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My Dear Father:—The last letter which I received by
the hands of the Roman courier, filled me with gratitude,
at learning from it your recovery. When I heard
from Ben Israel of your ill health, I felt like flying with
the wings of a dove to reach your pillow, and administer
to the comfort of the venerated and loved author of my
being. The God of our fathers be praised in raising you
up: and that He may preserve you long to me, shall be
my daily prayer.

You say in your letter, dear father, that you have read
with interest all my letters, and more especially those
which relate to Jesus of Galilee, the mighty Prophet now
vouchsafed to Israel. You say that you are ready to acknowledge
him as a prophet sent from God, “for evidently
no man could do such great works except God be with
him.” But you add, “while I am ready, my child, to
recognize him as a prophet of the Lord, I am far from
seeing in him the Messias promised to our people! Aside
from the lowliness of his parentage and his humility of
condition, travelling on foot, and without retinue, (while
Messias is to be a Prince and King,) he can have no claim
to be the Christ, because he comes out from Galilee.

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Doth Messias come out of Galilee? Let Rabbi Amos,
who seems ready, I perceive, to acknowledge him as the
Christ, let him examine the writings of the Prophets, and
see! Hath not the Scripture said that Christ cometh of
the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem,
where David was? Search and look, for no prophet, much
less Messias, cometh out of Galilee.”

To this objection, dear father, also made, I believe, in
a previous letter, Rabbi Amos desires me to say, that he
has investigated the records of births kept in the Temple,
and finds, as I have before named to you, that Jesus was
born in Bethlehem. He afterwards removed with his
parents to Egypt, and thence returning to Judea, settled
in Galilee, where he was brought up. Of these facts in
his history, not only Rabbi Amos is satisfied, but Nicodemus
also, whose learning you will not gainsay, and
the latter, very much to our surprise, and my own delight,
added yesterday, when we were talking over the subject
at supper, “there is a prophecy, O, Rabbi Amos,
which strengthens this mighty Prophet's claim to be the
Messiah.”

“What is it? Let me hear all that can strengthen!”
I asked earnestly; not, dear father, that my confidence
in him needs confirmation, but I wish others to believe.

“You will find it in the Prophet Hoseas,” answered
Nicodemus, “and thus it readeth: `I have called my son
out of Egypt.' These words refer to Messias, without
question, as say all the doctors of the law.”

“It is a new argument for Jesus, then,” answered
Rabbi Amos.

My heart bounded with joy, dear father, at hearing this

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prophecy named; but judge my emotion when Nicodemus,
taking the roll of the Prophet Isaiah in his hand, read the
words that follow, and applied them to Jesus, “Beyond
Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat
in darkness have seen a great light!” This changes the
objections to his coming from Egypt and from Galilee,
into additional proofs of his claims to be the Messias.

I hear you now ask, dear father, with many of the rich
and influential citizens of Jerusalem, “Have the rulers
begun to believe in him?” Yes, Nicodemus does begin
to believe that He is the Christ, being more and more assured
of it the more he examines the divine Scriptures.
O, my dear father, that you could see Jesus, and hear him
discourse, as I have done! All your doubts would then
be dissipated, and you would be willing to sit at his
feet, and learn of him the words of life. How shall I describe
him—how shall I cause you to hear and see him,
as I have heard and seen?

In my last letter I informed you that Rabbi Amos had
invited him to sojourn with us during the Passover. John,
the cousin of Mary, conveyed to him the invitation of my
uncle, and he graciously accepted it, and came hither
yesterday, after he had quitted the Temple, from which
he had with such commanding power driven forth the
merchants and money-changers.

Hearing the rumor flying along the streets, “The Prophet
comes! the Prophet comes!” uttered by hundreds
of voices of men and children, I hastened to the house-top,
which commanded a view of the street, to the foot of the
Temple. The whol way was a sea of heads. The multitude
came rolling onward, like a mighty river: as I

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have seen the dark Nile when pouring its freshening
floods along its confined banks.

Mary stood by my side. We tried to single out, amid
the advancing throng, the central person around whom
undulated the sea of heads, and whose progress gave occasion
to so mighty a commotion. But all was so wildly
confused with the waving of palm branches that we could
distinguish nothing clearly. While I was straining my
gaze to make out the form of the Prophet, Mary touched
me, and bade me look in the opposite direction. As I did
so, I beheld Æmilius Tullius, the young Roman Centurion,
of whom I have before spoken, now Prefect of Pilate's
Legion, advancing at the head of two hundred horses at
full spur, in order to meet and turn back the advancing
column of people.

As he came opposite the house, he looked up, and seeing
us upon the parapet, he gracefully waved his gleaming
sword, saluting us, and was dashing past, when Mary
cried out:

“Noble sir, there is no insurrection, as some of the
people have doubtless told thee, but this vast crowd moving
hitherward is only an escort to the Prophet of Nazareth,
who cometh to be my father's guest.”

“I have orders from Pilate to arrest him, lady, as a
disturber of the peace of the capital.”

