriched themselves by means
of the pagans. They were not tormented by the Phar
isees, not oppressed by Pilate. They were, as regards
this life, in a most agreeable position, but their
connection with the pagans was highly censurable.
Pagan property and workshops were in their neigh
borhood. The pagan girls liked well to unite in mar
riage with the Jews, because they were not treated
by them in so slavish a manner as by those of
their own religion, and so they enticed the young
Israelites in every way, by presents, attentions, and
all kinds of allurements. When converted to Judaism,
it was not from conviction, but from sordid views,
and so insubordination and tepidity easily made their
way into the family. The Jews of Mallep were
besides less simple-hearted and hospitable than those
of Palestine, their social surroundings were more
studied and refined, their Jewish origin not so pure;
consequently they brought forward all kinds of
scruples and difficulties against Jesus' counsel to
emigrate to the Holy Land. Jesus argued that their
forefathers owned houses and lands in Egypt, but
that they had willingly and gladly abandoned them,
and He repeated once more His prediction that, if
they persisted in remaining, misfortune Would fal]
upon them. The disciples, Barnabas especially, went
around a great deal in the environs teaching and ex
horting the people. They were less timid in his
presence, and laid before him all their doubts. He
always had a crowd around him.

Receives News from Jerusalem 411

20. JESUS VISITS THE MINES NEAR
CHYTRUS

From Mallep, Jesus accompanied by the disciples,
the disciple recently arrived 'from Nairn and the sons
of Cyrinus just come from Salamis, (in all about
twelve) went to a village of miners near Chytrus.
He took a roundabout road to it of seven hours.
On the -way He paused among the different bands
of laborers and spoke of the path to a good life.
Jesus had by the family of Barnabas and several
people of Chytrus been invited to this mining vil
lage, because the Jewish miners of the place were
celebrating a feast at which they received from their
employers various presents besides their share of
the harvest. Jesus took a circuitous route to the
village that He might be able 'to speak to His
disciples without interruption and also that He might
not arrive too early. During the journey, He per
mitted the disciple from Nairn to deliver the messages
and relate the news with which he had been charged;
for although Jesus knew all Himself, He was careful
not to let it appear, lest such knowledge might be
a source of annoyance or anxiety to those around
Him.

The disciple had left Jerusalem on the eve of
Pentecost just after the money-offering in the Temple,
and the execution of Pilate's plot. He had gone
straight to Nairn, thence through! Nazareth to
Ptolemais, and from the latter place to Cyprus.
He told Jesus that His Mother and the other holy
women, together with John and some of the dis
ciples, had quietly celebrated the feast of Pentecost
at Nazareth ; that His Mother and friends sent
greetings and entreated Him to stay some time in
Cyprus, until minds had grown calm in His regard.
The Pharisees, he continued, were already reporting
that He had run away. Herod also wanted to sum-

412 Life of Jesus Christ

mon Him to Machaerus under pretext of conferring!
with Him upon the subject of the prisoners- freed at
Thirza, but really to make Him prisoner as he had
done John.

The disciple told likewise of Pilate's plot on the
eve of Pentecost when the Jews brought their of
ferings to the Temple. Two friends of Jesus, relatives
of Zachary and servers in the Temple, who happened
to get mixed up in the tumult, lost their life. Jesus
already knew of the circumstance, and it made Him
very sad. The news renewed His grief, as well as
that of His disciples. Pilate on the preceding evening
left the city, and with some of his troops proceeded
westward of the route to Joppa, where he owned
a castle. He had demanded the contributions of
fered in the Temple in honor of the feast, in order
to build a very long aqueduct. On all the pillars
at the entrances to the Temple, he had caused to
be placed metal tablets on which was the head of
the Emperor and below an inscription demanding
the tax. The people were roused to indignation at
sight of these pictures, and the Herodians by means
of their emissaries stirred up a band of Galileans
belonging to the party of Jud'as the Gaulonite, who
had been killed in the last revolt. Herod, who was
at Jerusalem in secret, knew all that was transpiring.
That evening the mob became perfectly infuriated.
They tore down the tables, broke them in pieces,
dishonored the portraits, and cast the fragments over
the forum in front of the praetorium, crying: " Here
is our offering-money! '; They then dispersed without
any one's especially resenting the act. Next morning
however, when about to leave the Temple, they found
the entrances beset by guards demanding the tax
imposed by Pilate. When the Jews resisted and tried
to force their way out, the disguised soldiers pressed
out along with them and stabbed them with short
swcrds. At that moment the alarm became general,
and the two Temple-servers running to the scene

Jesus in a Mining District 413

of action lost their life. The Jews made a brave
resistance, and drove the soldiers back into the citadel
of Autonia.

On the way Jesus spoke long to His disciples about
the inhabitants of Mallep, their hankering after tem
poral goods, and how distasteful to them was the
suggestion to go to Palestine. He referred to the
pagan philosophers who were accompanying Him,
and told the disciples how they should behave toward
them in Palestine when they found them actually
in their midst. Jesus did this, because they did not
appear to accord rightly with the philosophers in the
party, and were still somewhat ' scandalized on their
account.

Toward evening they arrived at the mining village,
one half-hour from Chytrus. It was in the neighbor
hood of the mines built around a high, rocky ridge,
into which the rear of many dwellings ran. Up on
this ridge there were gardens and a place suited
for instruction surrounded by shady trees. Steps led
up the ridge, the top of \vhich overlooked the village.
Jesus on His arrival repaired to a sort of inn where
dwelt the overseer who superintended the miners,
supplied them with food, and paid them their wages.
The people received Jesus with manifestations of joy.
All the entrances to the place and the house of the
overseer were, on account of the feast, adorned with
green arches and garlands of flowers. They led Jesus
and His disciples into the house, washed their feet,
and presented refreshments to the Lord, who then
went with them to the place for teaching up on the
rock. Jesus seated Himself, and the crowd reclined
around Him. He spoke of the happiness attendant
upon poverty and labor, and told them how much
happier they \\ere than the opulent Jews of Salamis,
that they had fewer temptations to offend God, before
"whom the virtuous alone are rich. He said also
that He had come in order to prove that He did

414 Life of Jesus Christ

not despise them, and that He loved them. He taught
until night in parables on the Our Father.

Provisions of all kinds, pieces of stuff for clothing,
food, and grain were conveyed hither from Chytrus;
and on the next day came the father and brother
of Barnabas, several distinguished citizens and pro
prietors of the mines, along with some rabbis from
the same place. When the gifts already enumerated
had been safely deposited in the public square of
the place, where the people were assembled and
seated in rows, these visitors entered also. Now began
the distribution of gifts: great bowls of grain; large
loaves of bread, about two feet square; honey, fruit,
jugs of something, pieces of leathern clothing, covers,
and all kinds of furniture and utensils. The women
received pieces of thick stuff like carpet, about one
and a half yards square. Jesus and the disciples
were present at the distribution, after which Jesus
taught again on the rocky height upon which the
people had assembled. He took for His subjects the
laborers in the vineyard and the good Samaritan, the
blessing of poverty and thanksgiving for the same,
daily bread and the Our Father. After the instruction,
the people had a feast under the arbors in the
open air, at which Jesus, the disciples, and the guests
of distinction served. Little boys and girls played
on flutes and sang. The meal over, they had some
innocent games such as children play; for instance,
running, leaping, blindfolding, hiding and seeking,
etc. They danced too in this way: they stood in
long rows, bowed hfere and there, crossed before one
another, and then formed a ring.

In the evening, Jesus went to the mines with about
ten boys of from six to eight years old. The children
wore only a broad girdle with festive wreaths of
woollen or feather flowers around their waist or
crossed on their breast. They looked very lovely!
In their own childlike way, they showed Jesus all
the places in which were the best mines, and related

Jesus and the Little Boys '415

to Him all th'at they knew1. Jesus instructed them
in words fuU of sweetness, and made some useful
application of what they told Him. He likewise pro
posed to them enigmas and related parables. The
miners were, despite their rough and dirty labor
in the bowels of the earth, very cleanly in their
homes and festal garments.

I saw Jesus and the disciples accompanying the
disciple from Nairn to the port about five hours
distant. One group went in front and another fol
lowed, while Jesus walked between the two with
the disciple and some of the others in their turn.
Jesus blessed the disciple on his departure, and his
fellow-disciples embraced him, after which they re
turned to the miners' village. The disciple from Nairn
pursued his journey to the salt regions near Citium.
The port was here not so far from the city as
w'as that of Salamis. The sea penetrates far into the
land, so that the city has the appearance of being
built in the midst of the Waves. Not far from it rises
a very high mountain, and there is a salt mine in the
neighborhood. At the quay near the salt mine, were
only little skiffs and rafts, and a quantity of wood
for the building of vessels was floating around.

21. JESUS GOES TO CERYNIA, AND VISITS
MNASON'S PARENTS

When Jesus left the miners' village with the dis
ciples, He proceeded in ,si northwesterly direction
across the mountains to the port of Cerynia. They
left Mallep to the right, Went through a portion of
the valley of Lanifa, and passed near the village
of Leppe. On the way Jesus rested once on a
beautiful shady eminence, and there taught. Toward
four in the afternoon they arrived to within about
three-quarters of an hour's distance from Cerynia,
where they were received by Mnason's family and

416 Life of Jesus Christ

several other Jews in a garden set apart for prayer
and pious reunions. This garden was a retired spot
hidden away in a slope of the mountain. Mnason's
family dwelt at some distance from the road, and
one half-hour from Cerynia. His father was an
aged Jew, thin, stooped, and with a long beard, but
withal very lively and active. He had two daughters
and three sons, one son-in-law, and a daughter-in-
law, and all had been living here together for about
ten years. Before that they used to travel around
buying and selling. They received Jesus with many
expressions of joy and humility, washed the travel
lers' feet in a basin, and presented to them refresh
ments. This part of the mountain formed a large
terrace full of shady walks, and comprised the sacred
garden belonging to these people. Jesus taught until
near evening, taking for His subjects baptism, the
Our Father, and the Beatitudes.

After that Jesus accompanied Mnason's brethren
and his father, who was called Moses, to the house,
where Mnason presented to Him four children whom
He blessed. Then his mother and sisters came for
ward veiled, and Jesus addressed to them some words,
after which the whole family took a meal together
under an arbor in the open air. The table was
spread with the best they had, bread, honey, birds,
and fruit, the latter still hanging upon little branches.
During the meal, Jesus taught. They lodged in a
long arbor, built of thin, light boards, the exterior
entirely overgrown by green foliage. It was furnished
with a row of couches.

Mnason's mother was a strong, robust woman. His
father was descended from the tribe of Judah, but
his ancestors had been carried off in the Babylonian
Captivity, and had never returned. Moses had travelled
much directing caravans; had lived a long time also
near the Red Sea, in Arabia; but havin-g become
impoverished, had settled in this place with his fam
ily. Mnason went to school in Mallep and later

Jesus in Cerynia 417

on for the sake of his studies travelled to Judea,
where he met Jesus. His father with his grown up
children, Mnason being the youngest, lived in lightly
built huts. They were not engaged in agriculture;
they owned only a few gardens that lay back of
their homes, and which were planted out in fruit-
trees. Having formerly, as caravan director, had much
experience in the transportation of goods, the old
man had established himself here as a kind of inn
keeper, assistant, and commissioner for the commer
cial caravans that halted before Cerynia. He owned
some asses and oxen with which he conveyed small
burdens received from the caravans and destined
for places remote from the public road. He was
like a porter who had now become an inn-keeper
also for others in the same business as himself.
He was poor, but he had managed to maintain in
his family strict Jewish discipline. For the rest, com
merce did not flow towlard Cerynia, but rather to
Lapithus, which lay a couple of hours westward on
the grand highroad.

Next morning Jesus taught again at the place oF
instruction before an audience composed of several
Jews from the city and the people belonging1 to a
little caravan. These latter were inexpressibly happy
to find Jesus here, for they had already heard His
instiuctions at Capharnaum where too they had De
ceived baptism. On this occasion, Jesus inveighed
against usury and greed of gain, which made the
Jews eager to enrich themselves off the pagans.
He then touched upon baptism, the Our Father, and
the Beatitudes. Toward noon they partook of a meal
in common, but Jesus did more serving and teaching
around the tables than reclining at them Himself.

One of Mnason's married sisters did not make her
appearance, because her little daughter had died the
day before. She sat closely veiled lamenting near
the corpse. The child could not (I can not now
recall on Vha|: account) be buried on that day,

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 27

418 Life of Jesus Christ

but on this, the next day, they were expecting the
rabbis from Mallep to conduct the funeral^ for it
was ftiere they had their graveyard. The child had
attained a tolerably good size, although it had al
ways been an invalid. It could neither speak nor
walk with facility, but it understood all that was said
to it. Mnason, who had visited his home from time
to time, had spoken to Jesus about it. Jesus told
him that it would soon die, and instructed him how
to prepare it for death. Mnason prudently followed
Jesus' directions at a time in which the mother was
not present. He excited the child to faith in the
Messiah, to hearty sorrow for its sins, and to the
hope of salvation; he prayed with it, and anointed it
\\ith oil that Jesus had blessed. The child died a
very good death. I saw it lying on a little bier
near the veiled mother, just like a babe in swad
dling-clothes, its face covered. The casket in which
it lay was shaped something like a trough. On its
head was a wreath of flowers, and tiny bunches of
aromatic herbs were laid closely around it. Its arms
and hands also were wrapped in burial bands, but
left free from the person. A little, white staff rested
in its arms. On the top of it was a bouquet ma'de up
of a large ear of corn, a vine-leaf, a little olive-
branch, a rose, and foliage peculiar to the country.
Several women visited the mother and mourned with
her. By the child's side in the coffin they deposited
playthings: two little flutes, a little crooked, spiral
shaped horn, a tiny bow spanned with a string,
on top of which in a furrow, lay a little wand like
an arrow. In each arm, besides, the child held a
short, gilded staff with a knob on top.

When the rabbis came to conduct the corpse, the
coffin was closed with a light lid which, instead of
being nailed, was fastened down with a cord. Four
men carried it on poles. A lighted lamp in a horn-
lantern was borne on a po'le and was followed by
a; crow'd of children and grown persons, who all

Jesus Celebrates the Sabbath 419

pressed forward with no attention to order. Jesus and
tbe disciples were standing outside the house watch
ing the funeral. Jesus comforted the mother and
relatives, and spoke of the resurrection.

All repaired to Cerynia for the celebration of the
Sabbath. The city had three streets facing the sea,
the middle one very wide, and these three were
intersected by two others. On the opposite side, the
land side, it was 'enclosed by & massive wall, or rampart,
in whose exterior were built the houses of the "few
Jews belonging to the place. Their dwellings were
therefore outside the city, but still enclosed by a
second wall. In this way, the Jews of Cerynia lived
between the two walls of the city, entirely' separate
from the pagans, who had as many as ten heathen
temples, or places dedicated to idols. The Jews of
Cerynia were few in number, not very rich, but still
possessed of all that was necessary. In one large
building, they had a school and a synagogue, along
with accommodations for both rabbis and teachers.
It Was high, and had two stories entirely distinct.
They had also a beautiful, flowing fountain fed by
a stream from another source. The fountain they
divided, one part being used for a drinking well,
the other being conducted into a delightful garden
for bathing purposes.

The Doctors of the Law received Jesus very respect
fully at the end of the street and conducted Him first
to the school, and then to the synagogtie. Here
He found seven invalids who had caused themselves
to be conveyed thither on litters, that they might
listen* to His instructions. There were altogether about
one hundred men. The Doctors allowed Jesus to
teach and conduct the exercises alone. He read from
Moses1 passages recounting the number of the Chil
dren of Israel and their different families, and from the

I. Exodus 1, 4-21.

420 Life of Jesus Christ

Prophet Osee1 a grave and severe lecture against
idolatry.

In one of these passages was read the circumstance
of God's commanding the Prophet to marry an adul
teress, the children of which marriage were to receive
special names. The Jews questioned Jesus on this
passage. He explained it to them. He said that
the Prophet, in his whole person and life, had to
show forth the condition of God's covenant with the
House of Israel, and that the names of the children
should be expressive of God's sentence of punish
ment. Another lesson to be drawn from this pas
sage was, as Jesus said, that acting under the inspira
tion of God, the good oftentimes united themselves
to sinners in order to arrest the 'transmission of sin.
This marriage of Osee with an adulteress and the
various names of the children, testified to the reiterated
•mercy of God and the long continuance of crime.
Jesus spoke very severely. He exhorted to penance
and baptism, referred to the near approach of the
Kingdom of God, predicted the punishment of those
that repulsed it, and prophesied the destruction of
Jerusalem,

While Jesus was teaching, trie sick more than
once cried out in the pauses of His discourse: " Lord,
we believe in Thy doctrine! Lord, help us! " And
when they noticed that He was about to leave the
synagogue, they caused themselves to be carried out
before Him. They were laid in the forecourt in
two rows, and they continued to cry out to Jesus:
" Lord, exercise upon us Thy power! Do unto us,
Lord, what is pleasing to Thee! But Jesus did
not cure them right away. When however the'rabbis
interceded for the poor invalids, Jesus questioned
the latter. " What can I do for you? " He asked.
They answered: " Lord, relieve us of our infirmities!
Lord, cure us! " " Believe ye that I can do it?

i. Osee. 7, 10, et //, «?/.

Jesus Curing1 421

asked Jesus, and all cried out: " Yes, Lord! We
do believe that Thou canst do it! Then Jesus
ordered the rabbis to bring the rolls of the Law and
to pray with Him over the sick. The rabbis brought
the rolls and prayed, after which Jesus commanded
the disciples to impose hands upon the sick. They
obeyed, laying their hands on the eyes of one, on
the breast of another, and sot on different parts
of the body. Jesus again put the question: " Do ye
believe, and do ye wish to be cured? " and again
they answered: " Yes, Lord! We believe that Thou
canst help us! Then said Jesus: " Rise! your
faith hath cured you! " and they arose, all seven,
thanking Jesus, who ordered them to wash and
purify themselves. Some among them had been very
much swollen with dropsy. Their sickness was passed,
but they \vere still weak and had to walk with the
assistance of a staff.

Several times before in Cyprus, namely at Chytrus,
Mallep, and Salamis, I saw1 Jesus healing in that
way, that is, praying with the rabbis and commanding
the disciples to impose hands. As these rabbis and
Doctors were well-inclined, He caused them to take
part like the disciples in this cure, thus to awaken
in them confidence. He made use of this new1 way
of curing, in order to prepare those that took part
in it for the works of the disciples, for there were
a great many rabbis among the five hundred and
seventy Jews whom Jesus gained in Cyprus.

The cured along with other Jews from Cerynia were
baptized at the place of instruction near Moses's
dwelling. The water used for the purpose had been
conveyed thither from a neighboring well, for the
house lay rather high, arid had no spring near it.
But to supply the defect, it had a reservoir in the
shape of a large, copper basin buried in the earth
and surrounded by a little channel lined with stone,
\\hich had an outlet into a stone trough. The water
in the basin was perfectly pure, for the washing

422 Life of Jesus Christ

of feet, linen, etc., was all done in the channel.
The stone trough was used for watering the cattle
and sprinkling the garden-beds. The neophytes stood
in the channel and were baptized with water from
the basin. First, Jesus gave an instruction on penance
and purification through baptism. The men wore
long, white garments with maniples and cinctures
ornamented with letters. Besides trie seven lately
cured, there were only eight other Jews baptized.
They spoke separately with Jesus, and confessed their
sins. Jesus told them to take advantage of the time
of grace and to accomplish the Law according1 to
the meaning of the Prophets, and not to be its
slaves, for the Law was given to them, and not
they to the Law. It was given to them in order to
serve as a means to merit grace.

Among the newly baptized were Mnason's brothers
and brother-in-law. As to his father, pious though
he was, still he was an obstinate Jew and would
not hear to being baptized. Mnason had all along
tried, but in vain, to prepare him, and Jesus too
had spoken to him that day on the same subject.
The stubborn, old Jew however was not to be moved.
He shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, and
objected with all kinds of plausible reasons in. favor
of circumcision to which he held. Mnason was so
troubled at his father's obstinacy that he shed tears,
Jesus consoled him. He told him that his father
was very old and had in consequence grown obsti
nate; as for the rest however h:e had always lived
piously, he would weep over his blindness at another
time and place, when light would dawn upon him.
Jesus had blessed the baptismal water into which some
from the Jordan was poured. All that remained after
the baptism was carefully scooped out and buried.

During the baptism, Jesus went to a lovely garden
back of the hiU upon which ^as the place of instruction.
It was full of fruit-trees and fitted up with arbors,
and there awaiting Him were from thirty to forty

Jesus Instructs Jewish Women 423

Jewish women closely veiled. They bowed low before
Hint. Many of them were in great anxiety and dread
lest their husbands, in order to follow Jesus, would
forsake them, and they be left helpless. They entreat
ed Him therefore to forbid their husbands' doing
such a thing. Jesus replied that, if their husbands
followed Him, they too should go to Palestine where
they would find means of subsistence. He related
to them the example of the Holy Women, and ex
plained to them the character of 'the epoch in which
they were living. The present wa,s not the time for
a life of comfort and ease, for the day was ap
proaching upon which they ought to go forward
to meet the Kingdom that was drawing near and
receive the Bridegroom. He spoke also of the lost
drachma, and of the five wise and the five foolish1
virgins. The younger women begged Jesus to ad
monish their husbands not to visit the pagan maidens,
since He had in terms so severe discussed that
passage in Osee, in which trie Prophet warns against
sinning with the heathens. Most of these young
women were however tormented with jealousy. Jesus
interrogated them upon their own ^conduct toward
their husbands, exhorted them to mildness, humility,
patience, and obedience, and warned them against
gossiping and making reproaches. After that He
closed the Sabbath exercises in the synagogue of
Cerynia, and went with His disciples back to Mallep
by the shortest route.

22. DEPARTURE FROM CYPRUS

At Mallep, Jesus delivered a long instruction at
the fountain. He spoke again of the approach of
the Kingdom and of the obligation to go to meet
it, of His own departure, and of the short time
remaining to Him, of the bitter consummation of
His labors, and of the necessity they were under
of following Him and laboring1 with Him. He al-

424 Life of Jesus Christ

luded again to the speedy destruction of Jerusalem
and the chastisement that would soon overtake all
that rejected the Kingdom of God, that would not
do penance and amend their life instead of clinging
to their worldly goods and pleasures. Referring to
the country in uhich they lived where every thing
was so pleasant and the conveniences of life so many,
Jesus compared it after all to an ornamented tomb
whose interior was full of filth and corruption. Then
He bade them reflect upon their own interior, and
see what lay concealed under their beautiful exterior.
He touched upon their usury, their avarice, their
desire of gain which led them to communicate so
freely with the pagans, their violent attachment to
earthly possessions, their sanctimoniousness; and He
again told them that all the magnificence and Worldly
conveniences that they saw around them would one
day be destroyed, that the time would come in which
no Israelite would there be found living. He spoke
very significantly of Himself and the fulfilment of
the Prophecies, and yet only a few comprehended
His words. During this instruction, the people present
ed themselves in bands and by turns, old men, middle-
aged men, youths, women, and maidens. All were
deeply touched, they wept and sobbed.

Jesus went next with some disciples and others
a couple of hours to the east of Mallep, to where the
occupants of several farms had begged Him to come,
and where He had already gone once before from
Mallep. There was near by a shady hill that was
used as a place for instruction. The disciple of Nairn
also had come hither from the port of Citium, to
make preparations for his departure from Cyprus.

Jesus here as at Mallep, delivered a farewell dis
course, after which He went around to some huts and
cured several invalids who had begged Him to do so.
He had already set out on His return journey to
Mallep when an old peasant implored Him to go to
his house and take pity on his blind son. There

Amen ! 425

were in the house three families of twelve persons,
the grandparents, two married sons, and their chil
dren. The mother veiled brought the blind boy to
Jesus in her arms, although it could both speak and
Walk. Jesus took the child into His arms, with a
finger of His right hand anointed its eyes with His
own saliva, blessed it, put it down on the ground,
and held something before its eyes. The child grasped
after it awkwardly, ran at the sound of its mother's
voice, then turned to the father, and so from the arms
of one to those of the other. The parents led it
to Jesus, and weeping thanked Him on their knees.
Jesus pressed the child to His bosom and gave it back
to the parents with the admonition to lead it to the
true light, that its eyes, which now saw, might not be
closed in darkness deeper than before. He blessed
the other children also and the whole family. The
people shed tears and followed Him with acclamations
of praise.

In the house used for such purposes at Mallep, a
feast was given, in which all took part. The poor
were fed, and presents were given them. Jesus, final
ly, delivered a grand discourse on the w'ord " Amen ",
which, He said, was the whole summary of prayer.
Whoever pronounces it carelessly, makes void his
prayer. Prayer cries to God; binds us to God; opens
to us His mercy and, with the word " Amen, " rightly
uttered, we take the asked-for gift out of His hands.
Jesus spoke most forcibly -of the power of the word
" Amen. " He called it the beginning and the end
of everything. He spoke almost as if God had by
it created the whole world. He uttered an " Amen
over all that He had taught them, over His own
departure from them, over the accomplishment of
His own mission, and ended His discourse by a
solemn " Amen. " Then He blessed His audience,
who wept and cried after Him.

Jesus left Mallep with His disciples, Barnabas and
Mnason following next day. They left Chytrus to

426 Life of Jesus Christ

the right and went straight on across fields, through
thickets, and over mountain-ridges. Jesus attempted
to discharge His indebtedness at the inn, -with the
money brought Him by the disciple from Nairn;
but when the proprietor refused to receive it, it was
distributed to the poor. All those that, either at
present or in the future, were from Mallep, Chytrus,
or Salamis to follow Jesus into Palestine, were to go
by different routes. One party was to cross over
from a port northeast of Salamis; and others, who
had business at Tyre, were to start from Salamis itself.
The baptized pagans went, 'for the most part, to
Gessur.

Arrived at Salamis, Jesus and His followers put up
at the school in which upon His coming to Cyprus
He had sojourned. They entered from the northwest;
the aqueduct lay to the right, the Jewish city to
the left. I saw them, their garments still girded,
sitting in threes by the basin in the forecourt of
the school. The basin was surrounded by a little
channel, in which they were washing their feet. Every
three made use of a long, brown towel to dry their
feet. Jesus did not always allow His feet to be
washed by others; generally each one performed that
service for himself. Here their coming had been
looked for, and food was at once offered them.
Jesus had here a great number of devoted adherents,
and in their midst He taught for fully two hours.
After that He had a long conference with the Roman
Governor, who presented to Him two pagan youths
desirous of instruction and baptism. They confessed
their sins with tears, and Jesus pardoned them.
Toward evening, they were privately baptized by
James in the forecourt of the Doctors' dwelling.
These youths were to follow the philosophers to
Gessur.

Mercuria also sent to beg Jesus to grant her an
interview in the garden near the aqueduct. Jesus
assented, and followed the servant that had delivered

Mer curia and Her Little Girls 427

the message to the place designated. Mercuria came
forward veiled, holding her two singularly dressed
little girls by the hand. They wore only a short
tunic down to the knee; the rest of their covering
consisted of some kind of fine, transparent material
upon which were wreaths of woollen, or feather
flowers. Their arms were bare, their feet enveloped
in little bands, and their hair loose. They were dressed
almost like the angels that we make for representations
of the Crib. Jesus spoke long and graciously with
Mercuria. She wept bitterly and was very much
troubled at the thought of having to leave her son
behind her, also because her parents retained at
a, distance from her her younger sister, who Would thus
remain in the blindness of paganism. She wept also
over her own sins. Jesus consoled her and assured
her again of pardon. The two little girls looked
at their mother in surprise, and they too began ~to
cry and to cling to her. Jesus blessed the little
ones, and went back to the school.

Mnason arrived from Chytrus accompanied by one
of his brothers who wished to follow Jesus to Pal
estine.

After a farewell repast, Jesus and His disciples went
to the place where by His orders some of the Roman
Governor's people were awaiting them with asses.
These they mounted. Jesus rode sidewise on a cross-
seat provided with a support, and by His side rode
the Governor. They passed the aqueducts and, at
the rear of the city, crosse'd the little river Padius.
They took a narrow country-road shorter than the
ordinary route, which wound in a curve near the
shore. During the whole of that beautiful night,
I saw the Governor generally at Jesus' side. ^ In
front rode a £roop of twelve, then came one of nine,
followed by Jesus and the Governor a little apart;
another band of twelve brought up the rear. Besides
this occasion and Palm Sunday, I never saw Jesus
otherwise than on foot. When morning began to

428 Life of Jesus Christ

break and they were still three hours from the sea,
the Governor, in order not to attract attention, bade
adieu to Jesus. In parting- Jesus presented to him
His hand, and gave him His blessing. The Governor
had descended from his ass, for he wished to embrace
Jesus' feet. Then he bowed low before Him, with
drew a few steps, repeated his obeisance (it must
have been a custom of the place), mounted his
beast, and rode off. The two newly baptized pagans
accompanied him. Jesus then rode on till within about
an hour of the place to which He was going, when
He and His party dismounted and sent back the
asses with the servants. They now journeyed on
through the salt hills until they reached a long
building where they found some mariners awaiting
them. It was a quiet, solitary spot on the seashore.
There were few trees around the country, but along
the coast an extraordinarily long mound, or dyke,
covered with moss and trees. Facing the sea were
dwelling-houses and open buildings belonging to the
salt-works, in which poor Jewish families and some
pagans dwelt. Farther on where the shore was
steeper, there was a little cove down to which a
flight of steps led, and here were anchored three
ships in readiness for the travellers. It was easy to
land at this spot, and it was from this point that the
sajt was shipped to the cities along the coast.

Jesus was expected here, and all partook of a
repast consisting of fish, honey, bread, and fruit.
The water of this place was very bad, and they
purified it by putting something into it, I" think
fruit. They kept it in jugs and leathern bottles'.
Seven of the Jews belonging to the ships' crew, were
here baptized, a basin being used for the ceremony.
Jesus went from house to house, consoling the poor
occupants, bestowing alms upon them, healing the
wounded, and curing the sick, who stretched out their
hands pitifully toward Him. First He asked whether
they believed that He could cure them; and upon

Jesus Lending Aid 429

their answering, " Yes, Lord! we do believe! " He
restored them to health. He went even to the end
of the long dyke, also to the homes of the pagans.,
who met Him looking timid and shy. Jesus blessed
the poor children and gave some instructions.

The disciple from Nairn had lately arrived at this
place, where he awaited two other disciples. They
came in good time, and then all three set out for
Palestine to announce Jesus' coming.

Jesus' party counted twenty-seven men, ah1 of whom
embarked at evening twilight in three little vessels.
That in which Jesus sailed was the smallest, and
with Him were four disciples and some rowers.
Each of the vessels had in the centre rising around
the mast galleries divided into compartments, which
served as sleeping places. With the exception of
the rowers, who took their stand above, no one of the
ship's crew could be seen. I saw Jesus' little vessel
sailing out ahead, and I wondered why the others
took a different direction. But when it had grown
quite dark, I saw them at about half an hour from
the shore fast-bound in two places, a torch raised
on the mast as a sign of distress. At this sight,
Jesus ordered His sailors to row back toward them.
They approached one of the ships, threw out to it
a rope,- sailed round it, and, with it thus in tow",
went to the other and did the same. The two were
in this way bound to Jesus' vessel, which now they
followed. Jesus rebuked the disciples on the two
ill-guided vessels for having thought themselves pos
sessed of more knowledge of the way, spoke of
self-will, and of the necessity of following Him. The
ships had got caught in an eddy between two sand
banks.

On the evening of the following day, "just before
the entrance of the great gulf which the sea forms
at the foot of Mount Carmel between Ptolemais and
Hepha, I saw Jesus' three vessels rowing back again
into deep water, for a little inside trie gulf a struggle

430 Life of Jesus Christ

was going on between a large ship on one side and
.some smaller ones on the other. The large ship was
victorious, and several dead bodies were thrown out
into the water. As Jesus' vessels drew near the com
batants, Jesus raised His hand and blessed them,
whereupon they soon separated. They did not see
Jesus' vessels, for the latter were awaiting the issue
at some distance 'from the entrance to the gulf. The
dispute between the two parties had arisen in Cyprus
on the subject of the cargo*. The little vessels had
here lain in wait for the large one. The combatants
hacked away and aimed at one another from the
decks with long poles. One would have thought not
a soul would escape. The struggle lasted a couple of
hours. At last the large ship took the smaller ones
prisoner, and moved slowly off with them in tow.
Jesus landed near the mouth of the Cison, east
of Hepha, which lies on the coast. He Was received
on shore by several of the Apostles and disciples,
among them Thomas, Simon, Thaddeus, Nathanael
Chased, and Heliacim, all of whom were unspeak
ably delighted to embrace Him and His companions.
They went round the gulf for about three hours and
a half, and crossed a little river that flow's into the
sea near Ptolemais. The long bridge across this river
was like a walled street. It extended to the foot
of the height behind which was the morass of Cendevia.
Having climbed this height, they proceeded to the
suburbs of the Levitical city Misael, which was separat
ed from them by a curve of that same height. This
suburb faced the sea on the west, and on the south
rose Carmel with its beautiful valley. Misael con
sisted of only one street and one inn, which extended
over the height. Here near a fountain, Jesus was
met by the people in festal procession, the children
singing songs of welcome. All bore palm-branches,
on which the dates were still hanging. Simeon from
Sichor-Libnath, the " City of Waters, " was here
with his whole family. After his baptism, he came

Jesus Journeying to Capharnaum 431

to Misael, for his children gave him no rest until
he had again joined the Jews. He had arranged
this reception for Jesus, and all at his own expense.
When the procession reached the inn, nine Levites
from! Misael came forward to salute Jesus.

23. JESUS GOES FROM MISAEL, THE LEVITI-
CAL CITY THROUGH THANACH, NAIM,
AZANOTH, AND DAMN A TO CAPHAR
NAUM;

To the north of the suburb and on a declivity
half-way up the height, lay the beautiful pleasure-
garden of Misael commanding a magnificent view
of the gulf. Higher up on the hill one could see
the pond, or morass, of Cendevia and Libnath, the
" City of Waters, " which was an hour and a half
distant. It was nearer the sea, which here makes
a bend into the land, than Misael, which was a couple
of hours from the sea. Debbaseth was five hours
to the 'east of the Cison, and Nazareth about seven.
Jesus w'alked in the garden with His disciples and
related the parable of a fisherman that went out to
sea to fish, and took five hundred and seventy fishes.
He told them that an experienced fisherman would
put into pure water the good fish found in bad, that
like Elias he would purify the springs and wells,
that he would remove good fish from bad water, where
the fish of prey would devour them, and .that he would
make for them new spawning-ponds in better water.
Jesus introduced into the parable also the accident that
had happened on the sandbank to those that, out
of self-will, had not followed the master of the ves
sels. The Cypriotes who had followed Jesus could
not restrain their tears when they heard Him speak
of the laborious task of transporting the fish from
bad to good water. Jesus mentioned clearly and
precisely the number " five hundred and seventy good

432 Life of Jesus Christ

fish " that had been saved, and said that that was
indeed enough to pay for the labor.

He spoke of Cyprus to the Levites, who rejoiced
that Jews from that country were coming hither.
Many were coming also from Ptolemais, and would
pass this way. There was question of measures to be
taken. Jesus spoke of the danger that threatened
them . there, whereupon the Levites asked anxiously
whether the heathens of their country would ever
become so powerful as to prove dangerous. Jesus
answered by an allusion to the judgment that was to
fall upon the whole country, the danger that threaten
ed Himself, and the chastisement that would over
take Jerusalem. His hearers were unable to comprehend
how He could again return to Jerusalem. But He
said that He had still much to do before the con
summation of His labors.

The Syrophenician from Ornithopolis sent hither by
some of the disciples little golden bars and plates
of the same metal chained together. She was desirous
to send one of her ships to Cyprus, in order to
facilitate Mercuria's flight from the island.

On an invitation from the Levites, Jesus accompanied
them to Misael, a very ancient city, surrounded by
walls and towers, in the latter of which dwelt some
pagans. Elizabeth had 'for a long time sojourned
here with her father, who exercised the functions
of a Levite, and Zachary too was once at Misael.
Elizabeth was born in an isolated country house two
hours from Misael in the plain of Esdrelon. The prop
erty belonged to her parents, and she afterward
inherited it. In her fifth year she entered the Temple.
When she left it, she returned for a time to Misael
and, after another period spent at the house in which
she was born, she went to Zachary's home in Judea.
Jesus spoke of her and of John. He insisted in terms
so significant upon John's office of precursor of the
Messiah that it was easy to guess who He Himself
was.

The Pharisees Try to Catch Jesus 433

While in the city, Jesus went with the Levites, to
visit and cure the sick of several families. Some
of the invalids were children, and several of the
adults were lame. They held out to Jesus their
hands enveloped in linen bands. Jesus visited Simeon
also in his own house, and then proceeded to the
synagogue where He closed the Sabbath exercises.
Here the women stood in a kind of high tribune not
far from the chair of the teacher. Jesus' teaching
turned upon sacrifice for sin and upon Samson. He
rehearsed the principal deeds of the latter, and spoke
of him as of a saint whose life was prophetic. Samson,
Jesus said, did not lose all his strength, for he
had retained sufficient to do penance. His overturning
of the heathen temple upon himself was owing to
a special inspiration from God.

Judas, who loved to execute business commissions,
and Thomas, whose family owned rafts in the port
and who was well known here, went with several
disciples to Hepha to make arrangements for the
expected Cypriotes.

Jesus meanwhile with about ten of His disciples,
among them Saturnin, went on to the Levitical city
of Thanach, where He was received by the Elders
of the synagogue. The Pharisees here though not
open enemies of Jesus, yet were cunning and on the
watch to catch Him in His speech. I saw that by
their own equivocal language. They said that He
would undoubtedly visit their sick, and asked Him
whether He would extend that same charity to a
man who had been in Capharnaum, and who was
now in a very suffering state. They thought that
Jesus would refuse to see the latter, who had shown
himself one of His bitterest opponents in Capharnaum.
His present sickness, a very singular one indeed, they
supposed to be a punishment for his conduct on
that occasion. He hiccoughed and vomited continual
ly, the upper part of his body was constantly con
vulsed, and he was visibly pining away. He was

Life of Jesus Christ. — HI. 28

434 Life* of Jesus Christ

a man between thirty and forty, and had a wife and
children. When Jesus went to see him, He asked
him whether he believed that He could help him.
The poor man, quite dejected and ashamed of his
former conduct, answered: " Yes, Lord! I do be-
believe! " Then Jesus laid one hand on his head
and the other on his breast, prayed over him, and
commanded him to rise and take some nourishment.
The man arose, and with tears thanked Jesus, as
did likewise his wife and children. Jesus addressed
some gracious and comforting words to them, but
made not the slightest allusion to the man's pro
ceedings against Himself. That evening- when the
Pharisees beheld the cured man appear in the syna
gogue, they completely renounced all desire to con
tradict Jesus in His speech. He taught of the ac
complishment of the Prophecies; of John the Baptist,
the Precursor of the Messiah, and of the Mbssiah
Himself. His words were so significant that His
hearers might readily conclude that He was alluding
to Himself.

From Thanach, Jesus went to a carpenter shop, in
which Joseph had first worked after his flight from
Bethlehem. It was a building wherein fully a dozen
people were engaged in the manufacture of wooden
articles. They dwelt in little homes around the in-
closure. The shop in which Joseph had worked was
now occupied by the descendants of his master. They
no longer worked at the business themselves, but
employed poor people for that purpose. The goods,
w'hich consisted of thin planks, rods, grated screens,
and lattice-work, were principally exported on ships.
The report was still current in this place, that the
Prophet's father had once labored here, but they
no longer knew distinctly whether it was Joseph
of Nazareth or not. I 'thought at the time: " If
these people, after so short a lapse of time, know
so litttle about these things, it is certainly not sur
prising that we too should know so little. " Jesus

Jesus Inveighs against the Pharisees 435

delivered an instruction in the yard adjoining the
workshop, taking for His subjects the love of labor
and the thirst for gain.

From Thanach, Jesus went to Sion, a horrible,
old place, two hours west of Thabor. With its ancient
citadel ^ and synagogue, near which some Pharisees
dwelt, it lay somewhat high. Below and far behind
some ramparts on the banks of the Cison, was a
group of houses whose locality wa-s not very healthful.
The ramparts were so high that one could not see
over them. The occupants of these houses appeared
to be dependants upon those above them, by whom
they were oppressed .and tormented. Jesus in His
instruction given in the synagogue inveighed against
the Pharisees who imposed upon others grievous
burdens that they would not themselves touch, against
the oppression of the neighbor, and the thirst after
power. He spoke also of the Messiah who, He said,
would be very different from what they expected.
Jesus had gone to Sion in order to console the poor,,
oppressed people. He visited their low, narrow, and
obscure quarter of the city, and cured several poor
sick in their huts, most of them gouty and paralyzed.
The Pharisees banished all the sick to this miserable
place, in which they could scarcely get a breath
of fresh air. Jesus and the disciples gave the poor
creatures presents of linen and strips of other materials.

