wild, imploring look. Oh, there were little children in that crowd whose young hearts, at a look from Him, burst with pity for Him, and sent the scalding tears to blind their eyes to the woeful sight. There were young women there who pitied Him for the sake of their own brothers and lovers. There were mothers there who thought of their own sons and bowed their heads in speechless sorrow when they heard the wail of His poor Mother. Aye, for Mary was there in the throng, and when her eyes met the eyes of her Son she shrieked aloud and sank back into the arms of Mary Magdalen and St. John. But there sympathy ended, — the vast majority of that crowd remained pitiless and cried all the louder: " Let Him be crucified! Let Him be crucified! " Pilate's last feeble attempt to save the innocent has failed, and so he gives Christ over to the mob to do with Him as they will. Eagerly they set to work to carry out their fiendish purpose. Willing hands procure and prepare the rough cross; the huge nails are brought and the heavy hammer, and the mournful procession starts up the hill of Calvary. There are three to be executed, Our Lord and two robbers; two culprits going to satisfy justice, one victim of religious fanaticism. And as the hatred of the religious fanatic is more relentless even than the strictest justice, so the robbers are allowed to walk free, while Our Lord is made to carry His cross. Was there ever a poor shattered frame more incapable of bearing a load ! was there ever a heavier load placed on human shoulders! was there ever a steeper