“Shall a prophet suffer because his mighty deeds draw
crowds after his footsteps, noble Roman? If thy troops
advance, there will be collision with the people. If thou
wilt withdraw them a little, thou wilt see that when the
Prophet crosses my father's threshold, they will go away
in peace.”

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The Prefect said nothing, but seemed to look at me for
some words, which seeing, I earnestly entreated him to
do the Prophet no violence.

“For thy wishes' sake, lady, I will here draw up my
troop; especially as I see that the people are unarmed.”

The Centurion gave orders to his horsemen to draw up
in a line opposite the house. The multitude now drew
near; but many of those in advance, seeing the Roman
horse, stopped or fell back, so that I beheld Jesus appear
in front, walking at an even, calm pace, John at his side,
and also Rabbi Amos was with him. As he came nigher,
the people, for fear of the long Roman spears, fell back,
and he advanced, almost alone. I saw John point out to
him the house. The Prophet raised his face and gazed
upon it an instant. I saw his features full. His countenance
was not that of a young man, but of a person past
the middle age of life, though he is but thirty. His dark
brown hair was mingled with gray, and in his finelyshaped,
oval face were carved, evidently by care and
sorrow, deep lines. His beard was black, mingled with
gray, and fell upon his breast. His large, hazel eyes,
appeared to be fixed on us both for an instant, with benignity
and peace. Deep sadness, gentle, not stern, seemed
to be the characteristic expression of his noble and princely
visage. There was an air of manly dignity in his carrage
and mien; and as he walked amid his followers, he
was truly kingly, yet simplicity and humility qualified
this native majesty of port. He seemed to unite both awe
and love, in those who saw him, to command our homage
and sympathy.

As he drew near where the Roman Prefect sat upon his

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horse, the Prophet inclined his body slightly, but with a
courtesy indescribable, to the young chief, who bent low
to his saddle-bow in acknowledgment, as if to a monarch.
We were both surprised, as well as gratified, dear father,
at this act of homage from the Roman knight to our
Prophet, and I thought more kindly than ever of
Æmilius.

Passing the horsemen, John and Rabbi Amos conducted
Jesus to our door; but before they reached it there
was a loud cry from several harsh voices to the Roman to
arrest him. On looking from whence these shouts came,
I saw that they proceeded from several of the priests headed
by Annas, who were pressing forward through the
crowd.

“We call upon you, O Prefect, to arrest this man!
Shame on thee, Rabbi Amos! Hast thou also believed in
the impostor? We charge this Galilean, O Roman, with
having made sedition. He has taken possession of the
Temple, and unless you see to it, he will have the citadel
out of your hands. If you arrest him not, we will not
answer for the consequences that may befall the city and
the people.”

“I see nothing to fear from this man, O ye Jews,”
answered Æmilius. “He is unarmed, and without troops.
Stand back; keep ye to your Temple. It is from your
outcries comes all the confusion! Back to your altars!
If commotions arise in the city, Pilate will make you
accountable. All the rest of the people are peaceable,
save only yourselves.”

“We will take our complaint before the Procurator,”
cried Annas, who was the chief speaker; and, followed

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by a large company of angry priests and Levites, with
staves in their hands, he took his way towards the palace
of the Roman governor.

I looked my gratitude to Æmilius, for taking part with
the Prophet.

The multitude now began to retire, as the Roman horse
slowly moved up the street, and Jesus being received into
the house by Mary, who descended to open the door, quiet
was soon in a measure restored; though at one time a
large concourse of persons, whose money-tables had been
cast down, came to complain of their losses, and would
have attacked the house but for Rabbi Amos, who went
forth and civilly addressed them; showing them that if
they had sold and bought in the Temple, contrary to law,
and that if Jesus had driven them forth alone, he must be
a prophet, for only a prophet could make a thousand men
flee before him; “and if he be a prophet, my friends, he
has acted by command of God; and take heed, lest in
avenging yourselves against him, you be found fighting
against God.”

With such words he caused them to retire, though
many sick, lame, halt, and blind, and infirm, as well as
a group of lepers, stood a long time, without calling upon
the Prophet to come forth, and touch them and heal
them.

In the meanwhile, Jesus was taken into the inner hall,
and water being brought, Rabbi Amos himself removed
his sandals, and washed his feet; while Mary, to do him
all honor, dried them with a rich veil, which she had just
worked in anticipation of her coming bridal with her
cousin John. It was at this moment I entered the hall.

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Desirous as I had been to behold and speak with the
Prophet, now that I could behold him face to face, I
shrunk with awe. He raised his eyes, and beholding me,
said:

“Daughter, come thou also, and bid me welcome with
these dear friends; for I know thou believest in me, and
wouldst that thy father also should believe. Be patient,
and hope; for thou shalt yet behold him whom thou lovest,
my disciple!”

As he thus spake, he extended to me his hand, upon
which I let fall a rain of tears of joy. I knew that he
knew my heart and thoughts, and that his words would
prove true. Yes, dear father, you also will believe, as we
all believe. You also are to acknowledge Him as the
Christ.