Jesus and the disciples went from this place to
Nairn in about an hour and a half. Several disciples
and the youth of Nairn whom Jesus had raised
from the dead, came to meet Him near the well
outside the city, so that Jesus had with Him now
about twelve disciples, though no Apostles. The dis
ciples belonging to Jerusalem had come hither from
the Holy City with some of the holy women, while
others, having celebrated the feast of Pentecost with
Mary at Nazareth, awaited at Nairn on their return
journey the coming of Jesus. He put up at an inn
prepared for Him at Nairn in one of the houses

436 Life of Jesus Christ

belonging to the widow, whom He went to see
shortly after His arrival. The female portion of the
family came out veiled to meet Him in the portico
of the inner court, and cast themselves at His feet.
Jesus saluted them graciously, and accompanied them
into the reception hall. There were five women
present besides the widow herself; namely, Martha,
Magdalen, Veronica, Johanna Chusa, and the Suphan-
ite. They, the holy women, sat apart at the end
of the hall, on a kind of raised trestle like a long,
low sofa. They sat cross-legged on cushions and
rugs. The seat they occupied was raised high enough
to show the feet upon which it rested. The womep
were silent until Jesus addressed them, and then
each spoke in her turn. They related what was
going on at Jerusalem, and told Jesus of the snares
Herod had laid for Him. They became so animated
in their recital that Jesus raised His finger and
reproached them with their worldly solicitude and
their judgments of others. Then He told them all
about Cyprus, of those whom He had won to the
truth, and spoke in words of love of the Roman
Governor in Salamis. When the women expressed
it as their opinion that it would be well if he too
left the island, Jesus replied: " No. He must stay
there and render service to many souls until My
own work shall be accomplished. Then another will
succeed him, and he too will prove himself a friend
of the Community. "

Magdalen and the Suphanite were nothing like as
beautiful as they used to be. They were pale and
thin, and their eyes red from weeping. Martha was
very energetic and in business affairs very talkative.
Johanna Chusa was a tall, pale, vigorous woman,
grave in manner, but at the same time active. Veron
ica had in her deportment something very like St.
Catherine; she was frank, resolute, and courageous.
When the holy women were thus gathered together,
they used to work industriously, sewing and preparing

The Holy Women 437

for the Community all sorts of things, Which were
distributed among their private inns, or laid away
in the storerooms. From these latter the Apostles
and disciples supplied their own needs, as well as
those of the poor. When there was no special work
of this kind to be done, the holy women spent their
time in sewing for poor synagogues. They generally
had with them their maid-servants, who preceded
or followed them on their journeys, and carried the
various materials, sometimes in leathern pouches, some
times attached to their girdle under their mantle.
These maids wore tightly fitting bodices and short
tunics. When the holy women were to remain some
time at any place, their maids returned and awaited
their coming at some of the inns along the route.
Veronica's maid was with her a long time. She was
in her service even after Jesus' death.

When on the Sabbath, Jesus repaired to the syna
gogue, -He did not go to the teacher's chair, but
stood with His disciples in the place in which travelling
teachers were accustomed to stand. But after bidding
Him welcome and the prayers being said, the fabbis
constrained Him to take His place before the open
rolls of Scripture and to read therefrom. The Sab
bath Lesson treated of the Levites, the murmuring
of the people, the quails sent by God, and the punish
ment that befell Miriam; l and from the Prophet
Zacharias, some passages referring to the vocation
of the Gentiles and to the Messiah. 2 Jesus' words
were severe. He said that the heathens would oc
cupy in the Messiah's kingdom the places of the
obdurate Jews. Of the Messiah, He said that they
would not recognize Him as such, for He would be
tctally different from what they expected. Among the
Pharisees, were three more insolent than the others;
they had been on the commission at Capharnaum.

1. Numbers VIII, 1-13. et XI I L i.

2. Zacharias //, 10 et IV, 8.

438 Life of Jesus Christ

The cure of the Pharisee at Thanach had vexed them
exceedingly, and they said that Jesus had effected
it merely that the Pharisees of that place might connive
at His doings. They recommended Him to be quiet
and not to 'disturb the Sabbath with His cures. "It
would be just as well for Him, they said, to go
back whence He came and to 'forbear creating any
excitement. Jesus replied that He would fulfil the
duties of His mission, journeying and teaching- until
His hour had arrived. The Pharisees gave no enter
tainment to Jesus in Nairn. They were full of spite
against Him, because His doctrine and charity drew
after 'Him all the poor, the miserable, and the simple-
hearted whom their own severity alienated.

The season about this time in Nairn was indescriba
bly delightful. Jesus took the Sabbath-day's journey
with the disciples to whom He unfolded, in very
earnest and confidential words, His own future. 'He
exhorted them to remain true and faithful, for great
sufferings and persecutions were in store for Him.
They should not, He said, be scandalized at Him. He
would not forsake them, neither must they abandon
Him, although the treatment He would receive would
put their faith to the proof. The disciples were touched
to tears. They went to the garden of Maroni, the
widow, where too came the holy women. Jesus told
them about the reconciliation that had taken place
among the married couples in Mallep, and dwelt
especially upon that between the couple with whom
He had once taken a meal, and who had resolved
to remove to Palestine. He spoke of Mercuria also
saying that she would first join the Syrophenician,
who was likewise making preparations to leave Or-
nithopolis. They would first go to Gessur and thence
proceed further on. Already many people had left
Cyprus, and a certain number would soon land at
Joppa.

When Jesus left the garden with the disciples, in
order to close the Sabbath in the synagogue, He found

Jesus Answers the Pharisees 439

on His way several sick persons who had caused
themselves to be carried there in litters. They
stretched out their hands to Him imploring His help
and He cured them. And so He reached the syna
gogue whither also some others had had themselves
conveyed on their beds. There was one man among
them ill of the gout and terribly swollen, and there
were others whom on His last journey Jesus had
refused to cure because their faith was not pure.
He had allowed them ,to continue in their sufferings
that they might be brought at last to ^implore their
cure more humbly. And now came the Pharisees
greatly incensed at Jesus' curing these invalids, "for
they had spread the report that He was unable to
do so. They set up a great hue and cry at What they
called His desecration of the Sabbath. But Jesus
went on with the cures until seven had been effected.
Jesus answered the infuriated Pharisees sharply,
asking them whether it was forbidden to do good on
the Sabbath; whether they did not nourish themselves,
take care of themselves on the Sabbath-day; whether
the curing of these sick was not in itself a sanctifica-
tion of the Sabbath-day; whether they ought not on
the Sabbath-day console the afflicted; whether they
should on the Sabbath-day retain possession of goods
unjustly acquired; whether, on the Sabbath-day, they
should leave in their affliction the widows, the orphans,
and the poor whom they had oppressed and tormented
during the whole week; and He upbraided them
soundly for their hypocrisy and their oppression of
the poor. He told them openly that, under the pre
text of providing for the synagogue, Which already had
a superfluity of all that Was necessary, they extorted
the means of the poor, and in that same synagogue
made the Law for them a heavy burden; but not
content with that, they would now cut them off
from the grace of God on the Sabbath, prevent their
receiving health on the Sabbath, while they them
selves on the Sabbath feasted and drank upon what

440 Life of Jesus Christ

they had pitilessly wrung from them. By these words
Jesus silenced the Pharisees, and all entered the
synagogue. The Pharisees laid before Jesus the rolls
of Scripture and invited Him to teach. This they
did craftily in the hope of being able to convict Him
of error, and bring a charge against Him. When,
then, Jesus alluded to the era of the Messiah and
said that numbers of pagans would come over to the
people of God at that time, they asked Him mockingly
whether He had not gone Himself to Cyprus, in order
to bring the pagans ba,ck with Him. Jesus spoke
likewise of the tithes, of imposing burdens on oftiers
and not carrying them one's self, and of the op
pression of orphans and widows, for from Pentecost
till the feast of Tabernacles, the tithes were brought
to the Temple. But in places remote from Jerusalem,
as this was, .the Levites collected them. And here
it was that abuses crept in, for the Pharisees extorted
the tithes from the people and converted them to
their own use. It was against this that Jesus in
veighed. The Pharisees were highly exasperated and
on leaving the synagogue, gave vent to their spleen.
From Nairn Jesus went with some of the dis
ciples up the height this side of the Cison. Proceeding
in a northeasterly direction, they arrived at Rimmon
where there was a school under the charge of some
Levites. These now came to the school to meet
Jesus, who gave an instruction to the youths and
little boys on an open square in front of the school-
house. Thither also flocked many of the people who
had already listened to Jesus' teachings at -Nairn.
He explained to the children the general duties im
posed by the Mosaic Law, but did not enlarge before
them, upon the dangers of the present fime, as He
was accustomed to do before His more elderly au
diences. Rimmon consisted of a long row or" houses on
a slope of the mountain. The inhabitants were mostly
gardeners and vinedressers, who disposed of their
fruits at Nairn and worked also in the gardens of

Jesus and His Friends 441

that place. From Rimmon, Jesus ascended the eastern
side of Thabor. He was accompanied a good part of
the way by the Levites who had been collecting
the tithe-offerings in Rimmon. After a journey of
about three hours, He reached Beth-Lechem, a place
in ruins east of the city of Dabereth. It comprised
only one row of houses occupied by poor peasants,
whom Jesus visited in their homes, encouraging- them
in their miseries and healing their sick.

Leaving Beth-Lechem, He journeyed on for about
four hours through the valley in which was the well
of Capharnaum, and toward dusk arrived at Azanofh
where He had a private inn. Here He found some
friends from Capharnaum awaiting Him: Jairus and
his daughter; the blind man of Capharnaum to whom
He had restored sight; the female relative of Enue,
the woman healed of the bloody flux; and Lia, the
woman that had cried out to Him, " Blessed is the
womb that bore Thee! The women, their veils
down, fell on their knees before Jesus, and He blessed
them. They shed tears of joy upon beholding Him
again. Jairus's daughter was well and full of life,
and withal quite changed, for she was now devout
and moUest. Jesus taught until far into the night.
On the following day He went to Damma, where
He had outside the city a private inn over which a
relative of Joseph's family presided. Lazarus and two
disciples belonging to Jerusalem were here waiting
for Him. Indeed, Lazarus had already been eight
days in those parts attending to the real estate in
land and houses of the Magdalum property, for only
the household goods and similar effects belonging
to Magdalen had as yet been disposed of. Jesus
embraced Lazarus, a favor He was accustomed to
extend only to him and the elder Apostles and dis
ciples; to the others, He merely extended His hands.
Jesus spoke of the Cypriotes, those that had accomr
panied Him and those that were to follow later,
and made some remarks as to how they should be

442 Life of Jesus Christ

supported. I heard on this occasion that James the
Less and Thaddeus were to proceed to Gessur, in
order to receive and accompany the seven pagan
philosophers who were to arrive there. Jesus treated
Lazarus with marked confidence. On this occasion
they walked alone together for a long" time. Lazarus
was a tall man, grave and gentle and very self-
possessed in manner. Moderate in all things, even
his familiar intercourse with others was stamped with
a something that wore an air of distinction. His
hair was black and he bore some resemblance to
Joseph, though his features were sterner and more
marked. Joseph's hair was yellow, and there was
something uncommonly tender, gentle, and obliging
in his whole deportment.

From Damma Jesus with Lazarus, the disciples,
the steward of the inn along with his son, who was
soon to be admitted to the number of the disciples,
went almost two hours eastward to the village be
longing to the Centurion Zorobabel of Capharnaum.
It was situated on the southern side of a rocky hil]
which shut in the valley of 'Capharnaum on the
south, and upon which lay the Centurion's gardens
and vineyards. Here Jesus instructed the servants
and field-laborers. He took for His text the Mes
siah and the near coming of His Kingdom, announced
to them the signs enumerated by the Prophets and
showed how they had all been fulfilled, warned and
implored them to amend their life, and assured them
that the Messiah would not appear under the form
expected by the Jews, consequently only the small
number of the humble and contrite would recognize
Him. He told them too that the Messiah would
make known His doctrines by the lips of more than
one, as He had formerly spoken through the mouth
of many Prophets. Some melancholy and possessed
mutes were brought to Jesus. He laid His finger
moistened with spittle under their tongue, and com
manded Satan to depart, whereupon I saw some

Jesus and Mary 443

of them fall unconscious and then rise up cured,
while others fell into convulsions for a short time,
after which they too were restored to perfect health.
All" praised God and gave thanks for their cure.
After that Jesus, taking a solitary route, went to
His Mother's in -the valley east of C'apharnaum, a
distance of about three-quarters of an hour.

The holy women were already with the Blessed
Virgin, they having come from Nairn by the direct
road. They did not leave the house to receive Jesus,
neither did Mary hurry out to meet her Son. After
He had washed and let down His robe, Jesus entered
the large apartment in which several little alcoves
were cut off by curtains. Mary, her head veiled
and humbly inclined, stretched out to Him her hand
when He had first proffered His, and He graciously,
though gravely, saluted her. The other women stood
veiled forming a semicircle in the rear. I have indeed
seen Jesus when alone with Mary, in order to console
and strengthen her, press her to His breast while
conversing with her. But Mary herself, since His
going forth to teach, treated Him as one would treat
a saint, a Prophet; or as a mother might treat her
•son, werie h'e a P'ope, a Bishop, or a, King. Still,
there was something much more noble, more holy
in Mary's demeanor, though marked at the same
time with indescribable simplicity. She never em
braced Him now, but only extended her hand when
He offered His.

Some time after, I saw Jesus, and Mary eating
togeth r alone. A little, low table stood between
them. Jesus reclined at one side, and Mary sat at
the other. On it was a fish, some bread, honey, cakes,
and two little jugs. The other holy women were
in the little curtained alcoves in groups of two or
three, or in a side-hall serving the repast of the
disciples among whom they had several relatives.
Jesus told His Mother about Cyprus and the souls
He had there gained. She expressed her joy quietly.

444 Life of Jesus Christ

but asked few questions. Her words were chiefly
those of maternal solicitude touching the dangers
that awaited Him. Jesus replied gently that He would
fulfil His mission until the hour came for His return
to His Father.

24. ARRIVAL OF THE AFOSTLES AND
DISCIPLES IN CAPHARNAUM

Not long after Jesus' return to Capharnaum, there
were gathered around Him almost thirty disciples.
Some were come from Judea with the news of the
arrival at Joppa of ships bringing two hundred Cypriote
Jews, who were there to be received by Barnabas,
Mnason, and his brother. John, who was still at
Hebron with the relatives of Zachary, was charged
with providing suitable quarters for these emigrants.
The Essenians also occupied themselves with the
same cares. For a time the Cypriotes were lodged
in the grottos until proper destinations could be
assigned them. Lazarus and the Syrophenician provid
ed settlements near Ramoth-Gilead for the Jewish
emigrants from the region of Ornithopolis. The dis
ciples lately come to Capharnaum put up, some at
Peter's outside the city, some in Bethsaida, and
some at the school in the city itself. James the
Less and Thadde'us came from Gessur with three of
the pagan philosophers, fine,' handsome young men,
who had received circumcision. Andrew and Simon
came also with several other disciples, and the wel
come they received was most touching. Jesus, ac
cording to His wont, presented the newly converted
to His Mother. There was a tacit understanding, an
interior agreement between Jesus and Mary, that she
should take the disciples into her heart, into her
prayers, into her benedictions and, to a certain degree,
into her very being, as her own children and the
brothers of Jesus, that she should be their spiritual
Mother as she was His Mother by nature/ Mary

The Disciples Relate their Labors 445

did this with singular earnestness, while Jesus on
such occasions treated her with great solemnity. There
was in this ceremony of adoption something so holy,
something so interior that I am unable to express.
Mary was the vine, the ear, the spike of Jesus'
Flesh and Blood.

The disciples related where they had been and all
that had happened to them. In some places stones
had been thrown after them, but without striking,
them, from others they were obliged to flee, but
everywhere they were wonderfully protected. They
had too met good people, had cured, baptized, and
taught. Jesus had commanded them to go to the
lost sheep of Israel only. They had likewise sought
out the Jews in the pagan cities, though without
meddling with the heathens excepting with such as
were servants to the Jews. In Gazora, northeast of
Jabes Galaad, Andrew and the disciples that ac
companied him had redeemed Jewish slaves from
bondage, sacrificing to this purpose all that they pos
sessed. They asked Jesus whether they had done
rightly, to which He answered in the affirmative.
Jesus did not hearken to all that some of them had
to say. Many of them, while eagerly and with a
certain warmth of manner were relating their mis
sionary labors, Jesus interrupted with words some
thing like these: " I know that already. To others
who spoke simply and humbly, He listened for a
length of time, and called upon the silent to relate
what had happened to them. When they whom He
had interrupted asked why He would not hear their
account, Jesus answered by showing them the dif
ference between their own and their brethren's speech.
Frequently also He interrupted their narratives with
parables; for instance, that of the tares sown among
the good seed and which, after it had grown up,
was to be burnt at the time of harvest. He said that
all that had been sown would not come up. 'He spoke
of several that had fallen away from the disciples,.

446 Life of Jesus Christ

and exhorted those present not to place too great
security in their good works, for they would still
have to undergo great temptations. He recounted
the parable of the lord going afar to take possession
of a foreign kingdom. He gave over to his servants
remaining behind a certain number of talents for
which later on 'he required an account. This parable
referred to Jesus' own journey to Cyprus and to the
account He was now exacting from the disciples
of their activity during His absence. As He spoke,
He frequently turned first xto one, than to another
whose thoughts He divined, with the words: " Why
art thou thinking useless thoughts? " of, " Do> not
think in that way! " or, " Thy thoughts are now
taking a wrong direction. Think in this way, and
not in that! ' He read the thoughts of His hearers
and reproved them accordingly.

When the hour sounded the commencement of the
Sabbath, Jesus went with the disciples to the syna
gogue, where He found the Pharisees already standing
around the lecture-hall. But Jesus walked straight
up to it, and they at once made room for Him. The
instruction was on Rahab and the scouts sent by
Josue ,to Jericho *. The Pharisees were furious at
what they called Jesus' audacity, and they said to
one another: " Let Him go on now with His talk.
This evening, or when the Sabbath is over, we shall
hold a council and soon find means to close His
lips. ' Jesus, knowing their malice, remarked that
they were spies of a very peculiar kind, for they
came not to find out the truth but to< betray Him
and His followers. His language against them was
very severe, and He spoke likewise of the destruction
of Jerusalem, and the judgment in store for those
of the people that would not do penance and recognize
the reign of the Messiah. He introduced into His
discourse also the parable of the king whose son was

i. Exod. XIII, XIV etjos. II.

Ignatius 447

slain in the vineyard by the unfaithful servants. The
Pharisees dared not Interrupt Him. All the holy
women were present in the synagogue, where they
had "places set apart for them.

That afternoon Jesus al the earnest request of the
parents of r some sick children, went with several
of the disciples to about twenty houses of C'apharnaum,,
both of the rich and of the poor, and cured a great
many children, boys and girls from three to eight
years old. The malady must have been a sort of
epidemic, for they were all affected in pretty much
the same way. The little sufferers' color was quite
yellow, their throat, cheeks, and hands swollen. Their
condition was similar to that attendant on many other
sicknesses, scarlet fever, for instance. Jesus did not
cure them all in the same way. On some He laid His
hand on the parts affected, others He anointed with
spittle, and over others He breathed. Many of them
rose up at once. Jesus blessed them and gave them
over to their parents with some words of admonition.
For others, He commanded prayer and a certain
kind of nursing. This was for the greater good of
both children and parents. The .market-place of Caph-
arnaum was on an eminence, and to it four streets
ran. Jesus visited this part of the city and entered
the home of Ignatius, whom He cured. The boy was
a very lovely child of about four years. His parents
were wealthy. They were engaged in the sale of
brass or bronze vessels, for I saw many such standing
in long corridors. For a couple of days the pareri'ts
of Ignatius had begged Jesus to visit them, for 'He
had just cured the child of their neighbor, the carpet
merchant. The market was surrounded by arcades,
in which the goods of the various dealers were ex
posed, for sale. In the centre played a fountain, and
at either end rose two large edifices. The Pharisees
were full of wrath at these cures. Three of them
went into the courtyard before Peter's house, in the
porticos of which lay sick who had been transported

44S Life of Jesus Christ

thither, and whom Jesus was now healing. They
forced their way through the crowd till they stood
before Him. Then they addressed Him, suggesting
that He should leave off curing, excite no "disturbance
on the Sabbath, and expressed their desire to enter
into an argument with Him. But Jesus turnecl away
from them saying that He had nothing to do with
them, that He could not cure them, since they were
incurable.

At the closing Sabbath exercises that evening, Jesus
again taught in the synagogue. He spoke o'f the
murmuring of the Israelites on the news brought by
the scouts sent to view the Promised Land, of the
curse that fell upon them, in consequence of which
they perished in the wilderness, and only their chil
dren were permitted to see the 'Land of Promise.
He laid special stress upon malediction and benedic
tion, of which He spoke in very energetic terms.
Then He went on to speak of those that falsify the
things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, of those that
would never enter into it, of the non-recognition of
the Messiah, and of the chastisement that menaced
Jerusalem and the whole country. And now two
of the Pharisees, mounting the teacher's stand, began
to comment upon some passages in the day's Lesson,
in which it was recorded that God had commanded
Moses in the wilderness to cause a certain man to
be stoned by all the people for having gathered sticks
on the Sabbath-day.1 This fact the Pharisees cited
as an argument against the cures wrought on the
Sa.bbath. Jesus responded by asking whether the
health of the poor and nece'ssitous was like wood
destined for the fire; whether hypocrisy, lifeless and
inflexible, had not in it much more of the nature of
wood, and the looking out for scandal in the Jiealing
of the poor, the uncharitable faultfinding of those
that liad beams in their own eyes, was not a gather-

i. Numbers XV, 32-36.

Jesus Encourages the Disciples 449

ing of sticks, not however to prepare food for them
selves, but to cast them as stumbling-blocks in the
path of truth, to use them as fuel for distilling the
poison of discord and persecution. Is it not permitted
to receive on the Sabbath that for which we pray on
the Sabbath, and also to give it to others on that same
day if we have it? Then Jesus explained the passages
in the Law that referred to manual labor. He said
that it was prohibited on the Sabbath only to leave
man free for the performance of spiritual exercises.
How could the Sabbath prevent the cure of the sick,
since such cures sanctified the Sabbath? In this way
Jesus refuted the Pharisees and sb confounded them
that they had nothing more to say. Some few of His
hearers were moved by His words. They reflected
in silence upon what they had heard, while others put
their heads together, saying: "Yes! It is He! He is
the Messiah! No mere man, no Prophet could teach
in that way! " Significant looks were exchanged
throughout the crowd generally, for the people rejoiced
over the Pharisees' humiliation; some however ob
durate at heart, joined with the latter in taking
scandal.

After about fifteen of the disciples had assembled in
Capharnaum, Jesus took them with Him to the moun
tain near Bethsaida, where He had taught about
the eating of His Flesh and the drinking of His
Blood. On this occasion, His instruction turned upon
their own mission and labors, and the fruit they were
to bring forth. The holy women were present. In
this instruction Jesus related the parable of the work
men in the vineyard. He praised and encouraged
the disciples and blessed them in a body, His hands
outstretched above their heads, and they were again
filled with strength and courage.

On the evening of that day, Peter, James the Greater,
and Matthew, together With some of the ancient
disciples of John went to salute Jesus at His Mother's.
Peter shed tears of joy. During the meal they took

Life of Jeaus Christ. — III. 29

450 Life of Jesus Christ

together, Jesus again related the parable of the fisher,
the five hundred and seventy fishes and their trans
portation into good water, the same upon which He
had taught in Misael, also in Capharnaum before the
holy women and the disciples. In the same manner,
all the other parables were often repeated and ex
plained in various ways by Him. The next day He
went with the Apostles and disciples down to the
ships. Peter's large bark and that of Jesus were
bound together at some distance from the shore.
They allowed them to float on the water without
oar or rudder, for Jesus wanted to converse with the
disciples undisturbed by the crowd. It Was a beautiful
day. They had stretched the sails overhead for shade,
and they did not return till evening. Peter was very
eager to talk, and he related with a certain complaj
cency how much good they had effected. Jesus turned
to him, and bade him be silent. Peter, who so loved
his Lord, immediately held his peace, and saw with
regret that he had again been too ardent. Judas was
vehemently desirous of praise, though he had not
the candor to let it appear. He was on his guard
more however that he might not be put to shame
than that he might not sin.

When I consider the life of Jesus and His travelling
about with His Apostles and disciples, the certain
conviction often forces itself upon me that, if He
came now amongst us, He would encounter difficulties
still greater than in His own day. How freely could
He 'and His followers then go around teaching and
healing! Apart from the Pharisees, thoroughly hard
ened and vainglorious as they were, no one put
obstacles in His way. Even the Pharisees them
selves knew not on what ground they stood with
Him. They did indeed know that the time of the
Promise had come in which the Prophecies were to
be fulfilled, and they saw in Him something ir
resistible, something holy and wonderful. How often
have I seen them seated consulting the Prophets and

What the Disciples Thought of Jesus 451

the ancient commentaries upon them! But never
would they yield assent to what they read, for they
expected a Messiah very different from Jesus. They
thought that He would be their friend, one of their
own sect, and still they did not venture to decide upon
Jesus. Even many of the disciples thought that He
must certainly possess some secret power, a connection
with some nation or king. They fancied that He
would one day mount the throne of Jerusalem, the
holy king of sL holy people, that then they them
selves would hold desirable positions in His kingdom
and would also become holy and wise. Jesus al
lowed them to indulge these thoughts for awhile.
Others looked upon the affair in a more spiritual sense,
though not going so far as to the humiliation of the
Crucifixion. But very few acted through childlike,
holy love and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
When at last all the Apostles were returned from
their missions, the latest arrivals being Thomas, John,
and Bartholomew, Jesus went with them to C'ana,
whither came also the seventy "disciples and the
holy women from Capharnaum, On an eminence in
the centre of the city there was a teacher's chair,
from which Jesus taught, taking for His subject His
own mission and its accomplishment. He said that
He had not come into this world, to enjoy the comforts
and pleasures of life, and that it was foolish to demand
of Him any thing else than the fulfilment of His
Father's will. He said in terms more significant than
ever that He Himself was the One so long expected,
but that He would be received by only a few, and
that when His work was done, He would return
to His Father. He spoke warningly and entreating-
ly, begging His hearers most earnestly not to reject
salvation and the moment of grace. He again pointed
out the accomplishment of the Prophecies. His teach
ing was so wonderful, so impressive that the people
of Cana said one to another: " He is more than a

452 Life of Jesus Christ

Prophet! No one has ever before spoken this way
in Israel! '

In the house of the father of the Bride of Cana,
an entertainment was given, at which the poor of
the place were fed and presents bestowed upon them.
Jesus and the Apostles served. At the close of the
feast, Jesus related the parable of the wise: and the
foolish virgins, explained it to His hearers, arid spoke
much of the near coming of the Bridegroom. It was
a kind of memorial feast of the marriage at Cana,
for now as then all the Apostles, disciples, and
friends were again assembled together. The house
was garlanded with flowers, and the water urns of
the first miracle were again in use. Children, bearing
wreaths and pyramids of flowers, entered the festive
hall playing on musical instruments. Bartholomew,
Nathanael Chased, and some of the disciples had
made some beautiful mottos relative to the spirit
ual nuptials of the soul with God.

From Cana Jesus went with all the Apostles and
disciples to the mount of instruction near Gabara.
They walked slowly in bands, and frequently paused
around Jesus to hear His words. He was very af
fectionate to them and often addressed them with
the words: " My beloved children! " He commanded
them to relate their experience, to tell how things
had gone with them. The Apostles spoke first. They
had on the preceding days recounted some of their ex
perience, though not all. Now each was to hear what
the others had done and all that had happened to
them. Jesus said to them so sweetly: " My dear
little children, now will be seen who has loved Me
and in Me My Heavenly Father; who has published
the word of salvation and wrought cures in order
to do My will, not his own, or not for the sake of
vain renown. " Thereupon they began to relate their
experience: first, an Apostle, and after him, the dis
ciple that had accompanied him. This took place
principally upon a hill which was about two hours

Jesus Silences Peter by a Look 453

from the mount of instruction and the same distance
from Cana. People used to ascend it for sake of
the view which around these parts was somewhat
limited.

Peter began eagerly to tell of the different kinds
of possessed that had fallen in his way, his manner
of treating them, and how Satan had retired before
him when commanded in the Name of Jesus. In his
enthusiasm, he had again forgotten the reproof re
ceived on board the ship. Once more, he was all
fire and zeal. He said that in the land of the
Gergeseans, he had encountered a couple of possessed
whom several others were unable to free from the
demon. Here he named the unsuccessful disciples,
among whom were the two Gergeseans, themselves
once possessed. But he, Peter, had easily expelled
the devils; they had instantly submitted to him. Jesus
silenced him by a look. Then raising His eyes to
heaven, while all looked on in breathless expectation,
He said: " I have seen Satan falling from heaven
like lightning. ' And at the same moment, I saw
a lurid light whirling and shooting through the air.
Jesus reproved Peter for his too great warmth, as well
as all the others that had, either in thought or word,
yielded to a spirit of boasting. They should, He
said, act and work in His name and by Him, in
humility and faith, never harboring the thought that
one could do more than another. He said: " Behold,
I have given you power to tread upon serpents and
scorpions and upon all the might of the enemy, and
ncthing shall hurt you. But yet rejoice not in this
that spirits are subject to you, but rejoice in this
that your names are written in heaven. ' Several
times He addressed them kindly and lovingly in the
words: " Beloved little children, " and listened to
the account given by many of them. Thomas and
Nathanael received a reprimand for some negligence
of which they had been guilty, but it was given with
great love and sincerity.

454 Life of Jesus Christ

\Vhile standing on the hill, Jesus appeared to be
penetrated with joy, grave and celestial, and He held
His hands raised to heaven. I saw Him surrounded
with splendor that fell upon Him like a transparent
cloud of light. He \v'as perfectly enraptured and, in a
transport of joy, He exclaimed: " I confess to Thee,
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou
hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father,
for so it hath seemed good in Thy sight. All things
are delivered to Me by My Father, and no one
knoweth who the Son is but the Father, and who
the Father is but the Son, and to whom the Son
will reveal it! ' And then turning to the disciples,
He said: " Blessed are the eyes that see the things
which you see! For I say to you that many Prophets
and kings have desired to see the things that you
see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things
that you hear, and have not heard them. "

Having arrived at the mount beyond Gabara, Jesus
delivered an instruction in detail upon all that the
Apostles had related to Him. He imparted to them
the knowledge of many things of which they as
yet knew not, and showed them wherein they had
erred or acted with too little resolution. He en
lightened them upon the different kinds of posses
sion and taught them how the demon should be
expelled. He spoke of all that was in store for
them, of His own mission and its near accomplish
ment, and told them that He would shortly allow
them to return to their homes to rest awhile, after
which they were again to labor, to teach, and spread
abroad the Kingdom of God. He thanked them for
their diligence and obedience, and then returned with
them to Gapharnaum whither they arrived as night
closed in. There were many others on the mountain
besides the Apostles and disciples.

On the following Sabbath Jesus taught in the syna
gogue of Capharnaum upon Samuel's resignation of

" He Is More Than a Prophet " 455

the judicial office. His words were grave and for
cible. The Pharisees felt themselves attacked on all
sides, but as they could detect nothing1 false in
Jesus' doctrine of which to accuse Him, they re
proached Him with the trifling imperfections they
had discovered in the actions of His disciples. They
said that His disciples did not observe the fast
rigorously, that they even stripped the ears of corn
on the Sabbath, and gathered fruit by the roadside
and ate it, that they were rough and unclean in their
clothing, that they entered the synagogues in garments
covered with the dust of travel and without being
decently let down, and that they were not particular
about washing before meals. Thereupon Jesus de
livered a discourse full of severe censure against
the Pharisees, in which He depicted their conduct
and actions, called them a race of vipers, who imposed
upon others burdens that they would by no means
take upon themselves. He alluded to their Sabbath
promenades, their oppression of the poor, their dis
honesty with regard to the tithes, their hypocrisy.
They blamed, He went on to say, the mote in their
neighbor's eye, while unmindful of the beam in their
own, and He ended by declaring that He would
continue His journeys, His teaching, and His healing,
until the time for His departure from this earth.
While Jesus was delivering this severe lecture, a
young man from among the Pharisees rising sud
denly and approaching nearer to Him, lifted his
hands to heaven and cried out in a loud voice:
" Surely, this is the Son of God, 'flie Holy One of
Israel! He is more than a Prophet! ' and thus
he continued to sound Jesus' praises in an inspired
strain. This incident created great excitement through
out the synagogue. Two old Pharisees grasped the
young man by the arm and dragged him out, he
proclaiming all the while the praise of Jesus, who
meantime went on with His discourse. When out
side the synagogue, the young man 'loudly and vehe-

456 Life of Jesus Christ

mently declared to those that he found there that he
had separated from the Pharisees. When Jesus left
the synagogue, he cast himself at His feet and ear
nestly implored to be admitted among His disciples.
Jesus assented on condition that he would leave
father and mother, give all that he had to the poor,
take up his cross,' and follow Him. Then some of
the disciples, among whom was Mnason, took the
young man off with them.

That evening Jesus closed the Sabbath exercises
in the synagogue. He had repaired thither with the
Apostles and disciples some time before the usual
hour, that all might hear what He had to say to
His followers and thereby understand that He had
no need to teach in secret. In this instruction, He
warned them against the Pharisees and false Prophets,
commanded them to be vigilant, explained the parable
of the good and watchful servants and contrasted
it with that of the slothful. As Peter during the
discourse asked whether His words were meant for
all His hearers or only for the disciples, Jesus now
addressed Himself to him. He spoke to him as if
he were the master of the house, the overseer of
the servants. He extolled the good householder, and
at the same time condemned severely the negligent
one that fulfilled not his duty.

Jesus continued to teach until the Pharisees came
to close the Sabbath, and when He wanted to give
place to them, they very courteously addressed Him
with, " Rabbi, do Thou explain the Lesson, " and
laid the roll of Scriptures before Him. Thereupon
Jesus taught in a manner most impressive, upon
Samuel's abdication of the judicial office. He quoted
the words used by him on that occasion, " I am
old 'and gray-headed; 5>1 and explained them in such
a way that the Pharisees could plainly see that He
was applying them to Himself. He said something

I, I Kings XII, 2, etc,

Jesus Teaches of the Messiah 457

to this effect: " Ye have had Me a long time among
you, and ye are tired of Me! Ye are constantly
renewing your accusations, but I am always the
same. "

Samuel's questions to the people, " Have I com
mitted this or that injutice against you? Have I
taken any man's oxen or ass? Have I oppressed any
one? " Jesus cited as those of God and the Sent of
God, and the explanation that He gave of them
pointed most clearly to those Doctors and Pharisees
who could not venture to put similar questions to
the people. The clamoring of the Israelites after
a king by whom, like the heathen nations they
wanted to be ruled, and their rejection of Judges,
signified, Jesus said, their perverse expectation of a
worldly kingdom, of a king and a Messiah surrounded
by magnificence, with whom they could pass their
life in splendor and enjoyment; a Messiah who, instead
of expiating their sins and disorders by His own
labors, sufferings, penance, and satisfaction, would
envelop them together with their filth and vices
in his own rich mantle of royalty, and even reward
them for their crimes.

That Samuel did not cease to pray for the nation
and that by his prayer he caused thunder and
lightning in the sky above them, Jesus explained
as an effect of God's compassion for the good; and
He assured them that the Sent of God, whom instead
of receiving they would reject, would likewise im
plore His Father's mercy for them until the end.
The rain and thunder granted to prayer, Jesus ex
plained as the signs and wonders that were to attend
upon the Sent of God to rouse and convert the
good. They and their king, as Samuel had said,
would find favor with God if they walked before
Him who would not reject them. Then Jesus de
clared to them that the righteous would receive justice
and the grace of knowledge, but against the wicked
Samuel would rise up in judgment, Jesus afterward

45S Life of Jesus Christ

referred to David and his anointing as king; in, op
position to Saul, to the separation of the good from
the bad, and to the destruction of Saul and his
family.

The Pharisees took care not to contradict Jesus
in the synagogue, that they might not (as was always
the case on such occasions), be put to shame before
the people. They had however resolved beforehand
to attack Him at the entertainment to which they
had invited Him along with the Apostles and a part
of the disciples. It was given in an open hall of the
house belonging to the Ruler of the synagogue, and
the,re were at least twenty Pharisees present. Before
taking their places at table, one of them put a large
wash-basin before Jesus, asking whether He did not
want to wash, and he went o'n talking of the holy old
customs and commandments of the Israelites, and call
ed upon Jesus and His followers to observe them.
But Jesus repulsed him. He told him that He saw
through his trick, and wanted no water from him.
When at table, they began to dispute with Him upon
the discourse He had 'delivered that day. But He con
victed and confounded them in such a manner that
many of them became perfectly furious, and several
others were so frightened and touched that during
the disputation which they carried on walking up
and down, twelve of them withdrew from their obstin
ate colleagues. Thus was the number of Jesus' ene
mies decreased.

One of the young men of Nazareth who had so often,
but vainly petitioned to be received among the dis
ciples, here presented himself again before Jesus with
the question: " Master, what must I do to possess
eternal life? Thereupon followed the scene re
corded in the Gospel, l and Jesus recounted the story
of the compassionate Samaritan. Meanwhile the Phar
isees reproached Jesus for not receiving the young

i. Luke X, 23-37.

Eleutheropolis 459

man among His disciples. It was, they said, because
the youth was well educated, and Jesus knew that
He could not silence him so easily as He could the
others. They again accused the disciples of irregular
conduct, of uncleanliness, o"f stripping the wheat ears
on the Sabbath, of gathering fruit on the wayside,
of eating out of time, of ill-breeding, and of many
other similar things. They reproached Peter in par
ticular with being a wrangler and quarreller like his
father. Jesus defended the disciples. They might in
deed be joyful, He said, as long as the Bridegroom
was with them. After these words He withdrew,
passing through the beautiful cemetery near the syna
gogue that lay in the direction of Jairus's house, and
thence by the "land route to Bethsaida. He prayed
alone until after midnight when He retired to His
Mother's. The Pharisees had hired the rabble to
throw stones after the disciples, but God protected
them. They knew not where Jesus had gone.

The Jews that had emigrated from Cyprus to Pal
estine lived at 'first in caves, but by degrees their
settlement became a city, which received the name of
Eleutheropolis. It was situated west of Hebron and
not far from the well of Samson. More than once
the Jews sought to destroy the little colony, but
after every attack of the kind, the inhabitants again
returned. The caves lay under the city, so that
in times of persecution, the inhabitants could take
refuge in them. In the first attack, which was made
at the time of the stoning of St. Stephen, w'hen the
colony between Ophel and Bethania was destroyed,
Mer curia lost her life. The people of this colony
often went to the Cenacle and to the church at the
Pool of Bethsaida, to carry thither their offerings and
contributions, and at the destruction of Ophel, they
fled to Eleutheropolis. Joses Barsabas, son of Mary
Cleophas and her second husband Sabas, became
the first Bishop of that city, and there during a
persecution he wa,s crucified on a tree.

460 Life of Jesus Christ

25. JESUS INSTRUCTS THE NEW DISCIPLES

UPON PRAYER AND THE EIGHT

BEATITUDES

Early the next day Jesus left Mary's house with
the latest received and not yet well instructed disciples,
and crossing the road between Capharnaum and
Bethsaida, went to that mount of instruction from
which He had once despatched the Apostles on their
respective missions. l It was about three hours from
Capharnaum. On the way, He encountered Mnason
and some other disciples along with the converted
Pharisee from Thanach near Nairn. The last named
had been very much touched by the cure of a Pharisee
at Thanach, and still more deeply impressed by Jesus'
last discourse on the mountain beyond Gabara. On
the Mount of the Apostolic Mission, there was a
well arranged and shaded place for holding instruc
tions. At the foot of the mountain, was a long hut
in which ten poor paralytics belonging to the sur
rounding country lay, their limbs fearfully contorted.
They were cared for by the shepherds of the district.
Jesus cured and instructed them.

Here in the solitude of the mountain, the disciples
entreated Jesus to teach them again how to pray.
He did so, repeating to them the Our Father, dwelling
at length on each separate petition, and explaining
it with the same examples that He had used on a
former occasion : that, for instance, of the man seeking
bread and persistently knocking at his friend's door,
until he got what he wanted ; that of the child asking
an egg of its father, who would surely not give it
a scorpion; and, in fine, all the other illustrations He
had already brought forward to show the effects
of persevering prayer and the paternal relations that
existed between God and man. He taught all His

I. See " The Mission of the Afostles and Disciples ; " p. 96.

Jesus Consoles His Mother 461

disciples in the same way, going over and over the
same instruction with touching patience arid unweary
ing pains, that they might be able in turn to repeat
everywhere on their missions exactly the same things,
He conducted these instructions to the disciples just
as one would do among children, questioning them
separately upon the explanations He had given, setting
them right, and again explaining what they had not
understood. Finally, He went over fhe whole prayer
and gave the interpretation of the word Amen, as
He had formerly done in Cyprus, saying that this
word contains everything in itself, that it is the be
ginning and the end 6f prayer. Some other people
and a couple of Pharisees from Bethsaida-Julias ar
rived while Jesus was speaking, and they too heard
a part of His instruction. One of the latter invited
Him to dine at his house in 'Bethsaida-Julias, which
invitation Jesus accepted.

