I. N. R. I. 

A Prisoner's Story of the Cross

by

PETER ROSEGGER

Translated by Elizabeth Lee

Hodder and Stoughton LimitedLondonFirst Edition, September, 1905. Second Edition, September, 1905. Third Edition, December, 1905. Made and Printed in Great Britain. Wyman & Sons Ltd. , London, Reading and Fakenham

PROLOGUE

The difficult path which leads to the gardens where the waters of lifesparkle, takes us first to a big city in which the hearts of menpulsate with feverish unrest. 

There is such a great crowd in the broad square in front of the lawcourts that the electric cars are forced to stop. Six or eight of themare standing in a row, and the police cannot break through the crowd. Every one is making for the law courts; some hurry forward excitedly, others push their way through quietly, and fresh streams of people fromthe side streets are continually joining the rest. The publicprosecutor is expected every moment to appear on the balcony andannounce the verdict to the public. 

Every one was indulging in remarks about the prisoner who had wished todo so terrible a deed. 

"He is condemned, sure enough!" shouted one man. "The like of him getsto Heaven with a hempen cord!"

"Don't be silly, " said another, with lofty superiority. "In half anhour at most he'll pass the gate a free man. Juries don't condemn thelike of him. "

Many agreed with the first speaker, but more with the last. 

"Whoever believes that he'll be let off is a fool!" shouted some one. "Just consider what he did, what he wished to do!"

"He wanted to do a splendid thing!"

Passionate discussion and wagering began. It would have struck a keenobserver that good broadcloth expected condemnation, while fustian andrags eagerly desired acquittal. A big man of imposing presence askedin a loud tone, over the heads of the people, if anyone would bet himten ducats that the wretch would hang. 

A starved-looking little fellow declared himself willing to take up thebet. The handsome man turned his head in its silk hat, and when he sawthe starved, undersized creature, murmured sleepily, "He! he'll bet tenducats with me! My dear sir, you'd better go home to your mother andask her to give you a couple of pennies. "

Laughter followed; but it was interrupted. The crowd swayed suddenly, as when a gust of wind passes over the surface of water. A manappeared on the balcony of the law courts. He had a short, dark beard;his head with its high forehead was uncovered. He stepped forwardceremoniously to the railing, and raised his hand to enforce silence. And when the murmur of the crowd died away, he exclaimed in a thinvoice, but pronouncing every syllable clearly, "The prisoner, KonradFerleitner, is found guilty by a majority of two-thirds of the jury, and in the name of his Majesty the King is condemned to die by hanging. "

He stood for a moment after making the announcement, and then went backinto the house. A few isolated exclamations came from the crowd. 

"To make a martyr of him! Enthusiasm is infectious!"

"An enthusiast! If he's an enthusiast, I'm a rascal!"

"Why not?" replied a shock-headed man with a laugh. 

"Move on!" ordered the police, who were now reinforced by the military. The crowd yielded on all sides, and the tram rails were once more free. 

A few minutes later a closed carriage was driven along the same road. The glint of a bayonet could be seen through the window. The crowdflocked after the carriage, but it went so swiftly over the paved roadthat the dust flew up under the horses' hoofs, and at length itvanished in the poplar avenue that led to the prison. Some of thepeople stopped, panting, and asked each other why they had run so fast. "It won't take place to-day. We shall see in the papers when it's tocome off. "

"Do you think so? I tell you it's only for specially invited andhonoured guests! The times when executions were conducted in publicare gone, my dear fellow. The people are kept out of the way. "

"Patience, my wise compeer! It'll be a people's holiday when thehangman is hung. "

The crowd melted into the ordinary traffic of the street. 

A slender, stooping man sat handcuffed between two policemen in thecarriage that rolled along the avenue. He breathed so heavily that hisshoulders heaved up and down. He wore his black coat today, and whitelinen appeared at neck and sleeves. His hair was reddish brown, he hadbrushed it carefully, and cheeks and chin were shaved smoothly. He hadfelt sure that the day would restore him to liberty, or promise it himat no very distant date. His pale face and sunken cheeks proclaimedhim about forty, but he might have been younger. His blue eyes had afar-away, dreamy expression, but they were now full of terror. Hisface would have been handsome had not the look of terror spoiled it. His fettered hands lay on his knees, which were closely pressedtogether, his fingers were intertwined, his head sunken so that hischin was driven into his chest: he looked an utterly broken man. Hedrew in his legs so that the policemen might be more comfortable. Oneof them glanced at him sideways, and wondered how this gentle creaturecould have committed such a crime. 

They drove alongside the wall of the large building, the gate of whichwas now opened. In the courtyard the poor sinner was taken out of thecarriage and led through a second gate into an inner courtyard wherehis handcuffs were removed. He was led through vaulted corridors inwhich here and there small doors with barred windows might be seen. The dark passage had many windings, and was lighted by an occasionallamp. The air was cold and damp. The openings high up in the wall, through which glimmered a pale daylight, became rarer, until at lengthit was as dark as the tomb. The new arrival was received by thegaoler, a man with bristly grey hair, a prominent forehead, andpronounced features which incessant ill-humour had twisted into alasting grimace. Who would not be ill-humoured indeed, were he forcedto spend a blameless life in a dungeon among thieves and murderers andeven--worst of all--among those who had been foolishly led astray?Directly he saw the tottering, shadowy figure of the prisoner comeround the pillar, he knew the blow had fallen. Midnight had struck forthe poor fellow. Annoyed that such people should let themselves be sostupidly taken by surprise, he had continually snubbed him harshly. To-day he accompanied him to his cell in silence, and when opening itavoided rattling the keys. But he could not help looking through thespy-hole to see what the poor fellow would do. What he saw was thecondemned man falling on to the brick floor and lying there motionless. The gaoler was alarmed, and opened the door again. So the man wasclever enough to die quickly? That would be a miscarriage! But theculprit moved slightly, and begged to be left alone. 

And he was alone, once again in this damp room with the wooden bench, the straw mattress, the water-jug on a table--things which during thelong period of probation he had gazed at a hundred times, thinking ofnothing but "They must acquit me. " Out of the planks that propped upthe straw mattress he had put together a kind of table, a work of whichthe gaoler disapproved, but he had not destroyed it. High up in thewall was a small barred window, through which mercifully came thereflection from an outer opposite wall, now lighted by the sun. Theedge of a steep gabled roof and a chimney could be just seen throughthe window, and in between peeped a three-cornered piece of blue sky. That was the joy of the cell. Konrad did not know that he owed thisroom to special kindness. The scanty light from above had been acomfort, almost a promise, all the weary weeks: "They will send you afree man out into the sunshine!" By slow degrees that hope wasextinguished in his lonely soul. And to-day? The little bit ofreflection was a mockery to him. He wanted no more twilight. Daylightwas gone for ever--he longed for darkness. Night! night! Night wouldbe so heavy and dark that he would not behold his misery, eveninwardly. He could not think; he felt stifled, giddy, as if someonehad struck him on the head with a club. 

When the gaoler on his rounds peeped through the spy-hole again and sawthe man still lying on the floor, he grew angry. He noisily opened thelittle door. "By Jove, are you still there? Number 19! Do you hear?Is anything the matter?" The last words were spoken almost gently; astupid fellow might imagine that he was pitied. But that was not thecase. As a man sows, he reaps. 

The prisoner stood up quickly and looked distractedly about him. Whenhe recognised the gaoler he felt for his hand. He grasped it firmly, and said hoarsely: "I want to ask something. Send me a priest. "

"Oh, at last!" grumbled the old man. "These atheists! In the end theycrawl to the Cross. "

"I'm not an atheist, " calmly replied the prisoner. 

"No? Well, it's all the same. You shall have a father-confessor. "

Konrad had not meant a confessor. To set himself right with God? Thatmight come with time. But what he now most desired was a human being. No one else would come. No one will have anything to do with a ruinedman. Each man thanks God that he is not such a one. But the priestmust come. 

In about half an hour the condemned man started, every sound at thedoor alarmed him--some one came. A monk quietly entered the cell. Heslipped along in sandals. The dull light from the window showed an oldman with a long, grey beard and cheerful-looking eyes. His gown ofrough cloth was tied round the waist with a white cord, from which arosary hung. He greeted the prisoner, reaching for his hand: "May Isay good evening? I should like to, if I may. "

"I sent for you, Father. I don't know if you are aware how things arewith me, " said Konrad. 

"Yes, I know, I know. But the Lord is nearer to you to-day than He wasyesterday, " replied the monk. 

"I have many things to say, " said Konrad, hesitatingly. "But I don'twant to confess. I want a man to talk to. "

"You want to ease your heart, my poor friend, " said the monk. 

"You come to me because it's your duty, " returned Konrad. "It's notpleasant. You have to comfort us, and don't know how to do it. There's nothing left for me. "

"Don't speak like that, " said the Father. "If I understand rightly, you have not summoned me as a confessor. Only as a man, isn't that it?And I come willingly as such. I can't convert you. You must convertyourself. Imagine me to be a brother whom you haven't seen for a longtime. And now he comes and finds you here, and wellnigh weeping asksyou how such a thing could have happened. "

The prisoner sat down on the bench, folded his hands, and bent his headand murmured; "I had a brother. If he had lived I should not be here. He was older than I. "

"Have you no other relatives?" asked the monk. 

"My parents died before I was twelve years old. Quickly, one after theother. My father could not survive my mother. My mother--a poor, goodwoman; always cheerful, pious. In the village just outside. No onecould have had a happier childhood. Ah! forgive me----" His wordsseemed to stick in his throat. 

"Compose yourself!" counselled the priest. "Keep your childhood inyour memory! It is a light in such days. "

"It is over, " said Konrad, controlling his sobs. "Father, that memorydoes not comfort me; it accuses me more heavily. How can suchmisfortune come from such blessing? If only I dared kneel now beforemy God--and thank Him that she did not live to see this day. "

"Well, well!" said the Father. "Other mothers had differentexperiences with other sons. "

"I would sacrifice everything too for the sake of our dear Lady, "muttered Konrad. 

"That's right, " returned the Father. "Now tell me more. Quite young, then, you lived among strangers, eh?"

He uttered confusedly: "After the deaths of my father and mother I wasapprenticed. To a joiner. That was a splendid time. Only I read agreat deal too much to please the master--all sorts of things, anddreamed about them. And I didn't wish to do anything wrong, at leastso I imagined. The master called me a stupid visionary, and gave methe sack. Then came a period of wandering--Munich, Cologne, Hamburg. I was two years with a master at Cologne. If only I had stayed withhim! He didn't want to let me go--and there was a daughter. Then toHamburg. That was bad luck. I was introduced into a Society for theprotection of the people against traitors. To be a saviour, to riskone's life! It came to me very slowly, quite gradually, what was themisery of living under such tyranny. When a boy I once killed a dogthat bit some poor people's children in the street. A dog belonging togentlefolk! I was whipped, but it scarcely hurt--there was always inmy mind; 'You freed them from the beast!' And I felt just the sameabout the Society. I can't tell you what went on in me. I'm allbewildered. Everything was laid bare at the trial, the whole horriblestory. Only I said yes with hundreds of others, I said it and thought:it won't come to me. And it did come to me, as if our Lord had notwished it otherwise. To me, the lot fell to me, when we drew. "

"I know the story, my poor fellow, " said the monk. 

"I don't, " retorted Konrad. "From the moment they took the revolverout of my hand everything has been dark. I have known nothing. I onlyheard to-day that he lives. And they told me----"

"What did they tell you?"

"That I must die. " Then violently addressing the priest: "It was amisfortune. Is it really so great a crime? Tell me. "

"I don't think I need tell you that. "

"Very well, then. So it serves me right. I desired to do the deed, and they say that's the same as the accomplishment of it. Quitecorrect. Isn't it 'A life for a life'? It is written so in the Bible. Just that, no more. They must take mine. But--they must do itunexpectedly, suddenly. Just as I meant to do to him. Otherwise itwon't be fair. Tell me, holy Father, is it cowardly to be soterrified? I am so terrified--of what is before me. There's nothingabout this terror of death in the Scriptures. Those who settled myfate to-day looked like men. Then they ought to know that they areexecuting me a thousand times, not once. Why do I still live, I whowas slain three hours ago! Quick! From behind! If only they were somerciful! One of them said to-day it was my duty to die. My God! Ithink I have the right to die, and they're the criminals! They haven'tsecured me my rights at once! It would have been over by now. O God, my God, if only it were over!"

So he raged on, wringing his hands, groaning under the torture. Suddenly his face became deathly white and his features stiffened as ifhis heart had ceased beating. 

"Poor fellow, " said the priest, putting his arm round his neck anddrawing his head down on his breast. "You mustn't talk like that. Think, if we've been sinners all our lives, oughtn't we to spend a fewdays in repenting? Tell me, brother, don't you desire the consolationsof religion?"

"Indeed I do, " stammered the poor sinner. "And so I asked----"

"You see, I am ready. "

"And I also want the Gospels, if I may be allowed the book. "

The monk looked at him, then demanded quietly:

"You want the New Testament?"

"I should like to read in it. My mother had one and used to read italoud and explain it. It would give me a home-like feeling if I couldread in it now. "

The Father replied: "I'll tell you something, my dear friend. TheGospel is a very good book, not in vain is it called the glad tidings. "

"My God! yes; what do I need more sorely now than glad tidings?" agreedKonrad. 

"Of course. But the book's not an easy one. Out of ten readersthere's hardly one who understands it. And even he doesn't reallyunderstand it. It's too profound, I might say, too divine a book; asthey say, seven times sealed. Therefore it must be explained byexperts. I will willingly go through certain parts of it with youoccasionally, but I shall give you something else for your edification, from which you will derive comfort and peace. "

Konrad covered his face with his hands, and said, almost inaudibly:"The Gospel is what I should have liked best. "

And then the monk said gravely: "My friend, you are the sick man and Iam the physician. And the physician knows best what will do the sickman good. You should also prepare yourself for taking the Sacrament. "

As the poor sinner said no more, the priest spoke a few kind words andleft him. An hour later the gaoler brought him a parcel of books. "The holy brother sends them so that you can amuse yourself a little. "

Amusement! It was a cruel joke. Konrad gave a shrill laugh. It wasthe laugh of a despairing man who cannot shut out the vision of hislast journey, which became more hideous every moment. What did theFather send? Simple prayer-books and religious manuals. Book-markerswere placed to show the passages that applied especially to thepenitent and the dying man, and also prayers for poor souls inpurgatory. The soul physician, all unacquainted with souls, sent theinconsolable man new anguish of death instead of life. Konrad searchedfor the bread he needed, turned over the leaves of the books, began toread here and there, but always put them down sadly. The more eagerlydid he exercise his memory in order to recall the pictures of hischildhood. His mother, who had been dead many years, stood before himin order to help her unhappy child. Her figure, her words, her songs, her sacred stories from the Saviour's life on earth--brought peace tohis soul. It suddenly came upon him; "God has not forgotten me. " Justas before he had raged in despair, so now beautiful shadows out of thepast appeared before him, and tears of redemption flowed from his eyes. 

He did not have an hour's sleep the night of his condemnation. Heprayed, he dreamed, and then the horrid terror, which made him shiverin all his limbs, came again. He kept looking towards the window tosee if daylight was beginning. Early in the morning, just at the firstdawn--so he had often heard--the warders come. The window showed onlydarkness. But look, in the little three-cornered bit of sky, there isa star. He had not seen it on other nights. It sailed up to the crackin the roof and shone down through the window in kindly fashion. Hiseye was riveted on the spark of light until it vanished behind thewalls. When at length day dawned, and the key rattled in the door, Konrad's hands and feet began to tremble. It was the gaoler, whobrought him a bundle of coarse cotton clothing. 

When Konrad asked in a dull voice if it was his gallows dress, the oldman answered roughly: "What are you chattering about? Put on yourhouse clothes. "

The convict went up to the gaoler, clasped his hands, and said: "Onlyone thing, if I knew--when, when? This suspense is unbearable!"

"Eh! how impatient we are!" mocked the old man. "My dear fellow, wedon't do things so quickly. The decision was only made yesterday. Why, they haven't yet settled about the banquet. "

"The banquet!"

"The bill of fare--don't you understand? No orders have come yet. You're safe for twenty-four hours. But if there's anything you'd liketo eat--I'll make an exception for once. And now, get on with yourtoilet! You can will away your own things as you please, " he pointedto his clothes. "Have you anyone? No? Well, I know some poor people. But get on, get on. The hot season is coming on, and cotton isn't badwear then. "

The rough gaoler's good-humoured chatter was particularly distastefulto the poor man. To be snubbed and railed at would have pointed to along life to come, one not to be measured by hours. Did he know? Andwas he silent out of pity? or was it malice? Before, the old man hadbeen easily moved to anger, and when heated would swing his arms up anddown and plainly threaten to have the obstinate convict sent off. Nowthere was no more grim humour nor raging round. He looked at the poorsinner, sunk in deep gloom, with a sad calmness. "Poor devil!"Suddenly it was too much for him, and he broke out violently: "But comenow! You must have known it. Be sensible; I can't stand this misery. Dying is not easy, of course; you should be glad that there's someoneby to help. And then--who knows whether you won't live after all. Dobe sensible!"

When at last deep silence again gathered round him, the prisoner triedhis books afresh. The Father had provided for a varied taste. The"Devotion to the Holy Rosary, " the "Prayers to the Virgin's Heart, ""Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell, " the "Life of St. Theresa, " "TheSeven Bolts of Heaven, " and "Prayers of Intercession for Souls inDistress. " What a wealth of edification! The joiner's apprentice hadalways loved books. He had once reckoned out as a joke that threeasses could not carry the books which he had read since his childhood. They had afforded him a glimpse of all times and places, and of allprovinces of human life. Now he asked himself what it had all broughthim. Confusion, perplexity, nothing besides. He had thought abouteverything, but he could not be clear about anything. That was notgenerally possible, he had read in one of the books, and the statementpacified him. He had read all kinds of theological books, had easilyand trustfully given himself up to the echo of words heard inchildhood, but it had not gone deeper. Now that they ought to provetheir worth, they left him in the lurch. He turned over the pages, heread and prayed and sought, and found nothing to relieve his need. Discouraged, he pushed the books away from him, and some of them fellover the edge of the table on to the brick floor. 

In the night that followed Konrad had a dream, vivid and clear as neverdream had been. It was a dark country, and he had lost his way. Hewandered about amid cold, damp rocks, and could not find a path. Thenhis fingers felt a thread; he seized it, and it guided him through thedarkness. The land grew brighter and brighter; the thread brought himinto his sunny native valley, to the place with the old gabled houses, to his father's house which stood amidst the fruit-trees, and thethread to which his fingers still clung involuntarily led him into theroom where it had been spun from his mother's distaff. And there shesat and span the thread, with her pale face and soft wrinkles and kindeyes, and directly the boy stood near her she told him tales of theSaviour. He listened to her and was a happy child. That was hisdream. And when he awoke in the prison cell, his mother's gentle voicestill sounded in his ears: "My child, you must cling to Jesus. "

Konrad was taken every day for half an hour into the dirty and sunlesscourtyard. But he dreaded that half-hour. It stirred a vain longingfor light. And the rough and insolent fellow-prisoners with whom hewas brought in contact! He preferred to be alone in his quiet cell. 

During his imprisonment he had often asked for work, but was alwaysinformed that nothing of the sort had been provided for by theauthorities. Besides--work was an honourable thing, and it must firstbe proved that he was worthy of it. But now it was not a time forwork, rather a time for preparation. What could he do in order to getthrough these days? Or what could he do in order to keep the days fromflying so quickly? Look how a flash of lightning seems sometimes topass over the floor. Then it is gone again. High up in the oppositewall, on which the sun sometimes shone, was a casement window, and itsglass doors, swayed by the breeze, were reflected in the prison. Konrad was terrified by these sparks from heaven; he would grope on theground as if for a gold piece that had rolled away. 

Then came visitors, unexpected, alarming visitors! The judge's stifffigure and serious face appeared in company with the gaoler. 

Konrad felt stunned, and could only think: "The hour has come!" Theman had pronounced his sentence as coldly and unfeelingly as if he hadbeen a machine which, when its keys are pressed, gives forth soundslike words. The judge ordered the gaoler to withdraw. The old manhesitated--what could that mean? The judge had to repeat his orderbefore the old man would go. When the judge was alone with theprisoner, he bent down and felt with his hands, for he was not yetaccustomed to the darkness. Then he said kindly: "Konrad Ferleitner, Ihave come to ask you if there's anything you wish for?"

The prisoner wrung his hands convulsively; wild pulsations, that beatin strong double strokes at irregular intervals, coursed through hisbody. So violent was his agitation that the poor wretch stutteredforth words that the judge could not understand. 

"Compose yourself!"

When he caught the words "Father-confessor!" amid the sounds uttered bythe prisoner, it occurred to the judge that the poor fellow imaginedthat the hour of execution had arrived. "Ferleitner, " he said, "comeand sit by me on the bench. You think it's the end--no, it hasn't comeso far yet, and perhaps it won't come so far at all. I may tell youthat a petition for mercy has been sent to His Majesty. "

Konrad looked up as if in a dream, and the dim light showed howterribly pale and sunken his cheeks were. "Mercy!" he muttered insuppressed tones. "Mercy for me? Then--why did you condemn me?"

The question appeared to puzzle the judge. The delinquent seemed inall seriousness to think himself innocent. "You were there yourself, Ferleitner, and heard how the jury decided after listening to thewitnesses. After that the judge must condemn; he has no choice. "

"For mercy? The king?" asked Konrad, who, more bewildered thanconsoled, had sat down on the bench, for his legs would scarcelysupport him. 

"The advocate ventured it, " replied the judge. "Your whole bearingproves that you were inveigled into the business. We want nothingfurther. You see, Ferleitner, that evil cannot be eradicated from theworld with evil. To fight evil with evil only increases its power. But a large heart can pardon such a deed or purpose. Let us hopemeanwhile that our king possesses one. The Chancellor is gettingbetter. Here, just look--sign the paper. " He pulled out a foldedsheet, then an inkpot and a pen. Konrad bent over the table andgroaned while signing his name. 

"Ah, " he said, "if only I could be free again! I should never think ofsuch things again. The world could go on as it pleased. I should domy work, and not trouble about anything else. Only, " and he said itsoftly, uncertainly, "only I shall not forget God again. "

"There is naturally only a moderate chance, " said the judge. "In somecases, where it is concerned with the whole----"

"It is very uncertain, then?" asked Konrad. "But, my God! how is it tobe borne? If this time is lengthened, how is it to be borne? Thisterrible suspense!"

"It can be a time of hope, " said the judge. 

"But how long will it last?" asked Konrad. 

The judge shrugged his shoulders. "It may last three weeks, but itmight last double that time. "

Konrad asked confidingly: "Do you think, sir, that a man can holdout?--with the terror of death lasting for weeks?"

"Haven't you just a little confidence?" asked the judge. "Haven't weall to endure uncertainty?--the judge as well as the condemned man?"

"But what am I to do?" demanded Konrad. "How am I to employ myself allthe dreadful time? It's being buried alive. "

"Unhappily it's not in my power to give you a better room, though youhaven't the worst cell in the building. But perhaps you have someother desire that can be granted. Speak out frankly, Ferleitner, " saidthe judge. 

Therewith he folded the paper, and put the writing materials into hiscoat pocket. Konrad followed his proceedings with his eyes. He couldnot comprehend how this dread personage came to speak to him in sokindly a fashion. "As to the room, " he said, "it's all I need--whenyou've nothing to do, and are not likely to have anything to do, whatcan a man want? If a man isn't free, nothing else matters. But onething--I have one request, sir. "

"Then speak it, " said the judge, and holding Konrad's hand firmly inhis, broke out with: "Don't you see, it's cruel to think, to believe, that we must be the personal enemies of all whom we're obliged tocondemn. You think the proceedings in court were so callous, you've noidea how we actually feel about the business. It is not only theaccused who passes sleepless nights--the judge, too, knows them. Welawyers--outside our profession--have founded an association to supportand encourage those we are obliged to pronounce guilty, that they maynot sink down uncomforted. So, my dear Ferleitner, you may trust methat, as far as I can, I will alleviate your position. "

Then Konrad, looking down on the floor, said: "I should like to havewriting materials. "

"You want to write?" asked the Judge. 

"If I might ask for paper, pens, and ink, " returned Konrad. "In formeryears I used to like writing down my thoughts--just as they came, I hadlittle education. "

"You wish to write to your friends?" inquired the judge. 

"Oh no! If I had any, they'd be glad not to hear from me, " said Konrad. 

"Or to draw up a plea of justification?"

"No. "

"Or an account of your life?"

"No, not that either. My life has not been good enough. Misfortuneshould be forgotten rather than recorded. No, I think I can writesomething else, " stated Konrad. 

"You shall have writing materials, " said the judge. "And is thereanything else? A more comfortable bed?"

"No, thank you. It's right enough as it is. If a hard bed was theonly thing----"

"And is everything kept properly neat and clean?" interrupted the judge. 

"If you're always waiting and thinking, 'Now, now, they're coming!' Itell you, sir, you don't sleep well, " replied Konrad. 

"Don't keep worrying yourself with ideas, Ferleitner, " said the judgewarningly to the man, who had again worked himself up into a state ofexcitement. "Not one of us knows what the next hour may bring, and yetwe live on calmly. Use the time, " he continued playfully, "in avengingyour condemnation by some great literary work. In olden times greatminds often did it. "

"I can't write a great work, " answered Konrad. "And I've nothing toavenge. I deserve death. But it's this waiting for it. The tormentsof hell cannot be worse. "

"We've nothing to do with hell. We've merely to think of the purgatoryin which we are placed. Let heaven, as they say, follow. Haven't youany business to arrange? Nothing to settle for anyone?" asked thejudge. 

"No one, no one!" Konrad assured him. 

"That's a piece of luck that many of your comrades in misfortune wouldenvy you. A man can settle things easily for himself alone. If it'sany consolation, Ferleitner, I may tell you that we don't regard you asa scoundrel, only as a poor creature who has been led astray. Nowthat's enough for the present. Your modest request shall be granted atonce. "

After this remarkable conversation with the poor sinner, the judge leftthe cell. He was not satisfied. Had he not listened enough, or had hespoken too much? How could so childlike a creature take an oath tocommit murder? In the corridor he spoke seriously to the gaoler. 

"I must point out to you that the man is very ill. Don't treat himharshly. "

The old man was annoyed. 

"I beg your pardon, sir! To treat a poor devil like that harshly! Ifyou pity him, why were you so rough with him?" He rubbed a lamp-glasswith a coarse rag in order to get the black off. "'To die by hanging. 'Even said as gently as that, it hurts more than when we roundly abusethe people, and yet that's at once taken amiss. Only to prove it. Ill! Of course he's ill, poor devil. I am only surprised the doctorshaven't been to cure him. I suppose he's well enough to be hanged?"

"That will do, Trapser. "

The gaoler put down his work, stood up straight in military fashion, and said: "Sir, I beg to resign my post. "

"What!" exclaimed the judge, "you wish to go?"

"I respectfully hand in my resignation. " He stood up straight as adart. "Do you know, I've got accustomed to most things here insix-and-twenty years, I've seen seventeen hanged--just seventeen, sir. There ought to have been twenty-four, but seven were grantedimprisonment for life. They're still undergoing that mercy. Do youknow, sir, it's a miserable calling! But as to that Ferleitner, Inever afore saw anything like him. What has he done, I ask you? He'sdone nothing. You see we've had quite different gallows-birds here. Aspeculator who had ruined six families and driven the seventh tosuicide--eight months. A student with two duel murders on hisconscience--six months. But he is there now--because he's donenothing, it seems to me. Well, the long and the short of it is, ithorrifies me. "

"Always the same in temper and disposition, you old bear! God keepyou!" And then a kindly tap on the shoulder. The attempt atresignation was again met with a refusal. The judge formally put itaside. But the old man growled on for a long time. "Old bear! oldbear! That's his whole stock of wit every time, I'll show him the oldbear. Good God! that's how things are with us!" He whistled and madea harsh noise with his bunch of keys so that the prisoners could maketheir preparations before he performed his duty of looking through thespyhole to see how his charges were spending their time. Then he wentand procured a big bottle of ink and a packet of foolscap paper forNumber 19. 

"Is that enough?" he asked. 

"Thank you, thank you!" said Ferleitner; "only now I want a pen. "

"Oh no, my dear sir, no. We know that sort of thing. Since the notaryin Number 43 stabbed himself with a steel pen five years ago, I don'tgive any more, " said the gaoler. 

"But I can't write without a pen, " returned Konrad. 

"That's not my business; I can't let you have a pen, " the old manassured him. 

"The judge gave me permission to have one, " Konrad remonstratedmodestly. 

Then the old man exclaimed afresh: "Do you know this judge, he justcomes up as far as this, " and he placed his hand on a level with hischin. "He crumbles everything up and then we're to spoon it out. "Then he muttered indistinctly in his beard; "I say just this, if theylet a man hang for a week before they hang him, it's a--a--good God! Ican't properly--I can't find any more fine words! If a man puts aknife into himself, no wonder!"

"I shan't kill myself, " said Konrad quietly. "They say I may put myhopes in the king. "

"And you want to write to him? That won't help much, but you can do itif you like; there's time. For once it's a good thing that ourofficials are so slow. If it's any comfort to you, you may know thatthey wrong me, too. They won't accept my resignation. Yes, that's howit is with us, " concluded the old man. 

Then he went and brought a pot with rusty steel pens. "But don't youspoil them!" For they were the very pens with which death-warrants hadbeen signed--the old man had a collection of such things and hoped tosell it to a rich Englishman. "Does your honour require anythingelse?" With those mocking words he left the cell and raged and cursedall along the corridor. The prisoners thought he was cursing them. 

The judge, his hands behind his back, walked up and down his largestudy. What a cursed critical case! If the Chancellor had not beengiven up by the doctors on the day of the trial, the sentence wouldhave been different. The petition for mercy! Would it have any resultexcept that of prolonging the poor man's torture? Whether in the endit would not have been better----? Everything would have been overthen. An old official came out of the adjoining room and laid a bundleof papers on the table. 

"One moment. Has the petition for mercy been sent to His Majesty?"

"It has, sir. "

"What's your opinion?" asked the judge. 

The counsellor raised his shoulders and let them fall again. 

Konrad cowered down and stared at the table. 

On it lay everything--paper, ink, pens. What should he write? Hemight describe his sadness, but how did a man begin to do that? Helifted up his face as if searching for something. His glance fellthrough the window on to the wall, the upper part of which was lightedby the evening sun. The mountain tops glowed like that. Ah, world, beautiful world! Still three weeks. Or double that time. Then--thevery beating of his heart hurt him; his temple throbbed as thoughstruck by a hammer. For he always thought of the one thing--and itsuddenly flashed into his mind--there were other executioners! Hissupper was there--a tin can with rice soup and a piece of bread. Heswallowed it mechanically to the last crumb. Then came night, and thestar was again visible in the scrap of sky between the roof and thechimney. Konrad gazed at it reverently for the few minutes until itvanished. Then the long, dark, miserable night. And this was calledliving! And it was for such life that you petitioned the king. But ifa king grants mercy, then the sun shines. The kindness shown him bythe judge had strengthened him a little, but the last of his surgingthoughts was always, "Hopeless!"

The next night Konrad had another visitor--his mother, in her Sundaygown, just as she used to go to communion. And there was some one withher. She went up to her son's bed, and said: "Konrad, I bring you akind friend. "

When he felt for her hand, she was no longer there, but in the middleof the dim cell stood the Lord Jesus. His white garment hung down tothe ground, His long hair lay over His shoulders. His shining face wasturned towards Konrad. 

When the poor sinner woke in the morning his heart was full of wonder. The night had brought healing. He jumped blithely out of bed. "MySaviour, I will never more leave you. "

Something of which he had hardly been conscious suddenly became clearto him. He would take refuge in the Saviour. He would sink himself inJesus, in whom everything was united that had formed and must form hishappiness--his mother, his innocent childhood, his joy in God, hisrepose and hope, his immortal life. Now he knew, he would rely on hisSaviour. He would write a book about Jesus. Not a proper literarywork; he could not do that, he had no talent for it. But he wouldrepresent the Lord as He lived, he would inweave his whole soul withthe being of his Saviour so that he might have a friend in the cell. Then perhaps his terrors would vanish. In former days it had pleasedhim, so to speak, to write away an anxiety from his heart, not inletters to others, but only for himself. Many things which were notclear to him, which he found incomprehensible--with pen in hand hesucceeded in making clearer to his inward eye, so that vague picturesalmost assumed corporeal shape. He had in that fashion created manycomrades and many companions during his wanderings in strange landswhen he was afraid. So now in his forlorn and deserted condition hewould try to invite the Saviour into the poor sinner's cell. Nooutward help was to be hoped, he must evoke it all out of himself. Hewould venture to implore the Lord Jesus until He came, using hischildish memories, the remains of his school learning, the fragments ofhis reading, and, above all, his mother's Bible stories. 

And now the condemned man began to write a book in so far as it waspossible to him. At first his dreams and thoughts and figures weredisconnected through timidity, and the painful excitement which oftenmade his pulses gallop and his heart stop beating. Then he cowered inthe corner, and wept and groaned and struggled in vain with the desirefor mortal life. When he succeeded in collecting his thoughts again, and he took up his pen afresh, he gradually regained calm, and eachtime it lasted longer. And it happened that he often wrote for hoursat a stretch, that his cheeks began to glow and his eyes to shine--forhe wandered with Jesus in Galilee. Suddenly he would awake from hisvisions and find himself in his prison cell, and sadness overcame him, but it was no longer a falling into the pit of hell; he was strongenough to save himself on his island of the blessed. And so he wroteand wrote. He did not ask if it was the Saviour of the books. It washis Saviour as he lived in him, the only Saviour who could redeem him. And so there was accomplished in this poor sinner on a small scale whatwas accomplished among the nations on a large scale; if it was notalways the historical Jesus as Saviour, it was the Saviour in whom menbelieved become historical, since he affected the world's historythrough the hearts of men. He whom the books present may not be forall men; He who lives in men's hearts is for all. That is the secretof the Saviour's undying power: He is for each man just what that manneeds. We read in the Gospels that Jesus appeared at different timesand to different men in different forms. That should be a warning tous to let every man have his own Jesus. As long as it is the Jesus oflove and trust, it is the right Jesus. 

It often happened that during the prisoner's composition and writing, awider, softer light from the window spread through the cell, flickeredover the wall, the floor, the table, and then rested for a space on thewhite paper. And so light even entered the lonely room, butunspeakably more light entered the writer's heart. 

The gaoler saw little of the writing. Directly he rattled his keys, itwas hidden under the sheet--just as children hide their treasures fromintrusive eyes. When five or six weeks had gone by, hundreds ofwritten sheets lay there. 

Konrad placed them in a cover and wrote on it

 I. N. R. I. 

CHAPTER I

When darkness covers the world men look gladly towards the east. Therelight dawns. All lights come from out of the east. And the races ofmen are said to have come hither from that quarter. There is anancient book, in which is written the beginning of things and of men. The book came from the nation of the Jews, and the old Jews were calledthe people of God, for they recognised only one eternal God. And greatmen and holy prophets arose in that nation. The greatest of them wasnamed Moses, and it is written that he it was who brought down to menthe Ten Commandments. But the Jews fell on evil times, they sank lowerand lower and were heavily oppressed by stronger nations. Like us, they suffered poverty and curses and despair, and this lasted for athousand years and more. Prophets appeared from time to time, and withwords of mercy announced that a Saviour would come to lead the Jewsinto the kingdom of glory. For that Saviour they waited many hundredsof years. Oftentimes one would appear whom they took for Him, but theywere deceived. And when at last the real Saviour, the real, mightySaviour appeared, they did not recognise Him. For He was differentfrom what they had imagined. 

Shall I try to tell how it happened, just as my mother used to tell me, her little boy, the story on winter evenings? Shall I recite it tomyself like one who desires to wake himself at midnight before the Lordcomes? Shall I, who am without learning, search in my poor confusedhead for the fragments that have remained in it? So much has been lostin the wear and tear of the world, and yet since it has grown so darkwith me something flashes out, and shines forth on high, like somestarry crown in the night! Shall I invoke the holy figures that theymay stand by me through the anguish of my last days, that they maysurround me with their glad eternal light, and let no spirit of despaircome near me?--The path between the walls of this cruel fortress isnarrow, and through it only a feeble light penetrates to me. 

As God wills. I am grateful for and content with the pale reflectionof the sky that comes to me from the holy east through the cracks inthe wall. Oh, God, my Father, let glad tidings come to me from distantlands and far-off times, so that my simple heart can hold andunderstand them. I am thirsty for God's truth, and whatever shallstrengthen, comfort, and save me, will be for me God's truth. Oh, thoupale light! Art thou my mother's heritage and blessing? Oh, mymother! From out the eternal dwelling speak to thy unhappy son--oh, speak!

Did I not always see you in the woman who, during the cold winterseason, was compelled to go across the mountains far from home? And soI will begin. 

At that time the land of the Jews was under the dominion of the Romans. The Roman Emperor wished to know how many Jews there were, andcommanded that an enrolment of the people should be made in Judaea. All the Jews were to go to the place of their birth, and there reportthemselves to the Imperial officer. In the little town of Nazareth, inGalilee--a mountainous district of Judaea--there lived a carpenter. Hewas an elderly man, and had married a young wife of whom a folk-songstill sings--

 "As beautifully white as milk, As marvellously soft as silk; A woman very fair to see, Yet full of deep humility. "

They were poor people, but pious and industrious and obedient. No manin the wide world troubled about them, and yet had it not been for themthe Roman Empire might not have fallen. Years afterwards, indeed, itfell because of that carpenter. People from all quarters of the globedwelt in Galilee, even barbarians who had wandered there from the westand the north. And it was often difficult to distinguish theirdescent. Our carpenter was born in the south of Judaea, in the town ofBethlehem, which, in olden times, had been the native place of KingDavid. Joseph, the carpenter, was not unwilling to speak of that, andeven to let it be known that he was of the house of David, the greatking. But yet he might well have thought it a finer thing to rise upfrom below than to come down from above. And is it not so? Does notman rise up from below, and God come down from high? In his boyhoodDavid was a shepherd; it is said that he slew the leader of the enemywith stones from his sling, and that was why he rose so high. Now forthat reason, and because Joseph, the carpenter, was glad to visit hisnative town once again, and to take his wife with him and show her theland of his youth, the enrolment of the people was right pleasing untohim. So the two made their plans, and set out for Bethlehem. It wasthree days' journey and more, and they might well have complained. Ifa workman to-day has not all that is of the best, he should think ofMaster Joseph, who always cared more for good work than good money. They probably took a packet of food with them from home, and the bridewas often obliged to rest by the way. The path over the rockymountains was difficult and tiring, and they had to pass through thesuspected land of Samaria. But Joseph never grumbled. And at lastthey reached Judaea. And when they came upon ancient monuments, heliked to stop, first in order to see how they were built, and then toponder over the great men and great deeds of olden times. They spent anight at a place called Bethel, and there Joseph dreamed that he saw aladder before him, and that it reached from earth to heaven. AndJoseph thought, if the rungs would bear him, he might perhaps ascendit; meanwhile, he saw how an angel, robed in white, slowly descended ituntil he came down to where Joseph was. But when Joseph stretched outhis hand to him, the angel was no longer to be seen. Joseph awoke, andthe sweet dream filled his soul. It was the place where once thePatriarch Jacob saw the heavenly ladder, and there it had remained eversince, so that angels might continually descend and ascend betweenheaven and earth. And then they cheerfully continued their way. Joseph was afraid when he heard the jackals shriek in the desert andsaw the Bedouin camps. But he thought the angel who had come down washovering near him, and often imagined that he felt his wings fanninghis cheek. 

The land through which they journeyed was barren; the plants were driedup by the frost and were all faded. Snow lay on the summits ofLebanon, which the travellers now saw from afar, away in their nativeland, and pale gleams fell on to the lowlands of Judaea through thecloudy atmosphere, so that stones and grass were white. When theyrested beside a brook the woman gazed thoughtfully into the pool andsaid, "Look, Joseph; what are the wonderful plants and flowers on thesurface of the water?"

And Joseph said, "Haven't you ever seen them before, Mary? You areyoung and have only known a few cold winters. And you don't know whatthese flowers mean? Let me tell you. A maiden stands in the dawn. Her feet are on the moon and the stars circle round her head. Andunder her foot she crushes the head of the serpent who betrayed ourfirst parents in Paradise. And see, Spring courts the maiden andbrings her his roses. And Winter, too, courts the maiden, and becausehe has no other flowers he makes these to grow on the surface of thewater and on the window-panes. But they are stiff and cold, and themaiden, the mysterious rose, of whom a prophet sang, 'All nations shallcall thee blessed!' she chose the Spring. "

That was the story Joseph told, Joseph whose beard was white as theice-flowers. Mary listened to the tale and was silent. 

On the third day the royal city lay before our wanderers. Magnificentit stood on the hill-top with the domes and pinnacles of its temples. At that time Herod, king of the Jews, sat on the throne and imaginedthat he ruled. But he only ruled in so far as the strangers allowedhim to rule. The town which had once been the pride of the chosenpeople, now swarmed with Roman warriors, who filled the streets withnoise and unruly conduct. Joseph led his young wife down towards thesloping rocks where were the graves of the prophets. There he was soovercome that suddenly he stretched forth his hands to heaven:"Almighty Jehovah, when will the Messiah come?" His cry was re-echoedin the hollows of the rocks, and Mary said: "You should not shout so, Joseph. The dead will not awaken, and Jehovah hears a prayer that isquietly spoken. "

Mary had hoped in her heart that they would enter Jerusalem and spendthe night there. Joseph said it could not be, for he had no relativesin the town who could give them lodging, and he had not money enough topay strangers for a lodging. Also he did not like the strange ways ofthe place; he yearned for his beloved Bethlehem. It wasn't very faroff now; could she manage it?

Mary signed "Yes" with her head, and gathered together all herremaining strength. But just beyond the city walls she sank downexhausted, and Joseph said: "We will stay here so that you may rest, and to-morrow I can show you the Temple. "

There was a man on a stony hillock nailing two beams of wood together. Joseph understood something of that sort of work, but he was not quiteclear over this particular thing. So he asked what it might be. 

"He for whose use it is, doesn't want it, " replied the workman. Itthen flashed into Joseph's mind that it was a gallows. 

Mary grasped his arm: "Joseph, let us go on to Bethlehem. " For shebegan to be frightened. 

They staggered along the road. A draught of the spring of the Valleyof Jehoshaphat refreshed them. Farther on in the fertile plain ofJudaea lambs and kids were feeding, and Joseph began to speak of hischildhood. His whole being was fresh and joyful. Home! And byevening time Bethlehem, lighted by the setting sun, lay before them onthe hill-top. 

They stood still for a space and looked at it. Then Joseph went intothe town to inquire about the place and the time of the enrolment, andto seek lodging for the night. The young woman sat down before thegate under the fan-shaped leaves of a palm-tree and looked about her. The western land seemed very strange to her and yet sweet, for it washer Joseph's childish home. How noisy it was in Jerusalem, and howpeaceful it was here--almost as still and solemn as a Sabbath eveningat Nazareth! Beloved Nazareth! How far away, how far away! Sometimesthe sound of a shepherd's pipe was heard from the green hills. A youthleaned up against an olive tree and made a wreath of twigs and sang:"Behold, thou art fair, my love. Thine eyes are as doves in thyfragrant locks, thy lips are rosebuds, and thy two breasts are likeroes which feed among the lilies. Thou hast ravished my heart, mysister, my spouse. " Then he was silent, and the leaves rustled softlyin the evening breeze. 

Mary looked out for Joseph, but he came not. And the singer continued:"Who art thou that shinest like the day-dawn, fair as the moon, andclear as the sun, divine daughter of Eve?" And Mary still waited underthe palm-tree and listened, and she began to feel strange pangs. Shedrew her cloak more closely round her, and saw that the stars alreadystood in the sky. But still Joseph came not. And from the hill thesinger: "And from the root of Jesse a twig shall spring. " And a secondvoice: "And all nations shall rise up and sing her praises. " So didthe shepherds sing the songs of their old kings and prophets. 

At last Joseph came slowly from the town. The enrolment was to takeplace to-morrow at nine o'clock; that was all right. But there wasdifficulty over the lodging for the night. He had spoken with richrelations; they would have been very glad, but unfortunately a weddingfeast was going forward, and wanderers in homely garments might easilyfeel uncomfortable. He quite understood that. Then he went to hispoorer relations, who would have been even more glad, but it wasdeplorable that their house was so small and their hearth so cramped. All the inns were overcrowded with strangers. They did not seem tothink much here of people from Galilee because all kinds of heathenishfolk lived there--as if any one who was born in Bethlehem could be aheathen! And so he did not know what to do. 

Mary leaned her head on her hand and said nothing. 

"Your hands and feet are trembling, Mary, " said Joseph. 

She shook her head; it was nothing. 

"Come, my wife, we will go in together, " said Joseph. "We are notvagabonds to whom they can refuse assistance. "

And then they both went into the town. Mine host of the inn was stern. 

"I told you already, old man, that there's no place for the like of youin my house. Take your little daughter somewhere else. "

"She's not my daughter, sir, but my true wife, trusted to me by Godthat I may protect her, " returned Joseph, and he lifted up hiscarpenter's hand. 

The door was slammed in their faces. 

A fruit-seller, who had witnessed the scene, stretched forth his brownneck and asked for their passport. 

"If you show me your papers and three pieces of silver, I'll take youin for the love of God. For we are all wanderers on the earth. "

"We've no passport. We've come from Nazareth in Galilee for theenrolment, because I am of the house of David, " replied Joseph. 

"Of the house of David! Why, you don't seem to know whether you're onyour head or your heels, " and with a laugh the fruit-seller went hisway. 

"It is true, " thought Joseph, "noble ancestors are useless to a man ofno importance. " For the future he would let David alone. 

Mary now advised him to go outside the town again. Perhaps the verypoor or entire strangers would have pity on them. And as theystaggered along the stony road to the valley the woman sank down on thegrass. 

Joseph looked at her searchingly. "Mary, Mary, what is it?"

A shepherd came along, looked at them, and listened to their requestfor shelter. 

"My wife is ill, and no one will take us in, " complained Joseph. 

"Then you must go to the beasts, " said the shepherd cheerfully. "Comewith me. I'll gladly share my house with you. The earth is my bed, the sky my roof, and a rocky cave my bedchamber. "

And he led them to a hollow in the mossy rocks, and it had a roof wovenout of rushes. Inside an ox was chewing the hay it had eaten out ofthe manger. A brown ass stood near by and licked the ox's big head. There was still some hay left in the manger and in the corner was a bedof dry leaves. 

"Since you have nothing better, lie down here and rest as well as youcan. I will seek a bed at my neighbour's. "

So saying the shepherd went away. It had now grown dark. 

The young woman lay down on the bed of leaves and heaved a sigh fromher terrified heart. Joseph looked at her--and looked at her. Lightlythe angel's wings touched his face. 

"Joseph, be not afraid. Lift up your heart and pray. It is the secretof all eternities, and you are chosen to be the foster-father of Himwho comes from heaven. "

He looked round him, not knowing whence came these thoughts, thesevoices, this wondrous singing. 

"You are tired, Joseph, you must sleep, " said Mary. And when heslumbered peacefully she prayed in her heart: "I am a poor handmaidenof the Lord. The will of the Lord be done. "

CHAPTER II

It is midnight and, wakeful shepherds see a bright star. A strangestar, too; they had never seen its like before. It sparkled sobrightly that the shepherds' shadows on the plain were long. And it issaid that they saw other stars approach it, and at length surround it. And then the new star threw off white sparks, which flew downearthwards and stopped in mid-air; and there were children with whitewings and golden hair. And they sang beautiful words to the honour ofGod and the good-will of men. 

In that selfsame hour a boy brought tidings that a tall, white-robedyouth stood in front of the shepherd Ishmael's cave, and that withinlay a young woman on the bed of leaves, an infant at her breast. Andhigh up in the air they heard singing. 

The story quickly spread through the mountains round Bethlehem. Theshepherds who were awake roused those who slept. Everywhere adelicious tremor was felt, a sense of mighty wonder. A poor, strangewoman and a naked child! What was the use of singing? Swaddlingclothes and wraps and milk were what was needed. One brought thefleece of a slaughtered sheep. Another brought dried figs and grapesand a skin of red wine. Other shepherds brought milk and bread and afat kid; every one brought something, just as they took tithes to theofficer. An old shepherd came with a patched bagpipe, and when thebystanders laughed, Ishmael said: "Do you expect our poor, good Isaac, to bring David's golden harp? He gives what he has, and that's oftenworth more than golden harps. "

When they came down they no longer saw the star or the angels, but theyfound the cave, and the father and the mother and the child. He lay inthe manger on the hay, and the beasts stood round and gazed at him withtheir big, melancholy, black eyes. The shepherd's pity for the poorpeople was so great that no one thought he was doing a good work forwhich people would praise him and God would bless him. No one lookedslyly at his neighbour to see who gave more and who less. Their onefeeling was pity. 

People came from the town; and a wiry shepherd, placing himself beforethe entrance to the grotto, and using his staff as a spear, said: "Menof Bethlehem, ye cannot enter; the babe sleeps. "

Near by stood an old man, who said dreamily: "The town cast him out. Ialways said there was no salvation yonder. That's to be found with thepoor under the open sky. Miracles are happening here, men are pitiful. What does it mean?"

Down below in a cleft of the rock cowered a poor sinner, and burrowedin the earth with his lean fingers as if he would dig himself a gravein its depths. He gazed at the cave where the child was with glassy, staring eyes. A prayer for mercy surged up in his heart like a streamof blood. Those who saw him turned from him shuddering. They took himfor Cain, his brother's murderer. 