There were in the room, not only Amos, and John, and
Mary, but the Priest Elias, cousin to Caiaphas, who, desirous
of hearing from the lips of the Prophet his sublime
teachings, had come in with him. There were also present
five men whom I never saw before; but who, as John
said, were his disciples. One of them was a short, compactly-made
man, with high, energetic features, a bold
brow and eagle eye, with an air of singular determination,
like a soldier. His name was Simon Peter. Another was
a tall, intellectual person, with a calm, thoughtful air,
who seemed to hang on every word his master uttered, as
if he were listening to the very oracles of God. His name
was Andrew, and he is brother to Simon. But I had no
eye or ear for any one but Jesus. I saw that he seemed
weary and pale, and for the first time I noticed a wound
oozing blood upon his temple, from which he seemed to

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suffer, as from time to time he raised his hand to it. Desirous
of serving so holy a person, I hastened to prepare liniment,
with which, bringing it into the hall, I was about to bind
up his wound, which John said had been caused by a
stone thrown by some wicked hand. But the Priest Elias
put me rudely back, and said, “Nay, maiden, let us witness
a miracle!” He then turned to the Prophet and said,
“Master, we have heard much of thy power to do miracles,
but have seen none by thee! If thou wilt presently
show me a miracle, I will believe, I and all my house!
Thou hast a wound gaping in thy temple; heal it with a
touch, and I will acknowledge thee the Christ, the Son of
the blessed!”

Jesus turned his eyes upon him and said, “Elias, thou
readest the Prophets, and should know whether he who
speaketh unto thee be the Christ or no! Search the Scriptures,
that thou mayest know that the time of his visitation
is come, and that I am He! One prophecy fulfilled
is of more value than many miracles. But I do no miracles
to relieve my own sufferings. I came into this world
to suffer. Isaiah wrote of me as a man of sorrows, and
acquainted with grief! Blessed are they who not seeing,
shall believe. Ye believe that I am a prophet, and come
out from God. It is well. Shall a prophet, then, deceive?
If I am a prophet, (and ye doubt it not,) and I say that I
am the Christ, why will ye not believe me? If I am a
true prophet, come out from God, I cannot lie. Yet ye
believe me when I say I am a prophet, and ye are displeased
if I say that I am the Christ. If ye believe me at
all, then believe what I say unto you, that I am the Christ.”

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“But, master,” said the aged Levite, Asher, “we know
whence thou art—even from Galilee. But when Christ
cometh, no man knoweth whence he is!”

“It is true, O man of Israel, ye both know me and
whence I am. Yet ye know not Him who sent me. Ye
do not understand the Scriptures, or ye would indeed
know me, whence I am, and who hath sent me. But ye
know neither me nor Him that sent me, for I am come
out from God. If ye had known Him, ye would know me
also. The time cometh when ye shall know whence I
am and believe in me; but now your hearts are darkened
through ignorance and unbelieving. I have told you
plainly I am the Christ.”

When he had thus spoken with great dignity and power,
there were many present who were offended, and some
voices murmured against him. Then Rabbi Amos led
him forth to the apartment he had prepared for him; but
the people remained warmly discussing the subject, and
were greatly divided about him, some saying that he was
Christ, and others denying it; while others cried aloud
that he did his miracles by Beelzebub, Prince of the
devils.

“And so,” said my cousin John, bitterly, “and so it is
wherever my beloved master goes. Detraction and envy,
malice and unbelief, follow his footsteps, and daily his
life is menaced, and no place is a place of shelter for his
aching head.”

In going to his apartment, the Prophet had to cross
the court, and as I was watching his retiring footsteps, I
saw four men who had climbed to the house-top from the

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street, the doors being shut, let down a fifth in a blanket
at the very feet of Jesus. It was a man afflicted
with the palsy, and grievously tormented, and their
own father. Jesus seeing their filial love, stopped and
said, kindly:

“Young men, what would ye have me to do?”

“Heal our aged father, holy Rabbi.”

“Believe ye that I can do this?” he asked, fixing his
gaze earnestly on them.

“Yes, Lord! we believe that thou art the Christ,
the son of the living God! All things are possible unto
thee!”

Jesus looked benignantly upon them, and then taking
the venerable man by the hand, he said to him
in a loud voice, so that all who were looking on heard
him:

“Aged father, I say unto thee, arise and walk!”

The palsied man instantly rose to his feet, whole
and strong, and after casting a glance around upon
himself, he threw himself at the Prophet's feet, and
bathed them in tears. The four sons did the same,
while all the people who witnessed the miracle shouted,
“glory to God, who hath given such power unto
men!”

Jesus then withdrew himself from the grateful group,
who, embracing their father, wept upon his neck, and
then the whole four escorted him, two on each side,
with their arms about him, and about each other,
into the street, where they were received by the
multitude with loud cries of gratulation; for the

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old man had been well known in the city by all men,
as palsied and unable to walk for thirty years.

Such, my dear father, are the increasing testimonies
Jesus bears, by miracles, as well as by words, to his being
Messias.

The God of our fathers keep you in health.

p612-238

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