When He and the disciples started for Bethsaida,
they directed their steps to the south of the Jordan
bridge. On their way they came, this side of Beth-
saida, to an inn where His Mother, the widow of
Nairn, Lia, and two other women, were waiting to take
lea.ve of Him, because He was now going to teach
on the other side of the Jordan. Mary was very
much afflicted. She had a private interview with
Jesus, in which she shed abundant tears and begged
.Him not to go to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Dedi
cation of the Temple. She spoke so supplicatingly
and in so loving a manner, that I felt she must
surely divine the holy destiny of her Son. Jesus sup
ported her on His breast and consoled her gently
and lovingly. He told her that He must fulfil the
mission for which His Father had sent Him and for
which also she had become His Mother, and that
she must continue strong and courageous, in order to
strengthen and edify the others. Then He saluted
the other women, gave them His blessing, and they
returned to Capharnaum, while He and the dis-

462 Life of Jesus Christ

ciples went on to Bethsaida- Julias where He was
received by the Pharisees. Besides those belonging
to the city, there were present some others from
Paneas, for it was a kind of feast-day commemora
tive of the burning of a bad book written by the
Saolducees. The Pharisees brought forward their old
complaints against Jesus. When about to take His
place at table, one of them pulle'd Him by the arm,
saying that he was astonished that a man who could,
teach so well as He, should be so little mindful of
holy observances as to eat without washing. Jesus
responded that the Pharisees purified the outside of
the cup and platter, but that within they were full
of wickedness. To this the Pharisee replied by asking
how1 He knew the state of his interior. Jesus answered
that God, who formed the exterior, made- also the
interior and that His eye could scan it clearly. The
disciples drew Jesus to one side and begged Him not
to speak with too much warmth, for they might pos
sibly be put out, but He reproved them for their
cowardice.

That evening Jesus taught in the synagogue, but
did not work any cures, for the Pharisees had in
timidated the people. They were very proud, and
had here a kind of high-school.

From Bethsaida-Julias, Jesus took a northeasterly
direction toward the mountain upon which the mul-
tiph" cation of the loaves had taken place. It was
about an hour and a half from Bethsaida. There
He found assembled all the Apostles and disciples with
many people from Capharnaum, Caesarea-Philippi, and
other places. He taught upon the Eighth Beatitude,

Blessed are ye when men hate and persecute you
for the Son of Man's sake, " also upon the passage
' Woe to the rich, to them that are filled with the
goods of this world, for in them they already have
their reward ; but as for you, rejoice that it is still
in store for you. " He spoke likewise of the salt of
the earth, of the city on the mountain, of the light

A Three Hours' Discourse 463

on the candlestick, of the fulfilling of the Law, of
the hiding of good works, of prayer made in the
privacy of one's chamber, and of fasting. Of the last
mentioned, Jesus said that it should be practised
joyously with anointing of the "head, and not be
turned into a sanctimonious parade of piety. He went
on to the laying up of treasure in heaven, freedom
from worldly solicitude, the impossibility of a man's
serving two masters, the narrow gate, the broad road,
the bad tree with its bad fruit, the wise man that
built on a solid foundation, and the fool that built
upon sand. This discourse lasted over three hours.
During it the audience went down once to the foot
of the mountain to get something to eat. Jesus con
tinued His instruction to the Apostles and disciples,
exhorting them upon all those points on which He
had spoken when sending them out upon former mis
sions. He animated them to believe, to have confi
dence, and to persevere. On the next day, the number
of His hearers having increased to several thousands,
Jesus taught again on the mountain. On account of
the caravans that traversed these parts, there were
people present from all sections of the country, also
many sick and possessed. The Pharisees in attend
ance had not come to dispute, although they received
some rather severe thrusts during the discourse. Jesus'
miracles were too manifest and the people too enthu
siastic over Him, to allow them a word. The people
had food with them, and they seated themselves on
the ground to partake of it. Among the cured, was a
blind man from Jericho, who had also been lame. One
of the disciples had cured him of lameness, but had
not restored his sight. He waft a cousin of Manahem
The latter led him to Jesus, who restored his sight.
The new disciples whom during these last days
He had with admirable patience taught like children
by question and answer, Jesus now sent out .two
and two with the words: " I send ye like sheep among
wolves. " One of Joseph of Arimathea's nephews ar-

464 Life of Jesus Christ

rived here from Jerusalem with the news that Laz
arus was sick.

Jesus kept with Himself only the Apostles Peter,
James, John, Matthew, and some of the disciples, with
whom He went to Matthew's custom office and thence
by sea to Dalmanutha, I saw Him afterward in
the city of Edrai where He taught on the Sabbath,
then in the Levitical city of Bosra, and finally in
Nobah.

In Nobah, outside the pagan quarter of the city,
dwelt a colony of sincere Rechabites. On their return
from the Babylonian Captivity, they found their city
in possession of the pagans, but they retook it and
again re-established themselves in it. They cherished
an extraordinary hatred against the Pharisees and
Sadducees, whom they shunned as much as possible.
They were engaged in cattle raising, and led a very
strict life. They drank no wine, excepting on certain
feast-days, and tenaciously held to the letter of the
Scripture. Jesus admonished them on this point, and
gave them an instruction on the spirit of the letter.
They were very humble, and took in good part all
that He said. Many were baptized, among them
some pagans, and a great number of possessed were
delivered from the Evil One. There was a whole
hospital full of these poor creatures at Nobah. Peter,
James, and John cured ~and taught also. Jesus met
no opposition in this place, and He effected a won
derful amount of good. He put up at the inn near
the synagogue. Nobah was a free city which, al
though belonging to the Decapolis, ruled itself.

From Nobah Jesus journeyed five hours southwest-
wardly to the exceedingly lovely pastoral village, called
the " Field of Jacob's Peace. It received this
name from the fact, that it was here when returning
to Palestine and pursued by Laban he had encamped
for the first time. The mountain range of Galaad r

I. Genesis XXXI, 25, etc.

The Field of Jacob's Peace 465

takes its rise here. The shepherds of this place were
the descendants of that Eleazar, Abraham's servant,
who had brought Rebecca for his master's son Isaac,
Among them also were some of the posterity of those
people whom Melchisedech had freed from the tyranny
of Semiramis and established in these regions. They
had afterward intermarried with the descendants of
Elea,zar. There were three beautiful wells in this
place. They lay at the foot of a lovely hill all around
which, as if built in a verdant rampart, were cool,
shepherd dwellings. At a. distance one might have
taken them for a mountain-terrace. The oldest and
most honorable among the herd owners dwelt on the
hill upon which there was likewise a place for
instruction. Far around were enclosed pasture-grounds
for camels, asses, arid sheep, each species having
its own, and near the fountains were reservoirs for
watering them. The shepherds dwelt in the neigh
borhood of the fountains, under tents that rested on
solid foundations. There were long rows of mulberry-
trees, but the most beautiful sight of all was a long
walk with palings on either side upon which ran a
vine, often to the distance of two hundred paces, laden
with fruit something like gourds. This walk lead from
the hill to Selcha and formed, as it were, one con
tinuous arbor. Some days before 'the inhabitants had
celebrated a feast commemorative of the deliverance
of their forefathers from the slavery of Semiramis.
They attended the synagogue at Selcha, and it was
from there too that teachers came to instruct themi.
This little village was held in respect throughout
the country around, and was looked upon as a monu
ment to Jacob's memory. HospitaUty was here exer
cised freely. For a trifle, the Arab caravans and
all other strangers were lodged and cared for by
the shepherds.

Toward midday, Jesus with three of the Apostles
arrived at one of the fountains, where the eldest
of the shepherds washed His feet and offered Him

Life of Jesus Christ. — HI. 3°

466 Life of Jesus Christ

fruit, honey, and bread. Jesus' coming had been
expected, consequently many sick had been carried
to the large house on the hill. Jesus cured them.
Nearly four hundred shepherds along with women
and children had assembled to greet Him. The
women's dresses were shorter than those worn in Pal
estine generally. Jesus gave them an instruction on
the hill, speaking to them with the greatest simplicity
and confidence. He reminded them of the caravan
of the Three Kings which, two and thirty years
before, had rested in this place. Then He spoke of
the star that was to rise out of Jacob and of which
Balaam had prophesied, of the newborn Child of
whom the Magi had been in search, of John, his
teaching and his testimony, and concluded by saying
that the promised Messiah, the Consoler, the Saviour,
was then in the midst of the Israelites, but that they
would not recognize Him. Jesus related to them
also the parables of the good shepherd, the seed
sown in the earth, and the harvest, for in this region
there was a harvest of fruit as well as of wheat the
ears of which were extraordinarily large. He told
them also of the shepherds near Bethlehem, of
their finding the Child even before the Kings, and
of the announcement made to them of it by the angels.
The people fell in love with Jesus, and many of them
wanted to leave all and follow Him, just for the
pleasure of listening to Him always. But He advised
them to remaim at home and practise what He had
taught them. From Selcha, which was almost an
hour north of this place, messengers arrived with an
invitation to Jesus to visit their city. He did so
with the disciples. He was solemnly received at the
city gate by the teachers and children in procession,
and He taught in the synagogue, taking for the
subject of His discourse the testimony rendered by
John. Many of His hearers were baptized and cured.
The children received His blessing.
From Selcha Jesus went with His followers for

" David's Way •*• 467

about an hour and a half along the so-called Way
of David which, following the windings of the valley,
led down to the Jordan. This road was deep, a
kind of hollow, in which water sometimes flowed.
It ran through the solitudes of the mountains, and at
several points along it (Were to be found places provided
with troughs and stores of fodder for the camels, also
rings for fastening them. When, journeying through
this country, Abraham saw a supernatural light on
this road and had a vision, and when Dayid, upon
the advice of 'Jonathan, sought safety for his parents
in the region of Maspha 1, he lay concealed here with
three hundred men, from which circumstance it receiv
ed the name of " Davids' Way. " David here received
from God a prophetic vision in which he saw the
caravan of the Three Kings and heard, as if from
the heavens open above him, melodious chanting
proclaiming the praises of the promised Consoler of
Israel. Malachias also being obliged to flee after
a battle, followed a mysterious light that led him to
this region where too he lay hid for a time; and
the Three Holy Kings, giving rein to 'their camels
upon leaving the confines of Selcha and entering
this road, descended by it singing sweet hymns of
thanksgiving. They then proceeded along the shore
until they reached the point opposite Korea, where
they crossed the Jordan and arrived at Jerusalem
through the desert beyond Anathot. They entered
the Holy City by the same gate through wich Mary
had passed when she went up from Bethlehem for
her purification.

From " David's Way, " Jesus turned to the little
place called Thantia, where He went immediately
to the synagogue, and taught, His subjects being
Balaam, the Star of Jacob, some passages From
Micheas, and Bethlehem Ephrata 2. He next went

1. / Kings XXII, 3.

2. Numbers XXII, 2; XXV, 10 ; et Mich. V, 7 ; VI, 9-

468 Life of Jesus Christ

to visit many sick in their own homes. He healed
them along with several others whom the disciples
had not been able to cure. There was no organized
care of the sick and the poor in Thantia. The dis
ciples had indeed endeavored to establish some
thing of the kind, but it was Jesus Himself who
effected the desired change. A great many of the
people received baptism from the disciples.

Both the people and the rabbis of Thantia were
pious. They were in the habit of making pilgrimages
to the " Way of David, " and there in fasting and
prayer, cry to Heaven for the coming of the Mess
iah. They indulged the hope of there having visions
and apparitions of the Messiah who, they thought,
would even come to them along that way. While
Jesus was preaching, they said more than once to
one another: " He speaks as if He were th3 Messiah
Himself! But no, that is not possible! " As they were
under the impression that the Messiah was to come
invisibly like an angel into Israel, they thought that
Jesus might possibly be His herald and precursor.
Jesus told them that they would perhaps recognize
the Messiah when it would be too late. I saw that
many from Thantia, both before and after the Cruci
fixion, joined the Community.

From Thantia Jesus journeyed four hours eastward
to the ruined citadel of Datheman. Near it was
the mountain that had been chosen by Jephte's
daughter upon which to mourn with her twelve young
companions. Upon it were prophets and hermits,
something like the Essenians. It was on this- same
mountain that Balaam was tarrying in solitude and
meditation when summoned by the Moabite king
to appear before him l. He was of noble origin,
his family very wealthy. From early youth, he had
been filled with the spirit of prophecy, and he belong
ed to that nation that was ever on the lookout for

i. Numbers XX II, j.

Balaam 469

the promised star, among whom were the ancestors
of the Three Holy Kings. Though a reprobate, Ba
laam was no sorcerer. He served the true God only,
like the enlightened of other nations, but in an im
perfect manner, mingling many errors with the truth.
Pie was very young when he retired into the solitude
of the mountains, and upon this one in particular he
dwelt a long time. I think he had around him some
other prophets, or pupils. When he returned from
the Moabite king, Balac, he wished to take ut> his
abode upon this mountain, but was prevented by
divine interposition. By his scandalous counsel to the
Moabites l, he fell from grace, and now he wandered
in despair around the desert in which at last he
miserably perished.

The people of this region believed firmly in the
sacred character of " David's Way. " They told Je
sus that they would not dwell in the country beyond
the Jordan where they could not dare make mentior?
of ail that had formerly been seen, all that had taken
place on the " Way of David. ?1

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS.
JESUS IN THE LAND OF THE THREE HOLY KINGS

1. JESUS IN BETHABARA AND JERICHO.
ZACHEUS THE PUB'LICAN

When Jesus and the Apostles approached Bethabara
on the Jordan, they found already assembled there
an innumerable crowd of people. The whole country
was full, and they were encamping under sheds and
trees. Numbers of mothers with crowds of children
of every age, even infants in the arms, were coming
in procession. As they proceeded up the broad street

I. Ibid. XXXI, 1 6.

470 Life of Jesus Christ

to meet Jesus, the disciples who led the way wanted
on account of His great fatigue (for He had already
blessed a great many) to repulse the women and
children, and that even a little rudely. But Jesus
checked them, and bade them bring the crowd to
order. On one side of the street stood in five long
rows children of all ages, one 'behind the other, the
boys and girls apart, the latter being by Tar the
mora numerous. The mothers with infants in their
arms were placed behind the fifth row. 'On the other
side of the street, stood the rest of the people, who
passed in turn from the last rank to the first. Jesus
now went down along the first row of children,
laying His hand on their head and blessing them.
He laid His hand on the head of some, on the breast
of others, some He clasped to His breast, and some
He held up as models to the others. He instructed
them, exhorted them, encouraged them, and blessed
them. When He had thus passed down one row
of children, He crossed to the opposite side of the
street and came up among the grown people, ex
horting and instructing them, and even placing be
fore them the example of some of the children. Then
He went down the next row of children and came
up, as before, among the grown people w~hose front
ranks had been replaced by those from behind. And
so it went on, until even the infants in the last row
had received a loving caress and blessing. All the
children blessed by Jesus, received an interior grace,
and later on became Christians. Jesus must have
blessed fully a thousand children on this occasion,
for the concourse continued during several days. He
labored constantly, ever grave, mild, and gentle, with
a, certain secret sadness in His manner very touching
to see. He taught now along the streets, now in
some house into which they had pulled Him by
His robe. He related many parables, by which He
instructed both the wise and the simple, and im
pressed upon the former the obligation of thankfully

Mary Salome's Request 471

returning to God all that they had received from
Him, as He Himself did.

Of the holy women, Veronica, Martha, Magdalen,
and Mary Salome were gone on to Jerusalem. I saw
Mary Salome with her sons, John and James the
Less, coming to Jesus and requesting that they should
be allowed to sit, one at His right the other at His
left. Messengers had been sent thither by the Phar
isees in Jerusalem, but many of them being converted
remained, while others, returning in a rage to Jerusa
lem, repented on the way and later on became Je
sus' followers.

Jesus left Bethabara with the Apostles, and on
His way He was entreated to visit a house in which
lay ten lepers. The Apostles, dreading contact with
the leprous, went on ahead in a southerly direction,
with the intention of waiting for Jesus under a tree.
The lepers, enveloped in their mantles and full of
sores, lay in a retired part of the house. Jesus
commanded them to do something, and it seems to
me that He touched one of them and then left them.
The lepers one after another were taken by two
people to a little pool near the house, and washed
in the bathing tubs, after which they were able to
present themselves to the priests as cured.

Jesus next went through another building that had
a four-cornered courtyard. On either side of the latter
was a covered archway, in one of which lay men.
sick and crippled, and in the other, afflicted women.
The beds werejaid in rows of hollow places, scooped
out in the ground to receive them. Another covered
way on the same line cut through the middle of the
house and led to a space in which the cooking and
washing were done. Between this middle walk and
those in which the sick lay, were grassplots. Jesus
again cured several here. As He proceeded on His
way, I saw following Him one of the lately healed
lepers proclaiming His praise. Jesus looked around,
and the man fell on his face giving thanks. Further

472 Life of Jesus Christ

on the route, Jesus blessed many children who had
been brought by their mothers to meet Him.

The road travelled by Jesus and the Apostles on
leaving Bethabara, ran on the right past Machaerus
and the city of Madian. They again approached the
Jordan, made a circuit of Bethabara, and went by
roundabout ways through a desert region toward
Jericho. As they proceeded on their journey, the
disciples who had been sent out on missions, returned
to Jesus one after another, and related to Him all
that they had done. He instructed them in parables,
but I remember only these words of His discourse:
' They who say that they are chaste, but who eat
and drink only what pleases their appetite, are like
those that try to extinguish a fire with dry woo'd. "
Another parable referred to the future of the Twelve
Apostles. Jesus said: " Now ye cling to Me, because
ye fare well; " but they did not understand that by
these words He meant, the peace and beautiful in
structions that they then enjoyed. ' In the time
of need, " He continued, " ye will act otherwise.
Even they whom I carry about with Me like a mantle
of love, will cast that mantle off and flee. " These
words referred to John in the garden of Gethsemani
In a little town near the Jordan, I saw a woman
entreating Jesus to cure her daughter who was covered
with ulcers. Jesus told her that He would send one
of the disciples to her. But she wanted Him to go
Himself which however He did not do. When He
was drawing near to Jericho, the wqman again ap
proached and beigged His aid. She urged that she
had now renounced all that He had commanded
her. Jesus however still repulsed her. Her child
was the fruit of sin, and Jesus reproached her with a
fault (it appeared to be but a small one) to which
she had already clung for several years. He told her
that she should not come again to Him until she had
freed herself from it. Then I saw the woman hurrying
past the Apostles and disciples toward Jericho.

" Herod, the Fo* " 473

Having almost reached the city, four Pharisees
sent by their colleagues of Jerusalem, came ari'd
warned Him not to enter lest Herod would put Him
to death. This they did however not because they
cared for Him, but because having heard of His
numerous miracles, they were afraid of Him. Jesus
replied that they should say to Herod, the fox, these
words only: " Behold, I cast out devils and do cures
to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I am con
summated1. " Two of these Pharisees were converted
and followed Jesus, but the other two returned in a
rage to Jerusalem.

Then came to Jesus two brothers belonging to
Jericho. They could not agree on the subject of their
patrimony; one wanted to remain, the other desired
to go away. One of them proposed that Jesus, so
renowned everywhere, should divide the patrimony
between them, and they had in consequence come
to meet Him. But He refused, saying that it was
not His business. And when even John remarked
to Him that it was a good work and Peter seconded
the word, Jesus replied that He was not come to
distribute earthly goods, but only heavenly ones. After
which He took occasion to deliver a long exhortation
before the rapidly increasing crowd. But the dis
ciples as yet did not always understand Him rightly.
They had not yet received the Holy Ghost and so
they went on expecting an earthly kingdom.

Jesus was again met by crowds of women with
their children, for whom they implored a blessing.
The disciples, disturbed by the recent menaces of
the Pharisees and desirous of shunning such excite
ment, tried to drive. the women ba£k, for they were
intrusted with the duty of keeping order. But Jesus
commanded them to allow the children to come for
ward. They needed His blessing, He said, in order
that they too might become His disciples. Then He

I. Luke XIII, 32.

474 Life of Jesus Christ

blessed many of the infants at the breast and the
children of ten and eleven years. Some "He did not
bless, but later on these again presented themselves.
Just outside the city, which was surrounded by
gardens, pleasure-grounds, and villas, Jesus and His
followers encountered a dense crowd, composed of
people from all parts of the country around. They
had assembled with their sick, who were lying on
litters under sheds and tents. They had been waiting
for Jesus, and now they beset Him and His disciples'
on all sides. Zacheus, one of the chief publicans,
who dwelt outside the city, had stationed himself on
the road by which Jesus had to pass. As he was
short in stature, he climbed a fig1 tree, in order to be
able to see Jesus better in the crowd. Jesus looked
up into the tree and said: " Zacheus, make haste
and come down, for this day I must abide in thy
house. " Zacheus hurried down, bowed humbly to
Jesus, and very much touched returned home to make
preparations for receiving his honored Guest. When
Jesus said that He must that day enter into Zacheus's
house, He meant into his heart, for on that day He
went into Jericho itself, and not into the house of
Zacheus. On arriving at the city gate, Jesus found
none of the people assembled to welcome Him, for
through dread of the Pharisees they were remaining
quietly in their homes. The crowd gathered at some
distance from the city were all strangers come to
implore Jesus' assistance in their various needs. He
cured a blind man and a deaf mute, but some others
He sent away. He blessed the children, especially
the babes at the breast, and told the Apostles that
men must in this way be accustomed to devote their
children from earliest youth to Him, and that all thus
blessed would follow Him. Among those sent away
was a woman afflicted with a flow of blood. She
had come some days before with the firm resolve to

i. Ftcus Sycomaus, Pharoah"1 s Fig, very common in Palestine.

Zacheus 475

implore Jesus for her cure. I beard Jesus saying to
the disciples that whoever does not persevere in prayer,
is not in earnest and has no faith.

As the Sabbath now began, Jesus went with His
Apostles and disciples to the synagogue of the city
and afterward to the inn. He and the Apostles dined
in the open refectory, the disciples in the archway.
The meal consisted of little rolls, honey, and fruit.
They ate standing, Jesus meantime teaching and relat
ing parables. Every three of the Apostles drank from
one cup, but Jesus had one to Himself. The woman
that had already been twice repulsed, came again to
Jesus imploring help for her daughter, but with no
better success than before, because she was not sincere.
She had been questioning among the Pharisees of
Jericho about what was said of Jesus in Jerusalem.
Zacheus also here presented himself to Jesus. The
new disciples had already taken it ill outside the city
that Jesus had accosted the ill-famed publican and
even wanted to abide with him, for Zacheus in par
ticular, was a subject of scandal to them. Some were
related to him, and they were ashamed of his remain
ing a publican so long and up to the present un
converted. Zacheus drew near the hall in which the
disciples were dining, but no one wanted to have any
thing to do with him, no one invited him to eat. Then
Jesus stepped out into the hall, beckoned Zacheus
in, and offered him food and drink.

On the following day, when Jesus went again to
the synagogue and told the Pharisees to give place
to Him as He intended to read and explain the Sab
bath Lesson, they raised a great contention, but they
did not prevail. He inveighed against avarice, and
cured an invalid who had been carried on a litter
to the door of the synagogue. The Sabbath over,
Jesus went with His Apostles to Zacheus's dwelling
outside of Jericho. None of the disciples accompanied
Him The woman so desirous of help for her daughter
again followed Jesus on the road out to Zacheus's.

476 Life of Jesus Christ

He laid His hand on her to free her from her own
bad disposition, and told her to return home for her
child was cured. During the meal, which consisted
of honey, fruit, and a lamb, Zacheus served at table,
but whenever Jesus spoke, he listened devoutly. Je
sus related the parable of the fig-tree in the vineyard
which for three years bore no fruit, and for which
the vine-dresser implored one more year o'f indulgence.
When uttering this parable, Jesus addressed the A-
postles as the vineyard, of Himself He spoke as the
owner, and of Zacheus as the fig tree. It was now
three years since the relatives of the last named had
abandoned their dishonorable calling and followed Je
sus, while he all this time had still carried on the
same business, on which account he was looked upon
with special contempt by the disciples. But Jesus had
cast upon him a look of mercy when He called him
down from the tree. Jesus spoke also of the sterile
trees that produce many leaves, but no fruit. The
leaves, He said, are exterior works. They make a
great rustling, but soon pass away leaving no seed
of good. But the fruits are that interior, efficacious
reality in faith and action, with' their capability of
reproduction, and the prolongation of the tree's life
stored away in the kernel. It seems to me that Jesus
in calling Zacheus down from the tree, did the same
as to engage him to renounce the noise and bustle
of the crowd, for Zacheus was like the ripe fruit
which now detached itself from the tree that for three
years had stood unfruitful in the vineyard. Jesus spoke,
likewise, of the faithful servants who watched for the
coming of their lord, and who suffered no noise that
could prevent them from hearing his knock.

It appeared as if Jesus was now in Jericho for the
last time, and as if He wished to pour out upon it
the fulness of His love. He sent the Apostles and
disciples two by two out into the districts around
into which He Himself would go no more. In Jericho
itself, He went from house to house, taught in the

The Enraged Pharisees 477

synagogue and on the streets, and everywhere to a
great concourse of people. Sinners and publicans
encompassed Him on all sides, and on the roads by
which He had to pass, lay the sick sighing and im
ploring help. He taught and cured without inter
mission, and was so earnest, so gentle, and so tranquil.
The disciples on the contrary were anxious and dis
satisfied on account of Jesus' so unconcernedly ex
posing Himself to the snares that the enraged Phar
isees, of whom almost a hundred were gathered here
from different parts of the country, sought to prepare
for Him. They sent messengers to Jerusalem to con
sult as to how they could take Him into custody.
The Apostles too were in a certain dread, as if they
thought that Jesus laid Himself open to danger and
treated with the people rather rashly. Once I saw
Jesus surrounded by a great crowd seeking His help,
and among them were some sick that had caused
themselves to be carried to Him. The disciples mean
while kept at a distance. The palsied woman with
the issue of blood whom He had already sent away
more than once, had caused herself to be carried to
the bath of purification, or expiation, with which was
connected the forgiveness of sin. She crept afterward
to Jesus and touched the hem of His robe. He in
stantly stood still, looked after her, and healed her.
The woman arose, thanked her Benefactor, and re
turned cured to; her home in the city. Jesus then
taught upon persevering and repeated prayer. He said
that one should never desist from his entreaties. I was
thinking meantime of the great charity of the good
people who had brought the woman so long a distance,
carrying her here and there after the Lord, and
begging the disciples to inform them whither He was
going next, that they might procure for her a good
place. Owing to the nature of her sickness, which
was regarded as unclean, she could not rest anywhere
and everywhere. She had to solicit her cure for eight
days long.

478 Life of Jesus Christ

Before Jesus' departure from Jericho, messengers
from Bethania brought to the disciples the news of how
earnestly Martha and Magdalen were longing for
His coming, as Lazarus was very sick. Jesus how
ever did not go to Bethania, but to a little village
north of Jericho. Here too a crowd had assembled,
and numbers of sick, blind, and crippled were awaiting
His arrival. Two blind men, each with two guides,
were sitting by the roadside, and when Jesus passed
by, they cried out after Him begging to be cured. The
people tried to silence them with threats, but they
followed Jesus, crying after Him; " Ah, Thou Son
of David! have mercy on us! " Then Jesus turned,
commanded them to be led to Him, and touched their
eyes. They saw and followed Him. A great tumult
arose on account of the cure of these blind men, as
well as of those to whom Jesus had restored sight on
His entrance into Jericho. The Pharisees instituted
an inquiry into the case, and interrogated the father
of one of the cured as well as himself. The disciples
meantime were very desirous that Jesus should go
to Lazarus 's, in Bethania, for there they would be in
greater peace and less molested. They were in truth
a little discontented, but Jesus went on curing num
bers. Words can not express how gentle and forbear
ing He was under such imputations, attacks, and
persecutions, and how sweetly and gravely He smiled
when the disciples wanted to divert Him from His
purpose. He next went in the direction of Samaria.
Not far from one of the little villages along the high
road, about a hundred paces to one side, there stood
a tent in which ten lepers were lying in beds. As
Jesus was passing, the lepers came out and cried to
Him for help. Jesus stood still, but the disciples went
on. The lepers entirely enveloped in their mantles
approached, some quickly,, others slowly, as their
strength permitted, and stood in a circle around Jesus
He touched each one separately, directed them to
present themselves to the priests, and went on His

" Where Are the Nine? " 479

way. One of the lepers, a Samaritan, and the most
active of the ten, went along the same road with two
of the disciples, but the others took different routes.
These were not cured all at once; although able to
walk, they were not made perfectly clean till about
an hour afterward.

Soon after this last encounter, a father from a shep
herd village, a quarter of an hour to the right of the
road, came to meet Jesus and begged Him to go back
with him to the village, for his little daughter was
lying dead. Jesus went with him at once, and on the.
way was overtaken by the cured Samaritan who,,
touched by his perfect cure, had hurried back to thank
his Benefactor. He cast himself at the feet of Jesus,
who said: " Were not ten made clean? and where
are the nine? Is not one found among them to return
and give glory to God, but only this stranger? Arise,
go thy way! Thy faith hath made thee whole! ' This
man later on became a disciple. Peter, John, and
James the Greater were with Jesus at this time. The
little girl, who was about seven years old, was already
four days dead. Jesus laid one hand on her head,
the other on her breast, and raising His eyes to heaven
prayed, wherupon the child rose up alive. Then
Jesus told the Apostles that even so should they do
in His name. The child's father had strong faith;
and full of confidence he had awaited Jesus' coming.
His wife wanted him to send word to Jesus, but he
was full of hope and waited until He came. Soon
after he gave up his business to another and, when
his wife died after Jesus' death, he became a disciple
and acquired a distinguished name. The little girl
restored to life likewise became very pious.

Jesus next visited the shepherd huts that lay scattered
far around, and cured many of the sick in them,
went from hut to hut all along the mountainous country
in the direction of Hebron. I saw Him alone with
Peter in one of these abodes in which' a marriage was
being celebrated. The bridal couple returned from

4SO Life of Jesus Christ

the nuptial ceremony, which was performed in the
school, escorted by their friends and walking under
a kind of canopy. A band of little girls adorned with
wreaths of colored wool led the way playing on lutes,
and gaily dressed boys with similar instruments brought
up the rear of the procession. A priest from Jericho
was present. When the party entered the house, they
were both surprised and delighted to see Jesus, who
bade them not to interrupt the wedding festivities lest
some might be vexed at it. The guests then drank
out of little glasses. The bride retired with the women,
and the children played and danced before her. Then
I saw the bridegroom and the bride go to "Jesus in a
room set apart, where He again joined their hands,
with His own right and blessed their clasped hands,
and gave them an instruction upon the indissolubility
of marriage and the merit of continency. After that
He reclined at table with Peter and the priest, while
the bridegroom waited upon them. The priest how
ever was angry that the most honorable places had
been given to the stranger guests, Jesus and His Apos
tles, and so he soon withdrew from the entertainment.
I saw too that he hunted up some of the Pharisees
who later on unexpectedly attacked the Lord and called
Him to account. In the heat of their discussion, one
of them pulled His mantle from His shoulder % but
Jesus remained calm. As they could neither harm
Him nor gain a victory over Him, they withdrew.

Jesus, with more than ordinary love and kindness,
tarried awhile in this shepherd dwelling. The bride's
parents and some others of the old shepherds who
presented themselves before Him, belonged to those
that had visited Him at the Crib on the night of
His Birth. They began at once in touching terms, to
tell all about that night and to honor Jesus, and the
younger ones related what they had heard about it
from their deceased parents. They brought to Jesus
some aged sick who, on account of the feebleness
of old age, could no longer walk, also some sick chil-

" No Man Can Serve Two Masters

481

dren, and Jesus cured them all. He told the youm?
married couple to go after His death to His Apostles
to be baptized and instructed, and to become His fol
lowers During the whole journey, I never saw Jesus
so bright and cheerful as He was among these simple
people. I saw that all who had honored Him, in His
childhood received the grape to become Christians
b rom this place, Jesus took a more southerly direc
tion into the mountainous district toward Juttah The
wedding guests formed His escort. He had with Him
now six Apostles including Andrew. On the way He
cured a number of sick children who were very much
swollen and unable to walk. The people of this region
were not very good. When Jesus reached a little vil
lage among the mountains, He went straight to the
synagogue to teach. The priests forbade it, and went
to call assistance, but they were obliged to resign the
teacher's chair to Jesus, to whom the peopie'listened
with joy. The disciples were eager for Jesus now
to turn His steps to Nazareth, His native city, since
He was always making allusion to His approaching
end. But He was desirous that the good among the
people here should profit by the time remaining to
Him, and so He did not go to Nazareth. He taught
upon the words: " No man can serve two masters. "
,He said also that he was come to bring the "sword
upon earth, that is to say, the separation from all
that is bad. It was thus He explained this word to
the disciples.

2. JESUS ON THE WAY TO BETHANIA,
THE RAISING OF, LAZARUS

As Jesus was tarrying in a little place near Samar
ia where too the Blessed Virgin and Mary Cleophas
were come to spend the Sabbath, they received the
news of Lazarus 's death. After this event, which
happened in Bethania, his sisters left that place and
went to their country-house near Ginasa, with the

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 3I

482 Life of Jesus Christ

intention of there meeting Jesus and the Blessed Vir
gin. The remains of Lazarus were embalmed and
swathed in linen bands, according to the Jewish custom,
and then laid in a coffin of woven rods with a convey
cover. All the Apostles were again united around Je
sus. They went in several bands to Ginasa, where
Jesus taught in the synagogue and, after the closing
exercises of the Sabbath, went out to Lazarus's country-
house. There they found the Blessed Virgin, who
had gone on "before. Magdalen came to meet Jesus-
and to tell ;Him of her brother's death, adding the
words: "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother
had not died! " Jesus replied that his time was not
yet come and that it was well that 'he had died. Still
He told the two sisters to allow all the effects of
their brother to remain at Bethania, for that He
Himself would go there shortly. The holy women,
therefore, set out for Bethania, while Jesus and the
Apostles returned to Ginaea, from which they went
to the inn one hour distant from Bethania. Here an
other messenger came to "Him bearing the earnest
request of the sisters thja,t !He should repair to 'Bethania,
but He still delayed to go. He rebuked the disci
ples for their murmuring and impatience at His delay
ing so long to go to "Bethania. He was always like
one that could not give an account of His views and
actions to them, because they did not understand
Him. In His instructions to them He was always
more desirous of discovering to them their own
thoughts and, on account of their earthly-mindedness.
of arousing in them distrust of self than of informing
them of the reasons of things that they could not
comprehend. He still taught upon the laborers in
the vineyard, and when the mother of James and
John heard Him speak of the near fulfilment of His
mission, she thought it only proper that His own
relatives should have honorable posts in His Kingdom.
She consequently approached Him with a petition to
that effect, but He sternly rebuked her.

Lazarus in the Tomb 433

At last Jesus turned His steps to Bethania, continu
ing all along the way His instructions to the Apostles.
Lazarus 's estate stood partly within the walls surround
ing the environs of the city, and partly, that is, a
portion of the garden and courtyard, outside those
walls, which were now going to ruin.

Lazarus was eight days dead. They 'had kept him
four days in the hope that Jesus would come and raise
him to life. His sisters, as I have said, went to
the country-house near Ginsea, to tneet Jesus; but
when they found that He was still resolved not to
go back with them, they had returned to Bethania
and buried their brother. Their friends, men and
women from the city and from Jerusalem, were now
gathered around them, lamenting the dead as was
the custom. It seems to me that it was toward even
ing when Mary Zebedeus went in to Martha, who
was sitting among the women, and said to her softly
that the Lord was coming. Martha arose and went
out with her into the garden back of the house. "There,
in an arbor was Magdalen sitting alone. Martha
told her that Jesus was near, for through love for
Magdalen, she wanted her to "be the first to meet the
Lord. But I did not see Miagdalen go to Jesus, for
when He was alone with the Apostles and disciples,
He did not allow women easy access to Him. It was
already growing dusk when Magdalen went bacld to
the women and took Martha's place, who then went
out to meet Jesus. He Was standing with the Apos
tles and some others on the confines of their garden
before an open arbor. Martha spoke to Jesus and
then turned back to "Magdalen, who also by this!
time had come up. She threw herself at Jesus' feet,
saying: " If Thou hadst been here, he would not
have died! " All present were in tears. Jesus too
mourned and wept, and delivered a discourse of great
length upon "death. Many of the audience, which
was constantly increasing outside the bower, whisper-

484 Life of Jesus Christ

ed to one another and murmured their dissatisfaction
at Jesus' not having kept Lazarus alive,
fit seems to me that it was very early in the morning
when Jesus went with the Apostles to the tomb
Mary, Lazarus's sisters, and others, in all about seven
women, were likewise there, as also a crowd of people
which was constantly on the increase. Indeed the
throng presented somewhat the appearance of a tumult,
as upon the day of Christ's Crucifixion. They proceed
ed along a road upon either side of which was a
thick, green hedge, then passed through a gate, after
which about a quarter of an hour's distance brought
them to the walled-in cemetery of Bethania. From
the gate of the cemetery, a road led right and left
around a hill through which ran a vault. The latter
was divided by railings into compartments, and the
opening at the end was closed by a grate. One could
from the entrance see through the whole length of
the vault and the green branches of the trees waving
outside the opposite end. Light was admitted from
openings above.

Lazarus's tomb was the first on the right of the
entrance to the vault, down into which some steps
led. It was a four-cornered, oblong cave, about three
feet in depth, and covered with a flat stone. In it
lay the corpse in a lightly woven coffin, and around
it in the tomb there was room for one to wafk. Jesus
with some of the Apostles went down Into the vault,
while the holy women, Magdalen, and Martha remain- -
ed standing in the doorway. But the crowd pressed
around so that many people climbed up on the roof
of the vault and the cemetery walls in order to see.
Jesus commanded the Apostles to raise the stone from
the grave. They did so, rested it against the wall,
and then removed a light cover or door, that closed
the tomb below that stone. It was at this point
of the proceedings that Martha said: '" Lord, by
this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days.
After that they took the lightly woven cover from the

" Lazarus, Come Forth! " 485

coffin, and disclosed the corpse lying in its winding-
sheet. At that instant Jesus raised His eyes to heaven,
prayed aloud, and called out in a strong voice : " Laz
arus, come forth! " At this cry, the corpse arose to
a sitting posture. The crowd now pressed with so
much violence that Jesus ordered them to be driven
outside the walls of the cemetery. The Apostles,
who were standing in the tomb by the coffin, removed
the handkerchief from Lazarus 's face, unbound his
hands and feet, and drew off the winding-sheet.,
Lazarus, as if awakening from lethargy, rose from the
coffin and stepped out of the grave, tottering and
looking like a phantom. 'The Apostles threw a mantle
around him. Like one walking in sleep, he approach
ed the door, passed the Lord, and went out to where
his sisters and the other women had stepped back
in fright as before a ghost. Without daring to 'touch
him, they fell prostrate on the ground. At the same
instant, Jesus stepped after him out of the vault and
seized him by both hands, His whole manner full of
loving earnestness1.

And now all moved on toward Lazarus 's house. The
throng was great. But a certain fear prevailed among
the people, consequently the procession formed by
Lazarus and his friends was not impedqd in its move
ments by the crowd that followed. Lazarus moved
along more like one floating than Walking, and he
still had all the appearance of a corpse. Jesus walked
by his side, and the rest of the party followed sobbing
and weeping around them in silent, frightened amaze
ment. They reached the old gate, and went along
the road bordered by verdant hedges to the avenue
of trees from which they had started. The Lord
entered it with Lazarus and His followers, while
the crowd thronged outside clamoring and shouting.

At this moment Lazarus threw himself prostrate on
the earth before Jesus, like one about to be receive(

I. See Introduction. Part, 2. N° 58.

486 Life of Jesus Christ

into a Religious Order. Jesus spoke some words, and
then they went on to the house, about a hundred
paces distant.

Jesus, the Apostles, and Lazarus were alone in the
dining-hall. The Apostles formed a circle around Je
sus and Lazarus, who was kneeling before the Lord.
Jesus laid His right hand on his head and breathed
upon him seven times. The Lord's breath was lumin
ous. I saw a dark vapor withdrawing as it were
from Lazarus, and the devil under the form of a black
winged figure, impotent and wrathful, clearing the
circle backward and moir: ring on high. By this
ceremony, Jesus consecrated Lazarus to 'His service,
purified him from all connection with the world and
sin, and strengthened him with the gifts of the Holy
Ghost. He made him a long address in which He
told him that He had raised him to life that he might
serve Him, and that lie would have to endure great
persecution on the part of the Jews.

Up to this time, Lazarus was in his grave clothes,
but now he retired to lay them aside and put on his
own garments. 'It was at this moment that his sisters
and friends embraced him for the first time, for be
fore this there was something so corpselike about
him that it inspired terror. I SAW meanwhile that
Lazarus 's soul during the time of its separation from
his body, was in a place peaceful and painless, light
ed by only a, glimmering twilight, and that while
there he related to the just, Joseph, Joachim, Anne,
Zachary, John, 'etc., how .things were going with
the Redeemer on earth.

By the Saviour's breathing upon him, Lazarus re-
. ceived the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost and was
perfectly freed from connection with1 earthly things.
He received those gifts before the Apostles, for he
had by his death become acquainted with great mys
teries, had gazed upon another world. 'He had actually
been dead, and he was now! born again. He could
therefore receive those gifts. Lazarus comprises in

Tumult in Bethania 487

himself a deep significance and a profound mystery.
And now a meal was ready, and all reclined at
table upon which were many dishes and little jugs.
A man served. After the meal the Women entered,
but remained at the lower end of the hall, to hear
the teachings of Jesus. Lazarus was sitting next Him.
There was a frightful noise around the house, for many
had come out from Jerusalem!, even the guards, anq
were now besetting the house. But Jesus sent the
jostles out, to drive off both people and guards.
Jesus continued His instruction till after lamplight,
and told the disciples that He was going next morn
ing with two Apostles to Jerusalem. When they placed
before Him the danger attending such a step, He
replied that He would not be recognized, that He
would not go openly. I saw them afterward taking
a little sleep, leaning around against the wall.