CHAPTER III

A stranger was riding a lazy camel across the lonely Arabian desert. All men are Moors in the dark, but this man was a Moor in thestarlight. A newly discovered star brought the man from the banks ofthe Indus. He consulted all the calendars of the East, but none couldtell him about the star. Balthasar, however, was not the man to letthe strange, incomprehensible star escape him. Nothing can beconcealed in God's bosom from an Eastern scholar, for not even GodHimself has a passport for the land of the all-wise. The world isthrough them alone and for them alone; man must grow of himself towardsthe light as the lotus grows out of the mud. So thought Balthasar, andfelt that life was a failure. 

In such wisdom the faith of Orientals lives and moves and has itsbeing. If man honestly aspires to higher things and tortures hisflesh, it may go better with him in another life. For he must be bornagain many times, and must torture his body until it shrivels up, isfreed from sin, and is without desires. Then the soul is released andis not born again, for Nirvana, the last goal, is reached. Only badmen continue to live. The nations of India had been demoralised bythat doctrine for centuries. But it did not satisfy wise men. Balthasar thought: If a man starves through a few dozen lives, thensomething good must come out of it. Or is evil good enough tocontinue, and good evil enough to cease? Balthasar sought bettercounsel. He sought throughout the universe for a peg on which to hanga new, more beneficial philosophy of life. When, then, he saw the newstar in the sky, he never ceased looking at it. And, lo! it too tookthe road from east to west which all men traversed. What was thereyonder in the sunset that all went towards it, on earth as in heaven?Could not one particular star swim against the stream? True, this newheavenly pilgrim took an unusual path; he leaned somewhat to the northof the barbarous folk. So the wise man of the east left the fragrantgardens of India and followed the star. On the road he was joined bytwo Oriental princes and their suites, who were also seeking they knewnot what. 

And one night the three wise men saw in the heavens an extraordinaryconstellation, a group of stars hitherto unknown to any of them. 

[Illustration: Diagram of constellation of stars, using asterisks forthe stars, spelling out "INRI". ]

They looked at the constellation for a long while, and Balthasarthought it was like writing. They brought all their wisdom to bear onit, but could not explain it, for all it shone so brightly. Did thegods mean to write some message? Who could understand it? An uncannyappearance, which no knowledge or faith could explain! The next nightthey did not see it, but the guiding star still went before them andyielded to no sun. 

One morning, just as day began to dawn, they rode through the streetsof Jericho. A man was lying on his face in the road, and the Moorasked him why he lay in the dust. 

"I lie in the dust, " answered the man of Judah, "because I mustpractise myself in humility in order not to become too proud. We havebecome great beyond measure these last days. The King of the Jews isborn, the Messiah promised of God. "

Then the wise man from India remembered how the Jews had been expectingtheir Messiah for ages, the royal deliverer from bondage. 

"I thought you had King Herod, " he said. 

"He's not the right king, " answered the man in the dust. "Herod is aheathen, and cringes to the Romans. "

And now clouds from Lebanon hid the star, and the travellers knew notwhich way to go. Balthasar, perplexed, went towards the neighbouringcity of Jerusalem; there surely he would be able to learn more. Heasked at the royal palace about the new-born king. Such a question wasnews to King Herod. A son born to him? He knew nothing about it. Hewould see the strangers who asked such a question. 

"Sire, " said the Moor, "something is in the air. Your people arewhispering of the Messiah. "

"I'll have them beheaded!" shouted Herod angrily; then, more gently:"I'll have them beheaded if they don't kneel before the Messiah. Imyself will bow before him. If only I knew where to find him!"

"I'll go and look round a little, " said the complacent Balthasar, "andif I find him I'll come and tell you. "

"Do, do, noble stranger, " said Herod, "And then, pray take your ease atmy palace as long as you like. Are you fond of golden wine?"

"I drink red wine, " answered the Moor. 

"Or of the fair women of the west?" asked the king. 

"I love dark-skinned women, " said Balthasar. 

"Good! Then come, my friend, and bring me news of the new-born king. "

Balthasar rode on farther with his companions, and directly he left thetown the star again shone in front of him. It hung high up in theheavens, and after they had followed it for some hours it slowly turnedits course eastwards, and stopped above a cave in the rocks. And therethe strangers who had ridden out of the east to seek for truth, therethey found truth and life, there they found a child, a child who was astender and beautiful as a rosebud in the moonlight, a little child bornto poor people, and other poor folk stood round and offered the verylast of their possessions, and were full of joy. 

Dusky Balthasar peered inside. Had he ever seen eyes shine as in thisshepherd's cave? It seemed to him that he saw a new light and a newlife there; but he could not understand it. And in the air he heard astrange song, more a suggestion than words: "You will be blessed! Youwill live for ever!"

The strangers hearkened. What was that? You will be blessed, and youwill live for ever! For us happiness is to be found only innon-existence. At sight of this new-born infant the idea of immortallife came to them for the first time. 

They offered the poor mother precious jewels, and their hearts wereglad and happy and strange within them. Formerly these princes andwise men had only found pleasure in receiving, now they found it ingiving. Formerly Balthasar had been all sufficient unto himself, hehad woven his thoughts in entire loneliness, had despised the rest ofthe world, and had only cared for himself. And suddenly there came tohim this joy in the joy of poor men, and this suffering at theirsuffering! He shivered in his silken cloak, and when he took it offand wrapped it about the child he was warm. 

They all offered gifts, precious gold and rich perfumes and healingointments. But they were ashamed of their gifts beside the royalofferings of the shepherds, who, though it was not much, brought allthat they possessed. 

Balthasar in his joy wished to hasten to Jerusalem in order to tellHerod: I have not yet found the King of the Jews, but I have found apoor child and whoever looks upon him is happy, he knows not why. Nowkings are not so anxious to be happy; they prefer to be powerful. Ayouth came forward from the back of the cave and said to Balthasar: "Doyou know the man to whom you would go? Why, he would strangle theEmperor Tiberius if he could. Be silent, then, about a helpless childwho is loved by the people as a prince. "

"Oh, child!" said Balthasar, "you have the misfortune to be thepeople's favourite. Therefore the great hate thee. "

"Stranger, go not to Jerusalem. Say nothing of the child. "

The strangers did not feel at ease in a land which had an emperor and aking, neither of whom was the right ruler! And so they mounted theircamels. They took one more look at the child in the manger and theyrode away straight over the stony desert. They directed their coursetowards the east, towards all the starry constellations, and dreamed ofa new revelation which might enable them henceforth to live rich inlove and ever glad. 

Meanwhile King Herod, sleeping or waking, was not at peace. It was noton account of his wife or his brothers whom he had had murdered from asuspicion that they might kill him to secure the throne. It wassomething else that caused his anxiety. The new-born king! No onementioned the news at court, but he heard it from the walls of hispalace, from the flowers of his garden, from the pillows of his couch. Who had first spoken the word? Whence did it come? A new-born king!Where? He must forthwith hasten to do him homage, to present him witha gift tied with a silken string. And one day the decree came toBethlehem that every mother who had an infant son should bring it tothe king's palace at Jerusalem for the king desired to see the progenyof his subjects in order to discover what hope there was for thedelivery of the land of the Jews from bondage: he wished to presentgifts to the boys; yes, he was preparing a great surprise for hispeople. No little excitement prevailed among the women, who declaredthat the childless king intended to adopt the handsomest boy as his ownson. Since each mother considered her son the handsomest and mostattractive, she took the boy that she had and carried him to Jerusalemto the palace of King Herod. And those who refused to go were soughtout by the guards. 

Unhappy day, O Herod! which bears thy name for all time! The angryking, desiring to kill the anti-king, commanded the wholesale murder ofthe future protectors of his realm! He destroyed the race which hadformerly saved the beautiful city from ruin!

"All hail to our king, long may he live!" shouted the mothers in thecourtyard of the palace. Then knaves rushed out from the doors, torethe children from their mothers' arms, and slew them. None candescribe, indeed none would attempt to describe, how the unhappymothers strove frantically with the tyrants until they fell fainting orlifeless upon the bodies of their dear ones. 

Tremble, O men, before the terrible decree of Herod, murderer of theinnocents, yet despair not. He for whom they spilled their blood byGod's decree will requite it in full measure. 

CHAPTER IV

He at whom Herod had struck was not among the slaughtered innocents. For Mary had no desire to show her babe to the king. 

They kept in hiding with their great treasure. They remained in hidinga long time. The rite of circumcision made the boy a member of thenation which God had named His chosen people. The child's ancestorsreached back to Abraham, to whom the promise was made. And ifaccording to Holy Writ I trace his descent from the race of Abraham, branch by branch, it comes at last to Joseph, Mary's husband. And itis here that the glad tidings turn us aside with firm hand from allearthly existence--to the Spirit through which Mary had borne Him, Himwhom with holy awe we call Jesus. 

Now it came to pass one night that Joseph awoke from his sleep: "Arise, Joseph, wake them, and flee!" The voice called to him clearly anddistinctly: twice, thrice. 

"Flee? before whom? The shepherds protect us, " Joseph ventured to say. 

"The king will have the child. Make your preparations quickly andflee. "

Joseph looked at his wife and child. Their faces were white in themoonlight. To think that such as they had an enemy on the earth!Flee! But whither? Where could the king not reach them? His armextended throughout the whole of Judaea. We must not dream of going toNazareth; he would be sure to seek us there. Shall we go towards theland where the sun rises? There dwell wild men of the desert. Ortowards the setting sun? There are the boundless waters, and we haveno boat in which to sail thither, where the heathens live who havekinder hearts than the grim princes of Israel. 

"Wake them!" called the voice clearly and urgingly. "Take them to theland of the Pharaohs. "

"To Egypt, where our forefathers were slaves, and were only deliveredwith difficulty?" asked Joseph. 

"Joseph, delay not. Go to the people whose faith is folly, but whosewill is just, yonder where the waters of the Nile make the land fertileand bless it; There you will find peace and livelihood, safety for yourwife, and teaching for the child. When the time comes, God will leadyou back as once He led Moses and Joshua across the sea. "

Joseph knew not whose voice it was; he did not seek to know, anddoubted not his soul rested trustfully in the arms of the Lord. He puthis hand on the shoulders of his dearest one, and said softly: "Mary, awake, and be not afraid. Gather together our few possessions, putthem in a sack, and I will fasten it to the beast Ishmael gave us. Then take the child. We must away. "

Mary pushed her long, soft, silky hair from her face. Her husband'ssudden decision, the departure in the middle of the night, made herwonder, but she said not a word. She gathered together their scantypossessions, took the sleeping child in her arms, and mounted the ass, who pricked up his ears and thought what a day's work must be beforehim since it began so terribly early. His former owner had notpampered him; his short legs were firm and willing. They gave one lastgrateful look at the cave, the stones of which were softer than thehearts of the men of Bethlehem. Joseph took his stick and a leathernstrap and walked beside the ass, leading it, the ass which carried hiswhole world and his heaven, and--the heaven of the whole world. 

After going some way, they thought to rest under some palm-trees, notfar from Hebron. But the ass would not stop, and they let him have hiswill. Then soldiers of Herod rode that way; they saw a brown-skinnedwoman with a child sitting on the sand. 

"Is it a boy?" they called to her. 

"A girl, " answered the woman. "But strangers have just passed by, andI think they had a boy with them, if you can come up with them. "

And the horsemen galloped on. Meanwhile the fugitives from Nazarethhad reached bad roads, and were tired and wretched. Was not Jacob'sfavourite son also taken into Egypt just like this child? What willbecome of this one? They became aware of their pursuers gallopingbehind over the bare plain. Not a tree, not a shrub which could affordthem protection. They took refuge in the cleft of a rock, but Josephsaid: "What is the use of hiding? They must have seen us. " But assoon as they were well inside the dark hole, down came a spider fromthe mossy wall, summoned all her brood and her most distant relationsin great haste, and they speedily spun a web over the opening, a webthat was stronger than the iron railings in Solomon's temple, at theentrance to the Holy of Holies. Hardly was the weaving finished whenthe knaves came riding up. One said: "They crept into the hole in therock. "

"What!" shouted another, "no one could have crept in there since thetime of David the shepherd. Look at the thick cobwebs. "

"That's true, " they laughed, and straightway rode off. 

An old man who seemed to have risen from the grave now stood before thedusky woman who had denied her own son and betrayed the strangerwanderers. Whence he came he did not know himself. He loved thelonely desert, the home of great thoughts. He did not fear the robbersof the desert, for he was stronger than they because he had nothing. Now and again the desire came to him to behold a human face, so that hemight read therein whether the souls of men looked upwards or sankdownwards. The old man went up to the woman who had denied her own sonand betrayed the fugitives. And he said: "Daughter of Uriah! twicehave you given your son life: once through pleasure, once through alie. So his life will be a lie. He will breathe without living, andyet he will not be able to die!"

"Mercy!" she cried. 

"He will see Jerusalem fall!"

"Woe is me!"

"He will see Rome burn!"

"Mercy!" she groaned. 

"He will see the old world perish. He will see the barbarians of thenorth prevail. He will wander restless, he will be ill-treated anddespised everywhere, he will suffer the boundless despair of universalmisery, and he will not be able to die. He will envy men their deathanguish and their right to die. He will learn how they suck sweetpoison from the loveliest blossoms, and how twelve-year-old boys killthemselves from sheer weariness. He is the son of lies and is banishedinto the kingdom of lies. He will lament over the torments of old age, and he will not be able to die. He will call those children whom Herodslew blessed, and gnash his teeth at the memory of the woman who savedhim through a lie. "

"Oh, stop!" shrieked the woman. "When will he be redeemed?"

"Perhaps when the eternal Truth is come. "

CHAPTER V

The desert lay under a leaden sky. The yellow undulating sandy plainwas like a frozen sea that had no end, and so far as eye could see wasonly bounded by the dark orb of heaven. Here and there, grey, cleft, cone-shaped rocks and blunt-cornered stone boulders or blocks andflat-topped stones not unlike a table rose out of the sand-ocean. Twosuch stones were situated close together; one was partly covered by theyellow quicksand, the other stood higher out of the ground. On each ofthem lay a man stretched at full length. One, strong and sinewy, layon his face, supporting his black-bearded cheeks with his hands so thathis half-raised face could gaze over the barren plain. The other, asmaller-made man, lay on his back, making a pillow of his arms, andgazed at the gloomy sky. Both wore the Bedouin dress and were providedwith arms which were fastened into, or suspended from, their clothes. Their woolly heads were protected by kerchiefs. Their complexion wasas brown as the bark of the pine-tree, their eyes big and sparkling, their lips full and red. The one had a snub nose; the nose of theother was long and thin. So do these men of the desert appear to mymind's eye. 

"Dismas, " said the snub-nosed man, "What do you see in the sky?"

"Barabbas, " replied the other, "what do you see in the desert?"

"Are you waiting for manna to fall from the sky?" said Barabbas. "Doyou know that I'm almost starved to death? I must go down to thecaravan route. "

"Well, go. I'll to the oasis of Sheba, " said Dismas. 

"Dismas, I hate you, " growled the other. 

Dismas said nothing, and steadfastly looked at the sky, which had notfor a long while been so softly sunless as to-day. 

"Since the day when you refused to help me hold up the caravan ofOrientals with my men, I have hated you. They had much frankincenseand precious spices and gold. With one blow we should have providedourselves with enough for many a long year. And you----"

"Wanderers who were seeking the Messiah! I do not attack such asthey, " said Dismas. 

"You, too, are seeking him, you pious highwayman. "

"Of course, I seek him. "

"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed he of the snub-nose, pressing his pointed chininto his hand. "The Messiah! the fairy-tale of dreaming old men. Allweak men dream and believe. Don't you see that when you have to striveand struggle for your little bit of life there isn't time to wait forthe Messiah!"

"That's just what I've believed for many a year and day, " answeredDismas sadly. "I left my home to follow you; I've plundered men ofsilks and precious stones here in the desert, and time has flownnevertheless. All the treasure in the world cannot bid it stand stillfor an hour; comfort only makes the days fly quicker. We should notstruggle for life, but hold it fast, for existence is a wondrous thing. Oh, in vain--the days vanish. So I've determined to have nought to sayto the hours which pass, but to a time that endures for aye. And onlyhe whom God sends can bring such a time. "

Barabbas pressed his face against the stone, and said with comfortableconviction; "We've only the life we have; there's no other. "

"If it was as you say, " returned Dismas, "we must make this one lifegreat----"

"If there's no life to come, " said Barabbas, "we must live this oneout. That is nature, and to deny it folly. No, I will enjoy my life. Enjoyment is a duty. "

"That is what bad men think, " said Dismas. 

"There are no bad men, " exclaimed Barabbas, "and no good men either. Friend, look at the lamb, he harms no one; he would rather be torn topieces by the lion than tear the lion to pieces himself. Is he good, therefore? No, only weak. And the lion who kills and eats the lamb?Is he bad, therefore? No, only strong. And so it is his right todestroy the weak. Strength is the only virtue, and the only good deedis to exterminate the weak. "

When he made an end of speaking, the other turned his face towards himand said: "What extraordinary words are those? I never heard such talkbefore. In whose heart were such ideas born?"

"They were not born in the heart, " said Barabbas. "The heart is dumb. Dismas, if I must dwell in desert caves and do nothing, I must searchout and inquire. I break stones in pieces and search. I pull thecorpses of animals and men to pieces and inquire. And I find thatthings are not as the old writings tell us. There's only one Messiah:the truth. Man is an animal like any of the lower creatures--that isthe truth. Ha, ha, ha!"

A shudder went through Dismas's body. How he disliked this man! Andyet, on account of his companion's strong will, and through the habitof years, he could not free himself. He had often fled away from him, but had always come back. Now he stood up, lifted his arms to heaven, and exclaimed: "Oh, Lord, in the holy heights, save me!"

"Invoke the stars, " said Barabbas, with a scornful laugh. "You'll beright then. They know nothing of you and your God. They're made ofcommon dust. They themselves, and all the beings on them, live in thesame base struggle as does our earth and everything on it. An enormousdust-heap, swarming with vermin, that's all. "

Dismas sat on his stone with folded hands, pale as a corpse. 

"Barabbas, my comrade, " he said at last, "it is your bad angel thatspeaks. "

"Why don't you praise him, Dismas? Why don't you shout for joy? Mymessage has redeemed you. You think because you've attacked, slain, and plundered unsuspecting travellers that everlasting hell must beyour portion. My strong message does away with hell. Do you see that?"

The other replied: "I heard a prophet in the wilderness cry that a manwhom God had damned could be saved by repentance. Your damnation, Barabbas, never! No Almighty God! Everything a dry, swarmingdust-heap, and no escape! Frightful, frightful!"

"Do you know, Dismas, your lamentations don't amuse me?" said theother, supporting himself on his hands and knees like a four-footedbeast. "I have a more important matter on hand. I'm hungry. "

Dismas jumped on his stone, and made ready for flight. "If he'shungry, he's capable of killing and eating me. "

Barabbas had assumed a listening attitude, and his eagle eyes staredout into the desert. A red banner was visible between the rocks andstones; it moved and came nearer. It was a woman's red garment. Sherode on an ass, and seen closer, carried a child in her arms. A man, tired out, limped beside her, leading the ass. 

"Dismas, there's someone, " whispered Barabbas, grasping the handle ofhis weapon. "Come, let's hide behind the stone until they come up. "

"You'll fall on those defenceless folk from an ambush?"

"And you're going to help me, " said Barabbas coolly. 

"We'll take what we need for to-day, no more. I'll only help you sofar, mark that. "

The little group came nearer. The man and the ass waded deep in thesand, which in some places lay scantily over the rough stones, and inothers had drifted into high heaps. The guide was leading the animalquickly, for during this sunless day he had lost his bearings, but saidnothing about it, in order not to make his wife anxious. His eyessought the right road. They ought to reach the oasis of Descheme thatday. Now he saw two men standing on blocks of stone which reached upinto the sky. 

"Praised be God!" said Joseph of Nazareth, "these men will put meright. "

Before he had time to frame his question, they quickly descended. Oneseized the ass's bridle, the other grasped Joseph's arm, and said:"Give us what you have with you. "

The pale woman on the ass sent an imploring glance to Heaven. Thelittle child in her lap looked straight out of his clear eyes, and wasnot afraid. 

"If you've bread with you, give it us, " said Dismas, who was holdingthe ass. 

"Fool!" shouted Barabbas of the snub-nose, "everything they havebelongs to us. Whether we will give anything, that's the question. Iwill give you the most precious thing--life. Such a beautiful womanwithout life would be a horror. "

Dismas reached at the sack. 

"Why are you doing that, brother?" said Barabbas. "We'll lead them toour castle. The simoon may be blowing up. There they'll have shelterfor the night. "

He tore the bridle from Dismas's hand, and led the ass bearing themother and child down between the stones to the cave, Joseph saw themen's weapons, and followed gloomily. 

When the shades of evening fell, and the desert was shut out and thesky dark, when the blocks of stone and the cone-shaped rocks resembledblack monsters, the wanderers were settled in the depths of the cave. The ass lay in front of it sleeping, his big head resting on the sand. Near by lurked the robbers, and ate their plunder. 

"Now we'll share our guests in brotherly fashion, " said Barabbas. "Youshall have the old man and the child. "

"They are father, mother, and child, " replied Dismas; "they belongtogether, we will protect them. "

"Brother, " said Barabbas, who was in high good humour at the ease ofthe capture, "your dice. We'll throw for them. First, for the ass. "

"Right, Barabbas. "

He threw the eight-cornered stone with the black marks, and it fell onhis outspread cloak. The ass was his. 

"Now for the father and son!"

"Right, Barabbas. "

The dice fell. Barabbas rejoiced. Dismas was winner. 

"A third time for the woman!"

"Right, Barabbas. "

He threw the dice; they fell on his cloak. 

"What is that? The dice have no marks! Dismas, stop this joke!You've changed the dice. "

When he took them up in his hand the black marks were there again allright. They drew a second and a third time. As before the dice had nomarks when they fell. 

"What does it mean, Dismas? The dice are blind. "

"I think it's you who are blind, Barabbas, " laughed Dismas. "Here, drink these drops, and then lie down and sleep. "

The strong man soon rolled on to the sand beside the ass, and snoredloudly. 

Then Dismas crawled into the cave and woke the strangers, in order toget them away from the libertine. For he dared not venture a trial ofstrength with Barabbas. He had some trouble with Joseph, but at lastthey were beneath the starry sky, Mary and the child on the ass, Josephleading it. Dismas walked in front in order to show them the way. They went slowly through the darkness; no one spoke a word. Dismas wassunk in thought. Past days, when he had rested like this child in hismother's arms and his father had led them over the Arabian desert, rosebefore him. Many a holy saying of the prophets had echoed through hisrobber life and would not be silenced. 

After they had waded through the sand and clambered over the rocks forhours, a golden band of light shone in the east. The bushes and treesof the oasis of Descheme stood out against it. 

Here Dismas left the wanderers to their safe road, in order to returnto the cave. When he turned back with good wishes for the rest oftheir journey, he was met by a look from the child's shining eyes. Thebeaming glance terrified him with the terror of wonderment. Neverbefore had child or man looked at him with look so grateful, soglowing, so loving as this boy, his pretty curly head turned towardshim, his hands stretched out in form of a cross, as if he wished toembrace him. Dismas's limbs trembled as if a flash of lightning hadfallen at his side, and yet it was only a child's eyes. Holding hishead with both hands, he fled, without knowing why he fled, for hewould rather have fallen on his knees before the wondrous child. Butsomething like a judgment seemed to thrust him forth, back into thehorror of the desert. 

For three days our fugitives rested in the oasis. Mary liked to sit onthe grass under an olive-tree near the spring, and let the boy stretchhis little soft arms to pluck a flower. He reached it, but did notbreak it from its stem; he only stroked it with his soft fingers. 

And when the child fell asleep in the flowers, his mother kneeledbefore him and looked at him. And she gazed and gazed at him, andcould not turn her face from him. Then she bent down and took onelittle plump, soft hand and shut it into hers so that only thefinger-tips could be seen, and she lifted them to her mouth and kissedthem, and could not cease kissing the white, childish hands, the tearsrunning down her cheeks the while. And with her large dark eyes shelooked out into the empty air--afraid of pursuers. 

Joseph walked up and down near at hand between the trees and shrubs, but always kept mother and child in view. He was gathering dates fortheir further travels. 

And now new faces rise before me as they wander farther into the barrendesert, swept by the simoon, parched by the rays of the sun. Mary isfull of peace, and wraps the child in her cloak so that he rests like apearl in its shell. He nestles against her warm breast and sucks hisfill. Whenever Joseph begins to be afraid, he feels the angel's wingfanning his face. And then he is full of courage and leads his lovedones past hissing snakes and roaring lions. 

After many days they reached a fertile valley lying between rockyhills; a clear stream flowed through it. They rested under a hedge ofthorns, and looked at a terribly wild mountain that rose high above therest. It was bare and rocky from top to bottom, and deep cleftsdivided it in its whole length, so that the mountain seemed to beformed of upright blocks of stone, which looked like the fingers of twogiant hands placed one on the other. A hermit was feeding his goat inthe meadow, and Joseph went up to him and asked the name of theremarkable mountain. 

"You are travelling through the district, and you don't know themountain?" said the hermit. "If you are a Jew, incline your face tothe earth and kiss it. It is the spot where eternity floated down fromSinai. "

"That--the Mountain of the Law?"

"See how it stretches forth its fingers swearing. As true as Godlives!"

Joseph bowed down and kissed the ground. Mary looked at the stonymountain with a thrill of awe. Little Jesus slept in the shade of thethorn-bush. The threatening rock and the lovely child. There darkmenaces, and here----?

Joseph tried to picture to himself the scene when Moses, on the summitof the mountain, received the tables of stone from Jehovah. Then acloud slowly covered the mountain top as if to veil the secret. Josephwas ashamed of his presumption and kept silence. Before he departed hecut a bough from the thorn-bush and pulled off the leaves and twigs, sothat it formed a pilgrim's staff for the rest of the journey. Theywere always meeting new dangers. And one day a hunter of the desertcame running after them. They were not frightened of his tiger skin, but of what he had to tell them. If they had come from Judaea withtheir boy, they had better hasten into the land of Egypt, for Herod'smen were on their track. So they had no rest until at last they cameto the land of the Pharaohs. But one day they found themselves not onits frontier, but on the seashore. They were dumb with astonishment. There lay the sea, its waves dashing against the black, jagged cliffs, and beyond them was a smooth, level plain as far as the eye could see. 

Once in the past fugitives had stood on the other side of the sea, their enemies behind them. And Joseph lifted up his arms and calledupon the God of his forefathers to divide the waters of the sea onceagain and make a passage for them. Belief in the God of ancestors isstrong. He appealed also to his ancestors themselves and entreatedthem to come to his assistance, for are we not one with them and strongin the same faith? But the sea lay in calm repose and divided not. Six horsemen came riding over the sand, shouting for joy at the thoughtof their reward, when they saw those they had so long pursued standingby the water, unable to proceed farther. Quickly they approached theshore, and were about to let fly the stones from their slings againstthe couple who had the little King of the Jews with them, when they sawthe fugitives descend the wave-dashed cliffs and go out upon thesurface of the sea. The man led the ass on which sat the woman withthe child, and just as they passed over the sand of the desert, witheven steps, they passed over the waters of the sea. 

Their pursuers rode after them in blind rage, urged their horses intothe sea, and were the first to reach--not Egypt, but the other world. 

CHAPTER VI

The family of the poor carpenter from Nazareth stood on the soil ofancient Egypt. How had they crossed the sea? Joseph thought in afishing boat, but it had all happened as in a dream. He opened hiseyes, and sought the mountains of Nazareth, and saw the dark grove ofpalm-trees with their bare trunks and sword-shaped leaves, and he sawthe gate flanked by enormous stone figures which, lying on theirbellies, stretched out two paws in front of them and lifted huge humanheads high in the air. He saw the triangular form of the pyramids riseagainst the yellow background. Strange odours filled the air, as wellas shrill noises made by fantastic figures, and every sound struck hardand sharp on the ear. Joseph's heart was heavy. His home wasabandoned, and they were in a strange land in which they must certainlybe lost. 

Mary, who was always outwardly calm, but inwardly bound up passionatelyin the child, looked at Joseph's stick, and said: "Joseph, it is a nicethought of yours to deck your staff with a flower in token of our safearrival. " Then Joseph looked at his stick and marvelled. For from thebranch which he had cut at Sinai there sprouted a living, snow-whitelily. Oh, Joseph, 'tis the flower of purity! But what was the use ofall the flowers in the world when he was so full of care? He liftedthe child in his arms, and when he looked at his sunny countenance theshadows were dispersed. But they experienced shadows enough in theland of the sun, where men had built a splendid temple to the sun-godlike that which the Israelites at home had built to the great Jehovah. 

Things did not go very well with these poor Jews during the long yearsthey remained in this land. They did not understand the language; buttheir simple, kindly character and their readiness to be of use told intheir favour. In that treeless land carpentry was at a discount. Theybuilt themselves a hut out of reeds and mud on the bank of the Nilenear the royal city of Memphis, but in such a building the carpenter'sskill did not shine. Still it was better than the dwellings of otherpoor people by the riverside. Joseph thought of fishing for alivelihood; but the fish-basket that he wove was so successful that theneighbours supplied him with food so that he might make such basketsfor them. And soon people came from the town to buy his baskets, andwhen he carried his wares to market, he got rid of them all on the way. So basket-making became his trade, and he thought how once the littleMoses was saved in a basket on the Nile. And just as his work wasliked, so also did Mary and himself win affection, and they confessedthat life went better on the banks of the Nile than in poor littleNazareth, for veritably there were fleshpots in Egypt. If only theycould have crushed their hearts' longing for home!

When the little Jesus began to walk, the mothers who were theirneighbours wished him to make friends with their children and play withthem. But the boy was reserved and awkward with strangers. Hepreferred to wander alone at evening-time besides the stream and gazeat the big lotus flowers growing out of the mud, and at the crocodileswhich sometimes crawled out of the water, and lifting their headstowards the sky, opened their great jaws as if they would drink in thesunshine. He often remained out longer than he ought, and came backwith glowing cheeks, excited by some pleasure about which he saidnothing. When he had eaten his figs or dates, and lay in his littlebed, his father and mother sat close by, and spoke of the land of theirfathers, or told ancient tales of their ancestors until he fell asleep. Joseph instructed the boy in the Jewish writings; but it was soonapparent that Joseph was the pupil, for what he read with difficultyfrom the roll, little Jesus spoke out spontaneously from his innermostsoul. So he grew into a slender, delicate stripling, learned theforeign tongue, marked the customs, and followed them so far as theypleased him. There was much in him that he did not owe to education;although he said little, his mother observed it. And once she askedJoseph: "Tell me, are other children like our Jesus?"

He answered; "So far as I know them--he is different. "

One day, when Jesus was a little older, something happened. Joseph hadgone with the boy to the place where the boats land, in order to offerhis baskets for sale. There was a stir among the people: soldiers inbrilliant uniforms and carrying long spears marched along; then cametwo heralds blowing their horns as if they would split the air withtheir sharp tones; and behind came six black slaves drawing a goldenchariot in which sat Pharaoh. He was a pale man with piercing eyes, dressed in costly robes, a sparkling coronet on his black, twistedhair. The people shouted joyfully, but he heeded them not; he leanedback wearily on his cushions. But all at once he lifted his head alittle; a boy in the crowd, the stranger basket-maker's little son, attracted his attention. Whether it was his beauty or somethingunusual about the boy that struck him, we cannot say, but he orderedthe carriage to be stopped, and the child to be brought to him. 

Joseph humbly came forward with the boy, crossed his hands on hisbreast, and made a deep obeisance. 

"That is your son?" said the king in his own language. 

Joseph bowed affirmatively. 

"You are a Jew! Will you sell me the boy?" asked Pharaoh. 

And then Joseph: "Pharaoh! although I am a descendant of Jacob, whosesons sold their brother Joseph into Egypt, I do not deserve your irony. We are poor people, but the child is our most cherished possession. "

"I only spoke in kindness about the selling, " said the king. "You aremy subjects, and the boy is my property. Take him, Hamar. "

The servant was ready to put his hand on the little boy, who stood byquietly and looked resolutely at the king. Joseph fell on his kneesand respectfully represented that he and his family were not Egyptiansubjects, but lived there as strangers, and implored the almightyPharaoh to allow him the rights of hospitality. 

"I know nothing about all that, my good man, " said the king. Then, catching sight of the boy's angry face, he laughed. "Meseems, my youngJew, that you would crush me to powder. Let me live a little longer inthis pleasant land of Egypt. I shall not harm you. You are much toobeautiful a child for that. " He stopped, and then continued in adifferent tone: "Wait, and look more closely at Pharaoh, and see if heis really so terribly wicked, and whether it would be so dreadful tolive in his palace and hand him the goblet when he is thirsty. Well?Be assured, old man, I shall do you no violence. Boy, you shall cometo my court of your own free will, you shall share the education andinstruction of the children of my nobles; only sometimes I shall haveyou with me, you fine young gazelle. Now go home with your father. To-morrow I will send and ask, mark you--only ask, not command. He whois tired of plundered booty knows how to value a free gift. You hearwhat I say?"

When the crowd heard Pharaoh speak to these poor people with suchunwonted kindness, the like of which they had never heard before, theyuttered mad shouts of joy. As the king proceeded on his way in histwo-wheeled golden chariot, a long array of soldiers, cymbal players, and dancing girls following behind, the palm-groves resounded with thecries of the people. Joseph fled with the boy down narrow streets soas to avoid the crowd that wanted to press round him and look at andpet Pharaoh's little favourite. 

The same evening an anxious council was held in the little hut. Theboy, Jesus, was drawn to Pharaoh without saying why. They wereterrified about it. The two working people had no idea that their lifewas becoming too narrow for his young soul, that he wanted to fortifyhimself with the knowledge to be obtained from the papyrus rolls of theancient men of wisdom, with the intellectual products of the land ofthe Pharaohs. And still less did they imagine that a deeper reason ledtheir boy to desire to learn something of life in the world. 

Joseph admitted that the manuscripts in the royal collection countedfor something. But Mary put little trust in the writings, and stillless in Pharaoh. 

"We've had, " she said, "a painful experience of the good intentions ofkings. Having escaped the violence of Herod with difficulty, are we tosubmit to that of Pharaoh? They all play the same game, only in adifferent way. What Jerusalem could not accomplish by force, Memphiswill accomplish by cunning. "

Joseph said: "My dear wife, you are not naturally so mistrustful. Yetafter what we have gone through it is no wonder. This legend of ayoung King of the Jews has been a real fatality to us. Whoever startedit can never answer for all the woes it brings. "

"Let us leave that to the Lord, Joseph, and do what it is ours to do. "

When Joseph was alone with her he said: "It seems to me, Mary, that youbelieve our Jesus is destined for great things. But you must rememberthat a basket-maker's hut is not exactly the right place for that. Hewould have a better chance at Pharaoh's court--like Moses. And we knowthat the King of Egypt is no friend of Herod. No, that is not hisline; he really wishes well to the child, and no one can betterunderstand that than ourselves. Did he not say that our darling shouldbe treated like the children of the nobles?"

In the end she decided to do what was best for the child. He was pastten years old, and if he wished to go from the mud hut to the palace, well, she would not forbid it. 

Jesus heard her words. "Mother, " he said, and stood in front of her, "I do not wish to go from the mud hut to the palace, but I want to seethe world and men and how they live. I am not abandoning my parents togo to Pharaoh--although I go, I remain here with you. "

"You remain with us, " said his mother, "and yet I see that even now youare no longer here. "

But she would not let him know how it was with her. He should not seeher weep. She would not spoil his pleasure. And then they discoveredthat after all he was not going very far away, only from the Nile tothe town, and that Pharaoh had promised him liberty; he could visit hisparents, and return to them whenever he so wished. But he would nolonger be the same child who went from them. Mary reflected that thatwas the usual case with mother and son; the youth gave himself up moreand more to strangers, and less and less of him remained to his mother. There remained to her the memory that she had borne him in pain, thatshe had nourished him with her life; she had a claim on him more sacredand everlasting than any other could have. But gradually andinevitably he separated himself from his mother, and what she would dofor him, and give him, and be to him, he kindly but decidedly setaside. She must even give him her prayerful blessing in secret; shehardly dared to touch his head with her trembling hands. 

Next day at noon a royal litter stood before the hut. Two slaves werethe bearers, one of whom was old and feeble. When Mary saw the littershe exclaimed that she would not allow her child to lie on so soft acouch. The boy smiled a little, so that two dimples appeared on hisrosy cheeks, and said:

"Why, mother, do you think I would ride on those cushions? Now, letthe sick slave get in, and I will take his place. "

But the leader of the little procession was not agreeable. The boycould do as he liked, stay, or go with them. 

"I shall stay, " said Jesus, "and go to Pharaoh when I please. " Thelitter returned empty to the palace. 

The next day the boy made up his mind to go. His parents accompaniedhim through the palm-grove to the town. He walked between father andmother in his humble garb, and Joseph gave him good advice the while. Mary was silent and invoked the heavenly powers to protect her child. Only the boy was admitted through the gateway of the palace; father andmother remained behind and looked fearfully after their Jesus, whoturned round to wave to them. His face was glad, and that comfortedthe mother. The father thought it incomprehensible that a child couldso cheerfully and heedlessly part from the only creatures who cared forhim; but he kept his thought to himself. 

The boy felt curiosity, satisfaction, and repugnance all at the sametime, when he gave himself into the hands of the servants, who led himto a refreshing bath, anointed him with sweet-smelling oil, and cladhim in a silken garment. But he desired to learn what life in theroyal palace was like. And gradually its splendour began to enfoldhim. The Arabian tales which his father loved to tell him containedmarvels and splendours, but nothing to be compared with themagnificence and brilliance that now assailed his senses. Marblestaircases as broad as streets, halls as lofty as temples, marblepillars, brilliantly painted domes. The sun came through the windowsin every colour there is, and was reflected red, blue, green, and goldby the shining walls. But more fairy-like were the nights, whenthousands of lamps burned in the halls, a forest of candelabra shonelike a conflagration kept within bounds; when the courtiers seemed tosink into the carpets and divans and silken and down coverlets; whenthe sweet-smelling incense rose from the golden censers and intoxicatedthe brain; when a hundred servants made ready the banquet ofindescribable luxury, and carried it in silver dishes, alabaster bowls, and crystal goblets; when youths and maidens, with arms entwined, crowned each other with wreaths of roses; when the fanfares sounded, and the cymbals clashed, and song gushed from maidens' throats; andwhen at length Pharaoh entered in flowing purple robes adorned with athousand sparkling diamond stars--on his head an indented coronet, shining like carbuncle--the god! the sun-god! On all this our boy fromthe Nile hut looked as at something wonderful that had nothing to dowith him. A fan of shimmering peacocks' feathers was put into hishand. Other boys had similar fans, and with half-bared limbs stoodclose to the guests and fanned them into coolness. Young Jesus was todo that for Pharaoh, but he did not do it, and sat on the floor andnever grew weary of looking at Pharaoh's pale face. The king answeredhis gaze kindly: "I think that is the proud youth from the Nile, whodoes not desire to sit at the feet of Pharaoh. "

"He shall sit at the right hand of God, " sang the choir. Slowly, withthe air of an irritated lion, the king turned his head in order to seewhat stupid choirmaster mingled Hebrew verses with the hymn of Osiris. Then ensued noise and confusion. The windows, behind which was thedarkness, shone with a red light. The people had assembled before thepalace with torches in order to do homage to Pharaoh, the son of Light. The king looked annoyed. Such homage was repeated every new moon--hedesired it, and yet it bored him. He beckoned to the cup-bearers, hewanted a goblet of wine. That brought the blood to his cheeks, and thelight to his eyes. He joined in the hymn of praise to Osiris, and hiswhole form glowed with strength and gladness. 

When the quiet night succeeded the luxurious day, so still was it thatthe lapping of the waves of the Nile might be heard. Jesus lay on acurtained couch of down, and could not sleep. How well he had slept inthe hut by the Nile! He was hot and rose and looked out of the window. The stars sparkled like tiny suns. He lay down again, prayed to hisFather, and fell asleep. The next day, when the feast was over, hewould find the rooms in which the old writings were kept, and theteachers who would instruct him. But it was not like the feast thatcomes to an end; it was repeated every day at the king's court. 

It happened one night that the slaves stole around and woke each other. Jesus became aware of the subdued noise and asked the cause. Oneapproached him and whispered, "Pharaoh weeps!" Like a mysteriousbreath of wind it went through the palace, "Pharaoh weeps!" Then allwas still again, and the dreaming night lay over everything. 

Jesus did not lie down again on the soft cushions, he rested on thecool floor and thought. The king weeps! Arabia and India, Greece andRome have sent their costliest treasures to Memphis. Phoenician shipscruise off the coasts of Gaul, Albion, and Germany in order to obtaintreasure for the great Pharaoh. His people surround him day after daywith homage, his life is at its prime. And he weeps? Was it notperhaps that he sobbed in his dreams, or it may be laughed? But thewatchers think he weeps. 

CHAPTER VII

And the days passed by. As the king had said, the boy was free. Buthe stayed on at the palace because he hoped one day to find the room inwhich the manuscripts were kept. He often strolled through the townand the palm-grove down to the river to see his parents. Thousands ofslaves were working at the sluices of the stream which fertilised theland. The overseer scourged them lustily, so that many of them felldown exhausted and even dying. Jesus looked on and denounced suchbarbarity, until he, too, received a blow. Then he went out to thePyramids where the Pharaohs slept, and listened if they were notweeping. He went into the Temple of Osiris and looked at the monsteridols, fat, soulless, ugly, between the rounded pillars. He searchedthe palace untiringly for the hall in which the writings were kept, andat last he came upon it. But it was closed: its custodians werehunting jackals and tigers in the desert. They found it dark anddreary there among the great minds of old; the splendour and luxury ofthe court did not penetrate to the hall of writings. 

Then nights came again when whispers ran through the halls, "Pharaohweeps. " And the reason, too, was whispered. He had caused the womanhe loved best to be strangled, and now the astrologers declared thatshe was innocent. One day the king lay on his couch and desired thatthe boy from the Nile should be summoned to fan him. As the king wassick, Jesus agreed to go. Pharaoh was ill-humoured and impatient, neither fan nor fanning was right, and when the boy left off that wasnot right either. 

Then Jesus said suddenly: "Pharaoh, you are sick. "

The king stared at him in astonishment. A page dare to open his mouthand speak to the Son of Light! When, however, he saw the sad, sincereexpression of sympathy in the boy's countenance ho became calmer, andsaid; "Yes, my boy, I am sick. "

"King, " said Jesus, "I know what is the matter with you. "

"You know!"

"You keep shadows within and light without. Reverse it. "

Directly the boy had said that Pharaoh got up, thinner and taller thanhe usually appeared to be, and haughtily pointed to the door, an angrylight in his eyes. 

The boy went out quietly, and did not look back. 

But his words were not forgotten. In the noise and tumult of thedaytime Pharaoh did not hear them; in the night, when all thebrilliance was extinguished and only the miserable and unhappy waked, he heard softly echoed from wall to wall of his chamber, "Reverse it!Bring the light inside!"

Shortly before that time Jesus had discovered an aged scholar who dweltoutside the gate of Thebes, in a vaulted cave at the foot of thePyramid. He would have nothing to do with any living thing except agoat of the desert which furnished him with milk. And as he keptalways within the darkness of the vault, bending over endlesshieroglyphics on half-decomposed slabs of stone, on excavated householdvessels, and papyrus rolls, the goat likewise never saw the sun. Bothwere contented with the food brought them daily by an old fellah. Thehermit was one who had surely reversed things--shadow without and lightwithin. When Pharaoh dismissed Jesus, he sought the learnedcave-dweller in order to find wisdom. At first the old man would notlet him come in. What had young blood to do with wisdom?

"My son, first grow old, and then come and seek wisdom in the oldwritings. "

The boy answered: "Do you give wisdom only for dying? I want it forliving. "

Then the old man let him in. 

Jesus now visited the wise man every day and listened to his teachingsabout the world and life, and also about eternal life. The hermitspoke of the transmigration of souls, how in the course of ages soulsmust pass through all beings, live through all the circles ofexistence, according as their conduct led them upwards to the gods, ordownwards to the worms in the mud. Therefore we should love theanimals which the souls of men may inhabit. He spoke with deep awe ofthe serpent Kebados, and of the sublime Apis in the Temple of Memphis. He lost himself in all the depths and shoals of thought, verifiedeverything by the hieroglyphics, and declared it to be scientifictruth. So that the man who lived in the dark discoursed to the boy onlight. He spoke of the all-holy sun-god Osiris who created everythingand destroyed everything--the great, the adorable Osiris by whose eyeevery creature was absorbed. Then he would again solemnly andmysteriously murmur incomprehensible formulae, and the eager boy grewweary. Here, too, something evidently had to be reversed. Sothinking, he went quietly forth and left the little gate open. Whenthe old man looked up at him, there he was in the open air pasturingthe goat, who, delighted at her liberty, was capering round on thegrass. 

"Why do you not show your reverence for truth?" he said, reprovingly. 

And Jesus: "Don't you see that I am proving my reverence for yourteaching. You say: We must love animals. Therefore I led the goat outinto the open air, that she may feed on the fragrant grass. You saythat we should kindle our eye at that of the sun-god, therefore I wentout with the goat from the dark vault into the bright sunlight. "

"You must learn to understand the writings. "

"I want to know living creatures. "

The old man looked at the boy with an air of vexation. "Tell me, youbold son of man, under what sign of the zodiac were you born?"

"Under that of the ox and the ass, " answered the boy Jesus. 

The man of learning immediately hurried into his cave, lighted hislamp, and consulted his hieroglyphics. Under the ox and the ass--hegrew afraid. Away with Libra, away with Libra! He investigated yetagain. It stood written on the stone and in the roll. He went outagain, and looked at the boy, but differently from before, uneasily, ingreat excitement. 

"Listen, boy, I've cast your horoscope. "

"What is it?"

"By the ancient and sacred signs I've read your fate. Knowing underwhat sign of the zodiac and under which stars you were born, I canenlighten you as to the fate you go to meet so callously. Do youdesire to know it?"

"If I desire to know it, I will ask my Father. "

"Is your father an astrologer?"

"He guides the stars in their courses, "

"He guides the stars in their courses? What do you mean? You are afool, a godless fool. You will learn what terrors await you. Thisarrogance is the beginning. His Father guides the stars in theircourses indeed!"

CHAPTER VIII

News came from Judaea that King Herod was dead. It was also reportedthat his successor, called Herod the younger, was of milder temperamentand a true friend of his people. So Joseph considered that the timewas now come when he might return to his native land with his wife andhis tall, slender son. His basket-making, through industry and thrift, had, almost without his noticing it, put so much money into his pocketthat he was able to treat with a Phoenician merchant regarding thejourney home. For they would not go back across the desert: Josephwanted to show his family the sea. He took willow twigs with him inorder to have something to do during the voyage. Mary occupied herselfin repairing and making clothes, so that she might be nicely dressedwhen she arrived home. The other passengers who were in the big shipwere glad of the idleness, and amused themselves in all sorts of ways. Jesus often joined them, and rejoiced with those who were glad. Butwhen the amusement degenerated into extravagance and shamelessness, heretired to the cabin, or looked at the wide expanse of waters. 

One moonlight night when they were on the high seas, a storm sprang up. The ship's keel was lifted high at one moment only to dip low the next, so that the waves broke over the deck; bundles and chests were thrownabout, and a salt stream struck the travellers' faces. The riggingbroke away from the masts, and fluttered loosely in the air out intothe dark sea which heaved endlessly in mountains of foam, andthreatened to engulf the groaning ship. The people were mad withterror and anguish, and, reeling and staggering, sought refuge in everycorner in order to avoid the falling beams and splinters. Joseph andMary looked for Jesus, and found him quietly asleep on a bench. Thestorm thundered over his head, the masts cracked, but he sleptpeacefully. Mary bent over him, and climbed on to the bench so thatthey might not be hurled apart. She would let him sleep on, what coulda mother's love do more? But Joseph thought it time to be prepared, and so they woke him. He stood on the deck and looked out into thewild confusion. He saw the moon fly from one wall of mist to theother, he saw dark monsters shoot up from the roaring abyss, and throwthemselves on the ship with a crashing noise, and turn it on its sideso that the masts almost touched the surface of the water, while birdsof prey hovered above. The ship heaved from its inmost recesses, andcracked from end to end as if it would burst. Jesus, pale-faced, hiseyes sparkling with delight, held on to the railing. Joseph and Marytried to protect him. He thrust them back, and without ceasing to gazeat the awful splendour, said: "Let me alone! Don't you see that I'mwith my Father?"

It is written of him that he is the only man who had no father onearth, and so he sought and found Him in heaven. 

Others who saw the youth that night became almost calm in spite oftheir terror. If he is not afraid for his young life, is ours so muchmore valuable? And then, whether to conquer or to fail, they went towork with more courage to steer the ship, to mend the tackle with tow, to bale out the water, until gradually the storm subsided. When daydawned Jesus was still gazing with delight at the open sea, where hehad watched the struggle of winds and waves of light and darkness. Atlast he had found it--light both within and without! The helmsman blewhis horn, and announced, "Land in sight!" Far away over the dark-greenwater shone the cliffs of Joppa. 

When the ship was safely steered through the high cliffs into theharbour, our family landed in order to journey thence to Jerusalem onfoot. For it was the time of the Passover, and it was many years sinceJoseph had celebrated it in Solomon's Temple. The feast--a memorial ofthe deliverance from Egypt--had now a double meaning for him. So hewished to make this _détour_ to the royal city on his way to his nativeGalilee, and especially that, after their sojourn in the land of theheathen, he might introduce Jesus to the public worship of the chosenpeople. Joseph and Mary clasped each other's hands in quiet joy whenthey were once again journeying through their native land, breathingits fresh air, seeing the well-known plants and creatures, hearing thefamiliar tongue. Jesus remained calm. If he found any childishmemories there, they would be of the king who had persecuted him. Hecould regard the land with calm impartiality. And when he saw hisparents so glad to be at home again, he thought how strange it was thatlifeless earth should have so much power over the heart. Does not theHeavenly Father hold the whole earth in his hand? Does not man carryhis home within his own bosom?