Before daybreak Jesus accompanied by John and
Matthew, who had girded up their garments somewhat
differently from their usual custom, started from
Bethania for Jerusalem. They went around the city
and, taking by-roads, reached the house in which
later on the Last Supper was celebrated. There they
rremained quietly the whole day and the next night
Jesus instructing and confirming His friends .of the
city I saw Mary Marcus and Veronica in the house,
and fully a dozen men. Kicodemus, to whon* the
house belonged, but who had gladly resigned it for
the use of Jesus' friends, wa,s not there,
on that very day gone to Bethania to s Lazzrus^

I saw also a gathering of Pharisees and High
Priests who had come together to discuss Jesus anc
Lazarus. Among other things I heard them say that
they feared Jesus would raise all the dead, and
what confusion would ensue!

At noon on that day, a great tumult arose in Beth
ania. If Jesus had been there they would have
stoned Him. Lazarus was obliged to hide, and he
Apostles, to slip away in different directions. All

488 Life 6f Jesus Christ

other friends of Jesus in Bethania were likewise forced
to he in concealment. Minds became calm how
ever when people took into consideration that they
had no right to take action against Lazarus

Jesus passed the whole night till early next morn
ing in the house on Mount Sion. Before day He
Jerusalem with Matthew and John, and fled
across the Jordan, not by the route He had formerly
taken on the side of Bethabara, but by another off
to the northeast It may have been toward noon
when He Beached the opposite shore of the Jordan
That evening the Apostles from Bethania joined Him'
and they spent the night under a great tree
A *\morning they started for a little village in
the neighborhood, and on their way found a blind
man lying on the roadside. He was in charge of
boys who were not (however related to Hirm
i shepherd from the region of Jericho. He
had heard from the Apostles that the Lord was com
ing that way, and he was now crying out to Him for
a cure. Jesus laid His hand on his head and the
man received his sight. Then he cast off his old
s and, m his under-garment, followed Jesus to
the village, where in a hall Jesus taught of following

T! •??. Sfld that they who Canted to do so must
as the blind man did his rags, leave all to follow
Him with full use of their sight. A mantle was given
to the man cured of blindnesk He wanted to join
Jesus at once, but he was put off till he should prove
5

Jesus taught here until nearly even
ing There were about eight Apostles with Him

Uter that, as He drew near a little city, Jesus
was hungry. I could not help smiling at the thought
of His being hungry, for Jesus' hunger was very

s^nff nF fr°m ^ of °7thers- He was hungering after

souls From the last place that He had visited, some

people who had not the right dispositions went with

iim. On the roadside stood a fig-tree that bore

ruit. Jesus went up to the tree and cursed it It

An Extraordinary Journey 489

withered on the instant, its leaves turning yellow, and
the trunk becoming crooked. Jesus taught in the school
upon the sterile fig-tree. There were some malevolent
Doctors and Pharisees, who invited Jesus to take
His departure. A little stream spanned by a bridge
ran by this place1 into the Jordan. The school was
built on an eminence. Jesus and His party spent;
the night at an inn.

3. JESUS BEGINS HIS JOURNEY INTO THE
LAND OF, THE THREE HOLY KINGS

Next day when Jesus and His companions left that
last place, they took a northeasterly direction through
the land of the tribe of Gad. I heard Jesus saying
whither He was now about to journey. He told the
Apostles and disciples that they should separate from
Him, designated to them where they should and
where they should not teach, and where they should
again join Him. He was now, He said, about to
make an extraordinary journey. He would spend the
next Sabbath in Great Corozain, then go to^Beth-
saida, and from there to the south into the region of
Machaerus and Madian. Thence He would proceed
to where Agar had exposed Ismael3 and Jacob had
set up the stone3. Then He would journey to the
east around the Dead Sea and on to the place upon
which Melchisedech had offered sacrifice before Abra
ham. On this site there stands to-day a chapel,
in which Divine Service is sometimes celebrated. It
is built of red stone, and overgrown with moss. ^ Jesus
declared His intention of going likewise _to Heliopolis
in Egypt where He had once dwelt in childhood.
There were some good people there who as children
had played with Him, and who had not entirely for-

1. Betharan, perhaps.

2. Bersabfe, to the south of Palestine.

3. Gen. XL VI, /, 4, et XXVI, 23, 24.

490 Life of Jesus Christ

gotten Him. They were constantly asking what had
become of Him, but they could not believe that He
of whom they heard so much was the Child of their
remembrance. He will return from the other slda
through Hebron and the valley of Josaphat, pass the
place at which He had been baptized by John, and
through the desert in which He had been tempted.
He announced that His absence would be for about?
three months, and that His followers would be sure
to find Him at the end of that time at Jacob's Well
near Sichar, though they 'might meet Him before that,
when He would be returning through Judea. He gave
them minute instructions in a long discourse, above
all as to how they should during His absence conduct
themselves in their missionary duties. I remember
these words, that wherever they were not well re
ceived, they should shake the dust from their shoes.
Matthew returned home for awhile. He was a mar
ried man. His wife was a very virtuous person and,
since Matthew's vocation, they had lived in perfect
continency. He was to teach in his own home, and
quietly put up with the contempt of his former as
sociates.

In Great Corozain, Jesus taught on the Sabbath
in the synagogue. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were
with flim. Toward noon a man from Capharnaum
who had been waiting for Jesus, approached Him.
His son, he said, was sick unto death, and He im
plored the Lord to go with him and cure him. But
Jesus commanded him to return home, for his son
was already restored to health. There were ' many
others gathered around Jesus, some belonging to the
city, and others from a distance. Some were sick
and looking for a cure, others were in search of con
solation. He satisfied some at once, "but to others
He held out the promise of future assistance.

On the evening of that Sabbath, Jesus took leave
of the inhabitants outside the synagogue, and proceed
ed with several of the Apostles up to where the Jordan

Into the Land of Basan 491

empties into the sea, in order to cross to the other
side. The ferry was higher up, and that made the
journey much longer. Here they crossed on a kind
of raft formed of beams laid one over another like a
grating. In the centre, on a raised platform, was
a coop, or little half-tub into which the water could
aot penetrate, and there the baggage o'f the passengers
was deposited. The raft was propelled by means of
long poles. The shore of the Jordan was not very
high in this place, and it seems to me< there were some
little islands lying around in this part of the river.
I saw the Lord and the three Apostles travelling by
moonlight. Outside of Bethsaida, as was customary
at the entrance to the cities of Palestine, stood a long
shed, under which travellers used to ungird their
garments and brush off the dust of travel before
entering the city; generally some people were to be
found there to wash their feet. This was the case
on the arrival of the Lord and the Apostles, after
which they repaired to Andrew's, where they partook
of a meal of honey, rolls, and grapes. 'Andrew was
married, and his house was by no means a small
one. It had a courtyard, was surrounded by walls,
and was situated at one side of the city. Peter and
Philip accompanied the Lord, but Andrew went on
ahead. There were in all twelve men present at the
meal, and at the end of it, six women came in to hear
Jesus' teaching. Next day, as He was leaving Beth
saida with the three Apostles, He paused for awhile
in a house outside the city, in which were all kinds
of goods and chattels peculiar to fishing. A great
many men were assembled there, and Jesus gave
them an instruction. Setting out at last, He journey
ed up the shore of the Jordan, crossed the bridge
far above the ferry just mentioned, arid proceeded
through eastern "Galilee to the land of Basan.

I saw in a region beyond the Jordan, a district cov
ered with white sand and tiny white pebbles, several
'disciples in an open shepherd shed awaiting the Lord's

492 Life of Jesus Christ

coming. They had brought with them three youths,,
tall and slim. While awaiting Jesus, the disciples
had gathered yellow and green berries as large as
figs, also little yellow apples that grew some on t>ushes,.
others on trees, from which they broke them off with
chopping-sticks. The road by which Jesus and the
three Apostles came, appeared to be not much1 fre
quented, for it was overgrown with long grass, and
extended under an avenue of spreading fruit-tree?
whose branches interlaced overhead. The Apostles
broke off some of the fruit and put it into their
pockets, but Jesus took none. He had travelled all
night through mountainous districts. The disciples
who had been awaiting His coming, now went 'forward
to meet Him. They pressed around Him with words
of salutation, but without offering their hands. In front
of the shed, lay a long, broad, four-cornered log,
around which Jesus and the others threw themselves
in a reclining posture as at table, and before each
was placed a portion of the fruit just gathered. They
had brought with them also little jugs containing
some kind of beverage. Off in the distance lay a
city and behind it rose a mountain-chain. I think this
region was in the land of the Amorrhites. From
this place the road again took a downward direction.
I saw Jesus and His companions journeying the
wholes day and, in the evening, arriving at a little
scattered village. On the roadside stood an inn. The
travellers entered and were soon surrounded by a
crowd of inquisitive people. They had not heard
much of Jesus, but they were "for the most part good
and simple-hearted. Jesus related to them the parable
of the good shepherd, and then travelled on a short
distance to another inn, at which He and His followers
ate and slept. The Lord told the latter that He
intended to go alone with the three youths through
Chaldea and the land of Ur, Abraham's birthplace,
and thence through Arabia to Egypt. The disciples
should scatter here throughout the district and instruct

Eremenzear, Sela, Eliud 493

the inhabitants; as for Himself, He added, He would
teach wherever He went. In fine He again told them
that, at the end of three months, they would meet
at the Well of Jacob near Sichar. I saw Simeon,
Cleophas, and Saturnin among the disciples.

At dawn of day Jesus bade farewell to the Apostles
and disciples, to each of whom He extended His hand.
They were very much troubled at His taking with
Him only the three youths. These youths were from
sixteen to eighteen years old and very different from
the Jews. They were more slender and active, and
wore long garments. They were like children to' Jesus
whom they waited on most affectionately. Whenever
they came to water, they washed His feet. The_y ran
off on the road here and there, and came back with
little rods, flowers, fruits, and berries. Jesus instructed
them most lovingly and explained to them in parables
all that had happened up to that time. The parents
of these youths belonged to the family of Mensor.
They had come to Palestine with the caravan of the
(Three Kings and, at the departure of the same for
home, had remained behind among the shepherds in
the Valley of the Shepherds. They became Jews,
married the daughters of the shepherds, and came
into possession of meadow-lands between Samaria and
Jericho. The youngest of the youths was named
Eremenzear and later on was called Hernias. He
was the boy whom Jesus, at the prayer of his mother,
had cured in the region of Sichar, after His interview
with the Samaritan at Jacob's Well. The next one
was Sela, or Silas, and the eldest, Eliud, received
in baptism the name of Siricius. They were called
also, the secret disciples; and at a later period, they
were associated with Thomas, John, and Paul. Ere
menzear wrote an account of this journey.

On this journey, Jesus wore a brownish tunic, krott
or woven, that fell around Him in folds long and i
over that He had a long garment of fine white wool
with wide sleeves. It was fastened at the waist by a

494 Life of Jesus Christ

broad girdle of the same material as the scarf that
He wound around His head when sleeping". Jesus
was taller than the Apoistles. Walking or standing, His
fair, grave face rose above them. His step was firm,
His bearing erect. He Was neither thin nor stout,
but nobly formed with an appearance of perfect health!
His shoulders were broad, and His chest well develop
ed. Exerjcise and travelling had strengthened His
muscles, although they presented no sign of hard
labor.

The road taken by Jesus and the youths after
parting from, the Apostles. Was a constantly ascqnding,
one in a direction toward the East, over a white, sandy
soil and through cedars and date-trees. Opposite arose
the mountains of Galaad. Jesus Wanted to spend the
coming Sabbath in the last Jewish city met in this:
direction. I think it was called Cedar. Jesus and
the youths ate on the way the fruits of the trees and
berries. The youths carried pouches filled with little
rolls, jugs containing some kind of drink, and staves.
The Lord sometimes broke off a staff for Himself
from a tree in passing, and again cast it aside. His
feet otherwise bare were protected by sandals. In
the evening they went to some solitary house occupied
by rude, simple people, and there slept for the night-
Jesus nowhere made Himself known, although He
everywhere taught in beautiful parables of all kinds,
but principally in those relating to the good shepherd!
The people questioned Him about Jesus of Nazareth,
but He did not tell that it was Himself. He in turn
put questions to them concerning their work; their
business affairs, so that they concluded He was a
travelling shepherd looking around after good pasture-
kinds, as was often the case in Jewish countries. I
did not see Him effect any cure nor work any miracle
in these parts. Next morning He journeyed on. He
may now have still been some miles from Cedar,
which was built on rising ground, the mountain-chain

Jesus Journeying to the Southeast 495

behind it. Abraham's fatherland was in this direction,
but far off toward the northeast ; the land of the Three
Kings was toward the southeast.

Some of the disciples had returned to their homes,
while others had scattered around the country teach
ing. Zacheus of Jericho accompanied them awhile,
after which he returned home, gave up his business,
sold all that he had, bestowed the proceeds upon the
poor, and went with his wife (with whom he henceforth
lived in continency) to another place. The Lord told
the disciples that nine weeks would pass before they
should join Him again.

The excitement in Jerusalem on account of Lazarus
was very great. Jesus absented Himself during it,
that people might lose sight of Him, while the con
viction of the truth of this miracle disposed many to
conversion. When Jesus returned He was very thin.
There is no written account of this journey, since
no Apostle accompanied the Lord on it; perhaps too
the Apostles did not even know of all the places in
which He had been. "As well as I remember, I then
saw this road for the first time.

Jesus journeyed on with His three young companion?
to the southeast, taking byways most frequently, and
spending the night like the preceding one among the
shepherds in a solitary house. The people of these
parts were good and artless. They gazed at Jesus in
wonder, and loved Him at once. He related to them
many of the parables He was accustomed to use in
Judea, and to them they listened with delight. But
He neither healed nor blessed. When they asked Him
about Jesus of Nazareth, He answered by telling them
about those that had quitted all to follow Him, and
then passed to parables that ' explained what He had
said. The people thought He was a shepherd look
ing around for herds or meadows.

496 Life of Jesus Christ

4. JESUS IN CEDAR.

Jesus and the youths reached Cedar before the
Sabbath. They had not travelled by the highroad,
but by roundabout ways. As it was too late to enter
the city, they passed the night at a large public inn
at which other wayfarers had sought shelter. There
were open sheds with sleeping accommodations in the
inclosure, and the whole was surrounded by a court
yard. A man, the one that superintended the establish
ment, unlocked the inn, after which he returned to
the city. Next morning, he came out again to the inn
and then received a small sum for his services. The
travellers went their several ways, but the superin
tendent took Jesus and His companions back with him
to his own house in the city. Cedar was situated at
the foot of a mountain, in a valley through which flow
ed a river. It consisted of an old and a new city
separated by the little river which flowed from the
east and off toward Palestine. The shore was very
steep, and the river was spanned by two arches very
solidly built. On this side the place was poor and
insignificant, and inhabited principally by Jewish shep
herds who likewise engaged in the manufacture of light
huts, shepherd and stable utensils. On the opposite
side, Cedar presented a more opulent appearance
There were no Jews there, but only heathens. The
Jewish costume was somewhat modified here, for some
of the people wore a pointed cap. In the city this side
of the river, there was a synagogue, and upon a
square surrounded by grassplots and walks of clean
white sand, played a fountain. This was the most
beautiful spot in the city.

The Lord and the boys went with their host to the
synagogue, and quietly celebrated the Sabbath. At the
end of the prayers, Jesus asked whether -He might
venture to relate something to them, and when the
good people showed their willingness to listen, He
recounted the parable of the Prodjgal Son They

Seeking the Lost Lambs 497

listened attentively, admired Him greatly, but knew
not who He was. He called Himself a shepherd seek
ing the lost lambs, in order to lead them into good
pasture. They regarded Him as a Prophet and,
during the rest of the day, conducted Him to their
houses where too He taught. The next day He gave
an instruction at the fountain. The men and women
sat at His feet, and He pressed the children to His
breast. He told them about Zacheus climbing up the
fig-tree, of his leaving all and following Him; of him
who in the Temple had said: " I thank God that I
am not like the publican; " and lastly, of that other
who striking his breast said: " Lord, be merciful to
me, a poor sinner! " The inhabitants of Cedar be
came very fond of Jesus and thought no harm of Him.
They begged Him to stay with them till the next
Sabbath and then teach again in their school, and
when they asked Him about Jesus of Nazareth, He
related to them many things of Him and His doctrine.
On leaving this place, Jesus and His travelling com
panions proceeded eastward from Cedar into a country
of beautiful meadow lands and palm trees, and thence
to Edon. On the way, He visited a house that stood
off by itself, and in which both the father and mother
of the family had long been bedridden with incurable
maladies. Several children were going and coming
around the house. All were good. Here also they
asked Him about Jesus of Nazareth of whom they
Jti'ad heard divers reports. Jesus answered them in a
beautiful parable of a king and his son, in which He
spoke of the One of whom they inquired. He told
them that He would be persecuted, and that He
would return to His Father's Kingdom, which He
would share with all those that had followed Him.
As Jesus spoke I had a vision of His Passion, His
Ascension, His throne, surrounded by all the angels
and set next His Father's, meaning His dominion
over the world; and, lastly, I saw the reward portion
ed out to His followers. I saw likewise the vision

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 32

498 Life of Jesus Christ

of His Kingdom and the whole parable that He was
relating to the people, and I saw too that He im
pressed upon their heart a lasting picture of it. When
He asked them whether they believed all He had
told them and whether they would follow the good
King, and they had protested their belief and their
willingness, He promised the two old people that God
would reward them by curing them and allowing
them to follow Him to Edon. And all on a sudden,
they were restored to health and, to the astonishment
of the beholders, were indeed able to follow Jesus
to Edon. The man's name Was Benjamin, and he
was a direct descendant from Ruth. I think that
Titus was either a son or a relative of this couple
so suddenly cured. He was at that time between
fourteen to sixteen years old. He went to Cedar
and to every other place in this region in which Jesus
taught, in order to hear Him and to listen to others
talking about Him. Marcus, whose birthplace was
nearer Judea, was acquainted with this family, and
so too was Silas.

Jesus and the three youths, on leaving that house,
went on to Edon through lovely fields and meadows
shaded by palm trees. Jesus carried a shepherd's
crook in His right hand. In' the public feast-house,
on a, large, open square to the left of the entrance
to the city, a marriage was being celebrated. The
house contained a large hall, at the end of which
was the kitchen. All around it were sleeping apart
ments in each of which there were three beds that
could be separated from one another by an orna
mented screen. Although it was clear daylight, a
lamp was burning in the hall. The guests, male
and female, as also the bride and bridegroom, adorn
ed with flowery wreaths, were all assembled in the
same apartment. Boys were singing and playing
upon flutes and other instruments. These pious peo
ple were awaiting Jesus, whom they looked upon
as a Prophet. They had heard of His teaching and

Jesus Prays 499

parables in Cedar and the surrounding district, and
had in consequence invited Him to their wedding.
They received Him joyfully and reverently, washed
His feet and those of His young companions, and
dried them with their own garments. They took
from Jesus His staff, placed it in a corner, and pre
pared for Him a table. On it were some little rolls,
a, honeycomb almost a foot in length, and some red
berries from the top of which they detached before,
eating a little circle of black leaves tipped with white.
There were too little earthen jugs and cups on
the table and some small dishes. The last mentioned
Icoked like glazed earthenware, out of which with
little spoons they put something into their drink. The
guests reclined at table upon small leaning benches,
and to Jesus was given the seat "between the bride
groom and the bride. The women sat at the lower
end. Jesus blessed the food and drink, of which
all then partook.

During the meal, Jesus taught. He told the guests
about that Man in Judea who at the marriage of
Cana in Galilee had changed water into wine. When
the couple whom the guests had known so long as
sick but who had been restored to health made their
appearance, the amazement was great. They related
all that the Lord had told them of the King and His-
Kingdom, declared their belief in it, and said that they
were as certain of having a .share in that same King
dom as they were now conscious of the fact of having
been cured. Jesus repeated to them the parable and
told them in plain words that there was still a wall
between them and the dominions of that King, but that
they could force their way through- it if they would
overcome themselves. It was morning before the party
retired to bed. The Lord and the young boys sleiSt
back of the dining-h'all. 'Before He lay down how
ever He went aside, and kneeling prayed with up
lifted hands to His Heavenly Father. I saw streams
of light issuing from His mouth, arid another stream

500 Life of Jesus Christ

of light, or an angelic form, descending toward Him.
This often happened even in full daylight, when at
any time Jesus retired to a solitary place to pray.
I knew this about Him even in my childhood, and
when I saw Him praying thus alone, I tried to im
itate Him. I saw the Blessed Virgin up to the con
ception of the Saviour, generally standing in prayer,
her hands crossed on her breast, and her eyes lower
ed; but after the most holy Incarnation, she generally
knelt, her face raised to heaven, and her hands
uplifted.

Next morning, on account of the great concourse of
people, Jesus taught in the open air. He settled
many matrimonial affairs, for the people of this place,
had lost the true conception of the Lav/ on that head.
They wanted to espouse two blood-relatives in suc
cession, and they questioned Jesus on the matter.
He explained to them that it was not allowed by the
Mosaic Law, and they promised to refrain from such
unions. It was told Jesus also that in one of the
neighboring places, a certain man was on the point
of marrying for the sixth time, his five deceased
wives being sisters of the present affianced. Jesus
said that He would visit that place. He returned
to Cedar for the Sabbath, and taught the whole day
in the school. He gave decisions upon many ques
tions and doubts concerning the Law and marriage,
and reconciled some married couples that were at
variance.

5. JESUS GOES TO SICHAR-CEDAR AND

TEACHES UPON THE MYSTERY OF

MARRIAGE

From Cedar Jesus with .a numerous escort, wended
His way northward, the country everywhere present
ing a more level aspect. I saw them reach a shep
herd village, outside of which were open sheds, long

A Funereal Feast 501

rows of trees with interlacing branches, and huts
formed of green boughs and leaves. Under one of
the sheds, all partook of figs, grapes, and dates.
They were still there, the night being mild and
lovely, when the stars shone out in the sky and
the 'dewdrops glittered brightly below.

When the rest of the party dispersed to their homes,
Jesus with the three youths went around the district
teaching, and arrived toward evening of the following-
day at the little city of Sichar- Cedar, built .011 the
declivity of a mountain range. Some people came
out to meet Him. They conducted Him to the public-
house of the city, which was something like that of
Cana, in Galilee, and there He found a crowd as
sembled. Some young married people had lost their
parents by a sudden death, and they were now enter
taining at this house all those that had followed the
remains to the grave. In front of the house was a
courtyard enclosed by a railing-, and in it an ar
bor of skilfully woven foliage. In each of the four
corners stood a stone cistern full of water out of
which grew creeping plants. They were trained up
on palings and then allowed to run on arches to the
centre of the yard, where a carved column of marble
supported the verdant roof thus formed. The plants,
like reeds or sedges, retained their freshness a long
time. This decoration, as well as all the garlands
that adorned the house, was of extraordinary beauty.
In a hall just off the courtyard, Jesus' feet and those
of His companions were washed, and the customary
refreshments presented. Then they went to another
apartment in which a meal was in readiness. Jesus
insisted upon serving at table. He handed to all
the guests bread, fruit, and large pieces of honeycomb,
and poured from jugs into xthe drinking-cup of each
three kinds of beverage: one was a green juice; an
other, some kind of yellow drink; and the third, a per
fectly white fluid. Jesus taught all the time. Sichar-
Cedar was the place of which Jesus had been told at

502 Life of Jesus Christ

the wedding-feast, that so many were living there jn
unlawful marriage relations.

Only the husband of 'the mourning married couple
was present at the funereal feast. He was named
EHud. He had been at the marriage-feast at Edon.
and on his return home found that both his parents-
in-laW had departed this life. They had died sud
denly, overcome by grief, at the discovery that their
daughter, Eliud's wife, was an adulteress. Eliud him
self had no intimation of the fact, nor consequently
of the cause of the sudden death of his parents-in-law.
When the meal spoken! of above was over, Jesus
allowed Himself to be conducted by Eliud to his
home. The youths did not go with Him'. Jesus spoke
to the wife in private. She was in great sorrow. She
sank at His feet in tears, and confessed her sin.
When Jesus left her, Eliud conducted Him to His
sleeping-chamber. I saw the Lord saying some grave
and touching words to iiim and, when Eliud left
Him, "He prayed awhile and then went to rest. Early
next morning, Eliud with a wash-basin and a green
branch, went in to Jesus who w'as still lying on the
bed supported on His arm. .He arose, Eliud washed
His feet, and dried them in his own garments. "Then
the Lord told him to conduct Him to his chamber,
for that He wanted in turn to wash his feet. Eliud
would not hear to this. But Jesus told him gravely
that if he would not yield, He would instantly leave
his house, that it must be, that if he wanted to follow
Him, he must not refuse to obey. On hearing these
words, Eliud led Jesus to his bedchamber and brought
Him a basin of water. Jesus grasped him by the
hands, gazed lovingly into his eyes, said a few1 words
on the subject of foot-washing, and then informed him
that his wife was an adulteress, but penitent, and
that he must pardon her. At Lthis information Eliud
fell prostrate on the ground, Writhing and weeping in
an excess of mental agony. Jesus turned away from,
him and prayed. After a little while, the first bitter

Jesus Converting Sinners 503

struggle being over, Jesus went to Trim, raised him
from the ground, spoke words of consolation to him,
and washed his feet. When" Eliud had become calm.
Jesus commanded him to call his wife. He did\ so,
and she entered the room closely veiled. Jesus took
her hand, laid it in that of Eliud, blessed them both,
consoled them, and raised the wife's veil. Then He
dismissed them with directions to send their children
to Him, whom when they came He blessed and led
back to their parents. From this time forward, Eliud
and his wife remained faithful to each other, and both
made a vow of continency. On that same day, Jesus
visited many other homes in torder to lead their
occupants from the error of their ways. I saw him
going from house to house, conversing with the people
upon their various affairs, and thus winning their
confidence.

On the mountain near this place, Sicnar-C sdar
there were whole rows o"f beehives. The declivity of
the mountain was terraced, and on the terraces rest
ing 'against the mountain stood numerous square,
flat-roofed beehives about jseven feet in height, the
upper part ornamented with knobs. They were placed
in several rows, one above the other. They were
not rounded in the back, but pointed like a root, and
they could be opened from top to bottom on the shelf
side. The whole apiary was enclosed by a fine trell
of woven reeds. Between these stacks of hives, there
were steps leading up to the terraces, .and to 1
railings on either side bushes bearing white blossoms
and berries were trained. One could mount from ter
race to terrace, upon each of which were similar
arrangements for bees. „

When Jesus was asked by the people whence
had come, He invariably answered in Parables, to
which they gave simple-hearted credence Under th,
bower of the public-house, He delivered an ms ruc
tion, in which He related the parable of the ng s
son who came to discharge all the debts of his sub-

504 Life of Jesus Christ

jects. His hearers took the parable in its literal
sense, and rejoiced greatly over what it promised
Jesus then turned to the parable of the debtor who
after having obtained a delay for the payment of
his own great debt, insisted upon bringing before the
judge the man that owed him a trifle. He told them
also that His Father had given Him a vineyard which
had to be cultivated .and pruned, and that He was
looking for laborers to replace the useless, lazy ser
vants whom He was going to chase away, and who
were mete images of the branches they had neglected
to prune. Then He explained to them the cutting
away of the vinestock, spoke of the quantity of use
less wood and foliage, and of the small number
if grapes. To this He compared the hurtiful elements
that had through sin entered into man. These, He
said, should be cut off and destroyed by the exercise
of mortification in order that fruit might be produced.
This led to some words on marriage and its precepts,,
as well as upon the modesty and propriety to be ob
served in it, after which He returned to the vine
and told the people that they too ought to cultivate
They replied quite innocently that the country
was not adapted to vine culture. But Jesus responded
that they ought to plant it on that side of the mountain
occupied by the apiary, for that was an excellent ex
posure for it, and then He related a parable treating
bees. The people expressed their readiness to
labor in His vineyard, if He would allow them But
He told them that He had to go and discharge the
debts, that He had to see that the true vine was
put into the wine-press, in order to produce a life-
giving wine, and to teach others how to cultivate and
prepare the same. The simple-hearted people were
troubled at the thought of His going away, and im
plored Him to remain with them. But He consoled
them by saying that, if they believed in Him He
I send them one who would make them laborers
m His vineyard. I saw that the inhabitants of this

The Mother's Duty 505

little place were afterward baptized by Thaddeus,
and that all emigrated during a persecution.

Jesus recalled none of the Prophecies, performed
no miracles in this place. In spite of their moral
disorders, these people were simple and childlike.
Married couples living apart were again united by
Jesus, and He explained to the man who, after having
married live sisters, was now about to espouse the
sixth, that such unions were unlawful.

Jesus gave another instruction upon marriage. He
illustrated His subject by deeply significant similitudes
taken from the cultivation o? the vine, the care of
the vineyard, and the pruning away of the superfluous
branches. I was particularly impressed by His re
markable and clearly convincing words to this effect,
that wherever discord reigned in the married state ancl
wherever marriage failed to produce good, pure^fruit,
the fault lay principally on the wife's side. It is for
her to endure and to suffer, it is for her to form, to
preserve the fruit of marriage. By her spiritual labors,
iand victories over self, she can perfect her own soul
and the fruit of her womb, she can eradicate whatever
evil there may be in it, since her whole conduct, ^all
her actions redound to the blessing or the ruination
of her offspring. In marriage there should be no ques
tion of sensual gratification, but only of penance and
mortification, of constant fear, of constant warfare
against sin and sinful desires, and this warfare it best
carried on by prayer and self-conquest. Such struggles
against self, such victories over self on the mother's
part, secure similar victories to her children. All thi?
instruction was given by the Lord in words as wonder
ful for their significance as 'for their simplicity,
said many other things, clear and precise, on the
same subject. I was so impressed by the truth of
what He said and its great necessity that the thought
rushed impetuously to my mind: Why is not all
put in writing! Why is there no disciple present whc
could write it all down,- that people far and wide

506 Life of Jesus Christ

might know it? -- for in the whole of this vision I
was, as it were, present among Jesus' audience, and
I followed Him here and there. As I was so earnestly
revolving that thought, my Heavenly Bridegroom turn
ed and addressed me in words to this effect: " I rouse
charity, I cultivate the vineyard wherever it will best
produce fruit. Were these thing's written down, they
would suffer the fate of so many other writings, they
would fall into oblivion, or be misinterpreted, or*
utterly condemned. The words that I have just spo
ken, as well as innumerable others that have never
been written, will become more productive in effects
than what has been preserved in writing. It is not
the written Law that is obeyed, but they that believe,
hope, and love, have everything written in their heart."
The way in which Jesus taught all this, the constant
use of parables by which He illustrated from the
nature of the vine all that He said of marriage and,
on the other hand, the borrowing from marriage apt
illustrations of the cultivation of the vine, - - all was
inexpressibly beautiful and convincing. The people
questioned the Lord most simply, and He gave them
answers that showed still more clearly how perfectly
His similitudes explained His doctrine.

At noon the nuptial ceremony between a poor young
couple took place in front of the synagogue, and at
it Jesus assisted. Both were good and innocent, con
sequently the Lord was very kind to them. The
bridal procession to the synagogue was headed by
little boys of six years with wreaths on their head
and flutes in their hands, white-robed maidens- carry
ing little baskets of flowers which they strewed on
the ground, and youths playing on harps, triangles,
and other musical instruments now little known. The
bridegroom was dressed almost like a priest. Botb
he and the bride were attended by assistants who
during the ceremony, laid their hands on their shoul
ders. The marriage was performed by a Jewish priest,
in a hall whose roof had been opened just above the

Jesus Teaching on Marriage 507

bridal party. It was near tlie synagogue. When the
stars began to appear in the sky, the Sabbath exercises
were celebrated in the synagogue, after which a fast
that lasted until the next evening was begun. When
that was over, the wedding festivities were held in
the public house used on such occasions, during which
Jesus related many parables, such as that of the
prodigal son and the mansions in His Father's house.
The bridegroom had no house of his own. He was
to make his home in that belonging to the mother
of his bride. Jesus told him that, until he should
receive a mansion in His Father's house, he should
take up his abode under a tent in the vineyard which
He Himself was going to lay out on the mount of
the bees. Then He again taught on marriage, upoi?
which He dwelt for a long time. If married people,.
He said, would live together modestly and chastely,,
if they would recognize their state as one of penance,
then would they lead their children in the way of
salvation, then would their state become not a means
of diverting souls from their end, but one that would,
reap a harvest for those mansions in His Father's
house. In this instruction, Jesus called Himself the
Spouse of a bride in whom all those that should be
gathered, would be born again. He alluded to the
marriage-feast of Cana, and told of the changing
of water into wine. He always spoke of Himself ip
the third person, as of that Man in Judea whom He
knew so well, who would be so bitterly persecuted,
and who would finally be put to death.

The people heard all this in simple, childlike faith,
and the parables were for them real facts. The bride
groom appeared to be a school-teacher, for Jesus told
him how he should teach; not like the Pharisees, He
said, who imposed burdens that they themselves would
not touch, but he should teach by his own example.
Jesus made allusion also to 'Jsmael, for Cedar and
the country around were peopled by his descendants.
They were, for the most part, shepherds, and esteemed

508 Life of Jesus Christ

themselves inferior to 'the people of Judea, of whom
they spoke as of a very great nation, a chosen race.
They still clung to< the ancient manner of living. The
owner of numerous herds lived in a large house
surrounded by a moat and, in the midst of the
pasture-grounds by which it was encompassed, stood
the houses of the under-shepherds. To the well, which
belonged to the head proprietor, only his own herds
had a right to go, though those of his neighbors
enjoyed the same privilege if there existed an agree
ment to that effect. Such patriarchal settlements were
scattered thickly here and there though otherwise the
place was of little importance.

Moved thereto by Jesus/ words, the people deter
mined to build for the newly married pair a light
habitation on the be.e mount where later on, the
vineyard was to be laid out. Every friend in the
place constructed for the tent a light wicker wall,
which was then covered with skins, and afterward
coated with something of a viscid nature. When 3
piece of the work was finished, it was transported
to the site for which it was destined. Each one did
what was in his power, .some more, some less, and
they shared with one another whatever was needed.
.The Lord told them how all was to be done, and they
listened in wonder at His knowing so much about such
things. He had taught them at the marriage-feast
that the old and the poor should take the upper places.
Jesus went with the people to the little hill in front
of the bee mountain, in order to choose there the
best site for the vineyard. The back of the tent was
to rest against the rising ground of the vineyard. As
the Feast of the New* Moon just now began, all re
turned with Jesus to the public-house. He knew that/,
when He said that they should build a house for
the newly married pair, many had thought ancl saicj
to one another: " Perhaps He has no house of His
own, no place of abode. Will He, perhaps, take up
His residence with these people? " Therefore it was

Mutual Charity 509

that Jesus now told them that He was not going to
stay among them, that He had no abiding place on
this earth, that His Kingdom was yet to come, that
He had to plant His Father's vineyard, and water
it with His Blood upon Mount Calvary. They could
not now comprehend His words, He said, but they
would do so after He had watered the vineyard.
Then He would come back to them from a dark
country. 'He would send His messengers to call
them, and then they would leave this place and
follow Him. But when He should come again for
the third time, He would lead into His Father's King
dom all those that had faithfully labored in the vine
yard. Their sojourning here was not to be long,
therefore the house they were building was to be a
light one, rather a tent that could be easily removed,
Jesus next gave a long instruction upon mutual char
ity. They should, He said, cast their anchor in the.
heart of their neighbor, that the storms of the world
might not separate and destroy them. He spok
again in parables of the vineyard, saying that
would remain only long enough to lay out the vine
yard for the newly married pair and teach them
plant the vines, then He would depart m order '
cultivate that belonging to His Father. Jesus taugtit
all these things in language so simple, and yet
nicely adapted to the point in question, that I
became more and more convinced of its truth ret
ing at the same time their simplicity. He taught : ther
to recognize in all nature, in life itself, a law hidde
and holy, though now disfigured by sin.
struction lasted till late into the night and wh
Jesus wanted to take leave of them the peopl
detained Him. They clasped Him in their arms
claiming: « Explain it all to us again that : we ^may
understand it better. " But He replied that they should
practise what He had preached to them, and Me
promised to send them one that would ma*
clear to them. During this assembly, they partook

510 Life of Jesus Christ

of a slight repast, at which all drank out of the
same cup.

The young man for whom the Lord had caused the
house to be built, was named Salathiel ; and the bride's
name was a word that signified " pretty, " or *' bru
nette1. " With the greater part of the inhabitants of
the place, they were baptized by Thaddaeus. The
Evangelist Mark also was in this region for awhile.
Thirty-five years after Christ's Ascension, Salathiel
with his wife and three grown up sons removed to
Ephesus. I saw him there in company with the gold
smith Demetrius, who had once raised an insurrection
against Paul, but who was afterward converted. De
metrius gave him a long account of Paul, and narrated
the history of his conversion. Paul was not then
at Ephesus. Salathiel, his three sons, and Demetrius
went to join him, while the wife of the first named
'emained behind at Ephesus in a house to which
nany from her own country came and resided witb
,ier. Almost all the Jews left Ephesus at this time.
Salathiel and his three sons, Demetrius, Silas, and 3
man named Caius were all in the same ship with Paul
when he suffered shipwreck near the island of Malta,
and they went with him to the island. From; his
prison in Rome, Paul assigned to each of the three
sons of Salathiel the place in which he was to labor.

When Jesus went with the men to the bee mount,
in order to show them how to plant the vines, the
site for the tent-house was already marked off and
an espalier erected. The men told Jesus that grapes
raised in those parts, were always bitter, to which
Jesus responded that that was because they belonged
to a poor species. They were of a bad stock, they
were allowed to run wild without pruning, conse
quently they had the appearance only of grapes
without their sweetness. But, He added, those that
He was now about to plant, would be sweet. The in-

I. " Br'iunchen, oder Feinchcit. "

The Body the House of the Soul 511

struction turned again upon marriage which, Jesus
said, could produce pure, sweet fruit only when it
was guarded by self-command, mortification, and mod
eration united to pain and labor.

From the young plants that He had ordered to be
brought to the spot, Jesus chose five, which He laid
in the ground that He had Himself previously loosen
ed, and He showed the men howl to bind them to
the espalier in the form of a cross. All that He said
while thus engaged of the nature and training of
the vine referred to the mystery of marriage and the
sanctification of its fruit. When Jesus continued this
instruction in the synagogue, He spoke of the obliga
tion ot continency in order to conception and, as a
proof of the same, brought forward the depth of
corruption into which men had 'fallen in this par
ticular. Man, He said, might in this respect learn a
lesson from the elephant. (There were a few of these
animals in that region). At the close of the instruction
Jesus repeated that He must now soon leave them.
in order to plant and water the vine on Mount Cal
vary, but He would send some to teach them all
things and to lead them into His Father's vineyard.
When at the same time He spoke of the Kingdom and
the mansions of His Father, the people asked Him
why He had brought nothing with Him from that
Kingdom and why He went about so poorly clad.
Jesus answered that that Kingdom -was reserved
such as followed Him, and that no one would receive
it without deserving it. He was, He said, a stranger
seeking for faithful servants whom He might call
into the vineyard. He had therefore built the bride
groom's house so lightly/because the earth was not
to be a permanent abode for his posterity and they
were not to cling to it. Wrhy should a solid habita
tion be constructed for the body, since it is i
only a fragile vessel? It .should indeed be cared
and purified as the house of the soul, as 2
temple, but it should not be polluted, or to the preju-

512 Life of Jesus Christ

dice of the soul either over-burdened or treated too
delicately. From such discourse Jesus turned again
to the house of His Father, to the Messiah, and all
the signs by which He might be recognized. Among
the latter He mentioned the fact, that He was to
be born of an illustrious race, though of simple,
pious parents, and added that, according to the signs
of the time, He must have already come. They should,
Jesus said, attach 'themselves %> Him and observe
His teachings.

Jesus next taught on the love of the neighbor and good
example. Turning to the bridegroom Salathiel, He
told Him to allow his house to stand open, to have,
perfect confidence in what He had said to him, and
to live piously; if he did so, God would guard his
house for him and nothing would be stolen from him.
Salathiel had received for his new house far more
than was actually needed, for Jesus had inveighed
against selfishness. They must, He said, be willing
to sacrifice for God and the neighbor. The commu
nication between Jesus and these people became more
and more intimate and, in order to rescue them from
the ignorance into which they had fallen, He taught
under manifold similitudes upon the chastity, mod
esty, and self-conquest that should grace the married
state. The similitudes referred to the sowing and
the harvest. He went also to visit two parties who
were about to marry, ndtvvithstanding their relation*
ship to each other in prohibited degrees. One couple
were blood relatives. Jesus summoned them into His
presence and told them that their design sprang from
the desire of temporal goods, and that it was not
lawful. They were terrified on finding that He kne\v
their thoughts, for no one had said anything to Him
about it; so they relinquished their intention. Here
they washed one another's feet, and the bride wiped
Jesus' feet with the end of her veil, or the upper
part of her mantle. Both the man and the woman
recognized Jesus by His teaching as more than a

The Holy Mystery 513

Prophet. They were converted and followed Him.
Jesus next went out to a house in the country, in
which lived a step-mother who wanted to marry 'her
step-son, though the latter as yet 'did not clearly com
prehend her design. Jesus made known to the son
the danger in which he was, and bade him flee from
the place and go labor at Salathiel's, which he obedi
ently did. The Lord washed his feet also. The
step-mother, whom Jesus gravely rebuked for her
guilt, was greatly exasperated. She did no penance
and went to perdition.

The people of this region must have had through
their ancestors, some special relations with the Ark
of the Covenant. They asked Jesus what had become
of the Holy Mystery contained in the Ark. He an
swered that mankind had received so much of It.
that It had now passed into them, and that from
the fact that it was jtio longer to be found, they
might conclude that the Messiah was born. Many
people of this country believed that the Messiah was
put to death among the Holy Innocents.