Their possessions were tied on to the back of a camel, and they trudgedcheerfully after it. Joseph carried an axe at his waist in order todefend them from attacks, but he only had occasion to try it on theblocks of wood that lay in the road, which he liked to hack at a littleif they were good timber. The nearer they approached the capital themore animated the stony roads became. Pilgrims who were proceeding tothe great festival in the holy place streamed along the paths. Aftersunset on the second day our travellers found themselves at an inn inJerusalem. Joseph could afford to be more independent than he had beentwelve years back--he had money in his pocket! Their first walk was tothe Temple. They hastened their steps when passing Herod's palace. 

The Temple stood in wondrous splendour. All sorts of people filled theforecourt, hurrying, pushing, and shouting, pressing forward throughthe lines of pillars into the Holy Place, and thence into the Holy ofHolies, where the ark of the covenant stood, flanked by goldencandelabra. Every fifth man wore the robes of a rabbi, and was thussure of his place in the Temple as one learned in the law. Phariseesand Sadducees, two hostile parties in the interpretation of the law, talked together of tithes and tribute, or entered on lively disputesover the laws of the Scriptures, a subject on which they never agreed. Joseph and Mary did not observe that others were quarrelling; theyhumbly obeyed the rules, and stood in a niche of the Holy Place andprayed. But Jesus stood by the pillars and listened to the disputantswith astonishment. 

The next day they inspected the city as far as the crowds rendered itpossible. Joseph wished to visit the grave of his noble ancestor, andpushed through the crowds that filled the dark, narrow streets, noisywith buyers and sellers, donkey-drivers, porters, shouting rabbis, andan endless stream of pilgrims. When they reached David's tomb Jesuswas not with them. Joseph thought that he had remained behind in thecrowd, and, feeling quite easy about him, paid his devotions at thetomb of his royal ancestor. When they returned to the inn, where theythought to find Jesus, He was not there; time passed, and He did notcome. Someone said He had joined a party of pilgrims going to Galilee, because He thought that His parents had already set out. "How could Hethink that?" exclaimed Joseph. "As if we should go without Him!"

They hurried off to fetch their son, but when they came up with thepilgrims, Jesus was not there, nothing was known of him, and hisparents returned to the town. They sought him there for two wholedays. They visited every quarter of the city, searched all the publicbuildings, inquired of every curator, asked at the strangers' office, questioned all the shop-keepers about the tall boy with pale face, brown hair, and an Egyptian fez on his head. But no one had seen him. They returned to the inn, fully expecting to find him there. But therewas no sign of him. Mary, who was almost fainting with anxiety, declared that he must have fallen into the hands of Herod. Josephcomforted her, though he was himself in sad need of consolation. 

"Poor mother, " he said, drawing her head down on his breast, "let us goand place our trouble before the Lord. "

And when they had gone up into the Temple, there, among the scholarsand the men learned in the law they found Jesus. The youth sat amongthe grey-bearded rabbis, and carried on a lively conversation withthem, so that his cheeks glowed and his eyes shone. Judgment had to bepronounced on a serious case of transgression of the law. A man inJerusalem had baked bread on the Sabbath, because his neighbour hadbeen unable to lend him the oven the day before. The Pharisees mettogether, and eagerly brought forward a crowd of statutes regarding theculpability of the transgressor. Young Jesus listened attentively fora while, and then suddenly stepped out of the crowd. Placing himselfin front of the learned men, he asked: "Rabbis, ought a man to do goodon the Sabbath or not?"

They did not know at first whether to honour this bold young man withan answer. But there is a precept in the law which declares that everyinquirer must be answered, so one of them said curtly and roughly: "Ofcourse a man should do good. "

Jesus inquired further; "Is life a good thing or not?"

"As it is the gift of God, it is a good thing. "

"Should a man then preserve life or harm it on the Sabbath?"

The wise men were silent, for they would have been compelled toacknowledge that life must be preserved on the Sabbath, and theiraccusation of the man who had baked bread for his food would havefallen to the ground. 

Jesus walked quickly up the steps to the table, and said: "Rabbis, if asheep fell into a brook on the Sabbath, would you leave it there tillthe next day? You would not first think: To-day is the Sabbath day, but you would pull it out before it was drowned. Which is of greatervalue, a sheep or a man? If a sick man comes on the Sabbath day, andneeds help, it is given him at once. And if you have a splinter inyour flesh, no one asks if it is the Sabbath; the splinter must betaken out. But you come with your laws against a poor man who wasobliged to prepare his food on the Sabbath, and you imagine yourselvesbetter than he is. No, that will not do. The intention must decide. If any one bakes bread on the Sabbath, I should say to him: 'Is it foryour own good or for gain?' In the first case you are acting rightly, in the last you desecrate the Sabbath. "

As they now did not know what to say, they decided that the youth wastoo insignificant for them to dispute with. 

Jesus, still excited, came down and joined the crowd, where his motherwas wringing her hands over the boldness with which her son had spokento the elders and the wise men. She stretched her arms towards him. "Child! child! What are you doing here? Why treat us so? What wehave not suffered on your behalf! We have sought you for three wholedays in the greatest anxiety. "

Then Jesus said: "Why did you seek me? He who has a task to do, cannotalways stay with his own people. I have been about my HeavenlyFather's business. "

"Where were you all the time?"

He did not answer. Others might have told how he stood between thepillars listening to the discussions of the Rabbis until he could keepsilence no longer. 

Joseph said to him with some severity: "If you are learned enough tointerpret the Scriptures to those honourable men, you must know thefifth commandment: 'Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days maybe long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. '"

Jesus said nothing. 

"And now, my son, we will betake ourselves to that land. "

And so they set out on the last stage of their journey. It was hardwalking over the vineyards of Judaea and Samaria, and Mary, when theywere quite near home, asked if she should ever see Nazareth again. Jesus marched the distance, so to speak, twice, for he was never tiredof turning aside to gather dates, currants, and figs, or to fetch apitcher of water in order that his parents might quench their thirst. So they went slowly over the rocky land, and when the mule-path led toan eminence over which flat stones lay scattered, and which was thicklysown with stumpy shrubs, the fertile plain of Israel lay before them. It was surrounded by wooded hills, while villages were scattered aboutits surface, and shining rivers wound through it. Opposite, one rangeof mountains showed behind the other, and the highest lifted theirsnowy peaks into the blue sky. 

Joseph let fall the camel's guiding rein and his staff, extended hisarms and exclaimed: "Praise the Lord, oh my soul!" For Galilee, hisnative place, lay before him. 

When they saw the little town of Nazareth nestling in a bend of thehills--ah! how small the place was, and how peaceful amid the greenhills!--Mary wept for joy. 

CHAPTER IX

The inhabitants of Nazareth were not a little astonished to see Joseph, the carpenter, who had so long disappeared from their midst, walk upthe street with his wife and a handsome boy. It was a good thing thatthey had baggage with them. But Cousin Nathaniel made a very wry face, in which the smile of welcome struggled with the anxiety thisunexpected arrival caused him. Cousin Nathaniel had taken possessionof, and settled comfortably in the house, regarding himself as theheir. Now he must pack up and go. 

Joseph was delighted to see his workshop again, with its vice, bench, yardstick, plane, and saw. The red dyeing vat was also there, and thecord with which the timber was measured before the axe was used on it. Cousin Nathaniel declared that many of the tools belonged to him, untilJoseph pointed to the J with which all the things were marked for thesake of order. When the old workman tied on his apron, and for thefirst time set to work with the plane so that the fine shavings flewwhirring about, his blood flowed swiftly for delight, and his eyelooked like that of a young man. And so the carpenter began cheerfullyto work again, not only in his own shop, but anywhere in theneighbourhood where building or repairing was required, or tables, chests, or benches were needed. The little property he had broughtfrom Egypt would be increased here, so that when the time came his sonshould make a good start in life. Mary helped him with careful andeconomical housekeeping, and made undergarments and cloaks for thewomen of Nazareth. Jesus had a room to himself to which he couldwithdraw when work was over. Joseph hoped, by making him comfortableat home, to counteract the attractions of the outside world. The vinetrellises could be clearly seen through the windows of the room, and ahill with olive-trees, and clouds from Lebanon passing over the sky, and the stars that rose in the east. The first gleam of sun, moon, andstars, when they rose, fell into that peaceful chamber. The Books ofMoses, the Maccabees, the Kings, the Prophets, and Psalmists whichJesus gradually collected in Nazareth, Cana, Nain, and in villagesbelow round the lake, filled a shelf. The men of Galilee had becomeindifferent to the works which their forefathers wrote with toil andreverence; they had had to wait too long for the fulfilment of theprophecies, and began to doubt that a Messiah would ever come to theJews, so that they were quite pleased to give the parchments to thatnice boy of Joseph's. If they wanted to know anything, they had onlyto ask him, and he explained it so clearly and concisely, and sometimesso impressively, that they never forgot it again. That was much easierthan awkwardly searching for themselves, and labouring hard to decipherthe words only to be unable to understand them when they had done so. 

Many a night, by the light of the moon, did Jesus read in his books. They were the same as those we read to-day when we open the OldTestament. So that it is as if we sat with Jesus on the same schoolbench. He read of Adam and his sin, of Cain and his murder, of Abrahamand his promise, of Noah and the deluge. He read of Jacob and hissons, of Joseph whom his brothers sold into Egypt, and of his fate inthat land. And he read of Moses the great lawgiver, of David theshepherd, minstrel and king, and of Solomon's wisdom and of his temple, and of the Prophets who judged the people for their misdeeds, andprophesied the future kingdom. Jesus read the history of his peoplewith a burning heart. He saw how the race had gradually gone from badto worse. If he had at first rejoiced with all enthusiasm, later on hebecame angry at the degeneration. Grief made him sleepless, and hepeered thoughtfully into the starry heavens, asking: "What will deliverthem from this misery?"

The stars were silent. But out of the distance, out of the stillnessof eternity, it was proclaimed: I love them so deeply, that I shallsend my own Son to make them happy. 

By day Joseph took care that the youth should not dream too much. Jesus must learn his trade. He did so willingly but not gladly, forhis head was not with his hands, and while he should have joined twobeams to make a door frame, the dark saying of the Prophet sounded inhis head: "He is numbered among the transgressors. "

"What are you doing there? Is that a door frame? It's a cross!" SoJoseph awoke him out of his reverie, and Jesus was terrified to seethat he had nailed the pieces of wood crosswise. 

"Tell me, " said Joseph to the boy, "what are you thinking of? Ifyou've any sense in your head use it for your honest work. Thesimplest handicraft needs it all, and not only a piece here and there. And especially carpentering, which builds people houses, bridges, ships, and yea, temples for Jehovah. You cannot imagine what mischiefa bad carpenter may do. You're thinking of divine things? Well, workis a divine thing. With work in his hands, man continues the creationof God. People say that you are clever; then let your master see it. You make the tools blunt and the work is not clean and sharp. Thiscan't go on, child. "

Jesus let the lecture pass in silence, and worked far into the night tomake the mischief good. 

Joseph confided his grief to his wife. Not that the boy would turn outa bad carpenter. If he liked he could succeed in anything. But Josephwas grieved to have to scold his favourite so often. He had to do thatto every apprentice. 

Mary said: "Joseph, you are quite right, to direct him. I am indeedanxious. I observe the child carefully, and I am not satisfied. He isso different, so very different from boys of his age. "

"I think, too, that he is different, " said Joseph. "We must not forgetthat from the very beginning it was different with this child. Jehovahunderstands it; I can't fit it together. He reads too much, and that'sbad for young people. "

"And I almost fear he reads the Law in order to criticise it, " saidMary. 

"He'll find himself. At his age boys exaggerate in everything. " SoJoseph consoled himself. "He's a singular boy. Look at him when heplays with other children! The tallest of them all! No, after all, Iwouldn't have him other than he is. "

They had talked in sorrow and joy while Jesus was nailing the woodcorrectly out in the workshop. And when he had gone to bed, Josephcrept into his room, and laid his hand gently on his head. 

And so the years went by. Jesus improved in his work, and grew inintelligence, and in cheerfulness. The Sabbath day was all his own. He liked to go up to the hill top where the sheep were feeding amongthe stones and the olive-trees, whence he could see the mightymountains of Lebanon and, the wide landscape, partly green and fertileand partly barren, down to the lake. He stood there and thought. Hewas always friendly with the people he met or who were employed abouthim, but he seldom became intimate with them. Occasionally he wouldjoin in some athletic exercise with youths from Cana, and in wrestling, strive who could overcome the other. Then his soft brown hair wouldfly in the wind, his cheeks would glow, and when the game was over, hewould return arm-in-arm with his adversary to the valley below. But hepreferred to be alone with himself, or with silent nature. Beautifulideas came springing like lambs in that peaceful place, but there alsocame thoughts strong as lions. He dreamed. He did not think; thought, as it were, lay within himself, and then he spoke out many a word atwhich he was himself terrified. Ideas began to shape themselves withinhim, and before he was aware of it they were clearly spoken by histongue, as if it was another who spoke for him. And so he came out ofthe mysterious depths to the light. 

He was often challenged to dispute; he never defended himself except bywords, but they were so weighty and fiery that people soon left him inpeace. If he struck, he knew how to make the injury good. One daywhen he was going down the defile to the stony moor, a mischievous boyran up behind him and knocked him down. Jesus quickly picked himselfup, and shouted angrily to the boy, "Die!" When he saw the blazingeye, the boy turned deathly pale and began to tremble so that, near tofainting, he had to lean up against the rocky wall. Jesus went up tohim, laid his hand on his shoulder and said kindly, "Live!"

No one in the whole country-side had ever seen such an eye as his. Like lightning in anger, in calmer moods like the gleam of dewdropsupon flowers. 

CHAPTER X

As Jesus gradually grew to manhood he worked at his trade as a master. For Joseph was old and feeble, and could only sit by the bench, overlook the carpenters and tell them what it would be best to do. They had a young apprentice, a near relation, named John, who helpedJesus with the carpentering and building. When they built a cottage inNazareth, or roofed a house, he was severe and strict with the youth. But when on the Sabbath day they wandered together through the countrybetween the vines, over the meadows with the stones and herds, sometimes through the dark cedar forests to the lower slopes ofLebanon, they said not a word about the work. They watched theanimals, the plants, the streams, the heavens, and their everlastinglights, and rejoiced exceedingly. Sometimes they assisted poorgardeners and shepherds, and did them trifling services. They taughtJohn to blow the horn, and Jesus sang joyful psalms with a clear voice. 

But Joseph's death was approaching. 

He lay half-blind on his bed, and asked Mary how she would manage whenhe was gone. Then he felt with his cold hand for Jesus. 

"My son, my son!"

Jesus wiped the dying man's brow with the hem of his garment. 

"I had hoped, " said Joseph softly, "but it is not to be. I must departin darkness. "

"Father, " said Jesus, and tenderly stroked his head. 

"It is hard, my child. Stay beside me. I had hoped to see the Messiahand his light. But I must be gathered to my fathers in darkness. "

"He will soon come and lead you to paradise. "

The old man grasped his hand convulsively. "It is quite dark. I amafraid. Stay with me, my Jesus. "

And so he fell asleep for ever. 

They buried him outside the city under the walls. Jesus planted thestaff which Joseph had cut during the flight into Egypt, and had alwayscarried with him, on the mound. And no sooner was it planted in theearth than it began to bear young shoots. And when Mary went the nextday to pray there, behold the grave was surrounded with white lilies, which grew from the stick and spread themselves in rows over the mound. 

After the old master's death trouble befell the family. People beganto take their orders for work elsewhere, for they found it difficult toget on with the young master. A man who went against the Scripturesand traditional custom in so many things could not do his workproperly. He seldom attended public worship in the Temple, and wasnever seen to give alms. In the morning he went down to the spring andwashed himself, but otherwise he omitted all the prescribed ablutions. When the Rabbi of Nazareth reproached him for such conduct, he replied;"Who ought to wash, the clean or the unclean? Moses knew this peoplewhen he made washing a law for them. Does uncleanness come from withinor without? It is not the dust of the street that soils a man, but theevil thoughts of his heart. Is it unseemly to eat honest bread withdusty hands? Is it not more unseemly to take away your brother's breadwith clean hands?"

The Rabbi considered that it would be foolish to waste more words onthis transgressor of the law, and went his way. But next day heinformed the carpenter that he was to stand on the Sabbath behind thepoor-box, in order to see whether the well-washed hands of believingJews took the bread away from their brothers, or, rather, did notbestow it liberally upon them. And as Jesus stood in the Temple, heobserved the well-to-do Nazarenes dip their hands into the basin, withpious air throw large pieces of money into the poor-box, and then lookround to see if their good example was observed. When it grew dark, apoor woman came and with her lean fingers put a farthing into thepoor-box. 

"Well, what do you say now?" asked the Rabbi of the carpenter. 

Jesus answered: "I think the haughty rich people have washedthemselves, and that still they give with unclean hands. They giveaway a small part of what they have taken from others, and give fromtheir superabundance. The poor woman gave the largest gift in God'seyes. She gave all that she possessed. "

And so it happened that Jesus became more and more estranged fromNazareth. Only poor folk and little children were attracted to him: hecheered the former and played with the latter. But otherwise men drewapart from him, considering him an eccentric creature and perhaps alittle dangerous. His mother sometimes tried to defend him: he hadgrown up in a foreign land among strange customs and ways of thought. At bottom he had the best of natures, so kind and helpful to others andso severe towards himself. How like a mother! What mother has not hadthe best of children? They despised her remarks and pitied her becauseher son was so unlike other boys and caused her anxiety. There wasnothing to complain of in his work when he stuck to it. What acarpenter he might be with such aptness! Only he should not interferein things he could not understand, and should not disturb people'sbelief in the religion of their fathers. 

One day there was a marriage in the neighbouring town of Cana. Maryand her relatives were invited, for the bridegroom was a distantcousin. So far as Jesus was concerned, there would have been no greatgrief had he stayed away. Possibly he would not take any pleasure inthe old marriage customs and the traditions to which they still held. Jesus understood the irony, but it did not hurt him, and so he went tothe marriage in order to rejoice with the joyful. When the merrimentwas at its height, Mary drew her son aside and said: "I think it wouldbe well if we went home now; we are not regarded with favour here. They would be glad of fewer guests, for I hear the wine has given out. "

"What matters it to me if there's no more wine, " answered Jesus, almostroughly. "I do not want any. "

"But the other guests do. The host is greatly embarrassed. I wishsomeone could help him. "

"If they are thirsty, have the water jugs brought in, " he said. "Ifthe drinker has faith in his God then the water will be wine. He willbe well content. "

The host, in fact, saw no other way of satisfying his guests' thirstthan in ordering large stone pitchers of water to be brought in fromthe well. He was vastly amazed when the guests found it delicious, andpraised the wine that had just been poured out for them. "Usually, "they said, "the host produces his best wine first, and when thecarousers have drunk freely, he brings in worse. Our good host thinksdifferently, and to the best food adds the best wine. "

But Jesus and his relations saw how the pitchers were filled at thewell, and when they tasted their contents, some declared that thingscould not be all right here. Jesus himself drank, and saw that it waswine. Much moved, he went out into the starry night. "Oh, Father!" hesaid in his heart, "what dost thou intend with regard to this son ofman? If it is thy will that water shall be turned into wine, it maythen be possible to pour new wine into the old skins, the spirit andstrength of God into the dead letter!"

John went out into the night to seek his master. "Sir, " said theyouth, when he stood before him, "what does it mean? They say that youhave turned water into wine. I have often thought that you weredifferent from all of us. You must be from Heaven. "

"And why not you also, John, who look up to it? Can anyone attain theheight who has not come from it?"

John remained standing by his side for a while. It was not always easyto grasp what he meant. 

On their homeward way by night, the mother unburdened her anxious heartto her son. "You are so good, my child, and help people wherever youcan. Why are you often so rough of speech?"

"Because they do not understand me, " he replied; "because you, none ofyou, understand me. You think that if a man works at his wood in thecarpenter's shop, then he's doing all that is necessary. "

"Wood? Of course a carpenter has to work with wood. Do you want to bea stonemason? Think, stones are harder than wood. "

"But they give fire when struck together. Wood gives no sparks, norwould the Nazarenes yield any sparks, even if lightning struck them. They are like earth and damp straw. They are incapable of enthusiasm:they are only capable of languid irritation. But you'll not build akingdom of heaven with irritation. I despise the wood that alwayssmokes and never burns. "

"My son, I fear you will make such enemies of them that----"

"That I shall not be able to stay in Nazareth. Isn't that what youmean, mother?"

"I am anxious about you, my son. "

"Happy the mother who is nothing worse. I am quite safe. " He stoppedand took her hand. "Mother, I'm no longer a child or a boy. Do nottrouble about me. Let me be as I am, and go where I will. There areother tasks to be fulfilled than building Jonas a cottage or Sarah asheep-pen. The old world is breaking up, and the old heaven is fallinginto ruin. Let me go, mother; let me be the carpenter who shall buildup the kingdom of heaven. "

The constellations spread themselves across the sky. Mary let her songo on before, down to the little town; she walked slowly behind andwept. She stood alone and had no influence with him. Every day hebecame more incomprehensible. 

To what would it lead?

CHAPTER XI

A strange excitement prevailed among the people in Galilee, and spreadthrough Samaria and Judaea even to Jerusalem. A new prophet hadarisen. There were many in those days, but this one was different fromthe rest. As is always the way in such times, at first a few peoplepaid heed feverishly, then they infected others with their unrest, andfinally roused families and whole villages which had hitherto stoodaloof. So at last all heeded the new prophet. At the time of theforeign rule old men had spoken of the King and Saviour who was to makethe chosen people great and mighty. Expounders of the Scriptures hadfrom generation to generation consoled those who were waiting andlonging. Men had grown impatient under the intolerable foreignoppression, and a national desire and a religious expectation such ashad never before been known in so high a degree had manifested itself. 

And lo! strange rumours went through the land. As the south wind ofspring blows over Lebanon, melts the ice, and brings forth buds, sowere the hearts of men filled with new hope. A man out in thewilderness was preaching a new doctrine. For a long while he preachedto stones, because, he said, they were not so hard as men'sunderstanding. The stones themselves would soon speak, the mountainsbe levelled and the valleys filled up so that a smooth road might beready for the Holy Spirit which was drawing nigh. 

Men grew keenly interested in those tidings. Some said: "Let us go outand hear him just for amusement's sake. " They came back and summonedothers to go out and see the extraordinary man. He wore a garment ofcamel's hair instead of a cloak, and a leather girdle round his loins. His hair was long, black, and in disorder, his face sunburnt, and hiseyes flamed as if in frenzy. But he was not an Arab nor an Amalekite;he was one of the chosen people. Down by the lake he was better known. He was the son of Zacharias, a priest and a native of the wonderfulland of Galilee. The Galileans had at first mocked at him, and with aside glance at Jesus, said: "What a blessed land is Galilee, where newteachers of virtue are as plentiful as mushrooms in rainy weather!"Jesus retorted by asking whether they knew what kind of a people it wasthat only produced preachers of repentance?

The name of the preacher in the wilderness was John. More and morepeople went out to hear him, and everyone related marvels. He chasedlocusts and fed on them, and took the honey from the wild bees andswallowed it. He seemed to despise the ordinary food and customs ofmen. Since the murder of the innocents at Bethlehem, he had lived inthe wilderness, dwelling in a cave high up in the rocks of themountain. It almost seemed that he loved wild beasts better than men, whose cloak of virtue he hated because it was woven out ofevil-smelling hypocrisy and wickedness. 

They called him the herald. "We are surprised, " they said, "that theRabbis and High Priests in Capernaum, Tiberias, and Jerusalem shouldkeep silent. They could put this man to death for his words. " But theherald had no fear. He preached a new doctrine, and he poured waterover the heads of those who joined him as a sign of the covenant. 

"And what is his teaching?" asked others. 

"Go and hear for yourselves!"

And so more and more people went out from Judaea and Galilee into thewilderness. The preacher had withdrawn a little way above the pointwhere the river Jordan flows into the Dead Sea. The district, usuallyso deserted, was alive with all sorts of people, among them Rabbis andmen learned in the law, who represented themselves as penitents, butdesired to outwit the prophet with cunning. The preacher stood on astone; he held a corner of his camel's hair garment, pressed againsthis hairy breast with one hand, and the other he stretched heavenwardsand said: "Rabbis, are ye here too? Are ye at last afraid of the wrathof heaven which ye see approaching, and so take refuge with him whocalls on ye to repent? Ye learned hypocrites! Ye stone him who canhurt you with a breath, and praise him who brings with him a humansacrifice. See that your repentance does not become your judge. Butif it is sincere, then receive the water on your head as a token thatyou desire to be pure in heart. "

Such were the words he spoke. The scholars laughed, scornfully; othersgrumbled at the severity of his remarks, but kneeled down. He took anearthen vessel, dipped it in the waters of Jordan, and poured it overtheir heads so that little streams ran down their necks and over theirbrows. A man raised his head and asked: "Will you give uscommandments?"

The prophet answered: "You have two coats and only one body. Yonderagainst the oak is a man who has likewise a body but no coat. I giveno commandments; but you know what to do. "

So the man went and gave his second coat to him who had none. 

A lean old man, a tax-gatherer from Jerusalem, asked what he should do, since everyone he met in the streets had a coat on his back. 

"Do not ask more payment than is legal. Do not open your hand forsilver pieces, nor shut your eyes to stolen goods. "

"And we?" asked a Roman mercenary. "We are not the owners of ourlives; are we, too, to have no commandments?"

"You have the sword. But the sword is violence, hatred, lust, greed. Take care! The sword is your sin and your judgment. "

And then women came to him with a triumphant air, and exclaimed: "Youwise man, you! We have no rights, so we have no duties? Is that notso?"

And the prophet said; "You assume rights for yourselves, and dutieswill be given you. The woman's commandment is: 'Thou shall not commitadultery. '"

"And what do you say to men?" asked one of them. 

"Men have many commandments besides that one. You must not tempt themwith snares of the flesh, for they have more important things to do inthe world than to make themselves pleasant to women. You must notallure them with the colour of your cheeks, nor with the tangles ofyour hair, nor with your swelling breasts. You shall not attract theeye of man through beautiful garments and sparkling jewels. You shallnot glisten like doves when you are false like snakes. "

The women were angry, and tried to set snares for him. So they smiledsweetly, and asked: "Your words of wisdom, oh prophet! only concern thewomen of the people. Royally-born women are excepted. "

Then spoke the preacher; "Women born in the purple are of the samestuff as the leprous beggar-woman who lies in the street. No woman isexcepted. The wives of kings live in the sight of all, and must obeythe law twice and thrice as strictly. Since Herod put away hisrightful wife, the Arab king's daughter, and lives openly in incestwith his brother's wife, the angel of hell will strike at her. "

"You all hear, " said the women, turning to the assembled crowd. Thenthey pulled up their gowns high over their ankles, stepped into theriver where it is shallow, and bared their brown necks, in order thatthe wild preacher might pour the water over them. The men pressedcloser, but the prophet tore a branch from the cedar and drove thehypocritical penitents back. Some were glad that sin had no power overthis holy man. 

Then they sent an old man to him to ask who he really was. "Are youthe Messiah whom we are expecting?"

"I am not the Messiah, " answered the preacher. "But he is coming afterme. I prepare the way for him like the morning breeze ere the sunrises. As the heaven is above the earth, so is he greater than I. Itis my prayer that I may be worthy to loosen his shoe latchets. Isprinkle your heads with water; he will sprinkle them with fire. Hewill separate you according as your hearts be good or evil. He willlay up the wheat in the garner with his fan and burn the chaff. Prepare yourselves--the kingdom of God is nearer than ye think. "

The people were uneasy. Clouds came up over the mountains of Galilee, and their edges shone like silver. The air lay like a heavy weightover the valley of the Jordan, and not a twig stirred in the cedars. The strangers from Samaria and Judaea did not know the man who climbeddown over the stones and went towards the preacher. He wore a bluewoollen gown that came down over his knees, so that only his sandalledfeet were seen. He might have been taken for a working man had not hishead, with its high, pale forehead and heavy waving locks, been soroyal. A soft beard sprang from his upper lip, and there was such awonderful light in his dark blue eyes that some were almost frightenedby it. And they asked each other: "Who is the man with the fiery eyes?"

He reached the prophet. One hand hung down: he held the other againsthis breast. He said softly; "John, pour water over my head, too. "

The prophet looked at the young man and was terrified. He went backtwo steps--they knew not why. Did he himself know?

"You!" he said, almost under his breath. "You desire to receive thetoken of repentance from me?"

"I will do penance--for them all. I will begin with water what will beended with blood. " That is what they thought to hear. In a man whospeaks like this, there is something incredibly spiritual. 

"He is a dreamer! He is a madman!" the people whisper one to another. 

"No, he's not, he's not!" others declare. 

"Did he not speak of blood?"

"It seemed so. Such young blood, and already repenting!"

"And as proud of it as a Roman. "

"With eyes glowing like an Arab's. "

"Looking at his hair, you might take him for a German. "

"He is neither a Roman, nor an Arab, nor a German, " someone exclaimed, laughing; "he is the carpenter of Nazareth. "

"The same who turned water into wine?"

"There are lots of stories about him. We know plenty of them. "

"It is said that Herod's murder of the innocents was on his account. "

When the crowd heard that, they were quiet, and looked at the newarrival with a sort of awe. And so old Herod had taken him for theMessiah-King!

A feeling of reverence spread among the people. For Jesus stepped intothe river. The prophet dipped his vessel in the water and poured itover his lightly-bent head. The edges of the clouds in the heavensshone with the crimson light of evening. The eyes of the bystanderswere riveted by a white speck which showed itself in the windows ofheaven, first like a flower-bloom and then like a fluttering pennon. It was a dove that flew down and circled round the head of him who hadjust been baptized. 

"My dearly beloved son!"

The people whispered; "Whose voice was it that said: 'My dearly belovedson'?"

"Didn't it refer to him over whom the water has just been poured?"

A shudder seized many of them. It was just as if he was presented tomen by the invisible God!

"We will ask him himself whose son he is, " they said, and pressedtowards the river. But he had gone away, and the twilight of thedesert lay over the stream. 

The same night Mary sat in her room at Nazareth, and sewed. She keptlooking out of the window, for she would not go to bed till Jesusreturned. When he had gone out of the door two days ago, he had turnedto her again, looked at her, and said:

"Mother, I go to my Father. "

She thought he was going to the cemetery to pray at Joseph's tomb, ashe often did. For in the city of the dead solitude may be found. Whenhe returned neither on the first day nor on the second, she began tofeel anxious. She waited up the whole night. 

The next morning the little town rang with the news: "The carpenter hasbeen seen with the preacher. He has been baptized. "

"That's just like him. One enthusiast keeps company with another. "

"It would be more correct to say with false prophets. For what else isit when a man declares that he can wash away sin with a dash of water?"

Thereupon a Sidonian donkey-driver, who had come down the street;"That's excellent! You Israelites can do so much with your ablutions. That would be a capital thing!"

"Ah! what things one hears! Everything points to the speedydestruction of the world. " And one whispered in his ear, "I tell you, frankly, 'twould be no great misfortune. "

"Now John has caught it. Do you know what he's always shouting?"

"The young carpenter, his apprentice? He's never said anything thatmatters. "

"Do you know what he's always exclaiming? He strides through thestreets, and his hair flies in the wind. He spreads out his handsbefore him, and says: 'The word has become flesh!'"

They shook their heads. 

But Mary sat at the window and waited and watched. 

CHAPTER XII

A very short time after these events there came two soldiers to theJordan, not to have the water poured over their heads, but to arrestthe desert preacher and take him to Jerusalem to Herod. Herod receivedhim politely, and said: "I have summoned you here because I am toldthat you are the preacher. "

"They call me preacher and Baptist. "

"I want to hear you. And, indeed, you must refute what your enemiessay against you. "

"If it was only my enemies, it would be easy to refute them. "

"They say that you insult my royal house, that you say the prince livesin incest with his brother's wife. Did you say that?"

"I do not deny it. "

"You have come to withdraw it?"

"Sire, " said the prophet, "I have come to repeat it. You are living inincest with your brother's wife. Know that the day of reckoning is athand. It will come with its mercy, and it will come with its justice. Put away this woman. "

Herod grew white with rage that a man of the people should dare tospeak thus to him. Royal ears cannot endure such a thing, so he putthe preacher in prison. 

But the next night the prince had a bad dream. From the battlements hesaw the city fall stone by stone into the abyss; he saw flames breakout in the palace and temple, and the sound of infinite wailing rangthrough the air. When he awoke the words came into his mind: You whostone the prophets! and he determined to set the preacher free. 

It was now the time when Herod should celebrate his birthday. AlthoughOriental wisdom advised that a birthday should be celebrated withmourning, a prince had no reason for so doing. Herod gave a banquet inhonour of the day, and invited all the most important people in theprovince in order that while enjoying themselves they might have theopportunity of doing homage to him. He enjoyed himself royally, forHerodias, his brother's wife, was present, and her daughter, who was aslovely as her mother. She danced before him a series of dances whichshowed her beautiful figure, set off by the flowing white gown confinedat the waist with a girdle of gold, to every advantage. Intoxicated bythe feast and inflamed by the girl's beauty, the prince approached her, put his arm, from which the purple cloak had fallen back so that it wasbare, round her warm neck, and held a goblet of wine to her lips. Shesmiled, did not drink, but said: "My lord and king! If I drank nowfrom your goblet, you would drink at my lips. Those roses belong to mybridegroom. "

"Who is the man who dares to be more fortunate than a king?" askedHerod. 

"I do not yet know him, " whispered the girl. "He is the man who shallgive me the rarest bridal gift. "

"And if it was Herod?"

The girl raised her almond eyes to the prince and said nothing. Healmost lost his head with the sweetness of the shining eyes. "You arean enchanting witch, you!" he whispered. "Desire of me what you will. "

The beauty had been primed by her mother, who wished to be revenged onJohn, whose prophecies might tear her from her kingly lover. Thedaughter breathed the words: "A dish for your table, O king!"

"A dish of meat? Speak more plainly. "

"Let your bridal gift be a dish of rare meat on a golden charger. "

"I do not understand what you want. "

"The head of the Baptist. "

The king understood, turned aside, and said: "Horror, thy name iswoman!"

Then she wept and murmured between her sobs: "I knew it. A woman isnothing to you but a flower of the field. You cut it down so that itturns to hay. And hay is for asses. You care more for the man who hasmortally insulted yourself and my mother than you do for me. "

"Indeed, I do not! If he deserves death, you shall have your desire. "

"When does he whom the king loves deserve death?" groaned the girl, andsank into a swoon. He lifted her up, drew her to his breast, and whather words could not accomplish the embrace did--it cost the Baptist hislife. 

The banquet was most sumptuous. The most delicious viands, gatheredfrom every quarter, and sparkling wines graced the table. Harp playersstood by the marble pillars, and sang praises to the king. Herod, agarland of red roses round his head, sat between the two women. Hedrank freely of the wine, and so hurriedly that the liquid dripped fromhis long, thin beard. Was he afraid of the last course? It appearedat midnight. It was covered with a white cloth, and only thebeautifully-chased edge of the charger was visible. Herod shudderedand signed that the dish should be placed before the young woman whosat on his left. She hastily pulled off the cloth, and behold! a man'shead; the black hair and beard, steeped in the blood that ran from theneck, lay in the charger. It stared with open eyes at the woman who, filled with voluptuous horror, leaned closely against the prince. Thenthe mouth of the head opened and spoke the words: "The Kingdom of Godis near at hand!"

Horror and confusion filled the banqueting hall. "Who dared to saythat?" shouted several voices. "'Twas the head of the prophet whoprophesies even in death!"

Then a tumult arose in the palace, for this was the most terriblehorror that the golden halls had ever seen. Long-restrained furysuddenly burst forth--the town was in flames, the men of Jerusalemrioted. The women were torn from Herod's side, and flung into thestreets to the mercy of the mob. The prince was forced to fly. Thestory goes that in his flight he fell into the hands of the Arab king, who avenged his despised daughter in a terrible manner. Thus weregodless hands stretched forth from Herod's house against him who borewitness to the coming One. 

 * * * * * *

After the act of baptism was accomplished, Jesus wandered for a long, long while--indeed, he paid no heed to time--along the banks of Jordan. Then he climbed the rocks, and when in the twilight he came to himselfagain and looked about, he saw that he was in the wilderness. Therevelation vouchsafed at his baptism had snatched him from the earth. In that mysterious vision he had opened to him the new path which hehad chosen to follow. What eternal peace surrounded him. Yet he wasnot alone among the barren rocks; never in his life had he been lesslonely than here in the dim terrors of the wilderness. A deep silenceprevailed. The stars in the sky sparkled and sparkled, and the longerhe gazed at them the more ardently they seemed to burn. Gradually theyseemed to sink downwards, and to become suns, while fresh legionspressed ever forward from the background, flying down unceasingly, thelarge and the small and the smallest, with new ones ever welling upfrom space--an inexhaustible source of heavenly light. 

Jesus stood up erect. And when he lifted up his face it seemed as ifhis eye was the nucleus of all light. 

So he forgot the world and remained in the wilderness. Each day hepenetrated deeper into it, past abysses and roaring beasts. The stonestore his feet, but he marked it not; snakes stung his heels, but henoticed it not. Whence did he obtain nourishment? What cleft in therocks afforded him shelter?--that is immaterial to him who lives inGod. Once he had regarded the world and its powers as hardtaskmasters, and now they seemed to him to be as nothing, for in himand with him was eternal strength. The old traditional Jehovah ofJewish hearts was no more; his was the all-embracing One, who carriedthe heavens and the earth in his hand, who called to the children ofmen: Return! and who stooped down to every seedling in order to awakenit. He himself became conscious of God--and after that, what couldbefall him?

One day he descended between the rocky stones to the coast of the DeadSea that lay dark and still, little foam-tipped waves breaking on theshore. The expanse of water was lost in darkness in the distance, andstretched away heavy and lifeless. Cleft blocks of stone werescattered along the beach, and their tops glowed as red as iron in theforge. It was the hour of sunset. The towering stones stood likegiant torches, and the bright colour was reflected on the bare pebbleson which the water lapped. For many thousands of years the fine yellowsand had drifted down from the walls of rock, and lay over the widesloping plains of the shore. It was like dry, light "stone-snow, " andJesus, who strode over it, left his footprints in it. The next gust ofwind disturbed it, the "stone-snow" was whirled about, and the darkstones were laid bare. Men are engulfed in those sand-fields, which, broken by blocks of stone, stretch away into infinity. Witness thebones which may be seen here and there, remains of dead beasts, andalso legs and skulls of men who perished as hermits, or became the preyof lions. Such skulls with their grinning teeth, warned the travellerto turn back as he valued his life. Here is death! Jesus laid hishands over his breast. Here is life! The greater the loneliness, themore keenly may the nearness of God be realised. 

Jesus preferred the rocky heights to the plain. He could see the wideexpanse of the sky, and the clouds which wandered over its face andthen disappeared like nations of nomads. 

One day, in such a spot, he met an Arab chief. He was of giganticstature, dressed in the dark cloak of the Bedouins, with a wild, greybeard, and a snub nose in a bony face. Beneath bushy eyebrows were apair of unsteady eyes. His belt was full of weapons, his head wasadorned with an iron band which kept his wild hair in some sort oforder. The man looked at the young hermit not unkindly and called hima worm who should pray that he might be mercifully trodden under foot. He must either swear allegiance to the desert chief, or be burned up bythe hot stones. 

Jesus scarcely heeded the impertinent speech. He only saw in thestranger a man on whom he would like to bestow all the happiness thatwas triumphant in his soul. So full of love was he that he could notbear it alone. And he said: "I am no worm to be trodden under foot. Iam that Son of Man who brings you the new kingdom. "

"Ah! the Messiah! Jesus of Nazareth, are you not? I have heard ofyou. Where are your soldiers?"

"I shall not conquer with the sword, but with the spirit. "

The Arab shook his head mockingly. "Who will conquer with the spirit!Well, I won't play the scoffer. You are an orator, and that'ssomething. Listen, son of man; I like you. I, too, desire the newkingdom; let us go together. "

And Jesus replied: "Whoever wishes can go with me. I go with no one. "

"My friend, don't you know me?" asked the stranger. "I am Barabbas, king of the desert. Three thousand Arabs obey my behests. Look downinto the valley. There is the key to the kingdom of the Messiah. "

What the chief called the key to the kingdom of the Messiah was an armywhich, scattered over the plain, resembled a dark spot spreading out inthe desert, as busy and animated as an ant-hill. The chief pointeddown to it and said: "Look, there is my weapon. But I shall notconquer with that weapon, nor will you conquer with your words. For myweapons lack words, and your words lack weapons. I need the prophetand you the army. Warrior and orator allied, we shall take Jerusalem. I have made a mistake. For many years it has been my illusion that allstrength lay in the body. And so I have cared for their bodies, fedand nourished them that they might become strong. But instead ofbecoming strong and daring, they have become indolent and cowardly. And now that I wish to use this army to free Judaea from the yoke ofthe Romans, they laugh in my face and answer me with words I oncetaught them. We have only this life, they cry, and we will not risk itany more. And when I ask, 'Not even for freedom?' they reply, 'Noteven for freedom, because what is the use of freedom to us if we areslain. ' Indolent beasts! they lack enthusiasm. And now I find you. You are a master of oratory. You say that you will conquer with thespirit. Come with me! Descend into the valley and inspire them withardour. The legions are ours, our weapons are of perfect temper, nothing is wanting but fire, and that you have. The king must beallied with the zealot, otherwise the kingdom cannot be conquered. Come down with me. Tell them that you are the prophet. Incite themagainst Jerusalem, and exclaim: 'It is God's will!' If only fire canbe made to burn within them, they will march like the very devil, overcome the foreigners, and you will instruct them in Solomon's Templeabout the Messiah. You can tell them that he is coming, or that youyourself are he, just as you please. Then, according to your desire, you can establish your kingdom, and all the glory of the world will lieat your feet as at those of a god. Come, prophet, you give me theword, and I'll give you the sword!"

"Begone, you tempter of hell!" exclaimed Jesus and his eye shot forth aray of light that the other could not bear. 

And then Jesus was once more alone among the rocks, under the open sky. 

It was under the sacred sky of the desert where his Father came down tohim that his spirit became quite free--his heart more animated, glowingwith love. And thus was Jesus perfected. Leaving the desert, he thensought out the fertile land; he sought out men. 

His earthly task stood clear and fixed before him. 

CHAPTER XIII

The Lake of Gennesaret, also called the Sea of Galilee, lies to theeast of Nazareth, where the land makes a gradual descent, and where, among the hills and the fertile plains, pleasant villages are situated. The mountains of Naphtali, which in some places rise up steeply fromits banks, were clothed with herbage in the days of David. Butgradually, as stranger peoples cultivated them, fertility descended tothe hills and valleys. 

Near where the Jordan flows into the sea, on the left of the riverunder the sandy cliffs of Bethsaida, a small cedar forest, the seeds ofwhich may have been blown thither from Lebanon, grows close down to theshore of the lake. A fisher-boat, rocking in the shade on the darkwaters, was tied to one of the trees. The holes in it were stuffedwith seaweed, the beams fastened with olive twigs. Two tall polescrossed were intended for the sail, which now lay spread out in theboat because the boatman was sleeping on it. The brown stuff, made ofcamel's hair, was the man's most valuable possession. On the water itcaught the wind for him, on land it served as a cloak, if he slept itformed his bed. 

The little elderly man's face was tickled by a cedar twig for so longthat at length he awoke. He saw a young woman sitting on a rock. Shewas just going to hurry off with her round basket when the fishermancalled loudly to her; "Well, Beka, daughter of Manasseh, whither areyou taking your ivory white feet?"

"My feet are as brown as yours, " replied Beka. "Stop mocking at me, Simon. "

"How can I be mocking at you? You're a fisherman's child, like me. But your basket is too heavy for you. "

"I am taking my father his dinner. "

"Manasseh has had a good catch. Look, smoke is rising yonder behindthe palms of Hium. He is cooking the fish. But I have eaten nothingsince yesterday at the sixth hour. "

"I can well believe that, Simon. The fish of the Lake of Gennesaret donot swim ready-cooked into the mouth. He who lies like a child in thecradle, and lets the gods provide----!"

Simon, with his legs apart in order to preserve the balance, stood upin the boat. "Beka, " he said, "let the gods alone, they won't feed us;they eat the best that men have. "

"Then hold to the one God who feeds the birds. "

"And who delivers the Jews to the Romans. No; Jehovah won't help meeither. So I'm forsaken and stand alone, a tottering reed. "

"How can I help it if you stand alone?" asked the daughter of Manasseh. "Are there not daughters in Galilee who also stand alone?"

"Beka, I am glad that you speak so, " replied the fisherman. "Why, howcan Simon come to an understanding with anybody so long as he can'tcome to an understanding with himself? And fishing delights me not. Everything is a burden. Often when I lie here and look up into theblue sky, I think: If only a storm would come and drive me out on theopen sea--into the wild, dark terror, then, Simon, you would lie thereand extend your arms and say: Gods or God, do with me what you will. "

"Don't talk like that, Simon. You must not jest with the Lord. There, take it. "

And so saying, Beka took a magnificent bunch of grapes out of herbasket, and handed it to him. 

He took it, and by way of thanks said: "Beka, a year hence there'll besome one who will find in you that sweet experience which I vainly seekin the Prophets. "

Whereupon she swiftly went her way towards the blue smoke that rose upbehind the palms of Hium. 

It was no wonder that the fisherman gazed after her for a long time. Although he cared little for the society of his fellow-creatures, because they were too shallow to sympathise with what occupied histhoughts, he felt a cheerless void when he was alone. He wasmisunderstood on earth, and forsaken by Heaven. He feared theelements, and the Scriptures did not satisfy him. Then the little manthrew himself on his face, put his hand into the water of the lake, andsprinkled his brow with it. He seated himself on the bench of the boatin order to enjoy Beka's gift. 

At the same moment the sand on the bank crackled, and a tall man, in along brown cloak, and carrying a pilgrim's staff, came forward. Hisblack beard fell almost to his waist, where a cord held the cloaktogether. His high forehead was shaded by a broad-brimmed hat; his eyewas directed to the fisherman in the boat. 

"Boatman, can you take three men across the lake?"

"The lake is wide, " answered Simon, pointing to his fragile craft. 

"They want to get to Magdala to-day. "

"Then they can take the road by Bethsaida and Capernaum. "

"They are tired, " said the other. "They have travelled here from thedesert, and by a wide _détour_ through Nazareth, Cana, and Chorazin. "

"Are you one of them?" asked Simon. "I ought to know you. Haven't webeen fishing together at Hamath?"

"It may be that we know each other, " was the somewhat roguish reply. In fact, they knew each other very well. Only Simon had become sostrange. 

Now he said: "If it will really be of service to you, I'll go gladly. But you see for yourself that my boat is bad. You are exhausted, myfriend; you have travelled far while I have rested in the shade thewhole day. I haven't deserved any fine food. May I offer you thesegrapes?"

The black-bearded man bent down, took the grapes, and vanished behindthe cypresses. 

He went to a shady spot where were two other men, both dressed in long, dark woollen garments. One was young and had delicate, almostfeminine, features, and long hair. He lay sleeping, stretched out onthe grass, his staff leaning against a rock near him. The other satupright. We recognise Him. He is Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth. He has come hither from the wilderness, through Judaea and Galilee, where sympathising companions joined Him, a boatman, called James, andHis former apprentice, John. With one hand He supported His brow, theother rested protectingly on the sleeping John's head. Thelong-bearded man came hurrying up, crying:

"Master, I have received some grapes for you. "

He who was thus addressed pointed to the sleeping youth, lest He shouldbe waked with loud talking. Then he said softly; "James! Shall Iforgive the lie for the sake of the good you wish to do me? Who knowsanything of me? The grapes were given to you. "

"And I will eat them, " returned James; "only permit me to eat them inthe way in which they taste best to me. "

"Do so. "

"They taste best to me if I see you eat them. "

Jesus took the gift, and said: "If we both satisfy ourselves, my dearJames, what will there be for poor John? We are inured to fatigue; heis unaccustomed to it. I think that, of the three of us, it is Johnwho ought to eat the grapes. "

Since the long-bearded man offered no objection, John ate the grapeswhen he awoke. James announced that the fisherman was willing to takethem, so they proceeded to the bank and got into the boat. 

Simon looked at the tired strangers with sympathy, and vigorously pliedhis oars. The waves rippled and the rocking skiff glided over thebroad expanse of waters which, on the south side, appeared endless. From the way in which the two men spoke to the Master, Simon thought tohimself: "A rabbi, and they are his pupils. " To the Master's questionsregarding his life and trade, the fisherman gave respectful answers, taking care to remark that he had not to complain of overmuch goodfortune, for often he fished all day and all night without catchinganything, a success he could equally well obtain if he lay all day idlein his boat and let himself be rocked. 

The Master asked him with a smile what he would say to fishing for men. 

"I don't know what you mean. "

"You've already three in your net, " said James gaily. 

"And God help me!" exclaimed the fisherman, "for we must pray to Himfor help to-day. Look over there at the mountains of Hium. Just nowit looks so beautifully blue that you would take it for a sunny sky. But the white edges! In an hour there'll be more of them. "

"Hoist the sail, fisherman, and bale out, " advised James. "Iunderstand something of the business. "

"Then you wouldn't say hoist the sail to-day, " returned Simon. 

"Listen, " said James; "you know the river which brings the black sandand the little red fishes with the sharp heads down to this lake fromthe mountains of Golan. My cottage was by that river--you surely knowit?"

"Isn't it there still?" asked Simon. 

"It is there, but it is no longer mine, " said James. "I have left itin order to follow the Master. Do you know Him, Simon?"

He had whispered the last words behind the back of the Master, who satsilent on the bench, and looked out over the calm waters. He seemed tobe enjoying the rest; the breeze played softly with His hair, As aprotection from the sun's rays John had fashioned a piece of cloth intoa sort of turban and wound it round his head. He looked with amusementat the reflection of the head-dress in the water. 

"For whom do you take Him?" asked James, pointing to Jesus. 

And the fisherman answered, "For whom do you take that?" He pointed tothe distance; he saw the storm. The mountains were enveloped in a greymist which, pierced by the lightning, moved slowly downwards. Beforethem surged the foaming waters, the waves white-crested. A gust ofwind struck the boat; the water began to beat heavily against it, sothat it was tossed about like a piece of cork. Since Simon had not putup the sail there was now no need to reef it. Flakes of foam flew overthe spars, the beams groaned. The clouds rushed on, driving theheaving, thundering waves before them. Soon the little boat wasovertaken by darkness, which was only relieved by flashes of lightning. Long ago Simon had let go the rudder, and exclaimed, "Jehovah!"Thunder claps were the only answer. Then the fisherman fell on hisface and groaned; "He gives no help; I thought as much. "

James and John sat close to the Master and tried to rouse Him from thedream into which He had sunk. 

"What do you want of Me?"

"Master!" exclaimed James, "you are so entirely with your HeavenlyFather that you do not see how terrible is our doom. "

"I thought as much, " repeated Simon, almost weeping. 

Jesus looked at him earnestly, and said: "If you keep on saying: Ithought as much, well, then, so it must be. Think rather that God'sangels are with you! And you, James! Have you forgotten the trust youhad in God on dry land? Yesterday on the quiet eventide, when, wellfed and cared for we sat in the inn at Chorazin, you spoke much oftrust in God. Trust Him also in distress. "

"O Master, I see help nowhere. "

"Learn to believe without seeing. "

As He spoke a flash of lightning blinded their eyes, and when after atime they were able to look up again, a wild terror seized them. TheMaster was not there. Now that they no longer saw Him, they shoutedloudly; shrieked out His name. Only John remained calm, and looked outinto the darkness, wrapt in some bewilderment or trance. 

The foam flew into their faces and reduced them to utter confusion;they could only involuntarily hold tight to the beams of the swayingvessel. "Living or dying we will not leave Him, " said James. But theMaster had left them. It seemed as though He had never existed. Theyseized the rudder again, and, with the courage of men in the presenceof death, wrestled with the storm which seemed disinclined to let itsvictims go. "God is with us!" exclaimed Simon quickly, and worked withall that remained of his strength. "God is with us!" exclaimed James, and planted the rudder firmly in the water. Only John did not stir. Bending over the side, he stared out into the wild, grey, whirlingwaters. He espied in the midst a circle of light in which appeared afigure that came nearer, and behold! Jesus was walking on the seaslowly towards the ship. The waves grew smooth under His feet, the seagrew light all over, the rock-towers of Hippos could be seen in thedistance, with the evening sun sinking behind them. Jesus sat amongHis friends, and with kindly words chid them for their despondency. 

"Oh, wonderful!" exclaimed James. "While you were with us, we were oflittle faith, and when we could not see you, we believed. "

"'Twas your faith that helped, " said James. Then, laying his hand onthe youth's shoulder: "And what is My wrapt John dreaming of? I wasnot yonder in the mist; I was here with you, I tell you, friends: He isblind who sees without believing, and clear-sighted who believeswithout seeing. "

CHAPTER XIV

An earthly light penetrates the holy darkness, and animated scenes atMagdala, on the lake, are visible to me. Fishermen and boatmen, shepherds, artisans from the town, people from the neighbouringvillages and from the mountains, are gathered together on the quaywhere the boats land their passengers. For the rumour has gone forththat the new prophet is coming. And in the chattering crowd it is saidthat he is a magician from the East who possesses miraculous powers, and can make the sick whole. An amusing thing had happened atCapernaum. The prophet had been there, and a man ill with rheumatism, a beggar who lived on his lame leg, had been dragged in his bed to him. Now the prophet could not endure beggars who nursed their infirmitiesin order to display them, who pretended poverty, troubled themselvesabout nothing, and yet wished to live in comfort. The prophet liked todeprive them of their begging tool, namely, the infirmity, so that theywere compelled to work. He healed the man's rheumatic leg, and said;"Take up thy bed and walk. " And the sick man was much astounded overthe turn things had taken; the bed had carried him there, but he mustcarry the bed back. 

Others said the prophet was an Egyptian, and could foretell the future. Whereupon someone observed that if he could not foretell the future hewould not be a prophet. 

"By Father Abraham!" exclaimed an old ferryman, "if prophets had alwaysforetold truly the universe would have fallen into the sea and beendrowned long ago. I can prophesy too; if he comes, well, he'll behere. "

"Then he'll soon be here, " said a fisher-boy, laughing, "for there hecomes. "

A boat, tossed up and down on the waves, was approaching, and in it satfour men. 

"Which is he?"

"The one with the black beard. "

"Oh, that's rubbish! The man with the beard is James, the boatman fromthe Jordan Valley. "

"Then it must be the bald man. "

"But, Assam, you surely know Simon the fisherman of Bethsaida, whocomes every month to the market here and spoils other men's businesswith his absurdly low prices. "

When they had landed, His companions could scarcely steer a way for Himthrough the crowd, The people looked at Him; some were disappointed. That prophet was not sufficiently different from themselves. Was itreally He? The carpenter of Nazareth! Well, then, we've had a nicerun for nothing. We know what He has to say, and what He can do Hedoes not do. 

"He will do it, though. He did it in Cana. Bring up the waterpitchers--we'll be merry today. "

The crowd pressed forward more and more eagerly, for many had come along distance, and desired to see Him close and hear Him speak. 

The evening presented a good opportunity. It was already dark; a torchfixed to the pillar on the shore diffused a dull red light over thesurging crowd. Jesus wished to pass on quickly, but He could not. Awoman fleeing from her pursuers cast herself at His feet. She wasyoung, her hair streamed loose, her limbs were trembling with fear; sheknelt down and put her arms round His legs. He bent down to her andtried to raise her, but she held fast to His feet and could not composeherself. Then the people began to shout: "The traitress, the Bethanyserpent, what has she to do with Him?"

Jesus put His hand on her head. He stood up straight and asked aloud:"Who is this woman that you have a right to insult her?"

"Who is she? Ask the son of Job. She's an adulteress. Married but afew weeks ago to the brave old son of Job, her parents' friend, shedeceives him with a young coxcomb, the hussy!"

The abuse they hurled against the helpless creature cannot be repeated. It was the women, too, who shouted the loudest; especially one, thewife of a man who made fishing-nets, was so filled with moralindignation that she tore her dress and scattered the rags over thesinner. Words of the most venomous abuse poured from this accuser'smouth in bitter complaint that such a creature should shame the sacredname of woman; she passionately declared her desire that the evil-doershould be stoned. Soon the crowd followed with "Stone her!" and ayoung porter who stood near the wife of the fishing-net maker stoopedto pick up a stone from the road, and prepared to cast it at thesinner. Jesus protected her with His hand, and exclaimed; "Do nottouch her. Which of you is without sin? Let him come and cast thefirst stone. "

Unwillingly they let their arms fall, and those who already held stonesin their hands dropped them quietly on to the ground. But Jesus turnedto the persecuted woman and said: "They shall not harm you. Tell mewhat has happened. "

"Lord!" she whimpered, and clasped His feet afresh, "I have sinned! Ihave sinned!" and she sobbed and wept so that His feet were damp withher tears. 

"You have sinned!" He said in a voice, the gentle sound of which wentto many a heart--"sinned. And now you are sorry. And you do not tryto vindicate yourself. Get up, get up! Your sins will be forgiven. "

"How? What?" grumbled the people. "What's this we hear? He speakskindly to the adulteress. He pardons her sin. This prophet willindeed find followers. "

When Jesus heard their grumbling He said aloud: "I tell you I am like ashepherd. He goes out to search for a lost lamb. He does not fling itto the wolves, but takes it home to the fold that it may be saved. Ido not rejoice over the proud, but over the repentant. The former sinkdown; the latter rise up. Listen to what I tell you. A certain manhad two sons. One was of good disposition and took care of hisproperty. The other was disobedient, and one day said to his father:'Give me my share of the substance; I wish to go to a far country. 'The father was sorry, but as the young man insisted he gave him hisshare, and he went away. So while one brother worked and gained andsaved at home, the other lived in pleasure and luxury, and squanderedhis property out in the world, and became so poor that he had to be aswineherd and eat husks with the sows. He got ill and wretched, andwas despised by every one. Then he remembered his father, whosemeanest servant lived in plenty. Utterly downcast and destitute, hereturned home, knelt before his father, and said: 'Father, I havesinned deeply! I am no longer worthy to be your son; let me be yourmeanest servant. ' Then his father lifted him up, pressed him to hisheart, had him robed in costly garments, ordered a calf to beslaughtered and the wineskins to be filled in readiness for a banquet, and invited all his family to it that they might rejoice with him. Allcame except his other son. He sent a message to say that he hadfaithfully served his father all his life, yet no calf or buck had beenslaughtered on his account. He found more honour in eating bread andfigs alone in his room than in sitting at the banquet table with idlefellows and spendthrifts. Then his father sent to him and said:'Wrong, wrong you are! Your brother was lost and is found. Look to itthat your envy turns not to your loss. Come and be merry with me!' Itell you that the Heavenly Father rejoiceth more over a sinner thatrepenteth than over a righteous man. "

Then a Pharisee stepped out from the crowd, wrapped his cloak round himwith much dignity, and uttered the saying of a Jewish scholar: "Onlythe righteous man shall stand before God!"

To which Jesus replied; "Have you not heard of the publican who kneeledbackwards in the Temple, and did not venture to approach the altarbecause he was a poor sinner? The Pharisee stands proudly by the altarand prays: 'Lord, I thank thee that I am not wicked like that man inthe corner!' But when they went forth from the Temple, the publican'sheart was full of grace, and the Pharisee's heart was empty. Do youunderstand?"

Thereupon several of them drew back. Jesus bent over the penitent andsaid: "Woman, rise and depart in peace!"

The people were outwardly rather calmer. Inwardly they were stillrestless, but they began now to be a little more satisfied with Him. 

Meanwhile James had to settle with the fisherman about payment for thevoyage. Simon covered his face with his mantle, and said with gentlerebuke: "Do not mock me. I have been punished enough. I am ashamed ofmy cowardice. I see now that I'm neither a fisherman nor a sailor, buta mere useless creature. This man whom you call Master, do you knowwhat has come over me, thanks to Him? He who saw Him in the storm, andheard His words about sinners, leaves Him not again. No, I have neverseen any like Him, If only Manasseh, the fisherman and his daughter, and my brother Andrew had been there!"

"They will come directly, " said James. 

"How comes it, James, " asked the fisherman, "that you are with this manand dare to follow Him?"

"That is quite simple, my friend. I merely follow Him. Whoeverpleases can have my little property. I follow Him. "

"But whither, James, whither are you journeying?" And James answered:"To the Kingdom of God: to eternal life. "

Then the fisherman, with trembling hand, felt for James's arm, andsaid: "I will go too. "

An hour had scarcely passed before a fresh tumult arose. It came fromthe house of the maker of fishing-nets. He and a neighbour werehauling the former's wife along, the same woman who had been soindignant against the adulteress shortly before. It was suggested thatshe should be brought to the prophet, but her husband said: "He is abad judge in such matters, " and wished to take her down to the lake. But the people crowded round Jesus, and told Him what had happened. The woman had been caught with Joel, the porter. The accused struckout round her, violently denied the charge, and bit her husband, whohad hold of her, in the hand. Others came up and confirmed theaccusation. The woman blasphemed, and reduced her husband to silenceby proclaiming his crimes. 

Jesus burned with anger. He exclaimed in a loud voice: "Cursed be thehypocrite and the faithless, and the violent! Justice, judgment forsuch as her!"

Then the woman shrieked: "You speak of justice, you who yourselfrecognise no justice! Is it just that you should bless one of twolovers, and curse the other?"

And Jesus: "I tell you: he who repents is accepted; he who will notrepent is cast out. "

Then He turned round, and, wrapt in thought, walked along the bank inthe mild night. Simon, the fisherman, followed Him. He touched Hiswide sleeve and implored: "Master, take me too. "

Jesus asked him: "What do you seek with Me, Simon, the fisherman? Ifanyone seeks a polished crystal and finds a rough diamond, he is vexed;he does not recognise its value. Look at this obdurate woman; she saysthat I am not just because I am severe. To-morrow ten of the corruptmay shout, the day after a hundred; yet ere long he who is applaudedto-day may be surrounded by cruel enemies, and with him those whosupport him. My word ruins the worldly and My mercy annoys thepowerful. They will destroy with fire and sword the seeds which I sow. Simon, you did not strike Me as one of the strongest on the sea. Idemand not a little. If you will come to Me, you must abandoneverything that is now yours. You cannot have Me and the world. Ifyou can make sacrifices, if you can forget, if you can suffer, thencome with Me. Yes, and if you can die for Me, then come. "

"Master, I will go with you. "

"If you can do that, then the burden will be easy; then you will havethe peace which none finds in the world. "

"Master, " exclaimed Simon, loudly, "I will go with you. "

Others who had followed Him along the bank heard the decision. Theymarvelled at the words that had passed, and the erring woman whom Hehad protected would not leave Him. 

In the distance the clamour could still be heard, but gradually thecrowd dispersed. Jesus then sought lodging for Himself and Hisdisciples. 

CHAPTER XV

A short time after, some of those who had formed the crowd at Magdalawere gathered together in the house of the Rabbi Jairus. They werewatching the dead. For in the centre of the room, on a table, lay thebody of the Rabbi's daughter shrouded in white linen. Her father wasso cast down with grief that his friends knew not how to console him. Then someone suggested calling in Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had justseen resting with His followers under the cedars of Hirah. Theynarrated the miracles that He had lately worked. On the road leadingto Capernaum a man was lying side by side with his little son, intowhom had entered the spirit of epilepsy. The child had fallen down andfoamed at the mouth, and his teeth and hands were so locked togetherthat his father, in his despair, all but strangled him. He had alreadytaken the child to the disciples of Jesus, but they had not been ableto help him. Then he sought the Master and exclaimed angrily: "If youcan do anything, help him!" "Take heed that we do not all sufferbecause of him, " the prophet said, and then made the child whole. Andthey told yet more. On the other side of the lake He had made adeaf-mute to speak, and at Bethsaida had made a blind man to see. But, above all, every one knew how at Nain He had brought back a young manto life who had already been carried out of the house in his coffin! Awine-presser was there who told something about an old woman who hadvehemently prayed the prophet to cure her sickness. Thereupon Jesussaid: "You are old and yet you wish to live! What makes this earth sopleasing to you?" and she replied: "Nothing is pleasing to me on thisearth. But I do not want to die until the Saviour comes, who will openthe gates of Heaven for me. " And He: "Since your faith is so strong, woman, you shall live to see the Saviour. " Thereupon she rose up andwent her way. These were the things He did, but He did not like themto be talked about. 

Such was the talk among the people gathered round the little girl'scorpse. Among the company was an old man who was of those who liked todisplay their wisdom on every possible occasion. He declared thatfaith and love, nothing else, produced such miracles. Nomiracle-worker could help an unbeliever; but a man whom the peopleloved could easily work miracles. "They forget all his failures, andremember and magnify all his successes. That's all there is in it. "

A man answered him: "It is important that he should be loved, but thelove is compelled by some mysterious power. No one can make himselfbeloved of his own accord, it must be given him. "

They determined, thanks to all this talk--a mingling of truth anderror--to invite the prophet to the house. 

When Jesus entered it, He saw the mourning assembly, and the Rabbi, whopulled at his gown until he tore it. He saw the child lying on thetable ready for burial, and asked: "Why have you summoned Me? Where isthe dead girl?"

The Rabbi undid the shroud so that the girl lay exposed to view. Jesuslooked at her, took hold of her hand, felt it, and laid it gently downagain. "The child is not dead, " He said, "she only sleepeth. "

Some began to laugh. They knew the difference between death and life!

He stepped up to them, and said: "Why did you summon Me if you do notbelieve in Me? If you have assembled here to watch the dead, there'snothing for you to do. "

They crept away in annoyance. He turned to the father and mother: "Becomforted. Prepare some food for your daughter. " Then He took hold ofthe child's cold hand, and whispered: "Little girl! Little girl! wakeup, it is morning. "

The mother uttered a cry of joy, for the child opened her eyes. Hestood by, and they seemed to hear Him say: "Arise, my child. You aretoo young to have gained heaven yet. The Father must be long sought sothat He may be the more beloved. Go your way and seek Him. "

When the girl, who was twelve years old, stood on her feet, and walkedacross the floor, the parents almost fell on Jesus in order to expresstheir thanks. He put them aside. "I understand your gratitude. Youwill do what I do not wish. You will go to the street corners andexclaim: 'He raised our child from the dead'; and the people will comeand ask Me to heal their bodies, while I am come to heal their souls. And they will desire Me to raise the dead, while I am here to leadtheir spirits to eternal life. "

"Lord, how are we to understand you?"

"When in good time you shall have learned how little the mortal bodyand earthly life signify, then you will understand. If, as you say, Ihave raised your child from the dead, what thanks do you owe Me? Doyou recognise what he who calls back a creature from happiness tomisery does?

"You said yourself, Master, that the child was too young to gain heavenyet. "

"She has not gained it; she possessed it in her innocent heart. Shewill become a maiden, and a wife, and an old woman. She will loseheaven and seek it in agony. It will be well for her if then she comesto the Saviour and begs: 'My soul is dead within me, Lord; wake it toeternal life. ' But if she comes not--then it would be better that shehad not waked to-day. "

The mother said in all humility: "Whatsoever Thou doest, Master, thatis surely right. "

He went to the table where the child was comfortably eating her food, laid His hand on her head, and said: "You have come to earth fromheaven, now give up earth for heaven; what is earned is greater thatwhat is given. "

So the wife of Rabbi Jairus heard as Jesus went out of the door. 

They remained His adherents until near the days of the persecution. 

CHAPTER XVI

About the same time things began to go ill with Levi, the tax-gatherer, who lived on the road to Tiberias. One morning his fellow-residentsprepared a discordant serenade for him. They pointed out to Levi withanimation, from the roof of his house, in what honour he was held, bymeans of the rattling of trays and clashing of pans, since he hadaccepted service with the heathen as toll-keeper and demanded moneyeven on the Sabbath. 

The lean tax-gatherer sat in a corner of his room and saw the dust flyfrom the ceiling, which seemed to shake beneath the clatter. He saw, too, how the morning sun shining in at the window threw a band of lightacross the room, in which danced particles of dust like little stars. He listened, and saw, and was silent. When they had had enough ofdancing on the roof they jumped to the ground, made grimaces at thewindow, and departed. 

A little, bustling woman came out of the next room, stole up to theman, and said: "Levi, it serves you right!"

"Yes, I know, Judith, " he answered, and stood up. He was so tall thathe had to bend his head in order not to strike it against the ceiling. His beard hung down in thin strands; it was not yet grey, despite hispale, tired face. 

"They will stone you, Levi, if you continue to serve the Romans, "exclaimed the woman. 

"They hated me even when I did not serve the Romans, " said the man. "Since that Feast of Tabernacles at Tiberias when I said that Mammonand desire of luxury had estranged the God of Abraham from the chosenpeople, and subjected them to Jupiter, they have hated me. "

"But you yourself follow Mammon, " she returned. 

"Because since they hate me I must create a power for myself which willsupport me, if all are against me. It is the power with which thecontemned man conquers his bitterest enemies. You don't understand me?Look there!" He bent down in a dark corner of the chamber, lifted anold cloth, and displayed to view a stone vessel like a mortar. "RealRomans, " he said, grinning; "soon a small army of them. And directlyit is big enough, the neighbours won't climb on to the roof and singpraises to Levi with pots and pans, but with harps and cymbals. "

"Levi, shall I tell you what you are?" exclaimed the woman, the musclesof her red face working. 

"I am a publican, as I well know, " he returned calmly, carefullycovering his money chest with the cloth. "A despised publican whotakes money from his own people to give to the stranger, who demandstoll-money of the Jews although they themselves made the roads. Such aone am I, my Judith! And why did I become a Roman publican? Because Iwished to gain money so as to support myself among those who hate me. "

"Levi, you are a miser, " she said. "You bury your money in a holeinstead of buying me a Greek mantle like what Rebecca and Amala wear. "

"Then I shall remain a miser, " he replied, "for I shall not buy you aGreek mantle. Foreign garments will plunge the Jews into deeper ruinthan my Roman office and Roman coins. It is not the receipt of custom, my dear wife, that is idolatry, but desire of dress, pleasure, andluxury. Street turnpikes are not bad at a time when our people beginto be fugitives in their own land, and with all their trade and barterto export the good and import the evil. Since the law of Mosesrespecting agriculture there has been no better tax than the Romanturnpike toll. What have the Jews to do on the road?"

"You will soon see, " said Judith. "If I don't have the Greek mantle intwo days from now, you'll see me on the road, but from behind. "

"You don't look bad from behind, " mischievously returned Levi. 

The knocker sounded without. The tax-gatherer looked through thewindow, and bade his wife undo the barrier. She went out and raised apiercing cry, but did not unclose the barrier. Several men had comealong the road, and were standing there; the woman demanded the toll. A little man with a bald head stepped forward. It was the fishermanfrom Bethsaida. He confessed that they had no money. Thereupon thewoman was very angry, for it was her secret intention thenceforth tokeep the toll money herself in order to buy the Greek purple stuff likethat worn by Rebecca and Amala. 

When Levi heard her cry, he went out and said: "Let them pass, Judith. You see they are not traders. They won't do the road much damage. Whythey've scarcely soles to their feet. "

Then Judith was quiet, but she took a stolen glance at one of the menwho stood tall and straight in his blue mantle, his hair falling overhis shoulders, his pale face turned towards her with an earnest look. "What a man? Is something the matter with me? Perhaps he misses theGreek mantle that he sees other women wear?"

"How far have you come?" the toll-keeper asked the men. 

"We've come from Magdala to-day, " replied Simon, the fisherman. 

"Then it is time that you rested here a little in the shade. The sunhas been hot all day. "

When Judith saw that they were really preparing to avail themselves ofthe invitation, she hastened to her room, adorned herself withgay-coloured stuffs, a sparkling bracelet, and a pearl necklace thatshe had lately acquired from a Sidonian merchant. She came out againwith a tray of figs and dates. The tall, pale man--it wasJesus--silently passed on the tray, and took no refreshment Himself. His penetrating glance made her uneasy. Perhaps He would let Himselfbe persuaded. She placed herself before Him, more striking and bold inher splendour. 

"Woman, " He said suddenly, "yonder grows a thistle. It has prickles onthe stem and the flower, it is covered with the dust of the highway andeaten away by insects. But it is more beautiful than an arrogant childof man. "

Judith started violently. She rushed into the house, and slammed thedoor behind her so that the walls echoed. The tax-gatherer gave thespeaker an approving glance, and sighed. 

Then Jesus asked him: "Are you fond of her?"

"She is his neighbour!" observed a cheerful-looking little man whoformed one of the band of travellers. The jesting word referred to theMaster's speech of the day before on love of one's neighbour. 

Levi nodded thoughtfully and said: "Yes, gentlemen, she is mynearest--enemy. "

"Isn't she your wife?" asked Simon. 

Without answering him, the tax-gatherer said: "I am a publican, andblessed with mistrust as far as my eye can reach. Yet all thosewithout do not cause me as much annoyance as she who is nearest me inmy house. "

One of the men laid his hand on his shoulder: "Then, friend, see thatshe is no longer your nearest. Come with us. We have left our wivesand all the rest of our belongings to go with Him. Don't you know Him?He is the man from Nazareth. "

The publican started. The man of whom the whole land spoke, theprophet, the miracle-worker? This young, kindly man was He? He whopreached so severely against the Jews? Didn't I say almost the same, that time at the Feast of Tabernacles? And yet the people were angry. They listen reverently to this man and follow Him. Shall I do so too?What hinders me? I, the much-hated man, may be dismissed the serviceat any moment. I may be driven from my house to-day, as soon asto-morrow? And my wife, she'll probably be seen on the road frombehind? There's only one thing I can't part with, but I can take thatwith me. 

Then, he turned to the Nazarene, held the tray with the remains of thefruit towards Him: "Take some, dear Master!"

The Master said gently, in a low voice: "Do you love Me, publican?"

The tax-gatherer began to tremble so that the tray nearly fell from hishands. Those words! and that look! He could not reply. 

"If you love Me, go with Me, and share our hardships. "

"Our joys, Lord, our joys, " exclaimed Simon. 

At that moment a train of pack-mules came along the road. The driverswhipped the creatures with knotted cords, and cursed that there wasanother turnpike. The tax-gatherer took the prescribed coins fromthem, and pointed out their ill-treatment of the animals. For answerhe received a blow in his face from the whip. Levi angrily raised hisarm against the driver. Then Jesus stepped forward, gently pulled hisarm down, and asked: "Was his act wrong?"

"Yes!"

"Then do not imitate it. "

And the little witty man again interposed: "If you go with us, publican, you'll have two cheeks, a right and a left. But no arm, doyou understand?"

The remark had reference to a favourite saying of the Master when Hewas defenceless and of good-cheer in the presence of a bitter enemy. Several received the allusion with an angry expression of countenance. 

"But it is true, " laughed the little man. "The Master said: 'LetThaddeus say what he likes. He suffered yesterday in patience thewrath of an Arab. '"

"Yes, indeed; because they found no money, they beat Thaddeus. "

"If we meet another of that sort, we'll defend ourselves, " said thepublican, "or robbery 'll become cheap. "

"It's easy to see, tax-gatherer, that you haven't known the Masterlong, " said the little man whom they called Thaddeus. "We and money, indeed!"

Then the Master said: "A free soul has nothing to do with Mammon. It'snot worth speaking of, let alone quarrelling over. Violence won't undorobbery. If you attempt violence, you may easily turn a thief into amurderer. "

While they were talking the publican went into his house. He had madehis decision. He would quietly bid his wife farewell, put the money ina bag and tie it round his waist. He did not do the first, becauseJudith had fled by the back door; he did not do the second, becauseJudith had emptied the stone vessel and taken the money with her. 

Levi came sadly from the toll-house, went up to Jesus, and lifted hishands to heaven: "I am ready, Lord; take me with you. "

The Master said: "Levi Matthew, you are mine. "

Thaddeus came with the tray of fruit. "Brother, eat of your table forthe last time. Then trust in Him who feeds the birds and makes theflowers to grow. "

As they went together along the dusty road, the new disciple relatedhis loss. 

Simon exclaimed cheerfully: "You're lucky, Levi Matthew! What othermen give up with difficulty has run away from you of itself. "

That day the toll-house was left deserted, and the passers-by weresurprised to find that the road between Magdala and Tiberias was free. 

CHAPTER XVII

In this way there gathered round the carpenter of Nazareth moredisciples and friends, who wished to accompany Him in His wanderingsthrough the land. For Jesus had decided. He desired only to wanderthrough the land and bring men tidings of the Heavenly Father and ofthe Kingdom of God. He appointed some of His disciples to prepare forHim a reception and lodging everywhere. Then there were the assembliesof the people to regulate; and the disciples, so far as they themselvesunderstood the new teaching, must act as interpreters and expositorsfor those who could not understand the Master's peculiar language. Among those was John, the carpenter, who had once been an apprentice toJesus, a near relative of the Master. Other of His disciples werecalled James, he was the boat-builder; then Simon, Andrew, and Thomas, the fishermen; Levi Matthew, the publican; Thaddeus, the saddler; andfurther--but my memory is weak--James, the little shepherd; Nathan, thepotter; and his brother Philip, the innkeeper from Jericho;Bartholomew, the smith; and Judas, the money-changer from Carioth. Like Simon and Matthew, they had all left their trades or offices tofollow with boundless devotion Him they called Lord and Master. 

How shall I dare to describe the Master! His personality defiesdescription. It left none cold who came in contact with it. It wasattractive not only by humility and gentleness, but more by activepower, and by such sacred and fiery anger as had never before been seenin any one. People were never tired of looking at the man with thetall, handsome figure. His head was crowned with lightly curling, reddish, bright-looking hair, which hung down soft and heavy at theside and back, and floated over His shoulders. His brow was broad andwhite, for no sunbeam could penetrate the shade formed by His hair. Hehad a strong, straight nose, more like that of a Greek than of a Jew, and His red lips were shaded with a thick beard. And His eyes werewonderful, large, dark eyes, with a marvellous fire in them. Ordinarily it was a fire that burnt warm and soft, but at times itshone with a great glow of happiness, or sparkled with anger, like amidsummer storm by night in the mountains of Lebanon. On that accountmany called Him "fiery eye. " He wore a long, straight gown, withouthat or staff. He generally wore sandals on His feet, but sometimes Heforgot to put them on, for in His spiritual communings He did notperceive the roughness of the road. So He wandered through the stonydesert, as through the flowery meadows of the fertile valleys. WhenHis companions complained of the storm or heat, and tore their limbs onthe sharp stones and thorns, He remained calm and uncomplaining. Hedid not, like the holy men of the East, seek for hardships, but He didnot fear them. He was an enemy of all external trappings, because theydistracted the attention from the inner life, and by their attractionsmight induce a false appearance of reality. He gladly receivedinvitations to the houses of the joyful, and rejoiced with them; attable He ate and drank with moderation. He added to the pleasures ofthe table by narrating parables and legends, by means of which Hebrought deep truths home to the people. Since He left the little houseat Nazareth, He possessed no worldly goods. What He needed in Hiswanderings for Himself and His followers, He asked of those who hadpossessions. His manner was often rough and spiced with bitter irony, even where He proved Himself helpful and sympathetic. Towards Hisdisciples, whom He loved deeply--expecially young John--He alwaysshowed Himself absorbed in His mission to make strong, courageous, God-fearing men out of weak creatures. He was so definite about whatHe liked and what He disliked, that even the blindest could see it. Hesuffered no compromise between good and evil. He specially dislikedambiguous speakers, hypocrites, and sneaks; He preferred to have to dowith avowed sinners. 

One of His fundamental traits was to be yielding in disposition, butunflinching in His teaching. He avoided all personal dislikes, hatreds, all that might poison the heart. His soul was trust andkindness. So high did He rank kindness, and so heavily did he condemnselfishness, that one of His disciples said, to sin from kindnessbrought a man nearer to God than to do good through selfishness. Thehostility and reverses He met with He turned into a source ofhappiness. Happiness! Did not that word come into the world withJesus?

"He is always talking of being happy, " someone once said to John. "What do you understand by being happy?"

John replied; "When you feel quite contented inwardly, so that noworldly desire or bitterness disturbs your peace, when all within youis love and trust, as though you were at rest in the eternity of Godand nothing can trouble you any more, that is, as I take it, what Hemeans by being happy. But it cannot be put into words, only he whofeels it understands. "

And Jesus possessed, too, the high sense of communion with God, whichhe transmitted to all who followed Him. But I should like to add thatwhere Jesus was most divine, there He was most human. In thrustingfrom Him all worldly desire, all worldly property, and worldly care, Hefreed Himself from the burden which renders most men unhappy. Incommunion with God He was at once a simple child, and a wise man of theworld. No anxiety existed about accidents, perils, loss and ruin. Everything happened according to His will, because it was the will ofGod, and He enjoyed life with simplicity and a pure heart. Is not thatthe true human lot? And does not such a natural, glad life come verynear to the Divine?

Thus, then, He followed the Divine path across that historic groundwhich will be known as the Holy Land to the end of time. 

And now that great day, that great Sabbath morning came. 

For a long time damp, grey mists had hung over the valleys of Galilee;banks of fog had hovered over the mountains of Lebanon; showers of coldrain fell. But after the gloom dawned a bright spring morning. Fromthe rocky heights a fertile land was visible. Green meadows watered byshining streams adorned the valleys, and groups of pines, fig trees, olive trees, and cedars, the slopes and the hill-tops. Vines and dewyroses were in the hedges. A full-voiced choir of birds and freshbreezes from the Lake filled the soft air. Westwards the blue watersof the Mediterranean might be discerned, and in the east, throughdistant clefts in the rocks, the shimmer of the Dead Sea. Southwardslay the plain, and the yellowish mounds which marked the beginning ofthe desert. And towards the west the snow peaks of Lebanon werevisible above the dark forest and the lighter green of the slopes. Aperfect sunny peacefulness lay over everything. 

The flat rocks of the gentler slopes were crowded with people, many ofwhom had never seen this district. And they still came from everyvillage and farm. Instead of going as usual to the synagogue, theyhastened to this mountain height. Instead of seeking soft repose, astheir desire of comfort bade them, they hurried thither over stocks andstones. Instead of visiting friend or neighbour they all climbed theheights together. For they knew that Jesus was there, and would speak. And so they stood or sat on the flat stones--men and women, old andyoung, rich and poor. Many only came out of curiosity, and passed thetime in witty sallies; others jested together; others, again, waited insilent expectation. Those who already knew Him whispered excitedly, and Simon said to James; "My heart has never beat so violently asto-day. "

And Jesus stood on the summit of the mountain. As if all men wereturned to stone at sight of Him, a silence and stillness now took theplace of the subdued murmur of the crowd. He stood in His long, light-coloured gown, like a white pillar against the blue sky. Hisleft hand hung motionless by His side, the right was pressed againstHis heart. He began to speak softly, but clearly. Not in the eventone of a preacher, but quickly and eagerly, often hesitating a momentwhile collecting His thoughts for a pregnant saying. It was not as ifHe had thought out His speech beforehand, or learned it out of books. What His own individual temperament had originated, what time hadmatured in Him, He poured forth in the rush of the Holy Spirit. 

"I am sent to make appeal to you. I come to all, but especially to thepoor. I come to the afflicted, to the distressed, to the sick, to theimprisoned, to the cast down. I come with glad tidings from theHeavenly Father. "

After this introduction He, in His humility, looked out into the greatworld of Nature, as if she would supply Him with words. But Nature wassilent; indeed, at that hour, all creatures were silent and listened. 

Then Jesus lifted His eyes to the crowd, and began to speak as men hadnever heard any one speak before. 

"Brothers! Rejoice! Again I say, Rejoice! A good Father lives inheaven. His presence is everywhere, His power is boundless, and we areHis children whom He loves. He makes His sun to shine over all; Heoverlooks no one. He sees into the dark recesses of all hearts, and noone can move a hair's breadth without His consent. He places freelybefore men happiness and eternal life. Listen to what I say to you inHis name:

"All ye children of men who seek salvation, come to Me. I bless thepoor, for no earthly burden can keep them from the Kingdom of Heaven. I bless the suffering, the afflicted, disappointed--abandoned by theworld they take refuge in life in God. I bless the kind-hearted andthe peace-loving. Their hearts are not troubled with hate and guilt;they live as happy children of God. I bless those who love justice, for they are God's companions, and shall find justice. I bless thepure in heart. No bewildering desire obscures the face of God fromthem. I bless the merciful. Sympathetic love gives strength, bringscompassion where it is needed. And blessed, thrice blessed, are youwho suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness. Yours is theKingdom of Heaven. Rejoice and be glad, all of you--no eye hath yetseen, no ear hath yet heard the joys that are laid up for you inheaven. Now hear My mission. Many say I wish to change the old laws. That is not so. I come to fulfil the old laws, but according to thespirit, not according to the letter. The learned men who preach in thesynagogues fulfil it according to the letter, and desire to guide thepeople; but if you do as they, you will not be righteous, nor will youfind the Kingdom of God. The wise men say, you shall not kill. I say, you shall not get angry, or be contemptuous. He who grows angry andcensorious shall himself be judged. Your pious gifts are of no availif you live at enmity with your neighbour. In the law of the sages itis written, you shall not commit adultery. I say, you shall not eventhink of breaking your marriage vows. Rather should you become blindthan let your eye desire your neighbour's wife. Better lose your sightthan your purity. Rather cut off your hand than reach it after yourneighbour's goods. Better lose your strength than your virtue. It issaid in the Law, you shall not swear falsely. I say, you shall notswear at all, either by God, or by your soul, or by your child. Yes orno, that is enough. Now say whether I change the laws. Rather do Idesire the strictest obedience to them. But there are laws which I dochange. Listen; An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I say youshall not treat your adversary in a hostile fashion. What you can injustice do for yourself, that do, but go no farther; it is a thousandtimes better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. Overcome your enemywith kindness. If any one smites you on the right cheek, keep yourtemper and offer him the left. Maybe that will disarm his wrath. Ifany one tears off your coat ask him kindly if he would not like theundergarment too? Perhaps he will be ashamed of his greediness. Ifany asks you for something that you can grant, do not refuse him, andif you have two coats give one to him who has none. In the law of thesages it is said: Love your neighbour; hate your enemy. That is false. For it is easy enough to love them that love you, and hate them thathate you. The godless can manage so much. I tell you, love yourneighbour, and also love your enemy. Listen, my brothers, and declareit throughout the whole world what I now say to you: Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. "

He stopped, and a stir went through the assembly. Words had beenspoken the like of which had not before been heard in the world. Aholy inspiration, as it were, entered the universe at that hour such ashad not been felt since the creation. 

Jesus continued speaking: "Do good to those who hate you; that is howGod acts towards men, even when they mock at him. Try to imitate theFather in heaven in all things. What good ye do, do it for the sake ofGod, not for the sake of men. Therefore the second commandment is asimportant as the first. Love God more than everything, and yourneighbour as yourself. But you shall not boast of your good works. When you give alms, do it secretly, and speak not of it, so that theleft hand knows not what the right hand doeth. If you do not give upthe goods of this world, you will not attain to the Kingdom of Heaven. If you fast, do not wear a sad face. Be cheerful; what matters it thatothers should know that you fast? If you do not keep the Sabbath holy, you cannot see the Father. But when you pray, do it secretly in yourchamber; you are nearest your Father in heaven in quiet humility. Usenot many words in your praying as idolaters do. Not he who constantlypraises the Lord finds Him, but he who does His will. Lift up yourheart in trust, and submit to the will of Him who is in heaven. HonourHis name, seek His kingdom. Ask pardon for your own fault, and becareful to pardon him who offends against you. Ask that you mayreceive what you require for your needs each day, so that you may findstrength against temptation, and freedom from impatience and evildesire. If you pray thus, your prayer will be heard; for he who asksin the right way shall receive, and for him who continually knocksshall the gate be opened. Is there a father among you who would givehis child a stone when he asks for bread? And if a poor man grants hischild's request, how much more the mighty, good Father in heaven. Butbe not too anxious for your daily needs: such anxiety spoils purepleasure. If you heap up material goods, then death comes. Gather notthe treasures which pass away; gather spiritual treasures to your innerprofit, treasures which your Heavenly Father stores up into lifeeternal. Such a store will benefit the souls of those who come afteryou. Man is so fashioned that his heart always inclines to hispossessions; if his possessions are with God, then will his heart bewith God. He who is for the body cannot be for the soul, because hecannot serve two masters. Earn for the day what ye need for the day, but take no care for the morrow. Be not anxious about what you shalleat to-morrow, about how you shall be clothed in the years to come. Trust in Him who feeds the birds, and makes the flowers bloom. Shallnot the Heavenly Father have greater love for the children of men thanfor the sparrow or the lily? Do not burden your life with cares, butbe glad, glad, glad in God, your Father. Set your minds on the Kingdomof Heaven; all else is second to that. . . . I observe, my brothers, that these words come home to you; but first see if the teacher followsHis own precepts. Beware of preachers, wolves in sheep's clothing, wholive otherwise than they teach. Whoever speaks to you in My name, lookfirst at his works, as ye recognise the tree by its fruit. Judge menaccording to their works, but do not condemn them! Before you condemn, remember that you yourself may be condemned. As you judge others soshall you yourself be judged. How often, my friend, do you see a Motein your brother's eye, while you do not see a whole beam in your owneye. Get rid of your own faults before you censure the faults of yourbrother. The path which leads to salvation is narrow, and while youescape the abyss on the left hand you may fall into that on the right. And that you may proceed in safety along the narrow way, take heed toMy words: _Everything that you wish to be done unto you, that do untoothers_. Now, My brothers and sisters, in the land of our fathers, letthose of you who must return to your work, return and ponder on themessage I have brought you. Every one who has heard it, and does notlive according to it, is like the man who builds his house on sand; buthe who lives in accordance with this teaching builds his house on therocks, and no storm can destroy it. The words that I deliver to you inthe name of the Heavenly Father will outlast all the wisdom of theearth. He who hears and does not heed is lost to Me; he who follows Myteaching will attain eternal life. "

Thus ended the speech which became one of the greatest events of theworld. Many were terrified by the concluding sentences, for they heardthe word but were too weak to follow it. Their cowardice did notescape Jesus, and because He could not let any depart uncomforted, theyseemed to hear Him murmur: "The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those whountiringly reach out after it. Blessed are the weak whose will isgood. "

CHAPTER XVIII

That Sabbath of the Sermon on the Mount became a most important day. When Jesus made an end of speaking, the people did not disperse, butpressed round Him to kiss the hem of His garment. Many who until thenhad been in despair could not tear themselves from Him. They wished tofollow Him wherever He went, and to share His destiny. Whatever Hemight say to the contrary, that destiny, they felt sure, would bebrilliant. Was He not tearing the masses from earthly thoughts thatformed their curse. All they heard was His counsel upon absence ofanxiety. But what would it be when He revealed the universal power ofthe Messiah? Many said that the Sermon on the Mount was a trial ofstrength intended to steel the will for the holy struggle for theKingdom of the Messiah that was now to be established on earth. 

People came out of Judaea; they hastened from the valley of the Jordan;they streamed from the hills. They came from the seaports of Tyre andSidon, and some even came from lands far beyond the sea in order todiscover if what the people on all sides were saying was true. Theybrought asses and camels, laden with gifts, and Jesus accepted what Heand His friends needed, but declined the rest or divided it among thepeople. For there were many among His followers who were starving, Hisword being all their sustenance. And sick persons began to dragthemselves to Him so that He might heal and comfort them. But the morethey heard of miracles wrought on the sick and crippled, the moremiracles they desired, so that He grew angry, and reminded them that Hedid not come on account of their bodies but of their souls. Moreover, He pointed out to them that He was not the Messiah from whom menexpected deliverance and the establishment of the kingdom of the Jews. But they regarded that as an excuse, as prudent reserve, until the timewas ripe for the entry of the great general. The curiosity increasedat every new speech, and they hoped to hear Him sound the call to arms. Others held aloof and thought over the deeper meaning of His words, andif it was possible to comprehend them and live according to them. Atfirst they found it easy and pleasant to be free from care, and to beconciliatory towards their neighbours. It suited the poor admirably tomake a virtue of necessity, so that their indolence and povertyappeared as meritorious. But after a few days they began to realisethat perhaps they had not understood the Master's words aright. Eventhe Samaritans from over the border listened to the strange teachingabout heaven or earth. If the ancient writings spoke of futureblessedness, Jesus spoke of present blessedness. 

A money-changer from Carioth was among His disciples. So far he hadonly been with the Prophet on Sabbaths; on week-days he sat in hisoffice and counted money and reckoned interest. But things did not gowell, for while he was doing his accounts his thoughts were with theMaster, and he made errors; and when he was with the Master histhoughts were with his money, and he missed what was being said. Hemust leave either one or the other, and he could not decide which. Butafter listening to the Sermon on the Mount he determined to go no moreto his place of business, but to remain with Jesus, so strong was hisbelief in Him. And the exchange brought as much joy into his heart asif he had lent money to a man at two hundred per cent. For he wouldhave treasure in the Kingdom of the Messiah. 

The only people who more or less still held aloof were the Galileans. They had known the Prophet as a carpenter, and were uncertain whatposition to take up towards Him. On the other hand, there wereGalileans who came to Jerusalem, or Joppa, and were proud to hear theirProphet spoken of there, and they pretended to be His acquaintances andfriends, only to greet Him on their return with the same old contempt. He used to say that no man was a prophet in his own country. At thisperiod Jesus often went to Nazareth, and always accompanied by anever-increasing number of followers. His mother could never get anyconfidential talk with Him. And His native place disowned Him. Hisyouthful acquaintances fought shy of Him as an eccentric vagrant whoopposed the law, stirred up the people, and from whose further careerno great honour was to be expected. The Rabbi in the synagogue warnedmen of Him as of a public traitor. He described with ardent zeal theruin in which all would be involved who were persuaded by this manwithout a conscience to renounce the belief of their ancestors. "Thereis only one true faith, " he exclaimed, "and only one God, and that isnot the faith and God of this heretic, but the faith of Moses and theGod of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And that God curses the falseprophet and all his followers, so that the devil has power over him. "And he continued sorrowfully: "His relations are greatly to be pitied, especially the unhappy mother who has borne such a son to the shame ofthe family and the grief of the whole land. " And then the Rabbialluded to a hope that they might perhaps succeed in bringing to reasonthe erring man who sinned so deeply against the law, if not by love, atleast by a vigorous effort and display of authority, till He was madeto resume the honourable handicraft in which He had once lived in amanner pleasing to God. 

And so it happened that Mary, when she left the synagogue and proceededhomewards, was scoffed at by her ill-natured neighbours, who gave herto understand that she might take herself off, and the sooner thebetter. She said nothing, but bade her weeping heart be still. 

One day Jesus was invited to dine down by the lake with a friend whoheld the same views as Himself. There were so many people present thatthere was neither room nor food enough. They expected some miracle. Jesus was in a happy mood, and said that He wondered that people shouldrush after little wonders, and overlook the great ones; for all thingsthat lived, all things with which we were daily surrounded, were pureand incomprehensible wonders. As for the wonders men desired Him towork, the most important thing was not turning of stones into bread orthe making of the sick whole, but that such miracles should awakenfaith. Faith was the greatest miracle-worker. While He was talking Hewas called away; some one stood under the cedars who wished to speak toHim. He found two of His relations there, who asked Him curtly, andwithout ceremony, what He purposed doing; did He propose to return toNazareth or not? If not, then He had better realise that His house andworkshop would be confiscated. 

Jesus answered them: "Go and tell your elders in Nazareth: The housebelongs to him who needs it, and let him who has a use for the workshophave it. And leave Him in peace who would build a House in which thereare many mansions. "

They remained standing there, and said; "If you turn a deaf ear and areheedless of us, there is some one else here. " And then His mother cameforward. She had thrown a blue shawl over her head. She looked ill, and could hardly speak for sobbing. She took hold of His hand: "Myson! where will all this lead? Can you undertake such responsibility?You reject the belief of your fathers, and you deprive others of it. "

To which He replied: "I deprive them of their belief. On the contrary, I give them faith. "

"But, my child, I can't understand it. You are stirring up the wholecountry. The people leave their houses, their families, their work, tofollow you. What enchantment do you practise on them?"

"They follow the tidings, " He said. "They thirst after comfort as thehart pants for water. "

"And you call it comfort to starve and freeze in the wilderness, " brokein one of his relations; "you call it comfort to deny oneselfeverything till our rags fall off our bodies, and we are taken by thesoldiers as criminals? Take heed. The governors at Caesarea andJerusalem are displeased at the state of affairs. They mean to put astop to the demagogue's proceedings, and they are right. "

"Who is the demagogue?"

"Why, you, of course. "

Jesus was surprised at the reply, and said:--"I? I, who say to you, Peace be with you! Love one another! Do good to your enemies! I, ademagogue?"

"They say you claim to be the Messiah who shall conquer the kingdom. "

"A kingdom that is not of this world. "

Mary fell into His arms. "My dear son, leave all this alone. If it isto be, God will do it all without you. See how lonely your mother isat Nazareth! Come with me to our peaceful home, and be once again mygood, dear Jesus. And these here, they love you, they are yourbrothers. "

Then Jesus stretched out His arm and pointed to His followers, who hadpushed their way into the house. "Those are My brothers! Those whoacknowledge the Heavenly Father as I do, they are My brothers. "

His relations stepped back, and wrung their hands in perplexity. "Heis out of His mind. He is possessed by devils. "

The people in the road who were looking over the fence felt sorry forthe forsaken woman, and wanted to interfere; whereupon a voiceexclaimed loudly: "Happy the mother who has such a son! The nationswill arise and call her blessed!"

Jesus turned to them gravely. "Blessed are those who follow the wordof God. "

His mother felt, as He spoke those words, as if she had been stabbed tothe heart with a sword. The people were silent, and whispered to eachother: "Why is He so hard towards His mother?"

John the younger answered them: "He sees salvation only in God theFather. He has converted many people to His view, but just those whomHe loves best will not listen to the tidings of the Kingdom of Heaven. "

Jesus lifted up His voice and cried: "He who desires to be My disciple, and his parents and brothers and sisters do not believe in Me, he mustforsake his parents and brothers and sisters in order to follow Me. Hewho has wife and child, and they despise My tidings, he must forsakewife and child and follow _Me_ if he wishes to be My disciple. Whodoes not love God more than mother and child, than brother and sister, yea, more than himself and his life, he is not worthy of God. "

Many were troubled by this speech, and murmured: "He asks too much. "

Then said John: "Whoever is in earnest about his faith in the HeavenlyFather cannot speak otherwise. He feels Himself how hard it is todestroy all ties. Do you not observe how He struggles with Himself, and must subdue His own heart, so that it may lose its power over Him?He asks all from His disciples because He gives them all. We alreadyknow that what He has to give us is worth more than all we have givenup. "

His relations went away. They talked violently against Jesus. Hismother could not endure that, so she remained behind and climbed thestony path by herself. In her sorely tried heart she prayed: "MyFather which art in Heaven, Thy will be done!" And she had no ideathat it was her son's prayer, in which she found the same faith andcomfort as He did. She knew not that thus she, too, became a discipleof Jesus. 