JiESUS RAISES A DEAD MAN. TO LIFE

About one hour to the east of Sichar, stood the
dwelling of a rich herd proprietor. The house was
surrounded by a moat. The owner had died sud
denly in a field not far from his house, and his wife
and children were in great affliction. 'The remains
were ready for interment, and (the family had sent
messengers into the city, to beg the Lord and some
others to come to the funeral. Jesus went accom
panied by His three disciples, Salathiel and his wife,
and several others, about thirty in all. The corpse
ready for the grave was placed in a broad avenue
of trees before the house. The man had been struck
dead in punishment of his sins, for he had seized
upon part of the possessions of some shepherds who,
owing to his oppressive treatment, were obliged to

Life of Jesus Christ. — III.

514 Life of Jesus Christ

leave that section of the country. Shortly after tn'e
commission of this sin, he had fallen dead upon the
very ground that he had unjustly appropriated. Stand
ing in front of the corpse, Jesus spoke of the de
ceased. He asked of whiat advantage was it to him
now that he had once pampered and served his body,
that house which his soul had now to leave. He hack
on account of that body, run his soul into debt which
he neither had and which he never could discharge.
The wife of the deceased was plunged in grief.
She had constantly repeated before Jesus' coming;
' If the Jewish King from Nazareth were here, He
could raise him from the dead I" In reply to these
Words, Jesus said: " Yes, thei Jewish King can do it.
But men will persecute Him on that account. They
will kill Him who gives life, and they will refuse to
acknowledge Him! " To which those around respond
ed: " If He were among us, wje would acknowledge
Him! "

Jesus resolved to put them to the test. He spoke
of faith, and promised that the Jewish King would
help them, provided they believed and practised all
that He taught. Then He separated the family of
the deceased along with Salathiel and his wife from
the rest of the assistants, whom He directed to with
draw, while He spoke with the wife, the daughter, and
the son of the dead man. Even before the others
had gone out, the wife had addressed these words
to Jesus: " Lord, Thou speakest as if Thou Thyself
wert the King of the Jews! " But Jesus had mo
tioned her to be silent. .When now those others,
whom He knew to be weaker in faith, had retired,
Jesus told the family that if they would believe in
His doctrine, if they would follow Him, and if they
would keep silence upon the matter, He would raise
the dead man to life, for his soul was not yet
judged, it was still tarrying in the field, the scene of
its injustice as well as of its separation from the body.
The family promised with all their heart both obedi-

The Human Soul 515

ence and silence, and Jesus went with them to the
field in which the man had died. I saw the state
in which the soul of the deceased was. I saw it
in a circle, in a sphere above the spot upon which
he had died. Before it passed pictures of all its
transgressions with their temporal consequences, and
the sight consumed it with sorrow. I saw too all
the punishments it was to undergo, and it was vouch
safed a. view of the satisfactory Passion of Jesus.
Torn with grief, it was about to enter upon its puriish-
ment, when Jesus prayed, and called it back into
the body by pronouncing the name Nazor, the name
of the deceased. Then turning to the assistants, He
said: " .When we return, we shall find Nazor, sitting
up and alive! ;" I saw the soul at Jesus' call floating
toward the body, becoming smaller, and disappearing
through the mouth, at which moment Nazor rose to
a sitting posture in his coffin. I always see the human
soul reposing above the heart from which numerous
threads run to the head.

When Jesus and His companions returned to the
house, they found Nazor, still enveloped in his funereal
bands and his hands bound, sitting up in the coffin.
His wife unbound his hands and loosened the bands.
He stepped forth from the coffin, cast himself at
Jesus' feet, and tried to embrace His 'knees. But the
Lord 'drew back and told him that he should purify
himself, should wash, and remain concealed in his
chamber, that he should not speak of his resurrection
until He Himself had left that region. The wife
then led her husband into a retired corner of the
dwelling, where he washed and clothed himself. Je
sus, Salathiel and his wife, and the three disciples
took some food and remained at the house. The
coffin was placed in the vault. The Lord taught
until after nightfall. On the following morning He
washed the feet of the resuscitated Nazor and ex.
horted him for the future to think more of his soul
than of his body, and to restore the ill-gotten prop-

516 Life of Jesus Christ

erty. After that He called the children to Him,
spoke of God's mercy which their father had ex
perienced, and exhorted them to the fear of God;
then He blessed them and led them to their parents.
The mother also Jesus conducted to the father.
He presented her to him as to one returned from
afar, in order that they might live together in a
stricter and more God-fearing manner.

Jesus on that day taught many things relating to
marriage in similitudes. He addressed [Himself es
pecially to the newly married couple. To Salathiel
He said: " Thou hast allowed Thy heart to be moved
by the beauty of thy wife! But think how great the
beauty of the soul must be, since God sends His Son
upon earth to save souls by the sacrifice of His Bodyfcf
Whoever serves the body, serves not the soul. Beauty
inflames concupiscence, and concupiscence corrupt?
the soul. Incontinence is like a creeping plant that
chokes and destroys the wheat and the vines. " These
last words turned the instruction again' upon the
subject of vine and wheat culture, and Jesus warned
his hearers to keep far from their fields and vine
yards two running weeds which He designated by
name. At last He announced to them that on the
coming Sabbath He would teach in the school at
Cedar, and on that occasion they would hear what
they must do to become His followers and shane
in His Kingdom, tie told them moreover that He
would then depart from that region and journey east
ward to Arabia. Wften they asked Him why He was
going among those heathens, those star- worshippers,
He answered that He had friends among them who
had followed a star in order to greet Him at His
birth. These He wanted to search after that He might
invite them also into the vineyard and the Kingdom
of His Father, and put them on the straight road
to it.

An extraordinarily great multitude assembled in Ce
dar to meet Jesus, who now began publicly to heal

Admonitions on Marriage 517

crowds of sick. Sometimes while passing among those
that had been brought hither by their friends, He
merely pronounced the words: " Arise! Follow Me!'"'

- and they rose up cured. The wonder and admira
tion produced by these miracles reached such a pitch
of enthusiasm that, had not Jesus Himself suppressed
it, the whole country would have risen in one suddeni
transport of joy.

Salathiel and his wife were among the assembly at
Cedar. Jesus once more spoke to them of the duties
of the married state, and gave then detailed instruc
tions upon the way in which they should live together
in order to become a good vine, (that is, one that
would produce pure and excellent fruit, such as would
become disciples of His Apostles, saints, and martyrs).
He inculcated the observance of modesty and purity,
bade them in all their (actions aim at purity of inten
tion, exhorted them to prayer and renunciation, and
rigorously commanded perfect continence after the
period of conception. He spoke of the mutual con
fidence that ought to exist between husband and wife,
and 6f the obedience of the latter to the former.
The husband should not keep silence when the wife
asks him questions. He ought to respect her and be
indulgent toward her, since she is the weaker vessel.
He should not mistrust her if he sees her talking- with
others, neither should she be jealous upon beholding-
him doing the same; still each should be careful
not to give to the other cause for vexation. They
should suffer no third party to come in between them,
and should settle their little differences themselves.
He told the wife that she should become a pious
Abigail, and pointed out to them a region suitable
for the cultivation of wheat. They must, He said,
raise a hedge around their vineyard, which hedge was
to consist of the admonitions He had just given them.
Before leaving Cedar, Jesus gave in the synagogue
another very long instruction, in which He again
explained the connection existing between all the

518 Life of Jesus Christ

points upon which1 up to fthat time He had here
taught separately. He spoke in simple, childlike alle
gories of the mysteries of original sin, the vicious
propagation of the human race, their ever increasing
corruption, the dispositions of God's grace and His
guidance of the chosen people from generation to
generation down to the Blessed Virgin, the mystery
of the Incarnation arid the regeneration of fallen man
from death to eternal life through the Son of the
Virgin. Here He introduced the parable of the grain
of wheat, which had to be buried in the ground before
it could spring forth into new fruit, but He was not
understood by His hearers. "He told them that they
should follow Him not for a short time only, but on
a long journey that would end only at the Judgment.
He spoke of the resurrection of the dead and of the
last Judgment, and He bade them watch! Then He
related the parable of the slothful servants. Judg
ment comes like a thief in the night; death strikes
at every hour. They, the Ismaelites, were typified
by the servants, and they ought to be faithful. Mel-
chisedech, He said, was a type o:f Himself. His sac
rifice consisted of bread and wine, but in Him they
would be changed into flesh and blood. At last Jesus
told them in plain terms that He was the Redeemer.
At this revelation, many became timid and fearful,
while others grew* more ardent jand enthusiastic in
their adherence to Him. 'He enforced upon them in
particular love for one Another, compassion, sym
pathy in joy arid sorrow such as the members of the
body feel for one another.

The pagans from the pagan quarter of Cedar were
present at this instruction, to which they listened
from a distance. They had been very hostile toward
the Jews, but from this time many approached them
and questioned them in a friendly manner about
Jesus' doctrine and miracles.

Jesus Washes His Companions' Feet 519

6. JESUS REACHES THE FIRST TENT CITY
OF THE STAR-WORSIHIPPERS

When Jesus with the three youths left Cedar, Nazor,
the Ruler of the synagogue, who traced Ms origin
up to Tobias, Salathiel, Eliud, and the youth Titus
accompanied Him a good part of the way. They
crossed the river and passed through the pagan quarter
of the city, in which just at that time a pagan feast
was being celebrated and sacrifice was being offered
in front of the temple. The road ran first eastward
and then to the south througK a plain that lay between
two^ high mountain ridges, sometimes over heaths,
again over yellow or white sand, and sometimes over
white pebbles. At last they reached ;a large, open
tract of country covered with verdure, in which stood
a great tent among the palm trees, and around it
many smaller ones. Here Jesus blessed and took
leave of His escort, arid then continued His journey
awhile longer toward the tent city of the star-wor
shippers. The day was on its decline when "He ar
rived at a beautiful well in a hollow*. It was surround
ed by a low embankment, and near it was a drinking
ladle. The Lord drank, and then sat down by the
well. The youths washed His feet and He in turn,
rendered them the same service. All Was done with
childlike simplicity, and the sight was extremely,
touching. The plain was covered with palm trees,
meadows, and at a considerable distance apart there
were groups of tents. A tower, or terraced pyramid,
of pretty goo'd size, still not higher than an ordinary
church, arose in the centre of the district. Here
and there some people made their appearance, and
from a distance gazed at Jesus in surprise not un-
rrrngled with awe, but no one approached Him.

Not far from the well stood the largest of the tent
houses. It was surmounted by several spires, and
consisted of many stories and apartments connected
together by partitions some grated, pthers merely

520 Life of Jesus Christ

of canvas. The upper part was covered with skins.
Altogether it was very artistically made arid very
beautiful. From this tent-castle five men came "ford?
bearing branches, and turned their steps in the direc
tion of Jesus. Each carried in his hand a branch of
a different kind of fruit: one had little yellow leaves
and fruit, another was covered with red berries, a
third was a palm branch, one bore a vine branch
full of leaves, and the fifth carried a cluster of grapes
From the waist to the knees, they wore a kind of
woollen tunic slit at the sides, and on the upper part
of the body a jacket wide and full, made of some
kind of transparent, woollen stuff, with sleeves thar
reached about half-way to the .elbov/. They were of
fair complexion, had a short, black beard, and long-
curling hair. On their head was a sort of spiral cap.
from which depended many lappets around their
temples. They approached Jesus and His companions
with a friendly air, saluted them and, while present
ing to them the branches they held in their hand,
invited them to accompany them back to the tent'
The vine branch was presented to Jesus, the one who
acted as guide carrying a similar one. "On entering
the tent Jesus and His companions were made to
sit upon cushions trimmed with tassels, and fruit
was presented to them. Jesus uttered only a fe\v
The guests were then led through a tent
corridor lined with sleeping-chambers containing couch-
beds, and furnished with high cushions, to that part
of the tent in which was the dining-hall. In the centre-
of the hall rose the pillar that supported the tent-
and around it were twined garlands of leaves and
fruits vine branches, apples, and clusters of grapes
— all so natural in appearance that I can not say
whether they really were natural or only painted
Here the attendants drew out a little oval table about
as high as a footstool. It was formed of light leaves
that could be opened quickly and its feet separated
into two supports. They spread under it a colored

The Washing of Feet 521

carpet upon which were representations of men lika
themselves, and placed upon it cups and other table
furniture. The tent was hung with tapestry, so that
no part of the canvas itself could be seen.

When Jesus and the young disciples stretched them
selves on the carpet around the table, the men in
attendance brought cakes, scooped out in the middle,
all kinds of fruits, and honey. The attendants them
selves sat on low, round folding stools, their legs
crossed. Between their feet they stood a little disk
supported on a long leg and on the disk they laid
their plate. They served their guests themselves turn
about, the servants remaining outside the tent with
everything that was necessary. I saw them going to
another tent and bringing thence birds, which had
been roasted on a spit in the kitchen. This last
named apartment consisted merely of a mud hut, in
which was an opening in the roof to let out the smoke
from the fire on the hearth. The birds were served
up in quite a remarkable manner. They were (but
I know not how it was done) covered with then
feathers, and looked just as if they were ahv
meal over, the guests were escorted by five men
to their sleeping rooms, knd there the latter were qu
amazed at seeing Jesus washing the youth's
which service they rendered Him in return,
explained to them its signification, and they i
to practise in future the same act of

NOCTURNAL CELEBRATION OF THE STAR-
WORSHIPPERS

When the five men took leave of Jesus and His
young companions, they all left the tent together
They wore mantles longer behind than before witl
a broad flap hanging from the back of the neck
proceeded to a temple, which was built in t
of a large four-cornered pyramid, ^t of stone bu
of very light materials, such as wood and

522 Life of Jesus Christ

There was a flight o? outside steps from base to
summit. It was built in a hollow that rose in ter
races and was surrounded by steps and parapets. The.
circular inclosure was cut through by entrances to the
differents parts of the temple, and the entrance?
themselves were screened by light, ornamental hedges.
Several hundred people were already assembled in
the inclosure. The married women wtere standing:
back of the men; the young girls, back' of them;
and last of all, the children. On the steps of the
pyramidal temple were illuminated globes, that flashed
and twinkled just like the stars of heaven, but I
do not know how that was effected. They were regu
larly arranged, in imitation of certain constellations.
The temple was full of people. In the centre of the
building rose a Tiigh column from which beams ex
tended to the walls and up into the summit of the
pyramid bearing the lights by which the exterior
globes were lighted. The light inside the temple
was very extraordinary. It was like twilight, or "rather
moonlight. One seemed to be gazing up into a sky
full of stars. The moon likewise could be seen,
and far up in the very centre of all blazed the sun.
ft was a most skilfully executed arrangement, and
so natural that it produced upon the beholder an im
pression of awe, especially when he beheld by the
dim light of the lower part of the temple the three
idols that were placed around that central column.
One was like a human being with a bird's head and
a great, crooked beak. I saw the people offering
to it in sacrifice all kinds of eatables. They crammed
into its enormons bill birds and similar things which
fell 'down into its body and out again. Another of
these idols had a head almost like that of an ox, and
was seated like a human being in a squatting posture.
They laid birds in its arms, which were outstretched
as if to receive an infant. In it Was a fire into which,
through holes made for that purpose, the worshippers
cast the flesh of animals that had been slaughtered

Jesus Inveighs against Polygamy 523

and cut up on the sacrificial table in front of it. The
smoke escaped through a pipe sunk in the earth
and communicating with the outer air. No flames
were to be seen in the temple, but the horrible idols
shone with a reddish glare in the dim light. During
the ceremony, the multitude around the pyramid
chanted in a very remarkable manner. Sometimes
a single voice was heard, and then again a powerful
chorus, the strains suddenly changing from plaintive
to exultant; and when the moon and different stars
shone out, they sent up shouts of enthusiastic welcome.
I think this idolatrous celebration lasted till sunrise.
Before taking leave of these people on the following
morning, Jesus gave them a few words of instruction.
To their questions as to who He was and whither
He was journeying, He answered by telling them
about His Father's Kingdom, He was, He said, seek
ing friends that had saluted Him at His birth. After
that He was going down to Egypt, to hunt up some
companions of His childhood and to call them to
follow Him, as He was soon to return to His Father.
He spoke to them on the subject of their idolatrous
worship, for which they put themselves to so much
trouble and slaughtered so many sacrifices. They
should adore the Father, the Creator of all things,
and instead of sacrificing 'victims to idols which
they themselves had made, they should bestow those
gifts upon their poor brethren. The abodes of the
women were back of and .entirely separate from^the
tents of the men, each of whom 'had many wives
They wore long garments, jewels in their ears, anc
headdresses in the form of a high cap. Jesus com
mended the separation of the women from the men.
It was well, He said, for the former to stand in the
background, but against a multiplicity of wives 1
inveighed strenuously. They should have but
wife, He said, whom they should treat as one that
owed submission, though not as a slave. During thi?
instruction, Jesus appeared to them so lovable, so

524 Life of Jesus Oliriet

much like a supernatural being, that they implored
Him to remain with them. They wanted to bring
a wise, old priest ,to converse [with Him, but Jes'us would
not allow it. Then they produced some ancient man
uscripts which they consulted. They were hot rolls
of parchment, but thick leaves, which looked as if
made of bark, and upon which the writing was deeply
imprinted. These leaves were very like thick leather.
The pagans insisted upon the Lord's remaining and
instructing them, but He refused, [saying that they
should follow Him when He had returned to His
Father, and that He would not neglect to call them
at the right time.

When about to leave, Jesus wrote for them with
a sharp metallic rod on the stone floor of their tent
the initials of five members of His race. It looked
to me like only the letters, Tour or five of them, en
twined together, and among them I recognized an
M. They were deeply engraven on the stone. The
pagans gazed in wonder at the inscription for which
they at once conceived great reverence. Later on
they converted the stone upon -which it was traced
into an altar. I see it now at Rome inclosed in one
of the corners of St. Peter's church, nor will the
enemies of the Church be able to carry it off!

Jesus would not allow any of these pagans to ac
company Him when He departed. He directed His
steps southward with His young disciples through
the ^ widely scattered tents and passed the tower of
the idols. He remarked to the youths how affection
ately He had been received by these pagans T"or whom
He had done nothing, and how maliciously the ob
stinate, ungrateful Jews had persecuted Him, although
He had loaded them with benefits. Jesus and His
young companions hurried on rapidly the whole of
that day. It seems to me that He still had a journey
of some days, about fifty miles, before reaching the
country of the Kings.

Jesus Instructs the Pagans 525

JESUS ENCOUNTERS A PASTORAL TRIBE

Shortly before the commencement of the Sabbath
I saw Jesus in the neighborhood of some shepherd-
tents, where He and His young companions sat down
by a fountain and washed one another's feet. Then
He began to celebrate the Sabbath, praying with the
youths and instructing them in order that even here
in a strange land, the Jews' reproaches, that He did
not sanctify the Sabbath-day, might not be verified.
He slept that night with the three youths in the open
air by the well. There were no permanent dwellings
in this place, and no women among the shepherds.
They had only one temporary inn, or caravansary,
near their distant pasture-grounds. Next morning, the
shepherds gathered around Jesus and listened to His
words. He asked them whether they had not heard
of some people who, three and thirty years before,
had been guided by a star to Judea, to salute the
newborn King of the Jews. They cried out: " Yes!

Yes! " and He went on to tell them that He was

now travelling in search of those men. The shep
herds exhibited a childlike joy and love for Jesus.
On a lovely spot surrounded by palm trees, they made
for Him a beautiful high seat or throne, up to which
led steps covered with sod. They worked so very
quickly, cutting and raising the sods with long stone,
or bone knives, that the seat was soon finished.
Lord seated Himself upon it, and taught in most
beautiful parables. The shepherds, about forty
number, listened like little children and afterward
prayed with Jesus.

That evening the shepherds took down one
their tents and uniting it to another formed thereby
one large hall, in which they prepared for the whol
party an entertainment consisting of fruit a
thick pap rolled into balls, and camel's milk When
Jesus blessed the food He was about to take they
asked Him why He did so, and when He explained

526 Life of Jesus Christ

the reason, they begged Him to bless all the rest
of the food, which He did. They wanted Him also
to leave behind Him some blessed food; and when
they brought Him for that purpose things soft and
very perishable, He called for fruits that would not
decay. They brought them, and He blessed some
white balls made of rice. He ftold them always to
mix a little of the blessed provisions with their other
food which then would never spoil, and the blessing
would never be taken away.

The Kings already knew through dreams that Jesus
was coming to see them.

A WONDERFUL' GLOBE

I saw the Lord again teaching from the mossy
throne. He taught about the creation of the world,
the Fall of Man, and the promise of Redemption.
Jesus asked whether they preserevd the tra'dition of
any promise. But they knew only; a few, things con
nected with Abraham and David, and those were mixed
up with fables. They were so simple, just like chil
dren in school. Whoever knew anything in answer
to a question, said it right out. When Jesus saw
how innocent and ignorant they were, He wrought a
great miracle in their behalf. I can not recall exact
ly what He said, but He appeared to catch with His
right hand at a sunbeam from which He drew 9
ball like a little luminous globe, and let it hang from
the palm of the same hand by a ray of light. It
seemed to be large enough to contain all things,
and all things could be seen in it. The good people
and the disciples beheld in it everything just as the
Lord related it to them, and they all stood in awe
around Him. I saw the Most Holy Trinity in the
globe, and when I saw the Son in it, I did not see
Jesus any longer upon earth, only an angel hovering
by the globe. Once Jesus took the globe upon His
hand, and again it seemed as if His hand itself was

Resits Instructs the Pagans 527

the globe, in which innumerable pictures unfolded,
one from another. I heard something about the num
ber three hundred and sixty-five, as if relating to
the days of the year, connected with which also there
was something in the pictures jformed in the globe.

Jesus taught the shepherds a short prayer, in which
occurred words like those of the Our Father, and He
gave them three intentions for which they should
alternately recite it. The first was to thank for crea
tion; the second, for Redemption; and the third*
I think-, was for the Last Judgment. The whole history
of the Creation, the Fall, and the Redemption was
unfolded in successive pictures in this globe, along
with the means given to man to participate therein.
I saw all things in the globe connected by rays of
light with the Most Holy Trinity, out of whom all
things proceeded, but from whom many separated
miserably. The Lord gave to the shepherds an idea
of Creation by the globe which sprang forth from
IHis hand; an idea of the connection of the fallen
world with the Godhead and its Redemption, by
the suspension of the globe from His hand by 3.
thread; and when He held it in His hand, He gave
them some idea of Judgment. He taught them like
wise about the year and the days that compose it
inasmuch as they are figures of this history of Crea
tion, and then He showed by what prayers and good
works they ought to sanctify the different seasons.

When the Lord had concluded His instruction, the
luminous globe with its varied pictures disappeared
as it had come. The poor people quite overcome by
the sense of their own profound misery and the god
like dignity of their Guest, showed signs of deep
affliction and cast themselves along vwith the three
youths prostrate on the ground weeping and adoring.
Jesus too became very s-ad and prostrated on ^ the
grassy mound upon which He had been sitting. The
youths attempted to liaise Him; and when at last
He arose of Himself, the shepherds rose also, and

52S Life of Jesus Christ

standing around Him timidly ventured to ask Him
the cause of His sadness. Jesus answered that He
was mourning with those that mourned. He then
took one of the hyacinths that grew wild in that region,
(but which were far larger and more beautiful than
those we have) and asked them whether they knew
the properties of that flower. When, the sky is troub
led, He said, it wilts, it pines as it were, and its color
grows pale, and so too a cloud had passed over His
own sun. He told them many other remarkable things
about these flowers and their signification. I heard
Him also calling them by an exceedingly strange
name which, I was told, corresponded to our name
for it, the hyacinth.

ABOLITION OF IDOL-WORSHIP

Although Jesus knew full well, He questioned the
shepherds upon the; kind of* worship they prac
tised. He was like a good teacher who becomes a
child with his children. Thereupon the good people
brought to Him their gods in the shape of all kinds
of animals, sheep, camels, asses, - - all very skilful
imitations of the animals themselves. They appear
ed to be made of metal, and were covered with skins :
and, what was truly laughable, all the idols repre
sented female animals. They were provided with long
bags, in imitation of udders, to which were attached
reed nipples. These bags they filled with milk, milk
ed them at their feasts, drank, and then danced and
leaped about. Every one selected from his herd the
most beautiful, the most excellent cattle, which he
raised with care and looked upon as sacred. It was
after these holy models that the poor idolaters made
their gods, and it was with their milk that they filled
the udders. When they celebrated religious services,
they brought all their idols together into one tent
decorated for the occasion, and then began great
carousing as at a kermess. The women and children

Jesus Instructs the Pagans 529

also were in attendance, and milking and eating
drinking, singing, dancing, and adoring of the idols
went on vigorously. It was not the Sabbath they
were celebrating, but the day after.

While the pagans were relating all this to Jesus
and showing Him their idols, I saw the whole thing
taking shape and being enaqted before my eyes.
The Lord explained to them what a miserable shadow
of true religious service theirs was and, after some
more words to that effect, ended by telling them
that He Himself was the Chosen from the herd, He
was the Lamb from whom flowed all the milk that
was to nourish the soul unto salvation. Then He com
manded them to abolish their zoolatry, to drive the
living animals back among the herds, and the metal
of which the idols were composed to be given to the
poor. They should, He said, erect altars, burn upon
them incense to the Almighty Creator, the Heavenly
Father, and give thanks to Him. They should more
over pray for the coming of the Redeemer, and divide
their goods with their poor brethren, for not far off
in the desert lived people so poor that they had not
even tents to shelter them. Whatever parts of their
slaughtered cattle they could not eat, ought to be
burned as a sacrifice, also the bread that was over
and not intended for the poor. The ashes should be
sprinkled upon unproductive ground, which Jesus
pointed out to them, in order to attract upon it a
blessing. As He prescribed these different points.
He explained the reasons 'for observing them. Then
He alluded again to the Kings that had visited Him.
The people said, yes, they had heard that thirty-three
years before, those Kings had journeyed afar in search
of the Saviour and in the hope of finding along with
Him everything that could be conducive to happiness
and salvation. The Kings, they added, had returned
to their country and changed something in their re
ligious worship, but that was all they had ever heard
about them.

Life of Jesus Christ. — ill. 34

530 Life of Jesus Christ

Jesus next went around with these shepherds among
their herds and huts, teaching them all kinds 'of things,
even about the different herbs growing there. He
promised to send some one to them soon to instruct
them. He assured them that He had come on earthy
not merely for the Jews alone as they in their humility
thought, but for overy single human being that sighed
for His coming. From the little that they knew of
Abraham, this poor shepherd tribe had conceived
great esteem for sobriety. The three youths were
impressed in a special manner by the late miracle
of the luminous globe. Their relations toward the
Lord were very different from those of the Apostles.
They served Him in dependence, silence, and child
like simplicity. Unlike the Apostles, they never had
anything to reply to their Master. The Apostles
however held an office, whereas these youths were
like poor, dependent scholars.

JESUS CONTINUES HIS JOURNEY TO THE TENT CITY
OF THE KINGS

When Jesus left the shepherds and pursued his
journey to the land of the Three Kings, about twelve
of them bore Him company. They appeared to have
some kind of a tax to pay for which they were taking
with them birds in baskets. This journey was a very
lonely one, for on the 'whole length of the routte
they did not meet one dwelling-house. The road was
however distinctly marked out, and there was no
chance of the traveller's losing his way in the desert.
Trees lined the roadside bearing edible fruits the size
of figs, and here and there were found berries. At
certain points, marking one day's journey, resting-
places were formed. They consisted of a covered
well surrounded by trees, whose tops were drawn to
gether in a large hoop, their pendent branches thus
forming an arbor. These resting-places were furnish
ed with conveniences for making a fire and passing

"Jesus and His Young Companions 531

the night. During the great noonday heat, Jesus
and the youths rested at one of these wells and
refreshed themselves with some fruit. Each time they
thus paused on their journey, Jesus and the youths
washed one another's feet. The Lord never permitted
any of the others to touch Him. The youths, drawn
by His goodness, at times treated Jesus with child
like confidence, but again, when they thought of
His miracles, His divinity, they cast timid and fright
ened glances toward Him and looked at one an
other. I saw too that Jesus often appeared to vanish
before them, although He did not fail to direct their
attention to all that they met on their way and instruct
tliem upon the same.

They journeyed a part of the night. When they
paused to rest, the youths struck fire by revolving two
pieces of wood together. 'They had also a lantern
at the end of a pole. It was open on top, and its
little flame shed around a reddish glare. I do not
know of what it consisted. I saw during the night
wild animals running furtively about. The road ran
sometimes over high mountains, not steep "but gently
rising. In one field I saw many rows oT nut-trees,
and people filling sacks with the nuts that had fallen.
It looked something like a gleaning. 'There were
other trees whose leaves were gone but the fruit was
still remaining, peach trees with slender trunks planted
on rising ground, and another that looked almost like
our laurel. Some of the resting-places for travellers
were under large juniper bushes whose branches were
as thick as the arm of a good sized man. They were
closely grown together overhead, but thinned out
below, so as to afford a delightful shelter. The great
er part of the journey however was through a desert
of white sand interspersed with places covered, some
with small white pebbles, others with little polished
ones like birds' eggs; and there were large beds of
black stones, like the remains of fractured pipkins,
or pieces of hollow pottery. Some of these fragments

532 Life of Jesus Christ

were provided with, holes like regular rings, or handles,
and the people in the country around used to come
in search of them in order to utilize them as bowls
and other vessels. The last mountain the travellers
crossed was covered with gray stones only. They
found on descending its opposite side a dense hedge
row, behind which flowed a rapid stream around a
piece of cultivated land. By the shore lay a ferryboat
formed of the trunks of trees woven together with
osiers. On this they crossed the stream, and then di
rected their steps to a row of huts built of sticks woven
together and overlaid with moss. They had pointed
roofs, and all around the central apartment were sleep
ing-places furnished with mossy seats and coiicnes. The
occupants were modestly clothed and wore blankets
around them like mantles. At some distance I saw
tent buildings, much larger and stronger than any I
had hitherto seen. They were raised on a s;tone founda
tion, and had several stories reached by outside steps. -
Between the first and the second hut was a well by
which Jesus seated Himself. The youths washed His
feet, and then He was conducted to a house set apart
for strangers. The people here were very good. They
who had accompanied Jesus now left Him for their
homes, taking with them provisions for the way.

This region of moss cabins was of very considerable
extent, and numberless dwellings such' as described
lay around among the meadows, fields, and gardens.
The large tent palaces could not be seen from here,
for they were still at quite a distance; but they were-
plainly visible from the descent of the mountain.
The whole country was extraordinarily fruitful and
charming. On the hills were numerous clusters of
balsam trees, which when notched distilled a precious
juice. The natives caught it in those stone vessels
which looked something like iron pots, and which
they found in the desert. I saw also magnificent
wheatfields, the stalks as thick as reeds, vines, and
roses, flowers as larg"e and round as a child's head;

Mensor, Theokeno, and Seir 533

and others remarkable for their great size. There
were also little purling brooks clear and rapid, over
arched by carefully trimmed hedges whose tops were
bound together to form a bower. "The flowers of these
hedges were gathered with care, and those that fell
into the water were caught in nets, spread here and
there for that purpose, and thus preserved. At the
places at which the blossoms were fished out, there
were gates in the hedges, which were usually kept
closed. The people brought and showed to the Lord
all the fruits they had.

When Jesus spoke to them of those men who had
followed the star, they told Him that, on their return
from Judea to the place from which they had first
noticed the star, they built on the spot a lofty temple
in the form of a pyramid. Around it they erected a
city of tents in which they dwelt together, although
before that they had lived widely apart. They had
received the assurance that the Messiah would eventu
ally visit them, and that upon His departure they
too would leave the place. Mensor, the eldest, was
still alive and well; Theokeno, the second, borne down
by the weakness of old age, could no longer walk:
Seir, the third, had died some years previously, and
his remains perfectly preserved, lay in a tOTib built
in pyramidal form. On the anniversary of his death,
his friends visited it, opened it, and performed certain
ceremonies over the remains, near which fire was
kept constantly burning. They inquired of Jesus after
those' of the caravan that had remained behind in
Palestine, and sent messengers to the tent city, a cou
ple of hours distant, to inform Mensor that they
thought they had among them an envoy of that King
of the Jews so desired by him and his people.

When the hour for the Sabbath approached, Jesus
asked for one of the unoccupied cabins to be placed
at the service of Himself and His disciples, and as
there were here no lamps of Jewish s<yle, ihey made
one for themselves and celebrated their holy exercises.

534 Life of Jesus Christ

7. JESUS CEREMONIOUSLY ESCORTED BY
MENSOR TO HIS! TENT CASTLE

When the Kings received the news of Jesus' ar
rival, they made great preparations for His reception.
Trees were bound together so as to form covered
walks, and triumphal arches erected. These latter
were adorned with flowers, fruits, ornaments of all
kinds, and hung with tapestry. Seven men "in white,
gold-embroidered mantles, long and training, and with
turbans on their head ornamented with gold and high
tufts of feathers, were despatched to the pastoral region
to meet Jesus a^d bear to Him a welcome. Jesus
delivered in their presence an instruction, in which
He spoke of right-minded pagans who, though igno
rant, were devout at heart.

The dwelling-place of the Kings was so commodi
ous and so rich in ornamentation that words can not
describe it. It was more like a delightful pleasure-
garden than a real tent city. The principal tent look
ed like a large castle. 'It consisted of several stories
raised upon a stone foundation. The lowest was form
ed of railings through which tEe eye could penetrate,
and the upper ones contained the various apartments,
while all around the immense building ran covered
galleries and flights of steps. Similar tent castles stood
around, all connected together by walks paved with
colored stones ornamented with representations of stars
flowers, and similar devices. These walks, so clean
and beautiful, were bordered on either side by grass-
plots and gardens, whose beds regularly laid out
were full of flowers, slender trees with fine leaves,
such1 as the myrtle and dwarf laurel, and all kinds
of berries and aromatic plants. In the centre of the
city, upon a grassy mound such' as described, rose a
very high and beautiful fountain of many jets. It
was surmounted by a roof supported on an open
colonnade around which were placed benches and
other seats. The streams from the jets shot far

The Tent City 535

around the central column. Back of this stood the
temple, with its surrounding colonnades, containing
the vaults of the Kings, among which was the tomb
of King Seir. This temple was open on one side,
but closed on the others by the doors leading to the
vaults. It was in shape a four-cornered pyramid, but
the roof was not so flat as those that I saw on the
early part of the Lord's journey. Spiral steps Witb
railings ran up around the pyramid, whose summit
was executed in openwork. I noticed also a tent
house in one side of which youths were being educated;
and on the other, but entirely separate, girls were
instructed in various branches. The dwellings of the
females were all together and outside of this inclosure.
They lived entirely separate from the men. "Words
can not say with what elegance the whole city was
laid out, and with what care it was preserved in its.
beauty, freshness, and neatness. The buildings pre
sented an airy appearance characterized by simplicity
of taste. Beautiful gardens with seats for resting
were everywhere to be met. I saw an immense cage,
more like a large house than a cage, filled from
top to bottom with! birds; further on, I saw tents
and huts, in which dwelt smiths and other workmen.
I saw also staibles and immense meadows full of herds
of camels, asses, great sheep with fine wool, also
cows with small heads and large horns, very different
from those of our country.

I saw no mountain in this region, only gently rising
hills, not much higher than our pagan sepulchral
mounds. Down through these hills, through pipes
inserted for that purpose, borings were ma'de in search
of gold. If the boring tube were brought up with
gold on its point, the mine was opened in trie side of
the hill and the gold dug out. 'It was then smelted
in the neighborhood of the mine in furnaces heated,
not with wood, but with lumps of something, brown
and clear, which too was dug out of the earth.

'Mensor, who was under the persuasion that it wa?

536 Life of Jesus Christ

only an envoy from Jesus who had arrived, set all
in motion to give him as 'solemn a reception as if it
were the King of the Jews Himself that had come.
He deliberated with the other chiefs and priests, and
prescribed the various details of His reception. Festal
garments and presents were prepared, and the roads
by which He was to come magnificiently decorated.
All was carried forward with joyous earnestness.
Mensor, mounted on a richly caparisoned camel which
was laden on both sides with small chests, and at
tended by a retinue of twenty distinguished personage?
some of whom had formed part of the caravan to
Bethlehem, set out to meet Jesus who, with the three
youths and the seven messengers, was on His way
to the tent-castle. Mensor's party chanted as they
went along a solemn, plaintive melody such as they
had nightly sung during their journey to Bethlehem.
Mensor, the eldest of the Kings, he of the brownish
complexion, wore a high, round cap crnamentecl with
some kind of a white puffed border, and a white
training mantle embroidered in gold. As a mark
of honor, a standard floated at the head of the proces
sion. It looked like a horse's tail fastened to a pole,,
the top of which was indented with points. The way
led through an avenue across lovely meadows carpet
ed here and there with patches of tender white moss
that glanced like dense fungus in the rays of the sun:
At last, the procession reached a well covered by 3
verdant temple of artistically cut foliage. Here
Mensor dismounted from his camel, and awaited the
Lord w"ho was seen approaching. One of the seven
delegated to escort Jesus ran on before arid announced
His coming. The chests borne by the camels were
now opened, and magnificent garments embroidered1
in gold, golden cups, plates, and dishes of fruit were
taken out and deposited upon the carpet that was,
spread near the well. Mensor, bowed with age, sup
ported by two of his retinue and attended by his
train-bearer, went to meet Jesus. His whole demeanor

Mensor Salutes Jesus 537

was marked by humility. He carried in his right
hand a long staff ornamented with gold and terminat
ing in a sceptre-shaped point. At a glance from Je
sus he experienced, as formerly at the Crib, an in
terior monition similar to that which had drawn him,
first of the three, down upon his knees. Reaching
his staff to Jesus, he now prostrated again before
Him, but Jesus raised him from the ground. Then
the old man ordered the gifts to be ^brought forward
and presented to Jesus, who handed them to the
disciples, and they were replaced upon 'the camel.
Jesus did indeed accept the splendid garments, though
He would not consent to wear them. The camel
likewise was presented to Him by the old man, but
Jesus thanked without accepting.

They now entered the bower. Mensor presented
to the Lord fresh water into which he had poured
some kind of juice from a small flask, and fruit or?
little dishes. In a manner inexpressibly humble, child
like, and friendly, Mensor questioned Jesus about the
King of the Jews, for he still looked upon Him as
an envoy, though he could not explain to himself
his inward emotion. His companions conversed with
the youths and wept for joy when they heard from
Eremenzear that he was the son of one of those
followers of the Kings that had remained behind and
settled near 'Bethlehem. He was a descendant of
Abraham by his second wife Ketura. 'Mensor wanted
Jesus to ride upon his camel when they were again
starting for the tent castle, but Jesus insisted on walk
ing, he and the young disciples heading the procession.
In about an hour they reached the vast circular in-
closure wherein stood Mensor's dwelling and its de
pendencies, and around which*, in lieu of walls, was
stretched white tent cloth. Under the triumphal arch
before the entrance Jesus and the disciples were met
by a troop of maidens in festive attire. They came
forward, two by two, carrying baskets of flowers which
they strewed over the way by which He had to pass

53S Life of Jesus Christ

until it was entirely covered with them. The path
led through an avenue of shade trees whose top
branches were bound together. The maidens wore
under their upper garment, which fell around them!
in the form of a mantle, wide white pantalets; on
their feet, pointed sandals; around their head, bands
of some kind of white stuff; and on their arms ancl
breast and around their neck were wreaths of flowers,
wool, and glistening feathers. They were clothed very
modestly, though they wore no veils. The shady
avenue ended at a covered bridge wliich led across
the moat, or brook, into the large garden around
which the brook ran. In front of the bridge was
erected a highly ornamented triumphal arch, under
which Jesus was received by five priests in white
mantles with long trains. Their robes were richly
adorned with lace and from the right arm of each hung
a maniple to the ground. They wore on their head
a scalloped crown in the front of which was a little
shield in the form of a heart, and from which rose
a point. Two of them bore a fire-pan of gold, upon
which they sprinkled frankincense! from a golden vessel
shaped like a boat. They would not allow the trains
of their mantles to be held up in Jesus' presence, but
tucked them up in a loop 'behind.

Jesus received all these honors quietly as He after
ward did those of Palm Sunday.

The magnificent garclen was watered by many little
streams and laid off in triangular flower-beds by paths
beautifully paved with ornamental stones. Through
the centre of it ran an embowered walk, likewise
paved with' colored stones in figures, to a second
covered bridge. The trees and garden-bushes were
trained in all kinds of figures. I saw some cut to
represent men and animals. The outside row was
formed of high trees, but the inner ones were smaller,
more delicate, and there were many shady resting-
places.

: A Tent-Castle 539

The second bridge once crossed, the way led to
the middle of a large, circular place that formed the
centre of the surrounding indosure. There on a
mound entirely surrounded by water stood over a well
an open edifice, like a little temple. The roof formed
of skins was raised upon slender pillars. The whole
island was one lovely garden, and opposite to it rose
the large royal tent.

When Jesus crossed the second bridge. He was
received by youths playing on flutes and tambourines.
They dwelt near the bridge in low, four-cornered
tents which stretched right and left in arches. They
must have been a kind of bodyguard, for they carried
short swords and stood on guard. They wore caps
garnished with something like a feather horn, and
they had many kinds of ornaments hanging around
them, among them the representation of a large half-
moon, in which was a face regularly cut out. The
procession halted before the little island of the well.
The King dismounted from his camel and led Jesus
and the disciples to the fountain, which consisted of
a well spring with many circles of jets one above an
other, all made of shining metal. When a faucet
was turned, the streams of water spouted far around
and ran down the mound in channels, through the
green hedges, and into the surrounding brook. All
around the fountain were seats. The disciples washed
Jesus' feet, and He theirs. A covered tent avenue
ran over the bridge from the fountain to the other
side of the great, circular place and up to Mensor
and Theokeno's tent-castle. On one side of the tent-
castle stood in the spacious inclosure around the
fountain-island the temple, a. four-cornered pyramid.
It was not so high as the ~tent-castle and was sur
rounded by a colonnade, in which was 'found the
entrance to the vaults of the deceased Kings. Around
the temple-pyramid ran a flight of spiral steps up
to the grated summit. Between the temple and trie
fountain-island, the sacred fire was preserved m a

540 Life of Jesus Christ

pit covered by a metallic dome upon which was a
figure with a little flag- in its hand. The fire was
kept constantly burning. It was a white flame that
did not rise above the mouth o'f the pit. The priests
frequently put into it pieces of something that they
dug out of the ground.

The tent-castle of the Kings was several stories high.
The lowest, that is, the one next above the solid
foundation, was merely grated, so that one could see
quite through it. It Was full of little bushes and
plants, and served as a garden for Theokeno who
could no longer walk. Covered steps and galleries
ran around the tent castle from the ground up to the
top. Here and there were openings like windows,
though not symmetrically placed. The roof of the
tent had several gables all ornamented with .flags,
stars, and moons.

After a short time spent at the fountain, Jesus
was escorted through the covered tent-avenue to the
castle and into the large octagonal hall. In the centre
rose a supporting column all around which, one above
another, were little circular cavities in which various
objects could be placed. The walls were hung with
colored tapestry, upon which were representations of
flowers, and figures of boys holding drinking cups,
and the floor was carpeted. Jesus requested Mensor
to conduct Him at once to Theokeno, whose rooms
were in the trellised basement near the little garden.
He was resting on a cushioned couch, and he took
part in the meal that was served up in dishes of
surpassing beauty. The viands were prepared very
elegantly. Herbs, fine and delicate, were arranged
on the plates to represent little gardens. The cups
were of gold. Among the fruits was one particularly
remarkable. It was yellow, ribbed, very large, and
crowned by a tuft of leaves. The honeycombs were
especially fine. Jesus ate only some bread and fruit,
and drank from a cup that had never before been
used. This was the first time that I saw Him eating

Jesus Declares Himself the Messiah 541

with pagans. I saw Him teaching here whole days
at a time, and but seldom taking a mouthful.

He taught during that meal and. at last, told His
hosts that He was not an envoy of the Messiah, but
the Messiah Himself. On hearing this, they fell pros
trate on the ground in tears. Mensor especially wept
with emotion. He could not contain himself for love
and reverence, and was unable to conceive how Jesus
could have condescended to come to him. But Jesus
told him that He had come for the heathens as well
as for the Jews, that He was come for all who be
lieved in Him. Then they asked Him whether it was
not time for them to abandon their country and
follow Him at once to Galilee, for, as they assured
Him, they were ready to do so. But Jesus replied that
His Kingdom was not of this world, and that they
would be scandalized, that they would waver in faith
if they should see how He would be scorned and mal
treated by the Jews. "These words they could not
comprehend, and they inquired how it could be that
things could go so well with the bad while the good
had to suffer so much. Jesus then explained to them
that they who enjoy on earth have to render an ac
count hereafter, and that this life is one of penance.

The Kings had some knowledge of Abraham and
David; and when Jesus spoke of His ancestors, they
produced some old books and seached in them, to
see whether they too could not claim descent from
the same race. The books were in the form of tablets
opening out in a zigzag form, like sample patterns.
These pagans were so childlike, so desirous of doing
all that they were told. They knew that circumcision
had been prescribed to Abraham, and they aske
the Lord whether they too ghould obey this part
of the Law. Jesus answered that it was no longer
necessary, that they had already circumcised
evil inclinations, and that they would do so still more_
Then they told Him that they knew something o
Melchisedech and His sacrifice of bread and wine,

542 Life of Jesus Christ

and said that they too had a sacrifice of the same
kind, namely, a sacrifice of little leaves and some
kind of a green liquor. When they offered it they
spoke some words like these: " Whoever eats me and
is devout, shall have all kinds of felicity. " Jesus told
them that Melchisedech's sacrifice was a type of
the Most Holy Sacrifice, and that He Himself was
the Victim. Thus, though plunged in darkness, these
pagans had preserved many forms of truth.

Either the night that preceded Jesus' coming or
that which followed, I can not now say which, all the
paths and avenues to a great distance around the
tent-castle were brilliantly illuminated. Transparent
globes with lights in them were raised on poles, and
every globe was surmounted by a little crown that
glistened like a star.

8. JESUS IN THE TEMPLE OF THE KINGS.
FEAST OF; THE APPARITION OF THE STAR!

The Lord's first visit to the temple of the Kings
took place by day, and He was escorted to it from
the tent castle by the priests in solemn procession.
They now wore high caps. From one shoulder de
pended ribbons with numbers of silver shields, and
from the opposite arm hung the long maniple. The
whole way to the temple was hung with drapery,
and the priests walked barefoot. Here and there
in the neighborhood of the temple, women were sitting
anxious to see the Lord. They had little parasols,
little canopies on poles, to shade them from the sun.
When Jesus passed in the distance, .they arose and
bowed low to the ground. In the centre of the temple
rose a pillar from which chevrons extended to the
four walls, and from the highest point was suspended
a wheel covered with stars and globes, which was
used during the religious ceremonies.

The priests showed Jesus a representation of the
Crib which, after their return from Bethlehem, they

Representation of the Crib 543

had caused to be made. It was exactly like that
which they had seen in the star, entirely of gold and
surrounded by a plate of the same metal in the form
of a star. The little child, likewise of gold was
sitting in a crib like that of Bethlehem, on 'a red
:over. Its hands were crossed on its breast up to
which from the feet it was swathed. Even the straw
of the manger was represented". Behind the child's
head was a little white crown, but I do not now
know of what it was made. Besides this crib there
was no other image in the temple. A long roll, or
tablet, was hanging on the wall. It was the sacred
writings, and the letters were principally formed of
symbolical figures. Between the pillar and the crib
stood a little altar with openings in the sides, and
they sprinkled water around with a little brush, as
we do holy water. I saw also a consecrated branch,
with which they performed all kinds of ceremonies,
some little round loaves, a chalice, and a plate of
the flesh of victims sacrificed. As they were show
ing all these things to Jesus, He enlightened them
on the truth and refuted the reasons they advanced
for their use.

They took Him also to the tombs of King Seir
and his family, which lay in the vaults in the covered
way that surrounded the pyramidal temple. They
looked like couches cut in the wall. 'The bodies lay
in long, white garments, and beautiful covers shung
down from their resting-places. I saw their half-
covered faces and their hands bare and white as snow ;
but I know not ' whether it was only their bones or
whether they were still covered with dried skin, for
I saw that the hands were deeply furrowed. This
sepulchral vault was quite habitable, and there was
a stool in each of the tombs. The priests brought
in fire and burnt incense. All shed tears, especially
the aged King Mensor, who wept like a child. Je
sus approached the remains and spoke of the dead.
Theokeno speaking to Jesus of Seir, told Him that a

544 Life of Jesus Christ

dove was frequently seen to alight on the branch
which, according to their custom, they stuck on the
door of his tomb, and he asked what it meant. Jesus
in reply asked him what was Seir's belief. To this
Theokeno answered: " Lord, his faith was like unto
mine. After we began to honor the King of the Jews,
Seir up to his death desired that all he thought and
did, all that was to befall him, might ever be in ac
cordance with the will of that King. " Thereupon Jesus
informed him that the dove on the branch signified
that Seir had been baptized with the baptism of desire.

Jesus drew for them on a plate the figure of the lamb
resting on the Book with the Seven Seals, a little
standard over its shoulder, and iHe bade them make
one on that model, and place it on the column, opposite
the crib.

Since their return from Bethlehem, the Kings had
every .year celebrated a memorial feast of three days
in honor of that upon which, fifteen years before the
Birth of Christ, they had for the first time seen the
star containing the picture of the Virgin who held in
one hand a sceptre, and in the other a balance with
an ear of wheat in one dish and a cluster of grape?
in the other. The three days were in honor of Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph. They reverenced St. Joseph in
a special manner, because ne had received them so
kindly and graciously. It was now time for this an
nual festival, but in their humility in presence of
the Lord, they wanted to omit the usual religious
ceremonies, and begged Him to .give them an in
struction instead. But Jesus told ' them that they
must celebrate their feast, lest the people in their
ignorance of what had just taken place might be
scandalized at the omission. I saw many things con
nected with their religion. They had three images
in the form of animals standing around outside the
temple: one was a dragon with huge jaws; another
a dog with a great head; and the third was a bird
with legs and neck long, almost like a stork only

A Memorial Feast 545

that it had a peaked bill. I do not think that these
images were adored as gods. They served only as
symbols of certain virtues whose practice they in
culcated. The dragon represented the bad, the dark
principle in man's nature, which he must labor to
destroy; the dog, which had reference to some star,
signified fidelity, gratitude, and vigilance; and the
bird typified filial love. The images embodied be
sides all kinds of deep, profound mysteries, but I
can not now recall them. I know well however that
no idolatry, no abomination was connected with them.
They were embodiments of great wisdom and humility,
of deep meditation upon the wonderful things of
God. They were not made of gold, but of something
darker, like those fragments that were used for smelt
ing the ore, or perhaps what remained after that
process. Below the figure of the dragon, I read five
letters, AASCC or A§CAS, I do not remember
exactly which. The dog's name was Sur, but that
of the bird I have forgotten.

The four priests delivered discourses in four differ
ent places around the temple before the men, the
women, the maidens, and the youths. I saw them
open the dragon's jaws and I heard them say at the
same time: " If, hateful and frightful as he is, he
were now alive and about to devour us, wlio alone
could help us but the Almighty God? " - and they
gave to God some special name that I can not now
recall. Then they caused the wheel to be taken down
from its place, put it on the altar in a track formed
to receive it, and one of the priests made it revolve.
There were several circles one inside the other alj
hung with hollow golden balls, which glittered and
tinkled at every revolution, thus announcing the course
of the constellations. This revolving of the wheel
was accompanied by singing, the refrain being to
this effect: " What would become of the world, if
God should cease to direct the movement of the
stars? " This was followed by the offering of sacrifice

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 35

546 Life of Jesus Christ

before the golden Christ Child in the crib, and the
burning of incense. Jesus commanded them to do
away with tliose animals for the future, and to teach
mercy, love of the neighbor, and the Redemption of
the human race, as for the rest, they should admire
God in His creatures, give Him thanks, and adore
Him alone. On the evening of the first of these
three festvials, the Sabbath began for Jesus therefore
He withdrew with the three youths into a retired
apartment of the tent castle to celebrate it. They
had with them white garments almost like grave-
clothes. These they put on along with a girdle, orna*
meriied with letters and straps, which they crossed
like a stole over the breast. On a table covered with
red and white stood a lamp with seven burners.
When in prayer, Jesus stood between two of the
youths, the third behind Him. No pagan was present
at Jesus' celebration of the Sabbath.

During the whole of the Sabua.h, the pagans were
gathered together in the inclosure around their
temple, men, women, youths, and maidens — all had
their respective tiers of seats. After Jesus had finish
ed His celebration of the Sabbath, He went out to
the pagans and then I witnessed a wonderful scene.
In the centre of the women's circle, stood the image
of the dragon. The women were very differently
clothed according to their rank. The poorest wore
under their long mantles only a short garment, very
simple; but the more distinguished were arrayed like
her whom I now saw step in front of the dragon.
She was a robust looking woman of about thirty.
Under the long mantle, which she laid aside when
seated, she wore a stiff, plaited tunic and a jacket
very closely fitting around the neck and breast, and
ornamented with glittering jewels and tiny chains.
From the shoulder to the elbow, hung lappets like
open half-sleeves and the rest of the arms, l.ke the
!ower limbs, was covered with lace and bracelets.
On her head she wore a close-fitting cap that reached

St. Serena, Martyr 547

down to the eyes, partly concealed the cheeks and
chin, and which was formed entirely of rows of curled
feathers. Above the middle of the head, bent from
the forehead back, arose a kind of roll, or pad, through
which could be seen the hair braided and ornamented
A great many long ornamental chains were pendent
from the ears down to the breast.

Before the priest began his instruction, the woman
attended by many others went in front of the dragon,
cast herself down and kissed the earth. She per
formed this action with marked enthusiasm and devo
tion. At this moment Jesus stepped into the middle
of the circle and asked why she did that. She an
swered that the dragon awoke her every morning
before day when she arose, turned toward the quarter
in which the image stood, prostrated before her
couch, and adored it. Jesus next asked: " Why dost
thou cast thyself down before 'Satan? Thy faith has
been taken possession of by Satan. It is true indeed
that thou wilt be awakened, but not by Satan. It
is an angel that will awake thee. Behold, whom thou
adorest! " At the same moment, there stood by the
woman, and in sight of all present, a spirit in the
form of a figure lank and reddish, with a sharp,
hideous countenance. The woman shrank back in
fright. Jesus pointing to the spirit, said: " This is
he that has been accustomed to awake thee, but?
every human being has also a good angel. Prostrate
before him and follow his advice! " At these words
of Jesus, all perceived a beautiful luminous figure
hovering near the woman. Tremblingly she prostrated
before him. So long as Satan stood bebide the woman,
the good angel remained behind her, but when he
disappeared, the angel came forward. The woman
deeply affected now returned to her place. She was
called Cuppes. She was afterward baptized Serena
by Thomas, under which name she was later on
martyred arid venerated as a saint.
In His instruction to the youths and maidens who

54S Life of Jesus Christ

were assembled in the vicinity of the bird, Jesus
warned them to observe due measure in their love
of both human beings and the lower animals, for there
were some among them that almost adored their
parents, and others that showed more affection for
animals than for their fellow-men.

On the last day of the festival, Jesus desired to
deliver a discourse in the temple to the priests and
Kings and all the people. That the aged King Theo-
keno also might be among His hearers, Jesus went
to him with Mensor, and commanded him to rise
and accompany Him. He took him by the hand and
Theokeno, nothing doubting, rose up at once able to
walk. Jesus led him to the temple and from that
time forward he retained the use of his limbs. Jesus
ordered the doors of the pyramidal temple to be open
ed, that all the people outside could both see and
hear Him. He taught sometimes outside among the
men and women, the youths, the maidens, and the
children, relating to them many of the parables that
He had formerly recounted to the Jews. His audi
tors were privileged to interrupt Him in order to
ask questions, for He had commanded them to do
so. Sometimes also He called upon a certain one
to say aloud before all the others the doubts that
troubled him, for He knew the thoughts o'f every one.
Among the questions they asked was this: Why He
raised no dead to life, cured no sick as the King of
the Jews had done? Jesus answered that He did
not perform such miracles among pagans, but that
He would send some men who would work many
wonders among them, and that through the bath of
baptism they should become clean. They should, He
said, until that time take His words on faith.

Jesus then gave an instruction to the priests and
kings alone. He told 'them that whatever in their
doctrine bore an appearance of truth, was a mere lie:
it had only the semblance, the empty form of truth,
and the demon himself gave it that form. As soon

Love and Mercy 549

as the good angel withdraws, Satan steps forward
corrupts worship, and takes it under his own guard
ianship. Heretofore Jesus continued, they had hon
ored all those objects to which they could attach
some idea of strength, and of that worship they had
omitted many things after their return from Bethlehem.
Now however, He told them they should do away
with those figures of animals, should melt them down:
and He indicated to ihem the people to whom their
value should be given. All their worship, all their^
knowledge, He said, valued nothing. They should
inculcate love and mercy without the aid of those
images, and thank the Father in heaven that He
had so mercifully called them to the knowledge of
Himself. Jesus promised them that He would send
one who would more fully instruct them, and He
directed them to remove the wheel with its starry rep
resentations. It was as large as a carriage wheel of
moderate size and had 'seven concen'ric rims, on the
uppermost and the lowest of which were fastened
globes from which streamed rays. The central point
consisted of a larger globe, which represented the
earth. On the circumference of the wheel were twelve
stars, in which were as many different pictures,
splendid and glittering. I saw among them one of a
virgin with rays of light flashing from her eyes and
playing around her mouth, while on her forehead
sparkled precious stones ; and another of an animal
with something in its mouth that emitted sparks.
But I could not see all distinctly, because the wheel
was constantly revolving. The figures were not all
visible at the same time, for at intervals some were
hidden.

Jesus desired to leave them some bread and wine
blessed by Himself. The priests had, in obedience
to His directions, prepared some very fine white
bread like little cakes, and a small jug of some kind
of red liquor. Jesus specified the shape of the vessel
in which all was to be preserved. It was like a large

550 Life of Jesus Christ

mortar. It had two ears, a cover with a knob, and
was divided into two compartments. The bread was
deposited in the upper one; and in the lower one, in
which there was a small door, the little jug of liquor
was placed. The outside shone like quicksilver, but
the inside was vellow. Jesus placed the bread and
the wine on the little altar, prayed, and blessed,
while the priests and the two King's knelt before Him,
their hands crossed on their breast. Jesus prayed
over them, laid His hands on their shoulders, and
instructed them how they should renew the bread,
which He cut for them crosswise, giving them the
words and the ceremony of benediction. This bread
and wine were to be for them a symbol of Holy
Communion. The Kings had some know^dge of Mel-
chisedech, and they questioned Jesus concerning his
sacrifice. When He blessed the bread for them, He
grave them some idea of His Passion and of the Last
Supper. They should, He told them, make use of
the bread and wine for the first time on the anniversary
of their adoration at the Crib, and after that three
times in the year, or every three months, I can not
recall it exactly.

Next day Jesus again taught in the temple wherein
all were gathered. He went in and out, leaving one
crowd to go to another. He allowed the women and
children also to come and speak to Him, and He in
structed the mothers how to rear their children and
teach them to pray. This was the first time that I
saw many children gathered together here. The boys
wore only a short tunic, and the little girls, mantles.
The children of the converted lady were present. She
was a person of distinction and her spouse, a tall
man, was near King Mensor. She had fuMy ten chil
dren with her. Jesus blessed them, laying H:s hand,
not on the head as He did to the children of Judea,
but on the shoulder.

He instructed the people upon His mission and
His approaching end, and told them that His journey

True Compassion 551

into their ^country was unknown to the Jews. He
had, He said, brought with Him as companions youths
that would take no scandal at what they saw and
heard, and who were docile to all His words. The
Jews would have taken His life, had He not made
His escape. But apart from all that, He was desirous
of visiting them, because they had visited Him, had
believed in Him, hoped in Him, and loved Him. He
admonished them to thank God for not allowing them
to be entirely blinded by idolatry and for giving them
the true belief in Himself and the grace to keen His
Commandments. If I do not mistake, He spoke to
them also of the time of His return to His Heavenly
Father when He would send to them His disciples.
He told them too that He was going down into!
Egypt where as a child He had been with His
mother, for there were some "people there that had
known Him in His childhood. He would however
remain quite unknown, as there were Jews there
who would willingly seize Him and deliver Him to
'His enemies, but His time was not yet come.

The pagans could not understand the human fore
sight of Jesus. In their childMke simnlicity, they men
tally asked themselves: " How couM they do such
things to Him, since He is truly God! " Jesus an
swered their thoughts by telling them that He was
man also, that the Father had sent Him to lead back
all the scattered, that as a man, He could suffer and
be persecuted by men when His hour would have
come, and because He was a man, He could be thus
intimate with them.

He warned them again to renounce all kinds of
idolatry and to love one another. In sneakin? of His
own Passion, He tourhed unon true compnssion. They
should, He said, desist from their excessive carp of
sick animals, and turn their love toward the:r fellow-
beings both as regards body and soul; and if there
were in their neighborhood none fhat stood in need
of assistance, they should seek at a distance for such

552 Life of Jesus Christ

as did, and pray for all their destitute brethren. He
told them also that what they did for the needy,
they did for Him, and He made them understand
that they were not to treat the lower animals with
cruelty. They had entire tents filled with sick an
imals of all kinds, which they even provided with
little beds. They were especially fond of dogs, of
which I saw many large ones with enormous heads.

ARRIVAL OF THE LEADER OF A STRANGE TRIBE

Jesus had already taught these pagans for some
time, when I saw approaching a caravan on camels.
It paused and remained standing at some distance
while an old man, a stranger and the leader of the
tribe, dismounted and drew near. He was attended by
an aged servant whom he very highly respected, and
both stood still at a little distance from the assembly.
No one noticed them until the Lord's discourse was
ended and He with flie disciples had retired to
the tent, to take some refreshment. Then the stranger
was received by Mensor, and shown to a tent. He
afterward went with his old servant to the priests
and told them that he could not believe Jesus to be
the promised King of the Jews, because He treated
with them so familiarly. The Jews had as he well
knew, he continued, an Ark wherein was their God,
and to it no one dare approach, consequently this
Man could not be their God. The old servant also
gave utterance to some erroneous conceptions of Mary:
still both he and his master were good people. This
King too had seen the wonderful star, but he had
not followed it. He spoke much of his gods, whom
he held in high esteem, and told how1 gracious they
were to him, and that they brought him! all kinds
of good luck. He related also an incident that
happened during a war which he had lately waged,
and in which his gods had helped him and his old
servant had brought him a certain piece of news.

Ormusd and Zorosdat 563

This King- was of lighter complexion than Mensor, his
clothing was shorter, and the turban round his head
not so large. He was very much attached to his
idols, one of which he always carried about with
him on a camel. It was a figure with many arms,
and with holes in its body in which could be placed
the sacrifices offered it. He had some women in
his caravan, which consisted of about thirty persons.
As for himself, he was a very simple-minded man.
He looked upon his old servant as an oracle, indeed
he honored him even as a prophet. The latter had
induced his master to make this journey, that he might
show him, as he said, the Greatest of all the gods, but
Jesus did not appear to answer his expectations. What
the Lord said of compassion and beneficence pleased
him greatly, for he was himself very charitable. He
declared that he looked upon it as the greatest crime
to neglect human beings for the sake of the lower ani
mals. A meal was afterward prepared for the stranger,
but at which Jesus was not present. I did not see
Him even conversing with him. The King's name
sounded like Acicus. The old servant was an astrol
oger. 'He was clothed like a prophet in a long robe
with a girdle that had many knots around it. His
turban had numerous white cords and knots pendent
from it. They looked as if made of cotton, and he
wore a long beard. The royal stranger and his fol
lowers were of fairer complexion than the natives of
these parts, among whom they were going to sojourn
for some time. The women and their other followers
they had left behind near the women's tents. They
had come a two days' journey. I did not see Jesus
conversing with them, but I heard Him say that they
would come to the knowledge of the truth, and He
praised the King's compassion for men. I heard names
that sounded like Ormusd and Zorosdat. The hus
band of Cuppes was a son of Mensor's brother. He
had when a youth accompanied his uncle to Bethlehem.

554 Life of Jesus Christ

He and Cuppes were of a yellowish-brown complexion,
and both were descendants of Job.

Jesus still taught after nightfall in and around the
temple. The whole place was brilliantly illuminated,
the temple itself a blaze of light. The inhabitants
of the whole region were gathered together, old and
young, men and women. Upon the first command
of Jesus, they had removed the idols. But I now
saw something in the temple that I had not before
noticed. Up in the roof, I saw a w'hole firmament of
shining stars, and in between were reflected little
gardens and brooks and bushes, which were placed
up high in the temple and illumined with lights. It
was a most wonderful contrivance, and I can not
imagine how it was done.

9. JESUS LEAVES THE TENT CITY OF THE

KINGS, AND GOES TO VISIT AZARIAS, THE

NEPHEW OF MENSOR, IN THE SETTLEMENT

OF ATOM

Jesus left the tent city of the Kings before day
break when the lamps were still burning. Thry had
arranged for Him a festive escort such as had wel
comed Him, but He declined the attention and would
not even accept a camel. The disciples took with
them only some bread and some kind of liquor in
flasks The aged Mensor earnestly entreated Jesus
to remain longer with them. He laid the crown that
he wore on his turban at Jesus' feet, and offered
Him all that he possessed. His treasures were de-
1 posited under a grating in the floor of his tent, as
in a cellar. They lay there in bars, lumps, and little
heaps of grains. Mensor wept like a child. The tears
rolled like pearls down his brownish yellow cheeks.
His ancestor Job had the same complexion. It was
a very delicate, shining brown, not so dark as that

The Law of Jesus 556

of the people near the Ganges. All wept and sobbed
on parting.

Jesus left the city by the side upon which stood
the temple, and passed the magnificent tent of the
converted Cuppes, who ran forward with her children
to meet Him. Jesus drew the children to Himself
and spoke to the mother, who cast herself prostrate
at His feet in tears. Mensor, the priests, and many
others escorted Jesus, walking at His side two and
two in turn. Jesus and the disciples carried staves.
When Mensor and the priests reached home, it was
already dark. Lamps were burning everywhere and
all the people were gathered in and around the temple,
kneeling in prayer or prostrate on the ground. Mensor
announced to them that every one who was not willing
to live according to the Law of Jesus, and wlio did
not believe in His doctrine, should leave his dominions.
There were people here of a complexion still darker
than Mensor. His tent city, with its temple and the
burial-place of the Kings, was the metropolis of the
star-worshippers, but at some hours' distance in the
surrounding district, there were other tent-settlements.

Jesus journeyed eastward. He took up His first
night-quarters in a shepherd village belonging to Men-
sor's tribe and at about twelve hours from his tent-
castle. He slept with His disciples in a circular tent,
whose sleeping-places were separated from one an
other by movable screens.

Next morning Jesus left before the inhabitants were
awake. I saw Him arrive at a stream that was too
wide to ford, in consequence of which He turned His
steps northward along its banks until He came to a
spot that could be easily crossed. Toward evening
He arrived at some huts, built either of moss or earth,
near which was an uncovered well surrounded by a
rampart Here He and His companions washed their
feet and, without a reception from any one. turned
into a hut made of leafy branches, and there slept
during the night. This hut was round with a pointed

556 Life of Jesus Christ

roof. It was open on all sides and appeared to be
formed of twisted branches and moss; around it was
a closely woven hedge to keep off wild animals. This
region was very fruitful. I saw most beautiful fields
bordered by rows of thick, shady trees, and at the
corners where the trees met were dwellings, not tents
like Mensor's, but round huts woven of branches.
The inhabitants of this region were of a sun-burnt
complexion, their skin was not so rich a brown as
Mensor's. They were clad very much like the first
star worshippers whom Jesus had met on this journey.
The women wore wide pantalets and over them a
mantle. The people appeared to be eng-aged in weav
ing. From tree to tree far apart from each other,
were stretched pieces of stuff and thread, and many
were busy working upon them at the same time.
The whole length of the fields, the trees were trimmed
in ornamental form, and seats were arranged up in
the branches.

At the first dawn of morning, when the stars were
still to be seen in the sky, several people went to
the hut, but when they saw Jesus and the disciples
still upon their couches, they drew back full of awe
and prostrated on the ground. They had toward
morning received through a courier from Mensor the
news of Jesus' coming, but they did not know that
He was already among them. Jesus arose, girded
His white undergarment, threw on the mantle, which
the disciples used to carry in a bundle on their jour
neys, and after He had prayed with the youths and
they had washed His feet, He stepped out of the
hut to where the people were lying prostrate on
their face, and bade them not to be frightened at
Him. Then He went with them to their temple, a
great, oblong building with a flat roof upon which
one could walk. It had two railings on the roof,
and by them I saw some people gazing at the sky
through tubes. In front of the temple was the closed
fountain, esteemed sacred by the natives, and a par*

Azarias of Atom

567

of coals. The latter was raised a little above the
ground, so that one could see under it. All around
the temple were places for the people separated from
one another by bars. The priests that I saw wore
long, white garments, trimmed from top to bottom
with many-colored laces, and a broad girdle with a
long end upon which were glittering stones and an
inscription in letters. From their shoulders hung
strips of leather, to which little shields were attached.
.When Jesus reached the temple, he called one of the
priests down from the roof where he was observing
the stars. The lord of this pastoral settlement, a
paternal nephew of Mensor, came forth from the
temple to greet Jesus and hand to him the peace
branch. Jesus took it and passed it to Eremenzear,
who handed it to Silas who, in turn, gave it to Eliud.
Eremenzear again received it and bore it into the
temple followed by Jesus and the rest of the party.
Here they found a little round altar upon which
stood a cup without a handle, something like a mortar.
In it was a yellowish pap, into which Eremenzear
stuck the branch. This latter was either dried or
artificial. It had leaves on both sides, and it seems
to me that Jesus said it would become green. The
images in the temple were enveloped as with a cover
ing, or mask of very light, stiff material. A teacher's
chair had been erected in the inclosure of the temple,
and there Jesus taught. He questioned His hearers
as if they were children, upon all that He said. The
women stood far in the background. The people
were very childlike and accepted everything willingly.
Jesus spent the greater part of the day in teaching,
and that night accepted hospitality from the lord of
the settlement, whose dwelling consisted of several
stories. It was a circular edifice with outside steps
running around it. Above the door was fastened an
oval shield of yellow metal, upon which were in
scribed the words, " Azarias of Atom, " Azarias had
not been able to live upon good terms with Menzor,

55S Life of Jesus Christ

and hence the latter had divided with him the pasture-
grounds; but after Jesus visit, he changed for the
better. The interior of his dwelling was very beau
tiful, fitted up with fine colored carpets and tapestry,
and communicating by a covered tent-corridor with
the apartments of his wife.

When the Sabbath began, Jesus withdrew with His
disciples in order to celebrate it as He had done in
the tent city of the Kings.

THE WONDERFUL CURE OF TWO SICK WOMEN

While Jesus was celebrating the Sabbath with the
disciples in the open hut in which He had passed
the first night, I saw the sick wife of Azarias seeking
her cure before an idol. The lady had many chil
dren, and I saw in her apartments several other
women, maidservants perhaps. Back from the fire
place and in a corner between the apartments, stood
a slab, or table, supported on columns. On it was
a beautiful pedestal pierced on all sides with holes
and covered with a little ornamental roof of leaves
and foliage. The pedestal supported an idol in the
form of a sitting dog with a thick, flat head. It was
resting upon some written pages which were fastened
together with cords in the form of a book, one of its
forepaws raised over it as if drawing attention to it.
Above this idol arose another, a scandalous looking
figure with many arms. I saw priests bringing in
lire from the pan near the temple and pouring it
under the hollow figure of the sitting dog, whose eyes
began to sparkle, and from his mouth and nose im
mediately issued fire and smoke. Two women con
ducted Azarias's wife (who was afflicted with an issue
of blood) up to the idol and placed her upon cushions
and rugs before it. Azarias himself was present. The
priests prayed, burnt incense, and offe'red sacrifice
before the idol, but all to no purpose. Flames shot
forth from it, and in the dense black smoke issued

Satan's Power Fails

559

horrible doglike figures that disappeared in the
air. The sick woman became perfectly miserable.
She sank down faint and exhausted like one in a
a>mg state, saying: " These idols can not help me!
They are wicked spirits! They can not longer remain
here, tney are fleeing from the Prophet, the King
of the Jews, who is amongst us. We have seen His
star and have followed Him! The Prophet alone can
help me! ' After uttering these words, she fell
back immovable and, to ail appearances, lifeless. The
by-standers were filled with terror. They had been
under the impression that Jesus was only an envoy
of the King of the Jews. They went immediately
to the retired hut, in which He and the disciples
were celebrating tne Sabbaih, and respectfully begged
Him to go to the sick woman. They told him that
she had cried out that He alone could helo her, and
they informed Him likewise of the impotence of
their iclOiS.

Jesus was still in His sabbatic robes, the disciples
also when they went to the sick woman, who was
lying like one at the point of death. In earnest,
vehement words, Jesus inveighed against idols and
their worship. They were, He said, the servants of
Satan, and all in them was bad. He reproached Az-
arias for this, that after his return from Bethlehem,,
whither as a youth he had accompanied the Kings,
he had again sunk so deep into the abominations of
idolatry. He concluded by saying that, if they would
believe in His doctrine, would obey the Command
ments of God, and would allow themselves to be
baptized, He would in three years send His Apostle
to them, and He would now help the lady. Then He
questioned the latter, and she answered: " Yes, I
do believe in Thee! " All the by-standers gave Him
the same assurance.

The screens had been removed from around the
tent, and a crowd of people were standing by. Jesus
asked for a basin of water, but bade them not to

560 'Life of Jesus Christ

bring it from their sacred fountain.. He wanted only
ordinary water, nor would He use their holy-water
sprinkler. They had to bring Him a fresh branch
with fine, narrow leaves. They had likewise to cover
their idols, which they did with fine, white tapestry
embroidered in gold. Jesus placed the water on the
altar. The three disciples stood around Him, one
at either side, right and left, and the third behind Him.
One of them handed Him a metal box from the
wallet that they alawys carried with them. Several
such boxes of oil and cotton were placed one above
the other. In that which the disciple handed to Je
sus, there was a', fine, white powder, which appeared
to me to be salt. Jesus sprinkled some of it on
the water, and bent low over it. He prayed, blessed
it with His hand, dipped the branch into it, sprinkled
the water over all around Him, and extended His
hand to the woman with the command to arise. She
obeyed instantly, and rose up cured. She threw her
self on her knees and wanted to embrace His feet,
but He would not 'suffer her to touch Him.

This cure effected, Jesus proclaimed to the crowd
that there was another lady present who was much
more indisposed than the first and who notwithstand
ing, did not ask His help. She adored not an idol,
but a man. This lady, by name Ratimiris, was mar
ried. Her malady consisted in this that, at trie sight,
the name, or even the thought of a certain youth, she
fell into a sort of fever and became ill into death.
The youth meanwhile was perfectly ignorant of her
state1. Ratimiris, at the call of Jesus, stepped for
ward greatly confused. Jesus took her aside, laid
before her all the circumstances both of her sickness
and her sins, all which she freely acknowledged. The
youth was one of the temple servers, and whenever
she brought her offerings, which he was charged to

I. Sister Emmerich laughed much at this woman, and was wholly
unable to comprehend her weakness. (Pilgrim's note to First Edition).

Ratimiris 561

receive, she fell into that sad state. After Jesus had
spoken awhile with her alone, He led her again before
the people, and asked her whether she believed in Him
and whether she would be baptized when He would
send His Apostle hither. When she, deeply repen
tant answered that she did believe and that she would
be baptized, Jesus drove the devil out of her The
evil one departed in the form of a spiral column of
black vapor.

The youth's name was Caisar, and there was some
thing of John in his appearance. He was pure and
chaste, a descendant of Ketura and a relative of
Eremenzear, who also was from this place. It was
for this reason that on their reception, Jesus had
given to him the peace branch first. Caisar spoke
with the disciples, for he had long had secret pre
sentiments of salvation. He told them several dreams
he had had, among others one in which he dreamed
that he had carried a great many people through water.
The disciples thought that it signified 'perhaps that
he would convert many. I saw that he accompanied
Jesus on His departure. Three years after Christ's
Ascension when Thon\as baptized in these parts, he
returned with Thaddeus. Later on he was sent by
Thomas to the Bishop of a certain place where, though
innocent, he was, to the great joy of his soul, cruci
fied as a robber and criminal.

Jesus taught here until day dawned and the burning
lamps went out. He commanded the people to de
stroy their images of the devil, and reproached them
for adoring woman under a diabolical figure, and yet
treating their women worse than dogs, which animals
they held sacred. Toward "morning Jesus retired
again into the solitary house in order to celebrate
the Sabbath.

I was told why Jesus kept this journey so secret.
I remember that He said to His Apostles and disci
ples that He would go away for a little while only,
in order that the public might lose sight of Him,

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 36

562 Life of Jesus Christ

but they knew nothing of the journey. He ha,d taken
with Him those innocent boys because they would
not be scandalised at His intercourse with the hea
thens, and would not remark things too closely. He
had likewise strictly forbidden them to speak of
the journey, on which account one of them said in all
simplicity: " The blind man whom Thou didst forbid
to speak of his cure, did not remain silent, and yet
Thou oidst not punish mm! " Jesus replied: " That
happened for the glory of God, but this would bear
fruits of scandal. " I think the Jews, and even the
Apostles themselves, would have been somewhat scan
dalized had they known that Jesus had been among
the pagans.

\Vhen the Sabbath was over, the Lord called all
together again and instructed them. He blessed some
water for them and directed them to prepare for
him a chalice like that tused by Mensor. Here too
as in the former place, He blessed for them bread
and the red liquor. In the cup into which Kremen-
zear upon his arrival had stuck the branch in order
to keep it fresh, there was a yellowish ,gr<_en substance,
something like pap, which consisted ot tne pulp of a
plant from which the juice had been expressed. This
juice the natives drank as something holy. I saw
Jesus the whole night between Saturday and Sunday
teaching in front of the temple. He Himself helped
to smash the idols, and He told the pagans how they
should distrioute the value of the metal. I saw Him
also as in Mensor 's land, imposing hands upon the
shoulders of the priests, teaching them how to" divide
the blessed bread, and here as tnere preparing the
beverage. The vessel used here, however was larger.

Azarias later on became a priest and martyr. The
two women also whom Jesus cured here, were after
ward martyred like Cuppes. The Lord spoke against
a multiplicity of wives, and gave instructions on the
married state. The wife of Azarias as well as Rati-
miris, wanted Jesus to baptize them right away. He

Baptism of Desire 563

replied that He could indeed do so, but that it would
be inopportune. He must first return to the Father
and send tne Consoler, alter which His Apost.es woul
come and oapt.ze them. They shou.d, He said live
m the desire of baptism and submission to His' will
and sucn appositions would, to those that might die
m the interim, serve as baptism. Ratimiris was in
tact baptized under the name of Emily by Thomas
when, three years after Christ's Ascension, he visited
this country accompanied by Thaddeus and Cai-ar
ihey came in a diiection more from the south than
did Jesus, and it was then that the Kings and their
people were baptized.

10. JESUS GOES TO SIKDOR, MOZIAN,
AND U,R

From Atom Jesus went first toward the south, then
eastwardly through a very fertile region cut up by
rivers and canals, and planted with fruit trees of
various kinds, especially peaches which grew in long
lows. I heard the names Euphrates, Tigris, Chaldar,
and i think Ur, the land of Abranam, and that place
at which Thaddeus suffered martyrdom were not fac
distant. Toward evening, Jesus reached a row of
flat-roofed houses occupied by ChaJdeans. I heard
Sikdor as the name of the place in which were estab
lished two schools, one for the priests of the country
and the other for young girls. The people were not
so fully clothed as those of the royal tent city. Ihey
wore only blankets over their cinctures, but they
were good, and so lowly minded that they thought
the Jews alone were the chosen for salvation. They
had on a hill a pyramid surrounded by galleries, seats,
and immense tubes pointed on high through which
they observed the stars. They also predicted future
events from the course of animals, and interpreted
dreams. Their temple with its forecourt and fountain

564 Life of Jesus Christ

was oval in form, and occupied the centre of the place.
It contained numerous metal statues of exquisite work
manship. The principal object of note was a trian
gular column upon which rested three idols. The first
had many feet and arms, the former not in human
shape, but like the paws of animals. In its hands,
it held a globe, a circle, a large ribbed apple on a
stem, and bunches of herbs. The face of the figure
was like a sun, and its name was Mytor, or Mitras.
The second was a unicorn, and it was called Asphas,
or Aspax. This animal was represented in the act
of using its horn in a struggle against a wild beast
that was standing on the third side of the column.
It had the head of an owl, a hooked beak, four legs
with talons, two wings, and a tail, which last appendage
ended like that of a scorpion. Above these two
animals: namely, the unicorn and the wild beast, and
projecting from one of the sharp edges of the column,
stood another figure, which represented the mother of
all the gods. Her nt,me was Woman, or Alpha. She
was the most powerful of all their divinities, and
whoever desired to obtain anything from the supreme
god, was obliged to plead for it through her. They
called her, likewise, the Granary. Out of the figure
issued a large sheaf of wheat, apparently growing,
which she clasped with both hands. The head was
bowed and on the neck bent low between the should
ers, rested a vessel of wine. Above the figure hung
a crown, and above the crown were inscribed on the
column two letters, or symbols, that looked to me like
an O or a W. The lesson taught by these images
was that the wheat was to become bread and that
the wine was to inebriate all mankind.

There was besides in the temple a brazen altar,
and what was my astonishment to see upon it under
a revolving dome, a little circular garden railed in
with gold wire like a bird-cage, and above it the image
of a young virgin! In the centre of the garden and
roofed in by a little temple, was a fountain with

The Garden Inclosed 565

several sealed basins one above the other. In front
oi the fountain rose a green vine with a cluster of
red grapes, which drooped over a press whose form
reminded me of a cross. From the upper end of a
tall stem, projected a funnel-shaped, self opening
leathern pouch with two movable arms, through which
the juice of the grapes put into it could be pressed
out and allowed to flow down below upon the stem
The little garden was about five or six feet in diameter
It was planted with delicate, green bushes and little
trees, which like the vine and its grapes looked per
fectly natural. They owed this symbol to their star
gazing, and they had many others t'hat bespoke their
presentiments of the Blessed Mother of God. They
sacrificed animals, but had a special horror of blood,
which they always allowed to run off into the earth.
They had likewise their sacred fire and water, their
chalice of vegetable juice, and their little loaves, like
the people of Atom. Jesus reproved them for their
idolatry and for mixing up heavenly predictions arid
prognostics with Satanic errors. Their symbols, He
said, had in them indeed some notions of truth,
but they were discordant and filled with Satan. He
explained to them the symbol of the garden inclosed.
He told them that He Himself was the vine whose
sap, whose blood, was to quicken the world, t>at He
Himself was the grain of wheat which was to be buried
in the earth thence to rise again. Jesus spoke here
much more freely, much more significantly than
among the Jews, for these people were humble. He
comforted them by telling them that He had come
for all mankind, and He commanded them to break
up their idols and give their value to the poor. They
showed signs of deep feeling when He was about
leaving them, and threw themselves at Hh feet across
the path in order to prevent His departure

Some time after, I saw Jesus with the four dis
ciples resting under a great tree thlat was surrounded
by a hedge. It was in front of a house, from which

066 Life of Jesus Christ

they had been supplied with the bread and honey
that they were eating. They journeyed on the w"hole
of that night. I saw them on a plain walking some
times . over white stones, sometimes over meadows
carpeted with white blossoms. On their way, they
came across numbers of slender peach trees. At times
the Lord paus d. p inted r round, and said something
to the disciples. The country was intersected by nu
merous streams and canals. As a general thing, Je
sus journeyed with extraordinary rapidity. He some
times travelled twenty hours without interruption. His
way back to Judea described a very great curve. 1 am
always under the impression that Eremenzear wrote
some details of this journey, though only a few frag
ments of his account escaped the fire that destroyed
the rest.