CHAPTER XIX

Elsewhere Jesus's fame had become so great that all men came to Him. The poor crowded to Him in order to eat at His table where the word hadbecome flesh. The rich invited Him to their houses, but He mostlydeclined those invitations, accepting, however, one here and there. 

He Himself went to those who humbly remained in the background and yetdesired to go to Him. A man lived in the district whose greatestdesire was to see the Prophet. When he heard that Jesus was coming hisway, he began to tremble and to think what he should do. "I shouldlike to meet Him face to face, and yet dare not venture to go to Him. For I have a bad reputation as a publican, and am not in any wayworthy. Then He is always accompanied by so many people, and I amshort and cannot see over their heads. " When Jesus approached, the manclimbed a bare sycamore-tree and peeped between the branches. Jesussaw him, and called out; "Zacchaeus, come down from the tree! I willcome and visit you to-day. "

The publican jumped down from the tree and went over to Him, and saidhumbly: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should go to my house. Onlysay one word to me, and I shall be content. "

The people wondered that the Prophet should so honour this person ofsomewhat doubtful character. Zacchaeus was almost beside himself tothink that the Master should have recognised and spoken to him. He setbefore his guest everything that his house afforded. Jesus said:"These things are good. But I want the most precious thing youpossess. "

"What is that, sir?" asked Zacchaeus in terror, for he thought he hadgiven of his best. "Everything I possess is yours. "

Then Jesus grasped his hand, looked at him lovingly, and said:"Zacchaeus, give me your heart!"

The man became His follower. 

One day He was dining with a man who was very learned and a strictcensor of morals. Several of His disciples were among the guests, andthe talk, partly intellectual and partly guided by feeling, turned onthe Scriptures. At first Jesus took no part; He was thinking how muchpleasanter it would be to hear simple talk at His mother's fireside athome than to dispute with these arrogant scholars about the emptyletter. But He was soon drawn into the conversation. Someonementioned the commandment which enjoins a man to love his neighbour, and, as often happens, the simplest things became confused andincomprehensible in the varied opinions of the worldly-wise. One ofthe guests said: "It is remarkable how we do not reflect on the mostimportant things because they are so clear; and yet if we do reflect onthem by any chance, we don't understand them. So that I really do notknow who it is I should love as myself. "

"Your neighbour!" the disciple Matthew, who was sitting by him attable, informed him. 

"That is all right, my friend, if only I knew who was my neighbour! Irun up against all sorts of people in the day, and if one of them tripsme up, he is my neighbour for the time being. At this moment I havetwo neighbours, you and Zachariah. Which of the two am I to love asmyself? It is only stated that you shall love one. And if it's you orZachariah, why should I love either of you more than the Master whosits at the other end of the table and is not my neighbour!"

"Man! that is an impertinent speech, " said the disciple Bartholomewreprovingly. 

"Well then, put me right!" retorted the other. 

The disciple began, and tried to explain who the neighbour was, but hedid not get very far, his thoughts were confused. Meanwhile thequestion had reached the Master. Who is, in the correct sense of theterm, one's neighbour?

Jesus answered, by telling a story: "There was once a man who went fromJerusalem to Jericho. It was a lonely road, and he was attacked byhighwaymen, who plundered him, beat him, and left him for dead. Aftera while a high priest came by that way, saw him lying there, andnoticing that he was a stranger, passed quickly on. A little later anassistant priest came by, saw him lying there, and thought: He's eitherseverely wounded or dead, but I'm not going to put myself out for astranger; and he passed on. At last there came one of the despisedSamaritans. He saw the helpless creature, stopped, and had pity onhim. He revived him with wine, put healing salve on his wounds, liftedhim up, and carried him to the nearest inn. He gave the host money totake care of the sufferer until he recovered. Now, what do you say?The priests regarded him as a stranger, but the Samaritan saw in himhis neighbour. "

Then they explained it to themselves: Your neighbour is one whom youcan help and who is waiting for your help. 

The disciple Thomas now joined in the conversation, and doubted if youcould expect a great prince to dismount from his horse and lift a poorbeggar out of the gutter. 

Jesus asked: "If you rode by as a great prince and found Me lyingwretchedly in the gutter, would you leave me lying there?"

"Master!" shouted Thomas in horror. 

"Do you see, Thomas? What you would do to the poorest, you would do toMe. "

One of the others asked: "Are we only to be kind to the poor, and notto the rich and noble?"

And Jesus said: "If you are a beggar in the street, and a prince comesriding past, there's nothing you can do for him. But if his horsestumbles and he falls, then catch him so that his head may not strikeagainst a stone. At that moment he becomes your neighbour. "

Then some whispered: "It often seems as if He desired us to love allmen. But that is too difficult. "

"It's very easy, brother, " said Bartholomew. "To love the millions ofmen whom you never see, who do not do you any harm, that costs nothing. Hypocrites love in that way. Yet while they claim to love the wholehuman race, they are hard on their neighbour. "

"It is easy to love from afar, " said Jesus, "and it is easy to lovegood-tempered and amiable men. But how is it when your brother haswronged you, and is always trying to do you harm? You must forgivehim, not seven times, but seventy times seven. Go to him in kindness, show him his error. If he listens to you, then you have won him. Ifhe does not heed you, repeat your warning. If still he heeds you not, seek a friendly intermediary. If he will not heed him, then let thecommunity decide. And only when you see your brother saved andcontented will you be glad again. "

While they were talking thus, a young woman pushed her way into theroom. She was one of those who followed Him everywhere, and waitedimpatiently at the door while the Master visited a house. Bending low, almost unnoticed, she hurried through the crowd, stooped down beforeJesus, and began to rub His feet with ointment from a casket. Hecalmly permitted it; but His host thought to himself: No, He is noprophet, or He would know who it is that is anointing His feet. Isn'tshe the sinner of Magdala?

Jesus guessed his thoughts, and said: "My friend, I will tell yousomething. Here is a man who has two debtors. One owes him fiftypence, and the other five hundred. But as they cannot pay he cancelsboth the debts. Now say, which of them owes him most gratitude?"

"Naturally him to whom the most was remitted, " answered the host. 

And Jesus: "You are right. Much has been remitted to this woman. See, you invited Me to your house, your servants have filled the room withthe scent of roses, although fresh air comes in through the window. Myear has been charmed with the strains of sweet bells, and stringedinstruments, although the clear song of birds can be heard fromwithout. You have given Me wine in costly crystal goblets, although Iam accustomed to drink out of earthen vessels. But that My feet mightfeel sore after the long wandering across the desert only this womanremembered. She has much love, therefore much will be forgiven her. "

One day when the Master had gone down to Capernaum he noticed that thedisciples who were walking in front of Him were engaged in quiet butanimated talk. They were discussing which of them was most pleasing toGod. Each subtly brought forward his meritorious services to theMaster, his sacrifices, his renunciations and sufferings, his obedienceto the teaching. Jesus quickly stepped nearer to them, and said: "Whydo you indulge in such foolish talk? While you are boasting of yourvirtues, you prove that you lack the greatest. Are you the righteousthat you dare to talk so loudly?"

Whereupon one of them answered timidly: "No, sir, we are not therighteous. But you yourself said that there was more rejoicing inheaven over penitents than over righteous men. "

"There is rejoicing over penitents when they are humble. But do youknow over whom there is greater rejoicing in heaven?"

By this time a crowd had formed round Him. Women had come up leadinglittle children by the hand and carrying smaller ones in their arms inorder to show them the marvellous man. Some of the boys got throughbetween the people's legs to the front in order to see Him and kiss thehem of His garment. The people tried to keep them back so that theyshould not trouble the Master, but He stood under the fig-tree andexclaimed in a loud voice. "Suffer the little ones to come unto Me!"Then round-faced, curly-headed, bright-eyed children ran forward, theirskirts flying, and crowded about Him, some merry, others shy andembarrassed. He sat down on the grass, drew the children to His side, and took the smallest in His lap. They looked up in His kind face withwide-opened eyes. He played with them, and they smiled tenderly orlaughed merrily. And they played with His curls, and flung their armsround His neck. They were so trustful and happy, these littlecreatures hovering so brightly round the Prophet, that the crowd stoodin silent joy. But Jesus was so filled with blessed gladness that Heexclaimed loudly: "This is the Kingdom of Heaven!"

The words swept over the crowd like the scent of the hawthorn. Butsome were afraid when the Master added: "See how innocent and glad theyare. I tell you that he who is not like a little child he shall notenter the Kingdom of Heaven! And woe to him who deceives one of thesechildren! it were better he tied a millstone round his neck and weredrowned in the sea! But whosoever accepts a child for My sake acceptsMe!"

Then the disciples thought they understood over whom there was joy inheaven, and they disputed no longer over their own merits. 

CHAPTER XX

Galilee was rich in poor men and poor in rich men. And it might havebeen thought that Jesus, the friend of the poor, was the right man inthe right place there. And yet His teaching took no hold in that land. A few rich men among a multitude of poor have all the more powerbecause they are few, and they used all their influence with the peopleto dethrone the Prophet from His height, and to undermine His career. These illustrious men found their best tools in the Rabbis, whocirculated the sophism that the people who followed the teaching ofthis man must quickly come to ruin. For the poor, who willingly gaveup their last possessions, must become poorer, and the rich, whopursued their advantages, must become still richer, which implied thatnot the rich but only the poor would accept the Prophet's teaching, since we know that Jesus especially called on the rich to alter thetenor of their ways, and always for the benefit of the poor. But, theyanswered: The rich will not alter the tenor of their ways, they willconsume the gentle disciples of Jesus, as the wolf the sheep. Manywere impressed by that view, and lost courage: The Prophet means well, they reflected, but nothing is to be gained by adopting His methods. 

Then it became known that Jesus had allowed Himself to be anointed. Toallow Himself to be anointed meant that He regarded Himself as theHeaven-sent Messiah! And that was hostile to the existing order ofthings, to the king. So said the preachers in the synagogues, thehouses, and the streets, but they were silent over the fact that theanointing was the work of a poor woman who desired to heal His sorefeet. In fact, the preachers cared nothing for the people or the kingbut only for the letter of the law. 

When the woman who had anointed His feet saw that He was despisedbecause of her, she went silently apart by herself. No human beingcared so much for Him, and none left Him so calmly. She did not goback to the old man she had married out of pity, and forgotten--out oflove, but she went to relations at Bethany. Since the Prophet hadraised her up before all the people, her relatives no longer closedtheir doors to her, but received her kindly. 

Jesus was aware how His native ground tottered under His feet, how thepeople began to shun Him more and more, how the inns made difficultiesabout receiving Him. So He went, with those who were true to Him, outinto the rocky desert of Judaea. He gained new adherents on the way, and people came from the surrounding places with pack and staff to hearthe wonderful preacher. Some had had enough of the barren wisdom ofthe Pharisees, others were disgusted with the bad administration of thecountry, and with the fine promises of the Romans, they were ruined bythe agricultural depression, or in despair over the low level of men'sminds, over the barbarism of men. There were some, too, who had fledbefore the robber bands of Barabbas which infested the desert to theirundoing. They came into His presence, hungering for the living word onwhich to feed their starving souls. John said to them: "His teachingis nourishment. His word is flesh. Who eats of His flesh and drinksof His blood will not die. "

They wondered at those words. How were they to understand what wasmeant by eating His flesh and drinking His blood?

Then John; "The word is like flesh, it nourishes the soul. Manna wassent from Heaven for our ancestors, yet they died. His word is breadfrom heaven which makes us immortal. " They remembered another saying:"His flesh is food indeed!" And they explained that a man's body isdestined to be consumed by the spirit, like tallow and wick by flame. So man, in order to become divine, must attain the divine life throughthe medium of humanity. 

They remained with Him day and night in their thousands, and weresatisfied. And many entreated Him to pour water over their heads as atoken that they were His adherents and desired to be pure. 

It was a starry night in the desert, one of those nights when the starsshine down in sparkling brilliance and envelop the rocks in a bluishshimmer and vapour, so that it seems like a resurrection of glorifiedsouls. One of the disciples looked up at the stars shining in the skyin holy stillness, and said: "Brother, this infinitude of space makesme afraid. "

The other disciple: "I rejoice over that infinite space. "

"My terror causes me to flee to my Heavenly Father. "

"I take my joy to my Heavenly Father. "

They were all lying on the ground in a wide circle round Jesus. Theywished to rest, but the night was too beautiful for sleep. 

And one of them began to say softly: "This is like the Kingdom of God. "

Another lifted his head, which had been resting on his arm, and said:"Do you know, then, what the Kingdom of God is like?"

The first speaker was silent for a space, and then replied: "No, indeed, I don't know, but I like to think about it. He speaks so oftenof the Kingdom of Heaven, I should like to know something more definiteabout it. "

"Shall we ask Him?"

"You ask Him. "

"I dare not. "

"Let us ask John. He knows Him best, and possibly can tell ussomething. "

John was lying on the sand with his head on a stone. His soft hair washis pillow. But he was not asleep. They crept up to him, and boldlyasked him where the Kingdom of Heaven was, of which the Master so oftenspoke. Was it under the earth or above the sun? Would it begin soonor in a thousand years?

John said; "How long have you been with Him?"

"Seven weeks. "

"And you don't know yet where the Kingdom of Heaven is? Then you donot understand His language. "

"He speaks the language of our fathers. "

"He speaks the language of the Kingdom of God. Remember, the Kingdomof Heaven is where God is. God is where Love is, where trustful, self-sacrificing, glad Love is. "

"And where is that?"

"Where do you think?"

"I think Love must be in the heart. "

Whereupon John answered: "Then you do know where the Kingdom of Heavenis. "

The two looked at each other, but did not quite seem to know. ThenJohn went to Jesus, who was sitting on a rock and looking out into thedarkness as if it was full of visions. His countenance was as brightas if the stars had lent it their brilliance. 

"Master, " said John, "we cannot sleep. Tell us of the Kingdom ofHeaven. "

Jesus turned round, and pointing to the disciple nearest him, said: "Toyou is it granted to know the Kingdom of Heaven. To the others it canonly be explained through parables. For the Kingdom of God is notbuilt of wood or stone like a temple, it cannot be conquered like anearthly empire, it cannot be seen by mortal eyes like a garden offlowers, neither can we say it is here or there. The Kingdom of Godmust be conquered with the power of the will, and he who is strong andconstant will gain it. His eye and his hand must be continually set tothe plough which makes furrows in the kingdom of earth for the greatharvest. He who sets his hand to the plough, and looks at somethingelse, he is not dedicated to the Kingdom of God. But to him whoearnestly seeks it, it comes overnight. The seed thrown on the fieldyesterday has sprung up--man knows not how. The seed is the Word ofGod which was scattered on all sides. Part falls on the wayside, andthe birds devour it. Part falls among thorns, and is choked. A partfalls on a thin covering of earth, it comes up but is parched by thehot sun. Only a very small quantity falls on rich earth and bears muchfruit. So it is with the tidings of God. Evil inclinations devour it, earthly cares choke it, burning passions parch it, but the heart thatdesires God receives it, and with him the word becomes the Kingdom ofHeaven. "

More and more heads were lifted up. "He is speaking. " Then allbestirred themselves and listened. 

Jesus raised His voice and went on; "Some of you who listen to Me havethe Kingdom of Heaven within you. But be careful! The enemy comes inthe night and sows weeds. Hear more. The word is like a grain ofmustard-seed. It is the smallest of all seeds, and yet it becomes thebiggest tree. Perhaps without your knowledge a word has fallen intoyour heart. You are scarcely aware of it, you pass it by, but it growssecretly, and all at once enlightenment is there, and you have theKingdom of Heaven. Then, again, it is like yeast, and stirs up andchanges your whole being. The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasurehidden in a field. A man finds it and buys the field. And it is likea pearl for which a merchant gives all his wealth. But it is also likea lamp which a man must feed with oil lest it be extinguished. If itgoes out, you will have no light, and suddenly comes the attack. Andhear this also: the Lord of the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who aturgent request remits all his slave's debts. But the slave does notremit his debtor's debt, but lets him be cast into prison. So the kingsummons him before his judgment-seat and says: I have shown you mercy, and you have shown your fellow no mercy. So now I shall have you putupon the rack until you have paid me your debts to the last farthing. Who does not show mercy to others, to him shall no mercy be shown. "

Jesus was silent, and a shudder of terror passed through the crowd. John went to the man who had just questioned Him, and said: "Do youunderstand now what He means by the Kingdom of God?"

"I think so. "

"That is enough for the present. It is mercy, blessedness, andjustice. . . . Consider, it was night He chose in order to unveil theKingdom of Heaven. For it is not visible to the outward eye, but tothe inward eye. Man, if you possess the Kingdom of Heaven, you possessit in your soul. If it is not there, you seek it elsewhere in vain. "

"But, " someone ventured to say hesitatingly, "it must also be somewhereelse. The Master Himself says: 'Father who art in heaven. '"

John answered him: "The Kingdom of Heaven is wherever you are, whereveryou come with your faith and with your love. Only do not think thatyou are obliged to understand such mysteries with your reason. "

And the man asked no more. 

Then an old man tottered up and ventured to ask Jesus what he shoulddo. He was a worldly man, had never lived save for earth, and he wastold it was now too late to change. "How shall I reach the Kingdom ofHeaven?"

Then Jesus spoke as follows:

"There was once a man who employed labourers for his vineyard. Heengaged one in the morning, another at noon, and the last towardsevening when the day's work was almost over. And when the pay-hourcame round, he gave each good wages. Then those who had been hired inthe morning and at noon complained that they had worked much longer inthe toil and heat of the day, and ought therefore to receive more wagesthan he who only began towards evening, and had scarcely laboured foran hour. Then said the master of the vineyard; 'I told you beforehandthe wages I should give you, and you were content. What is it to youhow much I give the other? Let him come to me late, or let him come tome as soon as it is morning. The chief thing is that he comes to me. '"

Then the old man began to weep for joy that although he came so late tothe vineyard of Jesus, he would still be employed. 

Since the Master was so ready to speak, others came to Him at thistime, and entreated Him to clear up some matters which they did notunderstand. Once he related a story of a king who, when the guests hehad invited to his wedding-feast refused to come, invited the peopleout of the highways. They came, but one had not a wedding garment on, and the king ordered him to be cast into the outer darkness. TheMaster intended it as a parable, but they could not understand it. Theking was too severe, they argued; he must have known that people fromoff the highways would not be wearing wedding garments. 

Jesus was silent, but James observed: "Why, guests must know that it isnot seemly to go to a king's wedding in torn and dirty clothes. Allare freely invited, but he who comes unwashed and presumptuous will becast out into the darkness. No one is admitted who is unprepared. "

Another of His parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven disturbedthem. It was that of the unjust steward whom his master praisedbecause he had prudently used the money entrusted to him in order toprovide for himself. The steward knew that he would be dismissed, andsecretly remitted to his master's debtors a part of their debts, sothat he might stand well with them. And he did right! "But, can wepurchase the Kingdom of Heaven with goods that are not ours?"

A mule-driver interposed: "I understand the story thus: None of us hasany property on earth. We are all only the stewards of the propertyand when we give of it to the needy, we are unjust stewards because wegive what is not ours, and yet we do right. "

Some shook their heads over this interpretation; the rich and thoselearned in the Scriptures could not understand it. But Jesus said inprayer: "I praise, O Father, that Thou revealest many things to thesimple that are hidden from the worldly wise. Blessed are those whoare not offended by My teaching!"

Now the disciples always discussed together anything that was not quiteclear. Thomas did not exactly understand what the Master meant by theword truth, by saying that He was the truth, that we must pray to Godin truth, and that he who is of truth would understand God's word. 

What did John, the youngest of them, say? "The children of the worldcall it truth if they break a stone with a hammer and find that it ischalk; they call it truth to know the difference between the fishes inthe sea and the worms on the earth, and to be able to measure thedimensions of the sky with figures; they call it truth when it isestablished that a seed of corn germinates, and a man's body turns intodust after death. Truly, every one can see those things with his owneyes. But is man's eye the truth? And did He say: 'You shall _know_the truth'? No; He said: 'You shall _be_ the truth. '"

To _be_ the truth! To be void of guile and falsehood! To be true andopen in mind and heart!

So they sought to increase their knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven;hourly and daily did many a one rejoice because he had found what thewise men of the ages had sought after. 

The poor, the despised, and the unhappy came to Him more and more. That strange desert camp was often filled with the sick, theover-burdened, and the despairing. Many came from afar full of greattroubles, yet borne up by hope, and then when they saw Him, tall andearnest, standing there and teaching men in deep sayings, their couragedeserted them; they could not trust Him. They were full of fear. ThenHe spread out His hands and exclaimed:

"Come, come unto Me, all that are over-burdened and oppressed; I willrelieve you. I am not come to judge and to punish. I am come to findwhat is lost, to heal what is sick, and to revive what is dead. I amcome to the sad to console them, to the fallen to raise them up. Igive Myself for the redemption of many. My power is not of this world. I am Master in the Kingdom of God, where all are blessed in trustful, joyful love. Come to Me, all ye who have erred and gone astray. Ihave joy and eternal life for you. "

The disciples looked at each other in astonishment: He had never beforespoken with such divine gentleness. The people, sobbing, crowded roundHim; His words were as balm to their wounds. They wondered how it waspossible for a man to speak so proudly, lovingly and divinely. Theygave themselves up to Him, filled with trust and enthusiasm; in Hispresence the hungry were fed, the blind made to see, the lame walked, doubters believed, the weak became strong, and dead souls lived. 

Simon always rejoiced greatly whenever new wanderers came by and, withdrawing from their companions, took a vow to follow the Master'steaching. He was exceedingly angry when they refused, alleging that itwas not possible to accomplish what He demanded of them. Jesus relateda story in connection with Simon's emotions. "A man had two sons, andtold each of them to go and work in his field. One said, 'Yes, father, I will go at once. ' But afterwards he reflected that the work washard, and he did not go. The other son told his father to his facethat he would not go into the field; it was too much labour. When hewas alone he thought, 'I will do my father's will, ' and he went intothe field and worked. Which of the two, in your opinion, did right?"

A man learned in the Law replied: "He who promised to go. For itstands written; 'He who declares himself ready to obey the Law. '"

But Jesus was vexed at that reply, and said in sorrow: "It isextraordinary how falsely you interpret the Law. Sinners who sincerelyrepent will find their way to the Kingdom of Heaven before suchexpounders of the Law. "

From that time forward Simon rejoiced no more over empty promises, nordid he vex himself over the refusals of those who would perhaps comelater to take up the heavy work. Patiently as once he had waited atthe lake for the fish to come to his nets, he now waited until theycame. And he understood a mystic saying of his Master: "All arecalled; many come, few remain. "

CHAPTER XXI

At that time there lived in Jerusalem, the royal city, a man who wasperfectly happy. He had everything that makes life pleasant: greatwealth, powerful friends, and beautiful women who daily crowned hishead with wreaths of roses. He was still young, every one of hiswishes was fulfilled, and it seemed as if things would always be thesame. And yet, sometimes, amid all the joy and gladness there would bea quiet hour in which he thought over and measured his good fortune, and then he felt afraid. Yes, he was greatly troubled, for every dayhe saw, on all hands, how property vanished, and how the coffins ofthose who the day before had been enjoying life were carried to thegrave. 

Then this man, who, although he was happy, was yet beset with fears, heard that there was a prophet out in the wilderness who had eternallife. He knew of everlasting wealth and happiness, and half the worldwere flocking to him in order to share in it. So Simeon--that was hisname--determined to seek out this man. He locked up his preciousstones in iron chests, delivered his palaces, vineyards, ships andservants into the keeping of his steward, gave his women to theprotection of the gods, and gathered his slaves round him. He rode outof the town on a thoroughbred steed, he wore soft, bright-colouredgarments adorned with gold and jewels, his scimitar at his side, andwaving feathers of rare birds in his hat. A troop of servantsaccompanied him, and by his side rode Moors on African camels, holdinga canopy over him to protect him from the sun, and fanning him intocoolness with flowery fans. They brought with them fruits of the Eastand the South in golden dishes, tasty fishes and game, rare wines andincense, and pillows for sleeping on. During its progress theprocession met black figures carrying a dead man. The body lay swathedin white linen on a high board, and a raven circled round it in theair. Simeon turned indignantly away; he had a horror of all that wasdead. He scattered coins among the mourners, for he would have likedto throw a gay covering adorned with precious stones over all sorrowand mourning. 

When he reached the mountains his horse began to stumble and falter. The steed's hoofs were insecure on the ringing flat stones; he rearedhis head and snorted, and would not go on. Simeon took counsel how hewas to proceed. Natives leading mules came by, and offered them tohim, but he refused. He could not go to the Prophet who held the keyto imperishable wealth and eternal life on such contemptible beasts. His slaves had to make a litter, and he lay under its glittering canopyon soft cushions, while six Moors bore their master thus into thedesert. When they rested at an oasis, it was like a royal camp;servants handed him water from the spring in a crystal goblet, skilfulcooks prepared the meal; beautiful women, whose skin was soft as velvetand brown as copper, spread out their black hair for him and delightedhim with harp-playing, while armed men kept watch against the desertchief, Barabbas. 

The country became more and more uninviting, and it was almostimpossible to avoid many discomforts. Simeon remembered the comfort ofhis palace in Jerusalem, and contemplated turning back. And yet thethought of the wise man who could help him to immortality proved tooattractive. People came over the bare hills who told of the teacher atthe other extreme of the desert, how He gathered at times all kinds ofpeople round Him and spoke of the everlasting Kingdom of God. And sothe swaying litter went on farther, and the next day reached the valleythrough dry rocky ravines, and found there a few olive and fig trees. People crowded round one of the fig trees; they were for the most partpoor, sad-looking creatures, miserable outcasts wandering, homeless andloveless, here and there. Clothed in scanty rags, their forms bent, they turned their faces towards the tree, for there He stood and spoke. 

"Be ye not sad nor cast down. You miss nothing of the world'sattractions. Yours is the Father and His Kingdom. Trust in Him; youare His. You shall be made glad through love; things will be easierfor you if you love than if you hate. And in every misfortune thatcomes upon you, keep a steadfast soul, and then you have nothing tolose. "

Simeon clearly heard the strange words, and thought to himself: "Canthis be He? No, a wise man does not surround himself with such ashabby, poverty-stricken crowd. And yet they say it is He. " Simeongot out of his litter and drew his scimitar. Then he pressed forwardamid the disagreeable smell of old clothes and of the perspiring crowd. Oh, how repulsive is the odour of the poor! The multitude shyly gaveway to the brilliant figure, for never had its like been seen in theMaster's neighbourhood. Jesus stood calmly under the fig tree and sawthe stranger coming. He stood still three paces off Him, beat hishead, placed his hand on his brow, like a king who greets another. 

"Sir, " said the stranger, and his voice was not sharp and shrill aswhen he gave his servants orders, but low and hoarse. "Sir, I havecome a long way; I have sought you a long while. "

Jesus held out His hand to him in silence. 

Simeon was excited. He wanted to explain his object at once so as toreturn to Jerusalem without delay, but the words would not come. Hestammered out; "Sir, I hear that you understand about eternal life. Therefore am I come to you. Tell me where it is to be found. Whatshall I do in order to possess eternal life?"

Jesus stepped forward a pace, looked earnestly at the man, and said:"If you desire to live, keep the commandments of Moses. "

"Of Moses?" returned the stranger, surprised. "But I do. Although Iam of pagan descent, in these matters I follow the people among whom Ilive. But that is not the point. They die. I want to live for ever. "

Then said Jesus: "If you desire to live for ever, follow Him Who livesfor ever. Love God above everything, and your neighbour as yourself. "

"Oh, Master, " said Simeon, "that is just what I strive to do. And yetI am afraid. "

Whereupon Jesus said: "You are afraid because you ought to do it, anddesire to do it, and yet do it not. You possess palaces in the town, fertile acres in the country, ships on the sea, laden with preciousthings from all quarters of the world. You possess a thousand slaves. Your stewards would fill many volumes if they wrote down all that youpossess. "

"Sir, how do you know everything?"

"My friend, your brilliant train spells wealth; but look at the peoplewho follow Me. They have poor garments but glad souls, they have theKingdom of God within them. If you are in earnest, you must give upall you possess. "

"Give up all I possess?"

"You must give it up and become like these. Then come to Me, and Iwill lead you to everlasting life. "

When Jesus had said that and more, the stranger cast down his head, andslowly stepped back. What? I must become like these lowly, beggarlypeople? must deliberately step out of my accustomed circle into thisboundless misery? No, no man could do it. He returned to his suite invery low spirits. 

Jesus looked after him thoughtfully with a kindly glance. 

"Who is he?" the disciples asked. "He wears royal garments. We havenever seen such silks. Is he a priest from the East? If he came inorder to make us gifts, he has forgotten his intention. "

Paying no heed to the jesting words, the Master said thoughtfully: "Itis difficult to gain a rich man for blessedness. Men's wills are tooweak. Their bodies are lapped in luxury, yet scorn of the soul leavesthem a prey to fear. Yes, My friends, it is easier for a camel to gothrough a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter our heaven. "

The word was spoken more in sorrow than in anger. And then someoneventured to say: "Yes, if the commandments are too hard, there must besin. Men are bound to transgress them. "

Jesus looked at the trembler: "Why, then, am I come? Why, then, do Ishow you how light the burden is? Do you not see for yourselves howfree a man is when he has thrown off great cares and desires? Nay, youwill never see that till the grace of God is given you. "

They scarcely heard what He said. The brilliant procession hadattracted their attention, and as it moved off with its horses, camels, riders, Moors, and lovely women, they looked after it with longingeyes. A little old hunchbacked Israelite, who was cowering behind ablock of stone, murmured with some malice: "Seems to me they'd rathergo with the heathen than wait here for the grace of the HeavenlyFather. "

Simeon once more lay in the swaying litter and thought. He tried toreconcile his unaccomplished purpose with his conscience. ThisProphet--he was a visionary. What could the Kingdom of God within usmean? Visionary! intended only to make people lazy and incapable. Adoctrine for vagabonds and beggars! And so that was living for ever!So long as _he_ lived he should believe himself to be right, and whenhe was dead, he could not know that he had been wrong. And then thesocial danger. The possessor not the owner of his own property? Hemust give it up, share it with the poor. Such equality of property orlack of property would prevent all progress, and plunge everything intomediocrity. No, that is not my salvation! Ah, well, this journey intothe desert will be an advantage to me in one way: it will make me feelhappier than ever in my comfortable house. 

He took the opportunity of a last look at the place on which he nowturned his back. Several, attracted by the brilliant cavalcade, hadfollowed from afar. Three of the disciples had even come after him inorder to set right a misunderstanding. They came up with the strangerat a spring which gushed forth from a rock, and grass grew round it. The Moors wished to prevent them coming nearer, but Simeon recognisedthat they were not dangerous, and let them approach him. 

James, one of the disciples, said: "Great Lord, it is a pity. You areone of the few who have left our Master without accomplishing theirpurpose. It would not be quite so hard as you think. He Himself saysthat if a man only has a good will he is never lost. The will to livefor ever is the thing. "

"What do you mean?" exclaimed Simeon. "His demands are quiteimpossible. "

"Must everything be taken so literally?" said James. "The Masteralways puts the ideal high, and expresses it in lofty words, so that itmay the better stay in the memory. "

Simeon waved them aside with his gold-encircled hand. "To give up allI possess! To become horribly poor----?"

Then another disciple stepped forward, stood before him in asad-coloured garment, crying: "Look at us. Have we given upeverything? We never had much more than we have now, and what we hadwe have still. Our brother Thomas has only one coat because he isfull-blooded; I have two coats because I easily feel cold. If I hadpoor legs the Master would allow me an ass like Thaddeus. Every onehas what he needs. You need more than we do because you are accustomedto more. But you cannot use all that you have for yourself. And yetyou need it for the many hundreds of men you employ, who work for thegood of the country, and live by you. I say that your property belongsto you by right just as my second coat to me, and that you can quitewell be His disciple. "

"You chatter too much, Philip, " said James reprovingly. "If a manmakes a pilgrimage of repentance towards eternal life, he doesn'ttravel like the Emperor of the Indies, or if he does, he doesn't knowwhat he wants. Believe me, noble sir, wealth is always dangerous, evenfor life. The best protection against envy, hate, and sudden attacksis poverty. "

There was a third disciple, Matthew, with them, and he addressedhimself not to the stranger, but to his comrades, and said: "Brothers, it must be clearly understood that he who desires the Kingdom of Heavenmust give up everything that causes him unrest; otherwise he cannot beentirely with the Father. But you, " turning to the great man fromJerusalem, "you do not wish to break with the world? Well, then, doone thing, love your neighbour. Keep your silken raiment, but clothethe naked. Keep your riding-horse, but give crutches to the lame. Keep your high position, but free your slaves. Only if you think whatis brought you from the fields, the mines, the workshops is yours, thenwoe be to you!"

"I would willingly do one thing, " said Simeon. "Good! then say to yourslaves, 'You are free. If you will continue to serve me, I will treatyou well. If you prefer to go your own way, take what you require ofgood clothing and mules. ' Will you do that, stranger?"

"You fanatic!" shouted Simeon angrily. "What notions you have aboutmen. They're not like that. Life's very different from that!"

"But life will be like that some day, " said Matthew. 

"He is a Messiah who destroys the Kingdom instead of building it, "exclaimed Simeon, jumping into his litter and giving the sign to depart. 

The procession moved on slowly, its glitter showing up against the darkrocks of the desert track. The disciples gazed after it in silence. 

A little old man lay on the yellow sand. He was so grey and dwarfishthat he looked like a mountain sprite. The old fellow was at home inthe bare, big rocks. He loved the desert, for it is the home of greatthoughts. He loved the desert where he hoped to find the entrance toNirvana. Now when the disciples passed near him as they were returningto the Master, he pushed the upper part of his body out of the sand, and asked: "What did the man want to whom you were speaking?"

"He wanted to be able to live for ever. "

"To live for ever!" exclaimed the old fellow in surprise. "And that iswhy the man drags himself across the desert. What extraordinary peoplethere are! Now I could go any distance to find my Nirvana. I onlydesire eternal life for my enemies. It is many a day since people saidI was a hundred years old. If you are men of wisdom, teach me, tell mewhat I must do to reach Nirvana?"

They were astonished. It was something like out of a fairy tale. Aliving creature who did not wish to live! But Matthew knew how toanswer him. 

"My friend, your desire is modest, but it can never be fulfilled. Youwill never be nothing. If you die, you lose only your body, notyourself. You will, perhaps, not live, but you will be just as thesame as now: you are not living now, and yet you exist. Breathing andwaiting is not living. Living is fulfilment, is love--is the Kingdomof Heaven. "

"My Kingdom of Heaven is Nirvana, " said the little old man, and buriedhimself again in the sand. 

As they went along Matthew said: "He fears everlasting existencebecause he does not recognise a God. But he is not so far from us asthe man who loves the world. "

Simeon went on his way, and towards evening reached the oasis of Kaba. He ordered his people to encamp there for the night. The servants, porters, and animals formed the outer ring, the tent--in which he tookhis supper, stretched himself on his cushions, and let himself befanned to sleep by the maidens--was in the centre. But he did notsleep well. He had bad dreams: his house in Jerusalem was burnt down, his ships were wrecked, faithless stewards broke open his chests. Andamid all, always the cry, "Give it all up!" About midnight he awoke. And it was no longer a dream, but terrible reality. A muffled noisecould be heard throughout the camp, dark forms with glittering weaponsmoved softly about, in the camp itself crawling figures moved softlyhere and there. A tall, dark man, accompanied by Bedouins, carryingtorches and knives, stood in front of Simeon. 

"Do not be alarmed, my princely friend!" he said to Simeon, who jumpedup; but none could tell whether he spoke from arrogance or authority, kindly or in scorn. "It's true we are disturbing your night's repose, but, provided you give no trouble, we have no evil designs. Hand overall that you possess. "

In the first confusion the wretched man thought he heard the Prophetspeaking, but he soon noted the difference. The Prophet and Hisdisciples gave up everything that they possessed. This man tookeverything that others possessed. 

"I know you, proud citizen of Jerusalem. I am Barabbas, called theking of the desert. It is useless to resist. Three hundred men are atthis moment keeping watch round your camp. We've settled matters withyour servants and slaves; they are powerless. "

It was clear to the poor rich man what the chief meant. His slaveswere slain, he was menaced by a like fate. What had that disciple ofthe Prophet said? Wealth endangered life, and poverty protected it. If he had set his followers free, giving them what they needed, andwandered about in simple fashion on his own legs, the robber's knifewould not now be pointed at his breast. In unrestrained rage heuttered a brutal curse: "Take whatever you can find, and do not mockme, you infamous beast of the desert!"

"Calmly, calmly, my dear sir, " said the chief, while dusky men rolledup carpets, clothes, arms, jewels, and golden goblets, and threw theminto big sacks. "See, we are helping you to pack up. "

"Take the rubbish away, " shouted Simeon, "and leave me in peace. "

The chief, Barabbas, grinned. "I fancy, my friend, that you and I knoweach other too well for me to let you go back to Jerusalem. You wouldthen have too great a desire to have me with you. You would send outthe Romans to search for me, and bring me to the beautiful city. Thedesert is much more to my taste: life is pleasanter there. Now, tellme where the bags of coin such as a man like you always carries aboutwith him are hidden. No? Then you may go to sleep. "

He who went forth to seek eternal life is now in danger of losingmortal life. In terror of death, cold sweat on his brow, he began tohaggle for his life with the desert king. He not only offered all thathe had with him. The next caravans were bringing him rare spices andincense; bars of gold, diamonds, and pearls were coming in the Indianships, and he would send all out to the desert, as well as beautifulwomen slaves, with jewels to deck their throats. Only he must beallowed to keep his bare life. 

Grinning and wrinkling up his snub nose, Barabbas let it be understoodthat he was not to be won with women and promises--he was no longeryoung enough. Neither would he have any executioner dispatched insearch of him--he was not old enough. And he had his weaknesses. Hecould not decide which would suit the noble citizen's slender, whiteneck best, metal or silk. He took a silken string from the pocket ofhis cloak, while two Bedouins roughly held Simeon. 

Meanwhile, outside the camp, the second chief was packing the stolentreasure on the camels by torchlight. Whenever he stumbled over a deadbody he muttered a curse, and when his work was finished he sought hiscomrade. Women in chains wept loudly, not so much on account of theirimprisonment--they took that almost as a matter of course--but becausetheir master was being murdered in the tent. So the second chiefsnatched a torch from a servant, hastened to the tent, and arrived justin the nick of time. 

"Barabbas!" he exclaimed, taking hold of the murderer, "don't youremember what we determined? We only kill those who fight; we do notkill defenceless persons. "

Barabbas removed his thin arms from his victim and in a tearful voicegrumbled: "Dismas, you are dreadful. I'm old now, and am I to have nomore pleasure?"

Dismas said meaningly: "If the old man does not keep his agreement, thetroop will have its pleasure, and, for a change, swing him who likes tobe called king of the desert. "

That had the desired effect. Barabbas knew the band cared much morefor Dismas than for himself, and he did not wish matters to come to aclimax. 

When day dawned a mule was led to Simeon. One of his slaves, with hiswounded arm in a sling, was allowed him, and he carried some bread andhis cloak, and led the beast. And so the citizen of Jerusalem returnedto the town he had left a week before under such brilliantcircumstances, a defeated and plundered man. 

The affair attracted great attention in the city. Armed incursionswere eagerly made into the desert between Jerusalem and the Jordan, where one evil deed after another was reported. Even the Rabbis andPharisees preached a campaign to clear the rocks and sandy flats of thedangerous and destructive hordes by which they were infested. Thefamous band of the chiefs, Barabbas and Dismas--so it was said--werenot the worst. Much more ominous were the vagrant crowds that gatheredabout the so-called Messiah from Nazareth, who, feeling himself safe inthe desert, indulged in disorderly speeches and acts. So it wassettled to send out a large company of soldiers, led by the violentPharisee, Saul, a weaver who had left his calling out of zeal for thelaw, in order to free the land from the mob of robbers and heretics. 

Now about this time Dismas, the old robber-chief, fell into deepcontrition. His heart had never really been in his criminal calling. Murder was particularly hateful to him, and, so far as he was free todo so, he had always sought to avoid it. Now even plundering androbbing became hateful to him. In the night he had visions of theterrible Jehovah. He thought of John, the desert preacher, andconsidered it high time to repent. So one day he said to Barabbas:

"Do you know, comrade, there is just now a prince at the oasis of Silamwho has with him immensely more wealth than that citizen of Jerusalem?I know his position and his people, and I know how to get at him. Shall we take this lord?"

"If you continue to be so useless, Dismas, you'll be flung to thevultures. " Such were the terms in which Barabbas thanked his ally. Itwas decided that the attack should be made. Dismas led the bandtowards the oasis of Silam. Barabbas went with his steed decoratedwith gay-coloured feathers, an iron coronet on his head. For it was aprince whom he was to visit! Dismas encamped his men under a rockyprecipice. And when at night time all rested in order to be fit forthe attack on the princely train early in the morning, Dismas climbedthe rocks and gave the signal. The Roman soldiery hidden behind therocks cut down all who opposed them, and took the rest prisoners, Dismas and Barabbas among them. When the latter saw that he had beenbetrayed, he began to rage in his chains like a wild animal. 

"What would you have brother?" said Dismas to Barabbas, who had oftenscorned him so bitterly. "Am I not a prisoner, too? Haven't youalways preached that right lay with the stronger? So then the Romansare right this time. Once you betrayed me and forced me to join theplundering Bedouins, most excellent Barabbas, and now it's my turn. I've betrayed you to the arm of Rome. And we'll probably be impaled!"Then, as if that were a real delight, he brought his hand downcheerfully on his companion's shoulder so that his chains rattled. "Yes, my dearest brother, they will impale us!"

They were brought in gangs to Jerusalem, where they lay in prison formany long months awaiting death. On account of his self-surrender, Dismas had been granted his wish for solitary confinement. He desired, undisturbed, to take stock of his wasted life. A never-ending line ofdark, bloody figures passed before him. But there was one patch oflight amid the gloom. It had happened many years ago, but he had avery clear remembrance of that distant hour. A young mother with herchild rode on an ass. The infant spread out his little arms and lookedat him. But never in his life had human creature looked at him likethat child had looked, with such a glance of ardent love. 

If only once again, before he died, he could but see a beam of lightlike that. 

CHAPTER XXII

When the people who had gathered round Jesus heard that Saul, theterrible weaver, was scouring the desert with a troop of police, theybegan to melt away. They feared unpleasant consequences. They fullyrecognised the right, but most of them were disinclined to sufferpersecution for that right. They must return to their domestic duties, to their families, industries, and commerce, and, so far as waspossible, live according to the Master's teaching. They left Himbecause it seemed to them that His cause was falling. In the end therewere just a few faithful ones who stayed with Him, and even some ofthem were in hopes that He would reveal the power of the Messiah. Butthey all urged Him to repair to some other neighbourhood. Jesus wasnot afraid of having to render an account of Himself to His adversariesin Jerusalem, but the time had not yet come, the work was not yetfinished. He knew that He could never retrace His steps, for the moreincontestable His justification was, the more dangerous it would seemto them. With His now dwindled troop of followers He left the desertto revisit once again His native Galilee. 

But here His opponents were no better than before; houses were closedas He approached, the people got out of His way when He began to speak. Only Mary, with all a mother's simple faith, said; "Ah, you have comeat last, my son! Now stay, with me!"

There was, however, no place for Him in the house. A strangeapprentice from Jericho was established in the workshop. He worked atthe wood with the hatchet and saw that Jesus had once handled; sat bythe hearth and at the table where Jesus had once sat; slept in the bedon which Jesus had once reposed. But it did not seem that he enjoyedthe same pleasant dreams for he groaned and tossed about, and when heawakened was ill-pleased at having to continue the same work which hehad ill-humouredly laid aside the evening before. How often did Marylook at him in silence, and think of the difference between him and herJesus. And she saw how the man carelessly ate his meals, and went tohis bed each day, while her son was perhaps perishing in a strangeland, and had no stone whereon to lay His head. 

And now Jesus was once again with her. "Mother, " He said to Mary, "don't speak impatiently to Aaron. He is poor, discontented, andsullen; he has found little kindness in men and without exactly knowingit, thirsts for kindness. When you would bring Me water in the morningto wash with, take it to him. When you would prepare dinner for Me, prepare it for him. When you would bless Me in the evening, bless him. Love may perhaps do what words cannot. Everything that you think to dofor Me in My absence, do for him. "

"And you--you will have nothing more from me?"

"Mother, I want everything from you. I am always with you. You can begood to Me in showing kindness to every poor creature. I must lead menby stern measures, be you gentle. I must burn the ulcers from out thedead flesh, you shall heal the wounds. I must be the salt, be you theoil. "

How happy she was when He spoke to her like that. For that was herlife--to be kind, to help, wherever she could. And here was her sonconsecrating such deeds of kindness till they became a covenant betweenher and Him, a bond of memory for mother and child when parted fromeach other. Now that He had appealed to her love, she did not feel solonely; she felt once more at one with Him, and had a sort ofpresentiment that in future times her bleeding mother's heart would besatisfied beyond measure. 

Once again Jesus went through His native land to see if the seed of Histeaching had sprung up anywhere. But the earth was barren. He was notso much troubled by the passionate enmity with which many regarded Him, or the angry murmurings against Him and His word, as by indolence ofmind, by obstinate, stupid adherence to commonplace inanities, byentire lack of perception, by indifference towards spiritual life. Atfirst the novelty and strangeness of His appearance had compelledattention, but that was over. Whether the Prophet was old or new, itwas all one to them. One was just like another, they declared, andthey remained indifferent. "The hot and the cold, " Jesus exclaimed oneday, "I can accept, but those who are lukewarm I cast from Me. Had Ipreached in heathen lands, or in the ruined seaports of Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes. Had I taught in Sodomand Gomorrah, those towns would still be standing. But these placeshere in Galilee are sunk in a quagmire of shame; they scorn theirProphet. When the day of reckoning comes, it will go worse with thisland than with those towns. My poor Bethsaida, and thou, fair Magdala!And thou, Capernaum the beautiful! How I loved you, My people, howhighly did I honour you; I desired to lift you to Heaven. And now yousink in the abyss. Pray to him, your Mammon, in the days of your need;there will be no other consolation for you. Carouse, laugh, and becruel to-day; to-morrow you will be hungry and you will groan: Ah, wehave delayed too long! Believe me a day will come when you fain wouldjustify your lives to Me, crying: 'Lord, we would willingly have givenyou food, drink, and lodging, but you did not come to us. ' But I didcome to you. I came in the starving, the thirsty, the homeless, onlyyou would not recognise Me. I will not accuse you to the HeavenlyFather, but Moses, whose commandments you have broken, will accuse you. And when you appeal to the Father, He will say: 'I know you not. '"

The disciples trembled and were terrified in mind and soul when Hespoke those angry words. But they were not surprised, for the peoplehad sunken very low. 

He woke His comrades in one of the next nights and said: "Get up andlet the others sleep; they will not go with us, our way is too hard. Enemies will be on us. Whoever of you fears, let him lie down again. "Many did lie down again, and those who went with the Master numberedtwelve. 

They wandered over the heights of Cana, over the mountains of Gischalatill close on midnight, and then again till sundown. The disciplesknew not whither they were going; it was enough that they were withHim. On the way they found many of the same mind, and also some whoinvited the Master to their houses for a jest, in order to be able tosay: I am acquainted with Him. Men of good position were among thosewho listened to His words with the greatest attention, and then haggledwith Him to see if the Kingdom of Heaven could not be had at a cheaperprice than the world. He always answered: "What use is the world toyou if you have no soul! Herein alone is the secret of salvation; aman must find his soul and preserve it, and raise it to the Father. "Or, as He put it differently: "God is to be found in the spirit!"

And when the stranger audience asked what "in the spirit" meant, theapostles explained: "He means spiritual life. He would not have manlive his life merely in the flesh; man's real self. He teaches, is aspiritual reality, and the more a man works spiritually and lives inideas which are not of the earth, the nearer he comes to God, who iswholly spirit. "

"Then, " said they, "men learned in the law are nearer to God than theworkers in the field. " To which John replied: "A man learned in thelaw who depends only on the letter is far from the spirit. Thelabourer who does not draw a profit from the land but thinks andimagines how to improve it, is near the spirit. "

On the road between Caedasa and Tyre is a farm. When its owner heardthat the Prophet was in the neighbourhood, he sent out people to findHim and invite Him to go to the farm where He would be safe from thesnares of the Pharisees. But the owner was himself a Pharisee and heintended to examine Jesus, perhaps to tempt Him to betray Himself andthen deliver Him over to the government. Jesus told the messenger thatHe would gladly accept the hospitality if He might bring his companionswith Him. That was not in the Pharisee's plan, first, because of thequantity of food and drink so many persons would need; and second, because under such protection it would be difficult to lay hands on thedemagogue. But in order to get the one, there was nothing for it butto include the others. They were respectfully received andentertained. The host testified to his joy at entertaining under hisroof the "Saviour of Judaea, " and was delighted with the Master'sprinciples. He gave a great banquet in His honour with the choicestviands and costliest drinks to which the disciples, who were somewhathungry and thirsty, heartily did justice, while the Master, who neverspoiled a glad hour, cheerfully did the same. When tongues wereloosened, the host wanted straightway to begin with artful allusionsand questions, but his guest was a match for him. 

Jesus had observed that, while they were feeding so luxuriously in thehall, needy folk were harshly turned away in the courtyard, to slinkoff hungry and embittered. So He suddenly said that good storiessuited good wine, and He would tell one. "That is delightful!"exclaimed the host. And Jesus related the following:

"There was once a rich man who wore the most costly garments, andenjoyed the most luxurious food and drink, and lived in completecontentment. One day there came to his door a sick, half-starved man, who begged for a few of the crumbs that fell from the table. The proudman was wrathful that the miserable wretch should dare to disturb hispleasure, and let loose his hounds. But instead of worrying the man, the dogs licked his ulcers, and he crawled ashamed into a hole. On thevery day on which the wretched creature died, death came also to therich man, casting his well-fed body into the grave and his soul intohell. And there his wretched soul endured most horrible torture, gnawing hunger and parching thirst, and the pain was increased when thedead man looked into Paradise and saw there the man he had sent awaydespised from his door sitting by Abraham. He saw how ripe fruits grewthere, and clear springs gushed forth. Then he called up, 'FatherAbraham. I implore you, tell the man sitting by you to dip hisfinger-tips into the water and cool my tongue, for I suffer unbearabletorture. ' To which Abraham answered, 'No, my son, that cannot be. Youreceived all that was good on earth and forgot the poor, now he forgetsyou. There is no longer any connection between him and you. ' Then theman in hell whimpered, 'Woe! woe! woe! Let my five brothers who stilldwell on earth know that they must be merciful to the poor, so thatthey may not be in my case. And Abraham said: 'They have the prophetson earth who tell them that every day. ' Then the man whined: 'Oh, Father Abraham, they do not listen to the prophets. If only you wouldmake one of the dead live again, that he might tell them how theunmerciful are punished, then they would believe. And Abraham: 'Ifthey do not believe the living, how should they believe the dead?"

During the Master's recital, the host several times stretched forth hishand to his glass, but each time drew it back again. He had not a wordto say, and the desire to lay snares for the Prophet had gone. Hestole unnoticed from the hall, went down to his steward, and orderedhim henceforth never to send a needy man from the door unrefreshed. 

One of his friends who was at the banquet was immensely pleased thatthis betrayer of the people should have so exposed himself. "Youunderstood? The story was nothing but an attack on the possessors ofproperty. "

"Let that be, " said the host, and turned away. Then he went andfurnished the Prophet and His little band with provisions, gave Himdirections for His journey, and pointed out how He could best avoidpursuers. He looked after them for a long time. "They have prophetson earth and do not heed them. " He would like to accompany thisprophet. His little soul had been caught by Him he had wished to catch. 

Things did not go so well with our fugitive in other places. An evilslander about the Baptist was spread abroad--that he was a glutton anda wine-bibber! Jesus heard of it, and said: "John the Baptist fasted. They said of him that he was possessed by a demon. It is neithereating nor fasting that they object to in the prophets; it is the truthwhich they speak. "

Then they came to villages and farms where they wished to rest, butnone would give them shelter. This angered the Master. The dust onthe ground was not worthy to remain sticking to the feet of those whocame to bring the Kingdom of God. The heartless would be thrust aside!But anger was turned into pitiful love. When a contrite man approachedHim He raised him up with both arms, encouraged him, taught him to bekind, showed him the joy of life, and how to penetrate the sacredrecesses of his own being--self-examination. 

Self-examination! That is the everlasting guide Jesus gave to all whosought God. 

CHAPTER XXIII

At last Jesus and His followers reached the sea. When it lay beforethem in its immensity, and the white-winged ships flew over the bluesurface; when they saw in the far distance the line drawn between skyand water, and the firmament rising behind so darkly mysterious, theircourage was renewed, and Simon proposed that they should sail across tothe cheerful Greeks and the strong Romans. 

"Why not to the savage Gauls and the terrible Germans?" exclaimedBartholomew, with some ill-temper at such an adventurous spirit. 

"Ever since I was a boy I longed to see Rome, " said Simon. 

Jesus replied: "Seek your strength in your native land. Here in theland of the prophets grows the tree among the branches of which willdwell the birds of heaven. Then the winds will come and carry theseeds out into the whole world. "

The disciples who had not hitherto travelled much, found a new world inthe harbours of Tyre and Sidon, a world of folk and wares from everyquarter of the earth, strange people and strange customs. They hadnever before seen men work with such industry in the warehouses, on thewharves, on the ships; yet others gave themselves up to continualidleness, trotting half-naked along the beach, begging with loudpertinacity in the harbour, or shamelessly basking in the sun. Look!the lepers are limping about, complacently exhibiting their sores. Oneof the disciples looked questioningly at the Master, wondering if Hewould heal them? Then, perhaps, they would believe in Him. 

"You know quite well, " He said reprovingly, "they would fain be healedand then believe, whereas I say they must believe in order to behealed. "

There were also to be seen in those towns nobles and kings from alllands surrounded by dazzling brilliance and gay trains; as others herehaggled for spices, silks and furs, so they haggled for dignity andhonour. And there were wise and learned men from among all peoples;they made speeches, and talked in the public places in praise of theirnative prophets and gods. The Hindoo praised his Brahma, the Magianshouted about sacred fire, the Semite spoke zealously for his Jehovah, the Egyptian sang the praises of his Osiris, the Greek extolled hisZeus, the Roman called on his Jupiter, and the German spoke in hoarsetones of his Wotan. Magicians and astrologers were among them, andthey boasted of their art and knowledge. Naked saints stood on blocksof stone, flies and wasps buzzing round them, and still as statues theyendured torments for the glory of their gods. The disciples of Jesussaw and heard all this in astonishment, and were terrified to findthere were so many gods. When they were alone together with the Masterin a cedar-grove near Sidon, one of them who had been deeply wrapt inthought said: "An idea has just occurred to me. Whether it be Brahmathe reposeful, or Osiris the shining, or Jehovah the wrathful, or Zeusthe loving, or Jupiter the struggling, or Wotan the conqueror, or ourGod the Father--it occurs to me that it all comes to the same in theend. "

They were alarmed at this bold speech, and looked at the Masterexpecting an angry reproof. Jesus was silent for a while, then saidcalmly: "Do good to those who hate you. "

They scarcely understood that with these words He marked the incredibledifference between His teaching and all other doctrines. 

They were still speaking when a young man with a beardless face andinsolent expression came riding by on a tall steed. When he saw thegroup of Nazarenes he reined in his horse; it would scarcely stop, stamped with its legs on the ground, and threw its head snorting intothe air. 

"Isn't this the man with the Kingdom of Heaven?" asked the ridercontemptuously. 

James came forward quickly. "Sir, stop your mocking. How do you knowthat you will never need it?"

"I?" said the arrogant cavalier. "I need a Kingdom of Heaven that isnot to be seen, heard, or understood!"

"But felt, sir!"

"Then that is He, " exclaimed the horseman, pointing to Jesus. "No, Nazarenes, I do not believe in your Heavenly Kingdom. "

To which Jesus replied; "Perhaps you will believe in My empty tomb. "

"We will see, " said the cavalier, putting spurs to his horse so that itreared, and galloped off. Soon all that the disciples saw was a cloudof dust. Matthew looked searchingly at his comrades. "Did yourecognise him? Wasn't it Saul, the dread weaver? They were saying inthe town yesterday that he was coming with a legion of soldiers toarrest the Nazarenes. "

Then they urged in terror; "Master, let us flee. "

He was not accustomed to flee before zealous Pharisees, but there wasanother reason for removing his innocent disciples from the atmosphereof these big cities. Simon was always suggesting that it would be nobad thing to spend the coming Passover on the Tiber, for he felt lessafraid of the heathens in Rome than of the Jews in Jerusalem. He hadno idea of what was before them. 

"Not in Rome, " said Jesus, "but rather in Jerusalem will we eat thePaschal lamb. "

Soon after they wandered forth and left the noisy seaport behind them. As the roads became more and more unsafe, they climbed the rocks andtook the way across the mountains. 

The gods came down from high Olympus, the Law came down from Sinai, Light came down from Lebanon. For it was at Lebanon that the greatrevelation came, which my shrinking soul is now to witness. 

CHAPTER XXIV

The following incident took place during the journey among themountains of Lebanon. One day they were resting under an oldweather-beaten cedar. The rain trickled through the bristling bush ofneedles from one branch to another on to the hats under the broad brimsof which the men cowered, their legs drawn up under them, their armscrossed over their chests. Tired and somewhat out of humour, theylooked out into the damp mist against which the near summits and massesof rock stood out. The hair and beards of the older men had turnedgrey, and even the faces of the younger seemed to have aged. For theirhardships had been great. But the glow in their eyes was not quenched. They had laid aside their long staffs; the sacks which some carried ontheir backs were wrinkled and empty. A little way off was atree-trunk, so big that three men could hardly have encompassed it; thebark was white and rough, so that it seemed as if spirits had carvedmysterious signs thereon in pure silver. Jesus, a little apart fromHis disciples, was resting under this tree. He was, as usual, withouta hat, and His abundant nut-brown hair fell over His shoulders. Hisindescribably beautiful face was paler than formerly. He leanedagainst the trunk of the tree and closed His eyes. 

The disciples thought He slept, and in order not to wake Him theylooked at one another and spoke in whispers. Their hearts were full ofthe impressions of their late experiences. They thought of thepersecution in their native land, the attractiveness of the big world, and their ignorance of the future. Many of them during this gloomyrest-time thought of their former lives. Who is managing my boat? Whotends my fruit-trees? Who works in my workshop? Who sits in theprofitable toll-house? Who is providing for my wife, my children?There had been a triumphant progress through the land and then aflight. Men had not recognised the Master. If He would only saydistinctly and clearly who He was! Meanwhile the outlook wasdesperate. As if they had run after a demagogue, a traitor, ananti-Jew! How could an anti-Jew be King of the Jews? If He would onlysay who He was!

Snow lay on the mountains. The ice-wastes stretched down from theheights of Hermon. If our travellers looked up to their summits theysaw the wild ruggedness of their covering; if they looked downwardsthey saw abysses in which the water thundered. An eagle flew throughthe solitude and vultures screamed in the storm-beaten cedars. The menfrom the fertile plains of the Galilean Lake had never seen such wildnature. Simon was so enchanted that he wanted to build huts there forhimself, his comrades, and the Prophet. The other disciples shuddered, and would gladly have persuaded the Master to return. He pointed tothe high mountains, and said: "What frightens you, My children? Whenthe races of men are becoming satiated and stupid, such wildness willrefresh them. "

Simon and John nodded in agreement, but the others, as often was thecase, did not understand what He--who spoke for all time--said. 

They wrapped themselves more closely in their cloaks, climbed up towhere there was no path, and still went on their way. The Masterwalked in front and they followed Him through briars, and over stones;it never came into their heads that He could miss the way. At length, amid the bare rocks standing high above the cedar tops, they had torest again. Some of them, especially the young John, were almostexhausted. Matthew dipped into his sack and drew forth a small crustof bread, showed it to his companions, and said softly, so that theMaster, who was sitting on a stone higher up, might not hear: "That isall; if we do not soon light upon some human dwelling we must perish. "

Then Simon said: "I rely on Him Who has so often fed His people in thedesert. "

"Words won't cure our hunger to-day, " remarked Andrew, and wasfrightened at his own temerity. Then Bartholomew put his hand onMatthew's arm and said: "Brother, give that bread to the Master. "

"Do you think I'm knave enough to eat it myself?" blazed up Matthew. He got up, went to the Master, and gave Him the bread. 

"Have you already eaten?" He asked. 

"Master, we are all satisfied. "

Jesus looked at him searchingly, and took the bread. 

Just at that moment a cry of delight broke from the men. The mist hadsuddenly lifted; they could see far out into the sunny world. Andbeneath them lay the blue, still plains, stretching away until they cutthe sky. Far off in the sky were clouds shining like the goldenpinnacles of temples. Along the shore lay a chain of villages, andthen the sea, studded with sails. The view was so extensive and sobright that they could not but rejoice. 

"From over there beyond the water came the heathens, " said Matthew. 

"And over there will the Christians go, " added Simon. 

"Who are the Christians?" asked Bartholomew. 

"The adherents of the Anointed. "

"They will go forth and destroy the Romans, " said James. 

"Ssh!" they whispered, and laid their fingers on their lips. "He doesnot like such talk. "

He did not seem to have heard them. He had risen and was looking outin silence. Then He turned to one and another to read in their faceshow their spirits stood, whether they had lost heart or whether theircourage was strengthened by the sight of the splendours of God by whichthey saw themselves surrounded. Simon had become very thoughtful. Hepondered on the Master's words and on the miracle they had wrought inhim. Of all the wisdom that he had ever heard, none was so lofty andclear as this divine teaching. It created a heaven which had notexisted formerly. And yet! why was one still so weak? He had turnedsidewards and thoughtfully nodded his head. 

"What trouble one has with his own people!" he murmured. James laughedand said: "With your own people? Who are they? I see only one of yourown people, and that is you yourself. "

"That's just the one who troubles me, " said Simon. "For, you know, therascal is timid. I can't forget that. The suddenness overwhelms him. 'Twas so for weeks down in Capernaum whenever the soldiers came nearus, and in Sidon when that weaver suddenly appeared. Oh, my friend andbrother! If it is a question of always sharing want and disgrace withHim, I am ready, I have courage for that. But when I've to stand inabsolute danger, my heart fails me. Can such a one be fit to go withthe Master?"

"We are fishermen, not heroes, " assented James. "I do not know whichneeds more courage, a life of hardship or a swift death. "

"I must confess one thing to you, brothers, " interposed Andrew. "I amnot clever--but I'm not satisfied. Can anyone tell me what will becomeof us?"

Simon's attention was diverted. Brother Philip came up and plucked himby the sleeve. He gave him a piece of bread. Simon took it in orderto give it to Matthew. 

"What is this?" he asked. 

"Philip gave it me, but I'm not wanting it. "

"But, " said Matthew, "it is the piece of bread I just gave the Master. "

The piece of bread went round the circle, from Matthew to the Master, from Him to John, then on from one to the other until it returned toMatthew, When they were amazed to find that no one needed the bread, the Master smiled and said: "Now, you like to see miracles. Here isone. Twelve men fed with one piece of bread. "

"The bread did not do that, Lord. The word did that. "

"No, friends; love did it. "

Single drops fell from the trees, others hung like long needles andsparkled. Just as the sea lay spread out below, so the summits of themountains were now revealed, the snow-peaks, and the pinnacles of rock, while the ice-fields were visible until near midnight. The deepstillness and the softness in the air made the men dreamy. Some wereinclined to sleep. Others thought of what the future might have instore for them, and thinking thereon suffered themselves to sink, untroubling, into the will of God. 

All at once Jesus raised His head a little, and said softly so thatthose nearest Him heard it: "You hear people talk about Me althoughthey are silent in My presence. What do they say?"

The disciples were alarmed at the sudden question, and said: "Peoplesay all kinds of things. "

"What do they say about Me? Whom do they say I am?"

Then one answered: "They all take you for some one different. Theyprefer to believe in the most unlikely things. "

But as he continued to look questioningly at them, they becamecommunicative and told: "One says that you are the prophet Jeremiah;another that you are Elijah of whom they know that he was taken up toheaven in a fiery chariot. Or they say you are John the Baptist whomHerod caused to be murdered. "

Then Jesus lifted His head still higher and said: "People say that, dothey? But you, now? Who do you think I am?"

That came like a thunderbolt. They were all silent. Surely He couldsee that they had followed Him, and knew why. Could He not see intotheir thoughts? Had He suddenly begun to doubt their faith in Him? Orhad He lost faith in Himself? It is all so mysterious and terrifying. As they were silent He went on to say:

"You attached yourselves to Me in innocent trustfulness, like men whospread their cloaks at My feet, and paid Me the honours of the Messiah. When I announced the Kingdom of God you were with Me. And when someleft Me because My way became dangerous, and My person contemned, youstayed with Me, and when My words were not fulfilled as you expected, leading not to worldly power but to humiliation, you still stayed withMe, followed Me into exile among the heathen, and into the deserthills. Who am I, then, that you remain faithful to Me?"

They were so moved that no one was able to utter a word. Jesuscontinued:

"I shall go down again to Galilee, but I shall find there no stone onwhich to rest My head in peace. All who are with Me will be persecutedfor My sake. I shall go along the Jordan to Judaea, and up toJerusalem, where My most powerful enemies are. I shall confront themand pronounce judgment on them. My words will pierce them, but Myflesh will be in their power. I shall suffer shame and disgrace and acontemptible death. That will happen in a short time. Will you stillstay with Me? Whence is your trust derived? Who do you think I am?"

Simon jumped up from the ground, and exclaimed loudly and clearly:"_You are Jesus the Christ! You are the Son of the living God!_"

 * * * * * *

Solemnly it sounded forth to all eternity: Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

He stood up straight. Was there not a light round His head? Did notthe sky grow bright? The men's eyes were dazzled so that they wereobliged to shade them with their hands in order not to be blinded. Asound came out of the light, a voice was heard: "He is My Son! He isMy beloved Son!" They were beside themselves; their bodies werelifeless, for their souls were in the heights. Then Jesus came down tothem out of the light. His countenance had a strange look; somethingextraordinary had passed over Him. With outstretched arms He cameslowly towards the disciples: "Simon! Did you say that of yourself?It was surely an inspiration from above. Such a faith is thefoundation of the Kingdom of God; henceforth, then, you shall be namedPeter, the rock. I will found My community upon you, and what you doon earth in My name will hold good in heaven above. "

Simon looked round him. "What?" he thought in the secret recesses ofhis heart, "am I raised above the others? Are none of the brothersequal to me? That is because I am humble. " Jesus turned to them all, and said: "Prepare yourselves, be strong; evil times are approaching. They will kill Me. "

As He said that, Simon Peter grasped His arm with both his hands, andexclaimed passionately: "In the name of God, Master, that shall nothappen. "

Upon which Jesus said quickly and severely: "Get behind me, Satan!"

They looked round them. What a sudden change! For whom were the hardwords meant? Simon knew; he went down and hid himself behind the youngcedars. There he wept and shook with grief. 

"John, He hates me!" muttered the disciple, and hid his face in hisyoung companion's gown, for John had gone to comfort him. "John! Itwas my pride. He sees our thoughts. He hates me!"

"No, Simon, He does not hate you; He loves you. Think of what He saidto you just before. That about the rock. You know what Jesus is. Youknow how He has to pour cold water so that the fire of love may notconsume Him. And you must have touched on something that He Himselffinds difficult. I'm sure of it. I believe that He is sufferingsomething that we know nothing about. It is as though He saw it wasthe Father's will that He should suffer and die. He is young, He feelsdismayed, and then you come and make the struggle harder for Him. Stand up, brother; we must be strong and cheerful and a support to Him. "

And when they gathered together, prepared for further journeying, Jesuslooked round the circle of His faithful adherents, and said, withsolemn seriousness: "In a short time you will see Me no more. I go tothe Father. I build my Kingdom upon your faith, firm as rock, and giveyou all the keys of heaven. With God, heaven and earth are one, andeverything you do on earth is also done in heaven. "

That is what happened on one of the heights of Lebanon when Jesusrested there with His disciples. 

And then He went again to His native place, not to stay there, but tosee it once more. After days of hardships which they scarcely felt, and of want which they never perceived, they came down into the fertileplains, and the soft air was filled with scent of roses and of almondblossoms. They found themselves once again in their native land, wherethey were treated with such contempt that they had to avoid the highroads and take the side paths. When they were passing through a ravinenear Nazareth, they stopped under the scanty shade of some olive trees. They were tired, and lay down under the trees. Jesus went on a littlefarther, where He could obtain a view of the place. He sat down on astone, leaned His head on His hand, and looked thoughtfully out overthe country. Something strange and hostile seemed to pervade it. ButHe had not come in anger. Something else remained to be done. It wasclear to Him that He Himself must be the pledge of the truth of Hisgood tidings. 

A woman came toiling over the stones. It was His mother. She hadheard how He had come down from the mountains with His disciples, andthought she would go through the ravine. Now she stood before Him. Her face, grown thin with grief, was in the shade, since to protectherself from the sun she had thrown her long upper garment over herhead. A tress of her dark hair fell over one cheek; she pushed it backwith one finger, but it always fell down again. She looked shyly ather son, who was resting on a stone. She hesitated to speak to Him. She advanced a step nearer, and as if nothing had ever separated them, said; "Your house is quite near, my child. Why rest here in suchdiscomfort?"

He looked at her calmly. Then he answered: "Woman, I would be alone. "

She gently answered: "I am quite alone now in the house. "

"Where are our relations?"

"They wished to fetch you home, and have been away for weeks in searchof you. "

Jesus pointed with a motion of His hand to His sleeping disciples:"They did not seek Me for weeks, they found Me the first day. "

As if she wished to prevent Him complaining again that His kinsmen didnot understand Him, His mother said: "People have long been annoyedthat work was no longer done in our workshop, and so they go to a newone which has been set up in our street. "

"Where is Aaron, the apprentice?"

She replied: "It is not surprising that no one will stay if thechildren of the house depart. "

He spoke excitedly: "I tell you, woman, spare Me your reproaches anddomestic cares. I have something else to do. "

Then she turned to the rocky wall to hide her sobs. After a while shesaid softly: "How can you be so cruel to your mother! It's not formyself I complain; you may well believe. All is over for me in thisworld. But you! You bring misfortune on the whole family, and willyourself destroy everything. By your departed father, by your unhappymother, I implore you to let the faith of your fathers alone. I knowyou mean well, but others do not understand that, and nothing you dowill avail. Let people be happy in their own way. If formerly theywent to Abraham, they will continue to find their way to him withoutyour help. Don't interfere with the Rabbis; that never pays. Think ofJohn the Baptist! Every one is saying that they are lying in wait foryou. Oh, my beloved child, they will disgrace you, and kill you!" Sheclutched the rock convulsively with her fingers, and could say no morefor bitter weeping. 

Jesus turned His head to her, and looked at her. And when her wholebody shook with sobs, He rose and went to her. He took her head inboth His hands and drew it towards Him. 

"Mother! mother!--mother!" His voice was dull and broken: "You think Ido not love you. I am sometimes obliged to be thus harsh, foreverything is against Me, even My own kith and kin. But I must fulfilthe will of the Heavenly Father. Dry your tears; see, I love you, morethan any human heart can understand. Because the mother suffers doublewhat the child suffers, so is your pain greater than that of Him whomust sacrifice Himself for many. Mother! Sit down on this stone sothat I may once again lay My head in your lap. It is My last rest. "

So He laid His head on her knees, and she stroked His long hairtenderly. She was so happy, in the midst of her grief, so absolutelyhappy, that He should lie on her breast as He did when a child. 

But He went on, speaking gently and softly; "I have preached to thepeople in vain about faith in Me. I need not preach to you, for amother believes in her child. They will all testify against Me. Mother, do not believe them. Believe your child. And when the hourcomes for Me to appear with outstretched arms, not on earth and not inheaven, believe then in your child. Be sure then that your carpenterhas built the Kingdom of God. No, mother, do not weep; look up withbright eyes. Your day will be everlasting. The poor, those forsakenby every heaven, will pour out their woes to you, the blessed, the richin grace! All the races of the earth will _praise_ you!" He kissedher hair, He kissed her eyes, and sobbed Himself. "And now go, mother. My friends are waking. They must not see Me cast down. "

He arose from this sweet rest. The disciples raised their heads oneafter another. 

"Did you get some rest, Master?" asked Simon. 

He answered: "Better rest than you had. "

A messenger who had been sent out returned with a basket, and they paidhim with a little gold ring, the last to be found on the fingers of thewanderers. They ate, and rejoiced over God's beautiful world and itsgifts, and then prepared for further wanderings, Whither? Towards themetropolis. 

Mary stood behind the rocks and gazed after Him as long as He wasvisible in the haze of the Galilean sun. 

CHAPTER XXV

And so they made their way towards Jerusalem for the celebration of thePassover. Long ago Moses had delivered the Jews from bondage in Egypt, and led them back to their native land. In grateful remembrance manythousands assembled every year at Jerusalem at the time of the firstfull moon of spring, made a pilgrimage to the Temple, and, according tothe ancient custom, ate of the Paschal lamb, with bitter herbs, andbread made without yeast, as once they ate manna in the wilderness. Atsuch an assembly there was of course much commerce and show. Theexecution of criminals took place at that time, so that people weresure of one terrible spectacle in accordance with the words of theRabbis in the Temple who said; He who breaks the Law shall be punishedaccording to the Law. 

"I should like to see such a thing once, " said the disciple Thaddeus tohis comrades as they went along. "I mean such a punishment. "

"You'll easily find an opportunity in Jerusalem, " replied Andrew; andadded with light mockery, "to see criminals impaled is the correctmerry-making for poor men. It costs nothing. And yet I do not know acostlier pleasure. "

"How is the impaling done?" Thaddeus wanted to know. 

"That's easily described, " Matthew informed them. "Think of an uprightpost planted in the earth and a cross-beam near the top. The poorsinner is bound naked to it, his arms stretched out. When he has hungthere in the people's eyes for a while, they break his legs with aclub. For very serious crimes they sometimes fasten the limbs to thepost with iron nails. "

Thaddeus turned aside in horror. "May it never be my lot to look on atsuch a thing. "

"Do not imagine that such talk is a jest, " said another. "Every oneimplores God that such a doom may never befall any of his relations orfriends. We are all poor sinners. When our Master establishes HisKingdom this horrible mode of death will be abolished. Don't you thinkso?"

"Then all modes of death will be abolished, " said Simon Peter. "Areyou asleep when He speaks of eternal life?"

"But He says Himself that they will slay Him. "

"That they wish to slay Him He means. Just wait till He once showsthem His power!"

So they often talked together, half in pleasantry, half in simplicity, but always behind the Master's back. 

A change had come over Jesus since the events on the high mountain. Itwas as if He had now become quite clear about His divine call, as if Hehad only now fully realised that He was God's messenger, the Son of theHeavenly Father, summoned from eternity to go down to earth to awakemen and save them for a life of bliss with God. He felt that the powerof God had been given Him to judge souls. The devils fled before Him, He was subject to no human power. He broke with the history of Hisdegraded people; He annulled the ancient writings, falsified by priestsand learned men. He recognised that in His unity with the HeavenlyFather and Eternal God, He was Lord of all power in heaven and on earth. 

So it was with Him since that hour of light on the mountain. But theknowledge of all this made Him still more humble as a man on whom suchan immense burden had been laid, and still more loving towards thosewho were sunken in measureless poverty, distress and subjection, resigned to their fate of being lost in blindness and defiance, and yetfull of wistful longing for salvation. 

The relations between Him and His disciples had also changed since thatday. Formerly, although they had treated Him with respect they hadalways been on familiar terms with Him. Now they were more submissive, more silent, and their respect had become reverence. With some, lovehad almost become worship. And yet they always fell back intounruliness and timidity. There was one especially who disagreed withmuch. When, in order to avoid the high roads, they went through thebarren district on the other side of Jordan, and endured all sorts ofhardships and privations, the disciple Judas could not forbear utteringhis thoughts. He had nothing to do now as treasurer of the littleband, so he had plenty of time to spread discouragement behind theMaster's back. Why should not the Messiah's train of followers appearin fitting brilliance? He explained what Jesus taught about death asimplying that when the beggar prophet died, the glorious Messiah wouldappear! But why first in Jerusalem? Why should they not assume theirhigh position in the interval; why were the honours of the new era notalready allotted?

Jesus' popularity had increased once more, and in the more thicklyinhabited districts the people hurried together. "The Prophet ispassing through!" They streamed forth bringing provisions with them, and the sick and crippled came imploring Him to heal them. He acceptedenough to meet His immediate needs from the store that was offered Him, but He did not work the desired miracles. He forbade His discipleseven to speak of them. He was angry with the crowd who would notbelieve without miracles, and would not understand the signs of thetimes. "Directly they see a cloud rise in the west they say: It'sgoing to rain. If a south wind blows they know that it is going to behot. But they do not understand the signs of a new world uprising. Ifthey cannot understand the spiritual tokens, they cannot have others. They would fain see the sign of Jonah, who lay three days in thewhale's belly? Be it so. They shall see how the Son of Man, afterbeing buried for three days, shall live again. "

Judas shook his head over such talk. "That doesn't help much. " Butthe others, especially John, James and Simon, did not think about thekingdom of the Messiah, or about earthly power; their hearts werefilled with love for the Master. Yet they, too, had their owntemptations. They often talked together of that other world whereJesus would be Eternal King, and where they--they who firmly adhered toHim--would share His glory. And in all seriousness they dreamed of theoffices and honours that would be theirs, and actually disputed whoamong them would hold the highest rank. Each boasted of his ownachievements. James had brought Him the most friends in Galilee. Simon rested his claim on the fact that he had been the first torecognise in Him the Son of God. John reminded them that he came fromthe same place, and had once worked with Him as carpenter's apprentice. John might have said that the Master was especially fond of him, but hedid not say so. Simon, on the contrary, put forward most emphaticallythe fact that the Master had called him the rock on which He shouldfound His community. 

When Jesus noticed how they were disputing He went to them and askedwhat they were discussing so eagerly. 

"Master, " said James boldly, "you come to us as if we had called you. We want to know who among your disciples will be first in the EternalKingdom. See, brother John and I would like to be nearest you, one onyour right hand, the other on your left, so that we may have youbetween us then as we have you now. "

Upon which Jesus said: "This is not the first time that you have talkedthus foolishly. You don't know what you want. I tell you, when youhave done what I do, and have suffered what I shall suffer, then youmay come and ask. "

They replied: "Lord, we will do what you do and suffer what you suffer. "

These resolute words pleased Him, and He said nothing of the enormousdistance between Him and them. They were too simple to understandthat. He only said: "Leave that to Him who will show you your place. For every ruler has rulers over him; One alone has no authority aboveHim. Consider: if a servant has worked hard and faithfully, he willnot therefore in the evening sit at the upper end of the table andbegin to eat before his master, but he will first prepare his master'sfood, and place a footstool under his feet. And so it is with you. Whoso would be greatest must serve the others. I, too, have come notto be ministered to but to minister, and to sacrifice Myself for othersand to give My life a ransom for many. "

It alarmed them that He should speak more and more often of giving upHis life. What did it mean? If he perished Himself how could He saveothers? That might occur in saving people from fire or from drowning, but how could a man free a people and lead it to God by sacrificing hislife? True, the heathens had their human sacrifices. Judas had hisown ideas about the matter. The Master was depressed by failure, or Hemerely wished to test His adherents, to find out if they had strengthenough to follow Him through thick and thin. If only He could beentirely sure of that, then He would hasten like the lightnings ofheaven to annihilate the enemy and glorify His own adherents. If, asHe Himself had said, faith was so strong that it could removemountains, it would be quite easy for Him to show His power at thepropitious moment. 

This firm belief of Judas made the disciple Thomas remember theMaster's actual words about faith: Whosoever says to the mountain, Depart, and cast yourself into the sea, and does not doubt but_believes_ that it happens, for him it will happen. Mark, _for him_ itwill happen. Whether others who do not believe will see the mountainfall into the sea He did not say. 

"Then, brother Thomas, " said Bartholomew, "you think things that happenthrough faith happen only for him who believes. They form only aninward experience, but real enough for him, because he sees them happenwith his spiritual eye. But they are not real for others. If that'sthe case, my friend, we should be lost. Jesus may believe that theenemy fall, Jesus may see them fall; all the same they still live andlive to destroy us. "

"That is cheap logic, " said the resolute Judas. "Every one has seenhow He made the lame to walk and the dead to live; even those who didnot believe. Take heed! If only the Master would make some outwarddemonstration of His power you should see what He could do. "

Others were of that opinion, so they followed--followed their Messiah. 

But during their long wandering over the bad roads of the desert andover the fertile plains they suffered continual distress. Althoughthey had now been some time in the plains they were not always in goodhumour. They saw how the Master renounced the power and pleasure ofthe world and yet walked the earth strong and cheerful. It was onlylater that they understood how the two things could be reconciled. Heenjoyed what was harmless if it did not hurt others, but He attachedlittle value to it. His bodily senses were all He needed to recognisethe Father's power in nature, and to be happy in that knowledge. Hedid not deny the world; He spiritualised it and made it divine. Thethings of earth were to Him the building-stones for the Kingdom ofHeaven. So, in spite of increasing doubt, the disciples always foundthat things came right, and they, too, determined to despise the worldand to love their simple life. 

One day they came to a place in which there was great activity. Menwere ploughing in the fields, hammering in the workshops, lithe carmenand slow camel-drivers were driving hard bargains. And it was theSabbath! "Did heathens dwell here?" the disciples asked. No; it was aJewish village, and the inhabitants were so pious that they seldom leta Passover go by without going up to Jerusalem. Many years ago theyhad heard a young man speak words in the Temple which they had neverforgotten. "Men should work on the Sabbath if it was for the good oftheir fellows, " the young man had preached with great impressiveness. Now, it is generally admitted that all work is for the good of theindividual and also of the community. So they began there and then, and had never since stopped working for a single day. The result wasgreat local prosperity. 

When Jesus saw how His words at Jerusalem on that occasion had been soutterly misunderstood or were misapplied through a desire for gain, Hewas filled with indignation, and began to speak in the market-place: "Itell you the Kingdom of God will be taken from these lovers of gain andgiven to a people more worthy of it. For the good of one's fellow-men?Does good depend on the property a man possesses? Property is harmfulto men; it hardens their hearts, and makes them continually fearful ofloss and death. And you call that good! There was once a rich man whoafter years of toiling and moiling had his barns full, and thought: NowI can rest and enjoy life. But the next night he died, and theproperty to gain which he had destroyed body and soul he had to leaveto those who quarrelled and disputed over it and mocked at him. I tellyou, if you gain the whole world and lose your soul--all is lost. "

When He had so spoken a very old man came up to Him and said: "Rabbi, you are poor, and it is easy for you to talk. You do not know howdifficult it is for a rich man to cease adding to his wealth. Oh, thedelightful time I had when I was poor! Then I began to get moneyunawares, was glad of it, and began to fear I might lose it. And thenas the needs of my family increased more quickly than my means, Ithought my money was not sufficient, and the more one had the more onerequired. I am now an old man; I possess thirty sacks full of gold, and I know that I cannot enjoy my wealth any more. But I cannot stopgaining and amassing. I could sooner stop breathing. "

Jesus told the old man a little story: "Some children by the roadsideattacked a strange boy for the sake of some broken potsherds which theywere collecting. But when they had got a great heap together theroadman came along, and with his spade threw the pieces into thegutter. The children raised a great cry. But the man saw that therewas blood on some of the fragments, and asked: 'Where did you get thesefrom?' Whereupon the children grew pale with terror, and the man tookthem off to the magistrate. "

The old man understood. He went away and compensated all who had cometo harm through him, and then on his way home he started once more toamass treasure!

The next day Jesus and His followers reached another village. Thereall was quiet, and the inhabitants lay under the fig-trees although itwas not the Sabbath. Then Jesus asked: "Why do they not work?"

And one of the villagers said: "We should like to work, but we have notools. We want spades, ploughs, sickles, and axes, but our smith isalways making holiday. And it is just he who makes the best knives. There are no other smiths here. "

Our wanderers then went to the smith. The man was sitting in his room, reading the Holy Scriptures and praying. One of the disciples askedhim why he was not at work although it was a week-day. 

The smith replied: "Since I heard the Prophet it is always Sabbath withme. For a man should not strive after material property, neithershould he take any care for the morrow, but seek the Kingdom of Heaven. "

Then Jesus went to the entrance of the house, and told, so that thesmith could hear Him, of the man who made a journey. "Before hedeparted he called his servants together and gave them money with whichto carry on the work of the house. He gave the first five heavy piecesof gold, the second two, and the third one. They were to keep houseaccording to their own discretion. When after a long time the masterreturned, he desired his servants to account for the way in which theyhad employed the money. The first had increased it tenfold. 'I amglad, ' said the master, 'and because you are faithful in little I willtrust you much--keep the gold. ' The second servant had increased themoney twofold; the master praised him also, and gave him both principaland interest. Then he asked the third servant what he had done withhis money. 'Master, ' replied the man, 'it wasn't much to begin with, so I wouldn't risk losing it. I should have liked to gain a secondgold piece, but I might have lost the first. So I did not use it forthe housekeeping, but buried it in a safe place, so that I couldfaithfully return it to you. ' Then the master snatched the gold piecefrom him and gave it to the fellow who had increased his money tenfold. 'The little that he has shall be taken away from the lazy andunprofitable servant and given to him who knows how to value what hehas. '"

"Do you understand?" Matthew asked the smith. "The gold pieces are thetalents which God gives men--to some more, to others less. Whoso letshis talents lie fallow, and does not use them, is like the man who hasstrength and skill to work the iron, but who lays the hammer aside tobrood idly over writings he cannot understand. "

"How is it then, " said someone, "fault is found with him who works, andlikewise with him who doesn't work?"

Matthew tapped the speaker on the shoulder. "My friend! Everything atthe right time! the point is to do that for which you have a talent, not to yearn after things for which you have no talent whatsoever. "

The smith laid aside his book and his phylacteries and grasped hishammer. 

Then a man came by who complained that the new teaching was worthless. He had followed it, had given away all his possessions because theybrought him care. But since he had become poor, he had had still morecare. So now he should begin to earn again. 

"Do so, " said James the younger, "but take care that your heart is notso much in it that your possessions possess you!"

And others came: "Sir, I am a ship's carpenter! Sir, I am a goldsmith!Sir, I am a stone-cutter! Are we not to put our whole heart into ourwork so as to produce something worthy? If our heart is not in it wecannot do good work. "

"Of course, " said the disciple, "you must exert your whole strength andtalent in order to produce worthy work. But not for the sake of thework or the praise, but for the sake of God and the men whom you serve. And rejoice from your hearts that God creates His works through you. "

A rustic once came to James and discussed prayer. The Master said youshould pray in few words and not, as the heathens do, in a great manywords, for the Father knows our needs. Well, he had once prayed justin that way, using few words, but his prayer had not been heard. 

Then James said: "Don't you remember what the Master said of the man towhose door a friend came in the night and begged for bread? He hadgone to bed, took no heed of his friend's knocking, and at lengthcalled out: 'Go away and let me sleep. ' But the friend continued toknock and to complain that he needed bread, and began noisily to shakethe door. That lasted until the man in bed could endure it no longer. Out of temper, he got up, took some bread and gave it to his friendthrough the window. He did not give it him out of love, but only to berid of him. The Master meant that with perseverence much might beattained by prayer. "

The man was irritated by the disciple's explanation, and said; "What!One time He says, Pray shortly, using few words; and at another time, You must not leave off praying until you are heard. "

But James replied: "Friend, you misunderstand me again. Did He say, You shall pray little? No; He said, You shall pray in few words; butwithout ceasing, and with your whole heart, and with faith that theFather will at length hear you. And the longer He keeps you waitingfor His help, the greater must be your faith that He knows why He keepsyou waiting, and at last He will give you more than you asked for. Ifthat man gave the bread in order to be rid of the annoyance, how muchmore will the Father give the child whom He loves?"

To which the man replied: "Well, I did pray thus, I kept on and Ibelieved, and yet I was not heard. "

"What did you pray for?"

"For this, " said the rustic. "I have a neighbour who steals the figsfrom my tree, and I can't catch him at it. So I prayed that he mightfall from the tree and break his legs. But I was not heard. "

James was obliged to laugh aloud over the foolish fellow who prayed tothe merciful Father for vengeance. 

"Pray for strength to pardon your neighbour and give him the figs whichhe seems to need more than you, and you will certainly be heard. "

"And, " continued the disciple, "if it is a question of praying withoutceasing, that does not mean you are always to be folding your hands anduttering pious words; it is rather to direct one's thoughts continuallywith longing to the dwelling of God and things eternal, and to measureeverything in life, small things as well as great, by that standard, inreverence and faith. "

A noisy fellow asked: "How can I measure the corn I have to sell bythat standard?"

"If you refrain from taking advantage of the buyer with mixed, dampgrain, but give him good stuff, then you are doing God's will, and arenot harming your immortal soul by deceit, then your corn and yourmethod of acting are measured by the standard of God and Eternity. "

"But see, " exclaimed another, "my business friend gave me bad measurewhen he sold me oil, and gave me half water. And it stands in theScriptures: As it is measured to you, so shall you measure it again. "

As they walked on Jesus shook His head. To think that His simpleteaching could meet with so much misunderstanding, especially amongthose wanting in will towards it, those who could think of nothing buttheir desires and bodily comforts! "No, " He exclaimed sorrowfully, "they do not understand the word. They must have an illustration thatthey can see and feel, an illustration they will never forget. "

CHAPTER XXVI

Gradually they were reaching the end of their journey. They met withno persecution during this last stretch. Indeed, they rather saw howsome of the seeds, although mingled with weeds, had taken root. Theyreached the last hills after a night in which they had encamped undersycamore and fig trees. Jesus was walking in front. Although He wasexhausted with the long wandering, and His feet almost refused theiroffice, He still walked on ahead. The disciples came behind, and whenthey reached the top of the hill they gave a great cry. There oppositethem on the tableland of the other hill lay the metropolis! In themorning sun it looked as if built of burnished gold, Solomon's Templewith its innumerable pinnacles overtopping everything. 

Several of the disciples had never before been to Jerusalem, and afeeling of inspired reverence came over them at the sight of the HolyCity of the kings and prophets. Here--so thought Judas and manyanother--here will the glory begin for us. They sat down under theolive-trees to rest and to put their clothes in order, while some evenanointed their hair. Then they ate figs and the fruit of the currantbushes. But they were anxious about the Master. The exertions of thelast few weeks had told on Him, and His feet were very sore. But Hesaid nothing. The disciples agreed that they could not let this go onany longer. James went down the slope to where he saw some cottages, and asked if anyone had a riding horse or at least a camel on which atraveller could ride into the town. They would like to borrow it. 

A little bent old man sidled up to the stranger and assured him withmuch eloquence that neither horse nor camel was to be had, but thatthere was an ass. Yet that ass was not to be had either. 

Could the Messiah make His entry on an ass? No, we could not beginlike that. Such was the disciple's first thought. Then it occurred tohim that ancient prophets had foretold: He would make His entry on anass. Whereupon James declared himself willing to take the ass. 

"You may want him and I mayn't give him, " said the old man with acunning laugh. "If anything happened to this animal I should never getover it. It is no ordinary ass, my friend!"

"It is no ordinary rider who needs him, " said James. 

The little old man took the disciple to the stable. The animal stoodby the manger, and was certainly of a good breed. It was not gray, butrather bright brown and smooth, with slender legs, pretty, sharp-pointed ears, and long whiskers round its big intelligent eyes. 

"Isn't it the colour of a thoroughbred Arab?" said the old man. 

"It's a beautiful creature, " assented James. "Will you lend it for asilver piece and much honour? It can easily be back by noon. "

To which the little old man replied: "It stands to reason that we canmake something out of it during this time of visitors. Let us make ittwo silver pieces. "

"One silver piece and honour!"

"Let us make it two silver pieces without honour, " haggled the littleold man. "A steed for princes, I tell you. In the whole of Judaea youwon't find such another beauty! It is of noble descent, you must know. "

"We can dispense with that honour, " said James, "if only it does notstumble. "

Then the old man related how in the year of Herod's massacre of theinnocents--"a little over thirty years ago, I think--you must know thatthe Infant Messiah lay in a stable at Bethlehem with the ox and theass. The child rode away into foreign lands, as far as Egypt, theysay, on that very ass. And this ass is descended from that one. "

"If that's so, " said James brightly, "it's a marvellous coincidence!"And he whispered softly in the old man's ear: "The man who will enterJerusalem to-day on that ass is the Messiah who was born in the stable. "

"Is it Jesus of Nazareth?" asked the old man. "I will hire the animalto Him for half a silver piece. In return I shall implore Him to healmy wife, who has been rheumatic for years. "

So they made their compact, and James led the ass up the mountain wherethey were all sitting together, unable to gaze long enough atJerusalem. Only Jesus was wrapt in thought and looked gloomily at theshining town. 

"Oh, Jerusalem!" He said softly to Himself. "If only thou wouldst heedthis hour. If thou wouldst recognise wherein lies thy salvation. Butthou dost not recognise it, and I foresee the day when cruel enemieswill pull down thy walls so that not one stone remains upon another. "

John placed his cloak on the animal, and Jesus mounted it. He rodedown to the valley followed by His disciples. 

And then an extraordinary thing happened. When they reached the valleyof Kedron where the roads cross, people hurried up shouting: "The Kingis coming! The Son of David is coming!" Soon others ran out of thefarms and the gardens, and kept alongside them at the edge of the road, shouting: "It is the Messiah! God be praised. He has come!"

No one knew who had spread the news of His arrival, or who firstshouted the word Messiah. Perhaps it was Judas. It caught on likewildfire, awaking cries of acclamation everywhere. When Jesus rode upto the town, the crowd was so great that the ass could only pace slowlyalong, and after He had passed the town gate the streets and squarescould scarcely contain the people. The whole of Jerusalem had suddenlybecome aware that the Prophet of Nazareth had come! Strangers from theprovinces, who had already seen and heard Him in other places, pressedforward. Now that He entered the metropolis with head erect and thecry of the Messiah filling the air, people who had scorned the poorfugitive were proud of Him and boasted of meetings with Him, of Hisacquaintance. Hands were stretched out to Him. Many cast theirgarments on the ground for the ass to step on. They greeted Him witholive and palm branches, and from hundreds of throats sounded: "Allhail to Thee! All hail to Thee! Welcome, Thou long-expected, eagerlydesired Saviour!" The police, with their long staves, made a waythrough the streets that led to the golden house, to the king's palace. From all doors and windows they shouted: "Come into my house! Takeshelter under my roof, Thou Saviour of the people!" The crowd pouredforward to the palace. The disciples, who walked close behind Him andcould scarcely control their agitation, were surrounded, overwhelmed, fanned with palm-leaves, pelted with rose-buds. Simon Peter had beenrecognised as soon as the Master, and could not prevent the peoplecarrying him on their shoulders; but he bent down and implored them toset him on the ground, for he did not wish to be lifted higher than theMaster, and he feared if they held him up like that over the heads ofthe others many would take him for the Messiah. John had managedbetter; bending down and breathing heavily, he led the animal, so thatthe people only took him for a donkey-driver. All the rest of thedisciples enjoyed the Master's honours as their own. Had they notfaithfully shared misery with Him!

"Jerusalem, thou art still Jerusalem!" they said, intoxicated andfilled with the storm of exultation around Him. "However well it wentwith us, it has never gone so well as here in Jerusalem. "

Judas could not congratulate himself enough that, despite the poorprocession, the Master was recognised. "I always said He would workHis miracle when the time came. "

"Well, I am full of fears, " said Thomas. "They shout far too loudly. The sounds come from the throat, not from the heart. "

"Oh, take yourself off. You're always full of foreboding. "

"I understand people a little. Idle townsfolk are easily pleased; theylike to enjoy themselves, and any cause serves their turn. "

"Thomas, " said Matthew reprovingly, "It is not your humility that makesyou heedless of the honour. It is doubt. See that fat shopkeeperthere who brings more faith out of his throat. Listen! 'Hail to Thee, Son of David!' he shouts, and is already hoarse through his loudshrieks of joy. "

Thomas did not answer. Stooping down in irritation, he hastenedthrough the crowd. Cries of welcome filled the whole town, and thestreets along which the procession took its way were like animated palmgroves. All traffic was at a standstill, windows and roofs were filledwith people, all stretching their necks to see the Messiah. 

Jesus sat on the animal, both feet on the one side, holding the reinswith His right hand. He looked calmly and earnestly in front of Him, just as if He was riding through the dust clouds of the wilderness. When the pinnacles of the royal castle towering above the roofs of thehouses were in front of Him, He turned the animal into a side street, to the Temple square. Two guards at the entrance to the Temple signedviolently with their arms to the crowd to go away, but the peopleremained standing there. The procession stopped, and Jesus got off theass. 

"He is not going to the palace, but to the Temple?" many asked insurprise. "To the Temple?"

"To the Rabbis and Pharisees? Then we'll see what we shall see. "

CHAPTER XXVII

Jesus, with serious determination, quickly ascended the steps of theTemple, without even glancing at the shouting people. A part of thecrowd pressed after Him, the rest gradually dispersed. But the shout:"Praised be He who has come to-day!" never ceased the whole day. 

When he entered the forecourt of the Temple and looked in. He stoodstill in dismay. It was full of life and movement. Hundreds of peopleof all kinds were tumbling over each other's heels, in gay-colouredcoats, in hairy gowns, with tall caps and flat turbans. They were alloffering goods for sale with cries and shrieks; there were spread outcarpets, candlesticks, hanging lamps, pictures of the Temple and of theark of the covenant, fruit, pottery, phylacteries, incense, silkengarments, and jewels. Money-changers vaunted their high rate ofexchange, the advantage of Roman money, broke open their rolls of goldand let the pieces fall slowly into the scales in order to delight theeyes of the pilgrims. Buyers made their way through, looked scornfullyat the goods, haggled, laughed, and bought. Rabbis glided round inlong caftans and soft shoes so that they were not heard. They worevelvet caps on their heads below which hung their curly black or greyhair. They carried large parchment scrolls under their arms--for theSabbath was about to begin--slipped around with a dignified yet cunningmanner, bargained here and there with shopkeepers or their wives, vanished behind the curtains and then reappeared. 