On the evening of the second day of their departure
from Sikdor. I saw Jesus and the disciples drawing
near to a city outside of which rose a hill covered
with circular gardens. Most of them had a Fountain,
in the centre, and were planted with fine, ornamental
trees and shrubbery. The way taken by the Lord
ran toward the south, Babylon lay to the north. I't
seemed as if one would have to descend a mountainous
country to reach Babylon, which lay far below. The
city was built on the river Tigris, which flowed
through it. Jesus entered quietly and "without paus
ing at the gates. It was evening, but few of the
inhabitants were to be seen, and no one troubled
himself about Him. Soon however I saw several
men in long garments, like those worn by Abraham,
and with scarfs wound round their head, coming
to meet Him and inclining low before Him. One of
them extended toward Him a short, crooked staff.
It was made of reed, something like that afterward
presented to Christ in derision, and was called the
staff of peace. The others, two by two, held across
the street a strip of carpet upon which Jesus walked.
When He stepped from the first to the second, the

Mozin, or Mozian 557

former was raised and spread before the latter to
be again in readiness for use, and so on. In this way
they reached a courtyard, over whose grated en
trance with its idols waved a standard upon which
was represented the figure of a man "holding a crooked
staff like that presented to Jesus. "The standard was
the standard of peace. They led the Lord through
a building from whose gallery floated another stand
ard. It appeared to be the temple, for all around
the interior stood veiled idols and in the centre was
another veiled in the same way, the ve;l be;ng gathered
above it to form a crown. The Lord did no<- pause
here, but proceeded through a corridor, on either
side of which were sleeping-apartments. At last
He and His attendants reached a little inclosed
garden planted with' delicate bushes and aromatic
shrubs, its walks paved in ornamental figures with
different kinds of colored stone. In the centre rose
a fountain under a little temnle open on all sides,
and here the Lord and the disciples sat down. In
answer to Jesus' reouest, the Holaters brought some
water in a basin. The Lord first blessed it, as if
to annul the pagan benediction, and then the disci
ples washed His feet and He theirs, after which th°y
poured what remained in*o the fountain. The 'pagans
then conducted the Lord into an open halt adj -ning,
in which a meal had been prepared: large yellow,
ribbed apples and other kinds of fruit; honevcombs,
bread in the form of thin cnkes, like waffles, and
something else in little, square morsels. The lab'e
upon which thev were spread was verv low. The
guests ate standing. Jesus' coming had been an
nounced to these people by the priests of the neigh
boring city. They had in consenuence ex^e^ted Him
the whole day and at last received Him w?th so
much solemnitv. Abraham also had received a s'-aff
of welcome such as had been presented to Jesus.

The name of this city was Mozin, or Mozian. It
was a sacerdotal city, but sunk deep in idolatry. Je-

^d Life of Jesus Christ

sus did not enter the temple. I saw him' teaching
a crowd of people on a graded hill surrounded by a
wall. It was in front of the temple and near a
fountain. He reproved them severely for having faller?
into idolatry even more deeply than their neighbors,
showed them the abominations of their worship, and
told them that they had abandoned the Law. I heard
Him referring to the destruction of the Temple in
the time of their forefathers, and speaking of Nabu-
chodonosor and Daniel. He said that they should
separate, the believing from the spiritually blind,
for there were some good souls among them, and to
these He indicated whither they should go. Many
of the others were stiff-necked. There was one point
that they would not understand, and that was the
necessity for abolishing polygamy. The women dwelt
in a street to themselves at the extreme end of the
city to which however there was communication
by shaded walks. They seemed to be held in great
contempt, and after a certain age the young girls
dared not appear in public. No woman of this place
saw Jesus. Only the boys were present with the men.

Jesus used severe words toward these people. They
were. He said, so blinded, so obstinate, that when
the Apostle that He was going to send, would make
his appearance, he would find them unprepared for
baptism. Jesus would not remain longer with them.
As He was leaving the city, a procession of young
girls met Him at the gate chanting hymns of praise
in His honor. They wore white pantalets, had gar
lands around their arms and neck, and flowers in
their hands.

From Mozian, Jesus went with His companions
across a large field to a village of pastoral tents.
He sat down near the fountain, the disciples washed
His feet, and some men of the place approached
with the branch of welcome, and gave Him a glad
reception. They were clad in long garments, more
like Abraham than any others I had yet seen, and

TTr, or Urhi

they possessed an astronomical pyramid. I *«„
These people appeared to be pure star-

569

saw no

wor-

** im of whom some

1 J - . ***•*!. iO.^^ \JL W11UII1 5<

had accompanied the Kings to Bethlehem They a
peared to me to be only a little band of shepherds
f whom the Superior alone had a permanent dwell
ing. Jesus ate bread and fruit in his house standing
and drank out of a special vessel. He afterward
taught at the well. When He was leaving them, the
people threw themselves across His path and entreat
ed Him to remain with them.

On departing from this place, Jesus travelled through
out the whole of that night and the following day.
Once I saw Him with the disciples taking a little
rest by a fountain under a large shade tree. It was
a public resting-place for travellers, and there Jesus
ate some bread and took a drink. The city to which
He was going, was thirty hours to the south of
Mozian. but still on the Tigris. It Was called Ur,
or Urhi. Jesus reached it on that evening before the
commencement of the Sabbath. Abraham was from
this region. Jesus went to a well outside the city,
which was surrounded bv large shade trees and stone
benches. Here the disables washed the Lord's feet
and then their own, lowered their girded erarments,
and entered the city, whose architecture struck me
as different from any other I had seen in these parts.
The men and women did not appear to live so much
apart. There were many towers provided with gaMeries
and tubes for observing the stars, and to th^m led
steps both inside and outside. The people knew f-om
the stars of the Lord's coming, consequ^ntlv thev had
exnerted Him and taken every stranger for Him. When
therefore Jesus' entrance into the citv was noticed bv
some, they hurried to a large flat roofed house whHi
stood in a laree open space, in order to give notice of
His arrival. From this house, which appeared to be a
school and from which waved a flasr, th^re now issued
several men in long garments of one single color, and

570 Life of Jesus Christ

proceeded to meet Jesus. They were girded with cinc
tures whose ends hung long and loose, and they wore
round caps bordered by a roll of wool, or little feathers,
whose strips met on top and formed a plume. The
hair could be seen through them. The men prostrated
before Jesus, and then led. Him and His companions
back to the school, which consisted of one immense
hall. To it flocked crowds of people. Jesus taught
for a short time from an elevated seat at the top of
a flight of steps, after which He was conducted to
another house in which a meal had been prepared.
But Jesus took only a few mouthfuls standing, and
then went alone with the disciples into a retired
apartment where they celebrated the Sabbath. Next
day He taught near a fountain on an open place
upon which was a stone seat used for teaching. All
the women of the place were present, and so en
veloped in their narrow garments that they could
scarcely walk. Their caps were like cowls from which
hung two lappets. Jesus spoke of Abraham, and made
some severe remarks on the fact of their being sunk
in idolatry. There were idolatrous temples here, but
the idols were veiled. The Lord did not go into any
of them. Thomas did not baptize these people at
his first visit to them.

When Jesus left Ur, the people accompanied Him
strewing branches in His way. He journeyed toward
the west for a long time, over a beautiful plain which
toward the end became sandy, and lastly was cover
ed with underwood. About noon they reached a well
by which they sat down to rest. The remainder of
the journey was made through a wood and over
cultivated land, until toward evening they arrived
at a great, round building encircled by a courtyard
and moat. All around stood heavy looking houses
with flat roofs. That of the great building was cover
ed with verdure and even trees, while in the massive
wall of the courtyard were the abodes of some poor
people. At the fountain in the courtyard Jesus and

Jesus Teaches among Pagans

571

the disciples washed their feet, as usual. And now
from the round house came forth two men in long
garments profusely trimmed with laces and ribands
and wearing feather caps on their heads. The elder
of the two carried a green branch and a little bunch
of berries, which he presented to Jesus, who with
the disciples followed him into the building. In the
centre of the house was a hall, lighted from the
roof, whose fireplace was reached by steps. From
this circular apartment, they proceeded around through
irregularly shaped rooms opening one into the other,
and whose end wall, concave in form, was hung with
tapestry, behind which all sorts of utensils were kept.
The floor was level, and like the walls covered with
thick carpets. In one of these apartments, Jesus and
His companions took a 'frugal repast and drank some
thing from vessels never before used. What the bever
age was, I do not know.

After the meal, the master of the house took Jesus
all around and showed Him everything. The whole
castle was filled with beautifully wrought idols. There
were figures of all sizes, large and small, some with
a head like that of an ox, others like that of a dog,
and a serpent's body. One of them had many arms
and heads, and into its jaws could be put all kinds
of things. There were also some figures of swathed
infants. Under the trees in the courtyard, stood idols
in the form of animals, for instance, birds looking
upward, and other animals standing around. These
people sacrificed animals, but they had a horror of
blood, which they always allowed to run off into
the earth. They had, also, the custom of distributing
bread, of which the more distinguished among them
received a larger portion.

Jesus taught at the fountain in the courtyard, and
strongly inveighed against their diabolical worship,
though His words were not taken in good part. I
saw that their chief was particularly obstinate in
his errors. He was irritated at Jesus, and even

572 Life of Jesus Christ

contradicted Him. Thereupon I heard Jesus telling
the people that, as a proof of the truth of His words,
on the night of the anniversary of trie star's appear
ing to the Kings, the idols would fall to pieces, those
that represented oxen would bellow, the dogs would
bark, and the birds would scream. They listened to
His predictions disdainfully and incredulously. This
was wThat Jesus had told all whom He had visited
on this journey. In all places at which He had stopped
on His way into the land of the heathens, He pre
dicted that this would happen. On the holy night
of Christmas, I had a vision of this whole journey
from the pagan city near Kedar to the tent-city of
the Three Kings, and thence to this last pagan castle;
and everywhere I saw the idols going to pieces, and
heard bellowing and barking and screaming from
those that represented animals. The Kings" I saw
at prayer in their temple. Numerous lights burned
around the little crib, and it seems to me there was
now *the figure of an ass standing by it. They it
is true no longer revered their idols; but those in
the form of animals bellowed as a sign that Jesus
was really the One to whom the star had led them,
a fact still doubted perhaps by some weak in faith.

11. JESUS 'GOES TO EGYPT, TEACHES IN

HELIOFOLIS, AND RETURNS TO JUDJEA'

THROUGH THE DESERT.

From the castle of the idols, Jesus' route now la,y
toward the west. He travelled quickly with His four
companions, pausing nowhere, but ever hurrying on.
First, they crossed a sandy desert, toiled slowly up
a steep mountain-ridge, pursued their way over a
country covered with vegetation, then through low
bushes, like juniper bushes, whose branches meeting
overhead, formed a covered walk. After that they
came to a stony region overrun with ivy, thence

" Holy People " 573

through meadows and woods, until they reached a
river, not rapid, but deep, over which they crossed
on a raft of beams. It was still night when they
arrived at a city built either on both sides of the
river, or on one of its branches, or on a canal. It
was the first Egyptian city, on their route. Here,
unobserved by any one, Jesus and His companions
retired under the porch of a temple, where were
some sleeping-places for travellers. The city appear
ed to me very much gone to ruin. I saw great, thick
walls, massive stone houses, and many poor people.
I had an interior perception that Jesus had jour
neyed hither by the same side of the desert by which
the Children of Israel had come.

Next morning, as Jesus and the disciples were
leaving the city, children ran after them crying out:
' There go holy people 1 " The inhabitants were very
much excited, inasmuch as great disturbances had
happened the night before. Many of the idols had
fallen from their places, and the children had been
dreaming and uttering prophetic words about certain
" holy people " that had entered the city.

Jesus and the disciples departed hurriedly, and
plunged into the deep ravines that traversed the sandy
region. That evening I saw them, not far from a
city, resting and taking food at the source of a brook
the disciples having washed Jesus' feet. Near by on
a great round stone, was stretched the figure of a
dog in a lying posture. It had a human head, the
expression of the face quite friendly. It wore a cap,
like that worn by the people of the country, a band
with hanging lappets notched at the ends. The figure
was as large as a cow. Under a tree outside the
city, stood an idol whose head was like that of an
ox. It had holes pierced in its body and several
arms. Five streets led from the gate into the great
city, and Jesus took the first to the right. It ran
along the city wall, which was like a rampart on top
of which were gardens, and a carriage way. In the

574 Life of Jesus Christ

lower part of the walls, were dwellings shut in by
light doors of wickerwork. Jesus and His disciples
passed through the city by night without speaking
to any one, or being remarked by any one. Here
too there were several idolatrous temples, and many
massive buildings gone to ruins in whose walls peo
ple lived.

At a good distance from this city, the way led
over an immense stone bridge across the broadest
river (the Nile) that I saw on this journey. It flowed
from south to north, and divided into many branches
that ran in different directions. The country was
low and level, and off in the distance, I saw some
very high bui. dings in form like the temples of the
star-worshippers, though built of stone and much
higher. The soil was exceedingly fruitful, but only
along the river.

About one hour's distance from that city in which
Jesus as a child had dwelt with His Mother (Heliop-
olis), He took the same road by which with Mary
and Joseph He had entered it. It was situated on
the first arm of the Nile, which flows in the direction
of Judea. I saw here and there on the way, people
clipping the hedges, transporting rafters, and labor
ing in deep ditches. It was nearly evening when
Jesus approached the city. Both He and the dis
ciples had let down their garments, something that
I had never seen them do before reaching their
destination. Some of the laborers as Jesus came
in sight, broke off branches from the trees, hurried
forward to meet Him, cast themselves down 'before
Him, and presented them to Him. After He had
taken them in His hand, they stuck them down
into the ground along the roadside. I know not
how they recognized Jesus. Perhaps they knew by
His garments that He was a Jew. They had been
waiting and hoping for His coming that He would
free them. I saw others however who appeared in
dignant, and who ran back to the city. About twenty

Heliopolis 575

men surrounded Jesus as He went to the city, before
which stood many trees.

Before entering Jesus paused near a tree that was
lying over on one side in such a way that its roots
were being torn out of the earth, and around them
was a large puddle of black water. This puddle
was inclosed by a high iron grating, the bars of
which were so close that one could not put his hand
through. In this place an idol had sunk at the time
of Mary and Joseph's flight with the Child Jesus
into Egypt, on which occasion the tree too had
been uprooted. The people conducted Jesus into the
city. Before it lay a large, four-cornered, perfectly
flat stone, on which among other names was in
scribed one that bore reference to the city and that
ended in the syllable polis. Inside the city, I saw
a very large temple surrounded by two courts, sev
eral high columns tapering toward the top and or
namented with numerous figures, and a great many
huge dogs with human heads, all in a recumbent
posture. The city showed evident signs of decay.
The people led Jesus under the projection of a thick
wall opposite the temple, and called to several of
the citizens of the neighborhood. Then came together
many Jews, young and old, among the latter some
very aged men with long beards. Among the women
there was one, tall and advanced in years, who
pleased me especially. All welcomed Jesus respect
fully, for they 'had been friends of the Holy Family
at the time of their sojourn here. In the back of the
projecting wall was a space, now ornamented in
festal style, in which St. Joseph had prepared an
abode for the Holy Family. The men who had
in their childhood lived in this neighborhood with
Jesus, introduced Him to it. Jhe apartment was
lighted by hanging lamps.

That evening Jesus was escorted by a very aged
Jew to the school, which was very ably conducted.
The women took their stand back on a grated gal-

576 Life of Jesus Christ

lery, where they had a lamp to themselves. Jesus
prayed and taught, for they reverently yielded pre
cedence to Him. On the following day, I saw Him
again teaching in the synagogue.

The inhabitants of this city wore white bands around
their head, their tunics were [short, and only a part
of their shoulders and breast was covered. The edi
fices were extraordinarily broad and massive, built
of immense blocks of stone upon which numerous
figures were carved. I saw also great figures that
bore prodigious stones, some upon their neck, others
on their head. The people of this country practised
the most extravagant idolatry. Everywhere were to
be met idols in the form of oxen, recumbent dogs with
human heads, and other animals held in peculiar
veneration in special places.

When Jesus, escorted by many of the inhabitants,
left Heliopolis, He took with Him a young man
belonging to the city, and who now made His fifth
disciple. His name was Deodatus, and that of his
mother was Mira. She was that tall old lady who
had, on the first evening of Jesus' arrival, bean
among those that welcomed Him under the portico.
During Mary's sojourn in Heliopolis, Mira was child
less; but on the prayer of the Blessed Virgin, this
son was afterward given her. H,e was tall and slender,
and appeared to be about eighteen years old. When
His escort had returned to the city, I saw Jesus
journeying through the desert with His five disciples.
He took a direction more to the east than that taken
by the Holy Family on their flight into Egypt. The
city in which Jesus had just been, was called Eliop-
olis (Heliopolis'). The E and the L were joined
back to back, something that I had never before
seen, on which account I thought there was an X in
the word1.

Toward evening, Jesus and His disciples reached

I. Sister Emmerich saw &L.

Mathathias 577

a little city in the wilderness inhabited by three
different kinds of people: Jews, who dwelt in solid
houses; Arabs, who lived in huts built of branches
covered with skins; and still another kind. These
people had drifted hither when Antiochus ravaged
Jerusalem and expelled many of its inhabitants. I
saw the whole affair. A pious old priest * slew a Jew
that had gone forward to sacrifice to the idol, over
turned the altar, called all good people together and,
like a hero, maintained the Law and testament of
God. It was during this persecution that these good
people had fled hither. I saw also the place at
which they first lived. The Arabs having joined them,
were likewise expelled with them. At a still later
period they, the Arabs, fell again into idolatry. As
usual the Lord went to the fountain, where He was
welcomed by some of the people and conducted to
one of their houses. There He taught, for they had
no school. Jesus told them that the time was at hand
when He should return to the Father, that the Jews
would maltreat Him, and He spoke as He had every
where done on this journey. They could scarcely be
lieve what they heard, and they wanted very much
to retain Him with them.

When He left this place, two new disciples fol
lowed Him, the descendants of Mathathias. The trav
ellers now plunged deeper into the wilderness, and
hurried onward day and night with but short inter
vals of rest. I saw them in a lovely spot or" beautiful
balsam hedges taking some rest at that fountain
which had gushed forth for the Holy Family on their
flight into Egypt, and with whose waters Mary had
refreshed herself and bathed her Child. The road
by which Jesus had returned from Egypt, here crossed
the circuitous by-way that Mary had taken on her
flight thither. Mary had come by an indirect route
on the western side of the desert, but Jesus had

I. Mathathias. See I. Mach. II, 23-23.
i Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 37

578 Life of Jesus Christ

taken the eastern one which was more direct. On
His journey from Arabia to Egypt, Jesus could descry
on His right, Mount Sinai lying off in the distance.

When Jesus reached Bersabee, He taught in the
synagogue. He formally declared His identity, and
spoke of His approaching end. From this place also
He took with Him on His departure some young
men. It was about four day's journey from Bersabee
to Jacob's Well near Sichar, the spot appointed for
Jesus and the Apostles to meet again. Before the
beginning of the Sabbath Jesus reached a place in
the vale of Mambre, where He celebrated the Sabbath
in the synagogue and taught. He likewise visited
the homes of the inhabitants and healed their sick.
From this place to Jacob's Well, it may have been
twenty hours at most. Jesus now travelled more by
night, in order that the news of His return to Judea
might not be the occasion of some sudden rising
among the people. He took the route through the
shepherd valleys near Jericho to Jacob's Well, at
which He arrived during the evening twilight. He
had now sixteen companions, since some other youths
had followed Him from the vale of Mambre. In
the neighborhood of the well was an inn where, in
a locked place was stored all that was necessary
to contribute to the traveller's comfort when he stop
ped to rest. A man had the care of opening both
the inn and the well. The country stretching out
from Jericho to Samaria was one of indescribable
loveliness. Almost the whole road was bordered by
trees, the fields and meadows were green, and the
brooks flowed sweetly along. Jacob's Well was sur
rounded by beautiful grassplots and shade trees.
The Apostles Peter, Andrew, John, James, and Philip
were here awaiting Jesus. They wept for joy at
seeing Him again, and washed His and the disci
ples' feet.

Jesus was very grave. He spoke of the approach
of His Passion, of the ingratitude of the Jews, and

The Eeast of Easter ; 579

of the judgment in store for them. It was now only
three months before His Passion. I have always
seen that the feast of Easter falls at the right time
when it happens late in the season. Jesus went
with His sixteen new disciples to visit the parents
of Eliud, Silas, and Eremenzear, who dwelt in a
shepherd village not far off. The Apostles how
ever betook themselves to Sichar for the Sabbath.

12. JESUS IN SICHEM, EPHRON, AND
JERICHO

As Jesus was journeying with the new disciples
from the shepherd village, where He remained only
a few hours, to Sichem, I frequently sa,w Him stand
ing still and giving them animated instructions. He
ordered Eliud, Silas, and Eremenzear to disclose to
no one where they had gone with Him nor what
had befallen them on that journey, and "He told them
some of the reasons for silence on those subjects. I
saw Eremenzear holding the sleeve of Jesus' robe and
begging to be allowed to write down something about
it. Jesus replied that he might do so after His 'death,
but ordered him at the same time to leave the writing
with John. I can not help thinking that a part of
that writing is still in existence somewhere.

Peter and John came forward to meet the Lord
on His way, and outside the gate of the city were
waiting six of the other Apostles. They conducted
Him and the disciples to a house the master of which,
though he had never before seen Jesus, gave Him
a cordial reception. Jesus however appeared not to
wish to make Himself publicly known, but rather
to be confounded with the Apostles. The feet of
the newly arrived were washed, and when the Sabbath
began, the lamps were lighted. Jesus and His com
panions put on long, white garments and girdles, and
after prayers went to the school, which was built on
a, little eminence. After that they partook of a meal

580 T^ite °* Jesus Christ

prepared by their host, at which some Jews with long
beards were present. The eldest of them was clothed
as a priest of superior rank, and was led by attend
ants. Neither in the school nor at table did Jesus
make Himself known. The host had a false look,
and it seemed to me that he was a Pharisee.

The meal over, Jesus demanded that the synagogue
should be opened for Him. He had, He said listen
ed to their teaching, but now He too would teach
He spoke of signs and miracles, which are of no avail
when in spite of them people forget their own sin-
fulness and want of love for God. Preaching was
for them more necessary than miracles. Even betore
the meal the Apostles had besought Jesus to express
Himself more clearly, for they did not yet understand
Him He was always talking of his approaching end,
they said, but He might before it go once more to
Nazareth, there to show forth His power and by mir
acles proclaim His mission. At th;is juncture also
Jesus replied that miracles were useless if people were
not converted by Him, if after witnessing them, they
remained what they were before. What, He demand
ed, 'had He gained by signs and miracles, by the
feeding of the five thousand, by the raising of Laz
arus since even they themselves were hankering atter
more Peter and John were of one mind with their
Master, but the others were dissatisfied. On the way
to Sichem, Jesus had explained to Eliud, Silas, and
Eremenzear why He had wrought no signs and won
ders on His last journey. It was, He said, because
the Apostles and disciples should confirm His doc
trine by miracles, of which they would perform even
more than He Himself had done. Jesus was displeased
at the Apostles' wanting to find out from the three
youths where He had been and what He had done.
They were very much vexed at the youths silence
on being questioned.' Jesus announced to them that
He was going to Jerusalem and would preach in the
Temple.

Jesus in Ephron 581

1 saw that the Jews of Sichem sent messengers to
report in Jerusalem that Jesus had again appeared,
for the Pharisees of Sichem were among the most
dissatisfied. They threatened to seize lesus and de
liver Him at Jerusalem. But Jesus replied that His
time had not yet come, that He would Himself go
to Jerusalem, and that not for their benefit, but for
that of His own followers had He spoken.

Jesus now dismissed the Apostles and disciples to
different places, keeping with Himself only the three
that were in the secret of His last journey. With
them He started for Ephron, in order to meet the
holy women at a rented inn near Jericho. He had
previously announced to them His return by the
parents of the three disciples. On the journey from
Sichem to Ephron, it was very foggy, and quantities
of rain fell. Jesus did not confine Himself to the straight
route. He went to different localities, different towns
and houses, consoling the inhabitants, healing the sick,
and exhorting all to follow Him. The Apostles and
disciples likewise d.id not take the direct road to ^ the
places to which they were sent, but turned off into
the farms and houses lying along their way in order
to announce Jesus' coming. It was as if all who
sighed after salvation were to be again stirred up,
as if the sheep that had strayed in the forest because
their Shepherd had gone away were, now that He
had come back, to be gathered again by the shep
herd servants into one herd. When toward evening,
Jesus with the three disciples arrived at Ephron, I
went into the houses, cured the sick, and called upon
all to follow Him to the school. This place had a
large synagogue, consisting of two halls one above
and the other below. A crowd of people, men anc
women some from Ephron and some from neigh
boring places flocked to the instruction. The syna
gogue was crowded. Jesus directed a chair to
placed in the centre of the hall whence He taught
first the men and then the women. The latter were

582 Life of Jesus Christ

standing back, but the men gave place to them. Jesus
taught upon the necessity of following Him, upon His
approaching end, and upon the chastisement that would
fall on all that would not believe. Murmuring arose
in the crowd, for there were many wicked souls among
them.

From .Ephron Jesus despatched the three trusty
disciples to meet the holy women who, to the number
of ten, had reached the rented inn near Jericho. They
were the Blessed Virgin, Magdalen, Martha, and two
others, Peter's wife and step>-daughter, Andrew's wife,
and Zacheus's wife and daughter. The last mention
ed was married to a very deserving disciple named
Annadias, a shepherd and a relative of Silas's mother.
Peter, Andrew, and John met Jesus on the road,
and with them He went on to Jericho. The Blessed
Virgin, Magdalen, Martha, and others awaited His
coming near a certain well. It was two hours be
fore sundown when He came up with them. The
women cast themselves on their knees before Him
and 'kissed His hand. Mary also kissed His hand,
and when she arose, Jesus kissed hers. Magdalen
stood somewhat back. At the well, the disciples wash
ed Jesus' feet, also those of the Apostles, after which
all partook of a repast. The women ate alone and,
when their meal was over, took their places at the
lower end of the dining-hall to listen to Jesus' words.
He did not remain at the inn, but went with the three
Apostles to Jericho, where the rest of the Apostles
and disciples along with numerous sick were assem
bled. The women followed Him. I saw Him going
into many of the houses and curing the sick, after
which He Himself unlocked the school and ordered
a chair to be placed in the centre of the hall. The
holy women were present in a retired part. They
had a lamp to themselves. Mary was with them.
After the instruction, the holy women went back to
their inn and on the following morning returned to
their homes. Crowds were gathered at Jericho, for

The Mother of God Baptized 533

Jesus' coming had been announced by the disciples
During His teaching and healing on the following
day, the pressing and murmuring of the Pharisees
were very great, and they sent messengers to Jerusa
lem to report. Jesus next went to the place of bap
tism on the Jordan where were lying numbers of sick
in expectation of His coming. They had heard of
His reappearance and had begged His aid. There
were little huts and tents around under which they
could descend into the water. I saw too the basin
in the little island in which He had been baptized.
Sometimes it was full, but again, the water was allow
ed to run off. They came from all parts for this
water, from Samaria, Judea, Galilee, and even from
Syria. They loaded asses with large leathern sacks
of it. The sacks hung on either side of the beast,
and were kept together over the animal's back by
hoops. Jesus cured numbers. Only John, Andrew,
and James the Less were with Him.

No baptisms took place at this time, only ablutions
and healing. Even the baptism of John had in it more
of a sacramental character than the ablutions on
this occasion. The last time that Jesus was "in Jericho,
many persons were healed at a bath in the city, but
it was not baptism. There was at this part of the
Jordan a bathing-place much resorted to, which John
had merely enlarged. In the middle of the well
on the island in which Jesus was baptized, the pole
on which He had leaned was still standing. Jesus
cured many without the application of water, though
He poured it over the heads of the leprous, and the
disciples wiped them dry.

Baptism proper came into use only after Pentecost.
Jesus never baptized. The Mother of God was bap
tized alone at the (Pool of Bethsaida by John after
Pentecost. Before the ceremony he celebrated Holy
Mass, that is, he consecrated and recited some prayers
as they were accustomed to do at that time.

When the crowd became too great, Jesus went

584 Life of Jesus Christ

with the three Apostles to Bethel, where the Patriarch
Jacob saw on a hill the ladder reaching from earth
to heaven. It was already dark when they arrived,
and approached a house wherein trusty friends were
awaiting them: Lazarus and his sisters, Nicodemus,
and John Marc, who had come hither from Jerusalem
secretly. The master of the house had a wife and
four children. The house was surrounded by a court
yard in which 'was a fountain. Attended by two
of his children, the master opened the door to the
guests, whom he conducted at once to the fountain
and washed their feet. As Jesus was sitting on the
edge of the fountain, Magdalen came forth from the
house, and poured over His hair a little flat flask
of perfume. She did it standing at His back, as she-
had often done before. I wondered at her boldness.
Jesus pressed to His Heart Lazarus, who was still
pale and haggard. His hair was very black. A meal
was spread, consisting of fruit, rolls, honeycomb, and
green herbs, the usual fare in Judea. There were
little cups on the table. Jesus cured the sick who
were lying in a building belonging to the house.
The women ate alone and afterward ranged in the
lower part of the hall to hear Jesus' preaching.

Next morning Lazarus returned to Jerusalem with
his companions, while Jesus with the three Apostles
went by a very circuitous route to the house of a
son of Andrew's half-brother, whose daughter lay
ill. They reached the well belonging to the house
about noon. The master of the house, a robust man
engaged in the manufacture of wicker screens, washed
their feet and led them to his home. He had a great
many children, some of them still quite small. Two
grown sons from sixteen to eighteen years of age,
were not at home, but at the fishery on the Sea
of Galilee, in Andrew's dwelling place. Andrew had
sent messengers to tell them that Jesus had returned,
and to come to meet Him at a certain place.

After a repast, the man led Jesus and 'the Apostles

Jesus Curing 535

to his sick daughter, a girl about twelve years old
For a long time she had been lying upon her bed
perfectly pale and motionless. She had the green
sickness, and she was also a simpleton. Jesus com
manded her to arise. Then with Andrew He led
her by the hand to the well where He poured water
over her head. After that, at the Lord's command,
she took a bath under a tent, and returned to
the house cured. She was a tall child. When Jesus
with the Apostles left the place, the father escorted
Him a part of the way. Before the hour of the
Sabbath, Jesus reached a little city. He took up
His quarters at an inn in the city wall, and! then went
at once with His followers to celebrate the Sabbath
in the synagogue.

Next morning He went again to the synagogue,
where He prayed and delivered a short instruction.
I saw a great crowd around Him. They brought to
Him numbers of sick of divers kinds, and He healed
them. I saw that all the people of this place honored
Jesus and pressed around Him. The concourse was
great. The Apostles also cured and blessed; even the
priests led the sick forward.

I saw Jesus cure in this place a leper who had
often been carried and set down on the road He
was to travel, but whom He had always passed by.
They had, just before Jesus' coming, brought the
poor creature from a distant quarter of the city,
where he dwelt in a little abode built in the wall.
They brought him to Jesus sitting on a couch in a
kind of litter shut in by hangings. No one went
near the sick man excepting Jesus, who raised the
curtain, touched the invalid, and directed that he
should be taken to the bath near the city wall. When
this order was executed, the scales of leprosy fell
from him. He had 'been afflicted by a double lep
rosy, for that of impurity was added to the ordinary
disease. The Lord healed likewise many women
of a flux of blood. tWhen He was healing in the

5S6 Life of Jesus Christ

court outside the synagogue, the crowd was so great
that the people tore down the barriers and climbed
upon the roof.

On leaving this place, Jesus journeyed on with the
three Apostles and reached a strong castle (Alexan-
drium?) surrounded by moats, or ponds with dis
charging channels attached. It seemed that there
were baths here, and I saw all kinds of vaults and
massive walls. When Jesus manifested His intention
to enter this castle, the Apostles made objections to
His doing so. He might, they said, rouse indignation
and give occasion for scandal. Jesus rejoined that,
if they did not want to accompany Him, they should
suffer Him to enter alone, and so He went in. It
contained all sorts of people, some of whom ap
peared to be prisoners, others sick and infirm. Guards
were standing at the gates, for the immates dared
not go out alone. Several always went together and
attended by a guard. They were obliged to work
in the country around the castle, clearing the fields
and digging trenches. When Jesus with the Apostles
attempted to pass through the gate, the guards stopped
them, but at a word from H,im, they respectfully
allowed Him to enter. The inmates assembled around
Him in the courtyard, where He spoke with them
and separated several from the rest. From the city,
which was not far off, Jesus summoned two men.
who appeared to be officers of the law, for they had
little metallic badges hanging on straps from their
shoulders. Jesus spoke with them, and it looked as
if He were giving bail for those that He had separated
from the rest of the inmates. Later on, f saw Him
leaving the castle with five and twenty of those people,
and with them and the Apostles travelling up the
Jordan the whole night. This hurried march brought
Him to a little city in which He restored to their
wives and children several of the prisoners lately freed.
Others crossed the Jordan higher up, and then turned
to the east. They were from the country of Kedar

' There Is Joseph's Son Again! " 537

where Jesus had taught so long before His journey
to the star-worshippers. Jesus sent the Apostles away
on this road. When journeying through the valleys
near Tiberias and past the well of Jacob, the three
silent disciples and the other companions of His visit
to the heathens joined Jesus. They continued their
journey a part of the night, rested only a few hours
under a shed, and toward evening of the next day ar
rived in Capharnaum. Here a young man called Sela,
or Selam, was presented to Jesus. He was a cousin
of the bridegroom of Kedar, to whom Jesus had
given the house and vineyard, on the occasion of His
journey to the star-worshippers. It was the bride
groom who had sent Sela to Jesus, and he had been
in Andrew's house awaiting His coming. He threw
himself on his knees before Jesus, who imposed hands
upon his shoulders and admitted him to the nunfber
ot His disciples. Jesus made use of him at once.
sending him to the superintendent of the school, to
demand the key and the roll of Scriptures that had
been found in the Temple during the seven years that
it had stood dilapidated and deprived of divine ser
vice. The last time Jesus taught here, He had made
use of the same roll of Scriptures, which were from
Isaias. When the youth returned, Jesus and His
companions went into the school and lighted the lamps.
Jesus directed a space to be cleared and a pulpit
with a flight of steps to be placed in it. A great
crowd was gathered, and Jesus taught a long time
from the roll of Scriptures. The excitement in Caphar
naum was very great. The people assembled on the
streets, and I heard the cry: *' There is Joseph's Son
again! "

Jesus left Capharnaum before daylight next morn
ing, and I saw Him going into Nazareth with the
disciples and several of the Apostles who had joined
Him. I saw on this occasion that Anne's house
had passed into other hands. Jesus went also to
Joseph's old home, now closed and unoccupied.

5SS Life of Jesus Christ

Thence He proceeded straight to the synagogue. His
appearance was the signal for great excitement among
the people who ran out in crowds. One possessed,
who had a dumb devil, suddenly began to shout after
Him: "There is Joseph's Son! There is the rebel!
Seize Him! Imprison Him! " Jesus commanded Him
to be silent. The man obeyed, but Jesus did not drive
the devil out of him.

In the school Jesus ordered room to be made and
a teacher's chair to be set for Him. On this journey
He acted with perfect freedom, an'd taught openly as
one having a right to do so, which proceeding greatly
incensed the Jews against Him. He visited likewise
many of the houses in the neighborhood of Joseph's
old home, and healed and blessed the children; where
upon the Jews who during the instruction had been
tolerably quiet, became extremely indignant. Jesus
soon left the city, telling the Apostles to meet Him
on the mount of the multiplication of the loaves,
whither He went accompanied by the disciples only.

When they reached the mountain, it was already
night, and fires were kindled on its summit. Jesus
stood in the centre, the Apostles ranged around Him,
the disciples forming an outer circle. A considerable
crowd had gathered. Jesus taught the whole night
and until almost morning. He indicated to the Apos
tles, pointing with His finger here and there, whither
they should go on their mission of healing and
teaching. It looked as if He were giving them orders
as to their journeys and labors for the time just about
to follow. They and many of the disciples took
leave of Him here, and at morning dawn He turned
His steps southward.

On this journey Jesus was implored by a father
and mother to go into their house and cure their
daughter who was a lunatic, pale and sick. He com
manded her to arise, and she was cured.

One hour's distance from Thanath-Silo, all the A-
postles bearing green branches came to meet Jesus.

Jesus ia Bethanla 589

They prostrated before Him and He took one of
he branches m His hand. Then they washed His
I think this ceremony took place, because they
were all again reunited, and because Jesus once more
appeared openly as their Master and was about to
preach again everywhere. Accompanied by the A-
postles and disciples, He went to the city where the
Blessed Virgin, Magdalen, Martha, and the other holy
women, except Peter's wife and step-daughter and
Andrew's wife, who were still at Bethsaida, received
Him outside an inn. Mary had come from the region
of Jericho and had here awaited Jesus. The other
women also had come hither by different routes.
They prepared a meal of which fifty guests partook:
after which Jesus, having ordered the key to be
brought, repaired to the school. The holy women
and a great many people listened to His instruction.

13. JESUS GOES TO BETHANIA

Next morning Jesus cured rrany sick of the city,
although He passed before a number of houses with
out performing any cures. He healed also at the
inn. After that He dismissed the Apostles, sending
some to Capharnaum, and others to the place of the
multiplication of the loaves. The holy women went
to Bethania. Jesus Himself took the same direction,
and celebrated the Sabbath at an inn with all the
disciples whom He had brought back with Him from
His great journey. They hung a lamp in the middle
of the hall, laid a red cover on the table and over
it a white one, put on their white Sabbath garments,
and ranged round Jesus in the order observed at
prayer. He prayed from a roll of writings. The
whole party numbered about twenty. The Sabbath
lamp burned the whole day, and Jesus alternately
prayed and instructed the disciples in their dudes.
There was present a new disciple named Silvanus.
whom Jesus had received in the last city. He was

590 Life of Jesus Christ

already thirty years old and of the tribe of Aaron. Je
sus had known him from early youth, and looked
upon him as His future disciple at the children's feast
given by holy Mother Anne when, as a boy of twelve.
He returned from His teaching in the Temple. It
was at the same feast that He had chosen the future
bridegroom of Cana.

On the way to Bethania Jesus, to continue His in
structions for the benefit of the new disciples, explain
ed to them the Our Father, spoke to them! of fidelity
in His service, and told them that He would now
i each awhile in Jerusalem, after which He would
soon return to His Heavenly Father. He told them
also that one would abandon Him, for treason was
already in his heart. All these new disciples re
mained faithful. On this journey, Jesus healed several
lepers who had been brought out on the road. One
hour from Bethania, they entered the inn at which
Jesus had taught so long before Lazarus 's resurrection
arid to which Magdalen had come forth to meet
Him. The Blessed Virgin also was at the inn with
other women, likewise five of the Apostles: Judas,
Thomas, Simon, James the Less, Thaddeus, John
Marc, and some others. Lazarus was not there. The
Apostles came out a part of the way to meet th,e
Lord at a well, where they saluted Him and washed
His feet, after which He gave an instruction which
was followed by a meal. The women then went
on to Bethania while Jesus remained at the inn
with the rest of the party. Next day, instead of
going straight to Bethania, He made a circuit around
the adjacent country with the three silent disciples.
The rest of the Apostles and disciples separated into
two bands, headed respectively by Thaddeus and
James, and went around curing the sick. I saw them
effecting cures in many different ways: by the im
position of hands, by breathing upon or leaning over
the sick person, or in the case of children, by taking

Jesus Casts out a Devil 591

them on their knees, resting them on their breast
and breathing upon them.

On thia journey, Jesus cured a man possessed by
the devil. The parents of the young man ran after
Jesus just as He was entering a little village of scatter
ed houses. He followed them into the court of their
house, where He found their possessed son who, at
the Lord's approach, became furious, leaping about
and dashing against the walls. His friends wanted
to bind him,' but they could not do it, as he grew
more and more rabid, flinging right and left those
that approached him. Thereupon Jesus commanded
all present to withdraw and leave Him alone with the
possessed. When they obeyed, Jesus called to the
possessed to come to Him. But he, heeding not
the call, began to put out his tongue and to make
horrible grimaces at Jesus. Jesus called Him again.
'He came not, but, with his head twisted over his
shoulder, he looked at Him. Then Jesus raised His
eyes to heaven and prayed. When He again com
manded the possessed to come to Him, he did so
and cast himself full length at His feet. Jesus passed
over him twice first one foot and then the other,
as 'if treading him under foot, and I saw rising from
the open mouth of the possessed a black spiral vapor
which disappeared in the air. In this rising exhala
tion, I remarked three knots, the last of which was
the darkest and strongest. These three knots were
connected together by one strong thread and many
finer ones. I can compare the whole thing to nothing
better than to three censers one above the other, whose
clouds of smoke issuing from 'different openings, at
last unite with one another.