When Jesus had for some time observed all this confusion from thethreshold, anger overcame Him. Pushing the traders aside with Hisarms, He cut Himself a way through. At the nearest booth He snatchedup a bundle of phylacteries, swung them over the heads of the crowd, and exclaimed so loudly that His voice was heard above everything: "Yelearned teachers and ye Temple guards, see how admirably you understandthe letter of the Word! It is written in the Scriptures: My house isfor prayer! And you have turned Solomon's Temple into a bazaar!"Hardly had He so spoken when He overturned a table with His hand, andupset several benches with His foot so that the goods fell in confusionto the ground under the feet of the crowd which began to give way. They stared at one another speechless, and He continued to thunderforth: "My house shall be a holy refuge for the downcast and thesuffering, said the Lord. And you make it a den of assassins, and, with your passion for lucre, leave no place for men's souls. Out withyou, ye cheats and thieves, whether you higgle over your goods or withthe Scriptures!" He swung the phylacteries high over the Rabbis andteachers so that they bent their heads and fled through the curtainedentrances. But the Rabbis, the Pharisees, and the Temple guardsassembled in the side courts, and quickly took counsel how they were toseize this madman and render Him harmless. For see, ever more peoplestreamed through the gates into the forecourt, surrounded the angryProphet, and shouted: "Praised be Thou, O Nazarene, who art come tocleanse the Temple! Praise and all hail to Thee, long-looked-forSaviour!"

When the Rabbis saw how things were going, they too raised their voicesand shouted: "Praised be the Prophet! Hail to thee, O Nazarene!"

"All is won!" whispered the disciples, crowding up together. "Even theRabbis shout!"

The Rabbis, however, had quickly sent for the police; they came up toJesus and, as soon as the crowd became quieter, entered intoconversation with Him. 

"Master, " said one of them, "truly you appear at the right time. Thecondition of our poor people is such that we know not which way toturn. You are the man who turns aside neither to right nor left, butwho keeps in the straight path of justice. Tell us what you think:Shall we Jews pay taxes to the Roman Emperor or shall we refuse?"

Jesus saw what they were driving at, and asked to be shown a coin. They were surprised that He had no money in His pockets, and handed Himone of the Roman coins current in the country. 

"From whom do these coins come?" He asked. 

"As you see, from the Roman Emperor. "

"And whose picture is on the coin?"

"The Emperor's. "

"And whose is the inscription on the coin?"

"The Emperor's. "

"Whose is the coin?"

They were silent. 

Jesus said: "Render unto God what comes from Him, and unto Caesar whatcomes from Caesar. "

Those who saw through the case broke out into applause and shoutingover the decision, and carried the crowd with them. The Rabbis weresecretly furious that He had escaped their cunning snare. They hadreckoned: If He says, Pay taxes to the Roman Emperor, the people willknow that He is not the Messiah but rather a servant of the foreigner. And if He says, Do not pay taxes to the Emperor, He is a demagogue, andwill be taken prisoner. But now He has both Emperor and people on Hisside, and we must let Him alone. 

"Everything is going splendidly, " the disciples whispered. "They askHis advice, they will do nothing without Him. "

The interpreters of the Law had got Him in their midst, and could notrest till they outwitted Him. So one of them asked Him: "Oh, man ofgreat wisdom, do you believe that there will be a resurrection of thedead?"

"There will be, " He answered. 

"That marriage between man and woman is indissoluble, and that a womanmay only have one husband at a time?"

"That is so. "

"And that after the death of one the other may marry again?"

"It is so. "

"You are right, sir, " interposed a third speaker. "But suppose a womanhad seven husbands one after another because they died one afteranother. If they all rise from the dead the woman would have sevenhusbands at once, each is her lawful husband, and yet she may only haveone. "

There was immense eagerness to hear what He would say, for the problemseemed insoluble. And Jesus said: "He who asks that question knowsneither the Scriptures nor the power of God. The Scriptures promise usresurrection, and the power of God the eternal life of the soul. Thereis no marriage between souls, so the question falls to the ground. "

There was fresh shouting and applause, and kerchiefs were waved fromall sides. The teachers of the Law drew back in ill-humour, anddismissed the police who were waiting in the back court. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

After the excellent reception in Jerusalem, and the victory in theTemple on the first day, the disciples ventured to walk about the cityfearlessly and openly. Jesus remained grave and silent. They put upin a quiet inn by the gate. The disciples did not see why He shouldnot have lodged them in a palace. They would have liked occasionallyto accept the invitation of rich people, and enjoy the homage thatwould be paid them, but Jesus would not permit it. The festival of thePassover was at hand; there was something else to do than to be fêtedand have their heads turned, they would soon need to have their headsvery cool. If He accepted any of the invitations it would be the onefrom Bethany, where He knew He had truer friends than in Jerusalem. But meanwhile He had something more to say in the Temple. 

When He went there the next day the hall was filled to overflowing withpeople, Rabbis, and expounders of the Law. Some had come in order towitness His glorification, others to try and ruin Him. 

One of the Pharisees came up to Him and asked Him without anypreliminaries which was the greatest commandment. 

Jesus ascended the pulpit and said; "I have just been asked which isthe greatest commandment. Now, I am not come to give new commandments, but to fulfil the old ones. The greatest commandment is: Love Godabove all, and thy neighbour as thyself. Those who asked Me, yourteachers and interpreters of the Law, say the same, but their actionsdo not square with their words. You may believe their words, but youmust not imitate their deeds. They exact the uttermost from you, butdo not themselves stir a finger. And what good they do, is done in theeyes of the people, so that they may win praise. They like to take thefirst place at festivals, and to be greeted on all sides as theexpounders of Holy Writ. That honour they do not offer to God, but tothemselves. I tell you he who exalts himself will be cast down. "

Some of the Pharisees interrupted Him and contradicted Him. He turnedto them face to face, and in a louder voice said: "Yes, you expoundersof Holy Writ, you seek to shine outwardly. You keep your vessels cleanon the outside, and your wool soft, but inside you are full ofwickedness and lust of plunder. Ye who sit in the seats of learningand preach morals are like tombs adorned with flowers outside, but fullof corruption inside. You despise the fathers because they persecutedthe prophets; while you yourselves kill the prophets whom the Lordsends to-day, or else suffer them to be contemned. And when they aredead you build them fine tombs. Cursed be ye, ye hypocrites! Youforbid others to be the heralds of salvation; you even stone them. Youwill not go yourselves into the Kingdom of Heaven, and you keep outthose who wish to go in. Cursed be ye, ye, with your semblance ofholiness, who take to yourselves the houses of widows and the propertyof orphans under the pretence of love! Ye fools and blind guides wholead the people to petty, unimportant things, to outward observancesand customs, instead of to the important things--to justice, to mercy, and to love! That is as wise as to strain out the gnat and swallow thecamel. Ye snakes and vipers! Be ye cursed eternally! Even if Godsent His Son you would crucify Him, and would pretend you did it forthe sake of the people because He was a traitor. But know that youwill have to pay for the blood of the heaven-sent Messenger! The timeis not far off when the blood of your children will flow in streamsthrough the streets of Jerusalem!"

While Jesus was speaking His disciples trembled. They had never seenHim so consumed with anger. But it was too soon! He had no army toprotect Him if they should attack Him. The crowd was immenselyexcited, and the applause grew to a storm. Many screamed with delightthat such words were at last spoken; others looked threateningly at thePharisees. They--the Rabbis and Pharisees--had all kinds of excusesready against the terrible accusations, but it seemed to them wiser notto honour the outbreak of this "seeker of the people's favour" with anyanswer, and to leave the Temple at once, unnoticed, by the backentrances. 

The broad square in front of the Temple was a sea of heads. As manypersons as possible had pushed their way in, but the greater numbersurrounded the enormous building, and shouted incessantly: "We, too, want to hear Him! Let Him come out and preach in the open air so thatwe may see Him. Hail to the Messiah King! He shall reign in thegolden palace and in Solomon's glorious Temple!"

When Jesus stepped out of the Temple into the confusion. He heard theshouts, and mounted the plinth of one of the immense pillars thatsurrounded the building. Here again He spoke. Looking at the city Hehurled these words at the crowd:

"You boast of your glorious Temple! I tell you that not one stone ofthis building shall remain on the other. For you have heaped up crimeupon crime. I find none of you thirsty, but you are all the worse fordrinking. The cup is full, and the present generation shall know it. When desolation comes over the land, then let him who is in the valleyflee to the mountain, and let him who is in the field not return intothe city, and let him who is on the roof not come down, in order tofetch his coat from the house. Fire and sword will meet him. Woe tothe women and children in those days: they will cry. Mountains fall onus and crush us. It will be a wailing and lamentation such as hasnever before been under the sun, and never will be again. Unappeasableanger will overtake the people, Jerusalem will be destroyed, and itsinhabitants be led into captivity by strange nations. And men will bejudged according to their good or evil deed. Of two who are in thefield one will be accepted, the other cast out. Of two who lie in thesame bed one will be heard, the other ignored. The grain shall begathered in the barns, the weeds shall be burnt in the fire. "

These words caused some murmuring in the crowd, and one of thedisciples wrung his hands in despair: "There will be trouble over this!"

Then His tone became gentler; "But do not despair; the days of thatmisery shall be shortened. I will pray for it. Where there is carrionthere are eagles, and from the nation of sinners shall arise martyrs ofthe truth of God. As the trees blossom and sprout after the hardwinter, so shall the Kingdom of Heaven blossom forth from the purifiedpeople. For the glad tidings will penetrate through the wholeuniverse, and happy will be the nations which accept it. "

"Heaven upon earth?" asked someone from the swaying crowd. Jesusanswered: "Not your heaven upon earth! Not that! For the earth is tooweak to bear heaven. The earth is doomed, and of that doom thedownfall of Jerusalem is but a parable. In that day much distress willcome. False prophets will come and say, We are the saviours of theworld! Their spirit and their truth will blind the people, but it willnot be the Holy Spirit or the eternal truth. A great weariness anddespair will come over men's souls, and they will long for death. Andas men gradually lose their light, their reason, so will the stars inthe sky be extinguished; the sea will cover the land, and the mountainsbe sunk in the sea. But the fiery token of the Son of God will appearin the dark sky. "

"What is the token?" asked one of the grey-bearded Rabbis. 

"He who has eyes will soon see the token of the Lord's judgment high onGolgotha. His angels will announce Him in the air, but not in Hislowliness as at Bethlehem. He will come in all the strength and gloryin which He sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will restoreevery soul to its body, and reward the faithful with eternal joy, andthe unbelieving with everlasting punishment. "

With terrified countenances and whispered words the people asked: "Whenwill this happen?"

"Watch, my children! God alone knows the day and hour. This world ispassing, as you see, hour by hour. Everything changes; only the wordof the Father shall endure for ever. "

This speech of the Prophet made a deep impression on the people. Theyno longer shouted or rejoiced; they no longer looked on His countenanceas gladly as the day before, the glowing eyes burnt with such terribleanger. They became silent, or only whispered to each other. Did youunderstand? one asked his neighbour quietly. Yes, they had allunderstood, but each something different. They were all impressed withthe words; every one was moved; and groups of people, as they madetheir way out, talked over the Prophet's speech, and many began todispute about it. 

"I don't expect much from this Messiah, " said an innkeeper to hisguests. "As far as I can see, He promises more ill than good. If Hecan offer nothing better than the destruction of Jerusalem and the LastJudgment, He might just as well have stayed at home at Nazareth. "

"No, I've never taken much account of the Last Judgment, " said a dealerin skins from Jericho. 

"It's quite true, " shouted a tailor, "nothing good comes from Galilee!"

"Nor from Judaea, " laughed an unpatriotic tailor from Joppa. "I cantell you I expect nothing until we have expelled all our Jewish princesand Rabbis and become Romans out and out. The Emperor of Rome is thetrue Messiah. All the rest should be impaled. "

So they gave vent to their various opinions. The Temple authoritiesrubbed their hands in satisfaction. "He is not clever enough to bedangerous. He will hardly come within the arm of the law after what Hehas said. "

"But the people will judge Him, " said one of the oldest among them, "the people themselves. Mark that! I promise you they will. "

"No, indeed. He is not a man of fair words, " said one of theoverseers. "He does not flatter the mob, and my contempt for theNazarene is less than it was yesterday. If He falls in the eyes of thepeople, He rises in mine. "

"The man makes me think that He will soon give Himself up. Did youhear His allusion to Golgotha?"

"Bless my soul, a famous prophet has got to be right in something, "mocked one of the high priests. "I think we ought to confer with theauthorities so as to prevent any disturbance to-morrow at the festival. You understand me?"

"That's worth consideration with all this concourse of people. "

"I think he has poured enough water on the fire, " said the high priest. "No one would stir a finger if we took Him. "

"Let's wait till the festival is over. You can never be sure of themob. "

"What! After laying traps for Him all over the country, are we to letHim insult us here in the Temple itself? No, I don't fear the mob anymore. The law is more hazardous. "

CHAPTER XXIX

The little town of Bethany was situated in a narrow valley at the footof the Mount of Olives. There was a large house there belonging to aman who had been ill for many years; formerly he had been filled withdespair, but since he had become an adherent of the Nazarene, he wasresigned and cheerful. His incurable disease became almost a blessing, for it destroyed all disquieting worldly desires and hopes, and alsoall fears. In peaceful seclusion he gave up his heart to the Kingdomof God. When he sat in his garden and looked out over the quietworking of Nature, he hardly remembered that he was ill. He was soentirely imbued with the happiness of life in the Kingdom of Heaven, and his prayers were full of gratitude that death could not destroysuch a life, since it was immortal, and would be carried into eternitywith the immortal soul. 

Two of the inmates of his house were at one with him in this. Magdalen, his wife's sister, the fallen woman of Magdala, lived withthem since she had been obliged to part from the Master. Now she heardwith a fearful joy that Jesus was in Jerusalem. Her brother, Lazarus, was in still greater excitement about it. The youth declared that theMaster had accomplished the greatest thing of all in regard to him. Hecould not talk about it enough, and was irritated if they did notreceive his tale as the very newest thing, although it had happenedmonths before, when Jesus had been in the wilderness of Judaea. Theyhad marvelled at the event beyond all measure, but when the greatmiracle came to be related every day, it got commonplace. "Just letone of you experience what dying is like, " Lazarus would often exclaim, interrupting a lively conversation. "When you lie there and turn cold, they put on a shroud, tie a kerchief round your head, stretch you outon a board, and lament that you are dead. You are dead, but it isn'tquite what you thought. You know about it; you are there when they putyou into the sack, carry you to the grave, and rend their garments forgrief. You are there when your body is buried in the damp, everlastingdarkness, and begins to mingle with the earth. Your poor soul gathersitself together to utter a cry for help, but your breast is dead, yourthroat is dead. And in this agony of death, which never ceases, a mancomes by, lays his hand on your head, and says, 'Lazarus, get up!' andyour pulse begins to beat, and your limbs grow warm again, and you getup and live! And live! Do you know what it means--live?"

Then Magdalen would go to her brother and calm him, telling him that itwas a great thing to awake a dead body to life, but a still greaterthing to bring a dead soul to life!

Now this family of Bethany had sent to Jerusalem and invited the Masterto go to their house with two of His travelling companions in orderthat He might repose Himself after His long wanderings in homelikesecurity. Jesus thought it was time to leave the city for a little, and accepted the invitation. His disciples were sorry. They eachdesired some hospitable house in order that after so long a time ofhardship they might once again be glad with the Master; they thoughtthat was only reasonable, considering His victory. When the disciplesfound that only two of them could go with Him, they were distressed, for all had been obliged to share the hard times with Him. 

"Have you ever lacked anything with Me?" He asked. "Have you sufferedwant?"

"No, Lord, never!" For by His side they had never felt want. TheMaster rejoiced over their disinterestedness, and the ten decided thatthe youngest and the oldest should go with Him, as was only fair. SoJohn and Simon Peter were chosen. The rest found lodging with citizensof the town. Joseph of Arimathea, who had property round Jerusalem, received some of the disciples. There was the rich Simeon, who hadonce ridden out into the wilderness to gain eternal life, and hadnearly lost his mortal life. Since then he had changed his opinionabout the value of great possessions; at least, he let the needy sharethem, and he received some of the disciples. James had business inBethpage, on the farther slope of the Mount of Olives, where he hadhired the ass. He took Andrew with him. The animal had been sentback, but had not yet been paid for. The little old man came to meetthem in most friendly fashion. He was proud beyond everything that hisnoble brown ass had had so great an honour. He had himself been in thecity, and had heard how the Prophet reproved the Pharisees in theTemple. That was the finest day of his life. If the Master would onlycome and heal his wife of her rheumatism, he would be converted. 

That was a good thing, said James, because they hadn't any money withwhich to pay him. The little old man whistled in surprise. He saw nowthat people were right when they set no store by men of Galilee. 

In order to save their countrymen's honour, they offered to work in thegarden until they had fully paid the debt. So both the disciples setto digging, and thought, perhaps, of the parable of the labourers inthe vineyard. Then they discussed the events in Jerusalem, and howthey would rather be ministers of the Messiah in the golden palace thandoing such hard work here. 

When Jesus with John and Peter reached Bethany, their host Amon hadhimself pushed in his wheeled chair to meet them, and called to hiswife, Martha, to make haste and come and pay her respects to theguests. She had, she said, no time for that; she had things to lookafter, in the parlour, the dining-room, everywhere, to see that all wasin order, if need be to lend a helping hand herself. The children ofthe servants were playing about in the courtyard, and a contented, homelike feeling pervaded everything. Suddenly the slender form ofLazarus hurried up, and lay down at the Master's feet. He recognisedhim, and said: "Lazarus, you have your life in order to stand upright. "The youth got up. And then, hesitating and half afraid, Magdalenapproached. He greeted her in silence. 

She, too, said nothing. But when they were at table she knelt beforeHim, and anointed His feet. She dried them with her hair and wept. The pleasant odour of the oil filled the room, and Peter whispered tohis neighbour: "Such ointment must cost a mint of money! If she hadgiven it to the poor, He would have been better pleased. "

Jesus heard what he said. "What is wrong, Peter? She is kind to Me solong as I am here. When I'm no longer with you, you'll still have thepoor. She has shown Me a mark of love that will never be forgotten. "

Peter was ashamed, and said softly to his neighbours: "He is right. Itoften happens that people leave a good deed undone, and say, 'We'llgive something, therefore, to the poor. ' That's what they say, butthey do neither one nor the other. He is right. "

They ate and drank amid the pleasant, homely surroundings, and werevery cheerful. Magdalen wanted to sit quite at the lower end of thetable, but the Master desired her to sit on His right hand. Herenthusiastic glance hung on His face, and it seemed as if she drankfrom His mouth every word which He spoke. Jesus was indefatigable innarrating legends and parables, every one of which contained some greatthought. If He dealt harshly with human foolishness before the people, He treated it as earnestly now, but with a warm sympathy that went tothe hearts of all His hearers. The invalid host was delighted, andsigned to his wife to listen to the Master's words. But Martha wascontinually occupied in looking after the various courses and dishes, in seeing that everything was as perfect as possible, and in servingher guests. She was vexed with her sister Magdalen who sat there byHis side, and troubled herself about nothing. When she again broughtin a dish, Jesus put His hand gently on her arm, and said; "Martha, howbusy you are. Do leave off for a little, and come and sit down. We'vehad more than enough with all these dainties, and you bring us stillmore. Copy your sister; she has chosen the better part--spiritual foodinstead of bodily. "

So Martha sat down, and she too watched His mouth, but less for thesake of what He said than to see how He liked the food. He observedthis, and said with a smile, "Everyone is kind in his own way. " And Hecontinued to reveal in attractive fashion the secrets of the Kingdom ofHeaven. But Martha always interrupted Him with remarks on the dishes, or with orders to the servants, until Jesus became almost annoyed, andsaid sharply: "Know you not that I will give you food? The soul is theone thing needful. "

Then they also spoke of the day's proceedings, and Amon congratulatedHim prettily on the great victory at Jerusalem. 

"Do you call that a victory?" asked Jesus. "Amon, do you know men solittle? They see in Me the Messiah King who will conquer the Empireto-morrow. They, blind creatures, they have no idea of _My_ Kingdom. They are pleased with words that destroy, they do not want to hearwords that build up. It's an empty-headed people that can only beroused by need and oppression. But they will be aroused. "

After dinner He lay down on cushions, the softest that Martha couldfind in the house. Young John's curly head lay on His breast, Magdalensat at His feet. Peter lay near by on a carpet; a little farther offsat Amon in his wheeled chair, with Martha stroking his white hair. John was particularly happy to-day. He had never seen the Master socalm and gentle. Yet something depressed the disciple. At the aboveremark about the people he observed: "Master, if they knew how deeplyyou loved them. "

"They ought to know it. "

"But they cannot know it from the way in which you speak to them. "

"The way in which I speak to them?" said Jesus, and stroked thedisciple's soft hair. "That is just My John all over. He cannotunderstand that you do not stroke buffaloes with peacocks' feathers. I'm too hard on these hypocrites, these obdurate, indifferent men, amI? When I disappoint those who would extract daily profit from Me inthe form of miracles, when I lay bare the carefully-concealed thoughtsof their hearts, then I am hard. And when I shatter their childishlove of the world, their craving for vanities, then I am hard. Andwhen they strut about with their condemnations and theirhard-heartedness, trampling the weak underfoot out of greed and malice, haughty as the heathens who bring human sacrifices to their gods, Iwould fain chastise them with a lash of scorpions. But when theforsaken come to Me, and penitent sinners trustfully seek refuge withMe, then, John, I am not hard. "

The voices of children playing in the courtyard sounded through theopen windows. Jesus turned to His hostess and said: "Martha! You haveexcellently entertained Me in your house. Will you give Me yet anothertreat?"

"What is it, Master? I would leave no wish of yours ungratified. "

"The little ones--let them come in. "

"Ah! my poor boy will cry his eyes out that he wasn't here to-day. Dear lad, he's in Jerusalem. "

"God be his guard! Let those who are playing in the courtyard come up. "

They came shyly in at the door, two dark little girls, and a fair boy, who carried a carved wood camel in his hand. When Jesus spread out Hisarms, they went to Him, and were soon at home, holding up their littlered mouths, in which He put fruit from the table. Peter, who wouldhave liked to sleep a little, was not particularly pleased with thelittle guests, but was glad that the Master petted them and joked withthem. 

Then Jesus said to the boy: "Benjamin, mount your camel, ride to thatman over there, and ask him why he is so silent. "

Peter accepted the invitation to join in the conversation, but he wasnot very happy in what he said. "Master, " he said hesitatingly, "whatI have to say is scarcely suited to this pleasant day. "

Such remarks, said Martha humorously, were of the right sort to add tothe cheerfulness of the company. Peter was not the man to keep asecret long. Turning to the Master, he said: "Early to-day, in thecity, I heard some people talking. They're always doing you someinjustice. "

"What were they saying, Peter?"

"They said that the Prophet was a man of fair words, but that He didnothing. He never once healed the sick who came to Him from greatdistances. "

"They say that?"

"Yes, sir, that's the kind of thing they say. "

Jesus raised His head, and looked cheerfully round the circle. WhileHe rocked one of the little girls on His knee, He said calmly: "So theysay I only talk and do nothing. In their sense they are right. Idon't pray, they mean, because they don't see Me do it. I don't fast, because we can't eat less than a little, except when we sit at aluxurious table like Martha's. I don't give alms because My purse isempty. What good do I do, then? I don't work, because in their eyesMy work doesn't count. I don't work miracles on their bodies, becauseI am come to heal their souls. Amon, say, would you exchange the peaceof your heart for sound legs?"

"Lord!" exclaimed Amon vivaciously, "if they say you do nothing good, just let them come to the house of old Amon at Bethany. You came undermy roof, and my soul was healed. "

"And you brought me resurrection and life, " shouted Lazaruspassionately from the other end of the room. 

"And me, more than that, " said Magdalen, looking up at Him with moisteyes. And then she bent down and kissed His feet. 

And Peter exclaimed: "I was a mere worm, and He made me a man. He doesmore than all the Rabbis and physicians and generals put together. "

Then John turned to him and asked: "Brother, why didn't you talk likethat to the people in Jerusalem? Were you afraid of them?"

"Is yon man a coward?" asked the boy, pointing with his hand to Peter. "Then he'll help us to play lion and sheep in the courtyard!"

Jesus shook His head over such talk, and said: "No, My Peter is not acoward, but he is still somewhat unstable for a rock. No one who, athis age, can train himself for the Kingdom of God could be a weakling. "

Martha, who had gone out to look after the supper, called into the roomthat the children's mother wanted them to go to her to read theHaggadah. 

The little ones pulled long faces. "To read the Haggadah!" murmuredthe boy in a tone far too contemptuous of the holy Passover book. 

"Don't you like to read about God, my child?" asked Jesus. 

"No, " replied the boy crossly. 

John pinched his red cheek. "Naughty boy! Good boys always like tohear about God. "

"But not always to read about Him!" said the little one. "The Haggadahtires me to death. "

Then said Jesus: "He is of the unhappy ones for whom God is spoiled bythe mere letter of the Word. Would you rather stay with Me, children, than go and read the Haggadah?"

"Yes, yes, we'll stay with you. " And all three hung round His neck. 

And Martha sought the mother and told her: "They are reading theHaggadah with six arms. "

CHAPTER XXX

Two days were spent in this quiet, cheerful fashion. Then Jesus saidto the disciples: "It is over; we must return to Jerusalem. "

They were to spend the festival in the city, and James had hired a roomin which the Master and His twelve faithful friends could solemnlycelebrate the Passover. His disciples again gathered round Him; butthey looked anxious. For they had had unpleasant experiences in theirwalks through the town. The mood of the people had entirely changed;they spoke little of the Messiah but rather of the demagogue andbetrayer of the people, just in the same tone as had been used inGalilee. Only here the expressions were more forcible, and accompaniedwith threatening gestures. In front of the town gates, where there wasa rocky hill, Thomas had watched two carpenters nailing crossbeams tolong stakes. He asked what they were doing, and was told thatcriminals were impaled on the festival. Questioning them more closely, he learned that they were desert robbers. 

"Desert robbers?" said a passer-by. "What are desert robbers? Thereare desert robbers every year. This time quite different people are tobe hoisted up. "

"Yes, if they're caught, " said another. "His followers are burrowingsomewhere in the city, but He Himself has flown. It's too absurd howthe police seek everywhere, and can't find out where He is. "

Thomas did not want to hear any more, and took himself off. 

Judas heard similar things, only more plainly; it was quite clear thatit was the Master who was meant. Things had gone as far as that! Andall the enthusiasm had been false. The olive-branches and palm-leaveswere not yet all trodden down, and they bore witness to the Messianicecstasy of four days ago. And to-day? To-day the police weresearching for Him! But wasn't it His own fault? To run into the jawsof your enemies, and to irritate and abuse them--to do no more thanthat! If He had only stirred a fold of His cloak to show who He was. Who believed that He had walked on the water: that He had brought thedead to life? They only laughed when such things were related. Whydid He not do something now? Just one miracle, and we should be saved. Perhaps He is intentionally letting things come to the worst, so thatHis power may appear the more impressive. They will take Him and putHim in chains, lead Him out amid the joyful cries of the mob, andsuddenly a troop of angels with fiery swords will come down fromheaven, destroy the enemy, and the Messiah revealed will ascend thethrone. That will happen, must happen. The sooner the better for allof us. How can it be hurried on? His indecision must be changed intodetermination. I wish they had Him already, so that we could celebratea glorious Passover. Such were the thoughts of the disciple, JudasIscariot. Sunk in deep reflection he walked through the streets thatevening. The pinnacles and towers glowed in the dull red of thesetting sun. He met several companies of soldiers: a captain stoppedhim and asked if he did not come from Galilee?

"I suppose you're asking about the Prophet, " replied Judas; "no, I'mnot He. "

"But I'm certain you know about Him. "

Judas drew a deep breath, as if he were on the point of sayingsomething. But he said nothing, pursued his way, and came to the housewhere they were all gathered round the Master. 

The room was large and gloomy. A single lamp was suspended over thelarge table, covered with a white cloth, that stood in the centre, around which they were already seated. The Master was so placed thatthe whole table could see Him. A large dish with the roasted Paschallamb stood before Him. By its side were the Passover herbs in shallowbowls. On the table were other bowls, and the unleavened bread bakedfor the festival in remembrance of the manna eaten in the wilderness. Near the centre of the table was a beaker of red wine. They weresilent or speaking in whispers, so that the steps of Judas, as heentered, echoed. He was almost terrified by the echo. Then he greetedthem in silence with a low bow and sat down, just opposite John, whowas at the Master's right hand, while Peter sat at His left. 

There was solemn silence. Their first Passover in Jerusalem! Jesustook one of the unleavened cakes, broke it, and laid the pieces down. James divided the lamb into thirteen portions. 

"We are thirteen at table, " whispered Thaddeus to his neighbourBartholomew. He was silent. They did not eat, but sat there insilence. The lamp flickered, and the reddish reflection hovered aboutthe table. Then Jesus began to speak. 

"Eat and drink. The hour approaches. "

John placed his hand tenderly on His, and asked: "What do you mean, Lord, when you say, The hour approaches?"

"My friends, " said Jesus, "you will not understand how what will happenthis night can come to pass. They will come and condemn Me to death. I shall not flee, for it must be so. I have to bear testimony to theFather in heaven and of His tidings, and therefore I am ready to die. If I were not willing to die for My words, they would be like sand inthe desert. If I were not willing to die, My friends would not bejustified, and would doubt Me. A good shepherd must lay down his lifefor his flock. "

"Master, " said Thomas, and his voice trembled, "not when you live; onlywhen you die, could we doubt you. "

Then Jesus looked sadly round the circle, and said: "One among youdoubts Me, though I live. "

"What do you mean by that, Lord?" asked Judas. 

Jesus said: "The Son of Man goes His appointed way. Yet it would bebetter for that man never to have been born. One of My own people willbetray Me this night. "

As if struck down by a heavy weight, they were silent for a moment. Then they exclaimed: "Who is it? Who is it?"

"One of the twelve who sits at this table. "

"Master!" exclaimed Peter, "what causes that gloomy thought? No one isunfaithful. "

Jesus said to him; "Yes, Simon Peter! And another at this table willdeny Me before morning cockcrow. "

They were silent, for they were all greatly afraid. After a while Hecontinued speaking. "It must happen as the Father in His wisdom hasdetermined. But the time of work begins for you. You will be Myapostles, My ambassadors, who will travel over the world to tell allthe nations what I have told you. You shall be the salt of humanity, and season it with wisdom. You shall be the yeast which causes it toferment. To others I have said, Do the good work secretly; to you Isay, Let your light shine forth as an example. Be wily as the serpent, and let not hypocrites deceive you; be like clever money-changers, whoaccept only good coins and refuse the false. Be without guile, likedoves, and go forth, innocent as the sheep who go among wolves. Ifthey have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. Where you sowpeace for others, there will be the sword for you. It will also cometo pass that your message of peace will awake discord; one brother willdispute with the others, children will be against their parents, because some will be for Me and others against Me. But the time willcome when they will be united, one flock under the care of oneshepherd. Then there will be a great fire on earth, that of enthusiasmfor the Spirit and for Love. Would it were already burning! Do notdespair because, with your simplicity and want of eloquence, yourignorance of foreign tongues, you must travel in strange lands. Themoment you have to speak, My Spirit will speak through you in burningeloquence. If you are silent, then the stones must speak, so vital isthe word that must be spoken. You must speak to the lowly of the gladtidings; you must speak to the mighty who possess the power to killyour body, but not your soul. Days of temptation and persecution willcome, I will not cease to implore the Father to stand by you. Be notcast down. If I did not now depart, the Spirit could not come to you. The visible is an enemy of the invisible. I have spoken to you much inparables, so that it may the better remain in your memory. I had stillmuch to say to you; but My Spirit will speak to you, and He will makeyou understand more easily than when I spoke in parables. Upon you Ibuild My Church; do you open the Kingdom of God to all who seek it. What you do on earth in My name will also hold good in heaven with theFather. And now I give you My peace as the world can never give it. Iremain with you in My Spirit and My Love. "

 * * * * * *

The great words were spoken. A solemn peace fell on their hearts. Judas went out. The rest sat on in silence and looked at the Masterwith unbounded affection. They could not understand what He had said, but they felt these were words before which the earth would tremble andthe heavens bow down. 

And now something extraordinary happened. It was not a miracle, it wasmore than a miracle. Jesus stood up, took a towel and a washing-bowl, knelt before each, and washed his feet. In their astonishment theyoffered no resistance. When He came to Peter, Peter said, "No, Master, you shall not wash my feet. "

To which Jesus replied: "If I do not, then you are not Mine. "

Said Peter: "If that is so, then wash my face and hands, too, O Lord!so that it may be evident how utterly I am yours. "

Then Jesus said: "You call Me Lord, and yet I wash your feet. I dothis so that you may know that among men there is no lord, that all arebrethren who shall serve one another. See how I love you. No one cangive a greater proof of his love than to die so that his friends maylive. So I leave you this legacy: Brothers, love one another. As Ilove you, love one another. "

John, overcome by those words, sank on his knees, and, sobbing, laidhis head upon His bosom. And Jesus said once more: "Children, love oneanother. "

Then He again sat down with them at the table. They were all silent. Jesus took bread in His hand, lifted it a little towards heaven that itmight be blessed, and broke it in two. He handed the pieces to theright and left of Him, and said: "Take it and eat. It is My body thatwill be broken for you. "

They took it. Then He took the beaker of wine, lifted it to heaventhat it might be blessed, passed it round, and said: "Take it anddrink. It is My blood that will be shed for you. "

And when they had all drunk. He added: "Do this in remembrance of Me. "

CHAPTER XXXI

When the disciples separated after the meal, notwithstanding theirfears, they did not realise that it was a farewell. They sought theirlodgings. Only John, Peter, and James accompanied the Master when Heleft the town in the dark night and descended the valley to the foot ofthe Mount of Olives. There was a garden there. White stones laybetween the savin trees and the weeping cypresses, fresh spring grasscovered the ground. Jesus said to His companions: "Stay here alittle. " He Himself went farther into the garden. The sky was coveredby a thin veil of cloud, so that the moon shed a pale light over theearth. The town on the mountain rose up dark and still; no sound wasto be heard except the rippling of the brook Kedron in the valley. Jesus stood and looked up through the trees towards heaven. Hebreathed heavily, and drops of perspiration stood on His brow. He felta great agony, an agony He had never before known. Had He not oftenthought of death, and in His mind felt quite reconciled to it? Did Henot know that the Heavenly Father would receive Him? Only He stillbelonged to this sweet life below, and still the way was open to Him toescape death. Is His soul so weak now that it is troubled by theprospect of the enemy at hand, ready to seize Him? Can He not go overthe mountain to Jericho, into the wilderness, to the sea? No, notflight. Of His own free will He is to appear before the judges inorder to stand by what He said. Ah! but this surrender to the powersHe had offended means death. He sank down on the ground so that Hishead touched the grass, as if He would draw the earth to Him with eagerarms. "Must it be, O Father? Fain would I stay with men in order tobring them nearer to Me. Who will guide My disciples, still so weak?Guard them from evil, but do not take them from the world. Let themlive and spread Thy name. If it is possible, let Me stay with them. But if it must be, take this agony of soul from Me and stand by Me. But I must not demand aught, My God, only humbly entreat. If it is Thywill that I shall suffer all human sorrow and pain, then Thy will bedone. Accept this sacrifice for all who have provoked Thee. If Thoudesirest it, I will take the sins of the world upon Me, and atone forthem that Thou mayest pardon. But if it may be avoided, Father, MyFather who art in heaven, have mercy on Thy Son, who has proclaimed Thymercy. " So He prayed, and in His infinite distress He longed for Hisdisciples. He went to them and found them asleep. They were sleepinglike innocent children, and knew nothing of His terrible struggle. Hewoke Peter, and said: "I am wellnigh perishing with sorrow. Surely youmight watch with Me in this hour. "

The disciple pulled himself together with some difficulty and shook theothers. But when Jesus looked at the poor fellows. He thought: "Whatcan they do for Me?" He left them and went away, in order to fightthrough it alone. And again He prayed: "Help Me, Lord; Oh, My God, forsake Me not. " But Heaven was silent, the loneliness wasintolerable, and lie once more went back to His disciples. They wereagain fast asleep. They rested so peacefully, tired out by the cruelworld, that Jesus thought, Well, let them sleep. Drops, like blood, ran down His forehead and fell on the ground. A third time He turnedto the Father: "Forsaken of all, on Thee alone I call. There is noneto hear Me in My agony. They are all asleep, and the clash of spearsis on the road. Lord God, send Thine angels to protect Me!"

Not a leaf stirred; there was not a breath of air. Heaven remaineddeaf and dumb. 

"It is the silent word of God. To His will I submit. "

CHAPTER XXXII

When Judas sat in the room among the twelve, he felt so bewildered andconfused that he did not hear all that Jesus said. So he got up, leftthe room, and rushed through the empty streets of the city. "One ofthose who sit at this table will betray Me!" He knows men's thoughts. That gives Him power over all. But He does not know how to use thatpower; He must be driven to that. Judas could think of nothing else. The thought with which hitherto he had only played now took violentpossession of his head and heart. He went through the city gate, whichwas not closed at this Passover time. He would spend the night amongthe bushes; but see--there goes the Master along the road with three ofHis disciples. Judas stretched out his head between the branches inorder to look after them. They went towards the valley. Were theygoing to Bethany? Now he knew what to do. He quickly pulled himselftogether, and went straight off to the Roman captain. 

"I know where He is. "

"You want money for this Jew?"

"That's not my reason for telling you. "

"Yet you tell me. "

"Because I can't wait any longer. You will find out who He is, erelong. "

"Well, where is He?"'

"I'll go with the soldiers. There are several persons with Him; I willgo up to one and kiss his cheek. That will be He. "

"How much do you want for this service of love, you brute?" asked thecaptain. 

"Insult away! Seek Him without me. I know what I'm after. "

"Well, how much do you want? Are thirty silver pieces enough?"

"The Man is worth more. "

"I do not haggle over prices. "

"Well, give what you please. I fancy He will cost you very dear. "

The bargain was struck. Judas, the treasurer, put the coins in thecommon purse, and thought: If we had only had this sooner. And nowit's hardly any use to us. Then a troop of soldiers placed him intheir midst, and, carrying torches, the procession marched out of thetown and down into the Valley of Kedron. They crossed the brook, andat the entrance to the garden gate intended to proceed to Bethany. Buta swift, curious glance of Judas observed, by the glimmer of the moon, figures lying on the ground under a bush. He stopped, looked, andrecognised the brothers. He signed to the soldiers to enter the gardenquietly. To walk quietly is the way of traitors, not of warriors. Thesound of marching and the clash of swords woke the disciples. A verydifferent awakening from the gentle bidding of the Master! They jumpedup and hastened to where He was kneeling. 

Judas came forward and said: "Did I frighten you?" Then he went up toJesus: "You are still awake, Master?" He bent down in greeting, kissedHim lightly on the cheek, and thought in tremulous expectation: MessiahKing, now reveal Thyself!

Then the soldiers rushed up. They had been joined by a mob armed withsticks and cudgels, just as when notorious criminals are taken. Jesuswent forward a few steps to meet them and offered His hands to them tobe bound. John threw himself between, but he was dashed to the ground. James struggled with two of the soldiers; Peter snatched the sword of athird, and hacked at one of the Temple guards so that his ear flew fromhis body. 

"What are you doing?" Jesus called to the disciple. "If you interferethey will kill you. You will conquer not with the sword, but with theword. But you, O people of Jerusalem; you treat Me as shamefully as ifI were a murderer. And only five days ago you led Me into the citywith palms and psalms. What have I done since then? I sat in theTemple among you. Why did you not take Me then?"

They mocked at Him. "Isn't to-day soon enough for you? Can't you waitany longer for your ladder to heaven? Patience, it is set up already. "

When the disciples heard such allusions, and saw the Master calmlysurrendering Himself, they drew back. The sticks and spears clashedtogether, the crowd jogged along, the torches flickered, and so theprocession went up to the city. 

Judas stood behind the trunk of a tree, looking through the branches atthe dread procession, and his eyes started from his head in terror. 

CHAPTER XXXIII

The judges were awakened at midnight; the Jewish High Priests that theymight accuse Him, the heathen judges that they might condemn Him. TheHigh Priest Caiaphas left his couch right gladly; he was delighted thatthey had caught Him at last, but he thought that the High Priest Annasshould frame the accusation; he was younger, better acquainted with theRoman laws, and would carry through the ticklish business mosteffectively. He, Caiaphas, would hold himself ready for bearingtestimony or sealing documents at any minute. Annas, too, wasdelighted that the Galilean, who had insulted the Pharisees in theTemple in so unheard-of a fashion, was caught at last. He would settlethe matter this very night, before the people, on whom no reliance wasto be placed, could interfere. With respect to the accusation, thewhole high priesthood of Jerusalem must meet in order to take counselover this knotty case. As a matter of fact there was nothing theycould legally bring against the fellow. His speeches to the people. His proceedings in the Temple were, unfortunately, not sufficient. Some crime--a political one if possible--must be proved against Him, ifthat heathen, the Roman governor, was to condemn Him. 

So they met at the house of Caiaphas to take counsel. They carriedinnumerable scrolls under their arms, in which were written all mannerof things that had occurred since the first appearance of the Nazarene. The Galilean Rabbis especially had sent volumes in order to discreditand expose Him. Yet all this would not be sufficient for the governor. Some definite point must be clearly worked up. 

Then Jesus was brought in. His hands were bound, His dress was soiledand torn. His countenance very sad. The crowd had already had proofof His courage. He stood there quietly. Terror He no longer felt, sadness alone lay in His eyes. They turned over the scrolls and spoketogether in whispers. It was made known that they would be glad tohear anyone who could bring any evidence against Him. But no oneoffered. The priests looked at each other in bewilderment. Those whostruck Him and insulted Him must surely know why they did it!

At length a deformed man came forward. He was certainly only a poorcamel-dealer, but he knew something. The story of the whale! TheGalilean said that, just as the whale cast up Jonah after three days, so would He come forth from His grave three days after His death. Theman had also said that He would destroy Solomon's Temple, which hadtaken forty-seven years to build, and rebuild it in three days. Otherwitnesses could be found to testify to these things. 

Some considered, however, that these stories were empty exaggerations, and nothing more. 

"They are blasphemy, " exclaimed Caiaphas. "Everything He says has ahidden meaning. What He meant was that three days after His death Hewould rise again, in order to destroy the Kingdom of the Jews andestablish a new Kingdom. " Then he turned to Jesus: "Did you say that?"

Jesus was silent. 

"He does not deny it; He did say it. The wrath of Jehovah whichpresses heavily on Israel has been evoked by this blasphemer and falseprophet. And the guilty creature does not deny it. " Then Caiaphasturned to the people who were gathering in increasing numbers in thefore-court: "Let him who knows anything further against Him comeforward and speak. "

Then several voices exclaimed: "He is a blasphemer, He is a falseprophet. He has brought on us the curse of Jehovah!"

"Do you hear?" said the High Priest. "That is the voice of the people!Yet in order to satisfy the nicest of consciences we will permit Him tospeak once again that He may defend Himself. Jesus of Nazareth! manyknow that you have said that you are the Christ, sent by Heaven. Answer clearly and without ambiguity. I ask you, Are you Christ, theSon of God?"

"You say so, " replied Jesus. 

Again, and in a louder voice, Caiaphas asked: "By all you deem sacred, speak now on oath. Are you the Son of God?"

Then said Jesus to the High Priest: "If you do not believe it now thatI stand before you as a malefactor, you will believe it when I comedown from heaven in the clouds at the right hand of Almighty God. "

When Jesus had spoken these words, Caiaphas turned to the assembly:"What do you want more? If that's not rank blasphemy, I'll resign myoffice. If that's not blasphemy, then we have punished others, whosaid less, far too severely. What shall we do with Him?"

Several priests rent their garments in anger, and shouted: "Let Himdie!"

The cry was taken up by many voices out in the streets. The priestsimmediately put things in shape for the sentence to be pronounced thatnight, and, if possible, carried into effect before the festival, without making a stir. 

If the matter had rested with Herod, King of the Jews, he would haverid himself of his rival from Nazareth with a snap of his lingers; butit was the Roman governor with whom they had to deal. So PontiusPilate also was awakened in the night. He was a Roman, and had beenappointed by the Emperor to hold Judaea in spite of Herod, whose Jewishkingdom had become as nothing. Pilate often declared that this officeof ruling the Jewish people for the Emperor had been his evil star. Hewould rather have remained in cultured Rome, whose gods were much moreamiable than the perverse Jehovah, about whom all kinds of sectsdisputed. And then came this Nazarene. When Pilate learnt the reasonwhy he was disturbed from his sleep he cursed. "This stupid businessagain about the Nazarene who, accompanied by a few beggars, rode intoJerusalem on an ass, and said He was the Messiah. The people laughedat Him. And that's to be made a political case! They should expel Himfrom the Temple and let people sleep. "

But the crowd shouted in front of his windows: "He is a blasphemer! Adeceiver and a traitor! An anarchist! He must be tried!" Pilate didnot know what to do. Then his wife came, and entreated him not to doanything to Jesus of Nazareth. She had had a horrible dream about Him. She had seen Him standing in a white garment that shone like the moon. Then he had descended into a deep abyss where the souls of thecondemned were wailing, had raised them up and led them on high. Thendreadful angels with big black wings had seized the judges, and thrownthem into the abyss. Pilate had been among them, and his cry of painstill rang in her ears. 

"Don't make my head more confused than it is already with yourtalking, " he commanded. The noise in the street became morethreatening every moment. 

Jesus was exhausted, and, surrounded by guards, sat down on a stone inthe courtyard of Pilate's house. The crowd came up, mocked Him andinsulted Him. They draped Him in the torn red cloak of a Bedouin forroyal purple, they plucked thorns from a hedge in the neighbouringgarden, wove them into a crown, and set it on His head. They broke offa dry reed and put it into His hand as a sceptre. They anointed Hischeek with spittle. And then they bowed down to the ground before Him, and sang in a shrill voice: "Hail to Thee, O anointed Messiah-King!"and put out their tongues at Him. 

Jesus sat there, calm and unmoved. He looked at His tormentors withsad eyes, not in anger, but in pity. 

His disciples, terrified to death, had now come up, but remainedoutside the walls. Peter was furious over the infamous betrayal thathad taken place, and could not understand what had possessed Judas. Insore distress he stood in the farthest courtyard where it was dark. Then a girl tripped up to him on her way to the well for water. 

"Here's another!" she shouted. "Why are you standing here? Go and dohomage to your King. "

Peter turned in the direction of the gate. 

"You're one of those Galileans, too, " she continued. 

"What have I to do with Galilee?" he said. 

A gatekeeper interposed: "Of course he is a Galilean. You can see thatby his dress. He belongs to the Nazarene. "

"I do not know Him, " said Peter, and tried to hurry off. Thegatekeeper stopped him with the shaft of his spear. "Halt there, youJew! Your King is seated yonder on His throne. Do homage to Himbefore He flies into the clouds. "

"Let me alone; I do not know the man, " exclaimed Peter, and hastenedaway. As he went out of the gate, a cock crowed just over his head. Peter started. Did He not speak of a cock at supper? "And anotherwill deny me this night just before cock-crow. " In a flash the olddisciple saw what he had done. From terror that he, too, would beseized, he had lied about his Master, about Him who had been everythingto him--everything--everything. Now in His need they had left Himalone, had not even had the courage to acknowledge themselves Hissupporters. "Oh, Simon!" he said to himself, "you should have stayedby your lake instead of playing at being the chosen of God. He gave meHis Kingdom of Heaven and this is how I requite Him!" His life was nowso broken that he crept out into the desert. There he threw himself ona stone, wrung his hands, and abandoned himself to weeping. 

Jesus was at last brought into the hall before the Governor. WhenPilate saw Him in that unheard-of disguise, his temper began to rise. He was not to be waked from His sleep for a joke. Well, the Jews hadmocked at their Messiah-King, and He would mock at them through Him. 

He heard the accusation but found nothing in it. "What?" he said tothe High Priests and their supporters, "I'm to condemn your King? Why, what are you thinking of?" Instead of terrifying the accused with hisjudicial dignity, he desired to enter into conversation with Him. Although the Nazarene stood there in such wretched plight, He must havesomething in Him to have roused the masses as He did. He wanted tomake His acquaintance. In a friendly manner he put mocking questionsto Him. Did he really know anything special of God? Would He not tellhim too, for even heathens were sometimes curious about the Kingdom ofHeaven? How should a man set about loving a God whom no one had everseen? Or which among the gods was the true one? And for the life ofhim he would like to know what truth really was. 

Jesus said not a word. 

"You do not seem to lack the virtue of pride, " continued Pilate, "andthat's in your favour. You know, of course, in whose presence youstand, in the presence of one who has the power, to put you to death, or to set you free. "

Jesus was still silent. 

The crowd which already filled the large courtyard became more and morenoisy and unmanageable. Rabbis slipped through it in order to fan thefire, and on all sides sentence of death was eagerly demanded. Pilateshrugged his shoulders. He did not understand the people. But hecould not condemn an innocent man to death. He would let the Nazarenejust as He was step out on to the balcony. He himself took a torchfrom a slave's hand to light up the pitiful figure. "Look, " he calleddown to the crowd, "look at the poor fellow!"

"To the gallows with him! To the cross with him!" shouted the crowd. 

"If, " said Pilate, preserving his ironical tone, "if you do not want tomiss your Passover spectacle, go out there; no fear of criminals notbeing crucified to-day. What do you say to Barabbas, the desert king?O ye men of Jerusalem, be satisfied with one king. "

"We want to see this Jesus crucified, " raged the people. 

"But why, by Jupiter? I cannot see that He is guilty of anything. "

One of the High Priests came up to him. 

"If you set free this blasphemer, this demagogue, who, so He says, intends to redeem the Jewish nation from bondage, who has the devil'seloquence with which to influence the masses, if you let this man goabout among the people again, then you are your Emperor's bitterestenemy. Then we shall ask for a governor who is as true to the Emperoras we are!"

"You would be more imperial than Pontius Pilate!" He threw out thatsentence to them, measuring their figures with contempt. Whenever Rometouched any of their chartered rights they seethed with anger; butwhenever they needed power to accomplish some purpose hostile to thepeople, they cringed to Rome. They recognised no people and noEmperor; their Temple-law was all in all to them. And they dared toadvise the Governor to be imperial! But the crowd murmured angrily. The storm of passion was increasing in the courtyard. A thousandvoices threatening, shouting shrilly, demanded the Nazarene's death. At that moment his wife sent to Pilate and reminded him of her dream. He was inclined to set the accused free at once. Then in the dim lightof the torches and the dawning day a dark mass appeared above the headsof the people. It was one of those criminals' stakes with thecross-beam like those erected out at Golgotha, only more massive andimposing. They had dragged the cross here, and when it became visibleto the crowd they broke out in heightened fury: "Crucify Him! CrucifyHim! Jesus or Pilate!"

"Jesus--or Pilate?" Was that what they shouted?

"Jesus or Pilate?" was re-echoed from courtyard to courtyard, fromstreet to street. 

"Do you hear, Governor?" one of the High Priests asked him. "There isnothing else to be done! You see, the people haven't been asleepto-night. They are mad!" So saying, he seized the staff of justice, and offered it to Pilate. He had turned pale at the sight of theraging mob. He signed with his hand that he wished to speak. Thetumult subsided sufficiently for his words to be heard, and he shoutedhoarsely:

"I cannot find that this man has committed any crime. But you wish tocrucify Him. So be it, but His death is on your consciences!"Purposely following the Jewish custom, he washed his hands in a bowl, so that those who could not hear him might see; then holding them up, all dripping wet, before the people, he exclaimed: "My hands are cleanfrom His blood. I accept no responsibility. " He seized the staff, broke it in two with his hands, and threw the pieces at Jesus's feet. 

Then there arose a storm of jubilation; "Hail to thee, Pilate! Hail tothe Governor of the great Emperor! Hail to the great Governor of theEmperor!"

The High Priests humbly bowed before him, and the guards seized thecondemned man. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

The big cross, carried by insolent youths, swung to and fro above theheads of the people. Every one tried to get out of the way of thesinister thing; if a man, joking, thrust his neighbour towards it, hepushed quickly back into the crowd with a shriek. And the unceasingcry went on: "Hail to Pontius Pilate! To the cross with the Nazarene!"

Jesus was led from the hall into the courtyard, where His guards had toprotect Him from the fury of the mob. They led Him up to the cross. 

A sentry appeared, and, violently swinging his arm, shouted; "Noexecution can take place here! Away with Him! No execution can bepermitted here!"

"To Golgotha!"

When the youths found that they would have to take the cross back towhere they had fetched it, they let it fall to the ground, so that thewood made a groaning noise, and then ran off. 

"Let Him carry His own cross!" shouted several voices. The plancommended itself to the guards; they unbound His hands, and placed thecross on His shoulder. He staggered under the load. They beat Himwith cords like a beast of burden; He tottered along with tremblingsteps, carrying the stake on His right shoulder, so that one arm of thecross fell against His breast, held fast there by His hands. The longstake was dragged along the ground. They had tied a cord round Hiswaist by which they led Him. They pulled Him along so violently thatHe stumbled, and often fell. The crowd which followed tried to doeverything they could to hurt Him. So Jesus tottered along, bowedunder the heavy weight of the wood. His gown covered with street mud, His head pierced by the thorns so that drops of blood trickled down Hisunkempt hair and over His agonised face. Never before was so wretcheda figure dragged to the place of execution, never before was a poormalefactor so terribly ill-treated on his way to death. And neverbefore had such dignity and gentleness been seen in the countenance ofa condemned man as in that of this man. Some women who had got upearly out of curiosity to see the procession stood crowded together atthe street corner. But when they saw it their mood changed, and theybroke out into loud lamentation, over the unheard-of horror. Jesusraised His trembling hand towards them, as if He wished to warn them:"While your husbands murder Me, you are melted to tears. Do not lamentfor Me, lament for yourselves and for your children, who will have tosuffer for the sins of their fathers!" One of the women, heedless ofthe raging mob, tore the white kerchief from her head, and bent down toHim who was carrying the cross in order to wipe the blood andperspiration from His face. When she got back to her house and wasabout to wash the cloth, she saw on it--the face of the Prophet. Andit seemed as if kindness and gratitude for her service of love lookedout from its features at her. The women all came running up to see themiracle, and to haggle to get the cloth that bore such a picture forthemselves. But its possessor locked it up in her room. 

When Jesus fell beneath the cross for the third time, He was unable toget up again. The guards tugged and pulled Him; the Roman soldiers whoaccompanied them were too proud to carry the cross for this wretchedJew. So the crowd was invited to chose someone to lift up Jesus anddrag the cross along. The only answer was scornful laughter. Ahard-featured cobbler rushed out of a neighbouring house, and, almostfoaming at the mouth with rage, demanded that the creature should beremoved from before his door. "Customers will be frightened away, " hecried. 

"Let Him rest here for a moment, " said one of the soldiers, pointing tothe fallen man, whose breast heaved in short, violent spasms. 

Then the cobbler swung a leathern strap and struck the exhausted man. He pulled Himself together in order to totter a few steps farther. Anold man, full of years and very lonely, stood by. He had come from thedesert where great thoughts dwell. He had come to see if Jerusalem wasascending upwards or sinking downwards. He desired its descent, for helonged for rest. The old man stood in front of the cobbler and said tohim softly: "Grandson of Uriah! You refuse a brief rest to thispoorest of poor creatures? You yourself will be everlastinglyrestless. You will experience human misery to the uttermost and neverbe able to rest. The curse of your people will be fulfilled inyou--you heartless Jew!"

At that selfsame hour Simeon, the citizen, was sitting alone in hishouse thinking over his fate, and he was sad. Since the ride into thewilderness, from which he had returned beaten and robbed, he had, following the word of the Prophet from whom he had sought happiness, made many changes in his way of life. Impossible as it had thenseemed, much had become possible. He had emancipated his slaves, broken up his harem, given the overflow of his possessions to theneedy, and dispensed with all show. And yet he was not happy--hisheart was bare and empty. He was pondering the matter when theshouting of the crowd reached him from the street. What was happeningso early? He looked down, saw the spears of the soldiers glitter abovethe people's heads, and noted how one of the malefactors who was to beexecuted that day was being led out. Simeon was turning away from thedisagreeable sight when he saw that the man was carrying the crossHimself, and how, ill-treated by the guards, He became weaker everymoment, so that the cross struck noisily against the stones. In aflash he understood. Without stopping to think, he hurried into thestreet, and pushed his way to the tortured creature in order to helpHim. And when he looked into the poor man's worn face, down which atear ran, he was so overcome with pity that he placed himself under thecross, took it on his shoulder, and carried it along. The crowdhowled; insults and mud were thrown at Simeon. He paid no heed, hescarcely observed it. He was absorbed in what he was doing; he onlythought of his desire to help the unhappy creature who staggered alongbeside him to bear His load. A wondrous feeling stirred in him, aneager gladness that he had never known before. All the joy of his lifewas not to be compared with this bliss; he would have liked to go onfor ever and ever by the side of this Man, helping Him to bear His loadand loving Him. 

Is that it? Is that what men call life? To be where Love is and to dowhat Love enjoins?

CHAPTER XXXV

Anxiety increased in the quiet house at Nazareth. Mary determined togo to Jerusalem for the holy festival to offer her sorrow as asacrifice to God, to implore Him to enlighten her erring son, and torestore to Him the faith of His ancestors. As she journeyed throughSamaria and Judaea she thought of the days long past, when she hadtravelled that way to Bethlehem with her faithful Joseph, and of theinconceivable things that had happened since then. 

She reached a valley where the earth was grey and dry. It was theplace in which Adam and Eve had settled when they were driven out ofParadise. She thought of the wayward children of our first parents, and with her mind's eye saw a dear little descendant of Adam, who wasperfectly innocent, and yet had to share earth's sorrow with theguilty. The boy stood sadly by a hedge, and peeped over into the LostParadise. A white-robed angel standing by the Tree of Knowledge sawthe child and was sorry for him. He broke off a branch from the tree, handed it over to the boy, and said: "Here is something for you out ofParadise. Plant the bough in the ground. It will take root and grow, and produce fresh seeds until the throne of the Messiah is built out ofits trunk. " "O, God! where is the trunk, and where is the Messiah'sthrone?" sighed Mary, and she moved away. 

When after her tiring journey she reached the town one morning, shefound the people streaming along the roads and streets in onedirection. She asked the innkeeper what was happening. He replied byasking her if she did not also wish to go and see the execution. 

"God forbid!" answered Mary; "happy are all who are not obliged to go. "

"Look, there they come!" exclaimed the inn-keeper in glad surprise. "They'll come past here. I really believe it's the Messiah-King! Oh, I could have let out my windows for a silver groat apiece!"

The woman from Galilee wanted to go back into the house, but she waspushed aside and carried with the crowd into the narrow street, wheresuddenly she stood before Him! Before Jesus, her son! When He saw Hismother His little remaining strength nearly forsook Him, but He managedto keep His feet. He turned to her with a look of unspeakable sadnessand love, a brief look in which lay all that a son could have to say tohis mother at such a meeting. Then they pushed Him on with blows andcurses. 

Mary stood as if turned to stone. Her eyes were tearless, her head ina whirl, her heart scarcely beat. "That is what God has prepared forme!" That was all she could think, as, unwilling, bewildered, she wascarried along by the crowd. Everything seemed sunk in a blue darkness, yet stars danced before her eyes. 

At length the procession emerged through the vaulted double gatewayinto the open. A dim, pale light lay over the barren land. The rockyhill stood out clear on the right. A great stir was there. Busyworkmen were digging deep holes on the top, others were preparing thestakes for the desert robbers. Those wild creatures were already halfnaked, and the executioners were slinging cords round them to bind themto the wooden frame. They were the lean, brown Barabbas and the pale, sunken-eyed Dismas. The former gazed around him with his hawk's eyes, clenched his hands, and tried to burst his fetters. The other wasquite broken down, and his unkempt hair hung about him. The discipleshad come as far as the tower of the town walls, but had withdrawn interror, all but John, James, and Peter. For Peter had decided toacknowledge himself a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, should it cost himhis life. But no one troubled any further about the strangers. Thedisciples had seen Judas slinking behind the rocky mounds; he lookedabject and forlorn, the very image of despair, and although their rageagainst the traitor had known no bounds, they were softened by thesight of the miserable creature, regarding him only as an object ofhorror. 

Simeon carried the cross to the top of the hill. And when he laid itdown and looked once again into the face of the malefactor who hadstaggered up beside him, he recognised the Prophet. He recognised theman with whom he had spoken in the desert concerning eternal life. Hehad then paid scant attention to His words, but he had forgotten noneof them. Now he began to understand that whoever lived according tothe teaching of this man must attain inward happiness. And was it onaccount of that teaching that the man was to be executed?

The captain ordered Simeon to move away. Two executioners laid handson Jesus in order to strip away His garments. He threw one swiftglance to Heaven, then closed His eyes, and calmly let them proceed. The guards seized His gown, fought for it, and because they could notagree who had won it they diced for it. Then they accused each otherof cheating, and fought afresh. Up came Schobal, the dealer in oldclothes, and pointed out with a grin that it was not worth while tocrack their skulls over a poor wretch's old coat. The gown was tornand bloody; it was not worth a penny; but in order to end a disputebetween his brave countrymen he would offer fourpence, which they coulddivide in peace among them. The coat was delivered over to Schobal. He went up and down in the crowd with the garment. It was the coat ofthe Prophet who was being executed! Who wanted a souvenir of that day?He would sell the coat for the half of its value; it might be boughtfor twelve pence!

A man brought long iron nails in a basket. The Nazarene was not to betied, but nailed, because He had once said that He should descend fromthe cross. When they noticed that Jesus was nearly swooning, theyoffered Him a refreshing drink of vinegar and myrrh. He refused itwith thanks, and when He began to sink down the executioners caught Himand laid Him on the cross. 

Suddenly the crowd drew back. Many did not want to see what was goingon. They were dumb. They had never dreamed of this. The gentlenesswith which He bore all the torture, the scorn, the death before Hiseyes, this heroic calm weighed like a mountain on their hard hearts. Those who had formerly despised Him now wanted to hate Him, but theycould not. They were powerless before this overwhelming gentleness. What a sound! That of a hammer beating on iron! "How the bloodspurts!" whispered someone. Two hammers hit the nails, and at eachblow heaven and earth trembled. The crowd held its breath, and not asound was heard from the town. Nothing but the ringing of the hammer. Then suddenly a heartrending cry was heard in the crowd. It came froma strange woman who had pushed through it and sank to the ground. Themass of people drew away more and more, no one would stand in front, yet each stretched his neck so as to see over the others' heads. Theysaw the stake lifted up and then sink again. The captain's orderscould be heard plainly and clearly. Then the cross stood up straight. At first the long stake was seen above their heads, bearing a whiteplacard. Then the cross-beams appeared on which trembling human armswere seen, then the head moving in agonising pain. Thus did the crosswith the naked human body rise in the air. Slowly it rose, supportedby poles, and as soon as it stood straight the foot of the cross wasset so roughly in its hole that the body shook with a dull groan. Thewounds made by the nails in the hands and feet were torn open, theblood ran in dark streams over the white body, down the stake, anddropped on the ground. And from the lips of Him on the cross this loudcry was heard, "O, Father, forgive them, forgive them! For they knownot what they do. "

A strange murmur arose in the crowd, and those who had not understoodthe cry asked their neighbours to repeat it. "He asks pardon for Hisenemies? For His enemies? He is praying for His enemies?"

"Then--then He cannot be human!"

"He forgives those who despised, slandered, scorned, beat, crucifiedHim? When dying He thinks of His enemies and pardons them? Then it isas He said, He is indeed the Christ! I always thought He was theChrist. I said so only last Sabbath!" The voices grew louder. Schobal, the old clothes dealer, pushed about in the crowd and offeredthe Messiah's coat for twenty pence. 

"If He is the Messiah, " shouted a Rabbi hoarsely, "let Him freeHimself. He who wants to help others and cannot help Himself is a poorsort of Messiah. "

"Now, Master, " exclaimed a Pharisee, "if you would rebuild theshattered Temple, now's the time. Come down from the cross, and we'llbelieve in you. " The man on the cross looked at the two mockers indeep sadness, and they became silent. Suddenly a passage in theScriptures flashed into their minds: "He was wounded for ourtransgressions!"

When they had all drawn back from the cross, and the executioners werepreparing to raise up the two desert robbers, the woman who hadswooned, supported by the disciple John, tottered up to the tall crossand put her arms round its trunk so that the blood ran down upon her. So infinite was her pain that it seemed as if seven swords had piercedher heart. Jesus looked down, and how muffled was the voice in whichHe said: "John, take care of My mother! Mother, here is John, yourson!"

A murmur arose in the crowd: "His mother? Is that His mother? Oh, poor things! And the handsome young man His brother? The poorcreatures! Look how He turns to them as if He would comfort them. "

Many a man passed his hand over his eyes, the women sobbed aloud. Anda dull lamentation began to go through the people--the same people whohad so angrily demanded His death. And they talked together. 

"He can't suffer much longer. "

"No, I've had some experience. I've been here every Passover. Butthis time----"

"If I only knew what is written on the tablet. "

"Over His head? My sight seems to have gone. "

"Inri!" exclaimed somebody, "Inri! Somebody calls out 'Inri. '"

"Those are the letters on the tablet. "

"But the man's name's not Inri. "

"Something quite different, my friend. That is Pilate's joke. _JesusNazarenus Rex Judaeorum_. "

"Don't talk to me in that accursed Latin tongue. "

"In good Hebrew: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. "

"Now, they've got Him in the middle, " said another, for the two robbershad been hoisted up to the right and left of Him. The one on the leftstretched out his neck, and mocked at Jesus with a distorted face: "Isuppose, neighbour, that you too are one of those who get executed justbecause they are weaklings. Jump from the cross, rush among them, andthe wretches will idolise you!"

Jesus did not answer him. He turned His head towards the man who hungon His right who saw the moment approaching when his legs would bebroken. In the agony of death, and in penitence for his ill-spentlife, he turned to Him whom they called Messiah and Christ. And whenhe saw the expression with which Jesus looked at him, a curious shudderpassed through the criminal's heart. How the man on the cross gazed athim, with His fading eyes--My God!--it was the never-to-be-forgottenholy look which a little child had given him in the days of his youth. Dismas began to weep, and said: "Lord, you are from heaven! When youreturn home, remember me. "

And Jesus said to him: "There is mercy for all who repent! To-day, Dismas, you and I will be together at the Heavenly Father's home. "

"He is from heaven!" was heard in the crowd. "He is from heaven!" Oneof the Roman soldiers threw his spear away, and exclaimed in immenseexcitement: "Verily, He is the Son of God!"

"The Son of God! The Son of God! Set Him free! It is the Son of Godwho hangs on the cross!" The cry rolled through the crowd like thedull noise of an avalanche; like a shriek of terror, like the inwardconsciousness of a fearful mistake, the most fearful that had been madesince the world began. He who hangs yonder on the cross is the Son ofGod. Far below in a cleft of the rock is a poor sinner. He strugglesup to his feet, holding on with his lean hands, he looks up to thecross with rolling eyes. A prayer for mercy wells up from his heartlike a bloody spring. And beside him a woman kneels and folds herhands against the cross. And she who thus stands under the crosswrings her hands, and implores mercy for her child. 

The letters I. N. R. I, over the cross begin to gleam. And a voice isheard in the air: "Jesus Near Redeems Ill-doers. "

"The Son of God! The Son of God!" The cry went on without ceasing. "The Son of God on the cross!"

"The Son of God's coat! A hundred gold pieces for the coat!" shriekedold Schobal, lifting the garment up on a stick like a flag. The dealerswore by that flag, for its value had risen a thousandfold in an hour. "A hundred gold pieces for the Son of God's coat!" But it was hightime that the dealer made himself scarce, for the people of Jerusalemwere enraged at a man who wanted to do business in presence of thedying Saviour. The good, pious citizens of Jerusalem!

Not a High Priest was to be seen. They had all gone away. Thehoarse-voiced Rabbi was still there, reciting Psalms aloud to the dyingman. 

"Stop that!" someone shouted at him. "You killed Him. "

"We've killed Him? Who do you mean?" asked the Rabbi with well-feignedinnocence. 

"Why you, you expounders of the Scriptures, you brought Him to Hisdeath; it was you, and you alone!"

The Rabbi replied very seriously: "Think, my friend, what you aresaying. Can you prove this charge before the dread Jehovah? Weexpounders of the Law brought Him to His death! Every one knows whocondemned Him. It was the foreigners. They have ever been the ruin ofour nation! Every one knows who crucified Him at the desire of thepeople. "

It was high time that he should defend himself. The voices grew everlouder: It was the High Priests who had goaded on the people andjudges! They are guilty----

"Silence! He still lives!"

All looks were centred on the cross. 

Jesus turned His head to the crowd and muttered in His weakness: "I amthirsty! I am thirsty!"

The captain ordered a sponge to be dipped in vinegar, and reached up toHim on a stick so that the dying man might sip the moisture. 

A young woman with her hair flowing loose lay among the rocks. Shekneeled, and, supporting her elbows on the ground, wailed softly: "OSaviour, Saviour! My sins!"

He looked once again at His dear ones. Then He lifted His head quicklyand uttered a cry to Heaven: "Father, receive My soul! My Father! Donot forsake Me!" He looked upwards, gazed at the heavens withwide-opened eyes, then His head dropped and fell on His breast. 

John sank to the ground, covering his face with his hands. All wasover!

 * * * * * *

The crowd was almost motionless. They stood and stared, and theirfaces were white. The town walls were dun-coloured, the shrubs weregrey, the young buds were pale and closed. 

A lustreless sun stood in the sky like a moon, and its shadows wereghostly. Terrified rooks and bats flew around, and hovered about thecross in this horrible twilight. Rocks on the hills broke away, andskulls rolled down the slope. As for the people, they seemed to havelost the power of speech, they stood dumb and looked at one another. 

"Something has happened, " said an old man to himself. 

The crowd began to move, uncertainly at first, then with more animationand noise. 

"What has happened?" asked a bystander. 

"My friend, what has happened now has thrown the world off its balance. I do not know what it is, but it has thrown the world off its balance. If it is not the end of the world, then it must be its beginning. "

"Inri! Inri!" shouted the voice of a shuddering lunatic. 

Then there was a general shout. "What is it? It is dark! I've neverbeen so terrified in all my days. "

"Look at the cross! It's growing longer! Higher, ever higher, higher!I can't see the top of it! It's a giant cross!"

Then came news. "A pillar has fallen in the Temple. The curtain ofthe Holy of Holies has been rent in twain. Outside, in the cemetery, the tombs have opened and the dead wrapped in their white shrouds haverisen from them. "

"The end of the world!"

"The beginning of the world!"

"Jesus Christ!"

 * * * * * *

"JESUS CHRIST!" rustles through the crowd like the spring breezes overthe desert. The words sound through the whole of Jerusalem, they soundthroughout the broad land of Judaea, these words of all power. Theykindle a fire which has lighted up the universe until the present day. 

His dear and faithful ones assembled at the cross where the dead Masterhung. There are more of them than there were yesterday, among themeven some who had shouted in the night: "Crucify Him!" The disciplesstood there silent, making no lamentation. Mary, the mother, stood byJohn's side, and Magdalen by him. A marvellous quiet had come overtheir hearts, so that they asked themselves:

"How can this be? Is not our Jesus dead?"

"My brothers, " said Peter, "for me it is as if He still lives. "

"He in us, and we in Him, " said John. 

Only Bartholomew was restless. Hesitatingly he asked James if he hadnot also understood Him to say: "Father, do not forsake Me. " But Jameswas thinking of another word and of another of the brothers. He wentaway from the cross to seek out Judas. He would tell him that in dyingthe Master had forgiven His enemies, he would tell Judas of theSaviour's legacy: Mercy for sinners!

Since the early hours of the morning when the Master had been condemnedto death in the Governor's house, Judas had wandered aimlessly about. He tried to surrender himself to the captain as a false witness and aspy, as one who sold men for gold. He was laughed at and left alone. Then he went to one of the High Priests to swear that his statementshad not been so meant; that his Master was no evil-doer, but rather theMessenger of God, who would destroy His enemies. He had not intendedto betray Him, and he would return the traitor's pay to the Pharisee. The latter shrugged his shoulders, saying that it was no concern ofhis; he had given no money and would receive none. Then Judas threwthe silver pieces at his feet and hurried away. His long hair waved inthe wind. He slunk along behind the town walls in order to get inadvance of the procession and let himself be impaled at Golgothainstead of the Master. But he was too late; he heard the strokes ofthe hammer. He went down into the valley of Kedron. Not a soul was tobe seen there, every one had gone to the place of execution. Judas wasthrown aside, even by the gaping crowd, abandoned as a traitor. Frightful, inconceivable, was the thing he had done! Alas! why had Henot revealed Himself? He stood patiently, gentle as a lamb before thejudges, and bore the cross as no one had ever done before. Could thatbe it after all? Not to strive against one's enemies, to suffer one'sfate as the will of God, to lay down one's life for the tidings of theFather--was that glory the mission of the Messiah? "And I? I expectedsomething else of Him. And I made a mistake, greater than all themistakes of all the fools put together. And now I am thrust out of thefellowship of righteous men, and thrust out of the fellowship ofsinners. There is pardon for the murderer, but not for the traitor. He Himself said: Better that such a man had never been born. Othersdare to atone for their sins in caves of the desert, dare to expiatetheir crimes with their blood--but I am cast out of all Love and allexpiation for ever and ever. " Such were the endless laments of Judas. He wandered to and fro behind walls and among bushes; he hid himself incaves all the day long. Then suddenly it flashed on him: "It isunjust. I believed in Him. I believed in Him so implicitly. Is suchtrust thrown away? Can the Divine Man cast aside such a trust? No, itis not so, it is not so!"

His fate was decided by this shattering of his last hope. When it wasdark he slunk past a farm. Ropes hung over the walls; he pulled oneoff and hurried to the mountain. The sun was setting behind Jerusalem, over the heights, like a huge, red, lustreless pane of glass. Oncemore for the last time his eye sought the light, the departing light. And a cross stood out large and dark against the red circle; the tallcross at Golgotha right in the centre of the gloomy sun. Gigantic anddark it towered against the crimson background--horrible! Thedespairing heart of Judas could not endure it. With a savage curse hewent up to a fig-tree. James was behind him. He had seen Judas climbthe slope, had waved his cloak and cried to him: "It is I, James. Brother, I come from the Master. Listen, brother, mercy for sinners. Mercy for all who repent. Listen. " Almost breathless he reached thefig-tree. Arms and legs hung down lifeless, the mouth drawn in, thetongue protruding from the lips. The body swung to and fro in theevening breeze. The wretched man had not waited for the Saviour'spardon. 

Towards the end of that same day the old man of the East, who came fromthe desert where great thoughts dwell, the weary old man who calleddown twice the curse of everlasting unrest on the grandson of Uriah, went to a stonecutter in Jerusalem. He thought it time to order histombstone. And on it were to be cut the letters "I. N. R. I. "

"Did you also belong to the Nazarene?" asked the stonecutter. 

"Why do you ask that?"

"Because it is the inscription on His cross. "

"It is the inscription on my grave, " said the old man, "and it means:'IN NIRVANA REST I. '"

CHAPTER XXXVI

When all was over, Joseph of Arimathea, a blunt, outspoken disciple ofJesus, went to Pilate, the Governor, to ask him that the Prophet's bodymight be buried that same evening. 

"Have His legs been broken?" Pilate inquired of him. 

"Sir, that is not necessary. He is dead. "

"I do not believe you. "

"It is quite true, sir. The captain pierced his side. "

"I have been warned about you, " said Pilate roughly. "I shall send aguard to watch the grave. "

"As your lordship pleases. "

"The man said that He would rise from the dead on the third day. It islikely that His friends will help Him!"

Joseph drew himself up in front of the Governor and said: "Sir, whatground have you for such a suspicion? Have we Jews proved ourselves soabsolutely lawless in our fatherland? Surely not so much so that thisbest of all men, this Divine Man, should have been condemned to deathwithout a shadow of reason, and His followers, too, treated withcontempt as if they were cheats and body-snatchers. "

"You have to thank your priests for that, " said Pilate, with coldindifference. 

"We know the breed, " replied Joseph, "and so do you. But you areafraid of it. Our Master would have made an end of it. But you are abroken reed. Many of our great men have been ruined by Romanarrogance, but it was Roman _cowardice_ that cost our Master His life. "

The Governor started, but remained impassive. 

He signed with his hand: "Let me hear no more of this affair. Do whatyou like with Him. Sentries can be placed at the grave. I've had morethan enough of you and your Jews to-day. "

Thus the Arimathean was dismissed, ungraciously, it is true, but withpermission to bury the beloved corpse. 

Meanwhile the torment of the two desert robbers had ended. And Dismaswas at last set free from Barabbas, to whom a demoniacal fate hadchained him his whole life long. Jesus had come between them, and haddivided the penitent man from the impenitent. It is true that theirbodies were thrown into the same grave, but the soul of Dismas hadfound the appointed trysting-place. 

As soon as the Arimathean returned from his interview with theGovernor, late as the hour was, Jesus was unfastened from the cross andlowered to the ground with cloths. Then the body was anointed withprecious oil, wrapped in white linen, and carried to Joseph's garden. They laid it in the grave in the stillness of the night. 

A holy peace breathed o'er the earth, and the stars shone in theheavens like lamps at the repose of the Lord. 

CHAPTER XXXVII

In the night which followed this saddest of all sad days, Mary, Hismother, could not sleep. And yet she saw a vision such as could not havebeen seen by anyone awake. 

Crouching down, leaning against the stone, her eyes resting on the crossthat rose tall and straight into the sky, she seemed to see a treecovered with red and white blossoms. It was as if that branch of theTree of Paradise which the angel had once handed over the hedge hadbloomed. It stood in the midst of a beautiful rose-garden filled withpleasant odours, running water, and songs of birds, with a wonderfullight over all. Innumerable companies of men and women passed into thatEden from out a deep abyss. They ascended slowly and solemnly out of thegloomy depths to the shining heights. In front of all came a couple, ourfirst father, Adam, walking with Eve. Just behind them Abel, arm-in-armwith Cain. Then crowded up the patriarchs, the judges, the kings, theprophets, and the psalmists, among them Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, andJoseph, Solomon and David, Zachariah and Josiah, Eleazar and Jehoiakim, and quite at the back--an old man, walking alone, supporting himself on astick from which lilies sprouted--Joseph, her husband. He was in nohurry; he stopped and looked round at Mary. 

So all passed into Paradise. 

That was what Mary saw, and then day dawned. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

In accordance with the orders, the Nazarene's grave was strictlyguarded. A heavy stone had been placed in the opening of the niche inthe rocks within which the body was laid, and, at the Governor'sbidding, the captain had sealed it at every end and corner. Twofully-armed soldiers were stationed at the entrance with instructionsto keep off every suspicious person from the grave. And then, on thethird day after the entombment, an incredible rumour ran throughJerusalem. _The Nazarene had risen_!

On the morning of that day, so it was said, two women went to thegrave, the mother of the dead man, and Magdalen, His devoted follower. They were surprised to find that the guards were not there, and thenthey saw that the stone had been rolled away. The niche in the rockwas empty, save for the white linen in which He had been wrapped. These linen bandages were lying at the edge of the grave, their endshanging down. The women began to weep, thinking someone had taken thecorpse away; but presently they saw a white-robed boy standing by, andheard him say: "He whom you seek is not here. He lives, and goes withyou to Galilee. "

As if in some wild dream, the women staggered back from the grave. There was a man in the garden whom at first they took to be thegardener. They wanted to question him; He came towards them. Withyouthful, beautiful, shining countenance, immaculate, without woundsexcept the nail-marks on the hands. He stood before them. They wereterror-stricken. They heard Him say: "Peace be with you! It is I. "As the sun was so bright the women held their hands a moment beforetheir eyes, and when they looked up again He was no longer to be seen. 

The Nazarene's grave was empty! Everybody made a pilgrimage from thetown to see. The people's mood had entirely changed since thecrucifixion. Not another contemptuous word was heard, some evensecretly beat their breasts. The High Priests met together, andinquired of the guards what had occurred. They could tell nothing. 

"At least confess that you fell asleep and that His disciples stoleHim. "

"Honoured sirs, " answered one of the guards, "for two reasons we cannotadmit we fell asleep; first, because it isn't true, and secondly, because we should be punished. "

Upon which one of the Temple authorities observed: "But in spite ofthat, you can very well say so. For you have certainly fallen asleepmore than once in your lives. And as for the punishment, we'll make itright with the Governor. Nothing shall happen to you. "

The brave Romans thought it best to avoid a dispute with theauthorities, and to say what the latter preferred to hear. So the talewent that the guards had fallen asleep, and meanwhile the body had beenremoved by the disciples in order to be able to say, "He is risen. "This was circulated on all hands, and no one thought any more of theresurrection of the Nazarene. 

The disciples themselves could not believe it. Some of them declaredthat Pilate and his spies best knew what had become of the corpse. Others, on the contrary, were stirred by an unparalleled exaltation ofspirit, by some divine energy which filled their minds with appallinglyclear visions of the latter days. 

It happened about this time that two of the disciples walked outtowards Emmaus. They were sad, and spoke of the incomprehensiblemisfortune that had befallen them. A stranger joined them, and askedwhy they were so melancholy. 

"We belong to His followers, " they replied. 

When He said nothing, as if He had not understood, they asked whetherHe was quite a stranger in Jerusalem, and did not know what hadhappened these last days?

"What has occurred?" He asked. 

Surely He must have heard of Jesus, the Prophet who had done such greatdeeds, and preached a new and wonderful Word of God: Of the HeavenlyFather full of love, of the Kingdom of Heaven in one's own heart, andof eternal life. It was as if God Himself had assumed human shape inthe person of this Prophet in order to set them an example of perfectlife. And that Divine Man had just been executed in Jerusalem. Sincethat event they had felt utterly forsaken. That was why they were sad. He had, indeed, promised that He would rise after death as a pledge forHis tidings of the resurrection of man and eternal life. But the threedays were now up. A story was going about that two women had seen Himthat morning with the wounds made by the nails. But until they couldthemselves lay their hands on those wounds, they would not believe it;no. He must needs be like the rest of the dead. 

Then the stranger said: "If the Risen Man does not appear to you as Heappeared to the women, it is because your faith is too weak. If you donot believe in Him, you surely know from the prophecies how God'smessenger must suffer and die, because only through that gate caneternal glory be reached. "

With such conversation they reached Emmaus, where the two discipleswere to visit a friend. The stranger, they imagined, was goingfarther, but they liked Him, and so invited Him to go to the house withthem: "Sir, stay with us; the day draws in, it will soon be evening. "

So He went with them. When they sat at supper, and the stranger tooksome bread, one whispered to the other: "Look how He breaks the bread!It is not our Jesus?"

But when in joy unspeakable they went to embrace Him, they saw thatthey were alone. 

This is what the two disciples related, and no one was more glad tobelieve it than Schobal, the dealer; he now asked three hundred goldpieces for the coat of the man who had risen from the dead. 

Thomas was less sure of the Resurrection. "Why should He rise?" askedthe disciple. "Did He come to earth for the sake of this bodily life?Did He not rest everything on the spiritual life? The true JesusChrist was to be with us in the spirit. "

The disciples who had accompanied the Master from Galilee went back totheir own land filled with that belief. Things had somewhat changedthere. The condemnation of the Nazarene without any proof of guilt hadvastly angered the Galileans. His glorious death had terrified them. No, this countryman of theirs was no ordinary man! They would now makeup to His disciples for their ill-conduct towards Him. So Hisadherents were well received in Galilee, and resumed the occupationsthat they had abandoned two years before. John had brought His motherhome, and gone with her to the quiet house at Nazareth. The otherstried to accustom themselves to the work-a-day world, but they could donothing but think of the Master, and wherever two or three of them weregathered together He was with them in spirit. One day they weretogether in a cottage by the lake. They spoke of His being the Son ofGod, and some who had looked into the Scriptures brought forwardproofs: the prophecies which had come to pass in Him, the psalms He hadfulfilled, the miracles He had worked, and the fact that many had seenHim after His death. 

Suddenly Thomas said: "I don't much hold with all that. Other thingshave been prophesied; the Prophets, too, worked miracles, and roseafter death. What good is it to me if He is not with us in the flesh?"

They were much alarmed. They shook with terror. Not on account of theMaster, but of their brother. But Thomas continued: "Why don't youname the greatest sign, the true sign of His divinity? Why don't youspeak of His Word about divine sonship, about loving your enemy, aboutredemption? Listen to what I am saying: it is what we have allexperienced, and still experience every hour. He freed us from worldlydesires. He taught us love and joy. He assured us of eternal lifewith the Heavenly Father. He did that through His _Word_. He died forthat Word and will live in that Word. To me, my brothers, that DivineWord is proof of His being the Son of God. I need no other. "

"Children!" said John. He was indeed the youngest of them, but hesaid, "Children! Do not talk in such a way. Faith is the knowledge ofthe heart. Are we not happy in our hearts that we found the Father sonear us, so true to us, so eternally on our side, that nothing evil canbefall us in the future? These bodies of ours will perish, but He isthe resurrection, and he who believes in Him never dies. He loved thechildren of men so dearly that He gave them His own Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may live for ever. Therefore we are happy, because we are in God, and God is in us. "

Thus His favourite disciple spoke in wondrous enthusiasm. They thenbegan to understand, and to apprehend the immeasurable significance ofHim who had lived in human form among them. 

Wherever they went, whatever they did. His word sounded in their ears. The promise that He would follow them to Galilee was fulfilled. Hisspirit was with them, they were quite sure of that. But that spiritwould not let them rest content with work-a-day life; it was like yeastfermenting in their being, it was like a spark kindled into a brightflame, and the fiery tongues announced the glad tidings. They must goforth. None dared be the first to say so, but all at once they alldeclared: "We must go forth into the wide world. " With no greatpreparation, with cloak and staff as they had travelled with Him, theywent forth. First to Jerusalem, to stand once more by His grave, andthen forth in every direction to preach Jesus, the Son of God. . . . 

This brings me to the close of my vision. I will only tell further ofone meeting which was so remarkable and fraught with such vast results. One day when the disciples during their journey to Jerusalem wereresting under the almond trees, they saw a troop of horsemen in thevalley. They were native soldiers with a captain. He seemed to havenoticed the disciples, for he put spurs to his horse. The discipleswere a little terrified, and Thaddeus, who had good eyes, said: "God bemerciful to us, that's the cruel weaver!"

"We will calmly wait for him, " said the brethren, and they remainedstanding. When the rider was quite close to them, he dismountedquickly and asked: "Do you belong to Jesus of Nazareth?"

"We are His disciples, " they answered frankly. 

Then he kneeled before Peter, the eldest, spread his arms, andexclaimed: "Receive me, receive me; I would become worthy to be Hisdisciple. "

"But if I do not mistake, you are Saul who laid snares for Him?" saidPeter. 

"Laid snares, persecuted Him and His, " said the horseman, and his wordsbroke swiftly from his lips: "Two days ago I rode out against those whosaid He had risen. Yet I was always thinking of this man who saw sostrangely into men's minds. I thought of Him day and night, and ofmuch that He had said. And as I was riding across the plain in thetwilight, a light enveloped me, my horse stumbled, a white figure stoodin front of me, and in the hand lifted towards Heaven was the mark of awound. 'Who are you, to bar my way?' I exclaimed. And He answered, 'Iam He whom you persecute!' It was your Master risen from the dead. 'Why persecute me, Saul? What have I done to you?' Your Jesus, theChrist, stood living before me! Yes, men of Galilee, now I believethat He is risen. And as, hitherto, I assailed His word, I will nowhelp to spread it abroad. Brothers, receive me!"

That is my picture of how Saul was converted into an apostle. He senthis horse back to the valley, and went himself gladly and humbly alongwith the Galileans to Jerusalem. 

When, after some days, they reached the Mount of Olives, whence theyhad first looked on the metropolis, there, standing on the rocks, wasJesus. There He stood, just as He had always been, and the disciplesfelt exactly as they had in the times past when He was always withthem. They stood round Him in a circle, and He looked at themlovingly. And suddenly they heard Him ask in a low voice: "Do you loveMe?"

"Lord, " they answered, "we love You. "

He asked again: "Do you love Me?"

They said: "Lord, You know that we love You. "

Then He asked for a third time; "Do you love Me?"

And they exclaimed all together: "We cannot tell in words, O Lord, howwe love You!"

"Then go forth. Go to the poor, and comfort them; to the sinners, andraise them up. Go to all nations, and teach them all that I have toldyou. Those who believe in Me will be blessed. I am the way, thetruth, and the life. I go now to My Father. My spirit and My strengthI leave to you: light to the eyes, the word to the tongue, love to theheart. And mercy to sinners----"

Thus they heard Him speak, and lo!--there was no one there except thedisciples. Two footmarks were impressed on the stone. The heavensabove were still; they bowed their heads, then watched how He ascendedto the clouds, how He hovered in the light, how He went to the Father, to whom also we shall go through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

My Father and my God! I thank Thee that Thou hast permitted me tobehold the Life, the Passion, and the Resurrection of Thy Son, and tosteep myself in His words and promises during this terrible time. Inthe torture of suspense, which is more dreadful than death, I have woncourage from the great events of His life, and received consolationfrom the appearance of my Redeemer upon earth. My hope has beenstrengthened by the saints of old who repented. For the sake of thecrucified Saviour, O Lord, put mercy into my King's heart. If it isGod's will that I die, then let me die like Dismas. Only pardon me. In the name of Jesus, I implore Thee, O Father, for mercy! Have mercyon me, a sinner. Amen. 

CONCLUSION

Such is the story. It was written by a common workman awaitingsentence of death in a prison cell. The last prayer was writtenexactly six weeks after his condemnation. 

Conrad began to feel a little frightened. He had been so absorbed inhis Saviour's story that he felt himself to be almost part of it. Hehad written it all day, and dreamed of it all night. He had been inthe stable at Bethlehem, he had wandered by the Lake of Gennesaret, andspent nights in the wilderness of Judaea. He had journeyed to Sidon, and across the mountains to Jerusalem. He, a prisoner in jail andsentenced to death, had stood on the Mount of Olives, he had been inBethany and supped at Jesus' side. But now he felt almost indifferentto the thought. Had he not lived through that glorious death atGolgotha? All else sank into insignificance beside that. It almostseemed to him as if he had passed beyond the veil. The Risen Onepossessed all his soul. He could not get away from all these holymemories. Then suddenly came the thought: when death comes I must bebrave. He remembered a story his mother had once told him of a Romanexecutioner who, on receiving orders to behead a young Christian, hadbeen so overcome with pity that he had fainted. The youth had revivedhim, and comforted him as bravely as if it had been his duty to die, asit was the executioner's to kill. But then Conrad told himself: youare a guilty creature, and cannot compare yourself with a saint. Wouldyou be brave enough to act like that? Would you? It is sweet to diewith Jesus, but it is still sweeter to live with Him. 

The jailer asked him if he would care to go out once more into the openair. 

Out into the air? Out into the prison yard, where all the refuse wasthrown? No. He thanked him; he would prefer to remain in his cell. It could not be for long now. 

"No; it will not be for long now, " said the old man. But he did nottell him that in the meantime the Chancellor had died of his wounds, although from the "old grumbler's" increased tenderness Conrad mighthave suspected that his case did not stand in a favourable light. 

"If you are truly brave, " the old man told him, "the next time you goout you shall walk under green trees. "

"But now? Not now?" Conrad thought of a reprieve, and grew excited. A red flush stained his cheeks. 

"No; I did not mean that. You know the King is far away. But it maycome any time. I am waiting for it anxiously. You know, Ferleitner, after this I shall resign my post. "

At that moment the priest came in. He always entered the dark cellwith a cheerful face and a glad "God be with you!" It was his officeto bring comfort, if only he had known how. As a rule the monk camein, wiping the perspiration from his brow with a coarse bluehandkerchief, and loudly assuring the prisoner how pleasantly cool itwas in his cell. But this time he was nervous and ill at ease. Howdid the prisoner look? Emaciated to a skeleton, his teeth prominentbetween fleshless lips, his eyes wide open, a wondrous fire burning intheir depths. 

"As you will never send for me, my dear Ferleitner, I have come againunasked to see how you fare. You are not ill?"

"Has the sentence come?" asked the prisoner. 

"Not that I know of, " answered the monk; "but I see I am disturbing youat your work. "

Conrad had neglected to put away the sheets he had written, and so hadto confess that he had been writing. 

"Isn't it too dark to see to write here?"

"You get accustomed to it. At first it was dark, but now it seems toget lighter and lighter. "

"So you've made your will at last?" asked the father, raising hiseyebrows. He meant to be humorous. 

"A sort of one!"

"Let's see, then. You have something to leave?"

"I have not. Another has. "

The father turned over the sheets, read a line here and there, shookhis shaven head a little, and said "It seems to resemble the NewTestament. Have you been copying it from the Gospel?"

"No, I haven't got a New Testament. That's why I had to write this formyself. "

"This Gospel! You've written one for yourself out of your own head?"

"Not exactly. Well, perhaps now and then I have. I've written what Icould remember. I will be responsible for the errors. "

"My curiosity grows, " cried the father. "May I read it?"

"It's not worth your trouble, but I knew of nothing else to help me. "

"The work has exhausted you, Ferleitner. "

"No; on the contrary, I may almost say it has revived me. I'm sorry itis finished. I thought of nothing else; I forgot everything. "

His enthusiasm has consumed him, thought the monk. 

"Ferleitner, will you let me take it away with me for a few days?"

Conrad shyly gave permission. The monk gathered the sheets together, and thrust them carelessly into his pouch, so that the roll stuck outat the top. When he had gone, Conrad gazed sadly into emptiness andlonged for his manuscript. How happy he had been with it all thoseweeks! What would the priest think of it? Everything would be wrong. Such people see their God with other eyes than ours. And if hecriticised it, all the pleasure would go out of it. 

But Conrad did not have to do without it long. The father brought itback the next morning. He had begun to read it the evening before, andhad sat up all night to finish it. But he would not give his opinion, and Conrad did not ask for it. Almost helplessly, they sat at therough table, while the monk tried to think how he could express histhoughts. After a while, he took up the manuscript, laid it downagain, and said that of course, from the ecclesiastical point of view, there would naturally be some objections. 

"The details of the history are not altogether correct. I know, Ferleitner, that you asked me for a copy of the New Testament. If Ihad known that you had gone so far, I would willingly have given youone. But perhaps it is better so. Though I must tell you, ConradFerleitner, that nothing has given me so much pleasure for a long whileas these meditations and--I may also say--fancies of yours. As for thefaults, let those who take a pleasure in finding them, look for them. The living faith is the one important thing, the living faith and theliving Jesus, and that is here! My son, " he added, laying his hand onthe prisoner's head, "I feel your piety of soul is so profound, that Iwill administer the sacrament to you. Yes, Conrad, you are saved. Only, pray fervently. "

Conrad covered his face with his hands, and wept quietly. The priest'swords made him so happy. 

"I even think, " continued the father, after a pause, "that others whoare seeking for the simple word of God, and cannot find it, might readyour book. There must be many such people in hospitals, poor-houses, and prisons, and especially those who are in your situation. Would youhave any objection?"

"My God, why should I?" replied Conrad. "If this work of mine could bethe help to other poor wretches that it has been to me! But I do notknow--it was not meant for that. I wrote it only for myself. "

"Naturally, one or two things must be altered, " said the father. "Wewould go through it again together. "

"But, holy father, " asked the prisoner wistfully, "that is--if youthink there will be time?"

"Above all, we must try and find a suitable title. Have you notthought that your child must have a name?"

"I wrote the letters I. N. R. I. At the top. "

"It is rather out of the common. People won't know what to make of it. We must at least have a sub-title. "

"The title's a matter of absolute indifference to me, " said Conrad:"perhaps you can find one. "

"I will think it over. May I take the manuscript away again? I musttry and become literary in my old age. If a carpenter lad can write awhole book, surely a Franciscan monk can find a title! Have youanything on your mind, my son? No? Then God be with you. I will comeagain soon. " At the door he turned: "Tell me, my son, does the jailergive you food enough?"

"Yes, more than I need. "

 * * * * * *

Outside it was hot summer-time. Conrad knew nothing of it, he had notthought of it. The jailer came with the permission that, as anexception, he would be allowed to walk for half an hour in the garden. Conrad felt quite indifferent. As the warder led him along the vaultedpassage, he staggered slightly; he had almost forgotten how to walk. He steadied himself on his companion's arm and said:

"I feel so strange. "

"Hold on to me; nothing will happen to you. "

"Are we going right out into the open?"

"From now, you will go for a short walk in the garden every day. "

"I do not know if I care to, " said Conrad, hesitating. "I amafraid--of the sun. "

They were out under the open sky, in the wide, dazzling green light. Conrad stood still for a moment and covered his eyes with his hand, then he looked up, and covered them again, and began to tremble. Thewarder remained silent, and supported him as he tottered along underthe shade of the horse-chestnuts. On either side stretched green banksglowing with flowers and roses, their bright colours quivering likeflame blown by the wind. Above was the blue sky with the great burningsun. And all around he heard the songs of the birds. Oh, life! life!He had almost forgotten what it meant--to live! He groaned aloud, itmight have been either from sorrow or joy. Then he sat down on a benchand paused, exhausted. He gazed out into the illimitable light. Tearstrickled slowly down his hollow cheeks. 

After a time the warder started to go on. Conrad raised himselfunsteadily, and they moved slowly forward. They came to a white marblebust standing on a stone pillar surrounded with flowers. 

Conrad stood still, shaded his eyes with his hand, looked at thestatue, and asked: "Who is that?"

"That is the king, " answered the warder. Conrad gazed at itthoughtfully. And then he said softly and much moved: "How kindly helooks at me!"

"Yes, he is a kind master. "

Then joy slowly entered the heart of the poor sinner. The world isbeautiful. People are good. Life is everlasting. And the HeavenlyFather reigns over all. . . . 

The warder looked at his watch. "It is time to return. "

Conrad was taken back to his cell. He stumbled over the threshold andknocked up against the table, it was so dark. But his heart rejoiced. The world Was beautiful. People were good. . . . 

Then, gradually, fear stole back upon him. He was tired and lay downfor a little on the straw. The key grated in the lock. Conrad startedto his feet in terror. What was coming? What was coming?

The father entered quickly and cheerfully. Swinging the manuscript inhis hand, he cried: "Glad tidings! Glad tidings!"

Conrad's hands fluttered to his breast. "Glad tidings? It had come?Life--to live again?" So he cried aloud. He stood for a momentmotionless, then he sat down on the wooden bench. 

"Yes, my son, " the monk continued. "We will call the book, 'GladTidings, ' I. N. R. I. Glad tidings of a poor sinner. That will suit theGospel; that sounds well, does it not?" He stopped and started:"Ferleitner, what is the matter?"

Conrad had fallen against the wall, his head sunk on his breast. Thebreath rattled in his throat. The father reached quickly for thewater-pitcher to revive him. He reproached him good-naturedly forlosing heart so quickly, and bathed his forehead tenderly. Then henoticed the stillness of the breast and the eyes--how glazed they were!He shouted for help. The jailer appeared. He looked, paused a moment, and then said, softly: "It is well. "

There was silence. Suddenly the old man cried out: "It is well. Thou art merciful, Holy God!"

Later, the Franciscan passed through the long passages thanking Godsadly for the blessed miracle of the misunderstanding. At the gate hemet the governor. Heavily, supporting each step by his stick, he camealong. When he saw the monk he went up to him: "My dear father, " hesaid hoarsely. "I am sorry; you will have a heavy night of it. Ferleitner, the criminal, will need a priest. To-morrow morning at sixo'clock all will be over. "

A short silence. Then the father answered: "Your Excellency, thecriminal, Ferleitner, needs neither priest nor judge. He has beenpardoned. "