The possessed now lay like one dead at Jesus'
feet. Jesus made over him the sign of the Cross
and commanded him to rise. The poor creature stood
up. Jesus led him to .his parents at the gate of the
courtyard, and said to them: " I give you back your
son cured, but I shall demand him again of you.

592 Life of Jesus Christ

Sin no mote against him. " They had sinned against
him, and it was on that account that he had fallen
into so miserable a condition.

Jesus now went to Bethania. The man just de
livered and many others went thither also, some
before Jesus, others after Him. Many of those that
had been cured by the Apostles were likewise present
in the city, and a great tumult arose when the cured
everywhere proclaimed their happiness. I saw some
priests go to meet Jesus, and conduct Him into the
synagogue where they laid before Him a Book of
Moses from which they desired Him to teach. There
were many people in the school, and the holy women
were in the place allotted to females.

They went afterward to the house of Simon of
Bethania, the healed leper, where the women had
prepared a repast in the rented hall. Lazarus was
not there. Jesus and the three silent 'disciples spent
the night at the inn near the synagogue, the A-
po sties and other disciples at that outside Bethania,
Mary and the other women stayed with Martha and
Magdalen. The house in which Lazarus formerly
dwelt was toward the Jerusalem side of the city. It
was like a castle, surrounded by moats and bridges.

Next morning Jesus again taught in the school
where among the many disciples present were Sa-
turnin, Nathanael Chased, and Zacheus. Many sick
had been brought to Bethania. In the house of Si
mon, the healed leper, a meal was again prepared,
at which Jesus distributed all the viands to the poor
and invited them to partake with the other guests.
This gave rise to the report among the Pharisees
and in Jerusalem, that Jesus was a spendthrift who
lavished upon the mob all that He could lay hands
on.

While Jesus was teaching in the school, the crowds
of sick, all men, were ranged in a double row of
tents from the school to Simon's house. There were
no lepers among them, for they showed themselves

Jesus Curing

593

only m retired places. When Jesus approached the
tents, three disciples followed Him like Levites two
on either side, but a little behind Him, and the third
directly behind Him. There was no crowd. Jesus
went up along one row of tents and down by the
other, curing m various ways. He merely passed
by some of the sick, and exhorted others without
curing them. He told them that they should change
their manner of life. Some He took by the hand
and commanded to rise, while others He merely
touched. One man affected with the dropsy, He
stroked over the head and body with His hand, and
the swelling immediately went down. The water
poured from his whole person in a stream of perspi
ration. Many of the cured threw themselves pros
trate at Jesus' feet. His companions raised them
and led them away. When the Lord returned to
the school, He caused the cured to be seated near
Him, and then He taught.

I saw Jesus sending out the disciples two by two
from Bethania into the country to teach and to heal.
Some He told to return to Bethania, and others to
Bethphage. He Himself with the three silent dis
ciples journeyed a couple of hours southward from
Bethania to a little village where He healed the sick.
Here I saw Him going into the house of a man
whom He had once cured of dumbness, but who,
having sinned again, had now become paralyzed. His
hands and fingers were quite distorted. Jesus ad
dressed to him some words of exhortation and touched
him. The man arose. He healed likewise several
girls who were lying pale and sick. Sometimes they
lay unconscious as if dead, and again they alternately
wept and laughed heartily. They were lunatics.

When before the Sabbath, Jesus again returned
to Bethania and went to the school, I heard the Jews
boasting against Him that He could not yet do what
God had done for the Children of Israel when He
rained down manna for them in the desert. They

Life of Jesus Christ. — III. 38

594 Life of Jesus Christ

were indignant against Jesus. Jesus passed the night
this time not in Bethania, but outside in the disciples'
inn.

.While at this inn, three men came to Him from
Jerusalem: Obed, t,he son of the, old man Simeon,
a Temple servant and a disciple in secret; the second,
a relative of Veronica; and the third, a relative of
Johanna Chusa. This last mentioned became later
on Bishop of Kedar. For a time also he lived as a
hermit near the date trees that, on her flight into
Egypt, had bent down their fruit to Mary that she
might partake of it. These disciples asked why He
had so long abandoned them, why He had in other
places done so much of which they knew nothing.
In His answer to these questions, Jesus spoke of
tapestry and other precious things, which looked new
and beautiful to one that had not seen them for some
time. He said also that if the sower sowed his
seed all at once and in one place, the whole might
be destroyed by a hailstorm, so the iastructions and
cures that were scattered far and wide would not
soon be forgotten. Jesus' answers were something
like the above.

These disciples brought the news that the High
Priests and Pharisees were going to station spies
in the places round Jerusalem in order to seize Him
as soon as He appeared. Hearing this, Jesus took
with "Him only His two latest disciples, Selam of
Kedar and Silvanus, and travelled the whole night
with them to Lazarus's estate near Ginea, where
Lazarus himself was then stopping. Two days pre
viously he was in the little city between Bethania
and Bethlehem, in the neighborhood of which the
Three Kings had rested on their journey to the latter
place; but on receiving a message from Jesus, he
had left and gone to his estate. Jesus knew very
well that the three disciples would bring Him this
news from Jerusalem and that He Himself would leave
Bethania, therefore it was that He had already passed

Jesus Goes to Bethania 595

two nights not in Bethania, but in the disciples'
inn outside.

Jesus arrived before dawn (it was still dark) at Laz-
arus's estate and knocked at 'the gate of the court
yard. It was opened by Lazarus himself who with
a light conducted Him into a large hall where were
assembled Njcodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, John
Marc, and Jairus, the younger brother of Obed.

I saw Jesus afterward with the two disciples again
in Bethabara and Ephron, where He celebrated the
Sabbath. Andrew, Judas, Thomas, James the Less,
Thaddeus, Zacheus, and seven othef disciples were
present, having come hither from Bethania to meet
Jesus. When Judas was about leaving Bethania, I
saw the Blessed Virgin earnestly exhorting him to
be more moderate, to watch over himself, and not
interfere in affairs as he did.

In Ephron, Jesus healed the blind, the lame, the
deaf and dumb, who had been brought thither for
that purpose. He delivered one possessed also from
the power of the devil.

On leaving Ephron, He went to a place north of
Jericho where there was an asylum for the sick and
the poor. 'Here He restored sight to an old blind
man whom once before when 'engaged in healing, He
had sent away, although at the same time He had
restored sight to two others by anointing their eyes
with salve made of clay mixed with spittle. He now
cured this man by His word alone. The village was
situated on His way.

From this last place Jesus returned to Lazarus's
estate, and thence went with Lazarus to Bethania
whither the holy women came to meet Him.

I. PERSONAL INDEX
VOL. Ill

Abraham, Patriarch, 18, 167,

465> 467-
Absalom, Son of David, 165,

247.

Achias, Centurion of Giskala, 35.
Alpheus, First Husband of Mary

Cleophas, and Father of St.

Matthew, 41.
Anna Cleophas, natural Daughter

of Cleophas, 41.
Andrew, Apostle, 44, 444, 584.
Antiochus Epiphanes, King, 577.
Athalia, Daughter of Lais of

Nairn, 7.

Azarias of Atom, 554, 562.
Azor, Disciple, 324, 330, 351.

Balaam, Heathen Prophet, 467.
Balac, King of Moab, 469.
Barnabas, Disciple, 330, 361,370,

373. 390, 444-
Bartholomew (Nephthali),

Apostle, 24, 247.
Benjamin, Son of Edon, 498.

Caisar, Disciple, 561.
Candace, Queen of Ethiopia,

194.
Cornelius, the Centurion, i, n,

36, 39, 94-

Cuppes (Serena), 547, 553.
Cyrinus of Cyprus, 35, 327, 333,

34'-
Cyrinus of Egypt, 133.

David, King, 168, 467.
Demetrius of Ephesus, 510.
Deodatus, Disciple, 576.
Derketo, Pagan Deity, Daughter

of Nemrod, 358.
Dsemchid, Leader of the People,

388.

Elias, Prophet, 226, 244, 298,

299. 327. 342» 359. 392.
Eleazer, Abraham's Servant, 465.
Elizabeth, Wife of Zachary, 104,

165, 169, 432.
Eliseus, Prophet, 342.
Eliud (Siricius), Disciple, 493,

579-

Eliud of Sichar-Cedar, 502.
Enue of Paneas, the Woman

Afflicted with the Issue of

Blood, 67, 254.
Eremenzear (Hermas), Disciple,

537, 557, 56i.
Esau, Jacob's Brother, 233.
Esdras, Priest, 103.

Gajus (Caius), Disciple of St.

Paul, 510.

Garescha (see Stolanus).
Gedeon, Judge, 81.
Gesmas (See Thieves).

Heli of Hebron, Elizabeth's

Brother-in-Law, 277.
Heliachim, Mary Heli's Son, 4,

281.

598

Personal Index

Henoch, Patriarch, 226.

Herod Antipas, 52, 94, 144, 150,
206, 278, 473.

Herodias, Wife of Herod Anti-
pas, 144.

Hoseas (Osee), Prophet, 420.

Ignatius of Antioch, 307.
Ismael, Abraham's Son, 507.

Jairus, Ruler of the Synagogue,

Jt 36, 65, 94, 208.
Jairus, Obed's Brother, Disciple,

5<>5

Jacob, Patriarch, 233, 326.
Jacob (James), Mary Heli's

Son, 4.
James the Greater, Apostle, 4,

44, 169, 296.

James the Less, Apostle, 4, 115.
Jephte,Son of Achias of Giskala,

35\
Jephtias, Daughter of Jephte,

468.

Jeremias, Prophet, 172.

JESUS CHRIST, The Second

Pasch, 274. — His Manner and
Appearance, 95, 343, 492. —
His Clothing, 277, 328, 493.

Johanna Chusa, 436.

John the Baptist : Imprisonment,
19, 51, 72. — Beheading and
Burial, 148, 167, 179, 182,
186.

John, Apostle, 44, 165, 296, 324,

444. 579-

John, Disciple, 4.
Jonadab, Disciple, 134.
Jonas, Third Husband of Mary

Cleophas, 55.
Jonas, Disciple, 333, 349.
Joseph, the Foster-Father of

Jesus Christ, 197, 434, 442.
Joseph of Arimathea, 175, 191.
Joses Barsabas, Son of Mary

Cleophas, 459.

Joses, Nephew of St. Bartholo
mew, 4, 35.

Judas Maccabeus, 153.

Jude Thaddeus — see Thaddeus.

Judas the Betrayer, of Iscariot,
50, 86, 229 324.

Judas Barsabas, 176.

Judas, the Gaulonite, 274, 276,
293-

Katharine, St., of Alexandria,

365-

Ketura, Wife of Abraham, 537.
Kings, the Three Wise Men

from the East, 179, 466, 489,

530. See Mensor, Seir, and

Theokeno.

Ktesiphon of Bethanat, 103.
Ktesiphon, see Abenadar.

Laban, 464.

Lais, 3.

Lazarus, the Beggar, 286.

Lazarus of Bethania, 128, 160,

169, 273, 277, 478, 481.
Lea, Enue's Sister-in-Law, 67,

73, 308-

Luke, Evangelist, 165.
Lysias, Captain, 153.

Maacha, Absalom's Mother,

247.

Maccabees, The, 153.
Malachias, Prophet, 226, 299,

380, 400, 467.

Mark, Evangelist, 498, 510.
Maroni, Widow of Nairn, 3, n,

Si-

Martha, Sister of Lazarus, 94,
122, 471.

Martial, Youth of Nairn, Son of
Maroni, Widow, 3.

Mary, Blessed Virgin. —
Visitation, 165. — Purifica
tion, 163, 174. — Flight into

Personal Index

599

Egypt, 169, 576. - - In the
Temple, with the Boy Jesus,
590. - - During the Public
Life of Jesus, 595. — At Pente
cost, 583. General De
meanor, 74.
Mary Magdalen, 31, 95, 122, 159,

188, 274, 436, 471.
Mary Heli, Daughter of St.

Anne, 4, 135.

Mary Cleophas, Daughter of
the Blessed Virgin's Eldcr
Sister, 41, 49.

Mary of Supha, 95, 247, 436.
Mary Salome. See Salome.
Mathathias, the Maccabeus, 577.
Matthew (Levi), Apostle, 41,

49.
Melchisedech, 388, 400, 465,

489.
Mensor, One of the Three

Kings, 534.
Mercuria, Converted Priestess,

35°> 370, 427» 432, 459-
Michol, of Antipatns, 153.
Mira, 576.
Mitras (Mytor) Pagan Divinity,

564-
Mnason, Disciple, 324, 415. 422.

444-

Moabites, 469.
Moses, Lawgiver, 298, 403.
Moses, Mnason's Father, 416.

Nahum, Prophet, 104.
Nathanael, Bridegroom of Cana,

98, 452.
Nazor, Ruler of the Synagogue

at Sichar-Kedar, 515, 5'9-
Nehemias, Priest, 103, 193-
Nicodemus, Friend of Jesus,

487.

Obed, Mary Hell's Husband, 4-
Obededon, 168.

Osee, Prophet, 420.
Ozias, Chief Magistrate of An-
tipatris, 153.

Parmenas, Disciple, 134.
Paul, Apostle, 153, 370, 510.
Peter, Apostle, 44, 65, 90, 220,

267, 296, 324, 449.
Pharao, in the Time of Moses,

402.
Pilate, 151, 177. 273> 278» 292'

412.

Ratimiris (Emily), 560.

Sabas, Mary Cleophas 's Second

Husband, 459.
Sabia of Nairn, Daughter of

Lais, the Widow, 7.
Sadoch, Mary Heli's Son, 4,

174.
Sair (Seir), one of the « Three

Kings », 535, 543-
Salathiel of Sichor, 510.
Salome, Mary, Wife of Zebedee,

471* 483-
Salome, of Jerusalem,

Joseph's Niece, 188.
Salome, Daughter of Jairus, i,

36, 65, 75-
Salome, Daughter of Herodias,

144.

Samson, Judge, 433.
Samuel, Judge, 457.
Samuel, Disciple, 138.
Saraseth, Pharisee, 75.
Saturnin, Disciple, 39, »76-
Saul, King, 322.
Segola, Sibyl, 392.
Sela (Selam), Disciple, 587.
Semiramis, Derketo's Gran

daughter, 360, 465.
Silas (Sela), Disciple, 493. 579-
Silvanus, Disciple, 589.

600

Personal Index

Simeon of Sichor, 430.

Simeon, the Just, of Jerusalem,
Son of Mary Cleophas, 51.

Simeon of Gatheper, Essenian,
132.

Simon, the Leper, Pharisee,
280, 592.

Solomon, King, 194, 327.

Stephen, Deacon, 289.

Susanna Alpheus, Daughter of
Mary Cleophas, 73.

Syrophenician, The, of the Gos
pel, 235, 329, 432.

Thaddeus, Jude, Apostle, 510,

56i.
Theokeno (Leo), One of the

« Three Kings », 533.
Tholmai, King, 247.
Thomas, Apostle, 105, 324, 561,

570-

Titus, Disciple of the Apostles,
498.

Veronica (Seraphia), 436.
Widows, the Three, of Nazareth.
Seba and Lea were daughters

of Sobe, sister of St. Anne,
and Mara was a daughter of
Rhoda. Their sons were :
Nathanael, the Bridegroom of
Cana ; Eustachius, Colaja,
and Sirach. Nathanael's
Mother was Seba. The others
were often mistaken for one
another.

Youths, the Three Rich, of
Nazareth, 458.

Zacharias, the Murdered High-
Priest of the Old Law, 114,
172.

Zacharias, Cousin of John the
Baptist, 165, 173.

Zacheus, of Jericho, 469, 495.

Zachary, Father of the Baptist,
172, 432.

Zebedee, Father of the Apostles
John and James the Greater,

4-

Zorobabel, Centurion of Caph-
arnaum, 31, 94.

II. GEOGRAPHICAL INDEX

Abelmahula, 198.

Abez, 206.

Abram, no.

Achaia, 63.

Achzib, 115.

Alexandrium, Castle of 586.

Anathot, 467.

Antipatris (Caphar-Seba), 153,

!58> 177-
Appolonia, 177.
Arabia — Land of the « Three

Kings », 519.
Abram (Amthar), 286.
Argob (Argos), 251, 259.
Asach, 324.
Athanot, 160.
Atom, 557.
Azanoth, 122.
Baal-Hermon, 246.
Basan, District, 491.
Bersabee, 578.
Bethabara, 469, 488.
Bethain, 168.
Bethan (Beten), 104.
Bethanat (Bethanath), 102.
Bethania, 282, 488.
Betharan, 489.
Bethel, 584.
Beth-Lechem, 441.
Bethoron, 158.
Bethsaida-Julias, 41, 61, 267,

314, 462.
Bethsaida at the Sea of Gen-

esareth, 40, 223.

— Peter's House, 34, 40, 51,
64, 223.

Bethsoron (Bethzur), 179.
Bethulia (Bethuel), n.

— Baths, 303,

Bethzur, 178.
Bosra, 464.

Cades-Nephthali, 233.

Cana, 451.

Cana near Sidon, 325.

Capharnaum, i, 51, 444, 460,

587-

— Valley, i.
Capharoth, 322.
Cariathaim (Kirjathaim), no.
Carmel, Mount, 430.
Cedar, 496.
Cedar in Galaad, 496.
Cendevia, Lake, 431.
Cerynia, 415.
Chaldaea, District, 563.
Chaldar, 563.
Corozain, Great, 47.
Corozain, Little, 263.
Corozain, District, 47, 81.
Chytrus, 361.
Citium, 415.
Cyprus, Island, 322, 334.

Debbaseth, 24.

Dalmanutha, District and City,

80, 221.
Damna, 442.
Datheman, 468.
David's Highway, 467.
Decapolis, 81, 89, 249.
Dothain, 122, 304.
Dothan, 140, 199.

Edon, 497.
Edrai, 464.
Eleutheropolis, 459.
Elcese (Elkese), 104, 232.

602

Geographical Incfa

Emmaus in Judea, 188.

Endor, 292.

Ephesus, 510.

Ephron (Ephrem, Ephraim),

58i, 595-
Ephron, in Galaad, 221, 372.

Gabara, 361, 252.

Galaad, Moutain-range, of, 464.

Galgal, 104.

Gaul, 75.

Gamala, 59, 81.

Garisima, 321.

Gatheper (Gathepher), 130.

Gaulon, 251.

Gazora, 445.

Genesareth, Sea of, 44, 265. —
Matthew's House and Cus
tom Office, 41, 223.

Genesareth, District, 47, 223.

Gerasa, 41, 80.

Gergesa, 48, 76. — District, 78.

Gessur, 246.

Ginaea (Ginnim), 481, 594.

Giskala (Gischala), n.

Hadad-Rimmon, 292.

Hamath-Dor, 238.

Hebron, 167, 170.

Heliopolis (On, Chume), 572.

Hermon, Mount, 246.

Hesebon, 206.

Hucuca (Hukok), 100.

Israelites, Departure from
Egypt, 402. — Jews in Cyprus,
326, 328, 411. — in Rome,

Jacob's ((Camp of Peace, » 464.

Japha, 4.

Jericho, 473, 582.

Jerusalem, — Surroundings :
Valley of Josaphat, 490. . —
Mount Olivet, 188. — Beth-
phage, 282. — Tower of Siloe,

151, 162. — Gates, 163, 288.
— Interior of the City : The
Temple Mount, 150, 284.

— Citadel of Antonia, 275, 294.

— The Great Forum, 275,

— Pilate's Court of Justice, etc.,

275-

— The Caenaculum, 195, 487.
Bethsaida, Pool and Syn
agogue, 151, 163, 189, 278,

583-

Ophel, 277.
Jether, 176.
Jezrael, 292.
Joppa, 412.
Jordan, 491.
Juttah (Juta), 164, 171. — Za-

chary's House, 173.

Kishon (Cison), Brook, u, 292,

431-

Kisloth Thabor (Ceseleththa-
bor), 133, 296.

Lais (Leschem, Dan), 233.
Lanifa, 387, 415.
Lapithus, 392.
Lebona, 197.

Lekkum (Lecum), 98, 312.
Leontes, River, 325.
Leppe, in Cyprus, 392.
Libna, 176.
Lydda, 188.

Machaerus, 144, 179, 182, 321.
Machpelah, Cave, 167, 168.
Magdala, 77, 80, 221.
Magdalum, 3, n, 128, 205.
Mallep, 382, 393, 415.
Mambre, Grove and Valley,

167, 578.

Megiddo (Mageddo), 18.
Meroz, 4, 290.
Madian, 472.
Misael, 431.

Geographical Index

603

Mozin, 567.

Mount( Multiplication of Loaves),

462, 588.

Mount of Beatitudes, 60.
Mount of the Mission, 97, 460.

Naasson, 112.

Nairn (Nain), 292, 435.

Nazareth, — Mary's House, 34.

• — Anne's Property, 28.
Nile, River, 574.
Nobe (Nobah), 249, 464.

On (Ono), Second Baptismal
Place of St. John. Jesus' Bap
tismal Island, 583.

Ornithopolis, 235, 325.

Ozensara, 158.

Padius, River, 427.

Paneas (Csesarea-Philippi), 49,

89, 252, 257.
Patras, 39, 51.
Phiala, Lake, 249.
Ptolemais, 432.

Ramoth Gilead (Maspha), 444.
Rechob, 246.
Red Sea, 402.
Regaba, 251, 259.
Rimmon, 440.

Rome, 75. — St. Peter's Basilica,
524-

Salamis, 336, 426.

Sapha, 169.

Saphet, 104, 109.

Sarepta, 244.

Saron, 188.

Selcha, 465.

Sephoris,, 135.

Sichem (Sichar), 578. — Jacob's

.Well, 5/8.
Sichor Libnath (Amichores),

.430.

Sidon, 329,
Sikdor, 563.
Sinai, Mount, 578.
Sion, City, 435.
Sogane, 269.
Sunem, 141.

Thabor, Mount, 138, 296.
Tarichaea, 221, 317.
Thanach, 433.
Thantia, 468.
Thanath-Silo, 289, 588.
Thirza, 198.

Tiberias, 89, 139, 162, 317.
Tigris, River, 563, 566.
Tyre, 321.

Ur, District and City, 563, 569.

Zabulon, 18, 25.
Zin, District, 81.

III. ARCH^OLOGICAL-THEOLOGICAL INDEX

Agriculture and Cattle Raising,
81, 113, 249, 310, 362, 387, 467.

Alms-box of Temple, (Treasury),
169,

Alms-giving and Charity, 190,
194, 235, 242, 248, 254, 257,

3J3. 32o, 338, 355. 4M. 437.

467.

Amen, Signification of, 425.
Angels, Apparitions of, 193, 547.

— Fall of, 389.

Anointing among the Jews and
Heathens, 96, 99, 241, 331,
338, 408, 584. — Religious, 70,
102, 108, 141, 154, 162, 261.

Apostles, a) Call, 40. — Mis
sion and Teaching, 76, 97,
'M. !33» i37» 214,, 233, 238,
245> 3°9» 3*9. 452> 46°. 489.
579. 588- b) Character, 29, 45,
105, 231, 266, 297, 325, 450.

Apple (Esrog) of the Patriarchs
and of Paradise, 199.

Ark of the Covenant, in, 178.

Blessing of the Patriarchs. See

— Resting-places, 168.
Architecture, 151, 153.
Astrology and Sorcery, 80. See

Star- worshippers.
Aqueducts, 151, 342, 378, 389.

Balsam Trees, 532.

Baptism by Jesus' Disciples, 35,

46, 87, 115, 213, 248, 351, 390,

422, 477.
Baptism, Sacrament of the New

Law, 193, 401, 583.
Baptismal Well of John and the

Apostles, 189* 340, 351, 583,

Baptismal Sponsors, 35, 478.

Baptismal Water, 35, 351, 421.

Baths, 330, 389, 583.

Bees, Raising of, 375, 503.

Birthday of Jesus during His
Life on earth, 164, 544.

Boundaries of Some of the
Early Tribes, 113.

Blasting, 186.

Blessing of Jesus, 43, 132, 217,
325. 332, 470, 525. S6o.

Brethren of Jesus, 136, 210.

Burials, Customs at, Solemni
ties, Mourning, 36, 174, 295,
4*7, 483. 5!3-

Calendar, Jewish, 281. See

Jewish Feasts.
Canals, 563, 566, 573.
Caravans, 50, 252, 352, 367,

416, 463.
Carpentry, 434.
Castles in Palestine, 18, 200, 412,

5S6.
Ceremonies of Leave-Taking in

Jesus' Life, 424, 427, 428, 565.
Caves in Palestine, 104, 130,

167, 176, 459.
Chariots in the East, 374.
Charges in the Temple, 169.
Children, Jesus' Intercourse

with Them, 48, 120, 130, 306,

307, 312, 447, 469, 474, 498,

550.
Chronology, of the Life of Jesus

and Mary, 128, 567. — of

Apostolic Times, 370, 510, 559.
Circumcision, 172, 255, 382,

Archaeological-Theological Index 605

Cities, Jewish, 222, 252.
Egyptian, 572. Arabia,

Chaldea, 519, 572. -- Tent
Cities in Cyprus, 332, 423.

Clothing, of the Jews, 123,
146, 235, 242, 326, 337. — In
Cyprus, 346, 358, — of the
Heathens, 235, 346, 358, 520,
536, 546-

Coins and Money, 205, 250, 305,
432.

Confession, Jewish, 138, 390.

Consecration, Spiritual, 486.

Continence and Mortification
(Conjugal), 313, 504, 512.

Crib of Jesus, 542.

Cross of Jesus, 193.

Dancing, Jewish, 119, 146, 398.

Decapitation among the Jews,
149.

Demons, or Evil Spirits, 15, 21,
76.

Dead, Reverence for, 174. -
Raising of by Jesus the Six,
n, 36, 68, 479, 481, 513.

Disciples of Jesus, 4, 30, 39, 61,
84, 96, 105, 179, 214, 226, 254,
282, 308, 328, 373, 444, 462,

475. 493. S6o, 576, 58l« &7-
Disciples of John, 18, 51, 56, 180.
Divorce and Adultery, 17, 117,

405. See also Herod Antipas

in Personal Index.
Dragons, 328.

Employments, Feminine, 120,

436.

Embalming, 182.
Essenians, 105, 137, 182, 349.
Eucharist, Holy, 223.

Fasting, 71.

Fast-days, Jewish, 43, 165, 189,
376- "

Fauna of the East, 81, 104, 234,

314. 328, 552.

Feasts, Jewish : — Feast of
Lights, or Dedication of the
Temple by Judas Maccabaeus,
93. — Expulsion of the Sad-
ducees, 170. -- Feast of En-
norum, 194, 198, 203.
Tree Festival, 171.

Feast of Esther and Feasts of
Purim, 246. — Feast of Pass
over, the Jewish Easter, 274,
280, 285. — Home-Coming
after the Pasch, 303, 312,333.
Pentecost, or Feast of
Weeks, 399. — Festival of the
Burning of the Sadducean
Books, 462. -- Feast of the
New Moon, 25, 171, 508.

Family Feasts, 39.

Festival Houses, Inns, 118, 336,
498.

Festival Sports, 250.

Fire, Sacred of the Temple, 193.

Fish, Fishing, 57, 217, 305, 431.

Food, Ordinary, 363, 374, 378,
476.

Fruits, 329, 384, 492.

Furniture, 146, 166, 243, 549.

Galileans, 276, 292.

Games, Jewish, 119, 398, 414..

See Festival Sports.
Gardens and Horticulture, 16,

31, in, 198, 234, 354, 440,

539. 565-
Garrisons, Roman, in Palestine,

75. I58. 294-
Genealogical Table in the East,

326, 541.
Gifts among Jews and Heathens,

119, 242, 250, 254, 331, 340,

537, 554-

Gifts to the Temple, 174, 245,
284, 293.

606 Archaeological-Theological Index

Gospels, 45, 192.
Grain, 168, 289, 310, 564.
Granary, The, 564.
Guards, Roman Soldiers, i, 178,
187, 294, 413.

Healing, Jesus' Manner of, 68,

108, 141, 154, 237, 385, 420,

595-
Heathens in Palestine, 76, 112,

254» 259, 3*2, 325-
Hermits, 184, 468.
Herod's Castles, 144.
Herodians, 25, 31, 276.
Honey, 540.
Hospitals, Jewish, 104, 200, 336,

464, 4;i, 595.
Houses in the Time of Christ,

243> 34°> 346> 373. 501. 569-
Human Races and Primitive
Nations, 325, 387, 464, 507,
535-

Idolatry and Idol-worship, 353,
358, 388, 522, 542, 558.

Idols, 248, 257, 346, 365, 379,

392, 522, 544, 554, 558, 565,

573-

Impression Made by the Saviour
on His Contemporaries, 450.
See Pharisees.

Impurity, 399.

Incense, 538.

Inns, Public, in the East, 179,
326, 354, 377, 489.

Inns of Mary and Joseph, 675.

Inns, Christ's, during His Pub
lic Life, no, 122, 140, 206,
234, 268, 274, 435, 582, 594.

Institutions Jewish, 109.

Journeys, Kind and Customs,
161, 328, 489.

Kingdom of God, 231, 497, 511.

Kingdom of Satan, 231.

Kingdom, Vegetable (trees
plants, flowers) in the East,
104, 112, 170, 200, 253, 349,
362, 465, 519, 531, 540, 565,
577-

Last Supper, 174.

Leprosy and Lepers, 27, 197,

471, 585-
Levites, 106, 102, 165, and

elsewhere.

Levitical Schools, 159.
Levitical Cities, in, 431.
Life, Pastoral and Nomadic, in

the East, 362, 464, 479, 506.
Loaves, Paschal and Ordinary,

217, 280, 400, 549, 562.

Marriage, Signification of, 117,
312, 390, 500, 516. — Mixed,
375; 4*o.

Marriage Customs, Jewish, 117,
394. 479. 498, 506.

Mary, — Signification and
Dignity of, 309. — Her
Knowledge of the Mysteries,
230. — Intercourse with Jesus,
443, 461, 582, 595. — Her
Wisdom and Virtues, 500. —
Words of Jesus concerning
Her, 130, 309.

Meals, Jewish, 146, 332, 341,
350. — Medicine, 232, 239,
336.

Mining and Smelting, 368, 378,
410, 535.

Miracles of Jesus, the principal,
i> 6, 13, 27, 33, 47, 55, 64, 72,
76, 88, 99, 109, 127, 191, 212,
219* 237, 481, 478, 513, 526,
558.

Mortification and Penitential
Works, 68, ui, 312, 408 .

Archaeological-Theological Inde:

607

Music and Musical Instruments,

119, 146, 380, 397.
Mystery of Redemption, 309,

518.

Nazarites, 236.

Paganism, 360, 378. See Idol
atry.
Palestine, Prisons in, 145, 200.

— Wells in and elsewhere,
109, 168, 200, 254, 338, 346,
362, 465, 519, 530, 539, 577,
584. — Schools in, 106, 120,
268, 290, 335, 406, 440, 575,
581. See Levitical Schools and

Schools of the Synagogues. —
Physical Features of
(Beauty, Fertility, Formation,
Appearance), u, 104, 112, 196,
199, 219. — of Egypt, 574, —•
Arabia and Chaldea, 519, 574.

— of Cyprus, 333, 423.
Parables, a) Historical, 169, 284.

b) Explanation of some, 9,
143, 1 60, 476.

Paschal Lambs, 168, 274, 280.

Patriarchal Blessing, the Mys
tery of the Ark of the Co
venant, 513.

Pharisees, 105 455.

Philosophers, Pagan, 358, 365,
386.

Pillars of Fire, 403.

Places of Prayer, Jewish, 352,
377. — Special Devotion and
Pilgrimage, 163, 468.

Possession, Demoniacal, 77, 90,
127.

Prayer, Jewish, 499.

Prayer of Jesus (constant), 34,
38, 49, 60, 266, 324, 402, 459,

499-

Prayer (public) and Singing
among the Jews, 343.

Presentation of the Child Jesus
in the Temple, 174.

Priests and Priesthood of the
Old Law, 480. — of the Pa
gans and Star-worshippers,

85, 356, 541. 557-
Primacy of Peter, 270, 456.
Prophets and Prophetesses, 344,

468. See Personal Index.
Proselytes, 3, 39, 255.
Publicans, 23, 41, 50, 246.
Purgatory, 400.

Rechabites, 372, 376, 464.
Relics, Veneration of in the Old

Law, 404.

Riding, Kind of, 427.
Rivers, Crossing of, 61, 213, 222,

49i» 532-

Sabbath-day's Journey, 438.
Sabbath, Celebration of, 546.
Sabbath Beschallah, 194.
Sacrifice, Jewish, 175, — of the

Star-Worshippers, See Esse-

nians.
Sacerdotal Cities and Pagan

Schools, 563, 566.
Salt Mines, 415, 428.
Satan, 547.
Sea, Combat at, 429.
Seed of Abraham, 400.
Sepulchres, Jewish, 176, 484,

Shepherds at Christ's Birth,

480.
Ships, Vessels of Various Kinds,

47. 57, 219, 33 '» 428.
Sickness, Nature and Cause, 15,

27, 65, 157.
Slaves, 295.
Soldiers, Roman, i, 180, 187,

218, 247, 278, 294, 412.
Staff of Peace, 566.
Star-Worshippers, 519, 542, 563,

608 Archaeological-Theological Inde:

Statuary, Sculpture, 553,
Synagogues,, 52, 101, 112, 171,

i93» 265, 327, 335, 586. See

Schools.

Teachers, Jewish, 114, 507.

TEACHINGS, Great and Im
portant of the SAVIOUR, 14,
23, 29, 74, loi, 126, 263, 279,
309, 313, 342» 352, 366, 375,
408, 448, 456, 462, 476, 580.

Teaching, Places and Chairs for,
122, 139, 284, 318, 335.

Temple, Tax to, 250.

Temples, Heathen, 240, 246,

329» 352, 364. 521, 54°> 556>

562, 572.
Tents, 519. — Cities and Castles,

5i9, 530, 559-

Tithes, in Palestine, 355, 440.
Trades and Commerce, 26, zoo,

112, 158, 222, 234, 244, 259,

329. 3S4» 368, 374. 383, 556.
Trinity, Most Holy, 300.
Transfiguration of Christ, 296.
Typical Significations, 193, 342.
Trumpets, 281.

Vines and Vineyards, 81, 168,

504, 508.
Vows, 399. See Nazarites.

Water, Signification of, 348.

Wine-Press, 83, 565.

Witches, 322.

Women, the Holy, 3, 57, 73, 94,
125, 143, 161, 182, 226, 319,
437, 582. See the Passion.

Wounds, of Jesus, 301.

Writing, Manner of, Rolls of,
524. 579-

CONTENTS OF THE THIRD VOLUME

PREACHING AND MIRACLES OF JESUS IN CAPHARNAUM
AND THE SURROUNDING DISTRICTS

1. Cornelius the Centurion i

2. Miraculous Cures Wrought by Jesus. His Reasons

for Teaching in Parables 5

3. The Raising of the Youth of Nairn from the Dead. ... n

4. Jesus in Mageddo. John's Disciples 18

5. Jesus Leaves Mageddo. Cure of a Leper. 25

6. Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue of Capharnaum, and

Heals Two Lepers 31

7. The Resurrection of the Daughter of Jairus, the Chief

of the Synagogue 36

8. Jesus Instructs from His Bark. Call of Matthew. ... 40

9. The Final Call of Peter, Andrew, James, and John.

Jesus Stills the Tempest on the Lake 44

10. John the Baptist's Message to the Synagogue. The

Miraculous Draught of Fishes 51

11. The Sermon on the Mount. Cure of a Paralytic. ... 60

12. Jairus and His Daughter. Her Relapse. Cure of a

Woman Afflicted with an Issue of Blood, of Two
Blind Men, and of a Pharisee 65

13. Cure of a Man with a Withered Hand. "Blessed is

the Womb That Bore Thee !" 72

14. Jesus in Magdala and Gergesa. The Demon Driven

into the Swine 76

15. Jesus Cures in Bethsaida and Again Returns to Ca

pharnaum 90

16. The Missions of the Apostles and Disciples 96

17. Jesus in Bethanath, Galgal, Elcese, and Saphet. ... 102

18. Jesus in Cariathaim and Abram no

Life of Jebus Christ. — III

610 Contents of the Third Volume

FROM THE SECOND CONVERSION OF MAGDALEN TO THE
DELIVERY OF THE KEYS TO PETER

1. Jesus Teaching in Azanoth. Second Conversion of

Magdalen 122

2. Jesus in Gathepher, Kisloth, and Nazareth 130

3. Jesus' Instruction on the Height near Thabor, in

Sunem 138

4. The Beheading of St. John the Baptist 144

5. Jesus in Thanath-Silo and Antipatris 150

6. Jesus in Bethoron and Bethania 158

7. Jesus in Juttah. He Makes Known the Death of John

the Baptist 164

8. St. John's Remains Taken from Machaerus and Bur

ied at Juttah 179

9. Jesus in Bethania and Jerusalem. Cure of a Man

Sick for Thirty-eight Years 188

10. Jesus Delivers Prisoners in Tirzah 197

11. Jesus in Capharnaum and Its Environs 206

12. The Feeding of the Five Thousand 215

13. Jesus Walks on the Sea 219

14. Jesus Teaches of the Bread of Life 223

15. Jesus in Dan and Ornithopolis 231

16. The Syrophenician 235

17. Jesus in Gessur and Nobe. Celebration of the Feast

of Purim ... 246

18. Jesus in Regaba and Caesarea-Philippi 251

19. Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. Feeding of

the Four Thousand. The Pharisees Demand a Sign: 263

20. Peter Receives the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. 270

FROM THE SECOND PASCH TO THE RETURN FROM
CYPRUS

1. Jesus in Bethania and Jerusalem 274

2. The Passover in Lazarus's House 281

3. The Rich Glutton and Poor Lazarus 284

Contents of the Third Volume 611

4. Jesus in Ataroth and Hadad-Rimmon .. 2CC)

5. The Transfiguration on Mount Thabor 296

6. Jesus in Capharnaum and Its Environs 304

7. Jesus Teaching on the Mountain near Gabara 316

8. Jesus Journeys into the Country of Ornithopolis and

Thence Takes Ship for Cyprus 325

9. Jesus Teaches in Salamis. 336

10. Jesus Invited to the House of the Roman Comman

dant in Salamis 345

11. Jesus at the Home of Jonas' s Father. Instruction at

the Baptismal Well 349

12. Jesus Goes to the Jewish City 354

13. The Pagan Priestess Mercuria. The Pagan Literati. 356

14. Jesus' Teaching in Chytrus 366

15. The Paternal Home and Family of Barnabas. Jesus

Teaching in the Environs of Chytrus 373

16. Jesus in the City of Mallep 382

17. Jesus Teaching Before the Pagan Philosophers. He

Attends a Jewish Wedding 386

1 8. Feast of Pentecost. Jesus Teaches on Baptism 399

Vision of the Passage through the Red Sea 402

19. Jesus Delivers a More Severe Lecture in the Synagogue. 405

20. Jesus Visits the Mines near Chytrus 411

21. Jesus Goes to Cerynia, and Visits Mnason's Parents. 415

22. Departure from Cyprus 423

23. Jesus Goes from Misael, the Levitical City, through

Thanach, Nairn, Azanoth, and Damna to Caphar
naum 431

24. Arrival of the Apostles and Disciples in Capharnaum. 444

25. Jesus Instructs the New Disciples upon Prayer and

the Eight Beatitudes 460

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS, JEZUS IN THE LAND
OF THE THREE HOLY KINGS

i. Jesus in Bethabara and Jericho. Zacheus the Pub
lican 469

6490:,.,

612 Contents of the Third Volume

on the Way to Bethania. The Raising of

Lazarus 4g!

3. Jesus Begins His Journey into the Land of the Three

Holy Kings 4g9

4. Jesus in Cedar 496

5. Jesus Goes to Sichar-Cedar and Teaches upon the

Mystery of Marriage 500

- Jesus Raises a Dead Man to Life 513

6. Jesus Reaches the First Tent City of the Star- Wor

shippers 519

- Nocturnal Celebration of the Star- Worshippers 521

— Jesus Encounters a Pastoral Tribe , ... 525

— A Wonderful Globe 526

— Abolition of Idol-worship 528

- Jesus Continues His Journey to the Tent City of the

Kings 53o

7. Jesus Ceremoniously Escorted by Mensor to His Tent

Castle 534

8. Jesus in the Temple of the Kings. Feast of the Ap

parition of the Star -542

- Arrival of the Leader of a Strange Tribe. ... 552

9. Jesus Leaves the Tent City of the Kings, and Goes to

Visit Azarias, the Nephew of Mensor, in the Shep
herd Settlement of Atom 554

- The Wonderful Cure of Two Sick Women 558

10. Jesus Goes to Sikdor, Mozian, and Ur.*. 563

11. Jesus Goes to Egypt, Teaches in Heliopolis, and Re

turns to Judea through the Desert , 572

12. Jesus in Sichem, Ephron, and Jericho 579

13. Jesus Goes to Bethania 589

Personal Index 597

Geographical Index 601

Archaeological-Theological Index ... 604

BQ 7032 .M68 A4 V.3 SMC

The lowly life and bitter
passion of Our Lord Jesus
Christ and His Blessed
Mother